Chapter Twenty: The Official Residence

  Chairman's official residence, rear garden.

  Third sister was walking slowly in front of the flowers and grass, third sister was saying something softly, looking at Yunyan again with a tendency to blush, I almost burst out laughing.

  "Zi an, lai he jie fu liaotian liaotian!"

  Translation: "Son is safe, come and chat with brother-in-law for a while!"

  I turned around and bowed, "Chairman."

  "I've been telling you all along, in private, call him brother-in-law."

  "Yes, brother-in-law."

  "Haha, that's right! A few days ago at the meeting, you mentioned that the enemy army might enter Jin, I wonder what strategy Zi'an has?"

  I have come back to my senses,"The Chairman had long been prepared, why bother with you..."

  "Let your brother-in-law test you then!"

  "Yes. I think the enemy's entry into Shanxi can only be temporary, because their own strength is not great, and they have no foundation in Shanxi, making it difficult for them to stand firm. Even if we don't fight, the enemy will retreat back to Shaanxi before long. This is a disaster for Yan Xishan but an opportunity for the Chairman. Although the enemy's strength has been slightly supplemented, it does not affect the overall situation of the party and the country. As soon as the enemy enters Shanxi, Director Yan will inevitably be flustered and ask for help, deploying troops from southern Shanxi to Taiyuan, creating a double opportunity for the Chairman. From now on, the central government can occupy southern Shanxi forever!"

  "Alright! Brother-in-law, take another guess. Where did this urgent telegram come from?" Old Jiang took out a telegram.

  Taiyuan?

  "Hahaha! Zi An! You're really my good advisor! Take a look yourself!"

  "The enemy in northern Shaanxi launched a surprise attack on our troops at the Yellow River bank between Xinjiang and Sanjiao Town in Shanxi Province on the night of the 20th, forcing our defense units to retreat... A large number of enemy troops took advantage of our unpreparedness and crossed the Yellow River one after another, and have now occupied the areas of Sanjiao, Liuyu, and Yizhi in Shanxi Province, spanning dozens of miles. One part of the enemy army has already completed its encirclement of Shilou City, which is defended by a part of our 71st Division, and is preparing to launch an attack... Haha, next comes the urgent request for withdrawal of the troops attacking in northwestern Shanxi! Brother-in-law, I think they are probably already retreating! This is withdrawing first and then applying!"

  "Haha, Yan Laoxi must be like that! Zi An, predict again how the two sides will move?"

  Map.

  The attendants hastily spread out a map of Shanxi on the stone table in the garden.

  I thought for a moment, "The enemy chose to break through from the central route because there were Jin troops preparing to attack in the north, and the south was too far away, so they took advantage of the emptiness to enter from the middle; Director Yan would have to take the main force from northwest Shanxi to launch an offensive as the northern route, and take a part of the garrison troops from Taiyuan and central Shanxi as the central route, while the southern garrison troops went north as the southern route, gathering three routes to attack the enemy. At the same time, he would also transfer troops from eastern Shanxi and Suiyuan to fill in the defense of the core areas of Taiyuan and central Shanxi."

  "Uh-huh, say it again, Zi'an."

  "Director Yan's plan wasn't bad to begin with, but from Director Yan's past military tactics, I can see that he has always been hesitant between seeking speed and stability, and in the end, he usually prioritizes stability. As the saying goes, 'the greatest harm to an army is hesitation.'

  Firstly, it's possible that Director Yan was flustered and didn't notify the scattered defense troops near the enemy's main force to retreat, or maybe he didn't want to withdraw these troops at all, trying to use them to tie down the enemy and delay their advance. However, this resulted in these isolated units becoming easy prey for the enemy.

  Secondly, Director Yan regretted the consecutive losses of these troops and ordered the arriving reinforcements, possibly the central route reinforcements, as they were the closest, to rush to their rescue. However, due to insufficient strength and unstable footing, this unit was likely defeated or even annihilated by the enemy.

  Thirdly, Director Yan fell into panic again, hastily ordering a full retreat towards Taiyuan, giving the enemy an opportunity to occupy a large amount of territory.

