Chapter 23: The Changing Weather

  "Victory report, victory report... Independent Regiment's victory report..."

  An excited voice burst into the courtyard of the Military Commission's residence, where it was already late at night and very quiet. The voice carried far away.* Several leaders came out wearing clothes, looking towards the gate of the courtyard.

  Seeing a staff officer rush in with a telegram, Liu Bocheng, the Chief of Staff who had not rested, glared at him and said "Comrade, don't you know that the leaders are resting? Why so loud."

  "Commander, Commander, the Independent Division has sent a victory report, a victory report, annihilating three regiments of the Central Army..." The messenger said excitedly, disregarding the Chief of Staff's criticism.

  "What? Annihilate three regiments of the Central Army? Let me see. Quickly!" The chief of staff was stunned and hastily said.

  "Chairman, Commander-in-Chief, come quick and see! That little Liu Hua has given us another surprise, come quick and see!" The Chief of Staff also took a simple look at the telegram and excitedly shouted out.

  "Quick! Let me see." Vice President Zhou was the first to run over.

  Seeing several leaders have arrived, he read aloud

  "CCP Military Commission: The Independent Regiment, after a night's rest in Xing'an, received orders last night to send the 1st Battalion to raid Chaling, surrounding but not annihilating it. The 2nd Battalion and directly affiliated units were put on standby. When the enemy sent out one brigade for reinforcement, I led the 2nd Battalion and all directly affiliated units to ambush the enemy at Mahejiang, 15 kilometers away from Chaling, annihilating the first brigade. After that, we captured Chaling, annihilating an entire enemy battalion. Upon learning that only one company of enemy soldiers was guarding Anren, we launched another raid on Anren, conducting a total of three battles. In this battle, over 6,000 enemy soldiers were annihilated, more than 1,800 were captured, and countless weapons and ammunition were seized. Our casualties were approximately 150 people. Since many Central Army prisoners of war are willing to join the Red Army, I plan to establish the third battalion of the Independent Regiment, with Comrade Wang Dahu as the battalion commander and Comrade Chen Geming as the political commissar. Please approve this proposal. Additionally: Our unit has decided to take Chaling as the center, develop in all directions, seek opportunities to annihilate large numbers of enemy soldiers, and use this to lure the Hunan Army and Central Army to reinforce, covering our main force. Independent Regiment Commander Liu Hua, Political Commissar Li Qing"

  "Good, good! Liu Hua this kid is really a hero of our Red Army, and has created another miracle for us, Comrade Commander-in-Chief! It seems that at the beginning, Old Peng's decision to let Liu Hua return to the east bank was correct." The Chairman said with a smile to the Commander-in-Chief.

  "Hey, this kid really knows how to fight! Hey, come here! What do you think?" The boss asked Vice President Zhou who had an excited look on his face.

  "Boss, I agree to form the third battalion. After all, they have so many soldiers and so many weapons. It's just that their strategy is not quite clear to me, and we need to discuss it with a few more people."

  "I think it's feasible. This kid Liu Hua has a poisonous eye, choosing to operate in Tealing on the one hand can enter the Soviet area at any time, and also directly threaten the old nest of Xiang Army Changsha. In case of heavy siege, he can also enter the Jinggang Mountains area, with plenty of room for maneuver." As the "God of War" Liu Bocheng's chief of staff, he saw through Liu Hua's intention at a glance.

  "Hmm! I think it's okay! I agree." The boss said.

  "I also agree and should add that we must take preserving our strength as the basis, we cannot have a hard fight with the enemy." The Chairman said.

  "Since everyone agrees, let's issue it! Clerk, send it out immediately!" Vice Chairman Zhou concluded.

  "Today I can finally have a good sleep again!" The chairman walked into his own room with a smile.

  "Commander, Political Commissar, the Central Revolutionary Military Committee has replied." The communications officer rushed into the command center excitedly.

  "Received your telegram, very comforting. The Central Revolutionary Military Commission agrees to the addition of a third regiment to your unit and approves your strategic plan. Moreover, it requires that your unit's combat must prioritize preserving revolutionary strength and avoid fighting to the death. Hope your unit will create another glorious achievement for China's final revolutionary victory. - Central Revolutionary Military Commission"

  After reading this telegram. As a later generation of Liu Hua, I know that there must be *Chairman's words in it, thinking about it, and having more confidence in my own future.

  "What! The two battalions were completely annihilated, and Anren's luggage was also looted. Say that again!" the 21st Division roared.

  The clerk's heart was racing as he read the telegram again.

  "Damn it, how did this regiment commander get his position? One regiment was annihilated by a whole division. I'm going to execute him."

  "Commander, according to reconnaissance, the deputy commander of the 2nd Brigade has been shot and killed, and they have also occupied Chaling." The chief of staff reminded in a low voice.

  "Have you investigated clearly or not? How many people were there in total that ambushed the Second Regiment?" The division commander's anger seemed to have dissipated a lot.

  "Commander, according to reconnaissance, we still don't know how many people there are. All we heard in Anren is that the unit's number is * of the Central Independent Division. I estimate the number of people to be around 4,000 to 5,000." The chief of staff replied.

  "Hmm! So many!" Thinking that there were 4,000 to 5,000 Communist troops right next to him, the division commander couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. "Quickly! Quickly send a telegram to Commander Bai, saying that the Independent Division of over 8,000 people occupied Chaling this afternoon and annihilated our second brigade."

  "Commander, is this number...?" The chief of staff hastily reminded him when he heard the number mentioned by the commander.

  "You don't know squat, go and send the message. Are you going to tell Commander Bai that our entire division of 4,000 men was wiped out by just 400 men? Do you want to be court-martialed?"

