Chapter 32

In the dead of night, a series of gunshots echoed through the city, undoubtedly causing many of the city's residents to worry. However, as the gunshots seemed to cease, some residents thought it might just be the city's unruly security forces chasing after some fugitive or Red Army members again. After all, in the eyes of the common people, the sound of gunfire always meant someone would lose their life, and that was never a good thing.

Compared to the first reaction of the common people, who would immediately close their doors and windows, they certainly wouldn't run out to see where the gunfire was coming from or why it was happening. In such chaotic times and at night, those who went out to look for trouble would not have a good outcome.

If they were caught by the ruthless security patrol, they could be arbitrarily accused of aiding the enemy, and these ordinary people would have to spend money to avoid disaster. Such incidents were all too common in this era.

It was better to mind one's own business and not see what was happening. After all, they were just common people and couldn't manage military affairs. It was more sensible to rest early and get up early to work the next day.

With fewer people out to look for trouble, He Zhengdao's group undoubtedly found their actions much more convenient. When the gunfire sounded, a group of soldiers dressed in the uniform of the Hunan Army appeared and saluted the young man. Wu Baoguo, the head of the Jingzhou Security Force, said somewhat bitterly, "May I ask which unit you belong to, sir?"

Looking at the situation, Wu Baoguo realized that, apart from them, the entire city of Jingzhou was now under He Zhengdao's control. He asked again, "Do you want to know? We're not afraid to tell you. We are the Red Army, specifically the Independent Regiment of the Second Red Army. Now, are you going to surrender your weapons or resist to the end?"

The Red Army? And the Independent Regiment of the Second Red Army?

This made no sense at all! According to Wu Baoguo's information, the Red Army active in western Hunan was currently being pursued and blockaded by their commander's heavy forces. How could they suddenly appear here? Could it be that these people were deliberately impersonating the Red Army to hide their true identity?

If they weren't the Red Army, then who could this well-organized military unit be?

Wu Baoguo, who was inwardly skeptical, said with a calm expression, "So you are the Red Army! I apologize, I apologize. I know the Red Army treats prisoners well. I surrender, I surrender my weapons!"

As he took off his pistol holster and threw it in front of He Zhengdao and his men, Wu Baoguo gave his subordinates and his frightened concubine a meaningful look. Realizing that not surrendering meant certain death, they quickly followed Wu Baoguo's example, crouching on the ground with their hands on their heads, allowing the soldiers dressed in the uniform of the Hunan Army to tie them up and take them away.

Seeing that Wu Baoguo seemed to doubt they were the Red Army, He Zhengdao also felt that in this era, telling the truth was often not believed.

But this was for the best. Since the relationship between the Guangxi and Hunan armies was already tense, it might as well be made even more chaotic. After all, causing trouble was nothing new. If the Hunan Army had been framed once, then this time it would be the Guangxi Army's turn.

Thinking this, He Zhengdao quickly instructed the soldiers of the guard company. The guard company soldiers, understanding their mission, were clearly delighted. After promising to complete the task, they quickly ran to join the group escorting Wu Baoguo and the others, ready to stage a drama that would make the Hunan and Guangxi armies even more hostile to each other.

As for He Zhengdao and the Red Army soldiers who had arrived, they unceremoniously confiscated and packed all the gifts that had been intended for Wu Baoguo. The terrified innkeeper and waiters, who were screaming for mercy, were all locked in a room in the inn, with the door locked and instructions to stay inside quietly for the night. If they tried to escape, they would be shot on sight.

Hearing this, the innkeeper and waiters, who had narrowly escaped death, promised that they would not step out of the room even to relieve themselves.

After resolving the situation at the inn, He Zhengdao received word from the guard company that the troops who had just opened the Jingzhou prison had rescued over a hundred innocent civilians and many captured Red Army soldiers. Among them were several Red Army soldiers sent by the Second Red Army to establish guerrilla zones in Jingzhou.

Upon learning that He Zhengdao and his men were also part of the Red Army, these Second Red Army soldiers, who had been betrayed and reduced to a few survivors, immediately took their first action upon release. They led the Independent Regiment soldiers, who shared their hatred, to the homes of the traitors who had betrayed them, and the Second Red Army soldiers executed the traitors to avenge their fallen comrades.

