Rise From Eight Hundred

"Comrades, how could Zhao repay Zhao with such courtesy?" General Baitou stood in front of the three of them, standing upright as well. After returning the salute with a standard military salute, he said with a wry smile.

"Sir Zhao has traveled a long distance and worked hard. Please come in!" Tang Daosu greeted him with his hand.

"Although Zhao is in his mid-forties this year, his body and bones are still good. Marching at this level is still no problem." The white-headed general waved his hand, with confidence surging on his thin face.

Although he has never met Commander Li and Brigadier Cheng of the 104th Division, Tang Dao's telegram to the 17th Division Headquarters already stated that he would also invite the military chiefs of the 104th Division and the 683rd Brigade to come and get together.

The military ranks on the collar badges of the two men already indicated their identities. General Baitou shook hands with the two generals politely, and then stared at the tall Tang Dao: "You must be Commander Tang! You are indeed a young hero, and you live up to your reputation!" "

"Sir Zhao, you are complimentary. Tang Dao is a junior and needs more support from several senior officers. Tang Dao has already prepared the food and drinks. I hope the senior officers and brothers will show their appreciation!" Tang Dao said modestly with a smile.

"Haha, you said you are a hero, Captain Tang, but you still don't admit it. Just saying that you are straight to the point and calling everyone to eat has really made it into my heart, Lao Zhao. Hurry up and hurry up this way, Lao Zhao's ass Dahei is a stubborn breed again, and will not work hard if he is not given food. Lao Zhao only ate one piece of cake that day. Now he is so hungry that his stomach is growling. It’s not that the belt is tightened, he just didn’t eat it. You're so ugly." General Baitou laughed.

Seeing this person talk about his strange mount without any hesitation, the three of them admired him and couldn't help but laugh at this person who didn't stick to details.

All three of them know that today's 17th Division is very difficult.

In the Battle of Fululing half a year ago, the 17th Division with nearly 12,000 men lost 8,000 lives. Including the injured, those who could stand and walk out of the position were only 2,000, which was equivalent to directly crippling the Northwest Army Infantry Division. .

The crippled 17th Division could only withdraw from the battlefield and repair in the rear. However, because the battle in Jin Province was in full swing, no troops above the division were allowed to retreat across the Yellow River without an order from the Ministry of Military Affairs. So it was said to be repairing, but in fact it was for you. Re-recruit and train troops within a certain period of time, and then return to the battlefield at any time.

The 17th Division is almost equivalent to reconstruction. Whether it is personnel or equipment, the military expenditures allocated by Shangfeng are only so little, so one can imagine the difficulty.

But no one expected that the 17th Division would be so difficult. It was so difficult that the majestic commander of the division didn't even have a war horse, so he had to get a barking donkey as a mount during the long march.

You know, even in the most difficult times, the 683rd Brigade still retains a cavalry platoon with more than 30 horses.

Although the Sichuan Army is called the "Beggars Army" by the Jinsui Army, at least the officers of the Sichuan Army at the regiment commander level and above are equipped with war horses, and they will never ride a donkey to a meeting like the famous lieutenant general of the 17th Division.

It is conceivable that when more than a dozen generals gathered at the headquarters of the Eightyth Army, they all rode tall horses, but this important general of the Northwest Army rode a donkey. The expressions on the generals' faces would be very rich.

But obviously, since this man dared to ride, he didn't care too much about the so-called face. He would rather spend the money saved on horses that were not worthy of war on equipment and ammunition.

This kind of behavior is actually more admirable.

The white-headed general is truly worthy of his reputation.

The place where Tang Dao hosted a banquet for the three generals was nowhere else but in his war conference room, where four people sat at an Eight Immortals table.

Tang Dao is not stingy with the food, but in fact the few dishes served are very simple, five meat dishes, two vegetarian dishes and one soup. Among the five meat dishes, there are pork, mutton and rabbit meat. However, they are all air-dried meat sent by hunters in the mountains, which may not be enough. Exquisite, yet large and filling, it is most suitable for soldiers who work hard to fight and work hard.

However, the biggest difference from the usual banquet is that the jar of old wine that was brought up was barely touched.

