Volume 1: Initial Entry into the Battlefield Chapter 23: Heaven's Timing, Earth's Advantage, and Human Harmony

  The Japanese army left little time for Chang Zhi Zhong, and there was little time left for the 29th Army either. But we had no other choice, only to grit our teeth and move forward!

  Looking at the map on the desk, I calculated an account in my heart: a Japanese army infantry brigade has about 4,000 people, which means that there are 4,000 troops in all four directions of Beiping.

  Our army has a force of 10,000 men. From a single direction, 10,000 men against the Japanese devils' 4,000 should be enough, but I know it's far from sufficient. Someone did a statistic that the Japanese army's firepower is roughly four times ours, plus the gap in quality, the Japanese army's combat effectiveness is at least five times ours. If calculated this way, then each side of Beiping has an equal 20,000 men defending...

  "According to the reconnaissance troops' report!" Zhang Zizhong drew a circle around Beiping with his finger and said, "The Japanese army has taken advantage of these few days of negotiations to deploy troops and build fortifications. The little devils never had any intention of negotiating with us from the start, they just wanted to put us to death! Alas, our superior still has illusions about the negotiations, just a moment ago... the commander-in-chief sent a telegram asking what conditions the Japanese have and when they will withdraw from Beiping... He doesn't know that this time the little devils want not only a bit of benefit but our entire China!"

  What Zhang Zizhong said was indeed true, because soon after the Japanese army would tear off their disguise and frantically shout "San Yue Wang Hua". Do you know what "San Yue Wang Hua" means? It means to destroy China within three months!

  The Japanese army's "March to destroy China" has finally become a joke, but now it seems I won't be able to wait for that day because the cruel reality is right in front of me: The 20th Division of the Japanese Army isn't easy to mess with, they're setting up an ambush outside the city waiting for us to go and die!

  At this time, I couldn't help but regret: In modern times, why didn't I investigate clearly which direction the successful breakout team broke out from? There's a saying that goes "When you need it, you'll regret not having enough books." At this moment, I finally deeply understood the meaning of these words. However, to be honest, any historical book seems unlikely to go into such detail as to describe the direction from which troops broke out and escaped...

  Zhang Zizhong took out his pocket watch and looked at it. From the worry on his face, I knew that we didn't have much time left.

  "It seems that... the only way is to break through forcibly!" Zhang Zizhong muttered to himself: "Going south won't work, Baoding is in the south, and the Japanese army will definitely cut off my connection with the main force; going east will only get farther away from Baoding... it seems that I can only go west..."

  "You go back and prepare first!" Then Zhang Zizhong turned to me and said: "I have to use the remaining time to hold a meeting, deal with the 39th Brigade's affairs and prepare for a breakthrough!"

  "Yes!" I stood up straight and replied.

  Since Zhang Zizhong has already given the order to withdraw, I don't want to stay any longer. At the same time, I also know that Zhang Zizhong indeed has many things to deal with. The commander of the 39th Division and several chief of staff have all been suspected of collaborating with the enemy, which means that his command center needs to be reorganized, and even use this newly reorganized command center to organize a breakout...

  But just as I was about to leave, I suddenly caught a glimpse of the map and saw that there were no Japanese fortifications on the north side. Later, I learned that this was because the Japanese troops were stationed inside the city rather than outside. So, I stopped and said: "Commander! Look... can we break through to the north?"

  "Head north?" Zhang Zizhong smiled without lifting his head: "The north is the Japanese army's territory, are you trying to get our troops to enter the tiger's mouth?"

  "Perhaps...the Japanese will think so too!"

  Zhang Zizhong suddenly lifted his head when I said so.

  "I turned around, pointing to the map and continued: 'Your Excellency, please look, the Japanese army has built complete fortifications on the east, west, and south sides. In addition, they have deployed a heavy brigade. If we try to break out in any of these three directions, if we can't get out of the city within half an hour, it's very likely that we will be attacked from other directions by the Japanese army. At that time, even if we manage to break out of the city, I'm afraid we'll suffer heavy casualties...'"

  I took a glance at Zhang Zizhong's thoughtful face and continued: "But if we attack northward, it would be different. Although the Japanese army was prepared before the war, they launched battles in both Pingjin... It is said that Tianjin even launched a counterattack, so the Japanese army must be tight on troops!"

  "Hmm!" Upon hearing this, Zhang Zizhong nodded his head involuntarily.

  I know the battle of Tianjin was entirely because history is written that way, although Beiping fell into the hands of Little Japan without firing a shot, Tianjin was fought in an orderly manner, and the 29th Army soldiers stationed in Tianjin even launched a counterattack and burned down one of the Japanese airports!

  Zhang Zizhong is a superior and he was originally the mayor of Tianjin, so these things are naturally clearer to him than to me.

