Chapter 53

Looking at the security team leader who had fainted from the shock of honor, the guard who had entered the room with He Zhengdao also found it somewhat ridiculous. However, He Zhengdao could tell that this guy wasn't faking it; he was genuinely scared to the point of fainting.

With such courage, how could he be a team leader? He really wondered if those who appointed him were blind!

But with this, He Zhengdao had more work to do. Under his personal command, the sleeping security team officers were dragged out of their beds, showing no signs of alertness.

Even if some officers tried to resist, they didn't have time to make any moves before He Zhengdao eliminated them. For such stubborn resistors, He Zhengdao had little mercy.

Before his rebirth, He Zhengdao had also been involved in some special operations, and he had killed many people with his hands and guns. Most of the criminals from his own country and race had committed heinous crimes.

But He Zhengdao had killed even more foreign special forces and elite agents. In the past, he felt some reluctance about killing people of his own race.

But in this timeline, he had seen countless cases of fratricide. Many Red Army soldiers who fell into the hands of these Nationalist troops didn't die from gunfire but were tortured to death.

Since he had come to this era and become a witness to history, He Zhengdao didn't want to see his comrades fall again because of a bit of mercy. At least, he felt that the lives of Red Army soldiers were much more valuable than these people.

After capturing the deputy team leader, and seeing the military camp already taken over by the Fourth Battalion, He Zhengdao quickly said, "Fourth Battalion Commander, take this guy to the city gate and make the militia guarding the city surrender their weapons.

If those guarding the city don't surrender, shoot him first. A deputy team leader who can't even command a company, what use are you? Isn't that right, Deputy Team Leader?"

"Rest assured, rest assured! I will order them to surrender to your army! Please, Red Army sirs, spare our lives. We were also forced to be here as part of the security team!"

"If you want to live, it depends on your performance!"

"I will perform well, I will perform well!"

For such a weak-willed person, He Zhengdao had no interest in dealing with him. As for how to handle the captives next, He Zhengdao decided to leave it to the main force. His job was to ensure that their movements were not exposed.

After handing over the captured deputy team leader to the Fourth Battalion Commander to persuade the surrender, He Zhengdao had the rest of the captured security team officers detained on the military camp's parade ground. He then ordered the guards to enter the militia soldiers' dormitories.

To ensure safety, the guns in the militia soldiers' dormitories were taken away first. After everything was prepared, He Zhengdao had the camp torches lit and watched the militia soldiers come out one by one to surrender.

Seeing the machine guns set up around the camp, the militia soldiers, who had been awakened from their sleep, felt their legs go weak. Some of the more timid ones even knelt down and begged for mercy, fearing they would be executed on the spot by the Red Army.

Looking at these crying soldiers, He Zhengdao said coldly, "Seven-foot men, kneeling and crying at the drop of a hat, are you even men? Anyone who dares to cry will be shot on the spot!"

"Yes!"

The response from the guards made the crying militia soldiers quickly shut their mouths, fearing they would be shot. Seeing nearly a thousand soldiers, He Zhengdao felt there were indeed many.

After ensuring the guards controlled the camp, He Zhengdao stepped forward and said, "I don't need to introduce ourselves; you know who we are. Congratulations, you have been successfully captured by the Red Army. By the way, is there anyone who wants to die?"

Naturally, no one said they wanted to die. Seeing the silent parade ground, He Zhengdao was very satisfied. It seemed that the Red Army's presence in Guizhou had indeed terrified the local troops.

Nodding in satisfaction, He Zhengdao continued, "Since no one wants to die, listen carefully to every word I say. The Red Army treats prisoners well, and you should know that.

But what you don't know is that I am a bit different. Only obedient prisoners will be treated well. Disobedient prisoners, I prefer to shoot them, as it saves me trouble.

From tonight, each of you must stay in the camp. No random movement, no whispering. Just stay in your rooms. How long you stay is not your concern.

If you obey and cooperate, we will send you three meals a day. Don't expect a feast, but you won't starve. I still have some humanity.

If you violate the rules I mentioned, don't blame me for being harsh. Anyone, even if they want to go to the toilet, must report in advance. If anyone escapes from a dormitory, the entire dormitory will be shot.

Don't think I am too cruel. I believe you know how you treated our Red Army prisoners, which was even worse. If you want to live, you must supervise everyone around you. Do you understand?"

If He Zhengdao hadn't told them not to make any noise and just listen, these prisoners would have shouted "Understood!" But now, no one dared to speak.

After saying this, He Zhengdao turned to the battalion commander and said, "Xiangdong, drive them all back to their dormitories. But don't make them squeeze together like before. After dawn, give each dormitory half an hour of free time.

Prepare a few rooms for the guards to rest. Also, send someone to notify our three main battalions to come into the city to rest. Starting tomorrow, each battalion will take turns patrolling the city.

As for the city defense, post notices prohibiting anyone from leaving the city. If someone wants to leave, they must get approval from the security team. For those entering, don't block them too much, but only allow entry, not exit, until the main force arrives. Understand?"

"Yes, Commander!"

After handing over the prisoners and city defense to Li Xiangdong, He Zhengdao found Yao Shengjun, who was counting the supplies. He smiled and said, "Commissar, how is it? Any gains?"

"None! Besides food and some ammunition, this militia seems quite poor! But after we interrogate them, I believe we will find more. Are the prisoners all arranged?"

Yao Shengjun was also surprised that He Zhengdao had taken Xishui City without firing a single shot. But thinking about their journey, such battles were not uncommon for the independent battalion.

"Alright! After scaring them, I think those prisoners won't sleep well tonight! Tomorrow, you take the political officers to select some people. Even if they can't join the combat units right away, they can still handle logistics."

"Alright, I'll arrange it!"

After handing over the supply counting to Yao Shengjun, He Zhengdao went to the communications room and saw Sun Shicheng resting in the room. Seeing He Zhengdao enter, Sun Shicheng quickly stood up and saluted.

"Commander!"

"Any news on the telegrams?"

"No! It's so late, unless there's an emergency, there won't be any telegrams. And this low-power radio is probably just for reporting."

Hearing Sun Shicheng's words, He Zhengdao didn't say much and continued, "Alright, you'll have to work hard tonight and stay on duty here. If there are no telegrams, you can rest a bit, and let others help watch.

If everything goes well, we will rest in the city for a day. By tomorrow night, our main force will continue to advance. We will leave one company here to guard until the main force arrives.

Also, send a telegram to the main force, informing headquarters that we have successfully taken Xishui City. Ask headquarters to order the troops to speed up and send a unit to relieve us."

"Yes, Commander!"

Knowing that being a communications officer was a tough job, often involving late nights, Sun Shicheng understood that he was a platoon leader personally recruited by He Zhengdao and had his trust.

To live up to this trust, Sun Shicheng felt that a bit of fatigue was nothing. Moreover, now that he had joined the Red Army, he had no other options. If he were captured by the Central Army, he would likely face death.

In this situation, Sun Shicheng hoped that the independent battalion and the entire Red Army could quickly escape their current predicament. After all, as the person responsible for receiving telegrams, Sun Shicheng knew that the Red Army was still surrounded by a large number of troops.

If they were discovered too early, breaking through the encirclement would be extremely difficult. Therefore, Sun Shicheng was also very cautious about his responsibilities!