It’s not that Brigadier Cheng said that Tang Dao had a heavy drinker, so no one would dare to compete with him. General Baitou looked weak, but there are some people in the northwest who are not good at wine, and Sichuan Province is also a province that produces liquor. If these three people go against each other, Tang Dao, let’s not talk about whether the five kilograms of wine in this jar is enough. In terms of single-round strength, Tang Dao is probably not better than a wine vat.

However, as the host, Tang Daodu just made an opening statement, asking the three officers who were considered guests to eat something to fill their stomachs first. General Baitou came up and added a bowl of white rice, and started to cook hard with the broth. His actual actions proved that what he said before was true. He was really hungry, which made the other three people also have great appetites.

They are all soldiers. Once they focus on attacking the food, what kind of chaos will they look like?

Anyway, the little bald man who was helping to refill the meal had a new understanding this night, so much so that he almost had the illusion that the gold stars on the collar badges of the officers were due to their appetite!

The wine was not drunk yet, half of the rice was gone, and 70% of the meat on the table was gone. However, not a single chopstick was touched on the plate of greasy vegetables fried with mountain wild vegetables that the cooking team specially prepared for the officers.

To use what Master Li of the 104th Division said in his busy schedule: "I eat this crap every day. It looks like I'm almost full. I finally have some oil and water. How can I keep it for a few days and come and eat it?"

Of course, what's more important is that the three generals who are immersed in cooking are like a mirror in their hearts. They came to the station of the Four Lines Regiment. It doesn't mean that everyone really made an appointment to go together. There are four guard companies plus cavalry. Putting it all together, when the Japanese were strong in the past, they could fight even if they sent an infantry brigade to block them. Now that China has gathered a small number of hundreds of thousands of troops in the Taihang Mountains, the Japanese are not afraid even if they send a regiment to block them.

When they came here, they probably had something to say about Commander Tang, who also had a place in the General Staff of the Southeastern Shanxi War Zone.

As a colonel-level officer, it is an honor for Tang Dao to be among the staff of the general staff. If he can have refreshing opinions at the high-level military meeting organized by the staff through communication, Then his rise to prominence is just around the corner.

Perhaps except for Brigadier Cheng Da, who knew Tang Dao best, the other two division-level officers thought so.

This is a basic operation in all armies. How could two generals who had been promoted from the bottom not know how to do it?

This is Tang Dao. The 104th Division owes him a favor, so this is a favor returned. But where is the General Baitou of the 17th Division? He is completely out of reach of Tang Dao and the Four Elements Group. Being able to come after receiving Tang Dao's invitation is purely out of curiosity about Tang Dao.

Tang Dao was promoted to Army Colonel at the age of 21, and he also served as regimental commander. Coupled with his series of achievements on the Songhu battlefield and on the retreat, it can be said to be a miracle.

The major general of the Northwest Army is elegant on the outside, but he is the most important hero in his heart. Just like when he was at Fululing in Niangzi Pass, he clearly knew that the 17th Division, which lacked artillery, was definitely not the two Japanese infantry with a strength of 5,000 and the support of artillery and aircraft. The opponent of the alliance, but still took orders and stood firm.

He came here purely because of Tang Dao's past achievements.

But if Tang Dao's behavior of using the back door to unblock the three of them was too despicable, it is estimated that this literary and artistic hero who can't get rid of the sand in his eyes will leave overnight.

With this understanding, this meal of wine is naturally destined to only be tasted briefly to fill the belly.

It only took half an hour for the meal to be finished. Tang Dao was not modest and asked Xia Dayu to ask someone to remove the leftovers and put on the new tea that had just been picked by the mountain people.

"Chief Zhao, Chief Li, and Chief Cheng, do you know the purpose of Tang Dao inviting these three to my four-element gathering today?" Tang Dao stood up and stood in front of the hanging map of southeastern Shanxi and asked straight to the point.

"Brother Tang, you want Zhao and Li to help you with your speech at the staff meeting tomorrow! So that the boss can see your true level and entrust you and the Four Lines Group with important responsibilities. Brother, you are so quick at making small calculations! In peacetime, even if you don't join the army, you will definitely be a top accountant. "

Brigadier Cheng Da smiled and took out three cigarettes from the cigarette case that Tang Dao put on the table, handed them to the two division commanders, struck a match and lit one and said with a smile.

