Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Changjin Lake, a Hundred Battles, a Hundred Victories

Chapter 223 Puppet Army: Doesn't Want to Eat Purple Eggs and Bubble Eggs

In early June 1942, a naval battle that would determine the course of the war quietly broke out in the central Pacific Ocean.

The Battle of Midway began with a desperate counterattack by the US forces.

No one could have predicted that this naval battle would rewrite history in such a dramatic way:

Within just five minutes, three of Japan's main aircraft carriers, the Akagi, Kaga, and Soryu, were sunk by American carrier-based aircraft.

The flames from the ship's explosion dyed the sea red and shattered Japan's ambition to control the Pacific Ocean.

From this point on, the Japanese army lost its last strategic initiative and was forced to switch from being the offensive side to being the defensive side.

When news of the defeat reached Japan, the military opted for extreme information blackout.

They not only strictly ordered all those in the know to remain silent, but also widely publicized their "huge victory" in domestic media:
They claimed that the Japanese army sank two American aircraft carriers, while only losing the Akagi, and that the Kaga was only "severely damaged" and would soon be repaired and return to service.

A grand "victory celebration" parade was even held in the streets of Tokyo.

Students waved Japanese flags and chanted slogans, citizens waved ribbons, and newspapers were full of headlines proclaiming "The Imperial Army is Mighty," as if the crushing defeat had never happened.

But the truth will eventually come out, and the more the Japanese army tried to cover up the situation, the harder it was to conceal their decline in the Pacific theater.

Meanwhile, the domestic command, through multiple secret intelligence channels, obtained a relatively accurate understanding of the truth about the Battle of Midway.

The intelligence department in Yan'an integrated information from US allies, underground Communist Party members, and overseas Chinese, and ultimately confirmed:
The Japanese army suffered heavy losses, and the balance of power in the Pacific theater began to tilt in favor of the Allies.

The news spread like wildfire throughout the country, inspiring both soldiers on the front lines and civilians at home.

After five years of fighting the full-scale war of resistance, clear signs of the Japanese invasion's decline finally became visible, and the nation's determination to fight to the end grew stronger.

After analyzing the situation, the domestic command generally believed that this was a major turning point in the Pacific War.

The U.S. victory means that Japan will have to withdraw its main energy, manpower and strategic resources from the domestic battlefield.

They then turned their attention to the vast Pacific theater to defend against the American counter-offensive.

In this way, the pressure on the domestic battlefield will be greatly reduced, and the long-standing passive defensive situation is expected to be reversed.

The battalion commander wrote in his diary that this battle "reduced the enemy's oppression and threat to us" and regarded it as "a glimmer of hope for the future of the War of Resistance".

He immediately capitalized on this victory to intensify his appeals to the United States and seek more military and economic aid.

The reason given was that Japan had been weakened, and if aid to China were increased at this time, the domestic battlefield could better contain the Japanese army and coordinate with the US counter-offensive in the Pacific.

At the military level, although the overall strength of the Japanese army on the mainland was not immediately reduced significantly, its strategic initiative was clearly limited, and its ability to launch large-scale offensives was greatly diminished.

The domestic military command is no longer confined to passive defense and has begun to plan future combat deployments with greater confidence.

They might even seize the opportunity to launch a limited counterattack in certain areas.

The Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army in the enemy's rear also keenly noticed the changes: the frequency of the Japanese army's "mopping-up" operations had decreased significantly, and the intensity was far less than before.

Clearly, the diversion of resources in the Pacific theater rendered the Japanese army unable to maintain a high-pressure stance against its base areas.

Our army took the opportunity to consolidate its existing base areas and expand into the enemy's rear, spreading the seeds of resistance against Japan to more areas.

It was against this backdrop that Chen Ming went to headquarters for a meeting.

Commanders at all levels jointly analyzed the impact of the Battle of Midway on the domestic battlefield and planned the next phase of the war of resistance.

The final consensus reached was:
Although the Japanese army will not be transferred on a large scale in the short term, a strategic contraction is a foregone conclusion, and the domestic battlefield will enter a relatively calm stalemate phase.

This tranquility, however, was in fact a "slow death" for the Japanese army.

A stalemate is the best way to wear down an army's fighting capacity. As the time without fighting goes on, the soldiers' fighting will and tactical skills will visibly decline.

More importantly, in order to strengthen its defense in the Pacific, Japan will inevitably continue to draw veterans from the domestic battlefield. The new recruits from the domestic battlefield lack training and have low combat effectiveness, and the manpower will only become more and more strained.

The Japanese army's delusion of "using war to sustain war" has long been completely shattered in the face of the base areas led by our Party.

