Chapter 77

Guangling is named after Guansuoling, which is said to have been where General Guan Suo, a general under the command of the Shu Chancellor Zhuge Liang during the Three Kingdoms period, once stationed his troops and won the hearts of the people. The locals were so moved by his actions that they named the ridge Guansuoling. This place is also a branch of the Wumeng Mountains.

The independent division that entered Guangling did not stay for long. Early in the morning, many of the locals saw the division, which had rested in the city for a day, set off along the Wumeng Mountains, heading towards Qianxi, a place known to many locals.

The departure of the independent division left a deep impression on the locals, who had never seen such a large army enter the city before. Compared to the Qian army that had ruled the area, the independent division's strict discipline and respect for the people were a pleasant surprise.

Moreover, the locals benefited from the presence of the independent division. Things they usually couldn't sell for a good price were bought by the division's logistics personnel with shiny silver dollars, earning them a substantial profit.

On the other hand, the local tyrants and corrupt officials suffered greatly due to the division's arrival. Some of the most notorious officials were even executed by the Red Army, which brought joy to the locals.

What pleased He Zhengdao even more was that the new recruits, mostly from ethnic minorities, had grown to over 500, forming a full battalion. Although these new recruits were not yet ready for major operations, they were familiar with the terrain and customs of Guizhou.

Since Qianxi itself is an area with a large ethnic minority population, this battalion, named the 'Ethnic Battalion' by He Zhengdao, significantly reduced the burden and trouble for the independent division when serving as the vanguard alongside the reconnaissance company.

Yao Shengjun, who initially thought He Zhengdao was too courteous to a Miao chieftain, now truly understood the foresight of this 'thousand gold for a horse bone' strategy.

With these ethnic minority soldiers serving as guides and interpreters, the independent division could replenish supplies when passing through areas inhabited by ethnic minorities, even if they had to pay for them.

Many people saw the independent division set off from Guangling and head towards Qianxi. However, what many did not know was that during the day, the division would intentionally 'lose' some people during short breaks.

By evening, under He Zhengdao's command, the four infantry regiments of the independent division secretly returned to a valley about thirty miles outside Guangling.

This unnamed valley was the ambush site chosen by He Zhengdao. The reconnaissance soldiers who were 'lost' during the day ensured that the main force's return would not be reported by any possible scouts.

Even after marching for half a day, the soldiers of the four main regiments dug trenches and constructed defensive positions overnight. The artillery regiment also selected firing positions, and the exhausted soldiers rested after eating breakfast at dawn.

Many locals walking through the valley did not know that a large army was lying in ambush. After dawn, Yao Shengjun's logistics battalion and the new recruits deliberately increased the distance between units.

Following He Zhengdao's orders, they continued to advance towards Shuicheng under the independent division's flag. Many of the Central Army's scouts, unable to get close for reconnaissance, found it difficult to notice the reduction in the independent division's numbers.

They only knew that the independent division was accelerating its march, apparently planning to advance into Qianxi to use the mountainous terrain to evade the Central Army's encirclement. After all, the Red Army's proficiency in guerrilla warfare was a well-known fact.

However, the Central Army believed that the complex local conditions and poor land in Qianxi would make it difficult for the independent division to wage guerrilla warfare. The daily consumption of a large army would be enough to drag down the independent division, forcing it to compete with the locals for resources.

This belief led the Central Army to deploy fewer troops in Qianxi. When the independent division indeed advanced into Qianxi as expected, the Central Army, which had taken over Daguxinchang, also moved to Bijie to block the division.

This would place the independent division in the encirclement of the Central Army's various forces. As Xue Yue put it, this time the independent division would have no way to escape. However, Xue Yue still felt uneasy, worried that the independent division might slip away.

Therefore, he ordered the 99th Division of the Central Army, which was closest to the independent division, to keep a tight grip on the division and not let it escape. Xue Yue had firsthand experience with the Red Army's 'cunning' tactics.

