Chapter Fourteen Entering Zhangye

  At this time, Chen Haisong had already arrived at Heihe Ferry in Jiahe Village.

  This is the nearest ferry crossing north of Zhangye City to Jiuquan.

  The Heihe River, China's second-largest inland river, originates from the glaciers of the Qilian Mountains and converges with countless small streams. After flowing northwest to southeast for about 300-400 kilometers in the mountainous area on the Qinghai side of the Qilian Mountains, it turns eastward at the Qilian County in Qinghai and flows across the Qilian Mountains. On the vast Gobi Desert west of Zhangye, it flows freely like a wild horse that has broken its reins. The river has many tributaries, a wide riverbed, and beneath the riverbed lies black sandstone, hence the name Heihe River.

  The Tongtian River in Journey to the West, where Master Tang and his four disciples encountered difficulties, is actually the Black River. It flows through Zhangye, Jiuquan, and finally converges to form the Juyanhai Lake, with a total length of over 800 kilometers. The two banks of the river form large tracts of oases, which are the mother river that nourishes Zhangye.

  The Black River rushes straight to the vicinity of Zhangye City, and only gradually converges into the oasis agricultural area. At Jiahe Village, it still divides into two branches, about one kilometer apart, with a pontoon bridge on the river and local militia guarding the north bank.

  Before dismounting, Chen Haisong and the soldiers of the guard squad got off their horses, took out their ID cards and the iron tokens for receiving materials, identified themselves, and explained their purpose.

  The squad leaders were very polite to Chen Haisheng, the battalion commander of the Qinghai militia, and asked him to rest and drink water. Chen Haisheng took the opportunity to chat with them.

  It was learned that Han Qigong, who was originally stationed in Zhangye, had taken the 599th Regiment of Tan Chengxian's 300th Brigade to Ganquan to suppress the Red Bandits. Now, except for Ma Quanyi's 600th Regiment, only the local militia in Zhangye were guarding each road entrance.

  The day before yesterday, the Gansu Suijing Public Office Director Zhu Shaoliang received an order from the Military Affairs Department Minister He Yingqin to dispatch a large amount of ammunition and supplies, as well as food and clothing, which arrived in Zhangye territory. Zhangye mobilized many civilians to help with the transportation.

  Recently, there have been frequent reports from the front lines, and troops often transport prisoners of war to Zhangye.

  Chen Haisong finished drinking water, stood up and bid farewell, telling Tuan Ding Xuhua that the fourth workers' team would arrive soon, and all members would go to Zhangye for rest and escort more than 300 prisoners of war, asking them to help cross the river.

  After crossing the Black River and walking five miles through Baita Village, you can see Zhangye City standing tall on the vast plain.

  The majestic city towers and thick walls are set off against the distant rolling white Qilian Mountains, looking magnificent and grand, worthy of a thousand-year-old historic city, truly extraordinary.

  Outside the city, there is a large area of wetland, full of reeds. After passing through the forest-surrounded moat and crossing the stone-arched Sishan Bridge, they were questioned by the sentry at the North Gate, who pointed out the route to the headquarters and then let them into Zhangye City.

  Walking along the wide and tidy streets, looking at the ancient and beautiful temple towers on both sides, one can't help but feel a sense of nostalgia.

  During the Western Zhou period, the northwestern nomadic peoples multiplied and lived along the Heihe River oasis, with successive establishment of countries for pastoralism, fishing and hunting by Rong, Di, Wusun, Yuezhi and Xiongnu.

  In the second year of the Yuanjia era of Emperor Wu of Han, General Wei Qing and General Huo Qubing launched a campaign against the Xiongnu from the Hexi Corridor. They defeated the Xiongnu and this region was incorporated into Han territory.

  Zhang Qian twice sent envoys to the Western Regions, and the "Silk Road" was opened.

  In the sixth year of Han Yuan Ding, the meaning of "Zhang Guobei, with Tong Xiyu" was taken to establish Zhangye County. From then on, large-scale migration and reclamation began, garrison troops were stationed, agricultural production developed, and economic, cultural transportation and prosperity between Central Plains and Western Regions were promoted.

  After 2000 years of accumulation and continuous ethnic integration, plus its unique geographical location and superior natural environment, Zhangye has become an important place for Central Plains' foreign trade, as well as a military supply base in the northwest, a gathering and distributing market for livestock products, and the political, military and economic center of Hexi and Gansu.

  Economic prosperity promoted cultural flourishing, and Buddhist temples, Taoist monasteries, grottoes, and pagodas were scattered throughout the region.

  In this context, the Zhangye City was built with a scale of 12 miles and 357 steps in circumference, the city wall is about 1.6 meters high and 2.7 meters thick. The ancient city is square in shape, surrounded by a wide moat, with trees growing around the moat, and springs flowing gently.

  The city has four major gates in the east, south, west and north. There are about 30 ancient temples inside the city, with a rich cultural heritage. The city's humanistic splendor and historical sites are everywhere. This strong ancient city culture continued until the end of the Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China.

  After the Republic of China, Gansu's political and military center gradually shifted eastward to Lanzhou. After the completion of the Lanzhou-Xinjiang Highway, the commodity distribution function decreased, and Zhangye gradually lost its central city status.

  Ma Anliang, Ma Bufang and other second-generation Ma Clique troops stationed in Zhangye, Muslims were treated as first-class citizens, while heavy taxes were levied on Han, Tibetan and Yugur people, who were subjected to cruel extortion, forced labor and corvee, accelerating the decline of Zhangye.

  After Ma Zhongying, Ma Bufang and other third-generation Ma Clique troops successively entered Zhangye, wars continued incessantly, ethnic massacres and religious persecution emerged one after another, the people suffered untold miseries.