The base areas implemented a policy of "self-reliance and integration of military and civilian resources," which not only ensured the supply of basic food and materials but also mobilized the people to support the war effort, preventing the Japanese army from acquiring resources through plunder.

In this way, the Japanese army will only be worn down step by step in the protracted war, falling into a vicious cycle of "drawing troops - lacking troops - needing to draw more troops".

Back at the Independent Detachment's base, after returning from headquarters, Chen Ming continued to train the troops according to plan.

He knew in his heart that the troops had not yet fully digested the previous gains.

The newly reorganized troops need systematic training to improve their coordination capabilities, the various branches of the special operations detachment need time to integrate, and veterans who have experienced combat also need rest and recovery.

Moreover, the Japanese forces in North China have not yet significantly decreased, so it is not the best time to take action.

However, "not fighting a major war" does not mean "no action".

At a cadre meeting, Chen Ming gave the following instructions:

"Battle is the best way to forge warriors of steel. If you want to build a strong army, you must let your troops grow in battle."

Training on the training ground alone is not enough; soldiers must gain experience through real combat.

Based on this line of thinking, he gave the following instructions:

The newly reorganized recruits were first given basic training, and then participated in small-scale battles to test the training results and hone their combat capabilities.

As soon as this order was issued, the Japanese strongholds and blockhouses around the Independent Detachment's base area were plunged into dire straits.

The Japanese and puppet troops discovered that every morning, several sections of the barbed wire outside the pillbox would be cut.

The patrol teams that went out during the day often encountered sniper fire on the way and never returned.

At night, they even had to sleep with one eye open, for fear that the Eighth Route Army would launch a surprise attack in the dark.

Gradually, the area outside the stronghold's pillbox became a "no-go zone" for the Japanese army.

No one dared to venture out easily; even when searching for water or cutting timber, they had to gather a whole squad of soldiers before daring to leave.

The Japanese and puppet troops lived in constant fear:

The Eighth Route Army might suddenly appear from the corner of a distant hillside, the bushes by the roadside, or even behind an old locust tree at the entrance of the village, followed by a burst of gunfire and the sound of grenade explosions.

At night, the wind would sway the trees, casting shadows on the walls of the watchtower, enough to frighten the sentries into firing warning shots.

Occasionally, a night bird would fly by, and the sound of its wings flapping would send chills down the spines of the Japanese and puppet troops inside the pillbox.

For a time, the Japanese and puppet troops in the entire area were in a state of "seeing enemies everywhere".

Even with such caution, they could not stop the Independent Detachment's offensive.

For the main force of the independent detachment, attacking these isolated strongholds and pillboxes was as easy as "eating and drinking".

With flexible tactics and ample firepower, a pillbox can be captured quickly.

Even the local armed forces and militia in the base areas dared to take the initiative to plan the Japanese army's pillboxes.

Of course, the militiamen were well aware of their own strength:
They had no heavy weapons; with only rifles and grenades, they couldn't possibly take down the brick-structured pillbox guarded by machine guns.

But they had a smarter way – instead of attacking the pillboxes, they targeted the supply lines.

The Japanese pillboxes were built of brick, stone, and cement, but the supply convoys that delivered them were not.

The militiamen divided into several squads and ambushed the transport team along the mountain roads and river channels. They either seized food and ammunition or simply destroyed the transport vehicles and boats, effectively cutting off the supply lines of the Japanese and puppet troops inside the blockhouse.

People are iron, and rice is steel, so you panic if you don't eat a meal.

The Japanese and puppet troops in the pillbox were cut off from food. They couldn't even stand up, let alone pick up a machine gun to fight.

The Japanese army also tried to send troops to drive away the harassing militia, but the militia had a special skill - calling for reinforcements.

If the militia encountered a large Japanese force, they would run away if they couldn't win, and at the same time immediately request reinforcements from the main force of the nearby Independent Detachment.

Once the main force receives the news, it will rush to provide support, often wiping out the Japanese and puppet troops that are sent to reinforce.

The Japanese army was caught in a dilemma:
Deploying a battalion or even a regiment of troops for a small pillbox would not only be counterproductive but would also expose weaknesses in other defensive lines.

But if reinforcements aren't sent, the Japanese and puppet troops in the pillbox will either starve to death or have no choice but to surrender.

Over time, the Japanese army could no longer hold out.

In order to survive, some Japanese and puppet troops began to exchange weapons and ammunition for food from the militia.

Some tried to break through at all costs, but ultimately fell to the guns of the soldiers.

Some simply abandoned their pillboxes and broke out, retreating in disarray back into the city, never daring to easily garrison remote outposts again.

In contrast, the puppet troops' choice was much more "realistic".

