In a blink of an eye, it was already late April 1942.

The 30,000 tons of combat materials allocated to the First Army stationed in Shanxi by the Japanese base camp have been in place and are distributed to the 36th, 37th and 69th Divisions as soon as possible.

The "spring sweep" against the Eighth Route Army Taihang Military Region has officially begun.

Before the mobilization officially began, the division commanders of the 36th, 37th and 69th Divisions and the chief of staff were summoned to Taiyuan.

At this moment, several division commanders and chief of staff were chatting in the small conference room.

However, basically only the 37th Division and the division commanders of the 37th Division were complaining.

Yuichiro No, the chief of the 36th Division, said: "Everyone, do you know the theme of the meeting?"

"I don't know." Iguan Ren, the commander of the 37th Division, said, "I asked Inamori, but this guy was very nervous and refused to reveal a word..."

"It's so strange." Yuichiro None frowned and said, "The combat plan has been issued, and we will follow it. Why do we still need to come to Taiyuan to participate in this preparation meeting?"

"Yes." Jing Guanren also said, "Isn't this an unnecessary move?"

While the two were talking, the sound of chaotic footsteps suddenly sounded outside.

Immediately afterwards, Hanaya, Chief of Staff of the First Army, took the Operations Division Chief Masao Inamori, the Communications Division Chief Yasuhiro Inoue, the Information Division Chief Jiro Sakuma, and the Taiyuan Military Police Captain Takuya also walked in.

Then, the commander of the First Army, Yoshio Iwamatsu, also walked in quickly.

Inui Ren, Yuichiro No, Sadaemi Inoue, Takaichi Sakamoto and others quickly stood up and paused.

"Everyone, please sit down." Yoshio Iwamatsu walked to the main seat and waved his hand to signal everyone to sit down.

After everyone sat down, Hanaya Masao said to Inamori Masao again: "Inamori, please start."

"Hayi." Inamori Masao paused his head suddenly, then got up and walked to the north wall of the conference room, and then opened the tent covered on the wall, revealing the huge map of southeastern Shanxi below.

Iguan Ren, Yuichiro No, and others' eyes fell on the map, and they were stunned for a moment after seeing it.

What is this situation? How does the displayed on the map differ from the combat plan issued earlier? Is there two plans for the E-Number of the Eighth Route Army this time?

Takuya Mizuhara's eyes also slightly shook.

Did Yoshio Iwamatsu and Masao Hanaya have noticed it?

No, this is impossible! Takumi Mizuhara quickly calmed down. His trafficking information was always under the banner of contacting the Special Police Department of the Shanxi-Suizhou Army. It was absolutely impossible for him to leave any heads and tails. Iwamatsu Yoshio and Hanaya Masaki would never notice it, so this top was just a passive defense, aiming to prevent the combat plan from being leaked in advance.

Takuya Mizuhara's speculation was quickly confirmed by facts.

Masao Inamori pointed to the map with a wooden pole and said, "In order to prevent the combat plan from being leaked in advance, our combat class has formulated two plans, and the ones issued to you in advance are fake."

"The real E combat plan is this."

Speaking of this, Masao Inamori clicked the map heavily.

Yoshio Iwamatsu also interrupted at the right time: "Don't think too much, you guys. It's not that I don't believe you, nor that I suspect there are spies among you. This is just a preventive measure."

"I understand." Jing Guanren and others paused.

Yoshio Iwamatsu said to Masao Inamori again: "Mr. Inamori, you continue."

"Hai." Inamori Masao paused his head and continued, "As you have seen, the real E-Official Plan has been modified on the fake E-Official Plan."

"Specifically, the Imperial Army's Third Division and the Fifth Division Qiao Zhuang Imperial Army pretended to be the main force."

"The troops divided into eight groups and launched a centripetal attack on the Taihang bandit area of ​​the Eighth Route Army from eight different directions."

"At this time, the main force of the Eighth Route Army in Taihang Bandit District will have two reactions, either shrinking towards the center of the Bandit District, trying to resist stubbornly, or jump to the so-called outside battle."

"Then, the Imperial Army can make a choice based on these two situations."

"If the Eighth Route Army shrinks toward the center of the bandit area, then the Imperial Army will advance in multiple directions as soon as possible and encircle the main force of the Eighth Route Army in the center of the bandit area in the shortest time."

