si-mexico Chapter 1155 The Audience Seat
Chapter 1155 The Audience Seat
At first, it wasn't very noticeable, but when several bigwigs from the Military Commission arrived, they realized that their arrangement was inappropriate. After all, the generals who entered first saw Li Shaoyi sitting in the audience, and they quickly went over to salute and exchange pleasantries.
Li Shaoyi also had many feelings about this.
Although the Nationalist government was a terrible thing and did not give them the corresponding status, these men who fought on the battlefield still highly valued themselves and the 72nd Army. They would talk about the help they received on the battlefield, and some even said some rather excessive things.
For example, Commander Fang of the 37th Army said directly that if the Military Commission had not ordered them to retreat and had not allowed Commander Li to continue, the current situation would not have occurred. The brothers would have continued to occupy the Pujiang battlefield, and the Japanese would never have been able to reach Nanjing.
Li Shaoyi quickly patted the old man on the shoulder, saying, "There are some things you'd better not say anymore. You used to feel relieved saying them, but the situation is different now. If you say them now, some petty people up above might target you. I'm not afraid of that, but you're a different story."
“We ragtag troops are like stepchildren. After we withdrew from the Pujiang battlefield, my army was stripped of the strength of a division, and they didn’t replenish it at all. Now I have half the number of men as before, and my pay has been three months overdue. I don’t know how to face my brothers. If things really get out of hand, I’ll have to go back to Commander Li.”
Commander Fang spoke loudly and winked at Li Shaoyi, who immediately understood what was going on. Commander Fang wasn't actually going to Li Shaoyi's place; rather, he wanted the officials from the military and political departments present to hear that they had been obstructing the organization of the miscellaneous troops and cutting off their supplies. He added, "If things really don't work out, we're really going to lead our troops to the 72nd Army Group. Don't come crying to us then."
"That's no problem at all. Brother Fang, you know me. Anyone who fights against the Japanese on the battlefield receives the highest treatment in my 72nd Army. If Brother Fang comes, I guarantee that your troops will be fully replenished, and all weapons and equipment will be provided according to the highest standards of my 72nd Army."
Li Shaoyi's words elicited varying expressions from the military and political officials seated at the chairman's table. This guy started recruiting soldiers right in front of us; no wonder the old man said to be careful of him, otherwise Hankou would become like Huangpu. Many people didn't care then, but now, after hearing this, we have to be on high alert and not give him a second chance.
Upon hearing this, some other generals from miscellaneous armies, who had already taken their seats, stood up again. They felt that the Nationalist government was treating them terribly, with the stark difference between favored and unfavorable forces. The Central Army, which fought the Japanese on the battlefield, was immediately replenished upon their return, while the miscellaneous armies were basically reduced in size, sometimes even losing several months' salary. Didn't we kill the Japanese on the battlefield?
“Then my 42nd Army should reserve a spot too. Commander Li, although we're not familiar with each other on the Pujiang battlefield, my 42nd Army isn't some stepchild. We've fought the Japanese 3rd Division head-on. Although my 42nd Army isn't the strongest, my brothers didn't even blink when we lost 1500 men a day. Look at my arm, cut off by the Japanese, but I didn't back down. I killed two Japanese soldiers myself…”
Li Shaoyi, the commander of the 42nd Army, had heard that when the Japanese were about to break through the position, he personally led a team of soldiers with broadswords to charge up and fought a Japanese colonel for a long time. He lost an arm, and the Japanese colonel lost his life.
“Old Wei, if you come to my 72nd Group Army, I won’t say anything else, but just your advanced combat example will immediately make you a model for the whole army. The army commander personally wielding a broadsword to fight the Japanese devils is a first in our National Army.”
Commander Wei felt somewhat embarrassed by Li Shaoyi's words. The situation was truly dire. Their ragtag army, though nominally a corps, only numbered a little over 17,000 men, utterly incapable of resisting a Japanese division. Therefore, in the fighting, even the corps commander and deputy commander had to charge in with broadswords to hold their ground; otherwise, they would have been wiped out long ago.
As the conversation on the other end grew increasingly heated, Minister He gently tapped the bell on the table. This was a kind of disciplinary device, and those around had to give it some respect. Li Shaoyi then urged everyone to quickly return to their seats, explaining that their previous statement was acceptable. If they continued speaking now that the bell had been rung, it would seem like a direct confrontation.
To reiterate, Li Shaoyi himself is not afraid, but you people are all still in the Nationalist army's combat ranks for the time being, so you have to obey orders obediently. What I just said might bring you trouble.
These people were indignant on behalf of Li Shaoyi, but also dissatisfied with the treatment their troops received. "We are the real anti-Japanese force, but after being withdrawn from the front lines, this is utterly absurd treatment!" they thought.
"Now, Chief of Staff Liu, please give us a brief introduction..."
According to the meeting's agenda, Chief of Staff Liu from the Ministry of Military Affairs was to give a briefing on the current strategic situation, with a focus on the battlefield of the Fifth War Zone.
The Fifth War Zone is currently under considerable pressure. The Japanese Second Army is advancing from north to south, and the Third Army is advancing from south to north, preparing to meet up in the southern Shandong and northern Jiangsu regions. However, they have not yet been able to meet up, mainly because the 72nd Army Group and the Fourth Army are holding out against the Japanese.
According to Chief of Staff Liu, the Fourth Army is currently holding off more than seven main divisions and two garrison divisions.
At this point, everyone unconsciously turned to look at Li Shaoyi. The soldiers of the 72nd Army Group were all promising talents; the Fourth Army alone was able to hold off nine Japanese divisions, and their territory was still expanding.
The people around started whispering. If they were put in that place, their occupied territory would definitely shrink slowly. If they ran fast enough, they might be able to escape the Japanese encirclement. But if they were slow, they'd probably wake up surrounded by the enemy tomorrow morning…