Jiangxi's defensive operations achieved a brilliant victory, causing a strong shock in Fujian. However, the sudden dispatch of the Japanese fleet and marines to quickly capture Kinmen Island was a surprise to the Fujian military junta, which was undoubtedly a signal for the Japanese to attack Fujian. In fact, this was Okamura Ningji's suspicious plan, which was intended to prevent the 1st Corps of the Eighth Route Army from moving westward, prevent the 1st Corps of the Eighth Route Army from fighting in Hunan, and ensure the smooth implementation of the Battle of Wuhan. The Japanese army's tactics of attacking the east and attacking the west did not affect the decision-making of the Eighth Route Army, but on the contrary, it made Jiang Guangding and Cai Tingkai worried.

At present, the 1st Corps of the Eighth Route Army is responsible for the defense of Fuzhou, Quanzhou, and Xiamen. If the Japanese army focused on Fuzhou, it would be difficult for the four divisions in the hands of Jiang Guangding to resist the Japanese attack. The tragedy of the Battle of Songhu and the unprecedented Battle of Jiangxi are not the same as the previous Sino-Japanese military conflict in Songhu and Shanghai. At present, Jiang Guangding's hands are still 4 divisions, about 60,000 horses. If the four divisions want to hold Fuzhou, it is undoubtedly a fool's dream.

In the headquarters of the 19th Route Army in Fuzhou, Jiang Guangding walked into the headquarters after holding a meeting of the provincial government. "What is happening in the Japanese army?" Jiang Guangding asked. Cai Tingkai, deputy commander of the army, said: "This morning, the 1st Corps of the Eighth Route Army reported that at about 6 o'clock in the morning, two Japanese gunboats shelled Xiamen!" We judged that this was an attack from the east to the west, and the target of the Japanese army might be Fuzhou. I have ordered the forward troops to be ready and keep an eye on the movements of the Japanese army at any time! "Is Commander Lin back?" "The 1st Corps Headquarters has reported that Commander Lin is returning from Ruijin!"

"Is there no news from the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army?" "Nope!" Jiang Guangding said: "Brother Cai, we have been inextricably linked with Jiangxi in the past few years, you have me, I have you. We have all seen the sincerity, selflessness, and responsibility of taking the world as its own responsibility, and we have also felt it deeply. In particular, the powerful power displayed by the Eighth Route Army in the Battle of Jiangxi gives us hope for the future of China. At present, the Japanese army is eyeing Fujian, and we can no longer wait and see and be marginal. ”

"Commander-in-chief, you mean that we join the Communist Party without hesitation, but how can those gentlemen and the Chongqing side explain!" "There won't be a lot of resistance from the junta's leaders, maybe they already wanted to, and even if there was resistance, it wouldn't hurt. I am worried about Chongqing, and now the opportunity has come, and now Chongqing is difficult to protect itself, and the mountain is high and the emperor is far away. Your duty and mine's duty are related to the future and destiny of Fujian, and we can no longer look ahead and backward, Commander Lin has hinted many times that he has been patiently waiting for our choice. At present, we cannot miss the opportunity. ”

"Commander-in-chief, do you want to call a meeting of the junta?" "The movement in extraordinary times should not be too big, first integrate the troops into the Eighth Route Army system, and other aspects can be eased." "Commander-in-chief, I have no opinion!" "Time is running out, you come to command the troops, I will leave for Ruijin immediately!" It is not so much that Jiang Guangding's choice is forced by the situation, but that it is a waterway under specific conditions. Perhaps it is the long-term integration from quantitative to qualitative change, or perhaps it is inevitable.

