At three o'clock in the afternoon on September 22, the early autumn sun hung lazily in the sky. Under the still hot sunshine, a 300-ton cargo ship flying the German flag slowly docked outside Yidu County, Hubei Province.
At Longwangtai Pier, 12 kilometers south, two men in suits and leather shoes took the lead to walk down the gangway. Several men in gray revolutionary army general uniforms on the pier strode forward to greet them, shaking hands tightly and greeting each other cordially.
"Brother Ding, Xianwei, how is Master's health now? You don't know, when I received the telegram from Nanchang and found out that Master was assassinated and unconscious while giving a speech in Peking, I suddenly felt that the sky was about to collapse, and I cried on the spot.
I burst into tears and felt like a walking zombie for many days after that! Later, I found out that the master only recovered when he woke up. Most of the brothers in the army were like me. It was really unbearable to look back!"
Major General Deng Bin, who has been promoted to deputy commander of the 44th Army and commander of the teaching division, asked eagerly as soon as he held Ding Zhicheng's hand. The brothers behind him also looked at Ding Zhicheng and Wu Xianwei longingly.
Ding Zhicheng was very moved and said with a smile: "Don't worry, Master is recovering very quickly. Brother, I went to the hospital before I left. He can already walk a few steps in the courtyard with the cane given by Taoist Master Songjian. Master.
My beautiful daughter-in-law, Ou Chuer, also made a special trip back from the United States. She is tired of spending time with Master every day, and we brothers are too embarrassed to bother her. Haha...here, this is a personal letter from Master to you."
Wu Xianwei, the former deputy captain of the teaching brigade of the independent division and now the head of the teaching brigade of the Nanchang Non-commissioned Officer Training Base, glanced around and joked in a low voice with Major General Zhang Cunzhuang, the commander of the first division behind Deng Bin, and a group of old brothers:
"Brother Zhang, brothers, I haven't seen you for a few days. Your military ranks are almost higher than those of my younger brothers - ah! Lu Ping, you have become a colonel like me? It's incredible. It seems that the boss is right.
The harder the place, the more it can train people. It seems that I will have to apply for it next time!"
"Where are you talking? From now on, brother Wu can't say such unreasonable things anymore. What's the use of having a higher military rank? Without your help, we may not exist anymore! I still remember the time when I went to old Nanchang to ask for help.
At that time, our Forty-fourth Army was in a dangerous situation where it was difficult to survive. Only about 8,000 of the more than 20,000 people in the army fled into this area. We were already in a desperate situation. If it weren't for your help, we would not be as prosperous as we are today.
situation?
General Ding, according to regulations, the three commanders in the army cannot go outside the jurisdiction at the same time, so my eldest brother can only guard the central army. Please forgive me for missing the welcome! At this moment, he is already waiting eagerly at Guantao Pavilion of Cili Qingshan Temple.
Already."
After Zhang Cunzhuang finished speaking, he gave Wu Xianwei and Ding Zhicheng a strong hug, and then directed a regiment of brothers under his command to unload a shipload of weapons and equipment as quickly as possible and transport it away by horse team. Just after giving the order, he saw that it was sent to the old Nanchang non-commissioned officer base for training at the beginning of the year.
One hundred of his old subordinates quickly disembarked from the ship, lined up happily to salute him, and excitedly strode forward to salute him.
Ding Zhicheng turned to Deng Bin who put away the envelope and put it carefully into his coat pocket: "Master, I am sincerely pleased with your work achievements over the past year, and have obtained the official designation of the central government for the 44th Army that is facing disbandment. Because at the moment
We are in a sensitive period for national disarmament and deployment. Considering the comprehensive strategic considerations of concealing our strength and taking advantage of the situation, as well as the need to take care of the face of Li Delin, the chairman of the Wuhan Political Branch, we need to wait until February next year before it can be officially promulgated."
"Brother, I understand! Over the past year, we have carried out our work in full compliance with the three principles formulated by the Master. We have kept our power secret and concealed our strength. The outside world thinks that we are still an incomplete and lingering team of several thousand people, but secretly we have continued to strengthen the regularity of the army.
While conducting strict training and strengthening political education, we have also maintained close contact with the people and harmonized military-civilian relations. We have done well in these two aspects. However, we have not yet made a mark in economic development, but after one year of hard work, we have made great progress.
It's getting better, it will be harvest season next year.
Senior Zhang Hongluan trusted his juniors and subordinates very much. He not only promoted and entrusted them with important tasks, but also enthusiastically arranged marriages and matchmaking for the brothers, so that they could train and lead troops in the western Hunan region with peace of mind. This is how we now have three divisions and two
With a scale of 16,000 soldiers, a relatively formal training base and rotational training classes have been established. Our old Nanchang base has continued to provide weapons and ammunition, various materials and sufficient military pay throughout the year, making our 44th Army a leader in Hunan and Guizhou.
