Chapter 55 Temporary Victory

  At this time, Wu Songlin's cavalry brigade had already surrounded Gao Bo's coalition forces.

  Gao Bo saw the situation and drew out his battle knife, shouting loudly: "Yadiyidi!"

  The cavalry of both sides immediately unfolded a bloody battle with swords and guns, Zhao Xiaofeng's tank regiment and machine gun regiment sneaked up from the flank when the two sides were fighting fiercely.

  Before it got dark, the Japanese army's Hamamoto and Takabata units had been almost completely annihilated.

  After defeating the Gao Bo Lian team, Wu Songlin turned his horse's head and quietly dispatched a battalion of cavalry to sneak past. Then he ordered the entire brigade to move towards Daxing's position, coordinating with the cavalry battalion's surprise attack, while the tank battalion and machine gun battalion took advantage of the situation and rushed towards Daxing.

  When the cavalry regiment approached Daxing Railway Station, two Japanese army infantry regiments were resting on the ground outside the trenches, while officers were having a meal in a house riddled with holes by their own artillery fire.

  The cavalry regiment charged into the enemy camp at a speed of lightning, and the Japanese army did not expect that the Chinese army who had escaped would come back to kill them. At this time, they realized that Hibino's infantry and Takami's cavalry, who had entered the defending army's hinterland, might have paid the price of their lives to be loyal to the emperor.

  The garrison cavalry was killed and chopped, and when the main force rushed into the enemy camp, the machine gun battalion also rushed to a row of cars stopped at the east of Daxing Station under the leadership of Zhang Meipeng's deputy battalion commander who had defected. The soldiers of the Anti-Japanese Military Corps immediately controlled all these cars and deployed a large number of machine gunners on the periphery.

  The Japanese army quickly counterattacked. A group of Japanese soldiers swarmed into a house, several machine guns firing at the cavalry regiment, trying to suppress their firepower, but the main force of the defenders soon launched an attack on the resisting Japanese, engaging in a fierce battle with swords and guns. Now the Japanese had no air support or artillery, while the defenders had the assistance of the large-caliber guns on the tanks. Before long, the Japanese began to flee.

  At the same time, the temporary first brigade of the Tuanshan Army, led by Yuan Chonggu, had blocked the Japanese army's retreat route. The Japanese army was unable to hold on and under the command of the division commander at Jiangqiao South Bank, the remnants were able to escape back to the south bank.

  On the same day, the Japanese air force that invaded Sanjianfang started to send eight fighter planes from the north shore for reconnaissance since dawn. Once they found the scattered troops of Heilongjiang, they would fly in formation, facing each other from a distance, and then their heavy artillery would take aim and fire.

  They thought the Red Army had no artillery support, so the Japanese pilots were extremely arrogant. They all went mad and conducted low-altitude strafing of the defending troops' positions. Their lethality was severe, but not a single defender retreated.

  Huang Yuehai had long counted the shells carefully, and each large-caliber gun still had three rounds left. His high-altitude machine guns still had a lot of ammunition, so when he saw the Japanese planes flying high and mighty, he gave the final firing order: all artillery and machine guns aimed at the target, continuous fire, must be sure to take down these few arrogant planes!

  So, the Japanese pilots were delighted with their "bountiful" results for only a few minutes before being wiped out by more than 50 Krupp cannons and over 100 anti-aircraft machine guns that had been lying in ambush on the mountains. From then on, there were almost no fighter planes left in the entire Kwantung Army's northern line.

  That night, the battlefield finally calmed down, with occasional Japanese shells falling in the wilderness north of Jiangqiao.

  Zhao Xiaofeng and Ma Zhanshan immediately convened a military meeting of the division commanders to discuss strategies for fighting against the enemy. Given the current disparity in strength between the two sides, our army had no reinforcements, and had to switch from offense to defense to defend against the invading enemy, and redeployed the three defensive lines.

  Still taking Daxing Station and the area north of Daxing Station as the first line of defense, the front-line position from Daxing Station to Jiangqiao was led by Wu Songlin, commander of the First Cavalry Brigade.

  The second line of defense was located at Daxing Station and Sanjianfang, led by Infantry Brigade Commander Zhang Dengjiu.

  The third line of defense was set up in the Xiao Xintun and Mogu Creek area, with the 2nd Infantry Brigade led by Su Bingwen and the 2nd Cavalry Brigade led by Cheng Zhiyuan responsible.

