Chapter 47: The Central Guard Corps (Part 2)

  At 6 o'clock the next morning, the residents of Jingzhou Street were still asleep. The Red Army troops arrived at the fields outside Jingzhou Street in units of companies, where a small platform had been set up.

  The first battalion and the first company started singing, singing "Three Main Disciplines and Eight Points of Attention". As soon as they finished, the second company began to sing, followed by the third company, and then other battalions. After the song was over, it didn't show who was better. The instructor of the first battalion, Zhao Jie, was not satisfied, immediately stood up and shouted: "The whole first battalion is present, listen to my command and shout slogans: First Battalion, Vanguard! Prepare, shout!"

  "One battalion, one battalion, pioneer of opening the road! One battalion, one battalion, pioneer of opening the road!" The shouts of hundreds of people were uniform and majestic.

  Deputy instructor Li Congmin immediately shouted out the slogan "Second Battalion, Second Battalion, Heroic Vanguard".

  Hu Xuerong, the instructor of the Third Battalion, listened and said: "You are the vanguard and the hero of the assault. Are we, the Third Battalion, inferior to you? You shouted two slogans, I will shout four!" Then the four slogans "Third Battalion, Red Army heroes! Good at attacking and defending, nothing is impregnable!" rang out on the vast wilderness at dawn.

  The fourth battalion instructor Liu Yixin thought, all the good words have been used up by you. You are the vanguard of opening roads, heroes of assault, good at both attacking and defending, then what are we? So the fourth battalion also shouted: "Fourth Battalion, Fourth Battalion, Red Army Vanguard. Tactics flexible, win every battle."

  Five Regiment Instructor Wang Nanhu was an old warrior during the Pingjiang Uprising. He knew this was a great opportunity to boost morale and enhance the soldiers' sense of pride, but he couldn't show weakness. Although his regiment was newly formed after the Battle of Xiaoshui, two of its core companies were also veteran units from the Western Extension Training period. The Battle of Xikou was fought with great fanfare, making it a truly powerful main force regiment. You're not just saying two or four sentences, are you? But each sentence has four characters; I'll give you seven: "Red Army troops - Five Regiments, Xikou Battle - Renowned Name. Northern Expedition against Japan - Vanguard, Southern and Northern Wars - Heroic Fame." One company shouted the first four characters, two companies shouted the last three characters, with grand momentum.

  Captain Lei Meng looked at this and said, "What's going on here? Is this a slogan or an attack on the mountain head? One by one, their morale is high, one by one, they are full of confidence. Who is our sixth camp afraid of? We are also the main force of the Xiao Shui War and the Xi Kou War. Although we were formed a bit late, that's not my fault, it's the team leader's mistake for not discovering my skills earlier and forming the sixth camp earlier! Without waiting for Instructor Li De Guang to think about the slogan, he stood up and directed the shouting: "Thousands of troops and horses - look at the sixth camp, cut off the pass - let them go freely. Kill a way out - a bright road, clean up the mountains and rivers - all red."

  The artillery battalion commander Li Chang couldn't help but feel impatient, listening to all the infantry battalion slogans, feeling annoyed. The thunderous Sixth Battalion had just finished shouting when the Artillery Battalion followed up: "Artillery Battalion, Artillery Battalion, dominating the battlefield. Divine eyes and divine shooting, one hundred shots, one hundred hits."

  The commander of the Engineer Battalion, He Mingliang, heard that the Artillery Battalion had already gone up, and wondered what the Engineer Battalion was waiting for. If they didn't charge forward, then the Engineer Battalion would be finished. He hastily consulted with Instructor Ren Chao Ran, who was also pondering the situation. The two of them quickly came up with a four-line slogan. After writing it out, they saw that the Artillery Battalion was still shouting, and their voices were shaking the heavens. He Mingliang thought to himself, "What's so special about the Artillery? They're just showing off!" Although the Engineer Battalion hadn't done any engineering work yet, they had been equipped with weapons according to combat battalion standards. Of course, they didn't have cannons, but they would in the future. During the Xigou Battle, the Regimental Commander had treated the Engineer Battalion as a main force. So the Engineer Battalion began shouting: "Engineers, engineers, technical vanguard! Capable of fighting and building, Red Army model!"

