Chapter 31: Liu Yuan Goes to War

  "What's going on?" At this time, Wang Yaowu rushed over hastily, while Liu Yuan became even more calm.

  Wang Yaowu took a deep breath, having been under Zhang Lingfu's command for some time and knowing what military discipline was. He gave Liu Yuan a military salute and said, "The enemy has assembled over a thousand elite soldiers, climbed down the wall, with the intention of crossing the river."

  "Are there any heavy weapons?" Liu Yuan's eyes sparkled with spirit, this was the time to respond with the most vigorous posture, otherwise his own 10,000 men would definitely be defeated here.

  "There were no heavy weapons, but judging from their movements as they climbed the city walls, they were seasoned veterans," Wang Yaowu explained.

  Liu Yuan nodded and said, "They want to play a trick, let's play along with them, but they can't keep up. Wang Yaowu, you go back and tell Zhang Lingfu that there are only over a thousand people, I won't give him any support, let him fight well for me, let the other side know that although Niuhang is small, it is also a dragon's lair, I don't care how he fights, just get all of these over a thousand people annihilated at the Ganjiang River."

  Liu Yuan's order was given, and Wang Yaowu didn't even think about it, he left immediately.

  "How are you going to fight?" Zuo Quan asked gloomily. Although the Republic of China had a chief of staff, he didn't have much power, but he wasn't very concerned about it. He knew that Liu Yuan had sent him abroad for many years and sooner or later he would have his own troops.

  "Our three armies' fortifications are flawless, especially the anti-artillery works. I think the enemy commander must be aware of this, so before launching a strong attack, he will definitely try to find a way to take us by surprise. A sneak attack is inevitable, and Ganjiang is the best place for it."

  "So their next attack will definitely focus on the Gan River, and the frontal battlefield will only be a response." Liu Yuan's analysis made everyone nod in agreement, and Zuo Quan even felt a sense of nostalgia for Yuan Shengyuan and He Shengquan.

  It's not just Zuo Quan who thinks this way, Hu Zongnan, He Yingqin and Du Yuming all think the same.

  "Do you want to take the initiative? We are surrounded by the enemy, and if we get tangled up with them, it will be hard to come back." Hu Zongnan was more mature and conservative in battle, preferring stability over aggression.

  "We think this way, the enemy will definitely think so too, which proves that my idea is entirely feasible. The enemy is now bombarding our position with artillery, and soon they'll launch an attack. We need to make the enemy feel like their conspiracy has succeeded." Liu Yuan said with a sly smile.

  Having been with Liu Yuan for a long time, San Shi also didn't have many good people. Du Yuming silently understood, "Kill, set fires, dark nights. I like it."

  "Who's going to go to the riverbank and set fire? This is a classic tactic, and whoever sets the fire will be recorded in history books." Liu Yuan glanced around at the crowd, seeing that this group of rascals were all gazing up at the stars, while outside the sound of cannons boomed, and he didn't bother to waste his energy on them.

  "Li Er Niu, you take one regiment of the third division, one battalion and over 500 men to the rear to set fires and create chaos. Just make sure to inform them in advance. After that, go directly to support Zhang Lingfu's troops and let these defeated soldiers from the first division see how our elite third division fights, boost their morale."

  Liu Yuan finished speaking, Li Er Niu's face turned gloomy. The crowd that had just been gazing up at the starry sky immediately snapped back to reality, their faces serious as they said, "Let me take on the task of supporting the country and launching the main attack."

  Liu Yuan didn't mind, pointing to the map and saying, "When the Second Division sets fire, we'll create a situation where our troops are in disarray. At that time, let's have all the soldiers cooperate and give them the feeling that we're in trouble. Then, Du Yuming, you take 2,000 soldiers from your division and sneak to Dawang Mountain. If the enemy doesn't come, then it's fine. But if they do, quickly descend the mountain and ambush them. Build a defensive position with multiple layers, like a hamburger." Du Yuming didn't expect such a heavy task to fall on his shoulders, but he still nodded and said, "Can I have Shou Shan go with me? I'm not confident enough by myself." Du Yuming wasn't being modest when he said this; if they failed, the entire Third Division would be dragged down with him.

  Liu Yuan nodded and said, "Sooner or later, I will unify the army. Pay attention to cultivating junior talents. That's all, big brother you go on a trip, I'll stay here and feel at ease."

  "Don't worry, your big brother will give you enough time to eat away the deeply entrenched enemy even if he dies on the battlefield." Hu Zongnan's eyes were serious as he gave his guarantee to Liu Yuan.

  Liu Yuan unusually did not say anything about living a good life and instead nodded silently, completely agreeing with Hu Zongnan's words.

  Hu Zongnan and Du Yuming took their troops and left the house, leaving behind a few staff officers, including Zuo Quan, Song Xilian, and Guan Linzheng.

  Liu Yuan said to Song Xilian, "There are over a thousand people left in the first battalion, and with the three battalions having over 3,000 people, you're in charge of defending the front. Let one tiger through, but don't let it bite us."

  Song Xilian nodded, he knew that in the Third Division, his own ability was mediocre and had no reputation, so he could only execute what looked like the most important but actually the simplest task.

