Chapter 1 A Long Night

That evening, the special forces brigade's founding meeting lasted a very long time.

Lin Fan appointed all the company-level officers of each brigade during the meeting.

After all the appointments were announced, Lin Fan made an announcement: all regiments were to select twenty soldiers with good eyesight, literacy, and intelligence to send to Guangde.

The special forces brigade would also establish a direct-command aviation battalion, temporarily organized as a battalion.

These soldiers would be concentrated to learn how to fly, and those who learned the fastest would get to fly.

The special forces brigade would establish a direct-command logistics and supply battalion:

The battalion commander was Qian Youcai.

Next, Lin Fan opened the map, pointed to it, and said:

"Although we have now recovered many county towns, the only purpose of the county towns we have fought through was to reach Guangde.

To send the brother units back.

Now that this goal has been achieved.

Next, the special forces brigade must strive for its own development.

We have decided that the entire west bank of Taihu Lake should be completely recovered.

Including, but not limited to, Changxing, Wuxing, Yixing, Liyang, Jintan, Xuancheng, Shuiyang, Wuhu, Wanzhi, and Dangtu.

We want a lot of places.

But meals must be eaten one bite at a time, and land must be seized piece by piece.

Battles must also be fought one by one.

Next, we must first replenish the teams trained in Jurong to the various regiments.

At the same time, adjust the defense areas of the various regiments.

The Seventh Regiment will continue to defend the Tangshan position and will also be responsible for Jurong's garrison.

The Fifth Regiment will defend Chunhua and Moling.

We will build a simple road between Chunhua and Moling to facilitate troop movement.

The Tenth Regiment will be stationed in Lishui, Jintan, and Tianwang Temple.

The Eleventh Regiment will be stationed in Langxi and Guangde.

The Sixth Regiment will cooperate with the Thirteenth Regiment to attack Jintan.

The First, Second, Third, Fourth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Regiments will attack Changxing, Yixing, and Liyang.

As a mobile force, they will be ready to support the various teams at any time.

Each regiment should prepare to transfer and take over defenses at any time.”

While Lin Fan's meeting was still in progress, he suddenly received a telegram from the commander of the Fifth War Area.

Inviting him to Quzhou to discuss urgent military matters.

This was not a temporary idea of Li Zhongren, the commander of the Fifth War Area.

It was a decision he made after receiving the army commanders Deng Longguang and Ye Zhao in his war room.

Moreover, this suggestion was actively put forward by the two army commanders.

In the war room, Li Zhongren inquired in detail about the details of their two armies breaking through from Nanjing.

He asked the two army commanders to draw the marching route on the map.

Then explain the Japanese army's reaction to this all-the-way attack and land seizure.

At the same time, he also inquired in detail about the garrison situation of the Japanese army in each place.

Finally, Li Zhongren asked about the losses of the two armies.

Faced with the commander's persistent questioning, the two army commanders did not hide anything.

They told everything they knew, one by one.

Regarding the losses of their teams, they also honestly said that they each used two regiments to exchange for the special forces company to act as the vanguard.

For the two armies to attack and seize land all the way.

Except for the combat attrition and the exchange of two regiments from the Nanjing breakthrough to Tangshan.

There were no other losses.

In ancient times, people used money to buy peace, but they used people to exchange for peace!

Li Zhongren and his entire staff were silent after listening to the two army commanders:

The plan made specifically in the afternoon had changed again.

These two armies were equivalent to sending out a brigade each, adding up to a division.

The most critical thing was that the two armies, which people imagined to be strong in combat effectiveness, now seemed to be not so reliable.

Li Zhongren cautiously asked, "Have you been marching all these days? Do you know that the Japanese are attacking Hangzhou?"

Army Commander Ye Zhao said seriously, "I know!"

He had something in his heart that he didn't say: We also know that Hangzhou can't be defended.

Li Zhongren's expression changed: "How did you find out?"

At this time, Li Zhongren still suspected that someone was informing the two armies.

