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

Chapter 239 Leaving on the Eve of the Wedding, the Autumn Offensive!
Three days later, in Shuoxian County.

This is the Datong-Taiyuan section of the Japanese-built Tongpu Railway, and it is the most important city besides Datong and Taiyuan.

It is the core transit station of the North Datong-Puzhou Railway, located at the midpoint between Datong and Taiyuan, controlling the extension of northern Shanxi.

After the Independent Detachment took control of northern Shanxi, the Japanese supply line from Datong to Taiyuan was completely cut off.

Shuoxian County also became an important material transfer center for the Independent Detachment.

This place was originally the command post of He Jianxin's troops, and Chen Ming chose it as the venue for his wedding.

Firstly, the location is easily accessible, which would allow Chen Ming to quickly relocate his command post once the fighting begins.

Secondly, moving the command post to Shuoxian would prevent those attending Chen Ming's wedding from discovering the secrets of the Independent Detachment.

The original command post of the Independent Detachment was located next to the arsenal, in a very critical position, making it impossible for outsiders to enter easily.

Setting up the wedding venue and temporary command post here also allows the independent detachment to demonstrate its strength and confidence to the outside world.

The fact that the command post was located on a major transportation route connected by railways is undoubtedly a testament to their confidence.

Chen Ming wanted to indirectly convey a message to the outside world.

I didn't take the Japanese in Shanxi Province seriously at all. The fact that I put the command post here made the Japanese dare not even think about it. This is proof of the strength of the Independent Detachment.

In this era, many ambitious young people were dissatisfied with the mountain city's attitude towards the war of resistance, feeling that the mountain city's determination to resist Japan was not firm.

However, the Eighth Route Army, which was not part of the National Revolutionary Army, was often perceived as poorly equipped and as poor as beggars. Joining the Eighth Route Army was seen as a path of hardship and fighting the Japanese.

This is why Zhao Gang wanted Wei Heshang to join the Independent Regiment after he arrived there.

Wei Heshang initially disliked the Eighth Route Army for being too unsophisticated and poorly equipped. He only joined the Eighth Route Army after learning Li Yunlong's true identity.

Chen Ming chose Shuoxian as the location to tell everyone that the Japanese army's core transit point from Datong to Taiyuan had been occupied by the Independent Detachment, and they still dared not send troops to take it back.

This is the strength of the Independent Detachment; they frightened the Japanese so much that they dared not easily cause trouble for the Independent Detachment.

Young people with lofty ideals who want to serve their country and fight the Japanese invaders should join the Independent Detachment. You won't regret coming here; it's much better than being in the Nationalist Army.

Given Chen Ming's current status and position, his marriage is no longer just a personal matter for him.

Using marriage to launch an autumn offensive serves a military purpose.

Using marriage to demonstrate power is a function of political united front work.

Within Shuoxian County.

When the people of Shuoxian County learned that Chen Ming, the commander of the Independent Detachment, was getting married, they were as happy as if it were their own family's wedding.

They spontaneously gifted handmade wedding items as congratulatory gifts.

For some homemade or low-value wedding items, such as handmade cotton insoles and ordinary food.

In order not to completely reject the people's blessings, Chen Ming chose to accept them and gave them back some small gifts, which he purchased at his own expense.

As for the valuable items, Chen Ming refused to accept them all and patiently persuaded the people who brought them to return home.

Chen Ming accepted the gifts from various forces without any psychological burden.

Of course, this was also reported to the superiors.

As more and more people gathered in Shuoxian County, Chen Ming ordered the evacuation of some of them for safety reasons and to prevent the Japanese from bombing the area.

Although airports around Shuoxian, such as Taiyuan Airport and Wucheng Airport, are now under the monitoring of the Independent Detachment, the Japanese planes will be reported in time whenever they take off or land.

In addition, Chen Ming also set up an air defense company in Shuoxian County to ensure safety.

There's no need to worry too much about the Japanese planes.

However, for the safety of the people and to avoid the danger of gatherings, Chen Ming still ordered an evacuation.

The local people were very cooperative, which relieved the soldiers on guard duty.

"There are so many people, I'm scared just looking at them. If there are Japanese spies hiding among them, I don't know how I can ensure their safety."

One of the soldiers on guard duty spoke up.

"Yes, this is the first time I've had to face so many people."

Another soldier responded.

This is Shuoxian County. Because of Chen Ming's wedding, many outsiders have flocked here.

The security situation was far less secure than that of the local people in the base area, which put a lot of pressure on the soldiers responsible for guarding the area.

However, what they didn't know was that, apart from a few Japanese spy files that Chen Ming had intentionally left behind, all the other spy files in the entire Shuoxian County had been captured by the soldiers of the Anti-Espionage Department.

