Zeng Yuliang and Zhou Chunlin couldn't cry or laugh, so they had to ask for help from the field hospital, but fortunately the doctors said that the problem of night owls could be cured! Most people think that the leg is bent because of the leg bending, but it is not, but because the lateral collateral ligament of the knee joint is relaxed. The force of the medial collateral ligament is too large, and the tibia of the lower leg is stretched and rotated medially, resulting in knee varus.

The all-powerful White Doctor taught a very simple cure: take a backward step. When walking, pay attention to the heel first on the ground, and walk the route straight, each time walking eight steps. Dr. Bai said that as long as you persevere, the general loop leg can be slowly recovered. As a result, a wave of "reversing" was quickly set off among the cavalry units under the 41st Group Army.

Every day outside the barracks, a large group of young men could be seen snorting backwards, and from time to time people would turn on their backs and fall on all fours. But no matter how many times you fall, you still have to practice when you get up, and no matter how hard you are, you can't delay getting your daughter-in-law, right?

Of course, solving the problem of "looping legs" is only a microcosm of the scientific training of troops in the Jizhong Military Region. In addition to the cavalry, infantry, artillery, engineers, and baggage troops are all carrying out a large-scale training in full swing, making full preparations for the upcoming encirclement and suppression of the Japanese army. At the same time, the local government was not idle, and Professor Yang led the group to prepare materials and carry out a large-scale "artificial mountain" project.

Chief of Staff Zhou, who has always been cautious, also optimistically said: "If we continue to train and prepare in this way, three or five months at most will be enough to resist the counterattack of the Japanese army." If we can hold out for more than a year, even if the Japanese army does not come to us, we must consider developing outward. ”

However, it was in late July. An unexpected news suddenly reached the base area, casting a thick shadow over the military reorganization war in Jizhong.

Zheng Weiguo put aside the secret telegram he had just received, sighed and said, "You see, this is the case. War, I'm afraid it's coming early! ”

The fuse of this battle was not in Jizhong, but in the adjacent eastern Hebei region. Zheng Weiguo once suggested that the Jin-Cha-Ji side delay the "Great Rebellion in Eastern Hebei" so that they could be more prepared. In case something happens, the 41st Army will be free to go north to support. But now the great uprising had to be launched earlier, because the plan of the uprising was accidentally exposed.

It is no wonder that in the east from Shanhaiguan. West to Chaobai River. How many people were involved in the simultaneous riots in a vast area such as Wuling Mountain in the north, 21 counties on the Bohai coast in the south, and the Kailuan Coal Mine, and how many links were involved? As long as one of them is detected by Japanese puppet agents. The whole operation was exposed.

The Japanese occupation forces were horrified when they heard the news. On the one hand, troops were urgently dispatched from various places to reinforce eastern Hebei. On the one hand, he ordered the puppet regime in eastern Hebei to confiscate civilian guns. After learning about the situation, the underground party organization in eastern Hebei immediately made an urgent report to the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region.

Commander Nie of Jinchaji thought that if he didn't do anything, the big rebellion would be nipped in the bud by the enemy. After weighing it again, I had to order the action to be brought forward. Since only a few guerrillas were currently active in eastern Hebei and their strength was very weak, Commander Nie ordered the Fourth Column of the Eighth Route Army to be formed by the Song Shilun Detachment and the Deng Hua Detachment to advance eastward for reinforcements. At the same time, he also asked for help from the Jizhong Military Region, which was close at hand.

After reading the information, Political Commissar Cheng was thinking about how to deal with it, and his brows were tightly knitted into a Sichuan character. After a while, he suddenly spoke: "Commander, I have thought about it, if you want to save it, you have to send troops as soon as possible, and the later you delay, the more passive you will be." ”

Zheng Weiguo nodded in agreement. For example, in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, the Volunteer Army fought an encounter with the United Nations Army because of its late dispatch. If we had been able to enter northern Korea a month in advance to deploy defenses, the operation would not have been so hasty, and many encounters would have turned into ambush warfare, and the effect would have been much better, and perhaps a few more US regiments would have been annihilated.

