The victory of the independent division was undoubtedly a very gratifying and exciting thing for the main force of the Red Army to rest and reorganize in Kangding. What made everyone even happier was the thousands of captives that the independent division escorted all the way to Kangding.

Although this deal with Liu Wenhui released many captured officers of the national army. However, in He Zhengdao's view, except for those officers who voluntarily stayed, he rarely forced officers to join the ranks of the Red Army.

In contrast, these captured ordinary soldiers made He Zhengdao feel that it was easier to educate. After retaining some of the better quality and some professional troops, the extra prisoners He Zhengdao were also handed over to the headquarters.

In this ambush battle in Hanyuan, the Red Ninth Army undoubtedly ate the fattest piece of meat. And after some selection, the independent division still let the troops of the headquarters also drink a mouthful of soup. But the scale of the independent division is still somewhat large.

On the night of his arrival in Kangding, He Zhengdao was invited to Mao Taizu's temporary residence for dinner. At the dinner table, Mao Taizu also said seriously: "Xiao He, do you have any thoughts about independent divisions?" ”

In response to such an inquiry, He Zhengdao was stunned and said: "Commissar Mao, do you want to reorganize the independent division?" ”

'Not a regroup! Your independent division is already the most powerful unit of our Red Army, and if you reorganize it, won't it be a self-dereliction of strength? I mean, your current establishment is far beyond the size of a main division.

Some time ago, I was going to upgrade your independent division to a legion. It's just that at that time, you feel that the time is not ripe. So now, your independent division can also be described as strong and strong, haven't you thought about being upgraded to a corps? ’

Listening to Mao Taizu's words, He Zhengdao thought for a while and said with a wry smile: "Commissar Mao, do you think my current age is appropriate?" The commander of the corps who is less than twenty years old, I'm afraid that the whole army is unique, right? What will others think? ”

In He Zhengdao's view, with the current four main regiments of the independent division, four new regiments, and one logistics brigade, the total strength has reached nearly 30,000. Continuing to flaunt the banner of divisional troops still seems somewhat inappropriate!

Faced with He Zhengdao's answer, Mao Taizu thought for a while and said with a smile: "It's too! There are not many people who are less than twenty years old and become division commanders, and if you become a regiment commander, your age is indeed a big problem.

However, you should know that our Red Army is not the same as the National * Army. We are those who can go up, and those who can't go down. After fighting along the way, your command ability and contributions to our party are obvious to all.

Gu Youganluo was twelve years old, and you were less than twenty years old to be a legion commander, I personally think there is no problem. This time, we have switched all the way to the war, and you have led the independent division to win successive battles, and this credit cannot be erased.

I'll talk to them about the headquarters. Now the crux of the matter is that you are the commander of the legion for sure. But your partner is just afraid that he is not suitable to be a political commissar. Zhou Zhi, the victorious army, can serve as the director of the political department.

In the selection of the commissar of the legion, I will pick you a little more experienced. In this way, if the old and the new are combined, it will also ensure the smooth progress of the unit's work after the expansion. What do you think of Comrade Xiao Jinguang of the Central Military Commission? ”

He Zhengdao, who said this with a smile, was stunned and said, "Commissar Mao, has the headquarters decided?" ”

'Nope! I just want to discuss with you first, and see if you have any comments and thoughts on the expansion of the independent division. The choice of Comrade Xiao Jinguang as the political commissar also feels that he is more suitable to partner with you.

In addition, Comrade Xiao Jinguang is also one of the few commanders of our party who has studied abroad. In the future, you may be able to complement each other's strengths in command. But still, I'd like to hear what you think! ’

Perhaps seeing He Zhengdao's hesitation, Mao Taizu said again: "You and I are not outsiders, if you have any ideas, just say it boldly!" ”

He Zhengdao, who heard this, finally said: "Commissar Mao, our army has already formed one to nine corps, so can our independent division be called differently?" Promoted to an independent column, still directly under the central command?

As for the choice of commissar, I have no opinion. Captain Xiao is also a veteran of the Red Army, and it is also an honor for me to work with him. It's just that in the selection of division commanders, I hope there will not be too many changes.

In addition, if possible, I hope that the General Headquarters will support some of our political cadres and the backbone of the Red Army. Although the independent division is strong and strong, the speed of expansion is too high, and there will be no problems in fighting a favorable battle. Once defeated, I am afraid that there will be an unstable situation in the morale of the army. ”

In He Zhengdao's view, there are currently Red One to Red Ninth Legions. Even if the Red Seventh Army among them has basically existed in name only. If the independent division is upgraded, it can only be called the Red Tenth Legion, or the Legion after the Red Ten.

