Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan Province, is located in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River in the southern part of the North China Plain. It is adjacent to the Yellow River in the north, Songshan in the west, and the vast Huanghuai Plain in the southeast. Thanks to its unique geographical location, Zhengzhou is also a very famous commercial port.

As the main grain-producing area of ​​the Republic of China during the Republic of China, the importance of Henan to the Republic of China government was self-evident. Since the Battle of Xuzhou, the Japanese army has been plotting against Zhengzhou, hoping to take over the geographical center of China.

Unfortunately, the Doihara Division, which led its troops to attack here twice, was almost wiped out for the first time, and almost fed the fish the second time. And when they made a comeback for the third time, they finally arrived in Zhengzhou.

Jiang Dingwen, who had withdrawn from defense to Luoyang to establish a defense line, did not announce his abandonment of Zhengzhou when he left Zhengzhou. However, with only one garrison brigade left in Zhengzhou to defend the city, even the ordinary people in the city knew that Jiang Dingwen had given up Zhengzhou.

Looking at the Japanese soldiers from afar, they had successfully knocked on the Kaifeng defense line. Many people in the city also began to find ways to leave Zhengzhou. For them, they also knew that their fate would not be too good after letting Japanese soldiers enter the city.

Just when many people in the city cursed Jiang Dingwen and ran faster than rabbits, the people of Zhengzhou felt that there was still hope that the Eighth Route Army, which was not far away from them, launched a large number of troops from Shanxi.

Some people who planned to leave Zhengzhou with their families quickly seemed a little confused and didn't know whether to leave. For many of them, Zhengzhou is their hometown, and can they go there after leaving?

Those who are rich and have status have long followed Jiang Dingwen. Those who have relatives in the countryside also ran to the countryside with valuable things from their families. Some people simply took Shanxi, hoping to settle in Shaanxi.

At least they all knew that when the Yellow River broke its dam, the Eighth Route Army, far away in Shaanxi, accepted many victims from the Yellow River. Even those victims of the Eighth Route Army could be resettled. They believed that they could survive when they ran to Shaanxi.

It doesn’t matter if you don’t have money or houses, as long as people live, there is hope. This is also the voice of the ordinary Chinese people during the War of Resistance Against Japan. Even in places ruled by the Japanese, there are still people living in difficulty, but they will choose to go wherever there is a way out.

The panic caused by the people in the city, and the officers and soldiers of the garrison brigade who received the order to garrison Zhengzhou, also seemed to be a little dissipated. Even before the Japanese army had even attacked Zhengzhou City, many officers and soldiers of the garrison brigade had already carried guns as deserters.

Regarding this situation, the garrison brigade commander couldn't help but curse: "The troops are almost gone, and they are still fighting a big fight! If this continues, when the Japanese army arrives, we might as well open the city gate and let them enter the city."

Faced with such a bad situation in the garrison brigade, the chief of staff of the garrison brigade also said in due time: "What is the news on the military throne?"

‘Bad news! He threw us here, and he took his main force to Luoyang, obviously giving up Zhengzhou. Let’s go! It’s better if the whole city is exposed. I see that they can run there at that time.’

As the commander of the garrison, I know that just because of their unintentional resistance, there is no need for the Japanese to attack the city. I guess someone will take the initiative to welcome the Japanese to the city. Nowadays, there are many people who want to praise the Japanese to be stinky!

At this moment, a main team leader suddenly said: "Walking in the throne, others can ignore the lives of the people of Zhengzhou, but we cannot ignore them. If we lose Zhengzhou, where can we go?

Our home is here, our parents, brothers and sisters are all here. When we go to the countryside to hide, how long can we hide? If the Japanese really occupy Zhengzhou, how can we live in this countryside of Zhengzhou?

I can't control others, at least I won't leave the Third Regiment. I don't believe that the Japanese are made of iron and can't kill them even if they hit them. As long as we can hold on for a while, I believe that the Eighth Route Army will come to support them."

Listening to the third regiment commander, the other garrison brigade officers sitting in the conference room seemed to have some eyes floating. At this time, it was almost impossible to rely on Jiang Dingwen to send support.

Just as the officers and soldiers of the garrison brigade began to worry about how to defend Zhengzhou, Li Xiangdong, who came straight from Zhoukou to Zhengzhou, led a reconnaissance regiment and arrived outside Zhengzhou City in front of the Japanese.

After asking the underground party in Zhengzhou to inquire about the situation, Li Xiangdong also said decisively: "Let the entire battalion be dispersed and block the Japanese army at all costs. We must rush ahead of the Japanese army and take down Zhengzhou city.

Once the Japanese take over Zhengzhou City, when our two main divisions arrive, they will pay a heavy price to conquer Zhengzhou City. The most urgent task is that we must find a way to go to the city to take over the defense of the whole city.

The person who came sent a telegram to the commander to inform the situation that our troops had arrived in Zhengzhou. In addition, the Japanese vanguard troops were less than a day away, and also informed the commander to ask for the next combat plan."

