Zhao Gang asked: "Have you met the brigade commander when you came back from Taiyuan?"
Xu Dalong said: "Not yet. The mission has been completed. There is nothing left for me to do. I will go back now."
Li Yunlong said: "This is not possible. I'll talk to the brigade commander. Dalong and the others have completed their mission. They have to go to the brigade commander to give Dalong and the others a reward."
Zhao Gang also meant this. He hoped that Xu Dalong would report to the brigade commander before leaving.
He said: "It's better to call the brigade commander and report."
Li Yunlong picked up the phone and called the brigade commander.
The brigade commander said: "Let Xu Dalong answer the phone."
Xu Dalong took the phone and said, "Hello, Brigadier."
The brigade commander said happily: "Xu Dalong, you completed the mission well, and the battle with the New Second Regiment was also very good. Did you have any difficulties in Mawu Mountain?"
Xu Dalong said: "Report to the brigade commander, we can overcome other difficulties, but we have too many new soldiers, and most of the cadres are promoted from soldiers and lack experience. Can you support some guerrilla cadres?"
The brigade commander really cared about Xu Dalong. He said: "I have prepared it for you. I have transferred ten company and platoon cadres from the brigade and twenty squad leaders. I will let them report to you at the independent regiment.
"
Xu Dalong said gratefully: "Thank you, Brigadier, for your concern."
The brigade commander said: "The enemy situation there is complicated, and everything depends on you. When encountering difficulties, you must be calm, use your brains, and pay attention to the construction of the base area. This is the foundation for the development and growth of the guerrillas.
If you encounter any difficulties, don't hold on. You can report it to the Independent Group at any time, or you can come to me directly. Your superiors will try their best to help you solve the difficulties."
Xu Dalong was very moved and expressed his gratitude to the brigade commander again.
The brigade commander said: "Let Zhao Gang answer the phone."
Xu Dalong handed the phone to Zhao Gang, and the brigade commander said: "It's not easy for Xu Dalong and the others. Your independent group should help them as much as possible. Don't let me worry about them."
Zhao Gang said: "Brigadier, please rest assured that we will do our best to provide help to the guerrillas."
After talking to the brigade commander on the phone, Zhao Gang said: "Old Li, the brigade commander is right. We can't just wait for Xu Dalong and others to send us weapons, ammunition and property. We also remove a group of cadres from the regiment and give them to
Dalong and the others."
Li Yunlong said: "No problem, you can arrange this."
Xu Dalong waited for the brigade headquarters to send the group of cadres over, so he stayed at the Independent Regiment today.
That night, Xu Dalong and Li Yunlong sat cross-legged on the kang, drank and chatted until late at night, and then fell asleep.
The next morning, the group of cadres sent by the brigade headquarters arrived. Xu Dalong led the soldiers of the special operations team and lined up at the entrance of the courtyard of the independent regiment headquarters to welcome them.
The deputy company commander leading the team was a small man, dark and lean. He stood at attention, saluted, and reported in a thick Hubei accent: "Reporting to the brigade captain, the brigade headquarters should have 30 reinforcements for the backbone of the Mawushan guerrillas, and the actual number has been 30.
Mr. Zhou Binggen, deputy commander of the second company of the 1st Battalion of the 72nd Regiment."
Xu Dalong came to the front of the team of key members and delivered a passionate speech.
He said: "Brothers, you all come from the old army. You all have excellent military and political qualities. You are the backbone of each unit's combat, our brigade commander's treasure, and the most urgently needed talents for the Mahushan guerrillas.
I believe that after you join the guerrillas, you will be able to carry forward the glorious traditions of the old army, improve the overall quality of the guerrillas, and make significant contributions to the construction and development of the guerrillas.
…”
Under normal circumstances, people in the main force are reluctant to join the guerrillas because they feel as if they have been downgraded. However, the Mawushan guerrillas are different. The troops have good equipment and enough bullets for fighting. It is fun to think about it.
