Chapter 70: Retreating to Luo Village! Seeking Recommendation Tickets!

  Nanjing, Presidential Palace.

  Zhang Xinghan and Yi Lian were successfully rescued by the 11th Division, and the news was transmitted back to Nanjing on the same day, reaching Chairman Chiang.

  Upon learning that Zhang Xinghan and his troops were able to hold out for two days and nights after being surrounded, and finally broke through the encirclement with the arrival of reinforcements, Chiang Kai-shek was overjoyed. He immediately ordered his aide-de-camp Wang Shijie to relay an order to the 88th and 11th Divisions on the front lines, instructing them to convey the following message to Zhang Xinghan's troops: they were to return to Nanjing for rest and reorganization, and Chiang Kai-shek would personally confer honors and awards upon them.

  As for Zhang Xinghan, although he did not die in battle or sacrifice his country, at the very least he should have been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and regiment commander in the National Revolutionary Army.

  However, Wang Shihe had not left for twenty minutes before he hastily returned. Chairman Chiang looked at Wang Shihe who walked in hastily and asked: "Shihe, how is it? Has the front line sent a telegram?"

  "Report to the commander, I have sent a telegram to both the 11th Division and the 88th Division. The 11th Division reported that they are currently engaged in fierce battle with Japanese counterattacking troops, and Zhang Xinghan's regiment has already withdrawn from the battlefield."

  The 88th Division headquarters replied that more than half an hour ago, Zhang Xinghan and the surviving officers and men of the 1st Battalion had gone to the front line with Sun Yuanliang, the commander of the 88th Division. The current situation on the front line is urgent and it is temporarily inconvenient to contact. Wang Shihe replied respectfully.

  "What? They've gone to the front line again? What is Sun Yuanliang thinking? Zhang Xinghan and his men have been fighting the Japanese for two days and two nights, they should be withdrawn to the rear for reorganization." Chiang Kai-shek thought that Sun Yuanliang had left them on the front line and couldn't help but feel displeased.

  "Your Excellency, I heard that Zhang Xinghan and the entire company of officers and soldiers voluntarily requested to stay on the battlefield. Except for seven seriously wounded personnel, the rest of them, including Zhang Xinghan himself, unanimously requested to stay on the battlefield, be loyal to the party and country, and fight against the enemy."

  "Oh, I see." After listening, Chairman Chiang's expression was somewhat complex, feeling both delighted to have such a soldier and student, yet also feeling a little reluctant, his fondness for Zhang Xinghan growing deeper in his heart.

  After a moment of contemplation, Chairman Chiang raised his head and said to Wang Shih-wei: "Shih-wei, you immediately send another telegram to the 88th Division, requiring Sun Yuan-liang to ensure Zhang Xing-han's safety at all costs. Once the battle subsides slightly, order Zhang Xing-han and all surviving officers and soldiers of the First Battalion to come to Ningbo for reorganization and replenishment. I will personally award them medals and commendations."

  "Yes!" Wang Shih-Heh stood up straight with a loud "crack" and immediately turned around to lead the order away.

  …………..

  Kong Tai Hing Cotton Mill Frontline.

  The flames of war are flying everywhere, the guns and cannons are sounding in unison, the entire battlefield is filled with the sounds of slaughter, shouting, and deafening gunfire.

  When Zhang Xinghan, Zhou Wei and others followed Sun Yuanliang's instructor to lead the guard company to rush to the command post of the 262nd Brigade in the front line, they could already hear the sound of the Japanese Type 92 infantry cannon not far away from the front.

  The distant rumble of cannons could be heard from the front, but Zhu Chu, the commander of the 262nd Brigade, was nowhere to be seen in the command center. Sun Yuanliang's face turned somewhat unpleasant as he asked the acting chief of staff who had stayed behind: "Where is your brigade commander? As a brigade commander, he should be here directing the battle. How can he abandon his post?"

  "Reporting to the commander, the deputy regimental commander has already led the reserve team to charge forward. The devils have broken through our 523rd and 524th regiments' four defense lines under the cover of artillery fire and tank armor vehicles. The fifth defense line is in urgent danger! The deputy regimental commander has led the reserve team to launch a counterattack." The deputy officer stood up straight, answering respectfully.

  "Oh! Like this." Sun Yuanliang heard the words and immediately turned his head to the guard company commander behind him: "Zhao Cheng!"

  "Yes!" The captain of the guard immediately stood up straight.

  "You immediately lead the guard regiment! Reinforce the front line, and you must assist Commander Zhu in repelling the Japanese army's attack and retaking the lost position!" Sun Yuanliang commanded with a stern expression.

  "Don't worry, sir. Whether we complete the task or not, Zhao Cheng will take responsibility and come to see you!" Captain Zhao stood up straight and saluted solemnly.

  "Director Sun!" Zhang Xinghan stepped forward at this time.

  "What's wrong?" Sun Yuanliang turned his gaze towards Zhang Xinghan and asked.

  "Humble officer thinks that Director Sun, you are the central commander of the entire 88th Division, and Captain Zhao bears the responsibility for your safety and cannot leave lightly. Please give humble officer two platoons, humble officer is willing to replace Captain Zhao in battle, if the task is not completed, will come to see you with his head held high." Zhang Xinghan said resolutely.

  Zhao Cheng looked at Zhang Xinghan with admiration, who volunteered to take the lead. Who would have thought that on the battlefield where bullets were flying everywhere and life and death were unpredictable, just Zhang Xinghan's spirit was enough to make people admire him.

  Sun Yuanliang looked at Zhang Xinghan for a moment, seeing his determined face, and finally nodded solemnly: "I promise you! But you must come back alive."

