Chapter 3: The Wind Rises in Guangdong Section 43: Raid on Danshui (1)

  Zhang Liguo finally escaped back to Danshui, but he only brought a few people with him. His troops were annihilated in the Ye Duck Wei area southwest of Zhangmu Head. Wei Lihuang led his troops to pursue and attack him relentlessly, despite losing two companies along the way, which were given to Wei Lihuang as sacrifices, but they did not deter him. It was not until the 1st Division of the Training Army and Zhang Damin's division arrived that they were completely annihilated. The two battles in Ye Duck Wei and Zhangmu Head are collectively known as the Zhangmu Head Campaign in the history of the National Revolutionary Army.

  The various units of the Eastern Expeditionary Army were pursuing Zhang Liguo when the 7th Company was resting leisurely at Zhangmu Head. Zhuang Jihua was busy counting the captured materials and sending the wounded to the rear field hospital, while Huang Mingcheng found him and asked for the weapons he had promised before the battle. Zhuang Jihua casually pointed to the pile of spoils, letting him take whatever he wanted, except for machine guns, as much or as little as he liked, even if he took them all away, he wouldn't mind.

  Chen Jun's weapons were mostly old-fashioned rifles and Japanese-made Arisaka Type 99 rifles, which had been worn out due to prolonged use. This was also why Chen Jun insisted on getting within 100 meters before opening fire. The Seventh Company also captured two mortars, but Zhuang Jihua didn't mention them at all, and Huang Mingcheng wouldn't touch them because they not only didn't know how to use them, but also had no ammunition.

  After Huang Mingxian walked away with high spirits, Hu Zongnan quietly reminded him on the side whether this was appropriate. Zhuang Jihua said nonchalantly that they had agreed earlier that after the war, the captured weapons would include their share, and they couldn't let them say that the Huangpu military didn't keep their word, which would damage the reputation of Huangpu and his own reputation. Hu Zongnan heard this and couldn't help but smile bitterly.

  On February 3, Chiang Kai-shek led the Right Wing Command of the Eastern Expeditionary Army to arrive at Zhangmutou, and after getting off the train, he went to inspect the Seventh Regiment with advisors Galen and Director Zhou of the Political Department.

  In the Seventh Regiment, Zhuang Jiehua told Chiang Kai-shek about the battle process of the Seventh Regiment. Chiang Kai-shek listened very carefully, but he was actually very happy in his heart. Before the Eastern Expedition, he didn't have confidence in his heart either. The military academy's training was insufficient, and the graduates had no combat experience, which were all weaknesses of the military academy. The other units of the Eastern Expedition Army were waiting to see the joke of the military academy, and they were also jealous of the full support Sun Yat-sen gave to the military academy in terms of funding and equipment. Therefore, the military academy could not be defeated, otherwise the accumulated contradictions would erupt completely. Thus, the victory of the Seventh Regiment was especially precious, not only did it strengthen Chiang Kai-shek's confidence, but also made all those who were ready to mock the Whampoa Military Academy temporarily lose their voice.

  Chiang Kai-shek was overjoyed and immediately ordered a reward of 500 yuan to the Seventh Regiment. Zhuang Jihua showed gratitude on his face, but in his heart he didn't think much of this kind of reward. The army cannot be established on money, but should be established on honor. If Chiang Kai-shek rewarded him with something like a banner, he would be happy to accept it.

  Wang Boling, who was by his side, reported to Chiang Kai-shek, accusing Zhuang Jihua of privately dividing the spoils of war and should be punished by military law. Upon hearing this, Chiang Kai-shek asked Zhuang Jihua if there was such a thing, Zhuang Jihua calmly said that he had never privately divided the spoils of war and did not know where Wang's accusations came from; If it refers to the weapons and equipment taken away by the Workers' Team, they were their own spoils, and I have no right to interfere; Moreover, this battle was not participated by the Workers' Team, and we would definitely lose.

