Chapter Seven: Seizing the Stronghold

  Chen Haisong watched as the soldiers at the doors of the houses on both sides entered the rooms one after another, without making much noise, and then walked towards the horse enclosure at the back of the camp with a relaxed face.

  In the distance, a bonfire was burning on the empty ground, and twelve bandits were either sitting or lying down around the fire, dozing off.

  Not far away, in a horse shed, many Red Army soldiers with their hands tied behind them sat on straw, huddled together for warmth.

  He crept up quietly to a bandit who was dozing off on a felt mat, and the other party didn't react at all. The others were also completely unaware of the arrival of the god of death. It seems that you have done too many bad things today, so let me send you on your way!

  The security knife reappeared in Jianghu, and the "puff" sound rose. Eleven bandits didn't even hum a tune before they went to meet Allah.

  His indifferent gaze swept to the twelfth bandit lying on the sheepskin mat, and with a casual flick of his wrist, he threw out the security knife. The seven-inch-long small knife drew a beautiful arc under the bonfire's reflection, accurately stabbing into the temple, leaving only the knife handle slightly trembling.

  It's possible that, just as Wang Dajun said, Chen Haisheng, the political commissar, and Xu Shiyou, the army commander, had both learned Shaolin Kung Fu. Their physical quality, explosive power, reaction ability, and coordination all seemed to have undergone formal training.

  I can do all the actions I want to do very well, and my strength and speed are not bad either. It's a pity that such a good body was sacrificed in the civil war, I will definitely use your body to win you the greatest honor."

  "Director Chen, Director Chen, is that you?" The deliberately lowered voice from afar pulled Chen Haisong back from his reverie.

  He followed the sound and saw that the Red Army soldiers in the stable had all stood up at some point, looking at him eagerly.

  He hastily walked over, "I am Chen Haisong, ordered to come to Linze to rescue you. At Guzhai, Huang Zhengwei and Zheng were blocked by the militia, after eliminating the militia, Linze had already fallen, heard that you were detained here, so I brought the troops to rush over, fortunately succeeded."

  He saluted the crowd and said, "Comrades have suffered, welcome home." The crowd was moved to tears, some even burst into sobs.

  Chen Haisong hastily pulled out another security knife to untie everyone, inviting them to warm up by the fire. Every time he untied someone, he heard a sound.

  "Reporting to the commander, the logistics department of the Western Route Army *** reports to you."

  "Reporting to the commander, Red Fifth Army *** reports to you."

  He could only return the courtesy with "You've worked hard" and "Welcome, welcome." He was busy beyond measure.

  After a while, Zhang Zhenyu came to report: "Report to the political commissar, the artillery battalion of the Red Ninth Army's guard regiment successfully completed the surprise attack plan, rescued 132 female Red Army soldiers, and safely placed them. However, they suffered trauma and their emotions are not very stable."

  Eliminate 1st Cavalry Division of Ma's bandit army, 944 people including Regiment Commander Ma Buliang. There are also...

  "Twelve."

  "Annihilated 956 bandits, not a single one escaped, not a single mistake. Currently each company is sweeping the battlefield and clearing the bodies. Please instruct on next steps."

  "Clear out some houses as soon as possible, let the cooking team hurry up to boil water and cook food, slaughter a few sheep, drive away the cold air for everyone, and nourish their bodies. Each company sends some clean cotton clothes, pants, and shoes."

  "Arrange for the female comrade, boil some hot water, find some basins, towels and soap to send over."

  "Send someone to inform Shi Junfu's artillery team to withdraw back to Dongchuan mouth for rest."

  "Call He Dacheng over to help, there are still many wounded."

  "Go." "Yes."

  With He Lian's help, the rescue operation went much faster.

  With the support of the warriors, all captured comrades were settled, wounds re-cleaned and bandaged, wore cotton clothes, drank hot mutton soup, ate full bellies, covered with cotton quilts, fell asleep.

  It's been many days, but I've never felt as grounded and at peace as I do now.

  The guard company and artillery company, apart from performing their sentry duties, were also eating their fill and catching up on sleep.

  The village has returned to calmness. Chen Haisong felt very proud, these more than 600 comrades who were rescued had all escaped the miserable fate of being trampled, ravaged, killed, and misunderstood, they were all brave Red Army fighters, precious wealth of the Party and the Red Army, and the backbone of future revolutions.

  Am I not already changing the fate of these people? What's better than this? Ma Buqing, the killing devil king on the Hexi battlefield, was later promoted to lieutenant general, escaped to Taiwan before liberation, evaded the people's trial, and finally avenged the martyrs who died.

  Hahaha...

  It seems that there are indeed problems with the leadership of the Western Route Army in terms of strategy and tactics. They are too rigid, too ossified, and have abandoned our army's glorious traditions.

  You are confined by the limitations of history and cannot change it. I, however, can use the lessons learned from countless lives lost to guide my future actions and will never let tragedy repeat itself.

