After returning to southern Hebei, Zheng Weiguo did not rush north, but continued to stay here to rest. Because the matter in Jizhong is very complicated, he can't rush it, and he has to give Professor Yang some time.

It was at this time that Lu Zhonglin, chairman of Hebei Province and commander-in-chief of the Jicha Theater, suddenly came to the door. Born in the Northwest Army, Chairman Lu was the main assistant to General Feng Yuxiang and served as chief of staff of the Northwest Army for a long time. It was his old man's handiwork to drive the last emperor Pu Yi out of the Forbidden City, and he was also famous in the Republic of China.

This man was very talented, both militarily and politically. At the time, people called him "Deer Imp", implying that he was resourceful, clever and cunning, and extremely adaptable. However, at this time, Feng Yuxiang, the backer of the deer, had fallen for many years, and the Feng imprint on his body was too deep to Chang Kaishen to trust him.

Not only that, Chang Kaishen often finds some tricky things for him to do, not to mention rewarding him when he does a good job, and even has a good word. If you don't do a good job, you will definitely be punished, or even sent home, and you will not be used. This is Chang Kaishen's consistent practice of eradicating dissidents. Fortunately, Lu Zhonglin is flexible by nature, and he has turned danger into a disaster several times, and he did not let Chang Kaishen catch his braids, and he often got away with it, and Chang was helpless.

For example, now, although Lu Zhonglin is the chairman of Hebei Province and the commander-in-chief of the Jicha Theater, he actually does not have a single soldier in his hands. The purpose of letting him come to Hebei was just to contain the Eighth Route Army and side generals like Zheng Weiguo. But this is almost an impossible task, because who will listen to him without soldiers? In fact, within two years he returned to Sichuan to become his governor of Hebei.

Although not optimistic about this commander-in-chief. But it still has to be passable on face. Zheng Weiguo very politely invited him to the living room, asked the pillar to serve a pot of good tea, and accompanied him personally.

The two first greeted each other for a while, and admired each other, which seemed to be the rhythm of the base, but in fact they were just touting each other, and there was no sincerity at all. However, in this regard, Zheng Huzi is obviously not Lu Xiaogui's opponent. After all, in the officialdom, he is still an out-and-out rookie, and he can't compare with hob meat like Lu Zhonglin.

When Lu Zhonglin saw Zheng Weiguo, he was like a long-lost brother. Very affectionate. also took his hand and said a lot of sensual words, praising Zheng Weiguo as if Guan Erye was reincarnated, and Yue Wumu was reborn. Rao is Zheng Weiguo is thick-skinned and sweaty.

Zheng Huzi was really unable to parry. I had to change the topic. He asked directly, "Chairman Lu." I wonder what your instructions are for this visit? ”

Lu Zhonglin hurriedly waved his hand and said, "Don't dare to be, don't dare to be." Then he praised Zheng Huzi for a while, and the spittle Xingzi and Zheng Weiguo's cold sweat added up to almost a pound before telling the truth.

Originally. At this time, most of North China, especially Hebei Province, was under the control of the Eighth Route Army. For this situation, Lu Zhonglin is of course very unwilling. Although he had no soldiers in his hands, he did not come alone, and many of his relatives and friends followed him to North China. Most of these people are frustrated by officialdom and come to hug their thick legs.

Aren't you a governor of Ludaguan? We are relatives, do we have to reward the director of the district administrative office for doing it? The director's seat is not enough, and the county magistrate can do it!

These people want official hats, and Lu Zhonglin also needs a group of subordinates to support him with a façade. As long as you have land, you can collect taxes, and if you have money, you can recruit troops. Isn't that how warlords come to be?

Lu Xiaogui's calculation played well, but the Eighth Route Army did not agree, and even most of the gentry did not support him. This can make him anxious, if you don't give up the territory, where will I get the money, how can I recruit troops if I don't have money? There are no soldiers, let alone control North China, and they don't even dare to let out a fart in front of others.

Zheng Weiguo smiled and said, "Chairman Lu, I understand, do you mean that you want to borrow troops from me?" And then grab territory with the Eighth Route Army? ”

Lu Zhonglin said excitedly: "Weiguo, you are still a friend enough!" Don't worry, as long as you help me this time, my brother will definitely not treat you badly! ”

Zheng Weiguo smiled and said, "I'm really sorry, Chairman Lu." I can't lend you this soldier. I'm going to lead my troops to Jizhong in a few days, and I really can't pull it out! ”

Lu Zhonglin was anxious and hurriedly said: "Defend the country, I only need one brigade." If it really doesn't work, a cavalry regiment will be completed! As long as you're willing to help, money isn't an issue. ”

Seeing that Zheng Weiguo was still not moved, Lu Zhonglin casually promised a lot of benefits, such as the director of the Jizhong Administrative Office, 100,000 oceans, three in and three out of the house, and even found a pair of twins studying in Xingtai Middle School for Hu Zi. According to him, those two middle school girls are so good-looking!

