While waiting for the instructions of the Central Committee and the Eighth Route Army Headquarters, He Zhengdao's heart was actually very heavy. As a soldier, especially a high-ranking general of the Eighth Route Army, He Zhengdao understood that it was completely impossible not to get involved in politics.

From the beginning of the Long March to the end of the Long March, he pulled up an independent column from scratch, and He Zhengdao wanted to stay away from the central government and the headquarters. This is not to say that he wants to start anew, but to hope that he will be less involved in right and wrong.

It's just that at this moment, He Zhengdao finally understands what it means to 'people can't help themselves in the rivers and lakes'. Even if he has always been low-key, he still has to beware of open guns and hidden arrows from the inside and outside.

It can be said that when He Yingqin threw out the order for the promotion of generals, He Zhengdao knew that the Central Army was not stupid and would not play this inferior trick. Moderately giving the Eighth Route Army the number it has always wanted has become a reasonable thing.

Taking the title of general and taking over the number of the new 67th Army means that he has officially stepped into the whirlpool of right and wrong. In the future, in addition to increasing internal doubts about him, it is also necessary to guard against confrontation with the Central Army.

Even He Zhengdao knows that in today's Eighth Route Army and the party, there are still many high-level leaders who trust him. It's just that many times, even if it is Mao Taizu and Mr. Zhu, they can't be powerful.

The gun shot the first bird, and at this moment, He Zhengdao finally realized that he was put to the front as a shield. The Eighth Route Army needs him to stand in front to demonstrate and prove the existence of the Eighth Route Army and gain more military and civilian support.

Lao Jiang and the others also hope that with the help of promotion and the matter of giving a number, they will obtain the intention of transferring He Zhengdao to participate in the war next time. If he takes the number given by Lao Jiang, when he needs to go on an expedition in the future, he is afraid that he will not be able to refuse.

Take people with short hands and eat people with short mouths, everyone knows the truth. Once the independent column is reorganized into the 67th Army, if the Central Army needs to be transferred in the future, it will be even more reasonable to need the consent of the Eighth Route Army.

Transferring a division to the southern battle may not make much difference. One of the main forces of the Eighth Route Army went south to participate in the war, and even a main force with repeated meritorious deeds, at least many people would support it.

Looking out the window at Yulin City, which was still busy but peaceful, He Zhengdao felt that this place he was guarding might soon be peaceful. I'm afraid that the next battle of Wuhan will start, and he will be ready to go on the expedition.

On the other hand, Zhou Enlai and Zuo Quan, who were sitting in the room to contact the central government and the headquarters, paid more attention to the call back from the central government and the headquarters. Until the two found out, He Zhengdao, who entered the room, suddenly seemed very silent.

In this silence, there was also a trace of unwilling depression, which made Zhou Enlai very concerned and said: "Righteous way, what's wrong?" Are you worried about the central government and the headquarters, about this promotion? ”

'No! Thank you, Vice Chairman Zhou, I just thought of some things and felt a little melancholy. No matter what decision the Central Committee and the General Headquarters make, I am a soldier and a party member, and I will obey the decisions of the Central Committee and the General Headquarters. ’

He Zhengdao, who was disturbed and pondering, knew very well that the central government and the headquarters needed such a number. The more regular army numbers there are, the more regular troops it has in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, and the bigger the stage it can have.

With the number and establishment given by the Central Army, the expansion of the Eighth Route Army was reasonable and legal. Some units no longer need to carry such an organization as a column or an independent regiment. Even if there is no military pay, at least in the eyes of others it is a legitimate regular army.

Hearing He Zhengdao's answer, Zhou Enlai also realized that regarding this promotion order of the Central Army, it seemed that He Zhengdao benefited the most. But in fact, it pushed He Zhengdao to the forefront.

Whether it is within the Eighth Route Army, or the participating troops of the Central Army, even the little devils will pay extra attention to He Zhengdao. A twenty-two-year-old general, even in the world, is very rare!

Zhou Enlai, who realized this, finally spoke: "Righteous way, don't have any ideological baggage, I believe that the chairman and Mr. Zhu both believe in you." Their method of sowing discord will not succeed in the end. ”

For such comfort, He Zhengdao shook his head with a wry smile and said, "Vice Chairman Zhou, these are not the situations I am worried about. In fact, what I'm really worried about is what will happen after the reorganization of my independent column.

Originally, according to our original plan, our column hoped to take advantage of the forward positions it currently occupies to develop its troops to the areas of Chahar and Rehe, and finally open a strategic passage to the northeast.

But in the current situation, this plan is only afraid to be delayed. Once I accept the name of the Central Army, I, the old Jiang, am a thorn in the flesh in my eyes, and I want to stay in the north to resist the war, but I am afraid it is unlikely! ”

Upon hearing this, Zuo Quan frowned and said, "Even if we accept his name, this new 67th Army is still under the jurisdiction of our Eighth Route Army." If he wants to be transferred, he also needs to get our consent! ”

'Chief of Staff, I believe you have paid attention to the battle of the Central Army in Xuzhou, right? ’

Listening to He Zhengdao's inquiry, Zuo Quan nodded but didn't speak, as if he didn't quite understand why He Zhengdao turned the topic to the Battle of Xuzhou. In his opinion, Lao Jiang shouldn't be on the right path at this time, right?

