Chapter 23: Breaking Out of the Encirclement (Part 2)

  Nanjing, Headquarters of the Shanghai-Nanjing War Zone

  In the spacious and bright conference room, many high-ranking military officers from various countries gathered together. The host of the meeting was none other than Deputy Commander-in-Chief Gu Zhu Tong, with generals seated on both sides, including several senior generals. However, every face looked unusually solemn, and the atmosphere in the conference room was extremely oppressive.

  To be honest, the National Army performed quite well in the first two stages of the Battle of Shanghai, despite being at a significant disadvantage in terms of heavy firepower and air and naval power. However, thanks to the bravery and sacrifice of its officers and men, it still inflicted unexpectedly heavy casualties on the Japanese army. The fierce battle lasted nearly three months, with over 70,000 Japanese soldiers killed or wounded, while Chinese casualties were close to 100,000, with a roughly equal ratio of casualties between the two sides.

  However, in the final stage of withdrawal, the National Army made a big blunder, and the casualties caused by the three-day defeat were almost equivalent to the total casualties of the previous three months, which is regrettable.

  The main responsibility for this result lies with Chairman Chiang, because of his indecisiveness and hesitation, which missed the best opportunity to retreat. Secondly, there are many factions within the National Army, when fighting against the enemy, they can still work together, but once the order is given to retreat, each faction immediately starts their own calculations, and the result is predictable.

  So, Gu Zhutong was extremely angry in his heart, not only because Chiang Kai-shek had just scolded him severely, but also because he would have to take the historical responsibility for the defeat of the Battle of Shanghai.

  Although Gu Zuotong was only the deputy commander-in-chief of the Shanghai-Hangzhou War Zone.

  "At this critical moment when the fate of our party and country hangs in the balance, I hope you will all prioritize the overall situation. After returning to your posts, each of you must solidify your defenses and under no circumstances allow the Japanese invaders to break through Changzhou and Yiyang to the east, ensuring the safety of Nanjing! Ensuring the safety of our party and country! Ensuring the safety of our leader!

  Gu Zhu said this in one breath, then stood up, his killing intent surging as he declared, "I'm putting my words on the line here. Whoever dares to disregard the overall situation and retreat without authorization again will have no one to blame but themselves for not being shown mercy by me, Gu!"

  Although the commanders of various group armies present at the meeting were dissatisfied and grumbled in their bellies, no one dared to openly voice their opposition.

  Just as Gu Zhu was about to announce the adjournment of the meeting, his deputy rushed in hastily and said with a strange expression: "Director, an urgent telegram from Shanghai!"

  The high-ranking military officers of the party and state turned their attention to Gu Zhu Tong's deputy, wondering how he dared to barge in on such a high-level military meeting. The fact that he received an urgent telegram from Shanghai made them wonder if something big had happened there again?

  Did the Japanese army openly invade the International Settlement and French Concession?

  If that's the case, then little Japan would have greatly offended the British, Americans and French. If they could also pull in England, America and France to form an alliance, the pressure on the Nationalist Army's front line would be greatly reduced.

  Gu Zhu furrowed his brow and said without lifting his head: "Read!"

  "Yes!" The deputy officer responded, and immediately read out: "Nanjing Headquarters, Third War Zone Command: At 3 o'clock in the morning, more than 100 remaining soldiers of the Baoshan Camp who were holding out at the Fourth Bank Warehouse broke through the Japanese army's encirclement from the front, destroying the command post of the Japanese 9th Division's 36th Regiment and killing many enemy troops during the breakout. Confidentiality Bureau No. 8."

  Quiet! Silence! A moment of silence!

  Including Gu Zhu Tong and Cheng Cheng, all the high-ranking military leaders of the party and state who attended the meeting looked like wooden chickens.

  Almost everyone's face is written with the two words "unbelievable". If a certain Chiang in Nanjing suddenly announced his resignation, they might still barely believe it. But if you say that Yue Weihan's Baoshan camp can break through head-on, they would rather die than believe it. This is simply a fairy tale, isn't it? There is no possibility, absolutely no possibility!

  How many people are in the Baoshan camp? About half a battalion, I suppose. How many Japanese puppet troops surrounded the Sihang Warehouse? There must be nearly 10,000 of them! Relying on the Sihang Warehouse building, the Baoshan camp may still be able to hold on, but if someone says they still have the strength to break through and even break out of the encirclement from the front, then that person must have a brain injury.

  "Director Zhang, is Bureau 8's confidentiality being compromised?" someone finally asked after a good half of a moment.

  Suddenly, the conference room was filled with a burst of skeptical voices. Cheng Cheng even said bluntly: "Dai's people are getting more and more outrageous, such a lie that a three-year-old can easily see through is actually dared to be reported to the delegate?"

  Zhang Fu Guan smiled bitterly and asked in return: "Commander Cheng, and all the other officials, if this matter is indeed false, would the Ba Ju of the Protection Bureau dare to report it to the Commissioner?"

  Cheng Cheng and all the high-ranking generals of the National Army were suddenly speechless.