  Yesterday, Wang Dahulu, the instructor of the 8th Regiment, took office. Since meeting Liu Yimin at Xinhuai, Wang felt that a new door had opened in front of him, and the treasures inside shone brightly, everything was fresh, unseen and unheard. So, he remembered every word Liu said and every move he made, and studied them carefully. After being promoted from platoon leader to company commander, and becoming the leader of the 18th Regiment's most elite sharp knife company, Wang felt a heavy burden on his shoulders, and worked even harder to study. Yesterday, three new combat regiments were established, and Wang did not expect that he, along with the instructor and second company commander, would be directly promoted to regimental instructor, skipping deputy regiment level. He had been thinking about how to boost the morale of the troops, and apart from discussing with the regimental commander, he also specially consulted Cai Zhong, Liu Jianli and Li Qing. In the end, Cai Zhong personally compiled a few passages of quick speech, which Wang took back to teach the soldiers. Just in time, they learned and practiced immediately, shouting: "Being a Red Army soldier is the most glorious, the Red Army is the army of workers and peasants. We fight for the workers and peasants with guns, and they call us heroes. The 8th Regiment is a new regiment of the Red Army. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Regiments are model regiments, the 4th, 5th and 6th Regiments are vanguard regiments. The new regiment is a new army, studying and training hard. One day we will go to the battlefield, charge forward and achieve great merits."

  This loud shout was in line with the actual situation of the Eighth Company and was full of morale, and the soldiers from other companies applauded.

  The new recruits' camp, although mostly consisting of new soldiers who had just joined the army through the communication channels and many of whom hadn't even fired 10 shots yet, made a great contribution during the Xiaoshui battle with their grenade launchers. During the Xigou battle, they did a good job of camouflage and escorting prisoners. As a result, in the eyes of many soldiers, they were already considered old Red Army members. However, yesterday's reorganization left the new recruits' camp still as new recruits, even though both former battalion commanders had gone to fight in other battalions. Some soldiers felt resentful about this. Just then, the 8th Battalion appeared in front of their own battalion, shouting slogans, which made them feel even more indignant. After all, just two days ago they were still holding prisoners, so why should they now be part of the combat battalion while he was still part of the new recruits' camp? So, the commander of the new recruits' camp, Chang Huaru, raised his hand and let out a thunderous roar: "The Red 18th Regiment's New Recruits' Camp, debuted in Xiaoshui with great fanfare. Grenades rained down on the enemy, staining their uniforms red with blood."

  The new warriors of the Seventh and Ninth Regiments stood quietly, their ears filled with songs and slogans that rose and fell in a frenzy, their hearts churning like a stormy sea! How many soldiers were dragged into this life, learning to shoot and kill under the whip of their officers, following them into battle and capture? When had they ever seen such an array?! Some soldiers even thought to themselves, "Before, I only thought about catching a Red Bandit for three or five big yuan, then going off to drink, gamble, or soak up the sun. Who would have thought that the Red Bandits were actually a group of passionate warriors?!" It seems they really are fighting for their ideals! What army can defeat such a force?! Looks like joining the Red Army was the right move after all.

  The time had already reached 7 o'clock, and the host of the meeting, Liu Jianli, announced that the founding ceremony of the Central Guard Regiment of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army was about to begin. First, a welcome ceremony was held for new recruits. The commanders of the six main regiments and the direct units stood in front of the rostrum, holding red flowers made overnight, including new soldiers from the new recruit regiment and those who had participated in the Xikou battle, came to the front of the rostrum under the leadership of the cadres, and let the cadres pin the red flowers on their chests. The red star on the cap, the red collar badge on the shoulder, and the red flower on the chest made every new soldier feel warm in his heart.

  Many years later, a young water soldier who joined the Red Army said in an interview with a reporter: "At that moment, let alone asking me to take up arms against the White Dog, even if I were asked to block the enemy's machine gun nest, I would rush forward without hesitation. You are young and do not understand, in old China, human life is cheaper than grass. How many years have I grown up, when have I ever enjoyed that kind of dignity and honor as a person and as a soldier?

  The summary and commendation of the Xiaoshui and Xikou battles were held next. First, Li Qing read out the order from the Central Revolutionary Military Commission to award the Red 18th Regiment a collective special merit citation. Then Wu Zheng read out the orders from the Red Third Army Corps to award collective special merit citations to the Red First Battalion, Red Second Battalion, Red Third Battalion, Red Fourth Battalion, Heavy Machine Gun Battalion, Sniper Platoon and Radio Station, as well as collective first-class merit citations to the Artillery Battalion, Red Fifth Battalion, Red Sixth Battalion, Engineer Battalion, New Soldier Battalion, Cavalry Company, Scout Platoon, and collective second-class merit citations to the Logistics Battalion, Instructional Corps, Guard Platoon, Communications Platoon and Field Hospital.