After asking the guards outside to find a military map, He Zhengdao spread out the map and said: "Vice Chairman Zhou, Chief of Staff, do you think that with the current situation, how long can the troops of the Central Army participating in the Battle of Xuzhou hold out?" ”

Judging from the current situation, the Central Army has indeed become a tired army, but their elite is still there. If you continue to fight, I'm afraid you can hold on for a while! They still have a lot of troops in Henan! ’

Facing Zuo Quan's answer, He Zhengdao said with a smile: "Chief of Staff, as you said, the Battle of Xuzhou of the Central Army has been fought for too long. Many troops are in urgent need of time to recuperate, and the Japanese army is afraid that it will be the same.

But now, the Japanese army controls some strategic towns in the south, and their supplies no longer take the northern route. This meant that the Japanese did not have to worry about the instability of the rear and could steadily advance their offensive deployment.

In contrast, the Battle of Xuzhou lasted so long, which was a bit unexpected by the Central Army. Even in order to prepare for this battle, the Central Army also made a lot of preparations. But they are afraid that the strategic materials they have in reserve will no longer be available.

Judging from the fact that the Central Army has successively transferred the elite main forces back, it can be seen that they have the intention of retreating. This means that perhaps the Battle of Xuzhou is not far from over, and the Central Army is ready for the next battle. ”

'Wait! If the Central Army really intends to retreat, will the Japanese let them retreat calmly? ’

'No, it won't!' But I think the Central Army should be prepared. At present, Xuzhou has fallen, and in addition to the main force of the Japanese army that entered Henan, the rest of the main forces of the Japanese army participating in the war are actually preparing to march to another place. This is it! ’

'Wuhan! ’

Looking at the place pointed out by He Zhengdao, Zhou Enlai and Zuo Quan both felt a shock in their hearts. They are well aware of the importance of Wuhan to the Nationalist Government at this moment. Once Wuhan falls, the Nationalist government in Chongqing is afraid that it will be really dangerous.

On the other hand, He Zhengdao lamented the stubbornness of history, and said in a timely manner: "From the information we have learned, Chen Cheng of the Ninth War Zone, and Xue Yue's headquarters of the First Corps, which is also an old opponent of us, are already preparing for the next battle of Wuhan.

As for the Japanese army, if they want to end this war as soon as possible, they can only push their troops into our great southwest. At least for them, the Nationalist government in Chongqing is something they have to find a way to solve.

With the presence of the Nationalist Government, the National War of Resistance will continue. Then opening a strategic channel to the southwest is also very important for the Japanese army. Therefore, for Wuhan, I am only afraid of the little devils.

In addition, the importance of Wuhan to the Nationalist Government and the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression is believed to be needless to say. What I want to say is that once the battle of Wuhan starts, Lao Chiang is afraid that he will not let us stay in the rear to fight anymore.

If one of our main divisions were to participate in the Battle of Wuhan, people who knew the separation between our two armies would also feel that the Central Army was cheating people. But if you send a main force to the battle, it will become reasonable.

The most important thing is that since I led the troops, I have won many battles against the Japanese invaders. At this point, if the Central Army does some propaganda, I think the common people will also want us to participate in the battle. This means that I am ready to participate in the battle of Wuhan. ”

With such an inference, Zhou Enlai immediately suddenly realized: "If this is the case, then they really took great pains to consume our strength!" This plan is really linked one by one. ”

The most important thing is that even if I guess the follow-up plan of the Central Army, I can't change it. As a soldier, it is my duty to defend my family and country. Even if I knew that the Battle of Wuhan was a pit, I had to jump.

said that this is a conspiracy, but it is also a conspiracy. Everyone who understands knows that Lao Chiang is planning to pit me, the new 67th Army, on the battlefield of the Battle of Wuhan. But the common people are only afraid and hope that our Eighth Route Army troops will participate in the frontal war of resistance. ’

After listening to He Zhengdao's analysis, Zhou Enlai and Zuo Quan realized that this possibility was very high. After all, at the time of the Battle of Xuzhou, Zhou Enlai knew that the Central Army had planned to transfer the troops of the Eighth Route Army to participate in the battle.

It's just that at that time, the Central Army felt that they had a certain chance of victory, and they didn't want the Eighth Route Army to develop its forces into the south. If it were to defend Wuhan at this moment, maybe they wouldn't have taken care of it anymore.

However, for the Eighth Route Army, He Zhengdao was not just a military general. At present, the arsenal can have the current situation, and He Zhengdao is also indispensable. If he leaves, what will happen to the production plans of the arsenal?

Find someone who doesn't understand to manage it, I'm afraid that it will bury the good situation of the arsenal. In a sense, He Zhengdao is already an indispensable figure for today's Eighth Route Army.

In addition, if the Central Army really transferred He Zhengdao to the Wuhan battlefield, then what should be done with the defense area of the independent column at present? Withdrawing the troops of an army will inevitably affect the defensive combat strength of the current independent column in front! (To be continued.) )