Chapter 34

He Zhengdao, who had raided Jing'an City, did not know that this operation would greatly anger He Jian. He Jian, abandoning the front lines, specially led a large army back to Jing'an City to personally oversee the investigation of the supply raid.

He Jian was equally surprised by the sudden shift of the main Red Army forces into Guizhou. However, He Jian was well aware that the 'King of Guizhou,' Wang Jialie, had always been at odds with his Hunan Army. If the Hunan Army wanted to enter Guizhou for combat, Wang Jialie would likely not agree.

This incident provided He Jian with an excuse. In fact, He Jian was not very enthusiastic about the encirclement and suppression of the Red Army. But he was also afraid that the Red Army would not leave southern Hunan once they entered.

Especially, the establishment of a red regime in western Hunan by the Second Front Army made He Jian feel that his interests were being infringed upon. However, now that the Second Front Army was suppressed in western Hunan, He Jian felt a bit relieved.

With the main Red Army forces leaving southern Hunan, many external forces that were not under his jurisdiction had entered southern Hunan. Even though he was appointed by Chiang Kai-shek as the commander of the front-line 'Suppression Headquarters,' He Jian was very clear that those cooperating forces did not really listen to him.

In this encirclement and suppression operation, the only forces He Jian truly trusted were his own regular troops. As for the Guangxi Army and the Central Army that were cooperating, He Jian knew that the real person who could mobilize them was not him, the front-line commander.

If it were not for the common goal, this encirclement and suppression might not have been so smooth. Now that the Red Army had just left the territory, the situation in southern Hunan had not improved much. The fundamental reason was the presence of the Guangxi Army and the Central Army still in the territory.

Regardless of whether the troops that raided Jingzhou City were the so-called independent regiment of the Second Front Army, He Jian felt that he should now free up his hands and energy to protect the southern Hunan region, which was his own backyard.

Whether it was the Guangxi Army or the Central Army, if they wanted to cause trouble here, they would have to ask him, He Jian, if he agreed!

The withdrawal of a main force, for the Second Front Army, which was surrounded by heavy troops, also felt somewhat inexplicable, yet they still felt a great relief. After all, the dark cloud of a large army pressing in was very stressful for them.

According to the latest instructions from the Central Revolutionary Military Commission, the main Red Army forces, after turning at Tongdao, had entered Guizhou, looking for new opportunities for battle. The Second Front Army, active in western Hunan, also needed to draw fire and share the burden of the encirclement and pursuit by the enemy forces.

Upon receiving the front-line intelligence, the commander of the Second Front Army, Comrade He, was also very surprised, saying, "As the commander of the suppression headquarters, He Jian actually led a main force to Jingzhou. What is he planning to do?"

Facing Comrade He's question, the political commissar, Ren Bishi, said with some concern, "Comrade, do you think he might lead this main force to pursue our main forces?"

"Not very likely! The King of Guizhou would not easily allow He Jian to lead troops into Guizhou. If I'm not mistaken, something must have happened in Jingzhou! We both know that the current southern Hunan is a hotbed of warlord factions.

Recently, they have united to suppress our main forces. But now that our main forces have shifted to Guizhou, those invited to help will not easily leave southern Hunan. Do you think He Jian can be at ease?"

Comrade He's judgment made some sense to Ren Bishi. However, he also knew that without concrete intelligence, they could not make any major decisions.

After all, even if He Jian withdrew a main force, the pressure on the Second Front Army was still significant. The overall revolutionary situation for the Red Army on the march was not optimistic at all!

He Zhengdao, leading the independent regiment and hiding on the Hunan-Guizhou border, based on his predictions of the Long March route, believed that the main Red Army forces should be on their way to Zunyi. He believed that in a few days, the meeting that would determine the fate of the Red Army would be held.

He Zhengdao, who had been unwilling to contact the main Red Army forces, felt that it would be the best time to contact them after the Zunyi Conference. For now, it was best to remain hidden.

Although the equipment of the independent regiment was probably the most luxurious since the Red Army was formed, with light machine guns equipped at the platoon level, such firepower made He Zhengdao unafraid even when facing the encircling Central Army.