  Fourthly, when the enemy saw that the area around Taiyuan was heavily guarded and couldn't be penetrated, they would definitely use part of their forces to launch a feint attack to tie down our troops, while their main force would sweep through the rich areas west and south of Taiyuan, plundering supplies and manpower before withdrawing back to Shaanxi.

  I've done my best, but this is also an old problem of Old Chiang's. I hope that by speaking out a few times, he can gain some insight."

  "Hmm, little brother's long-term plan! If it develops like this, Yan Baichuan will definitely ask the Central Plains for help at the third step. This is a good opportunity for the Central Plains to take advantage of and enter Jinan!"

  "Brother-in-law is brilliant!" Alas, Old Chiang is still politically strong but militarily weak! He immediately figured out the time and place of the invasion of Shanxi! But as for the crucial military command aspect, I don't know if he learned a thing or two from it, I'm just quoting what Yan Xishan said about him!

  Unexpectedly, before waiting for the old general to ask about military affairs, he said: "Recently, Brother-in-law has been paying more attention to the matters of Chuanzhong. Can Zian go to the Shifu room and take a look at the northwest? Also, can you come up with some ideas for Brother-in-law?"

  "Many talented people have emerged from the attendants' quarters, and they are still coming out..."

  "Son, no need to be humble! I think you're fully qualified!"

  "Alright then, I'll go learn from him."

  "And also about that cavalry matter, Zian can participate more; in a few days I'll go out for inspection, how about Zian coming with me?"

  "It's an honor."

  See off Old Jiang, San Jie walked over with a red face and Yunyan, no need to say, San Jie has great potential as a matchmaker! Indeed!

  "Zi'an, this engagement is settled, what are you two preparing for your wedding? Sisters should also prepare and make arrangements!"

  Look at Yunyan not speaking, I quickly shifted: "Of course, listen to Yunyan."

  "Then let younger brother and sister choose a good day!"

  The usually heroic Yun Yan surprisingly had a soft voice like a mosquito, "Since childhood... everything relied on older cousin..."

  Luckily, San Jie was by her ear and she managed to hear clearly, "Zi An, where is Yun Yan's cousin now? When will she arrive?"

  "Orchid sister should be doing field exploration near Hengyang, and had sent a letter to inform them a few days ago."

  "Alright then, I won't rush you, let's just wait for news!"

  Third Sister San was invited away by someone, I pulled Yunyan's hand and said, "Yan, where shall we go for a stroll?"

  "It's quite nice here, not many people, let's keep walking!"

  Here? This is the backyard of the official residence! Isn't this too arrogant?

  Sure, here is the translation:

  As expected, after just half a lap we were invited into the little black house. Of course it wasn't a prison cell, but rather the attendant's military affairs room.

  Yunyan looked at me and saw that I was busy, "I won't go in then, I'll go see the mistress instead."

  "Beware of mistakenly entering the White Tiger Hall!"

  "Miss Yunyan is already among them!"

  The voice was familiar, and when he turned around, it was Yu Dawei smiling and speaking.

  "Hahaahaha!"

  Yu Shu-chang came to discuss cavalry equipment, and Tzu-an happened to be there too." Lin Yu-hsiao also said with a smile.

  "Zi An, younger brother, this is our first draft of the cavalry army organization, please take a look..."

  "First Cavalry Army?" I almost burst out laughing, but thinking about it, that's right, there is no cavalry army number now, and the one being formed now is indeed the first!

  The First Cavalry Army, under the jurisdiction of the 5th, 7th, 11th and 12th Cavalry Divisions and directly affiliated units. The 5th and 12th Cavalry Divisions were formed around the core of the 1st and 2nd Cavalry Brigades of the 5th Cavalry Division, the 7th Cavalry Division was reorganized from the original Central Army's cavalry troops, and the three regiments of the 11th Cavalry Division were formed around the core of one unit each from the 35th Division and the 7th Cavalry Division, one unit from the 100th Division, and one unit from the new 7th Division.

