Li Yunlong said with a dark face: "The weapons and ammunition seized this time are divided equally with Lao Ding and Lao Kong. This is not said. After all, we agreed before the war, and sharing weapons and ammunition between the New First Regiment and the New Second Regiment will also be beneficial to our independent regiment, because our three regiments are in a strong position in northwest Shanxi, and the Japanese will lose sight of each other."

He paused and said, "But why do you have to deliver ammunition to the brigade commander and the boss?"

Wang Ye smiled and said, "Captain, you have already taken one step forward, why can't you take another step?"

"What does it mean?" Li Yunlong said angrily, "Xiao Wang, can you stop talking like this? "

Wang Ye said angrily: "Captain, what I mean is that giving ammunition to the brigade commander and the boss is the same as giving ammunition to Commander Ding and Commander Kong."

"When the strength of the New First Regiment and the New Second Regiment becomes stronger, they can form a stalemate with our independent regiment, so that the Japanese in northwestern Shanxi will lose sight of each other, and no matter which regiment they fight, they will have to worry about the other two regiments."

"Then the same reason, if the main force in southeastern Jin becomes stronger, it can also form a horn with the three regiments in northwestern Jin. From now on, the Japanese will sweep southeastern Jin, and we can send troops from northwestern Jin to threaten Taiyuan. On the other hand, if the Japanese will sweep our northwestern Jin again, then the southeastern Jin can threaten Taiyuan."

"In this way, the Japanese will fall into a dilemma that is difficult to deal with."

"This means that the Japanese army in Shanxi will completely lose their offensive capabilities."

"From then on, the Japanese army could only shrink into a few big cities, more than a dozen major counties and several strongholds along the main transportation lines, waiting for our Eighth Route Army to come to deal with them."

Speaking of this, Wang Ye said: "The number of main forces in southeastern Shanxi is much larger than ours, mainly because they are trapped in insufficient ammunition. If they can support a certain amount of ammunition, they can explode twice or even three times the lethality, which is much stronger than staying in our warehouse."

Wang Ye didn't just talk nonsense.

The combat effectiveness of the Eighth Route Army is really nothing to say.

Even though its combat effectiveness has declined after a large-scale expansion in 2018, after three years of battlefield training, its combat effectiveness has long been restored this year, even more so.

There is no need to have the same battlefield support as the Japanese army. As long as there is a similar supply of combat materials as the national army, the Eighth Route Army can defeat the Japanese army in North China.

However, the cruel reality is that the Eighth Route Army's material supply has never been sufficient.

Because there is no stable supply of ammunition, the Eighth Route Army rarely fights tough battles because fighting tough battles is easy to lose money.

However, it is difficult to have too many captures in the ambush battle, because the Japanese have learned their skills after suffering several losses. Unless there are major combat operations, even the garrisons in various strongholds can only carry a small amount of ammunition. The Eighth Route Army finally captured the strongholds, and it is difficult to have too many captures.

So the capture of the Independent Group this time is really precious.

Zhao Gang was the first to be convinced by Wang Ye and echoed: "Old Li, I think what Xiao Wang said makes sense. Our independent regiment will rarely have a major combat operation in the next six months. So much ammunition can only be kept in the ashes. It would be better to support these ammunition to the brigade and headquarters."

Xing Zhiguo also said: "Old Li, I think Xiao Wang is right."

Wang Ye said: "There is no need to support too much, 100,000 bullets are almost the same. Of course, if the regiment commander feels that there is less support, he can support another 10,000 grenades."

"Enough, enough!" Li Yunlong said quickly.

"One hundred thousand bullets are enough, so the grenade will not be used."

"Then send 100,000 bullets each." Zhao Gang nodded, "However, Captain Cao has helped us so much this time, should our independent group make some statements?"

"I've already thought about this."

Li Yunlong said: "Just send him a 70mm caliber shell."

"I think it's appropriate," Zhao Gang said, "The artillery companies of Commander Cao are equipped with 70mm 92 infantry artillery, so it would be better to send him 70mm caliber shells."

Wang Ye asked: "The question is how much is it to give?"

"Five thousand shots!" Li Yunlong was quite generous this time.