Realizing that there were many Red Army guerrilla zones along the Hunan-Guangxi border, He Zhengdao quickly had these Second Red Army soldiers, who had narrowly escaped death, locate the almost paralyzed underground party members in Jingzhou.

These underground party members, who had almost fled over the walls in fear, were undoubtedly overjoyed to learn that the men in Hunan Army uniforms were actually party troops.

As the Central Red Army continued to move, these underground party members, who had lost their main support, were unable to contact their superiors. With the Red Army suffering heavy casualties during the breakout, the Hunan Army claimed that the end of the Red Army was near. Except for some determined party members who went underground to wait for the right moment, no one dared to contact the organization, as they did not know if the members who knew the situation had betrayed them. If they revealed their identities, they would face certain death.

If it weren't for the lucky survival of the leader of the Jingzhou guerrilla unit of the Second Red Army, who knew where some of the underground party members lived, these secret party members would have continued to remain underground.

As local party members, they were very clear that the officials and gentry in Jingzhou needed to be punished. They quickly led the Red Army to the homes of these officials and gentry, who had blood on their hands, and carried out so-called people's democratic dictatorship, confiscating all their property for the public good.

Throughout the night, many residents heard that the officials and gentry who had once strutted around the city were now in trouble. After being dragged out and executed, their property was also confiscated. If the Red Army had not been lenient, the families of these officials and gentry would have been killed as well.

After confiscating the property of these officials and gentry, He Zhengdao ordered the troops to pack and load the goods, and quickly move towards the territory of Guangxi. As for the rescued Second Red Army soldiers, they expressed their intention to stay and continue developing the guerrilla base.

For these Second Red Army soldiers who were unwilling to leave with them, He Zhengdao also arranged for the exposed underground party members and their families to be relocated overnight to the Hunan-Guangxi border to continue guerrilla warfare. He also left them with a radio to facilitate future communication with the Second Red Army. The weapons and ammunition stored in the mountains would be enough to form another regiment of the Second Red Army. He believed that once these Second Red Army soldiers delivered the news to the headquarters, they would send troops to collect the supplies.

This raid on Jingzhou would likely cause chaos for some time. At least, the Hunan Army, which was currently blockading the Second Red Army, would certainly dispatch many troops to pursue the Independent Regiment of the Second Red Army that had raided Jingzhou. Of course, they were now being impersonated by a regular regiment of the Guangxi Army.

As long as there was a gap in the blockade of the Second Red Army, He Zhengdao believed that the leaders of the Second Red Army, with their tactical thinking, would not find it difficult to find an opportunity. They could transfer the much-needed weapons, ammunition, and food to their base.

Even if they couldn't use them immediately, He Zhengdao believed that when the Second Red Army passed through this area during their Long March, they could conveniently collect these supplies, which would be a great help.

Establishing such secret supply stations could often be a matter of life and death for the Red Army, whose movements were currently uncertain.

Watching the Second Red Army soldiers, each carrying several rifles, leave, He Zhengdao waved his hand and ordered the guard company, which had been with him all along, to quickly catch up with the main force's route.

At the same time, they would clear and disguise the tracks left by the main force, hoping to confuse the Hunan Army when they received the news the next day. If they could gain two to three days, once they entered Guangxi, the Hunan Army would no longer be able to do anything to them.

Moreover, He Zhengdao believed that the drama staged by the guard company would be enough to keep the Hunan and Guangxi armies at odds for some time. If the two armies really engaged in battle again, He Zhengdao would be delighted.

As expected, when the residents of Jingzhou woke up the next day, they clearly felt that something was wrong in the city. The Hunan Army patrol teams, which were usually seen, were nowhere to be found.

The entire county town seemed eerily quiet. Even at the city gate, they saw an open gate, and the city defense troops, who were always there day and night, were nowhere to be seen!

The residents, seeing this strange phenomenon, quickly returned home and closed their doors. If they didn't hear any noise from outside, they wouldn't go out.

Otherwise, who knew what might happen!