The map in Chen Ming's mind is like a cheat code, capable of identifying friend from foe.

In Chen Ming's eyes, no matter how well the Japanese spies hid themselves, their heads clearly showed that "I am the enemy."

Therefore, there are basically no spies in the area where Chen Ming is located.

This is also why the Japanese could not succeed in infiltrating the base of the Independent Detachment no matter how many people they invested.

Humanoid radar is no joke.

The reason it is said that there were basically none is because Chen Ming deliberately left some Japanese spies to keep a close watch on them, and sometimes he could use them to achieve the purpose of deceiving and misleading the Japanese.

In Shuoxian County, Chen Ming also left behind some Japanese spies to transmit intelligence to the outside world.

Tell that old Japanese devil Gangcun that Chen Mingzhen really got married in Shuoxian County, in order to lull the Japanese troops in North China into a false sense of security.

The day before the formal wedding, Chen Ming openly received congratulatory guests from various factions in Shuoxian County.

"Chen SL, congratulations! I have come at the behest of the Chairman to offer this small gift as a congratulatory gift! May you and your spouse be of one heart and mind, and work together to overcome the national crisis! Now that the Japanese invaders have not yet been quelled, I hope that you and your spouse will live in harmony and defend the country together until your hair turns white!"

These are congratulatory words from a representative sent from the mountain city.

Chen Ming spotted a familiar face in the group from the mountain city—Zheng Yaoxian.

Why did Boss Dai send even the Sixth Brother of the Military Intelligence Bureau? So blatantly?

Chen Ming had some doubts, but he didn't say anything.

Whoever comes, it won't affect Chen Ming's plans.

Zheng Yaoxian, however, stared intently at Chen Ming, his comrade, who still exuded the same charm as before!
He commanded his troops to achieve victory after victory.

Every night, Zheng Yaoxian would take out the fountain pen that Chen Ming had given him and play with it, as if he were on the battlefield amidst the flying cannons, fighting alongside the soldiers.

And now, how he longs to stand before this person he admires, to celebrate her wedding and say:
"Congratulations, Comrade Chen Ming!"

However, Zheng Yaoxian only glanced at Chen Ming before following the leader of the Shancheng team into the venue.

"Brother Chen, Commander Yan is very pleased to hear of your marriage! He is presenting you with three jars of Fenjiu liquor and two pairs of gold and jade bracelets, wishing that we in Shanxi and Shaanxi can drink together to celebrate this auspicious union!"

"Today we guard the Yellow River together and protect Shanxi. This virtuous couple should be like twin pine trees, standing tall against frost and snow. In the future, we will drive out the barbarians and enjoy a peaceful and prosperous life!"

This was a man sent by Commander Iwa of the Second World War Zone. He brought quite a few gifts, which made Chen Ming sigh. Even though they had lost most of their territory, Commander Iwa was still very wealthy.

If all that money had been used to fight the Japanese, how many more Japanese soldiers could have been killed!
"Comrade Chen Ming, on behalf of the Party Committee and all comrades, I offer you three blessings:"

My wish is to be like two birds flying side by side, our hearts linked in battle – but how can we have a home when the Japanese pirates are not yet defeated?
My second wish is that the torch be passed down from generation to generation—may good news come from the battlefield in the future, and may new babies be born in the cave dwellings with their cries of joy!

Three wishes for our shared journey: You lead your elite troops to crush the enemy's defenses, while I rescue the wounded and guard the rear!

A united couple is as sharp as a steel blade! The words "military marriage" carry immense weight—when the smoke of war clears and families reunite!

Today we drink this toast, a toast to our valor! When we drive out the Japanese pirates, we'll celebrate our victory with a grand banquet!

This is a congratulatory message from a representative sent by a higher-level leader.

This is also what Chen Ming values ​​and cares about most.

After receiving all the guests who came to the wedding, Chen Ming asked Political Commissar Zhang Zhengze to take charge of the reception, and then went to the room where the bride was.

At this moment, Chen Ming removed all the items that symbolized his marriage from his body.

Inside the bridal chamber, Cheng Qingrong was in the same situation.

"Qingrong, I'm leaving." Chen Ming said.

The formal wedding is tomorrow, but Chen Ming, as the groom, has to leave the day before the wedding, which is really unfair to the bride.

However, Cheng Qingrong understood and did not feel wronged.

Her husband was going to the front lines to command the battle, eliminate the invading Japanese devils, and liberate the lost city.

This is about national righteousness; sacrificing one's own family for the greater good is something she supports.

"Okay, be careful on the road, I'll wait for you to come back."

Cheng Qingrong said softly.

Although the words were simple, Chen Ming could feel the deep affection conveyed within them.

"After this battle is over, I will hold another one for you to make up for everything that was missing."

Chen Ming hugged the other person tightly and whispered a promise.