Army Commander Ye Zhao quickly said when he saw the commander's nervous expression: "We were chatting with Company Commander Lin before boarding the plane.

I heard him mention it.

Company Commander Lin flew a Japanese bomber to Hangzhou this afternoon.

He discovered that the Japanese were attacking Hangzhou, so he flew the plane and joined the battle.

He only said a few words lightly: Probably saying that he destroyed dozens of Japanese tanks and disrupted the Japanese infantry's offensive rhythm.

In addition, he also severely damaged the Japanese "Aoba" heavy cruiser and six other smaller warships at sea.

But he didn't see the specific results."

Army Commander Deng Longguang saw Commander Li looking at him.

He quickly echoed, "I was also there when Company Commander Lin was talking, and I heard it."

Li Zhongren asked, "Can Company Commander Lin fly a plane?"

Army Commander Ye Zhao smiled bitterly: "Commander Li, Company Commander Lin can not only fly a plane, he is even better at shooting down planes.

Army Commander Deng and I, as well as the guards under our command, have all seen him shoot down planes.

He really never misses a shot, every shot hits.

This is also why we were able to retreat completely in Tangshan and Jurong."

The staff members of the Fifth War Area present were silent: They had been fighting fiercely with the Japanese for three months.

Of course, they knew that if the Japanese didn't have air superiority, the National Army's battles would be much easier to fight.

Gathering superior forces on a small scale could completely repel the Japanese.

Li Zhongren stood up and walked to a large sand table: "You two come and take a look.

This is Hangzhou, this is Deqing, this is Mogan Mountain.

We have 100,000 troops defending these places.

Company Commander Lin should have already seen the situation at the front.

Our mission to attack the Japanese has been completed, and we are preparing to retreat.

The problem we are facing now is how to retreat better."

The markings on the sand table were clear at a glance.

Army Commander Ye Zhao and Army Commander Deng Longguang pointed to the Guangde marking and said, "We have already occupied this place and can switch it."

Immediately, a staff officer took a red flag and planted it.

At the same time, he also planted red flags in Langxi, Lishui, Jurong, and Moling.

Army Commanders Deng Longguang and Ye Zhao noticed that the color of the flag planted by the staff officer was not the same as the color representing the National Army.

The two army commanders vaguely understood in their hearts that Commander Li called them here because he had a mission to assign.

Sure enough, Li Zhongren pointed to Anji and asked, "If your two armies depart from Guangde and capture Anji.

How many days will it take?"

Army Commander Ye Zhao and Army Commander Deng Longguang carefully looked at the sand table and the distance on the map.

They calculated in their hearts before asking, "What is the actual marching distance from Guangde to Anji?"

Li Zhongren had just seen them measure the distance on the map, but he still wanted to ask.

He greatly appreciated the two army commanders' pragmatism and caution.

He personally replied, "It is 157 *li* marching on the main road."

Army Commander Deng Longguang and Army Commander Ye Zhao discussed: 157 *li*, to ensure combat effectiveness.

It would take two days to march, but how many Japanese troops were defending Anji?

Li Zhongren shook his head: "We don't know this either. One of the Japanese troops attacking Hangzhou set off from Wuxing.

The straight-line distance between Wuxing and Anji is about the same, and the marching distance is shorter, about 130 *li*.

We also have to guard against the Japanese troops from Wuxing rushing over after Anji is captured."

Army Commander Deng Longguang and Army Commander Ye Zhao had already seen Lin Fan's "Blitzkrieg" several times.

They believed that the Japanese had cars, planes, and tanks and could also carry out "Blitzkriegs."

Hearing Commander Li's words, their expressions changed: "Commander Li! We can only guarantee that we will do our best to attack.

If the Japanese troops from Wuxing come quickly, we can only do our best."

Army Commander Deng Longguang pointed to the distance between Anji and Mogan Mountain: "These two places are so close. The Japanese should be prepared.

It is estimated that at least one battalion of Japanese troops is stationed in Anji."

This estimate was within the Fifth War Area's staff's estimate.

