Yulin, located in the northernmost part of Shaanxi, faces the Yellow River and Shanxi across the river in the east, Ningxia and Gansu in the west, and Yan'an in the south. It is connected with Ordos in the north and is the junction of Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningbo, Mongolia and Shanxi.

Such an important military town, whether it is the Northwest Army, the Jin Sui Army, or the Central Army, has always been coveted. It's a pity that the town guards stationed here have caused many people who covet this place to retreat in defeat.

This time, the independent column entered the territory of Yulin, and after seeing the town guarding Yulin, it was newly promoted to the commander of the 22nd Army of the National * Army and the former commander of the 86th Division of the National * Army. He Zhengdao felt that this was a very contradictory character.

The reason for the contradiction is that Jing Yuexiu, who has controlled Yulin for 20 years and is even known as the 'King of Yulin'. He set traps to disintegrate the 24th Army of the Red Army, sabotage the underground party organizations of the Red Army, and massacre communists.

In the eyes of the Red Army in northern Shaanxi, this was a very murderous local warlord. It stands to reason that this is a warlord that must be resolutely eliminated. Because, the other side has a lot of blood on the hands of the Red Army and the Communists.

On the other hand, during his entry into Yulin, he exterminated the bandits who harmed the party, and even saved Yang Hucheng. Even during the period when he was in charge of Yulin, he advocated education and enabled democrats to establish middle schools, female teachers, and vocational schools.

What is even more rare is that he also sponsored students to go out for further study, supported the establishment of revenge and the establishment of local industrial banks, encouraged the people to set up factories and artillery factories in partnerships, introduced machines, technology, and thermal power generation, and created Yulin's modern industry.

Such a person is even a local warlord who has a very close relationship with Yang Hucheng of the Northwest Army, Zhang Xueliang of the Northeast Army, and Yan Xishan of the Jin Sui Army. To be disposed of. Undoubtedly, it seems very troublesome.

Even when he set off, Zhou Enlai also gave special advice. If the situation in Yulin cannot be resolved peacefully. Try not to hurt Jing Yuexiu as well. The meaning of the words is undoubtedly to hope that he can live.

In the face of such a combat mission. He Zhengdao naturally knew that this was increasing the difficulty of his task. But he also understands that there are reasons for the central government's concerns. In these years, favors and connections are still very important.

With the three main divisions of the independent column advancing in the early stage, they successively regained Suide and Wubao and advanced their troops to Mizhi. He Zhengdao also ordered the whole army to start resting in the territory of Mizhi.

When He Zhengdao, who set out from Yan'an, led the cavalry brigade to Mizhi, he also received information from the scouts. At this moment, Jing Yuexiu, who is sitting in Yulin, is still resolutely guarding Yulin. If you want to settle Yulin peacefully, I'm afraid it's going to be difficult.

In view of this situation, He Zhengdao, who arrived in Mizhi, immediately convened a meeting of the commanders of the division and brigade level of the column to discuss the next Yulin campaign. In He Zhengdao's view, this place must be taken.

With such a forward position, it will be much easier for the Red Army to go north to resist Japan in the future, and even to participate in the Battle of Taiyuan in the future. In a sense, He Zhengdao hopes that the future will be Yulin. As a logistics supply depot for the Red Army to go north to resist Japan.

Summing up the reconnaissance detachments and the situation detected in Yulin, He Zhengdao quickly launched the deployment and said: "From now on, the first division and the cavalry brigade. Launching an attack in the direction of Hengshan, your combat mission is to guard against the entry of the Inner Mongolian cavalry into Yulin.

Based on information provided by Headquarters. Jing Yuexiu, who has been operating in Yulin for many years, has a close relationship with those banner lords and princes in Inner Mongolia. In order to ensure the smooth operation of the Yulin campaign. Your first division and cavalry brigade will deploy along the line from Yulin to Inner Mongolia.

Our cavalry resistance battle in Longxi the previous time. Your first division is also involved. Therefore, how to deal with the surprise attack of the cavalry, I believe that your first division is the most experienced. The cavalry brigade moves with your division, and it can also deal with some unexpected situations.

It's just Niu Zhikun, I must remind you that the training of the cavalry brigade has not yet been perfected. To put it simply, your cavalry brigade cannot be considered a real cavalry brigade yet. In the next battle, you must cooperate with the first division.

If you let me know in the future, I will let you lose this little cavalry property that I have saved so hard. You should know the consequences! If the Inner Mongolian cavalry doesn't cross the border, you will also focus on defense for the time being, understand? ”

'Yes, Commander! ’

Zhang Cheng and Niu Zhikun, the commander of the cavalry brigade, who received the order, although they felt that they had a heavy responsibility, they were also full of confidence. After all, compared to the other legions, they are now recuperating, but their independent column is still fighting!

After the task of the first division and the cavalry brigade was issued, He Zhengdao continued: "The third division, the fourth division, your two main divisions, will march in the direction of Shanxi from tomorrow. Your task is to recover the large and small county towns from Jia County to Hequ.

The third division is responsible for sending troops to garrison accordingly, and the task you have to do is to prevent the Jin Sui army from attacking. As long as they dare to cross the border, you can warn first, and then resolutely fight back after the warning is ineffective, and you can fight as hard as you want.

As for the Fourth Division, your defense area is the same as the First Division, and it is also aimed at the Inner Mongolian side. But you still have a task, which is to recover the surrounding counties and towns centered on Shenmu, and the division headquarters is stationed in Shenmu.

