Chapter 18 Vanguard Regiment (1)

  "Zhang Hua, Xu Bin, first of all, I would like to read out two commendation telegrams for the two of you. The first telegram is personally sent by the division commander and political commissar: ...The Special Service Company's victory in Nanwan has captured a large amount of military supplies, greatly alleviating the logistical pressure on our Red Fourth Division and even the entire Eastern Expeditionary Army, making a huge contribution to the Red Army's eastern expedition... To commend the great victory achieved by the 10th Regiment's Special Service Company, after discussion by the division party committee, all personnel who participated in the battle will be awarded collective first-class merit once. Additionally, Company Commander Zhang Hua will be awarded individual special merit once, and Political Instructor Xu Bin will also be awarded special merit once. We hope that under the leadership of these two comrades, the Special Service Company will continue to make progress and achieve new merits for the great cause of revolution..."

  "Does the Chief of Staff and the Division Commander know about this matter?" Zhang Hua asked with a mix of excitement and doubt after hearing the contents of the telegram.

  "Of course, you think our 10th regiment obtained so many supplies and ammunition this time. Everyone is like you, keeping the good stuff for themselves. Let me tell you, in the entire Red Army, I don't know how many soldiers don't have guns or ammunition, don't have food. But fortunately, thanks to your contributions in this battle, not only did our entire 10th regiment replace its weapons, but we also added over a dozen light and heavy machine guns. More importantly, the Red Army's Eastern Expedition will no longer worry about food for the next half month... That's why both Chairman Mao and Commissar Peng sent us congratulatory telegrams. This is a telegram from Chairman Mao and Commissar Peng together, I won't read it to you again, take a look yourselves..." After hearing Zhang Hua's words, thinking that Zhang Hua had secretly kept dozens of submachine guns for himself, Regimental Commander Yang Yong replied with annoyance.

  "Ah, Chairman Mao and Commander-in-Chief Peng have both found out..." Upon hearing the battalion commander's words, Zhang Hua and others felt embarrassed but also surprised, hastily taking over the telegram from the commander's hand. Indeed, in the telegram, Zhang Hua saw Chairman Mao's affirmation and praise of this battle as well as encouragement for his special operations company...

  "Heh heh, don't be too happy yet, kid. Because your special operations team did so well this time, the division has decided to give you a very difficult task. That is, as the vanguard of our entire Red Fourth Division, you will be the spearhead battalion. Let me tell you, when things happen, be quick-witted and don't embarrass our Tenth Regiment." Regiment Commander Yang Yong said, snatching the telegram from Zhang Hua's hand.

  "Commander, Chief of Staff, please give us the combat mission. The special company guarantees to complete the task and will not embarrass our 10th Regiment..." Zhang Hua and Xu Bin stood up almost simultaneously after hearing the commander's words, guaranteeing this.

  "Alright, I appreciate your determination. The specific task is as follows: in accordance with the orders of the Army Command, to expand the influence of our Red Army's Eastern Expedition, the First Red Army Corps will disperse its divisions throughout the Hedong region. Our Fourth Division's main area of activity will be in the counties of Gu, Anze, Fushan, Quwo and Gaoping in Hedong. Therefore, after discussion by the divisional party committee, our special duty company will take the lead as vanguard for the entire division, opening up a path for the army to advance. How about it, do you have confidence in completing this task?" Regiment Commander Yang Yong ordered solemnly.

  "Report to the regiment commander, the special operations company must be a vanguard for the entire army, opening up a safe passage for the entire division. Please have the regiment commander issue an order to the special operations company regarding the specific departure time." Zhang Hua stood up and said.

  "Alright, with a bit of courage, according to Commander Huang's request, your special operations company will set out tomorrow morning. One day later, at 8 o'clock that evening, I will follow closely behind with the main force of the entire 10th Division... Are there any requests? It's best to bring them up now." Yang Yong ordered.

  "Squad leader, no need..." Zhang Hua assured.

  "Alright, if there's nothing else, you can go and prepare first. We'll set off on time tomorrow morning. Also, to support your special forces company's battle, the headquarters has decided to provide you with five boxes of rifle bullets and 50 rounds of cannon shells." The regiment commander patted Zhang Hua's shoulder and gave a relieved order. He watched as Zhang Hua and Xu Bin left the regiment command post.

  "Old Xu, you immediately go back to fetch some silver dollars and buy ten mules from the fellow villager. This time our special operations team has so many family properties, if all of them are carried by the soldiers, it will definitely affect the speed of the march. It's just right that we now have a ready-made logistics team, supplementing them with 8 mules, and also supplementing the artillery team with 2 mules to carry shells."

  The next morning, the entire special agent regiment gathered in the courtyard of the regimental department after breakfast. All soldiers, including dozens of Shanxi soldiers who had just joined the Red Army, were wearing brand new uniforms and standing neatly in front of Zhang Hua and Xu Bin.

