Chapter 27: Surrounded Once Again

  The news of Nanchang's loss spread to Chiang Kai-shek's ears like it had grown wings, and all sorts of rumors emerged. Chiang Kai-shek was originally in Wuchang City, where he made a huge mistake in the siege, failing to capture Wuchang City for an entire month, which made him extremely angry.

  But Wang Boling's desertion made Chiang Kai-shek feel extremely humiliated. The next day, as soon as Chiang Kai-shek stepped out of his door, he saw neat flags on the streets and a sea of students with flags in their hands that only had four words: "Kill Wang Boling."

  It's not just Wang Boling, even Sun Yuanliang and Chiang Kai-shek had the urge to kill him, but can this solve the problem? Of course not. Chiang Kai-shek now urgently needs a big victory to restore his reputation.

  "Has Liu Yuan arrived there yet?" Chiang Kai-shek gritted his teeth and turned to ask Jiang Xianyun. After Jiang Xianyun returned from the front line, Chiang Kai-shek did not allow him to enter the Third Division, but instead let him serve as a staff officer in his personal guard unit. Liu Yuan also believed that there should be someone by Chiang's side, so Jiang Xianyun was kept by Chiang's side.

  Although this is beneficial to the three masters, it also makes Jiang Xianyun a subject of controversy. Many CPs have opinions about Jiang Xianyun, but he doesn't care about any of them.

  "Fu Guo, now occupying Niuxing Railway Station, is gathering the remaining troops and preparing to break out at any time." Jiang Xianyun thought for a moment about the telegram he had just received, pointing to the map to explain to Chiang Kai-shek.

  "Cheng Qian is incompetent, with Nanchang and Ganzhou as the two wings, he actually lost Nanchang, it can be seen how unqualified this military commander is." Chiang Kai-shek also has a certain vision, at a glance, he saw the importance of Ganzhou.

  "Principal, Fu Guo is now surrounded by a large number of troops. Sun Chuanfang's general Wang Yuan-yi has assembled 50,000 soldiers and has besieged Niuxing, making it impossible to get in or out. There is a danger that they will break into Niuxing at any moment." Jiang Xianyun said with an urgent tone.

  Chiang Kai-shek understood what the 50,000 men meant, and besides, Niuxian was not like Nanchang, there was no terrain to take advantage of. He paced back and forth in the command center, "Liu Yuan has gathered a large number of remnants from the First Division, this is the elite of our army, we can't let them die at Niuxian, that's Cheng Qian's mistake, we can't pay for it, what to do, what to do?"

  Chiang Xianyun knew that Chiang Kai-shek was so anxious because in his mind, the First Army was his stepping stone. Without the First Army, the blow to him would be too great.

  "Principal, there's no need to be anxious. Zhu Peide's Fourth Army is only three or four days' journey from Nanchang. As for why he hasn't taken action, I think you know the reason, Principal." Jiang Xianyun hinted.

  "It's not just Zhu Peide himself, as soon as the Northern Expedition reached this point, they all had their own private thoughts. They think I don't know that they want to be the king of Jiangxi? Fine, since you all think so, I'll agree with them. Wushan, send a telegram to Zhu Peide and let him advance quickly, as long as he can take down Liu Yuan and capture Nanchang, I'll let him be this king of Jiangxi." Chiang Kai-shek said gritting his teeth, he was now in a dilemma, he had to rescue Liu Yuan, but rescuing Liu Yuan would only allow these warlords to harbor separatist ambitions, what a pack of wolves they were.

  "Principal, it's not just Zhu Peide who can't do it, the world knows that Liu Yuanshan is good at fighting. I'm afraid that Zhu Peide will take advantage of the situation and easily capture Nanchang with a wait-and-see attitude. This must be prevented." Jiang Xianyun reminded him that now three regiments are in a precarious situation, and only he can speak for them.

  "Yes, the telegram is that He Yingqin dispatches the 2nd and 18th Divisions, while Li Zongren dispatches the 7th Army's 33rd Division. They are to rush to Nanchang immediately. If Zhu Peide doesn't take action, then this king of Jiangxi can forget it." Chiang Kai-shek waved his hand and had Jiang Xianyun go out to transmit the military order.

