Chapter 28: Pre-War Atmosphere

  Escaping from Nanchang with the remnants of a division was already quite difficult, and after escaping, they found that their fate was still very bumpy, with many enemies remaining, and reinforcements arriving from all directions.

  Helpless, Liu Yuan could only lead his troops back to Niuxing this tiny land again, breaking through was hopeless and could only build fortifications at the fastest speed.

  The rails were dismantled and used for the construction of steel works, and a large number of sacks in the warehouse were also used to fill the soil and build trenches.

  Of course, one line of defense could not stop the attack of Sun Chuanfang's troops, so Liu Yuan let his soldiers build five lines of defense, using ladder-shaped fortifications to block the enemy's attack step by step.

  Chiang Kai-shek's order to hold out and wait for reinforcements has come down, and Liu Yuan was also informed that Zhu Peide is on his way to support him.

  As for Zhu Peide's timely arrival, Liu Yuan was completely distrustful. Although Chiang Kai-shek repeatedly reassured Liu Yuan that Zhu Peide would definitely arrive in the shortest possible time and had already promised him to let him be the king of Jiangxi, Liu Yuan still did not believe it. Because there is a Chinese saying "just sit back and reap the benefits".

  Compared to the tension of the staff and several regimental commanders in the command post, Liu Yuan was relatively calm. Firstly, he believed that his division's combat effectiveness could hold on for some days. Secondly, as a division commander at this time, he had to show his subordinates that he was capable.

  Without the scout's report, Liu Yuan could also see that the enemy had just brought in another batch of reinforcements. Judging by the number of torches, there were at least 10,000 people. They were going to thoroughly eliminate the remnants of the 3rd and 1st Divisions, cutting off Chiang Kai-shek's arm.

  The cattle were grazing in the array, and there were sparse bonfires everywhere. Groups of soldiers sat together, listening to their squad leader telling jokes or telling stories about their hometowns. However, no one went to sleep, firstly because they feared that the enemy would suddenly launch an attack, and secondly because everyone was used to being with their commander.

  The master sat silently on a high ground, next to a utility pole, the lamp was above Liu Yuan's head, and the wind blew Liu Yuan's shadow swaying constantly.

  The squad leader was smoking a cigarette, and the smell of smoke blew into the little soldier's nose. The little soldier sniffed unconsciously, but found that a box of imported cigarettes had been left in the pile of people.

  Xiao Bing smiled naively and started handing out cigarettes to the people around him, "One per person, these are the instructor's cigarettes. If you smoke them today, who knows, maybe tomorrow you'll be the instructor." New recruit Dan Dan began to smile foolishly, while the older soldiers hit him on the head with their hats a few times.

  Zuo Quan also opened the tent, walked out and found Liu Yuan squatting on high ground smoking. He shook his head and squatted down saying, "You said you were in such a hurry to call me back, what's the point? I was studying mechanized warfare, but you called me back, just called me back, and even played a losing game. You say if we lose, won't both of us become martyrs?" Zuo Quan complained.

  "What's wrong with Cheng Xianlie, isn't he glorious?" Liu Yuan asked in puzzlement, he really didn't know why at this time, Zuo Quan still had the heart to joke with him.

  "It's the same with Li Zhi Long, but the records in history are completely different. At that time, our Huangpu's best president led his three troops to fight against the enemy for several days and nights at Niu Xing, making heroic sacrifices. Along with him, there were also sacrifices of people like Huang Pu Leftist and others. This is unfair." said Zuo Quan jokingly.

  "After a trip to the United States, your sense of humor hasn't increased much. Don't mention that Wang Yuanyi has 50,000 people under him, even if he had 100,000 people, I, Liu Yuan, would still have the confidence to take him down in one go." Liu Yuan lit another cigarette and took two strong puffs to relieve his inner fear, ten thousand versus fifty thousand, who wouldn't be afraid, and Wang Yuanyi could be said to be a wise general, from the fact that he let himself leave so decisively.

