When Zeng Zhongsheng walked out of the courtyard, he saw about a regiment of cavalry, with a company as a unit, lined up in a cavalry phalanx, mighty and majestic!

Looking at it again, there was a young Red Army cadre standing on the side of the road, with a slender figure, starry eyebrows, and a jade face, looking at him with a smile on his face.

Seeing that Zeng Zhongsheng kept looking at himself, Liu Yimin said with a smile: "Is it Chief of Staff Zeng?" I am Liu Yimin, the commander of the Red Seventh Army. You have been appointed a member of the Party Committee of the Seventh Army Corps, Chief of Staff. I'm here to take you up. ”

Zeng Zhongsheng hurriedly saluted: "Report to Commander Liu, Zeng Zhongsheng, the former chief of staff of the Northwest Military and Political Commission and the current chief of staff of the Red Seventh Army Corps, report to you, please instruct!" ”

Liu Yimin hurriedly stepped forward and shook Zeng Zhongsheng's hand and said, "Chief of Staff Zeng, don't be polite, when you made a revolution, I was still a student baby." I will learn more from you in the future. In this way, we went to say goodbye to Chairman Zhang and immediately returned to the troops. Our regiment has an important task and urgently needs you, the chief of staff, to take up his post and perform his duties. ”

Zeng Zhongsheng said suspiciously: "Commander, will Zhang Guotao let me go?" ”

Liu Yimin smiled: "You are no longer the chief of staff of the Northwest Military and Political Commission, but the chief of staff of the Red Seventh Army appointed by the central government." Whoever wants to imprison the chief of staff of my Seventh Army Corps must first ask me if I agree or not. However, you are a hero of the Red Army, and you are the father of the Four Fronts, and you are above board when you come; Be more upright when you go. In this way, you are not in good health, get on the horse and rest. I'm going to see Chairman Zhang. ”

The Northwest Military and Political Commission was located in a large courtyard in the middle of the town. Liu Yimin's big movement had already alarmed the Red Army soldiers in the town, and everyone came up to shake hands with the soldiers of the cavalry regiment and say hello.

When Liu Yimin took the cavalry regiment to the door of the Northwest Military and Political Commission, he saw a group of people pouring out of the courtyard, the first one, a tall man, with a square face and a neat military uniform, needless to say that it was Zhang Guotao.

Hu Laohu gave a command, and the entire cavalry regiment stopped. Hu Laohu shouted loudly: "Salute to the heroic and warlike Red Fourth Front Army!" ”

The warriors all raised their hands on their horses and saluted, and their movements were uniform, and they had a kind of breathtaking majesty.

Zhang Guotao and other leaders of the Northwest Military and Political Commission who were driven out hurriedly raised their hands and returned the salute.

After Hu Laohu ordered the troops to rest for a while, he reported loudly: "Hu Laohu, commander of the Cavalry Regiment of the Seventh Army of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, was ordered to escort Comrade Liu Yimin, commander of the corps and secretary of the Party Committee, to visit the comrades of the Fourth Front Army. ”

Zhang Guotao walked out and said, "I am Zhang Guotao, which one is Comrade Liu Yimin?" ”

Only then did Liu Yimin turn over and dismount, walk in front of Zhang Guotao, stretch out his hands and hold Zhang Guotao's hand tightly, and said: "Hello Chairman Zhang, the comrades of the Fourth Front Army have worked hard!" ”

Zhang Guotao smiled, took Liu Yimin's hand and said: "I can't imagine that the legendary heroes of our Red Army are so young!" ”

The group talked and laughed and entered the courtyard.

After taking a seat in Zhang Guotao's office, Liu Yimin briefed Zhang Guotao on the situation and tasks of the Red Seventh Army, and then said earnestly: "Chairman Zhang, now the main forces of the Third and Fifth Army Corps and the Fourth Front Army of the First Front Army will soon join forces, and the situation in northern Sichuan is very good. Our Seventh Army Corps was ordered to go north, and the task was to seize Shaanxi. Due to the short period of time since the formation of our corps, although the troops have won some battles, they still lack backbone cadres. The Central Committee's decision to send Comrade Zeng Zhongsheng to the Seventh Army Corps as chief of staff was to help me in my work. Now the combat mission is heavy, and I am really tired without a military assistant alone. Please forgive Chairman Zhang, but I didn't deliberately dig into your corner. Chairman Zhang is a senior leader of our party and has rich experience, so please criticize and guide the work of our Seventh Army Corps. There is a big shortage of cadres in my country, and I also asked Chairman Zhang to support us with more cadres from the four front armies. ”