In fact, they estimated that there were two battalions, or even a regiment, of Japanese troops here.

Army Commander Ye Zhao looked at Li Zhongren: "Commander Li! It's not that we're not working hard, it's just that it's not easy to complete this mission."

He saw Li Zhongren's expression become serious.

He quickly shifted the blame: "But there is one person who can definitely complete the mission."

Everyone present was shocked. If it weren't for the fact that the Fifth War Area itself didn't dare to attack Anji.

They wouldn't have gone to the trouble of inviting Army Commander Ye Zhao and Army Commander Deng Longguang over.

In the Fifth War Area, the 21st Army Group and the 24th Army Group are still in Ningguo.

However, these troops had just withdrawn from the peripheral battles of the Battle of Nanjing.

They suffered heavy casualties and were not suitable for deployment.

Li Zhongren's expression changed from anger to joy: "Who?"

It would of course be good to find a general who was sure to capture Anji.

After all, this was a major event concerning the lives of 100,000 soldiers.

Army Commander Ye Zhao said, "Lin Fan, the company commander of the special forces company!"

After he said this person, the staff members in the entire staff department felt a little relaxed.

Li Zhongren also hesitated a little: "Does he only have one company?"

Army Commander Ye Zhao smiled bitterly and said, "Army Commander Deng and I each sent 3,000 people to him.

The special forces company itself also has more than 1,000 people, plus thousands of reorganized puppet troops.

The troops under his command are no less than my 66th Army."

Li Zhongren scanned the map: "Even if he has enough troops, it will take three to five days to transfer the troops from Jurong.

This is a distant water that cannot quench a nearby fire."

Army Commander Ye Zhao quickly said, "Commander Li, don't measure the speed of Company Commander Lin's troops by the marching speed of ordinary troops.

Their marching speed is very fast.

As long as Company Commander Lin is willing, he will definitely be able to occupy Anji within 48 hours."

Li Zhongren heard this: "Really!"

He now needed someone who could capture Anji as quickly as possible.

If there were really troops that could capture Anji within two days, they would be fully capable of meeting the needs of the troops retreating in Hangzhou.

All the staff members of the Fifth Command Headquarters heard Army Commander Ye Zhao's affirmative words.

There was excitement and doubt on their faces!

Army Commander Ye Zhao said, "Commander Li, you don't know. From Lishui to Langxi, Army Commander Deng and I took the troops two days ahead.

Company Commander Lin led the troops from Lishui at 4:00 a.m. on the 19th, and had already captured Langxi on the morning of the 19th."

Hearing this, Li Zhongren already had a plan in his mind:

"Where is Company Commander Lin? Bring him here!"

Army Commander Ye Zhao said, "He was at the airport when we departed from Guangde Airport.

If the commander wants to contact him, he can send a telegram to my army.

Find Company Commander Lin through the telegram."

Li Zhongren said, "Have your plane pick him up."

Army Commander Deng Longguang said, "Company Commander Lin is a pure soldier.

All he keeps saying is that he wants to fight the Japanese.

If Commander Li wants him to come over to discuss fighting the Japanese, he will definitely come.

Moreover, he also has his own plane and can fly it."

After several twists and turns, the connection between the Fifth War Area Command and the special forces company was established.

Telegrams were only suitable for transmitting orders, and were not convenient enough for discussing combat plans.

Knowing that the Fifth War Area Command had invited him to participate in a military conference.

Lin Fan agreed without thinking.

Lin Fan did not hide anything from the regiment commanders under his command. After letting everyone read the telegrams that had come and gone that night.

He said, "The regiment commanders who just came with me will go and see Commander Li again.

The rest of the regiment commanders, go back and execute the plan."

After speaking, he immediately led Chen Sichuan and the others towards the temporary airport.

This time, he was going to fly directly from Jurong to Quzhou.

This time, the flight distance was as long as 330 kilometers.

It took Lin Fan an hour to fly to Quzhou.

On the plane, his three students, Xiao Jianying, Bao Haiqing, and Zhu Qingmao, each took a turn flying the plane.

