Chapter 62: The Way of Strengthening the Army

  Just three months ago, not only did people around the world not know Zhao Xiaofeng's name, but even we Chinese ourselves rarely knew it. Since the Japanese occupied our Fengtian on September 18th and suffered a setback, his name has become household! Especially in the past three months, the news from Manchuria has been that the Japanese have killed people and looted goods, our army has surrendered, and my fellow countrymen and overseas Chinese have felt extreme pain and shame. Suddenly, they heard about Commander Zhao's vow to fight to the death for the country and kill the enemy, and their joy and gratitude are beyond words. The New York Weekly in the United States first ridiculed China as a nation without weapons, saying that even with 2 million soldiers, it was only equivalent to a mob. Today, Zhao Xiaofeng led his army to defeat the Japanese, and they immediately said that Chinese soldiers can also fight.

  How can such news not move compatriots at home and abroad to tears of gratitude! Patriotic compatriots and overseas Chinese have flocked to donate money to support the Northeast Anti-Japanese Army. Even Japanese newspapers had to report on Zhao Xiaofeng's war achievements, calling him the most outstanding talent among Chinese people, comparable to Sun Yat-sen!

  Zhao Xiaofeng was sitting in the temporary command center in the provincial capital at this time, listening to the reports from his subordinates:

  Shiri News: The main force of the Japanese army has now retreated to South Manchuria, but still did not give up monitoring Jiangqiao.

  Huang Xiansheng reported: Under his call, the public security police forces in all counties of Northeast China have been fully mobilized, and all of them are flying bright golden five-star red flags. Especially in western Liaoning, eastern Liaoning, and southern Liaoning, the anti-Japanese troops have developed very rapidly, and nearly 30,000 new soldiers have been recruited!

  Feng Zhanhai excitedly reported: Since joining the Northeast Anti-Japanese Army, his troops have been expanding continuously. The scattered soldiers, bandits and civilians who came to join him had already reached 20,000 people, and there was still a trend of continued growth!

  Ma Zanshan has clearly stated that the third war zone of Heilongjiang has now developed 30,000 new anti-Japanese soldiers, and many compatriots from various regions are constantly gathering in Heilongjiang to join the Northeast Anti-Japanese Army. Moreover, he has secretly received telegrams from several Kuomintang generals saying they are also willing to lead their troops into the Northeast to fight alongside the Northeast Anti-Japanese Army!

  Zhao Xiaofeng had already estimated that the troops in his hands had reached tens of thousands, but the old soldiers who were used to fighting were only around 20,000. So, he cast his eyes on the German military observation team listening aside.

  Bor immediately stood up and said affirmatively: "The Northeast Army must be reformed, this is the consistent view of our German military advisory group's chief advisor, we will take the road of elite soldiers!"

  Zhao Xiaofeng nodded and signaled him to continue speaking, their views were in line with Zhao Xiaofeng's ideas.

  Bao handed over a report to Zhao Xiaofeng: "This is the Memorandum on Reorganizing the Heilongjiang Army that we jointly drafted."

  Zhao Xiaofeng listened to their explanation while browsing through the memo, what surprised him was that the reorganization plan inside was basically consistent with Xie Ke's opinion, which further demonstrated Xie Ke's ability!

  At this time, Wei Zicai also presented the "Proposal for Reorganizing the Northeastern Army". Based on the current situation in northeastern China, a series of guiding suggestions, plans and programs were provided for the reorganization, training and anti-Japanese military team.

  This proposal urges Zhao Xiaofeng to reorganize the army, and suggests that he "first, greatly reduce the redundant troops, in order to concentrate the existing financial and material resources, so that the army can reach a high standard of training; second, suggest that Zhao Xiaofeng focus all his efforts on organizing the Northeast Anti-Japanese Army into an elite force with good training, complete arms, and excellent equipment, and points out that the key to building a new elite army lies in the quality of the officers and the actions of the regimental commanders! It is suggested that various specialized military schools be established in the Northeast region to cultivate special talents and improve the quality of officers and soldiers.