While he was talking, the three company commanders of Cao San had already come over with Tu Feng, Liu Mangang and Lou Daqiang. This time, Cao San Company came here, in addition to the orders of the brigade commander to support the independent regiment's operations, he also wanted to bring back the artillery of these three companies, although there were only a few artillery soldiers who could come out of Shuiyao Mountain alive.

Cao Sanlian said: "Old Li, I have to leave."

"You're leaving." Li Yunlong said, "How many days will you stay?"

If Li Yunlong's original intention was to detain Cao Sanlian directly.

But the brigade commander would definitely not agree to do this. By then, Cao Sanlian stayed, and maybe he should move.

"Can't stop." Cao Sanlian said, "The brigade commander has given another combat mission. After we go back, we have to cooperate with the 772nd Regiment to launch a tough battle, preparing to remove a stronghold in Changzi County."

Li Yunlong said: "Since you have combat missions, I won't keep you more."

He paused and said, "But before leaving, I have some small gifts to give to you."

"Gift?" Cao Sanlian said shyly, "How embarrassed is this? Why are you?"

"Five thousand 70mm caliber instant grenades." Li Yunlong smiled and said proudly, "This is my little wish to give to you, an old comrade."

Cao Sanlian was stunned when he heard this.

He thought Li Yunlong would give him cigarettes.

After all, the independent group now runs a cigarette factory.

Although the taste of cigarettes is average, it is still considered a cigarette.

But he never expected that Li Yunlong would actually send a shell.

The one who sends the shells is just the same, but it actually gives away five thousand rounds, five thousand rounds!

After a while, Cao Sanlian said, "Old Li, do you really want to send me five thousand 70mm caliber shells?"

"When did our Lao Li keep his word?" Li Yunlong waved his hand and said, "Just go to Lao Gou to collect it."

"Hey, hey, what should I say?" Cao San kept rubbing his hands, then gritted his teeth and said, "Old Li, since you are so good, I can't say anything without any expression."

After saying that, he turned around to Tu Feng, Liu Mangang, Lou Daqiang and the others, "You can stay."

"Yes!" Tu Feng, Liu Mangang and Lou Daqiang had no objection to this. After all, they had been in the Independent Group for almost a year and had a relationship.

And it would be great to stay in an independent group.

The Independent Regiment has a 75mm caliber field cannon.

Controlling this thing is much more satisfying than the 92 Infantry Cannon.

Li Yunlong asked with a smile: "Old Cao, don't you take Tu Feng and the others away?"

"I won't take it anymore, let the three of them stay." Cao Sanlian smiled and asked again, "Old Li, there is another thing. Can you give me a few more Fuliang brand cigarettes?"

"I'm sorry, that's it?" Li Yunlong said, "I've prepared it for you."

Speaking of this, he said: "There are thirty-one boxes in total, ten boxes for the brigade commander, ten boxes for the commander, ten boxes for the boss, and one box for you. When will the cigarette be finished, just tell me."

"Really? That's really great." Cao Sanlian was overjoyed when he heard this.

A box of cigarettes is fifty, five hundred packs, enough for him to smoke for a year.

Li Yunlong said again: "In addition, I have prepared a big gift for the brigade commander and the boss, and you can also bring it to me."

"Okay." Cao Sanlian agreed and said with a smile, "Old Li, you really look like you have become a different person now, and I almost can't recognize you."

Li Yunlong laughed.

...

Taiyuan, the First Army Headquarters.

"Brush!" Sakamoto Takaichi spread the map.

Yoshio Iwamatsu and Hanaguchi Masato and several other section leaders looked at the map at the same time.

Takaichi Sakamoto pointed to the map and said, "Your Excellency Commander, Chief of Staff, and you all, please see, the capital of northwestern Shanxi is Anhua. In addition to Anhua County, there are four counties including Heyuan, Ping'an, Fu'an and Dong County."

"The area of ​​northwest Shanxi is about 30,000 square kilometers and the population is about 2 million."

"Heyuan County has the largest area and the largest population, with more than 600,000 people."

"However, half of the entire northwestern Shanxi area and population are under the control of the enemy."

"At present, the Imperial Army has three enemies in the northwest of Shanxi, namely the Jinsui Army Unique Brigade entrenched in Heyuan County, the 94th Central Army Unique Brigade entrenched in Fu'an County, and the Eighth Route Army entrenched in Anhua, Gan County and Ping'an County. Among them, the Jinsui Army Unique Brigade entrenched in Chu Yunfei."

