Chapter Seventeen A Busy Day 1

  January 26, 1937, Zhangye city quietly welcomed a new day.

  Early in the morning, Chen Haisong arrived at the East Campus to visit his fellow captives who had just regained their freedom. The prisoners, who had just finished breakfast, stood neatly in front of the podium, nearly three thousand people packed tightly together as far as the eye could see.

  Chen Haisong stood on the stage, his heart was very excited, these were some strong lives, although they had suffered from the ravages of severe winter, but still standing tall like pines.

  He raised his hand to salute everyone and said: "Comrades, I am Chen Haisong. I'm late, and I've caused you all trouble." After finishing speaking, he bowed deeply to everyone.

  "It is we commanders who have not organized the battle well, resulting in being on the defensive since entering Hexi, and being continuously pursued and killed by the enemy's cavalry. Although everyone has been very brave, although everyone has fought to the death, but in the face of an enemy with numerical superiority and high-speed mobility, we still suffered significant losses and damage. You have suffered double spiritual and physical devastation, and we leaders are responsible."

  I just heard the report from Wang Yingchang, among our nearly three thousand people, no one betrayed the revolution, no one sold out his comrades, and no one revealed our military secrets to the enemy. I am deeply moved.

  I want to represent the headquarters leader in thanking you, because you have not tarnished the glory of the Red Army, and have not become accomplices of the enemy. You are all strong men and heroic women.

  "I salute you all." He said, and saluted everyone again.

  Although we encountered setbacks and suffered hardships in the early stages, that was only a small twist in the journey to victory, because we have lofty ideals, we have iron-like willpower, and the road we are taking is an extremely glorious road.

  The whole of China will be reborn through our struggles and sacrifices, we are creating a new era for the Chinese nation.

  "So, we will not regret, we will not be discouraged, and we will not give up on our ideals. We still have to fight, we still have to live a good life, we still have to eliminate with our own hands all the enemies who have harmed us, we still have to build our country with our own hands, so that our children and grandchildren can stay away from suffering, famine, war, and live a happy life of equality, peace, and prosperity. Is everyone in agreement?"

  "Good——"

  "Now, we are like Sun Wukong entering the belly of Princess Iron Fan. We have come here not to warm our bellies or fill our stomachs, but to break through the enemy's encirclement of the main forces on the Western Route Army, disrupt the enemy's combat deployment, cut off the enemy's logistical supplies, and render the enemy powerless to launch an attack, forcing them to cease fire."

  At this moment, there are still tens of thousands of Ma's bandit troops surrounding us. We also have more than 10,000 main force comrades who are surrounded by the enemy near Nijia Camp, suffering from hunger and cold, lacking medical care and medicine, and insufficient ammunition.

  "We must recover our bodies as soon as possible, restore our combat skills, receive weapons and ammunition, form new troops, and participate in the battles of city defense and counterattack against the enemy. Are you willing?"

  "Alright."

  "Then, please let Comrade Zhang Zhenyu, Chief of Staff of the 9th Army Corps, announce the reorganization order."

  After research and decision by the Party Committee of the 9th Independent Regiment, and with the approval of Political Commissar Chen Haisong, the independent regiment was upgraded to the 9th Independent Division. The division consisted of an artillery battalion, a guard battalion, a communications company, a reconnaissance company, a women's battalion, a logistics battalion, and two infantry regiments. The total strength was 40 companies with 4,000 personnel.

  Artillery Regiment Commander Shen Tieshan, Instructor Jiang Deshui, Deputy Regiment Commander Qi Qingrong, three artillery companies.

  Guard Battalion Commander Li Yi, Instructor Xue Yunlong, Deputy Battalion Commander Xu Ming, three guard companies, and one machine gun company.

  Communicate with Li Yichang (Deputy Director of Radio Station of 30th Army)

  Scout Company Commander Wang Kai (Deputy Commander of Red Ninth Army Scout Company).

  Female Battalion Commander Guo Chunlian, Instructor Liu Rui, Deputy Battalion Commander Zhang Xinyi (Women's Independent Brigade Regimental Commander), three female soldier companies.

  Deputy Regimental Commander Zhao Baosheng, Instructor Zhang Zhongxiao (9th Army Guidance Officer), Deputy Regimental Commander Wang Xiaoping, three transportation teams.

  Muslim Battalion: Commander: Han Zhongliang, Deputy Commander Chen Xiangnan (Five Army Mass Work Department Cadre), two companies.

  Deputy Regimental Commander: Wang Dajun, Political Commissar: Wang Qicai, Chief of Staff: Sun Fei, Director of the Political Department: Tang Yongming.

  Subordinate units: Three infantry battalions, one guard company, one heavy machine gun company, and one artillery company.

  Battalion Commander He Ruining (Company Commander), Instructor Bai Jinyuan (Company Instructor), Deputy Battalion Commander Lin Tianrui (30th Army Company Commander)

  Deputy Regiment Commander Zhang Tianlin (Second Company Commander), Instructor Zheng Bowei (Second Company Instructor), Deputy Regiment Commander Zhu Xingxuan (Sixth Company Commander)

  Deputy Regiment Commander Chen Hanyu (Third Company Commander), Instructor Fan Shuhao (Third Company Instructor), Deputy Regiment Commander Qi Binzhi (Headquarters Staff Officer)

  Deputy Commander: Wang Feng, Political Commissar: Ding Wangcai, Chief of Staff: Shi Junfu, Director of the Political Department: Cheng Wenjun.

  Subordinate units: Three infantry battalions, one guard company, one heavy machine gun company, and one artillery company.

