Chapter 45: Fighting Alone

  Zhao Xiaofeng consulted with Ma Zhanshan: "General Ma! We should blow up the river bridge in advance and make preparations!"

  Ma Zhan Shan nodded and said: "Commander Zhao's words are reasonable, but I hope to take action before the Japanese arrive."

  "No way!" Zhao Xiao Feng said firmly: "Now, most of the people in Heilongjiang's political and business circles have a lucky mentality. We can't give them any chance! Moreover, we must quickly organize Heilongjiang's armed forces secretly, accumulate military supplies and recruit new soldiers, and then send all the new soldiers to the vicinity of San Jia Fang to receive training from our Northeast Anti-Japanese Army, in preparation for future fierce battles!"

  "Hmm!" Ma Zhan Shan actually highly approved of Zhao Xiao Feng's suggestion, but he was always hesitant and feared offending his colleagues. Now that he saw Zhao Xiao Feng so determined, he immediately made up his mind and arranged for the deployment according to Zhao Xiao Feng's plan, and also allocated an additional 500 elite soldiers and 3,000 newly recruited young soldiers to Zhao Xiao Feng's troops.

  Zhao Xiaofeng again used the radio to command the three divisions under his jurisdiction to immediately organize elite personnel for training, striving to form three powerful anti-Japanese forces in the shortest possible time. He also re-adjusted the division of labor, transferring Kong Qingde, Wang Zhao, and Zuo Qi, who had just arrived from inland China, to the First Army as staff officers for the three divisions. The original deputy division commanders were all promoted to division commanders of the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Divisions. Wang Fu, Luo Youlun, Zhou Lang, Huang Sizong, Yang Boda, and Ren Yizhen, all graduates of the Whampoa Military Academy's seventh class, were assigned as deputy division commanders and staff officers. Fu Chongbi was transferred to the military department to serve as Zhao Zhenhuan's deputy, while the remaining vacant positions were filled by Huang Xiansheng, commander of the First Army District.

  However, Zhao Xiaofeng was secretly making arrangements in Heilongjiang. The Japanese were also not idle, and after the "9.18" Incident, Zhang Haipeng, the commander of Taoliao Town, and Yu Zhishan, the commander of the 1st Division of Shancheng Province, colluded with and surrendered to the enemy, declaring Heilongjiang Province "independent".

  Now, the Japanese have mobilized another 150,000 troops from home and the Korean battlefield to enter Northeast China. Bōchō Isamu personally led 50,000 troops to attack South Manchuria, with an unstoppable momentum, while the commander-in-chief of the Northern Route was the ace army, the Tomen Division, who came from Korea.

  As expected, the Japanese did not deploy troops outside Shenyang City, but instead only sent two brigades to seal off the east and north gates of Shenyang City, waiting for a chance to ambush. Therefore, Yang Jingyu and others inside Shenyang City were still safe for the time being, unless the Japanese received news that they had already withdrawn from Shenyang.

  At this time, in order to curb the power of Han traitors, Zhang Xueliang had already ordered Ma Zhanshan to take over as acting governor of Heilongjiang Province and military commander-in-chief.

  October 25, Ma Zhan-shan took office in Qiqihar.

  At this time, the traitor Zhang Haipeng had already launched an attack on the provincial capital of Heilongjiang under the instigation of the Japanese army and arrived at the south bank of Nenjiang Bridge. Most of the original military and political officials in Heilongjiang Province had fled to the interior, and the refugees in Qiqihar City were endless. Faced with this dangerous and complex situation, Ma Zhanshan deeply knew that his words and actions not only maintained the sovereignty of the country and nation but also affected the fate of the people of Heilongjiang Province. Under Zhao Xiaofeng's mobilization, he resolutely raised the anti-Japanese flag.

  Ma Zhan Shan, this patriotic general was entrusted with a critical mission at a time of great danger, and he finally made up his mind to resolutely resist Japan.

  On October 26, Consul Kiyohara and Lieutenant Colonel Hayashi of the Japanese Consulate in Heilongjiang met with Ma Zhanshan, delivering a final ultimatum from General Honjō Shigeru, demanding that Japan be allowed to repair the Nenjiang Railway Bridge and ordering Ma's troops to withdraw 10 kilometers behind Jiangqiao by noon the next day.

  Declaration: If not allowed, the Japanese army will take immediate military action.

