Chapter 76

The ambush in Shuangbao Town, despite the Central Army's attempt to suppress the news, was still known by many journalists. There were still many voices of opposition within the country regarding the Nationalist Army's encirclement and suppression of the Red Army.

Moreover, the Japanese rule in the Three Northeast Provinces had caused great suffering to the people there. Many enlightened individuals in the country strongly advocated for a northern campaign against the Japanese. The Red Army's proposal for a northern campaign against the Japanese also received support from many civilians and patriotic individuals.

Therefore, when the Red Army's Independent Division in Shuangbao Town shot down 21 aircraft of the Central Army, many people felt that the Central Army was consuming the country's strength. After all, the overall strength of the Chinese Air Force was limited, and each aircraft lost was one less.

Seeing the numerous newspaper articles calling for "stopping the civil war and uniting against the Japanese," Chiang Kai-shek naturally felt unhappy. He could only order the Central Army to accelerate its pursuit and encirclement of this independent division that had separated from the main force.

This was also the first time the people in the country learned that the Red Army had an independent division. However, He Zhengdao, who had caused such a commotion, led the independent division to accelerate its march.

Perhaps the ambush in Shuangbao Town really frightened the Central Army's Air Force. As a result, the planes that usually hovered overhead no longer dared to visit the sky above the independent division's march, which greatly relieved the advancing Red Army.

As the main force of the Red Army smoothly arrived in Pan County and began final preparations, the independent division had just captured Guanling and started to rest. At this time, the Central Army's encirclement forces, which had been following closely, were only two days away from the independent division.

In response to this situation, He Zhengdao quickly said, "Send a telegram to the main force. Our unit will join headquarters at the appropriate time and as quickly as possible. Given the current enemy situation, our unit will choose a suitable location to advance into Yunnan and join headquarters."

However, He Zhengdao did not specify the exact location. This meant that He Zhengdao could not tell headquarters the specific route the independent division would take next. But He Zhengdao was clear that he could not delay the main force's advance into Yunnan.

Currently, two main divisions of the Central Army had already arrived in Puan County, which was only two days away from the main force of the Red Army. Puan was precisely the inevitable route for the independent division to join the main force.

This also meant that the strategic intention of the independent division to join the main force had been disrupted by the Central Army. If the independent division continued to move forward, the result was obvious: it would be surrounded by the Central Army from both front and back.

Upon receiving the telegram from the independent division, Mao Zedong also understood that the situation for the independent division would be very dangerous. After discussing with Zhu De, he sent a telegram to the independent division, instructing them to "preserve their strength and look for an opportunity to break through the encirclement."

However, Mao Zedong and Zhu De knew that achieving this would be very difficult. After all, two divisions of the Guangxi Army had already advanced into Anlong, preparing to join the encirclement and suppression of the independent division.

When He Zhengdao ordered the troops to rest in Guanling, he convened an expanded military meeting of all battalion and regiment commanders to discuss the next steps for the independent division. All the officers and soldiers knew that their path to join the main force had been blocked.

In this situation, the future of the independent division indeed made many officers and soldiers anxious. The soldiers' worries also made the expressions of the battalion and regiment commanders somewhat heavy. After all, the situation was very unfavorable for them!

When He Zhengdao arrived at the meeting room and saw the serious expressions of the battalion and regiment commanders, he smiled and said, "What's wrong? Why are all of you so serious? Are you tired of the long march?"

Perhaps He Zhengdao's smile gave these battalion and regiment commanders confidence. At Yao Shengjun's call, everyone quickly sat down quietly. They knew that this division commander might have a way to solve the current crisis facing the independent division.

As the meeting began, He Zhengdao smiled and said, "Before the meeting, I want to share some good news with everyone. Our main force has already successfully advanced into Yunnan from Pan County. With the strength of the Yunnan Army, it is unlikely to stop our main force from operating in Yunnan.

Of course, I know that everyone is worried about being surrounded and finding it difficult to join the main force. But the comrades present today should remember that our independent regiment once traveled a long distance to join the main force.

Now, our troops are strong, and we are not short of weapons, ammunition, or supplies. This is clearly much better than when we were operating in Hunan, Guangxi, and Guizhou. With such strength, do we need to worry and fear?"

After these words, the battalion and regiment commanders, who had been fighting alongside He Zhengdao, felt that these words made sense. If they could break through the enemy's encirclement back then, why couldn't they do it again now?

