The entire decisive battle started from six in the morning until three in the afternoon. The nine infantry battalions ordered to attack returned to the mountain pass one after another. Of course, when they returned to the mountain pass, they brought back a group of Russian prisoners of war who had already been unloaded with ammunition and weapons.

As time passed by minute by minute, the National Defense Forces barracks, which had been empty for a day, became lively again. The old Russian prisoners of war who had not recovered from the shock began to transfer to the prisoner camp in the rear under a special escort. The fate of waiting for these prisoners of war was at least ten years of road construction career.

In Li Guosheng's eyes, after the prisoners captured by the National Defense Forces in several consecutive foreign wars have been improved by improving the entire three northeastern provinces, they will enter the Far East and begin to improve the entire Far East, including the railway and road network in the Lake Baikal area, so that the Lake Baikal area will no longer be an isolated island outside the jurisdiction of the National Defense Forces.

Of course, among all the achievements achieved in this counterattack, in addition to the tens of thousands of prisoners of war that were the largest harvest, there were various combat materials and equipment.

In order to clear up the shame he suffered in the National Defense Forces half a year ago, and give Stalin Moscow an explanation. Although Commander-in-Chief Voroshilov only brought 50,000 troops, the various heavy equipment equipped by the 50,000 troops was the proportion and quantity of equipment equipped by the 100,000 troops.

The Soviet Far Eastern Red Army, which had just 50,000 people, had only 150 mm caliber heavy howitzers equipped with more than 300 divisions, which was three times the number of them. As for field guns and light howitzers below 150 mm caliber, all of them were as many as four or five hundred.

Although these artillery units were also hit by artillery fire at the beginning of the attack by the National Wehrmacht, the small-caliber mortars and mountain artillery used by the National Wehrmacht could not do anything to these heavy artillery, and at most they destroyed some ammunition piles piled up on the battlefield. Therefore, in this battle against the Baikal area, thousands of artillery carried by the Soviet army were handed over to the Thirteenth Army almost intact.

Of course, this is not the most important thing.

On the endless battlefield in the Far East, the most suitable army for combat is undoubtedly armor and tank troops.

The 50,000 army of commander-in-chief Voroshilov was not only equipped with three times the number of artillery artillery of various caliber, but also with three times the number of armored vehicles.

The only heavy tank division of the Far Eastern Red Army, two medium tank divisions, plus the tank regiments equipped by each main division. Without exception, all turned into the national defense force trophy.

Some people may say that when the Wehrmacht launches and the Red Army retreats, tanks are not the best tools to protect them, so why did not follow the troops to withdraw from the barracks? After all, medium-sized tanks weighing dozens of tons will not be killed or injured by the heavy artillery shells fired by the Wehrmacht directly hit the tank body.

In fact, after a low temperature of tens of degrees below zero at night in the Far East, if these tanks that had been in the cold wind for a night were to be activated again and make him move, it would take at least half an hour to preheat. Otherwise, no matter how powerful the old Russian tankers had, they would not be able to move the steel monsters weighing dozens of tons at all...

Therefore, when the Ninth Defense Forces attacking troops broke into their barracks, these tankers were still sweating profusely to warm up the tanks. When the Defense Forces pointed the black hole gun at their heads, they realized that they had become prisoners of war in the National Defense Forces and had no chance to run away again by controlling their tanks.

When one Soviet-made large-caliber artillery was dragged by the car, crossing the mountain pass position and entering the military camp, Soviet-made medium-sized tanks and heavy tanks with huge roars were also slowly sailing into the military camp under the control of the tankers of the armored assault battalion, and then, rows of neatly arranged in the military camp.

As the night once again enveloped the Far East, the battlefield that had been noisy for a day slowly returned to tranquility. Although Xiong Shaowen, the commander of the 13th Army of the National Defense Forces, had not had a rest for two days and one night, he still stood in the command center with an unprecedented victory again, waiting for the arrival of Chief of Staff Zhang Guoqiang.