  Chiang Kai-shek frowned upon hearing this, and in his heart he did not think much of Wang Boling's accusations. He was well aware that at the time the situation was critical, and Zhuang Jihua had made certain promises to the workers' team in order to get them to participate in the battle; these promises were likely related to post-war armaments and equipment. However, this was secondary - victory was the main goal, and therefore Zhuang Jihua had done nothing wrong. The results also proved that Zhuang Jihua's actions were timely and far-sighted. This victory not only yielded great military gains but also played an immeasurable role in boosting morale at the military academy and alleviating pressure from all sides. As a regimental commander and high-ranking officer at the military academy, Wang Boling did not even understand this point; Chiang Kai-shek's evaluation of him dropped another notch in his heart.

  Galen Guo praised Zhuang Jihua's tactics highly, and with an approving tone told Chiang Kai-shek that Colonel Zhuang's tactics were flexible and very creative, worthy of promotion throughout the entire army.

  After understanding the entire combat process, Chiang Kai-shek's dissatisfaction with Wang Boling deepened. He pointed out that in this battle, except for the 7th Company's outstanding performance, the 3rd Battalion barely met the requirements, while the other units were slow to act and arrived at the battlefield only after the fighting had ended and the battlefield was already cleared; Moreover, Wang Boling refused to pursue Zhang Liguo's troops on the grounds of troop fatigue. In contrast, He Yingqin did not say a word and led his troops in pursuit.

  Rotten wood cannot be made into a beam, Chiang Kai-shek once again felt that there was a lack of talent around him. Except for He Yingqin, no one else could hold their own. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but take another look at Director Zhou by his side, who was also a rare talent.

  Director Zhou remained silent when Wang Bailin accused him just now, as the matter involved relations between two parties and he couldn't speak out for the time being. Moreover, Zhuang Jihua explained it very well and clearly, so there was no need for him to say anything. Furthermore, he wanted to see how Chiang Kai-shek would handle it.

  Chiang Kai-shek came out of the seven rows, and saw a blue sedan parked beside him. He didn't pay attention to it at first, but led the way to the command center. Unexpectedly, the sedan followed them forward, which made Chiang Kai-shek take notice. At first, he thought it was the sedan of some Guangdong Army general, but now there were no Guangdong Army generals among the people present. So he walked up to the sedan and asked the soldier carrying it which unit it belonged to. The soldier replied that it was the Second Instructional Battalion. Chiang Kai-shek became furious, kicked the sedan over with his foot, then turned around and said to the officers beside him: "The Huangpu Military Academy trains revolutionary soldiers, and our army also needs revolutionary soldiers, not old officials. Riding a sedan into battle is an old-fashioned way of doing things, which will never be allowed in our Huangpu Academy. From now on, whoever wants to ride a sedan should go home and sit in it; don't do it in my army."

  Wang Boling's face turned red and white, Director Zhou understood that Chiang Kai-shek was deeply dissatisfied with Wang Boling's behavior, not only for his command of the troops but also for his earlier tattling; however, Chiang Kai-shek did not publicly name him, and instead left some face for Wang Boling.

  The next afternoon, Xu Chongzhi, Hu Hanmin and Liao Zhongkai rushed to Zhangmutou, where they held a military meeting on the train to discuss the next plan for the right-wing army. Chiang Kai-shek briefed the current combat situation at the meeting.

  "After the enemy's nine divisions under Yuan and Meng were annihilated at Zhangmu, yesterday the enemy's Zhang Liguo division was also annihilated at Yeduwei. The southern section of the Guangzhou-Kowloon Railway is now free from large-scale enemy forces. This morning, a report was received from the armored car unit in Shenzhen that there are no more enemy traces in Shenzhen. The search party of the 2nd Division of the Guangdong Army also did not find any enemies in Longgang Market. Therefore, it can be concluded that the enemy has already escaped to Danshui."

  According to the confession of the captured Zhang Liguo's troops, it was the enemy's practice to exercise in front of the enemy. The Ma Xiongtao brigade under the jurisdiction of the training department had already gone north, and the remaining Zhang Liguo brigade was annihilated. At present, the defenders of Tamsui are only one regiment led by Jiang Ye. However, Chen Jiongming has already transferred troops from the enemy Hong Zhaolin's department to support Tamsui.

  "After the two battles at Zhangmutou and Yeyuewei, our troops' morale is extremely high, while the enemy's morale has sunk after this defeat. Therefore, I think we should quickly advance on Danshui, capture Danshui, and open up the gates to Huizhou and Haifeng."