“It can be seen from the intelligence provided by the intelligence department,”

"The unique brigade of the Shanxi-Suizhou Army currently has more than 9,000 troops."

"There are two American M1A1 75mm mountain artillery battalions, which have strong firepower."

"The 94th Brigade of the Central Army currently has about 6,000 troops. The brigade commander Liang Gang not only leads troops, but is also unexpectedly good at managing local areas, so it should not be underestimated."

"Of course, the biggest threat comes from the three regiments of the 386th Brigade of the Eighth Route Army."

"The Independent Regiment commanded by Li Yunlong has the greatest threat. The D combat plan, which was highly anticipated by the general, suffered a tragic defeat because of Li Yunlong's Independent Regiment."

"From the information currently known, the Independent Group has only two thousand people."

"There are only 2,500 people in the New First Regiment, and the New Second Regiment has only 1,500 people."

"But I think the intelligence department is seriously lagging behind in the collection of intelligence about the Eighth Route Army."

"I never believe that the Independent Group has only two thousand men. In my estimate, the Independent Group has at least four or five thousand, or even six or seven thousand!"

"But, these are not important anymore."

"After the failure of the D combat plan, the Independent Regiment, the New First Regiment and the New Second Regiment will definitely expand greatly."

"According to the speed of the Eighth Route Army's expansion, after this year, the three regiments of the 38th Brigade in northwest Shanxi can be expanded to at least 20,000 people in total!"

“And the equipment level will not be bad either.”

"Because the weapons and equipment seized from the Imperial Army and the Imperial Army are enough to arm 20,000 people!"

Hearing this, Yoshio Iwamatsu's face changed suddenly, and Jiro Sakuma, Yasushi Inoue and Takuya Suwahara and other section chiefs even started talking.

To be honest, they thought that the situation in northwest Shanxi would become more serious, but they did not expect it would be so serious.

If it were according to Takaichi Sakamoto, the 69th Division, which was used to maintain public order in northwest Shanxi, would face the 20,000 Eighth Route Army, the 10,000 Jinsui Army and the 6,000 Central Army.

The comparison of enemy and us forces is two to one!

And over time, it may become three to one or even four to one!

The reason is also very simple. The Imperial Army will only fight less and less, while the Chinese army will only fight more and more.

Takaichi Sakamoto continued: "So, in the future, the Imperial Army will be at an absolute disadvantage in northwestern Shanxi, and even if there is an Imperial Army, it is not enough to erase this disadvantage."

"In such a situation, it is undoubtedly extremely difficult to maintain the offensive."

Speaking of this, Sakamoto Takaichi said again: "But what I want to tell the commander and you all is that if you just keep your guard to death, then the end result will be to be to die!"

"If you just keep it to the end, you will definitely not be able to defend it in the end."

"The final result can only be to be bitten to death by the enemy one by one."

Sakamoto Takaichi's words were somewhat beyond Yoshio Iwamatsu's expectations.

At that moment, Yoshio Iwamatsu asked, "So what you mean is to continue taking the offensive?"

"Yes, continue to take the offensive!" said Takaichi Sakamoto. "Even if his troops are at a disadvantage, he must insist on taking the offensive and put pressure on the enemy."

Yoshio Iwamatsu asked, "What should I do specifically?"

Takaichi Sakamoto replied: "Start from two aspects, one is to improve the enthusiasm and combat effectiveness of the Imperial Army, and the other is to alienate the relationship between the Eighth Route Army, the Jinsui Army and the Central Army."

Yoshio Iwamatsu said again: "You can talk about it in detail."

"Okay." Sakamoto Takaichi paused his head slightly and said, "The biggest problem with the Imperial Army is that they are at both ends of the head. On the one hand, they hope to live a comfortable life with the Imperial Army, but on the other hand, they do not want to break up with the Eighth Route Army, so they often do things perfunctorily on the battlefield, and even reach a tacit understanding with the Eighth Route Army."

"I have heard of this, too." Hanagu Masaru said.

"It is said that the Imperial Army will only shoot in the sky on the battlefield."

"In return, the Eighth Route Army generally won't kill the Imperial Army."

Takaichi Sakamoto said: "So it is necessary to break this tacit understanding."

"This matter is difficult to deal with." Yoshio Iwamatsu shook his head, "The most difficult thing in this world is the human heart."

