Chapter 84

Shuicheng, located in the western part of Guizhou bordering Yunnan, is situated in the watershed area between the Wu River and the Beipan River. To the east, it neighbors Liuzhi and Nayong; to the west, it borders Weining and Yunnan's Xuanwei; to the south, it reaches Panxian and Pu'an; and to the north, it adjoins Hezhang.

As a strategic stronghold in western Guizhou, the control of this area by the Guizhou Army has always been of great importance. However, with the main force of the Red Army advancing into western Guizhou and making a brief stay there, the Guizhou Army's presence in the region has significantly diminished.

Previously, Zhou Hengyuan personally led a division to capture this area before the Independent Division. He had barely settled in when he learned that the Independent Division planned to break through the border between Yunnan and Guizhou under his control. Naturally, he hurriedly led his troops to reinforce the area.

For safety, Zhou Hengyuan stationed a regiment in Shuicheng and also incorporated a Guizhou Army garrison regiment. In Zhou Hengyuan's view, even if the Red Army's Independent Division launched a surprise attack, these forces could hold out for at least a day.

At this moment, Wang Tianlin, who had already arrived outside Shuicheng, was well aware of the importance of this battle for the Independent Division. To ensure the successful capture of Shuicheng, Wang Tianlin made detailed pre-battle arrangements.

Now, he had three regiments of combat troops under his command, with ample weapons and ammunition. Even before the battle began, he had secretly sent a battalion into Shuicheng. Once the fighting started, they would serve as the inside force for the attacking troops.

Upon learning that the garrison included an artillery battalion, Wang Tianlin instructed the infiltrated battalion to capture this artillery battalion at the start of the battle. Otherwise, the attacking Red Army troops would suffer unimaginable losses.

As the former battalion commander of the First Red Army Corps and now the chief of staff of the Independent Division, Wang Tianlin was also well aware that if this battle went poorly, he would have a hard time explaining it to He Zhengdao when he returned.

Looking at the three regiment commanders of the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Regiments, Wang Tianlin said seriously, "Comrades, whether we can capture Shuicheng tonight is crucial for our entire division to break through the enemy's encirclement. Therefore, this battle is of utmost importance.

The 1st Regiment's 1st Battalion has already entered Shuicheng and will be responsible for receiving us at the south gate. The 1st Regiment will be responsible for the attack from the south, while the 2nd and 4th Regiments will attack from the east and west gates, respectively.

Remember, the 2nd and 4th Regiments will conduct feint attacks, but your offensive strength must be significant. All the division's mortars will be concentrated for your use. Therefore, I do not want to see too many losses in your regiments after the battle."

"Please rest assured, Chief of Staff, we will complete our mission!"

Although the main attack was assigned to the 1st Regiment, the commanders of the 2nd and 4th Regiments were also clear that once the 1st Regiment entered the city, they could also launch a real attack. At that time, the resistance they would face would be much less.

The only remaining north gate, on the mountain road leading out of the city, was where Yao Shengjun's new regiment had set up an ambush. They were ready to strike a heavy blow as soon as the Central Army forces in the city attempted to break through.

According to He Zhengdao's orders, the Independent Division, in addition to breaking through the encirclement, must also continuously deplete the forces of the encirclement. Over time, the Central Army would gradually realize that their available forces were rapidly decreasing.

As the main force of the Independent Division began to rest and wait for the attack that night, He Zhengdao had already rejoined the two reconnaissance companies he had dispatched. Seeing that these reconnaissance companies had not suffered significant losses, He Zhengdao breathed a sigh of relief.

Looking at the soldiers, who appeared somewhat fatigued but were highly spirited, He Zhengdao said seriously, "Comrades, what we need to do next is to run as fast as possible. Near Zheka, the 3rd Regiment is waiting to join us.

This time, we must get ahead of Zhou Hengyuan and join the main force in Shuicheng. Then, we will have a good battle with him in Shuicheng. I know everyone is tired, but I believe the enemy is even more tired. Let's go!"

With the pre-departure mobilization complete, nearly 400 soldiers of the reconnaissance battalion, carrying some wounded comrades, set off during the night. Not long after the reconnaissance battalion left, two heavily damaged Central Army regiments finally arrived at Longchang.

Seeing the reinforcements carrying a long line of wounded, the Central Army forces that had finally secured Longchang also breathed a sigh of relief. At this time, Zhou Hengyuan had also arrived at Yangmei, which was only half a day's journey from Longchang.

Upon receiving the telegram from the Longchang garrison, Zhou Hengyuan breathed a sigh of relief but still had some doubts. He felt that if the Independent Division really intended to break through at Longchang, they should continue their offensive.