  He also claimed in the letter of advice: "The fundamental problem of the Northeast Army is not 'fewer, but more!'". He pointed out: "The current goal is to establish a certain number of high-quality divisions as the core of the Northeast Army as soon as possible, so that each person can play a central role and expand rapidly when necessary."

  Zhao Xiaofeng knew: This was the secret of Germany's rapid expansion after World War I.

  In addition, the German military advisers' suggestions for rectification coincided with Zhao Xiaofeng's idea of vigorously developing the economy in Northeast China, reducing troop expenditures and taking a road of elite soldiers.

  So Zhao Xiaofeng attached great importance to the consultants' suggestions and immediately ordered Xie Ke to be the plenipotentiary representative of the Northeast, responsible for implementing their reform and rectification proposals.

  Mountain Cat Report: Shenyang is now in a tight spot, Yang Jingyu and his three men have been engaged in a stalemate with the Japanese army for a month without any support. The defeated Japanese soldiers are now gathering towards Shenyang, it seems they want to take down Shenyang!

  "Long live the Emperor!" Zhao Xiao Feng called out in a low voice. His three younger siblings were still holding out there, and although he didn't have much real affection for them, if they hadn't risked their lives to lure the enemy to Shenyang, he wouldn't have been able to make it to Heilongjiang so smoothly, nor would he have been able to catch the Japanese off guard! What to do? Zhao Xiao Feng was indecisive.

  "Commander! The Nationalist Party has sent a telegram."

  "Mind!"

  "Due to Zhao Xiaofeng and Ma Zanshan's outstanding achievements in the Jiangqiao War, Zhao Xiaofeng was specially promoted to Lieutenant General and Deputy Commander of the Northeastern Three Armies, responsible for the entire northeastern military affairs; Ma Zanshan was promoted to General and Vice Chairman of the Eastern Three Provinces!"

  "Haha!" Zhao Xiaofeng couldn't help but chuckle a few times.

  "General! It seems Chiang Kai-shek is still unrepentant!"

  "Right!" Zhao Xiao Feng nodded and said: "We have won, all the people have started to support us, he just gave us a military rank, wanting to control us. Hmph!"

  Zhao Zhenfan immediately said: "The Communist Party and Zhang Xueliang have both sent telegrams!"

  "It doesn't matter, just forget it!" Zhao Xiao Feng waved his hand.

  Zhao Zhenfan smiled and said: "The Communist Party hopes we can provide assistance to Fengtian!"

  "Hmm!" Zhao Xiao Feng furrowed his brow tightly!

  "Bao Er stood up and said: "Commander! At this time, the Japanese have already retreated. It is the right time for our Northeast Anti-Japanese Army to sharpen its military strength and prepare for battle. Please give the order to immediately start reorganizing the army and strengthening training to welcome the arrival of the great war!" He didn't want Zhao Xiaofeng to launch a war at this time. Because Gu Dalian, who had just returned home, brought news that the model of Zhao Xiaofeng's "Hunting Sun" assault rifle had been manufactured, and that kind of gun was indeed worthy of being called the king of guns! It has already attracted attention from high-level officials in the country. I heard he still has several drawings, so Gu Dalian brought news that they must get their hands on his remaining drawings!"

  Zhao Xiaofeng thought for a moment and immediately stood up saying: "Now command:"

  "Yes!" Everyone stood up straight.

  "Ma Zanshan as Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Anti-Japanese Military Alliance!"

  "Yes!"

  Xie Ke as Chief of Staff of the Anti-Japanese Military Alliance!

  "Yes!"

  "Zhao Zhenfan, Huang Xiansheng and Feng Zhanhai are the commanders of the three military regions!"

  "Yes!"

  "You must train and select new soldiers according to the requirements of the German advisory group, and cooperate with their proposed economic development plan!"

  "Yes!......"

  "Shi Li, Mountain Cat, Cao Shang Fei immediately gather all the anti-Japanese troops and horses, depart tonight!"

