Chapter 66: Psychology of War? At the same time Zhang Lieyang was commanding in an orderly manner, the German advisory group and Gui Yongqing were commanding the instructional army to launch an attack on the Blue Army's position! After a while, Gui Yongqing looked at his chief of staff Qiu Qingquan with doubt and asked: "Can you be sure that there is only one regiment defending in front of us?!"

  "Yes! I can be certain, but I don't know how they arranged their formation. Our two regiments plus artillery support still couldn't break through their defensive position!" Chief of Staff Qiu Qingquan replied in puzzlement.

  At this time, German advisor Colonel Chidean walked to the side of Gui Yongqing and said: "General Gui Yongqing, let's go to the front line to see what's going on?!" Just as they were about to head to the front line, a messenger ran over and reported: "Our 4th Regiment, which was circling around Hill 611, came under enemy artillery fire half an hour ago. The 4th Regiment suffered heavy casualties! They are now reorganizing their attack!"

  Gui Yongqing cursed after listening, then said: "I don't even know how to fight this battle, we haven't even started yet, and we've already lost nearly a regiment!" He then left the command center and headed towards the front line.

  "Reporting to the commander, our two regiments have been taking turns attacking for an hour and a half, but we haven't broken through their defenses!"

  "How did you command?" Gui Yongqing asked, looking at the telescope.

  "I was shelling at the same time as I ordered the first battalion to launch a main attack and the second battalion to provide support! At first, we charged up to the middle of the mountain but were blown back by their landmines. The second time, we reorganized our attack and reached the middle of the mountain again, only to be hit by their artillery fire! The third time, I ordered 12 mortars to rapidly fire 12 rounds at their defensive positions in three consecutive volleys, but the judging panel didn't report any casualties on their side! When I organized another charge, the judging panel suddenly announced that one of my regiments had been wiped out!" Zhou Zhenqiang said helplessly.

  Kwe E Tong and Chiu Ching-ch'uan, along with German adviser von Hanneken, observed the Blue Army's defensive positions through binoculars. Kwe E Tong then asked Chiu Ching-ch'uan: "Chiu, do you have a way to attack and take the position?"

  Qiu Qingquan shook his head and said: "I don't have full confidence, I can only try!"

  "Alright! You take over Zhou Zhenqiang's command here!" Gu Yongqing looked at the German advisor, Erich Haack, and continued: "I'll also transfer the 3rd Regiment to your command! We must capture that place by 3 pm today!" With that, Gu Yongqing left with his men.

  Hou Shaoyong, carrying a dagger, had just pierced through the defense zone of the Instructional Corps and was now wandering aimlessly in search of the corps' command center. After a while, a scout ran to Hou's side and said: "Report to Captain! I've discovered an automobile convoy up ahead! Should we follow them?"

  Hou Shaoyong thought for a moment and said, "Let's go, we'll follow them and take a look. If it's their command center, then we'll destroy it!" With that, Hou Shaoyong led the Sharp Blade Regiment under the guidance of the vanguard, following the tire tracks to find their way forward.

  The command post of the Blue Army, the commander of the 36th Division, Song Xiqian, looked at Zhang Lieyang's orders and smiled to his deputy commander, Zhong Bin, and chief of staff, Xiang Xianzhuang: "This time Qiu Fengzi and Gui Yongqing have met their match! This kid has basically hit every command on the vital point of the Instructional Corps!"

  "Ah! I really don't know where this little guy learned his conducting skills from, he's even more agile than a monkey!" Xiang Xian said with a smile.

  At this time, Zhang Lieyang did not respond to their words and calmly ordered: "Fang Bisheng, estimate that the Teaching Headquarters is now increasing its troops. You immediately bury landmines on the battlefield and retreat with your men to the second line of defense!" Then Zhang Lieyang asked his temporary advisor Zhao Xianghai: "What about the two regiments of the Teaching Headquarters that are flanking us?"

