(Seventy-one) Also saw hail

  With a real heavy artillery brigade, equipped with the new 180mm heavy artillery given by Yang Shouzhong, Fu Xia'an, who was originally not confident in the acting Fifth Division, now has more confidence than before. He may be dissatisfied that Cao Kun, who owns the elite troops of the Third Division, retreated at this time, so he said such a thing.

  After learning that Yang Shouming annihilated more than 7,000 Japanese bandits, the Central Fifth Division, which had been defeated for several days in a row and also possessed 180mm heavy artillery, was eager to establish the same merit. Fu Xiaoan wanted to try his own strength and test the bottom line of the Japanese army by saying that he wanted to fight the first battle.

  There is much for the Chinese team to learn from this war.

  After listening to Fu Xia'an's slightly provocative words, Cao Kun chuckled and said: "Brother Fu is being polite, the brothers of the Fifth Regiment have traveled a long way and are relatively tired. The task of leading the charge should be left to our Third Regiment."

  "Let's listen to Yang's opinion." Zhang Heng suddenly said, "In these days, the battle fought by Yang is still decent."

  After hearing Zhang Heng's words, a hint of annoyance flashed in Wu Peifu's eyes. He was about to erupt, but seeing Cao Kun still smiling and nodding his head in agreement with Zhang Heng, he suppressed his anger and didn't say anything. Instead, he turned his gaze to Yang Shuzheng, waiting for him to speak.

  "The Japanese army in Shandong originally had an advantage over our army in terms of military strength, but they were too contemptuous of our army and advanced too quickly, resulting in a long battle line. Currently, along the Jiaoji Railway, the Japanese army's forces are scattered, with their main force concentrated in Jinan. Yang Shaoming pointed to the map and said, "The main force of the Japanese army is concentrated in Qingdao, while there are few Japanese troops in Zibo, Qingzhou, and Weixian. Our army can concentrate its forces, cut off the connection between the Japanese army's front and rear, and the Japanese army in Jinan will be unable to receive supplies after continuous battles. Once their retreat route is cut off by our army, they will fall into chaos without a fight, and our army can take advantage of this opportunity to gather and annihilate them, then concentrate its forces to retake Qingdao."

  "Retake Qingdao?" Upon hearing Yang Shuo-ming's words, the Beiyang generals in the room were all shocked.

  "Qingdao has been occupied by foreigners for many years, it's time to return to the motherland." Yang Shuo Ming looked at the bewildered Beiyang generals and nodded, "Of course, this is a matter for later. For now, what we can do is cut off the Jiaoji Railway, making it impossible for the Japanese army to support each other from front and back, then annihilate the Japanese army in Jinan in the shortest time possible."

  "What's the shortest time?" Wu Peifu asked Yang Shuo Ming.

  "It is, the shortest time." Yang Shuo Ming said, "Because our time will not be many, Japan has the advantage of the navy. This time, the battle in Shandong was lost, and they must have troops from home to come and cover them with the navy, landing on the coast of Jiaodong Peninsula. Our army must take action as soon as possible before their reinforcements arrive, otherwise it will be difficult to fight after the Japanese reinforcements arrive."

  Everyone in the house fell silent after hearing Yang Shuo Ming's words.

  For most people, they actually feel very bleak about the prospects of this war.

  The power gap between China and Japan is something these soldiers know better than anyone else.

  "Our main combat goal is not only to defend Shandong, but also to try our best to annihilate as many Japanese troops as possible on this battlefield in Shandong, and to weaken the Japanese army's ability to attack our mainland to the greatest extent. This will make Japan realize that they cannot occupy our country, thus forcing them back to the negotiating table to end the war with terms most favorable to us." Yang Shaoming continued, "We can only make Japan retreat after we have beaten them hard and made them feel our strength; otherwise, China will never be able to stand up in front of Japan."

  "Then let's fight well and let the Japanese taste our strength!" Wu Peifu looked at the generals and said loudly, "Even if we lose this war in the end, we can't let the Japanese look down on us Chinese!"

  After listening to Wu Peifu's words, some of the traveling officers followed suit and shouted in agreement. Yang Shouming looked at this man who was notorious for slaughtering railway workers on the Beijing-Hankou Railway in later generations' textbooks, as well as "General Queue" Zhang Xun, who was also constantly scolded after his restoration, and secretly sighed in his heart.

  Perhaps it is because I have been deeply influenced by the mainstream historical view of later generations, and to a greater or lesser extent, I have always had some prejudice against the historical figures of this era. When it comes to their words and deeds, I instinctively tend to interpret them with the worst possible malice. However, up until now, all the people he has seen are Chinese with backbone and blood.

  Now I will fight shoulder to shoulder with these people against the barbaric Japanese invaders!

