Seeing Cheng Xiaofeng come in, Yuta Matsuta's furrowed brows relaxed slightly. He pointed at the sofa and asked Cheng Xiaofeng to sit down. Matsuta Yuta did not pay much attention to the documents in his hands. He closed his eyes again and massaged his temples.
Cheng Xiaofeng smiled and placed the map on the coffee table. He said respectfully,""Chief, this is the battle situation map from last week.”
Matsuta Yuta did not stop pressing his fingers. He opened his eyes and glanced at the map, then asked disapprovingly,"The war in Xuzhou is still in a stalemate. What's the situation with Team Leader Kumamoto now?”
"We have safely arrived in Guide! This is a message."
"What is it? We're already here. Isn't it still two days away?”Matsuta Yuta immediately perked up. He stood up from the sofa and read the message twice." Hey! Have you informed General Dohihara?”
"Mr. Kumamoto and the others encountered the transport convoy of the 74th division in the first battle zone on the way, so they arrived a day early. The message to General Dohei Hara has been drafted, please take a look!”
"Oh my, just send this to the 14th Regiment. Kumamoto did not disappoint!”After he finished speaking, he signed the script and took out a two-color pencil to draw on the situation map.
Cheng Xiaofeng kept the message and did not disturb them. The war situation map was a military secret of the Japanese army. It was drawn by the staff group of the Shanghai Army Headquarters. It would be updated every three days and sent to the important organs of the Japanese army in Shanghai for the high-level Japanese army in Shanghai to watch. In order to keep track of the Japanese army's movements. When updating, the old map had to be taken back and the viewer had to sign it. Logically speaking, someone of Cheng Xiaofeng's level had no right to see it. However, Matsuta Yuta would spread the map in front of Cheng Xiaofeng every time. He would not avoid it and would sometimes ask for his opinion.
The staff officers of the Army Headquarters used the reason that the focus of the Shanghai Special Higher Police was no longer on the battlefield between the two sides to update it every six days. This made Matsuta Yuta feel that he was being looked down upon because the military police, which was also responsible for Shanghai's public security, still updated it every three days. Wasn't it because Yu Tian was a major general? Every time he saw the battle situation map, Matsuda Yuta would be a little unhappy.
"Cheng Sang, tell me, where will the Fourteenth Regiment take us?”Matsuta stared at the map without raising his head. He seemed to be talking to himself, but he also seemed to want to verify his thoughts through the other party's answer.
"Bureau Chief, the 14th division has already taken over Xin Xiang and Pu Yang. They are facing off against Kaifeng across the Yellow River, threatening the Longhai line and restricting the forces of the 1st Battle Area, preventing them from entering the Xu Prefecture battlefield. However, if they were to forcefully cross the Yellow River near Kaifeng, they would have to face several times the number of elites of the Central Army, which was very unwise.”
" That's right. You and Kumamoto-kun share the same view, so we set our sights on this area.”After saying that, he drew a circle in an area east of Kaifeng with a pencil.
"Yes, this is also the reason why you and teacher decided to send the Cherry Blossom Squad into Guide.”
Matsuta Yuta did not continue the topic. Instead, he raised his head and said thoughtfully,"The headquarters is preparing a big plan, which is to surround and destroy the 800,000 soldiers of the national army in the Xuzhou battlefield.”
Cheng Xiaofeng looked at the situation map and shook his head.""However, looking at the current situation map, we are still far from this goal.
Director, west of Xu Prefecture, south of the Yellow River, was a large plain area. It was also the first war zone of the national army. The empire's army was blocked by the Yellow River natural moat in the north. They did not have enough troops and could only serve as a distraction.
To the south of Xu Prefecture, the 3rd, 9th, and 11th Divisions were still in Bengbu. Although they were 150 kilometers away from Xu Prefecture, there were several rivers that ran northwest, making the area very complicated. Moreover, there were the 51st and 31st Divisions of the Chinese army here. They relied on the Xifei River, Wo River, and Hui River to confront the Empire's army. Their combat strength was not weak either.
To the southeast of Xuzhou, although the Sato Division and the 101st Division successively attacked Dongtai and the defense line from Dongtai to Yancheng, they were blocked by the defense line from Yancheng to Funing. Because the northern Jiangsu area was too large, the 101st Division had to divide their forces to occupy it. The remaining Kondo Division advanced north, but their offensive strength was still not enough.
Only in the north of Xu province did the empire have the advantage. The 10th and 5th divisions attacked Teng County, the 16th division occupied Jining, and behind them were the 114th division and the 1st, 3rd, and 8th divisions of Shandong.
