After He Zhengdao led the 1st Division to officially enter the Shuangping area to recuperate, the 2nd Division of the New 67th Army also met with the 1st Division in a very low-key manner on the night of the next day, and soon settled in the camp that had been leveled out in advance, so that the troops who had traveled long distances could rest and recuperate.

Luo Ruiqing, who came with the Second Division, also received the battle of the reconnaissance brigade beating the little devil by the Shi River on the way. As the chief of staff of the 67th Army, he also truly realized that the reconnaissance brigade was indeed worthy of being the fist unit of the independent column.

With the strength of only two regiments, the big rear of the little devils was a mess. Not to mention disrupting the rhythm of the Japanese army's offensive, it also made the 13th Division have to rest and replenish. And the killing of the division commander also means that new generals need to be sent.

Even after arriving at the temporary station, Luo Ruiqing was also very excited: "Commander, we have also made a good start!" ”

It's good to do this kind of thing once in a while, but if you want to do it in the future, I'm afraid that the little devil won't give us a chance." We can't take care of the things on the front line for the time being, so I'll let the troops rest first!

The place we are in now is actually quite good, let our baggage troops start to transport supplies over! In order to ensure our material supply, I propose to establish a stable supply point in the Dabie Mountains.

Although the little devils interrupted the rhythm of the attack with our surprise attack, the 16th Division of the little devils has now joined up with the injured 13th Division. I think that in less than two days, they will still launch an attack on Xinyang.

There is not much time left for us to recuperate, and we must need to persist here for a while. We must also set up supply points, rear hospitals and other facilities as soon as possible. This matter also bothers the chief of staff to be more responsible. ’

'Good! It is still very necessary to build a rear base around the Dabie Mountains that is conducive to our war of resistance. Now let's choose a good place first, and I'm afraid that the follow-up will trouble the political commissar and Director Luo to be responsible.

If we can gain a foothold here, our Central China Military Region will be able to be formed. Although at present, we still need to pass through the defense area of the Central Army to communicate with the headquarters. But this distance, in fact, is not too far. ’

The proposal for the establishment of the Central China Military Region was also formulated when the 67 th Army set out on this expedition. The main base area of this military region is in the Dabie Mountain area. And the role of this military region is more of an outpost for the Eighth Route Army to march into the south.

Once the Eighth Route Army can gain a firm foothold here, in the future, in addition to blocking the Central Army coming from the south, it can also flank the Central Army in Henan. The troops of the Eighth Route Army were transferred from the northwest and north China to the Central Plains battlefield.

Although this layout seems somewhat premature. But Mao Taizu and Mr. Zhu both know the truth of 'taking precautions'. It's better to prepare for some things in advance than to cramm.

Just when He Zhengdao was busy establishing the Dabie Mountain base area, Li Zongren, who led a guard regiment to Shuangping, also did not inform He Zhengdao in advance. It seems that I really want to test the alert level of He Zhengdao's troops.

It's just that what he didn't expect was that when he entered the ten-kilometer range of the 67th Army, the guard regiment he led fell into the sight of the reconnaissance detachment. If it weren't for the fact that they were all from the Central Army, the reconnaissance team wouldn't have bothered too much.

When Li Zongren entered the garrison of the 67 th Army for three kilometers, a temporary checkpoint set up by a reconnaissance company appeared in Li Zongren's sight. Seeing that there was a whistle here, Li Zongren also looked very surprised.

After the outposts of the two armies came into contact, Li Zongren was also very curious: "Why are you setting up a post here?" ”

'Report to Chief Li, there have been a lot of unidentified inquiries on the periphery of our station recently. In order to ensure the safety of our army, our army commander specially arranged mobile outposts on the periphery. As for this checkpoint, it has only just been set up.

When you came earlier, our perimeter guard had already spotted you. In order to avoid misunderstanding, we have set up a temporary post here. In doing so, it is also to avoid possible misunderstandings. ’

The remarks of the reconnaissance company commander shocked Li Zongren's heart. It seems that their group has long been discovered by the 67th Army. If they set up an ambush in advance, they are afraid that these guard regiments will not be able to get any benefits.

But when they came all the way, they also arranged a guard post and an outpost team, and they didn't seem to find any problems. Now it seems that the alert level of the 67th Army is indeed a bit beyond his expectations!

At such a distance from the station, a guard force was arranged, and it was not so easy to sneak up on them. And at a distance of about three kilometers, once it is an enemy, the 67th Army also has time to prepare.

After briefly explaining the situation to Li Zongren, the reconnaissance company commander said, "Commander Li, in order to avoid misunderstanding, I will report your arrival." This is also the duty of our patrol team, and I ask for your forgiveness from Chief Li. ”

'No problem! That's what you do! ’

As the reconnaissance team reported the situation, He Zhengdao was also a little surprised when he received the news: "The dignified commander of the theater actually came to us in person. If others know about this, they will think that we are playing music!

