Chapter 19

As the midday sun rose into the sky, the soldiers of the Independent Regiment, who had rested for the morning, began to tidy up their uniforms. He Zhengdao, along with Yao Shengjun, gathered the other temporary company commanders and officially reorganized and restructured the more than a thousand people. As for the troops who belonged to the 34th Division, He Zhengdao instructed them to return to their units, where Chen Shuchun would be responsible for their reorganization.

While He Zhengdao was busy reorganizing the troops, the news that the county had been raided by a group of Red Army soldiers infuriated the commander of the Hunan Army, He Jian. He ordered the security battalions of the Hunan Army to intensify the search for any suspicious military units. Even units dressed in Hunan Army uniforms were to be strictly investigated.

The same situation occurred in the territory controlled by the Guangxi Army. It seemed they were aware of the small but cunning Red Army unit that had slipped through their defenses. If not dealt with promptly, it could cause chaos in their rear.

However, despite the extensive searches and checkpoints set up by both armies, no suspicious military units were found. This left the commanders of both armies wondering if the Red Army unit had somehow taken to the skies.

When the four main battalions of the Independent Regiment were temporarily reorganized, Chen Shuchun, who had also rested well for a day, noticed that He Zhengdao seemed very skilled in military command and system building. Chen Shuchun, who had initially only admired He Zhengdao's martial arts and throwing knives, now believed that He Zhengdao might become an excellent young military commander in the Red Army in the near future.

After completing the initial reorganization plan, He Zhengdao also instructed each battalion to standardize their uniforms. If a battalion had more soldiers wearing Hunan Army uniforms, they would all wear Hunan Army uniforms. If there were more Guangxi Army uniforms, they would all wear Guangxi Army uniforms. This would help them avoid being immediately identified as a Red Army unit after the reorganization.

Even the soldiers who had more Red Army uniforms were given Guangxi or Hunan Army uniforms by He Zhengdao, citing the current complex situation. As a result, the four battalions ended up as two Guangxi Army battalions and two Hunan Army battalions. Even He Zhengdao and the expanded guard company were all dressed in Guangxi Army uniforms.

With formal battalion and company commanders in place, He Zhengdao only needed to manage these commanders, leaving the rest to them. As the Red Army had grown step by step, these grassroots commanders had experienced even more difficult adversities, making the reorganization a smooth process for them.

After entrusting the affairs of the Independent Regiment to Yao Shengjun and Deputy Regiment Commander Wang Tianlin, He Zhengdao went to where Chen Shuchun was resting. Chen Shuchun, a division-level commander, seemed determined to lead the more than two hundred soldiers back to the Soviet area to lead guerrilla warfare.

He Zhengdao truly did not know if the tragedy that befell Chen Shuchun in his previous life would repeat itself in this life. With his arrival, he had already changed the fate of countless Red Army soldiers. Could he also change Chen Shuchun's fate, ensuring his safe return to the Soviet area to await the arrival of the Red Army's spring?

The soldiers of the 34th Division, now dressed in Hunan Army uniforms, were very enthusiastic towards He Zhengdao, who had given them a good night's sleep, clean clothes, and a full meal. Soon, Chen Shuchun's guard brought him to the tent where Chen Shuchun was resting.

These tents were specially selected by He Zhengdao from the captured war spoils and sent to the 34th Division. With these tents, the soldiers of the 34th Division would not have to rest in the rain during outdoor encampments.

Moreover, Chen Shuchun, as a division-level commander in the Red Army, deserved a tent for rest, and no Red Army soldier would find this inappropriate!

The other tents were also set up to provide shelter for injured and unwell soldiers, helping them recover quickly to keep up with the main force's next march.

As He Zhengdao entered the tent, he saw Chen Shuchun drawing something on a map of southern Hunan that they had captured. Seeing He Zhengdao enter, Chen Shuchun waved him over, saying, "Xiao He, you're here. Come and take a look. Do you think there are any problems with this route for returning to the Soviet area?"

He Zhengdao bent down to look at the map, where Chen Shuchun had drawn what he considered the best and shortest route. He Zhengdao's expression turned serious as he said, "Commander Chen, are you really determined to follow the orders of the Central Military Commission's Front Command and return to the Soviet area to lead the remaining forces in guerrilla warfare?"