"If the Eighth Route Army re-used the same trick and tried to jump to the outside line to fight,"

"Then, the Imperial Army can take action and launch a second round of encirclement to the Eighth Route Army that jumped to the so-called 'outside line'."

"According to our previous experiences of many sweeping operations, it usually takes some time for the Eighth Route Army to fully restore its establishment after jumping from the inside to the 'outside'."

"This time node is the time point of the golden attack."

"At this time, the Imperial Army launched a centripetal attack on the main force of the Eighth Route Army in the Taihang Bandit Area. It is difficult for the Eighth Route Army to respond effectively, and it is basically impossible for it to organize a decent resistance."

"The Imperial Army will win easily by then."

"And it must be a decisive victory."

"Papa." Applause suddenly sounded in the conference room.

When everyone was anxious to look at it, it was Yoshio Iwamatsu applauding.

Yoshio Iwamatsu smiled and said, "You guys, a very exciting plan, isn't it?"

Several division commanders and several chiefs of staff including Iguanren, Yuichiro No, and several chiefs of staff were applauded.

However, amid the applause, an inappropriate voice suddenly rang: "Is this plan really exciting? But why do I think this is talking about it on paper?"

"What? Talking about war on paper?"

"This guy really dares to say it."

"Nonsense, there is nothing in this world that this guy dares not do."

A whisper immediately sounded in the conference room, and Yoshio Iwamatsu's face collapsed instantly.

But Sadae Inoue was secretly happy: Yes, that's right. Come on, Sakamoto, you must continue. It would be better to make the commander very embarrassed, that's right.

Masao Inamori asked with a dark face: "Sakamoto thinks this is just a talk on paper?"

"Yes." Sakamoto Takaichi said bluntly, "this is just a talk on paper."

Masao Inamori asked again: "So, I wonder what kind of opinions Sakamoto has?"

"I have a question." Sakamoto Takaichi smiled, "You just said that when the Third Division of the Imperial Army and the Fifth Division pretended to be the main force of the Imperial Army to launch a centripetal attack on the Taihang Bandit District, the main force of the Eighth Route Army in the Taihang Bandit District will only have two choices?"

"Yes." Inamori Masao nodded, "I have looked up all the battles in North China in the past three years. When the Eighth Route Army in each bandit area was attacked, there were only these two options, either shrinking to the central area of ​​the bandit area to resist stubbornly, or jumping from the inside line to the so-called outside line to avoid the sweep of the Imperial Army."

Hearing this, Yoshio Iwamatsu nodded happily.

It seems that Inamori has done a lot of work.

He actually checked all the battle examples of the five provinces in North China in the past three years.

However, in the eyes of Takaichi Sakamoto, all this still belongs to the category of paper talk.

Takaichi Sakamoto smiled and said, "That was the past. In the past, the Eighth Route Army in various bandit areas of the five provinces in North China did only make these two choices, but now it is different."

Inamori Masao said coldly: "I can't see any difference?"

Takaichi Sakamoto said: "The combat effectiveness of the Eighth Route Army has been improved, especially the Eighth Route Army in various bandit areas in Shanxi, which has initially possessed the ability to attack the toughest."

"So what?" said Masao Inamori, "How dare they attack the Imperial Army?"

Takaichi Sakamoto said: "Of course they dare not take the initiative to attack the Imperial Army, but it is still possible to take the initiative to attack the Imperial Army, and the possibility is not small."

Masao Inamori said: "The question is, how could the Eighth Route Army know that it was the Imperial Army?"

Takaichi Sakamoto said: "This is the biggest loophole in your plan, and it is also the crux of what I say is that you are talking about on paper, because you underestimate the intelligence collection ability of the Eighth Route Army."

Masao Inamori said: "Are you worried that this real E combat plan will be leaked?"

"No, what I am worried about is not the leak of the plan." Sakamoto Takaichi, "What I am worried about is the mobilization of the Imperial Army and the Imperial Army, and it is difficult to hide it from the Eighth Route Army's scouts."

Speaking of this, Takaichi Sakamoto said again: "Inamori, you have just come to Shanxi and have never dealt with the Eighth Route Army's special forces. You don't know how powerful they are, but I can tell you that those guys are beyond your imagination. I can tell you responsibly that your plan is difficult to hide from their eyes."

