Chapter 41: The Prelude of Manzhouli Falls (First Watch)

  Manzhouli, Inner Mongolia. This place name may not be eye-catching on the map, and it can't even compare with Shanghai, Beiping or Baotou. However, at this time, Manzhouli has attracted too many people's attention, including the Communist Party of China, the Soviet Union, the National Government, Americans, British and other Western Europeans.

  The CPC and the Soviets clashed fiercely in Manzhouli, escalating into a full-blown war. This news is indeed eye-catching, and the Americans are even more excited, wondering if it's possible to seize this opportunity to pull the CPC over. As for the Nationalist government's old Chiang, he was overjoyed, seeing this as a rare chance to reverse his fortunes, redeploy troops, and revive the country.

  The movements of the Northeast Field Army cannot be hidden from the Soviets. In the Far East, two major attack troops have been deployed along the border, with a large number of troops gathering, and it is highly likely that an attack will be launched! Meanwhile, another force of no less than 100,000 men is rushing to Manzhouli, apparently to rescue Manzhouli.

  Stalin is no longer silent, nor is he delaying or feigning ignorance! Telegrams are being sent to Xibaipo one after another, each with stronger wording than the last. The latest telegram received by Chairman even contains threatening language.

  The Chairman put down the telegram, slightly disdainfully, and said to Vice-Chairman Zhou beside him: "Since it has already been decided, we should have taken his reaction into account! Is there still a need for this at this time? I've always said that all imperialism is just a paper tiger! Some things are not meant to be said, but need to be done through action! He wants war, let's accompany him!"

  Vice Chairman Zhou emphasized: "Yes! No matter what, it was the Soviet side that made an irrational move first, they did something that hurt the feelings of us Chinese people. In terms of morality, we have a leg to stand on and are not afraid to go to court with them!"

  "Hmm, the Soviet aid is just a drop in the bucket for us. In the past, we valued their intention more, thinking that the Soviets were biased towards us and their attitude was important. But now? They have shed their fake mask! It's better this way, our country's affairs are still handled by ourselves, so we won't rely on others!"

  "Hmm, yes! However, this way our party is not supported enough internationally, and now with the Soviets doing this, we are likely to be surrounded by enemies on all sides! We must consider the future, when we will no longer be just a small territory, but a country, and we will have to take responsibility for the welfare of its people!"

  "Yes! We had discussed this at the Politburo meeting earlier. I still say what I said back then: 'No difficulty can stop us Communists, no danger can intimidate us Communists.' If we don't have friends, then we'll just do it ourselves! Relying on oneself is better than relying on others. I believe in the saying 'It's up to people to make things happen.' What do you think?"

  "Yes, the Chairman makes a lot of sense. I resolutely support him. If we can't even defend our national sovereignty, then what's the point of talking about building the country in the future? Such talk is just laughable! The domestic war situation can be delayed for now, but as for Manchuria, we must prioritize and resolve it with all our might!"

  "Hmm, I think we don't necessarily lack friends. Aren't the Americans currently very disappointed with the old Chiang side? We can take advantage of this point and make contact with them, letting the Americans restrain the Soviets, which isn't impossible!"

  "Well, now the situation is increasingly in our favor, there are great divisions within the US, we properly express goodwill and also help those American friends who maintain goodwill towards us, after all, there are no eternal enemies in this world!"

  "Hmm, so you're in charge of contacting the Americans and seeing if there's a possibility for communication?"

  "Alright! I'll go and take care of it, see you later!"

  The chairman's eyes were deep and mysterious, he silently lit a cigarette, sat there quietly smoking, what he was thinking only he knew. When one cigarette was finished, the chairman slowly said: "Where is the road? Does China still need to go through such difficulties?"

  The Battle of Manzhouli has been going on for two whole days. On the third day, in the early morning, the Soviet side had gathered the remnants of the 13th Guards Division and surrounded Manzhouli from all sides. They were actively building fortifications and preparing to launch a new round of attacks.

  Two days ago, the Independent Regiment launched an attack, cutting off the rear of the 13th Guards Division, and then joined forces with the remaining independent regiment in Manzhouli to launch a pincer movement! In one fell swoop, they defeated the 13th Guards Division, killing or wounding over 6,000 Soviet soldiers, capturing over 2,000 Soviet soldiers, and the remaining Soviet troops were lucky to break through the Chinese border defenses and escape the encirclement.

  In this battle, two regiments of the Independent Division sacrificed nearly 3,000 people, and more than 2,000 were seriously or lightly injured. Among them, less than 600 could continue to fight. The Independent Division had a total of 9,000 people in its two regiments, one reinforced regiment and one local regiment. After this battle, the remaining combat effectiveness was less than half! However, countless Soviet materials were captured, with uncountable ammunition and guns, 12 artillery pieces, and nearly 1,000 shells! Unfortunately, no tanks were captured, either being destroyed or breaking through.

  The 1st and 2nd battalions of the Independent Brigade have fully retreated back to Manzhouli, where they will join forces with the city's garrison to defend Manzhouli together. Tang Jingwu also led the brigade headquarters into Manzhouli at the same time.

  Chen Feichen said quietly to Tang Jingwu, "Old Tang, you shouldn't have come. It's too dangerous here. You should continue staying in the rear, so we can preserve our forces!"

  Tang Jingwu smiled slightly and said, "I, Tang, didn't know I could still be promoted to the position of division-level political commissar. As for myself, I am also a person who knows how to repay kindness, so am I someone who fears death in times of danger? You and I are both division commanders and political commissars, we should share the same fate, if we must die, then we must die together."

  Chen Feichen was not moved, that's a lie. He had already forgotten some of the unpleasantness with Tang Jingwu before. At this time, he saw the true nature of things. Chen Feichen said with a smile: "Don't be silly, you're not a woman, why die with me?"

  "Get out!" Tang Jingwu was taken aback, and then he couldn't help but curse. He said with a bit of self-justification, "Being with you has made me get used to swearing! It's all become second nature!"

  After finishing speaking, he and Chen Fei couldn't help but burst into laughter as they exchanged a knowing glance.

  Chen Mingliang was directing the soldiers to intensify their fortifications and replenish their ammunition. As a regular army officer, Chen Mingliang was an expert in deploying troops, knowing exactly where to set up fixed firepower points, mobile firepower points, and crossfire points. No one in the entire division was more proficient than him in this regard.

  The greatest gain of the independent division in this battle is that the warriors have eliminated their estrangement and unfamiliarity with each other. After all, the first and second battalions came from different troops and are now mixed together, requiring the exertion of maximum combat effectiveness!