  After the meeting, after consulting with Zhao Xiaofeng, Ma Zhanshan sent a telegram to the Central and Beiping governments, reporting on the recent fierce battles and the retreat to Sanjianfang, expressing his determination not to yield to any external pressure and abandon Jiang Province, allowing the Japanese to slaughter the people and cause widespread death and destruction. However, Zhao Xiaofeng disagreed with Ma Zhanshan's inclusion of his own merits in the telegram, and also asked him to continue keeping secret the fact that he had already arrived in Heilongjiang, because Zhao did not want Yang Jingyu and others to encounter trouble at this time. Ma Zhanshan wrote reluctantly:

  Japan is plotting to invade Northern Manchuria, its ambition has been exposed, and the world is watching. This time, under the pretext of repairing the river bridge, it launched a large-scale attack. Our army is fighting in self-defense and can only fight back. In recent days, fierce battles have taken place day and night, with indiscriminate slaughter, our army has suffered heavy casualties...

  Acting Chairman of Heilongjiang Provincial Government Ma Zhanshan

  However, Ma Zanshan's resistance did not receive any support from the central government or Chiang Kai-shek in terms of troops or funds, and he was still fighting alone. At this time, Ma Zanshan seemed to have understood Zhao Xiaofeng's feelings a little, but he still didn't dare to reveal them truly.

  Actually, Ma Zhan Shan has misunderstood Zhao Xiao Feng's meaning. He thought that Zhao Xiao Feng was unwilling to reveal his identity in order not to get entangled with the Kuomintang and did not want to accept the Kuomintang's reward.

  War is not an opera being performed. When the Japanese Army's Governor of Kwantung, Minami Jirō, learned of the defeat of the Japanese army in Jiangqiao, he was shocked to hear that the Hamamoto Infantry Brigade and the Takaishi Cavalry Brigade had been annihilated one after another. The two divisions of Lieutenant General Matsumiya: the Hasegawa Division and the Amaya Division suffered a disastrous defeat at Jiangqiao, which was unprecedented since the Japanese army invaded China. Several major news agencies around the world reported on the incident immediately after it broke out, especially the British Times and the English-language Millard's Review in Shanghai, both of which published articles praising the righteous war of the Chinese military in Jiangqiao, calling Ma Zanshan a hero of China's resistance against Japan. The fact that the Great Japanese Empire, with its 20 years of training and 50,000-strong army, could not withstand the several thousand-strong "black army" of one province in China made the world laugh at and despise it, greatly damaging the empire's reputation and causing extreme anger. The League of Nations also issued a warning to the Japanese military for its actions in China. The Governor of Kwantung demanded that the Chief of Staff question Lieutenant General Honjō Shigeru, the commander-in-chief of the Kwantung Army.

  The small Kiang Bridge incident caused the Imperial General Headquarters to lose face. Those domestic bureaucrats who opposed the Kwantung Army's advance into northern Manchuria had new evidence of the military actions taken by the Kwantung Army, disregarding both domestic and foreign political situations. The Chief of the General Staff issued Order No. 12 after receiving the Emperor's delegation of command authority:

  In view of the current domestic and international situation, the guideline for North Manchuria is to temporarily not take active combat action.

  Two, the garrison troops repairing the Nenjiang Bridge should limit their combat actions to occupying the railway line near Daxing Railway Station in order to complete the task to the minimum extent.

  This Order No. 12 again strongly stimulated the staff of the Kwantung Army, and these war maniacs loudly denounced the interference by the Chief of Staff as being too much. Lieutenant-Colonel Itagaki, who was one of the main culprits in plotting the September 18 Incident, together with another culprit, Lieutenant-Colonel Sakai, went to see the Supreme Commander and the Chief of Staff.

  Katō Kanji loudly said: "The troops that even the Kantōgun commander-in-chief found difficult to command, were commanded by those idiots from Honshū, which is equivalent to depriving the commander-in-chief of his command. This is a major matter related to establishing the right of command."

  This opinion was accepted by Zhang Zuolin with great delight. Since the occupation of Northern Manchuria was only a matter of time, he could not allow another commander to take advantage of the temporary defeat at Jiangqiao and replace him. He decided to rapidly dispatch the main force of the 2nd Division and part of the 39th Mixed Brigade to support the hard-pressed Dongmen Division. And with a strong tone, he reported to the Central Government, proposing the following opinions:

  Regarding the contents of Telegram No. 1 and 2, our department has already executed them in accordance with their main spirit. However, as for whether to merely satisfy ourselves by occupying the rescue position or to retreat after driving back the Chinese army in one move, this can only be understood by the frontline troops themselves and handled accordingly, based on the enemy situation and terrain. If we were to withdraw now, it would give people the impression that the Japanese army can only show its might in front of a weak and small Chinese army, but when faced with a Chinese army backed by the Soviet Union, it would be helpless. This would lead to contemptuous thoughts and have an adverse impact on governing Manchuria and Mongolia, which is unbearable. Now that the situation has developed to this point, even if there are some deficiencies in the rear, our military has decided to mobilize all possible forces to launch a preemptive strike against the main force of the enemy army in Heilongjiang Province at the right moment. If we take decisive action now, it will be effective within the shortest period. I hope you trust me and the officers and men of the Kwantung Army with this one sincere heart, and please leave the operations against the Heilongjiang army entirely to our discretion.

