kingnovel Chapter 1089 Strategic Mistakes
Chapter 1089 Strategic Mistakes
Pujiang Garrison Command
"This strategy is wrong. I have already reported this to headquarters. Now is definitely not the time to mobilize troops. Although the Japanese are not launching a large-scale attack, it is merely the calm before the attack. If we start to adjust the troops now, we will inevitably fail to hold the Huangpu River."
Li Shaoyi said angrily that just as Ma Leizi received good news, the Ministry of Military Affairs also issued an order that seventeen infantry divisions of the National Revolutionary Army currently fighting in Pujiang would withdraw from the battlefield within the next three days.
Li Shaoyi's anger was not without reason. Although these seventeen infantry divisions had suffered heavy losses, they were all battle-hardened troops. Compared to the 72nd Army, their combat effectiveness might not have been as good, but they were among the most formidable forces in the entire Pujiang battlefield.
The brothers of the 72nd Army were able to achieve victory, but the problem was without their support. The 72nd Army couldn't possibly win this war alone; that was clearly unrealistic.
In the past, the north provided a lot of support, but now that Ma Leizi is fighting on the banks of the Yellow River, the support for Pujiang is limited, so it is even more necessary for these troops to continue to be stationed in Pujiang.
"Don't speak so loudly. I understand what you mean, but you also need to be mindful of the impact. It's already spread that Commander Li disobeyed the orders of the Party and the State, and that your threats to the Party and the State have been effective. They've even said that you've declared yourself king. And you've questioned the orders of Jinling in front of so many people. Even if someone speaks up for you in the future, after these incidents, there won't be any way to defend you."
Chief of Staff Zhang said with some concern. He knew that during his time with Li Shaoyi, Chief of Staff Zhang had genuinely admired and respected Li Shaoyi. At such a young age, he had devoted himself entirely to the war effort at its outbreak; there were few like him in China at present.
It was precisely because of this young man's selfless dedication that the battlefield in Pujiang was temporarily stabilized; otherwise, we might be facing a retreat now, and the losses at that time would have been incalculable.
“I don’t care what others say about me. I’ve said before that anything can be compromised when it comes to the War of Resistance, including some of my personal ideas. But look at what they’ve done now. They didn’t even ask for our opinions before issuing orders to each infantry division. They’re the ones creating internal conflicts.”
Li Shaoyi said angrily that by the time he learned of the news, the order had already been issued from the Ministry of Military Affairs, bypassing the Pujiang War Zone Command. The fear was that Li Shaoyi would block the order; commanding troops outside one's command on the battlefield was a dangerous thing in itself, and it happened right here on the Pujiang battlefield, where the situation had just stabilized, immediately causing unrest.
“I have already lodged the strongest protest with Nanjing regarding this matter and demanded that the Ministry of Military Affairs immediately cease such actions. But you should understand some of the things concerning our Party and the country. They are considering too many things. We only need to consider the entire front line at Huangpu, while they are also considering the nationwide War of Resistance. There are some things I don't need to say, but you understand. We cannot bear too much pressure…”
Chief of Staff Zhang didn't know how to talk about this matter. After all, some things are better left unsaid. If you were to reveal these things now, you could immediately be branded with a serious accusation.
"What nationwide war of resistance? If these guys really think that way, then I will immediately apologize to them for my words and actions. It's nothing more than these bastards seeing that things are about to get out of control, that our strength is too overwhelming, so they want to withdraw their original troops, let us fight the Japanese to the death, and in the end they will reap the benefits. The Party and the State have been doing this for more than ten years, it didn't just start now."
After Li Shaoyi said this, he felt much better. Chief of Staff Zhang quickly ordered the dozens of people in the operations room to leave.
“If I dare to say it out loud, why would I be afraid of others hearing it? If they didn’t have this in mind, I would swallow this wooden table whole.”
Li Shaoyi pointed to his desk and said, "This is truly a solid wood desk. If you wanted to swallow this thing whole, you'd be really something." This also showed just how furious Li Shaoyi was.
The Ma Lei Zi side has just achieved a victory and thwarted the Japanese ambition to open up the Jinpu Railway. You here are immediately withdrawing your key figures from the battlefield. Although those men didn't fight many impressive battles, their mere presence in any location could tie down corresponding Japanese troops. If they leave now, the Japanese will have a much larger force available for offensive operations.
In previous battles, the 72nd Army fought against the Japanese on the main battlefield with a maximum of three to four divisions. However, if those seventeen infantry divisions were to withdraw, that number could instantly double or even triple. Moreover, the air force would provide corresponding support. Even if Li Shaoyi had three heads and six arms, he probably wouldn't be able to support the war. This was clearly a breach of the dam.
“I understand what you’re saying, I understand it all too well, but you can’t fight city hall. I already told you about this when you were recruiting soldiers in Pujiang a while ago. I told you not to make too much of a scene with the higher-ups. It would be better for everyone if we both kept our dignity intact. But the problem is that you just wouldn’t listen. You insisted that as long as you were tough, the higher-ups would have to listen to you. Have they listened to you now?”
Chief of Staff Zhang, standing nearby, was also deeply distressed. After the withdrawal of seventeen infantry divisions, the Ministry of Military Affairs only provided six infantry divisions as replacements. According to the Ministry of Military Affairs, these six infantry divisions were at full strength, while the seventeen infantry divisions had suffered considerable losses, resulting in roughly equal numbers of personnel.
Even Chief of Staff Zhang cursed at their calculation. Those seventeen infantrymen were the remaining men, each a veteran with battlefield experience against the Japanese. Once brought back, they would become platoon and squad leaders in their respective units. They were the most valuable asset in the entire army.
But these six new infantry divisions you've given are all newly trained, and because of the war, they haven't been fully equipped with weapons and equipment yet, not to mention their training in all aspects. Can they stop the Japanese attack?
Hearing the chief of staff's words, Li Shaoyi began to calm down. He had indeed accomplished a lot by showing his prowess recently, and had even made the Nationalist government yield to him on many issues. But now, perhaps the crisis had passed, and the Nationalist government's fangs were being bared again...