  "Yes!"

  "Commander Zhao!" Bao exclaimed: "What are you going to do?"

  "I'm going to Fengtian!" Zhao Xiaofeng said firmly.

  "No way!" Bao Er immediately opposed: "That is now Japanese territory, you mustn't act rashly!"

  "Yes! Commander!" everyone chimed in unison.

  "No!" Zhao Xiao Feng waved his hand and said: "No one is allowed to spread this matter! I want to take secret action!"

  "Ah... " Ma Zhan Shan stood up just as he was about to speak, Zhao Xiao Feng pressed his shoulder and said: "Deputy Commander-in-Chief! After I leave, you must take good care of the house! Don't lose Heilongjiang at all costs! Haha!"

  "Cough!" Ma Zhan Shan sat down helplessly.

  Zhao Xiao Feng immediately arranged: "Shi Li! This time we will only select elite soldiers to go and rescue people! The number of people cannot be too many, just three hundred people!"

  "Ah!" Shi Li exclaimed: "Commander! The number of people..."

  "Shut up! We'll bring all the equipment, all machine gunners and sharpshooters, divided into three teams. You three will each lead a team, and each team must have two radios!"

  "Yes!" Ishiri stood up straight and said.

  "I'm going too!" Bao Er suddenly stood up and said firmly.

  "What?" Zhao Xiao Feng stared at him in confusion.

  "Bow nodded and said: 'I am a military observer, you should approve my request!'"

  "Good!" Zhao Xiao Feng nodded vigorously and said: "Our route of march will be decided by Chief of Staff Xie Ke! Now everyone go down and rest immediately! Dismissed!"

  Yes

  In late 1931 and January 1932, Ma Zhanshan and Xie Guoming held a series of military reorganization meetings, deciding to use the German advisors' written opinions as a blueprint for reforming and streamlining the army, with the goal of establishing a powerful modernized force in stages. The plan was to first train and establish two new-style land armies from February to May 1931.

  By the end of 1932, it was decided to reorganize five new-style army divisions and establish an Army Rectification Office headed by Ma Zanshan to take charge of this matter. At the same time, they also established a three-level military education system, improved officer education, and increased branch education. And immediately established in Heilongjiang the Army University, Military Academy, Cavalry School, Artillery School, Communications School, Anti-Aircraft School, Armored Troops School, etc. The implementation of these measures was beneficial to enhancing the strength of the Northeastern Army and even more beneficial to consolidating Zhao Xiang's political power in the Northeast region.

  Zhao Xiaofeng directly entrusted German military advisers to participate in the actual work of compiling and training modernized troops and cultivating high-quality officers and soldiers. All instructors at all military academies were taught by German officers.

  The German advisers also equipped a teaching team for Zhao Xiaofeng's Northeast Anti-Japanese Army with weapons that had just arrived from Germany, which included an infantry company, a heavy weapon company, an artillery company, a soldier company and a communication company. The team became the embryo of multi-branch modernized troops in the Northeast Army.

  At the end of January, Goodrian returned to Northeast China and expanded the instructional team into two instructional brigades, applying German training methods.

  In February 1932, it was reorganized into the 1st, 4th and 7th Divisions. These three divisions have now become the backbone of Zhao Xiaofeng's loyal forces, with division commanders Zhang Haitian, Qi Yong and Jin Wanguo, all three being loyal to Zhao Xiaofeng.

  The members of the advisory group directly led and participated in the work of the Army Reorganization Bureau. In addition, German military advisers also took it as their duty to train officers. They paid close attention to exerting a subtle influence on high-ranking military leaders who opposed Japan. Every Friday night, all the advisers would gather together at the Military Academy to give lectures to hundreds of senior officers, specifically teaching German strategy and tactics, introducing German military weapons and military industry.

  Apart from Zhao Xiaofeng, other important military figures of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army such as Ma Zanshan, Zhao Zhenfan and Huang Xiansheng had also attended his lectures.