As a burst of rapid footsteps reached Xiong Shaowen's ears, Chief of Staff Zhang Guoqiang, who was holding a folder in his hand, walked in with a smile on his face. After saluting Xiong Shaowen, he reported: "Military, great victory, great victory in Lake Baikal..."

"After statistics, we found more than 14,600 Russian corpses on the battlefield. Among all the Russian officers and soldiers who died in battle, the highest rank was a major general. In addition, three colonels were also killed by our artillery fire on the battlefield."

Like Li Guosheng, Xiong Shaowen cares most about the number of annihilation of enemies, but the benefits that he gets directly after the battle. Therefore, as soon as Zhang Guoqiang finished speaking, he was impatient to ask the question he wanted to know most.

"Where are prisoners, you must know that these prisoners are the main force in the railway line between Lake Baikal and the three northeastern provinces. The more prisoners we catch, the railway line to the three northeastern provinces will be opened to traffic one day earlier, and we will receive materials and personnel reinforcements from the three northeastern provinces anytime and anywhere, truly connecting the Baikal area with the three northeastern provinces..."

Zhang Guoqiang replied with a positive expression: "Military throne, the number of prisoners will definitely satisfy you: According to the statistics of each attacking force, by the time all the junior troops return to the battalion, the Far East Red Army prisoners we captured had exceeded 23,000. According to the total strength of the Soviet Far East Red Army's attack this time, at least 10,000 Soviet Red Army was still distributed around us to bear hunger. I can be sure that as long as we continue to attack tomorrow, at least 5,000 prisoners of war can be captured around us. At that time, a total of 30,000 Soviet prisoners of war will definitely be indispensable."

Hearing this answer, Xiong Shaowen finally showed a smile from the bottom of his heart. He said to Zhang Guoqiang in front of him with satisfaction: "Chief of Staff, 30,000 prisoners of war are 30,000 free labor. As long as we work harder, it is enough to repair the railway line between Lake Baikal and the three eastern provinces before the heavy snow melts next year. At that time, various daily necessities and combat materials from the three eastern provinces can be continuously transported to our Lake Baikal. Of course, the various fish resources and animal furs produced by our Lake Baikal can also be continuously transported to the three northeastern provinces, or even within the inner city. At that time, the entire Lake Baikal area will turn from a shabby wasteland into an unprecedented huge treasure house..."

Chief of Staff Zhang Guoqiang followed closely and echoed: "Military captain, the influence of capturing so many old Russian prisoners of war is far more than that simple. Since we learned that the Soviet Far East Red Army was preparing to invade us Lake Baikal, the 200,000 immigrants living in the Baikal area have begun to panic. Now, our 13th Army, without any advantage, not only smashed the Soviet Far East Red Army conspiracy and defeated it, but also captured tens of thousands of old Russian prisoners of war..."

"I believe that once this matter is publicized, it will be an unprecedented great encouragement for all the soldiers of our 13th Army and hundreds of thousands of immigrants in the Baikal area. With this news, we will be able to form the 13th Army of the National Defense Forces and will receive more support from hundreds of thousands of immigrants in the local area..."

"Not only that, during this counterattack, we seized thousands of artillery, thousands of tanks, and thousands of vehicles from the Soviet Far East Red Army. While greatly supplementing the scarce materials of our 13th Army and Baikal, we also expanded and reorganized the 13th Army. We provided sufficient materials and equipment guarantees. According to the organization given to us by the General Command, at least in terms of heavy artillery and tank troops, we no longer need headquarters to be replenished, and there is still the remaining headquarters to be handed over to the headquarters..."

Facing an unprecedented victory in front of them. When the commander of the 13th Army Xiong Shaowen and Chief of Staff Zhang Guoqiang and the two began to discuss how the troops could be expanded and consolidated based on this victory. What they did not expect was that Shenyang City, far away in Liaoning, was in an unprecedented dispute over the direct expansion of the 19th Division of the National Defense Army into the 13th Army.