"So what?" Inamori Masao said in a deep voice, "What do you want to say?"

Takaichi Sakamoto said: "I suggest you make up the third emergency plan as soon as possible."

Masao Inamori said: "You mean, once the main force of the Eighth Route Army in the Taihang Bandit Area takes the initiative to attack the Third Division of the Imperial Army and the Fifth Division, how should the Imperial Army respond?"

"Yes." Takashi Sakamoto nodded.

Masao Inamori said: "Is this really possible?"

Takaichi Sakamoto said: "It is absolutely possible!"

Masao Inamori turned his eyes to Yoshio Iwamatsu.

After a moment of contemplation, Yoshio Iwamatsu said, "Just do it as Sakamoto said."

"Hayi." Inamori Masao paused his head and said, "Commander, please give me two more days..."

"No need to be so troublesome." Sakamoto Takaichi said, "In fact, just a little modification based on the second option is enough to cope with the third possibility."

Masao Inamori was stunned for a moment and asked, "How to change it?"

Takaichi Sakamoto smiled and said, "The second possibility of the E-E combat plan is to wait for the Eighth Route Army to jump to the outside line, and then the main force of the Imperial Army will look for their various assembly areas, and then encircle and annihilate them."

"Then once the main force of the Eighth Route Army takes the initiative to attack the Imperial Army,"

"Immediately ordered the Third Division of the Imperial Army and the Fifth Division to defend the death on the spot."

"Then the main force of the Imperial Army immediately launched a centripetal attack from the outside."

"In this way, we can give the Eighth Route Army a four-sided encirclement and the center will bloom."

"With all sides, the center is blooming?" said Masao Inamori, "Does the Imperial Army have this ability?"

"Of course." Sakamoto Takaichi said, "The former Shanxi Imperial Army was the Jinsui Army. They can't fight against the tough battles, but they can fight defensive wars. Especially after the recent rectification, the Imperial Army's combat effectiveness has been qualitatively improved, and it is even more okay to fight defensive wars. I firmly believe in this."

...

Licheng County, the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army.

"Boss, the situation has been basically verified."

The Deputy Chief of Staff hurried into the war room with a telegram and reported: "The Japanese First Army stationed in Shanxi did mobilize the 36th, 37th and 69th Divisions to divide the troops into eight directions and launch a centripetal attack on our Taihang base! In addition, two puppet troops will participate in this sweep."

"My God, there are really three Japanese divisions and two puppet army divisions? It's a big deal."

The boss said, "By the way, your information was not bought by the Taiyuan underground party again, right?"

The Deputy Chief of Staff smiled bitterly and said, "Boss, I want to buy it. Comrade Cao Mancang really sent a telegram to the headquarters to apply for the second special fund to purchase a more detailed sweep plan. Unfortunately, our headquarters can no longer produce more gold, so it can only be left alone in the end."

The boss said again: "Then where did you get this information?"

"When it comes to this, I have to thank Comrade Wang Ye." The Deputy Chief of Staff said with a smile, "The special forces squadrons he trained were of great use in this anti-sweeping operation. This time, the reason why we can understand the strength and numbers of the Japanese and puppet troops involved in this sweeping is because of these special forces."

The boss said: "Special forces are good at battlefield reconnaissance, I know that."

"Not." The Deputy Chief of Staff said with a smile, "During the Hundred Regiments' Battle of the Year before yesterday, it was because the Wolf Warrior Squadron collected a large amount of intelligence in advance that the attack on Zhengtai Road was won. In the end, it even took down Yangquan County, the old nest of the Fourth Brigade, and killed Hide Maeda, the commander of the Fourth Brigade."

The boss said: "Send a telegram to the northwest Shanxi to express your gratitude."

"Boss, I've sent the telegram long ago." The Deputy Chief of Staff smiled.

After pausing, the Deputy Chief of Staff said: "Because Comrade Wang Ye not only provided us with the most valuable information, but also sent the Tianlang Squadron of the New First Regiment and the Wanderer Squadron of the New Second Regiment to serve as the eyes and nose of our headquarters to assist our Taihang Base in counter-sweeping."

The boss said, "What should they do?"

