Chapter 117 9. Commander Han Liancheng suddenly disappeared

Under the tight siege of our army, Li Xianzhou, who was hiding in the city of Laiwu, was in a dilemma, helpless.Whether to stick to it and wait for help, or to break through to the north, there are endless debates, and Li Xianzhou is also hesitant.Wang Yaowu knew that he had fallen into our army's plan, but he had no choice. He originally wanted Li Xianzhou to defend the city, but he saw that Li Jun was isolated and helpless, and he was in dire straits.If it is annihilated, it will greatly threaten the Jinan and Jiaoji lines.So it's better to put all your eggs in one basket and take a risk to break through.He hoped that if Li Xianzhou could break through to Mingshui and the area south of it, he would not only be able to relieve the siege of Tusikou Town, but also assist Zibo in the east and strengthen the defense of Jinan in the west. Shui direction to break through, and asked the new 36th Division to resolutely hold Tusikou Town as a support for the northward withdrawal.

Li Xianzhou received Wang Yaowu's order, and immediately called Han Jun, commander of the 73rd Army, Han Liancheng, commander of the 46th Army, Gao Shen Wang Weilin, and Tao Fuye, director of operations, to discuss.Li Xianzhou was unwilling to retreat, he knew that he might be encircled by the communist army during the march.If you stick to Laiwu and wait for the Southern Front Corps to rescue you, there is still hope for preservation. At that time, a brigade commander suggested: "The situation of the communist army is unknown, so we can send two brigades to attack and try it out. If we encounter the main force of the communist army, the remaining five brigades can break through."

Li Xianzhou immediately retorted: "Brother, you are beating a dog with a meat bun!" Tao Fuye is Wang Yaowu's confidant, and he is an arrogant and conceited young man.At the meeting, someone pointed out that it would be dangerous to break out from the direction of the silk-spinning mouth. He said: "What are you afraid of? We have so many troops, and we are afraid of being surrounded by the Communist army?" Wang Weilin tried his best to advocate retreating. He said that this was a matter of responsibility. If he won the battle, he would have no merit, and if he was defeated, no one could afford it.

Most people thought that it would be a problem to keep food and ammunition in Laiwu, and they also agreed to withdraw. Li Xianzhou said: Everyone advocates withdrawing and I have no objection. Since you are determined to withdraw, you should act quickly rather than later. Han Jun advocated taking action on the morning of the 22nd, while Han Liancheng insisted on having one day to prepare before withdrawing on the 23rd. Everyone agreed with Han Liancheng's opinion and studied and deployed the retreat plan. Li Xianzhou ordered: the 73rd Army is on the left, and the 46th Army is on the right. His headquarters followed the 46th Army and retreated in the direction of the silk-spinning mouth. (Li Xianzhou: "The Whole Story of the Annihilation of Jiang's Army in the Laiwu Battle", see "Selected Literature and History Materials" No. 28)

On the morning of the 23rd, the Kuomintang army in Laiwu City began to prepare to retreat, and there were messy scenes everywhere. At 6 o'clock, Li Xianzhou was ready to set off, and together with Han Liancheng, commander of the 46th Army, came from the headquarters to the gathering place outside the east gate.At this time, Han Liancheng made an excuse that a certain regiment leader had not been notified, and he wanted to go there himself. Li Xianzhou said that it would be fine to send messengers, but he insisted on going by himself, so he turned around and went back to the city after speaking.Unexpectedly, he disappeared after this trip. Li Xianzhou waited impatiently, and sent people to search everywhere, but they all said they didn't see him.Li Xianzhou didn't trust the 46th Army. When he asked the 46th Army to advance to Yanzhuang, he said that this army was too cunning. Letting them go deep into the liberated area alone would either send the wolf into the tiger's mouth or let the tiger out of the cage. In short, it was unreliable.At this time, Han Liancheng's sudden disappearance made him even more suspicious.

Han Liancheng could not come, and the 46th Army had no command.Li Xianzhou immediately yelled anxiously: "Fuck, the 46th Army is messing around, what the hell is this!" He would never have imagined that Han Liancheng had already left the Kuomintang army with the help of my underground workers and defected to the liberated areas . At 8 o'clock, Han Jun saw that the troops had not set off yet, so he ran to urge Li Xianzhou.Li Xianzhou decided not to wait any longer and gave the departure order. The 78th Army is on the left, and the 46th Army is on the right, advancing in parallel.In order to protect his own safety, Li Xianzhou asked the 78th Army to send a regiment to cover the headquarters to follow the 46th Army.