In the eyes of many veteran officers of the National Defense Forces, although the 19th Division commanded by Xiong Shaowen achieved considerable results in the Battle of the Soviet Union half a year ago, this unit was formed by an army entirely from Sichuan. It is worth pondering in terms of loyalty. More importantly, Xiong Shaowen was promoted to Lieutenant General Commander again after less than a few months after serving as the Major General Commander. The other dozen senior officers who were promoted to Lieutenant General Commander this time were very unwilling to be.

After several years of being the commander of major generals, he was promoted to lieutenant generals step by step. As for Xiong Shaowen, after only half a year of serving as the commander of major generals, he was directly promoted to lieutenant generals.

Thinking of the huge gap and comparison, many veteran heroes who have been following Li Guosheng from the beginning began to express some heartfelt dissatisfaction with Li Guosheng.

The General Command of the National Defense Forces, facing the increasingly serious disputes within the National Defense Forces, Jiang Baili, as the chief of staff, had to come to Li Guosheng to give Li Guosheng a reminder. After all, the current National Defense Forces are no longer tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of people, but a huge group with millions of troops. It is very likely that a small matter can put this military group into crisis.

Regarding the commander-in-chief Li Guosheng in front of him, Jiang Baili said bluntly without any hesitation, "Chief, I believe you have heard of the rumors outside. To put it in my heart, I also think it is too urgent to directly expand the 19th Division into the 13th Army at this time. After all, the 19th Division has just been established for half a year."

"What is more important is that Xiong Shaowen of the 19th Division was a colonel a year ago. In just one year, he changed from a colonel to a colonel, and then to a major general commander of the field main division. Now he has been promoted to a limited number of lieutenant general commander of our National Defense Forces... Such an promotion speed not only sets a precedent for our National Defense Forces, but also sets a precedent for the entire Republic of China. Therefore, I think that before Xiong Shaowen's troops achieve enough results and achievements that can be promoted, Xiong Shaowen's rank will not be promoted for the time being, and he will temporarily serve as the acting commander of the Major General of the 13th Army..."

Looking at Jiang Baili with a sincere face in front of him, Li Guosheng did not answer immediately, but asked Jiang Baili: "Chief of Staff, do you know that after the Baikal area was attacked by the Soviet Far East Red Army, why didn't I plan to send additional reinforcements to Xiong Shaowen?"

Jiang Baili replied with confusion: "General, you have explained this question to me. Before the Soviet Far East Red Army did not replace the entire Far East Red Army command system, the Soviet Far East Army would have another 50,000 troops, and it would not be a match for the 19th Division..."

Speaking of this, Jiang Baili subconsciously cast a look of admiration at Li Guosheng and continued to speak: "I really admire you in this matter. When I released the commander among the Soviet prisoners of war, I was still wondering why you issued such an order: 'Only return the Soviet political commissar and young officers who have no combat experience. They are good at pursuing counter-revolutionaries' Now it seems that you have long thought of this scene today. As long as the Soviet Red Army headquarters continues to allow these political commissars and officers to stay in the Far East Red Army commander, the combat effectiveness of the Far East Red Army will never be improved because the command system is too rigid."

Li Guosheng nodded with approval first, then shook his head. He replied to Jiang Baili in front of him: "Chief of Staff, I believe that Xiong Shaowen can block the Soviet offensive and protect the Baikal area. However, in addition to this idea, I have another consideration, which is to give Xiong Shaowen a great military merit..."

"Think about it, with the special strategic location in the Baikal area, a division's garrison will definitely not meet the needs of war. Therefore, it is imperative for us to expand the 19th Division into the 13th Army. Since the 19th Division has not yet met the expansion standard, I will send my military achievements to the 19th Division to let them meet the standards..."

"More importantly, after this battle to defend the Baikal region, the 13th Army that we are about to expand will invisibly evolve into the guardian gods of hundreds of thousands of immigrants in the Baikal region. Only in this way can the 200,000 soldiers and civilians in the Baikal region truly help us defend the Baikal region and develop the Baikal region into our western gate."

