After receiving the order of the military region, Fan Zixia quickly led his troops to the north, and handed over all the Wuji, Gaocheng, Zhengding and other territories that he had originally occupied to the first subdivision led by Commander Lu Zhencao. However, a large army of more than 3,000 people in total only brought more than 1,000 people in the end. Because the recruits recruited locally and the peripheral forces attached to them were reluctant to leave their hometowns, they asked the military region to stay behind.

Zheng Weiguo readily agreed. After all, what he values is the impact of this matter (referring to the incorporation of the Fan Department) and Fan Zixia's personal talent, and he doesn't have much demand for this unit itself. The remaining 2,000 men and horses remained in a sub-district, and they could still contribute to the anti-Japanese resistance. If they are forced to go north, it will not be beautiful to make some trouble.

Fan Zixia's department then went to Gaoyang and officially merged with the 33rd Brigade. In order to ensure the smooth progress of the reorganization work, Zheng Weiguo specially transferred Chief of Staff Zhou to take command.

On this day, Chief of Staff Zhou was busy running in the troops on the outskirts of Gaoyang, when he suddenly received a notice from the military headquarters to rush back to Lixian immediately. He hurriedly handed over the work at hand to Zhao Yunxiang, and then hurried back. As soon as I walked to the gate of the compound, I heard laughter and laughter from time to time, so it was not lively.

Chief of Staff Zhou walked in suspiciously, and when he saw Zheng Weiguo waiting for him in the courtyard, he hurriedly asked, "Commander, why are you in such a hurry to find me back?" ”

Zheng Weiguo said with a smile: "Don't ask so many questions first, come, and introduce you to a few guests." ”

Chief of Staff Zhou said with some dissatisfaction: "My commander, let me run for sixty miles when you see a guest?" I'm busy with reorganization! I don't have all this spare time. ”

Zheng Weiguo smiled and patted him on the shoulder, explaining: "There may be some adjustments in the reorganization work. We'll get to that later. As for what the adjustments were, he avoided talking about them.

Chief of Staff Zhou had no choice but to follow Zheng Huzi to the living room, only to see two middle-aged people sitting inside with unfamiliar faces. Professor Yang, Deputy Secretary Huang, and Deputy Director Li sat on the side. These people, plus him and Zheng Huzi, good guys, are almost all here in the party, government, and military bosses in Jizhong.

"Commander, where are the guests? Such a big deal! Chief of Staff Zhou couldn't help but ask in a low voice.

Zheng Weiguo smiled and said, "Come, let me introduce you to you." This is the chief of staff of our Jizhong Military Region and the 97th Army. Major General Zhou Yimin of the Quanxu Department of the Ministry of Military Affairs. Our 97th Army has been able to make great achievements. It is inseparable from Chief of Staff Zhou's outstanding military talent. ”

The two strange men hurriedly stood up, stretched out their hands and said with a smile: "I have heard the name of Chief of Staff Zhou as early as the Second War Zone!" General Zhou is a rare master of tactics in our Chinese army! ”

Chief of Staff Zhou hurriedly shook hands with the two of them, and said in a loud voice: "Awards, awards!" ”

Zheng Weiguo introduced: "Chief of Staff. These two are cadres sent by the Jin-Cha-Ji base area to support us. Responsible for coordinating our relationship with the Eighth Route Army. And help us to strengthen the political and ideological work of the troops. They are all the backbone of the Red Army who have been on the battlefield for a long time, and they are rare talents. This is Comrade Cheng Zihua, who will serve as the deputy commander (i.e., political commissar) of the Jizhong Military Region in charge of political, ideological, and propaganda work. This one is Comrade Wang Ping. He will succeed Professor Yang as the head of the Political Department of the Military Region and the 97th Army. ”

Chief of Staff Zhou hurriedly saluted, and then smiled again: "Deputy seat, Director Wang, you will be your own person in the future, please take care of me!" ”

Political Commissar Cheng and Director Wang smiled and said, "The chief of staff doesn't need to be so polite, just call me Lao Cheng in the future." Our Eighth Route Army pays attention to the equality of officers and soldiers, and does not want to be called commanders. Besides, our deputy commander is self-appointed, and the chairman of the committee will not admit it. Everyone laughed when they heard this.

