Chapter 26: Yan Xishan Falls into a Trap
Before the fall of Linfen, Yan Xishan moved the headquarters of the Jincha War Zone to Jixian County, and later the "National Revolutionary University (abbreviated as Minda)".
Thousands of teachers and students also moved to Jixian and Xiangning to settle down. For a time, Jixian, a remote small town in the Luliang Mountains in southwestern Shanxi, became the military and political center for commanding the Shanxi War of Resistance.
The Japanese army had long been fully aware of Yan Xishan's presence in Ji County through their secret services, but the First Army was unable to focus on both because its goal at the time was to take over the entire Tongpu Railway and the Fenglingdu Bridge.
As the Japanese army suffered heavy losses in Fenglingdu and Zhongtiao Mountain, in order to save face, Umezu Michijiro turned his attention to the weak Jin Army.
On April 28, when the battlefield in eastern Henan was in full swing, the Japanese First Army Command issued an operational order to implement a "purge" throughout Shanxi.
According to this order, Lieutenant General Anami Korechika, the commander of the 109th Division stationed in the Linfen Basin, selected five infantry companies from the 69th Infantry Regiment, three infantry companies from the 107th Infantry Regiment, two companies each from the 109th Engineer Regiment and the 109th Light and Heavy Infantry Regiment, and the 1st Battalion of the 109th Mountain Artillery Regiment, totaling 2,500 people, to form the Shanzhong (North Route) Detachment, which detoured from Puxian and Daning to Jixian.
The entire 2nd Battalion of the 119th Infantry Regiment, five companies of the 136th Infantry Regiment, three companies of the 109th Engineer Regiment, two companies of the 109th Light and Heavy Infantry Regiment, two companies of the 109th Mountain Artillery Regiment, the 4th Independent Machine Gun Battalion directly under the First Army, and the 2nd Company of the 3rd Mortar Battalion, totaling 4,500 people, formed the Benshan (Central Route) Detachment, and headed straight for Jixian County via the Lin (Fen) Ji (County) Highway.
The Sen (South Route) Detachment, totaling 2,000 people, was formed with the 1st and 3rd Squadrons of the 1st Battalion of the 119th Infantry Regiment, the 2nd and 3rd Squadrons of the 1st Battalion of the 136th Infantry Regiment, the 109th Cavalry Battalion and the 1st and 3rd Squadrons of the 3rd Mortar Battalion of the First Army. They passed through Xinjiang, exited Jishan and bypassed Jixian County.
The three Japanese armies launched their attack on May 4, relying on air support and superior firepower. They rushed all the way, continuously breaking through the multiple blockades of the Shanxi Army along the line, and captured Daning and Hejin before the Shanxi-Chahar War Zone Command realized their true purpose, cutting off the channel for Yan Xishan's headquarters to move to the north and south.
In view of the Japanese army's relentless advance and the severe shortage of troops to protect Yan's headquarters, Yan Xishan sent three telegrams a day requesting the Shaanxi-Gansu River Defense Command to transfer troops across the river for reinforcement. However, Dai Jiliang instead invited Yan Xishan to lead his troops across the Yellow River for rest and reorganization.
Knowing that he would have no choice after crossing the river, Yan Xishan was extremely angry but there was nothing he could do.
However, the Japanese army's relentless pressure forced Yan Xishan to make a decision early.
On May 17, the Japanese troops in the central route captured Xiangning. The next day, the Japanese troops in the northern route captured Fangmaling and Dahuigong. At this point, tens of thousands of Chinese soldiers and civilians were compressed in a narrow area of less than 20 kilometers from north to south and only more than 30 kilometers from east to west. The situation was extremely critical.
As a last resort, Yan Xishan had to agree to allow more than 3,000 teachers and students of the "Minda" and some wounded soldiers of the Shanxi Army to evacuate across the Yellow River first.
"In order to conduct guerrilla warfare, it is difficult to decide on a camp. The enemy is surrounding us on three sides, so we have no choice but to move westward."
With anxiety about the future, Yan Xishan evacuated Jixian County and arrived at the east bank of the Yellow River to personally command the retreat of teachers and students. However, the Yellow River was flowing rapidly, and there were only seven ferries at the crossing, which could only carry a hundred people at a time. Yan Xishan lamented this.
