Looking at the attacking troops of the Red Fourth Front Army, they had already withdrawn from Baizhang Town. The pursuing troops were also counterattacked by the blocking forces of the Red Army. Liu Xiang, who was sitting in the rear, also knew that the battle of Baizhang was almost over.

Although the Red Fourth Front Army, which attacked Baizhang this time, suffered heavy losses, what about the troops in his hands? In the face of this lose-lose situation, Liu Xiang also didn't feel a little joy.

Even if he received the commendation telegram from Lao Jiang, Liu Xiang still felt like he couldn't cry or laugh. The most important thing is that Liu Xiang already knows that the Central Red Army has laid down a large revolutionary base area in northern Shaanxi.

This time, he inflicted such huge casualties on the Red Fourth Front Army, and the Red Army is afraid that the Red Army will not let him go in the future. Unless he can always have the capital to fight against the Red Army, his future outcome is just as worrying!

When Liu Xiang cleaned up his mood and rewarded the three armies, the Red Fourth Front Army, which withdrew to Baoxing, was stunned when they learned of Zhang Guotao's sacrifice. After all, Zhang Guotao is undoubtedly a spiritual pillar in these Red Fourth Front Army.

It doesn't matter if they lose a battle, they have not lost a battle since the Red Fourth Front Army withdrew from the base area. Victory or defeat is a common thing in soldiers, and many commanders are clear about it. But the collapse of the main spiritual pillar is truly fatal.

In the face of the situation of scattered military morale, Mr. Zhu, in the name of the commander-in-chief of the Red Army, convened a meeting of regimental-level officers of the Red Fourth Front Army. We hope to reverse this unfavorable situation and discuss what the next step should be.

Even in today's Red Fourth Front Army, there are less than 30,000 troops left. But with the addition of the Red Fifth Army, whose strength has not been lost for a long time, there are still more than 50,000 troops in the whole army. Offense doesn't work. Defense is at least fine.

At this moment, I received a telegram from Mr. Zhu, Mao Taizu and others who were far away at the Yan'an headquarters. Also shocked by the news. If it is said that the strength of the Red Fourth Front Army has been greatly damaged, it is painful for them. Zhang Guotao's sacrifice was regretted.

In response to the situation sent by Mr. Zhu, Mao Taizu quickly said: "Enlai, send a telegram to He Zhengdao and ask him to send someone south to join the Red Fourth Front Army." The most important thing is to send Comrade Zhongsheng over. At this time, stabilizing the morale of the army is the most important! ”

'Yes! I'll send a report to He Zhengdao now! ’

Zeng Zhongsheng, who was rescued in Zhuo Keji, has been following the independent column because of his injuries. It was only at the end of the Battle of Lazikou that He Zhengdao consulted Zeng Zhongsheng's opinion. Leave it there to recuperate.

While recuperating from his wounds, he was also responsible for the formation and management of the guerrilla brigade. Although there are new warlord forces on the ground. However, these garrison units were powerless to encircle and suppress the guerrilla brigade based in Lazikou.

What's more, at this moment, the guerrilla brigade has a very close relationship with Yang Tusi. The defeat of the Ma Jiajun and the stationing of the Central Red Army in Yan'an made the local troops in Gansu dare not easily offend the Red Army guerrillas operating here.

After receiving a telegram from the headquarters, He Zhengdao quickly sent a telegram to the Lazikou Guerrilla Brigade. The commander of the partisan brigade who received the telegram. He was also very reluctant to say: "Chief, you have a new task." ”

Zeng Zhongsheng, who had recovered from his wounds, felt that he had changed from the person in charge of a front army to the commander of a guerrilla brigade. It seems to have been downgraded too quickly. But he also knew that the central government had never forgotten his existence.

Looking at the telegram sent, Zeng Zhong was angry and angry, but also full of worry: "This is the result of not listening to the command!" That's it. The Red Fourth Front Army is really broken! ”

'Chief, it has happened. No amount of sadness will help. By order of the commander, I have drawn a cavalry company. They will escort you to the Baoxing area. Along the way, our guerrillas will pick you up. ’

'Good! However, at present, the most urgent needs of the Red Fourth Front Army are weapons, ammunition, and food. Is there any instruction from the central authorities in this regard? ’

In the telegram sent by the head of the report, the commander, there was no mention of these things. It's just that the commander, when you go to Baoxing, go to Kangding, where there is our Soviet district government and guerrilla brigade. ’

'Okay, then I'll leave tonight!' ’

'Yes! ’

After the central government made the latest instructions, Mr. Zhu, who was far away in Baoxing, looked at the telegram sent and also felt relieved. With these supports, perhaps the Red Fourth Front Army will survive this harsh winter in peace!

At this moment, the time and weather are no longer suitable for the Red Fourth Front Army to go north. Now what they have to do is to look for a suitable opportunity to move north along the line of the Central Red Army and join the main forces as soon as possible.

With the arrival of these instructions from the Central Committee, Mr. Zhu said earnestly at the military and political meeting of the Red Fourth Front Army: "Comrades, Comrade Kaiyin's sacrifice is a huge loss for our party and our army. But this is already a fact, and we are powerless to change it.

