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

Chapter 92 New Year's Eve, Japanese Sweep Attack
As the purchased weapons arrived one after another, Chen Ming immediately reported the matter to the brigade commander.

Liu Fugui has already demonstrated his value, and the next step is to try to purchase machine tools, which will require coordination from his superiors.

After all, machine tools are a matter of great importance, and the required funds are not small; the four-zone system alone cannot handle the situation.

As the intelligence was reported, the brigade commander and headquarters took the matter very seriously.

While condemning the corruption of the Nationalist government's army, they internally unified their narrative and publicly declared that all weapons "came from captured weapons" in order to avoid escalating the conflict between the Nationalists and Communists.

The rear guard also pointed out: "Buying guns is for the purpose of resisting Japan, but we must not give others a handle to use against us."

Afterwards, a batch of funds was allocated to the Fourth Division, and Chen Ming was given full authority to handle the matter. If possible, he was to buy back the valuable machine tools.

If Chen Ming were still the commander of the Independent Second Regiment, he certainly wouldn't be the one doing this kind of thing.

But now Chen Ming is an independent detachment leader and in charge of the fourth division, so he is qualified to do this kind of thing.

Even if all else fails, Chen Ming's superior is the brigade commander. If all else fails, he can ask the brigade commander for help. If even the brigade commander can't help, then no one else can.

After resolving this matter, Chen Ming began preparing for the Chinese New Year.

The Chinese New Year has always been a major event for Chinese people.

Even during the Spring Festival, we must remain at our posts to prevent the Japanese from taking the opportunity to launch a surprise attack and to ensure that our soldiers can not go home to reunite with their families.

But Chen Ming gave his soldiers everything he could without holding back.

In the last few days, Chen Ming visited the wounded and allocated a batch of scarce supplies to the wounded, doctors and nurses in the field hospital.

They extended their regards to the women comrades of the Women's Salvation Association within the military sub-district and acknowledged their contributions.

The vast majority of women rescued from the bandits chose to stay.

After changing their names and surnames, they were able to have a new life.

At the same time, by doing work such as sewing clothes and making shoes, we affirm their value and thus make up for the trauma they have suffered.

"Comrade Yumei, how's production going lately? Are there any problems with the new female comrades?" Chen Ming asked Wang Yumei.

Wang Yumei was one of only two survivors from Lijia Village. She was rescued by Chen Ming, who was then the leader of the district squad, and then joined the team.

She has always been engaged in logistics and organizing women's work.

Because of her active learning, political awareness, and firm revolutionary stance, she joined the Party in August of this year and is now the director of the Women's Salvation Association.

"Reporting to the leader, the newly joined female comrades are working very actively and there have been no problems. Our Women's Salvation Association has already produced 1300 pairs of shoes."

Wang Yumei said.

Seeing Wang Yumei's confident demeanor, Chen Ming felt very happy.

The other party has emerged from the tragedy of the past and has actively devoted himself to the revolutionary cause.

"Yes, Comrade Yumei and the women comrades of the Women's Salvation Association have worked hard. It is because of your support that the soldiers on the front line are able to fight the Japanese without having to endure the bitter cold. On behalf of the soldiers on the front line, I thank you."

Chen Ming encouraged him.

"It is all thanks to the soldiers who held off the Japanese invaders and fought them to the death that we have the peaceful life we ​​enjoy today. We have only done what we could."

"If anyone should express gratitude, it is on behalf of the women comrades to thank the soldiers fighting the Japanese on the front lines."

Wang Yumei quickly spoke up.

"Haha, with the military and civilians united as one, we'll drive the Japanese devils out of our country sooner or later," Chen Ming said with a smile.

Next, Chen Ming brought clothes and shoe soles sewn by the women comrades of the Women's Salvation Association, as well as some pickled vegetables, dates, and other supplies made by the villagers, and personally went to the front line to express his condolences to the soldiers who were sticking to their posts.

"Comrades, these are all supplies prepared for you by the women comrades and villagers in the rear. Wearing these winter clothes and shoes, we must fight the Japanese devils with all our might and not let down those who support us."

Chen Ming distributed the winter uniforms to the soldiers.

As the soldiers put on these winter uniforms, which were sewn stitch by stitch, a strong sense of responsibility arose in their hearts.

Winter clothes feel warm on the body and warm in the heart.

With such strong support from their comrades in the rear, what reason did they have not to fight bravely against the enemy?

"We will never let down the expectations of the Party and the people."

The soldiers, their faces flushed, shouted loudly.

Looking at the soldiers' faces, Chen Ming was deeply moved. This was the spirit of our Party and our army during this period. Although the conditions were harsh, their morale was far superior to that of the corrupt Nationalist government.

With these soldiers, how could the War of Resistance against Japan not be won?
On New Year's Eve, Chen Ming took out the reserve supplies and organized the soldiers to make dumplings with mixed grains and minced meat.

To ensure that the soldiers can enjoy a meal of dumplings during the Spring Festival, which will warm their stomachs and hearts.

They also publicly commended the soldiers who had made meritorious contributions in the anti-bandit campaign and awarded them medals.

The cultural troupe was organized to create anti-Japanese war dramas and publicize the glorious deeds of combat heroes who fought bravely in disrupting Japanese transportation lines.

Finally, after the performance, Chen Ming led a three-minute moment of silence in remembrance.

This is to help the soldiers remember the combat heroes who sacrificed their lives in the fight against Japan and to inspire their sense of collective honor.

With the arrival of the New Year, the Independent Detachment's peaceful days were short-lived.

