Chapter 64

As a soldier from the future who has traveled back to this era, He Zhengdao is more aware than anyone else. The Long March forged a Red Army with a will of steel. Each survivor can be considered an elite and backbone of the Red Army.

However, for many surviving Red Army soldiers, this bloody and arduous Long March is a past they are unwilling to recall. On this road, they experienced too many partings and deaths.

For many people in the future, those who fell in the Anti-Japanese War are worthy of remembrance and commemoration. But for those who fell on this Long March, there are few who truly remember them.

In He Zhengdao's view, the late Qing and Republican eras are a dark period for many Chinese people. Warlords stood in opposition, civil wars were frequent, and the Anti-Japanese War brought smoke and fire. In any of these processes, countless brave sons and daughters lost their lives.

Compared to this, many Red Army soldiers at this moment do not know that the two parties, who are now mortal enemies, will eventually come together again due to the Anti-Japanese War. At that time, what would they think of those who fell on the Long March?

He Zhengdao cannot control what others do, but he knows one thing: the more than twenty Red Army soldiers buried outside Ronghuai City are his soldiers. If he can survive in the future, he will come back to pay respects to the souls of these comrades-in-arms.

Even though he knows that in this civil war, including the Central Army, many people have also paid with their lives. No one wants such things to happen, but they have indeed occurred.

As the division commander, He Zhengdao must tell every soldier and officer that he will not forget their current contributions. If there is an opportunity in the future, He Zhengdao will also advocate for the commemoration of these Red Army soldiers who died during the Long March.

The soldiers who died in the Anti-Japanese War need to be remembered for their contributions. But these soldiers who sacrificed their precious lives for the Red Army's beliefs also deserve to be remembered by the Red Army. Even though remembering such things can sometimes be very painful!

Looking at the division soldiers setting out again, Political Commissar Yao Shengjun could feel that after the pre-departure funeral, each soldier's expression had become more mature and steady, and their mindset seemed to have changed significantly.

Thinking about the "complaint" model that He Zhengdao came up with, Yao Shengjun could not help but say, "Commander, I think you could take on both the roles of division commander and political commissar! The previous funeral indeed made our division soldiers more brave and fearless."

Faced with Yao Shengjun's words, He Zhengdao sighed, "If I could, I wouldn't want to do that. Even though I know that deaths in war are very normal, it still makes me feel bad to see each soldier leave.

I just hope to use this opportunity to tell our soldiers that no one wants to fight such a civil war. But if we want to survive, we have to fight. Only by surviving can we wait for the day when our ideals are realized.

This road is destined to be paved with blood. As their commander, I just hope to make them feel that their sacrifices are more meaningful. But if I can, I hope they can survive.

As for you saying I should take on both roles, you are really flattering me. If it weren't for you managing the logistics and the ideological education of the troops, I wouldn't be as relaxed as I am now. Don't say that again! It will make people laugh!"

Though his words seemed contradictory, Yao Shengjun still felt that this division commander, who is over a decade younger than him, has a maturity that does not match his age. If there were a choice, who would want to fight such a civil war?

But Chiang Kai-shek, who adheres to the principle of "pacifying the internal before dealing with the external," does not want to see any resistance against him within the country. If they want to continue on this path, they must fight to the end.

"Commander, I believe that victory will ultimately belong to us!"

"I believe so too!"

As the division commander and political commissar, despite the significant age difference, both felt very comfortable working together. In military command, Yao Shengjun would not interfere. In political education, He Zhengdao would not ask questions.

Not long after the division left Ronghuai City, the main force of the Red Army, after a brief rest in Xishui, advanced along the safe passage opened by the division. When the division advanced into Qianxi, the Central Revolutionary Military Commission also moved into Maotai Town.

Looking at the transferred prisoners and supplies, Zhou Enlai, who received the supplies, also sighed, "Old Mao, it seems that Little He is even better than we imagined. Every time he makes a capture, he doesn't forget to leave a share for our headquarters!"

"Isn't it normal to turn over captured supplies? But why does this kid always buy so many supplies?"

In Mao Zedong's view, the money in the division's submitted supplies seemed to be less, but the supplies were more than expected. Even though he felt that this might be the right thing to do, he was still somewhat puzzled.

Faced with Mao Zedong's question, Zhu De smiled, "What? Are you complaining about too many supplies? I think this kid is actually very smart. He knows that compared to money, these supplies are more useful for our upcoming battles.