  During the Republic of China, Gansu's land was four or five times that of Zhejiang, but its population was only a fraction of Zhejiang's. However, the taxes collected were even more than those in Zhejiang. Relying on strong military power and dark rule, Gansu and Qinghai were made into "the most impoverished places under heaven".

  Such a historic and cultural city has fallen into the hands of the barbaric and backward Ma Family Army, which is truly a tragedy in history. We must rescue her completely and protect her.

  Chen Haisong thought for a moment and then arrived at the headquarters of the 600th Regiment on Beida Street - the General's Mansion. The sentry at the door led him to the front hall, where Chen Haisong loudly reported: "Qinghai Xunhua Fourth Workers' Militia Battalion Commander Gao Hu has come to report for duty, please instruct."

  "Come in." Chen Haisong walked into the room and saw a young military officer with a big beard sitting behind the desk, presumably Ma Bufang's brother-in-law, commander of the 600th Regiment of the 300th Brigade of the 100th Division, and garrison commander of Zhangye, Ma Quanyi. (Ma Bufang married He Limai, daughter of Ma Chaoxuan, in the eighth year of the Republic of China, and gave birth to his only son, Jiyuan, the following year.) He raised his hand in salute.

  "Hmm, not bad, you have a bit of a military air about you, stronger than the other civilian troops. No wonder Commander Ma appreciates you so much?" He walked over, looked him up and down a few times, led him to a side room to sit down, and had an orderly serve tea.

  Looking at Chen Haisong sitting upright, Ma Quanyi said "Ma Zhihui has spoken, your Lianhua Minlian has made contributions to the organization, killed many red bandits, captured many prisoners, and also suffered losses. Sending you to Zhangye for rest and replenishment can also strengthen the city's defense, I have no opinion."

  It just so happens that the 599 troops have arrived, you can go to their camp and station yourselves there. It's close to the ammunition depot and the food warehouse too. With you guys staying there, I'll feel more at ease. Every day, I'm worried sick, with too few men, I don't know how to manage.

  "Reporting to the superior, our unit originally had over 1,600 people. After going through a bloody battle, we lost over 400 men and more than 400 were injured. Currently, there are over 800 soldiers available for use. Although they are relatively exhausted and morale is low, if the superior does not abandon us, we can still undertake some miscellaneous tasks."

  "The wounded need to be sent for treatment as soon as possible, weapons are missing, ammunition and food are exhausted, please trouble the officer to approve the request." After finishing speaking, he took out a small iron plate with both hands.

  Ma Quanyi took over and said, "Although the Lanzhou Army Hospital has arrived, there have been too many wounded recently, and the hospital may not be able to accept so many people at once. You send the seriously injured ones there, and let them send someone to the camp area for treatment for the lightly injured."

  "As for the weapons, ammunition and food, there is no problem. You don't know that our organization has made a public appearance this time, and Chiang Kai-shek, He Yingqin and Gu Zhutong have all sent congratulatory telegrams, and many materials have been allocated."

  "It's better to join the Red Army, they have food and guns, and they even give us a unit number. Our organization will prosper, and when the time comes, your militia can also be converted into a regular army."

  "That's great, but this red bandit is also hard to beat, too many people died, it's not good for the group."

  "Don't be afraid, we have tens of thousands of people, strong and powerful, with plenty of ammunition, it won't take long to wipe them out."

  "This time our unit has brought over 300 prisoners of war, where are we taking them?"

  "There are quite a few, are there any female Red Guards? Send two over tonight, damn it, Southern women are the best, so delicate and tender."

  "Send the rest to the East Campus, there are over 2,000 more waiting for this batch, hurry up and send them away, so that we can free up some troops."

  Chen Haisong continued to ask: "I don't know if there are any regulations for the city defense, so as not to let a group of country folks in the team run around and cause misunderstandings."

  "As soon as it gets dark, the city gate will be closed and no one is allowed to enter or leave. The arsenal and granary are off-limits to idle people; only those with a pass from the commander can enter. The county government and party department are located on West Main Street at the county yamen. Tell whoever you're telling not to go to these places."

  "Yes, I will definitely keep a close eye on him."

  "My troops are still on the way, and it's estimated that they won't arrive in Zhangye until 7 or 8 o'clock. I'll leave the city now and arrange for them to stay overnight at Baita Village, and then enter the city tomorrow."

  "We've already reached the gate, why sleep in the wild? I'll give a shout to the battalion at the North Gate and have them open up for us."

  It is not known whether Ma Quanyi really liked the Hualong Hui or was thinking of the female Red Bandit captured by the Hualong Hui, but he did something very stupid that he would later regret.

  Holding the supplementary hand order written by Ma Quanyi, Chen Haisong left the General's Mansion and walked slowly along the main street with the guard squad, observing the garrison, personnel, and alertness of the troops in the city.

  Arrived at the 599th Brigade camp, ordered a dozen or so personnel who stayed behind to put away all the belongings of the 599th Brigade in a warehouse and lock it up, then immediately leave Zhangye to join forces.

  Looked around the camp, various facilities are relatively complete, transportation is convenient, there are many houses, quite satisfied. Then nearby at the ammunition depot, grain warehouse, and army hospital under the name of coordination, had a conversation with the person in charge inside, and agreed to come tomorrow.

  Again arrived at Dongxiao Ying Camp to make a report. In the evening, more than 300 Red Bandits were to be escorted over for handover.

  The company commander of the guards heard there were female Red Bandits and was very excited, agreeing in one breath to wait for them that night.

  Then went to the East Gate, South Gate and West Gate for a look, at 6 pm, left Zhangye City from the North Gate.

  At three o'clock today, thank you for your support of Xilu Army. I will work harder to lead Xilu Army out of the predicament as soon as possible.