This time, Lin Fan taught them to identify the instruments on the plane.

Which ones indicated the direction, which ones were fuel gauges, and which ones were altimeters.

When flying at night, how to locate and how to know that you were not flying in the wrong direction.

No matter what Lin Fan said, the three students memorized it all.

They not only had to remember what Lin Fan said, but also the positions of these instruments.

As soon as Lin Fan and his group got off the plane, someone immediately came to greet them.

Xiao Jianying and the others guarded the plane.

Lin Fan took several newly promoted regiment commanders and took a car to the Fifth War Area Command.

Standing in the carriage, he couldn't feel any bumps: the road maintenance here was still very good.

Lin Fan was just a company commander, although he had more than 10,000 men under his command, and although he had just appointed himself a brigade commander.

But in the eyes of Li Zhongren, the commander of the Fifth War Area, and his headquarters.

Lin Fan was still a company commander under the 542nd Regiment of the 88th Division.

Therefore, only a colonel came to pick him up, but even so, it was a very, very high honor.

A colonel from a higher-level unit came to pick up a junior lieutenant officer. This honor had already surprised Shangguanzhiwen and Shangguanxuan, who understood the mysteries of it.

Only the bumpkins Chen Sichuan, Liu Laopao, Jia Shusheng, Xiao Dongbei, and Feng Junya, who were promoted by Lin Fan himself, did not understand the meaning of it.

Lin Fan led a group of people into the Fifth War Area's war room and saw that everyone was gathered around, listening to a general speak.

Li Zhongren! Lin Fan had seen his photo in books.

Seeing Lin Fan come in, Army Commander Ye Zhao quickly came over to introduce him: "This is Commander Li, the commander of the Fifth War Area, and this is Lin Fan, the company commander of the special forces company."

Lin Fan quickly stood at attention and saluted: "Greetings, Commander Li! Greetings, commanders."

Army Commander Ye Zhao originally wanted to introduce the other commanders in the war room to Lin Fan.

Li Zhongren was already impatient: "We'll talk about the introductions later.

Let's take a look at the battle situation first."

He directly brought Lin Fan to the sand table.

Pointing to Hangzhou, he said, "We have three divisions and some local garrison troops defending Hangzhou.

Now that the strategic mission has been completed, we are preparing to retreat.

Where do you think is the best place to retreat from?"

This was a test: to test whether Lin Fan was really as powerful as the two army commanders had boasted.

Lin Fan carefully looked at the enemy and us on the sand table.

Pointing to Anji, he asked, "How many troops are stationed here?"

"We don't know! But we know that there are Japanese troops stationed here!"

This was also information!

Lin Fan pointed to Wuxing and asked, "How many Japanese troops are there here?"

"We don't know this either! But we know that there are Japanese troops stationed here!"

Okay! At least it was certain that there were Japanese troops in both places.

Lin Fan pointed to Taihu Lake and asked, "Is there any Japanese navy in there?"

"Yes!"

"How many?"

"We don't know!"

Okay! Still don't know!

Lin Fan stopped talking. He stood there for five minutes.

Then he walked to the hanging map and looked along the Yangtze River.

He looked all the way to Wuhan.

Then he walked back to the sand table and pointed to Hangzhou:

"Although the Japanese have taken the initiative in Hangzhou.

Our army has caused a lot of casualties to the Japanese here.

Our army preserves its strength and takes the initiative to retreat. Seek opportunities to fight again.

Using space to buy time to achieve the ultimate goal of victory.

This is correct.

If you want to retreat from Hangzhou, there are actually many roads you can take.

But for the sake of the battles that will be fought next.

The main force of the National Army should leave from Anji.

Retreat from here and return to Ningguo.

The next step is to go to Tongling or along the Yangtze River to continue looking for opportunities, which are all feasible.

What we need to do now is to capture Anji and Wuxing.

Establish a soldier reception center in Anji.

We must at least ensure that Anji is still in our hands for half a month after the war."

