In November 1948, the Kuomintang and the Communists were in full swing on the Huaihai Battlefield, and Nanping on the south bank of the Huan River was integrated as the last line of defense for the Central Plains Field Army to block the Huang Wei Corps.
Sitting in Nanpingji to command the blockade battle was Huang Wei's classmate at the Whampoa Military Academy, Chen Geng, a famous general of the People's Liberation Army.
In the afternoon of November 22, Chen Gengzema rushed to Nanpingji, stepped on the bluestone slab into the small street, and came to the command post of the 31st Regiment of the 11th Brigade of the 4th Column of the Central Plains Field Army.
The command post was located in a hidden place on the street, and the entrance and roof of the house were all piled with thick sacks, and the sacks contained dirt and sand.
Chen Geng got off his horse and walked into the courtyard, and the regimental commander Liang Zhongyu was startled, and after saluting, he smiled and said, "Commander Chen, what are you doing here?" ”
Chen Geng nuzzled slightly, glanced at the kitchen, and said, "What? You beat the tooth sacrifice and won't let me come to dinner? Guests come from afar, so slow, not respectful, not respectful! ”
Turning back to the guard, "Bring your luggage in!" ”
Liang Zhongyu was shocked again: Chen Geng looked up and laughed.
"Commander, are you going to live here?"
"Good Liang Zhongyu, are you afraid that I will eat all your food?" You are the host here, to tell you honestly, the guests are not leaving tonight, they want to stay here for two days, arrange a shop! ”
Liang Zhongyu was anxious: "Commander Chen, the vanguard of the Huang Wei Corps will arrive here tonight." ”
Chen Geng unbuttoned his shirt and said, "I'm here to welcome guests." Huang Wei and I used to be the same window of Huangpu, and today we are battlefield opponents, and this battle has a unique flavor. ”
Turning to a serious look, he said: "Political Commissar Deng Xiaoping said that we must stop Huang Wei from advancing north at all costs. This battle is not trivial, are you ready? ”
Liang Zhongyu said, "Commander Chen, you can rest assured, we have mobilized from top to bottom, sacrificing everything to save Nanpingji!" According to your explanation, the fortifications were all pushed south and built in the field, just waiting for Huang Wei's arrival. ”
"Good!" Chen Geng picked up the horse whip from the table and said, "Go up and see your field fortifications." ”
Seeing that Chen Geng was going to see the fortifications, Liang Zhongyu was anxious and hurriedly said, "Commander Chen, the enemy's search detachment is opposite our position. you...... Stay here tonight! ”
Chen Geng stared at Liang Zhongyu, "Haha... Commander Liang, you are not afraid of Huang Wei, but you are afraid of me Chen Geng, right? The enemy still has miles to go, go, look, lead the way! ”
Liang Zhongyu had no choice but to lead the horse, take the guard squad, and go out of the small street with Chen Geng and walk towards the position.
Not far away, thick smoke rolled up like wind and sand, and the sound of wheels was faintly heard. Chen Geng walked along the trenches, from one position to another, constantly watching, inquiring, pointing, Liang Zhongyu followed behind, constantly looking south, his face could not hide the anxious look.
By the time we reached the position of the Sixth Company, it was already evening. Yang Lei, commander of the sixth company, gathered on the whole company battle and stood in two long rows, and the soldiers all changed into clean military uniforms stored in the package today, standing up straight one by one, and the expression on their faces was very grim.
Chen Geng came all the way and felt a kind of comfort in his heart.
After shaking hands with the soldiers one by one, he stood at the front of the line and made a brief mobilization: "Comrades, when you see your attire, you know how determined you are to meet this battle. I should tell you that Huang Wei is not an idle man, and his corps is the main force of Chiang Kai-shek, fully equipped with American mechanized equipment. To deal with such an enemy, we need to have ten times, or even a hundred times, courage and perseverance! I believe that with you here, American aircraft and tanks will lie down in front of you! Our slogan is: Break the boat, at all costs! ”
"Break the boat, don't hesitate!" The soldiers of the Sixth Company shouted in unison, and the shouts shook the wilderness of Huaibei like a huge thunderbolt.
As night fell, Chen Geng was ready to leave Liulian.
He turned his head to Liang Zhongyu and said, "Inform the troops that there are pigs killing pigs and sheep killing sheep, tonight a full meal, a good night's sleep, and preparations to meet the Huang Wei Corps tomorrow morning." ”
Liang Zhongyu asked doubtfully, "Commander Chen, Huang Wei is only two miles away from us, and a big war is about to break out, so tonight we... Can you get a good night's sleep? ”
Chen Geng said in a mocking tone, "Huang Gong hasn't learned to fight night battles yet!" His mechanized troops were blind at night. If you really want to fight melee and night combat, Mr. Huang still has to study here for two years, and whether he can graduate depends on whether he works hard. ”
Liang Zhongyu burst out laughing.
Just before Chen Geng was ordered to hold on to Nanpingji, Huang Wei had already led the entire corps to assemble in the Mengcheng area, and personally drew up a "Mengcheng Battle Plan", following Napoleon's group roll-in tactics, with Mengcheng as the core, several legions surrounded into a regiment, extending the tentacles far away, and the main force held a fist, waiting for the target to be aimed at before attacking, in order to maintain the successive advance.
According to this plan, the various armies under the Huang Wei Corps were arranged in turn, building fortifications and stockpiling grain and ammunition.
Huang Weishi hoped that the People's Liberation Army would attack them, so that they could realize their battle plan by waiting in Mengcheng.
What disappointed him was that after waiting for a few days and nights, the communist army did not move at all, and the "Mengcheng Battle Plan" was in vain.
It was not until the evening of October 22 that Huang Wei learned of the main movement of the Central Plains Field Army, and it was only when he understood that Chen Geng's troops were only responsible for dragging themselves and would not take the initiative to attack, so he had to order the Eighteenth Army and the Rapid Column to launch a fierce attack on Nanpingji at dawn on the 23rd.
However, the final outcome disappointed Huang Wei even more, and Chen Geng, an old classmate, led his troops to carry out an iron-blooded blockade of the Kuomintang in Nanpingji, which not only caused Huang Wei's troops to pay a great price in casualties, but also made them unable to escape the fate of being annihilated in the end.