  "Continue!" Zhang Zizhong seemed to have taken some interest at this time, and seeing that I had stopped talking, he became somewhat anxious.

  "In other words..." I continued, "The Japanese army may appear strong on the surface but is actually hollow inside. Moreover, they have always looked down on our military, so they never expected us to launch a surprise attack from the north and penetrate deep into their defenses! Once we break through their lines... the Japanese will be thrown into chaos, and we can take advantage of the confusion to find an opportunity to escape! Even if it means death, this way of dying can bring the greatest benefit to our military!"

  "Reasonable!" Zhang Zizhong nodded and said: "But... although there are no Japanese field fortifications on the north side, they have complex streets and houses as cover, plus tanks and artillery and other heavy weapons... Our army is afraid that it will be difficult to break through before the Japanese troops arrive from the other three sides, and in the end, it will still be a situation where we are surrounded and annihilated!"

  I have to admit that Zhang Zizhong makes sense, fighting against the Japanese 20th Division's little devils, our army can't gain an advantage in either siege warfare or street fighting, and should say... In street fighting, our army is more vulnerable to concentrated firepower due to insufficient troop deployment, but what I'm thinking of isn't just this!

  "First!" I replied: "The Japanese army has only been in the city for a few days and is not familiar with the terrain, while our soldiers are all familiar with every big and small alley of Beiping!"

  "It's for the benefit of the land!" Zhang Zizhong nodded in agreement.

  "Secondly! The people's anti-Japanese sentiment is high, and once our army advances northward, the people will surely respond with all their might to join forces with our army to resist Japan! Moreover, it may even wash away the crime that the commander-in-chief has been accused of..."

  Zhang Zizhong's eyes lit up, and he said excitedly: "If I can clear my name of the crime of loyalty, even if it means sacrificing my life, what does it matter?"

  "It's for the people!" I said: "But more importantly...I think it's still up to heaven!"

  "Huh? Is there still time?"

  From Zhang Zizhong's expression on his face, I can already see that he has been moved by me, so he wants to hear more about this heavenly timing.

  "Master! Haven't you forgotten that Ruan Zilong and others have already contacted the Japanese army to surrender at midnight tonight?"

  "What does this have to do with our army's breakout?" Zhang Zizhong was taken aback.

  "Of course, it's related!" I said: "Although the Japanese army is under our control, but the Japanese don't know about this. They will still send troops to receive the surrender of our army. If that's the case, how can we let the Japanese return empty-handed?"

  "Ah!" Zhang Zizhong quickly understood my meaning and burst out laughing: "That's right! How could I not have thought of this? Since they're coming to visit, it's only polite for me, the newly appointed mayor of Beiping, to send them a little gift. It would be impolite if I didn't!"

  "Exactly!" I also laughed and said: "And if we don't send them anything, that's fine. But if we do send something, we should give them a big gift!"

  "Alright! Let's give the little Japanese a big gift. The heavens, earth and man are all in my favor, what reason is there not to fight this battle!" Then Zhang Zizhong patted me on the shoulder and said: "Don't worry, Captain Fang, at this time the country is in need of people like you! If we're lucky enough to break through alive, I, Zhang Zizhong, will definitely not mistreat you!"

  "Yes!" I stood up straight and responded, but in my heart, I didn't take Zhang Zizhong's promise very seriously.

  The reason is that I know Zhang Zizhong was misunderstood as a traitor by the whole country after this battle, and Chiang Kai-shek knew the truth but had to punish him to calm down the civilians. In other words, even Zhang himself couldn't protect himself, how could he "not mistreat" me? More importantly, although we have an escape plan now, as the saying goes, "man proposes, God disposes", whether we can save our lives is still a big question, let alone thinking about future promotions and wealth.

  I didn't tell Zhang Zizhong, of course. Due to the time constraint, I hastily discussed with Zhang Zizhong how to send a "big gift" to the little Japanese and then left. Zhang Zizhong had too many things to deal with, the Japanese army left him with little time, and the 29th Army also had little time, but we had no other choice, we could only move forward with a hard heart!

  As I walked out of the command center, I suddenly felt a sense of relief, as if I had shed a burden from my shoulders. Later on, I realized that this was because I had finally thought of a feasible breakout method that would not cause history to take a turn for the worse due to my presence...

  It's still too early to say whether this ending is good or bad, all I can do is try my best!

  He pulled out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it hastily and took several deep puffs, then raised his head to gaze at the sky after exhaling a long stream of smoke. A bright moon hung high in the sky, casting a layer of white mist over the entire military camp.

  I suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of desolation: Dad, Mom! Are you looking at the same moon? Do you know that your son is now on the battlefield, and may lose his life at any moment?!

  Yesterday, I was invited to attend the city's event. The time left for Zhang Zizhong by the Japanese army is not much, and the time left for the 29th Army is also limited, but we have no other choice, and can only move forward with a hard scalp!