Commander Li Zhongren heard Lin Fan say to go along the Yangtze River to continue looking for opportunities.

His eyes immediately lit up: "Why should the main force of our army go along the Yangtze River?"

Lin Fan smiled and said, "The Japanese army captured Nanjing to show off its force.

They also want to force President Chiang to accept the armistice conditions they have imposed.

President Chiang will never accept this no matter what.

Since this is the case, the Japanese have no choice but to continue advancing inland.

The Fifth War Area also needs to intercept them all the way.

Under this general trend, the main force retreating from Anji can save a long journey.

The soldiers can also rest more.

We must leave from Anji."

Li Zhongren asked with a smile, "If I give you the task of capturing Anji.

Can you complete it?"

Here it comes!

The regiment commanders behind Lin Fan all knew that what came before was a test, and now he was being given a mission.

They, the regiment commanders, had already planned for Anji.

There was absolutely no problem!

Lin Fan immediately replied, "Yes!"

"Capture Anji within 48 hours! Can you do it?" Li Zhongren continued to ask.

"Yes! Guarantee to complete the mission!"

Hearing Lin Fan's affirmative answer.

A smile also appeared on Li Zhongren's face: "What requirements do you have? You can make them now."

Lin Fan quickly said, "I have three main force companies in Jurong. I need the commander to coordinate transport planes to send them from Jurong to Guangde overnight.

Also, I need the designation of a brigade.

After all, it is impossible for a real company to capture Anji and hold it for half a month.

Also, I need seventeen pilots.

At Guangde Airport, I also have seventeen planes without pilots to fly them."

Li Zhongren thought and said, "The matter of transporting several companies from Jurong is possible.

We can also send pilots.

The organization of a brigade..."

He stopped. Although he was the commander of the Fifth War Area, he could not make decisions on such matters.

He walked out and came back a quarter of an hour later:

"A special forces brigade will be established under the Fifth War Area. President Chiang has just agreed.

But I can't give you this organization now.

Wait until you have captured Anji and set up a soldier reception center.

Meet the retreating troops.

And hold Anji for half a month. Only after you have successfully completed the mission can I give it to you."

Lin Fan continued to make requests: "We need fifty tons of diesel fuel!

We also need radios, generators, and cars!"

Li Zhongren stopped smiling: "You are asking for too many things."

Lin Fan smiled and said, "Except for the diesel fuel, we will pay for the rest of the things at market prices.

Commander Li, you have to think about it. It's more than a hundred *li* from Guangde to Anji.

I have to take at least three thousand soldiers there, and the fuel consumption along the way is not a small amount.

We will use radios, generators, and cars for combat operations."

Li Zhongren stopped talking and began to think.

At this time, a staff officer approached him and whispered a few words to him.

Li Zhongren suddenly smiled.

He said to Lin Fan with interest, "We are going to retreat from Hangzhou.

There are still a lot of supplies at Jianqiao Airport. Take as much of those things as you can."

Lin Fan looked for it on the sand table. The staff under Li Zhongren's command had already memorized the entire sand table.

He immediately tapped it lightly with a command stick: "Jianqiao Airport is here."

Lin Fan thought for a while: "Is the highway from Hangzhou to Anji still open?"

The staff officer who was pointing the way thought for a while: "No! All roads leading to Hangzhou from the enemy-occupied area have been destroyed."

"Can it be repaired?" Lin Fan asked.

The staff officer looked at the others blankly for help.

Li Zhongren asked in confusion: "Does Company Commander Lin have any plans?"

Lin Fan said confidently:

"I have an idea to parachute a team to Jianqiao Airport.

Then take all the supplies from Hangzhou to Anji by land."

Li Zhongren understood: "This requires a smooth road."

He looked at his staff.

The one who was pointing out the country said, "The roads inside Hangzhou are intact.

It's just that the roads and bridges in the direction of Shanghai, Jiaxing, and Wuxing have been destroyed.

The road to Anji will not be spared either."

Lin Fan nodded: "If this is the case, the National Army will retreat to Anji.