  But he didn't complain, because he knew that he worked hard, but others worked harder. Du Yiming spent every day with his teacher, not just for today, but also believing that one day he would become the best soldier he could be.

  Liu Yuan handed a pair of glasses with silver edges to Song Xiliang, "I've seen your efforts all along, so one day if you do something wrong, come find me on your own initiative and I'll forgive you. This pair of glasses was sent back by Xu Xiangqian from abroad, it's a gift for you, wishing you great success."

  Song Xilian nodded, turned around and left, forcibly suppressing the overwhelming waves in his heart. It turned out that he already knew I had joined CP, but he still entrusted his life to me. At this moment, feelings of emotion swirled around Song Xilian's head. Now they were all still young, their blood was hot, and it was only natural to be easily moved.

  "Alright, I'll take care of it. I know my mission will be the most thrilling and I'm the most suitable for this task. But if Brother dies, Father and Mother will rely on you." Guan Linzheng suddenly felt a sense of fear this time.

  If the enemy had fought hard, he wouldn't have been afraid, but last time the enemy retreated, which made Guan Linzheng feel very uneasy. He was afraid that the enemy's IQ would suppress him, and the encirclement of more than 50,000 people was too solid. He had a feeling that his situation with 10,000 people was not good at all.

  "A fine sword is forged in the fire of adversity. If we win this battle, our three armies will surely rise to become a world-class powerful army. And Rain Dong, do I look like a defeated general?" Liu Yuan's smile gave Guan Linzheng boundless confidence, and Guan Linzheng nodded and said, "Speak, what task is it? Guan Er Ye will definitely be able to complete it."

  Seeing Guan Linzheng's confident smile, Liu Yuan pointed to the map. "Do you see this high ground? Wang Yuanyi thought we were turtles in a jar and set up his command center here openly. Go take down this high ground for me. If you can get rid of Wang Yuanyi, we might create a miracle in this battle. However, if it's a stalemate, come back immediately. As long as we occupy Niuxing, there's no danger to defend, and it's not something they can easily take down."

  "Heart of the Black Tiger." Guan Lin's glasses lit up for a moment, but then dimmed slightly. "How many men do you have?"

  "Only fifteen hundred men, no more." Liu Yuan also felt that the military strength was barely sufficient at this moment, although over ten thousand people had already made the place very crowded.

  "It's alright, Fu Guo. I know this is the limit, but in the bloody red dust, a thousand miles without leaving a trail, I like it." Guan Lin Xing's smile had a hint of bitterness, if not for teammates as useless as pigs, they wouldn't have ended up in such a state.

  "Who dares to wield a sword and ride a horse? Only I, General Guan." Liu Yuan murmured unconsciously.

  Guan Lin Zheng could no longer hold back his tears, "Fu Guo, if I come back alive, I want to hear the first half of that sentence, and I'm waiting for the day you give me the General's badge."

  "Good." Liu Yuan nodded, I'm willing for you to be my general. Liu Yuan patted Guan Zhen's shoulder.

  The headquarters was left with only three people, Liu Yuan, Zuo Quan and Nie Rongzhen. Zuo Quan sighed, "Why bother, just defend it, taking such a big risk, if one link goes wrong, it's enough to get us into trouble." Zuo Quan shook his head, clearly he was not very satisfied with Liu Yuan's arrangement.

  The more complex the plan, the easier it is to go wrong. Liu Yuan also knew this, but in order to let more people survive, he had no choice.

  "Alright, our 3rd Division lost back then, but I want to know that now even Lian Zhen has defected to you, when are you planning to set up your own independent faction? Du Yuming is not someone who can be swayed by emotional appeals. He's more ambitious than you." Nie Rongzhen didn't manage military affairs in the 3rd Division, so he had some free time.

  "If it weren't for doing my duty, I would have left long ago. But I promised the Premier to defend the Republic, one people, one country, and it's suffocating me." Liu Yuan let out a deep sigh.

  "The Premier asked you to be loyal to the Party and the country, not to the school principal. Along the way of the Northern Expedition, what kind of ability the principal has, you have also seen, it's not a wise ruler." Nie Rongzhen saw that Liu Yuan did not stop him from speaking today as he usually did, apparently he was also very dissatisfied with Chiang Kai-shek's use of personnel.

  Seeing Liu Yuan still hesitating, Nie Rongzhen asked discontentedly, "Don't you care that Chiang Kai-shek said he would give the position to you? He has a son, about the same age as you."

  The words are very direct and cruel. Liu Yuan shook his head and said, "You underestimate me, Liu Yuan. It's just that people's hearts are hard to measure, and when the day of separation really comes, I'm afraid they will all follow Zhang's house." Liu Yuan knew that his words were a bit rebellious, but since Nie Rongzhen brought up this topic, he had to say it.

  "Who says no one will follow you? Those classmates and younger schoolmates of yours, definitely many people will follow you. They are full of energy and have a strong work ethic."

  "They're too young, will you follow me?" Liu Yuan suddenly asked.

  "All I'm good at is politics work, what are you looking for me for?"