Chapter 2: Cross Currents (8b)

"Take the medicine as prescribed. The problem is that this time it's not just the independent battalion. There's also a ninety-third regiment next to it." Zhang Songling looked at Lao Zheng. Hesitant to respond. As early as the moment when I just met Zhou Hei Carbon. He had thought about showing his strength like he did last time. Make the other party know that it is difficult to retreat. However, unlike last time. This time the guerrillas had to face not only a separate battalion. At the same time, we must also beware of the new 31st Division and the 93rd Regiment that have just replaced all the Soviet weapons.

If what Zhou Black Carbon said tonight is true. The total strength of the 93rd Regiment, which is reorganized according to the size of the A Regiment, will be as high as more than 2,400 people. Even if the number of troops is not enough for the time being. It will not be lower than the standard of the original three battalions and nine companies of the B regiment. The total number of people is not less than one thousand. And now all the members of the Blackstone guerrillas are combined. It's only in his early 200s. Among them, more than 50 people are international battalions that have just experienced a mutiny. It is simply impossible to enter the battlefield with confidence in a short period of time.

"I also know that the difference in strength between the two sides is too great." I have been prepared for Zhang Songling's worries. Lao Zheng nodded. Whisper adds." And we're going to leave some people to guard the old camp. The real available strength will not exceed three platoons. The commander of the Ninety-third Regiment only needs to be open-skinned. It's definitely going to make our three platoons disappear silently."

"Then you still give the fat man this idea." Zhao Tianlong has little understanding of the internal organization of the National Revolutionary Army. The train of thought is a little out of pace. Listening to Lao Zheng, the situation is grim. I couldn't help but ask.

"But let's continue to hide in the mountains. There is no guarantee that the 93rd Regiment will not reach out to us." Elder Zheng, the leader of the first squadron, grinned. Explain with a wry smile. And for a long time to come. It's impossible for our Eighth Route Army to pay too much attention to this side of the grassland. Just by virtue of the fat man Zhang Luo's industries. Even if we are desperately expanding. The quality of the source of soldiers is not taken into account at all. At most, it can only afford two battalions. I had to convert the brothers into infantry. Cut out most of the horses."

Zhao Tianlong immediately raised his eyebrows. Loud protest." Cut off the horses. Eliminate the war horse, what else do we use to fight the little devils... Charge on two legs alone. When the time comes, all you need is a machine gun for the little devils. What a price the brothers have to pay to get to the nearest people."

"Brother Long. Don't mess around. What Lao Zheng said was just an extreme case." Zhang Songling saw this. Interrupt in a whisper." We're not really going to cut the horses. It is estimated that there is no war horse. The limits of force expansion."

"This situation should not be considered at all. No cavalry. We don't have the last advantage against the little devils. No matter how many troops there are, it will not be of the highest use." Zhao Tianlong threw the snow ball aimlessly around. While responding indignantly.

Zhang Songling glanced at him. No more arguments. As a good friend. He understands the latter's affection for the mount. In fact. Most of the fighters of the guerrillas . They take care of their crotch mounts far more seriously than they do themselves. This is a habit that naturally forms in the life of the prairie. It simply can't be explained by common sense. Furthermore. He firmly believes that the value of a soldier is in the fine. With the current reality that there are more guns in the Blackstone guerrillas than in people. It is definitely more rational to take the elite route than to blindly expand the group.

However, what Lao Zheng just said. It also tells a fact that no one can deny. That is, in the overall development strategy of the Eighth Route Army. The Blackstone guerrillas are just an insignificant idler. Placed on the prairie. The main significance is to "take the momentum", which will not play a role in a short period of time. It also doesn't get much attention. Want to make a difference. For a long time to come, we will have to rely on self-reliance. And self-reliance will inevitably limit the speed of development of the guerrillas. It will inevitably lag behind other enemies and allies for a long time in terms of its own strength.

In the steppes where the rules of the wolf pack are believed. You're weak. You can't blame others for always beating you up. This time it's the independent battalion of Zhou Black Carbon. Next time, it may be the little prince Baiyin. Next could be the Ninety-Third Regiment. Ninety-fourth Regiment. It is even possible to welcome the puppet Manchukuo garrison. Or a mountain king who can't do anything about himself. In a word. As long as the guerrillas do not return to the level of their heyday for a day. You can't stop someone else from prying eyes for a day. Unless you turn yourself into an iron hedgehog. Let all snoopers lose more than they gain.

Seeing that Zhang Songling and Lao Zheng no longer argued with themselves. Zhao Tianlong also quickly realized that his performance just now was a little too sensitive. Thought about it. Sullenly explained, "I didn't mean to raise the bar with the two of you on purpose. I just think. Say these things now. It's too impractical. Right now, what we have to deal with is Zhou Heicarbon's independent battalion and that ninety-third regiment. Whether to expand the army or not is a matter of the future. Cavalry is not dismantled. It's also for later."

