Brother Likong, do you have any thoughts on this?

At this moment, if reinforcements arrived, there would be a chance to eliminate these Japanese invaders.

On the left wing, the main force of the 18th Group Army’s 120th Division, under the orders of the deputy commander of the Eighth Route Army, was delaying the Japanese advance in the mountainous areas southwest of Shenchi and Ningwu.

Song Shilun’s detachment was doing its utmost to sabotage bridges, roads, and telephone lines around Yanmen Pass, Daiyue Town, and Huairen, launching raids on small Japanese units.

Li Jingquan’s detachment was trailing the southbound Japanese forces between Liming Fort, Shenchi, and Bajiaobu, harassing and slowing their southward movement.

However, these engagements primarily alleviated pressure on Yang Aiyuan’s Sixth Group Army and had little direct connection to Chu Yunfei and the 358th Regiment.

Surveying the overall battlefield, Chu Yunfei pondered deeply. Among the Jin-Sui forces, only Chen Changjie’s 61st Army still had the capacity to dispatch troops. From the Eighth Route Army, the main force of the 115th Division might also be able to launch proactive strikes along the line from Fanshi County to Shahe Town to tie down the Japanese 5th Division.

But how could he possibly command these two colossal forces?

After much deliberation, he decided to send a telegram to the Second War Zone Headquarters, leaving the headache to Yan Laoxi himself.

Simultaneously, Chu Yunfei instructed Battalion Commander Luo Weiguo of the 3rd Battalion to leave one company to garrison the key commanding heights along the road, while pulling the rest of the troops back to standby at the line near Huaqiao Village.

...

At the 386th Brigade headquarters, shortly after concluding a battle meeting, Brigade Commander Chen received two telegrams: one a commendation, the other expressing gratitude from Chu Yunfei on behalf of the 358th Regiment for their support.

Chen handed the telegrams to Political Commissar Chen and others nearby with a smile. “Take a look at this. Chu Yunfei is quite an interesting fellow.”

“Commander Chen, is he trying to curry favor with you?” someone asked.

Chen chuckled, “This kid isn’t simple. At a time like this, he’s not thinking about making friends with us...”

“Commander Chen, you mean the more than a thousand Japanese troops?” the deputy brigade commander asked solemnly. “Given the current disparity in combat power, if it really turns into a blocking battle, our casualties won’t be small...”

“So, most likely Chu Yunfei is trying to test us with this telegram.”

Chen sat down and signaled a guard to pass him the teapot. “Let’s talk.”

“The frontline at Yuanping is currently engaged on two fronts by the 358th Regiment, but the Jin-Sui reinforcements have yet to appear. That shouldn’t be, right?”

Chen sipped his tea and stood to point at the combat map on the wall. “Look, the left flank at Xinkou is under fierce attack from the main force of the Japanese Tei Detachment... Our main force of the 18th Group Army is also heavily engaged with the Japanese Sakaguchi Division at Mount Wutai... At present, the only available reinforcements come from Chen Changjie’s 61st Army.”

“If I’m not mistaken, Chu Yunfei will definitely send us another telegram soon, asking the 386th Brigade to completely cut off the Japanese Independent Mixed Brigade’s logistics supply line...”

...

At the Second War Zone Headquarters, Yan Laoxi was seated with the overall commander and others. After some brief pleasantries, Yan Laoxi spoke eagerly, “Brother Yu Jie, the situation at Yuanping is critical. I’ve summoned you to request your department’s assistance.”

The overall commander’s face was grave as well. The battlefield was dire.

The 14th Group Army had attacked all day, annihilating several hundred Japanese soldiers but suffering significant losses in return.

The Japanese fought while retreating, occupying advantageous terrain and firing cold shots, causing considerable trouble for the attacking troops.

Fortunately, the frontline was steadily advancing, and some isolated Japanese units were quickly wiped out.

According to Wei Lihuang’s own estimation, it would take no more than three days to annihilate all the Japanese trapped within the encirclement.

“Rest assured, Commander Yan. Our forces are studying plans for Lin’s and Liu’s divisions, about six thousand strong, to launch proactive strikes around Fanshi County to tie down the 5th Division’s support units.”

Yan Laoxi beamed with relief, his brow unfurrowed as he pressed, “Brother Yu Jie, when will your forces set out?”

“The detailed operational plan is still being drafted.”

“Brother Yu Jie, we cannot afford to delay even a moment. The battle at Yuanping is crucial to the entire Xinkou campaign and the larger Shanxi resistance effort...”

...

Early the next morning, Fang Ligong arrived early at headquarters. Chu Yunfei had just returned from the forward command post of the 1st Battalion.

The 1st Battalion had suffered heavy casualties—four hundred men lost over two days of blocking battles. Ammunition was also running low.

Similarly, since yesterday afternoon, the intensity of Japanese attacks had gradually diminished, though air support came increasingly frequently.

The Japanese losses were also heavy; according to some company commanders’ reports, their casualties likely exceeded five hundred.

“Commander!” Chu Yunfei dismounted swiftly, handing his riding crop to Sun Ming beside him.

“Brother Ligong...” Fang Ligong adjusted his glasses and asked, “Commander, what’s the situation?”

“Just returned from the 1st Battalion,” Chu Yunfei tidied his uniform and reported, “The situation is still favorable. The Japanese have suffered serious losses and likely lack the strength to continue attacking today. Although they have breached two defensive lines, they are still about ten kilometers from Yuanping City. Given their current advance speed, we can hold out at least five more days.”

Chu Yunfei accepted the telegram Fang Ligong handed him and scanned its contents.

...

“Three days. The combat effectiveness of the 14th Group Army remains strong!” Chu Yunfei smiled, then turned to Fang Ligong, who stood silently nearby, and asked, “Brother Ligong, has the 386th Brigade replied?”

Fang Ligong shook his head. Then he asked, “Commander... do you intend to...?”

“They are the closest reinforcements to our forces,” Chu Yunfei said, his finger swiftly pointing to Zhuanshui Village on the map. “If possible, within two days they could move to this position and strike the Japanese Independent Mixed Brigade from the flank.”

Fang Ligong fell silent, his gaze questioning.

Chu Yunfei smiled faintly. “Brother Ligong, the current battle is critical. Do you have any new ideas?”

He looked at him earnestly.

The scene felt strangely familiar.

Fang Ligong was overwhelmed with mixed emotions. Thinking of Zhuanshui Village Chu Yunfei had just mentioned, he pondered briefly before choosing to avoid the topic.

For now, maintaining the frontline with the 14th Group Army encircling the Japanese according to plan was already a good situation.

Clearly, the commander wanted to take a risk and try to eliminate part of the Japanese Independent Mixed Brigade.

What Fang Ligong hadn’t anticipated was that Chu Yunfei’s real intention was simply to give him an opportunity to earn combat merit.

As chief of staff, Fang Ligong had no authority to prevent Chu Yunfei from making decisions or issuing orders.

Generally, regimental-level units do not have a chief of staff, only operations staff.

But conversely, the principle that a staff without a chief is powerless applies equally to the Jin-Sui Army.

Only at brigade level and above is the chief of staff position established.

Fang Ligong’s position as chief of staff was a special appointment by Yan Laoxi.

Still, whether chief of staff or operations staff, they only have reporting and advisory roles.

As a deputy, they cannot prevent the commanding officer from issuing operational orders.

In extreme cases, the military commander need only decide where to fight.

Which subordinate units to deploy, from where, with what equipment, and how much supply to consume—these are matters for the staff to consider.

In Chu Yunfei’s mind, the decision and plan had already been made...