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

Chapter 273 Post-War Adjustments: The Test of the Fourth Main Force
The fact that the commander of the puppet army division died during the uprising is a problem.

But for Chen Ming, it wasn't a big problem.

If the opposing force hadn't been a rebellious army, Chen Ming would have wanted to set an example and achieve the goal of "buying a horse's bones with a thousand pieces of gold".

A puppet army division commander, if it weren't for this battlefield uprising...

In the end, Chen Ming was nothing more than a name that was either eliminated or captured and awaiting trial.

After learning that it was indeed an accident, Chen Ming didn't care and left it to his subordinates to handle.

However, the fact that the commander of the puppet army division was ambushed on the battlefield also served as a reminder to Chen Ming.

On the battlefield, senior commanders must remain concealed and avoid revealing themselves easily.

Otherwise, stray bullets don't discriminate, and if we lose outstanding cadres as a result, the loss would be enormous.

After dealing with the prisoners, Chen Ming began to adjust the troop deployment in Suiyuan Province.

Originally, in order to trap the Japanese tank division in Baotou, he mobilized the 3rd, 4th and 5th battalions to defend around Baotou.

At the same time, a special forces detachment was also placed in Guihua to prevent the Japanese tank division from breaking out at all costs.

Now, the Japanese tank division has suffered heavy fuel losses, and all the puppet troops on the periphery have been wiped out.

The Japanese 3rd Tank Division also suffered heavy losses and completely lost any possibility of breaking out at all costs.

Soldiers can eat to maintain their physical strength for breaking through, but tanks and cars cannot move in the freezing cold without fuel.

The only way for the Japanese 3rd Tank Division to break out is to concentrate fuel supplies on a small unit of tanks and combine them with infantry for the breakout.

With Baotou's current fuel reserves, the number of tanks it can support is less than two-thirds of the tanks in the special forces detachment.

In this situation, the independent detachment is actually almost the same as a pure infantry division.

They are even worse off. Armored units that have lost their tanks and become infantry are not even as effective as ordinary Class B divisions.

A Japanese force with fewer than 10,000 men, whose combat strength was lower than that of a Class B division, and whose artillery configuration was also inferior to that of a Class B division.

Chen Ming really didn't take him seriously.

"Order: Deploy the Third Battalion to Fengzhen."

"Move the special forces unit to Liangcheng for covert operations."

"Take the stockpiled tank wreckage to Guihua and disguise it as a tank unit of the special forces."

Chen Ming issued three transfer orders.

Baotou no longer needs so many forces to besiege it, so Chen Ming decided to transfer a large brigade and a special forces detachment.

The Third Battalion, which is Li Yousheng's battalion.

He performed exceptionally well in the battle of Baotou and made significant contributions.

Therefore, Chen Ming decided to give the other party a chance and transferred this brigade to Fengzhen.

Fengzhen is located between Datong and Jining. The Japanese invaders will definitely have to pass through here when they attack next year.

The deployment of the Third Battalion here means that the enemy will become the main force in next year's battle.

This is a very valuable opportunity for the three ordinary brigades of the independent detachment.

If they fight well and perform outstandingly, the official reorganization documents will be issued after the cadres from the independent detachment who went to the rear for training return.

It's not impossible that Chen Ming could supplement Li Yousheng's forces based on his military achievements, and even give him a regional command.

If their combat strength and performance don't satisfy Chen Ming, then they should continue to hone their skills.

Without merit, Chen Ming could not force Li Yousheng, a cadre who was a prisoner of the puppet army, to be promoted to a district position.

After all, this is already a very high position. Many veteran cadres who participated in the Long March, or even those who participated in the early uprisings, could not reach this position.

Before any official documents are issued, Chen Ming is currently in charge of the fourth division under a brigade commander.

It's just that this division is extremely powerful.

Although the official document has not yet been issued, everyone knows that this is a done deal.

With the strength of the independent detachment, who would dare to treat Chen Ming as just a fourth division officer?

Whether Li Yousheng can overcome this hurdle and become the fourth mainstay after the three mainstays depends on his performance next year.

The special forces detachment was moved to Liangcheng as a hidden mobile force for next year.

With the mobility of special forces and the breakthrough capabilities of armored units, they can become the decisive force in the outcome of a battle at critical moments.

This is why Chen Ming wanted to take the lead – to free up more resources so he could have more cards to play next year.

As for transporting the tank wreckage from the stockpile to Baotou, it was to mislead the Japanese reconnaissance planes.

This led the Japanese to believe that the armored units of the Independent Detachment were still blocking the Japanese tank division in Guihua and Baotou.

