Chapter 69

It is clear that they need to race against the Central Army, but He Zhengdao is even more aware that he has never intended to attack Guiyang. While sweeping through the surrounding towns and villages of Guiyang, the number of the Independent Division has been rapidly increasing.

Although He Zhengdao understands that such a large-scale expansion is not a long-term strategy, the current situation requires sufficient troops to attract the attention of the Central Army and provide support for the main Red Army forces.

After defeating the 103rd Division, He Zhengdao entrusted Yao Shengjun with the task of converting the prisoners. He even instructed Yao Shengjun to lead the main forces towards the southwestern part of Guizhou, advancing ahead of the division headquarters.

As for He Zhengdao, who led the reconnaissance battalion and the logistics regiment, he still arrived outside Guiyang City according to the original plan. To the surprise of many, the Red Army's Independent Division, which arrived before Sun Du, really managed to blockade Guiyang.

Faced with the situation of being surrounded but not attacked, Chiang Kai-shek, who was in the city, was also furious. He inquired about the whereabouts of Sun Du's forces and urged the various units of the Central Army to rush to Guiyang's aid as quickly as possible.

Chiang Kai-shek also felt that the thousands of troops outside Guiyang were too audacious. However, when the reconnaissance units sent out of the city discovered that the Red Army's Independent Division had a mountain artillery battalion, Chiang Kai-shek became somewhat worried.

After all, in this era, if one wanted to attack a city, it was impossible without artillery; one could only rely on manpower. What he did not know was that Sun Du's forces, who were rushing to Guiyang, were already under the surveillance of the Independent Division's reconnaissance battalion.

Upon learning that the Yunnan troops coming to the rescue were even equipped with cars, He Zhengdao also realized that these cars must be captured to transport supplies for the Independent Division. With cars, the Independent Division could move more quickly.

He Zhengdao, who had already formulated a strategy to besiege the city and attack the reinforcements, smiled when he received the intelligence from the reconnaissance battalion: "Order the artillery battalion of the logistics regiment to create some commotion in Guiyang. Otherwise, Chiang Kai-shek won't be anxious!"

Understanding that Sun Du was leading four Yunnan regiments to rush to the rescue, He Zhengdao ultimately concentrated all three main regiments. After continuous reinforcements, each of the three main regiments now had four main battalions, totaling over two thousand men.

In fact, the troops surrounding Guiyang City were mainly from the logistics regiment. The other forces, considered the Red Army's attacking units, were mostly prisoners brought in to attack the city. As He Zhengdao put it, they had to prove their loyalty by participating in the attack on Guiyang.

If they participated in this battle and later defected, they would have to be cautious about being punished by the Central Army. After all, the commander in Guiyang was Chiang Kai-shek, not an ordinary person!

Upon receiving He Zhengdao's telegram, the commander of the logistics regiment, Ma Xiaojun, also appeared excited: "I never thought I would have the opportunity to attack Chiang Kai-shek so closely. Order the artillery battalion to conduct a test firing on Guiyang.

Tell those bastards to fire in separate locations. After firing two shells, move the artillery immediately. There is a whole artillery regiment in Guiyang! We can't afford to engage in a direct confrontation!"

"Yes, Commander!"

The communicator, upon hearing Ma Xiaojun's order, also felt very excited. He knew that after this battle, their logistics regiment would be officially reorganized into the Fourth Regiment. Additionally, the remaining prisoners would form a new regiment.

Including the part of the troops still stationed in Xifeng for logistics support, the Independent Division now had over ten thousand troops. However, after this battle, how many would remain was uncertain.

The artillery battalion of the logistics regiment, aiming at the main gate of Guiyang City, borrowed four mountain guns from the artillery battalion, with five men responsible for each gun. The firing positions of the four mountain guns were not in the same place, but they all targeted the main gate of Guiyang.

The Guiyang defenders, originally deployed outside the city, eventually withdrew into the city. Chiang Kai-shek, who had insufficient troops, felt safer with these forces inside the city.

As Ma Xiaojun's order was issued, the gunners responsible for firing were very nervous: "The first shell must hit the city! Remember, after firing two shells, immediately move the artillery. Got it?"

"Don't worry, Sergeant, we got it!"

When the first shell whistled towards Guiyang City, the other three mountain guns nearby also fired their first shells almost simultaneously. The four shells whistled and all landed in Guiyang City.