  First Battalion: Battalion Commander He Dacheng, Political Instructor Wang Xiaofeng (Fourth Company's Political Instructor), Deputy Battalion Commander Liu Chengzhi (Fifth Company's Company Commander)

  Second Battalion: Battalion Commander Zhang Funing (7th Company Commander), Instructor Hu Dentiger (7th Company Instructor), Deputy Battalion Commander: Zhang Jianmin (8th Company Commander)

  Third Battalion: Battalion Commander Liu Ruiqi (Fourth Company Commander), Instructor Zhang Lingfeng (Sixth Company Instructor), Deputy Battalion Commander: Wu Zhihao (Ninth Company Commander)

  "Roll call of those in attendance: list omitted. Reading is complete." (parentheses contain original positions held)

  "Below, each unit organizes its personnel according to the roster and hurries to the independent regiment's garrison for rest and replenishment."

  After settling down here, Chen Haisong listened to Zhang Zhenyu's report on the situation of peacefully taking over the defense of the city gate, the arsenal, the grain warehouse and the hospital guard.

  Remind the logistics department to hurry up and check the materials, distribute weapons and ammunition according to the quota, and strengthen the warehouse guard.

  The city gate allows entry but not exit, and receives supplies continuously sent from Lanzhou and Qinghai.

  Also listened to the report on the measures for setting up prisoner-of-war camps and managing prisoners of war by the Political Department, requiring them to pay attention to national policies when treating Ma Jiajun's prisoners of war, respect the living habits and religious beliefs of ethnic minorities, and provide normal life guarantees.

  Play the exemplary role of the civilian corps, jointly manage the prisoner-of-war camp, with persuasion and education as the main focus, cannot relax military deterrence, strengthen vigilance around, strictly prevent escape.

  Remind the Political Department to do a good job in building party organizations at all levels, do a good job in ideological work for captured soldiers, don't have worries, work with peace of mind, and firmly establish revolutionary beliefs.

  All levels of political work cadres must go deep into the company and platoon, understand the ideological situation of the troops, carry out propaganda and mobilization work around combat tasks, boost morale and raise fighting spirit.

  It was almost 10 o'clock when the meeting here came to an end, and Chen Haisong rushed to the headquarters of the 600th Regiment without stopping. According to last night's appointment, a regimental affairs conference for officers above the company level of the 600th Regiment would be held at 10 am this morning.

  Chen Haisong arrived at Ma Quanyi's office and saw the dejected, depressed, and exhausted-looking Ma Quanyi and Nian Guangyuan.

  "You didn't sleep all night, did you? Look how worried you are. Didn't I have Han Zhongliang come over to keep you company yesterday? Why aren't you at ease yet? Don't worry, we will never harm opponents who lay down their arms. The guards at the four city gates, the logistics warehouse, and the hospital all received your notice to switch shifts and are cooperating very well now. Isn't this convenient for everyone?"

  "I hope your army will keep its promise."

  "Our Red Army is true to its word."

  "Time's almost up, shall we head to the conference room? Don't want to keep them waiting."

  At this time, the officers of the 600th Regiment who arrived one after another were indeed very depressed. As soon as they reached the gate of the regiment headquarters, they were asked by a group of unfamiliar armed guards to hand over their guns and knives, and the duty guards were also asked to rest in the courtyard next door.

  This morning, the troops on duty at the city gate, warehouse and hospital all returned, saying they were ordered to return by the regimental commander. Could it be that they are going to the front line? Having sat for half a day, no soldiers came in to pour tea, everyone was a bit annoyed, several battalion commanders took the lead in speaking out of turn.

  With a creak, the side door opened and a young, unfamiliar officer in militia uniform walked in calmly, followed by Ma Quanyi and Nian Guangyuan with their heads hung low. Had some high-ranking official come for an inspection?

  All officers immediately stood up and saluted.

  Chen Haisong turned his head and looked at Ma Quanyi "Are they all here?"

  "Got it"

  "Alright then, please take your seats."

  "I am Chen Haisong, the political commissar of the Red Ninth Army, also known as the Red Bandit you people usually refer to."

  Red bandit leader! The meeting room suddenly boiled over.

  Chen Haisong slammed his hand on the table and said, "We entered the city last night. We didn't move against you all because we didn't want to increase casualties or deepen the hatred between our two armies."

  We are all Chinese, killing each other is meaningless, we will still fight side by side in the battlefield against Japan in the future.

  "So, I discussed with the two officers, our army will rest in Zhangye City for a few days to replenish and reorganize. You can also take a break at Dongxiao Square. Our Red Army is a civilized army, we won't maltreat prisoners of war or confiscate your personal property. We'll do what we say, are you satisfied with this arrangement?"

  "You red bandits who have been hacked to pieces will resort to sneak attacks, let's see who's better on the battlefield!" A big bearded man jumped up.

  "On the battlefield, you see ups and downs. Isn't this also a battlefield? This is also part of the entire battlefield. War doesn't have a fixed battlefield, wherever it's needed, that's where it takes place."

  "Don't waste words on him, he's the big head of the Red Army, taking him down is a great achievement, brothers, let's kill him today."

  Several others followed and jumped out, one of whom was still holding a security knife, gritting his teeth and wanting to pounce upwards.

  Before they could even take a step, a figure darted in front of them, striking with lightning speed. Ma Dai, the commander of the First Battalion; Ma Jun, the commander of the Second Battalion; Ma Jiao, the commander of the Third Battalion; and Han Qifeng, the commander of the Machine Gun Company, among other key members of the 600th Regiment, didn't even have time to put up a basic defense before they fell to the ground one after another, groaning in pain.

  There is another chapter next, welcome everyone to give valuable opinions, thank you!