  Representatives of the units that made outstanding contributions stood neatly in front of the rostrum, Liu Yimin and Cai Zhong stepped down from the stage and presented awards to the first-class merit, second-class merit and third-class merit troops respectively.

  No small talk, no greetings, not a single word of praise or encouragement. The scene was solemn and silent, anyone who dared to cough would attract a stream of white eyes. Awarding, saluting, shaking hands, awarding, saluting, shaking hands, proceeding in order.

  When Liu Yimin handed the last certificate of merit to Battalion Commander Gao Yuan, the two men saluted each other solemnly and shook hands. At that moment, a wave of sobbing spread throughout the scene. The old Red Army soldiers of the 18th Regiment could not hold back their excitement, and their light sobs turned into loud wailing. Who would have thought that the 18th Regiment, which had once been on the brink of destruction at Gulingtou, waiting for annihilation by the enemy, could be reborn from the ashes and grow into the Central Guard Regiment that was about to be established?

  When the crying subsided and the soldiers' emotions stabilized a bit, Li Qing began to read out the 18th Regiment Party Committee's decision to commend the soldiers who performed bravely and achieved outstanding results in the Xiao Shui and Xi Kou battles. There were too many names and the document was too long, so this article will not list them one by one. In total, 3320 people were awarded third-class merit, 960 people were awarded second-class merit, 390 people were awarded first-class merit, and 15 people were awarded special merit.

  On an early winter morning, the air was particularly fresh, and the scent of mud from the fields wafted up to the noses of the Red Army soldiers who had just been crying and suffering. The residents of Jingzhou, who had risen early, gathered around in a circle to watch, not understanding the emotions of the old Red Army soldiers, but feeling it was novel to see the soldiers lined up, row by row, coming forward to receive awards and wear red flowers. This was a rare thing that only happened in certain dynasties! However, people aren't stupid, and the villagers were clear that this Red Army unit had won a great victory and was now being evaluated for their achievements.

  15 cadres and soldiers who won the first-class merit came to receive awards. They are: Wang Tongsheng, the sniper platoon leader of the Xiaoshui ambush battle, who was the first to wound enemy 48th Division Commander Liu Jiren; Li Shuiniu, a sniper warrior of the Xiaoshui ambush battle, who wounded enemy division commander Zhang Liangji; Wang Shangwu and Liu Bin, sniper warriors of the Xigou battle, who killed enemy 63rd Division Commander Chen Guangzhong and his chief of staff; Hu LaoHu, the cavalry company commander of the Xigou battle, who led 50 men to fire the first blocking shot; He Xinghua and Lu Wen, the radio station director and reporter, who disguised themselves as an enemy radio station and lured the enemy into an ambush; Qi Fengnian, the platoon leader of the third battalion seventh company first platoon, who launched a surprise attack on the enemy Wang Yuying brigade; Long Huwa and Long Huizi, the machine gun company commander and deputy commander, who took advantage of the heavy machine gun firepower in the initial battle of Xiaoshui; Yang Degui, the mortar gunner of the fourth battalion fire support company, who hit the enemy mortar position with one shot during the Xigou battle that annihilated Tao Guang's troops; Zhang Chenglin, the deputy commander of the artillery battalion first company second platoon, who played a key role in defeating the enemy during the Xigou battle that annihilated Tao Guang's troops; Bai Dagu, a warrior of the first battalion first company, who killed 17 enemies with his rifle in the Xiaoshui and Xigou battles; Cheng Ningwang, a machine gunner of the third battalion seventh company second platoon, who killed countless enemies with his light machine gun in the Xiaoshui and Xigou battles; Wang Chunming, the squad leader of the second battalion sixth company third platoon, who was the first to rush onto the highway during the initial battle of Xiaoshui.

  Liu Yimin and Cai Zhong gave a heroic welcome to Rong Lide and others with red flowers on their heads!

  A row of guards stood behind the battalion commander and political commissar, holding red silk ribbons and flowers, as well as certificates of merit. Liu Yimin handed out the certificates to the meritorious soldiers, then turned around and took a large red flower from a guard soldier, carefully pinning it on the chest of each meritorious soldier. Cai Zhong followed by draping the red silk ribbons over their shoulders. Then, Liu Yimin and Cai Zhong stepped back together, saluted, shook hands with the soldiers, and shouted in unison: "Meritorious service is glorious!" Almost every single meritorious soldier had tears in his eyes as he replied loudly: "The Red Army will surely win!"