"Carrying weapons and weapons, we climb steep slopes under the full moon. Guards support donkeys and sweat for the land. We must resist the powerful enemy to the end. There is no doubt about the national rejuvenation."
Yan Xishan was at a loss, but from the ranks of teachers and students of the Minzu University who were also fleeing westward, a loud song was heard:
"Comrades, dear comrades! We have come from all over the country, from north to south, from east to west, to the center of the national revolution to defend our motherland.
We are the fighters of the national revolution, we are the vanguard of the national revolution, we shoulder the mission of the national revolution, strive for liberation and promote national rejuvenation.
Quickly march in unison, shake up your spirits, lead the people to attack forward , defeat the invading Japanese, and defend the freedom and equality of our nation, freedom and equality. "
On the east bank of the Yellow River, anxiety about personal future and optimism about the fate of the War of Resistance against Japan intertwined together, composing the strong sound of the great era. On the west bank of the Yellow River at this moment, there was also a bustling scene.
"All Jin army brothers, please follow the sign to the right. There are military doctors at the camp to treat you."
The Northwestern military police standing on the shore held a simple iron loudspeaker and gave reminders again and again in a loud voice.
"Students and teachers of Minzu University, please follow the sign to the left. The kitchen has prepared meals for you." The flow of people heading left and right was soon further divided under the instructions of the Northwest Army.
Here, the officers and soldiers of the Jin army were divided into two categories according to whether they were injured or not. The wounded were either treated on the spot or evacuated to the rear in priority by transport vehicles. The uninjured, whether officers or ordinary soldiers, were given corn cakes and marched on foot to the camp in the rear under the leadership of the Northwest Army. As for the further identification and differentiation they I will not go into details.
On the other hand, the teachers and students of Minzu University all started with a bowl of noodle soup. Some of them, who had not had any watery rice for several meals, even cried while eating.
After the teachers and students finished eating, someone led them to a village a little further away to stay overnight. Most of the frightened teachers and students fell asleep as soon as they touched the straw mattresses.
Some of those who couldn't sleep tried to ask the Northwest Army how to deal with them. In response, the Northwest Army in charge of their resettlement gave the same answer: first, they would be given a cultural level test, and then recommended for admission to universities, high schools, or junior high schools based on their scores.
Of course, the treatment of famous scholars such as Li Gongpu, He Sijing, Shi Fuliang, Qin Fengchuan, Jiang Longji, Hou Wailu, Zhou Weishi, Xu Maoyong, Chen Weishi, Wen Jiangong, Hu Lei, Zhuang Qidong, and Liu Xiaoran, who served as lecturers at Minzu University, was not the same as that of ordinary teachers and students. Before they left Yichuan, the universities and colleges in Northwest China that had received the news had already sent people to invite them to take up positions. "More than 10,000 people and horses gathered on the Yellow River, and seven small boats were set up for ferrying. Wounded soldiers and students were allowed to cross to the west, but the rest were not allowed to cross."
Watching the wounded soldiers and the "People's Congress" members crossing the Yellow River one by one, the anxious Yan Xishan suddenly came up with the idea of sending troops north to look for possible loopholes in the Japanese army, so as to escape the encirclement of the Japanese army and avoid falling under the control of the Northwest after crossing the west and losing his ruling power over Shanxi.
But his idea had just come to his mind when it was shattered by the rapidly advancing Japanese army. On May 19, Ji County fell and the Japanese vanguard was approaching Xiaohekou.
"Report to Commander Yan, Your Excellency and Chairman Wang are already waiting for Commander Yan in Yichuan."
When the Japanese army was already at the gates of the city, Yan Xishan was still hesitant and stayed for another two days. Finally, after hearing the sound of Japanese artillery, he led his troops across the Yellow River. But as he had expected, Dai Jiliang had already waited for him to fall into the tiger's mouth.
"Please set off immediately, Commander Yan."
Looking at the dozens of war horses and the Northwest Army major standing upright in front of him, Yan Xishan shook his head at his angry staff and subordinates: "Since we are living under someone else's roof, we should just follow the host's wishes."
"Brother Baichuan, you are so late."
Standing in the temporary station of the Yichuan Military Emergency Line, Dai Jiliang greeted Yan Xishan from a distance.
