Chapter 57

As the Red Army began the Long March, the Central Army, which was pursuing the Red Army into the southwestern region, took the opportunity to continuously expand its control over the territory. Even Chiang Kai-shek, the Chairman, did not dare to act rashly against the Guangxi clique and the Hunan Army led by He Jian.

Moreover, the Guangxi and Hunan armies were very thorough in their execution of the orders to encircle and suppress the Red Army. In the Battle of the Xiang River, the main force of the Red Army suffered more than half of its strength. Many Central Army generals had to admit that the Guangxi and Hunan armies had made significant contributions.

If Chiang Kai-shek were to play the game of using one tiger to devour another, the Guangxi and Hunan armies would not sit idly by and wait to die. However, the Guizhou Army, led by Wang Jiale, had many inherent problems and suffered a defeat in the encirclement campaign.

Such a soft target, coupled with a delivered pretext, how could Chiang Kai-shek not seize the opportunity!

Wang Jiale, who had planned to take advantage of the Red Army's departure from Zunyi to develop Zunyi, never dreamed that the Red Army would turn its guns around. His hard-won main force was once again driven into a disorganized retreat, forcing him to retreat to western Guizhou again.

Losing his territory, Wang Jiale could not pay his troops. On this issue, Chiang Kai-shek first withheld the military pay, then incited the Guizhou Army to demand their pay, and bought off his two loyal division commanders with a large sum of money.

With his territory occupied and military power seized, Wang Jiale's fate was sealed. If it were not for the fact that Wang Jiale was still a regional warlord, Chiang Kai-shek might have long ordered his execution for the defeat.

When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. The 25th Army, which still had more than 20,000 men, was quickly reorganized by Chiang Kai-shek into the 102nd and 103rd Divisions. The two newly recruited division commanders also became the commanders of these two Central Army divisions, ensuring the stability of the remaining troops to the greatest extent.

Perhaps because the main force of the Red Army was now in southern Sichuan, surrounded by various encircling armies, the military stronghold of Renhuai was left with only one main regiment of the Guizhou Army to guard it, due to the recent changes in the Guizhou Army's leadership.

When Li Xiangdong led the guard company into Renhuai, he quickly found that the information provided by Wu Zhefeng was accurate. At present, Renhuai was guarded by one reorganized main regiment of the Guizhou Army, and the rest were militia units.

Even so, the total number of troops in Renhuai and its surrounding security battalions was less than 5,000. When this information was reported to He Zhengdao, he knew that he had to take Renhuai.

He Zhengdao reconvened the four battalion commanders and pointed to several towns around Renhuai, saying, "Starting tomorrow, each of your battalions will be responsible for one town. Move as quickly as possible to eliminate the militia units stationed there.

At 7 PM tomorrow, the formal attack on Renhuai will begin. The reconnaissance company will provide support inside the city. My only requirement is to clear the remaining enemy forces in the city before dawn. Speed is of the essence, so get moving!"

"Yes, Commander!"

The four battalion commanders, upon receiving their orders, rushed to the towns they were responsible for. The battalion commander closest to Maotai launched the attack that night. With people already infiltrated into the town, the battle ended quickly.

Similarly, after resting in Maotai until the early hours of the morning, He Zhengdao led the logistics battalion on the road to Renhuai. The news that the other four main battalions had successfully completed their missions soon reached He Zhengdao.

He Zhengdao left a company to guard each town. After the main force captured Renhuai, they would carry the supplies seized from the towns and join the main force, preventing the news from reaching Renhuai prematurely.

When He Zhengdao arrived at Renhuai with the four main battalions, the reconnaissance company provided him with a detailed defense map of Renhuai.

Compared to a county-level city in the future, Renhuai was now a small county. Although it had corresponding defensive works, they were much simpler compared to a large city like Guiyang.

After reviewing the defense map provided by the reconnaissance company, He Zhengdao felt that a frontal assault was unnecessary. He believed that two main battalions could be sent into the city before the attack began.

In He Zhengdao's view, the main battle would take place inside the city. The warehouses and barracks guarded by regular troops were the targets for the independent regiment to raid.

As for the troops guarding the city, once the warehouses and barracks were captured, they would have little ability to resist. The remaining two main battalions could be deployed outside the city to block and prevent the Guizhou Army from escaping.