As soon as he heard that he was here to transfer Zeng Zhongsheng, Zhang Guotao's face changed, and he pondered for a long time before he said: "It's okay to transfer other people, this Zeng Zhongsheng has a bit of a problem, and it is still under review." Before the problem is clarified, I'm afraid it's not big! ”

Liu Yimin thought to himself, if I wasn't afraid that Zeng Zhongsheng would be born into your hands, I wouldn't have come to transfer him! Just said: "Chairman Zhang, Zeng Zhongsheng has been censored?" When did this happen? Didn't you report to the Central Committee? This Zeng Zhongsheng is a high-ranking cadre of our party, and I am afraid that the approval of the Central Committee is needed to examine him, right? ”

Zhang Guotao was powerful in all directions at this time, he didn't expect a young boy to dare to speak to him like this, his face was a little red, and his voice was a little gloomy: "This, after all, the central government is too far away, and I haven't had time to report yet." However, the current situation of the struggle is so grim that if the Central Committee is consulted on everything, it will inflict great losses on the Red Army. ”

Liu Yimin doesn't care about this, what he grasps is the flaw in Zhang Guotao's words, not only does he have to let him go, but it can't hurt the unity of the First and Fourth Front Armies.

As soon as he heard Zhang Guotao say this, Liu Yimin shook his head like a rattle: "Chairman Zhang, I respect you very much, but I don't agree with your statement, [***] people don't hide their opinions, please don't be angry." Take my Seventh Army Corps as an example, if it is according to Chairman Zhang, wouldn't it be that I can censor whoever I want? If that's the case, maybe one day I'll force others to be anxious, won't my political commissar, the director of the political department, and the division commander below all be able to review me behind the back of the central government? This kind of thing must not be done. As for the senior cadres, it is still necessary to report to the Central Committee, because we [***] and the Red Army have iron discipline, and the Central Committee will investigate and investigate them afterwards. ”

Zhang Guotao was afraid that the central government would investigate him, and he was anxious, and his face became more and more cloudy.

Liu Yimin saw that Zhang Guotao's face was not good, and he was afraid that he would say something like Zeng Zhongsheng was not here, and when he exposed him, he would be annoyed and angry. said first: "Coincidentally, I met Zeng Zhongsheng when I entered the town just now. I didn't know him at the time, but I saw him shouting to see Chairman Zhang, trying to rush out of a courtyard, and was fighting with the guards. I just thought that someone else had been wronged, and I wanted to report to Chairman Zhang. I asked the fighters to pull him out. When I asked, I found out that he was Zeng Zhongsheng. Now, my chief of staff will take office directly. I brought him with me, right in the ranks of the cavalry regiment. However, Chairman Zhang, the order of the Central Committee has been issued to the Seventh Army Corps, and I believe you have also received it. The above is clear, Zeng Zhongsheng was dismissed from the post of chief of staff of the Northwest Military and Political Commission, and appointed as a member of the party committee and chief of staff of the Red Seventh Army Corps. I have already conveyed the order to him just now, and he will come to see Chairman Zhang again, but in his capacity as the chief of staff of my Seventh Army Corps, please consider this point! ”

Zhang Guotao is now completely annoyed, and he can't wait to shoot this guy in front of him.

However, after all, Zhang Guotao is quite powerful and scheming, knowing that this Liu Yimin is now famous, he is very good at fighting, he is the most powerful young general in the Central Red Army, and the strength of the Red Seventh Army is amazing, don't look at him shouting Chairman Zhang again and again, I am afraid that he has no respect for himself at all. He dared to come directly to see himself, he was by no means the kind of ordinary Red Army general who did not have a trace of precaution in his heart, looking at the formation of his cavalry regiment boasting of force just now, this guy might have known that he would not let go, so he cut first and then played first, showed off his might last, and used words to squeeze himself.

