After the Miaomengou stronghold was conquered, it caused a great shock within the Japanese army. At the same time, it has also greatly encouraged the military and civilians in the base areas. Subsequently, the various units of the Eighth Route Army successively conquered several large and medium-sized strongholds, cleared the obstacles in the base area, forced the Japanese army to fully shrink, and retreated to the area along the railway. At this point, the first phase of the winter offensive came to a perfect end.

At the same time as the fierce battle between the two sides, Zheng Weiguo, the commander of the Second War Zone, quietly came to the Zhongtiao Mountain area to inspect. The personnel adjustment of the first theater in the previous period, and then the inclusion of Zhongtiao Mountain in the second war zone, also had a great impact on the various departments stationed in Zhongtiao Mountain. In addition, the Second War Zone has recently been organizing and reorganizing its troops, and the generals have resorted to a lot of means both openly and covertly, and some generals have even threatened to surrender to the enemy. Chief of Staff Zhou was worried that the troops would get out of control, so he had to ask Zheng Huzi to settle the situation.

Why would the generals resist the editing? Because the problems in the army are really shady. In 1943, when Dai Li reported to Chang Kaishen on the investigation of the Nujiang frontline troops in Yunnan, he reported:

In February this year, when General Chief He (referring to He Yingqin, then chief of staff) convened a meeting of the commanders of various armies in central Yunnan from Kunming in India, the commanders of each division submitted a report, saying that each division now has 8,000 or 9,000 combat soldiers, and that Zhang Shaoxun, commander of the 87th Division, is straightforward.

General Chief He blamed each division for having 8,000 or 9,000 men, and the division alone had only 5,000 men, and the shortage was too large. In fact, the shortage of soldiers in each division is very huge, for example, the 36th Division is now engaged in guerrilla warfare in the Tengbei area, and the actual number is only about 4,000. The 88th Division is currently defending the west of the Nujiang River, with only about 4,500 men, and the 87th Division is currently defending the Nujiang River, with 5,000 combat soldiers, which is still more than that of other divisions. However, the number of people reported by the commanders of other divisions is not the actual number.

He also investigated the officers and soldiers stationed on the Nujiang front, and now they are colluding with businessmen to smuggle and transport goods. At present, the enemy is short of salt, and after the merchants transported salt from Xiaguan and Baoshan to the front line, they colluded with the local garrison officers and soldiers. Sent across the Nu River. In exchange for cotton gauze, there were as many as five or six trading places, but the enemy was very cunning, and five or six of our officers had been convicted of selling salt a month earlier. Privately crossing the Nu River. Discovered by the enemy and taken captive.

In May of this year. The loss of the Mamian Pass in the west of the Nu River was also due to the enemy's use of smuggling roads to disguise themselves as merchants. Take advantage of the gap to invade. The excessively large shortages in each division have affected their combat strength, and officers and men have smuggled and transported goods, giving the enemy every opportunity to take advantage of them. At a time when the enemy on the west bank of the Nu River is constantly thinking about making foolish moves, the above situation can be deeply worrisome, and it seems that it is necessary to strictly check the vacancies of each division on the one hand, supplement them, and strictly ban the smuggling of officers and men, so as not to delay the overall situation.

(Note: The above content is included in the "Compilation of Historical Materials of Mr. Dai Li and the Anti-Japanese War?") Economic Warfare)

The 36th Division, the 87th Division, the 88th Division, what kind of troops is that? What a former German mechanic! Even if it declines, it's still the Central Military Lineage, isn't it? However, such a force is actually short of less than half, and how many percent of its combat effectiveness can it be calculated in detail? How did this shortfall come about? Empty pay is the main reason. As for the resale of materials, it is even more impossible to say, it has developed to the point that the Japanese army will resell what the Japanese army lacks. They all laughed at the Osaka Merchant Division, what was so funny, the National Army had merchant troops.

This is still the Central Army, which has relatively guaranteed logistical supplies, especially the Central Army in Yunnan, which can get a share of the US aid. In contrast, the situation of the troops was even worse when the Nakajo Mountain National Army was left behind the enemy. Some people may say that if the army is poor, it will not resell supplies, right? But in fact, the reselling and short-term salary of the Zhongtiao Mountain National Army were even more serious. Although Zheng Weiguo has long been willing to rectify, there are too many and too deep diseases in the army, and he is really powerless.