The guerrillas have strong combat effectiveness, develop rapidly, and win great victories that are even more admirable. The guerrillas are well-fed and receive military pay, which is enviable.
In the eyes of the Eighth Route Army officers and soldiers, the Mawushan guerrillas are not a local force, but the main force among the main forces.
I heard that people were needed here, so the key people rushed to come.
When they saw the special forces team members and their sophisticated equipment, they became jealous.
Xu Dalong is a legendary figure. In the eyes of these backbones, he is like a god of war.
Seeing Xu Dalong's enthusiasm, they were all full of expectations for the new fighting life to come.
The Independent Regiment also gave Xu Dalong a deputy company commander, four platoon leaders, five deputy platoon leaders, and ten deputy squad leaders.
The Independent Regiment also lacked cadres. Li Yunlong, Zhao Gang and others spent a lot of money for Xu Dalong.
Xu Dalong and others gained a lot from this trip and embarked on their return journey with satisfaction.
After Xu Dalong and others returned to the Mawushan base area, they found that the enemy situation had become more serious.
When they went back, they took a mountain road. When they came out, there were no enemies here.
When I came back, I found that there was already a platoon of puppet troops guarding the place.
Xu Dalong and others fought a battle and annihilated these puppet troops before entering the base area.
Lingao City.
Qianye Xunyi paid more and more attention to Yan Guiwu. In order to facilitate the discussion with him, he asked Yan Guiwu to move the headquarters of Huang Xiejun's 4th Division to Lingao City.
This morning, in his office, Chiba Xunyi said: "Currently, the blockade of Mawu Mountain has been formed. What should we do next? Yan Sang, tell us your views."
Yan Guiwu said: "At this stage, the best way to deal with the guerrillas is to starve them to death, which is also called starving them to death."
Yan Guiwu's statement aroused Qianye Xunyi's interest, and he said: "How do you say this?"
Yan Guiwu said: "The Eighth Route guerrillas are within our blockade. They go from village to village all day long to win over the people and encourage them to fight against Japan. Most of the people support the guerrillas, which will give the Yellow Army a chance to eliminate the guerrillas."
Great difficulties came.
But for now, it is a good thing for us. After our blockade, the supplies of materials in the villages and towns around Mawu Mountain have become increasingly tight. The closer the relationship between the Eighth Route Army guerrillas and the common people, the greater their responsibility.
, to be responsible for the lives of so many people, the pressure can be imagined.
As long as we continue the blockade, those people will be short of food and clothing, and they will not be able to survive for long.
At that time, they will all complain about the guerrillas. It is because the guerrillas went to Mawu Mountain that it caused difficulties in the lives of the people.
If the guerrillas cannot solve these difficulties, they will definitely lose the support of the people, and then the guerrillas will naturally collapse.
In order to exacerbate the living difficulties of the people in the blockade, my opinion is that we should drive some people into the blockade.
Doesn’t the Eighth Route Army claim that they care for the common people? Then they also have to bear the burden of the lives of these common people. They are already very difficult. If there are so many mouths, I don’t see how they can afford it.
Sending people to them seems to increase their strength, but this is called starving them to death. In fact, it increases their consumption, so they starve to death."
Qianye Xunyi was very appreciative of Yan Guiwu's suggestion. He said, "Yoxi, Yan Sang, this is a great idea."
The chief of staff also said: "Yan Sang, this is a really good idea, and I agree with it. Let's capture as many people as possible, the more the better, and send them all to the guerrillas."
When Yan Guiwu was praised, his mind became more flexible.
He said: "In order to prevent the guerrillas from taking advantage of those people, we will only send them the old, weak, sick and disabled, not the young ones."
Qianye Xunyi said with satisfaction: "Yan Sang, you are extremely loyal to Huang Jun. I will leave this matter to you."
Yan Guiwu felt very depressed when he heard this.
