Southern guerrilla warfare: I led the Red Seventh Army Corps to amassed a million troops.

He wasn't wrong.

Even if Su Yu led tens of thousands of soldiers from the First and Third Divisions to attack the outer lines, the base still had three divisions of soldiers.

Adding in the staff and the previously accumulated prisoners, the number of these people exceeded 20,000.

If we bring these 5,000 prisoners back to the base, along with the local armed forces...

The base area needed to support nearly 30,000 people who were not engaged in productive labor.

It's like the troops won a battle on the outer lines, but the pressure on food supplies was not significantly reduced.

Zhou Zeyuan smiled and waved his hand: "Don't worry, the grain reserves in the base area can last for another six months. We'll figure out a way within six months."

"Besides, we're only keeping these prisoners for a while. Once they've received their education, those who want to stay can stay, and those who don't can be released. There's not much pressure involved."

Le Shaohua nodded in agreement, "That's right. As long as we keep winning battles, what's a little problem? Didn't Comrade Zeyuan say that peanuts are our transport captain?"

Zhou Zeyuan smiled, then said seriously, "Regarding the seized supplies and personnel replenishment, I hope that clear regulations will be established in the future."

"Within the existing framework of the 'unified public ownership' rule system, add a new distribution rule. The first is distribution according to need, the second is distribution based on proximity, and the third is distribution based on combat merits."

"At present, the first division, the third division, the Mindong Independent Division, and other front-line combat units meet all three conditions."

"The captured supplies were given priority to be selected by the troops. After the needs of the troops were fully met, the remaining supplies were returned to the base area."

Le Shaohua and Zeng Hongyi exchanged a glance and nodded.

Although the Red Army did not have explicit regulations on this matter, in practice it basically followed this principle.

This approach improves efficiency and reduces transportation losses, making it a truly effective method.

Zeng Hongyi thought for a moment, then said, "Comrade Zeyuan, we've won a great victory. Shouldn't we report this good news to the Central Committee?"

"These rules and regulations should be considered as a summary of our practical experience, and reported along with them. To put it more tactfully, say that it will be piloted within our unit first."

Zhou Zeyuan gave him an approving look: "Comrade Hongyi is indeed a seasoned veteran, and his thoughts are truly thorough."

"However, I also have some other summaries of experience here. In that case, let's report them together as well."

As he spoke, he took a piece of paper out of his desk drawer and handed it over.

Zeng Hongyi took it, and Le Shaohua also came over to look.

Their eyes swept across the paper.

After reading only a few lines, Zeng Hongyi's expression changed, and a fine layer of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.

Although Le Shaohua was still able to remain calm, the muscles in his face were noticeably stiffer.

Looking at their reaction, Zhou Zeyuan asked calmly, "What? It seems you two... don't quite agree?"

Zeng Hongyi opened his mouth, carefully choosing his words: "Comrade Zeyuan...should we be a little more tactful in our wording?"

"Euphemistic? How much more tactful do you need?" Le Shaohua chimed in. "I think Comrade Zeyuan has been tactful enough. But this isn't about wording at all. Comrade Zeyuan, are you... questioning the Central Committee's policy?"

Zhou Zeyuan leaned back in his chair, his hands clasped over his stomach: "Did I write anything treasonous? These are just summaries of our experiences from a series of major battles since we set off from Changting."

He looked at Le Shaohua and said, "Comrade Shaohua, your approach is no match for my mobile warfare in terms of actual combat effectiveness. You have to admit that, right?"

"But...I...this..." Le Shaohua's mind went completely blank.

A crucial issue that he had been deliberately ignoring was now ruthlessly exposed by Zhou Zeyuan, making him feel as if he had been hit with a critical strike.

Zeng Hongyi tried to smooth things over, saying, "How about... we just write down the specific details of the battles? We can skip the tactical analysis and experience summaries, okay?"

"How can I not include this? It's all my subjective feelings. If I don't even need a post-war summary, what's the point of writing this?"

"As a Party member, we must first and foremost remain loyal to the Party and adhere to the principle of seeking truth from facts in practice."

Zhou Zeyuan's gaze swept over the two men's faces: "If you two disagree, you are free to refuse to sign. I will wait for Comrade Huaizhou and Comrade Shengmu to return and then have them sign. It will be the same."

Le Shaohua gritted his teeth and slammed his fist on the table: "Sign! Of course we'll sign! This is Comrade Zeyuan's correct military experience. Comrades in the Central Committee should occasionally listen to the opinions of local comrades!"

Zeng Hongyi glanced at Le Shaohua.

Suddenly it dawned on me. When you're under someone's roof, you have no choice but to bow your head.

Even if what you see is just an experience summary report, you still have to sign your name on the Book of Life and Death of the King of Hell.

Sign it and you might have a chance to survive; don't sign it and you're doomed.

He took a deep breath, picked up the pen on the table, and neatly signed his name at the end of the paper.

Zhou Zeyuan watched the two sign the papers and a satisfied smile appeared on his face:

"Alright. It's settled then. I'll ask for Comrade Shengmu and Comrade Huaizhou's opinions again when they return. If there are no problems, we'll report it to the Central Committee together."

Zeng Hongyi and Le Shaohua slipped out of the command post under the cover of night.

The night breeze rushed towards me, carrying the dampness of the mountain grass and trees, and felt cool on my face.

The two walked side by side for a few steps, neither of them speaking.

The gravel underfoot made a faint scraping sound under my boots, which was especially clear in the quiet night.

After walking about twenty steps, Zeng Hongyi finally couldn't hold it in any longer. He plopped down on a roadside rock and let out a long sigh.

"My dear Political Commissar, how could you agree to this? Do you know what the Central Committee will think of us after that report is submitted?"

Le Shaohua stopped and turned around. His expression was obscured by the darkness, but his voice carried an indescribable weariness:

"Of course they think we are not firm in our stance and are colluding with Zhou Zeyuan, going along with his evil deeds."

"So tell me, is there any way we can salvage this situation?"

"What are you thinking?" Le Shaohua gave a wry smile. "From the moment the five-person group was formed, the Central Committee clearly saw that we couldn't control the overall situation."

"This only gives us the impression of incompetence, plus disloyalty. Do you think the central government will still trust us?"

"If we can't keep Zhou Zeyuan and Xun Huaizhou in check, we haven't even fulfilled our basic responsibilities. How can we expect to gain their trust? That's impossible."

Zeng Hongyi felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing this.