  "Yes, Your Excellency is wise." The chief of staff hastily said in agreement.

  "What? The 21st Division had a regiment annihilated, and Tea County was lost too. Where did the Communists get so many troops from? Weren't all the Communist forces on the east bank eliminated?" White Officer said in puzzlement as he looked at the telegram sent by the 21st Division.

  "Commander, is it the 21st Division's false report of military information? Or is it the National Army's false report of military information on the east coast?" said the Chief of Staff. It should be known that at present, there are many factions in the National Army, and many of them falsely report military information in order to preserve their strength and shirk responsibility.

  "Yes, it's possible. The 21st Division did lose a regiment after all. It shouldn't be, it must be the National Army on the east coast." Captain Bai shook his head after hearing the Chief of Staff's words.

  "Immediately send a telegram to Director Chiang and report the situation here truthfully."

  At this time, Director Chiang was looking at the map, thinking that * had been rampant for many years and finally fled in disarray under his siege. The director couldn't help but smile with pride. You know, eliminating * has been his only dream for the past few years, and now he can finally accomplish it.

  Just as he was feeling complacent, Army Commander Chen Cheng rushed into the combat command room.

  "What's wrong? What happened?" Chairman Chen Cheng said with a calm smile as he rushed in.

  "Chairman, something's gone wrong,"

  "What's wrong, you're so anxious." Years of political career have made Chiang Kai-shek unflappable.

  "Governor Bai has sent a telegram, and another group of bandits has been discovered on the east bank of the Xiangjiang River. They are from the Central Independent Division, with over 8,000 people."

  "Or perhaps they made a mistake, or fabricated the military situation." Chairman Chiang still had great confidence in the trap he had set up for himself. He believed that the eastern shore had already been completely annihilated by him, and even if there were any remaining remnants, they would not pose much of a threat.

  "Mr. Chairman, it's unlikely they will; they have already occupied Chaling and annihilated the 21st Division of Bai Chongxi's troops."

  "What? Wipe out an entire division, where did these * come from?" Even the normally calm and collected Chairman Chiang was furious.

  "General Bai has sent a telegram, it should be the remnants of the defeated troops at the riverbank and reorganized units, because the Communist Army never had an independent division with a central number." Chen Cheng lowered his head, not daring to look at the Chairman.

  "Slippery fish, how can there be so many slippery fish? Investigate for me, must investigate clearly. They are going to destroy the foundation of our party and country! Must investigate clearly. All military leaders who make false reports will be handed over to the military court for trial." Chiang Kai-shek was furious after hearing Chen Cheng's words. His dream was about to come true, but suddenly 8,000 more * appeared, how could he not be angry?

  "Yes, students must investigate clearly and give the principal an explanation." Chen Cheng hastily replied.

  "Ah, on the east bank of the Xiang River, how many troops do we still have?" After hearing Chen Cheng's words, Chairman Chiang's mood improved a lot.

  "Report to the principal, and there are four divisions of the White General's department, and two divisions of Zhou Hunyuan's department that have not crossed the river."

  "Good, there are still so many people, and they're afraid of just one independent division. Order Zhou Hengyuan's two divisions not to cross the river and return to Bai Chongxi's command. We must annihilate the enemy army completely. Tell Bai Chongxi that we must prevent the Communist Army from returning to their base."

  "Yes, student will send report immediately." Chen Cheng hastily walked out of the combat room with his head already full of sweat.

  "Commander-in-Chief, Chairman Mao is on the phone."

  "Thought"

  "It is reported that the Communist Independent Division has retreated, and I have specially ordered two divisions of Zhou's unit that have not yet crossed the river to be placed under your command. You must annihilate this enemy army, not letting a single person escape, in order to prevent them from retreating back to the Soviet Area. Chiang Kai-shek"

  "Chief of Staff, now we have six divisions. Draft a battle plan quickly. It seems that Chairman Chiang has made great efforts this time. Hehe..." White Officer said with a smile to the Chief of Staff.

  "Yes, I will definitely come up with a battle plan as soon as possible."

  At this time, Liu Hua was lying in bed thinking about which way to go next, but he didn't know that a siege against him was about to unfold.

  "Master, master, telegram from headquarters."

  Liu Hua suddenly got up from bed and walked out of the bedroom.

  "According to radio reconnaissance, Chiang Kai-shek has ordered the two divisions of Zhou Hengyuan's unit to cross the river and cooperate with Bai Chongxi's unit, totaling six divisions, to encircle and annihilate your unit. Please make preparations in advance to counter this encirclement. Central Revolutionary Military Commission,"

  So fast! He's caught up with me so quickly. Liu Hua sighed secretly.

  "Communications officer, notify the political commissar, each regiment's commander and political commissar, and the battalion company commanders of directly affiliated troops to attend a meeting at division headquarters tomorrow morning at 7 o'clock. Also, have Liu Xiaogang come see me."

  "Superior officer, reconnaissance company commander Liu Xiaogang has come to report." Looking at the Liu Xiaogang in front of him, Liu Hua felt a bit unbearable.

  "Xiao Gang, what's the situation with the scouting party now?"

  Liu Xiaogang knew there was another task and immediately said, "Report to the superior, the morale of the reconnaissance company is high."

  "Now, I order the reconnaissance company to disperse and expand around the perimeter, go to the logistics camp to receive horses, one horse per person, investigate enemy situation, pay special attention to the situations in Zhuzhou, Jinggangshan, Anren, and the two divisions of Zhou's unit along the riverbank, report immediately if there is any situation."

  "Yes, the reconnaissance company will resolutely complete its mission." Watching Liu Xiaogang leave, Liu Hua returned to the room and began thinking about future battles.