Chapter 85

Upon learning that the main force of the Independent Division had taken control of Shuicheng at night, Xue Yue, who was far away in Guiyang directing the encirclement and suppression, was also very surprised. In his view, if the Independent Division had moved more quickly, they could have broken through from the Longchang direction.

However, Xue Yue and Zhou Hunyuan could never have guessed that the reason He Zhengdao did not want to lead the Independent Division to break through from Longchang was because he knew that Zhou Hunyuan's troops could quickly redeploy. The logistics units of the Independent Division, on the other hand, could not move as quickly.

If the Central Army under Zhou Hunyuan's command managed to catch up, the Independent Division would likely have to cut its losses to save itself. This would result in heavy losses for the logistics units and the abandonment of a large amount of supplies within Guizhou.

Given this situation, He Zhengdao believed that taking control of Shuicheng was more advantageous for the Independent Division. He even saw this as an opportunity to transform the Independent Division, which was composed of many captured soldiers, into a true main force of the Red Army.

Wang Tianlin, who successfully took control of Shuicheng, quickly ordered the troops to take over the city. He then dispatched the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Regiments to strategic locations around Shuicheng to build defensive fortifications, awaiting the return of the 3rd Regiment and He Zhengdao.

Regarding the defense of Shuicheng, Wang Tianlin believed that the new regiment and the logistics units were sufficient to ensure its safety. At this moment, He Zhengdao, after joining up with the 3rd Infantry Regiment, also accelerated his advance toward Shuicheng.

Compared to the reconnaissance battalion, which had hardly rested and had been marching for a day and a night, the soldiers of the 3rd Regiment appeared very spirited. During this period, they had also undergone corresponding marching training according to He Zhengdao's instructions.

For many new soldiers who had recently joined the 3rd Regiment, they truly understood the meaning of the Red Army's "iron feet." Such a long march would have been impossible for them in their previous Nationalist Army units.

Upon arriving at Jingkou, He Zhengdao quickly received intelligence from the radio surveillance provided by Sun Shicheng. Looking at Zhou Hunyuan's three-pronged encirclement plan, He Zhengdao understood that the Independent Division truly needed to deal with the Central Army under Zhou Hunyuan's command.

Compared to the encirclement forces coming from Liupan and Nayong, the main force of the 1st Division under Zhou Hunyuan's command was the real hard nut to crack. The other trailing Central Army units would still need some time to reach Shuicheng.

Thinking about this, He Zhengdao said to the communicator, "Go and call Li Xiangdong!"

Compared to other soldiers who were already fast asleep, even though He Zhengdao had not slept for two days and a night, he needed to make corresponding decisions based on the current enemy situation before he could rest.

When Li Xiangdong, who had just fallen asleep, walked into the command post looking somewhat tired, He Zhengdao said apologetically, "Xiangdong, did I disturb your sleep? You've been working hard recently."

"Commander, what are you saying! Our reconnaissance battalion has been working hard, but you haven't slept for more than two days. Is there a mission?"

Although Li Xiangdong was much older than He Zhengdao, after this battle, he genuinely admired his commander. He also felt that fighting under He Zhengdao was very satisfying.

Seeing that Li Xiangdong realized there was a mission, He Zhengdao nodded and said, "Yes! Although the main force has successfully taken control of Shuicheng, the current situation is still not optimistic. Therefore, we need to fight a few more battles.

I have a mission for your reconnaissance battalion. At dawn tomorrow, you will lead the reconnaissance battalion along this route to rush to the area between Tongchang and Shuicheng to conduct sabotage and harassment, disrupting the enemy's supply lines.

According to the information provided by the chief of staff, when Zhou Hunyuan left Shuicheng, he left a large amount of supplies there. Now that we have taken them all, he must resupply from the rear.

The mission for your reconnaissance battalion is simple: I don't require you to kill many enemies, but I hope that from the moment you arrive, not a single grain of food reaches the front lines. I want to starve out the main force under Zhou Hunyuan."

Knowing that the 3rd Regiment's current position was closer to Shuicheng than Zhou Hunyuan's, even though He Zhengdao believed that the 1st Regiment could resist the main force's attack, he did not want to see the 1st Regiment suffer heavy casualties.

Therefore, cutting off the main force's supply lines was undoubtedly the best way to weaken their strength. Compared to other infantry units coming to aid, He Zhengdao's current position at Jingkou was closer to Zhou Hunyuan's main force.

If Zhou Hunyuan did not retreat, He Zhengdao would launch a pincer attack, annihilating the division under Zhou Hunyuan's command. Once this division was defeated, the Independent Division would have no more enemies on the way to the Yunnan-Sichuan border.

After He Zhengdao's explanation, Li Xiangdong responded enthusiastically, "I will ensure the mission is completed!"