"Chairman Wang has been waiting for so long. Do you think he should be punished?"
Although Yan Xishan was extremely dissatisfied with Dai Jiliang's behavior of not helping the dying, he was a man who had experienced many ups and downs in the political arena and knew when to restrain his minions. Therefore, he smiled and asked, "I wonder what kind of punishment you are going to give me?"
"You don't have to be the commander of the Jin-Cha war zone anymore."
Dai Jiliang said seriously.
"How about serving as a vice chairman and executive chairman of the presidium of the Northwest National Defense Government?"
Although this is an old tune, Dai Jiliang guaranteed it.
"Baichuan is well-known for his governance of Jin. Brother Yimin and I are relieved to leave the government affairs of the northwest to you."
"Who will be in charge of the Jincha War Zone and the Jin Army?"
Yan Xishan asked calmly.
"What about Li Guo?"
Yan Xishan's question was very sharp, and it was related to the ultimate fate of the Shanxi Army, the third largest military system in the Northwest Control Area. Therefore, before Dai Jiliang could reply, Wang Danping laughed and said, "What are you doing standing outside? Sit down inside and talk."
Dai Jiliang led Yan Xishan into the temporary meeting room in the station with a smile. After the guests and hosts were seated and the guards handed over tea, Dai Jiliang looked at Yan Xishan leisurely: "Brother Baichuan, regarding Li Guo, the Northwest National Defense Command is going to swap his position with Chen Youliang and Chen Qiankang of the Reserve Army Group. Therefore, Li Guo will not be arranged to serve as the commander-in-chief of the Jincha War Zone."
Li Guo was transferred away to appease Yan Xishan, but it is undeniable that letting a general command only one division and a number of miscellaneous troops was really unfair to Li Guo: "As for the candidate for the commander-in-chief of the Jin-Cha war zone, Brother Baichuan, do you have any suggestions?"
"It would be better to let Li Debiao take over as the commander of the Jin-Cha War Zone."
Yan Xishan understood that Dai Jiliang's gesture of goodwill was to withdraw Li Guo, but Li Guo was one of the two most powerful generals of the Northwest Army and was known for his gloomy mind. At this time, his path to becoming the commander of the theater was cut off. Those who understood knew that Dai Jiliang had made proper arrangements, while those who did not understand might think that it was the conditions for the return that he had proposed, which would have greatly offended him.
Today is different from the past. Judging from the fact that Dai Jiliang insisted on forcing himself to resign from Shanxi, it is still questionable whether Shanxi will still be under his control in the future. Without Shanxi, the fundamental place, and having offended one of the highest-ranking military leaders in the northwest, the future of the Shanxi Army will be even less guaranteed.
So after much deliberation, Yan Xishan decided to suggest that Li Guo stay. Of course, he had another plan. The change of name alone could not ensure that Li Guo could control the Jin Army.
"In addition, I propose that Yang Xingru be promoted to deputy commander of the theater, in charge of the Fourth and Fifth Army Groups and the Thirteenth Corps."
"no problem."
Dai Jiliang agreed immediately and made the suggestion.
"Zhu Shouguang and Ge Jingen swapped positions to maintain communication between the chief commander's headquarters and the deputy chief commander's headquarters."
"Can."
Yan Xishan agreed, but he immediately raised another question.
"The activities of the Sacrifice Alliance?"
"According to the relevant regulations on the lifting of the ban on political parties in the Northwest, after the Sacrifice League is registered with the Party Affairs Registration Agency of the Northwest Judicial Committee, it can carry out legal activities not only in Jincha, but also in the entire jurisdiction of the Northwest National Defense Government."
Wang Danping was explaining for Dai Jiliang, but he raised a question in return.
"Candidate for the chairman of Shanxi Province?"
The current chairman of Shanxi Province is Zhao Daiwen, but on the list of members of the Northwest National Defense Government, Zhao Daiwen is the chairman of the Transportation Committee. The reason why he had not taken office before was because of Yan Xishan's willingness. Now that Yan Xishan has agreed to take up the post in Lanzhou, Zhao Daiwen will naturally follow him to take up the post. In this way, the position of provincial chairman has become vacant.
Yan Xishan asked calmly, "What do you and Chairman Wang mean?"
