"Ladies and gentlemen, please see, there are four large rivers from Shijiazhuang to Baoding, namely the Hutuo River between Shijiazhuang and Zhengding County, the Ci River between Zhengding and Xinle, the Shahe River between Xinle and Dingxian County, and the Tang River between Dingxian and Wangdu County."

"In addition to these four big rivers, there are also several ditches that are also relatively deep, such as the branch of the Cihe River, the Mudao Ditch, the Mengliang River and the moat in Dingxian County, ......"

In the war room, Chief of Staff Zhou and Deputy Chief of Staff Li were vigorously promoting their combat plans. Commander Nie was very touched by the Zhujie meeting in the morning, and he had agreed to send troops in principle, but he still had questions about how to fight. Because Baoding is on the Pinghan line, the transportation is convenient. Beiping and Shijiazhuang at both ends are stationed with heavy troops, ready to help. In terrain like this, the slightest mistake may cause the Japanese army to be flanked from both sides, so it has to be treated with caution.

"Ahem!" Commander Nie coughed, pointed to the map and said, "I know the geography of this area very well, there are many rivers and ditches, and some of them have a large water flow. But the Japanese army occupies the railway, and the train will come as soon as it is said, so what is the use of a hundred ravines? ”

Chief of Staff Zhou said in a deep voice: "Where there is a river, there are bridges, what we have to do is to blow up these bridges at the right time, use the terrain to divide the Japanese army between these river ditches, and then gather heavy troops to encircle and annihilate them!" ”

Commander Nie thought for a moment, shook his head and said: "I'm afraid this won't work, some time ago, the 129th Division planned to blow up the Sanggan Iron Bridge on the Zhengtai Line, but I didn't expect that this bridge is extremely strong, and it will be difficult to dismantle it in a short time." Since the Japanese army has transferred large troops to reinforce it, how can it let us calmly destroy? ”

Think again. Say: "Oh, you are different, there are artillerymen!" ”

Deputy Chief of Staff Li said: "Depending on the location of the bridge, some can be bombarded with artillery, while others can only be blasted by sending sappers to place explosive packs. ”

Commander Nie frowned slightly, and said, "I believe you have saved a lot of explosives, but what about the sappers?" I remember that a large-scale blasting like this required a very professional sapper to complete, right? There are at least nine railway bridges from Shijiazhuang to Baoding, as well as dozens of highway bridges, you have so many manpower? ”

Chief of Staff Zhou and Deputy Chief of Staff Li looked at each other and smiled. Said: "To say that there were not so many before. After all, there are many places where sappers are needed, and it is impossible to send them all to blow up the bridge. But now, not to mention dozens of bridges, even a hundred are enough! ”

Commander Nie said in surprise: "The Central Military Academy has sent engineer cadets over again?" Novices have no experience. Not right? ”

Deputy Chief of Staff Li explained: "There are so many at the Central Military Academy. It was brought back from the eastern part of Hebei by the 63rd Army! ”

"How can there be a ...... in Jidong" Commander Nie didn't believe it at first. Just as he was about to question, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he said in surprise: "The workers of the Kailuan Coal Mine!" ”

As mentioned earlier, the "South Railway Road" in eastern Hebei is rich in excellent Chinese cabbage. And sharpshooters. In fact, there is a special class of troops in eastern Hebei that is as famous as the South Railway Sharpshooter, that is, the demoman of the Tangshan Mine. At that time, there was a saying among the anti-Japanese soldiers and civilians, called "The south of the railway gun was accurate, and the Tangshan mine cannon was bombed fiercely." The so-called ruthless bombing of the Tangshan mine artillery means that the soldiers who came from coal miners often have superb blasting skills, which is very rare in the Eighth Route Army units, which are extremely lacking in technical personnel.

When the 63rd Army reinforced eastern Hebei, Zheng Weiguo specially emphasized that more such technical personnel must be recruited. Now it really comes in handy.

Chief of Staff Zhou said with a smile: "Mr. Nie guessed right, it is the workers of Tangshan Mine!" At present, we have a special engineering and demolition unit under the General Assembly, and all armies, divisions, and military regions also have corresponding engineering troops. Just ......"