All the cars and cannons can't come over, and the troops without equipment.

The combat effectiveness will be greatly reduced.

Can you immediately have someone start repairing the road to Anji?"

Li Zhongren immediately said, "No! This will expose our intentions."

Lin Fan thought for a while:

"I want you to prepare four German-made 88mm anti-aircraft guns at Jianqiao Airport.

Five hundred rounds of ammunition and four tractors.

These must be available.

These guns must be of the same model as the eight guns in the Jiangyin Fortress.

If you can provide these, we can be responsible for bringing these guns out of Hangzhou completely.

If you have some good guns over there, you can give us some if you want.

We can also bring them out. In addition, I need at least twenty cars.

The more mule-drawn carts, the better.

The special forces company will advance from Mogan Mountain to Anji as the vanguard.

There must be prepared wooden boards and wooden stakes in the car.

We will open roads in the mountains and build bridges over the water along the way.

In addition, we need at least a ton of explosives and a ton of iron bullets.

Used to make landmines to cover the retreat of the army."

Li Zhongren said with a smile: "You are going to lead the team to open the road in front.

Why do you still need to prepare landmines to cover the retreat?"

Lin Fan also said with a smile: "Better to be prepared than sorry."

Li Zhongren and his officers then remembered what Army Commanders Deng Longguang and Ye Zhao had said: "Company Commander Lin is even better at shooting down planes."

The staff officer who was pointing the way saw the commander looking over.

He immediately said, "German-made 88mm anti-aircraft guns are definitely available.

But our troops are also using them over there."

"Can four be transferred?"

"Yes!"

"Then order them to transfer four anti-aircraft guns to him."

"Those guns were originally at the airport, used to protect the airport." The staff officer quickly clarified.

Li Zhongren said he knew.

Lin Fan said, "In that case, we will go back now.

Please Commander Li send transport planes to Jurong immediately. I have several companies to transfer.

This kind of action should be done as soon as possible. We will depart from Guangde tomorrow morning and launch attacks on Anji and Changxing at the same time.

We will try to capture Wuxing by the way.

Then send another team from Anji to repair roads in the direction of Mogan Mountain and Deqing.

One team will take off from Guangde to Jianqiao Airport and break through from Hangzhou to Anji.

There is a coordination problem in the middle, so I need at least four radios to be distributed to the three teams attacking Changxing, Wuxing, and Anji."

Li Zhongren looked at Lin Fan for a while and finally said, "Are you really just doing it for the oil?"

Lin Fan smiled and said, "No! I think those anti-Japanese soldiers need me to open a way for them."

Li Zhongren nodded and was silent for a while before saying, "If you can really do what you just planned, then those four guns will be allocated to you.

In addition, I will allocate two 176mm Krupp cannons to you.

You can take the four radios you want when you go back.

Do you need radio operators?"

Lin Fan was happy and immediately said, "Guarantee to complete the mission!

Now I want to borrow the command headquarters' radio.

Of course I need radio operators."

Everyone didn't understand what he wanted to borrow the radio for.

Lin Fan said with a smile, "I'm sending a telegram to Jurong to let them prepare and also let those companies prepare.

Board the plane overnight and go to Guangde.

Also, Army Commander Ye Zhao and Army Commander Deng Longguang will leave Guangde early tomorrow morning, so I won't see them off."

He wasn't not going to see them off, he was simply chasing people away.

Lin Fan was afraid that after he left with the troops, the two armies would do something behind his back, or simply occupy Guangde and not leave.

These were all hidden dangers, and of course he wanted to nip them in the bud at the beginning.

Lin Fan's thoughts were obvious to everyone.

Li Zhongren said with a smile, "They will depart from Guangde tomorrow and go to Ningguo to rest.

Has Company Commander Lin thought about it? You are occupying strategic locations such as Anji, Wuxing, and Changxing.

The Japanese will definitely not give up."

Lin Fan said with a smile, "It is only natural for me to defend our own territory that we have taken back from the Japanese.