Chief of Staff Zhou had a different opinion and asked rhetorically: "But the question is which unit can we make the trip now?" My opinion is that the whole army must rest for more than three months, and it cannot be moved when the sky falls. ”

The 41st Group Army was absolutely not inferior to men, and the local troops aside, the main force alone had six infantry divisions and two cavalry divisions, with a total strength of more than 80,000 men. But with so many troops, the turnover is now a little ineffective.

Take the 97th Army of the lineage as an example, it has just experienced the brutal Battle of Lanfeng. More than half of the backbone combatants and junior officers were killed or wounded, and many companies have not recovered until now. Of course, the number of soldiers has increased a lot, but with so many recruits, how dare they lead them on a long journey? When the time came, Don't Ji Dong didn't save him, so he went in first.

The 53rd Army, another major force, is currently undergoing large-scale screening and screening work. What to filter for? Soldiers and officers. If a soldier is older or disabled due to injury, the local government will help him demobilize, for example, by becoming a militia company commander in a village. Those who smoke big cigarettes and like to eat, drink, prostitute and gamble will be reformed intensively.

In addition to soldiers, officers must also be vetted and confirmed to be qualified before they can take up their posts. As for those who are unqualified, it depends on the situation, and those who are not capable can go to the military academy to study; If there is a problem with the work style, he will be suspended from his post and ordered to correct the mistake within a time limit; There are also those who are too old, have lost their enterprising spirit, and those who do not obey the reorganization, and the Political Department will make corresponding adjustments to ensure that the troops maintain their combat effectiveness and eliminate the bad atmosphere brought about by the old army.

The 63rd Army also had some problems. This unit was originally not very many, it was called an army, but in fact there were only 10,000 men, which was equivalent to a division. After arriving in Jizhong, although Commander Feng recruited a lot of recruits, the time was still short, and he had not had time to form combat effectiveness. Just sent them to eastern Hebei, not to mention Commander Feng, even Zheng Huzi was a little worried.

Zheng Weiguo thought for a while and said: "The 53rd Army and the 63rd Army have just arrived in Jizhong, and it is not appropriate to send them to fight before the butt is hot. Some people with ulterior motives may even spread rumors that we borrowed knives to kill people. So, after thinking about it, I decided to let the 97th Army go north, and at least send the main force of one division. ”

Chief of Staff Zhou hurriedly said: "No, I resolutely oppose it!" He then listed three reasons in one go. First, the old backbone of the unit has been completely lost, the new backbone strength is still being cultivated, and a large number of new recruits who have never been on the battlefield are flooding the companies, which are not suitable for war. Even less suitable for expeditions.

The second point is that eastern Hebei is surrounded by mountains on three sides, and one side is close to the sea, and the terrain is treacherous. In case the Japanese army urgently dispatched the Kwantung Army to kill along the railway line and surrounded it on all sides, it is very likely that the 97th Army will not be able to return.

Zheng Weiguo interjected and defended: "We are not fighting alone in Jizhong, the local rebel troops and the Fourth Column of the Eighth Route will help us." ”

Chief of Staff Zhou said unceremoniously: "It was they who helped us." Or do we help them? Once our army is untenable in eastern Hebei. Will they withdraw first, or will we withdraw first? Well, even with the help of these troops, will they be able to stop the elite Kwantung Army of Japan? Let's be honest. Even if the Japanese army only came with one division. It's enough to leave us behind! ”

Zheng Weiguo wanted to say that Japan would not transfer a large number of troops from the Kwantung Army. Because there is no tune in history. Think about it. Historically, it was because the troops in eastern Hebei had weak combat effectiveness and took the initiative to retreat. If the 97th Army went north, would the Japanese army still be so light on the enemy? Apparently not. At least they won't send a puppet army to fight alone.

Seeing that Zheng Weiguo had nothing to say, Chief of Staff Zhou took advantage of the victory to pursue and gave a third reason. At this time, even Commissar Cheng couldn't sit still. Chief of Staff Zhou said that the remnants of the Northeast Army, the 53rd Army and the 63rd Army, value Zheng Weiguo for nothing, isn't it because he can fight? If Zheng Weiguo's troops were defeated in Jidong, would these people still obey the command? What's more, if the 97th Army suffers heavy losses in eastern Hebei, who will have the final say in the future of the Jizhong base area? If you lose the gun, will the regime still be able to keep it?