Takaichi Sakamoto said solemnly: "It's really difficult to deal with this matter, but it's easy to deal with it."

"Oh?" Yoshio Iwamatsu became interested and asked again, "Sakamoto, what's the best way?"

Takaichi Sakamoto said in a deep voice: "Whether it is a person or a country, the ones that are fighting for are nothing but interests. Therefore, if you want to break the tacit understanding between the Imperial Army and the Eighth Route Army, you can only start with interests."

"Enterprise?" Hanagu Masato, "Are there any specific measures?"

"Of course." Sakamoto Takaichi said, "The specific measure is to cover taxes!"

"Tax-inclusive?" said Yoshio Iwamatsu, "What do you mean is to let the Imperial Army collect taxes?"

"Yes, let the Imperial Army be responsible for taxation." Takashi Sakamoto nodded, "but it is not the tax on public security, but the taxes in the guerrilla areas and bandit areas. If the taxes in the guerrilla areas are collected, the Imperial Army can keep half of them. If it is the taxes in the bandit areas, no matter how much they are collected, they will belong to the Imperial Army, and the Imperial Army will not collect a penny!"

"In this way, the enthusiasm of the Imperial Army will inevitably increase greatly."

"People's hearts are greedy. Driven by interests, the Imperial Army will definitely actively collect taxes from the guerrilla areas, and it is likely that they will also enter the bandit areas to collect public grain."

"In this way, the Imperial Army and the Eighth Route Army immediately became mortal enemies, and the tacit understanding between the two sides would be self-defeating."

"And driven by interests, the Imperial Army will have the enthusiasm to improve its combat effectiveness to fight the Eighth Route Army, and its combat effectiveness will inevitably increase in a short period of time."

Speaking of this, Takaichi Sakamoto emphasized his tone again: "At least, it will no longer be just a decoration like now, and even the defense base cannot be counted on the Imperial Army."

"Yoxi." Yoshio Iwamatsu nodded happily.

Masashi Hanaya, Yasushi Inoue and others nodded one after another.

Only Takuya Mizuhara's eyes flashed with disdain.

The way Sakamoto Takaichi's approach is to take care of immediate interests and ignore long-term gains and losses, which is completely contrary to the three non-standard policies advocated by the General.

If the northwestern Shanxi was handed over to Takaichi Sakamoto, it would take less than a year to make all the efforts before, and all the people in the guerrilla area would have to turn to the Eighth Route Army. By that time, what would it be if the combat effectiveness of the Imperial Army increased? At that time, the Eighth Route Army had already expanded to 50,000 or even 100,000.

So this is a completely scattered approach.

But Takumi Mizuhara would not say this, otherwise what would happen if Iwamatsu Yoshio asked him to go to northwest Shanxi again?

Thinking of this, Takumi Mizuhara quickly praised a few words: "Sakamoto's method is indeed very clever."

"However, such an approach seems to conflict with the three non-policies advocated by the General." Yoshio Iwamatsu said, "Will it bring negative effects?"

"It's urgent to follow the power."

Takaichi Sakamoto said: "The result will not become worse than it is now."

Yoshio Iwamatsu refused to comment and asked again: "So, how should we alienate the relationship between the Eighth Route Army, the Jinsui Army, and the Central Army of China?"

“This is even simpler.”

Takaichi Sakamoto smiled and said, "We can say hello to the Jinsui Army and the Central Army of China in advance and give them the territory between the Eighth Route Army, the Jinsui Army and the Central Army of China. In this way, the controlled areas of the Jinsui Army and the Central Army of China are directly bordered by the controlled areas of the Eighth Route Army, and there will inevitably be conflicts between the two sides."

"Well, this method is good." Yoshio Iwamatsu said, "not only in northwest, western, central, southern and southeastern Jin, can also learn from it. The Jinsui Army and the Chinese Central Army can use the Jinsui Army to restrain the Eighth Route Army. In this way, the Imperial Army can shoulder the important task of public security in the occupied areas with less force."

He paused for a moment and said, "This means that the First Army can still concentrate enough superior forces on local battlefields to launch offensive operations, and defeat various bandit areas of the Eighth Route Army one by one."

"Commander, Aijing." Takaichi Sakamoto bowed his head repeatedly.
Chapter completed!