Chapter 73

After a brief respite in Shuicheng, the main force of the Red Army, following the previously confirmed route, continued to accelerate its advance towards the border of Yunnan and Guizhou. ●⌒Máo Tàizǔ and others were still quite concerned about the independent division that had successfully diverted the enemy's fire.

Compared to the precarious situation of the independent division, the main force of the Red Army now seemed much more relaxed. After the battle at Daguxinchang, the Red Army had gained a large amount of supplies, and the morale of many Red Army officers and soldiers had improved.

What was once a shortage of food and ammunition for the Red Army was no longer a problem, and even the reserves of supplies for the mobile forces were now quite sufficient. Being able to eat a full meal every day made many Red Army soldiers feel very satisfied.

Moreover, the only forces that could cause some trouble for the main force on their current route were the poorly combat-effective Guizhou defense regiments. Such interceptions were seen by the main force as a way to supplement their strength.

According to the 'complaints' movement data provided by Yao Shengjun, the number of the main force of the Red Army had also increased significantly. Although the combat effectiveness of these new soldiers could not match that of the old Red Army, they had at least bolstered the strength of each corps.

With the addition of these fresh troops, many Red Army corps that had been reduced in size were now replenished. This gave the main force more confidence in the upcoming battles.

Looking at the various intercepted telegrams from the encirclement forces, Máo Tàizǔ said worriedly, "It seems that this time, Chiang Kai-shek is determined to use the independent division as a sacrificial offering! With three divisions of the Central Army in pursuit, I wonder if that young man can hold out."

Upon learning that the three divisions of the Central Army commanded by Zhou Hunyuan had already begun pursuing the independent division along the Yunnan-Guizhou highway, Máo Tàizǔ and others were well aware that if the independent division were to be caught, the consequences would be unimaginable.

However, distant water cannot quench a nearby fire, and the distance between the independent division and headquarters was still quite far!

In contrast, Zhu De said seriously, "Enlai, has the intelligence been forwarded to the independent division?"

"It has been sent! We received a telegram from the independent division earlier. Xiao He asked us to rest assured and expressed confidence in leading the independent division to join us. Additionally, he specifically reminded us not to wait for him in Guizhou."

"It seems he understands that if we stay here to wait for him, the Yunnan Army might reseal the gap that has been opened. If that happens, the favorable situation we have painstakingly created could be lost."

In response to Zhou Enlai's statement, Máo Tàizǔ agreed, "It seems this young man has a clear understanding of our strategic intentions. However, this means the independent division will once again become an isolated force!"

Initially, when the independent regiment, which had just joined the main force, was assigned as the vanguard of the entire army and later tasked with diverting the enemy's fire, Máo Tàizǔ had more confidence in the regiment's strong capabilities to undertake such a heavy responsibility.

However, at present, even with the expansion, the independent division still seemed like a mantis trying to stop a chariot when facing the heavy pursuit of the Central Army. One misstep, and this force, which he valued greatly, could face total annihilation.

Thinking about this, Máo Tàizǔ felt a bit uneasy.

But after some deliberation, Máo Tàizǔ finally gave the order, "Order the First Red Army Corps to accelerate the capture of Pan County and open the strategic passage into Yunnan. At that time, we will consider the issue of the independent division. If the independent division cannot arrive, we must advance into Yunnan before the Yunnan Army completes its defensive deployment. Since this young man has the ability to lead the independent regiment out of the encirclement, I believe he also has the ability to lead the independent division to join us."

Making such a decision was difficult for Máo Tàizǔ. However, he was clear that as a military commander of the Red Army, he could not only consider the survival of the independent division. More importantly, he had to consider the safety of the main force of the Red Army.

Meanwhile, the independent division unexpectedly deviated from their route in broad daylight. With a single regiment, they easily captured Shuangbao Town, which was under the jurisdiction of Anshun.

The local Guizhou militia in Shuangbao Town had no time to react to the sudden appearance of the independent division. As the independent division's forces gradually entered Shuangbao Town, the pursuing Central Army was also taken aback.

In their view, the best route for the independent division to join the main force of the Red Army was to quickly break through along the Yunnan-Guizhou highway. As for the Guizhou defense regiments stationed along the highway, the Central Army did not have much faith in their ability to intercept.