Political Commissar Cheng hurriedly said: "The chief of staff is right, the 97th Army must not move. Commander Nie, I'll explain there. "Although the geographical location of eastern Hebei is important, it is still incomparable with central Hebei. If Jidong can't take it, at most the road to the northeast will be blocked; If Jizhong is lost, it will be a problem for the Eighth Route Army to eat.

Zheng Weiguo nodded, not insisting, but he was a little unwilling to let him give up supporting Jidong like this, and hesitated and said, "Then, do you want to send the 53rd Army?" ”

Chief of Staff Zhou shook his head and said, "No!" Commander-in-chief, Lao Cheng, it's not that I'm unwilling to support Jidong, I still understand the truth of cold lips and teeth. It's just that the 53rd Army is currently in the process of screening and screening. As long as the work goes smoothly, the 53rd Army is expected to be fully integrated into our army, which is tantamount to doubling our strength out of thin air! It has also laid a good foundation for us to integrate other troops in the future. ”

"If the 53rd Army is urgently transferred north at this time and defeated, then we will lose this army forever, and we will be infamous for killing people with a knife, who will dare to come to us again in the future? After the victory, I am afraid that the 53rd Army will not be in Huiganju. ”

Although Zheng Weiguo felt a little uncomfortable after hearing this, he had to admit that Chief of Staff Zhou was right. The three main forces, the 97th Army can't go, the 53rd Army can't go, then only the 63rd Army is left. But the question is, the 63rd Army also has a reason not to go, so should it just give up Jidong? Zheng Weiguo was really unwilling.

Chief of Staff Zhou persuaded: "General seat, according to the humble opinion of the humble position, if you really can't do it, give up!" As you said before, the war of resistance is a long-term process, and you need to save yourself in order to destroy the enemy. What's the use of taking advantage of the moment, one or two insignificant victories are not worth the risk! ”

Political Commissar Cheng sighed, nodded and said, "Chief of Staff Zhou is right!" I didn't think it through before, but now it seems that we don't have the strength to provide support to Jidong at this time. We are all materialists, there are real difficulties, we can't pretend not to be invisible, this is to make mistakes! ”

Zheng Weiguo felt very irritable, so he stood up and walked around the room, and nodded unwillingly. At the same time, however, he demanded that the situation be conveyed to the divisions and brigade levels of the 41 st Group Army, and at the same time to all military subdivisions in central Hebei Province, in order to solicit the opinions of his subordinates.

Soon after, the ministries gave feedback. All units of the 97th Army said that the troops were not well prepared and resolutely opposed the dispatch of troops at this time, such as the commander of the 34th Division, Zhao Yunxiang, who believed that the troops would need at least three months to rest and recuperate. However, the generals all said that if Zheng Weiguo made up his mind to go north, they would resolutely carry out the order.

The commander of the 53rd Army, Zhou Fucheng, had a similar opinion, first mentioning the problems facing the troops, and then expressing his willingness to obey the orders of the commander-in-chief.

Among the three military divisions, Commander Lu of the first division and Commander Meng of the second division were resolutely opposed to sending troops, and the reason was very simple - lack of food! As the old saying goes: Before the soldiers and horses move, the grain and grass go first. Expeditions, especially long-distance marches, consume the most food, and the soldier Sun Wu believes that at least nine-tenths of the food transported from the country is consumed on the way, and less than one-tenth is really useful.

Although Jizhong is known as a granary, it is already overwhelmed to bear the military rations of the two large units of the 18th Group Army and the 41st Group Army at the same time, and at the same time to make material reserves for the anti-sweep. If the main force is sent on an expedition at this time, it will certainly bring a great burden to the common people in the base areas.

Duan Shuanghu's Third Division called back and said that his troops were all guerrilla in nature, and it was definitely not possible to go to eastern Hebei. Food can help, but more than 20,000 people can't do anything.

The opinions of the 63rd Army were fed back after the most reluctant, which shows that there is a great deal of controversy internally, but the content of the feedback surprised Zheng Weiguo, Political Commissar Cheng, and Chief of Staff Zhou - all the officers and men of the 63rd Army are invited to fight north! (To be continued......)