"Good, go and rest first! Before you leave tomorrow, remember to go to the logistics department to replenish supplies and ammunition. Also, I will work hard tonight to prepare some large explosives for you. They will be useful for blasting and clearing obstacles."

Hearing this, Li Xiangdong clearly understood what the "large explosives" were and immediately smiled, "Thank you, Commander!"

"Alright, nothing else! Go back and rest! I will have someone call you before you leave tomorrow!"

"Yes, Commander!"

After issuing the orders, even though He Zhengdao felt somewhat tired, he still went to the logistics battalion of the 3rd Regiment. He asked the logistics officer to bring him a large number of bombs and pocket watches.

In addition to making some powerful explosive packages, He Zhengdao also used fuses to create timed and pull-activated bombs. With these, the reconnaissance battalion could collapse rocks in strategic locations.

This would make it difficult for the Central Army's logistics units to deliver supplies to Zhou Hunyuan. Although this would affect the passage of merchants and civilians, this was war, and there was no other choice.

After explaining the use of the explosive packages and bombs to the duty soldiers and instructing them to hand them over to the reconnaissance battalion the next day, He Zhengdao returned to his quarters to rest. As the commander, He Zhengdao felt both tired and satisfied.

From the current situation, although the route of the Red Army's Long March had not changed much, He Zhengdao knew that the main force of the Red Army still retained a lot of strength. He hoped that by the time they met with the Fourth Front Army, some issues would improve.

The next morning, after a night's rest, Li Xiangdong woke up the soldiers of the reconnaissance battalion. After a night's rest, the soldiers of the reconnaissance battalion felt much better. Moreover, they had a hearty meal before resting the previous night.

After gathering the company and platoon leaders, Li Xiangdong announced the combat orders and said, "The 1st Company will follow me to collect ammunition. The other companies will organize their troops to eat breakfast. After a good breakfast, we will set out immediately."

"Yes, Battalion Commander!"

Compared to other soldiers who were still resting, the cooks of the 3rd Regiment had already risen in the dark to prepare breakfast for the reconnaissance battalion. They knew that the reconnaissance battalion would be on the move after breakfast, so they prepared a very substantial meal.

Many soldiers of the reconnaissance battalion, seeing the freshly baked meat buns, smiled and said, "Wow, we're having meat again today!"

In response to the soldiers' excitement, the cooks also smiled and said, "Yes! The Commander specifically instructed us to make meat buns for you. There will be plenty of meat buns today, so eat your fill, brothers! It will help you on the march!"

Following He Zhengdao, the soldiers of the Independent Division discovered that he never neglected their meals. Whenever they arrived at a new place, He Zhengdao would send logistics personnel to prepare meat for the soldiers.

This rich diet made many captured soldiers feel that although the daily marches were tiring, meal times were the happiest moments for them. Having meat every few days was something they had never even dared to dream of before.

As the soldiers of the reconnaissance battalion began to enjoy their breakfast with the delicious meat buns, Li Xiangdong went to the logistics battalion of the 3rd Regiment. Seeing the piled-up explosive packages and bombs, after the transfer personnel explained their use, he also understood their benefits.

Thinking about how these things were prepared by He Zhengdao, Li Xiangdong could not help but ask, "Chen Lian, when did the Commander sleep?"

"Very late! We helped him a bit, but he made all these things himself. He said that making more explosive packages and bombs would reduce the risks for you."

In the hearts of the old soldiers of the Independent Division, He Zhengdao was undoubtedly a person who cared deeply for the lives of his soldiers. For their officers, He Zhengdao had even stricter requirements. Besides winning battles, the number of casualties was also a major concern for him.

As He Zhengdao often said, if enemies could be eliminated with bullets, don't use bayonets. If enemies could be eliminated with artillery shells, don't use bullets. He Zhengdao was undoubtedly more proficient in making these things than other soldiers.

Knowing that He Zhengdao had instructed the reconnaissance battalion to set out without needing to ask for permission, Li Xiangdong understood that this was a sign of trust in the reconnaissance battalion. As the vanguard of the Independent Division, they had to live up to this trust.

After the reconnaissance battalion set out, He Zhengdao, who had rested for less than three hours, also came out of his room. Seeing He Zhengdao up, the guard promptly reported some news.

After listening, He Zhengdao quickly said, "Tell Colonel Jiang to continue advancing according to our route after breakfast. Also, prepare more mules and horses for the logistics battalion. Unnecessary supplies should be given to the civilians to lighten the load."

With the supplies seized in Shuicheng, the 3rd Regiment's carried supplies, in He Zhengdao's view, were better given to the civilians. This would not only earn the Red Army a good reputation but also reduce the burden on the 3rd Regiment's march!