"If a man has no foresight, he must have near-term worries." Zhang Songling emphasized with a smile. Then quickly turn back to the point." All right. You're right. Let's take a look at the present. Lao Zheng. If I only took three platoons of fighters down the hill to fight . Is there a way for you to avoid us being divided by the 93rd Regiment and Zhou Heicarbon's independent battalion?"

"That's what I just meant to say." Lao Zheng nodded. Laugh in response." My personal feelings. General Fu Zuoyi's work is a bit of a bottom. Although the relationship with our Eighth Route Army is not as good as before. He will not allow his soldiers to take the initiative to stir up trouble. But if he didn't know anything beforehand. It's another story."

"What do you mean. We can't give him a chance not to know anyway." Zhang Songling quickly understood the hint in Lao Zheng's words. I couldn't help but smile bitterly and shake my head.

A company-sized guerrilla detachment. There was friction with a regiment of the Jin Sui army. He was forcibly disarmed. Even if the senior command departments of both sides find out afterwards. It won't turn the other cheek because of this. After all, at the moment the KMT and the CCP still have to maintain the superficial cooperation. It should not affect the big picture for such a small "misunderstanding". And once the friction happens before. Both parties have their records filed in their respective high command branches. The whole incident can no longer be lightly uncovered with a "misunderstanding". In any case, the party that initiates the conflict must give an account to the other party.

"Hmm." What Lao Zheng appreciates most is Zhang Songling's strong comprehension. It's almost a little bit thorough. Unlike the Irumo Dragon. He was still blowing his air out of the snow on the ground with a blank face." Before the last accident. The military sub-district once contacted the Jin Suijun. Offered to get the Blackstone guerrillas to cooperate with their actions. But he didn't wait for Jin Suijun's side to respond. The little devil came to the door. Our guerrillas have suffered so many heavy losses. I don't have the strength to cooperate with the actions of the Jin Sui army anymore."

"So we can make a proposal to the military division. This will intercept the operation of the Kodama squadron. Count as the specific implementation of the answer that should be given to the Jin Suijun cooperation. Go through a whole set of related procedures. so that the upper echelons of the Jin Sui army can't pretend not to know." Zhang Songling's voice immediately became pleasant. His face finally showed a little lightness.

Ginger is the old spicy in the end. A simple way to go through the formal procedure. It solves the biggest trouble at the moment. And it can also give the military subdivision a wake-up call. Ask them to take note of the current difficulties encountered by the Blackstone guerrillas. Give support to the best of your ability.

This trick. Compared to Zhang Songling just now, he lowered his head and closed the door. How many times stronger than knowing. I couldn't help but praise him. And Lao Zheng saw that Zhang Songling could draw inferences so quickly. I also nodded very happily. The smile on his face looks so mysterious.

Only Zhao Tianlong. I can't figure out the twists and turns of the head here. A big ball of snow in his hand. Stunned, he asked, "What the hell are you two talking about?" How did Fu Zuoyi know. The trouble is solved. I don't believe it. If Fu Zuoyi didn't mean to break with our Eighth Route Army. His men dare to make their own decisions."

"It's one thing to think in private. It's another matter how you behave if you make it public." Zhang Songling smiled and shook his head. whisper to the latter to popularize some common sense in the officialdom of the Nationalist Government." Something. Superiors can't say it explicitly. Those below have to understand for themselves. Got it right. The top will note down your benefits. The realization is wrong. At most, it was left out in the cold last time for a few days. There may not be any disciplinary action. But if something has been expressly forbidden by the superiors. The people at the bottom continue to do it. It's a typical no-official. Punishment must be given in any case.."

It's a pity that Zhang Songling himself is also a rookie in the officialdom. The so-called common sense. It's all from Peng Xuewen's guidance. It has not been tested in practice at all. Therefore, they can only "faint with their own faintness. to others Zhaozhao", not only did not make Zhao Tianlong have an epiphany. On the contrary, it makes the other party's eyes more and more confused. Silent for a long time. Cai muttered back, "No.... It's so complicated.. No wonder the Kuomintang always lost the battle. No one at the bottom of the table is figuring out how to get down to business. But he put all his mind on figuring out the true intentions of the chief. How can it be possible to win the little devil in a fight.. I'm afraid we haven't waited for a battle. Morale has already lost thirty percent."

"Ugh." Zhang Songling responded with a sigh. If only a better way can be found right now. And why did he make these oblique tricks crooked... The old and old machine of the Nationalist Government has no matter how many flaws it has. Those flaws should not be used by themselves. After all. I am also a member of this government.

