Volume 2 Southern Campaign Chapter 35 Post-War Summary

  As the good news came one by one in the evening, Chen Shao's mood also improved, and he ate an extra bowl of rice for dinner, which surprised Wang Jie a little. As for capturing Li Zongren, Chen Shao didn't have much thought about it, killing him was not what Chen Shao had in mind, using him was not necessary for the time being, so Chen Shao just let people take him to Qinghe Village and settle down, eating well every day, except for leaving Qinghe Village and entering military forbidden areas, the rest were free to move around. As for his subordinates, they went to repair roads, build houses, guaranteeing three meals a day, no need to mention wages. After reforming, whether to stay or leave was up to them. However, according to Chen Shao's estimation, although they had to work here, they could eat well and dress warmly, and when the time came, those who wanted to leave were not many. As for the wounded soldiers, those who could be saved would be saved, and those who couldn't be saved couldn't be helped.

  The next day, in the afternoon, all troops had completed their predetermined combat plans and after the reserve forces took over, the three divisions that went out also returned to Qinghe Village.

  In the afternoon, Chen Shao summoned all officers above regimental level to a meeting at the base to summarize the results of the battle and discuss what shortcomings need to be improved in combat.

  Everyone was chatting and laughing along the way, even when they entered the conference room, until a serious-faced person walked in, the noisy voices finally subsided.

  "Everyone's in high spirits, I wonder if I should give you all a bit more time. I'll step out first and let you guys chat some more. You're all still chattering away even after entering the conference room, what kind of discipline is this?"

  Seeing Chen Shao's expressionless face, he finally felt that his superior was unhappy and sat down in his seat in an orderly manner.

  "It's not just a victory, look at you all rejoicing, do you still know your identity? I'm not saying you can't be happy, I'm happy too, but we mustn't forget ourselves, we must always remember our identity. You are now senior generals of the People's Army, you must be humble and prudent, you must always remember that. Do you still remember the motto of the Chinese Military Academy? Let me remind you: discipline and military bearing are what we demand more strictly than other schools or even troops, don't indulge yourselves, don't make excuses for yourselves. This meeting started three minutes late, each of you will receive a minor demerit, and tonight each of you will copy the motto 30 times. The meeting is now in session."

  Actually, Chen Shao didn't want to pour cold water on them at this moment, after all they had won a victory, but he also didn't want his officers to become arrogant and complacent. He wanted to nip all this in the bud, to keep his officer team always clear-headed, never becoming arrogant or proud.

  Listening to Chen Shao's words, the crowd also felt that these two days seemed to have forgotten themselves a bit, and Chen Shao's words also awakened them, as if they had been too indulgent with themselves.

  "Hehe, now let's talk about what we've gained in the past two days, Baili you go first." At this time, Chen Shao seemed to be very happy again, and his face didn't have the seriousness from earlier, only a smile remained.

  As for Chen Shao's expression, it seemed that everyone had not yet recovered, and even Jiang Baili forgot to answer. Looking at the expressions of the crowd, Chen Shao smiled again: "Having won a victory, shouldn't we be happy? We just can't overdo it. Before the meeting, I'd like to announce one thing: from now on, the monthly salary of the Chinese People's Army will increase from 4 yuan to 6 yuan, and the reserve forces will increase from 2 yuan to 3 yuan. All officers' salaries will also increase by 50%. Today's meat rations will be doubled, and everyone is allowed to take two more days off. You'll all pass on this order later."

  It was only then that everyone reacted, and Jiang Baili spoke up: "Thank you, sir, for your concern for the soldiers. I'd like to thank you on their behalf first."

  Currently in the country, ordinary warlord troops are lucky to get two silver dollars per month, and often have their pay suspended, with some not having received any pay at all, as it has been embezzled by their superiors. However, this is not seen in the People's Army, which not only provides a salary but also gifts during holidays, a first in the country.

  "Never mind the thanks for now, let's report on the outcome of the battle first." Chen Shao said with a wave of his hand.

  "Yes, after two days of fighting, the People's Army has completely taken down all areas of Guangxi Province, and except for the elimination of the three divisions of the Gui system and the larger battle scenes in Nanning City, the other cities did not have much fighting at all. Basically, as long as we set up a few artillery pieces outside the city and fired a few shots, plus our capture of Li Zongren, the big boss of the Gui system, they would surrender obediently. Some didn't even need to fire a shot before surrendering. However, in Guilin City, there was resistance from Bai Chongxi's two divisions stationed there, and Bai Chongxi himself was also inside. But facing our land and air offensive, Guilin City was taken down by us last night, and Bai Chongxi was captured by our special forces infiltrating Guilin and is now being escorted away.