  Yang Shuo Ming recalled his thoughts, refocusing his attention on the military meeting at hand. He glanced over the maps and data flashing before his eyes, beginning to discuss some detailed issues about the battle with the Beiyang generals.

  June 21, 1915, Qingzhou City Suburbs.

  At this time, the sky was already close to dusk, but on the Japanese army's position, it was still a busy scene.

  Large groups of Japanese soldiers poured out of the communication trenches towards the front line's simple trenches. In these shallow trenches, some Japanese soldiers were also digging hard, with an atmosphere of a big battle about to arrive.

  "Our commander is really good at making plans," Colonel Yamamoto of the 29th Brigade Hamamatsu Regiment's 2nd Battalion patted the dust off his medal on his chest and complained to the adjutant, "Why not let the Imperial Guard Division come here to defend?"

  "That group of young masters from Tokyo are just for show." Jing Gang sneered coldly, "They came to Qingdao not to fight a war. In Chinese words, it's just going through the motions."

  "But now they're still safe in Qingdao, with the protection of the navy, while we have to endure the Chinese artillery fire here with our heads." Yamamoto shook his head with a bitter smile, "Is this the difference between Tokyo and Sendai?"

  "The ones who can truly fight for the glory of the empire are you, me, and them." Shizuka noticed something unusual in Yamamoto's words and encouragingly said, "Besides, the Chinese artillery isn't that frightening after all."

  "But General Yamada was killed in action." said Yamamoto with a look of despair, "According to the survivors from the 24th Brigade, their artillery fire was suppressed by the Chinese heavy artillery. Can you imagine how many big guns the Chinese used to attack us? And yet Tokyo still thinks we can easily capture Beijing!"

  "We are facing the main force of the Chinese army," Shizuka tried to encourage Yamamoto, "Don't forget, we easily captured Mukden and are now approaching Beijing."

  "It is said that they are not doing well in the fight," Yamamoto said, "The best general of China, Tsai Ao, is now standing in front of them, and it seems that they can no longer advance."

  "Ts'ai O is indeed an excellent commander," Shizuka nodded, but immediately corrected Yamamoto's statement. "But even he can't stop the Imperial Army from advancing on Peking. The reason for this pause in the Imperial Army's advance is entirely due to the sudden arrival of the rainy season."

  In the direction of Shenyang, the Japanese army's attack was very smooth at first, and major cities such as Shenyang, Liaoyang, and Jinzhou were captured one after another. The Chinese troops retreated in defeat, but after entering late June, the Northeast suddenly experienced heavy rainfall, turning many areas into a sea of mud. The continuous rain forced the Japanese army to stop advancing, while the Chinese troops also could not launch counterattacks in such weather. Both sides simultaneously stopped attacking each other, and the Northeast battlefield has actually entered a state of ceasefire.

  "I really wish it would rain a few more times here." Yamamoto looked at the Japanese soldiers around him, busy like ants, and said helplessly, "I don't know what General Kōdō is thinking, but in this situation, he still wants us to launch a counterattack against the Chinese troops! And it's a life-or-death night raid! Without artillery support! Isn't this just sending us to our deaths for nothing?"

  "I said earlier that the Chinese artillery is not so formidable. According to our intelligence, they don't have many heavy guns and their ammunition is scarce. They've already consumed a large amount of ammunition in previous battles and can't get timely replenishment. You know, many of China's shells are purchased from abroad, they can't produce enough high-quality shells like we do. Now our navy has blockaded the Chinese coast, and the Chinese can no longer get shells from outside." Shizuka said, "Haven't you seen that in recent days, the Chinese have only sent out some scattered soldiers to harass us, but haven't taken any major action? General Kamio made the decision to launch a night attack based on this very point."

  "I hope he's right," Yamamoto sighed.

  "I believe that from tonight, the Chinese will have a big headache." Jing gazed at the setting sun, lit a cigarette, and suddenly had an ominous premonition, but it didn't show on his face or in his mouth.

  Soon, Shizuka's premonition was confirmed. Just as he had finished smoking his cigarette and before he could extinguish the butt, a large-caliber shell fired by the Chinese troops came crashing down from the sky like a shooting star, exploding right next to Shizuka and Yamamoto, blowing them both to pieces almost simultaneously.

  The first round of the Chinese artillery barrage began, with a dense rain of shells descending from the sky with an ear-piercing whine, pounding into the trenches packed with Japanese soldiers.

  It started with terrified screams, followed by mournful and painful wails, then desperate and sorrowful howls, and finally the miserable cries and moans of survivors.

  It can't go on... I really can't hold on anymore. Originally, I wanted to update four chapters today, but unfortunately... I'll try to make up for it in the next two days... Thank you everyone...