After joking for a while, Political Commissar Cheng quickly entered the role and asked, "Chief of Staff, I heard that the first division of Jizhong that you are now starting to reorganize is insufficient?" ”

These words just scratched the itch of Chief of Staff Zhou, and he nodded hurriedly and said, "Alas, there is indeed this problem. Vice-seater, oh, hehe, please forgive me for my gaffes. Lao Cheng, can you help me think of a way? ”

According to the original plan, the 33rd Brigade plus the 3,000 people of Fan Zixia's Department can just form a division. But now there are 2,000 fewer people, and the reorganization is a bit stretched. Moreover, all sub-districts in central Hebei are currently stepping up their reorganization, and there are no redundant troops to adjust. For now, I have to settle for a while, and then fill in when the recruits are trained.

Political Commissar Cheng and Director Wang looked at each other and smiled, patted their chests and said, "No problem, this matter is on me." ”

Chief of Staff Zhou said curiously: "How do you plan to solve it?" ”

Political Commissar Cheng said: "I just checked with the commander about the situation of the various units of the Jizhong Military Region and found that the First Guerrilla Division of the People's Self-Defense Army had abundant troops and had no defensive tasks, so we decided to assign them to the First Division. ”

The 1st Guerrilla Division was a local armed force developed by a smuggling salt gang in Renqiu County. The division commander Gao Shuncheng was the former leader of the smuggling salt gang, who was particularly tough, could shoot a gun with both hands, and was known as a hundred shots and a hundred hits, and was very famous in Jizhong.

When selling nitrate, he and his brothers had many fights with the military and police, so they organized a collective resistance of salt dealers, and the momentum became stronger and stronger, and before the "77" incident, it had developed into an armed force of more than 100 people. The main activities are in Wen'an, Xinzhen, and Baiyangdian areas.

After the 77 Incident, Gao Shuncheng won the support of the great gentleman Se Zongfeng in Renyue County and began to revolt in Renqiu County. At that time, the anti-Japanese enthusiasm of the people in central Hebei was high, and some green forest figures, unemployed vagrants, and brave activists in the countryside joined one after another, which made the army grow rapidly.

Gao Shuncheng also followed the rising tide and successively received the additional commissions of the Hebei Guerrilla Army and the People's Self-Defense Army, which can be regarded as having an "official body". After that, many peasants, intellectuals, and many landlords' armed forces also joined in, and the army quickly grew to five infantry regiments, as well as several directly subordinate units such as cavalry companies, communications companies, and artillery companies, with a total strength of more than 5,000 people, and became one of the few major forces in the locality.

Last time, when Zheng Weiguo passed through Jizhong, he fought side by side with the First Guerrilla Division in Hejian City, and the two sides were old friends. Therefore, for such a force, the 97th Army is also very welcome.

Chief of Staff Zhou didn't expect to get such a big benefit, and he was a little overjoyed. thanked him again and again: "Lao Cheng, you have helped us a lot." ”

Political Commissar Cheng waved his hand and smiled: "It should be said that we are right." We're all a family now, and helping you is helping me, so you don't need to be polite! ”

I thought that the reorganization was coming to an end, but I didn't expect new troubles to come again. A few days later, the military headquarters of the 97th Army suddenly received an urgent secret telegram from the Ministry of Military Affairs. The Ministry of Military Affairs refused to recognize this number, believing that it was "unruly" and suggested that it be changed to the First Division of Hebei Security.

Lu Zhonglin, commander-in-chief of the Jicha Theater and governor of Hebei Province, greatly agreed with this. Because as is customary. The provincial security forces are to be placed under the control of the provincial governors. He had even prepared officers for this unit in advance, and the source, of course, was his relatives and friends.

Ren Zhuzi said angrily: "This deer ghost is really not a thing, as the commander-in-chief, he does not resist the Japanese." I know that I am making trouble. The First Division of Jizhong is obviously our own troops. Why did he intervene? ”

Zheng Weiguo has been accompanying Political Commissar Cheng and Director Wang to get acquainted with the troops these days. So Chief of Staff Zhou stayed behind to sit in the military headquarters. When he saw the pillar's indignant face, he quipped, "Yo, you're even more angry than the commander." Why don't I tell the commander? Let him put the release of Lu to lead the troops? ”

Zhuzi's eyes lit up, but he quickly became depressed again, and muttered: "I have such a temper, I can't even control myself, how can I manage others." ”

Zheng Weiguo and Political Commissar Cheng happened to walk in, and when they heard the words, they reprimanded: "Zhilu Dao has a bad temper, why don't you correct it?" If you don't grow up, you'll have to be the head of the security section for the rest of your life. ”

The pillar shrunk its neck in fright. Chief of Staff Zhou was angry and funny, pushed him, and said, "Go out of the city to be on guard, I have something to talk about with the commander." ”