Seeing that he hesitated, Commander Nie hurriedly asked, "Just what?" ”

Chief of Staff Zhou explained: "The location of those bridges is extremely scattered, and they have to pass through layers of blockade by the Japanese army. The combat effectiveness of our local troops is not strong, and the main forces are familiar with the geographical situation, so it is difficult to escort these engineers to their destinations. ”

Commander Nie smiled and said, "Okay, after talking for a long time, you guys are waiting for me here!" Okay, I'll agree to that. As long as your sapper units and explosives are ready, we guarantee to escort them safely to the designated location! ”

Chief of Staff Zhou and Deputy Chief of Staff Li were very excited when they heard this, and they stroked their palms and smiled: "With Commander Nie's words, the matter has been more than half successful!" ”

Commander Nie hesitated: "This is only to deal with the south, and what about the north?" The 21st Division in Peiping was so rampant that it sent troops to eastern Hebei a few days ago to encircle and suppress it, causing great losses to the base areas. ”

Chief of Staff Zhou said: "The north is similar, the nine rivers in the upper reaches of Beiyangdian, more than half of them are north of Baoding, like the Fu River, the Cao River, the Ping River, the Yangcun River, the Puhe River and the Baigou River, we have to blow up the liver and intestines for the little devils, Ha Lu Ha ......."

Commander Nie gasped and questioned, "How much explosives do you need!" I remember that these bridges were very strong, and hundreds of pounds of explosives were not a big deal! ”

Chief of Staff Zhou explained: "Now the arsenal is able to produce its own ammonium nitrate explosives, and a lot of yellow explosives have been seized from the Tangshan mine, plus the amount seized and purchased from various places, which is already very large. ”

Deputy Chief of Staff Li said: "And we don't need to completely destroy these bridges, as long as they are blown up and cannot be opened to traffic for a week, it will be completed!" ”

Commander Nie snorted and said, "Not bad! If the operation goes well, it may not be a week, but two or three days will be enough. ”

Chief of Staff Zhou said happily: "Then Mr. Nie agreed?" ”

Commander Nie said with a smile: "If you don't take it, you will be blamed!" How can you let go of such a good opportunity? Saying that, his face was slightly gloomy, and he said with regret: "Alas, the situation in Wuhan is getting worse and worse, I am afraid this is the best time for us to do it in North China. ”

Chief of Staff Zhou said: "Yes, when the enemy army returns to North China, our strategic initiative will definitely not be maintained, so we must prepare before the fall of Wuhan." ”

With Commander Nie's statement, the matter was basically settled. The Jizhong Military Region then began to carry out pre-war mobilization, mainly collecting and transporting materials, and maneuvering large units to corresponding positions in concealment. In order to guarantee the suddenness of the battle. It's all done in secret. Commander Nie also quickly set off to return to Beiyue District, after all, such a big operation is not easy to coordinate without him as a commander.

Due to the large number of troops mobilized, the amount of material that needs to be mobilized is also very staggering. Fortunately, Zheng Weiguo emphasized the importance of material reserves at the beginning, and made a lot of preparations in more than three months. In this case, the full mobilization took nearly 10 days.

This process is very complicated, Professor Yang, Political Commissar Cheng, and Chief of Staff Zhou are all so busy that their feet do not touch the ground, and they have time and even sleep for a few nights, even if they are sleepy, they can only tilt their chairs. Zheng Weiguo originally paid attention to "vertical arch rule", but now he is "one person with a few pots", and he has to personally participate in the deployment and material scheduling.

"Armament Department? I'm Zheng Weiguo! I ask you. Why is the latest batch of explosives shipped from the arsenal missing 500 catties? Zheng Weiguo verified the supplies. While calling and asking, "What! Found by devils during transportation and forced to destroy? Why don't you report such a big thing in time? How could this be true, what if it aroused the alarm of the Japanese army? Who can afford this responsibility! ”

"Report! Seat General, what are you? Deputy Chief of Staff Li walked in. I looked at it in surprise.

Zheng Weiguo saw that it was him. Busy said: "You came just in time." There was a slight mistake in the transportation of explosives in the arsenal, and it was forced to be destroyed when the Japanese intercepted it. That's 500 pounds of explosives! You immediately observe through our internal line to see if there is any abnormal situation in the Japanese army. ”

Deputy Chief of Staff Li hurriedly said: "Yes." The main seat, I'll set it up as soon as I get back. Well, here's some information from the surrounding area and the latest report on the war in Central China, so please take a look. ”

Zheng Weiguo took it and looked at it, suddenly smiled knowingly, and said: "The chairman agreed to the three conditions I proposed at the beginning. ”

Deputy Chief of Staff Li said with a smile: "Without it, current affairs are compelling!" ”

Some time ago, the war situation in Wuhan began to deteriorate, and Chairman Chang Kaishen did not hesitate to use the power of public opinion to force Zheng Weiguo to send troops. Zheng Huzi put forward three conditions to the chairman of the NPC National Committee. The first is to clear the injustices of Commander Wu Keren and 67 soldiers who died heroically in the Battle of Songhu; the second is to rescue and comfort refugees and former volunteers in Northeast China; The third is to release Zhang Shaoshuai, Yang Huchen and their subordinate families.

