Chapter 44

For the central army entering Guizhou, upon learning that the Red Army had advanced to the border of Sichuan and Yunnan, they quickly mobilized the Sichuan and Yunnan armies to intercept them. The warlords in charge of these two provinces were also afraid that the Red Army's entry would bring in the central army.

The warlords who understood the current situation in Guizhou all knew that Wang Jiale, whose base in Guiyang had been occupied by the central army, would likely be eliminated from the ranks of warlords after this battle. With such a precedent, the warlords of Sichuan and Yunnan could not help but be concerned.

The central army, which hoped to see the warlords' forces and the Red Army fight to the death, originally intended to "sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight," holding some key cities in Guizhou and leaving the task of encirclement and suppression mainly to the Guizhou army.

However, no one expected that in the face of the joint interception by the Sichuan and Yunnan armies, Mao Zedong realized that continuing the advance was very disadvantageous for the Red Army. He then turned around and led the Red Army back into Zunyi, which they had just abandoned.

Faced with the Red Army's sudden counterattack, the Guizhou army, which had been terrified by the Red Army, had little resistance. Seeing the situation seemed to be going wrong, the central army, which had been sitting back, also became restless.

With a few telegrams, including the 704th Regiment led by He Zhengdao, they were also dispatched to Xifeng for relocation and garrisoning. Xifeng was close to the Wu River, Zunyi, and Guiyang, making it an ideal defensive and interception point.

What surprised the commander of the 59th Division was the speed of the 704th Regiment's relocation, which seemed to exceed his expectations. While other main regiments had not yet reached the interception point, the 704th Regiment had already reported that they had arrived in Xifeng.

The commander of the 59th Division, impressed by the 704th Regiment's rapid march, issued a commendation order. He also ordered other slow-moving units to reach the Wu River area as quickly as possible.

What many did not know was that the 704th Regiment, upon arriving in Xifeng, had also sent a telegram to the Red Army headquarters, which still occupied Zunyi. Seeing that the independent regiment had arrived, Mao Zedong breathed a sigh of relief.

He smiled and said, "This kid is not slow! What surprises me even more is that they have not been exposed as imposters by the central army throughout their march. It seems this independent regiment is not simple!"

Listening to Mao Zedong, Zhu De also smiled and said, "Yes! Given the current situation, we probably can't stay in Zunyi much longer. Their timely arrival is very beneficial for our strategic movement."

"Then let's proceed with the plan we set earlier! Inform the independent regiment of the action plan. Have them quickly join the main force and transfer the supplies they have prepared to our other main units."

Upon learning that the independent regiment led by He Zhengdao had prepared a large amount of weapons, ammunition, and medicine, which were the most urgently needed by the main force, it was clear that if they could receive these supplies, it would greatly boost the Red Army's strength.

Receiving the telegram from headquarters, He Zhengdao and the battalion and company officers of the independent regiment looked at the enemy situation map. In He Zhengdao's view, his current disguise still had great potential.

Reading the telegram from headquarters, He Zhengdao said happily, "Comrades, according to headquarters' instructions, we will join the main force in one day. However, before joining, we still need to put on a few shows!"

Not long after, the central army, which had been monitoring the Red Army's movements, discovered that the Red Army's main force seemed to be heading towards Guiyang. Faced with this situation, the 704th Regiment, which had just rested for two days, was immediately ordered to intercept.

Cooperating with the 704th Regiment were a central army regiment and a main division of the Guizhou army deployed in the surrounding area. It seemed that the Red Army's main force would find it difficult to break through these layers of interception.

Unfortunately, when the central army's orders reached the 704th Regiment, the deployment plan was quickly transmitted to the Red Army's command. Knowing the central army's encirclement plan in advance undoubtedly created an opportunity for the Red Army.

Even Mao Zedong, upon seeing the telegram, smiled and said, "Isn't this a bit like aiding the enemy?"

Understanding the independent regiment's interception task, Mao Zedong temporarily adjusted the attack plan. He thought that if the main force and the independent regiment could attack from both front and back, they might be able to completely eliminate the enemy in front of them.

However, Zhu De was concerned and said, "According to my information, two main divisions of the central army are not far from our current position. If the independent regiment's location is exposed, they might be in danger, right?"