  "The principal's order is unreliable, Zhu Peide is only two days away from us, but the principal asks us to hold on for five days, isn't this nonsense?" Zuo Quan knew that Liu Yuan looked calm on the surface, but his inner panic was certain. Although there were also adverse situations before, he had never been surrounded so heavily like this."

  The special forces had been secretly dispatched by Liu Yuan to Tibet for training, so there was no strongest force around.

  Zuo Quan even knew that Hu Zongnan had once led a regiment to try and break through in one direction, but nearly got isolated and surrounded, and was forced to retreat. After returning, he listened to Liu Yuan's arrangements and worked hard to repair the fortifications.

  So, Zuo Quan thinks that the principal's order to have three teachers guard and wait for reinforcements for five days is very unreliable. Is there some hidden situation or does the principal have some plan?

  Liu Yuan looked at Zuo Quan's puzzled expression and explained, "Don't overestimate the principal, although the Northern Expedition has just left and hasn't gone far, these military commanders have become arrogant and have their own ideas. Although they will listen to your orders, it's hard to say when they can really arrive. Five days is my most optimistic estimate."

  After listening to Liu Yuan's words, Zuo Quan stared blankly at him and said after a long time, "Isn't the principal making fun of our lives? This is a matter of 10,000 people's lives."

  "It doesn't matter, in my estimation, our 10,000 people can hold out for five days. If reinforcements don't arrive by then, we'll break through forcefully. I think if I, Liu Yuan, want to leave, no one can stop me." Liu Yuan said confidently.

  "Forced breakout is too costly, I'm afraid that by the time we get out, there won't be many of us left from the three regiments. This is all because of Wang Boling and his men. If I can make it out alive, I'll definitely shoot him dead. But if I die, then it's up to fate." Zuo Quan sighed and said.

  "Lao Zuo, don't worry about this. If you die in battle, I'll definitely take care of Wang Boling for you. This useless piece of trash has brought the Third Regiment to such a state. Leaving him alive would be a disaster." Liu Yuan nodded and said.

  "Hey, I'm telling you, Liu Yuan, you're not a good guy! If I were to sacrifice myself, would you still have the face to live on?" Zuo Quan asked with wide eyes in surprise.

  "Death, I never thought of it. As your superior officer, I am responsible for you, whether you are dead or alive. If all of you were to die, I would still have to live on and take care of your families, and seek justice for everyone," said Liu Yuan.

  "Can't you stop saying such disgusting things, do you have to see people cry or something? Damn it, you've ruined everything good. What are we supposed to do now?" Zuo Quan angrily punched Liu Yuan twice, and only then did he realize that the underground was packed with old soldiers.

  They came to listen to Liu Yuan's speech, and before each major battle, Liu Yuan would have a good talk with the old soldiers. Firstly, he wanted them to protect themselves well, and secondly, he wanted them to lead the new recruits. It had been some time since they last heard Liu Yuan say something like this, but today they suddenly heard him say that not daring to move was completely fake.

  Li Er Niu, as Liu Yuan's Wei Shi Chang, at this time tears streaming down his face, "Shi Zhang, rest assured, I Li Er Niu even if cut into a thousand pieces will let you live on, when the time comes you find me a Yin Qin, I can also enter the ancestral tomb." Li Er Niu's words instantly made the atmosphere more depressing, which was not what Liu Yuan wanted.

  "Grass, you good-for-nothing nonsense, even if King Yan wants to let you die, he has to see if I, Liu Yuan, agree. I say you all have to live to eighty, and you can live to eighty. At that time, everyone will take their children to the Huangpu drill ground, blow some hot air, watch the new recruits train, what a lively thing! Without my consent, who dares to die?" Liu Yuan stood up, stirring up everyone's morale, especially at this time, they couldn't slack off.

  "Haha." Liu Yuan's words made the soldiers hehe laugh, everyone knew that their leader was comforting them, but no one wanted to expose their leader, because they knew that as long as they had their leader, they hadn't failed yet.