thefictionvixens Chapter 70 Timing? Location? People? Frankly, it's all just empty talk, grandstanding, and holl
Chapter 70 Timing? Location? People? Frankly, it's all just empty talk, grandstanding, and holl
In the evening, Han Zhenhua arrived at the appointment on time.
Before the banquet began, in the living room of the Feng Mansion, a set of exquisite purple clay teaware was steaming on a rosewood tea table, the aroma of tea wafting through the air.
The casual conversation in the living room quickly shifted from everyday matters to the major battle that had already broken out.
Feng Jingyao was dressed in a dark long robe, his brows furrowed with weariness and a heavy expression.
He personally poured Han Zhenhua a cup of Kung Fu tea and slowly said, "Zhenhua, you are a young man who has seen the world and has lived abroad, so you have a broad perspective."
What do you think of the prospects for the upcoming battle at Xuzhou?
Han Zhenhua was taken aback, only then realizing that Feng Jingyao had not received accurate information about the great battle!
Today is not for a "victory celebration"!
He accepted the tea and pondered for a moment.
He knew that Feng Jingyao's identity was sensitive and that he had to be careful with his words, but the confidence brought by his "prophet" still made him want to reveal a little "optimism".
"Uncle Feng!" he said cautiously, "This junior is not knowledgeable enough to dare to discuss matters of national importance."
However, as the saying goes, "Those who follow the right path will find many supporters, while those who stray from it will find few."
The Japanese invaders' invasion of our land aroused the wrath of both gods and men, and Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union all increased their support for the Republic of China in different ways.
Even Germany did not stop its embargo on German-made equipment to the Republic of China due to the war. The United States has launched two rounds of sanctions against Japan, and the Soviet Union has directly dispatched an air force to aid China!
With our army being well-prepared, its soldiers fighting bravely, and the supreme commander personally visiting the front lines, morale is bound to be greatly boosted.
With favorable timing, location, and popular support, we are in complete harmony with the world; there is no reason why we cannot win!
If we can seize the opportunity, a decisive victory is hard to say, but inflicting heavy losses on the enemy's vanguard is not impossible.
He paused, then added seemingly casually, but with a hidden meaning: "Especially in the early stages of the campaign, if we can concentrate our superior forces to fight a brilliant annihilation battle against some of the enemy's reckless and aggressive units, it will be a huge advantage for the overall course of the war."
He thought to himself, "Wasn't my hint obvious enough? The good news might already be on its way from Linhuai Pass last night!"
After listening to Han Zhenhua's words, which contained both optimism and implication, Feng Jingyao did not show the expected expression of relief or inquiry. Instead, he sighed deeply.
"Zhenhua," he said, refilling the hot tea in a low voice, "your ideas are full of youthful vigor and hope, which is very good."
However, you've taken this struggle for national destiny a bit too...idealistically.
Han Zhenhua felt a slight chill in his heart, but maintained a humble smile on his face: "Oh? Please enlighten me, Uncle Feng."
"I am indeed ignorant, but I believe that anything is possible with human effort. In particular, if our intelligence were more accurate and our preparations were more thorough, we might be able to create a miracle." He emphasized again the "more accurate intelligence" factor, which he considered the decisive factor.
Feng Jingyao raised his eyes, his gaze as deep as an ancient well, sweeping over Han Zhenhua's confident face: "Timing? Location? People?"
My dear nephew Zhenhua! The gap in national strength and military power is a gap in hard power, like a chasm, which cannot be easily bridged by so-called favorable timing, geographical advantages, and popular support.
A fully equipped and manned Class A division of the Japanese army has firepower, mobility and logistical support that far exceed those of two or three ordinary corps of our army!
They can tolerate multiple mistakes, but what about us?
We cannot afford to lose even once; a single strategic miscalculation could lead to utter ruin.
He gently stroked the warm teacup and continued, "It's like playing chess. The opponent has all the pieces, including rooks, knights, and cannons, making them very strong. We, on the other hand, have been engaged in warlord conflicts for decades, and we're in a very difficult situation. We can only proceed cautiously and step by step."