They didn't come to "serve the Locust King" in the first place; most of them became puppet soldiers just to make a living.

Now that we can't even get enough to eat and have to live in constant fear, how can we have the mind to risk our lives for the Japanese army?

Once the pillbox is surrounded, as long as the Eighth Route Army calls out to persuade them to surrender, a considerable number of the puppet troops will not hesitate to disarm.

For them, surrendering to the Eighth Route Army might not guarantee them a full meal every day, but at least they wouldn't have to eat "purple eggs" and "soaked eggs."

Inside the headquarters of the First Army in Taiyuan, Commander Yansong's condition deteriorated day by day. During this period, he seemed to have aged more than ten years. His once straight back became hunched, his eyes lost their former sharpness, and he looked very old.

He looked at the battle report on the table, his brows furrowed into a deep knot.

The Eighth Route Army in Shanxi Province did not launch a large-scale offensive, but the "small-scale" harassment was more troublesome for him than a major battle.

Today a pillbox is besieged, tomorrow a railway is demolished, and the day after tomorrow a highway is dug up.

The Eighth Route Army clearly knew that the main force of the Japanese army was tied down in the Pacific theater and could not provide timely reinforcements, which is why they dared to act so recklessly.

What disheartened him even more was that the "Bo Plan" he spearheaded had completely failed.

The original plan was to win over "Chief Yan," a local power in Shanxi Province, and use his strength to fight against the Eighth Route Army.

However, Yan Song was tricked by Commander Yan into giving him a batch of equipment, and after receiving the equipment, Commander Yan immediately changed his mind.

Yansong became a laughing stock.

The First Army is now struggling to survive, suffering defeat after defeat, and unable to even retaliate.

Unless the First Army can suddenly break out, wipe out the Eighth Route Army in Shanxi Province, and regain the initiative on the battlefield.

But it's obviously impossible.

Even a single independent detachment was enough to give him a major headache. Even if he risked all the elite troops of the First Army, he would not have the confidence to win a single battle.

But what truly broke Yansong was not the military defeat, but the collapse of his official career.

Due to his incompetence in Shanxi Province, the military has decided to remove him from his position as commander of the First Army and instead appoint him as "military advisor".

This position was the Emperor's military advisor, but in reality it was a nominal post with no military power; in short, it was a "cold bench."

What made it even more embarrassing for him was that the average age of those who served as military advisors at the same time was already 68.

He is only 59 years old this year, but he wants to "retire" early. Some people in the military have already privately mocked him for being "incompetent and retiring early".

For someone like Yansong, who spent his life scheming for power and regarded power as his life, losing military power was more painful than being shot.

He sat in the empty headquarters, looking at the plaque that read "May your military fortune last forever" hanging on the wall, and felt utterly ironic.

The ambitions and aspirations of the past have now vanished, leaving only endless loss and despair.

Inside the command post of the Independent Detachment's base area.

Chen Ming sat in a chair, a pen between his fingers, reviewing the battle reports submitted by various units line by line.

Last night, a certain company eliminated a Japanese outpost and captured five rifles and more than two hundred rounds of ammunition.

The militia squad successfully intercepted 20 shi (a unit of dry measure) of grain from a Japanese transport convoy and captured three puppet soldiers.

The tank battalion of the special detachment completed its mountain terrain adaptation training, and its hit rate improved by 15% compared to last month...

Each victory reflected the vitality of the troops, and Chen Ming's lips unconsciously curled up slightly.

He folded the last battle report, wrote "Read" on the cover, then stood up and stretched.

The back pain from sitting for a long time gradually subsided with the stretching movements. He moved his wrists, turned his gaze to Wang Dabiao, the guard standing at the door, and asked with a smile:

"Da Biao, how is Jia Gong's father, Jia Botao, doing lately?"

When Jia Botao was mentioned, Chen Ming's eyes showed more importance.

This explosives expert who returned from Germany is a true "master," possessing not only profound theoretical knowledge but also rich practical experience.

Many young engineers in the arsenal hoped to learn more from him.

After Jia Botao arrived at the base, Chen Ming was determined to keep him there.

Wang Dabiao scratched his head, a smile appearing on his face, and replied:

"You've really hit the nail on the head. Mr. Jia hasn't been going to the arsenal much lately, but he's been hanging around Director Jia every day."

I heard from comrades at the arsenal that he seems to be arranging a marriage for Director Jia.

"Arranging a wedding?"

Chen Ming paused for a moment, then raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised but also finding it reasonable.

Jia Gong is already twenty-five years old this year, which is considered "older youth" in this era. It is only natural for his father, Jia Botao, to be concerned about his son's lifelong happiness.