The massive explosion made Chiang Kai-shek, who was in the command post, jump in shock: "Damn, the Red Army is starting to attack the city? A single division dares to attack Guiyang City? Too arrogant!"

However, with the news of the Red Army's Independent Division capturing Xifeng and defeating the 103rd Division, Chiang Kai-shek knew that this unknown Red Army Independent Division was likely a formidable main force of the Red Army.

Trapped in the isolated city, they mostly relied on radio for intelligence. The main Red Army forces advancing into western Guizhou had already caused panic in the entire southwestern region of Guizhou.

Everyone knew that waiting for the reinforcements from the north to return would take much longer. The nearest reinforcements, led by Sun Du, were still about half a day away from Guiyang City!

Although this time seemed short, Chiang Kai-shek was very clear. If the Red Army really broke through the city, he would lose face. Therefore, upon hearing the cannon fire in the city, he also felt worried.

On the contrary, Gu Zhutong, who accompanied him to Guiyang, comforted him: "Commander, don't worry! It's a pipe dream for the Red Army to capture Guiyang City with just one division.

To avoid causing panic among the citizens, I think we should counterattack with our artillery regiment. From the frequency of their artillery fire, it seems they don't have many guns. We just need to order the city defense forces to hold their ground firmly.

Once Sun Du's reinforcements arrive, we can encircle and annihilate them from both inside and outside. A main Red Army division dares to attack the city so arrogantly; they are really too presumptuous."

"Alright, from now on, you will command the city defense."

As an Army General and a long-time opponent of the Red Army, Chiang Kai-shek felt that it might be more appropriate to entrust the upcoming battle to Gu Zhutong. Gu Zhutong also understood that this was his time to show his capabilities.

As the sound of artillery fire occasionally echoed outside the city, Gu Zhutong, who arrived at the command post, immediately ordered the city's artillery regiment to counterattack. However, when they fired, the previous firing positions were already empty.

The artillery battalion soldiers who had just moved to new positions were also amazed: "Damn, lucky we moved quickly. These White Dog artillerymen are really rich! Using so many shells to plow the earth, they are too rich!"

If the artillerymen in the city heard this, they would probably be furious!

Just as Gu Zhutong thought the Red Army's artillery might have been neutralized, the four mountain guns at the new artillery positions resumed firing. Even if they missed their targets, they still caused panic in the city.

As He Zhengdao put it, the role of these four guns was to create chaos. Firing two shells and then moving to a new position prevented the Central Army artillery from locking onto their positions, thus preventing them from being destroyed.

The other forces participating in the attack were mainly focused on defense. To prevent the Central Army from counterattacking, He Zhengdao also ordered them to set up blocking positions behind the feinting forces.

As a result, the four mountain guns and the mortar battalion of the logistics regiment, like guerrillas, continuously fired shells into Guiyang City. This harassment made Chiang Kai-shek, who was in the city, feel anxious and restless.

Even Gu Zhutong, who was commanding the defense, felt very puzzled. In theory, the artillery regiment's counterattack was swift. But why couldn't they destroy the Red Army's artillery positions outside the city?

Just as Gu Zhutong realized that this might be a common Red Army tactic of besieging the city and attacking the reinforcements, Sun Du's Yunnan forces arrived within twenty kilometers of Guiyang City. This was precisely the location of the Independent Division's ambush.

When formulating the battle plan, He Zhengdao considered that if the Central Army commanders in the city were not foolish, they would realize that the Red Army's Independent Division must have some other plan.

Therefore, when they realized that the Independent Division might be using a strategy of besieging the city and attacking the reinforcements, the urgently dispatched Sun Du might rest at a distance from the city and then advance steadily to avoid being ambushed.

However, the Independent Division was precisely setting up the ambush where Sun Du might consider safe. If the strategy of besieging the city and attacking the reinforcements was not discovered, the Independent Division could launch a surprise attack here.

In short, seeing the convoy suddenly stop, even though He Zhengdao felt that the enemy had not entered the optimal ambush area, he still decisively ordered the attack to begin. Even if they could not annihilate the enemy, defeating the reinforcements would achieve the Independent Division's objective.

At least He Zhengdao believed that the Guiyang defenders would not dare to risk leaving the city to rescue the reinforcements in the short term. After all, they would be concerned that if they left, the Red Army might capture Guiyang, causing even greater losses!