Chapter 82

The main force of the Independent Division, which was under heavy surveillance by numerous enemy spies, suddenly began to move on the night when He Zhengdao arrived in Longyin and launched his operation. However, this movement seemed to confuse the encircling forces that received the news.

Early the next morning, the main force of the First Regiment of the Independent Division began to advance toward Shuicheng. It appeared that the destination of the Independent Division was still Shuicheng, which was controlled by the main force of the First Regiment. However, such a direct confrontation did not seem to align with the Independent Division's usual combat style.

Just as Zhou Hunyuan, who received the news, was very puzzled by the Independent Division's movement, the Second Regiment of the Independent Division, following the First Regiment, began to advance into the interior of Qianxi, which seemed to differ from the First Regiment's route.

By the afternoon, the Third Regiment of the Independent Division surprisingly advanced toward the border between Yunnan and Guizhou. The entire Langdai region was left with only the Fourth Regiment and the logistics units of the Independent Division, showing no signs of movement.

The three main regiments advancing in three different directions thoroughly confused Zhou Hunyuan and Xue Yue, leaving them puzzled about the deeper meaning behind the Independent Division's three-pronged advance. They knew that one of these routes was the key direction for the Independent Division's breakout.

Soon, the 86th Division stationed in Guanling and the two Guangxi Army divisions cooperating with them received orders from Xue Yue to advance their main forces toward Langdai. They aimed to use a net-like pressure tactic to compress the Independent Division's operational space.

As the Independent Division began its three-pronged advance, the Fourth Regiment and the logistics units stationed in Langdai moved out overnight. To the shock of many spies, they were captured by the Independent Division's reconnaissance troops who had sealed off Langdai.

Any merchants entering or leaving the Langdai region were immediately captured by the reconnaissance teams secretly left behind by the three main regiments. If they were found to be secret agents of the Central Army, they were executed immediately.

If they could not be immediately identified, the reconnaissance teams would detain them. When to release them would depend on how the next phase of the Independent Division's campaign progressed.

The next day, Zhou Hunyuan and Xue Yue were horrified to discover that none of their spies in the Langdai region had sent any messages. This meant they had lost track of the Independent Division's logistics units.

Faced with this situation, Xue Yue immediately said, "This is bad! The Independent Division is likely to escape!"

Xue Yue, who had anticipated this possibility, felt helpless. The three main regiments of the Independent Division did not seem to be advancing quickly, making it difficult to determine from which direction they planned to break out.

While Yao Shengjun led the new Fourth Regiment and the logistics units to transfer overnight, He Zhengdao had already directed the reconnaissance battalion to surround the Central Army's First Battalion stationed in Longyin.

Seeing the machine guns set up on the parade ground, the Central Army soldiers who were driven out of the camp wisely chose to surrender. However, what surprised the battalion commander was the order He Zhengdao gave him, which left him very confused.

"Call your regiment commander and tell him you are under attack by Red Army guerrillas and request support! If you dare to say one extra word, I'll send you to hell immediately!"

"Yes! I will do as you say!"

Under He Zhengdao's personal supervision, the battalion commander, appearing very nervous, called his regiment commander stationed nearby. He said in a fearful tone, "Regiment Commander, we are under attack! Red Army guerrillas are raiding us at night, and we can't hold on much longer!"

"What happened? Explain clearly. Guerrillas? Are you sure they are guerrillas?"

"Regiment Commander, we can't see clearly! However, the attackers are all dressed in civilian clothes. But their firepower is very strong! We can't hold on much longer, please send reinforcements quickly!"

After the battalion commander finished speaking, He Zhengdao fired a shot into the roof and hung up the phone. This shot almost scared the Central Army battalion commander to death.

"Good job! In return for your cooperation, if you follow our instructions, I might give you a chance to live!"

"Thank you, sir! I will definitely listen and cooperate!"

After returning to the camp, He Zhengdao ordered the reconnaissance battalion to collect supplies and war trophies. He then went outside the camp and said to several Miao men, "Leaders, are you willing to accept the business I proposed?"

"Yes! But how can you guarantee that we won't be retaliated against by the Central Army after helping you?"

"Leaders, I can't guarantee that. However, I believe the Central Army won't have much time to focus on this area in the near future. While you are cooperating with me, you are also fighting for the rights of your villages. I believe that if you unite, the Central Army will have to respect your opinions to avoid chaos. With weapons, you will have more leverage in negotiations with the Central Army."

