The anti-bandit operation carried out by the spy company stationed in Zaozhuang naturally did not attract too much attention to the Japanese troops who invaded Zaozhuang. For the Japanese army that occupied Zaozhuang not long ago, these bandits hiding in the mountains were not the targets of their attacks.

In addition, it is also very common for bandit gangs to compete for territory, and at present, the Japanese army's energy is focused on winning the Battle of Xuzhou. A gang of bandits are fighting among themselves, and the little devils don't want to pay attention to it at all, and even wish that the bandits would fight as hard as possible.

Without these bandits making trouble, it is also more conducive to them to control the territory they have just occupied. Although some bandits are easy to recruit, the Japanese army knows better about recruiting these bandits, and in many cases it will only make them lose more than they gain.

The most important thing is that most of the bandit gangs are unwilling to accept the recruitment of the Japanese army, but instead fight the idea of supplying the Japanese army every three or five times. At this time, the bandit gang fought among themselves, and the Japanese army was naturally happy to watch the excitement.

On the other hand, the people of the villages near the mountains were overjoyed to learn that the bandits in the mountains were very lively, and many of the bandits who had plagued them for many years had been killed. But deep down, I'm also worried that the new bandit gang will be darker than the old bandits?

In these years, the army was in chaos, and the people, who lived near the mountains, were often not treated well by the government. After a year of hard work to earn some money and food, it is often looted by bandits. These people hated bandits.

Now that I learned that the bandits in the mountains were fighting among themselves, and many bandit cottages that had plagued the place for many years had been eliminated, the common people naturally applauded. But the common people are even more worried that the remaining bandits in the mountains are too powerful, and who will be able to control these bandits at that time?

In the face of the people's worries, some people soon said: "What are we going to do with this?" Now that the city is occupied by the little devils, didn't they say anything *****? There are really bandits, the little devils should help encircle and suppress them, right? ”

"Go for your spring and autumn dreams! Bandits are robbers, and those little devils are big robbers, a nest of thieves and rats, counting on the little devils to keep us at peace, unless the sun comes out in the west. In this world, no one can be trusted! ”

For many people, the policy of appeasing the people occasionally displayed by the little devils still has some effect. But the really smart people know that it's just a little devil to fool people. The little devils who occupy Zaozhuang also eat people and don't spit out bones.

Those who have the ability can go to other places to beg for a living, and those who do not have the ability can still only stay in the village and endure oppression. As long as there is a bite to eat, many people will endure it. For them, the little devils who left the national army just changed their rulers.

As for the rest, many people don't want to worry about it. What they really care about is what kind of management policies the little devils will implement after ruling Zaozhuang, whether they will pay less grain than before, and how much they will pay in taxes and miscellaneous taxes!

Xu Sandao, who was in charge of reconnaissance outside, also told Hu Biao about the worries of the people outside the mountain, and after listening to it, Hu Biao also said directly: "Most of the people in our country are submissive, and they rarely dare to rise up to resist, and they always lack some blood!" ”

"Yes! The most surprising thing is that those ordinary people actually believe in the little devils! ”

"The little devil is still very good at buying people's hearts! They wanted to stabilize the place, and they also knew how to win the support of some common people and squires. For the little devils, this is their colony, a place that can bring them benefits.

What we have to do is to let the people recognize the true face of the little devil and strive for more people to support us in fighting the devil. If you just rely on your mouth, you will be exposed sooner or later. Only by letting the people get benefits will they really be with us.

When the armed forces of the base become stronger, the villages outside the mountains can be incorporated into fortress villages. Those who don't have the same heart as us will be cleared out. For a day we are in the mountains, these villages are protected by us.

If you let them know that with our protection, you don't have to pay food and taxes, what do you think the people will think? As long as they experience the tangible benefits, the people will naturally know how to choose, which is the survival wisdom of the people! ”

Listening to Hu Biao's assumptions, Xu Sandao also smiled and said: "Most of the people outside the mountain don't have any fields. Those who really have land are often squires. Those people are the real evildoers. ”

"Can't say the same! Among the squires and landlords, there are also some people who are knowledgeable. In the future, we will develop here, and the squire landlords also need to win over some. As long as you don't take refuge in the little devils, let's not move the squires who are not angry with the people.

With the support of these landlords and squires and the common people, we will be safer and safer in the future. Even if the little devils want to go into the mountains to encircle and suppress, they have to pass through these villages. These villages are our forward guard posts! ”

After talking about the construction of the base area, Hu Biao also continued: "What is the situation in the mining area? ”

"According to the reconnaissance in the past few days, the little devil has sent nearly two squadrons of troops to control the mining area. Except for a few traitors who took refuge in the little devils, there were five or six hundred prisoners of war held in the mining area. These prisoners of war are all prisoners of war of the Third Army! ”

"Han Fuqu's troops? Didn't that guy avoid fighting and let the little devil go straight in? How were these prisoners of war caught by the little devils? Lao Jiang shot their chief to death, didn't these subordinates choose to take refuge in the little devils? ”

"Not so clear! In fact, according to what we know, when the Japanese army attacked Lu Province earlier, Han Fuqu's subordinates still resisted to the death. The bloody battle of Dezhou, the battle of Jinan, and Han Fuqu's troops resolutely resisted.