  Ma Zhan Shan finished reading the last telegram, let out a cold laugh, and said to the Qing Dynasty Consul: "Please go back and tell Ben Zhu Fan that Jiang Bridge is China's bridge, repairing the bridge is Chinese people's business, others don't need to intervene." Ma Zhan Shan finished speaking, didn't wait for the other side to say anything, immediately waved his hand to send off the guest.

  The two Japanese men had no choice but to leave with their tails between their legs.

  Ma Zhan Shan received the final ultimatum from the Kwantung Army and knew that the Japanese army was about to launch an attack. At this time, the morale of the troops and the soldiers' spirits were the most important things. Whether to surrender or fight, he had to make a choice immediately.

  Ma Zhan-shan immediately convened a meeting of military, political, gentry and business people in Qiqihar to discuss countermeasures according to Zhao Xiaofeng's intention.

  "Our Heilongjiang Provincial Government's treasury is empty and our military strength is insufficient, making it difficult to resist the Japanese army, so I advocate for compromise with the Japanese army;"

  "No! I advocate for immediately raising the flag against Japan, learning from Zhao Xiaofeng, and seeking help from the Northeast Anti-Japanese Army;"

  "Yes! We cannot be slaves of a lost country!......"

  After much discussion, opinions still cannot be unified.

  At this time, Ma Zhan Shan could no longer hold back the anger in his heart. He slammed his fist on the table and shouted loudly: "I am now a provincial official, with a responsibility to defend my territory. I will not let an inch of Heilongjiang's land be taken by the enemy. I know that my own strength is not enough, but the Japanese have bullied us to our heads, and we can only fight them to the death. To defend the country's territory, to protect our parents and relatives, Ma Zhan Shan has made up his mind, and he will resolutely resist the invaders! Now, there is a hero who has arrived in Heilongjiang, and everyone wants to see him! So, from now on, I will hand over all military command of Heilongjiang to him!" Ma Zhan Shan pointed his finger at Zhao Xiao Feng, who was sitting in a chair.

  "Ah!" Everyone present was shocked.

  Zhao Xiaofeng stood up at this time, and everyone looked at this young man who had been inseparable from Ma Zhan Mountain recently, wondering what kind of person he was? Why did Ma Zhan Mountain grant military power to this person?

  Zhao Xiaofeng humbly bowed and said: "I am Zhao Xiaofeng!"

  "Ah! Commander Zhao! The Northeast Anti-Japanese Army!" Most people cried out in surprise.

  Ma Zhan Shan ignored the surprise of the crowd and only glanced at his guard captain. The guard captain immediately understood, pulled out a pistol from his waist and shouted loudly: "Everyone present, think carefully! Whoever advocates for peace talks again will be treated as a traitor!"

  From then on, those who advocated surrendering to Japan were at a loss for words and no one dared say anything anymore.

  Zhao Xiaofeng immediately declared: "Whoever invades my Northeast, I swear to fight a decisive battle with him! Also, if anyone dares to leak the news of my arrival at Jiangqiao to the Japanese, I will wipe out his entire family just like how I dealt with the Japanese and traitors outside Fengtian City!"

  Zhao Xiaofeng's words scared everyone on the scene, and those who were originally thinking of reporting this news to the Japanese immediately began to think twice. Who among them had not heard about Zhao Xiaofeng killing over a thousand Japanese and Han traitors outside Fengtian City? Many people started sweating profusely.

  To counter the invading enemy, Ma Zhan-shan issued a notice in the name of acting provincial chairman, requiring "military generals to fulfill their duties on the battlefield, civil officials to firmly hold their positions, and collective efforts to defend our province's territory!"

  "If in handling various matters, you still procrastinate and neglect your duties as before, once discovered, severe punishment will be meted out without pardon!"

  In the military aspect, Zhao Xiao Feng ordered, with Jiangqiao position as the center, to rush the repair of defensive works on the basis of the original secret construction. It must be solid! Some had to rush to the entrance, Zhao Xiao Feng designed the bunker into three layers, all reinforced with steel plates, called "iron bunker" is not an exaggeration!

  Zhao Xiaofeng ordered each unit to deploy defenses in the areas of Jiangqiao, Daxing, Tangchi, Sanjianfang and Fulaerji.

  In addition, in order to disintegrate the puppet army, Ma Zhanshan also issued a proclamation, "Those who surrender with their arms will be settled," and "those who offer Zhang Haipeng and Yu Zishan's heads will be rewarded with 20,000 yuan."

