Chapter 48: The War Council

  "Heh heh, that's right. Currently, our 4th Division is the most well-equipped, with the most abundant ammunition and the strongest firepower in the entire Red Army. However, everyone must not forget that without the special operations company of our 10th Regiment - now it's a special operations battalion - we would still have many soldiers wielding big knives." Political Commissar Li Tianyou also spoke up.

  "Zhang Hua, where is Zhang Yingchang? Come out and let everyone know you, let everyone know our special agent team leader... Clap clap clap!" Commander Huang Kecheng followed the political commissar's words, shouting at Zhang Hua in the conference room.

  Seeing that he couldn't hide anymore, Zhang Hua had no choice but to stand up amidst everyone's applause.

  "Reporting to all commanders, Zhang Hua, the commander of the Special Operations Battalion, has been ordered to convene a combat meeting. Please instruct, commanders." Zhang Hua stood up and saluted the several regiment-level and above cadres in front of him, responding loudly.

  "Alright, sit down... Okay, everyone be quiet, let's get down to business. Now our four regiments have made great progress in equipment compared to before, we've not only taken it up a notch. Of course, with better weapons in hand, we can't just let them go to waste, and next, there will be a good opportunity for Big Fire to show off his skills." Seeing the embarrassed Zhang Hua, Regimental Commander Huang Keqiang sat down after eleven o'clock, interrupting everyone's conversation, and said with a smile.

  "Sir, don't worry, we have plenty of bullets now. No matter how many troops the enemy sends, we'll take care of them..." The regimental commander who had just spoken stood up again and said.

  "En, zhèng wěi....nǐ gěi dàjiā jièshào yīxià, mùqián wǒmen sì shī yùdào de qíngkuàng..." Tīng le tuánzhǎng de huà, Huáng Kèchéng bìng méiyǒu shuōhuà, kàn xiàng le zuò zài zìjǐ shēnbiān de zhèng wěi Lǐ Tiānyòu.

  "Comrades, according to the latest intelligence from our scouts and underground party comrades, a division of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army is marching towards our location in Puzhou County, with less than two days' journey left before they reach the county seat. This division of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army is part of the same army as Wang Jingguo's 70th Division, and it is the 71st Division of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army, led by Commander Yang Yaofang. The entire division has a strength of three regiments and six battalions, totaling over 12,000 men. It's going to be a tough nut to crack..." Political Commissar Li Tianyou briefed.

  "Commissar, do you know the specific route of action for the Shanxi-Suiyuan army?" Upon hearing that the enemy had a division-sized force, the crowd which had just been excited immediately calmed down and quietly sat back in their seats. The regiment commander Yang Yong, who was sitting in front of Zhang Hua, thought for a moment before standing up and asking with a thoughtful expression.

  "Our scouts have already reconnoitered this. The enemy is reinforcing along the same road, and the entire division is divided into two parts. The vanguard brigade has two regiments led by Brigade Commander Zhao Tingying, with a total of over 3,500 people. The remaining two brigades and the division's direct units are led by Division Commander Yang Yaofang's wife, with a total of over 8,000 people. The distance between the two armies is ten kilometers."

  "Comrades, the order from the General Headquarters of the Eastern Expedition has been issued. Since our 4th Division has just been re-equipped and is fully armed with sufficient ammunition, we have decided to give the enemy a taste of their own medicine, devouring their vanguard brigade, intimidating Yan Xishan in Shanxi Province, and at the same time enhancing the influence of our army." The division commander interrupted the crowd's continued discussion.

  "But, commander, the enemy's vanguard brigade and supporting troops are less than ten kilometers apart. If they reinforce quickly, it will take less than an hour and a half for them to arrive. Can we really defeat an entire brigade in just an hour and a half? The strength of our forces is evenly matched..."

  "That's right, this is the problem we are facing now. But the order has been given, and that is to pull out the vanguard brigade of Shanxi-Suiyuan Army no matter what it takes, even if our four divisions have to be exhausted. Based on the terrain around Puzhou, I have decided to set up an ambush in Shiwu Li. This area is a hilly region, and the entire Shiwu Li is like a big pot, very suitable for an ambush. More importantly, the terrain here is wide enough to accommodate the enemy's vanguard brigade." Division Commander Huang Kecheng said, pointing at the map that had already been hung on the wall.

  "Commander, please give us the order to go into battle. We guarantee that we will annihilate the enemy's vanguard brigade and complete the task given to us by the forward command post." After hearing everyone's words, they all chimed in and rubbed their fists together, preparing for a big fight.

  "Alright, now I order, all troops except the 10th Special Operations Battalion to participate in the ambush battle against the enemy's rapid reaction brigade. The specific arrangement is as follows......" In the next half hour, almost every battalion commander led their own satisfactory mission. Only Zhang Hua, who had nothing to do, sat in the conference room at a loss.

  "Comrades, is everyone clear about their tasks?" Huang Kecheng asked loudly after distributing the tasks.