At the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army in Ruijin, Runzhi held a telegram in his hand and said to Zhu De: "Jade Steps! It seems that Ouyang's boiled frog in warm water has achieved results, and the Japanese army's capture of Jinshan Island is like a catalyst, and I judge that Jiang Guangding came in a hurry to kick the branches! "Chief of Staff Ouyang, what do you say?" Zhu De asked knowingly. Ouyang Jian said with a smile: "Strong means cohesion, and it also means charisma. The chairman judged very accurately, perhaps the Japanese persecution gave Jiang Guangding an excuse. ”

"Jiang Guangding's choice to join without hesitation indicates that our future is brighter. However, these are extraordinary times, and I don't think it's appropriate to make this happening public! "The way of run." The chairman is right, we can't give Lao Jiang the truth. I suggest that the 19th Route Army be secretly reorganized into the 4th Corps of the Eighth Route Army, which will not be announced to the public for the time being. Seeing Zhu De nodding his head, Runzhi said decisively: "It's so decided, the public number of the 19th Route Army remains unchanged, and it is secretly reorganized into the 4th Corps of the Eighth Route Army." The Fujian junta remained unchanged. ”

The next day, Jiang Guangding arrived in Ruijin. In the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army, when Jiang Guangding announced his decision, Runshang stepped forward to shake hands with Jiang Guangding warmly and said: "General Jiang, on behalf of the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army, I welcome your department to join. At present, the all-out war of resistance is the main theme, in order not to affect the overall situation of the war of resistance, in order to avoid unnecessary friction. It is not appropriate for the 19th Route Army to join the Eighth Route Army publicly, and the original number will continue to be maintained externally. After research and decision, your unit was reorganized into the 4th Corps of the Eighth Route Army, with General Jiang as the commander and General Cai as the deputy commander. ”

"Thank you, Chair! Thank you for your trust in me! Jiang Guangding was obviously a little excited. Zhu De stepped forward and shook hands and said, "General Jiang, we have selected General Zuo Quan, deputy chief of general staff of the Eighth Route Army, to serve as the political commissar of the 4th Corps. "Thank you for your support!" Ouyang Jian stepped forward and shook hands and said, "Welcome General Jiang to lead his troops to join the Eighth Route Army, we have been looking forward to this day for a long time." From today onwards, the logistics supply, weapons and ammunition of your unit will all be coordinated by the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army. "Chief of Staff Ouyang is a tycoon, you have to toast him a few glasses after a while!" Peng Dehuai teased.

The atmosphere at the wine table was warm, Ouyang Jian raised his wine glass and said, "General Jiang! There is a way to know the times for those who are junjie, I won't say anything, the words are all in the wine! "General Chiang, according to our analysis, under the present state, the Japanese army will not launch a landing operation along the coast of Fujian, and the Japanese army will capture Kinmen Island and shell Xiamen in the east, aiming to prevent our 1st Corps from falling west and fighting in the direction of Hunan. Even if the Japanese army does not draw a snake to add to it, our 1st Corps will not move, and the strategic value of Fujian is particularly important to us! Runzhi appeased Jiang Guangding.

"Chairman, in that case, how about the Japanese army put on the Ecstasy Array!" Jiang Guangding was confused. Ouyang Jian interjected: "The new commander of the Japanese army's East China Dispatch Army, Okamura Ningji, is very cunning. He asked the Marines to capture Kinmen Island, which also meant to be tempting. If we mobilize our forces, it will be possible for the Japanese to launch a small-scale landing operation and achieve the objectives of the campaign at the lowest cost. The Japanese army had a super ability to maneuver at sea, and there was no problem in quickly concentrating several divisions and regiments along the coast of Fujian, so our 1st Corps could not move. ”

Zhu De said: "General Jiang! In the past two months, your unit has been on standby on the defensive line, and it has been very fortunate, and we have studied and decided that your unit will be pulled to the Nanping area for rest and recuperation, and the 2nd Army of the 1st Corps will serve as the front-line guard in Fuzhou. Runzhi smiled and said, "General Jiang! Your 4th Corps must not be in vain, but must be expanded by two divisions to reach the establishment of two corps, and in the future, the defense of Fujian will be handed over to you. Jiang Guangding heard this, and a happy smile appeared on his face.

