Chapter 96

Xichang, located in the heart of the Anning River Plain on the western Sichuan Plateau, is the political, economic, cultural, and transportation center of the Panxi region. It is an important city at the junction of Sichuan and Yunnan, and also a significant military stronghold for the Sichuan Army.

After successfully capturing Zhaojue, the Independent Division made a brief rest in Zhaojue. The main force of the First Regiment then advanced to the Xide area of Xichang, successfully isolating the Sichuan Army defending Xichang from the Sichuan Army stationed in Ya'an.

The main forces of the other three regiments, led by He Zhengdao, surrounded Xichang with little resistance. Facing the Red Army Independent Division that had completely surrounded Xichang, the Sichuan Army's defensive brigade felt a chill run down their spines.

Seeing the Red Army gathered outside the city, the Sichuan Army responsible for defending Xichang appeared somewhat nervous. After forming the encirclement, He Zhengdao did not rush to attack but continuously dispatched troops to conduct feigned attacks to test the city's defenses.

After a night's rest, the Sichuan Army on the city walls saw several Red Army officers walk to the foot of the wall and shout: "Listen up, people inside the city, you are already surrounded by our Red Army. You have the choice to fight or surrender."

"Do not count on reinforcements; your retreat has been cut off. To avoid casualties, we advise you to lay down your weapons and surrender. If you surrender, we will give you a chance to live."

Such shouts, mixed with threats, made the defending troops even more anxious. The Sichuan Army brigade commander in charge of Xichang looked at his regiment commanders and said, "With our current forces, how long can we hold out?"

In response to this question, one of the regiment commanders quickly said, "Commander, although we have ample food reserves and sufficient weapons and ammunition, our manpower is likely less than the attacking Red Army. The most important thing now is whether we will receive reinforcements. What does the military command say? Will they send reinforcements to support us in fighting the Red Army? Without reinforcements, we may not hold out for long."

Seeing the expectant faces of the regiment commanders, the brigade commander said somewhat helplessly, "I have already requested reinforcements from the military command, and the commander has ordered us to hold our ground. As for reinforcements, I doubt there will be any. Compared to Xichang, the commander is more concerned about the safety of Ya'an."

Although this area is also under the control of the Sichuan Army, the current troops stationed in Xichang are Liu Wenhui's forces, who were driven here by Liu Xiang. At this time, Xichang actually falls under the defense zone of the Sichuan border region.

For Liu Wenhui, the Red Army's main force, along with the Independent Division, totaling over 50,000 troops, far exceeds the number of his own forces. In response to the Xichang defenders' request for help, Liu Wenhui dared not send troops lightly.

The reason is simple: compared to the importance of Xichang, he considers Ya'an even more important. Additionally, under Chiang Kai-shek's strict orders, he does not want to give Chiang an excuse, so he can only concentrate his main forces near Ya'an to build a defensive line.

Hearing that there would be no reinforcements and they still had to hold their ground, the regiment commanders found it hard to believe and said, "Hold our ground? How can we hold our ground? It seems we are being abandoned! If the Red Army really breaks into the city, we will not have a good end."

"What do you mean by that?"

As the brigade commander, involving such life-and-death decisions, he did not dare to make a decision lightly. However, he was very clear that a direct confrontation with the Red Army would not end well.

Even with ample supplies in the city, without reinforcements, they could not hold out for long. Rather than die in battle, they hoped to save their lives. Who wants to die when they can live?

"Commander, I don't think the Red Army wants to fight us head-on. My suggestion is to send someone out to negotiate with the Red Army. At the very least, we should get the Red Army to agree to let us live after we lay down our weapons."

Since they knew that a direct confrontation would not end well, survival became their greatest hope. At least in the eyes of these Sichuan Army troops, they had no deep enmity with the Red Army and did not expect to be treated harshly.

"Chief of Staff, why don't you represent our brigade and go out to negotiate with the Red Army's commander? See if they can give us a chance to live. If the Red Army is too unreasonable, we will have to fight them to the end."

The Sichuan Army chief of staff, who suggested the negotiation, did not expect the regiment commanders to choose him to represent them in the negotiations. Who knows what the Red Army would do to him once he left the city?

Although they had never dealt with the Red Army before, they had heard that the Red Army was always ruthless towards officers like them. If they were captured and executed, wouldn't that be a tragic end?