However, if the independent division could be delayed by even a day, it would buy more time for the Central Army to catch up. The fact that the independent division suddenly changed their route and marched openly during the day was indeed surprising to Xue Yue.

Realizing that this sudden change in route had rendered his previous encirclement plan ineffective, Xue Yue quickly ordered the air force stationed in Guiyang to dispatch two squadrons to bomb the independent division in Shuangbao Town.

In Xue Yue's view, even if the two squadrons of the air force could not eliminate the independent division, the psychological impact would cause tension and panic among the independent division's soldiers, which would be advantageous for the subsequent pursuit.

He Zhengdao, who had led the independent division into Shuangbao Town, ordered each regiment to find places to set up camp. He also, in a surprising move, distributed one silver dollar to each soldier, allowing them to purchase items in town.

Understanding that there were many ethnic minorities in the town, He Zhengdao specially convened the regimental commanders to emphasize the discipline of the Red Army. They were to respect the customs of these ethnic minorities and avoid conflicts with them.

Many soldiers were puzzled about taking a day off while being pursued by a large enemy force. However, when the company commanders distributed the silver dollars, they also warned the soldiers to disperse and find cover if they heard the air raid siren.

If the air force did launch an attack, they were also to warn the civilians to find cover. This made many soldiers realize that there must be a reason for this unexpected day off.

While many ordinary soldiers enjoyed the rare opportunity to stroll and rest, He Zhengdao, along with the anti-aircraft battalion that had been training for two days, took control of the hill beside the town. Many soldiers on duty began to gather dry grass and wet wood.

At the same time, a reconnaissance company was hiding ten kilometers outside Shuangbao Town, watching the sky in the direction of Guiyang. When they saw what they were looking for appear in the sky, they were delighted.

"The division commander was right; the enemy really sent planes! But there seem to be quite a few of them! I wonder if our anti-aircraft battalion can handle it!"

As the reconnaissance soldiers expressed their concerns, the two radio operators quickly sent a telegram. Sun Shicheng, who was on standby, quickly translated the telegram and rushed to deliver it to He Zhengdao.

"Chief of Staff, sound the air raid siren! Also, order the troops to set fire to the dry grass and wet wood!"

"Yes, sir!"

As the shrill air raid siren sounded, the independent division soldiers who were strolling around the town became somewhat panicked. However, remembering the previous arrangements by their company commanders, they also persuaded many civilians to take cover in safe places.

"Comrades, quickly take cover! There are planes! They will drop bombs, so hurry home and take cover!"

The soldiers' warnings made the civilians, who were also somewhat panicked, feel that they were suffering an unexpected disaster. However, regardless of how they felt, the Red Army that had entered Shuangbao Town did not seem as terrifying as the government propaganda had portrayed.

Just as the soldiers on leave and the civilians were curious about where the planes would drop their bombs, some observant civilians noticed that thick smoke was rising around the town, enveloping it in a cloud of smoke.

At this moment, He Zhengdao, who was personally overseeing the anti-aircraft battalion, looked at the somewhat nervous machine gunners and said, "Don't be nervous. Follow my orders. If you fight well today, I believe the enemy planes won't dare to come back!"

The air force formation, searching for the independent division, was somewhat curious when they saw the thick smoke ahead. Wasn't this smoke clearly indicating the location of the independent division?

However, when the air force formation reached the location of the smoke, many pilots found that they could not see clearly below. The entire bombing area was obscured by the smoke.

The lead pilot quickly signaled for the trailing pilots to descend. If they descended, they believed they could see where to bomb.

In their view, if the independent division was really in Shuangbao Town, the bombing by the two squadrons would be a nightmare for them. Standing on the hillside, He Zhengdao watched the planes begin to descend and smiled coldly.

"Prepare! Load your guns! Remember, aim at the space in front of the planes, not at the planes themselves. Got it? Follow the training plan: light machine guns first, then heavy machine guns. Got it?"

With the nod of the machine gunners, He Zhengdao watched the slowly descending air force formation seriously. In his view, if they could make these more than twenty planes never return, he believed that Chiang Kai-shek would be heartbroken when he heard the news.