Zheng Weiguo said solemnly: "Chairman Lu, Commander-in-Chief Lu, let me tell you the truth, at the moment the national disaster is at hand, but all Chinese must turn their guns and unanimously to the outside world." Any act of fighting in the nest and killing each other is shameful. Although the Eighth Route Army and us have different parties, they are both anti-Japanese forces, and even if they cannot work together, they cannot attack each other. ”

Lu Zhonglin saw that Zheng Huzi was righteous and strict, and he couldn't figure out whether he was telling the truth or being false, so he had to go back stupidly.

Not long after he left, Song Renqiong, director of the Southern Hebei Administrative Office, came to the door again. As the main leader of the base area, he was one of the few people who knew the identity of the Communist Party of Zheng Huzi.

Director Song asked, "Commander Zheng, did Lu Zhonglin come to you just now?" ”

Zheng Weiguo smiled and said, "Director Song, are you afraid that I will be co-opted?" ”

Director Song smiled, waved his hand and said, "Don't be afraid, what will Lu Zhonglin, a bare-bones commander, do to win you over?" It's almost the same as changing our Eighth Route Army to win you over! ”

This period was the golden period of the development of the Eighth Route Army, the base area grew rapidly, the strength of the army was also rapidly expanded, and the hard days when he first entered Shanxi seemed to be gone forever. Only Zheng Weiguo knew that this was just the last ray of sunshine on the eve of the night. North China is about to enter the most difficult period.

Zheng Weiguo shook his head, tried not to think about those troubles, and said with a smile: "That's not necessarily, don't look at him with a depressed face, there are hats, tickets, and houses!" By the way, I just said that I would give me two yellow flower girls! ”

He was actually reminding Director Song, because Lu Zhonglin was likely to have won over a vote. But Director Song thought he was joking. Clapped his hands and smiled: "This is a good thing, how can you agree to come down?" Even if you don't want to, my old Song hasn't married a daughter-in-law yet! Let's talk about it, and I'll score one when the time comes. ”

Before he could say a few words, Chief of Staff Zhou hurried over, as if he was in trouble, but when he saw that Director Song was also there, he stopped talking. It seems that this trouble is not small, and it is still the kind that cannot see the light.

Director Song is also a good person, and he knows that they have important things to discuss. He hurriedly said, "Oh." You're busy, I'll take my leave. There's a big mess waiting for me at the office! ”

As soon as he walked to the door, Director Song patted his head and said, "Look at my memory." I almost forgot to get down to business. Commander Zheng. Take the time to come to me. Someone asked me to give you a big gift. ”

Zheng Weiguo nodded and said with a smile: "Okay, then I'll come to visit tomorrow." "Wait for him to go. Zheng Weiguo hurriedly asked Chief of Staff Zhou: "What's wrong?" ”

Chief of Staff Zhou said angrily: "Don't be angry when you say it, the supplies that the Germans gave us were intercepted by the Fifth War Zone halfway through!" ”

Zheng Weiguo was so shocked and angry that he almost jumped up, and couldn't help but scold: "This group of bastards, why did he intercept the materials in our Jicha War Zone in the Fifth War Zone?" ”

Chief of Staff Zhou said with a sad face: "Chief Li Zongren called to say that they are very short of supplies now, and once they can't hold the Dabie Mountain defense line, Wuhan will be lost. ”

Zheng Weiguo felt very annoyed and said angrily: "What kind of words are these, scoundrels are extreme!" Wuhan is lost, and you still have to blame me? You immediately call back to Chief Li and ask him if he will be able to hold Dabie Mountain and Wuhan with these supplies. If we can, our supplies will be given away for free! If not, then ask him to send me the supplies back without moving! ”

Chief of Staff Zhou hesitated for a moment and said, "Military seat, I'm afraid this is inappropriate." We are colleagues in the Five War Zones, and we can't tear our faces for a little material. If we offend everyone, I'm afraid that the Military Commission will give us small shoes to wear! ”

Zheng Weiguo waved his hand and said, "It's not a matter of how many supplies there are. If we let the five war zones start, the other war zones will definitely pounce like wolves and swallow up our supplies. So what's the point of us cooperating with the Germans, and how can we implement the plan for the whole army? ”

Chief of Staff Zhou also realized the seriousness of the matter, and after thinking about it again, why did the supplies sent to North China have to pass through the Fifth War Zone, and wouldn't it be safer to send them from Shaanxi through Henan? His instincts told him that there must be a conspiracy in this.

After his reminder, Zheng Weiguo suddenly realized and said angrily: "You mean that someone is deliberately manipulating us? This group of bitches is raised, but they don't do good deeds! ”

Chief of Staff Zhou nodded and said, "I have figured it out, I'm afraid this matter has nothing to do with the Military Commission." Maybe they're hiding in the shadows right now to watch a show! ”

In fact, they learned that this matter had little to do with the Military Commission. After all, Chang Kaishen spoke, and those bigwigs couldn't anger the old man for a little material.