What made him uneasy was that the main force of the Independent Division seemed to have disappeared within western Guizhou. Where had these missing forces of the Independent Division gone?

If the Independent Division chose to break through his defenses, where would they focus their next breakthrough?

These speculations were instantly dispelled when the sound of artillery fire suddenly erupted in Shuicheng in the middle of the night. Zhou Hengyuan immediately realized that he had fallen for the Independent Division's feint. From the beginning, the Independent Division had targeted Shuicheng!

Looking at the staff officer who had woken him up and delivered the telegram, Zhou Hengyuan sighed, "It seems our opponent is very cunning! They used a feint to make our main force run back and forth, while their main force secretly headed for Shuicheng.

By the time we arrive here, they will have already launched an attack on Shuicheng. Even if we rush here overnight, I fear they will have already fled by the time we reach Shuicheng. Damn, the Independent Division is hard to deal with!"

Despite this, Zhou Hengyuan immediately ordered, "Command our forces in Shuicheng to hold out until dawn. Order the nearby reinforcements to rush to Shuicheng overnight and try to contain the Independent Division.

Also, send a telegram to General Xue, ordering the forces stationed in Nayong to rush to Shuicheng as quickly as possible. And order our logistics units to prepare supplies. We will set out at dawn tomorrow to reinforce Shuicheng!"

Although he wanted to order the troops to set out overnight, Zhou Hengyuan knew that after rushing to Longchang, his main division, including himself, was very fatigued. If they rushed overnight, many would likely fall asleep halfway.

In this situation, it was necessary to let the troops rest for the night. Now, all he could do was hope that the nearby reinforcements in Shuicheng could contain the Independent Division and prevent them from breaking through smoothly.

For the Central Army commander currently defending Shuicheng, such a telegram was clearly powerless. Facing strong attacks from both the east and west, the officers responsible for defending the city continuously requested reinforcements from the regimental headquarters.

Just as reinforcements were sent to the east and west walls, the artillery battalion, protected by a company, suddenly came under attack from the Red Army. For a moment, the entire city was filled with gunfire. With only one regiment, how could they cope?

Just as the commander was determined to hold onto the artillery battalion, the forces he had withdrawn from the south gate suffered another heavy blow. When the south gate was opened, he knew the situation was hopeless.

"Order the remaining forces to withdraw from the north gate! If we don't withdraw, we will all die here!"

After the order to retreat was issued, the commander of Shuicheng, under the protection of a company commander and a guard platoon, shamefully fled early. Once he ran, the Guizhou Army garrison troops, who were assisting in the defense, naturally lost their will to resist.

As the east and west gates were opened, the 2nd and 4th Regiments of the Independent Division charged into the city. Wang Tianlin, who was directing the battle outside the city, said excitedly, "Great! This battle was fought beautifully!"

In his excitement, Wang Tianlin still ordered, "Command the 1st Regiment to send forces out of the north gate to continue pursuing the fleeing Central Army. Coordinate with the political commissar outside the city to try to annihilate as many of the fleeing Central Army as possible.

Also, report the victory to the division commander and request the next combat orders. Ask the division commander if he needs forces to support him and the 3rd Regiment. Also, ask where he and the 3rd Regiment are now!"

Wang Tianlin was well aware that the Independent Division's smooth capture of Shuicheng was closely related to He Zhengdao's efforts to distract Zhou Hengyuan's main force. Now that Shuicheng had been successfully captured, he was still very concerned about He Zhengdao's and the 3rd Regiment's safety.

Even though Wang Tianlin knew that the division commander's combat skills and command abilities were superior to his own, and that with a main regiment by his side, He Zhengdao could break through even if he encountered a Central Army division, he was still somewhat worried about He Zhengdao's safety.

In the hearts of the Independent Division's soldiers, He Zhengdao was the key to their confidence in breaking through the encirclement. If anything happened to He Zhengdao, the Independent Division would suffer a fatal blow.

Although He Zhengdao had transferred command to him, Wang Tianlin knew that the current grassroots commanders of the Independent Division, including the regiment and battalion commanders, still respected He Zhengdao more than him, the chief of staff.

He Zhengdao, who was retreating from Longchang overnight, received the victory report from Wang Tianlin and was naturally very pleased. After issuing the subsequent combat orders, he also shared this good news with the reconnaissance battalion.

"Comrades, the main force has captured Shuicheng. We need to speed up and strive to join the main force as soon as possible!"

After this good news was announced, the originally fatigued soldiers suddenly felt their energy restored. The joy of consecutive victories made all the soldiers of the Independent Division feel that they could certainly break through the encirclement and reunite with the main Red Army!