This would create a surprise attack for the special forces detachment, catching the Japanese off guard.

These tank wrecks were captured by the independent detachment in previous battles, but they were completely beyond repair.

Even experienced mechanics at repair shops couldn't do anything; the objective conditions were insufficient, and even the most skilled cook can't make a meal without ingredients.

So the tank wreckage was left in the warehouse, waiting for an opportunity to be used again later.

After Chen Ming issued the order, the first two orders were carried out without any problems.

The third order encountered a problem.

"Report: They've been almost completely dismantled. Some time ago, you, sir, approved a request to raise resources, and these tanks were almost completely dismantled as resources."

An official reported.

Upon hearing the answer, Chen Ming slapped his forehead, realizing he had completely forgotten about it.

In order to raise resources, the logistics department had previously applied to Chen Ming for the use of this batch of tank wreckage.

After all, tank wreckage is a resource, and piling it up in a warehouse is a waste.

So the logistics department decided to reuse the waste materials and smelt them to manufacture new weapons.

The note was also approved by Chen Ming, but Chen Ming had too many things to deal with every day, so he didn't have much of an impression of this matter.

"Haha, look at my brain. People's memories get worse as they get older."

Chen Ming teased me about it.

"Commander, you're at the prime of your life for fighting! You're experienced and steady. The Japanese devils tremble at the sight of an old revolutionary like you!"

The official said with a smile.

"Haha, where did you learn to be so glib?" Chen Ming said with a laugh.

"I learned it all from you! You once said, 'You don't need a wealthy family to join the army; you only need to prove yourself.' I think about those words every day, and the more I think about them, the more energetic I feel!"

The cadre replied.

"Haha."

Sure enough, nice words are easy to hear and make people feel good. Chen Ming was no exception; he wasn't a saint.

Of course, it also depends on who is saying it.

To be able to become a cadre responsible for conveying Chen Ming's orders, one's abilities are naturally beyond question; one's competence is outstanding.

She's sweet-talking and capable; who wouldn't like her?

"Go and call Director Li from the carpentry department of the repair shop. I have a task for him."

Chen Ming spoke up.

"Yes."

Director Li of the carpentry department at the repair shop was the same carpenter Li who made the model of the Japanese cannons.

After successfully breaking through the encirclement, Li the carpenter's hand was further injured, making it impossible for him to continue high-intensity combat.

Therefore, after the repair shop was established, Chen Ming transferred the other party to the carpentry department of the repair shop and made him the director.

Responsible for overseeing the production of wooden components such as gunstocks, gun carriages, and ammunition boxes.

Chen Ming never forgot those who had rendered meritorious service. The other person's hand was injured during the breakout of the main force, rendering him unable to continue as a soldier.

Chen Ming then transferred the other person to a field where they excelled, allowing them to continue to contribute and shine as a cadre.

About an hour later.

Upon receiving the order, carpenter Li rushed to the office.

"Reporting to the commander, Li Quanfu has come to report for duty as ordered."

Carpenter Li saluted in a steady voice, though his saluting hand looked slightly deformed.

"Old Li's here! Come on, have a seat. Da Biao, go get a cup of hot water."

"It's freezing cold outside. After running for an hour, I need to drink some hot water to warm myself up."

Upon seeing Carpenter Li, Chen Ming smiled and invited him to sit down.

"Yes."

After Li the carpenter sat down, Da Biao poured him a cup of hot water.

He wasn't reserved at all and started drinking right away.

When not engaged in combat, Chen Ming is very easy to get along with.

"Old Li, how have you been lately? I heard your little boy is almost a month old, and he's as strong as a calf, isn't he?"

Chen Ming's voice was loud and clear, filled with concern.

A kind smile spread across Li the carpenter's dark face as his fingers unconsciously rubbed the hem of his military uniform.

"Thanks to the commander! It's just... it's just that my wife doesn't have enough breast milk, and the baby cries from hunger at night..."

His entire family was brutally murdered by the Japanese invaders; his wife and daughter both died at their hands.

He thought his family line would end with him, since his hand was now useless and crippled.

Unexpectedly, after joining the revolutionary ranks, I was introduced to the organization...

He met a girl who had fled famine, and Chen Ming even gave him special permission to get married. After their marriage, they had a big, healthy son.

Li the carpenter is very satisfied with his current life, and his faith has become even stronger.

A force like our Party was absolutely unique during this period.

If you were in the Nationalist Army, a soldier with a crippled hand who couldn't continue fighting would be lucky to get a few coins to go home.

