Chapter 62

As the regiment was upgraded to a division, He Zhengdao didn't feel particularly elated about being promoted to division commander. If he were to be honest, in his previous life as a major general of the republic, if he were assigned to a field army, he would also be a division-level officer.

Even more so, the selfless trust conveyed in the telegram from headquarters made He Zhengdao feel immense pressure. This pressure was not due to the upcoming mission to lure the enemy, but rather the fear of inadvertently altering history.

Although he was a time traveler, He Zhengdao had already realized that he was not invincible in this era. He did not possess the incredible alien technology that the protagonists in the novels he had read often carried.

What he had was the combat mindset and high-level combat skills that he brought with him, which were sufficient to keep him alive on the battlefield. Even though he knew some events that would happen, He Zhengdao was also aware that his presence would change history.

This meant that some significant historical events might be altered due to his arrival. If he were to arrange troops and lead battles based on historical processes, the consequences would be unpredictable.

To organize this "complaint" recruitment drive, He Zhengdao also had to employ some minor tactics. He arranged for some early-joined captives to live in the prisoner camp to understand the prisoners' moods and to act as extras during the "complaint" process.

Seeing the Qian army prisoners silenced by his counter-questions, He Zhengdao felt the timing was right. He said, "At noon, I believe you all saw us take away some of your officers, right?"

This question quickly piqued the interest of the prisoners, and He Zhengdao continued calmly, "We took these officers for interrogation. However, very few returned, and many were ordered to be detained separately.

I must also tell you that many of these detained officers will face the judgment of the Red Army. Along with them, the officials who have oppressed the people will also be judged.

Some of you might think that the Red Army is too quick to kill the innocent. But next, I will inform you why they deserve such a fate. Why you are captured by us today!"

After saying this, He Zhengdao took two steps back, and Yao Shengjun, who stood beside him, stepped forward with a smile. "Brothers of the Qian army, I am the political commissar of the division, Yao Shengjun. Next, I will read out some of the confessions."

"Rest assured, these confessions were signed and sealed by the people who were interrogated. We did not force any confessions. I can only say that after hearing them, you will hate them even more than I do!"

The puzzled prisoners soon saw Yao Shengjun take out a stack of confessions and read them calmly: "Wang Fugui, male, 52 years old, from Renhuai, position: County Magistrate. His crimes include embezzlement, murder, and harboring criminals.

In 1932, he used his position to embezzle government relief grain, selling it at a high price to grain merchants in the city, earning 134,000 silver dollars. This led to the death of hundreds of people in Renhuai from starvation.

In 1933, to seize the daughter of a villager named Li Dabao as a concubine, he ordered his servants to kill Li Dabao and his wife. He then raped and murdered Li Dabao's daughter. To cover up his crimes, he blamed the massacre on bandits.

In 1934, his wife's brother occupied others' farmland in the countryside, and he ordered his servants to beat and kill many villagers. To avoid public resentment, he had his wife's brother's servants take the blame, while secretly sending his brother-in-law to Guiyang to do business."

Many of the Qian army soldiers had heard of these incidents, but they never thought that the County Magistrate, Wang Fugui, was the one responsible.

After reading the confessions, He Zhengdao said coldly, "Bring this scoundrel up!"

Following He Zhengdao's order, the already weak-kneed Wang Fugui was brought before the prisoners. Seeing this man, whom even their colonel would address respectfully as "County Magistrate," now lying on the ground like a stray dog, the prisoners were shocked.

Yao Shengjun, now with a serious expression, threw the confessions at Wang Fugui's feet and asked, "Do you have anything to say about the above confessions?"

"Mercy! Red Army grandfathers, have mercy! I have money, I have savings in Guiyang! Please let me live, and I will give you all my money. Please, sirs, have mercy!"

Seeing Wang Fugui beg for his life with tears and snot, He Zhengdao pointed to the prisoners and asked, "Do you think he deserves to die?"