The richest army on the Sichuan-Hubei border, all the brothers in the army are grateful!" Deng Bin said excitedly.
Ding Zhicheng nodded happily: "As a family, don't talk about two families. You have done a great job. The master has said it several times. If his health hadn't allowed it, he would have wanted to come in person this time...
This place is the territory of Tao Jun of the Eighteenth Guangxi Army, is it safe?"
Deng Bin laughed: "No problem, the garrison in Yidu City has been bribed by us, and the local garrison in Shimen, Lixian, Taoyuan and other places are now living in harmony with us and making a fortune together. At the beginning of the year, they
They didn't know what to do. They fought a few battles with us, but lost their troops. They were also worried that we would take the opportunity to invade their territory, so they had to quietly send people to make peace. In the end, we agreed that the two sides would not invade each other, and we would accept the transit of their opium, medicinal materials and other goods.
They also facilitate our material transportation. The head of the Taoyuan garrison under the nose of Changde, the headquarters of the 14th Guangxi Army, is the nephew of the senior military officer Zhang Hongluan. He graduated from the eighth period of Baoding and has long wanted to join
Our army has been attacked, and for future plans, we can only let him endure it for the time being, so basically our eastward trade routes have been opened up."
"Amazing! No wonder Master is very relieved every time he mentions you. He said that your boy has grown faster than most brothers and is a down-to-earth general. He also said that after he recovers from his injury and returns to teach at the Central Military Academy, he will find a way to make you and
Several other brothers entered the second phase of the special class for further studies, and after being plated with gold, they became direct descendants of Huangpu, which will be of great help to their futures." Ding Zhicheng said with satisfaction.
Deng Bin was filled with emotion: "The boss has thought of everything for our brothers. I am really afraid of failing my boss's expectations! The work in the past year has really made me feel the importance of reading! I will hate the lack of books when I use them.
, there aren’t a few drops of ink in my stomach, it’s very uncomfortable!”
Ding Zhicheng smiled knowingly and said with deep feeling: "Brother, I only regretted it when I reached the position of deputy division commander. Who the hell had the thought of studying in the past? I have always felt that people who study are pedantic and are incompatible with us marching and fighting.
It’s a concept, and now I realize how ridiculous my idea is!
Come on, let's go over and take a look. The 100 students sent back this time can probably help you a lot. Twelve radio classes graduated, and more than 50 were trained by Xianwei's base teaching team and participated in the containment.
In the battle of the Sixth Army instructor division, there are also six people who graduated from the health team, the logistics and munitions class, the ordnance repair class, and the special class. I personally led them for half a year. They performed very well and had solid skills. Come over and meet them!
After unloading the goods, we rushed to see senior Zhang Hongluan. I brought him a secret message and a series of plans from the master. After explaining, I had to rush back as soon as possible. There are many things waiting for me in old Nanchang. By the way, you
Have you informed Brother Shi Zhen in northwest Guizhou?"
"I've informed you. I guess Brother Shi has arrived in Cili now. He knew that the master sent someone and he was so excited that he dropped everything and came." After Deng Bin finished speaking, he and Ding Zhicheng walked towards Zhang Cunzhuang, who was having a lively conversation.
and one hundred brothers who returned from training.
At five o'clock in the afternoon the next day, the headquarters of the 1st Division of the 44th Army, Lingyang Town, Cili.
Cili Linyang Town is located at the intersection of Lishui and Lishui rivers. It is surrounded by mountains and has beautiful scenery. The mountains are clear and the water is cool and pleasant. The ancient town is located on the eastern edge of Wuling Mountains, in the upper reaches of Lishui River. It is adjacent to Shimen County in the northeast, Taoyuan County in the southeast, and Taoyuan County in the northwest.
It is adjacent to Sangzhi County and connected to Yongding in the southwest. It is an old mountainous county with "seven mountains, half water and half fields, and one part roads and manors." It is indeed difficult for Zhang Hongluan and Deng Bin to occupy this strategic location in one year.
easy.
There is an open space in front of the tall and majestic Guantao Pavilion. Five towering and huge ancient camphor trees are like a canopy, blocking the scorching autumn sun. The rosy face of the 44th Army Lieutenant General Zhang Hongluan, who always maintains the demeanor of a professional soldier, has a dark face and a strong figure.
Shi Zhen, commander of the northwest Guizhou garrison division, and others accompanied Ding Zhicheng and Wu Xianwei, who had come from afar, to walk under the shade of the trees and inspect batches of guns and ammunition piled on the ground, new winter military shoes, and four dismantled but not yet assembled firearms repair machines.