The really bad thing is the logistics department of the national army. In the past, all military supplies had to be handled by them, and any army that wanted to be supplied had to pay for it. But this time the materials were different, they were sent to the 97th Army by order of the Military Commission, and the logistics department was only responsible for transporting them, but they had no right to distribute them. In this way, the moths lose a chance to rub the oil.

Although the number is not much, it makes them very unhappy. Some of the more energetic guys secretly changed the transportation route and deliberately tempted the officers and men of the Fifth Theater under the pretext of low water transportation costs. Because of the serious lack of weapons, Li Zongren knew that it was a plan, but he still swallowed this piece of fat head-on.

Zheng Weiguo snorted and said, "Your analysis is very reasonable. In this way, let's give Chief Li a face, and divide half of the weapons and ammunition among them, but all the personnel and equipment must be sent back. ”

Chief of Staff Zhou said, "Okay, I'll go and contact Chief Li." ”

Chief Li was a kind person, and immediately agreed after receiving the telegram from the 97th Army. He saw that the 97th Army needed machinery and equipment, so he opened a strip to get a batch from various factories in Wuhan as compensation for the interception of half of the weapons. In this way, neither side suffered, and everyone was happy.

In addition, the gift in Director Song's mouth also surprised Zheng Huzi. Because this gift turned out to be a Japanese-made Type 38 field cannon. It is not easy to capture this game, especially the Eighth Route Army, which lacks the ability to fight big battles, and it is difficult to get it. It can be said that the eight years of the Anti-Japanese War are extremely rare.

Director Song was very satisfied when he saw Zheng Huzi's expression, and quipped, "Commander Zheng, how is it?" This gift is quite for your taste! ”

Zheng Weiguo joked: "Yes, yes, it can be regarded as a gift to Commander-in-Chief Lu." ”

When Director Song heard this, he smiled proudly.

Zheng Weiguo was a little puzzled, and couldn't help asking: "Director Song, there are not many such artillery in our 97th Army, how did you capture it?" ”

Director Song smiled: "Luck! ”

It turned out that when the troops first entered southern Hebei, the Japanese army did not take the Eighth Route in their eyes, and often a small team, or even a detachment, dared to run rampant in the base area. If it was before, it would have been nothing, but what they didn't know was that the main force of the Eighth Route Army had sneaked into the east of the road.

On that day, a battalion of the 386th Brigade moved its defense, and when it was halfway there, it happened to bump into this group of Japanese soldiers. The battalion commander saw that there were not many devils, and he also carried a cannon, so he rushed forward with the soldiers without saying a word. After a fierce battle, the cannon changed hands.

However, after hearing the news, the Japanese army also sent a large army to loot, because the field artillery was inconvenient to move, so everyone had to dig a big pit and bury the cannon. In order to prevent the cannon from rusting, they also wrapped it very carefully in tarpaulin, and now they dug it up like new.

After getting such a big gift out of thin air, Zheng Weiguo happily thanked Director Song. Director Song joked: "If you remember my favor, hand over the yellow flower girl that Lu Zhonglin gave you." ”

Unexpectedly, as soon as Zheng Huzi went back, he really saw the pair of twins mentioned by Lu Zhonglin. But it's not a big girl, it's a pair of fourteen or fifteen-year-old Lori. It turned out that Lu Zhonglin saw Zheng Weiguo's behavior and thought he was a hypocrite, so he secretly sent someone over to see if he was sitting still.

Chief of Staff Zhou smiled: "Junzao, what can I do about this?" Do you accept it or not? ”

Zheng Weiguo's eyes rolled, and he decided to play tricks on Director Song, so he opened a note and asked the guards to take the two little loli to the Southern Hebei Administrative Office. Didn't Director Song want to find a daughter-in-law? Send it to the door and see if you dare to accept it!

It didn't take long for Director Song to run over sweating profusely, with a pig's liver on his face, and complained: "Lao Zheng, there is no such trick as you!" Nearly killed me! ”

Zheng Weiguo smiled: "Why, you, an iron arhat, have also moved mortal hearts?" ”

Director Song said angrily, "Phew! You think that I am just like you, full of bourgeois decadent ideas. Do you know that when the two little girls went, Political Commissar Deng Xiaoping happened to inspect our office. If he bumps into him, I won't be able to tell with a hundred mouths! ”

"What's wrong with that? Tell me about it! As he was talking, a voice suddenly came from outside the door, a mouthful of Sichuan words.

Director Song was startled, hurriedly turned around, and said with a smile: "It's nothing, it's nothing, Commissar Deng, no, I'm joking with Commander Zheng!" (To be continued......)

PS: I'm ashamed, I'm ashamed, I'm embarrassed to ask for your understanding at this late hour! Let's try to be early tomorrow!