He hated that he could never change his habit of talking too much. This job was a job that was hated by others. If he did this thing, he would be scolded to death by the common people, and he would probably be remembered by the Mawushan guerrillas.
, maybe he will be eliminated by the guerrillas like the 82nd Regiment Captain Yokota Makio.
He hurriedly said: "Your Excellency, Division Commander, it is best for the gendarmerie from various places to handle this matter, with our Huang Xiejun cooperating."
For Chiba Xunyi, he only needs to see this result, it doesn't matter who will do it.
He said: "Okay then. Let the Gendarmerie Headquarters notify us and let the gendarmerie teams in each county take charge of this matter. You, Huang Xiejun, will cooperate."
Yan Guiwu breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly said: "Your Excellency, the division commander, is wise. With Huang Jun taking the initiative, we will definitely get twice the result with half the effort."
Mantou Peak.
In the conference room, Zheng Xirong reported on the recent enemy situation.
He said: "Captain, the Japanese and puppet troops have built strong fortifications on the main traffic roads around Mawu Mountain, and some small roads are also guarded by Japanese and puppet troops, forming a tight encirclement.
They are also digging blockade ditches around the stronghold, and the blockade will become increasingly tight in the future.
Nowadays, the connection between the base area and the outside world has been basically cut off. The common people have no way to enter and exit normally, and even the activities of the guerrillas have been greatly restricted. Two scouts from our squadron wanted to cross the enemy's blockade, but they were blocked.
The enemy ambush and died."
Wang Xiaohu said: "As the blockade of the base area by the Japanese and puppet troops continues to strengthen, the supply of materials in the base area has become increasingly difficult. Although you brought back a lot of money this time, you can't buy anything in the base area now even if you have money."
Hearing this, Sun Desheng interrupted and said, "Isn't that right? Now we can hardly even supply the black beans that the war horses eat."
Gao Youtian said: "The little devils are too wicked. Every day they drive some old, young, women and children into our base area. They have nothing. I have settled them in various villages.
But there are more and more people coming from outside. As of yesterday, there were more than 1,100 people. It won’t be long before we can no longer arrange it.”
Wang Xiaohu said: "Yes, Captain, we have to find a way quickly. If this continues, we won't even have enough food in the base area."
The cadres were talking a lot, saying that they should quickly break the enemy's blockade.
Xu Dalong also felt a little headache after listening to the discussions among the cadres. He believed that there were experts among the Japanese and puppet troops, and these tactics were so unscrupulous that it was very difficult to deal with them.
☆☆☆☆☆☆
A headache is a headache, but as the top commander of the base area, Xu Dalong's emotions will affect the fighting spirit of the entire base area's soldiers and civilians.
He smiled and said: "It's no big deal, there are always more solutions than difficulties. We will definitely be able to defeat the enemy's blockade.
There is a word called crisis. It sounds like a derogatory term, but in fact it is not. Crisis is also an opportunity.
The current crisis is the difficulty we face, because these difficulties also bring us opportunities.
Think about it, everyone, this area used to be an area controlled by the Jinsui Army, but now it has become an enemy-occupied area. The Eighth Route Army's influence in this area is very limited. We need to patiently and meticulously do a lot of publicity and education work to win the support of the people.
recognition and support.
Didn’t the Japanese and puppet troops drive a large number of people into our guerrilla zones? Where did these people come from? Of course they came from enemy-occupied areas.
Think about it, what would they think if the enemy treated these innocent people like this? What would their families think? What would their relatives and friends think? Will they hate the Japanese and puppet troops?
The guerrillas are wholeheartedly helping these people. Will they identify with the guerrillas? Will they support the guerrillas? Is there any better anti-Japanese propaganda than this?
As long as we can break the enemy's blockade and send these people back to their hometowns, the good reputation of the Eighth Route Army will surely spread everywhere. This is what the enemy is really saying is that he has shot himself in the foot by stealing the chicken but losing the rice.
