Xiushui County, the front command of the 9th theater.

Xue Yue withdrew his gaze from Yu Jishi's back, and asked faintly: "Zhong Lin, you can't say that in half a month, there will definitely be a large-scale outbreak of malaria on the Japanese side, but now it's July 20, why hasn't the Japanese army moved?" ”

After entering July, Okamura Ninji's 11th Army once again intensified its offensive, putting great pressure on the 1st Corps.

Tang Enbo's 31st Army and Guan Linzheng's 12th Army, which had just been transferred from the Second Corps, suffered heavy losses in succession, and although Xue Yue urgently transferred Yu Jishi's 74th Army and Chen Anbao's 29th Army to the front, his heart was actually shaken, and he thought that there was little hope of blocking Okamura Ningci's 11th Army in Xiushui and Wuning.

At this time, Zhang Lingfu gave Xue Yue a shot in the arm!

Zhang Lingfu told him that within half a month, the Japanese army would definitely break out a large-scale malaria!

And the reasons listed by Zhang Lingfu are also very sufficient.

First of all, Xiushui and Wuning on the border of Hunan and Jiangxi are deep and densely forested, and the territory is full of lakes and rivers, which is conducive to the breeding of a large number of mosquito ropes, and mosquitoes and flies are the source of infection of malaria and cholera and other diseases!

Secondly, due to the vicious battle between the two armies, the battle front was staggered, and the bodies of many fallen soldiers could not be collected in time and decomposed on the spot, which could easily induce malaria, cholera and other diseases!

In fact, several counties on the border of Hunan and Jiangxi have malaria outbreaks every year!

Last but not least, the Japanese army could not prepare for this, that is, once malaria appeared in the army, it could easily spread quickly!

Xue Yue was finally persuaded and decided to hold on for another half a month!

Because the battle has been fought so far, the First Corps has already paid a great price, if it ends like this, Xue Yue will not be able to swallow this breath no matter what!

In the blink of an eye, the time has come to July 20th!

Yu Jishi's 74th Army and Chen Anbao's 29th Army have also been basically disabled, but the large-scale outbreak of the malaria epidemic mentioned by Zhang Lingfu has not yet arrived!

Rao is Xue Yue is accustomed to seeing countless big scenes, and he also feels bottomless in his heart.

After a pause, Xue Yue said again: "As early as ten days ago, malaria was discovered in our army, but because we had been prepared for a long time and stockpiled quinine tablets in advance, we were able to control the malaria epidemic. ”

In the past, Zhang Lingfu would definitely say that it was impossible without hesitation.

But now, Zhang Lingfu no longer dares to be so sure, after all, the Japanese offensive does not show the slightest sign of decay, this is an indisputable fact! In other words, there has not been a large-scale malaria epidemic on the part of the Japanese army, at least not yet, otherwise it will definitely affect the offensive of the Japanese army!

"The main seat." Zhang Lingfu said, "Could it be that the Japanese army is dying?" ”

Xue Yue said: "You mean that the Japanese army has actually broken out of malaria on a large scale, but Okamura Ningji is unwilling, so he conceals the epidemic and tries to break through the defense line of Xiushui and Wuning before the epidemic is completely out of control?" ”

Zhang Lingfu nodded and said in a deep voice: "Boss, we can't rule out this possibility. ”

"Zhong Lin, but this is just your guess after all." After a pause, Xue Yue said, "And have you thought about it, once you make a mistake, what kind of price will you pay?" ”

"Considered for lowly duty!" Zhang Lingfu said solemnly, "Once the speculation is wrong, not only will the main force of the entire Ninth War Zone suffer a catastrophe, but the main force of the Wuhan Garrison and the Fifth War Zone will also suffer heavy losses!" ”

Xue Yue's gaze suddenly became sharp, staring at Zhang Lingfu for a moment, and said in a deep voice: "Then let me ask you now, how likely do you think what you just said?" ”

Zhang Lingfu looked back at Xue Yue without fear, and was about to speak, when a communications staff officer suddenly walked in quickly.

"Headquarters!" The communications staff officer walked quickly to Xue Yue, handed the folder in his hand forward, and said loudly, "The headquarters is in a hurry!" ”

"Command's urgent telegram?" Xue Yue's brows furrowed slightly.

He took the folder and opened it, and took out a telegram from it.

After reading the telegram, Xue Yue's brows immediately frowned.

Zhang Lingfu said: "General seat, what's wrong?" What's wrong? ”

"See for yourself." After Xue Yue finished speaking, he handed over the telegram.

Zhang Lingfu took the telegram and only glanced at it, and then immediately changed his face: "What? The plan for the Battle of Wuhan has been canceled?! All participating units immediately withdrew from the battle ?! ”

……

At the same time, in Wuchang.

Military meetings continue.

Zhong Yi said: "We don't need to think about the affairs of the Ninth War Zone, we just need to guard the three towns of Wuhan!" ”

"Alright then!" Zhang Shiliang nodded, and continued, "Then let's just discuss the situation of the three towns in Wuhan, Sen, I still said just now, unless it can cause more than 150,000 casualties to the second army of the East Kurenomiya Twist, it will not be enough to break its muscles and bones, and the time for a counterattack will never come!" ”

Zhong Yi nodded: "I completely agree with Staff Officer Zhang's judgment!" Inflicting at least 150,000 casualties on the Second Army of Higashikurenomiya Tsusahiko is a necessary condition for a major counteroffensive! ”

Zhang Shiliang continued: "Regardless of local battle losses, once the Japanese army is familiar with the tactics of street fighting, the casualty ratio of the enemy and us is basically one to two!" In other words, if we want to inflict 150,000 casualties on the second army of Higashikurenomiya Tsukihiko, our army will need to pay at least 300,000 casualties! ”

"I basically agree with that." Zhong Yi nodded and said, "Although from a personal point of view, I would prefer to be able to fight with the Japanese army with casualties of one to one or even two to one, so I am told by reason that such a casualty ratio is pure wishful thinking!" A certain battle in a local area is okay, but the overall casualties are absolutely impossible! ”

After a pause, Zhong Yi continued: "However, I want to add a little ......"

At this time, a major staff officer of the communications office suddenly broke into the conference room and reported loudly: "Report, the Chongqing Command is in an emergency!" ”

"What, a telegram from the High Command?" Feng Yuxiang frowned and said, "Take it!" ”

The major staff officer handed over the folder in his hand, Feng Yuxiang took the folder and opened it again, just one glance, Feng Yuxiang's face immediately changed!

"Souza, what's wrong?" Zhong Yi said in a deep voice.

Feng Yuxiang gestured to Zhong Yi with a look in his eyes, should you dismiss the meeting first?

Zhong Yi waved his hand and said, "No, the head seat just said it." ”

Feng Yuxiang shook his head and said abruptly: "The headquarters urgently ordered that the plan for the battle of Wuhan has been canceled, and all the troops participating in the battle should immediately withdraw from the battle, and there must be no mistake!" ”

The whole conference room blew up at once.

(End of chapter)