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

Chapter 224 Planning for the Northeast, Forming the Northeast Vanguard Team!

By the end of June, the mountain breeze at the Independent Detachment's base had lost the heat of early summer and was much more refreshing.

Chen Ming stood by the window, holding a telegram from headquarters in his hand.

With only three days left before he was to go to the rear for further studies, all matters concerning his departure needed to be arranged as soon as possible.

The handover of command of the independent detachment is the top priority.

A month earlier, Chen Ming had communicated with headquarters that after his departure, Wang Dafei, the brigade's chief of staff, would temporarily assume command.

This proposal not only conformed to the military's practice of "temporarily appointing officers of the original rank to command," but also received formal approval from headquarters.

Chen Ming knew very well that the Independent Detachment was built up by him, and the unit's combat style, personnel composition, and strategic planning all had distinct "Independent Detachment characteristics".

If a cadre is parachuted in to take command, it will not only be difficult to gain the support of the people, but may also disrupt the existing plans and cause command chaos.

The detachment is currently at a critical stage of strategic planning, and stability is always the top priority.

He placed the telegram on the table and called out towards the door, "Dafei, come in for a moment."

Soon, Wang Dafei, dressed in a gray military uniform and with a military belt slung over his shoulder, strode in.

Chen Ming gestured for him to sit down, offered him a cigarette, and got straight to the point:
"Dafei, after I leave, the command of the detachment will be handed over to you."

The troops stationed in Mongolia are now crippled and pose little threat to us. You can continue with the plan we formulated earlier and proceed step by step.

Wang Dafei straightened his back and replied in a deep voice:

"Yes! Please rest assured, I will definitely protect the home and will never let you down!"

Chen Ming nodded, his finger lightly tracing the "Inner Mongolia Garrison Defense Zone" on the map, and explained in detail:
"The main force of the troops stationed in Mongolia has either been transferred to the Pacific theater or was wiped out by us in previous battles. What remains are old, weak and disabled soldiers."

The Japanese had no choice but to send a batch of new recruits to the 26th Division.

A new special division, the 116th Division, was added to strengthen the defense, and several cavalry divisions from the puppet Mongol regime were also brought in to make up the numbers.

But look at the quality of these troops: the new recruits have not undergone systematic training, and the puppet Mongolian cavalry is a rabble; the quality of the soldiers is far inferior.

The weaponry was also terrible; most of the rifles were old Type 38 rifles, and heavy weapons were extremely rare.

The Japanese army's fatal weakness—resource scarcity—has now been completely exposed.

He paused, his tone becoming more certain:

"With these forces, the troops stationed in Mongolia simply cannot defend against our attack."

"Look, they have been forced to abandon large areas and concentrate their forces in the three key towns of Guihua, Datong, and Wucheng, as well as along the Ping-Sui Railway connecting the three cities, to carry out so-called 'mobile defense'."

But in reality, the area outside the three key towns has long since become our territory.

Wang Dafei leaned closer to the map, listened attentively, and nodded from time to time.

Although he was aware of these circumstances, Chen Ming's explanation made his thoughts clearer.

"Based on this situation, we have formulated and can now begin our subsequent strategic plans."

Chen Ming moved his finger across the map, looking at the top-secret strategic deployment at the edge of the map.

The content is as follows:

The cavalry detachment was transferred to fight beyond the Great Wall, with the main task of finding the main force of the pseudo-Mongol cavalry and ensuring that this force was completely annihilated.

The puppet Mongolian regime was a puppet of the Japanese. Eliminating their cavalry would not only weaken the Japanese accomplices but also deter other puppet troops, clearing obstacles for future development in the border regions.

Ding Wei's Independent First Brigade infiltrated the Yanshan line east of Wucheng.

The Yanshan Mountains are geographically very important, connecting northern Shanxi to the west, the North China Plain to the east, and the northern border regions to the north.

Once Ding Wei can establish a foothold in the mountainous region, we will be able to directly influence the situation in North China and Northeast China, which will have great strategic significance.

He Jianxin's First Brigade advanced towards the Chahar and Rehe areas.

There's no need to rush into conquering cities and territories; the main focus should be on creating opportunities to tie down the Japanese forces.

At the same time, they gathered intelligence on the local enemy situation and the local populace to prepare for future developments.

Kong Jie's second battalion remained in place, continuing to "guard their home" in northern Shanxi.

Northern Shanxi was the old base of the Independent Detachment and the foundation of the rear, so it had to be absolutely secured.

Food, ammunition, and manpower all come from here. As long as northern Shanxi is stable, other troops can launch attacks with peace of mind.

The remaining three battalions were each responsible for the defense and guerrilla warfare of their existing areas, coordinating with the main force to ensure that the Japanese had no chance to catch their breath.

As for the special forces, they are still undergoing integration and training, and the coordination between various branches of the armed forces has not yet been perfected, so no specific tasks will be assigned to them for the time being.

We will make arrangements after Chen Ming returns from his studies.