  This is a tremendous shock to the soul for all Red Army soldiers, including old and new! To make achievements is glorious, to make great achievements is most glorious! Especially for the new soldiers, seeing their former comrades Yang De-gui and Bai Da-gui receive awards from the regiment commander and political commissar, they are stirred up by a mighty wave of emotion, shouting: "Come on, enemy, come on! I also want to achieve merit, great merit! I also want the regiment commander and political commissar to award me!"

  After the commendation ceremony, it was the founding ceremony of the Central Guard Corps.

  Tsai Chung-hsien first read out the order of the Central Revolutionary Military Commission on the establishment of the Central Guard Regiment. Liu I-min was appointed as the regimental commander and party secretary, Tsai Chung as political commissar and deputy party secretary, Liu Chien as party committee member and chief of staff, Li Ching as party committee member and director of the political department, Wu Cheng as party committee member and director of the logistics department.

  Then Cai Zhong read out the Red Army General Political Department's announcement on the formation and personnel appointments of the Central Guard Division: The original 1st, 4th and 6th battalions of the 18th Regiment were reorganized into the 1st Guard Regiment, with Gao Yuan as regiment commander, Hong Chaojun as political commissar and Lei Ming as chief of staff; The original 2nd, 5th and 7th battalions of the 18th Regiment were reorganized into the 2nd Guard Regiment, with Zhang Hongtao as regiment commander, Zhao Shan as political commissar and Li Yimo as chief of staff; The original 3rd, 8th and 9th battalions of the 18th Regiment were reorganized into the 3rd Guard Regiment, with Chen Dayong as regiment commander, Chen Dazhong as political commissar and Shi Ran as chief of staff.

  After the order was read out, each unit re-formed in the new formation and held a flag-giving ceremony.

  The host Li Qing shouted: "The founding and flag-presenting ceremony of the Central Guard Regiment of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army has begun. The person presenting the flag is Liu Yimin, commander of the Central Guard Regiment. The person receiving the flag is Gao Yuan, commander of the First Guard Regiment. Please have the First Guard Regiment receive the flag."

  Highland, Hong Chao-yuan, and Lei Ming stepped forward in unison, marching to Liu Yi-min's front and standing at attention. Liu Yi-min unfolded the red flag in his hand, revealing a golden five-pointed star embroidered on the upper left corner, with the characters "August 1" beside it, "Guard Team One" in the middle, and the eight characters "Invincible in Battle, Unconquerable in War" below, with the date "December 15, 1934, Central Guard Regiment of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army" on the lower right corner.

  Liu Yimin handed the flag over to Gao Yuan's hands and shouted loudly: "As long as people are here, the flag will be here, forever passed down!"

  The standard-bearer held the flag in his hand, and with a loud shout, let the banner wave in the wind: "As long as people exist, the flag exists! Forever passed down, forever inherited! Thank you, Master!" Then he proudly walked towards a team.

  The Second and Third Battalions were awarded flags in the same manner as the First Battalion. The difference was that the flag of the Second Battalion had "Unyielding and Sharp, Victorious in a Hundred Battles" embroidered on it, while the flag of the Third Battalion had "Attacking and Defending with Equal Strength, Shaking the Enemy's Courage".

  After the flag-giving ceremony, Liu Yimin, the new commander of the Central Guard Regiment, delivered a brief speech, later known as the Jinggangshan Oath: "Today, the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army Central Guard Regiment was established. This is an affirmation by the Military Commission of the Central Revolutionary Committee, Chairman Mao, Vice-Chairman Zhou, and Commander-in-Chief Zhu of the merits of the soldiers of the 18th Corps. It is a supreme trust in us. The task of the Central Guard Regiment from now on is to defeat all enemies, defend the Party Central Committee with our lives, defend Chairman Mao! Carry the workers' and peasants' revolution through to the end, drive out all invaders, eliminate all reactionaries, and strive for the construction of a prosperous, strong, civilized, and harmonious new China!"

  The founding ceremony of the Central Guard Unit ended in applause from the warriors.

  Later military historians commented on this section: "On December 15, 1934, during the Long March, at the founding ceremony of the Central Guard Regiment held in Jinggangshan, it was grand and warm, playing a role in gathering people's hearts and morale, opening up a new path for our army's ideological and political work. From then on, the old Red Army and new soldiers of the Central Guard Regiment merged into one. It laid a solid foundation for the development and growth of this unit as a Red Army corps-level unit, a first-class military district during the War of Resistance against Japan, and a million-strong lion corps during the Liberation War. It was indeed a phoenix rebirth."