  Chapter 23: Heaven's Timing, Earth's Advantage, and Human Harmony

  Looking at the map on the desk, I calculated an account in my heart: a Japanese army infantry brigade has about 4,000 people, which means that there are 4,000 troops in all four directions of Beiping.

  Our army has a force of 10,000 men. From a single direction, 10,000 men against the little devils' 4,000 should be enough, but I know it's far from sufficient. Someone did a statistic that the Japanese army's firepower is roughly four times ours, plus the gap in quality, the Japanese army's combat effectiveness is at least five times ours. If calculated this way, then each side of Beiping has an equal 20,000 men defending...

  "According to the reconnaissance troops' report!" Zhang Zizhong drew a circle around Beiping with his finger and said, "The Japanese army has taken advantage of these few days of negotiations to deploy troops and build fortifications. The little devils never had any intention of negotiating with us from the very beginning! They just wanted to put us to death! Alas, our superior still harbors illusions about the negotiations. Just a moment ago... the commander-in-chief sent a telegram asking what conditions the Japanese have and when they will withdraw from Beiping... He has no idea that this time the little devils are not just after some benefits, but after our entire China!"

  What Zhang Zizhong said was indeed the truth, because soon after the Japanese army would tear off their disguise and frantically shout "San Yue Wang Hua". Do you know what "San Yue Wang Hua" means? It means to destroy China within three months!

  The Japanese army's "March to destroy China" has become a joke, but now it seems I won't be able to wait for that day because the cruel reality is right in front of me: the 20th Division of the Japanese army isn't easy to mess with, they're setting up an ambush outside the city waiting for us to go and die!

  At this time, I couldn't help but regret: in modern times, why didn't I investigate clearly which direction the successful breakout team broke out from? There's a saying that goes "when you need it, you'll regret not having enough", and at this moment, I finally deeply understood the meaning of these words. However, to be honest, any historical book seems unlikely to go into such detail as to describe the direction from which troops broke out and escaped...

  Zhang Zizhong took out his pocket watch and looked at it. From the worry on his face, I knew that we didn't have much time left.

  "It seems that... the only way is to break through forcibly!" Zhang Zizhong muttered to himself: "Going south won't work, Baoding is in the south, and the Japanese army will definitely cut off my connection with the main force; going east will only get farther away from Baoding... it seems that I can only go west..."

  "You go back and prepare first!" Then Zhang Zizhong turned to me and said: "I have to use the remaining time to hold a meeting, deal with the 39th Brigade's affairs and prepare for a breakthrough!"

  "Yes!" I stood up straight and replied.

  Since Zhang Zizhong has already given the order to withdraw, I don't want to stay any longer. At the same time, I also know that Zhang Zizhong indeed has many things to deal with. The commander of the 39th Division and several chief of staff have all been suspected of collaborating with the enemy, which means that his command center needs to be reorganized, and even use this newly reorganized command center to organize a breakout...

  But just as I was about to leave, I suddenly caught a glimpse of the map and saw that there seemed to be no Japanese fortifications on the north side. Later, I learned that this was because the Japanese troops were stationed inside the city rather than outside. So, I stopped and said: "Commander! Look... can we break through to the north?"

  "Going north?" Zhang Zizhong smiled without lifting his head: "The north is the Japanese army's territory, are you trying to get our troops to enter the tiger's mouth?"

  "Perhaps... Japanese people would think so too!"

  Zhang Zizhong suddenly lifted his head when I said so.

  "I turned around, pointing to the map and continued: 'Your Excellency, please look, the Japanese army has built complete fortifications on the east, west, and south sides. In addition, they have deployed a heavy brigade. If we try to break out in any of these three directions, if we can't get out of the city within half an hour, it's very likely that we'll be attacked from other directions by the Japanese army. At that time, even if we manage to break out of the city, I'm afraid we'll suffer heavy casualties...'"

  I took a glance at Zhang Zizhong's thoughtful face and continued: "But if we attack to the north, it would be different. Although the Japanese army was prepared before the war, they launched battles in both Pingjin... It is said that Tianjin even launched a counterattack, so the Japanese army must be tight on troops!"

  "Hmm!" Upon hearing this, Zhang Zizhong nodded his head involuntarily.

  I know the battle of Tianjin was entirely because history is written that way, although Beiping fell into the hands of Little Japan without a single shot being fired, Tianjin was fought in an orderly manner, and the 29th Army soldiers stationed in Tianjin even launched a counterattack and burned down one of the Japanese airfields!

  Zhang Zizhong is a superior and he was originally the mayor of Tianjin, so these things are naturally clearer to him than me.

  "Continue!" Zhang Zizhong seemed to have some interest at this time, and seeing that I had stopped talking, he became somewhat anxious.

