Chapter 87

When the Independent Division successfully captured Shuicheng and the main force was also resting and preparing for battle in Shuicheng, the main force of the Red Army advancing into Yunnan also made a threatening move towards Kunming, putting Long Yun under great pressure and forcing him to mobilize a large number of troops to defend Kunming.

However, what surprised Long Yun was that after the main force of the Red Army circled around Kunming, it began to turn towards Sichuan. From this situation, Long Yun roughly guessed that the Red Army intended to advance into Sichuan.

After all, he knew that the Fourth Red Army was currently fighting against the Sichuan Army in Sichuan. Seeing this, Long Yun also seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. To him, as long as the Red Army did not occupy Yunnan, he did not care where they went.

He originally thought that the Central Army would take the opportunity to advance into Yunnan. But to his surprise, the Red Army Independent Division, which had shelled Guiyang, seemed to have become the target of the Central Army's main forces, and remained in western Guizhou to encircle and suppress the Independent Division.

Although Mao Zedong and others were still worried about whether the Independent Division could successfully break through, they also knew that the main force could not stay in Yunnan for too long. They took the opportunity to advance towards the border between Yunnan and Sichuan.

In response to this situation, Xue Yue, stationed in Guiyang, hoped even more to annihilate the Independent Division as soon as possible. But upon receiving the telegram from Zhou Hunyuan, Xue Yue also realized that the Independent Division was much more difficult to deal with than he had imagined.

When the news of the Independent Division capturing Shuicheng reached headquarters, Mao Zedong, upon receiving the news, happily said, "It seems that the kid has some tricks up his sleeve. I thought they would break through from Longchang!"

Listening to Mao Zedong's words, Zhu De also smiled and said, "With the strength of the Independent Division, breaking through from Longchang shouldn't be a problem. However, it's hard to slip away from under Zhou Hunyuan's nose without paying any price.

From the kid's usual combat style, it's clear that he cares a lot about the casualties of his troops. Now that the main force of the Independent Division has captured Shuicheng, the only real threat left is the one division under Zhou Hunyuan.

Although there are Central Army forces around Shuicheng, apart from the 86th Division and two Guangxi Army divisions following the Independent Division, the current enemy of the Independent Division is only the one division commanded by Zhou Hunyuan.

Now we'll see how the kid deals with Zhou Hunyuan. This battle must be won quickly. We need to move out of Shuicheng before the 86th Division and the division stationed in Puan arrive.

If this battle drags on and the Central Army's main forces catch up, the Independent Division will suffer heavy losses. But it seems that the kid has anticipated this situation and is intentionally playing a trick on Zhou Hunyuan!"

Zhou Enlai, standing nearby and listening to their analysis, timely suggested, "Old Mao, Old General, our main force is now preparing to cross the Jinsha River and enter Sichuan. Should we let the Independent Division join us in Sichuan?"

"Sure! Inform the Independent Division of our upcoming route. As for where they will join us, let them decide. Headquarters should not interfere too much at this time."

Knowing that the situation of the Independent Division was now much safer than before, Mao Zedong also believed that He Zhengdao had the ability to lead the Independent Division out of Guizhou and successfully join the main force.

At this time, He Zhengdao, who was still leading the Third Regiment forward, also knew that without resolving the issue with Zhou Hunyuan, the Independent Division would not be able to leave smoothly. As for the other two forces advancing towards Shuicheng, he did not consider them a significant threat for the time being.

When Xue Yue ordered Zhou Hunyuan to hold onto the Independent Division and engage in a standoff outside Shuicheng, he also arranged for the air force in Guiyang to drop weapons, ammunition, and supplies.

Additionally, Xue Yue ordered the encirclement forces coming from Liupan to stop advancing to Shuicheng and instead quickly join forces with Zhou Hunyuan. Once the two forces joined, Zhou Hunyuan would have more troops at his disposal.

This situation was quickly reported back to the Independent Division's headquarters by the Red Army's reconnaissance unit. Seeing this, Wang Tianlin timely suggested, "Report this situation to the division commander and ask for his opinion!"

Upon receiving the intelligence from Wang Tianlin, He Zhengdao checked the map and immediately ordered, "Send a telegram to the chief of staff, commanding the Second Regiment to dispatch a battalion to harass the reinforcements from Liupan in units of companies.

There's no need to focus on the number of enemy casualties; the goal is to delay their advance and disrupt their supply lines. Without weapons, ammunition, and food, those Guizhou Army divisions will only make Zhou Hunyuan's situation worse.

