vrcanaries Chapter 1090 Loyalty and Righteousness
Chapter 1090 Loyalty and Righteousness
Although Li Shaoyi was extremely dissatisfied with the Ministry of Military Affairs' order, there were some things he couldn't stop. After receiving the order, officers from various departments came to the headquarters to say goodbye. They didn't know what to say. As a soldier, unless you take off your uniform, you can only accept the orders from above and follow them to the end.
"Commander Li, we've received orders from above. Our 30th Division has less than 6,000 men left, while his 26th Division has over 5,000. We've discussed it and secretly managed to gather an infantry battalion of 1,000 men. That's the most we can do. We've also questioned these men; those who are willing to follow you, Commander Li, are already on the roster and have been killed in action..."
When Commander Zhong of the 30th Division said goodbye to Li Shaoyi, he secretly slipped a small booklet into Li Shaoyi's hand when no one else was looking.
"Be careful of the Military Intelligence Bureau. They will definitely be able to find out. If you need my help in the future, no matter what channel you use to contact me, I will definitely protect you both."
Li Shaoyi said with great gratitude that these people actually understood, but on this chessboard where gods fight, they, the division commanders of infantry divisions, were just pawns. Now that they were ordered to retreat within three days, they could only mobilize their troops. Many of them had long been unwilling to stay in the Central Army and were thinking of joining the 72nd Army. They took this opportunity to separate them.
Moreover, for those troublemakers, the 72nd Army offered a better future, and they were better able to make contributions on the battlefield of the War of Resistance.
The two men saluted Li Shaoyi in unison, then turned and walked away. They had all received much kindness from Commander Li on the battlefield. Now, a single order from the Nanjing Military and Political Department ordering them to withdraw from the battlefield under these circumstances was tantamount to desertion.
However, as soldiers, they had no choice. Moreover, their entire families were in the Nationalist-controlled area. If they did not carry out orders, there could be all sorts of consequences. Therefore, they could only personally apologize to Commander Li.
This was basically how the commanders of the various infantry divisions arranged things. They weren't afraid of what their superiors would say, since they knew they would be punished when they returned. In that case, they might as well take the most elite part of their army. These people had deep hatred for the Japanese, and they wouldn't be easy to manage if they were taken back. They just handed them over to the 72nd Army, and they could reorganize an infantry division on the spot.
Chief of Staff Zhang knew about this, but he didn't stop it. He acted as if he didn't know anything. When each unit left Pujiang, they all left behind a small bundle. Some bundles contained eight hundred men, some a thousand men. In any case, they were the elite of their respective units on the battlefield. According to the reports submitted by each unit, these men had already died in battle.
Li Shaoyi immediately ordered his men to take over these men and disperse them among various units, which could be considered a form of reinforcement for them. More than a dozen infantry divisions withdrew from Pujiang, leaving Li Shaoyi with over 14,000 men—and these were no ordinary 14,000 soldiers. These men had accumulated extensive combat experience on the Pujiang battlefield. As mentioned before, with sufficient manpower, even if each of them were a squad leader, they would instantly constitute an army of 140,000.
"You're not leaving too, are you?"
Li Shaoyi spent the day in a state of mixed sorrow and joy. He was saddened that the soldiers he had led were now withdrawing to the rear. He was happy that these men were all conscientious and had left behind many useful men for him before they left. At that moment, he saw Chief of Staff Zhang walk up to his desk, holding a farewell letter just like the ones given to the division commanders.
“I’ve already been reported to the old man, who said I’m in danger of being bribed by you. Although I still hold the title of Chief of Staff of the Pujiang War Zone, the old man ordered me to go to Nanjing to report on my duties. I don’t think I’ll be able to come back this time. As for some combat matters in Pujiang, I’ve found you a good helper, Operations Staff Officer Qian Changqing.”
Chief of Staff Zhang was well aware of his future prospects. He had extensive connections within the Party and the State; otherwise, he wouldn't have been here supervising Li Shaoyi in place of the old man. Although he spoke of his plight, Li Shaoyi knew that this man had a bright future ahead of him and many opportunities to shine, so he wasn't worried about the Chief of Staff's future.
Li Shaoyi knew Qian Changqing, a young man who had been working in the staff office of the headquarters as Chief of Staff Zhang's secretary. Since Chief of Staff Zhang thought this young man was capable, Li Shaoyi promoted him after Chief of Staff Zhang left. As long as he could get things done, he had unlimited potential here.
"It is quite commendable that the Chief of Staff is still able to fulfill his duties at this moment. I, Li, have tasted all the bitterness of life during my time in Pujiang, but at the same time, I am also happy. At least so many people have affirmed my contributions to the Pujiang War and have shown that they are not heartless people. This gives me a glimmer of confidence in the Pujiang battlefield. I ask Chief of Staff Zhang to convey my message to all people in Nanjing after returning to Nanjing: I only want to fight the war and nothing else."
Li Shaoyi had expressed this idea many times, both in newspapers and in conversations with important figures in Nanjing, and it was always done with genuine sincerity. Unfortunately, those blinded by greed simply didn't believe Li Shaoyi's sincerity; instead, they thought he was throwing out a sugar-coated bullet to lull them into a false sense of security, while simultaneously opening his mouth wide to devour Jiangnan.
"Commander, please rest assured. Even if I am no longer the Chief of Staff of the Pujiang War Zone in the future, I will still say what needs to be said. But there is one thing I need to remind you: Pujiang cannot be defended. We should make plans as soon as possible."
Chief of Staff Zhang hesitated for a long time before finally saying it.
Li Shaoyi thought he could turn the tide, but without the help of the Nationalist government, even if a large number of the 72nd Army went south, they probably wouldn't be able to hold the Huangpu River. After all, we are not locals and we lack roots in the area.
"I know what I'm doing. I wish the Chief of Staff a safe journey."
Li Shaoyi picked up the teacup on the table.
What Chief of Staff Zhang just said should be a top secret of the Nationalist government. The fact that he's informing Li Shaoyi now is to ensure Li Shaoyi is aware of the situation and doesn't become too fixated on it.
"The War of Resistance Against Japan is a long-term endeavor; we cannot achieve victory in a short period of time. This is what you said; you must remember it..."
Chief of Staff Zhang patted Li Shaoyi on the shoulder, then turned and picked up his overcoat...