Chapter 94

When the main force of the Red Army successfully crossed the Jinsha River and smoothly captured Huili City for a rest, the Independent Division, which had been resting in Zhaotong for three days, almost unimpeded, successfully entered Sichuan Province.

In the face of the entry of these two Red Army forces, the Sichuan Army stationed in Liangshan also appeared very nervous. However, they were even more aware that it was almost impossible to stop the Independent Division from joining the First Red Army that had entered Huili.

What the Sichuan Army did not expect was that the Independent Division, upon entering Liangshan, did not move towards Huili as they had anticipated. Instead, it seemed to take on the role of the vanguard of the Red Army, with its troops directly aiming at Zhaojue County.

To ensure the safety of the main force entering Sichuan, He Zhengdao personally called the headquarters and took on the task of serving as the vanguard. As for the logistics unit led by Yao Sheng, it remained on the route of the main force's advance.

Upon learning that the 25,000-strong Independent Division had successfully broken through the enemy's encirclement, He Zhengdao was also praised by many Red Army leaders at the expanded meeting held in Huili.

During the campaign in Yunnan, because the Independent Division had attracted the main forces of the encirclement, the Red Army gained ample time for rest and recuperation, and its strength was restored to nearly 30,000. Together with the 25,000 men of the Independent Division, the total strength was over 50,000.

In light of this situation, many Red Army commanders believed that they might be able to re-establish a base area in Sichuan. As long as they joined the Fourth Red Army, the Sichuan Army under Liu Xiang would hardly be able to resist their offensive.

However, at the meeting, the proposal to establish a base area in Sichuan, Yunnan, and Guizhou still received recognition from many committee members. After all, after a series of battles, many people preferred to fight rather than retreat.

Facing this situation, Mao Zedong said seriously and solemnly, "Comrades, I know that our current strength, combined with the Fourth Red Army, exceeds 100,000, which is comparable to the Sichuan Army. However, have we forgotten that there are still over 100,000 Central Army and Guangxi Army troops in Guizhou? If we establish a base area in Sichuan, besides Liu Xiang's fierce resistance, these encirclement forces will surely continue to pursue us.

Moreover, we have already declared our intention to march north to fight the Japanese. If we stay in Sichuan, how will the people view our Red Army? Although Sichuan is rich in resources, it is actually full of enemies.

If we stay, I believe Chiang Kai-shek will have even more justification to attack us, and even the Northwest Army will be mobilized to participate in the encirclement. In such a situation, how long can our current forces hold out?"

After explaining his views to the committee members, Mao Zedong felt that He Zhengdao's thoughts on establishing a base area in the north were very close to his own. However, it would take some time before they could meet again!

As the meeting reached a stalemate, Zhou Enlai finally presented a telegram: "According to our intelligence, two main divisions of the Hunan Army have already entered Sichuan to assist Liu Xiang in blocking the Fourth Red Army. The Yunnan Army has also dispatched three main divisions, which will soon enter Sichuan to pursue us. Additionally, the two main divisions of the Central Army and Guangxi Army in Guizhou are also ready to advance into Sichuan at any time.

This means that the encirclement forces pursuing us will soon reach nearly 200,000. A four-to-one ratio! Comrades, if they really catch up, the situation for our main force will still be very worrying!"

Zhu De, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up: "I believe everyone is well aware that although we have left the pursuing enemies behind, the distance between us and them is not too far.

To determine our future direction, we have already wasted three precious days here. Xiao He from the Independent Division has also called to ask why the main force has not continued to advance.

According to the Independent Division's reconnaissance, Liu Wen's Sichuan Army has already gathered two divisions in the Ya'an direction and set up a blocking line in front of us. If we delay any further, we will all be trapped in Liangshan.

Moreover, Xiao He's suggestion aligns with Comrade Mao's opinion, which is to fulfill our promise to the people and implement the strategy of marching north to fight the Japanese. Enter the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia region and re-establish a stable base area."

This Zhu De, who also held a high position in the Red Army, after making this statement, the committee members who were against continuing northward seemed to realize that it was not yet time for them to relax.

Moreover, the Independent Division now had more influence in the Red Army. Even though he was just a division commander, his suggestions could not be ignored by the headquarters leaders. After all, Zhu De had made it very clear!

