Chapter 12: Peng's Smile (Part 2)

  Chen Shuxiang and Commissar Cheng Cuilin were staying in a villager's house at the east end of the village. When Liu Yimin and Cai Zhong arrived, the two leaders happened to be about to go out. Liu Yimin and Cai Zhong stated their purpose, Chen Shuxiang said that he didn't know the specific location of the 6th Division, but the commander of the 3rd Army Regiment, Peng Jun, was in a nearby village not far away, they were going to visit the leaders of the 5th Army Regiment, and it just so happened that they could go with them to see the commander of the 3rd Army Regiment first.

  Peng's residence was actually just a mountain ridge away from Liu Yimin's campsite, and it took them only the time to smoke a pack of cigarettes to get there. The village was very quiet, with the Red Army troops camping in the open spaces within the village in units of squads and platoons. There were many wounded soldiers, mostly lightly injured, and Liu Yimin thought that perhaps the troops had fought too hard, and most of the seriously wounded might not have been able to be evacuated from the battlefield.

  As soon as he arrived at the courtyard where Peng was staying, he heard Peng scolding in his characteristic thick Hunan accent: "What kind of battle is this? It's simply Chiang Kai-shek giving orders. He tells us to go wherever, we go wherever. He tells us to block wherever, we have to block wherever. He sets up a pocket, and we have to drill into it! My three armies are almost finished! This is simply selling out one's own master without any qualms! What benefits can Chiang Kai-shek give that old counter-revolutionary He Jian, to send out four divisions and sixteen regiments to pursue the Red Army? It's like using all his might to eat. Wait and see when I'll deal with him. That White Chongxi is not a good thing either, seeing us in trouble, he pounces on us like a hungry wolf, with planes, cannons, main forces, and militia all together, killing so many of our people. I will avenge this sooner or later."

  Another voice said, "Commander, this is not the time to scold, the troops are all battered. The 5th and 6th divisions have lost two-thirds of their men, and the 4th division has also lost one-third. We must think of a solution quickly."

  "What can I do? At this rate, our troops will be wiped out sooner or later."

  Another voice said: "It's really urgent to think of a solution, the troops are too exhausted. It is said that the 8th Army Corps was on its way to Xiangjiang River, and many soldiers fell asleep while walking, and the political commissar Huang Su had to use his whip to wake them up one by one. The corps commander Zhou Kun was so anxious that he used gunfire to wake up the sleeping soldiers. Even so, they were still caught up by the Central Army's Zhou Hunyuan's troops and suffered a defeat. Now, our soldiers are not well-rested, and can't even get a hot meal. Even if the enemy doesn't attack us, the casualties will be severe due to exhaustion. If this continues, our heroic Red Army will surely fall into desperation."

  Commander Peng said, "The current situation is very severe, the enemy has formed a large encirclement, if the Central Revolutionary Military Commission does not change its ways, our situation will become even more dire. If only we could thoroughly eliminate one route of the enemy. Unfortunately, after the Battle of Xiangjiang, our Central Red Army is no longer what it used to be and cannot withstand the strain of a large-scale battle."

  "Report!" Chen Shuxiang's voice broke Liu Yimin's thoughts, who was thinking that the name really fits the person. It seems that the works and films of later generations have portrayed Comrade Peng's image very faithfully. Thinking about the final outcome of a marshal in history who is extremely loyal to the party and the people, Liu Yimin secretly vowed that as long as he could survive the battle, he would definitely make a difference and not let the historical tragedy repeat itself.

  As soon as the word "come in" was spoken, Liu Yimin and Cai Zhong followed Chen Shuxiang and Cheng Cuilin into the courtyard. Seeing the few people who had entered, General Peng was taken aback for a moment, then immediately became excited and stepped forward to shake hands with Chen Shuxiang and Cheng Cuilin, saying: "Shuxiang, Cuilin, you've finally come back! I really feared that we would never see each other again."