Subsequently, the Military Commission ordered the headquarters of Lin's 1st Corps, including 2 divisions of the 2nd Army, to move to Fuzhou to replace Jiang Guangding's headquarters. Since the newly joined 19th Route Army is to be expanded, many related things have to be resolved. Ouyang Jian was solely responsible for this work, so he temporarily stayed in Ruijin and could not return to Yunshui County. After Jiang Guangdingzhi was satisfied and returned to Fuzhou, Peng Dehuai also had to return to the Jingdezhen East Front Headquarters, and Ouyang Jian practiced for Peng Dehuai that night.

The candlelight was soft, and after a few glasses of wine, both sides opened the conversation. "Brother Ouyang, the battle of Wuhan is about to kick off, and we can't sit idly by. In order to cooperate with the Battle of Wuhan, I planned to launch a large-scale sabotage battle on the Eastern Front to catch the Japanese army by surprise. "Good idea, the territory of the Eastern Front is vast and suitable for guerrilla warfare." "I'm afraid that the Military Commission will not agree!" "Attacking the Japanese army with a company and platoon as a unit, there is no need to report it to the Military Commission, you can call the shots."

Ouyang Jian continued: "According to reliable intelligence, the 40th and 41st Divisions, the 16th Mixed Brigade, the 8th Heavy Artillery Brigade, and the 4th Armored Wing of the Japanese Army have not shown any traces of movement on the front line of Hangzhou. It seems that Okamura Ninji sent heavy troops to guard us in order to ensure the battle of Wuhan and the safety of Songhu. Okamura Ninji is wishful thinking, we can't let the Japanese army stop for a moment, and we must accumulate small victories into big victories. I suggest that you dedicate 4 regiments to guerrilla warfare. With regard to guerrilla warfare, the Central Military Commission has already drawn up a plan, and your ideas are in line with the deployment of the Central Military Commission. ”

Hearing this, Peng Dehuai got up and walked to the map and said, "Brother Ouyang! The area south of Hangzhou and the northern foot of Wuyi Mountain, including the area south of Hangzhou Bay, can open up a guerrilla zone. "Brother Peng, you have a great appetite. In fact, the purpose of the Central Military Commission's order to station Lin in Fuzhou was to carry out guerrilla operations at the northern foot of Wuyi Mountain, and the purpose was to drag the Japanese army on the front line of Hangzhou so that it could not move south, and strive to establish an anti-Japanese base in southern Zhejiang. "Haha! How did I forget Brother Lin, he was depressed when he didn't fight. ”

"Brother Peng, I suggest that your guerrilla zone be placed in the surrounding areas of Anhui, Jiangsu, and Songhu, and strive to radiate the northern region. In the future, we will gradually spread the flames of war to the enemy-occupied areas and strike at the enemy for a long time until the enemy is brought down. After the reorganization of the 4th Corps is completed, I will go to Fuzhou to study how to carry out guerrilla warfare at the northern foot of the Wuyi Mountains. Regardless of the outcome of the Battle of Wuhan, we should be prepared in advance. ”

Ouyang Jian continued: "Brother Peng, I have already recommended to the Military Commission that you serve as the deputy commander-in-chief of the Eighth Route Army, and fully command the operations of the Eighth Route Army in the enemy-occupied area!" "Brother Ouyang! What are you kidding, what are you going to do! Peng Dehuai was confused. Ouyang Jian smiled bitterly: "What does it mean to be in the rivers and lakes, and you can't help yourself. According to reliable sources, Generals Zhang Zhizhong, Chen Cheng, and Wei Lihuang recommended to Lao Chiang to go to the Ministry of National Defense as a senior military adviser, but Lao Chiang did not spit out. If the battle of Wuhan Lao Jiang wins, it is another matter, if I lose, I will definitely go. ”

Peng Dehuai nodded and said, "What the Military Commission means!" "The chairman supports me to go, and in the future, the main force of our Eighth Route Army will always be an important combat force. The chairman said that we must have a say in the Ministry of National Defense, and we must be clear about major military operations. Peng Dehuai nodded and said, "Lao Jiang has to pay attention to us, because he has no choice. "Brother Peng, in the future, your opponent will be Okamura Ningji, this person ・・・・・・."

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