But seeing that everyone agreed to let him go, the chief of staff regretted speaking up. In the end, he could only grit his teeth and say, "Alright, I'll go out and talk to the Red Army."

While the Sichuan Army commanders were discussing whether to fight or negotiate, the Red Army officers outside the city, including Wang Tianlin and the three regiment commanders, were somewhat impatient. "Commander, let's attack! If we don't show these Sichuan Army troops some force, they might think we are afraid to fight!"

"Be patient! If we can resolve this through negotiations, there's no need to resort to violence. Compared to Liu Xiang's Sichuan Army, these troops only follow Liu Wenhui. Now, Liu Wenhui's main forces dare not come to their aid. Without reinforcements, what do you think they can do? If we force them to fight, our attacking forces will not have an easy time. We cannot let our soldiers die in vain, understand?"

"But how long will this drag on?"

The Independent Division's soldiers, after a night's rest, seemed eager for battle. However, as the division commander, He Zhengdao believed that the possibility of persuading the city's defenders to surrender was still high. If fewer people could die, why force an attack?

After some thought, he said, "Second Regiment Commander, bring your mortar company up to increase the pressure on them. Hurry them up!"

"Yes, Commander!"

Upon receiving the order, Second Regiment Commander Xu Renyi was very willing to carry it out. Just as the Second Regiment was setting up the mortars to prepare for an attack, they saw a white flag raised on the city wall.

A soldier shouted, "Red Army brothers downstairs, don't fire yet! Our chief of staff wants to negotiate with you. He will come out soon, don't fire!"

Seeing the white flag and hearing the shout, Xu Renyi said somewhat helplessly, "These guys, how did they give in so quickly?"

Although he felt a bit disappointed, as a regiment commander, Xu Renyi also agreed with He Zhengdao's reasoning. If they could take Xichang peacefully, why force an attack? War and city attacks always result in casualties.

As the Second Regiment paused the mortar attack, the previously sealed city gate was quickly opened. Under the protection of a Sichuan Army company, the chief of staff of the Xichang defensive brigade appeared at the city gate.

Seeing Xu Renyi walking towards him, the chief of staff said politely, "I am Huang Yuren, the chief of staff of the Xichang defensive brigade. May I ask who you are?"

"I am Xu Renyi, the commander of the Second Regiment of the Independent Division of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army! Alright, my division commander wants to see you. Follow me! Everyone else, stay here and don't move. Rest assured, we in the Red Army also know the principle of not harming envoys in battle."

Xu Renyi, who said this, led the somewhat nervous chief of staff to the temporary command post where He Zhengdao was. Seeing that the division commander was so young, Huang Yuren was quite surprised.

However, he said respectfully, "Commander He, hello! I am Huang Yuren, the chief of staff of the Xichang defensive brigade. Following the orders of our brigade commander, I want to negotiate with your army. I hope Commander He will be lenient!"

He Zhengdao, satisfied with the chief of staff's respect, said, "Chief of Staff Huang, it seems you have made a wise decision. My regiment commanders were preparing to launch an attack. Since you want to negotiate, let's hear your terms. If they are reasonable, I can agree. But unreasonable terms, I cannot easily concede. Surrendering and laying down your weapons is the basis for negotiation."

"Of course! But our brigade commander wants to know how your army plans to treat us. I believe Commander He knows that we are following orders. We have never fought your army before, so I hope Commander He will give us a chance to live."

The Red Army officers involved in the negotiations, including Wang Tianlin, felt some disdain for the fear of death among these Sichuan Army commanders. But they also hoped that such enemies would become better.

Hearing Huang Yuren's words, He Zhengdao frowned slightly and said, "In principle, if you surrender and avoid a battle, you have done a good deed. Giving you a chance to live is not unreasonable. However, you should know our policy. If your troops have harmed the Red Army, I may not be able to give you a chance to live. Do you understand, Chief of Staff Huang?"

"I understand, I understand! Please rest assured, Commander He, we have never fought the Red Army. Apart from collecting taxes, we mainly fight bandits and have not done anything that would harm the people."

In fact, Huang Yuren, who said this, felt somewhat guilty. Although he himself had not caused widespread resentment, he had embezzled military funds and accepted bribes. He wondered if these matters would be investigated.