Zhang Guotao scolded the ignorant boy in his heart, but said: "Comrade Liu Yimin is polite. Since the central government ordered Zeng Zhongsheng to work in the Seventh Army Corps, I naturally have no opinion. However, there is indeed a problem with this Zeng Zhongsheng, you see, can you let him take office a few days later, and wait for the conclusion of the Political Security Bureau. Is this also responsible to the party, to the Seventh Army Corps, and to himself? ”

Liu Yimin secretly scolded Zhang Guotao in his heart for not being a thing, when is it time, and he still wants to kill Zeng Zhongsheng. He smiled and said, "Chairman Zhang, the order I received is to take my chief of staff to take office, and the troops are all waiting in Nanjiang, and we will set off for the north after receiving the chief of staff." As for what you said about examining Zeng Zhongsheng, I don't know, and the central government has no order. That's the business of your chiefs, I, a man who leads troops to war, how can I be this master? I see this, I took Zeng Zhongsheng away and supervised him. When you meet with [***], Vice Chairman Zhou, Commander-in-Chief Zhu, and Comrade Luo Fu, you can study it. No matter what you decide, I and the Seventh Legion will resolutely carry it out. If I don't let him go with me now, I won't be able to complete my mission. Since I joined the Red Army, I have not failed to complete a mission. Chairman Zhang, you are the chief, you will not let your subordinate cadres fail to complete the task! ”

Zhang Guotao saw that Liu Yimin couldn't splash the water, and Zeng Zhongsheng had already arrived in Liu Yimin's hands, so he knew that it was impossible to keep Zeng Zhongsheng. This Liu Yimin is too bastard, he doesn't buy his own account at all, he doesn't eat hard and soft, if he resorts to force, not to mention that he can't afford to wear the hat that destroys the unity of the Red Army, he is working sideways, the main force is not around, and I am afraid that this cavalry regiment will not be able to stop it with the guard troops. Liu Yimin in front of him is not an ordinary person, he will not stand still, don't make the goal unfulfilled when the time comes, but end up with a dirty name. It's strange, where did Lao Mao get this guy, it's just a stone in a pit, stinky and hard!

Zhang Guotao said coldly: "Since you have an order from the central government, and the people are also in your hands, you can just take them away, why are you still coming to me?" ”

Liu Yimin saw that Zhang Guotao finally couldn't hold his breath anymore and changed his face. He smiled bitterly and said, "Chairman Zhang, is there something wrong with what I said that makes you angry?" As a matter of fact, when the central authorities sent me a chief of staff, they were carefully selected. At that time, we didn't know about Comrade Zeng Zhongsheng's censorship, and I estimated that the Central Committee was considering the heavy tasks of the Seventh Army Corps, and I was very young and needed a chief of staff with excellent military qualities to help me, so I selected Comrade Zeng Zhongsheng. To be honest, I've only heard his name before, and I don't know anything else. You may not know that my political commissar Comrade Luo Ronghuan was transferred from the First Army Corps, and I heard that the [***] Regiment Commander and Nie Rongzhen Political Commissar were unwilling to let them go, and I also sent several telegrams with [***] them, and finally I sent the guard regiment to snatch them back. There is no way, the army is newly formed, there are many problems, more than 40,000 horses have to eat, drink and fight, and I am not enough to die of exhaustion alone. I had to rob people and make you laugh! ”

When Zhang Guotao heard this, he was surprised and delighted, and was surprised that there were 40,000 horses in the Seventh Army Corps, so how many guns should the Central Red Army have now? Happily, it seems that the central authorities do not know that they are engaged in a large-scale purge of rebellion in the Fourth Front Army, and this may indeed be a normal personnel adjustment. However, this guy is young, but he is very old, and he still can't fully believe his words.

Seeing that Zhang Guotao had a gloomy face and did not speak, Liu Yimin continued: "Chairman Zhang, there are many soldiers and cadres in the four fronts, you can't understand my difficulties. Or, you can tell [***] them that you can transfer me to work next to you, change with Commander-in-Chief Xu and Political Commissar Chen, or go to which army to be a commander. That way, you can often criticize and guide me so that I can improve faster. If it is inconvenient for you to say it, I can report to the Central Committee and ask to be transferred to the Fourth Front Army, and I will be your chief of staff. You have left a Zeng Zhongsheng, and another Liu Yimin, you will not suffer! ”

When Zhang Guotao heard this, his head was big. This guy is too insidious, he is not Xu Xiangqian, he keeps everything in his heart and is at his mercy. If he really comes to the Fourth Front Army, it is estimated that it will not be long before the troops will only know that there is Liu Yimin but not Chairman Zhang. Although Zeng Zhongsheng can fight wars and has high prestige, he is politically naïve. This guy is different, he can be big or small, and he can talk both right and wrong. Don't leave Zeng Zhongsheng, but there is a Liu Yimin, it is simply asking for trouble.

Forget it, let's let Zeng Zhongsheng have a way to live, that is, what if the central government knows that he has rebelled, Lao Tzu is still afraid that they will not succeed?