Judging from the current situation, the army of the Imperium was advancing in an arc at most. The north, east, and south were only strategic support points. The army of the Imperium occupied the strategic pivot points of the railroads, roads, and counties. The soldiers of the Imperium were not in the villages yet. The gaps in the middle were too big, and the distribution of the soldiers was uneven. They could not form an effective encirclement yet.”
"Cheng-san, don't limit yourself to a certain area. You have to have a big picture vision." Go originated from China, but it was developed in Japan. At present, the overall strength of Japanese players is already higher than that of teachers. Do you know the reason?”
"Director, is it because Go has become Japan's national skill?”
"Yes, everyone in the General Staff is a Go expert. Go is a way to train the strategic vision of a Go player. Cheng Sang, let's make a hypothesis first. If the national army wants to retreat from Xuzhou, where should they retreat from?”
Cheng Xiaofeng stared at the situation map and thought about it. In fact, he secretly remembered every Japanese garrison in his heart and began to correct the situation map in his heart. If there was a chance, he would take a photo of the entire map. Feng Ti's niece, Feng Xiaorong, would be arriving in Shanghai in two days. She would bring her back then.
"What's wrong? Be bold and say it doesn't matter."
"Ha Yi, Bureau Chief, this humble servant will boldly analyze the situation of the battle. The eastern part of Xu Prefecture, the coastal areas of Shandong and Jiangsu were all tightly sealed by the Empire's Third Fleet. It was impossible for the national army to retreat by sea. Although there was still room for maneuver in Northern Jiangsu, they would undoubtedly be surrounded by heavy troops again. Therefore, the plan of retreating eastward could basically be ruled out.”
"Not bad, continue."
"To the north of Xuzhou is the central and northern parts of Shandong Province that the Japanese army has already taken control of. It belongs to the rear of the imperial army, and there are seven or eight divisions in northern and central China. Breaking out from this direction was equivalent to walking into a trap, and it was absolutely impossible.”
Yuta Matsuta nodded with an encouraging smile.
"To the southwest of Xu Prefecture is the northern part of Wan. These areas are still under the control of the national army, but the terrain of these areas is more complicated. There are rivers everywhere in the northern part of Wan, and the vegetation is dense. However, if the hundreds of thousands of soldiers broke out of the encirclement, some of the troops would inevitably be in chaos due to the terrain. They would also inevitably be scattered and unable to gather together. Even if the troops that broke out of the encirclement did not suffer any losses in the battle, they would still need some time to gather, gather, and restore their strength. They would not be able to immediately participate in the defense battle of Wu Han.”
Yuta Matsuta's eyes lit up as he looked at the young man in disbelief. He had thought that he was only good at deciphering secret messages and investigating. He did not expect that his strategic vision was not bad either.
"Oh my, very good! Cheng Sang, continue."
"The national army should know very well that after the Empire occupies Xuzhou, they will definitely turn their troops to attack eastern Henan and northern Hubei. Then, they will launch the Battle of Wu Han, cutting into the hinterland and pushing straight for Sichuan. Therefore, the national army needed to be able to fight immediately. They could not have a large number of troops to rest in the rear. Then, the national army could break through from Northern Wan to disperse the strength of the imperial army, but the number could not be too large.”
"Haha, Cheng Sang, you can go to the Shanghai Army Staff!”
"No, this is all inspired by the Chief!”
Yuta Matsuta was very pleased, but he was also shocked by Cheng Xiaofeng's analysis. His mood was good, and the haze of the past few days was swept away. He patted Cheng Xiaofeng's shoulder and praised,"Cheng Sang, you are too humble. There's a ravine in my chest. Not bad! If you can see the national army's intentions, then continue to analyze. What if the national army withdraws from the west of Xuzhou?”
"The national army is retreating to the west of Xuzhou, which is to follow the Longhai railway from Xuzhou to the eastern region of Henan. The land there is wide and there are large plains, which are very suitable for the transfer of large troops. Moreover, that was the first war zone of the national army. A large number of supplies and wounded soldiers from the battle of Xuzhou were transported through the Longhai line. This was also the reason why the national army dared to use troops in Xuzhou.”
Cheng Xiaofeng paused for a moment and continued,"" Of course, everything can be divided into two aspects. There are advantages and disadvantages. The flatlands can make it easier for the large legions to retreat, which is advantageous, but the disadvantage is that the flatlands are also suitable for the Imperium's army, which is more mobile. The Imperium's army can use the tactics of penetration, breakthrough, encirclement, and crushing in the process of pursuit to devour the effective strength of the national army bit by bit. The national army would definitely be defeated, like the Yellow River bursting its banks. The Longhai Line could transport the national army, but it could also transport the imperial army. Therefore, if the national army were to move from Xu Prefecture, the strategic points of the First Battle Area would have to be defended. They would also have to block the pursuit of the Empire's army. They would even have to be prepared to sacrifice more than half of the First Battle Area's forces. Even so, it was only to buy a short period of rest for the army that had withdrawn from Xu Prefecture.”