  The smooth progress of the Guangjiu Road battle was beyond the expectation of Xu Chongzhi, Hu Hanmin and Liao Zhongkai. The continuous annihilation of the enemy made the three men extremely excited, especially Liao Zhongkai. The victory at Zhangmutou had brought honor to the school army, making him, as a political commissar, feel particularly glorious.

  "Chiang, your military training is impressive, I didn't expect that after such a short period of training, you could achieve such great results. From now on, Yang Hucheng and his ilk will no longer dare to look down on you." Xǔ Chóngzhì laughed heartily as he spoke, genuinely happy for his third brother, knowing what Chiang Kai-shek had been longing for all these years.

  "Without the assistance of your Guangdong Army, this battle would not have been so smooth. The merits of Zhang Mingda and Xu Ji are undeniable." Chiang Kai-shek beamed with delight and also lavished praise on Xu Chongzhi's subordinates.

  "Can't compare with you, to be honest, after so many years of dealing with Chen Jiongming, there are almost no battles that annihilated the Chen family's army corps. Chiang, you took down three at once, it can be said that your first move was extraordinary."

  "This news should be wired to the Premier at once, and let him have a share of the joy." said Liao Chung-k'ai with a smile.

  "Right, right." Hu Hanmin pinched his mustache in agreement.

  After the mutual praise, they began to discuss the next step of military action. In fact, there was nothing much to discuss, as the Guangzhou-Kowloon route had no more enemies. The battle objective was naturally Tamsui, but Chiang Kai-shek proposed that Hsu Ching-chung lead the army in person. Hsu initially declined, but Chiang tactfully told him that some of the Kwangtung Army commanders were not obeying orders. Hsu then agreed, but also declared that command of the battle would still be Chiang's, and he would only be a figurehead.

  After the meeting, Chiang Kai-shek issued a combat order in the name of Xu Chongzhi:

  After the annihilation of Jingmu Head and Wild Duck, the enemy's Guangzhou-Kowloon Route garrison had fled to Danshui. The southern section of the Guangzhou-Kowloon Route was no longer a major battlefield. The Eastern Expeditionary Army Command decided that the right-wing units should quickly capture Danshui. At present, the Danshui garrison only has one regiment of the enemy's Yan Xishan's troops, but Chen Jiongming had already dispatched troops from Hong Zhaolin's unit to reinforce Danshui. In order to capture Danshui before the arrival of enemy reinforcements, the Command ordered:

  1. The first team departs from the current location, crosses the river from Zhangshuping, and advances to attack towards Dabao. Another unit advances along the right bank of Dan Shui towards the direction of Shangtuhao, with the combat area being south of Shangtuhao. The left wing ensures liaison with the second team.

  Second, the Second Battalion led by Xin Lie crossed the river and attacked the lower Tuhao area. The combat zone was north of Upper Tuhao. The right wing maintained contact with the First Battalion, while the left wing maintained contact with the Guangdong Army's Second Division.

  Thirdly, the Second Division of the Guangdong Army led by Zhang Mingda advanced northwest from Xintuan towards Danshui.

  Fourthly, the Guangdong Army's He Fa Brigade advanced from Yangcun to the northeast of Danshui...

  The Fifth Division, led by Commander Zhang Yidong, continued to sweep the southern section of the Guangzhou-Kowloon Railway with armored vehicles to ensure the safety of our army's rear route.

  6. All units must arrive at their designated positions by February 7th.

  Seven, the right-wing army headquarters followed the Second Division of the Military Academy, and all the armies on the right wing were commanded by Chiang Kai-shek.

  On February 4, the various units of the Eastern Expeditionary Army that were resting near Zhangmutou began to move towards Danshui. The Zhuang Jihua Brigade was resting and replenishing at Zhangmutou due to heavy losses.

  I finished writing last night after three o'clock, so I didn't upload it. It wasn't until this morning that I discovered it, which really touched me. Thank you to all book friends for paying attention to my work. So I promise that as long as there is still a place online where I can post, this book will not be dropped. By the way, please vote and support more.