Knowing that the raid on Jingzhou City would likely anger He Jian, he had to consider whether to enter Guizhou or continue fighting in southern Hunan. At least one thing was clear to He Zhengdao: the main Red Army forces needed time to rest. After this long and bloody battle, the Red Army officers and soldiers were under immense mental pressure, and a proper rest was necessary.

Thinking about the end of the Zunyi Conference, the Second Front Army would act as a flank guard for the main forces, drawing the attention of the coalition forces still in southern Hunan. However, the Central Army, which followed, would first advance into Guizhou to continue the suppression of the Red Army.

Therefore, the place where he was now would likely be the route for the Central Army to advance into Guizhou. If he could ambush the Central Army here, it would be a great encouragement and deterrent for both the Red Army and the Central Army.

With this in mind, He Zhengdao immediately called the four main battalion commanders for a meeting to discuss the next route and combat plan. He knew that many officers and soldiers in the independent regiment hoped to join up with the main forces as soon as possible.

So, before the meeting, He Zhengdao said straightforwardly, "Based on the intelligence we have, our main forces have already entered Guizhou. Judging by their marching speed, they should be active around Zunyi.

If we go to catch up with the main forces now, it won't take long for us to join them. But I called you all here today because I have an idea: to act as the rear guard for the main forces.

I don't need to say much, but everyone should be clear about how many suppression forces are gathered on the Hunan-Guizhou border. If we can draw some of their fire and delay the pursuit here, it will be more effective than joining the main forces."

Xu Renyi, the second battalion commander, quickly responded, "Commander, with just our independent regiment, even if we want to draw the enemy's attention, we can't draw much. Once we are surrounded, it will be very difficult to break out!"

Although Xu Renyi understood that He Zhengdao's idea was good, they had to act within their capabilities.

But He Zhengdao smiled and said, "We have four main battalions and one artillery battalion, with a total of over 2,500 officers and soldiers. These are not the most important things. The most important thing is that you have all overlooked a key point: our firepower.

After several battles, the firepower of each battalion is probably stronger than that of a division. Even if we face a main division of the Central Army, as long as we plan well, the Central Army will have to admit defeat.

Moreover, if we want to catch up with the main forces as soon as possible, the infantry guns of the artillery battalion are not suitable to bring. So many shells and the hard-won artillery, should we just abandon them here?"

"No! These guns were obtained with great difficulty, how can we just abandon them?"

For the new artillery battalion commander, Zhu Dingyi, those infantry guns were his life. Even though he understood that bringing these guns would slow down the march, he did not want to easily give them up.

Compared to the second battalion commander's concern about being surrounded and ending up in a desperate battle, the political commissar, Yao Shengjun, said, "Commander, do you have a plan? Why don't you share it first, and we can discuss it?"

"Alright! Look at this map. Our current position is precisely on the route the Central Army will take to enter Guizhou. As long as we can detect the Central Army's movements in advance, we can set up an ambush here.

If it's a full army, our independent regiment definitely can't handle it. But do you think there is a full army of the Central Army near Jingzhou City? At most, there might be a main division."

"But can our independent regiment take down a main division of the Central Army?"

"Why not? With surprise and our artillery battalion, as long as we destroy their artillery before the attack, with our current equipment, it's just a matter of time before we eliminate them.

If we can eliminate a main division of the Central Army before entering Guizhou, I believe the bald-headed chairman will feel the pain for a while. Most importantly, according to our intelligence, the Guizhou warlords and the Hunan Army are at odds.

In fact, the Guizhou warlord, Wang Jialie, would not allow the Hunan Army to enter Guizhou for combat. Our Second Front Army, commanded by Comrade He, is currently in western Hunan, drawing the attention of the Hunan Army's main forces.

This means that the suppression coalition forces, and even the main forces, do not know about our existence. With so many advantages, why don't we seize the opportunity to give the pursuing Central Army a hard blow here?"

With He Zhengdao presenting a confident combat plan, Zhu Dingyi, who had not really fought a proper battle since the formation of the artillery battalion, also hoped to show the strength of the artillery battalion.

The other main battalion commanders, perhaps due to their trust in He Zhengdao's combat command, ultimately agreed to his plan. They would wait for the Central Army's main forces to come to the Hunan-Guizhou border and give them a heavy blow!