At present, the few legions on the Red side are estimated to be enough to call one army. The current number of officers and men of many corps division-level units is not as large as the number of the main force of an independent division.

In contrast, most of the subordinate units of the Red Fourth Front Army, which is still at the end of its division, are based on the army system. The name of the legion is currently limited to the Red Army.

For the name 'independence', He Zhengdao still cares very much. If it's called the Independence Army, it's a bit inappropriate. But if it is an independent column, He Zhengdao thinks it will be more appropriate.

The title of column commander also made He Zhengdao feel more comfortable than the corps commander. If it is directly promoted to a column, if the unit is expanded in the future, there will be no need to change the number.

Directly below the column are division-level troops, which is also conducive to the command of troops. If the number of prisoners recruited increases in the future, He Zhengdao can also expand the three divisions and one brigade, or even more troops, as long as they are approved by the headquarters.

Such an answer made Mao Taizu think for a while and said: "The original meaning of the headquarters was to upgrade the independent division to the Red Seventh Army Corps, and Comrade Jinguang served as the political commissar of the Red Seventh Army in his early years, but your suggestion can also be considered." ”

"Commissar Mao, in fact, at present, most of the strength of our Red Front Army and several legions has not been restored. In addition to the Red Ninth Army, there are currently nearly 20,000 people. The rest of the Red One and the Red Three and Red Fifth Legions did not have many personnel.

Although it bears the name of the corps, the actual troop allocation is not as good as even a main division of the Central Army. Even if I handed over more than 10,000 prisoners to the headquarters on two occasions, for the three corps, there was still a shortage of personnel.

The reason why I hope that the headquarters will upgrade the independent division to an independent column is more for the convenience of expanding the troops in the future. As far as the current establishment of independent divisions is concerned, after being upgraded to columns, it can be completely reorganized into three divisions and one brigade.

With such an establishment, if we encounter division-level troops of the Central Army in the future, one of our divisions will be able to confront each other. I will also fill in the three main divisions one after another with the prisoners who will be recruited in the future.

If all goes well, I hope that when the troops reach the north, the independent column will have more than 50,000 troops. In this case, if the independent column fights in the future, even without the support of the headquarters, I dare to fight to the death with the Central Army. ’

Such an answer made Mao Taizu also hear He Zhengdao, and he still had his own ideas about the promotion of independent divisions. If the independent division entered the north, it would really be able to expand into a force of 50,000 men, which would be too precious for the Red Army.

Thinking of this, Mao Taizu quickly smiled and said, "Okay! I'll discuss your thoughts with the boss and Enlai. If the order is issued, I would also like to see your reorganization time as short as possible.

At present, our situation, although it has improved. But you should know that Lao Jiang doesn't want to see us rise. This time, you knocked out nearly two million ransom from him, and he must be angry.

Next, if our main force wants to advance into the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningbo region, we also need to fight against the Sichuan Army, the Northwest Army, and even the Central Army in the north. Therefore, the burden of the future of the independent division is still very heavy, and I hope you will not let us down. ”

'Please rest assured! No matter when and where, the independent division will be a force that dares to fight and win! ’

'Good! This sounds uplifting, and I hope you can do what you say! ’

After dinner, He Zhengdao, who returned to the camp of the independent division, also found the political commissar Yao Shengjun alone and explained to him that the independent division might be upgraded and his work needed to be adjusted.

Regarding He Zhengdao's apology, Yao Shengjun smiled and said: "Division commander, this is a good thing!" In fact, since serving as the political commissar of the independent division, I have also felt a lot of pressure. Comrade Xiao Jinguang took over my post, and I raised my hands in favor!

Division commander, don't feel sorry for me, I am already very satisfied to be able to live until now, watching our troops grow day by day. The independent division can be said to have today, it can be said that it is all your credit! ”

'Commissar, you would be too polite to say that. If you hadn't had you to manage the logistics of the recruits, I wouldn't have been so relieved to fight in front of me. In any case, after the unit is upgraded, we still have to work together.

I have already told CPPCC National Committee Mao that I hope that in the near future, when we enter the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningbo region, the size of the army will be expanded to more than 50,000 people. The establishment of the three divisions and one brigade must be fully staffed. Therefore, the burden on you and me is still very heavy! ’

He Zhengdao, who said these words, still felt very admired in his heart. Compared with the struggle for power and profit in the national * army today, the political consciousness of these old Red Army members in the Red Army really has nothing to say, and everything is subject to the arrangements of the central government!