"Don't worry, leave this to me. You can go with peace of mind."

"Okay, I'll wait for you to come back. Leave this to me."

Five minutes later, Chen Ming came out of the room, where Wang Dabiao was already standing guard.

"Sir, the horses are ready, we can set off."

Da Biao spoke up.

"What about the political commissar?" Chen Ming asked.

"The political commissar said that all matters in Shuoxian County are entrusted to him, and he will handle them well," Da Biao replied.

Hearing Da Biao's words, Chen Ming nodded.

After glancing back at the "new house" one last time, Chen Ming resolutely turned back, changed into disguised clothes, mounted his horse, and rode towards the front-line command post.

This was a plan that had been made long ago.

After appearing at the wedding in Shuoxian, Chen Ming immediately disguised himself and rode to the front-line command post overnight.

The autumn offensive was launched the following day during the official wedding.

On the wedding day, the destruction of the Japanese invaders was presented as a wedding gift to the newlyweds.

Meanwhile, in Shuoxian County, Political Commissar Zhang Zhengze was responsible for settling the participants and preventing the plan from being exposed.

As soon as Chen Ming arrives at the front-line command post, Zhang Zhengze will immediately deal with the Japanese spy that Chen Ming marked, take control of Shuoxian County, and prevent the information from being leaked.

Chen Ming himself, on the other hand, was able to focus on directing the battle!

In Shuoxian County, Chen Ming's departure did not cause any ripples. Apart from those in the know, no one knew that Chen Ming had secretly left Shuoxian County.

Still immersed in the lively atmosphere of the venue.

Even if someone noticed that Chen Ming hadn't shown up for several hours, Zhang Zhengze brushed it off by saying that Chen Ming had drunk with his old comrades from the army and had already fallen asleep.

Everyone could only laugh at Chen Ming, a general who commanded thousands of troops and wiped out the Japanese invaders with a few words, for having such a small capacity for alcohol.

The others did not suspect anything.

After all, the bride was still alive, and no one would have thought that Chen Ming would secretly leave Shuoxian on his wedding day to command a major battle that would determine the strategic landscape of the north.

Four o'clock in the morning.

After a seven-hour journey, Chen Ming switched from horses to cars and then back to horses, finally arriving at the forward command post after a frantic rush.

Upon arriving at the command post, Chen Ming, without taking a break, immediately inquired about the situation.

"Report the situation of each unit immediately."

"Yes."

"Currently, He Jianxin's reinforced First Battalion is ready. The entire battalion has moved to various positions outside Guihua at night and is ready to attack at any time."

"Ding Wei's First Independent Battalion is ready. The entire battalion has moved to various positions outside Jining at night and is ready to attack at any time."

"Kong Jie's reinforced second battalion has arrived at the railway line between Baotou and Guihua, and has set up blocking positions along the line in stages to block the Japanese 3rd Tank Division from the direction of Baotou at any time."

"The anti-tank battalion and the anti-aircraft battalion, following Kong Jie's unit, were also prepared to deal with the Japanese armored forces."

"The rocket artillery battalion is in position and ready to launch a fierce artillery barrage against the Japanese in Jining and Guihua at any time."

"Xu Desheng's cavalry detachment is currently operating in the Xinghe area, monitoring the movements of the Japanese in Wucheng."

"The third, fourth, and fifth battalions are deployed in Fengzhen County to monitor the Japanese troops in Datong."

"The heavy artillery company, the mountain artillery company, and the three artillery companies directly under the brigade are in position and ready to bombard the Japanese positions at any time."

"The special forces are currently in the Tuozuoqi area, ready to launch a surprise attack on the flank of the Japanese 3rd Tank Division at any time."

"The rest of the troops are all in position and ready to receive orders at any time."

Chief of Staff Wang Dafei reported to Chen Ming one by one.

As Chen Ming listened to the report and looked at the locations of the various units on the map, he got a sense of the situation.

"Send a message to headquarters: Our unit is ready to attack. Please issue the order to attack!" Chen Ming commanded.

"Yes!"

An aide immediately carried out Chen Ming's order and sent a telegram to headquarters.

Headquarters!

The headquarters leaders also stayed up all night, waiting for news from the independent detachment.

Upon seeing Chen Ming's telegram, the headquarters leaders immediately gathered together to begin discussions.

After confirming the situation based on Chen Ming's telegram, the headquarters leaders unanimously made a decision.

"Send a telegram to the Independent Detachment. Headquarters has approved the attack. The attack can proceed upon receipt of the telegram, depending on the actual situation."

After the telegram was sent to the forward command post of the Independent Detachment, Chen Ming immediately gave the following order:

"Order all units: the Autumn Offensive will officially commence at 6:00 AM!"

(End of this chapter)