Feng Jingyao's words were subtle yet incisive, pointing out the harsh reality while retaining the guidance of an elder. He did not directly negate Han Zhenhua, but examined his "optimism" within a more "realistic" context, demonstrating great tact and emotional intelligence.
Han Zhenhua was about to offer a few more tactful arguments, such as "the brave prevail when paths cross" or "spiritual strength can overcome material disparities," when suddenly, the extremely sharp, even slightly excited shouts of a newsboy, coming from afar and approaching, pierced the relative tranquility of the concession's night:
"Breaking News! Breaking News! Fierce fighting erupts between Chinese and Japanese troops along the Huai River! Linhuai Pass, lost and then regained after a night of bloody battle!"
"Extra number! Extra number!"
"Breaking News! Latest battle report! Japanese pirates have attempted to cross the Huai River! Our army is putting up a valiant resistance!"
Han Zhenhua was overjoyed and instantly forgot about the debate he had just been having!
It's here! The battle report is here! The moment to prove my victory has arrived!!
He almost immediately got up and rushed out to buy a newspaper to verify his "prediction" of a "good start"!
"Uncle Feng, I'm sorry, I..." He had just sat up.
Feng Jingyao smiled and waved his hand, signaling him to calm down. Then he whispered to the old steward standing to the side, "Afu, go and buy ten copies of each of the extra editions outside."
"Let Teacher Han take a look and verify which of our statements is closer to the truth." His tone was calm, yet carried a sense of composure as if he were in complete control.
Han Zhenhua had no choice but to suppress his excitement and sit down again. He picked up his teacup to hide his inner turmoil and smiled at Feng Jingyao, saying, "Uncle Feng, you flatter me. I was just concerned about the war."
As the saying goes, "What you learn from books is never enough; you must put it into practice to truly understand," battle reports are the sole criterion for testing the truth.
He was "extremely frivolous" at this moment, completely displaying the smugness of a young man who had achieved success. After all, he had reaped satisfactory results in the previous three intelligence deliveries, and this time, he believed that the facts would still be on his side.
Soon, the old butler returned carrying a thick stack of extra editions with ink still wet. Feng Jingyao gestured for one to be handed to Han Zhenhua first, immediately letting him experience what it meant to be:
A young man with no beard is unreliable!
Han Zhenhua almost snatched the newspaper, his eyes eagerly scanning the huge bold headline and related reports on the front page.
However, just a few seconds later, the confident smile on his face froze instantly!
It was as if an invisible thunderbolt exploded in his mind, and the buzzing sound drowned out everything around him!
The report clearly states: "A part of the Japanese 13th Division crossed the Huai River last night and launched a fierce attack on Linhuai Pass!"
The entire 269th Regiment of the 114th Division of the 51st Army of the Dongbei Army, led by Regiment Commander Zhao Zhenfan, fought a bloody battle, but ultimately, due to being outnumbered and outgunned, the entire regiment heroically sacrificed their lives!
He was especially shaken when he read the war correspondent's description of the battlefield ending with the sound of bugles and the roar of Japanese tanks playing "On the Songhua River"!
Linhuai Pass was once lost! It was only after a fierce counterattack by the 31st Army of the Guangxi Army that it was recaptured with great difficulty!
However, Japanese reinforcements arrived shortly afterward, and a fierce battle ensued. Although the Guangxi army held firm, they suffered heavy casualties as the Japanese offensive was extremely ferocious...
Furthermore, Huaiyuan was also captured in a surprise attack by Japanese cavalry...
This...this...is completely different from the script he "foresaw"!
There was no ambush, no waiting in ambush, no "small-scale victory at Quan Gong Ting", only a complete and utter defeat!
The entire area was illuminated! The door was almost blown open!
He suddenly stood up, as if trying to see more clearly or to deny the facts before him. His movements were so large that they knocked over the valuable purple clay tea set on the coffee table next to him!
"Crackling and popping...!"