  It's a fact, even if the secret agents of the Bureau are not sensible, they will not joke with their own lives. If the breakout of Baoshan Camp had not been repeatedly verified, would they dare to report it to Chairman Chiang? But, in that case, the breakout of Baoshan Camp is true, unbelievable, simply unbelievable!

  Gu Zhu's heart was already surging with shock and astonishment!

  Stunning, after some thought, Gu Zhu only came up with the two words "stunning" to barely describe the brilliant performances of Yue Weihan since his debut.

  Hold out for six days and nights at Baoshan, and the Japanese 3rd Division's 68th Regiment was defeated!

  Led a small team of troops to infiltrate the enemy's camp, successfully destroying the advance base of the 3rd Division and killing the Japanese general commander!

  Qiao Zong led the remaining 42 men of the Baoshan Camp to break through the siege and assisted the 98th Division in recovering the Nan'an position on the south bank of the Yangtze River!

  Although these three great military exploits seemed to have fallen on Yao Changqing's head, the old man and the high-ranking generals of the Songhu War Zone all knew that it was Yue Weihan who fought! Moreover, this time, defending the Four Banks Warehouse for a full 20 days, killing and wounding thousands of Japanese puppet troops, and finally breaking through the siege with the remaining troops, and even breaking out from the front line!

  What about Yue Fei's military strategy? What made his tactics superior to others?

  Setting aside Yue Weihan's Huangpu origin and Fenghua background, just relying on this series of unbelievable military achievements, the old man who loves talent would not be able to ignore him. Without a doubt, this young man will become the old man's trusted favorite general in the future, and will become a pillar of the party and state. It seems that he should try to establish a good relationship with him as soon as possible.

  "Vice Officer Zhang." Gu Zhu and Huo Ran looked up at the same time, asking in a low voice, "Doesn't Baoshan Camp have a radio station?"

  "Yes, sir," Deputy Zhang hastily replied, "Before the 98th Division retreated, they left a radio station at Baoshan Camp."

  "Order the communication department to keep calling me without interruption." Gu Zhu said, "As soon as the radio station of Baoshan Camp is turned on, report to me immediately. I want to communicate with Baoshan Camp and Yue Weihan at the first time."

  "Yes!" Deputy Zhang stood at attention and saluted, then turned around and left.

  "The meeting is dismissed." Gu Zhu made a similar gesture, and immediately left the conference room with an expressionless face. The high-ranking generals of the National Army who attended the meeting also left one after another with different expressions.

  …………

  Nanjing, Presidential Palace.

  Chiang Kai-shek was repeatedly listening to the farewell message of all officers and men of Baoshan Camp through a phonograph, and his thin face had already been covered with tears.

  It's been many years since Chairman Chiang has forgotten how many years it has been since he last shed tears.

  But today, Chairman Chiang found himself unexpectedly losing control of his emotions.

  Soong Tzu-wen came again to Chiang's study and urged sincerely: "Director, we can't wait any longer."

  "Mr. Chiang, I understand your feelings," Madame Chiang said in a soft voice. "As the leader of the party and state, it's unbearable to watch the capital fall into enemy hands. But no matter how difficult it is, we have to leave. If you insist on not leaving and want to share life and death with Nanking, your personal honor may be preserved, but what about the country? What about the nation? The party and state cannot do without you."

  "Yes, Premier, little sister is right, the country cannot do without you." Song Ziwen also advised deeply.

  This is not an empty word. Given the current situation of the National Government, once Chairman Chiang has a mishap, I'm afraid the entire country will immediately split, and the nationwide anti-Japanese united front that has just been formed will also immediately disintegrate. In this case, the Chinese nation may really be destroyed and perish.

  Chiang Kai-shek remained silent, still quietly listening, quietly shedding tears.

  Madam Chiang and Soong Tzu-wen exchanged a glance, and neither of them said anything more, but instead stood by silently shedding tears.

  In the oppressive silence, a sudden urgent footsteps came over, and Wang Shihe, the head of the national government's guard, quickly walked into the study room, excitedly saying: "Delegate, the Shanghai station of the Military Intelligence Bureau has sent a telegram, the Baoshan camp broke out at dawn today, and it was a frontal breakout. During the breakout, they also destroyed the command post of the 36th Regiment of the Japanese Army's 3rd Division!"

  Madam Chiang and Soong Tzu-wen both showed extreme shock on their faces, although neither of them understood much about military affairs, they still knew how astonishing this news was! This Yue Weihan had created a miracle once again. At that moment, the two turned their eyes to Chairman Chiang in unison.

  Chiang Kai-shek remained calm, as if what Wang Shih-chieh said was just a trivial matter.

  After a moment of contemplation, Chairman Chiang suddenly stood up and walked out of the study. From start to finish, he didn't say a single word, nor did he make any comment on Yue Weihan's and Bao Shan Camp's breakout. Even Madame Chiang couldn't guess what was on his mind. Only Wang Shihe, who had followed Chairman Chiang for nearly twenty years, faintly felt that Chairman Chiang's mood had turned from gloomy to sunny.

  ……

  P.S: There is a small mistake, I'll correct it. The "Bureau of Confidentiality" should be changed to "Military Bureau". Also, thank you readers for pointing out the error.

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