"However, brother, you really don't have to say anything about your vision. Commanders Zhao and Li are the best in our army in the country, not to mention in our Southeast Shanxi War Zone. There is no problem in guiding you, brother."

"I'm talking about Brigadier Cheng, when you said this, Lao Li and I almost couldn't answer it. The whole country didn't dare to say it, but in this second theater, if you are said to be the number one general, who dares to say no? In the last battle at Shentou Ridge, your brigade killed more Japanese than our 104th Division in all the six months of fighting. There were more than 10,000 soldiers in our 104th Division, and no one was dissatisfied. ." Master Li of the Sichuan Army shook his head repeatedly, extremely humble.

"Yes! Captain Tang, although you are young, but looking at your past achievements, all of them are about surviving in dangerous situations, but the final results are amazing. I, Old Zhao, would not be able to do it anyway. Old Zhao is the only one I can win. The victory we achieved was achieved with the lives of nearly 10,000 brothers in my 17th Division. If possible, I would rather be an unknown general." General Baitou mentioned the blocking battle that brought him honor. It was a sad look on his face.

Fulu Ridge is located on the right side of Niangzi Pass. It has always been said that if you want to take Niangzi Pass, you must first capture Fulu Ridge. Therefore, the commander of the Eastern Route Army of the North China Front, Kawayasu Saburo, could only send one brigade in front of Niangzi Pass, but at the foot of Wulu Ridge However, 36 artillery pieces were used, nearly a hundred bomber sorties were used, and the strength was as high as two infantry regiments.

However, the 17th Division relied on sacrifice and without any external aid to hold off the Japanese invaders at Wulu Ridge for 15 days, making Niangziguan hold on for more than half a month. The Japanese army had to force the two groups to attack the original city. Plans are delayed backwards.

It was these precious 20 days that enabled many businesses, government agencies, factories, and civilians stationed in the original city to evacuate smoothly, saving a large part of Jin Province's effective forces.

If the Japanese army were allowed to break through Niangziguan quickly, and nearly 30,000 Japanese troops entered from eastern Shanxi, and more than 60,000 Japanese troops entered from Xinkou and Tianshui directions, most of the soldiers and civilians in the original city would be doomed.

It can be said that the 17th Division sacrificed a lot, but also made a great contribution to the defense of Jin Province. Even if the principal disliked this general who was so close to the 80th Army, he still had to award the medal.

However, intentionally or unintentionally, almost no newspapers publicized this battle. This awe-inspiring battle was lost in the long river of history. Not many people knew about this battle at the time or in the future.

8000 The place where Lengwa was martyred in Shaanxi Province was only commemorated by a monument built by the local government after the war.

Of course, the real reason why General Bai Tou was so sad when he mentioned this was not whether the Chinese people could remember his brothers who died in the war, but that they all died under his strict orders, and he was willing to die with them, but in the end, he had to continue living.

Because his country was still suffering in the flames of war, and his mission needed to continue.

"Hey, the three commanders, don't be modest. Tang Dao is very young and has many inexperiences, but Tang Dao's eyes are not blind. The three of you led the Chinese army to fight the Japanese invaders. No matter victory or defeat, you still hold on. This is the soul of the Chinese army.

Commander Li, in the defense of Changzhi, your troops had more than 2,000 people in a regiment, and only 300 were left. Such an iron-blooded army, as a Sichuan army, Tang Dao is proud of it.

Commander Zhao, I won't mention the brutality of the battle of Falu Ridge, but I can tell you that if one day Tang Dao can survive until the end of the war, I will build a monument on the highest peak of Falu Ridge and engrave the names of all the martyred soldiers of the 17th Division on it for future generations to admire!

Brother Cheng, the 683rd Brigade was regarded as the number one enemy by the Japanese invaders, and that was because they hurt the Japanese invaders. Your name will shine in the thousands of years of history of China, no less than any famous general." Tang Dao talked about the three people's achievements like the back of his hand.

Even these three famous generals, who each had their own strengths, could not help but feel excited when they heard Tang Dao say this.

In fact, what Tang Dao said hit the nail on the head.

But Tang Dao's next sentence was like a thunderclap, which startled the three of them.

"It's just that you three commanders all guessed wrong. Tang Dao asked for leave from the theater command as early as yesterday. My regiment has important matters. As the regiment commander, I can't leave and can't attend this combat meeting."