"
The guerrilla cadres all trusted Xu Dalong. Seeing his relaxed look, everyone's mood improved and they all applauded in approval.
Lingao City.
Chiba Xunyi pays attention to the blockade of Mawu Mountain every day. When he heard that the Japanese and puppet troops would capture some old, weak, sick and disabled ordinary people every day and send them to the blockade, he seemed to see Xu Dalong's helpless appearance.
After all, it is very difficult to feed these old, weak, sick and disabled people.
Whenever he thinks of this, Chiba Xunyi feels very happy.
In the blockade, people's lives are very inconvenient. Some people have various needs and have to leave the blockade to do urgent things.
They sneaked out from the alley, and many of them were caught by the Japanese and puppet troops.
The Japanese and puppet troops strictly scrutinize those who want to go out. If they think they are Eighth Route spies, they will be shot on the spot. For the rest, they will ask about the situation inside the base area, and then drive them back to continue to become the base area.
burden.
According to what the Japanese and puppet troops learned from captured civilians, the supply of materials in the base area was difficult, and various internal conflicts began to deepen.
Chiba Xunyi believed that the blockade strategy was very effective, and he was very pleased that he finally found a way to deal with the Mawushan guerrillas.
He said to the chief of staff: "I wonder how Xu Dalong and the others deal with this situation?"
The chief of staff was also in a good mood and said: "I sometimes wonder, if I were Xu Dalong, how should I deal with this situation? No matter how I think about it, it is very difficult. I am afraid there is only one way, and that is to abandon their base areas and concentrate on
Troops, break through the blockade and leave Mawu Mountain."
Qianye Xunyi smiled and said: "As long as they give up their base and leave our defense area, they can go wherever they want, and it has nothing to do with us. Our division's defense area will also be restored to law and order."
On this day, Chiba Xunyi received a report from Yan Guiwu, saying that in Guancheng County, a platoon of puppet troops responsible for blocking a mountain road was wiped out by the guerrillas. This shows that someone from the guerrillas entered and exited the blockade.
Yan Guiwu suggested that more troops be deployed to reinforce the blockade.
Chiba Xunyi felt a little headache. He said: "The division only has nine infantry brigades in total, and five infantry brigades have been dispatched now. If more troops are transferred there, other parts of the entire division's defense area will be too empty."
The chief of staff said: "Your Excellency, Division Commander, I think Yan Sang's opinion can be considered. Now there is no main force of the Eighth Route Army in our defense area and its surroundings. There are no problems with public security in various places, and there is no need for a large garrison of troops.
Here in Lingao City, there is a team directly under the division and regiment headquarters, as well as an engineering regiment and a heavy supply regiment, so there is no problem in ensuring safety.
Only the Jinsui Army in the southwest can pose a threat to our defense area.
The Jinsui Army has no intention of taking the initiative to fight, so it only needs to leave one infantry brigade to monitor them, so that two infantry brigade can be freed up to strengthen the siege of the Mawushan guerrillas."
Qianye Xun made up his mind and said: "Okay then, let the 81st Regiment and the 83rd Regiment each deploy an infantry brigade to strengthen the siege of Mawu Mountain."
Mantou Peak.
The intelligence stations set up by the Mawushan guerrillas in five surrounding counties played a great role.
The news that the Japanese army had dispatched two additional brigades quickly reached the ears of Xu Dalong and others.
Sun Desheng said: "The little devils really think highly of us, and basically the main force of the 32nd Division has come over.
Captain, we must take action immediately. Among other things, the war horses have no more concentrated feed. The people in the base area are very supportive of us. County Magistrate Gao helped us raise a batch of horse feed, but at most we can only support half of it.
Months later, we must quickly find a way to break the little devil’s blockade.”
Wang Chengzhu and others also urged Xu Dalong to make up his mind quickly.