  "Yes!" Zhang Xinghan stood up straight with a loud slap, and immediately turned around and walked out of the command center in big strides. Zhou Wei and others also followed him out in a hurry. A group of people gathered two rows of guards and set off towards the front line.

  Just as Zhang Xinghan had just led his troops to the front line, a communication soldier rushed in hastily and stood at attention, reporting to Sun Yuanliang: "Commander, telegram from Nanjing."

  "Oh?" Sun Yuanliang took the telegram and hastily read it, regretting it immensely. "This telegram didn't come early or late, but just when Zhang Xinghan had already gone into battle. Military orders are like mountains, how can we change them from morning to evening?"

  After making up his mind, Sun Yuanliang stood up and said to the communication soldier: "Send a telegram back to Nanjing, saying that our troops have already engaged in a fierce battle with the Japanese enemy, and all officers and soldiers are fighting desperately. If necessary, I will also lead the dare-to-die squad to fight against the enemy. At present, the situation is critical, and personal honor or loss is lighter than national interests. Everyone knows this. Zhang Xinghan, the company commander, has already led the reinforcement troops to the battlefield and cannot be summoned back for the time being. Please excuse me."

  "Yes!" The communications soldier stood up straight with a crisp movement and immediately turned around and quickly walked away.

  …………..

  In the twinkling of an eye, three days passed. During these three days, the 15th Army Corps arrived one after another and immediately launched a counterattack against the enemy who landed in the direction of Shizi Forest, Chuansha Port, Zhanghua Gang, etc.

  However, the progress of the battle was disappointing. Although the National Army had an advantage in terms of troop numbers, its overall equipment and individual soldier quality were inferior to those of the enemy. Moreover, the high-level strategic thinking of the troops was outdated. As a result, more than 100,000 soldiers counterattacked against over 50,000 Japanese troops but not only failed to achieve their goal, they also suffered heavy casualties.

  By August 23, the Ninth Army and Fifteenth Army were forced to switch to defense. Under the cover of strong firepower from their navy and air force, the Japanese Third Division and Eleventh Division launched a main attack on our positions in Baoshan, YuPu, Luodian and Wusongkou.

  Zhang Xinghan's two platoons, combined with the original officers and soldiers of the 1st Company, now had less than one platoon left, only twenty or so men. In the battle to resist the Japanese army's attack, they suffered heavy casualties. Although they helped the 262nd Brigade hold its position, ultimately due to the overall passivity of the war situation, each division could only set up defensive positions in the areas of Baoshan, Luodian, and Ximazhen and withdraw to defend them.

  While waiting for reinforcements, during the retreat, Zhang Xinghan's dozens of remaining soldiers and the 88th Division were scattered. When he led his dozens of remaining soldiers to retreat to Luodian where our army had set up a defensive position, he found that there were hardly any troops defending the outer defenses of Luodian.

  Upon investigation, Zhang Xinghan couldn't help but take a cold breath, the geographical location of Luo's store on the Songhu battlefield was so important, anyone with a bit of strategic vision could see that.

  The Luo store is conveniently located, to the south can reach Liu Hang and Da Chang, threatening Zhang Hua Bang, Wei Mao Bang, to the west can go to Jiading, Anting, occupying and cutting off the Ninghu Railway line.

  If Luo's store falls, the National Army will instantly fall into a passive situation on the entire Songhu battlefield, and the consequences are unthinkable.

  Zhang Xinghan sat on a small mound, frowning in thought. He calmly sorted out his thoughts and recalled from his historical memory that during this retreat, the National Army's various units retreated in disarray, unable to provide cover for each other, resulting in heavy losses. Only about 100 people managed to retreat to Luodian first, but before they could set up defenses, they were defeated by the pursuing Japanese army.

  After Luo Dian fell into enemy hands, Chairman Chiang immediately ordered the 11th Division and part of the 98th Division to launch a counterattack, retaking Luo Dian and its surrounding areas.

  By then, the 11th Division and Japanese troops engaged in a desperate fight at Longtan, this strategic location changed hands several times, becoming one of the most fiercely contested areas on the entire Songhu battlefront.

  Thinking of this, Zhang Xinghan stood up and looked around, confirming that the troops outside the town had not yet arrived.

  After a moment of contemplation, Zhang Xinghan immediately commanded: "Brothers, rush to repair the fortifications! Prepare for battle!"

  "What's going on? Where are we?" Sun Siwei looked around and saw that they were surrounded by desolate wilderness, with no signs of human habitation in sight. Behind them, he vaguely made out a village.

  "This is Luo Dian, a strategically crucial location. If we lose Luo Dian, our army will completely lose the initiative on the Songhu battlefield, and the consequences will be unthinkable. So we must stay here, we cannot retreat, no matter what, we must hold this place." Zhang Xinghan explained.

  "Xing Han, although this strategic location is important, we only have less than thirty people left. Can we hold on?" Sun Siwei looked around at the twenty or so surviving soldiers and asked in a low voice.

  "Don't worry, the strategic value of this place won't be overlooked by the higher-ups. Reinforcements should arrive soon, we won't be fighting alone!" Zhang Xinghan stood up and shouted loudly: "Alright, brothers, hurry up and repair the fortifications! The devils will be here soon."

  Sun Siwei nodded and immediately turned around to dig fortifications with other soldiers.

  PS: First update, if nothing unexpected happens, there will be another update tonight or in the evening. Please vote for recommendations, collect and click to support me with firepower, otherwise I won't have enough ammo to defend Luo's store and can't heavily damage Little Japan again. Also, thank you to "Gu De Bo Ti" and "ssq1976" for your rewards, bowing in gratitude.

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