Although Zhu De knew from He Zhengdao's telegram that the independent regiment was still very strong, he also felt that a single regiment facing two divisions of the central army was still dangerous.

But Mao Zedong said, "So this battle must be quick and decisive, ending before the enemy's main force arrives. With the current strength of the independent regiment, dealing with a central army regiment in front of them should not be a problem, right?"

When the telegram reached the independent regiment, He Zhengdao confidently said, "Guaranteed to complete the task!"

These simple six words undoubtedly revealed the strong confidence of the independent regiment. In fact, for He Zhengdao, even if the main division of the Guizhou army on his flank suddenly attacked, it would be difficult for them to withstand the independent regiment's ambush.

After all, a sudden attack from behind would likely catch the enemy off guard.

As the independent regiment and the main force confirmed the battle plan, many of the Xifeng garrison troops were puzzled by the central army's main regiment carrying a large amount of supplies that could have been left in the city.

Carrying so many supplies into battle would clearly slow down their march. Despite this seemingly foolish move, no one dared to say anything because the independent regiment was pretending to be the central army.

Upon arriving at the interception area, He Zhengdao called the deputy regiment commander Wang Tianlin, who was responsible for the supplies, and said, "Old Wang, when we attack the 714th Regiment, you should still follow the original plan and transfer the supplies."

"As for the main force, after dealing with the 714th Regiment, we will quickly join the main force. I think, while our identity is still hidden, we can still deceive the central army a few more times and delay their pursuit."

Hearing He Zhengdao's arrangements, Wang Tianlin, though reluctant to leave, knew how important these supplies were to the current main force of the Red Army.

He said seriously, "Commander, please rest assured! I will ensure that these supplies are safely transferred to the main force."

"Alright, when we start the attack, you will lead the team out. Try to join the main force as soon as possible!"

"Okay, you must also catch up quickly!"

After arranging the transfer of supplies, He Zhengdao called the artillery battalion commander and the reconnaissance company commander. After giving orders, the other four main battalion commanders were also prepared for the battle.

They all knew that after this battle, they could join the main force. However, in He Zhengdao's view, the Red Army still had a long way to go around the Wu River and the Chishui River.

Without breaking the blockade of the Yunnan and Sichuan armies and shaking off the central army's pursuit, the Red Army would find it difficult to truly move forward. He Zhengdao hoped that the independent regiment could play an important role in this.

As the main force began the offensive to support the independent regiment, the independent regiment, which was originally behind the 714th Regiment, also launched an attack at the first opportunity. Faced with artillery shells flying from behind, the 714th Regiment was completely stunned.

"Where are the shells coming from? What's going on? How can there be Red Army behind us? Send a telegram to the 704th Regiment and ask them to come to our aid. Have them encircle from behind and eliminate the Red Army's main force that has circled around us!"

The commander of the 714th Regiment, unaware that the shells were from the 704th Regiment, foolishly sent a telegram to He Zhengdao for help. Upon receiving the telegram, He Zhengdao immediately smiled and said, "Is this considered inviting the wolf into the house?"

Soon, a telegram from the 704th Regiment was delivered to the commander of the 714th Regiment. Learning that three main battalions of the 704th Regiment were coming to support, the commander of the 714th Regiment, who was under artillery attack and assault, breathed a sigh of relief.

"Hold on! This Red Army force is not large. Once our reinforcements arrive, victory will be ours!"

However, what devastated the 714th Regiment was the sound of gunfire and the cessation of artillery fire from behind the attacking Red Army. The 714th Regiment, which had already lost more than half its strength, finally saw the so-called reinforcements arrive.

Just as the three main battalions of the reinforcements smoothly joined them, all the soldiers of the 714th Regiment were shocked to find themselves surrounded by these three battalions. This sudden change left the surviving soldiers of the 714th Regiment stunned.

"Who are you?"

"Red Army Independent Regiment!"

These simple two words immediately made the commander of the 714th Regiment realize that the force that had attacked him was the Red Army, disguised as the 704th Regiment. He had foolishly asked for help from them and even felt grateful.

Who would have thought that this was the Red Army disguised as the central army? Faced with a numerically superior force that had to capture all their officers, they had no power to resist.

What the captured commander was most worried about was how many more central army units would be deceived by this Red Army disguised as the 704th Regiment?