  At this time, the three armies finally welcomed the first attack under Wang Yuan's command.

  Artillery fire, endless artillery fire. Shells rained down on the Third Division's position like hail, with soldiers dying non-stop. Even with bunkers, under such intense bombardment, many collapsed, burying soldiers inside.

  "General, if we continue to attack like this, I think the Southern Army in front of us will definitely collapse. At that time, we can proclaim it to the world, let the British and French see that China is not invincible." The young chief of staff, Wang Yuan-yi, flattered him incessantly.

  Wang Yuanyi shook his head and said, "Young man, you also underestimate the commander on the opposite side. Have you seen the formation of their troops? We've been bombing for so long, but there's not a single corpse to prove they have anti-artillery trenches. What we're doing can only destroy their fortifications. Unfortunately, we don't have heavy artillery, otherwise, we would definitely avenge yesterday's defeat."

  "Commander-in-Chief, aren't you known as the number one wise general of the five provinces? Can't you just make a decision?" The Chief of Staff said disbelievingly.

  "Foolish kid, when we have absolute strength, overwhelming is the best way. Unconventional tactics often come with great risks, so directly fighting them to the death is the most secure approach." The 35th Brigade Commander Zhao Yande walked into the command center with a smile.

  "Ah, Old Zhao, you've finally arrived." Wang Yuan-yi smiled and pulled Zhao Yan-de's hand, personally pouring him a cup of water, saying, "We've caught a big fish. The ones surrounding us up ahead are the First Army's First Division and Third Division under Chiang Kai-shek, and now the ones in charge of commanding the troops are the most elite young generation from Huangpu. As long as we take down Niuxing, it will be a heavy blow to Chiang Kai-shek. At that time, I estimate that without General Feng having to lift a hand, they will internally force Chiang Kai-shek to step down."

  "Commander, I'm telling you, when I came, the general entrusted me to tell you that you must be careful. The young man you've surrounded is called Liu Yuan, the youngest commander of the Southern Army. He's both literary and martial, so don't underestimate him, or he'll turn the tables on you and ruin your alchemy furnace." Zhao Yande said.

  "Lao Zhao, you also underestimated me too much. Why did I ask for help from the commander? It's because I analyzed the strength of the Southern Army. Do you think if it wasn't for me holding back, that fool Cheng Qian could have taken down Nanchang? Since we let them come to Nanchang, we should make them die without a place to bury their bodies. It's just unexpected that the old generation is no good, but this new generation has great vision. If it wasn't for Cheng Qian running into trouble, I estimate we wouldn't even dare think about attacking Nanchang." Wang Yuanyi said with relish.

  "The Southern Army still has a lot of talented people, especially their young ones. But today, let them see what it means that ginger gets spicier with age," Zhao Yande said confidently.

  "Yes, beat me hard, don't worry about the loss, if someone dies I'll compensate you, and I'll allow you to plunder Nanchang city for three days." Wang Yuan said with a steady gaze.

  "This remark is true, Commander. You may not be able to keep your word." Zhao Yande's heart was like a cat scratching, and at the time when he was sent by the Grand Marshal, he had never thought that there would be such a good fortune.

  "Naturally, as long as you can take down Niu Xing, I'll let you plunder for three days." Wang Yuanyi said firmly.

  "The commander-in-chief has such a good thing and actually forgot about us," At this time, Chen Diaoyuan and Zhou Fengji, the fierce generals under Sun Chuanfang, arrived.

  "Now that you've arrived, I'm even more confident. But what good troops have you brought with you?" Wang Yuan-yi was not surprised, for he thought killing Liu Yuan would be equivalent to cutting off one of Chiang Kai-shek's arms.

  "Two masters, and they also brought someone with them, you definitely can't guess who." Zhou Fengqi said with a smile.

  "Who?" Wang Yuanyi frowned and said.

  "General's teacher, Jiang Fangzhen, Mr. Jiang." Zhou Fengqi's words made everyone's tense brows relax, and the battle was settled.