Surprised that He Zhengdao did not discuss the route but instead raised this question, Chen Shuchun replied, "Xiao He, why do I feel like you are against my return to the Soviet area?

You know, this is an order from the Central Military Commission's Front Command, and as a commander, I must obey it. The Soviet area and the guerrillas active in southern Hunan and western Guangxi need me to return and organize them.

We can't abandon them just because the main force has left! If it weren't for your determination to catch up with the main force, I would have considered leaving your Independent Regiment behind!"

Red Army commanders of this era were exceptionally obedient to the orders of the Central Military Commission's Front Command. Even if they knew the order might lead to their annihilation, they would still fearlessly follow it.

However, the consequence of such blind obedience was that if the Front Command's orders were wrong, they would also meet a heroic end. This blind obedience made He Zhengdao sigh, wondering if it was loyalty or blind obedience.

Realizing he could not stop Chen Shuchun's determination to return to the Soviet area, He Zhengdao also understood the significance of the Soviet area to the Red Army, a place where they had grown and developed, a holy land and cradle of the revolution. Returning there gave them a sense of safety and belonging.

This sentiment was not limited to ordinary Red Army soldiers; even high-ranking commanders like Chen Shuchun felt the same way. Therefore, he had no objections to the order to return to the Soviet area and lead the guerrillas in the Hunan-Guangxi border region. However, he was unaware that the Soviet area was now shrouded in white terror.

Not to mention the numerous encirclements and blockades they would face on their return journey, their current strength was far from enough to withstand several intense battles. Once they ran out of ammunition and supplies, their fate would be either heroic sacrifice or capture.

Aware of this, He Zhengdao took the Hunan Army map and said, "Commander Chen, I know I can't persuade you to go north with me. So, let me give you my thoughts on your route back to the Soviet area. In my opinion, the route you've designed can indeed get you back to the Soviet area the fastest.

However, you've overlooked several issues. First, the Hunan Army has set up strict checkpoints and security battalions along this route. With your current strength, you can't handle a Hunan Army battalion or more. Once you lose your supply lines, your fate will be clear.

Therefore, instead of rushing back to the Soviet area, I suggest you consider expanding your forces. If you have a battalion or more, your chances of returning to the Soviet area will increase by 10-20%. Without a main battalion, your current strength is not enough to break through the Hunan Army's defenses."

Hearing He Zhengdao completely reject his plan, Chen Shuchun did not get angry but calmly asked, "Xiao He, what do you think I should do? You know the situation in the Soviet area is very severe.

If no main force returns, we will not only lose the lives of our soldiers but also the trust of the people! I know our strength is insufficient, but we can't just sit here and wait!

Instead of waiting to die, why not take the initiative? We might have a chance to lead the remaining Red Army forces to reclaim the lost Soviet area!"

He Zhengdao smiled bitterly at Chen Shuchun's optimistic outlook and said, "Commander Chen, if there was a real chance to save the Soviet area, why would we have to pay such a high price to break through the encirclement? Although I didn't participate in the Xiangjiang Campaign, I know without asking that even your 34th Division has been severely damaged, and other units must have suffered similarly.

This is not due to a lack of bravery in battle but a problem with the command. If we don't change this combat strategy that could destroy the entire Red Army, our future will be even more dire. Therefore, the most urgent task is to hope that the Central Military Commission will quickly adjust the combat deployment to avert the crisis of the Red Army's annihilation.

The so-called 'trio' must be unconditionally dissolved, and Comrade Mao must be restored to his leadership position to change the current crisis of the Red Army. Of course, this is just my personal opinion. I tell you this to convey a simple truth: haste makes waste.

Instead of risking your life to break through and return to the Soviet area, it would be better to establish a base in the Hunan-Guangxi border region, secretly unite with local guerrilla forces, and expand your strength. When you feel that your strength is sufficient to deal with the security battalions along the way, you can lead your forces back to the Soviet area.

Moreover, even if you return to the Soviet area, you must act low-key. Currently, it is the most dangerous time for the Red Army. Only when the main force successfully breaks through the encirclement and reaches a safe area can the Red Army forces in the Soviet area and enemy-occupied regions truly engage in guerrilla warfare. While hiding and developing, you should also prepare for the return of the main force."

After finishing his speech, He Zhengdao looked at Chen Shuchun, who was staring at him with a stunned expression, hoping that he would reconsider his plan to break through and return to the Soviet area.