The chairman of the committee began to be furious, but as the situation in Wuhan continued to deteriorate, he finally compromised. Commander Wu Keren's spiritual position was given to the Martyrs' Shrine, and his family was also bereaved. The surviving hundreds of soldiers of the 67th Army have also gotten rid of the stigma of "mutiny", and some of them have decided to go north to serve in Jizhong out of gratitude to Zheng Weiguo.

The matter of relief and bereavement is also handled by the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Military Affairs, and it is difficult to say what the result will be, but it will benefit the soldiers and civilians in distress to some extent. Only the last one was resolutely resisted by the chairman, but Zhang Yang's subordinates and family members were released, including Huang Xiansheng and the famous "little radish head".

Deputy Chief of Staff Li said worriedly: "General Seat, your three conditions have not only won over the hearts of the soldiers from Northeast China, but also saved immeasurable merits, but you have offended the chairman of the committee members severely. His personality is like the Fa Zheng back then, but I'm afraid that he has already hated you to the core. At present, we can't do without the support of the rear, will the chairman give us small shoes to wear? ”

Fa Zheng was a Shu minister during the Three Kingdoms period, and made great contributions to Liu Bei's capture of Xichuan. When the ancestor was alive, he was highly trusted, and the so-called "Wen is the law, and the Wu is Wei Yan". But this man is a little cautious, and if anyone offends him, he will definitely not have good fruit to eat. The people of the time commented: the grace of a meal will be rewarded, and the grievances of the eyes will be repaid!

Chang Kaishen also has this problem, Bai Chongxi once opposed him, so he has always been regarded as a thorn in the side and a thorn in the flesh, even after being relieved of military power, he still refuses to let go.

Zheng Weiguo smiled, waved his hand and said, "No!" He also explained: "Now that the enemy is present, the chairman of the committee will understand a little misunderstanding." ”

Deputy Chief of Staff Li smiled and said, "I hope the chairman of the committee can put state affairs first!" He also said: "This time, the chairman of the NPC committee also circulated a circular criticizing the three war zones and reprimanded Gu Zhutong for being unfavorable in combat. ”

Zheng Weiguo said: "Oh? What about the three war zones? ”

Deputy Chief of Staff Li said disdainfully: "Gu Mosan, this person, hum, is a slippery battle!" ”

It turned out that in order to alleviate the defensive pressure on the front of Wuhan, the chairman of the committee ordered the three theaters to flank the Japanese army and outflank the rear road of the Japanese army. However, in order to preserve his strength, Gu Mosan only asked each army to send one division to carry out the task. As a result, the division commander sent only one brigade, and the brigade commander sent only one regiment...... After getting to the worst, only a dozen companies were dispatched. After working for a long time, I got nothing but a little money.

Zheng Weiguo sighed secretly, when fighting in a group, the wolf can't be on the dog, how can there be any reason to be undefeated?

"Report!" Suddenly, there was a crisp report at the door.

Deputy Chief of Staff Li looked back and saw that it was Zhilan standing at the door with a bowl, and said with a busy smile: "Boss, then you are busy, there are still a lot of things waiting for you, so I won't bother you." ”

Zheng Weiguo nodded and said, "Hmm." Go ahead. Be sure to pay more attention to the movements of the Japanese army! ”

After Deputy Chief of Staff Li left, Zhilan put the bowl in front of Zheng Weiguo and said, "Commander-in-chief, just boiled the porridge." ”

Zheng Weiguo happened to feel a little hungry. You're welcome either. smiled: "Thank you for your hard work." Zhilan. As soon as I stirred the spoon twice, I suddenly frowned and said, "Why did you still put bird's nest?" The wounded don't have to drink, how can I drink such a thing! As he spoke, he pushed the bowl aside unhappily.

Zhilan smiled slightly. Busy explained in a whisper: "I bought it myself at a trading company, and it is not public money. You can drink it with confidence, no one will say it. ”

Zheng Weiguo said: "Where did you get the money?" ”

Zhilan hesitated for a while, and then said, "I, I sold the bracelet!" ”

Zheng Weiguo looked down, and sure enough, the white wrist was already empty, and he couldn't help but scold: "You are messing around!" Isn't that bracelet a relic left to you by your mother? What do you do when you sell it well! He wanted Zhilan to redeem it, but he reached out and touched it in his pocket, and there was only a piece of ocean.

In order to prevent the senior generals from arrogantly seeking pleasure, Zheng Weiguo donated all his "national disaster salary" to the military region as military expenses, so the deputy commander-in-chief of the dignified theater did not have any money for himself. This piece of ocean was still used to play with Chief of Staff Zhou when they practiced shooting.