“That’s right,” Wang Dabiao nodded and added.

"However, Mr. Jia's current range of activities and external communications are still limited."

I heard he's thinking of asking the political commissar to help him contact some old acquaintances from Beiping to see if they can introduce Director Jia to a suitable girl.

Chen Ming walked to the desk and tapped his fingers lightly on the surface, making a "tap-tap" sound.

He quickly figured out Jia Botao's thoughts.

This old expert had spent most of his life in Germany, but he still held some traditional views and believed that things were "stable" only when his son got married and started a career.

Now he worries that his son might sacrifice himself in the future, and since he can't change his son's mind, he wants to prepare in advance.

To put it bluntly, it means that since the "big family" has already established itself, they want to "create a smaller one (grandson)" to continue the Jia family line and also to signal that they are finally "settling down" in their base.

Thinking of this, Chen Ming couldn't help but smile.

However, given Jia Gong's special status, his father's idea was destined to be difficult to realize.

His marriage was not just a "personal matter," but also involved confidentiality and security.

Jia Botao wanted to find "well-bred ladies" from Beiping, but let's not even talk about whether those girls would be willing to come to the harsh base area.

His idea was destined to be difficult to realize because he would have difficulty passing the background check alone.

However, Jia Botao's actions served as a reminder to Chen Ming.

"Our clothing factory is planning to relocate, right? Remind me later to talk to Minister Li of the Logistics Department and see if we can move it near the arsenal."

Chen Ming asked Wang Dabiao.

Although Wang Dabiao was somewhat puzzled, he immediately stood at attention and answered:
"Yes!"

He wondered to himself: wouldn't it all be the same no matter where the clothing factory moved to?
Why does it have to be near the arsenal?
Chen Ming seemed to see through his thoughts and explained with a smile:
"Think about it, there are many female workers in the clothing factory, at least several hundred, many of whom are girls in their late teens to early twenties. They are all educated and progressive young people."

As for the arsenal, the vast majority of workers were male, mostly engineers and skilled workers, and their ages were similar to those of the female workers.

Move the two factories closer together, and organize basketball games and cultural performances regularly.
Or perhaps letting them participate in field work would give young people more opportunities to interact? Maybe that would spark something special.

“When we build our base areas, we not only need to ensure that everyone has food to eat and guns to carry, but we also need to care about everyone’s lives. This is called ‘human care’.”

Wang Dabiao suddenly realized and couldn't help but nod: "You're so thoughtful, leader!"

That way, the young men at the arsenal won't have to spend all their time glued to the machines, and maybe a few couples will actually form."

He paused, recalling some practices from later generations, and continued, "It's the same principle as building textile factories near steel mills in the past, all so that workers could find partners nearby and settle down to work."

Chen Ming said with a smile, "Old Mr. Jia wanted to find a 'well-bred lady' for Engineer Jia, but those girls might not understand Engineer Jia's work, nor might they be able to adapt to life in the base area."

The young women in our base area are different. They know each other well, are progressive in their thinking, and can understand the hardships that Engineer Jia endured in his research and development. They stand on the same side as Engineer Jia.

"Wouldn't it be better to find a promising and progressive young woman like Jia Gong than those pampered, spoiled ladies from wealthy families?"

At this point, Chen Ming already had a preliminary idea in mind.

After the clothing factory moves there, the logistics department and the arsenal can jointly organize several social events, which can not only solve the marriage problem of young people, but also enhance the cohesion of the two factories.

This is similar to how textile factories are always built near steel mills; it's all to allow workers to find partners nearby and settle down to work.

As for Jia Gong's marriage, perhaps a suitable candidate could be found among the female cadres of the clothing factory.

After all, we are all comrades who have contributed to the construction of the base area. Only through mutual understanding and support can we last.

"Alright, go and inform Minister Li to come to my office at three o'clock this afternoon."

Chen Ming patted Wang Dabiao on the shoulder:

"While we're at it, let's also go to the arsenal and ask if Mr. Jia needs any help lately. We'll try our best to help him out, so he doesn't feel neglected."

"okay!"

Wang Dabiao responded and left, his steps becoming much lighter.

Chen Ming sat back down at the table, picked up the relocation plan for the clothing factory, and began to consider the specific location.

We need to be close to the arsenal, ensure safety, and have enough space for expansion. It seems we need to have a good discussion with Minister Li.

P.S.: I'm really devastated today. I didn't know you shouldn't put too much food in the fish pond at once. I was thinking that feeding the fish more would help them grow faster, but when I woke up from my nap, the whole pond was ruined; all the fish had died from lack of oxygen. It's awful; half a month's worth of effort has gone to waste.

(End of this chapter)