After saying this, even the brigade commander Cheng, who knew them very well, was slightly stunned. Of course, he knew that Tang Dao didn't ask them for the sake of getting promoted, but it was inevitable to discuss regional strategies and tactics. He also hoped that Tang Dao would use a younger and more aggressive combat thinking to influence those conservative veterans!

Even if the final strategic deployment plan cannot be changed, it is good to be able to impact and bring some new changes. Why didn't Tang Dao go?

This is the case with Brigade Commander Cheng, not to mention the other two division commanders who have already formed a preconceived notion. Tang Dao is not here to take the back door, so what is this meal for?

The two middle-aged men who have experienced many changes in the world suddenly don't understand the young man in front of them.

"The three commanders probably know that Tang Dao is making a big purchase in Linfen City! I used the gold seized from the Japanese invaders to buy enough daily necessities for my Four Lines Regiment for half a year." Tang Dao laughed.

"So much!" The two division commanders took a breath of cold air.

It's enough for a regiment to live for half a year, and if they give them a division, it can last for two or three months at least! This must be hundreds of thousands of kilograms of food!

This is really a rich family.

But soon, the two division commanders found that they were really poor for too long and their vision was too narrow.

Hundreds of thousands of kilograms of food are really nothing.

"Hehe, but the three commanders may not know that before purchasing these daily necessities, I had already found the Jin Province Ordnance Department and purchased some arms." Tang Dao smiled brightly.

"Some?" It was the great brigade commander Cheng who knew Tang Dao well. He instinctively felt something was wrong when he heard this uncertain quantifier. "Just tell me, brother, how much did you spend on it?"

"About 2.2 million silver dollars! The main reason is that the inventory of the Ordnance Department is insufficient. You say that a provincial ordnance department, with a nationally ranked arsenal under its command, has only such a small inventory. Isn't it too bad?" Tang Dao said casually.

The three generals looked at each other and almost stopped breathing.

2.2 million silver dollars worth of arms, even if all the heavy firepower under their command was added together, it is estimated that it is not worth this price!

Be more confident, remove the word "estimated", the three of us are just bumpkins in front of this guy! This is what the great brigade commander Cheng's golden eyes are full of.

However, the great brigade commander Cheng, who already knew what Tang Dao meant, didn't bother to ask questions like a curious baby at this moment. He was now regretting nothing but regretting.

If he had known that there were so many arms, especially good ones, he should have brought the 772nd Regiment, no, the 772nd and 771st main regiments together, so that everyone could have a good meal and carry guns and cannons back to the base.

Now, what can this packhorse company do? The food that was imagined was no longer fragrant.

There was a moment of silence in the conference room, so quiet that it froze.

"Captain Tang, what do you mean by telling us this?" It was the division commander Li who broke the silence and asked in disbelief.

"The defense line of our four armies is relatively close. To use a more literary word, it is called the same spirit, and to use a more vulgar word, it is called grasshoppers tied to the same rope. If we live, we live together, and if we die, we die together." Tang Dao's eyes became serious. "And my Four-line Regiment wants to live! You don't have money, but I do. You don't have weapons, so we'll buy them for you."

"These arms, except for some equipment for my Four-line Regiment, will all be distributed to three adjacent friendly forces.

It's a gift, no need to return, but I have a condition!"

"What condition, just tell me." The white-headed general nodded with deep eyes.

Such a large batch of arms, even if it is divided among three parties, he can get at least one infantry regiment's equipment, but his life experience tells him that there is no pie in the sky, only traps!

It is normal to have conditions. Without conditions, he would feel hot holding these weapons and equipment.

"For this operation, let's not talk about the overall strategy of the entire war zone. As for our defense tactics of more than 100 miles, I hope that the senior officers will listen to me."

Tang Dao's words were earth-shattering!

. . . . . . . . . . . .

ps: Feng Yue did what she said. She rejected all invitations from men and women. She worked diligently on New Year's Eve and the first day of the Lunar New Year. Aren't your monthly tickets and rewards coming? Of course, I'll take a leave in advance. Feng Yue will take her parents back to her hometown on the third day of the Lunar New Year, so she can't write. I'll come back on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year to continue working!