Seeing the battalion and regiment commanders begin to calm down, He Zhengdao timely said, "Back when Comrade Mao and Comrade Zhu met in Jinggang Mountain, our forces were not much larger than the independent division.

Now, although the main force has already moved ahead, our independent division can still fight a counter-encirclement campaign in the enemy's encirclement. I also want to see how much strength the Central Army is willing to invest in suppressing us.

Currently, five divisions of the Central Army and two divisions of the Guangxi Army are gathered around the independent division. Under the three-pronged encirclement, it seems that we have no hope of breaking through. But in reality, they have left us the best battlefield for a counter-encirclement campaign."

He Zhengdao gestured for Wang Tianlin to hang up the military map and pointed to the area in western Guizhou where the main force of the Red Army had recently passed, continuing, "Currently, the three encirclement forces seem to want to drive our independent division into western Guizhou.

Many comrades know that this is the poorest area in Guizhou. If our main force enters this region, there will likely be problems with supplies. But in reality, they have made a fatal mistake.

Where have our supplies and provisions come from on this journey? As long as they continue to encircle us, we will not lack supplies. If they do not pursue us, our current supplies are enough to enter Yunnan from western Guizhou.

I have decided that starting tomorrow, the independent division will advance into western Guizhou and engage the Central Army that is pursuing us in Shuicheng. From tomorrow, all regiments except the logistics battalion will have corresponding combat tasks.

I want to play a big game in western Guizhou and show the Central Army that if they want to encircle and annihilate our independent division, they need to have a good appetite. I have given this military operation a simple name: the Western Guizhou Counter-Encirclement Campaign. What do you think, comrades?"

After outlining the overall combat plan for the independent division, He Zhengdao continued, "From tomorrow, the 1st to 4th Regiments will each be supplemented with a battalion of new recruits from the new regiment. This way, each of your four regiments will have 3,000 troops.

Even if we encounter a main division of the Central Army, with the weapons and equipment of our independent division, I believe you have the strength to fight. The new regiment and the logistics battalion will act together, following the political commissar's command, and serve as the first army to advance into western Guizhou.

According to the current enemy situation, the 99th Division of the enemy is the closest to us. After the political commissar and his group set out tomorrow, we will give the Central Army a good beating outside Guanling City to show them the consequences of pursuing us too closely.

After this battle, I believe it will make the Central Army think more clearly. This battle will be personally commanded by me and the chief of staff. After this battle, the mountain artillery of the artillery battalion will be buried on site, as we may not need them in the future!"

"Yes, Commander!"

Although Zhu Dingyi felt a bit reluctant upon hearing this order, he knew that carrying these mountain artillery pieces would indeed slow down the troops' march. In the upcoming operations, mountain artillery might not be very useful.

After the combat orders were issued, He Zhengdao said seriously, "Comrades, I know the current situation is very unfavorable for our independent division, and it is normal for soldiers to feel fear.

But you are the battalion and regiment commanders of the Red Army. At any time, you must be the backbone of the soldiers. Even if the sky falls, you must remain calm. Only by remaining calm can you prevent the soldiers from panicking and maintain morale.

Compared to the bloodiest battles from the Soviet area to here, we have already overcome the most dangerous and difficult obstacles. What is there to fear or worry about in the current situation? Isn't it just a battle? What is there to be afraid of?

If I hear or see any of you showing fear or worry, which only women would have, don't blame me for being unsentimental. My independent division does not need cowardly officers. Are you all clear?"

"Clear, Commander!"

Seeing He Zhengdao's angry roar, the previously worried battalion and regiment commanders felt a burning sensation on their faces. Perhaps the smooth journey so far had made them forget the current situation of the Red Army. When has it ever been without obstacles?

The loud response from the battalion and regiment commanders made He Zhengdao somewhat satisfied as he said, "After the meeting, tell the company and platoon leaders. If they feel cowardly, they should go to the kitchen and carry the big pots. My unit does not need cowardly commanders.

Also, tell the captured soldiers who have joined us. They have only one choice: to fight with us. They should not harbor any侥幸 (侥幸 means侥幸, which can be translated as '侥幸' or '侥幸'). If they are captured or taken prisoner by the Central Army, they will only face death.

Only if our independent division stands united can we be invincible. If we show cowardice before the battle, the consequences do not need to be explained. I believe you all know in your hearts. This principle must be clearly explained to the soldiers, understood?"

Confidence does not guarantee success, but lack of confidence guarantees failure. At this moment, He Zhengdao hoped to tell all the officers and soldiers of the division that even if the entire division is annihilated, they must fight to the death!