In order to ensure that your two divisions have enough strength to deal with possible contingencies, the column recruit brigade will accompany you. Next, the Chief of Staff will accompany you, and remember to ask the Chief of Staff for advice on everything. ”

'Yes, Commander! ’

The tasks of three main divisions, a cavalry brigade and a recruit brigade were arranged. He Zhengdao continued: "The Second Division, the Column Reconnaissance Regiment, and the Artillery Regiment will go to Yulin with me. As for when to attack Yulin, I have my own measure.

The political commissar is solely responsible for the formation of local governments. Soon, a government task force dispatched by the central government to Yulin will arrive. Comrade Xi Zhongxun, who is familiar with the situation in northern Shaanxi, served as the chairman of the Yulin Border District Government.

All departments of the column should actively cooperate with and support the work of local comrades. In the future, our column will be responsible for the affairs of the war, but the affairs of people's livelihood and logistics still need to cooperate with the comrades of the border district government. Have you memorized them all? ”

'Remember! ’

'Good! After going down, the ministries prepare. Remember, your actions will have a direct impact on the upcoming Battle of Yulin. If you can complete the encirclement and blocking of the outer edge of Yulin as quickly as possible, the battle will be over as soon as possible.

Next, if there is any situation in each department, you can report to the column at any time. But I hope you don't bother me too often. Because, I hate trouble. And you're all going to be on your own, and you're all going to do a good job for me, you know? ’

'Yes, Commander! ’

After this meeting, the Red Army was divided into three armies, and He Zhengdao personally served as the commander in the middle route, but he still did not move much, and stayed in Mizhi to continue to rest. The other two armies began to advance in the predetermined direction.

When the 3rd Division and the 4th Division joined forces to capture Jiaxian, He Zhengdao ordered the troops to march in the direction of Yulin. During this time, Jing Yuexiu, who was sitting in Yulin, also felt that the arrival of the Red Army's independent column this time was somewhat unkind.

It's just that if you want to let him let go of Yulin City, which has ruled for twenty years, so easily, Jing Yuexiu is undoubtedly very unwilling. After all, he is the 'King of Yulin' in the eyes of many people, if he loses Yulin, what kind of 'King of Yulin' is he?

But in the face of the rapid advance of the independent column, Jing Yuexiu, who could receive calls for help and the fall of the county every day, was also very crazy in his heart. But the problem at the moment is that the reinforcements he hoped for never seemed to come.

On the Inner Mongolian side, there are still banner owners who said that they can send their cavalry to help them fight. However, before those cavalry arrived in Yulin, they found that the road to Yulin was blocked by the Red Army.

After several tentative attacks, they found that these blocking Red Army troops were not easy to mess with, and in the end they could only send a report to Jing Yuexiu, saying that they could not do anything about the rescue. The reason is also very simple, the losses are too great and they cannot afford the consequences.

In this day and age, having soldiers means having the ability to protect oneself. Seeing that Jing Yuexiu's 86th Division has become a turtle in the urn of the Red Army, they also seem to know that Jing Yuexiu, the 'King of Yulin', is about to become history.

The cowardice of the Inner Mongolian reinforcements can only be said to make Jing Yuexiu see clearly, these Inner Mongolian banner lords and princes are all timid and afraid, rushing to come with benefits, and desperately hiding from disadvantages, and still immersed in the kind of guy who only knows pleasure in the Qing Dynasty.

As for the Jin Suijun, it seems to be very positive. It's just that in the face of the resolute counterattack of the independent column, the daily casualties of the troops also made Yan Laoxi, who blocked the door, feel that this deal seems to be unworthy!

When He Zhengdao led the main force of the Second Division and arrived at Yulin City. Jing Yuexiu found with some sadness that he seemed to be in a helpless position. In the face of the besieging Red Army, he had not many options.

Either choose to live and die with Yulin City, or accept the Red Army's proposal and withdraw from Yulin and go there. Even if he wanted to leave with the 86th Division, He Zhengdao would not stop him.

But the problem is that Jing Yuexiu, who has lost the foundation of Yulin, needs to start all over again, and asks himself if he doesn't want to do that. After all, he is almost sixty years old and does not have much ambition.

As long as he ensures that he has three points of land and does not let others get involved, he will be satisfied. But at present, the independent column is clearly not going to let him continue to serve as the 'King of Yulin', and he must leave Yulin.

Thinking of this, in the face of the letter of persuasion submitted by He Zhengdao, Jing Yuexiu's reply was very simple and rude.

'If you have the ability, you will attack, and if you don't have the ability, you will give me as far as I can. ’

He Zhengdao, who received such a reply, didn't seem to be angry and said, "It's okay!" In addition to Yulin City, we will need a little time to recover other places. So, what we have is patience.

Ordered the troops to begin blocking the main roads in and out of Yulin. From today onwards, I'm going to let the people in the city know that they won't have any more reinforcements. The result of stubborn resistance to the end can only be self-inflicted! ”

He Zhengdao, who gave such a conclusion, directly set up a temporary headquarters outside Yulin City, and quietly watched the movement of Yulin City in the distance. He believes that after a long time, he will always find an opportunity to find Yulin smoothly.

And what he has to do now is to wait patiently for a while. A long period of isolation and helplessness will eventually let some people know that the result of stubborn defense is that they are afraid that they will really die! (To be continued.) )