Chapter 197: Taking the Initiative (Third Update)
Due to the muddy and slippery roads caused by the continuous drizzle for several days, and the constant attacks of small groups of Communist troops, the two regiments of the Dian Army that evacuated Wan'an and headed for Taihe chose to take the fast and convenient waterway. Pen @ fun @ pavilion wWw. ļ½ļ½ļ½Uļ½Eć ļ½ļ½ļ½ļ½
The journey from Wan'an to Taihe waterway is less than 100 miles, and it only takes four and a half hours to reach it downstream, which is much faster than taking the land route.
Zhu Shigui, commander of the garrison division of the Yunnan Army, and other commanders believed that it was safest to take the waterway, which could not only smoothly avoid dangerous areas on land where the terrain was complicated and could be attacked by cold guns and cannons at any time, but also save physical strength and time.
In Zhu Shigui's view, no matter how capable the small communist forces were, they could not take advantage of the complicated land terrain to set up ambushes or launch attacks, and only needed to set up a heavy machine gun on a small steamer and every troop carrier to easily strike at both sides of the river.
I don't know if it was too big or a lack of secrecy at all, Zhu Shigui and his officers and soldiers made a lot of noise in the process of requisitioning civilian ships.
The instructor reconnaissance detachment disguised and lurked at the foot of Qilin Mountain in the north of Wan'an City did not need to enter the city, but could obtain detailed information from the discussions of nearby boatmen and local people, and learned the approximate number of Zhu Shigui's troops, the number of ships requisitioned, and the approximate time of leaving Wan'an for Taihe.
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February 24, early in the morning.
A total of 1,500 officers and men of the 1st Regiment and 1 Battalion of the 2nd Regiment braved the rain and quietly arrived at the Yaotou Ferry, 30 kilometers downstream of Wan'an Wharf.
Half a month ago, more than 3,500 soldiers and instructors landed on the shore to rejuvenate the country.
Therefore, the soldiers who returned to their hometown were no strangers to Yaotou Ferry, and it only took more than ten minutes to occupy the wharf with only two small ferries, and blocked more than 40 households above the wharf.
More than 10 officers and men who had changed into civilian clothes and put on coats quickly requisitioned the peasants' cattle and disguised themselves as local peasants to conduct reconnaissance along the river.
After inspecting the situation at the crossing, Zheng Yi, the instructor and division commander who followed him, did not hesitate to lead the staff officers of the division headquarters to occupy the wide courtyard of the landlord surnamed Liao in the village, and set up the temporary headquarters in this compound less than 100 meters away from the river bank.
More than 40 terrified villagers gradually calmed down under the appeasement of the soldiers, and nearly half of the families could not resist the temptation of the ocean, so they lit fires to cook, kill chickens and geese, cook for the soaking soldiers, and bake clothes.
After Zheng Yi, Wang Huchen and others finished their meal at the house of the landlord surnamed Liao, they immediately climbed to the simple and elegant second floor above the main hall, took out binoculars, and carefully observed the situation along the Ganjiang River.
The drizzle has been falling, the smoke and rain on both sides of the river are misty, and the faces of people are basically not visible beyond 100 meters, and even the figures of people have become blurry after more than 200 meters.
"It's a hell of a day, and there's a thick fog on the shore on the water, and the binoculars can't be used." Wang Huchen put away the binoculars as he spoke.
Zheng Yi also put away the binoculars: "Actually, the weather is quite good, we can't see clearly on the shore, and the enemy is sailing on the river, and we can't see it clearly......"
Zheng Yi's words were interrupted by the footsteps of hurriedly ascending the stairs, and Wei Xiuquan, the deputy head of the regiment, came to ask for instructions: "Report to the division commander and chief of staff, there is a ferry boat on the other side, which transports seventeen villagers from the other side who came to catch the market, as well as a few cages of piglets and a few baskets of goods......"
"The ferry has now been detained by a battalion occupying the ferry, according to the boatman, today is the day of the Yaotou ferry, and there are still many villagers and hawkers who want to take a boat to the ferry, what should I do?"