Commissar Cheng smiled: "What is so mysterious? ”

Chief of Staff Zhou looked out and said in a low voice: "Commander, Lao Cheng, do you know the telegram from the Ministry of Military Affairs?" Seeing that both of them nodded, Chief of Staff Zhou said again: "Now the attitude of the Ministry of Military Affairs is very tough. Lu Zhonglin wants to get a piece of the pie again, how do you think this matter should be handled? ”

Zheng Weiguo said: "Lao Cheng and I have already discussed on the way here, and the first division of security will be the first division of security." Anyway, it's also a unit registered in the Ministry of Military Affairs, isn't it? Since the Ministry of Military Affairs asked us to change, let's just implement it. ”

Chief of Staff Zhou frowned and said worriedly: "But the security forces' food and salary are raised by the provinces themselves, and the Ministry of Military Affairs will not contribute a penny. In addition, in accordance with the regulations promulgated by the National Government, the security forces are under the unified management of the provincial governors. We can't give up the troops we worked so hard to build to Lu Zhonglin! ”

Zheng Weiguo said with a smile: "If he is willing to bear part of the logistics, the nominal command can be given to him." As long as his orders are correct, we can do them. If it's not correct, it's a mess, and we have the right to refuse. ”

Political Commissar Cheng also smiled and said, "What the commander said is good! We can still give this face, haha! ”

Chief of Staff Zhou shook his head and said, "Commander, Lao Cheng, I think you are thinking about things too simply. Once the troops are returned to him, the personnel power will be in his hands, and whether we can control the troops at that time remains to be seen. After all, he is the commander-in-chief of the theater of operations, and he is more justifiable than us. ”

Zheng Weiguo smiled and said, "I have also thought about the personnel. Four words, competition for posts! ”

Chief of Staff Zhou was stunned for a moment, and said in confusion: "Competition for posts? What exactly is a competition law? ”

Since ancient times, most officials have been appointed from the top down, and a small number have been elected from the bottom up. As for competition for posts, they have never been engaged, and it is no wonder that Chief of Staff Zhou is confused. Leaving aside foreign countries for the time being, China's implementation of this measure will have to wait for the 2004 promulgation and implementation of the "Interim Regulations on the Competitive Appointment of Party and Government Organs".

After Zheng Weiguo explained for a long time, Chief of Staff Zhou finally understood this mechanism. However, with his wisdom, he is quite unoptimistic about this. For what? Because it would get things out of control, which is the most disgusting thing for all those in power.

Chief of Staff Zhou secretly pondered for a while, and said cautiously: "You mean that we secretly control the selection process and brush down all the people of the deer ghost?" ”

"No, no!" Zheng Weiguo flatly denied: "You didn't understand what I meant. This assessment must be fair and fair, and any external interference must be eliminated! ”

Chief of Staff Zhou was confused again, and said excitedly: "Then what if Lu Zhonglin's person is selected?" Do we use it or not? ”

Zheng Weiguo said very calmly: "As long as his people can be selected, of course we will use them, and we will entrust them with important tasks." ”

Chief of Staff Zhou shook his head and said tiredly: "Alas, I am confused by you, you have to let me go back and think about it for a while!" ”

Zheng Weiguo smiled: "Okay! Go back and think about it, and when you figure it out, you will definitely benefit immensely. ”

Chief of Staff Zhou took a few steps just now, then retreated, patted his head and said, "Look at my memory, I almost forgot a big thing. Gao Shuncheng, commander of the 1st Guerrilla Division, said that you and Deputy Commander Cheng have not gone to Renqiu since they took office, and I want to take you to Renqiu to pick you up and wash the dust for you. ”

Zheng Weiguo laughed and said: "When is it, still engage in these famous halls!" ”

Political Commissar Cheng waved his hand and said: "I don't think it's necessary to pick up the wind and wash the dust, let him bring the troops over immediately to accept the reorganization." If this task is completed well, I will pick him up and wash the dust. ”

Chief of Staff Zhou said: "No! You don't know what happened, but this force seems to be resistant to reorganization, and there has been no movement for a few days after the order was issued. Division Commander Gao reported that the soldiers did not want to leave their hometowns and were very emotional, and hoped that the leaders of the military region would go forward and appease them. ”

When Political Commissar Cheng heard this, he nodded and said, "Well, this request is quite reasonable, I think I can agree." Commander, what do you see? ”

Zheng Weiguo said: "Okay, the reorganization can't be delayed, I think I can go tomorrow!" With that, he called the pillar again, intending to bring a cavalry company over. (To be continued......)