  Benjia felt that the troops were insufficient, as the ice had not yet frozen, and the artillery was not convenient to pursue. The soldiers' cold-proof equipment was not ready, and more than 3,000 friendly troops from the seven counties of Mengbian rose up in Dongping Town, setting fire to the rear of the Japanese army. If he confronted the Heilongjiang Provincial Army at this time, it wouldn't take long for him to defeat Ma Zhanshan's army without backup forces. He had this confidence, but the cost was too great. The domestic opposition to sending troops to northern Manchuria would find excuses again, so he decided to temporarily suspend the dispatch of troops to attack the garrison. He sent a telegram to the Nenjiang troops as follows:

  The range that the Ningjiang detachment can enter is limited to Xinmintun, Tangchi and Dabudai. For enemy situations in Qiqihar, they should be reported by overseas residents. In this way, the Kwantung Army's pursuit of the Hei Jun was almost not carried out, and the Kwantung Army also made some compromises with the General Staff Office to a certain extent.

  Delayed military action did not hinder the progress of the political offensive. This was Ben Zhuangfan's plan. On the one hand, he transported all the troops of the Mudanjiang Division and part of the 39th Mixed Brigade, as well as the air force, communication team, and medical team from the southern battlefield to the front line, and decided that the commander of the Mudanjiang Division would command all the frontline troops. With a small number of cavalry harassing the enemy's frontline positions, coordinating with mountain artillery for long-range bombardment, making the various units of Ma Zhanshan always in a state of combat readiness, without getting rest time. During this period, the Japanese puppet army was also trying to gain time to replenish its forces. On the other hand, he coerced Ma Zhanshan into stepping down and handing over the provincial capital, in order to support Zhang Haipeng's succession as provincial chairman. And publicly told Ma Zhanshan that the Japanese army would attack An'anxi. Of course, all of this was accomplished through their openly acknowledged identity as Heilongjiang Consulate military officer Lin Yixiu.

  Now, Lin Yixiu walked into the provincial chairman's mansion with a victorious general's stride.

  Ma Zhan Shan saw his arrogant appearance and coldly said: "Mr. Lin Yi Xiu is very busy, I don't know what brings you here today, do you have any instructions?"

  "Chairman Mao, both Japan and I personally are worried about your future prospects. Commander Honda is particularly concerned. He asked me to come and talk with you."

  "What are you talking about?" Ma Zhan Shan sneered again: "Want me to surrender? Be a traitor for the Japanese?"

  "Chairman Mao was wrong, and public opinion is not in your favor at the moment." Lin Yixiu did not get angry with Ma Zhushan's disrespect. He moved his three-inch tongue and said in fluent Northern Chinese dialect: "The only ones who support you are the Chinese people, but how much power do they have? Your leader, Mr. Chiang Kai-shek, does not support you. Your anti-Japanese actions go against Mr. Chiang's principles, and General Zhang Xueliang has repeatedly warned your Jiang Province troops not to engage in direct combat with the Japanese army. Don't you think you are fighting a lone battle?"

  "Mr. Lin's mistake is like yours before the Battle of Jiangqiao, underestimating the power of the Chinese people. Why can our army resist the Japanese army that is several times or even ten times larger than ours? It is because we have a large number of voluntary anti-Japanese youths, peasants and workers to supplement us."

  "But don't forget, our army has already occupied Jiangqiao Daxing Railway Station. Occupying the provincial capital of Heilongjiang Province is only a matter of time. So, I think Chairman Ma is a wise man, why bother fighting hard, what's the benefit for your future? Moreover, our army has launched a large-scale attack on your second line of defense Angangxi, and once Angangxi is captured, the provincial capital will be in no danger."