Zhang Guotao, who was in a complicated mood, said with a calm face: "Comrade Liu Yimin, your Seventh Army is very capable of fighting, and Hu Zongnan's first division was destroyed by you. Right? ”

As soon as Liu Yimin heard Zhang Guotao ask this, he knew that things were easy to do. He said: "Chairman Zhang, the Seventh Army Corps fought Hu Zongnan, which was a battle plan determined by [***], Vice Chairman Zhou, and Commander-in-Chief Zhu. We're just executing. However, Hu Zongnan's troops were really difficult to fight, and the troops suffered heavy casualties. If Hu Zongnan's troops had formed a battle formation and were able to exert their firepower, it would have been difficult to say whether they would have won or lost. ”

Zhang Guotao nodded: "The southern part of Hu Zong is very combative, and he suffered his losses when Hubei, Henan and Anhui broke through, this is good, you have avenged our four front armies!" ”

Liu Yimin hit the snake with the stick, and said directly: "Chairman Zhang, are you supporting the cadres of the Seventh Army Corps?" ”

Zhang Guotao couldn't laugh or cry, where is this guy a legion commander, is he simply a shrewd businessman! I want to pull into my arms anytime and anywhere. He smiled and said, "Okay, after the meeting, I'll send some cadres to you." ”

Liu Yimin knew that the rain had cleared up, and it was time to go. Just said: "Thank you, Chairman Zhang, you have to talk and count, I'm waiting to use cadres!" ”

After speaking, Liu Yimin stood up and said: "Chairman Zhang, thank you for supporting the work of the Seventh Army Corps, there is nothing else to repay, and when Shaanxi is defeated, I will invite you to eat mutton steamed buns from Xi'an." When the time comes, you must bring your lady with you, and I will toast you two glasses of wine. ”

Zhang Guotao couldn't wait for Liu Yimin to leave quickly, and hurriedly said, "What, do you want to leave?" Do you want to go after eating? The Tumba region is poor and there are no good things. However, do you still have to eat rice? ”

Liu Yimin was also like an arrow at this time, where he was willing to stay longer, and he didn't argue the truth of Zhang Guotao's words, and said directly: "No, my task has been completed, and I want to rush to the front line directly." When the battle is over, we will meet again. ”

Just as he was about to shake hands with Zhang Guotao to say goodbye, he heard a commotion in the courtyard. After a while, someone shouted a report at the door.

Zhang Guotao said come in, and the door was pushed open.

The three people who came in didn't look at anyone in the room, and said directly: "Report to Chairman Zhang, I found out that Zeng Zhongsheng escaped just now." ”

Zhang Guotao was a little embarrassed, glanced at Liu Yimin, and saw Liu Yimin standing there, but his eyes were looking out of the door, as if he hadn't heard it, and sighed in his heart that Liu Yimin could really calm down. Just said: "Chunquan, Li Te, Huang Chao, come and get to know, this is Comrade Liu Yimin, the commander of the Red Seventh Army." Comrade Liu Yimin, Comrade Zhou Chunquan, deputy director of the General Political Department of the Front Army and secretary of the Sichuan-Shaanxi Provincial CPC Committee, Comrade Huang Chao, secretary general of the Northwest Military and Political Commission, and Comrade Li Te, deputy chief of staff of the Front Army. ”

When Liu Yimin heard this, he took his eyes back from the door, looked at the three of them, and thought to himself that he didn't know what tricks he was doing.

Thinking in his heart, he still raised his hand and saluted, and then hugged the three of them in turn.

Litte had returned from studying in the Soviet Union, young and vigorous, and looked a little cold. Zhou Chunquan is very sophisticated, and Huang Chao is Zhang Guotao's secretary, so the two are more enthusiastic.

Liu Yimin was in a hurry to leave, and he didn't want to greet them much, so he said: "Chairman Zhang, you can talk about work, I will leave." In the future, comrades from the Fourth Front Army will be invited to the Seventh Army Corps. ”

Zhang Guotao was about to speak, and Li Teh said to Liu Yimin: "The cavalry on the street is the guard unit you led, right?" ”

Liu Yimin nodded.

Li Te's face was expressionless: "Your guard unit has hidden the fugitive Zeng Zhongsheng, please hand him over." ”

The next few people stopped talking, and even Zhang Guotao was silently looking at Liu Yimin to see how he answered.

