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

Chapter 279 Special Envoy, Official Reorganization Documents
Two days later, on the 28th day of the Lunar New Year, the team that had been studying in the rear returned.

Chen Ming and Zhang Zhengze, along with a group of cadres, personally went out of the city to welcome them.

These cadres are elites carefully selected from the independent detachment.

Those cadres who are selected by Chen Ming and sent to the rear to learn and gain experience are no ordinary people.

These are all cadres who are about to be promoted, just like Chen Ming when he first returned from his study trip to the rear.

The headquarters reorganized the Independent Second Regiment led by Chen Ming into an Independent Detachment.

With these cadres back, Chen Ming will be able to make sweeping changes and arrangements.

A deputy is, after all, a deputy; neither in prestige nor ability can compare to that of the former head.

Just like Xing Zhiguo, Li Yunlong's deputy regimental commander, although he was quite capable, he might not be able to lead the Independent Regiment as well as Li Yunlong.

This is why the organization appointed Xing Zhiguo as the deputy commander of the independent regiment, rather than the commander.

Deputy Regiment Commander Xing is a good cadre; he has sufficient ability and qualifications, but there are some aspects that still need improvement.

The fact that Deputy Regiment Commander Xing was among the guests at a gathering of the "Iron Triangle" of northwestern Shanxi for drinks speaks volumes.

Given Li Yunlong's personality of having sent out several political commissars, how could Deputy Regiment Commander Xing have served as a deputy for so many years without some ability?
noon.

Chen Ming saw the returning procession from afar outside the city.

"They're back, they're back."

A sharp-eyed cadre spotted the figure appearing in the distance and shouted excitedly.

"It's not easy. After being separated for several months, our unit is finally going to be complete again."

"Yes, they're back just in time for Chinese New Year's Eve, so our independent detachment's officers can have a reunion for the New Year."

Some officials were whispering among themselves.

"Old Chen, the troops are here," Political Commissar Zhang Zhengze said with a smile.

"Yes, you're finally back." Chen Ming nodded with a smile.

Upon arriving in Shuoxian, the team quickened their pace upon seeing the welcoming crowd.

They got close in no time.

Upon seeing Chen Ming and others welcoming them, the cadres on horseback immediately dismounted.

The leader was a middle-aged cadre who looked very kind and approachable.

Chen Ming met the other party when he was studying in the rear, so the other party must be a special envoy dispatched from the rear this time.

"Comrade Chen Ming, hello, we meet again."

The middle-aged cadre smiled when he saw Chen Ming.

"Special Envoy Wang, were there any unexpected incidents on the way?"

Chen Ming asked with a smile.

"No, the journey was smooth, there were no enemies."

The official surnamed Wang replied with a smile.

Then, Chen Ming greeted each of the returning cadres one by one.

"You've gotten stronger and more composed in the few months I haven't seen you. Your whole demeanor is different."

Chen Ming patted Wang Dafei on the shoulder and said with a smile.

"During my time studying in the rear, I learned a lot from the leaders and felt that I benefited greatly."

Wang Dafei stood up straight and said proudly.

During his time studying in the rear, he performed exceptionally well and did not embarrass Chen Ming.

"Haha, then I'll have to test you properly to see if you're really bragging."

Chen Ming spoke up.

"Be prepared at any time! Awaiting the commander's inspection," Wang Dafei said solemnly.

"it is good!"

When it came to Kong Jie, he performed moderately, neither outstanding nor lagging behind.

After offering his usual encouragement, Chen Ming turned to the other cadres.

When it came to Ding Wei, Chen Ming's smile widened even more.

"So, what do you think? Isn't the girl my teacher introduced nice?"

“I asked the brigade commander to find this specifically for you, Lao Ding, and then asked the teacher to help you make the connection.”

"You were so unwilling to get married back then, but after only a few months back, I managed to win you over, didn't I?"

Chen Ming was referring to Ding Wei's personal issues.

After the cadre meeting, Chen Ming specifically sought out the brigade commander, who was known as the "matchmaker in the military."

Please ask the brigade commander to find Ding Wei an excellent female comrade, and then ask the teacher to help make the match.

The brigade commander took this very seriously, firstly because it was Chen Ming who had asked him to do it, and secondly because Ding Wei was one of his old subordinates.

He would help out of both reason and emotion.

They found one for Chen Ming, and now they've found another one, Ding Wei. Whether you're herding one sheep or two, it's still the same thing.

After the brigade commander was found, Teacher Chen Ming would act as a go-between, and Ding Wei dared not refuse.

Upon hearing Chen Ming's words, Ding Wei's face flushed slightly, a rare occurrence for him.