Xu Dalong said: "I agree with everyone's opinions. Let's start preparations now. We will inform you that a combat meeting will be held in the morning the day after tomorrow, and all cadres above the squadron leader will participate."
World War II District Governor's Department.
Li Kun received a telegram from Xu Dalong, hoping that he could help purchase another batch of high explosives, and if possible, a detonator and a batch of electric detonators. The price was not a problem, he could accept it even at the black market price.
Xu Dalong asked Li Kun to send a telegram to him after he was ready. He would send someone to pick it up after a while.
Li Kun was very concerned about Xu Dalong and asked about Ma Wushan.
Xu Dalong truthfully told him the difficulties faced by the base area.
Li Kun did not expect that Xu Dalong and the others were in such difficulty. He wanted to help Xu Dalong. He promised to help Xu Dalong get supplies. At the same time, he found the chief of staff and hoped that the Jinsui Army could send troops to cooperate with Xu Dalong's guerrilla operations.
The chief of staff hoped to send troops to help Xu Dalong, but after he asked the King of Shanxi for instructions, the king of Shanxi did not agree, and the chief of staff was helpless.
He said to Li Kun: "We really can't help with the Eighth Route Army's affairs. You might as well report this information to the Eighth Route Army's office and let the Eighth Route Army find a solution."
There was only so much Li Kun could do to help Xu Dalong now, so he came to the Eighth Route Army Office.
Representative Wang only knew that Xu Dalong and others had been winning battles, and not long ago they had given part of their bonuses to the office. He thought Xu Dalong was living a comfortable life, but he did not expect that their plight was so severe.
He immediately drafted a telegram and reported to the headquarters.
Headquarters.
After reading the telegram sent by Representative Wang, the boss said with some surprise: "Xu Dalong and the others are in such a serious enemy situation. Why didn't anyone report it to the headquarters? What do Li Yunlong and the others do for food?"
The chief of staff said: "I guess it is Xu Dalong who did not report to the independent regiment. Otherwise, Li Yunlong would not be able to calm down. He would definitely ask his superiors for instructions and lead troops to reinforce."
The division commander said: "I also think so. After this period of testing, it has been proved that Xu Dalong is an excellent commander who can stand alone. I believe that the reason why he did not report to his superiors is that he did not want to report to his superiors.
The most important reason for causing trouble is because they are confident of solving the predicament at hand."
The boss nodded and said: "I also think Xu Dalong has the ability to break the Japanese army's blockade, but we still have to provide them with help as much as possible."
The teacher said: "I will arrange this matter."
The brigade commander received a call from the division commander and ordered the telegraph operator to contact Xu Dalong directly and ask him if he needed help.
Xu Dalong received the telegram from the brigade commander. Seeing the love and care between the lines, he was very moved and sent the telegram to the brigade commander.
After reading the telegram, the brigade commander was very moved and reported the situation to the division commander.
The division commander said with emotion: "The boss, chief of staff, and Xu Dalong responded to the telegram and said that they were grateful for the commander's concern. They were confident and sure of defeating the enemy's blockade, holding the Mawushan base area, and continuing to fight there.
Xu Dalong and the others are really not simple. They always solve problems for their superiors and hand over all kinds of materials, but they never make demands to their superiors. Such soldiers are so cute."
The boss said: "Our Eighth Route Army needs such cadres. This Xu Dalong must be well trained and let him take on more important responsibilities in the future."
Having said this, the boss lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then raised his head and said: "Send a telegram to Xu Dalong and appoint him to translate it himself."
The chief of staff recorded the contents of the telegram given by the boss, went to the telecommunications room in person, and appointed the head of the telecommunications department at the headquarters to send the telegram.
Mantou Peak.
Xu Dalong received a telegram from the headquarters. The telegram stated that the next telegram would be translated by Xu Dalong himself.
Xu Dalong knew that there were important instructions from the headquarters. He personally watched Lin Xueying receive the telegram and translated it himself with the code book.