Probably seeing Zheng Weiguo's embarrassment, Zhilan sneered and comforted: "My mother has left me a lot of things, and this bracelet is not bad." Everyone says that it is bourgeois sentiment to bring this, and the working people do not like it! ”

Zheng Weiguo couldn't help but laugh and scolded: "Nonsense! Who told you this fallacy? ”

Zhilan thought for a moment and said, "The political instructors of the military academy and the propaganda team of the art troupe all said so. ”

Zheng Weiguo smiled: "That's what they don't have." I'm also a working person, how can I like it? You're selling to a trading company, so I'll let them not sell it yet, and I'll help you redeem it when the salary for the second half of the year is paid. Then he looked at the bowl of porridge and said, "This porridge ......."

Zhilan pouted and said aggrievedly: "The porridge has been boiled!" He also told him the story of the champion Hou Huo's illness, saying that General Huo also brought a cook when he was fighting, and he didn't see himself being mean, and he still won the battle. Zhilan is from a scholarly family, and she has read "Historical Records" and "Book of Han" or something, plus she is sharp-toothed, and she is not much worse than the political instructor of the military academy when it comes to the truth.

Zheng Weiguo was a little overwhelmed, so he had to quip: "Okay, then I will also enjoy the treatment of a champion today." How about this bowl of porridge for one of us? So he took out a small bowl, and the two of them divided it. Zheng Weiguo secretly drove all the parts with bird's nest to Zhilan's bowl, but he didn't eat it.

As soon as he finished eating, Commissar Cheng came over. There are still some problems in the coordination between the main force and the local troops, and this matter is mainly coordinated by Political Commissar Cheng in the middle.

Zheng Weiguo said to Zhilan: "Zhilan, you go back first!" ”

Zhilan saw that they had something to talk about, so she helped them make tea and went back.

Political Commissar Cheng glanced at Zhilan's back, frowned slightly, and said, "Commander, have you taken a fancy to this girl?" ”

Zheng Weiguo said with a smile: "How can you have this mind now, you can be regarded as an ordinary friend!" Zhilan is kind-hearted, we are very compatible! How is Lao Cheng, does anyone gossip? ”

Before the crossing, Zheng Huzi was also a single, but it was not without acquaintances with female officers. When there are no tasks, it is not uncommon for everyone to have a meal together or travel together. It's just that in this era, it doesn't seem to admit that there are "ordinary boyfriends and girlfriends", and a little crossing the line becomes a style problem.

Political Commissar Cheng shook his head and said half-jokingly: "Who dares to gossip about you in Jizhong?" Let the common people hear it and not be beaten to death! However, Zhilan's family background is not good, and the combination of the two of you doesn't seem to be suitable. ”

Zheng Weiguo was inexplicably angry in his heart, but quickly restrained himself and said, "Lao Cheng, you think too much, we are just ordinary friends." Besides, the background is not up to people, we can't divide the camp by this standard. ”

Political Commissar Cheng just said it casually, and didn't mention it again when he saw that Zheng Weiguo didn't like to hear it. After the two discussed things at work, Zheng Weiguo made another suggestion.

"Have you heard about the counteroffensive operations in the three theaters?"

Political Commissar Cheng sneered: "Why haven't you heard of it, it's ridiculous that the chairman is embarrassed to slander us for watching the fire from across the strait and watching success or failure!" Why, the commander wants to use his own way to control his body? ”

Zheng Weiguo shook his head and said, "Gu Zhutong can't get to the main table with this person's dog meat, who has the kung fu to take care of him." I think this is a great opportunity for the development of the New Fourth Army! ”

This turn was too big, and Political Commissar Cheng didn't think about it for a while, and wondered: "What chance?" ”

Zheng Weiguo brought two chopsticks and placed them in the middle of the table and explained: "Assuming that this is the Yangtze River, the New Fourth Army is actually trapped in the south of the Yangtze River. Not only is it difficult to develop, but once the sky changes, I am afraid there will be great difficulties. It's better to take the opportunity to jump to Jiangbei, and let the birds fly from now on, isn't it better than trapping a bird cage! ”

After the main force of the New Fourth Army moves north, it will inevitably put great pressure on the enemy's transportation lines in Central China, thus delaying the Japanese attack on Wuhan and giving North China more time to prepare. Moreover, northern Anhui is not as good as southern Anhui, and even if the contradictions between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party intensify in the future, it is unlikely that a tragedy like the southern Anhui incident will occur. Maybe the relationship between the two sides will be maintained forever and will not break up completely. This is absolutely beneficial to China.

Political Commissar Cheng also figured out the joints, nodded and said, "The commander's idea is very good, and I personally support it." However, this kind of thing is not something we can decide, we have to report to the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army and ask them to present it to Yan'an on their behalf. (To be continued......)