Ding Wei, his neck stiff, couldn't hide the smile on his lips:

"Commander, you're using overwhelming force! You've brought out the brigade commander and the instructors, if I, Old Ding, don't surrender, will I be considered a diehard?"

"On behalf of myself, Ding Wei thanks the organization for its concern! But if you mention the word 'take care of' again, next time all the good cigarettes we capture will be given to the brigade commander!"

Ding Wei replied with a smile.

He was caught completely off guard by the massive operation Chen Ming had launched.

The scale of the operation was so great that even Chen Ming's teacher was alarmed. How could Ding Wei dare to disobey?
After meeting the woman, Ding Wei found that she didn't mind his age, and he also thought she was beautiful and not stubborn or traditional.

The two got together after a few interactions.

As for the fact that the time spent together was short and the feelings were relatively weak?
Is that even a problem?
In this day and age, as long as you find a partner attractive and don't dislike them, that's enough.

As for feelings, they can deepen after marriage.

If all relationships were to be mutually exclusive, wouldn't all the officials be single?
In times of war, there's hardly any time to talk about feelings.

"Alright, now that you're married, treat your wife well and settle down."

"Don't think I don't know, Ding Wei, you have a very wild nature."

Chen Ming said with a smile that it was both a reminder and a warning.

"understand!"

Ding Wei saluted and nodded.

After getting married, Ding Wei's personality changed somewhat.

He knew that at his level, marriage was no longer just a personal matter.

"Well, you'll understand."

Chen Ming nodded and didn't say anything more.

Then, Chen Ming encouraged the other cadres one by one, expressed his concern, and then said:

"Alright, it's almost New Year's, and it's freezing cold outside the city. Let's go into the city first."

"Yes."

After everyone entered the city, the cooks from the Independent Detachment headquarters served them a bowl of steaming hot noodles.

Dumplings before boarding, noodles upon disembarking – Shanxi Province boasts a rich variety of noodle dishes, catering to all the cadres without any problems.

Even Chen Ming himself got to eat a bowl of dry noodles, a specialty of western Hunan.

Although he has been away from his hometown for more than a decade, Chen Ming's tastes have changed. But he is still very happy to be able to enjoy a taste of his hometown's specialties before the Chinese New Year.

During lunch, Chen Ming introduced the group of cadres to each other.

Officers like Chief of Staff Liu and Zhao Gang arrived after the officers sent by the Independent Detachment for further study had left.

Now that the command structure of the independent detachment has changed, they should be introduced to each other to facilitate their work.

The cadres were naturally familiar with Zhao Gang.

Ding Wei, Kong Jie, and Zhao Gang are already very familiar with each other.

Wang Dafei and He Jianxin had also been in contact with Zhao Gang when they were cooperating with the Independent Regiment.

As for the chief of staff, the others were not very familiar with him.

The main reason is that before going to the Soviet Union for further studies, the chief of staff primarily served as an educational cadre, rather than a direct military officer.

He Jianxin and Wang Dafei, needless to say, if it weren't for Chen Ming leading them to develop and rise, they might never have had the chance to go to the rear for further study in their entire lives.

They might even be killed in the pursuit of the Japanese, or in other battles, just like the original district squad.

Ding Wei and Kong Jie, due to the tense situation at the front, did not have the opportunity to go to the rear to study.

Ding Wei, the only one who had a chance, was ruined by Li Yunlong, and his study plan was abruptly halted.

Therefore, Chen Ming gave a very detailed introduction to the Chief of Staff.

The chief of staff's performance in the Battle of Baotou also won the approval of many officers.

At the same time, the chief of staff also served as the commander of the artillery detachment, and his rank was no lower than theirs.

Because of the special nature of the artillery detachment, the chief of staff even holds a higher position.

As for the former chief of staff, Wang Dafei, he had no objection to the new chief of staff taking his position.

Chen Ming has already spoken with him; after he returns from his studies, he will be reassigned to a field unit as a military commander.

For Wang Dafei, this was a promotion, because the rank of chief of staff is two levels lower than that of the military commander.

The subordinate field units are only one level lower.

At the same time, Wang Dafei also wanted to put what he had learned from following Chen Ming in command of the battle and from the rear into practice.

The chief of staff is, after all, just a "senior military advisor" to the military commander, and is far inferior to the military commander of the field unit.

Chen Ming initially placed him in the position of chief of staff to cultivate his vision, strategic perspective, and ability to coordinate troops.

Now, if Wang Dafei were to be reassigned to a field unit, his future would be limitless.

This is what countless chiefs of staff dream of: from the position of chief of staff to the commanding officer of a field unit—this is the embodiment of being given a prominent role.

After finishing his meal, Special Envoy Wang had to get down to business.

He handed a formal document to Chen Ming.

