Nanjing, Garrison Chief's Department.

Tang Shengzhi was discussing the military situation with Chen Cheng, Luo Zhuoying and others in the war room. A senior colonel staff officer suddenly ran out from the confidential room next door. He stood at attention and saluted them: "General Officer, Mr. Chen, we have just received a reliable report."

According to the news, the Japanese army, with Asaka Miyakohiko as the supreme commander, has dispatched two additional army divisions, the 9th and 11th, as well as a heavy artillery brigade. Nearly 100,000 troops have increased their troops to Wuxi!"

"What? The Japanese have increased their troops?" Tang Shengzhi and others were all shocked, and Chen Cheng frowned and said: "I thought that after the 16th Division was crippled by Zhu Ziming and Zhou Weiguo, the Japanese army would be unable to mobilize heavy troops to attack us in a short time.

The front line is attacking, but now it seems that we are a bit wishful thinking!"

"In addition, the Kunozaki Detachment of the Japanese 10th Army has also conquered Huzhou. It seems that it plans to march along Taihu Lake Xi'an towards Xuancheng, Wuhu and other places!" the senior staff officer added.

"Guoqi Detachment?" Tang Shengzhi and others were frightened when they heard this. They immediately found the advance route of Guoqi Detachment on the map. Luo Zhuoying said solemnly: "It seems that this Guoqi Detachment intends to cut off our land retreat from the west!"

"I'm afraid it doesn't end there. If the Guoqi detachment crosses the Yangtze River from Dangtu and other places and goes straight to Pukou, the consequences will be even more disastrous!" Chen Cheng also analyzed with a heavy expression.

"In addition to the land attack, the Japanese navy is also attacking our Jiangyin Fortress! I'm afraid our Jiangyin defense line won't be able to hold up for too long!" Luo Zhuoying added: "Once the Jiangyin Fortress falls, the Japanese army can also directly send another force.

Cross the Yangtze River from Jiangyin to the north, march westward along the Yangtze River, and form an encirclement with the Guoqi detachment!"

"Now it seems that thanks to Zhu Ziming and Zhou Weiguo, they defeated the 16th Division and blocked the Japanese 6th Division in Wuxi. Otherwise, Jiangyin Fortress might have been lost long ago! By then, the Japanese army would have formed a three-sided attack, and the consequences would be disastrous.

!" Tang Shengzhi said with a sad face: "But how long can Zhu Ziming and Zhou Weiguo withstand the enemy's increase in troops?"

Chen Cheng analyzed with a serious face: "The Independent Brigade only has 8,000 troops. Even if Zhu Ziming and Zhou Weiguo have outstanding command, the disparity in strength between the enemy and ourselves is too great. Now the enemy has increased their troops in large numbers. If we don't send reinforcements, I guess they may

We can't hold on for much longer, at most three days, or even two days, Wuxi will fall!"

"Then what should we do? We don't have any extra troops to reinforce the independent brigade right now?!" Tang Shengzhi said with a confused look on his face.

He really had no choice. At that time, the defensive forces in the Nanjing area only had a few remnants of soldiers who had returned from the defeat in Shanghai. After replenishment, there were only 80,000 or 90,000 people.

These forces were obviously insufficient to defend Nanjing. There were no spare forces to support the independent brigade.

Luo Zhuoying suggested: "If it doesn't work, let's order Zhu Ziming and Zhou Weiguo to lead their troops to withdraw from Wuxi!"

"Abandon Wuxi on your own initiative?" Tang Shengzhi was shocked when he heard this and looked at Chen Cheng next to him with some hesitation.

Unexpectedly, Chen Cheng immediately objected: "No, if the Independent Brigade abandons Wuxi, then the defenders of Jiangyin Fortress will become a lone army and may not be able to hold on for even a day!

Once Jiangyin is broken through by the Japanese army, their naval ships can even sail directly along the Yangtze River to Xiaguan Wharf to blockade and supply us from the river.

Once that happens, the morale of our Nanjing garrison will be greatly affected! If there is no need to fight then, our army will collapse without a fight!"

"Then what should we do? The Independent Brigade has no reinforcements, but the Japanese have heavily reinforced them. How can they fight this battle? Even if they are killed, they won't be able to hold on for long, right?" Luo Zhuoying said.

Chen Cheng was worried and gritted his teeth and said: "We must defend even if we can't hold it! We must let the Independence Brigade continue to hold on. If we can hold on for one more day, it's a day!"