, medicines, blankets and other supplies, Zhang Hongluan took the items from his quartermaster from time to time, looked at them carefully, admired them, and kept thanking An Yi and the old Nanchang brothers for their thoughtfulness.
Shi Zhen, who was wearing a gray colonel uniform of the Revolutionary Army, stopped in front of a table with four new radio stations. When Ding Zhicheng said that the one-hundred-watt radio station on the left was specially assigned to him by An Yi, she excitedly stepped forward and touched it carefully:
"Great! Great! With this thing, we can communicate with Brother Zhang and Brother An anytime and anywhere. According to the current progress, within half a year, our two armies will be able to use this radio to communicate with each other.
Collaboration, it’s a pity that I only have two radio soldiers with half a bucket of water under my command!”
Zhang Hongluan laughed heartily, patted Shi Zhen on the shoulder and said: "Brother Shi, don't worry, half of this batch of supplies is designated for you, and these two small 15-watt radio stations will also be allocated to your department. The radio stations
If you don’t have enough soldiers, I can give you five first. When I go back, I can select a group of educated young people to come over and learn from nephew Deng Xian’s instructor for three to five months. Wouldn’t it be enough?”
"This...there are so many weapons, ammunition and supplies, and half of them are given to my little brother?" Shi Zhen pointed at the supplies piled up around him and looked at this and that in surprise.
Ding Zhicheng took a step forward and smiled politely: "Brother Shi, our teacher has always wanted to support the development and growth of Brother Shi's unit with more equipment and ammunition, not just a military salary of 50,000 yuan per month.
, but since March, even Senior Zhang’s Forty-Fourth Army has had difficulty contacting Brother Shi, and we don’t even know Brother Shi’s situation.
In July, we received a telegram from Senior Zhang and found out that Brother Shi and Brother Mo had a disagreement. As a result, Brother Mo's entire army was destroyed. Our teacher was heartbroken! He said that if Brother Mo was not so eager for success and eager to establish that name
The resounding but flashy newly formed First Army in Western Guizhou would not arouse the jealousy of all parties. In the end, not only did more than 3,000 brothers die in Bijie City in vain, but he himself was unfortunately killed due to betrayal by his subordinates. In the blink of an eye, a newly-strengthened army of ten thousand people
Half of the time was gone. If Brother Shi hadn't decisively decided to retreat into the mountains on the Sichuan-Guizhou border, the consequences would have been unimaginable!"
Shi Zhen shook her head in pain: "Oh, Lao Mo went crazy at that time. What's even worse is that the seven battalion commanders and deputy battalion commanders who are the most capable in fighting are willing to follow him to attack Bijie. Brother, I have to say good things to him before he can stay.
More than 3,000 brothers were stationed in Qingchi. In the end, they were attacked from both sides by Lei Shiguang's division of Li Shen's 43rd Army who suddenly returned home. They had to retreat to Longshan in Gulin County, Sichuan Province to survive. Fortunately, the Sichuan troops were fighting endlessly and had no time.
After taking care of our troops, we were able to settle down and recuperate. Later, thanks to Brother Zhang's timely help, we were able to tide over the difficulties. After a lot of hard work and desperate efforts to recruit the old troops, we were able to gather 5,000 troops again. This sad thing is unbearable to look back on!"
Ding Zhicheng smiled slightly: "The past is over, cherish the present! This is a personal letter from our master to Brother Shi. Before leaving, Master said to the younger brother that if Brother Shi feels unsure, he can lead his troops to join Senior Zhang's four
The Fourteenth Army. After the spring of next year, Senior Zhang’s Forty-fourth Army will be renamed the Xiangxi Security Command. It is a military-level unit with three security divisions under its jurisdiction. It can also decide on its own to form security forces in various counties in western Hunan. This decision was made after
If Commander-in-Chief Chiang agrees, the letter of appointment will also be issued by the Central Military Commission and will not be under the jurisdiction of the Hunan Province and Wuhan Political Branch."
Shi Zhen was taken aback. She took the envelope and walked aside to open it in a hurry. She read it three times and walked to the big camphor tree in front of her with a heavy heart. She walked around the big camphor tree seven or eight times, which the three of them could not hold, and then put it away.
After reading the letter, he strode up to Ding Zhicheng, Zhang Hongluan and others, and said in a firm tone:
"Life is as long as the grass and trees are in autumn. I, Shi Zhen, made an oath today: From now on, I will be closely connected with Brother Zhang Hongluan, and we will share life and death. In order to revive the military power of my Bijie disciples, and to avenge the shame of my sworn brother Mo Ronggao and the three thousand disciples, Shi Zhen will
There is no hesitation in this duty, even if you die!
