August 11th, 5:20 AM.
The sun slowly climbed into the sky, bathing the heavens and earth in golden light.
"boom--"
A muffled thud broke the silence of the night.
It washes away the shame of this ancient city.
With the loss of the outer strongholds, the Japanese First Army Headquarters reacted swiftly.
Shrink the defensive line and commit all available manpower to Taiyuan City, awaiting a final stand!
The Special Attack Section's subordinate Special Attack Teams, Independent Guard Units, 62nd Infantry Battalion, 78th Infantry Battalion, 13th Military Police Battalion, the First Army Operations Department, and the First Army Intelligence Department, totaling more than 20,000 troops, all assembled in Taiyuan City.
Lines of defense rose up around Taiyuan City.
Barbed wire was set up at the city gate, city wall, buildings in the city, and even at every intersection.
The number of firing positions on the city wall has increased from the original three lines of defense to nine lines of defense.
Between each firing point, a large amount of explosives was also buried, in case of emergency.
Two Ki-51/Type 99 military reconnaissance aircraft, which had come from Niangziguan, were circling in the airspace southeast of the city.
Even if they have only a little bit of oil left, they will still complete their mission.
...
The time has come to 5:35.
Large numbers of Chinese troops appeared simultaneously in the four directions of Taiyuan City: east, south, west, and north.
Dressed in gray military uniforms, carrying weapons and equipment, and wielding Type 38 rifles and Type 96 pistols, they were well-trained and charged forward like wolves and tigers.
5:40.
Countless Type 97 military sidecar motorcycles, adorned with small red flags, drove along the suburban highway.
"One, two! One, two! One!"
"One, two! One, two! One!!"
"One, two! One, two! One!!!"
"Forward! Forward!! Forward!! Our ranks march towards the sun!"
"With our feet firmly planted on the land of our motherland! Bearing the hopes of our nation on our backs! We are an invincible force!"
"We are the sons and daughters of workers and peasants! We are the people's armed forces!..."
The resounding singing echoed along the highway, seemingly carrying endless magic and courage.
The soldiers riding on their motorcycles had excited expressions on their faces and their eyes were full of anticipation for the future.
They hadn't experienced much fighting, but they knew what responsibilities they carried on their shoulders.
For the country, for the nation, for our brothers and sisters!
For the glory of our motherland!!
For the prosperity and strength of our motherland!
They will not back down! Never! Never!
"One, two! One, two! Forward!!!"
"With our feet firmly planted on the land of our motherland! Bearing the hopes of our nation on our backs! We are an invincible force!!"
"Forward! Forward! One!! Two! One! Forward!"
"We are an invincible force!!!"
6 o'clock sharp.
The forward temporary command post of the North China Field Army.
Lin Feng, holding binoculars, looked towards Taiyuan City: "You little devils, you think I'm attacking Taiyuan?! Heh heh."
"Commander-in-Chief, the 8th Infantry Division and all units of the Eighth Route Army are entering the positions one after another!"
Chen Sanyuan from the army's direct communications company ran over to report to Lin Feng.
"Very good." Lin Feng put down his binoculars. "Any news from the Chief of Staff?"
"have."
Chen Sanyuan nodded and said, "According to the telegram, the 9th Infantry Division led by the Chief of Staff has already set up a defensive line at Ceshi Jiulongling. The Japanese 36th Division, 37th Division, 16th Brigade, and four divisions of the puppet army are on their way."
"The eastern front troops that ambushed the Second Army have also completely withdrawn from Xingxi and are moving towards the west side of Niangziguan. It won't be long before they block the Japanese army's retreat route."
"On the northern side, the 1st Infantry Division has arrived at Chakou, the 3rd Infantry Division has arrived at Niucun, and the 6th Infantry Division has arrived at Qingcheng Town."
"On the southern side, the 4th Infantry Division is in Pingding, the 5th Infantry Division is in Songta Town, and the 7th Infantry Division is in Lujiazhuang."
"Um."
Lin Feng nodded. "Not bad."
From the very beginning, Lin Feng had laid out countless smokescreens to prevent the plan from being leaked.
Only a few division commanders and the Eighth Route Army headquarters knew the news.
On the surface, his attack on Taiyuan was merely a feint by the 8th Infantry Division and the Eighth Route Army, but in reality, it was a covert operation to encircle and annihilate the main force of the Japanese First Army.
Only by eliminating their main force can the entire Shanxi region be truly incorporated into the territory of the North China Field Army.
His biggest worry now is whether his elder brother's 9th Infantry Division can hold off the Japanese reinforcements and create an opportunity for other units to encircle them.
Lin Feng lowered his binoculars and looked up at the distant sky: "Order the troops to quickly encircle the First Army!"
"Yes!" Chen Sanyuan responded loudly.
………………………………
6:20.
To the southwest of Ceshi, there is a mountain valley called Jiulongling.
This place got its name because its shape resembles a dragon.
It was once known as one of the most dangerous areas in North China.
To the west of the northern foothills is a wide highway that stretches forward, extending to the horizon.
After Zhengtai Road was destroyed, this highway became the only transportation route to Taiyuan.
At this moment, on both sides of the valley, there are several hills of varying heights, with Hill 513 in the middle and Hills 512 and 514 on the left and right sides respectively.
Chen Dahu, along with Yang Desheng, commander of the 9th Infantry Division, Huang Zhenyu, deputy commander, Chen Mingzhu, political commissar, and Wei Dabiao, chief of staff, stood on the hilltop observing the enemy's movements.
"General Staff, we have received accurate intelligence that the Japanese 36th Division is expected to arrive in our defense zone in twenty minutes. In addition, the Japanese 37th Division, the 16th Brigade, and four other divisions of the puppet army will also be arriving soon."
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