Chapter 37: The Battle of Freshwater (Part One)

  After the capture of Pinghu by the Guidance Group, Guangdong warlord Xu Chongzhi, Guangzhou Mayor Sun Ke, Guangzhou Public Security Bureau Director Wu Tiecheng and Soviet advisor Galen arrived at the front line to comfort the soldiers fighting on the first line.

  In order to better command the Right Route Army in battle, Mo Xiong advised Zhang Renzhong to hand over the command of the right wing to Chiang Kai-shek, but was opposed by Zhang. He had no choice but to decide to take personal command of the Right Wing Army and go to the front line to direct operations.

  On February 11, 1925, the Iron Armor Corps advanced from Pinghu to Shenzhen, followed by Student Regiment No. 3, Guangdong Army Wang Ruzhou's brigade and Zhang Dongyi's regiment, which were transported by rail to occupy Shenzhen.

  At 2 pm, the military school marched to Pinghu and Chiang Kai-shek issued a proclamation saying: "The people of Dongjiang have been misled by Chen Jiongming for a long time, so that they blindly followed him... Therefore, I specially issue this proclamation, calling on those who have joined Chen's army to surrender immediately. The school principal and party representatives will not be held accountable, and will be given a chance to reform."

  The 2nd Division of the Guangdong Army stationed in Tiandu, under pressure from Xu Chongzhi, also had to dispatch Ye Canmou, the chief of staff, to rush to Pinghu and report to Chiang Kai-shek, Zhou Enlai, and Galen on the enemy situation at Danshui and discuss battle plans.

  Pinghu, headquarters of the school.

  Principal Jiang's face was unpredictable, while Director Zhou beside him furrowed his brow tightly.

  The commander of the First Regiment, He Yingqin, and three battalion commanders stood by.

  It's already February 12th now.

  What displeased Principal Chiang and Director Zhou was that the Yunnan military leaders Yang Ximin, Fan Shisheng and others sent a telegram to Duan Qirui and Sun in Beijing, claiming to expect peaceful unification, but actually giving themselves an excuse to refuse to continue fighting.

  Only the Guangdong Army and the Party Army are continuing to fight, while Chen Jiongming still has a significant advantage, which makes Principal Chiang very worried.

  "I have already discussed with General Ye, and we will attack Danshui in three routes. The 7th Brigade of the Guangdong Army will attack from the northeast of Danshui, the main force of the 2nd Division of the Guangdong Army will attack from the northwest of Danshui, and the Party Army troops will attack from the south of Danshui." Principal Chiang said to the four officers in front of him.

  "Principal, rest assured that our troops will definitely capture Tamsui and live up to your expectations." He Yingqin stood upright and saluted as he spoke.

  Principal Chiang's face revealed a helpless smile as he walked up to the map.

  "This time, your pressure will be much greater. Commander Xu Chongzhi cannot command the battle on the front line. The Guangdong Army is waiting to see our joke. Danshui is not far from Huizhou. Once we attack Danshui, Chen's army in Huizhou must reinforce it. We must take down Danshui in the shortest time possible to achieve the final victory." Principal Chiang pointed at the map and said seriously.

  Zhang Mingda and Principal Jiang had contradictions, this time they jointly attacked Danshui, although it seemed that the main force was Zhang Mingda's second division, but in fact, two regiments of the Party Army were to take the lead in the attack. Zhang Mingda's troops would never allow the Party Army to enter Danshui comfortably and share the spoils of war with them.

  "Principal Chiang is absolutely right, all of you go back and get prepared, this battle will be a tough one. Each battalion must make thorough preparations, military academy graduates should take the lead, we cannot afford to lose face for our party's army." Director Zhou continued to say.

  Four officers saluted and walked out towards the outside.

  "Fu Guo, wait a minute." Principal Jiang called out softly as Sun Xinghua reached the door.

  Sun Xinghua stopped in his tracks and walked over to Principal Jiang's side.

  "Sit down and talk." Principal Jiang's face forced a smile.

  After Sun Xinghua sat down, Principal Jiang put a map of Taiwan in front of him.

  "According to intelligence, Chen Jitang's troops in Tanzhou have more than 4,000 men, with many heavy weapons, and the city walls of Tanzhou are solid. Are you confident that you can take this place?" Principal Chiang pointed at the map and asked Sun Xinghua.

  Sun Xinghua hesitated for a moment, he knew that the first Eastern Expedition's battle of Danshui and the second one's Huizhou campaign were both fierce battles, but the Party army still took down these two towns known as natural strongholds.

  Now his own troops not only expanded a bit, but also had many machine guns and artillery. The party army in history relied on several old-fashioned cannons and several domestically produced inferior machine guns to take down Danshui. Now Sun Xinghua is even more confident of taking down Danshui.

  "Commander-in-Chief, the Third Corps is willing to take the lead. If we can't capture Tamsui, Sun Xinghua will be the first to meet his maker." Sun Xinghua thought of his fallen comrades from a few days ago and with blood boiling in his heart, he made this solemn pledge to Commander-in-Chief Chiang.

  "Assistant to the country, good steel should be used on the blade. With your words, Sun Fu Guo, I feel at ease. Your three battalions will continue to serve as reserve troops, and when the time is most critical, I will send you in. But you must guarantee me that once you go in, you must take down Tanshui." Principal Chiang looked at Sun Xinghua in front of him, speaking with a serious face.

  "Yes, Principal Chiang." Sun Xinghua stood up and hastily saluted.

  Principal Jiang patted Sun Xinghua's shoulder and a faint smile appeared on his face.

  On February 13, two task force troops began to unfold their actions and advance towards Tamsui.

  The troops were in high spirits, singing war songs all along the way, seemingly without any concern for the impending fierce battle.

  As he watched the young soldiers walk by in front of him, Sun Xinghua realized that after this battle at Danshui, there would probably be many fewer familiar young faces left in the troops.

  "Battalion Commander, Principal Chiang's order, requires the Machine Gun Company to temporarily come under the command of the Artillery Battalion." Cai Guangju ran over from the front and said to Sun Xinghua.

  Sun Xinghua's eyebrows furrowed tightly, once the machine gun squad returned to the artillery regiment, he was afraid that his heavy equipment would be lucky to return half of it.

  The machine gun company has four field guns, ten heavy machine guns and twelve light machine guns. Forming an artillery company and three machine gun companies is no problem at all. If these family properties were exposed to the outside world, others would be envious.

  "It's still the same as last time, mobilize two field artillery pieces, four heavy machine guns and four light machine guns to participate in the battle." Sun Xinghua looked at Cai Guangju and said seriously.

  Last week, Director Sun issued an order. To save his own family, Sun Xinghua gave Director Sun a discount and dispatched half of the machine gun company's weapons to participate in the battle.

  "Captain, this is an order personally given by Principal Chiang...". Cai Guangjie received the order but did not take action, instead looking at Sun Xinghua and saying.

  Sun Xinghua's face broke into a smile as he walked over to Cai Guangjie's side.

  "Comrade representative, this matter you don't mention, I won't mention it either. Who knows how many weapons our artillery company has? This time we're attacking Danshui, we'll be fighting a tough battle. If the troops don't leave behind some heavy weaponry, how can they fight against Chen's soldiers? You can rest assured and carry out the orders, if anything happens, I'll take responsibility." Sun Xinghua said with a smile.

  Cai Guangju looked at Sun Xinghua and let out a helpless sigh before running forward.

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