"Keep an eye on their training progress, and contact me immediately if there are any problems," Chen Ming said.

"Yes."

"There is another very important thing: to penetrate into the Xinganling region and lay the foundation."

Chen Ming's expression turned serious.

"I plan to send a small force into the Xingan Mountains to try to establish contact with the local Anti-Japanese Allied Forces."

"If we can develop a base in the mountains, we can open up a route into Northeast China."

He was well aware of the difficulty of this matter and explained:
"The people in the puppet Manchukuo region were controlled by the Japanese and the puppet Manchukuo regime for a long time, and their information was strictly blocked."

"Most people had never even heard of the names 'Eighth Route Army' or 'Communist Party,' and the anti-Japanese forces were weak, so the conditions for the development of our base area were almost non-existent."

At this point, Chen Ming's voice was filled with emotion: "We were able to gain a foothold in Shanxi Province thanks to the support of the people."

"During every major battle, ordinary people would carry food and ammunition to us on shoulder poles and push wheelbarrows, and even brave gunfire to rescue the wounded. This is our foundation."

"Without a solid foundation, even the strongest army cannot withstand the storms."

"Therefore, if we want to plan for the Northeast, we must first cultivate revolutionary ground and let the people know who we are and that we are fighting for them."

In Chen Ming's view, the key to opening up new territories was to eliminate the bandits in the Xinganling region.

“The bandits in those areas have long oppressed the people, robbing grain and conscripting men. The people have long hated them to the bone.”

"Let's take down these bandits first. This will not only rid the people of a scourge, but also allow them to witness our actions firsthand."

"Let them know that the Eighth Route Army is genuinely serving the people and is an army that can stand up for them."

"This is the simplest and most effective first step."

When our army first entered Northeast China, it did not gain the support of the people and did not establish a stable base area.

Can we still win if we lose the support of the people?
This was also a major reason for the defeat of our army after entering Northeast China: the lack of support from the people and the lack of fertile ground for development.

Later, our army shifted its strategic deployment to the countryside, established stable base areas, and gained the support of the people.

The situation only improved after that, and by the time they marched south from the Northeast, they already had a million-strong army.

Chen Ming smiled and added:
"Moreover, fighting bandits is what our independent detachment excels at."

"Whether it's the main force or the local armed forces, which one hasn't fought against bandits?"

"Using what we do best to take the most crucial step is the most appropriate thing to do."

With the plan set, the question of which unit to select to carry it out became a problem.

Chen Ming analyzed: "The troops entering the Xingan Mountains will not have the support of the local people at the beginning, and will definitely be in a state of no logistics. The size cannot be too large, at most a battalion."

"Moreover, this battalion must be composed of elite soldiers with special skills."

"They must be able to fight, conduct reconnaissance, interact with ordinary people, and survive in harsh environments."

Chen Ming first ruled out the three main battalions. The three main battalions were no problem in terms of combat effectiveness; they were excellent at fighting the Japanese, but each had their own specialty.

They excel at tough battles on the main battlefield, but may not be well-suited to the complex environment of the Xingan Mountains, nor are they necessarily good at doing mass work.

This mission requires a more flexible and versatile force.

After much deliberation, Chen Ming finally decided on the candidate:
"Based on the two companies of the reconnaissance battalion, a platoon from the sharpshooter brigade and a squad (36 people) from the special operations brigade were selected, along with communications, medical, and logistics support personnel, to form a 'Northeast Vanguard Team'."

The reconnaissance battalion is the eyes and ears of the army. Although they are not as frequently deployed as the sharpshooter battalion or special operations battalion, each member is an elite soldier.

The saying "elite troops go out for reconnaissance" is not just empty talk. Reconnaissance missions are highly technical and risky, and only the most outstanding soldiers can be competent for them. This has been proven in ancient and modern war examples.

As for the captain of the advance team, Chen Ming directly named Liu Tengjie, the reconnaissance battalion commander:
“Liu Tengjie is meticulous, adaptable, and understands the local conditions. I feel at ease having him lead the team.”

After listening, Wang Dafei couldn't help but exclaim, "I understand, this plan is so meticulous, it takes into account every aspect."

"Thinking through everything you need to think of will minimize mistakes." Chen Ming stood up and patted Wang Dafei on the shoulder.

"After I leave, you must focus on both combat operations and the construction of the base area, especially the arsenal and schools. You cannot slack off."

"If there are any problems that cannot be solved, send a telegram to headquarters at any time. The leaders at headquarters still care about us."

"You can also send me telegrams. Even though I'm away studying, I always keep the things in the army in my heart."

"Yes."

Over the next two days, Chen Ming and Wang Dafei repeatedly checked all the details.

From the troops' training plans to the base area's food reserves, from the arsenal's production progress to the school's enrollment situation, everything was explained in detail.

He was relieved only after confirming that nothing had been missed.

"Hopefully, we can start advancing towards the Northeast next spring."