The Deputy Chief of Staff said: "Don't there still Wolf Warrior Squadron and Wild Wolf Squadron?"

The boss said: "Fighting Taiyuan is a tough battle, and the difficulty is much greater than the anti-sweeping in our Taihang base, so special forces are needed to act as eyes and noses."

After pausing, the boss said again: "You can do this, let Wang Ye transfer both special forces squadrons back. Just say that we have the information they provide is enough."

"Boss, I've mentioned it long ago." The Deputy Chief of Staff smiled, "But they don't listen."

"If you don't listen? If you don't listen, forget it?" the boss said angrily, "Will you not give him an order?"

"I've given orders too, but they're useless." The Deputy Chief of Staff said with a smile. "They pretended to be deaf and dumb, and turned around and said that the radio was malfunctioning and did not receive the order."

"Hey, this kid is really worthy of being a soldier under Li Yunlong?"

The boss was so angry that he cursed: "Did Li Yunlong teach him the ability to disobey the battlefield?"

The Deputy Chief of Staff smiled and said, "As the saying goes, soldiers are the courage of generals and soldiers. If there is a commander like Li Yunlong, it is not surprising that a few thorns like Wang Ye have appeared."

"But the problem of disobedience on the battlefield cannot be used to it." The boss said.

"But he only said he had not received the telegram." The Deputy Chief of Staff said with a smile, "Or would you send an investigation team to investigate? See if he really didn't receive it, or pretended not to receive it?"

"Forget it." The boss said angrily, "How can you care about this?"

The Deputy Chief of Staff had long expected this and said with a smile: "Boss, let's quickly discuss the general policy of anti-sweeping operations."

The boss waved his hand and said, "There is no need to discuss this."

The Deputy Chief of Staff said solemnly: "What does the boss mean, or jump to the outside line?"

"Yes." The boss nodded, "The Japanese mobilized three divisions and two puppet troops, with a total strength of more than 50,000 people, which is comparable to the forces of our Taihang Military Region. However, the troops of our Taihang Military Region are not as good as those of the Japanese puppet troops. The overall combat power gap between the two sides is too large, so it is absolutely impossible to fight hard. They can only leave a small amount of troops. With the cooperation of local armed forces and militias, the main force resolutely jumped to the periphery to attack the logistics supply line of the Japanese puppet troops."

"Okay, I'll send someone to convey the order to the division headquarters of the 129th Division."

The Deputy Chief of Staff said again: "Let the 129th Division make arrangements as soon as possible."

...

Chongqing Huangshan official residence, the first floor of Yunxiu Building.

Tang Zong pointed to a map of Shanxi with a wooden pole in his hand and said, "Principal, please see, this is the enemy-to-we-stage map of SX Province. At present, the Eighth Route Army's control area is mainly divided into three parts. The largest area is the Taihang Bandit Area east of the Baijin Line and south of Zhengtai Road. This is also the defense area of ​​the main force of the 129th Division."

Chang Kaishen said in a deep voice: "How many troops are there in Taihang Bandit Area?"

Tang Zongdao: "From the current situation, the Eighth Route Army's Taihang Bandit Area has about 50,000 troops."

"What? 50,000?" Chang Kaishen said with a dark face, "When the entire army was reorganized in the 26th year of the Republic of China, the Eighth Route Army had only three B-class divisions, and there were only less than 50,000 troops in total. But now there are only 50,000 bandits in just one Taihang bandit area. How many such bandit areas does the Eighth Route Army have in North China? How many bandit areas does the New Fourth Army have?"

Tang Zong was speechless because he really couldn't answer these two questions.

The Military Control Commission and their Second Service also worked a lot to finally figure out the composition of the Eighth Route Army in Shanxi.

However, if we want to investigate how many bases and how many troops there are in the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army, this is far beyond the scope of their ability of the Second Service Office, and the Military Control Commission will not be able to do it.

Tang Zong even suspected that the Communist Party itself might not know how many people there were?

Chang Kaishen soon realized his incompetence and said, "Let's talk about the other two bandit areas."

"Yes." Tang Zong nodded slightly and continued, "There is the Taiyue Bandit District entrenched near Qin County. Its area is slightly smaller than that of the Taihang Bandit District, but it also has about 50,000 troops."
Chapter completed!