While the Central Army sent scouts to monitor the independent division's movements, the 99th Division, which had just entered Guangling, felt frustrated when they were urged to continue the pursuit. The soldiers' morale was understandably low.

The 99th Division, which had planned to rest in Guangling for a day, was also annoyed by Xue Yue's urging. However, they all knew that the order to encircle and annihilate the independent division came directly from Chiang Kai-shek.

If anyone failed in this task, the consequences would be severe!

"Damn, these Red Army soldiers are like eels, how can they run so fast? Chase, chase, chase, all they know is to urge. Send a telegram to Commander Xu to ask where his division is now."

Worried about the possibility of an ambush if they pursued too hastily, the commander of the 99th Division cautiously inquired about the distance between his division and the other Central Army division involved in the pursuit.

Learning that the 86th Division, which was following them, was only about a day's march behind, the commander of the 99th Division realized that they were in the same boat.

"Send a telegram to Commander Xu to ask them to speed up. This pursuit will take us through many dangerous areas. If the independent division sets an ambush, we will suffer heavy losses. If we manage to catch the independent division but the 86th Division fails to arrive in time, I'm sure General Xue won't be happy. Also, notify all regiments to prepare to move out. Damn, let's continue the chase!"

Despite his reluctance, the commander knew he had to see this through. After all, they had been assigned this unfortunate task of being the vanguard in the pursuit.

As the 99th Division set off again, the locals in the city quickly noticed the difference between this division and the independent division that had left the day before. Many restaurant owners were in tears over the soldiers who ate without paying.

However, each restaurant owner knew that arguing with armed soldiers would only bring trouble. Fortunately, these Central Army soldiers, accustomed to extortion, finally left.

As many people secretly hoped for the Central Army's misfortune, the reconnaissance company outside Guangling sent a message to the independent division's command, which had been resting for half a day and was in good spirits.

Looking at the intelligence from the reconnaissance company, He Zhengdao smiled and said, "It seems the enemy is afraid we'll slip away! They're really hanging on tight. But after this long chase, they must be exhausted."

"Compared to marching, our Red Army can outpace the Central Army by a mile! We're all used to these mountain paths. These pampered soldiers must be suffering. But they brought this on themselves!"

Wang Tianlin was somewhat worried that the 99th Division, after reaching Guangling, might join forces with another Central Army division and continue the pursuit.

However, it seemed that Xue Yue was very concerned about the independent division slipping away. Despite knowing the 99th Division was exhausted, he still ordered them to keep a tight grip on the independent division and not let it get too far.

In response to this situation, He Zhengdao put on a serious face and said, "Order all regiments to enter the ambush positions and be ready to act. This time, I want to completely annihilate the 99th Division and show the Central Army the consequences of being a tail-chaser.

Once the battle starts, order the 4th Regiment to do everything possible to prevent the 99th Division from retreating. To date, our independent division has never completely annihilated a Central Army division. This time, we'll start with the 99th Division!"

As the order to prepare for battle was issued to all regiments, the soldiers in the valley began to check their weapons and prepare ammunition. Even the former Qian army captives, who had joined the independent division, knew their options were limited.

Although the journey had been tough, they all felt that serving in the independent division was very different from serving in the Qian army. At least, He Zhengdao had kept his promises.

Many new recruits from the Qian and Yunnan armies had seen He Zhengdao often join the soldiers for meals, which truly impressed them with the equality between officers and men.

Although the life was hard, the independent division's meals were well-provided. Even during this ambush, the dry rations they carried ensured they wouldn't go hungry.

Most importantly, for many captives who were used to being beaten and cursed, joining the independent division made them feel like real soldiers and real people. This respect helped them gradually integrate into the unit.

Some captives who were unwilling to remain ordinary soldiers hoped to distinguish themselves in the upcoming battle. This way, they might have a chance to become squad or platoon leaders after the battle.

This meant that serving in the Red Army seemed to offer a future.