  "In other words..." I continued, "The Japanese army may appear strong on the surface but is actually hollow inside. Moreover, they have always looked down on our military, so they never expected us to launch a surprise attack from the north and penetrate deep into their defenses! Once we break through their lines... the Japanese will be thrown into chaos, and we can take advantage of the confusion to find an opportunity to escape! Even if it means death, this way of dying can bring the greatest benefit to our military!"

  "Reasonable!" Zhang Zizhong nodded and said: "However... although there are no Japanese field fortifications on the north side, they have complex streets and houses as cover, plus tanks and artillery and other heavy weapons... Our army is afraid that it will be difficult to break through before the Japanese troops arrive from the other three sides, and in the end, it will still be a situation where we are surrounded and annihilated on all sides!"

  I have to admit that Zhang Zizhong makes sense, fighting against the Japanese 20th Division's little devils, our army can't gain an advantage in either siege warfare or street fighting, and should say... In street fighting, our army is more vulnerable to concentrated firepower due to insufficient troop deployment, but what I'm thinking of isn't just this!

  "First!" I replied: "The Japanese army has only been in the city for a few days and is not familiar with the terrain, while our soldiers are all familiar with every big and small alley of Beiping!"

  "It's for the benefit of the land!" Zhang Zizhong nodded in agreement.

  "Secondly! The people's anti-Japanese sentiment is high, and once our army advances northward, the people will surely respond with all their might to join forces with our army to resist Japan! Moreover, it may even wash away the crime that the commander-in-chief has been accused of..."

  Zhang Zizhong's eyes lit up, and he said excitedly: "If I can clear my name of the crime of loyalty, even if it means sacrificing my life, what does it matter?"

  "It's for the people!" I said: "But more importantly...I think it's still up to heaven!"

  "Huh? Is there still time?"

  From Zhang Zizhong's expression on his face, I can already see that he has been moved by me, so he wants to hear more about this heavenly timing.

  "Master! Haven't you forgotten that Ruan Zilong and others have already contacted the Japanese army to surrender at midnight tonight?"

  "What does this have to do with our army's breakout?" Zhang Zizhong was taken aback.

  "Of course, it's related!" I said: "Although the Japanese army is under our control, but the Japanese don't know about this. They will still send troops to receive our surrender. If that's the case, how can we let them return empty-handed?"

  "Ah!" Zhang Zizhong quickly understood my meaning and burst out laughing: "That's right! How could I not have thought of this? Since they're coming to visit, it's only polite for me, the newly appointed mayor of Beiping, to send them a little gift. It would be impolite if I didn't!"

  "Exactly!" I also laughed and said: "And if we don't send them anything, that's fine. But if we do send something, we should give them a big gift!"

  "Good! Let's give the little Japanese a big gift. The heavens, the earth, and the people are all in my hands, so why shouldn't we fight this battle?" Then Zhang Zizhong patted me on the shoulder and said: "Don't worry, Fang Paolang, at this time the country is in need of talented people like you! If we're lucky enough to survive this battle, I, Zhang Zizhong, will not treat you unfairly!"

  "Yes!" I stood up straight and responded, but in my heart, I didn't take Zhang Zizhong's promise very seriously.

  The reason is that I know Zhang Zizhong was misunderstood as a traitor by the whole country after this battle, and Chiang Kai-shek knew the truth but had to punish him to calm down the civilians. In other words, even Zhang himself couldn't protect himself, how could he "not mistreat" me? More importantly, although we have an escape plan now, as the saying goes, "man proposes, God disposes", whether we can save our lives is still a big question, let alone thinking about future promotions and wealth.

  I didn't tell Zhang Zizhong, of course. Due to the time constraint, I hastily discussed with Zhang Zizhong how to send a "big gift" to the little devils and then left. Zhang Zizhong had too many things to deal with, the Japanese army left him with little time, and the 29th Army also had little time, but we had no other choice, we could only move forward with a hard heart!

  As I walked out of the command center, I suddenly felt a sense of relief, as if I had shed a burden from my shoulders. Later on, I realized that this was because I had finally thought of a feasible breakout method that would not cause history to take a turn for the worse due to my presence...

  It's still too early to say whether this ending is good or bad, all I can do is try my best!

  He pulled out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it hastily and took several deep puffs, then raised his head to gaze at the sky after exhaling a long stream of smoke. A bright moon hung high in the sky, casting a layer of white mist over the entire military camp.

  I suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of desolation: Dad, Mom! Are you looking at the same moon? Do you know that your son is now on the battlefield, and may lose his life at any moment?!

  Yesterday, I was invited to attend a high-end literary seminar held in the city, so the speech manuscript and materials were busy with soldiers all night, and the next day they rushed to attend the meeting. Today's chapter is a supplement to yesterday's, and tonight will try to code another chapter.