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

He rubbed his face and muttered, "So, does that mean... we're doomed to follow Zhou Zeyuan down this path to the bitter end?"

"Let's take it one step at a time! Right now, everyone in eastern Fujian is his man. We have no choice in the matter."

Zeng Hongyi suddenly slapped his thigh, exclaiming in frustration, "Ugh! I should have known better than to listen to your nonsense! In politics, we can't win; in military matters, we're not even fit to carry someone else's shoes! What was the point of trying to seize command?"

Le Shaohua's body stiffened slightly.

He remained silent for a long while, then slowly turned his head and asked earnestly:

"Old Zeng, what do you mean by that? Are the experiences we learned from our elder brother really completely useless?"

Zeng Hongyi looked up at Le Shaohua as if he were a fool. "No way...you actually believed them? If this thing were useful, would we even have our Northern Expeditionary Anti-Japanese Vanguard?"

These words struck Le Shaohua like a heavy hammer blow to the heart.

At that moment, he felt as if he had been struck by lightning, and he felt a "crackling" sound coming from his heart, as if something was cracking little by little.

That was something he had firmly believed in for many years.

The theories and dogmas he learned from books, from his elder brother, and from various documents and reports, which he regarded as gospel.

At that moment, Zeng Hongyi's seemingly casual remark struck a chord, creating a series of fine cracks.

He looked down at his hands.

These hands have written countless reports and summaries, passionately expounded theories at meetings, and righteously corrected what they considered "wrong" tendencies.

Seeing that he remained silent for a long time, Zeng Hongyi panicked and reached out to pat him on the shoulder: "Comrade Shaohua? Are you alright? I was just saying that, don't take it to heart..."

"It's okay, I'm fine. Let's go back to sleep!" Le Shaohua stood up, patted the dirt off his pants, and looked perfectly normal.

Zeng Hongyi watched his retreating figure, tilted his head, and couldn't figure out what was going on.

He knew long ago that his older brother's theories would not be applicable to local conditions.

As for why they won't admit it, is there any need to explain?

He still thought that Le Shaohua was the same kind of person as him.

Naturally, he didn't realize that a casual remark had actually broken Le Shaohua's defenses.

When Liu Shengmu arrived at the front line with local armed forces and the mobilized stretcher team, it was already close to noon.

The stretcher team stretched as far as the eye could see along the mountain road.

Some local comrades carried stretchers, some carried grain, and some drove donkeys loaded with ammunition, marching in a grand procession toward the front line.

Su Yu personally came out to greet them, and from afar she saw Liu Shengmu riding a mule at the head of the procession.

He strode forward, took the reins from Liu Shengmu, and smiled:

"Director Liu, why did you come all this way in person? You could have just sent an official with a team.

Liu Shengmu dismounted from the mule, dusted himself off, and said with a wry smile:

"I came here in person for two reasons. First, to convey Comrade Zeyuan's message to you. There are some things that are not clear enough in a telegram, so we have to say them in person. Second... to lay low for a while."

Su Yu's smile faded slightly, and her gaze swept over Liu Shengmu's face: "What's wrong? Did Political Commissar Le and Commander Zeng cause trouble again?"

"Just the two of them? Together they couldn't even beat the deputy legion commander with one hand." Liu Shengmu waved his hand, his tone laced with disdain.

"Well... I don't know the specifics, but I have a feeling this is going to be a big deal. I sensed the wind was blowing in a bad direction, so I quickly slipped out."

Su Yu laughed: "Forget it, we're soldiers, we shouldn't get involved in these political matters. You did the right thing, avoid trouble if necessary, and if you really can't avoid it, just hide behind Comrade Zeyuan. Anyway, no matter what, he always has a way."

Liu Shengmu's eyes widened in surprise. You two are really good brothers? Good comrades-in-arms? Is your "good brother" just someone to shield you from trouble?

He coughed lightly, then shook his head with feigned seriousness. "Isn't this... a bit inappropriate?"

Su Yu remained calm and countered, "Director Liu, let me put it another way. If you were faced with a battle you couldn't fight and couldn't find a solution, would you choose to hand over command to me?"

Liu Shengmu replied without hesitation, "Of course! I'm not good at military command, but if there's someone nearby who is, I'll definitely let him take command."

"That settles it then." Su Yu shrugged. "I'm not good at political affairs either. When trouble arises, we find comrades who are good at it to help. That's what they call 'leaving professional matters to professionals.'"

"You, Su Yu, were just waiting for me here! Perfect timing, Comrade Zeyuan had the same idea. He asked me to tell you that you will be fully in charge of frontline command."

He said his military skills were slightly inferior to yours, and he didn't understand the actual situation on the front lines, so he wouldn't give orders blindly.

Su Yu shook her head, her tone tinged with emotion: "I know, Zeyuan is currently busy with the construction of the base, and he is under a lot of pressure due to many internal constraints."

"As for his military capabilities, don't listen to his nonsense. Zeyuan is knowledgeable about the past and present, and has excellent strategies."

"Whenever he says he's not very knowledgeable, he just wants to give us a chance to improve. We shouldn't take his words too seriously."

Liu Shengmu nodded in deep agreement: "That's right. The deputy legion commander is indeed a man of both literary and military talent, proficient in both the orthodox and unorthodox paths. I have benefited greatly from my time by his side."

The two looked at each other and laughed.

After laughing, Liu Shengmu's expression turned serious: "After the ambush in Hongkou Township, the Nationalist army probably won't let it go. They will definitely mobilize more troops from all over to encircle and annihilate us. We must be on guard."

Su Yu appeared quite composed. "Don't worry, the situation is excellent right now. Once I lead the troops to the outer lines, the situation will only improve. As for the Nationalist army's encirclement and suppression, let them come."

Inspired by his confidence, Liu Shengmu nodded. "So when will you set off north?"

"They've already set off. I've sent the Third Division north to capture Zhouning. Good news should come tomorrow."

Liu Shengmu was somewhat surprised: "You're only leaving one division? What if the Kuomintang launches a counterattack?"

Su Yu smiled and held up one finger: "First, they've been beaten and suffered losses, so they need some time to recover."

"Secondly, as long as you take the wounded, prisoners, and spoils of war with you, I will travel light. Even if the enemy has ten divisions, I can fight or leave as I please."

Liu Shengmu was deeply moved and blurted out, "How magnificent! This is the true spirit of our Red Army!"