Now, while the Japanese army has shifted its attention to Nanyang and the Far East, and the first theater of the Nationalist army is in the process of personnel adjustment, Zheng Huzi decided to quickly cut through the chaos and solve these problems once and for all.

Since Li Jiayu's 36th Group Army and Sun Weiru's Fourth Army withdrew to Henan, there were still 17 infantry divisions in the Zhongtiao Mountain area. (Note: There are 19 in history, but the Zhao Shiling Division of the 43rd Army of the Jin Sui Army system in this time and space has been eliminated in the December Incident)

These include the Zeng Wanzhong Department of the 5th Group Army, which is under the jurisdiction of the Tang Huaiyuan Department of the 3rd Army (the side of the Central Army, the old foundation of the Founding of the Yunnan Army), the Kong Lingsui Department of the 80th Army (the first line of Feng Qinzai of the Shaanxi Army), and the 34th Division of the Gongbing Fan Department (the side of the Central Army from the Shaanxi Army is a lonely soul and wild ghost); Liu Maoen's Department of the 14th Group Army, under the jurisdiction of the 15th Army Wu Tinglin Department (Yu Army) and the 98th Army Wu Shimin (Shaanxi Army Feng Qinzai lineage); Pei Changhui Department of the 9th Army (collateral of the Central Army, derived from the Beiyang system); Gao Guizi Division of the 17th Army (Shaanxi Army); Chen Tiebu of the 14th Army (descendant of the Central Army); Wang Jinxiu of the 10th Division of the 93rd Army (descendant of the Central Army).

Just look at it, there are only 17 divisions in total, and they are divided into so many factions. Some factions still have contradictions with each other, and there are many small factions within the same faction. Where is this army, it's just a big "grocery store". It is also a shame that the previous few encirclements and suppressions were able to survive.

Yuanqu, the former headquarters of the former enemy headquarters in the Second World War Zone.

Zheng Weiguo was sitting upright in the headquarters, and on the left were Zeng Wanzhong, commander of the 5th Group Army, Tang Huaiyuan, commander of the 3rd Army, Gao Guizi, commander of the 17th Army, and Kong Lingsui, commander of the 80th Army.

From the right hand are Liu Maoen, commander of the 14th Group Army, Pei Changhui, commander of the 9th Army, Wu Tinglin, commander of the 15th Army, Wu Shimin, commander of the 98th Army, and Chen Tie, commander of the 14th Army. The commanders of each division sat behind their respective commanders. A total of two commanders-in-chief of the group army, seven army commanders, and seventeen division commanders were all there.

The reason why Zheng Weiguo is so face-saving, in addition to the fact that he is the top boss, is mainly because Zheng Huzi's painstaking management and wooing over the years have played a role. Originally, he wanted to take advantage of the time when the national army was fighting with the Japanese army, and take the opportunity to inflict heavy losses on the Japanese army (hehe, Tang Enbo's usual method), and then seize Zhongtiao Mountain, causing the established facts.

But with the improvement of his status, Zheng Weiguo's mind has also become broader, and he even has some sympathy for the national army, and the so-called "sympathy of understanding". Speaking from the heart, those generals of the national army are not "bad people" in the traditional sense. Many of them, such as Tang Huaiyuan. There is a lot of blood. It's a pity that their knowledge and environment are limited, and it is difficult to be a "good person".

Zheng Weiguo sometimes wondered if he could lead them on a different path? As a result, he changed his previous practice of suppression and exclusion to Huairou co-optation, and for now, he has "business" dealings with these troops. Relations with each other have improved considerably.

But what you know is what you know. Sympathy is sympathy, and it is necessary to strike when it is time to act. Although it is against the "morality of the rivers and lakes" to do so, Zheng Huzi is a soldier, not a big brother of the underworld. For the sake of the overall situation of resisting Japan. I had to be unkind and unrighteous once.

"Zeng Wanzhong, Tang Huaiyuan, Li Shilong, Kong Lingsui, Gong Bingfan, Wang Zhiqi, Wang Jun!"

The seven people whose names were called were stunned. They all looked at it with a confused expression. Only Lee Se-ryong stood up stupidly. The other six were still at a loss.

"Take it!"

Hearing a loud bang, several doors outside the conference room were suddenly slammed open, and dozens of heavily armed gendarmes rushed up. Three times five divided by two, all seven people were arrested.

