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Compared with the troops like the artillery brigade that chooses to march secretly, the marching of the Third Infantry Division of the Northeast Anti-Japanese Allied Forces is undoubtedly relatively slow. This slowness, at least in the eyes of the Japanese army, still feels that the marching speed is very normal.

However, for the Japanese troops stationed in Shanxi, the Third Infantry Division, which is about to arrive in Xinzhou, will join the attack camp of the 120th Division or the 118th Division in the future, which is also something they deserve to consider and consider.

The 120th Division is mainly responsible for the defense operations in Xinzhou, while the 118th Division is mainly responsible for the defense operations in Luliang. Speaking of which, these two places have contact with the Japanese troops stationed in Shanxi, so both directions are possible.

Considering that this marching force came from Yulin. Itagaki, who was worried about the Independent Column, finally felt that it was necessary to strengthen the defensive forces in the border areas between Luliang and Xinzhou to resist the upcoming attack.

But just as they were deploying defense, the Third Infantry Division, which had marched to Yuanping, suddenly chose to rest on the spot. Moreover, during the rest period, the supervision of the surrounding troops was strengthened, making it difficult for Japanese intelligence officers to pay attention to their next moves.

When I learned about this situation, Itagaki said somewhat depressedly: "Baga, it seems that the troops from the Independent Column are really difficult to deal with! Next, will they attack our defense zone?"

Judging from the overall situation in Shanxi at present, Itagaki can feel that the attack strength of the 120th Division and the 118th Division are not too strong. Even though they have deployed many troops in the areas bordering them, they rarely launch large-scale attacks.

Such behavior made Itagaki feel that the troops to be the main attacking force in the future are likely to be this infantry division driven from Yulin. Once this infantry division launches an attack, I believe that the 120th Division and the 118th Division will also wait for an opportunity to act.

Just as Itagaki instructed the intelligence personnel operating in Xinzhou to closely monitor the whereabouts of the infantry division. He Zhengdao, who was also monitoring the Japanese troops mobilization, also felt that the Japanese would be in a dilemma.

He smiled and said: The Third Division of the Soldiers has successfully attracted the attention of the Japanese. The infantry brigade used by Itagaki to serve as the reserve force seems to be still in Yangqu now.

If that is the case, let’s reveal some news to the Japanese! I will send my order that the Third Infantry Division will move towards Wutai in the regiment starting tonight. We will adopt a marching method of hiking out at night and rushing to Wutai area as fast as possible."

Listening to the order issued by He Zhengdao, Ye Jianying also smiled and said, "For this move of the Third Infantry Division, Itagaki will probably feel that we are planning to make their dumplings and cut off their retreat! This infantry brigade will probably also rush to reinforce."

‘This is the effect that is needed! If we do not draw the troops stationed in Taiyuan, our plan to attack Taiyuan may be affected. The Japanese will probably not feel sorry for a broken Taiyuan city, but I care very much.

In other places, we can let go of our hands and feet. But for some important cities, we still have to try our best to preserve those buildings. Through the surrounding wars, the Japanese army forced to draw troops stationed in Taiyuan.

As long as we achieve this goal, we can deploy the reconnaissance troops in place in advance and attack Taiyuan City at the lowest cost. Once this plan is successful, we will learn that the Japanese troops on the front line in Taiyuan will be in a state of self-defeat without fighting!’

In He Zhengdao's view, Taiyuan City is also a very famous historical ancient city in China. Those ancient buildings are still very valuable in the future. If they can avoid being baptized by artillery fire, He Zhengdao is still willing to protect them as much as possible.

Of course, in case of last resort, when it is absolutely necessary, some buildings are involved in the victory or defeat of the battle and the casualties of the troops. He Zhengdao will also order them to explode when it is time to explode. But if it can be avoided, try to avoid it!

With the order from He Zhengdao, Lu Zhencao, who had a short rest in Yuanping, also knew that the division he commanded would play a task of attracting the firepower of Shanxi's dispatched troops. The first battle may also be initiated by their division.

Lu Zhencao, who convened the Third Division's chief officer for a meeting, said quickly: "I just received the combat order from the commander. Starting from tonight, our division will march in the direction of Wutai in the order of the first to fourth regiments.

During the march, try to avoid disturbing the people passing by. Each regiment will move forward lightly, and the remaining equipment and materials will be transported by the baggage troops during the day. What we need to do is to rush to Wutai as quickly as possible."

‘Yes, the teacher!’

Even though many officers and soldiers of the Third Infantry Division came from the independent column, they seemed a little unfamiliar with Lu Zhencao, the new division commander. But everyone knows that Lu Zhencao was personally applied for a secondment from Yan'an and headquarters.

Moreover, in order to support Lu Zhencao's work in the Third Division, He Zhengdao also promoted two Northeast-level regiment-level commanders when choosing the main regiment commander of the Third Infantry Division. Among the veterans of the Third Division, there were also many Northeast-level soldiers.

Earlier, many people thought that the position of the commander of the Third Infantry Division would be Guo Junjie, the former commander of the Daqingshan Independent Brigade. But in the end, this division commander was still served by Lu Zhencao. As for Guo Junjie, it seems that there is another appointment!