Hearing this, another trace of worry appeared on Jiang Baili's face. He asked Li Guosheng: "General, if you do this, you are not worried that after the 13th Army truly penetrated into the hearts of hundreds of thousands of immigrants in the Lake Baikal area, it will slowly evolve into a small warlord independent of the National Defense Forces. After all, Lake Baikal is too far away from us..."

Li Guosheng replied indifferently: "Chief of Staff, you have been over-concerned. As long as the officer rotation system implemented within our National Defense Forces does not change, the 13th Army will always be the 13th Army under our National Defense Forces. As for the Baikal area you mentioned, you are too far away from us, I believe this problem will be solved in no time."

"According to the government's recent development direction, once the construction of the highway and railway networks in the three northeastern provinces are completed, in order to better develop the Far East and Lake Baikal, hundreds of thousands of free labor gathered in the three northeastern provinces will go to the Far East, and the Siberian railway connecting the Baikal area will be connected to the entire line. Of course, if possible, this group of road construction troops will also build a new railway network in the Far East, fully connecting the major cities in the Far East with railways."

Just as the two of them were continuing to discuss something, a rapid knock on the door suddenly reached their ears. Before Li Guosheng could speak, Adjutant Li Mengjie's figure flashed into the office and appeared in front of them.

Seeing Jiang Baili sweeping at him instantly, Li Mengjie's cheeks immediately turned red because of his recklessness. Li Guosheng, who was sitting in front of Jiang Baili, was not so polite. Without any hesitation, Jiang Baili sitting in front of him, he spoke directly: "Mengjie, what's the matter, so anxious..."

Although the relationship between the two is no longer a secret among the top leaders of the National Defense Forces, and it has been recognized by Li Guosheng's wife Lan Ruoxi. However, this relationship is not open after all. After hearing Li Guosheng call him so intimately in front of outsiders, Li Mengjie's red face turned redder. After glaring at Li Guosheng fiercely, she said, "Chief of the General Office, Chief of Staff, is the good news just sent by the 13th Army..."

"After two consecutive days of combat, the 13th Army completely crushed the Soviet Far East Red Army's invasion of the Baikal area with just one division's strength, and once again achieved unprecedented great results... This is a telegram of victory sent by the 13th Army Commander Xiong Shaowen and Chief of Staff Zhang Guoqiang, and the battle report is also in the victory..."

After quickly reading the telegram sent by Li Mengjie, Li Guosheng immediately smiled from the bottom of his heart and said excitedly to Jiang Baili in front of him: "Chief of Staff, Cao Cao is here. With this military achievements in hand, I think there is anyone in the army who dares to complain. If he has the ability, he will also go to the Baikal area, use a division of troops to block the attack of 50,000 Soviet Far Eastern Red Army, and eat it cleanly..."

Hearing what Li Guosheng said, Jiang Baili, who was full of expectations, also received the telegram and began to browse it quickly. Within a minute, the expectant expression on Jiang Baili's face was covered with excitement. He sighed at Li Guosheng and said with a sigh of relief: "Master, I can assure you that with such military achievements in hand, no one has any reason to oppose the expansion of the 19th Division..."

Li Guosheng nodded and ordered directly: "Since that is the case, the Chief of Staff will immediately inform the entire army of the results achieved by Xiong Shaowen's troops, and award the honorary title of "Iron and Steel 13th Army" of the National Defense Forces. At the same time, the 13th Army's collective first-class merits are recorded once, the 13th Army's commander Xiong Shaowen's personal first-class merits are recorded once, and the Chief of Staff Zhang Guoqiang personally first-class merits are recorded once..."

“Yes, the chief seat….”

As the name of the "13th Iron and Steel Army" was spread within the National Defense Forces, a group of senior defense officers who had complained about the expansion of the 13th Army a day ago, all shut their mouths without exception.
Chapter completed!