The situation before us now is that the troops have suffered heavy losses, we are afraid that our weapons and ammunition reserves will no longer be able to fight a few battles, and our food reserves have also reached their limits. At this time, we must cheer up.

Soldiers can hang their heads, but you are all people at the level of regiment commanders, division commanders, and army commanders, how can you be so listless? Emotions like yours will only make the fighters lose confidence in us, understand? ”

After some words, some commanders also slowly reined in their emotions and said: "Commander-in-chief, when Chairman Zhang leaves, he will entrust the troops to you. Now in this situation, we really don't know what to do, and ask the commander-in-chief to think of a way. ”

Although we suffered heavy losses this time, most of the backbone of the army was also lost. But no matter what, we still occupy the two important military towns of Lushan and Baoxing. In this case, we have at least a choice.

I have already made a report to the central authorities on the situation. Now there are two news, and I would like to make a briefing to you. Hopefully, after that, you will take the lead and tell our warriors that it is not time to be discouraged. ’

In the past, when they heard the word "central government", some commanders of the Red Fourth Front Army would feel a little embarrassed or even repulsed. But now, they seem to rely on these two words.

The first piece of news is that your chief of staff, Comrade Zeng Zhongsheng, has received an order from the headquarters. Come out of the territory of Gannan and soon meet us. His arrival can also play a role in stabilizing the morale of the military. ’

As soon as these words came out, soon the commander Huo Ran got up and said in disbelief: "Commander-in-chief, is our chief of staff still alive?" ”

For such an inquiry, Mr. Zhu said with certainty: "Yes! At that time, after learning of Zeng Zhongsheng's situation, the central government dispatched a reconnaissance group of an independent column to launch a secret rescue for him. This matter has not been made public.

It's just that at that time, Comrade Zeng Zhongsheng's situation was very dangerous. He was wounded himself, and he was held for a long time, and when he was rescued, he was almost carried on the road by an independent column. Finally, he was placed in Gannan to recuperate.

Originally, the central government planned to let him recover from his injuries and take him back to Yan'an for another mission. However, when they learned of our situation here, the Central Committee instructed him to come back and serve as the commander-in-chief of the Red Fourth Front Army, and Comrade Xu Xiangqian as the deputy commander-in-chief.

As for other appointments, when Comrade Zeng Zhongsheng arrives, I believe that new instructions will come from the Central Committee. Moreover, in view of the predicament we are currently experiencing, the central authorities have asked the guerrilla brigades operating in Kangding to raise supplies and ammunition for us.

Even the central government instructed us to go to the Kangding area to rest if the situation changes. But everyone knows that the situation there is not much better than here. Most importantly, the winters there are colder than here. ”

The announcement of these two news made many commanders who followed Zeng Zhongsheng feel ecstatic. But for this news, some people also seem extremely worried. The reason is that they are all targets of Zeng Zhongsheng.

But in the current situation, these people have to choose to mutiny. Otherwise, it is already an irreversible fact that the central government has taken over the Red Fourth Front Army. The strongest force today is undoubtedly the Red Fifth Army sent by the First Army.

This time, if it weren't for the timely rescue of the Red Fifth Army, I am afraid that more than half of their remaining 30,000 troops would not be able to return. In such a situation, how could they possibly regain control of the troops?

After the meeting, it was learned that Chief of Staff Zeng Zhongsheng was about to return, and the central authorities would send people to support them. Many fighters who had been discouraged and lost have also begun to regain their fighting spirit, looking forward to the return of another spiritual pillar.

At this moment, Mao Taizu, who was worried about the Red Fourth Front Army at the headquarters, received a telegram from He Zhengdao. In the telegram, He Zhengdao suggested that the central government could consider the Red Second Front Army, which was in a difficult situation in Xiangxi, to move north.

At this time, the Sichuan army had just experienced a major battle, and it was only afraid that it would be powerless to stop the Red Second Front Army. As for the Central Army in Guizhou, if it wants to block the Red Second Front Army, I am afraid that it will not be easy either. But such a trip north is also conducive to diverting attention.

If the Red Second and Red Fourth Front armies can converge in Sichuan and go north together, I believe that they will have a greater chance of successfully reaching Yan'an. Most importantly, these two forces were also very important to the Central Red Army.

Once the Red Second and Red Fourth Front armies succeeded in moving north, perhaps the Central Red Army could consider continuing to expand the base areas while the existing base areas were present. As for the Gannan line, which is currently under weak enemy control, it can be completely occupied.

In this way, Qingyang and Gannan were linked, which was also more conducive to expanding the strategic depth of the Red Army. When the time is ripe, Ningxia may be able to be taken. Let the Red Army completely take root in the northwest.

After the discussion of Mao Taizu and others, and the opinions of the Red Second Front Army, such a proposal was sought. Soon, the Red Second Front Army operating in Xiangxi, as in history, also began to embark on the road of the Long March.

He Zhengdao, who learned the news, finally felt it. The materials and ammunition he stored in Guizhou are believed to provide the most powerful support for the Red Second Front Army to go north!

If the three major fronts gather, I believe that Lao Jiang will learn the news, but I am afraid that he will also start to think about it. Encircling and suppressing the Red Army, what a high price he needs to pay! (To be continued.) )