The telegram from the reconnaissance brigade sent to He Zhengdao. He Zhengdao, who was temporarily in Yan'an, was soon called to the combat command room by Xiao Jinguang. Even though he was no longer the commander of the New Sixty-Seventh Army, he was qualified to participate in this battle.

After reading the telegram sent by Li Xiangdong and the situation in Zhengzhou City, He Zhengdao also said in a timely manner: "Old Xiao, I think at this time, we can let our comrades contact the garrison troops in Zhengzhou.

With the little force in Li Xiangdong's hands, it is probably difficult to defend Zhengzhou. The 116th Division and the 127th Division's vanguard troops are still nearly one day away from Zhengzhou. We must fight for this day."

Zhou Enlai, who was also staying in the combat command room, also said at the right time: "Jing Guang, Zhengdao, Zhu Xinwen, the third commander of the Zhengzhou Garage Brigade, is our comrade. There are many of our comrades in his troops.

Based on the information we have at present, Jiang Dingwen made up his mind not to send troops to reinforce Zhengzhou. It seemed that he wanted to see our two main divisions fight with the main Japanese troops attacking Zhengzhou, and fight to the death under Zhengzhou city.

In this case, we can't take too much care. Let Li Xiangdong lead the troops into the city first and let Comrade Zhu Xinwen cooperate. I believe that as long as our troops appear, the originally panic situation can be effectively controlled.

If the people in the city can be mobilized to participate in the defense, I think it will not be that easy for the Japanese to easily win Zhengzhou City. As long as we can wait until the vanguard of our main division arrives, it will be even more impossible for the Japanese to enter the city."

Listening to the information provided by Zhou Enlai, He Zhengdao also felt that this was really an unexpected surprise. Having a regiment commander in the garrison brigade acted as an internal support, which could indeed bring considerable help to the reconnaissance brigade arriving outside the city.

‘Old Xiao, I think Vice Chairman Zhou’s suggestions are very good! Let’s contact the people in the city first, and try to get our troops there to enter the city for defense first. Make more preparations and be prepared.

In addition, considering that Zhengzhou City will become a war zone, those people who are unwilling to leave will also send people to persuade them. These people can live back to the city after the battle is over, so they don’t have to worry about it anymore.”

Although he knew the intelligence department, many secret intelligence officers have been stationed in the National Army in recent years. But now after hearing Zhou Enlai's words, He Zhengdao has truly confirmed the existence of such a thing.

It is undoubtedly unlikely to install a regiment-level officer in Jiang Dingwen's confidant army. However, the garrison troops themselves cannot be called the direct lineage of Chiang Kai-shek, so it is normal that they do not care much about it.

When he was talking to the garrison brigade commander about how to defend and fight, the guards of the garrison brigade commander also said in time: "Brigate, the Eighth Route Army sent a representative here and said that he wanted to discuss some things with you."

‘The representatives of the Eighth Route Army? They came so fast! But what can one representative change? Now we are in a hurry, what is the use of a mere representative? But, please invite people first!

Since everyone feels that there is no hope for Jiang Dingwen, we can only choose to save ourselves. If the Eighth Route Army can take over Zhengzhou, it will be much better than letting us fight against the Japanese directly. Invite people in!’

After the representative sent by the Eighth Route Army met with the garrison brigade commander, the garrison brigade commander also said with some concern: "Did you bring the troops here? How many troops are there? How far is the troops you sent from us?"

‘Brig Commander Xu, this time we came to our Eighth Route Army’s advance troops, with one regiment. If Brigade Commander Xu didn’t mind, our army could take over the defense of Zhengzhou. No matter whether it was victory or defeat, we could not give up Zhengzhou.

There is only one thing I hope that Brigade Commander Xu can cooperate, that is, to guide some old and weak in the city to go out of the city to escape for a while. As for the young and strong in the city, those who are willing to stay will be temporarily recruited.

If we don't join forces, we're afraid we won't last long. The two main divisions we sent are about a day away from Zhengzhou. This situation is the same as the vanguard's vanguard's vanguard!"

The words of the Eighth Route Army representatives were soon recognized by Brigade Commander Xu. The three regiment commanders who also participated in the meeting also recognized the brigade commander's suggestions. They were reserve teams and fought head-on with the Japanese, and then they were left to the Eighth Route Army for their responsibility.

After making an appointment to enter the city, Li Xiangdong led the reconnaissance regiment to successfully enter the military camp built by Jiang Dingwen earlier. The garrison brigade commander also met Li Xiangdong.

Looking at these well-equipped and extremely serious Eighth Route Army troops entering the city, many soldiers guarding the city were also shocked. They all knew that this was a truly elite and powerful force.

With such troops stationed with them in Zhengzhou, it seemed safer than before. But when this news reached Jiang Dingwen's ears, it seemed a little uncomfortable.

The reason for the discomfort is also very simple, that is, the scene where the Eighth Route Army and the Japanese army prepare for war outside the city is not visible. But he also understood that it is unlikely that he would want to return to Zhengzhou in the future.

After all, a commanding general who retreated before the war was started could not be recognized by the people of Zhengzhou. Without the support of the people, what's the use of him and his troops returning to Zhengzhou? (To be continued.)
Chapter completed!