Zeng Wanzhong shouted while struggling: "Junzuo, Junzuo, what do you mean by this?" Wan Zhong thinks he hasn't done anything to be sorry for you! He asked again: "Fuchuan, are you short of Junza's payment?" Eat the leopard guts you! ”

Tang Huaiyuan's eyes were furious, and he shouted aggrievedly: "Boss, you and I have been friends for many years, how can Tang be such a person!" Grain, grass, ordnance, tobacco and soil have always been paid for in two, but have you ever been greedy for ink? He glared at Zheng Weiguo again and shouted: "Junzuo, we have a lot of friends in business in the past, and we help each other a lot." As soon as you take office, you will take me and wait for Liwei, it is too unrighteous! ”

Li Shilong's face turned pale with shock, and he said in a trembling voice: "Jun, Junzuo, my humble position is blinded by lard, and I shouldn't charge you more money for arms." This will return the excess money! ”

When they heard this, they all looked at each other angrily.

Several other arrested generals, some angrily scolded, some wailed for mercy, and the conference room suddenly became a mess.

In the Fifth Army system, only the commander of the 12th Division was not arrested. He got up and asked: "Junzuo, why did you arrest the party-state general, but there is an approval from the Ministry of Military Affairs?" ”

According to the "Record of Glory and Mourning" of the National Army's Anti-Japanese Death: Although Cun Xingqi is a division commander, he has no official structure, often dressed in blue cloth, and eats only two or three small dishes and one soup. He also emphasized that his division "has a different situation as a manager, with open finances and no greed." It can be seen that his own ethics are still good, but the general trend is like this, and he can only be alone.

The other generals present in the room were also frightened and exchanged their heads one after another. Some even secretly reached out to their waists, but they felt empty. It turned out that before entering the conference room, all the guns he was carrying were handed in.

Zheng Weiguo waved his hand and said: "Everyone is less safe and don't be impatient!" Wen Bin, bring up the evidence! ”

"Yes, Chief!"

Wen Bin took out a piece of paper and read: "Check, Zeng Wanzhong and others of the Fifth Group Army resold military rations and ordnance, embezzled military salaries and pensions, and planted and resold opium. Specially wanted to show military law! With a wave of his hand, two soldiers immediately came up carrying a large box, which was full of evidence collected in the past two years.

When the seven of them saw it, they almost fainted. Although these are all taken for granted within the national army, it is not a matter for everyone to do this. But if someone investigates, according to military regulations, it is a big crime to kill the head! Although he did not directly participate in these scalping activities, he could not escape the charge of not reporting and conniving at the cover-up.

The other generals present were also shocked, and if they looked into it, their butts might not be clean. If Zheng Huzi is a wholehearted person, he is afraid that he will not be able to please any of them.

Liu Maoen, commander-in-chief of the 14th Group Army, calmed himself down and begged: "Junzuo, they are all robes in the army, please read it for the sake of the soldiers who are loyal and brave to the country, and open the net!" ”

Gao Guizi, the commander of the 17th Army, was also busy pleading: "Yes, Junzuo, it is not easy to eat a bowl of Qiu Ba (referring to those who are soldiers, Qiu Ba together is a soldier) rice these years, and the brothers also have a last resort!" Raise your noble hand and let Commander-in-Chief Zeng and them go! ”

The commander of the 12th Division hesitated for a moment, and said stubbornly: "Junzuo, regarding the smuggling matter, he is also responsible for his humble position. But we don't smuggle to enrich ourselves, but to earn some military expenses for the brothers. Otherwise, it will be difficult for the country to pay that little bit alone. It's often interrupted, and it's not enough at all! ”

When everyone heard this, they hurriedly chimed in: "Yes, yes! ”

Pei Changhui, commander of the 9th Army, advised: "Junzuo, the Ministry of Military Affairs has been in arrears every year in the past few years, and if you don't take some ways, it will be really difficult to continue." Commander-in-Chief Zeng, although they did this because of military law, they were thinking about the brothers in the army after all! For the sake of the hundreds of thousands of brothers in Zhongtiao Mountain, please give them a chance to reform their ways and make meritorious contributions! ”

……

Zheng Weiguo sneered: "For the sake of the brothers? Thank you for speaking out! I ask you. How much of this money goes into your own pockets. And how much was spent on the brethren? You all feel your conscience and think about it! ”

When they heard this, they all bowed their heads in shame. Of course, there are also unconvinced, from time to time to glance at him, revealing a fierce light. Zheng Weiguo strode forward. Pointing at one of them, he shouted, "Wu Tinglin." You dare to stare at me. Not convinced, isn't it? ”

Wu Tinglin, the commander of the 15th Army, hurriedly said: "Don't dare to be humble!" ”

"Take it!"