"We can't let the Russians have all these good things for nothing."

He muttered to himself, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the belt around his waist.

The thought of the mineral deposits and forest resources hidden beneath the black soil of Northeast China, and the countless people waiting for liberation, made Chen Ming's eyes light up.

My thoughts shifted, and I found myself back in the area where I was about to return.

Chen Ming's lips unconsciously softened.

"I haven't seen my teacher for months. Although we've kept in touch and he can explain the war situation and strategies in his letters, meeting him in person is always more intimate than writing letters."

"This time when I go back, I can study with my teacher for a few more months. I can ask my teacher for advice on the difficult problems I have encountered in the past six months."

As soon as dawn broke, Chen Ming returned to his room and changed into a clean gray military uniform.

The collar buttons were fastened meticulously, and the cuffs were carefully ironed without a single wrinkle.

Old Zhang from the cookhouse had already brought over a bowl of steaming dumplings. The dumplings had thin skins and generous fillings, and were still steaming. The aroma wafted out from the rim of the bowl, making one's mouth water.

"Commander, this is a special cabbage and pork filling I made for you. It will keep you warm on your journey!"

Old Zhang said with a smile.

Chen Ming picked up his chopsticks, took a dumpling, and put it in his mouth. The hot filling spread on his tongue, and the delicious soup instantly filled his mouth, making him feel warm inside.

This is cabbage grown locally in the base area, and the pork was seized from the Japanese transport team last month. Every bite is filled with the flavor of life in the base area.

Soon, the bowl of dumplings was empty.

Chen Ming put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and called out towards the door:

"Da Biao, have you packed everything?"

Wang Dabiao immediately walked in from outside, carrying a bulging bag in his hand, and replied with a smile:

"Yes, I brought them all! The jars of chili sauce you made yourself were wrapped in three layers of oil paper and placed at the very back."

"We've filled two large bags with millet grown in our base area; it's all newly harvested this year, and the grains are plump."

"And the cigarettes you asked us to prepare, two whole cartons, plus a case of Fenjiu liquor, which the logistics department picked out from the captured supplies."

"Other local specialties, such as dried mushrooms and wood ear fungus, were also packed up; nothing was left out."

Chen Ming listened and nodded in satisfaction. The things Da Biao mentioned, though ordinary, were the gifts that best expressed affection.

Especially those jars of chili sauce.

It was made by Chen Ming himself, who selected the red chilies a while ago when he wasn't too busy with the war. He chopped them up and cooked them in rapeseed oil, and also added Sichuan peppercorns produced in the base area. It was very fragrant.

And that millet was grown by the soldiers and the people who reclaimed wasteland together.

Every grain is soaked with everyone's sweat; it is the result of the base area's self-sufficiency.

These things, more than gold and silver jewelry, can make the teacher feel his sincerity.

"The gift may be small, but the sentiment is heavy."

As Chen Ming pondered this, he got up and picked up the military cap that was on the table.

"Alright, let's get going, don't delay the journey."

Wang Dabiao quickly responded, picked up his bag, and followed behind Chen Ming.

Accompanied by several entourage members and guards, he bid farewell to Wang Dafei and other cadres at the entrance of the command center.

"Go ahead and don't worry, we'll take good care of the house!"

Wang Dafei and the other cadres said in unison, their eyes filled with reluctance.

Chen Ming nodded, saying nothing more—all his unspoken words were contained in the word "Don't worry".

He mounted his horse and looked back. The morning light was rising from the mountaintop, illuminating the fields and villages of the base area.

He knew that when he returned from his studies, the Independent Detachment would be even stronger, and a new flame of resistance against Japan would be ignited in the mountains and forests of Northeast China.

"go!"

Chen Ming gave a soft shout, flicked the reins, and the warhorse neighed and galloped forward.

Wang Dafei and the others watched them until their figures disappeared at the end of the mountain road.

He then turned back to the command post and began to carry out the deployment left by Chen Ming.

The Northeast advance team set off, carrying weapons, ammunition, and a small amount of dry rations, heading towards the designated location.

Although this mission was completely unsupported by logistical constraints, the advance team soldiers were not worried.

Using war to sustain war is not something only the Japanese can do.

Once we reach our destination, we can eliminate the bandits and feed them to the enemy.

After eliminating so many bandits, the grain seized, after distributing it to the people, would certainly be enough to feed the hundreds of soldiers in the advance team.

Solving the food problem for several hundred people is not difficult.

This is why Chen Ming only sent a small detachment as an advance team.

If any main force of the independent detachment were to be drawn over, the problem of feeding thousands or tens of thousands of people would be truly difficult to solve.

They are not Japanese soldiers or Nationalist troops; it is absolutely impossible for them to rob ordinary people of their food.

Small units are just right; they can sustain themselves through warfare and gradually develop after establishing a foothold.

P.S.: Today's content was quite mentally taxing, and I also had to worry about Shen He, so I only wrote this much.

(End of this chapter)