Brother Ding, please go back and tell General An that he is the benefactor of my soldiers in western Guizhou, and Shi and his soldiers will follow him for life until death!"
"Okay! Brother Shi is so brave! I didn't misjudge the person..."
Zhang Hongluan stepped forward and patted Shi Zhen's shoulder gently: "Brother Yu will give his full support to Brother Shi to make great achievements and develop his ambitions. He will give soldiers and guns and give them guns. The military training base located in Qiancheng (today's Jishou City) will be
Brother Shi also has a share, and the 2,000 rifles, 100 Czech light machine guns, 300 boxes of grenades and 400,000 rounds of ammunition sent by Brother Ding this time are all given to Brother Shi, haha!"
Shi Zhen's eyes were moist, and she held Zhang Hongluan's hand tightly: "Thank you, brother! Thank you!"
Ding Zhicheng took a gift list from Wu Xianwei and handed it to Shi Zhen: "Brother Shi, our master has said that if Brother Shi is determined to stay in western Guizhou and create a new world in northwest Guizhou, your army's military pay will be in accordance with the regular rules for the time being.
The size of the division was 11,000 soldiers.
Since Brother Shi is located in a remote area, it is difficult to cash the check. I discussed with Senior Zhang and reported to the Master for approval. They unanimously decided that Brother Shi’s military salary will be temporarily paid by the 44th Army. Any cash or supplies will be fine. From now on, we will regularly
We will transport weapons, ammunition and military supplies to supplement Brother Shi’s department’s consumption. Once Brother Shi’s department has grown stronger and established a foothold, our division will definitely fight for Brother Shi’s official designation and corresponding appointment from the central government.”
Shi Zhen freed up her right hand and grabbed Ding Zhicheng's hand tightly. Her eyes were filled with tears and she couldn't speak for a while. Zhang Chengzhu smiled slightly and whispered:
"Brother Shi, please don't be grateful. If you want to get full military pay from Brother Yu, you must exchange for something."
"Brother, please just say it! What is it?" Shi Zhen asked loudly to stabilize her mood.
"Opium!" Zhang Hongluan said solemnly.
Shi Zhen raised her head and laughed, gesturing with her hands: "Haha, I thought it was some kind of rare item, but it turned out to be this thing! It's everywhere in western and northwestern Guizhou. If it doesn't work, I will lead my troops to rob it. I guarantee it will be no less than 100% every month." One hundred dan, what do you think, brother?"
"Haha! Deal!"
Zhang Hongluan grabbed Shi Zhen's arm: "Let's go upstairs and have a drink! Brother Yu, tell you, this opium will be sent to my brother's Gancheng Pharmaceutical Factory to be refined into powder, and then it will be accompanied by Eucommia ulmoides, Ganoderma lucidum, Ginkgo biloba, etc. from Xiangxi. Rare Chinese herbal medicines are sent to Nephew An Xian's Jiangnan Pharmaceutical Factory to make pain-relieving pethidine or other special medicines. Once they are ready, it will be difficult for us two brothers to make a fortune!"
Shi Zhen opened her mouth wide and asked in surprise: "When did eldest brother have a pharmaceutical factory? How long has it been? I didn't expect it to develop so fast..."
"Not yet. Factory buildings are being built now, and equipment and personnel will arrive slowly. In the future, we will not only have pharmaceutical factories in Xiangxi, but also arsenals, smelting plants, oil pressing plants, food factories, etc. You saw that just now We have four machine tools, and various equipment will be delivered in batches in the future. There are copper mines, silver mines, iron mines and coal mines in my place in western Guizhou. They have been mining for many years. As long as I occupy that area, I can grow even if I don't think so. It’s difficult, haha!
These are what An Xian's nephew told Brother Yu. It seems that he has great expectations for me. Once done, I will become the Commissioner of Western Guizhou and the commander of the army. It is very simple. You need people, guns, and guns. And An Xian My nephew is fully supported by the central government, who dares to touch my brother Huwei?" Zhang Hongluan laughed even more happily.
Wu Xianwei, who was following Zhang Hongluan and Shi Zhen, asked Ding Zhicheng in a low voice: "Brother Ding, how many kilograms is a load here?"
Zhang Cunzhuang on the side smiled and replied: "There are slight differences in different places. A load in western Hunan is one hundred and ten kilograms, and a load in western Guizhou is said to be about one hundred kilograms. Opium is different. A load of opium paste is about eighty-three kilograms." The weight is high or low, but the high is no more than eighty-five catties, and the low is no less than eighty catties."
Wu Xianwei was startled: "The eight thousand kilograms of tobacco paste that Brother Shi promised! Darling, I have heard that Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan are rich in opium. This time, I have opened my eyes..."