After capturing the Central Army's camp in Longyin, He Zhengdao had Gao Lin bring the leaders of the Miao villages in Longyin to him. Similar to his approach in Shuangbao, he used guns and supplies to recruit them.

Of course, in this cooperation, He Zhengdao also hoped that these Miao people would support the Independent Division's actions against the Central Army, such as temporarily detaining Central Army prisoners who couldn't be moved.

This way, before the Central Army reinforcements arrived in Longyin, He Zhengdao could lead the reconnaissance battalion to other areas. The recruited Miao youths could join the logistics units to help transport supplies.

With the Miao warriors managed by Gao Lin, He Zhengdao believed they would be more reliable than the temporarily recruited Central Army prisoners. The leaders seemed to understand the importance of guns for their villages.

After some negotiation, He Zhengdao paid 500 rifles to recruit over 200 Miao youths and the tribes' mules and horses. He also selected another 100 prisoners from the captives and left Longyin overnight.

The surviving Central Army prisoners, seeing the armed guards outside the camp, did not dare to make any rash moves. The bodies of the soldiers shot by the reconnaissance battalion in the camp warned them of the consequences of any disobedience.

After leaving Longyin, He Zhengdao found a safe valley and ordered the troops to rest temporarily. He also dispatched multiple reconnaissance teams to scout the next town, Zheka.

According to the information obtained from the interrogation the previous night, the regiment headquarters of the Central Army battalion stationed in Longyin was in Zheka. The reconnaissance teams reported that the main force of the battalion in Zheka had already moved toward Longyin early in the morning.

The remaining Central Army forces in Zheka were only one battalion. Even the surrounding towns had mobilized one battalion each to encircle and intercept. The reinforcements for Longyin had already exceeded the strength of one regiment.

Seeing this situation, He Zhengdao smiled and said, "It seems the enemy has taken the bait! They must think the force that attacked Longyin last night was our vanguard, and our breakout direction is the border between Yunnan and Guizhou.

"Order all companies to rest and prepare for the attack on Zheka this afternoon. This time, we will use a strong attack. The logistics battalion will also join our attack sequence but will serve as a reserve force. Understand?"

"Yes, Commander!"

With the addition of the newly recruited youths and prisoners, the logistics platoon had become a logistics battalion. The reconnaissance battalion had grown to nearly a thousand men. He believed that such a force appearing in Zheka would also alert Zhou Hunyuan.

After resting for the morning, the reconnaissance battalion quickly launched an attack on Zheka after lunch. Hearing the gunfire outside the town, the Central Army forces in Zheka immediately became panicked.

Seeing nearly a thousand Red Army soldiers in uniform, the Central Army regiment commander in Zheka immediately reported the situation. Upon learning that over a thousand Red Army soldiers had appeared near Zheka, Zhou Hunyuan immediately realized that the Red Army was planning to break out from the Longchang direction.

According to the intelligence they received, the Second Regiment of the Independent Division, advancing toward Qianxi, and the First Regiment, advancing toward Shuicheng, had disappeared from the sight of their spies overnight. In contrast, the Third Regiment of the Independent Division was advancing rapidly toward Zheka.

Zhou Hunyuan believed that the Independent Division's three-pronged advance was more to divert their attention. The actual breakout direction was the Longchang direction, where the forces were thin, and a rapid assault could succeed.

In this situation, Zhou Hunyuan ordered the main force of the 1st Division stationed in Puan to strengthen the defenses of the towns along the Yunnan-Guizhou border. He personally led the main force of the 1st Division from Shuicheng to urgently reinforce the Longchang direction.

Upon receiving the news that Zhou Hunyuan was personally leading the main force from Shuicheng, Wang Tianlin, leading the First Regiment, smiled and said, "It seems the commander's tactics have succeeded! Order the First Regiment to secretly move to the vicinity of Shuicheng and instruct the Second Regiment to speed up."

"Yes, Chief of Staff!"

In fact, in He Zhengdao's plan, the goal of capturing Shuicheng and advancing into Qianxi had never changed. He just didn't want to engage in a direct confrontation with the Central Army, so he needed to mobilize Zhou Hunyuan's forces in Yunnan and Guizhou.

Compared to the other encircling forces, the Independent Division only needed to deal with the three main regiments commanded by Zhou Hunyuan in Yunnan and Guizhou. However, with such a long defensive line, the Independent Division had more than one option for a breakout.