At the moment, the Third Infantry Division was the last one to arrive on the battlefield, but was taking on such an important task. While the whole division felt trust, they also knew that the burden was not light. This sense of responsibility also made all the officers and soldiers of the division breathed a sigh of relief.

In the words of Lu Zhencao, this is the first battle since their Third Infantry Division was established, and the glorious tradition of the independent column must be carried forward. That is, "use me for the first battle, and I will win"!

In fact, this slogan was originally given to the Saber Special Forces. As a result, after it spread, it became the combat declaration of the independent column. Every unit felt very honored and proud to be able to serve as the main attacker!

Although the actions of the Third Infantry Division were very confidential, such a large night marches, and their whereabouts had been revealed earlier, the Japanese Special High School Division also dispatched elite intelligence officers to activate many hidden stakes to monitor them.

Finally, shortly after the Third Infantry Division began its night marching, an urgently encrypted telegram was sent to Itagaki's desk. When I saw this telegram, I soon realized what the Eighth Route Army had planned.

‘Baga! It seems that they are really not good at visiting this time! I thought they would come straight to Taiyuan City. Unexpectedly, they chose to march towards Wutai. It seems that they wanted to cut off our retreat!’

Itagaki quickly made a conclusion from the action of the Third Infantry Division's light equipment toward Wutai. This Third Infantry Division was heading for the Yangquan area where the Japanese army was stationed. Speaking of which, it was really a weak point in the Japanese army's defense.

However, the troops there can be somewhat supported by the Japanese army from Shijiazhuang. This passage is also an important passage for the communication between the Japanese army in Shanxi and the Japanese army in North China. Once cut off, the consequences will be unimaginable!

When the Third Infantry Division set out from Yulin, He Zhengdao also sent a Saber Combat Team to follow him. What many people don’t know is that there is also a monitoring team from the Eighth Route Army’s intelligence department who is traveling with the Saber Combat Team.

Through counter-espionage surveillance and reconnaissance along the way, the Eighth Route Army's intelligence departments have also discovered many intelligence stations located in Xinzhou. Interrupting these intelligence stations will also increase the confidentiality factor for the Eighth Route Army's future operations in Xinzhou.

In short, this is a battlefield for testing the combat effectiveness of the Northeast Anti-Japanese Allied Forces and a battle for testing the intelligence system of the Eighth Route Army. For this reason, Li Kennon, who was responsible for intelligence work, also specially dispatched elite troops to form an investigation and surveillance team.

Faced with the intelligence officer in charge of intelligence, he said in a little frustrated and angry that their intelligence station was dismissed by the Eighth Route Army. Itagaki also knew that the Eighth Route Army was indeed more difficult to deal with in terms of counter-espionage than he thought.

But the more this is the case, the more the authenticity of this information is proved. In view of this situation, Itagaki also immediately instructed the infantry brigade on standby in Yangqu to rush to Yangquan in a hurry, and at the same time, the garrison of Yangquan's side strengthened its vigilance.

After the infantry brigade began to move, He Zhengdao smiled and said, "It seems that the old Japanese devil of Itagaki has taken the bait! However, it is difficult for him not to take the bait this time. It is difficult to resist so many of our troops with a division!"

After all, He Zhengdao's tactic of attacking the east and west is actually a move to attack Shanxi. If Itagaki does not send troops to reinforce, the Third Infantry Division will also launch an attack on Yangquan and clear out the Japanese troops in Yangquan as quickly as possible.

Once the Third Division succeeds, the 120th Division, which serves as the reserve team, will also send reserve troops to provide reinforcements. At that time, the Eighth Route Army that recovers Yangquan will truly block the contact channel between the Japanese army in Shanxi and the Japanese army in North China.

In this way, the only way for the Japanese army in Shanxi to retreat seemed to be left with Jinzhong. Just want to enter Hebei from Jinzhong, you have to pass the 129th Division. After all, the 129th Division is stationed near Xingtai.

When He Zhengdao led his troops to the expedition, the 129th Division had already done a defensive and blocking work near Xingtai and Jinzhong. For the 129th Division and the 115th Division, their task was to defend against blocking.

We must not only guard against the Japanese army that may escape from Shanxi, but also guard against the Japanese army that was drawn from Hebei to reinforce Shanxi. Such a task will naturally be a big burden for the two main divisions!

Fortunately, the 129th Division and 115th Division in North China have less than doubled the scale of the troops compared to when they were initially built. In addition to the guerrillas and armed forces developed in the base area, each division's combat troops can reach more than 30,000.

It is precisely because of so many combat troops that the two divisions dare to undertake such tasks. As for the Japanese army to draw troops from the direction of Peking, we must be careful that the Independent Column had deployed a surprise attack on armed forces in Hebei and other places earlier.

When the Japanese infantry brigade and the Third Infantry Division of the Northeast Anti-Japanese Allied Forces began to compete for the speed of the march. He Zhengdao and the commanders of the First Division also began to arrange a large-scale attack.

Just when the time comes, He Zhengdao will launch a raid on the Japanese troops stationed in Shanxi with thunder. He believes that together with this attack, Itagaki, who is staying in Taiyuan, should be even more nervous.

By then, no matter whether Itagaki sent troops to reinforce, this large net that encircled the Japanese army in Shanxi has been opened. Let’s see how many Japanese devils can be captured by this large net! (To be continued.)

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Chapter completed!