Several wolf-like gendarmes immediately pounced, Wu Tinglin was born as a bandit in western Henan and was a practitioner. resisted desperately, but he was not an opponent at all, and was soon taken out by the gendarmes.

Wen Bin took out another piece of paper and read: "Check, Wu Tinglin, the commander of the 15th Army, is nepotistic and regards the national army as his personal property; disregarding human life, killing innocents indiscriminately, and being like bandits, there are only 41 cases that can be investigated; and will be avenged, public weapons for private use, forcing many people to die; greedy for money and profit, deducted military salaries and built mansions, ignoring the hunger and cold of officers and soldiers; In the name of the troops, sending people to smuggle in enemy-occupied areas is like an enemy! ”

"Wronged, wronged!" Wu Tinglin shouted desperately: "Junzuo, please spare my life, I will be rewarded!" ”

Zheng Weiguo reprimanded angrily: "Leave your dog life and then do something that hurts heaven and reason?" ”

Wen Bin continued to read: "Conniving relatives and bullying the township." His nephew Wu Lianggeng has always presided over the household affairs for him in his hometown, relying on his uncle's power, arbitrarily disbursing the country, occupying the land, committing adultery with women, and committing all kinds of evil, even if many women of the same race are also raped by him, which is a great crime......"

After reading the charges one by one, Wu Tinglin's forehead suddenly rolled down beads of sweat, and he suddenly shouted bitterly: "Zheng Huzi, you, you are cutting the grass and eradicating the roots!" Where did I offend you, you draw a line, so that I can understand! General seat, total seat, Zheng Huzi This is to eradicate dissidents, you have to be careful! ”

Liu Maoen, commander-in-chief of the 14th Group Army, glanced at Zheng Weiguo with a weak heart, pointed at Wu Tinglin and scolded angrily: "Shut up!" I can't believe that you have committed so many evil deeds, and you are truly guilty of not being punished! I, I'm so blind, I haven't even seen it! ”

Wu Tinglin panicked: "Total, total!" Can't you die without help, smuggling......"

Seeing that he was going to continue, Liu Maoen was extremely angry, and stepped forward to give him a few mouthfuls.

After all, Liu Maoen is the leader of the Yu army, and Zheng Weiguo can't find a replacement for the time being, so he doesn't want to embarrass him too much, so he waved his hand and said: "Shout and shout, what kind of system, take Wu Tinglin down first!" ”

"Yes!" Several gendarmes responded, without saying a word, and dragged Wu Tinglin up. This guy thought he was going to be dragged out of the gang and shot, so frightened that he seemed to scream when killing the pig.

Liu Maoen wiped his sweat and said embarrassedly: "Junzuo, what do you think of this?" ”

Zheng Weiguo waved his hand and said: "Shulin, I am also from a miscellaneous army, and I know your hardships. I can not blame the past, but I can't do anything more about smuggling grain, grass, and ordnance. ”

As he spoke, he angrily rebuked: "The military rations and ordnance have been resold, what will be used to fight when the time comes?" If the troops do not practice well on weekdays, they know that they grow opium and sell big tobacco, making the barracks like a vegetable market, and there is a miasma of smoke! The spies of the Japanese army can come as soon as they want, and they can leave when they want, and the truth and fiction are detected by the enemy! If there is a war, will you still have a way to live? ”

Everyone nodded yes!

Zheng Weiguo looked at Zeng Wanzhong and the others again, and asked, "Commander-in-Chief Zeng, what else do you have to say?" ”

Zeng Wanzhong is worthy of being the last leader of the Founding of the Yunnan Army, and he can be regarded as a hero, although he began to be a little chaotic, but he soon began to calm down, and said calmly: "Junzuo, Zeng Mou violated military law and deserves to be punished!" It's just that I don't know what Junzuo plans to do with the class and others? ”

Zheng Weiguo said in a deep voice: "Then it depends on whether you admit the fight or the punishment!" ”

Zeng Wanzhongqi said: "How to say that you admit beating, how to say that you admit punishment?" ”

Zheng Weiguo replied: "Admit the beating, you should be dealt with according to military regulations if you violate military law." As he spoke, he glanced at Wen Bin.