Liu Yimin laughed and said: "Comrade Li Te, let me correct you, Comrade Zeng Zhongsheng is not a fugitive, he is a member of the Party Committee and chief of staff of the Red Seventh Army newly appointed by the Central Committee and the Central Revolutionary Military Commission, and I am here to welcome him to take office." ”

Huang Chao answered: "Zeng Zhongsheng is under review, how can the central government appoint him as the chief of staff of the Seventh Army Corps?" It's just a mess! ”

Liu Yimin didn't speak, and looked at Zhang Guotao. Zhang Guotao had no choice but to say: "We can't discuss the central government's decision-making. Commander Liu still has something to do, so we'll send him off. ”

Zhou Chunquan said slowly: "It's not impossible for Zeng Zhongsheng to be transferred, the problem is that his affairs haven't been clarified yet, so how can he do it without a conclusion!" ”

Liu Yimin smiled: "Comrade Zhou Chunquan, I only take over my chief of staff, I have already reported to Chairman Zhang just now, and you can report other matters to the Central Committee in the future!" ”

After saying that, he raised his feet and was about to go out, but Li Te's body shook and blocked the door, and said loudly: "No, Zeng Zhongsheng must be examined, you can't take him away." ”

Liu Yimin looked at it, this Li Teh was really impulsive. Thinking that Li Te's death in history was quite unjust, he sat down in his chair again and said patiently: "Comrade Li Te, Comrade Zeng Zhongsheng is a senior cadre of our party, a meritorious hero of the Red Army, and the father of the Hubei-Henan-Anhui Base Area and the Red Fourth Front Army. For a cadre of his level, it is not something you want to review. Even if you shoot him, you will still treat him as a martyr in the history books in the future. And the person who shot him will probably be nailed to the pillar of shame in history and reviled by future generations. You have studied in the Soviet Union, and your policy level should be very high, and you should know the principle that the whole party and the whole army must obey the central authorities! ”

Li Teye also smiled, pointed at Liu Yimin with his finger and said: "You dare to say that Zeng Zhongsheng is a hero of the Red Army and a father of the Four Front Army!" Let me tell you, the Four Front Army was developed by Chairman Zhang, so what does it have to do with Zeng Zhongsheng? ”

Liu Yimin was unhappy, his face was gloomy, and he said in a low voice: "Comrade Li Te, please pay attention to your demeanor, is this how the Fourth Front Army educates cadres?" There are no rules at all, how can you point your finger at the head of the fraternal unit and speak? ”

Litt was red-faced and muttered, "You can't take people away anyway." Zeng Zhongsheng must be reviewed. ”

Liu Yimin felt that this Li Teh was really excessive, and then glanced at Zhang Guotao, Zhou Chunquan, and Huang Chao, and saw that they were all expressionless, so he said: "Comrade Li Te, you are excessive." Zeng Zhongsheng is now the chief of staff of our Red Seventh Army Corps, and your Fourth Front Army has no right to examine the cadres of our Seventh Army Corps. Don't say you can't, and neither can anyone else! I advise you to learn more about the discipline of our Red Army. ”

After speaking, he stood up and said to Zhang Guotao: "Chairman Zhang, I have come to visit the leaders of the Fourth Front Army as the commander of the Red Seventh Army Corps, and they are not the main responsible persons of the Party and government of the Four Front Army, and they are not qualified to talk to me. Please order them to get out! ”

Zhang Guotao was helpless, so he had to smile and said: "Commander Liu, don't be angry, can you also listen to the opinions of the cadres of the Four Fronts." There is indeed a problem with this Zeng Zhongsheng! However, since the Central Committee has an order, let's let Comrade Zeng Zhongsheng go. Chunquan, Li Te, Huang Chao, let's send Comrade Liu Yimin together. ”

After speaking, he took Liu Yimin's hand and walked towards the door.

As soon as Hu Laohu saw the corps commander come out, he immediately ran over and saluted: "Report to the corps commander, the cavalry regiment is ordered to escort you back to the corps headquarters, please instruct!" ”

After Liu Yimin raised his hand to return the salute, he said lightly: "Let's go." ”

After shaking hands with Zhang Guotao again, Liu Yimin deliberately walked up to Li Teh again and said: "On the way to find the Red Army, I once met your mother, and she was always concerned about you. I hope to see you again in my lifetime. Comrade Li Te, I hope that for the sake of the revolution and for the sake of your poor mother, you will be a little more open-minded and far-sighted. ”

Li Teh was stunned when he heard this, and it took a long time to remember that he should ask Liu Yimin where he met his mother. Who knew that when he looked up, Liu Yimin had already mounted his horse and galloped into the distance with the cavalry regiment.

(To be continued)