The leader of the first squadron, Zheng Xinxin. The feeling of the national government is not as complicated as Zhang Songling. Seeing that the gloom on the latter's face had not completely dissipated. Thought about it. continued: "In addition. Let's take the initiative to go down the mountain to avenge the RED team. It can also play a role in cleaning up the hearts of the army. Things are not going well within the guerrillas right now. Largely because everyone hasn't been able to adjust to the absence of the red team for a while. And when you take the guys to fight a few victories in a row. Everyone really recognized you as the new captain. Your commands. Nature can be executed to the letter."

"Hmm." Zhang Songling nodded seriously. Look at each other's eyes full of gratitude.

The three of them talked as they walked. Consult with each other. On the many big and small problems facing the guerrillas at present. are given different solutions. Unknowingly. It's dawn time. The place where heaven and earth meet in the east spit out a few brilliant rays of light. Immediately after. The sound of the wind overhead suddenly stopped. There was a red sun jumping up from the horizon.

In the sound of a loud military trumpet. The fighters are under the leadership of the cadres on duty. Start the whole team out of the drill. Smoke rose from the chimney of the house. The cold wind also gradually wafted the fragrance of fried rice porridge. When the fighters sang and walked into the cafeteria. The daily fixed time period for contacting the superior unit has also arrived. He volunteered to stay in the guerrillas as the head of the newspaper group, and "Bai Don" activated the transmitter. The wrist skillfully taps out a string of jumping beats. Zhang Songling and Lao Zheng were two messages that were improvised and prepared. Sent out as quickly as possible.

"Dada. Dada. Tick. Tick tock." Chabei Army Subdivision of the Eighth Route Army. Liu Guoliang, the chief of the security section who was on duty overnight and was about to go back to hand over, kicked inside and outside the door. Turn back like you have a gut feeling. Asking the busy operator, "A telegram has been sent so early. The unit sent it. What level.."

"Premium. Blackstone Guerrillas Emergency." The operator had no energy to pay attention to the contents of the message. Only glanced at the first few passwords. Respond loudly.

"Hurry up and decipher it. I'm waiting for you here." Liu Guoliang listened. Hair straightened up immediately. Walk quickly to the radio. Loud commands.

Wang Hong, the founder of the Blackstone Guerrillas, passed away. In the entire Chabei Military Sub-district and even the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region. all caused a strong shock. Although the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region has not been able to give more support to this guerrilla force. But from a long-term perspective. The Eighth Route Army is on the Eastern Mongolian grassland. But this bridgehead must be preserved. Otherwise. Once the situation of the War of Resistance appeared in China's favor. It will be too late to send people to the steppe to open up a new base area. There is a lack of cadres who are familiar with the local situation. Nor will the common people approve of a group of strangers who have never protected them.

And then after the initial shock. Inside the Chabei Military Division. On the selection of new leading cadres of the Blackstone guerrillas. But there was a fierce argument. According to common sense. This is the time to let the guerrillas elect their own leaders. is the safest thing to do. Wang Hong, the leader of the Blackstone Guerrilla Brigade, was also before his death. Prepare with great due diligence. However he proposed the choice of successor. But it's a bit too out of line. Out of line to the point where it is no longer tolerable.

A young man who has just joined the party for only two or three days. A newcomer who joined the guerrillas for less than a year and a half. There is a large gap in one's own resume. A former middle-level Kuomintang officer who also has a close relationship with the military commander's spies. No matter from any angle. None of them should appear on the recommendation letter of Captain Wang Hong. However. Wang Hong, who has many years of party experience and is familiar with all the operating regulations of the Eighth Route Army, did just that. And read between the lines. Full of trust and appreciation for this person.

So in an internal meeting to discuss the successor of Captain Blackstone. Liu Guoliang firmly voted against. As the main person in charge of the security department. He has to stick to his bottom line. Furthermore. He also didn't trust the entire Blackstone guerrillas up and down. They all really unconditionally support the decision of Captain Wang Hong. During the latter's lifetime. The cadres and fighters may have been influenced by the latter's personal prestige. Reluctance to raise objections. But after Wang Hong's death. The heirs he recommended were not qualified. The question of prestige not convincing the public. Inevitably, it will be quickly exposed.

At this time. If the military division has not corrected its previous mistakes. It's going to be a disaster. However. The head of the military division woke up but didn't know for what reason. Also like a red beard. I have a great preference for Zhang Songling, a young man. I always want to give young people a chance to perform. No timely action was taken. Liu Guoliang argued with Su Xing several times about this. And always bear the heart. Look. Now the trouble is coming. It's only been a few days since I watched. Express telegrams have been sent. This is down. Our Great Commander of the Soviet Union. There's nothing to say.