  "Commander, that was close! I thought for sure we were done for this time and would never see each other again. Who'd have thought we could break out of the encirclement without a hitch?"

  "What's going on? Tell me quickly!"

  Chen Shuxiang loosened Peng's hand and said: "Commander, let me pay respects to Commissar Yang and Chief of Staff Deng first."

  Director Peng said with a bit of embarrassment: "Right, right, I was so focused on asking you. Shang Kun, Deng Ping, you two also talk to Chen Shuxiang. Quick, guard, get some hot water."

  "Yang Commissioner, Deng Chief of Staff, Fifth Army Corps 34th Division Chen Shuxiang and Cheng Cuilin reporting for duty."

  Yang Shangkun came over and took Chen Shuxiang and Cheng Cuilin's hands, saying: "It's good that you're back, don't be polite, sit down quickly and have a drink of water."

  Deng Ping followed Peng's train of thought and asked as soon as she sat down: "What do you mean by 'thrilling but not dangerous'?"

  Chen Shuxiang then briefed on the battles of covering the 8th Army Corps' transfer to Xinwan, blocking the enemy's encirclement, breaking through the enemy's siege, raiding the 44th Division's logistics battalion, rescuing the Red 18th Regiment at Gulingtou, annihilating two regiments of the 24th Division, and annihilating a regiment of the Xiang Army at Fenghuangzui. Peng Dehuai, Yang Shangkun, and Deng Ping listened with rapt attention.

  Settled, Peng Zong smiled and said: "I said that the Gui army behind our backs was much more cautious, it turned out that they had suffered a great loss at your hands. It seems that these Guangxi monkeys are not unwilling to drive us out and kill us, but they are afraid of you, this ghostly and mysterious Iron Flow rear guard."

  Chen Shuxiang smiled and said: "I guess it's because the Guangxi army is afraid of mysteriously losing another division."

  Deng Ping excitedly said: "Too good, too great! Disguising ourselves as the enemy, launching continuous surprise attacks, achieving brilliant results with almost zero casualties. This is the kind of battle our Red Army should be fighting. Old Chen, send Liu Yimin to come see me, I want to meet this legendary hero who saved the lives of several thousand of our soldiers."

  Chen Shuxiang smiled and said: "This person is right in front of you."

  "Reporting to Commander Peng, Commissioner Yang and Chief of Staff Deng, Acting Commander of the 18th Red Regiment Liu Yimin reporting for duty, awaiting orders!"

  As Liu Yimin stood at attention, Peng Zong, Yang Zhengwei and Deng Canmou all rose to their feet and returned the salute. Cheng Cuilin looked around at everyone's serious faces and laughed, saying: "Sit down, sit down, leaders, don't make it like a military parade, Liu Yimin is just a new recruit, don't scare him."

  Deng Ping said: "New recruit? I think it's just this military posture, ordinary veterans can't do it. Who would believe he is a new recruit? Hurry up and tell me what's going on."

  Liu Yimin had no choice but to repeat what he had told Chen Shuxiang again.

  Cheng Cuilin briefed the leaders of the 34th Division on Liu Yimin's development in the battlefield, his joining the party and the situation of reorganizing troops along the Xiangjiang River. Finally, Cheng Cuilin smiled and said: "Leaders, at that time, the situation was urgent, and we were not sure if we could come back alive, so after receiving the request from the 18th Regiment's leader, in order to preserve our strength, we brought out the remaining cadres and soldiers of the 18th Regiment. In the absence of reporting to the leaders of the 3rd Corps and the 6th Division, we took emergency measures and temporarily appointed Comrade Liu Yimin as acting regimental commander, and merged the 34th Division's spearhead company with the 18th Regiment to strengthen its forces. Now that we have met with you leaders, we will let the 18th Regiment return to its original unit. As for the selection of the 18th Regiment's leader, please study it, leaders. If necessary, Comrade Liu Yimin can stay in the 18th Regiment. Considering that Comrade Liu Yimin has been in the Red Army for a short time and lacks experience, if the 3rd Corps can arrange leadership for the 18th Regiment, we can let Liu Yimin return to the 34th Division for further training."