  Ma Zhan Shan did not want to go around in circles with Lin Yi Xiu again, so he took out a intercepted telegram from his file: "Mr. Lin, you Japanese are good at acting, do you want to take a look at this or should I read it for you? According to the complaint filed by the Japanese ambassador and foreign journalists in Beiping, Ma Zhan Shan and Zhang Hai Peng had a conflict over power and interests in Heilongjiang, which led to several days of fierce fighting since November 4th. Mr. Shinoda Hachiro, the Japanese consul in Qiqihar, was killed. You, Lin Yi Xiu, are very clear about whether Mr. Shinoda is dead or not. Your intention is to fabricate rumors in Beiping and deceive people who do not know the truth internationally, thereby putting political pressure on our government. Vice Commander Zhang has already sent a telegram to inquire about this, and I have replied to Beiping that it is purely a rumor."

  "Chairman Mao, this was not done by our ambassador." Lin Yixiu explained.

  "What is Mr. Lin Yi-xiu trying to say?" Ma Zhan-shan asked bluntly: "You invaded our country without reason, were blocked by the Jiangsu provincial army, and suffered consecutive defeats. Afraid that people would mock the incompetence of the Japanese Empire's Kwantung Army, you then told foreign journalists that I, Ma Zhan-shan, was equipped with Russian-aided munitions... You can't win in war, and similarly, you won't gain an upper hand in public opinion."

  "Chairman Ma, public opinion is not in your favor either. Don't you think you are fighting alone with no reinforcements?" Lin Yixiu couldn't forget the purpose of his trip, which was to grasp Ma Zhanshan's worries and shake his determination to resist Japan.

  Ma Zhan Shan saw Lin Yi Xiu's intention, and he smiled slightly: "Mr. Lin Yi Xiu is proficient in Chinese characters, so take a look at these telegrams, it will be beneficial for you to understand the emotions of the Chinese people."

  Ma Zhan Shan had his deputy take out the telegram and hand it over to Lin Yi Xiu.

  The North Ping Anti-Japanese National Salvation Association telegram: "This time the Japanese bandits invaded our Hei Province, the whole nation is outraged. General Baotu defended his country, fought a lonely battle, and was loyal and brave. We admire your heroic name and hope you will continue to fight, recover the lost land, and return our rivers and mountains."

  Shanghai Life Weekly special telegram: "Fighting bravely against the war, righteousness fills the sky, the whole nation is moved to tears, and people's hearts are stirred."

  China's famous educator Tao Xingzhi respectfully presented a poem to Ma Zhanshan: "The General of Divine Might comes from heaven, the grand righteous air is tied to prosperity and decline, throwing white balls back to normal tracks, twelve gold medals cannot be recalled."

  Lin Yixiu read through several telegrams and didn't think much of them. He put the telegrams on the table and said, "Chairman Mao, it's a fact that the Chinese public supports you. As far as I know, the Chinese government has repeatedly ordered the Chinese army to get along with the Japanese Kwantung Army in a friendly manner and not to cause any bloody incidents. You are going against your own government's orders and acting arbitrarily."

  "It was the Japanese army that insisted on going it alone, you didn't want to get along with us, and under unbearable circumstances, I, Ma Zhanshan, ordered our troops to fight against the Japanese." Ma Zhanshan raised his voice, "Not only do the Chinese people support me, Ma Zhanshan, but the Chinese government also supports me. Do you want to know? I won't hide it from you." Ma Zhanshan handed over a telegram from Zhang Xueliang's office in Beiping:

  General Ma Zhanshan, after being appointed as the acting chairman of Heilongjiang Province and the provincial military commander-in-chief, personally went to the front line in the face of the strong enemy's offensive during the Japanese army's invasion of Jiangqiao. His reputation spread far and wide at home and abroad. By order of the deputy commander, General Ma Zhanshan was appointed as the deputy commander of the Northeast Border Defense Army stationed in Heilongjiang Province. All Chinese troops stationed in Heilongjiang Province were placed under the command of General Ma Zhanshan.

  Ma Zhan Shan stared at Lin Yi Xiu with his eyes and handed over a telegram: "If this cannot represent the Chinese Central Government, then take a look at this telegram."

  Lin Yixiu saw that it was a telegram from the Nanjing Central Government and stared at it:

  The Kuomintang's Fourth Plenary Session resolved that Heilongjiang Province's Acting Chairman and Military Commander Ma Zanshan had defended his post with integrity, making contributions to the state. He was officially appointed as Chairman of Heilongjiang Province and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Northeastern Border Defense Army in Jiangsu Province, promoted to General of the Army.

  Lin Yixiu read these telegrams and was confused. He could understand the anger of the Chinese public, but China's leaders said they would first stabilize the country and then deal with external threats, resolve the Sino-Japanese conflict through diplomatic means, and strictly order the Chinese army not to retaliate against Japanese provocations. So why are they now rewarding and promoting generals who fought against the Japanese? He really couldn't understand China's problems.