With the end of the Huili meeting, the Red Army still adhered to the previous strategic plan and advanced into the northwest from Sichuan. The First Red Army, which had set out again, successfully joined forces with the logistics unit led by Yao Sheng in Puge.

Seeing the Independent Division soldiers who had prepared meals and were waiting for the main force, many Red Army soldiers were very happy. However, among these troops, there were not many of the original Independent Division's core members.

When Mao Zedong and others saw Yao Sheng, who had been waiting for nearly two days, they also smiled and said, "Comrade Sheng, you have worked hard! Your Independent Division has done a great job for the main force!"

"Comrade Mao, Comrade Zhu, this is what we should do! I have arranged for the logistics unit to prepare meals and clean clothes. The meals are sufficient, but we only have enough uniforms and shoes for about 25,000 people."

Compared to the First Red Army, many soldiers were dressed in civilian clothes. The Independent Division's logistics unit that had advanced into Puge earlier was all in new uniforms, and their appearance was much better than the main force that had been in combat for a long time.

As the logistics chief, Zhou Enlai, upon hearing that the Independent Division had prepared 25,000 sets of uniforms and shoes, also said happily, "You, as the steward of the Independent Division, have done better than me! It seems you have had a good life on this journey!"

In response to such praise, Yao Sheng said somewhat embarrassedly, "Vice Chairman Zhou, to gather these supplies, we used all the silver dollars we seized to buy cloth and ask the locals to make straw shoes.

Apart from the gold we seized, which we have saved, we are handing over 1,300 ounces of gold and only a few hundred thousand silver dollars to the headquarters. In addition to the weapons and ammunition and food taken by the main force, we are also handing over a batch of weapons and ammunition and food."

As Yao Sheng spoke, he handed a list of supplies to Zhou Enlai. Looking at the long list, Zhou Enlai was very surprised and said, "How did you manage to seize so many supplies on this journey?"

"These supplies include both seized and purchased items. Even many herbs were exchanged with the ethnic minority tribes by the division commander. He said these things would be more helpful for our future campaigns."

Although Zhou Enlai was already accustomed to receiving large amounts of supplies each time the Independent Division joined up, the supplies handed over to the headquarters this time still left him amazed.

In his view, the Independent Division, which had broken through the encirclement with 25,000 people, had done a great job in preserving its strength. However, it now seemed that the Independent Division also had exceptional skills in gathering supplies!

Knowing that this conversation would take some time, Zhu De still smiled and said, "Enlai, let's go inside first. We can eat and talk at the same time! With these supplies, we won't have to worry about shortages for a while!"

As the three entered the temporary residence that had been prepared in advance, looking at the food being placed on the table, Mao Zedong frowned slightly and said, "Comrade Sheng, what's this? Why have you prepared such a lavish meal for us?"

Knowing why Mao Zedong was frowning, Yao Sheng quickly explained, "Comrade Mao, after we entered Puge, we purchased a lot of livestock from the nearby area. To welcome the main force, I had the kitchen staff prepare stewed meat in advance.

Although the rabbits and mountain chickens on the table were purchased from local hunters, the meals we prepared for the other soldiers are braised pork with potatoes. The beef is from the cans we seized previously."

Looking at Yao Sheng, who was explaining with a somewhat nervous expression, Zhu De smiled and said, "Alright, Comrade Mao! This is Comrade Sheng's heartfelt gesture. We haven't tasted meat for a long time, so let's have a feast today!

Comrade Sheng, do the other troops entering Puge have meat today? Will the other committee members eat differently from us? Don't give us special treatment!"

"Commander-in-Chief, I have prepared braised pork with potatoes and stir-fried cabbage with meat for everyone. The other corps commanders and committee members have the same standard as you. Each person gets one can of beef."

Hearing this explanation, Mao Zedong's expression eased slightly, but he still couldn't help but comment, "It seems your Independent Division has better living conditions than our main force. No wonder your soldiers look so spirited!"

"This is what the division commander requires! As long as conditions permit, the Independent Division can have a meat meal every two to three days, and three meals a day are sufficient. This standard of meals has made many newly captured soldiers willing to follow us wholeheartedly."

To entertain the main force soldiers, Yao Sheng indeed made a lot of preparations. As He Zhengdao put it, this was also a strategy to win the hearts of the people, making them remember the Independent Division's kindness!

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