But our Party will never forget any hero who shed blood and sacrificed for the revolutionary cause.

We will not let heroes bleed and weep.

Upon hearing Li the carpenter's words, Chen Ming's brows furrowed instantly, and he turned to Da Biao, saying:

"Go! Bring me my portion of malted milk powder; I need it to save the baby's life!"

Seeing Old Li waving his hands anxiously, Chen Ming grabbed his arm, his tiger-like eyes blazing:
"What's with the sentimentality? This is the spark of revolution!"

Suddenly, he lowered his voice and leaned closer:

"After we drive out the Japanese devils, how about we name our child 'Jiguang'? It means carrying on the past and opening up the future, with a bright future ahead!"

Old Li suddenly straightened his back and saluted, the calluses on his palms rubbing against the brim of his hat with a soft rustling sound.
"Once the child can talk, his first words will be 'Thank you, Commander!'"

"Haha, we've been through thick and thin together, why are you being so polite with me?"

Chen Ming said with a smile.

After exchanging pleasantries, Chen Ming got down to business.

"I have a task for you: to make a batch of wooden tank models. If you encounter any difficulties, just let me know, and I'll try to find a solution."

After listening to Chen Ming's words, Carpenter Li thought for a moment and then formally said:
"Report, no problem. Carpentry is my livelihood. Although I can't build anymore, there are still many experienced carpenters in the repair shop."

"Our repair shop guarantees to complete the task."

"Okay, we need about thirty tank models. They don't need to be too good, just enough to outrun the Japanese planes."

"How long will it take to build?"

Chen Ming patted Li the carpenter on the shoulder and said.

"Report: If it's just a framework, it should take about seven days to build."

Carpenter Li replied.

"Okay, whatever materials you need, I'll have the logistics department allocate them for you."

Chen Ming spoke up.

After resolving the issue of the third order, the arrangements for the subsequent battle of Baotou were almost complete.

Now all we need to do is wait for the Japanese to react and see how they respond.

Headquarters of the Japanese North China Expeditionary Army.

When Gangcun learned that Baotou had been attacked by the Independent Detachment, he flew into a rage in the command post.

"You idiots, you're all useless!"

"They actually managed to infiltrate the city with the Eighth Route Army, find the location of the oil depot, and blow up the oil depot in Baotou."

Are all the commanders in Baotou idiots?

Gangcun could not accept the destruction of the oil depot in Baotou.

This means that the division in Baotou will be ignored in the operational plans for next year's battles.

They have run out of enough fuel to get out of Baotou to support the battle.

That's an armored division, a formidable force on the battlefield, enough to tie down a large number of the Independent Detachment's troops.

Now that they have lost their mobility, the independent detachment can free up more resources.

This means that he will face an increased number of Eighth Route Army soldiers next year.

For Gangcun, the added Eighth Route Army troops did not pose a particularly significant threat.

After all, besides the tank division in Baotou, he still had the strength of four other divisions at his disposal.

With four divisions under his command, including two Kwantung Army divisions, Okamura was very confident.

He had previously served in the Kwantung Army and had a clear understanding of its combat capabilities.

In Okamura's mind, two divisions of the Kwantung Army were enough to allow them to run rampant in the Eighth Route Army's territory.

Okamura was so angry because he was furious that the tank division led by Baotou was too stupid.

With a large number of the main forces of the independent detachment tied down, the maximum number of troops that could be mobilized in Baotou was only around 10,000.

Despite these circumstances, the troops in Baotou suffered heavy losses.

Not only were the more than 5,000 puppet troops on the periphery completely wiped out, but the Japanese also suffered thousands of casualties.

The fuel depot and other supplies also suffered heavy losses; this was utterly incompetent command.

Okamura couldn't believe that a division defending the city, despite having a numerical advantage, could still achieve such a dismal record.

If it weren't for the fact that the commander of the Japanese tank division had a powerful background, Okamura would have reported for his removal from office and directly transferred him to Baotou as a new commander.

However, now that it has already happened, getting angry won't help, so we need to consider how to deal with it.

Baotou is currently short of fuel, and if the tank division in Baotou is to be rescued next year, fuel must be transported there again.

The amount of fuel needed to support the march of a tank division is by no means small.

The Japanese army's fuel shortage is now becoming apparent; even Okamura has a headache dealing with the fuel needs of a single tank division.

"How could the Empire have fallen to this state, damned Independent Detachment!"

Thinking about the sudden rise of the Independent Detachment, Okamura felt a deep and persistent worry.

He now has a big question mark in his mind about whether he can win in the end.

(End of this chapter)