Zhang Zizhong endured humiliation and protected Song Zheyuan's army to retreat safely, but the outside world did not know the truth and thought he was a traitor who sold his country and sought honor.

Later, Zhang Zizhong escaped from Peking and went to Nanjing after several twists and turns.

However, the public opinion community, who did not know the truth, called for severe punishment to serve as a warning to others, while some in the military wanted to take the opportunity to recruit his troops.

At this critical moment, Li Zongren stepped forward and invited Zhang Zizhong to talk, saying, "Brother Xunchen, I know that you are wronged.

Now public opinion condemns you because they don’t know the truth. When they understand the truth, they will not scold you.

I know you are chivalrous and strict in governing the army. I understand you, and of course I can forgive you."

Zhang Zizhong couldn't help crying and said in shame: "This time I took a risk to come to Beijing, so I came to surrender to the crime and wait for the central government to punish me."

Li Zongren encouraged: "Brother Xunchen, I advise you not to be discouraged. I am going to advise the Chairman and ask you to go back and continue leading the troops."

Feng Yuxiang and Li Zongren helped Zhang Zizhong succeed Song Zheyuan as the commander of the 59th Army in February.

When Zhang Zizhong said to Li Zongren, he said:

"If Chief Li hadn't said anything, even if I, Zhang, would have been trapped in a siege and a national sinner.

Now that the superior is fulfilled, we have been rebuilt with kindness. On my life, I, Zhang, should serve the country with passionate life and repay the experience."

Later, Zhang Zizhong's 59th Army became the theater system of Li Zongren in the Fifth War Zone. Naturally, he followed the orders and ordered them to fight. He was simply desperate to fight!

After more than a month of bloody battle, the southern front of the Fifth War Zone temporarily stabilized the situation and entered a state of confrontation across the river. However, the Japanese army is further mobilizing troops, and the pressure in the Fifth War Zone will only increase!

The northern front line was due to the fact that the Third Army of Han Fuju retreated without fighting and abandoned the Yellow River Defense Line, Jinan, Tai'an, Laiwu and other military key areas, resulting in the Japanese army occupying a large area of ​​territory in southern Shandong in a short period of time!

Fortunately, the Chinese Tiger Army led by Yang Fan was like a big magnet, which firmly attracted two Japanese A-type divisions, otherwise Xuzhou would have faced the danger of attacking two groups at this moment.

But even so, the North China Front Army, with strong troops, still put huge pressure on the northern line of the Fifth War Zone. For example, the 33rd Brigade of the 10th Division is now taking a detour to attack Ju County, and the Bingfeng is directly aimed at Linyi, a military important military location!

In addition, the 20th Division of the Japanese North China Front Army is moving towards Jinan, Shandong, and it will not take long to arrive in Shandong!

So Li Zongren is now unable to take care of himself. It is not easy to temporarily stabilize the situation and block the Japanese Central China Front Army south of the Huai River!

Even though he knew that Yang Fan was now in a siege and danger, Li Zongren could not draw out much troops to help. After all, active defense and active attack are two different concepts!

Yang Fan took a helicopter to visit the front battlefield of Zhoujiazhuang Village, and clearly saw the full picture of the Japanese battlefield.

"Oh my god, what exactly do these Japanese devils want to do? Do you really want to break through our defense in one go?"

I didn't know if I didn't look at it, and I was shocked when I stood by the window holding a telescope and looking into the distance. Only then did Ren Yixiong realize that the situation was much worse than expected!

Thousands of Japanese infantry pulled out the scattered line and launched a full-scale attack on the 6-kilometer defense line like a tide. Among them, there were Japanese light tanks, mortar teams, and blasting teams!
Chapter completed!