While Wen Bin, Chen Wanchun and his entourage secretly infiltrated Tianjin, a huge storm was also set off in the Jizhong base area. The reason was that the Security Bureau had captured a Japanese spy. After examination, it was found that the spy had been using the big smoke hall as a cover for a long time to collect intelligence in Jizhong.

The spy is very cautious and very clever in gathering intelligence. Unless he is very sure, he rarely pulls people into the water, but obtains information through some overt means. If it weren't for the fact that the Security Bureau happened to be investigating the pornography, gambling and drug establishments inside the base area, I really don't know how long it would have been hidden.

For nearly a month, since Political Commissar Cheng suggested cleaning up pornography, gambling and drug establishments, Professor Yang has been investigating the brothels, casinos, and tobacco houses in the base areas, just waiting for a suitable time to remove these tumors. The main reason for the delay in taking action is that there has not yet been a consensus on this matter within the Jizhong base area. Some members of the Military and Political Commission were worried that the drastic measures would cause turmoil in the base areas and even affect the stability of the anti-Japanese united front.

With these two big hats buttoned down, Zheng Weiguo and Professor Yang did not dare to act arbitrarily, so they had to ask the Northern Bureau for instructions. I didn't expect the Northern Bureau to be able to pay attention to it for a while. For what? This is because the Eighth Route Army is now in the stage of exploration and experimentation in the construction of the base area. There is no ready-made policy on how to deal with pornography, gambling and drug establishments.

Seeing that this matter was about to be delayed in the discussion, I did not expect to provoke this "big smoke" incident again. After the incident was exposed, Zheng Weiguo and other high-level members of Hebei Province were completely angered, and even the committee members who had previously demanded cautious treatment changed their attitudes and unanimously decided to completely eradicate this garbage.

There was such a big case. The Jizhong Party Committee and the Military and Political Commission reached an agreement again, and the Northern Bureau agreed to it. This can be regarded as an attempt by the Northern Bureau in management work, in the words of Secretary Peng Zhen, there must be someone who eats crabs.

"Boss, Director Yang! Humiliating and brazen, please ask the two commanders to give our 53rd Army a chance to make meritorious contributions! At the joint military-political meeting, Zhou Fucheng, commander of the 53rd Army, stood up with a sigh and angrily asked for his life to fight.

It is said that there is no need to fight for such a "police operation", but this time there are many high-ranking officers of the 53rd Army involved in the case. After investigation, although most of them were inadvertently leaked information. But the face was lost to my grandmother's house anyway.

Professor Yang comforted: "Zhou Jun's words are serious. Although some officers of the 53rd Army were involved in the case, this was all their personal problem and did not represent the entire 53rd Army. ”

He changed his words and said with a smile: "But I support Commander Zhou's proposal. What do you think, Commander? ”

Zheng Weiguo joked: "You have made a statement. Do I dare to contradict it? Commander Zhou. I'm up to you for this action. ”

According to the principle previously laid down by Zheng Weiguo, the operation must have a main force, which can be kept secret. It can also take the opportunity to train troops. Among the three main forces, the 63rd Army is still fighting bloody battles in eastern Hebei, and the 97th Army will next incorporate Qiao Mingli's Department and Wang Changjiang's Department of the Hebei People's Army, and only the 53rd Army is idle, even if Commander Zhou does not ask for orders, the task will fall on their heads. Of course, it is better to take the initiative to ask for help, and even pre-war mobilization is saved.

Captain Zhou Fucheng was overjoyed and hurriedly said: "Commanders and colleagues, Zhou Mou made a military order here, vowing to eradicate all these scum and scum!" As he spoke, he clenched his right hand into a fist and swung it down as if he were going to smash the places.

Zheng Weiguo smiled: "Okay! Chief of Staff, you should immediately draw up a specific operational plan, with the 53 rd Army as the mainstay, supplemented by the local units of various sub-districts and the public security bureaus of each county, and launch the operation within three days. Ladies and gentlemen, please strictly abide by the discipline of the venue, and never reveal the slightest rumor before the action, otherwise the military law will be ruthless! ”

Everyone knew that the stakes were high, and they hurriedly promised.

Chief of Staff Zhou frowned slightly, and said questioningly: "Commander-in-chief, Director Yang!" How should the war zone, the Hebei provincial government, the Military Commission, and the Nationalist Government explain themselves? ”

The commander-in-chief of the Jicha Theater and the governor of Hebei Province is Lu Zhonglin. Although he was not in charge of Jizhong, he was still nominally the highest military and political governor in Hebei. It seems a little unreasonable to take such a big action if you don't say hello. Even Balu wouldn't dare to be so "domineering"!

As for the Military Commission and the Nationalist Government, not to mention, although for the sake of nearly 100,000 troops, they will not do anything to Zheng Huzi, but there will definitely be a pimple in their hearts.

Professor Yang nodded and said, "Chief of Staff Zhou is right, this matter cannot be done secretly, otherwise some people will take the opportunity to attack us for not obeying orders, and we will be unique." ”

Political Commissar Cheng said: "But how to explain this matter? What if the application is made and the news is revealed or they don't approve it? ”

Zheng Weiguo waved his hand and said, "You all think too seriously about things. According to the laws of the Republic of China, opium and other drugs and gambling are prohibited, and we act in accordance with the law, and no one can find fault with it. ”

Chief of Staff Zhou said, "What about the brothel? "During the Republic of China, until the retreat of the national army to Taiwan, brothels were legal, as long as they went to the relevant departments to get a license.