  Comrade Liu Yimin, what's the situation with the 18th Regiment now?

  After Liu Yimin reported the current troop strength, cadre allocation, and weapon equipment of the 18th Regiment, the three army commanders were delighted. According to Liu's report, the Red 18th Regiment was now the strongest regiment in the entire Third Army Corps. Although the number of backbone companies was still less than before the Xiangjiang Battle, they had been supplemented with captured weapons and ammunition, which were more advanced than before. The cadres of the regiment and several battalions were also well-known backbones of the Red Army's main force, although they had been punished. However, due to the high casualty rate among the main force cadres, it was not stupid to use them now. As for the punishment of these cadres, it would be temporarily ignored. Thanks to Liu Yimin, a newcomer who dared to use these punished cadres without any scruples. The several people who were worried about the heavy casualties of the troops finally felt slightly relieved.

  Comrade Peng again pulled Chen Shuxiang's hand and said: "Your 34th Regiment not only broke through the siege, but also rescued the remnants of the 18th Battalion. You were willing to give your elite company to the 18th Battalion, well done! You are indeed a veteran of the Jianggang Mountains, good job!"

  Turning back, Peng Dehuai said to Liu Yimin: "This new soldier is not simple, among thousands of troops and horses, he did the head of the squad, with clever strategies, breaking out of the siege, heavily damaging the Guangxi Army and Hunan Army, achieving great merit. On the banks of Xiangjiang River, in the face of strong enemy pursuit, he remained calm, reorganized the troops, reducing our army's losses. This is the kind of cadre that our three armies need. Later, we and the leaders of the 6th Division will go to visit the comrades of the 18th Regiment. As for personnel appointments, after research by the military division, it will be announced soon. Remember to take good care of the troops, especially the new recruits. The next combat mission is still heavy, our Red Army is still in a critical period of life and death, you must sharpen the Red 18th Regiment into a sharp knife, ready to fight at any time."

  Liu Yimin gave a crisp salute: "Resolutely complete the task!" Then he said: "Report to the Army Commander, most of our new recruits are captives from the Guangxi army and some are captives from the Hunan army. I heard that the 5th Red Division has many cadres and soldiers from Guangxi Province, can we get some cadres and soldiers from the 5th Division to help us train these new recruits?"

  Chen Shuxiang said: "That's right, we captured more than 600 Guangxi soldiers on the way, and captured 300 Xiang soldiers at Fenghuangkou. According to our prisoner policy and the military situation at that time, they should be released immediately. But Liu Yimin had many tricks up his sleeve, not letting go of a single one. On the way, he let the prisoners carry the captured ammunition and supplies, and when reorganizing at the Xiangjiang River, he reorganized all the prisoners into 6 new soldier companies. These new soldiers were the elite of Guangxi and Hunan armies. As long as they were educated and trained well, they could soon be used to reinforce the troops."

  Comrade Peng thought for a moment and then said: "We can transfer 30 cadres and soldiers from the 5th Division to the new recruit battalion of the 18th Regiment. You must seize the time to train the new recruits, and after the training is completed, immediately merge with the old company and strive to get on the battlefield as soon as possible."

  Liu Yimin saluted again: "Guarantee completion of the task."

  After Liu Yimin walked out of the hospital gate, General Peng couldn't help but laugh loudly. Deng Ping asked: "Commander, what are you laughing at?"

  Comrade Peng said with a smile: "I laugh at Heaven for not destroying our Red Army."

  Yang Zhengwei also smiled and said: "Originally thought that the 34th Division and the 18th Regiment, which had already been annihilated, came back, and there was an additional wise and brave general. How could the army commander not be happy? Haha, I'm laughing too."