"Cheng Sang, no matter how high we look at you, we've underestimated you. You've only seen the situation of both sides, and you've already agreed with the generals in the base camp. In the past few days, Chief Advisor Hezhi of the Bamboo Bureau has often talked to me about the war in Xuzhou. I still want Cheng Sang's advice. Tell me!”
"Chief, I think the chief of staff in the headquarters has already paid attention to the Longhai Road from Xuzhou to Kaifeng. As for that node, I think the Chief has already made a decision!”
"That's great! Cheng Sang, now you understand why I sent your teacher to Guide!”
"Yes, the director saw this step ten days ago.”
"In terms of the combat strength of both China and Japan, it is only a matter of time before the national army withdraws from Xuzhou. In fact, I am also betting that the national army will retreat from the Longhai Road. Only the Sixteenth and Fourteenth Regiments had attacked the Longhai Road.”
"The Empire doesn't have enough military power, and the Central China War Zone has used up all its military power. We can only borrow the Fourteenth and Sixteenth Regiment from the North China War Zone.”
"We can form a Cherry Blossom Squad in Guide and obtain information about the First Battle Area in time. It will be a great advantage for General Tufei Yuan to help him attack the Long Hai Line! How about this, go back and study this situation map carefully. Combined with the information your teacher has sent back these days, draw up a battle situation analysis. He needed to use it in the afternoon when he reported to the Sixth Commander.”
"Ha Yi!" Cheng Xiaofeng stood up, bowed, put away the posture map, and walked out of the office.
Looking at the closed door, Matsuta Yuta didn't move for a long time. He couldn't help but feel a little sad. Why was such an outstanding young man so unkempt? However, the way he stood at attention just now was somewhat like a soldier of the Empire, and his legs weren't so bent. Unfortunately, he was still a Chinese. If he was born and raised in the Yamato Nation, he would probably be a general in less than ten years.
Yes, General! It seemed that this time, the dream would not be far away.
——————
Both China and Japan were making arrangements in the hundreds of miles around Xuzhou. A bigger battle was about to begin. However, regardless of the outcome, at this moment, both China and Japan had to consider the retreat route of the national army if they did not fight well. They had to think about retreating before they advanced.
Matsuta Yuta had his eyes on Guide. At the same time, the Japanese base camp and the National Military Committee also focused on the various strategic fulcrums on the Longhai line. This was the strategic point between the fifth and first war zones of Xu Prefecture. Through the railway, the hundreds of thousands of troops in the north of the Xu Prefecture war zone could attack or defend. The most important one was Guide. Its strategic significance was not inferior to that of the Three Kingdoms period, when Zhuge Liang's army had left Jieting in Qishan.
If they lost Guide, the 500,000 troops in the north of the Xuzhou war zone would be cut off by the Japanese army from the west.
Ma Su was guarding Jieting, and Cheng Qian was guarding Guide. Could Cheng Qian be the second Ma Su? The national army didn't send a single division to guard Guide to Lanfeng, but the 27th, 71st, 74th, 64th, 8th, 90th, and the new 1st army. There were 14 divisions with a total of 150,000 people. Half of these divisions were elite Central Army troops.
The information above was the first information that Cherry Blossom's team had sent back, including the division numbers.
To be able to plant a spy in this area at this time and obtain first-hand intelligence from the national army across the region was a major breakthrough for the Shanghai Special Higher Police.
It wasn't until he received the first piece of information from the Sakura Team that the experienced and steady Matsuta reported the number of the national army in the first battle area and the details of the radio station tracking to the commander of the Shanghai dispatch army, Junroku. Junroku was pleasantly surprised after reading it. He immediately called the commander of East China, General Terauchi Shouichi. Terauchi Shouichi was also overjoyed. He strongly requested that every piece of information about the First Battle Area sent back by the Cherry Blossom Team must be sent to him as soon as possible.
Therefore, in the afternoon, Yuta Matsuta made an exception and participated in the highest-level military conference in Shanghai with Kazuki Koji.
Returning to the long-awaited military conference, Yuta Matsuta looked around at the high-ranking generals who were carrying the stars on their shoulders. Especially when he saw Major General Tamata's surprised expression, his vanity was greatly satisfied, but at the same time, he was filled with inferiority.
However, Matsuta Yuta was still looking forward to the future. Soon, I will also be sitting among you with a straight face!
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