  "Alright, after the meeting, each department will set off immediately and rush to the ambush battlefield to build an ambush position. The requirement is that each regiment and battalion must complete the construction of the entire defensive fortification before dawn tomorrow and hide in ambush." Zhang Hua, the commander of the special operations battalion, was left behind, while the others dispersed... Huang Kecheng nodded his head in satisfaction and gave a loud order.

  "Yes, the commander, the political commissar..." Looking at the departing crowd. The special operations battalion commander, who was personally left behind by the commander, looked thoughtfully at the map hanging on the wall, thinking about the purpose of the commander leaving him behind, and why his special operations battalion did not participate in the attack on the enemy's vanguard brigade.

  "Comrade Zhang Hua, are you thinking again why I didn't let your special agent battalion participate in the ambush against the enemy's vanguard brigade? What do you think, do you have any thoughts on my deployment?" Looking at Zhang Hua who was carefully studying the map, Division Commander Huang Kecheng asked thoughtfully.

  "Commander, I'm just a regimental commander... how can I evaluate the division's operational plan?" Zhang Hua's face turned red again as he spoke, feeling embarrassed.

  "Director Zhang, we are all comrades in the revolution, there is no such thing as can or cannot. Be bold and speak your mind, let us also listen to the suggestions of you young people." Seeing Zhang Hua's face turn bright red, Huang Kecheng and Li Tianyou both couldn't help but laugh, continuing to encourage him.

  "Yes, sir, commissar. Then I'll say it, if I'm wrong, don't mind..." Zhang Hua nodded and said.

  "Well, go ahead and say it, we won't blame you." Master Huang Kecheng nodded.

  "Yes, Commander, Political Commissar. I think the entire ambush battlefield is set up perfectly, it can be said that there is no flaw. However, as for the entire battle, there is a crucial step missing, which is to attack the reinforcements. If our army's attack is not strong enough and gets bogged down with the enemy's vanguard brigade in a fierce battle, while the enemy's reinforcement troops arrive at the battlefield on time, we will be in danger of being attacked from both front and back. I believe that under the siege of an enemy division, our army's losses will definitely be extremely heavy. However, Commander, I believe that our Red Army's combat effectiveness can solve the enemy's vanguard brigade in the shortest possible time." Zhang Hua quietly expressed his own views.

  "Good, well said. Commissar, how about it? I think Zhang Hua can see that, right? Hehe, Zhang Hua, you spoke very well, but there's one thing you said that's not quite right. That is, anything can happen unexpectedly, even if our Red Army's combat strength is strong, there will still be unexpected situations. So, we must have a powerful fighting force to take charge of reinforcements." After listening to Zhang Hua's introduction, Regimental Commander Huang Kecheng suddenly slammed his hand on the table and smiled at the commissar beside him.

  "But, commander, commissar, just now when you assigned tasks, there was no task for our unit to provide support, did I not hear it clearly..." After hearing the commander's words, Zhang Hua became even more perplexed.

  "Hehe, Zhang Hua, actually this troop is far away in the sky but close to our eyes..." The commander said with a smile.

  "You're talking about the Special Operations Battalion. Commander, Political Commissar, are you planning to have our Special Operations Battalion take charge of the reinforcements..." Zhang Hua suddenly came to his senses after hearing the mayor's words and responded loudly.

  "Of course, it's your Special Operations Battalion. Otherwise, which main force battalion in the entire Fourth Division has such combat power to block two enemy regiments? Come and take a look, this is Shiliwan, also known as the tomb we prepared for the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army's vanguard regiment. This is Nanling, about four kilometers away from Shiliwan. If the enemy's main force wants to reinforce their vanguard troops, they must pass through Nanling. Plus, the terrain here is very suitable for blocking, so after discussion at the division headquarters, it was decided that you will lead all officers and men of the Special Operations Battalion to rush to Nanling and intercept any possible enemy attack. How about it? Do you have confidence in completing this task?" Division Commander Huang Kecheng pointed to the map on the wall and ordered.

  "Thank you, Commander and Commissar, for your trust. The Special Task Force guarantees to complete the mission. However, Commander, Commissar, how long do we need to hold out? If the time is too long, even if our Special Task Force's combat strength is strong, it can't withstand the enemy's numerous..." Zhang Hua loudly guaranteed after hearing the commander's order. However, a hint of worry soon flashed in his eyes.

  "Alright, that's a problem. So, your special agent battalion will hold off the enemy for two hours. Aren't you equipped with radios? If the entire ambush battle is over, I'll use some coded language to report back to you, and then withdraw from the battlefield. Even if we don't attack strongly, we will still actively withdraw from the battlefield within two hours, at which time, the radio will notify you." Huang Kecheng thought for a moment before affirming this.

  "Yes, sir. The instructor, the political commissar, and the special task force will guarantee the completion of the mission..." Having heard the mayor's words, Zhang Hua's last bit of worry disappeared, and he guaranteed loudly.

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