  Originally, Bai Chongxi wanted to send troops to relieve Nanning, but possibly after learning that we had already taken Nanning, he gathered his remaining two divisions to make a final stand in Guilin. Obviously, Bai Chongxi miscalculated.

  Jiang Baili couldn't help but smile as he finished speaking. Jiang Baili was very familiar with Li Zongren and Bai Chongxi, and it's clear that he felt a thrill of excitement at the fact that these two were now his prisoners. With their defeat, the Gui system would cease to exist."

  Chen Shao already knew about this matter early this morning, but he didn't have much interest in Li Zongren and Bai Chongxi, at least not now. After learning that Bai Chongxi was arrested this morning, he did feel a bit sentimental, as history had been altered by his own hands; originally, the two giants of the Nationalist Party were both caught by him, and his goal in mind had progressed further.

  "Putting Bai Chongxi and Li Zongren together, apart from going out of Qinghe Village and entering the non-military zone, I'll let them wander around on their own. I think they will come to see us on their own initiative." Chen Shao said indifferently: "Now each division reports the casualties? The first division comes first."

  "Report to the superior officer: In the siege of nn city, my division lost 25 soldiers and 129 wounded. Among them, one squad leader was killed in action, all the wounded are lightly injured, and the most serious ones can return to the team within a month. In other cities' battles, my division has no casualties."

  Next was the Second Division Commander Chen Fuqin: "Reporting to the superior officer, in the battle of attacking the city, our Second Division had a total of 28 soldiers killed and 89 wounded. There were no officers killed, two of the wounded needed amputation, while the others were lightly injured and are expected to return to their posts in a short period of time. In other city battles, my division did not have any casualties."

  Chen Fuqin finished speaking, and Huang Bai continued: "Report to the superior officer, in our three divisions' encirclement and annihilation of the three Guangxi clique divisions, a total of 68 soldiers were killed in action, 358 wounded, one regimental commander and two platoon commanders were killed, among the wounded, 89 were seriously injured, with over a dozen requiring amputation, the rest were lightly injured. In other city battles, our division did not suffer any casualties."

  "Wang Yunshan: 'Report to the superior officer, this battle our heavy artillery regiment has no casualties.'"

  "Report to the superior officer: In this battle, my armored brigade did not suffer any casualties, but several dozen tanks broke down on the road and are currently under repair."

  "Report to the superior officer: In this battle, our air force dispatched a total of 102 sorties of fighter jets. There were no casualties in this battle."

  "Report to the superior officer: In this battle, my special operations battalion participated in combat twice and did not suffer any casualties."

  "For the martyred soldiers, we must do a good job in consolation and at the same time, to compensate for the families of the wounded and martyred soldiers, I hereby announce a decision: from now on, all martyred soldiers' families will receive a one-time condolence payment of 100 times the soldier's salary, as well as half a year's worth of salary every year for ten years. For this battle, the martyred soldiers will be paid according to the increased salary standard, and in the future, all preferential policies will be given priority to the families of martyred soldiers.

  As for the wounded soldiers, they can also receive compensation of 50 times their salary, and we will try our best to arrange work for them. At the same time, their monthly salary will continue to be paid until they reach retirement age.

  For this battle, we must also reward the brave soldiers who fought valiantly. Each regiment should prepare a list of names and implement it as soon as possible."

  "What did we gain from this battle?"

  "This time, our People's Army achieved a great victory in the battle. Not only did we take down the entire province of Guangxi, but also several cities on the borders of Guangdong and Guangxi provinces. In this battle, our People's Army completely annihilated 7 divisions of the Guangxi warlord forces, capturing alive the big bosses Li Zongren and Bai Chongxi, as well as 7 division-level officers and 687,542 officers and soldiers below the division level. Among them, we killed 4 enemy division commanders, and a total of 28,542 officers and soldiers below the division commander level. In this battle, we captured over 80,000 rifles, several hundred light and heavy machine guns, over a hundred artillery pieces, occupied 13 major cities, dozens of county towns, and obtained nearly 10 million yuan in gold bars and silver coins, as well as many valuable antiques and paintings that are still being counted."

  "Ah, good, the antique calligraphy and painting statistics are complete, so seal them all up. I'll use them later. The gold is the same, from now on, all antiques, calligraphy and paintings, as well as gold obtained through battle must be carefully preserved."

  "Now let's summarize our experience."

  ……