Wen Bin nodded knowingly, and said, "According to the law, you should be cut to set an example!" ”

When everyone heard this, their faces changed greatly.

Zeng Wanzhong snorted coldly and asked again: "What about admitting punishment?" You can't have both! ”

Zheng Weiguo smiled: "Not bad! At present, the national crisis is at hand, and it is the time to employ people. I would recommend you to take up your new duties in the First War Zone, but I would like to ask you to write a letter of resignation and a petition for guilt. Otherwise, the chairman of the committee will think that I am excluding dissidents! ”

Everyone smiled bitterly and was speechless, so they had to find paper and pen on the spot.

After writing them one by one according to Zheng Weiguo's requirements, Tang Huaiyuan, commander of the Third Army, sighed and said: "Junzuo, we are ashamed of the three armies and the people, and I hope to treat my Yunnan children well." ”

Zheng Weiguo nodded and said: "Please rest assured, Commander Tang, I will recommend Division Commander Cun to take over the post of commander of the Third Army, and there will be no shortage of food and salary in the future." ”

Tang Huaiyuan and others hurriedly thanked them.

Zheng Weiguo sighed secretly, in fact, compared to Zeng Wanzhong's accumulation of shortcomings, Tang Huaiyuan is not bad. In 39, Tang's mother died of illness, and Tang Huaiyuan wrote a poem when he was at the funeral:

Thousands of miles to come back by the wind, alone in the East China Sea with spring thunder.

Endure looking at the pictures and moving colors, and be willing to make the country pay for the ashes!

Turbid wine does not dispel the tears of the country, and when it is saved, it should be out of the crowd.

Fight for 100,000 skull blood, and you must turn the Qiankun force back.

I wrote another couplet: The heroic deeds of the shrouded horse leather, the death of the sweat and bamboo incense. Mingzhi swore to serve the country to the death, and was determined to live and die with Zhongtiao Mountain.

Try to see the more than 100 commanders of the national army, and a few of them can kill themselves to serve the country like Commander Tang! If every general can be as generous as Commander Tang, why let the Japanese invaders run rampant here?

It's a pity that Tang Huaiyuan was born as a warlord after all, and his historical limitations and vision limited his talents. And what Zheng Weiguo needs is not a general who kills himself to serve the country, but a general who defeats the enemy. In other words, it is not enough not to be afraid of death, but also to lead your subordinates to win the battle. At this point, the relatively young Inch Xingqi Master is obviously more suitable.

A week later, the high-level generals of Zhongtiao Mountain changed blood. Subsequently, all units were unified and reorganized into the 5th Group Army, which had three corps, one independent mountain division, one artillery brigade, one cavalry regiment, and a separate engineering baggage unit. All armies were reorganized under the three-three system, and although the number of army ranks was greatly reduced, the number of troops was expanded instead.

The commander-in-chief of the 5th Group Army was succeeded by Zhang Wenbai, deputy commander of the Second Theater of Operations, deputy commander-in-chief Guo Jiqiao (formerly Wei Lihuang's chief of staff, known as the three major chiefs of staff of the Republic of China), chief of staff Zhao Jiaxiang, and deputy chief of staff and chief of staff Sheng Wen.

Zhang Wenbai is a close confidant of the chairman of the National People's Congress, but he is also relatively close to Yan'an, which is acceptable to both sides, which is conducive to the reunification of the War of Resistance. In addition, he got along with Zheng Weiguo relatively happily during this time, so let him be alone. Guo Jiqiao is Wei Lihuang's old subordinate, who was implicated by the Wei chief to sit on a cold bench in Chongqing, and Zheng Weiguo asked to come over after learning about it.

Zhao Jiaxiang and Sheng Wen were shoehorned in by the chairman. Among them, Zhao Jiaxiang seems to be He Yingqin's person, and Sheng Wen is Hu Zongnan's person. Zheng Weiguo inspected it and found that these two were talents, so he agreed. As long as he can fight and doesn't stir up trouble, Zheng Huzi has always been a comer. In fact, the latter three people still have a saying in later generations, known as the three chiefs of staff of the Republic of China, which can be called a rare military talent in the national army. (To be continued......)