After this question, a few prisoners who were acting as "extras" immediately shouted, "Kill him! This corrupt official should be chopped up and fed to the dogs! He dared to embezzle relief grain, his conscience is eaten by dogs! Kill him!"

While the shouts of these "extras" were somewhat insignificant, the actions of a few prisoners who rushed forward, tears streaming down their faces, made He Zhengdao feel that this strategy was well-executed!

These prisoners, gritting their teeth, said, "Wang Fugui, I never thought you would have this day. If it weren't for your embezzlement of relief grain, our parents and siblings wouldn't have starved to death! Sir, we want to join the Red Army. We don't want pay, even if you don't feed us. We only have one request: give us a knife, and let us kill him to avenge our dead parents and siblings. Please, we beg you!"

Even He Zhengdao didn't expect that there would be prisoners whose families had starved to death due to the embezzlement of relief grain. Knowing that the relief grain was indeed embezzled by Wang Fugui, these homeless prisoners naturally wanted to avenge their families.

Seeing the prisoners kneeling and crying, He Zhengdao said solemnly, "A man's knees are worth gold; don't kneel easily. Your filial piety will make your ancestors proud in heaven!

Alright, I originally planned to shoot this scoundrel. Since you are the victims, I will give you the chance to execute him. Remember, our Red Army fights to eliminate corrupt officials like him.

Dong Xiang, take this scoundrel away! Hand him over to these Qian army brothers for disposal. Afterward, assign them to the Fourth Regiment. Remember, treat them well and follow our rules."

"Yes, Division Commander!"

Seeing no way out, Wang Fugui finally burst out, "You will all die a terrible death! Our Chairman Chiang is already in Guiyang, and the Red Army will have no place to run. You are doomed!"

Regarding the words of the County Magistrate, He Zhengdao replied calmly, "We have been fighting the Central Army for a long time. Chairman Chiang has wanted to eliminate us for a long time. But we are still alive, aren't we?

Now, Renhuai is under our control, and your army is far behind us. The one who should be worried is Chairman Chiang in Guiyang. Do you understand?"

These words truly shook many Qian army officers. If what He Zhengdao said were to come true, Chairman Chiang in Guiyang would indeed be at risk of being surrounded or captured by the Red Army.

As Wang Fugui was dragged away, the few prisoners who were overjoyed and crying also left. Yao Shengjun continued to read out the crimes of the officials and gentry. Each time, the victims would step forward, demanding to kill these corrupt officials.

When the crimes of the detained Qian army officers were read out, many Qian army prisoners realized that their hard-earned money had been embezzled by these so-called superiors. The reason they were so poor and couldn't even afford food was due to these superiors.

Seeing the prisoners' anger, Yao Shengjun put down the confessions and said sincerely, "Brothers of the Qian army, the Red Army represents the working and peasant masses. Our goal is to eliminate corrupt officials.

Although we are currently weak, as long as the working and peasant masses unite, I believe we will ultimately win. Then, we will have our own land, our own homes, and our own families.

We will no longer have to worry about being oppressed and bullied by these corrupt officials. If you are afraid today, your descendants will be oppressed by these people in the future. Do you agree?"

"No! No!"

With the "extras" leading the way, the previously fearful prisoners finally raised their arms in support. The parade ground echoed with the thunderous "No!" voices. When He Zhengdao selected people to come on stage to share their sufferings, it quickly resonated with the prisoners.

Amidst the cries, the division's second "complaint" recruitment drive was a huge success. Out of the 3,000 Qian army prisoners, nearly 3,000 chose to join the Red Army.

However, during the review, those who smoked opium were rejected by He Zhengdao. Despite this, the remaining prisoners who joined the logistics regiment were reorganized into five new battalions, increasing the army's strength by half.

The remaining prisoners who were not accepted were provided with a meal and escorted out of the city by a battalion. They were sent to Maotai Town along with supplies, to be received by the 9th Corps' 1st Regiment.

This "complaint" political work model was also documented by Yao Shengjun and handed over to the battalion commander to be delivered to headquarters. He believed that this model would play an immeasurable role in the Red Army's future expansion and integration.

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