  Almost 200 soldiers packed the entire courtyard. At the forefront of the troops were the neatly arranged heavy firepower of the special operations company: nine light machine guns with blue lights, two heavy machine guns for fire support, and a 60mm mortar. Standing at the front of each squad were the squad leaders, each carrying a rifle on their back and a submachine gun at their waist. On the edge of the troops, the newly formed logistics platoon had just purchased mules that had been tamed by the soldiers, standing obediently beside the logistics personnel. On the backs of these mules were boxes upon boxes of bullets, shells, food...

  "Comrades... Today is the day our special operations team sets out. First, I want to report a piece of good news to everyone. That is, three days ago, our special operations team captured the enemy's logistics supply station, and seized a large amount of military supplies. Not only did we receive praise from the division headquarters, but also recorded a first-class merit for all personnel. What's more important is that even Chairman Mao and Commander-in-Chief Peng Dehuai personally sent us congratulatory telegrams." Zhang Hua stood in front of everyone. Already accustomed to this mobilization method, Zhang Hua loudly shouted at the 200 people in front of him.

  "Long live...long live...thunderous applause..." Suddenly, the previously quiet courtyard was filled with the thunderous roars of the warriors and warm applause. Even the dozens of Shanxi soldiers who had just joined the Red Army were infected, clapping their hands frantically.

  "Alright, comrades, according to the order of our superiors, our special duty company will be the vanguard of the entire Red Fourth Regiment in the next few days, opening the way for all combatants. However, let's think about it, why did the commander-in-chief of the Red Fourth Regiment choose our special duty company from among so many companies? There is only one reason, that is because our special duty company fights well and has strong combat effectiveness, which is why the commander-in-chief entrusted us with such a heavy task. What do you think, am I right?" This time it was Instructor Xu Bin continuing Zhang Hua's words to boost morale.

  "...Right away!" Immediately, a thunderous roar burst forth from among the warriors in front.

  "Comrades, what the instructor just said is absolutely right. Why did the division entrust this arduous task to our special duty company? There is only one reason, that is, the division commander trusts us and believes in us. Do you comrades have confidence to complete this arduous task with me, to be the vanguard of the whole army..." Zhang Hua seemed to be infected by the excited soldiers in front of him, and he took over the instructor's words again.

  "Yes, yes..." Another earth-shaking roar came from among the warriors.

  "Alright, I trust everyone. Now I order: Scout squad as vanguard of Special Duty Company, advance 2 kilometers for reconnaissance... First platoon, second platoon, third platoon, firepower support platoon, logistics squad follow closely behind, guard squad as rearguard of the whole company. Vanguard Company, depart..." Zhang Hua commanded loudly.

  "Scouting squad, all present, fall in, advance at the double...!" As soon as Zhang Hua's voice fell, the voice of Luo Huasheng, the leader of the scouting squad, came from the front phalanx. Under Luo Huasheng's command, 11 soldiers, with rifles on their backs and submachine guns at their waists, quickly ran out of the company's phalanx formation. Led by Squad Leader Luo Huasheng, they formed a combat formation and rapidly rushed out of the special operations company's garrison.

  "First row, depart...... Second row, depart.................... Guard squad, follow me to depart..." Soon, the whole garrison was filled with the sound of commands and the neat footsteps of soldiers. In less than ten minutes, the entire garrison became empty.

  "Haha, Old Yang, your vision is really accurate. This special task force has more than half of its soldiers as new recruits, and in less than ten days, they were trained by Zhang Hua and Xu Bin to become like this. It's really an eye-opener for me! And their equipment, I can say that with the current strength and armament of the special task force, we can definitely defeat a regiment of our Red Army, perhaps even with some ease." Seeing the special task force carrying brand new weapons, one by one walking out of North Village with full confidence on their faces. The Chief of Staff who had been paying close attention to the special task force's every move laughed and said so, clearly proud of having such a powerful unit under his command.

  "Chief of Staff, this is just the beginning, the good show is yet to come? I dare guarantee that the vanguard company chosen by the division commander will definitely bring us back a lot of surprises... Let's go, return to the brigade headquarters, we should also set out tonight, there are still many things to prepare." Looking at the gradually fading figure of the special operations company, Regiment Commander Yang Yong said with emotion. Obviously, he was full of confidence in Zhang Hua and the special operations company led by Zhang Hua.

  With a detailed map of Shanxi Province in his hand, combined with the reconnaissance team's investigation and the confession of the captured prisoners, Zhang Hua had a relatively clear understanding of the deployment of the Jin-Sui Army. As for how to open up a safe passage for the main force to head towards the area of He Dong, Gu Xian, Fu Shan, Qin Shui, and Gao Ping, as the captain of the vanguard company, Zhang Hua and his political instructor had been discussing this issue for a long time.

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