Thinking this, He Zhengdao called Yao Shengjun and Deputy Commander Wang Tianlin and said, "Commissar, you will command the fourth battalion and the logistics battalion to provide security outside the county, preventing any possible reinforcements.

As for the deputy commander, you will command the third battalion to launch a feint attack on the Guizhou Army defending the county, drawing their attention. The first and second battalions will be commanded by me to attack the enemy's barracks and supply warehouses."

Hearing this order, Wang Tianlin immediately said, "Commander, you are the commander and should not always think of going to the front lines! Let me handle the battle in the city! You and the commissar stay outside, how about that?"

He Zhengdao, somewhat amused and exasperated by Wang Tianlin's words, said, "Tianlin, we've come a long way together, and you've seen me lead from the front before. Why do you think it's inappropriate now?

Before the battle, my primary task is to destroy the enemy's radio station and command post. Do you think your skills in operating the mortar are better than mine? Once the enemy's radio is knocked out, we will have won half the battle.

Moreover, I have more experience in this kind of ambush. So, please don't say that commanders can't go to the front lines. Even General Zhu did so in the past.

The current situation is different from when we were in the Soviet area. We must achieve the greatest victory at the smallest cost. I am more skilled in night battles. That's settled!"

The phrase "That's settled!" left Wang Tianlin and Yao Shengjun feeling helpless. However, they had to admit that He Zhengdao had proven through countless victories that he was more suitable for command in such ambushes.

Under He Zhengdao's orders, the first and second battalions, dressed in Central Army uniforms, quickly entered Renhuai under the guidance of the reconnaissance company. At this time, the Guizhou Army in the city was still unaware.

As for the patrol teams the Guizhou Army had set up in the city, they had already been eliminated by the reconnaissance company before the two main battalions entered. The patrols in the city were actually fake ones from the reconnaissance company.

Looking at the barracks illuminated by the lights ahead, He Zhengdao pointed to the location of the radio station. He ordered the mortar company to set up the mortars and prepare to launch a surprise attack on the barracks.

He Zhengdao personally adjusted the mortar aiming parameters, using his thumb to confirm the firing parameters. Although the mortar company commander, Zhu Dingyi, could also do this, He Zhengdao was more accurate.

The various mortars of the direct mortar company, except for a few aimed at the machine gun positions and sentries at the barracks entrance, were all aimed at the telegraph room.

After the final confirmation, He Zhengdao looked at the ready artillery and calmly said, "Three rapid shots, fire!"

Following He Zhengdao's order, the "thud, thud, thud" sounds quickly echoed from the temporary artillery position. The Guizhou Army, who were resting inside, had no time to react to the incoming mortar shells.

"Enemy attack!"

An officer who had not yet rested shouted this, and many startled Guizhou Army soldiers rushed out of their barracks with their weapons. However, they were stunned by the overwhelming mortar shells and the cries of "Charge!"

The command post and radio room of the barracks were already riddled with holes after the first round of shelling. The machine gun positions and sentries in front of the barracks were also completely wiped out.

After three rapid rounds of shelling, the mortars aimed at the deeper parts of the barracks continued to fire. The first battalion, which had been preparing for a long time, charged into the barracks with a deafening cry.

The concentrated use of light machine guns mowed down the Guizhou Army soldiers rushing out of the barracks. The subsequent Red Army soldiers began to control the barracks buildings, clearing out the stubborn resistance and rounding up the frightened captives.

Seeing the first battalion already charging into the barracks, He Zhengdao knew that the barracks had been successfully captured. At the same time, the direction of the warehouses, also guarded by the Guizhou Army, echoed with the sound of gunfire.

Worried about the attack being hindered, He Zhengdao still ordered, "Zhang Cheng, this is your responsibility. If they surrender, don't kill them all. Round up the captives and wait for my orders. I'll go check on the second battalion."

"Yes, Commander!"

When He Zhengdao ran to the warehouse where the second battalion was responsible, he saw that the battle had already ended. Although there were some casualties, they were all in single digits. However, this still made He Zhengdao feel uneasy.

He still said, "Quickly bandage the injured and send them to the medical team for treatment. Use the best medicine available!"

Hearing this, the injured soldiers felt a warm feeling in their hearts. Although being injured was unfortunate, in war, there are always casualties. After all, the Guizhou Army guarding the warehouses also had guns, not just sticks for kindling.

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