Jinling City, the National Army Battle Command.
Tang Shengzhi was sitting in front of the map, nervously looking at the defense situation of each position.
Although the president had left him 150,000 troops, most of them were remnants of the army that had returned from Songhu. The miscellaneous troops from various places occupied his share.
They didn't have much rest, and their weapons and armaments weren't replenished. Even their morale was a little low from the battle of Songhu.
Not to mention the other new recruits who had been added, they had never even seen the Japanese before.
China's elite troops had long been buried on the battlefield.
Tang Shengzhi wasn't sure how long he could hold Jinling.
Just as he was thinking about city defense, an officer rushed in.
The man shouted anxiously,"Sir, it's not good. The Qixia camp has been lost." From Qixia to Jinling, there was a vacuum in our defense. The second division of the Japanese army was charging straight into Jinling from Qixia, and our outer defense line was torn apart.”
"What?" Tang Shengzhi widened his eyes. How did the Qixia camp fall so quickly? Didn't the 88th Division just take over? They couldn't even defend for a few hours? What about the stronghold we set up behind the defense line?”
The officer said indignantly," Sun Yuanlang is a bastard. He only sent two regiments over and ran away with his main force."”
"When he retreated, the troops we arranged at the back thought that the front line had been lost and retreated with him. Many troops who did not know what was going on had already retreated to the city!”
Tang Shengzhi slammed the table and stood up." Damn Sun Yuanlang! He wants to kill us! This dog is not worthy of being a Chinese!"”
Deputy Commander Liu Xing said in a deep voice,""There's no point in pursuing Sun Yuanlang now. What we need to do is to stabilize the defense line and rebuild our position to defend Jinling.”
"The president has just handed Jinling over to us. We can't let it be taken over by the Japanese in just a few days, right? How will the people of the world view us? How will the CEO view us?”
Tang Shengzhi's eyes flashed with anger. He clenched his fists."With the Qixia base lost, our outer defense line has a hole. It's already useless. If they wanted to re-stabilize the front line, someone had to intercept the second division of the Japanese!”
Tang Shengzhi looked at the crowd and said," Time doesn't allow the interception team to build a defensive offensive. This time, we have to fight the Japanese in the wild and fight them to the end…"
Before Tang Shengzhi could finish his sentence, Yu Jishi, the commander of the 74th division, had already stood up."Commander, let me go! We have to earn back the face that Sun Yuanlang lost!”
The others all looked at him.
The 74th Division was the only trump card left. It was the direct line of command under President Jiang.
He didn't expect that he would take the initiative to fight the first tough battle.
Tang Shengzhi looked at him with a serious expression."Ji Shi, have you thought it through? This trip was likely to be disastrous!”
"If you can't, then you'll never come back!" Yu Jishi smiled indifferently.”
"Commander Tang, let me go!" The commander of the 103rd Division, He Zhichong, stood up."The 74th division is the only elite left. They should be defending Jinling City, not fighting with a Japanese vanguard. If you want me to lead the 103rd division, I'll give you enough time even if I don't want the organization.”
Yu Jishi glared at He Zhizhong." This isn't a performance of fighting for military merits. In such a critical moment, we should be the ones to take the lead!"”
He Zhichong smiled." Don't be stubborn with me. Your troops didn't lose much, and you are an elite direct legion. You should stay in the city to guard Jinling." Nearly half of my division is a new source of soldiers. Letting us go and delay the devils is the best choice!”
The two of them were still arguing when Tang Shengzhi had already decided.
"Alright, both of you!" Tang Shengzhi looked at them." You're all responsible men of Huaxia. You're all good brothers who fought against the Japanese. There's no need to argue like this. Let the 103rd Division handle the task of stopping the enemy!”
" Don't worry, Commander Tang." He Zhichong nodded." I will not let the enemy enter Jinling City before I get the order!"”
Yu Jishi shook his head helplessly.
Tang Shengzhi looked at He Zhicong with admiration."Please, I only need a day or so to set up a new defense outside Jinling. At that time, you can retreat!"
Everyone saluted He Zhizhong.
He Zhizhong returned the greeting and turned around to leave.
Tang Shengzhi looked at He Zhizhong's back as he left and shouted anxiously,"Everyone, hurry up and adjust the defensive positions of the troops. We must defend Jinling and not let Liang Quan's efforts go to waste!”
"Yes, sir!"
Half an hour later, He Zhichong led the 103rd division out of the city.
After rushing for ten kilometers, they had no idea that they were reorganizing their troops.
"Adjutant, how far are the devils from us?”How can I know that you're asking me again?
"Master, according to the previous telegram, the Japanese are at most ten kilometers away from us!”
He Zhicong looked around and found that the terrain here was excellent.
"Inform the troops to build fortifications here and rely on the terrain to engage the Japanese!”
The soldiers of the 103rd Division immediately started digging trenches here, and stationed troops on both sides to protect the flanks.
He Zhichong walked to the trenches." Brothers, our capital is right behind us. We have nowhere to retreat to!"”
"We need to buy enough time for Jinling. This battle is up to our brothers!”
"I, He Zhizhong, thank you brothers!”
All the soldiers shouted excitedly," It's a great honor to follow the commander. We will fight to the death and defend Jinling!"”
At this moment, an urgent report came from the front.
The vanguard of the Japanese army had not rested and was already charging towards them.
He Zhizhong had no choice but to stop the soldiers from digging trenches and immediately hide to prepare for battle.
About ten minutes later, the soldiers hiding in the trenches that were half the height of a person could already vaguely hear the sound of tank tracks rubbing against the ground.
Before they could react, shells were fired at them.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosions sounded one after another as countless shells landed beside their trenches.
The soil was blasted everywhere, and the trenches that had not been dug in time were destroyed.
Many soldiers were killed on the spot, and some were injured by shrapnel after the explosion. They lay in the trenches and wailed in pain.
He Zhizhong's eyes were spitting fire as he clenched his fists and roared,""Brothers, hold on!"
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