Later, the reason why he let the troops retreat was more to preserve strength. Although it is a bit unauthentic, it is also a helpless move. When the Japanese army attacked Lu Province, Lao Chiang withdrew the heavy artillery brigade promised earlier. Alas, this world is chaotic! ”

After staying by Hu Biao's side for a long time, Xu Sandao didn't understand anything like before. Perhaps, as Hu Biao said, it is more free not to participate in those political struggles, nor to listen to anyone's command and transfer, and to do your own thing.

Regarding Han Fuqu's escape from the battle, the troops implemented non-resistance, and finally ordered the Japanese army to drive straight into and occupy most of Lu Province, and even Jinan was handed over. Among them, Lao Jiang must have played some tricks, but who dares to say that Han Fuqu is right?

Xu Sandao, who understood this, immediately said: "Captain, according to what I know, the vast majority of the prisoners of war who are sent to the mine by the Japanese army at the moment are Han Fuqu's troops. They have fought bloody battles with little devils, and they have a deep hatred with little devils.

If they had known that the commander had been shot, they probably wouldn't have wanted to return to the army again. If we can get them out, I'm sure they'll follow us with all their hearts. Rescue these people, we won't be short of troops here! ”

"Not bad! Your suggestion is great! It's just that our current energy and strength are limited, and even if we have such a base area, we can't gather many troops. It is enough to lay a solid foundation first, and then gradually develop outward.

According to the information provided by the military commander earlier, the Japanese army invaded a number of mines in Lu Province, and a large number of prisoners of war were escorted to the mining area to serve as coolies. These mines will be the target of our attack in the future. Only those who have endured hardships and rescued prisoners of war will know how to cherish them.

It will take two or three days to complete the work of suppressing bandits, so you should first lead people to do a good job of pre-war reconnaissance. If possible, I hope that on the day of the operation, all the prisoners of war held by the Japanese army in the mines in Zaozhuang will be freed.

In the next two days, you will send more people to reconnoiter the troop deployment of the little devils, as well as the vigilance and deployment of the mining area. Again, if we don't do it, we must succeed as soon as we make a move. It doesn't hurt to scout carefully! ”

"Understood! In the past two days, I have sent people into the city to reconnoitre. In fact, there are not many troops stationed in the city by the little devils. If we have the chance, maybe we can fight the idea of Zaozhuang City. The little devil is in the city and has stored a lot of supplies! ”

"There's no hurry! With our manpower, even if we take Zaozhuang City, we will not be able to transfer the materials in the city in a short time. Since we plan to establish a base here, we will need a lot of supplies to fight a war in the future.

Supplies, weapons and ammunition, including troops, are all we need. But there are some things that we have to take step by step. If you take too big a step, you may be pulling the egg. Suppress bandits first, then save people, and finally consider the expansion and development! ”

"Okay, I remember!"

I thought that the Eighth Route Army was in Lu Province and also had its own underground intelligence network. Hu Biao felt that maybe he could contact the intelligence officers of the Eighth Route Army. They've been here for a long time, and there are some things they should know more about.

If the Eighth Route Army really planned to advance into Lu Province to fight guerrillas, Hu Biao might be able to provide some help. Correspondingly, with the help of the Eighth Route Army, the activities of his troops in Lu Province will also reduce a lot of unnecessary risks.

Hu Biao, who had made this decision, immediately sent a telegram to the Eighth Route Army, hoping that they would provide a contact person for activities in Zaozhuang. After receiving the telegram from Hu Biao, the Eighth Route Army was also very surprised.

After forwarding the telegram to Yan'an, Deputy Marshal Zhou, who was in charge of intelligence work, was also surprised: "What is this guy's idea?" Could it be that they want to fight the little devils in Zaozhuang? ”

In the face of Deputy Marshal Zhou's inquiry, the intelligence director of the Eighth Route Army also smiled and said: "As far as I know, the special operations team commanded by this person often do something unexpected. But every time they shot, they never missed.

This time, they sent a telegram, hoping that our intelligence officers in Zaozhuang would cooperate, probably to find out more information about the little devils. This guy is a bit powerful, take it all on both sides! It is said that he has cooperated a lot with Boss Dai of the military command! ”

"And what about his political leanings?"

"Not so clear! The only thing that can be confirmed is that this person maintains a friendly attitude towards our army, and has a lot of cooperation with the national army. The division commander who was killed in Taierzhuang last time is said to have done it! ”

If Hu Biao heard the conversation between the two, he would also be very surprised. Not many people know about such a secret matter within the national army, but the Eighth Route Army knows about it. This also shows that the intelligence work of the Eighth Route Army is indeed very powerful!