Zheng Weiguo smiled and said: "There will always be excuses, in my opinion, it will be carried out in the name of the New Life Movement, and the war zone and the government have nothing to say." The propaganda departments should make more fuss about rescuing women who have lost their footing and purifying the social atmosphere, and as long as we stand on the commanding heights of morality, no one dares to openly oppose it. ”

The New Life Movement was a large-scale national education movement jointly launched by Chang Kaishen and Song Xiaomei in the 30s of the 20th century, in an attempt to transform the habits of the Chinese people.

After the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, the movement added sacrifices and discipline, requiring the people to "sacrifice all their interests and dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to the country" and "sacrifice generously and vigorously struggle".

Everyone laughed in unison and said, "It's still the commander's idea!" ”

Two days later, a large-scale clean-up of pornography, gambling and drugs, codenamed "Purification," was officially staged. Zheng Weiguo waved his hand and shouted: "Take action, and hope that the people will have a sunny sky!" ”

With the order of the beard, the main force of the 53rd Army, which had already been assigned to the counties. In addition, more than 50,000 people from various local units and county public security bureaus took action at the same time, and more than 40 county towns and more than 200 larger towns in the whole region were cleaned up. All brothels, casinos, and tobacco houses, no matter who the owner is or who the backers are, have not been spared, and all have been raided.

"The first battalion of the 346th Regiment called back, saying that it had thoroughly cleaned up illegal places in Gaoyang, Qingyuan, and Boye counties, raided a total of 13 brothels, 27 large and small casinos, 26 large tobacco houses and warehouses selling large tobacco, and arrested ...... personnel."

Report. The second battalion of the 775th Regiment called. It is called Gaoyang, Renqiu, and Dacheng counties...... 30,000 yuan was seized, and it is suspected that some of the property was hidden, and the search is now being intensified. ”

……

"Good, good. Well caught! Political Commissar Cheng closed his mouth happily. He said in a loud voice: "Keep it like this." The military budget for the year after next will be enough......"

The other staff members pursed their lips and snickered, and Professor Yang coughed heavily on the sidelines. Political Commissar Cheng hurriedly changed his words and said: "Of course, money is not our purpose. Improving the social atmosphere and improving the living standards of the masses is our goal. ”

The propaganda officer was taking notes, looked up and asked, "Deputy Commander Cheng, what do you say about sending a telegram to your superiors?" ”

Political Commissar Cheng coughed and said, "Just according to what I said later, don't mention the matter of money, so as not to let others misunderstand that we carried out this operation for money." ”

The telegram was transmitted to the Northern Bureau, and Secretary Peng Zhen read it three times in a row, and wondered: "Why didn't you report how many oceans were confiscated?" Did you miss it when you translated? ”

The staff hurriedly said: "Director Yang and Political Commissar Cheng of Jizhong said that the purpose of this operation is not for money, but for ......."

Secretary Peng waved his hand in annoyance and interrupted: "Listen to their nonsense!" You call back immediately and ask them to report the seizure immediately. Is it possible to swallow such a large sum of money? ”

Several representatives from other base areas nodded their heads busily, looking indignant. A thoughtful cadre whispered: "Secretary Peng, are we also doing it in the base area?" ”

"Yes, Secretary Peng, those tumors should have been eradicated a long time ago!"

"Secretary Peng, this is ......"

"Peng Shu ......"

Secretary Peng Zhen was dizzy by everyone's noise, and hurriedly waved his hand: "Stop, stop, stop!" How old is it, can't wait for such a little time? ”

"Then you just agree?" One cadre asked expectantly, and the others looked at him with a blank look.

Peng Zhen hesitated for a moment and said, "Don't worry, wait and see." Don't eat the mutton, get into trouble first! ”

In Lixian County, Zheng Weiguo, Professor Yang, and Political Commissar Cheng were checking the accounts in the logistics department, and their faces were smiling. From time to time, Professor Yang and Political Commissar Cheng quarreled over the budgets of government departments and the military.

Political Commissar Cheng asked tentatively, "Commander, how are you going to reply to Secretary Peng?" ”

Zheng Weiguo said with a smile: "The official university crushes people to death, and it is not good if it does not bleed." ”

Professor Yang nodded, and comforted: "It's good to let other base areas share the profits a little, everyone has become stronger, and it is also a support for us Jizhong." ”

Zheng Weiguo agreed: "Well, that's good! "Only when the surrounding eight roads are stronger, Jizhong can be safer, otherwise the rafters will rot first.

Political Commissar Cheng said: "But Secretary Peng is a lion opening his mouth this time, and he will take half of it as soon as he stretches out his hand, is it too high?" What a struggle we have made for such a small amount of money! ”

Professor Yang said helplessly: "But we can't bargain with our superiors, right?" My opinion is that it is possible to split the account in 55, but the cost must be deducted first. ”

Political Commissar Cheng didn't understand, and hurriedly asked, "What cost?" ”

Professor Yang explained: "Now that more than 1,000 prostitutes have been arrested, do you need money to resettle them in employment? More than 4,000 gamblers were arrested, most of whom were unemployed vagrants. Also, more than 5,000 addicts have been arrested, do you need money to help them quit drugs? ”

Political Commissar Cheng nodded again and again, and said, "Yes, yes, of course!" Isn't it, Commander? ”

Zheng Weiguo said with a smile: "Professor Yang is an expert, so I won't talk much." Then he said, "I'll leave this matter to you, and I have to go south." As an important matter of the Hebei People's Army, I can't say anything about it if I don't show up as the commander-in-chief. ”

Professor Yang said: "Yes, this is a big deal, so as not to make the soldiers of the Hebei People's Army think that we do not pay attention to it. Then he asked: "Commander, how is the current situation of the reorganization?" (To be continued......)