  He walked into the bandit army headquarters and sat down in Marshal Ma's chair, casually picking up some documents to browse through.

  Order you to arrive at the headquarters on January 24, and all captured red bandits, regardless of male or female, are to be escorted to Ganzhou, and must not be killed or injured at will.

  "After meeting with the commander-in-chief, grain and ammunition will be distributed according to need. Please receive them from Zhang Tuanlong, the leader of Gan State, with a voucher."

  There is also a regulation that the Ma family army has strict control over its subordinates. It seems that I will have to go to Nianjia Camp as well, to help the Fourth Workers' Militia of Xunhua obtain permits and ration coupons for traveling to Zhangye for medical treatment. I really want to meet this illiterate but meritorious General Ma of the Ma family army.

  Chen Haisong immediately found Wang Dayong and told him that he was going to Nijia Camp to make preparations for the next step.

  Appointed him as the acting commander of the Guard Regiment, led the first and second companies of the Guards and the first and second artillery companies to temporarily station in the Dujiabao barracks area, organized various departments to rest and reorganize, strengthened external defense, took good care of rescued comrades, selected cadres above the company level, talked about our action plan, and listened to their opinions.

  Clean up the weapons and ammunition as soon as possible and get a clear picture of our situation. Anyone who comes to deliver messages or give orders will be detained, to be dealt with upon my return.

  After the three guards rested for a while, they immediately returned to Dongchuan Kou, listened to Zhang's command, and guarded the stockade well.

  Having arranged things here, he immediately chose a good horse from Ma Buqing's horse group and rushed to Dongchuan Mouth.

  Met Zhang Zhenyu, it was already dawn, asked about the situation here, and reminded to let the soldiers chat with the captives more, learn some simple Linxia dialect and Qinghai dialect.

  He also briefly introduced the process of eliminating Ma Buqing and rescuing his comrades.

  This is just the beginning of a new situation, to occupy Zhangye, there must be a reasonable reason to go to Zhangye. The reason is that after a fierce battle with the Red Bandits for a day, more than 300 people under the team leader were injured and urgently needed treatment.

  The whole army has run out of ammunition and food is scarce, urgently needs replenishment.

  These requirements must be presented to Ma Yuanhai in person and obtain a guarantee before proceeding with the next step. Therefore, it is necessary to go to Ma Yuanhai's command post. It is just necessary to ask Han Zhongliang who to go with for reasonable safety.

  Han Zhongliang heard the Red Army troops leaving in the middle of the night, thinking that the Red Army had left. He spent a sleepless night thinking about what to do next, but couldn't come up with any ideas. He got out of bed, pushed open the door and came to the stockade to clear his mind. Suddenly, he saw Chen Haisong practicing boxing not far away.

  It looks like a long fist, but it's much simpler, like a pounce, and yet more fierce. Thinking of yesterday's battle, that good skill, being his opponent is truly a nightmare.

  After finishing his boxing practice, Chen Haisong saw Han Zhongliang dazing off and walked over with a smile.

  "Commander Han, why can't you sleep?"

  "Ah, as I've gotten older, I sleep less."

  "Speaking of which, Commander Ma Yuanhai is a bit older than you, right?"

  "He is 50 this year, I am 45."

  "Being his direct subordinate, your personal relationship must be pretty good?"

  "In the past, we were all in the 2nd Cavalry Division of the Qinghai South Border Defense Command. We fought against Tibetans and also against Sun Dianying. Two years ago, I was injured and after recovering, I retired from the Second Division. Then, Officer Ma sent me to Huanhua."

  "This time, the civilian corps from all counties came out, and Commander Ma wanted me to join his direct unit, hoping I could make some achievements. Who would have thought that it ended in a complete defeat? I really have no face to see him now."

  "You were his old subordinate, he's familiar with everyone in your unit, right?"

  "These team leaders were all temporary peasants, pulled in at short notice. Ma Mingxue went with me to the headquarters and had met them a few times, but E Hu had only heard of them without meeting them. Unfortunately, they're all dead."

  "This man is indeed a fierce general, what's his background? Are there any other people in his family?"

  "His ancestor was a Han civilian, who had taken the military examination and moved from Shaanxi twenty years ago. This young man didn't study but liked to practice martial arts, mastering the Tongbi boxing style. He spent several years in General Ma's hundred-man battalion, achieved some merits, and was promoted to company commander, but couldn't rise any further, so he returned home. Unfortunately, his parents at home are over sixty years old."

  "Old Han, cheer up! This civil war has been going on and on, and it's all Chinese people who are dying. It's meaningless. Why don't you take this opportunity to retire from the military, go home and farm, and live a peaceful life with your children and grandchildren?"

  The Red Army commander isn't that scary, no need to be so hard on yourself. When there's a chance, help me and Commander Ma make peace."

  "Go, go, I'll do my best."

  "Then thank you. Tell your soldiers to stay here honestly, it's better than going out to die. You're busy, I have something else to do, so I'll leave first."