But the Japanese will definitely not feel good either.

They may organize a counterattack. As long as they can break the claws they stretch out.

The Japanese will be honest. Today's Japanese are no longer the Japanese from four months ago.

They are moving too fast and have already hurt themselves.

Our country is so big and they want all of it.

They don't even look at their own troops. The Japanese troops are already a bit stretched."

This was a grand strategy!

Li Zhongren wanted to talk to Lin Fan in detail for a while, but Lin Fan said with a smile, "It is better to deploy troops to attack Anji sooner rather than later.

I'm going to send a telegram now."

Lin Fan left with a staff officer.

Li Zhongren thought silently: This Company Commander Lin can fly a plane, shoot cannons, command, and send telegrams.

What is it that he can't do?

Li Xian received the telegram sent by Lin Fan: The mission has changed: Order from Commander Li Zhongren of the Fifth War Area.

Our brigade will attack Anji and defend it.

Meet the troops retreating from Hangzhou.

Order: At 12:00 a.m., Jurong Airport will light bonfires on both sides of the runway to guide.

Welcome the transport plane group to land.

The entire Sixth Regiment will assemble urgently.

Bring infantry cannons, mortars, and heavy machine guns.

Prepare to board the plane, parachute from Jurong to Guangde, and participate in the mission to attack Anji.

The Sixth Regiment's cars and mule teams will depart from the highway and advance towards Guangde.

All the troops who are receiving training in Jurong from the First Regiment, Second Regiment, Third Regiment, Fourth Regiment, and Eighth Regiment will assemble.

Prepare to be airlifted to Guangde.

Also, notify the Eleventh Regiment to prepare half of the doctors and nurses and bring sufficient medical equipment to follow the troops.

For other information, face to face!

Li Xian had just known that Lin Fan had gone to the Fifth War Area Command.

Now that the mission had come down, he quickly notified Ye Dadan to prepare.

Lin Fan was first letting the entire Sixth Regiment go ahead, and the troops behind him needed more time to prepare.

According to Lin Fan's arrangement, the special forces brigade would transport 5,000 people from Jurong overnight.

He also had to act quickly.

After sending a telegram to Jurong.

Lin Fan strode back to the war room: Jurong is ready.

Li Zhongren ordered, "Send five transport planes, plus the three transport planes of Lin Fan, Army Commander Deng, and Army Commander Ye, to fly to Jurong together.

Seventeen pilots will also go with them at the same time."

A flower bloomed on Lin Fan's face. He never thought that he would be able to get seventeen pilots on this trip.

According to his agreement with Andrei, this was worth 850 taels of gold.

Tonight, he could also use the National Army's transport planes to concentrate all the soldiers of the various regiments at one time.

This was too difficult.

The order had been issued and everyone was starting to act.

Lin Fan arrived at the airport of the Fifth War Area Command and was of course unwilling to return empty-handed.

He said to Commander Li, "To ensure the endurance of the plane, fill up our planes with fuel."

This was a small problem.

Chen Sichuan and the other regiment commanders were flying back and forth on planes for the first time today.

They had just heard the conversation between the brigade commander and Commander Li.

They were all thinking about the next mission in their hearts.

The seventeen pilots, the regiment commanders under Lin Fan's command, Army Commander Deng Longguang of the 83rd Army, and Army Commander Ye Zhao of the 66th Army all sat on the plane driven by Lin Fan.

Lin Fan had flown the route from Jurong to Quzhou once before, so he would be the lead plane and lead the way back.

After the plane took off, the seventeen real pilots saw Lin Fan handing the plane over to three pilots to fly.

Lin Fan himself took advantage of the hour he had in the air to start arranging the next mission.

Lin Fan opened the map on the plane and pointed to Changxing, saying, "After we go back tonight, Chen Sichuan, Liu Laopao, and Commander Shangguan, your three teams will attack Changxing.

Chen Sichuan and Liu Laopao will take cars to Changxing immediately after returning tonight.

Launch an attack at dawn. Before the attack, contact Guangde Airport by telegram.