Chief of Staff, order the troops to be ready for inspection, and put away all those things that cannot be exposed. Let's take the troops and meet them a mile away from the station! Anyway, they're our bosses now! ”

'Okay, I'll go get ready!' ’

This time, the 67th Army came to participate in the Battle of Wuhan, and naturally it also carried some unique equipment. At least the self-made submachine gun, He Zhengdao still didn't want to expose it to Li Zongren. There are some things, He Zhengdao feels that it still needs to be kept secret.

In addition, similar to the large-caliber mortar made by the arsenal, He Zhengdao also didn't want Li Zongren to know. If the Central Army knew that the Eighth Route Army had been able to make its own large-caliber mortars, it would probably be very worried!

Most of what can be shown to Li Zongren are some weapons that are also common in the Central Army at present. It's just that when the 67th Army came over this time, He Zhengdao still asked the newly formed Third Division to be reequipped with more common domestic rifles.

As for the other two main divisions, they all used Japanese-style weapons and equipment. Among the main divisions of the Central Army, there are really not many units that can be equipped with Japanese-style equipment at present.

And the reason why He Zhengdao did this is more that he hopes to slowly change the clothes of the third division. All the equipment that had been replaced was then distributed to the guerrillas that had been formed. In this way, it will not attract too much attention from the Central Army.

After all, the guerrillas all use Japanese-style equipment, what will others think when they see it? Therefore, the distribution of Hanyang-made and Zhongzheng rifles to the guerrillas will also reduce the vigilance of the Central Army.

Li Zongren, who came on horseback, heard He Zhengdao, Luo Ruiqing and the two division commanders of the 67th Army all greet him in front. It was somewhat unexpected, but what was even more surprising was that the second division of the 67th Army had also arrived.

When Li Zongren rode his horse, he didn't long see He Zhengdao waiting at the intersection, he also quickly turned over and dismounted, handed over the war horse he was riding to the guard, and walked towards He Zhengdao with a smile on his face.

Even if he hadn't seen He Zhengdao before, but when he saw the young man standing at the front of the team, Li Zongren also felt that this young man must be He Zhengdao. And his first feeling when he saw He Zhengdao was that this person was really young!

'Hello, Sir Li! He Zhengdao, commander of the 67th Army of the Eighth Route Army, reports to you! ’

'Hello, Commander He! I've heard of the name for a long time, and today I finally met the real person! ’

'Sir Li is polite! This is Comrade Luo Ruiqing, chief of staff of my 67th Army! This is Zhang Cheng, the commander of the First Division, and this is Xu Renyi, the commander of the Second Division. In the future, our 67th Army will hope that Commander Li will carry you more! ’

'How dare you!' It is an honor for my Li Zongren and the Fifth War Zone to be able to come over. Chief of Staff Luo, hello! ’

For Luo Ruiqing, a general who is also very famous in the Red Army, Li Zongren naturally knows it. It's just that he was somewhat surprised that such an old-qualified general actually served as the chief of staff of the 67th Army this time.

'Hello, Chief Li! ’

Although there are many generals of the Eighth Route Army, they do not have a good impression of some generals of the Central Army. But basic etiquette and politeness, Luo Ruiqing will naturally do it. After all, now that the two parties are cooperating in the War of Resistance, they also need to give these Central Army generals a little face!

After chatting at the intersection for a while, He Zhengdao continued: "It is rare for Chief Li to come to inspect in person, and I invite Chief Li to sit in my 67th Army!" If there is anything we can't do properly, please ask Chief Li to give us advice. ”

'Okay! I have heard for a long time the prestige of the Independent Division in the Anti-Japanese War, and this time I have come to learn from you. This time, we are fighting in the fifth theater, I am afraid that we still need the full support of Division Commander He! ’

As a soldier, it is my duty to protect my family and defend my country. But if you have a fate, how dare you disobey! ’

After making a polite exchange, before Li Zongren arrived at the garrison of the 67th Army, he arranged for the accompanying guard regiment to be stationed outside the garrison of the 67th Army. With only one guard battalion, he walked into the sixty barracks area, which was like a big barracks at the moment.

After a cursory look, Li Zongren found that most of the camps of the 67th Army were built on the mountain. If something happens, these troops can quickly escape into the mountains and forests. In contrast, there were not many troops stationed in the open areas.

What even surprised Li Zongren was that the 67th Army was equipped with a lot of field tents. Most of these tents are camouflaged. If you look down from the air, it is really not easy to see that there are two divisions of troops stationed here.

With this kind of camp arrangement alone, Li Zongren could see that the 67th Army was very different. In addition, he also has a feeling that today's Eighth Route Army is no longer the Hanako Army in his impression.

Such marching equipment is not even available to many units of the Central Army today. Not to mention, the Eighth Route Army as far as the eye can see is almost all Japanese-style equipment. Such a configuration of weapons and equipment is enough to show that the 67th Army is really not simple! (To be continued.) )