Also, tell the Third Regiment commander to start dispatching a battalion to harass Zhou Hunyuan's defensive positions. I want Zhou Hunyuan to know that it won't be easy to slip away from under my nose!"

Following He Zhengdao's orders, the Guizhou Army division that had just set out from Liupan felt very helpless. For most of these troops, who were mostly garrison forces, no one liked fighting the Red Army.

The previous Red Army's main force that swept through western Guizhou still made them feel somewhat fearful. Now, even facing a single Red Army division, they still felt somewhat intimidated. Therefore, their advance was not very fast.

Upon receiving Xue Yue's urging telegram, the Guizhou Army division commander helplessly said, "Isn't sending our division over clearly making us cannon fodder for the Central Army? Damn, these Central Army troops really don't treat us Guizhou Army as human beings!"

For such complaints, the chief of staff standing beside him also helplessly said, "Commander, the current situation is not in our favor! Who is in charge of Guizhou now? To maintain our wealth and status, we must follow orders.

However, based on my judgment, the Red Army Independent Division that has occupied Shuicheng will not stay there for long. When the Red Army withdraws, we can take over Shuicheng under the pretext of pursuing them, which will be a great achievement!"

With the Guizhou warlords now almost in name only, these reorganized Guizhou Army commanders also knew that to maintain their wealth and status, they had to follow orders. However, following orders was one thing, and whether to execute them firmly was another.

In this era, many commanders in charge of their regions were more concerned with preserving their own territories. Other matters, many people did not care much about. Fighting the Red Army, which offered no benefits, they were unwilling to do.

If there were benefits to be gained, these people would swarm in. But the current situation was that everyone knew the Red Army Independent Division was not easy to provoke. The outcome of opposing the Independent Division would not be good.

As the Guizhou Army division began to modify its route and advance towards the area where Zhou Hunyuan was deployed, the Guizhou Army units transporting supplies began to suffer, being intercepted and harassed by Red Army units in companies.

Upon learning that the Red Army was pursuing them from behind, the originally slow-moving Guizhou Army division feared being surrounded. Knowing that they would be safe only after joining forces with Zhou Hunyuan, many of them accelerated their advance.

To reach their destination as quickly as possible, the Guizhou Army division commander even ordered, "Order the troops to advance lightly, and rush to support General Zhou as quickly as possible! Once we join forces with General Zhou, we will be completely safe."

However, he did not know that Zhou Hunyuan was also having a tough time. Seeing that the First Regiment did not launch a major offensive, it also dispatched small units to harass Zhou Hunyuan's defensive forces.

When the Third Regiment, commanded by He Zhengdao, also joined the offensive, the battles on both fronts made Zhou Hunyuan feel very helpless. But he knew that most of the Red Army Independent Division's attacks were probing.

Although he wanted to order a counterattack, he was aware that a defeat could lead to the collapse of his entire division. In this situation, holding the defensive position was undoubtedly the wise choice. After all, the losses in a defensive battle were relatively smaller.

Seeing that Zhou Hunyuan did not counterattack, He Zhengdao smiled and said, "It seems he's determined to be a turtle! Ask the reconnaissance battalion where they are now. Also, have the other battalions of the Third Regiment take turns attacking.

Ensure that Zhou Hunyuan's troops do not get any rest. One battalion will harass, while the other two battalions will be ready to support. Be cautious of the Central Army's counterattacks. Another battalion will serve as a reserve force. Also, order the First Regiment to give Zhou Hunyuan a few hard blows!"

"Yes, Commander!"

Understanding that the current situation was very favorable for the Independent Division, and confirming that Zhou Hunyuan was not withdrawing but holding his position outside Shuicheng, He Zhengdao was determined to annihilate Zhou Hunyuan's division outside Shuicheng.

As long as this Central Army division was crippled, the Independent Division's advance into Sichuan would not be threatened by the Central Army. Even if there were future battles, they would only take place within Sichuan.

Upon receiving He Zhengdao's telegram, Wang Tianlin also smiled and said, "Order the artillery battalion to bring the mountain guns to the First Regiment's position for live ammunition training. We have plenty of shells, so make sure they hit their targets accurately."

"Yes, Chief of Staff!"

This time, the Independent Division captured a Central Army mountain artillery battalion in Shuicheng, with a considerable number of shells. Wang Tianlin also knew that it would be difficult to carry these mountain guns on their next move, so using them for live ammunition training was the best option.

After all, the mountain guns and shells were Zhou Hunyuan's, so this could be considered taking from the Central Army and using it against the Central Army!