With the division leading the way, our actions have undoubtedly become easier. But I am a bit worried about whether the division can withstand the resistance of the Qian Army. Should we send the 9th Red Army Corps to help?"

Knowing that the division must first defeat the Qian Army division stationed in Qianxi to advance on Guiyang, if they do not defeat this Qian Army division, the division's feint attack on Guiyang could face the danger of being attacked from both front and rear.

In response to Zhu De's concern, Mao Zedong finally shook his head, "Forget it! We should have confidence in him! As long as the division defeats the Qian Army division in front of them, our path will be smoother.

At least, they won't have to worry about the Qian Army surrounding them from behind. If we really want to support them, we must speed up our march. I believe the Central Army has already discovered our main force's relocation."

In fact, Mao Zedong's guess was correct. When the division entered Qianxi, the reconnaissance company at the forefront reported that the Qian Army division stationed in Qianxi seemed to be well-prepared.

Upon learning this, the division, which had entered the town of Wuma in Qianxi, also began to consider the next battle. At least, He Zhengdao believed that the Qian Army stationed in Jinsha in the future would not dare to attack them proactively.

And at this moment, Dagu Xinchang, which is not yet called Jinsha, is a key transportation route for Sichuan salt on the Sichuan-Qian border. With many merchants passing through, it has become a commercial town heavily controlled by the Qian Army.

Although he knew that this was a key town for the Qian Army to collect commercial taxes, He Zhengdao felt that a direct attack did not fit the current situation of the division. After a discussion, He Zhengdao believed that a direct attack on Dagu Xinchang did not match the division's combat style.

He directly said, "Chief of Staff, since the Qian Army already knows that we have taken Ronghuai City, they must have guessed that our main force has withdrawn from the north bank of the Chishui River. Now, they are actually powerless to stop our advance into Qianxi.

The Qian Army division in front of us, from their defensive measures, seems to be worried about our advance into Qianxi. If we pretend to bypass Qianxi and continue toward Guiyang, what do you think Chiang Kai-shek will do?"

"Commander, you mean to lure this Qian Army out?"

As the division's chief of staff, Wang Tianlin naturally has some command ability. Hearing He Zhengdao's analysis of the battle situation, Wang Tianlin felt that the strategy of luring the enemy out would be easier than a direct assault.

Hearing that Wang Tianlin understood his meaning, He Zhengdao smiled, "This place is not far from Xifeng. There is also a Qian Army garrison in Xifeng. If we enter Xifeng again, do you think the Qian Army in Dagu Xinchang will come out?"

"Even if they don't come out, I believe Chiang Kai-shek, worried about the stability of Guiyang, will order them to cut off our rear."

"Exactly! Order the 1st Regiment, the logistics regiment, and the artillery battalion to march quickly into Xifeng. Have them use the 1st Regiment's designation and spread the slogan, 'Capture Guiyang, capture Chiang Kai-shek.' What do you think?"

"Good! This way, Chiang Kai-shek can't help but panic!"

Compared to Mao Zedong's military command skills, Chiang Kai-shek's command ability is not impressive. I believe this slogan will make Chiang Kai-shek, even if he is not afraid, very angry.

This way, Chiang Kai-shek will definitely do everything to annihilate the 1st Regiment that has entered Xifeng. With two infantry regiments under his command, He Zhengdao can hide his strength and catch the 103rd Division off guard.

As the order was issued, Zhang Cheng led the newly expanded 1st Infantry Regiment, the largest part of the logistics regiment, and the artillery battalion, which had dug up the buried mountain guns, and made a grand show of bypassing Dagu Xinchang and advancing into Xifeng.

The 103rd Division, which was guarding Dagu Xinchang, was originally prepared to defend the rich town of Dagu Xinchang against the Red Army. But when the Red Army suddenly changed direction and headed straight for Xifeng, they were indeed very surprised.

As the continuous reports came in, the main force of the Red Army that had captured Ronghuai City was indeed marching quickly toward Xifeng. It seemed to completely ignore the possibility that the 103rd Division stationed in Dagu Xinchang might encircle them from behind.

After all, according to the intelligence of the Central Army, the main force of the Red Army was still near Maotai Town, and it would take at least two to three days to arrive. For this main force of the Red Army to advance so deeply alone, isn't it a major mistake in military strategy?

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