Chapter 47: Reactions from All Sides
"Commander-in-Chief, urgent report, Seventh Army Corps has won a great victory!" A staff officer shouted as he rushed into the conference room that was in session.
The commissar took over the telegram, glanced at it briefly, and immediately said: "Quickly, quickly, just copy the original text and send it to the Central Committee, quickly."
"Ren Zhengwei, what's the urgent news? Hurry up and read it out loud, you've got us all anxious." He Zongzhi looked at Ren Zhengwei with a smile.
"Ah, General He, sorry about that. Comrades, let me read to you: On the 19th, our unit used one division to surround and attack the two regiments of Zhang Zhenhan's troops stationed at Yujia Ping, forcing Zhang Zhenhan to send reinforcements from Yujia Ping. Our unit concentrated the second and third divisions, new recruits regiment, logistics combat regiment, artillery battalion, and heavy machine gun battalion, totaling over 12,000 people, completely annihilating the enemy reinforcement troops. Then, we ordered the first division to take down Yujia Ping, completely annihilating the two regiments stationed there. On the 20th, our unit once again took down Taoyuan County."
The battle annihilated a total of 18,000 enemy troops, captured 7,000 soldiers including Zhang Zhenhan and his subordinates, seized 42 mortars, 62 heavy machine guns, 280 light machine guns, and 18 mountain guns, with countless ammunition.
In addition, one ammunition depot of the enemy army was captured in Taoyuan, with more than 10,000 shells and 5 million bullets inside. According to investigation, these ammunitions were prepared by the enemy for launching a winter offensive against us. One material warehouse of the enemy army was also captured, with a total of 800,000 kilograms of grain.
"Great, great! The Seventh Legion has won another battle, haha. I'll treat you to dinner tonight." General He said with a smile as he stood up.
In the central column of the marching troops, several great men were squatting on the stone by the roadside to study the enemy situation. After seeing the telegram from the Second Red Army, each person was radiant and had more confidence in the road ahead.
"Enlai, we must remind them that this time Chiang Kai-shek suffered such a great loss, they must be vigilant of Chiang's revenge and make preparations." The Chairman was delighted but still reminded them.
"I agree with the chairman's opinion." Old Zhu also found this problem.
"Alright, since you all say so, I'll go make the call." Vice Chairman Zhou said and then rushed towards the telegraph office in front.
"What? Zhang Zhenhuan's entire division was annihilated? Is the intelligence accurate?" Chiang Kai-shek asked incredulously after hearing Chen Cheng's words.
"Reporting to the Chairman, the message has been confirmed." Chen Cheng said in a low voice with his head down.
"Chiang Kai-shek asked quietly, 'When did He Long's strength become so powerful?'"
"Report to the principal, according to the investigation, it was not He Long's troops that eliminated Zhang Zhenhan, but the 7th Regiment of the * Military Region, and the regimental commander was Liu Hua, who was also the original ** Independent Division." Chen Cheng's face had already broken out in sweat, he knew that the chairman must be very angry at this time.
"Independent Division, isn't the Independent Division supposed to be near Chaling? How did it end up in Western Hunan?" Chiang Kai-shek suddenly became alert.
"Principal, according to the reconnaissance, it seems that the Independent Division has annihilated one of He Jian's divisions, and then He Jian did not send troops to encircle and suppress. As a result, the Independent Division was able to join forces with He Long's troops in western Hunan, and during the process of joining forces, they completely annihilated our 15th Division stationed in Taoyuan." Chen Cheng replied nervously.
"Those warlords, they're all like He Jian, the foundation of our party and state are being destroyed by people like them. *sigh*, how can you fight so well? No, Chen Cheng, we can't just wait for He Long to become powerful, we must eliminate him." Chiang Kai-shek took a sip of water.
"Also, sir, the enemy has captured our ammunition depot and grain stores at Taoyuan."
"Cough... what, is the loss great?" Chiang Kai-shek asked calmly.
"Principal, those munitions we used to encircle and annihilate in winter, there were over 10,000 rounds of artillery shells, 50 million rounds of bullets, and some other weapons." Chen Cheng lowered his head.
"Ah, so many orders. Deploy two divisions from He Jian's troops, and also take two divisions from Zhou Hunyuan, one division from Bai Chongxi, and one division from Xue Yue, as well as the troops currently surrounding them. In total, about 130 regiments will be under your command, Chen Cheng. You will serve as the commander-in-chief to encircle and annihilate He Long's forces this winter. We must eliminate them and not allow them to grow stronger." Chiang Kai-shek let out a sigh and closed his eyes.
"Yes, Principal. Students will definitely not disappoint the principal's kindness." Cheng quickly stood up straight and pledged his loyalty to Chiang Kai-shek.
"Alright, go ahead!"
"Mr. Chairman, Vice-Chairman Zhou, Commander-in-Chief, the radio reconnaissance has detected another movement of the enemy troops." A communications staff officer said, holding a telegram.
Bring it here and let me see.
According to the radio deciphering the enemy's code, Chiang Kai-shek transferred two divisions of Zhou Hengyuan from our pursuing Central Army, one division of Xue Yue and one division of Bai Chongxi to go to western Hunan. Vice Chairman Zhou read out the telegram.
"Xiangxi, Xiangxi, not good. The old general, Chiang Kai-shek is now targeting He and Hu, they just won a battle, and Chiang Kai-shek has set his sights on them." The Chairman said while looking at the map.
"Right, He Huizi has alleviated our Central Committee's difficulties by provoking Chiang Kai-shek. Now that our difficulties are resolved, He Huizi's troubles have come again. Chairman, Enlai, we must immediately send a telegram to He Huizi, reminding them to be prepared. It's almost New Year's, and we can't let them relax." The Commander-in-Chief reminded.
"Yes, I agree to remind them." Vice President Zhou also agreed.
"Well, I'll just forward the enemy situation to them and remind them to prepare for battle." The chairman concluded.
"Comrade Commander-in-Chief, Commissar, we have received a telegram from the Center," he said, handing over the telegram to the commander.
"According to radio reconnaissance, Chiang Kai-shek has assembled a large force from the front line, totaling 130 regiments, with Chen Cheng as the commander-in-chief, and plans to launch a winter annihilation campaign against your troops. Prepare for battle. Central Revolutionary Military Commission."
"Director, it seems we've gotten into big trouble this time. Chiang Kai-shek has come to settle accounts with us," he said, handing the telegram over to Director Ren beside him.
"Yes, this chapter is hard to write!" said Ren Zhengxiao after reading the telegram.
"Director Ren, let's not talk about that for now. Last time, what did you and Sister Chen do to resolve the matter between Liu Hua and Qiaoling? What was she thinking? Otherwise, when Liu Hua returns this time, we'll just let them..." General He smiled slyly at Director Ren.
"Heh heh, General He, I almost forgot to mention it. You don't know that Chao Ling has been daydreaming about Liu Hua a lot lately, and I've criticized her several times already. I think we should take this opportunity to resolve their issue." By the time he finished speaking, Ren Zhengwei was also smiling.
"Haha, I really didn't expect it, that kid Liu Hua is so charming, he's actually made our Qiaoling infatuated, haha, I agree. Commissar, send a message to Liu Hua and have him come to headquarters for a meeting these next few days." As he spoke, General He began fiddling with his fishing hook again.