"In any case, the Independent Brigade has made such great military exploits. Isn't it hard to explain that they are left to defend Wuxi like this?" Tang Shengzhi said a little unbearably.

Chen Cheng's eyes narrowed, he looked at him with a stern voice and shouted: "Commander-in-Chief Tang, Nanjing is our capital, it is everyone's responsibility to defend the territory and resist the enemy!

The Independence Brigade is no exception. How can it be that just because they have made meritorious service, they cannot be sacrificed? Have you forgotten, Commander-in-Chief Tang, that not long ago, you ordered all the garrison troops to defend Nanjing to the death and to live and die with Nanjing?

?”

Tang Shengzhi said sarcastically: "Brother Cixiu is right, I should not be benevolent as a woman. Nanjing is my capital and the site of the former Prime Minister's mausoleum. It is a place we must defend to the death! No one can be special!"

After saying that, Tang Shengzhi immediately gave an order: "Immediately send a message to the Independent Brigade and tell them the news of the enemy's reinforcements. In addition, I ordered Zhu Ziming and Zhou Weiguo to defend Wuxi to the death and not to retreat without orders!"

"Yes!" The combat staff immediately stood at attention and saluted, then took the order and left.

…

The message from the garrison headquarters was first sent to Chief of Staff Chen Zhenglun, who then ordered people to forward it to Xu Wen and Zhou Weiguo.

In the woods where the Independence Brigade ambush troops were hiding, Xu Wen and Zhou Weiguo were sitting behind a Tiger tank smoking and eating together, waiting for fighter planes to appear.

Sun Fugui jumped out of a No. 4 tank not far away, quickly ran to the two of them, stood at attention and saluted them: "The brigade commander, deputy brigade commander, and chief of staff have forwarded the latest orders from the garrison headquarters!

"

"Oh? Read it and listen!" Xu Wen was very curious about what orders Tang Shengzhi and his gang could give them at this time.

Sun Fugui immediately opened the telegram in his hand and read: "According to reliable information, the Japanese army has established a former enemy headquarters with Prince Asaka Palace Jiuhiko as the commander-in-chief, and this person has led two army divisions and a heavy artillery brigade.

Nearly 100,000 reinforcements went to Wuxi to join the war.

I hereby order your troops to hold fast to Wuxi and not to retreat without permission! Nanjing Garrison Theater Commander's Department..."

After Xu Wen heard this, he smiled bitterly and said to Zhou Weiguo: "I thought Commander Tang would give us a reward or something, but I didn't expect that Commander Tang would give us a death order!"

Zhou Weiguo frowned and said, "If our ambush here fails, will we still let the chief of staff lead the retreat?"

Xu Wensharan said: "Of course we have to withdraw! Our Independence Brigade cannot sacrifice in vain!"

"However, the commander-in-chief has ordered us to continue to hold on and not to retreat without authorization!" Zhou Weiguo said.

Xu Wen smiled disdainfully and said: "Stop talking nonsense, just listen to this order, their hundreds of thousands of troops can't defend a Shanghai beach.

You gave me thousands of remnant soldiers and asked us to defend Wuxi? How about your face?"

After Xu Wen finished speaking, he turned to Sun Fugui and ordered: "Fugui, call back the chief of staff immediately and tell him that if our ambush fails, let him lead his troops to withdraw from Wuxi immediately and retreat towards Nanjing! Don't stay.

Used as cannon fodder for nothing!”

"But..." Before Sun Fugui could finish his words, he was interrupted by Xu Wen: "But what? Tell the chief of staff that this is my order, and I will be responsible for the superiors' pursuit, regardless of his business! Execute the order

Go for it!”

"Yes!" As soon as Sun Fugui left, Li Wu, who was responsible for leading the reconnaissance team, suddenly ran over in a hurry, raised his hand to Xu Wen and Zhou Weiguo and saluted: "Brigade commander, deputy brigade commander, the reconnaissance force sent

News came that there was a Japs train full of Japanese troops heading towards Suzhou from Shanghai!

However, we are still not sure whether there are any Japs or that bastard prince in this train!"

After arriving at the lurking position, Xu Wen sent some No. 4 tanks to form a reconnaissance team to conduct reconnaissance outside. Once the situation was discovered, he immediately reported through the tank's on-board radio.

Xu Wen said: "Whether it is true or not, we have to take a gamble!" After saying that, Xu Wen stood up and told Zhou Weiguo, Li Wu and others: "Hurry up and get in the car. Let's lead the team and set off!"
Chapter completed!