Chen Ming knew what the document contained; this had been discussed beforehand.

It includes the reorganization order, the organizational structure of Jin-Sui-Re-Chahar, the list of cadre appointments and removals, and the reorganization timetable.

Chen Ming also knew the specific procedures:
Special envoy delivers documents → Chen Ming convenes a meeting to make arrangements → troop reorganization and cadre appointment → reporting reorganization results → carrying out defense zone construction.

However, Chen Ming did not want to hold a meeting immediately at this point in time.

After all, the Chinese New Year is approaching, and it holds a special place in the hearts of Chinese people.

"Comrade Wang*, I have received the document. Are you going back now?"

After receiving the documents, Chen Ming checked them and then asked the special envoy a question.

"Yes, I've completed the task assigned to me by the organization, and it's time for me to go back," Special Envoy Wang replied.

"No, we've only just arrived. I haven't even had a chance to show you hospitality yet. How can I let you leave?"

"It's been so long since we last met. I don't know when we'll see each other again."

"I've made up my mind today; I must stay for two more days before leaving."

Chen Ming, holding the special envoy's hand, said in a way that left no room for doubt.

"Comrade Chen Ming, isn't this against the regulations?"

The special envoy, whose hand was being held, spoke with some hesitation.

According to the regulations, there is a time limit for his departure.

The battlefield behind enemy lines is complex, and special envoys need to minimize their stay and avoid exposure.

After completing the work, the work order should be handed over to the person who assigned the work in a timely manner, and the person should leave once the task is completed.

"What's not in accordance with the regulations? You can only leave after you've supervised my meeting to make adjustments and received a receipt."

"Given the current situation in our base area, I plan to hold another meeting in three days. You'll have to stay for a few more days, won't you?"

Chen Ming said with a smile.

"These regulations were created out of necessity for security and confidentiality in the past."

"But now that the Japanese devils don't dare to run wild in the base area, and it's almost Chinese New Year, how can we let you have to travel during the New Year and not even be able to eat dumplings?"

"Our organization, besides its regulations, also has warm human touch."

Upon hearing Chen Ming's words, Special Envoy Wang knew that he couldn't leave immediately.

Now that the base areas are connected, there is no need to worry about the transportation stations being exposed and threatened by the Japanese.

"Alright, I'll explain the situation to the organization. I won't make things difficult for you."

Chen Ming said with a smile.

"Alright, then I'll take my leave."

"This is no bother at all, haha."

Chen Ming said with a smile.

Afterwards, Chen Ming explained the situation to his superiors.

Considering the special circumstances and the fact that the situation between the enemy and ourselves had changed, ZY approved Chen Ming's application.

Just as Chen Ming said, all the regulations are for the sake of confidentiality and security.

However, after the rise of the independent detachment, it has already opened up a safe route to the rear.

The Japanese couldn't even reach out.

Our organization is very humane as long as it doesn't violate principles.

Over the next two days, Chen Ming ordered all defense zones to strengthen their vigilance, emphasizing that even during the Spring Festival, they could not let their guard down and could not give the Japanese any opportunity to take advantage of the situation.

At the same time, they gathered the cooks from the base area, along with the help of the local people, to make dumplings for all the soldiers.

In the past, resources were extremely scarce, and the environment did not allow for it, so even during the Spring Festival, the soldiers kept their diet very simple.

The situation is different now; the soldiers are heroes who are stationed at their posts for the sake of the country and the people.

They need to know that while they were protecting the lights in every home, those lights did not forget them.

This is also a form of political development, a strategic measure to deepen military-civilian unity and strengthen political identity through traditional folk customs.

It is a combination of the institutionalized practice of supporting the military and giving preferential treatment to families of servicemen (political construction) and the shaping of revolutionary culture (cultural construction).

These activities were by no means simple New Year's greetings, but were elevated to the level of "the most important revolutionary work during the Lunar New Year", serving the overall political goal of the War of Resistance.

Chen Ming also joined the dumpling-making team, making a batch of dumplings for the soldiers on the front lines.

Although his skills were lacking, the dumplings he made would still leak when cooked, turning into noodle soup instead of dumplings.

But it was still Chen Ming's heartfelt gesture, and the soldiers who ate the noodle soup were even happier than those who ate whole dumplings.

The Lunar New Year's Eve in the base area ended with a meal of dumplings.

As for the New Year's Eve dinner, we'll have to wait until the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year.

This is a custom in Shanxi Province, where on the eve of the Lunar New Year, soldiers who have sacrificed their lives are allowed to "return home".

P.S.: I'm thinking of changing my book title, so I'm asking for suggestions. I'm in Suzhou; I'll send you hairy crabs if I choose a good title.
(End of this chapter)