Under the arrangement of Yoshio Shinotsuka, the Japanese 4th Independent Mixed Brigade assembled four infantry battalions and one field artillery company and marched in a mighty force toward the Independent Detachment's defense zone.

The Japanese army originally did not want to fight in winter, as the heavy snow blocked the mountains and the guns were so frozen that they could hardly be opened.

Large-scale operations present considerable difficulties.

There's nothing I can do if I don't come.

The remaining Japanese troops in Meng County were surrounded and had no choice but to repeatedly request reinforcements. Chen Ming adopted a strategy of encirclement without attack in Meng County, focusing on attacking the Japanese troops' supply lines while keeping them surrounded.

With fewer people coming, Chen Ming can organize his forces to wipe them out.

Therefore, the Japanese supply convoys had to be escorted by a large number of troops each time, which tied down a large number of Japanese troops in Yangquan.

The key issue was that, due to the destruction of roads and the difficulty of marching, coupled with the heavy troop transport, the soldiers of the Second Battalion did not engage in direct confrontation with the Japanese.

They employed guerrilla tactics to gradually eliminate the Japanese forces.

In the short period between the last siege of Meng County by the Independent Detachment and the end of the New Year, nearly 500 Japanese transport troops were wiped out.

The Japanese could no longer bear such a heavy price.

Meng County cannot be ignored. If it is forced to abandon the county seat by the Eighth Route Army, the political consequences will be extremely adverse.

Therefore, the Japanese had no choice but to gather a large force to launch a sweep against the independent detachment active in Meng County and eliminate the enemy in Meng County.

Because the Independent Detachment had ambushed and annihilated the Japanese Kawasaki Battalion last time, it had exposed its own formidable strength.

Major General Katayama of the Independent Mixed 4th Brigade was very cautious, proceeding steadily and cautiously, not giving the Eighth Route Army any opportunity to exploit any weaknesses.

Faced with the Japanese offensive, Chen Ming did not choose to confront them head-on.

The independent detachment had only recently been reorganized, and its troops were not yet at full strength. The second battalion had 1500 men, the first battalion had 1300 men, the third battalion had 1200 men, and the fourth battalion had 500 men.

Including the special operations brigade, artillery battalion, and non-combat personnel, their troop strength was roughly the same as the Japanese.

However, the unit had only recently expanded, and the new recruits had not yet developed their combat capabilities, causing the detachment's overall combat effectiveness to decline somewhat.

Fighting the Japanese head-on would result in heavy casualties.

As the saying goes, "The War of Resistance Against Japan cannot be rushed." The battle against the Japanese invaders cannot be rushed.

It's better to avoid direct confrontation for now, and wait until we've digested our gains and our troops are more combat-ready before engaging the Japanese in a decisive battle.

"Sigh, we wiped out more than a thousand Japanese soldiers during the Hundred Regiments Offensive, and then we wiped out the Kawasaki Battalion. We've almost wiped out three thousand Japanese soldiers. I didn't expect that the Japanese Independent Mixed Brigade No. 4 could raise four more battalions so quickly."

Chen Ming, as he organized the troop's transfer, sighed.

The Independent Mixed Brigade No. 4 had a total of just over 5,200 men and consisted of five infantry battalions and support troops.

More than 3,000 men had been wiped out by Chen Ming's troops, but not long after, the soldiers were replenished.

"There are just too many Japanese devils to kill, and the sweeps are endless."

The Japanese had no shortage of men, nor did they lack reserves.

The Japanese had been preparing for this war against China for far too long, training a massive number of reservists.

Even if the divisions at the front suffer heavy losses, they can quickly replenish their troops from the rear.

Although their quality cannot compare to that of the troops on the front lines, they have been trained and possess strong combat capabilities.

Therefore, the War of Resistance against Japan could not be rushed.

In winter, heavy snow blocked the mountains, slowing down the troop's movement, but the Japanese were even slower.

Ultimately, the Independent Detachment successfully broke out of the Japanese encirclement and completed its transfer.

After the transfer was completed, Chen Ming set up the detachment headquarters at Black Wind Mountain.

The location is secluded, the roads are difficult to navigate, and the excavated mine shafts allow for constant monitoring of production.

After settling in, Chen Ming convened a meeting with all officers and soldiers at the company level and above in the detachment.

"It is impolite not to reciprocate. Since the Japanese devils came to attack us during the New Year, we cannot let them have an easy time. Our detachment has one mission from now on."

"Expand, expand, and expand again."

"As long as you can afford it, go all out."

"However, I will neither assign you cadres nor issue you guns. I don't care how many people the troops have expanded to, but combat effectiveness must be guaranteed."

"Whether you rob, steal, or buy, whether you fight Japanese soldiers, traitors, puppet troops, or bandits, as long as you can get weapons, any method is acceptable."

"But let me make this clear: if anyone dares to lay a hand on ordinary people, don't blame me for chopping off their claws."

"Did you hear that clearly?"

Chen Ming spoke in the conference room, in front of a group of commanders and soldiers.

"Listen clearly."

The officers and soldiers shouted loudly.

"Alright, the troops will now operate independently at the battalion and company levels. No need to hand over or report any spoils. Just keep the troops as strong as possible."

"If you can raise a battalion, I'll make you a battalion commander; if you can raise a regiment, I'll make you a regimental commander."

"I always keep my word."

Chen Ming said loudly.

"What if we could raise a brigade?" Wang Dafei asked with a smile.

"Then you'd better get the hell out of here. I hate people who talk big the most," Chen Ming said irritably.

"Hahaha."

The chief of staff amused all the officers and soldiers.

(End of this chapter)