  Historical fact: Ma Bufang returned from Mecca pilgrimage and was framed by Ma Buqing, but due to the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, this unit was not completely occupied by Ma Buqing. During the middle period of the Anti-Japanese War, when the Central Government ordered Ma Buqing to send troops to Xinjiang to undertake national defense missions, Ma Buqing sent this unit to Xinjiang to take on the heavy responsibility of defending the border. After the end of the Anti-Japanese War, it was reorganized into the 1st Cavalry Division, with jurisdiction over the 6th and 7th Cavalry Brigades, consisting of five cavalry regiments. In 1949, it participated in the Xinjiang Uprising led by General Tao Zhiyue.

  (Note: At that time, there were only 10 cavalry divisions, numbered from 1 to 10. The actual Cavalry 11th and 12th Divisions did not exist until the start of the Anti-Japanese War, when they were formed by Xinjiang warlord Sheng Shicai's forces.)

  Each division controls 3 cavalry regiments, directly under its command are guard, reconnaissance and logistics detachments.

  Plan A: Each cavalry regiment directly governs 5 cavalry companies and 1 cavalry small artillery platoon, with each company having 160 men/horses; Plan B: Each cavalry regiment governs 4 cavalry companies and 1 cavalry machine gun company, with each company having 160 men/horses.

  The directly affiliated troops consist of **cavalry regiments, guard battalions, cavalry artillery battalions and long-range reconnaissance detachments, cavalry teaching detachments; There are also communication, engineering, and logistics units outside.

  Apart from cavalry sabers, the equipment of weapons is 30% Mauser rifles, a small number of rifles, 50% twenty-rounds, 20% submachine guns, all machine guns are Czech-style light machine guns, and the artillery belonging to the regiment is all 60mm recoilless guns for cavalry use. The division's artillery consists of 82mm recoilless guns and German-made 20mm anti-aircraft guns.

  。。。

  "Zi An's younger brother, in fact, there is another case, which is to mix the four divisions completely. However, considering that several Ma troops are not harmonious with each other, and many Central Army cadres have been incorporated into the remaining three divisions, the problem should not be big."

  "Right, there shouldn't be a big problem. I think Mr. Weiwen's draft is fine."

  "So, young brother, what advice do you have for training?"

  "My younger brother has some immature views, and I also ask Mr. Weiwen to point them out! The northwest people are indeed brave, but they lack modern warfare experience. They fear the sound of cannons, tanks, and airplanes, which is unavoidable. Can we train artillery and air force troops at the same time?"

  "Little brother is absolutely right! I will arrange it."

  "Secondly, there are the hand grenades and anti-tank grenades not mentioned in your draft, which cavalry may need with different detonation times for a special cavalry type, these cavalry also need specialized targeted training."

  "Cavalrymen using hand grenades require a fairly high level of throwing skill, otherwise it is easy to injure oneself or comrades."

  "Not bad, but my main idea is not to use it in cavalry-to-cavalry combat, but as an explosive when our cavalry attacks other enemy targets. After all, the main role of this cavalry unit is to attack the enemy army rather than engaging in head-on combat with enemy cavalry."

  "Thanks for your advice, younger brother."

  "Director Yu, actually I think that the fuse time for our army's hand grenades and hand-held explosive devices is too long now. In wartime, soldiers who lack training may be at a disadvantage when using them."

  "It's easy to shorten the fuse time, but the military is used to it and changing it might be scary?"

  "It's fine, better not change it."

  It seems I still lack experience! I thought to myself, it's a big taboo that theory can't be linked with reality.

  "Then don't change it! Finally, this brigade is likely to act alone as a cavalry regiment unit, although the time may not be long, but therefore need to give the cavalry regiment configuration supply and targeted training."

  "I've been prepared for this."

  "What's new on the Shanxi side?"

  "Yan Laowai is mobilizing troops, and the enemy is also completing their crossing of the river. There won't be any major actions in the next few days; except for Shilou, of course."

  "Since nothing's wrong, I'll take my leave first. Hopefully, I won't accidentally barge into the White Tiger Hall! Hahaha!"