  On November 2, after the Kwantung Army issued an ultimatum to Ma Zhanshan, it mobilized a large army to Jiangqiao on the same day. The enemy's forces included parts of the Longtan, Tianye, and Suzuki brigades, as well as the Korean Mixed Brigade, the South Manchurian Railway Defense Corps, the Lushun Heavy Artillery Regiment, and the Independent Flying Eighth Squadron, in addition to the puppet army led by Zhang Haipeng. The enemy's forces exceeded 30,000 men, with equipment including aircraft, tanks, armored vehicles, and heavy artillery. In contrast, the Chinese military had only a few troops left in Heilongjiang Province, consisting of three infantry brigades, two cavalry regiments, one artillery regiment, and the newly formed Yuanchonggu Steppe Infantry Brigade, totaling over 20,000 men. The equipment was far inferior to that of the enemy, with not even enough rifles or bullets to go around.

  Zhao Xiaofeng demanded that the supplies from the front slope would take five more days to arrive, so facing a strong enemy, Zhao Xiaofeng immediately explained to all officers and soldiers: "We are an isolated army fighting without support from the rear. We know that the Japanese military has excellent weapons, while our own weapons are inferior. The Japanese can come in droves, but we will dwindle one by one. Why should we still fight this battle? Because if we don't resist, it's no different from handing over our territory to others and abandoning the people behind us. We cannot learn from the Nationalist Army! If we don't resist and just escape, we are the Northeastern people's own army! We must actively resist with all our might, and we still have a glimmer of hope. Now it has come down to a critical moment where there is no room for hesitation. To fight is to perish, not to fight is also to perish. Rather than perishing without a fight, let us make a final stand and fulfill our duty as soldiers."

  Zhao Xiaofeng's name had long been spread in the army, his fearless heroic spirit deeply infected all officers and soldiers. To defend the territory of the motherland and the dignity of the Chinese nation, under Zhao Xiaofeng's organization, the Chinese army once again resisted the invaders.

  On November 4, the two armies confronted each other at Jiang Bridge.

  Zao Xiao Feng was not reckless, the 3000 troops assigned to him by Ma Zhan Shan were all deployed in the fortifications within a radius of 6 li. The sky had not yet fully brightened, and a thick fog hung over the river, but on both banks, human figures could be vaguely seen moving about. This was the second day after the Japanese army issued an ultimatum to Jiang Province by force of arms.

  War is imminent, and the smell of gunpowder is strong on both banks of the river bridge.

  Jiang Bridge is a must-pass route for the Taoerhe Railway to cross the Nen River, and it is an important transportation hub in the north-south direction. The Japanese Kwantung Army has a strong intention to enter northern Manchuria. Therefore, General Honjō Shigeru, the highest commander of the Japanese Kwantung Army, put forward the requirement that Jiang Bridge must be repaired before November 4th. At the same time, he concentrated three million troops who had just arrived from the Korean battlefield on Jiang Bridge.

  On the morning of November 4, twenty armored trains of the Japanese Kwantung Army arrived at the south bank of the Jiangqiao Bridge, and more than 100 fully armed Japanese soldiers and over 500 workers from the Manchurian Railway Bureau got off the train. Ten aircraft also took off from Taonan and flew low in circles above the Jiangqiao Bridge to provide military cover for the forced repair of the bridge.

  At this time, the two armies were already facing each other, and a full-scale war was likely to break out at any moment.

  Zhao Xiaofeng thought for half a day, then picked up the phone and said: "Comrade Xu Baozhen, in order to avoid an early direct conflict with the Japanese army, we can let them take the first step. The troops stationed at Jiangqiao Bridge will retreat to Daxing Station to defend!" It's not that Zhao Xiaofeng didn't want to fight, but because his mortar emplacement was not yet fully constructed! As long as all the mortars were in place, under the cover of his dense artillery fire, those low-flying Japanese planes would definitely be shot down by his dense anti-aircraft machine guns like flies.

  The Chinese garrison retreated one step, and the Japanese army thought this was a sign of weakness. Taking advantage of the retreat, multiple planes were immediately ordered to drop bombs on the retreating troops. For a time, smoke filled the air and explosions echoed far away. Dozens of soldiers were seriously injured in the bombing, but Zhao Xiao Feng gave orders for the troops not to counterattack.