Zheng Yi's eyes widened, he didn't expect that someone would come to the market in such weather: "This is a problem that we didn't consider in advance...... Huchen, what is your opinion? ā
Wang Huchen made a decision without hesitation: "You go back and select a dozen brothers who can support boats to change into civilian clothes, and go on a normal ferry with local boatmen to pick up the villagers on the west bank who want to catch the market." ā
"Whether it's bribing a boatman, or coercion and temptation, try not to reveal your identity, and don't allow people to be sent over from here, in a word: only enter, not out!"
"Understood!"
Wei Xiuquan saluted and turned to go downstairs.
Zheng Yi couldn't help but be happy: "It's a good way, it's just ...... After the arrival of the villagers who rushed to the market, I am afraid that this market will not be opened. ā
Wang Huchen said with a smile: "It will definitely not be opened, you can hide it for as long as you can, as long as you don't let the enemy who comes by boat see the flaws, before the war, you have to send all the villagers to the west behind the brick kiln to hide, and when the war is over, we can buy back all the goods that the villagers need to sell, just as a little compensation." ā
"The piglets, chickens, ducks and livestock sold by the villagers are exactly what we need, and the Chenggang base, which is 28 kilometers north of Xingguo, is currently under construction, and there are only a dozen households in the whole village, which cannot provide the food and meat we need."
"When the base is completed and more than 2,000 recruits go in for training, they will need to open up wasteland and farm land and be self-sufficient!" Zheng Yi very much agreed with Wang Huchen's handling opinions, and thought deeper and farther than Wang Huchen.
Wang Huchen nodded frequently: "Chenggang is indeed a good place that is easy to defend and difficult to attack, as long as the base is established, it can become a transit station connecting Xingguo and Donghua Mountain, and we will have the strategic depth of advancing and retreating freely!" ā
"At that time, even if Xingguo County can't hold it, we can also move to the north or east through the city post in the vast mountains, if the enemy dares to pursue deeply, he may be ambushed by us at any time."
"The only question now is ...... Of the nearly 1,000 captives who built the Chenggang base, one-third of them can be won over for transformation, and how to deal with the remaining two-thirds needs to be found as soon as possible. ā
Zheng Yi already had a way to deal with it: "Everyone is worried that after the prisoners are released, the secrets of the Chenggang base will be leaked, but I don't think there is any need to worry about it." ā
"After the captives have reclaimed more than 2,000 acres of mountainous land and built barracks, they will immediately be transferred to the mountains east of Donghua Mountain, and let them continue to build roads and bridges, and they will not be released until at least a year later."
Wang Huchen was taken aback and looked at Zheng Yi in disbelief: "This is a bit against the policy of preferential treatment of prisoners!" Do you plan to do this in the future? ā
Zheng Yi nodded: "At least in the next year, before our team reaches 10,000 horses, we must do this!" ā
"Labor reform is the best way to deal with prisoners, so that prisoners can receive education in labor and gradually change, so as to expand our strength as soon as possible!"
"After this battle is over, I plan to set up a teaching regiment, which will be stationed in Chenggang, with Dong Zongzhuo, political commissar and deputy head of the Third Regiment, as the head of the teaching regiment, and select a group of officers with strong political ideology and solid military foundation from various departments to enrich the teaching regiment, and then transfer all the 2,000 recruits in Ningdu along with the wounded."
Wang Huchen pondered for a moment: "I agree!" Judging from the current situation, the first and second regiments are in urgent need of replenishment, and the third regiment of Duan Xuan will need a month and a half before it can be used. ā
"If I can, I suggest that after a month and a half, the 1,500 recruits who are being trained in the third regiment be transferred to the first and third regiments, so as to shorten the training time of the recruits by using the old to lead the new and training while fighting."
"In this way, Duan Xuan's three regiments will be able to quickly form an army."
Zheng Yi immediately agreed: "This is a good way, and when we finish this battle, we will immediately discuss with Political Commissar Li and strive to implement it as soon as possible......"
"Huh!? The rain seems to have stopped, let's go! Let's go to the docks together, it's nine fifty o'clock, and if Wan'an's enemies set off on time at eight o'clock, they will arrive in another hour. ā
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PS: The third update is here!
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