I will send planes to support you.

Commander Shangguan, your regiment will march along the highway overnight and must arrive in Changxing before 6:00 p.m. tomorrow."

It was more than a hundred *li*, and they had to walk it in one day. This was a big test.

Commander Shangguan quickly stood up: "Yes!"

Lin Fan let him sit down and said with a smile, "You don't have to be so restrained here."

He pointed to Anji and said, "Jia Shusheng, Xiao Dongbei, you will join forces with Ye Dadan for a total of seven companies.

After you go back, advance towards Anji. Launch an attack tomorrow morning as well.

Commander Shang, your regiment will take over the defenses of Guangde and Langxi after you go back.

Especially the airport defense, cooperate with Commander Feng Junya of the Eighth Regiment to protect the airport.

Xiao Dongbei, your Fourth Regiment will concentrate on Guangde after you go back."

Feng Junya looked at Lin Fan: "Brigade Commander! You are going to Anji, aren't you bringing the artillery regiment?"

Lin Fan said with a smile, "I'll just bring an anti-aircraft gun."

Feng Junya said, "Guangde Airport needs anti-aircraft guns.

Heavy artillery is useless at Guangde Airport."

Lin Fan thought about it and felt that what Feng Junya said made sense.

He said, "After we go back, leave three anti-aircraft guns at Guangde Airport.

The rest of the artillery regiment will follow me to Anji.

Chen Sichuan and Liu Laopao, after you occupy Changxing, continue to attack Yixing.

Changxing and Yixing will be temporarily guarded by Commander Shangguan Zhiwen.

After capturing Yixing, continue to attack Liyang.

Let the Tenth Regiment cooperate with you. After capturing Liyang, hand it over to Commander Shangguan Zhiwen to defend.

You will continue to attack Jintan,

Jintan will be guarded by Liu Laopao and his men.

After capturing Anji, the three regiments of Jia Shusheng, Xiao Dongbei, and Ye Dadan will immediately launch an attack on Wuxing.

We want to occupy Wuxing. If the situation allows.

The troops in Anji will send out a portion to enter the Mogan Mountain line.

We will establish a defense line in the Wuxing, Anji, and Mogan Mountain line.

At the same time, we will send out a regiment to prepare to parachute into Hangzhou Jianqiao Airport.

To pull back the supplies that the National Army sent us."

After assigning the mission to the regiment commanders under his command.

Lin Fan finally had time to meet the seventeen pilots:

Team Captain Pan Yongshan, Guan Guohao, Shen Binhong, Nong Xiuzhu, Guan Yangping, Guo Qiyi, Kong Feihang, Jing Hebi, Yan Gaofei, Meng Hongzhuang, Guo Yingwu, Yin Hongyi, Ji Jianye, Pi Boyan, Bei Yahui, Mao Wenxing, Bai Yeshuo.

Lin Fan remembered the seventeen pilots one by one.

Lin Fan introduced these new pilots who had joined the special forces brigade to the regiment commanders under his command.

When the meeting was held in Jurong, Lin Fan had already set up a flight battalion directly under the brigade.

Now that seventeen experienced pilots had arrived all at once, the flight battalion could be established in a few days, when the personnel sent by the various regiments arrived.

Lin Fan could not suppress the joy in his heart.

He was not the happiest person tonight.

Li Zhize was very happy. In less than ten days after joining the special forces brigade, he was directly promoted from company commander to regiment commander, and he had a well-equipped team of 1,000 men under his command.

The regiment commanders under Lin Fan's command, such as Chen Sichuan, Liu Laopao, Jia Shusheng, Xiao Dongbei, Zhen Danxiao, Ye Dadan, Yang Daren, and Feng Junya, were the happiest.

Two months ago, they were still deserters and defeated soldiers on the battlefield.

They were also ordinary soldiers on the Songhu battlefield. Among these people, there was not even anyone who had been a squad leader.

Now, together with Lin Fan, they had become regiment commanders in just two months.

Chen Sichuan remembered what