  "They have just passed through Area Three and Area Five, still three kilometers away from our designated ambush point!" Zhao Xianghai replied seriously.

  "Alright! Now let's see if Fang Bisheng can win over the people on our side!" Zhang Lieyang said, looking at Song Xihuan and others, "If there is anything inadequate about my command, please point it out to me, seniors!"

  Song Xilian thought for a moment and asked: "How are you so familiar with the terrain around here?"

  "Our students in this class all have a habit of observing the terrain before battle!" Zhao Xianghai interjected.

  "Wow? This habit is great! No wonder even the German advisors said that your 9th batch of students are the elite of the Central Military Academy?!?" Song Xi Lun looked at Zhang Lie Yang and asked: "What do they call you, Instructor?"

  "I'm their new trainee instructor!" Zhang Lieyang explained with a smile.

  Just as Zhang Lieyang and Song Xiwu were talking, Chiang Kai-shek and the Chief Advisor of the German Advisory Group, General Hans von Seeckt, walked in. Everyone in the command center immediately put down what they were doing and respectfully saluted them.

  Chiang Kai-shek and General Hans von Seekt returned the salute, Chiang smiled and said: "Command well!" Just as Chiang was about to continue speaking, Hou Shao-yu rushed in excitedly, just wanting to say something, immediately stopped, saluted Chiang and said: "Principal good!"

  Chiang Kai-shek smiled and said: "Don't be so formal, I just came to take a look at you! If there's anything on your mind, just say it!"

  "Reporting to the principal, the student was ordered to lead the bayonet company to destroy the Red Command Center. The mission has been completed! The commander of the Central Military Academy's Instructional Corps, Gui Yongqing, and the German advisor, Chi De'an, have been eliminated by our side!" Hou Shaoyong replied seriously.

  Without waiting for Chiang Kai-shek and Hans von Seekt to say anything, Fang Bisheng walked in, saw Chiang Kai-shek take a fright, and quickly calmed down to report: "Report to the principal, three minutes ago, our army annihilated an entire Red Army division and a regiment with two regiments of troops!"

  After a while, the students responsible for the ambush also returned to the command center and reported that they had completed their mission.

  After listening to the report, Chiang Kai-shek applauded happily and said: "You're not bad! You easily defeated the elite Central Military Academy's instructional team! I'm proud of your achievement!"

  All the ninth-grade students present said in unison: "Abide by the school motto, be kind and sincere. Follow the principal, strive for national unity, and complete the work of national revolution. Do not love money, do not steal life. Unite your will, continue the lives of martyrs, and carry forward the Whampoa spirit."

  "Good! You're indeed my student!" Chiang Kai-shek said, wiping away his excited tears with a handkerchief. Then he looked at Song Xilian and asked: "Do you have anything to say about this exercise?"

  "Report to the principal! If Zhang Lieyang comes to our 36th division, the students are willing to yield their positions as division leaders!" Song Xiqian said seriously.

  "Oh? Tell me, why is that?" Chiang Kai-shek looked at Zhang Lieyang and then asked Song Xilian with a puzzled expression.

  "Principal, such an opponent is really too terrifying! The students watched his entire command process! Every move of Commander Gui Yongqing was like he had discussed it with him beforehand!" Song Xiluan said with a terrified face.

  At this time, Zhang Lieyang took out a small booklet from his file bag and handed it to Chiang Kai-shek, saying: "Report to the principal, this is 'War Psychology' compiled by students based on relevant materials of West Point Military Academy in the United States for our country's situation. Please correct it, Principal!"

  Chiang Kai-shek took over the booklet and flipped through it, asking: "You'd better tell me about the contents inside!"

  "What is called military psychology is to understand the opponent's habits and then analyze the situation at that time, so as to get the opponent's attacking methods!" Zhang Lieyang had just said half of it when General Hans von Seekt applauded: "Director Chiang, I suggest all officers study this book, but I don't see you publishing it! Because this will be a good thing for you to defeat your opponents in situations where equipment is inferior!"