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

Zhou Zeyuan only caught up with the main force after the 11th Red Army entered Pucheng territory.

After his arrival, the last burden in Su Yu's heart disappeared.

The Red Army split into two groups. The vanguard division abandoned its logistical supplies, leaving them for the comrades behind.

Run barefoot, running like crazy.

This is when speed is everything.

It remains to be seen whether Su Yu's team can successfully capture Pucheng and arrive at the Jinqu Basin first.

Alternatively, the Nationalist army reacted in time and promptly deployed troops to the Jinqu Basin, completing reinforcements before the two armies could meet.

The Red Army, having gained the initial advantage, naturally has a greater chance of winning.

However, the Nationalist army was not without hope. Firstly, they had railways for transporting troops, which would be faster.

However, the assembly and scheduling may take a little longer.

If the Nationalist troops in Pucheng hold out to the death and delay the inevitable.

If the Nationalist Army's scouts or air force could have detected the Red Army's presence in time.

If there happens to be a team preparing to cross the Jinqu Basin.

In short, there are many uncertainties.

Su Yu and Zhou Zeyuan are both prepared for a tough battle.

But fate played another trick on them; all of the above plans were rendered useless, and the entire plan went so smoothly that it was unbelievable to them.

It can only be said that the National Revolutionary Army is as reliable as ever when it comes to being unreliable.

The garrison in Pucheng was designated as the 75th Division of the National Revolutionary Army, under the command of the 20th Route Army.

The 75th Division was a complete ragtag unit.

Or it would be more appropriate to call them warlord armies.

Zhang Yi, the commander-in-chief of the 20th Route Army, had a nickname: "Old Thief of the Central Plains".

This does not mean that he himself was a thief.

It was because he had recruited a large number of bandit groups in his early years, and many of his generals came from humble backgrounds.

That's how it got this nickname!

But the fact that this person could control such a mixed and unorthodox armed force speaks volumes about their shrewdness and wisdom.

Therefore, when he received the news that the main force of the Red Army had appeared in Pucheng, the old man quickly grasped the situation.

Jiang Dingwen sent him to guard such a strategic location not out of trust, but to use him as cannon fodder.

He certainly wouldn't risk his life for the Kuomintang.

Fleeing is inevitable, but there are techniques to doing it. If you retreat without a fight, the Nanchang authorities will have leverage over you.

At best, the number of personnel will be reduced; at worst, the offender will face a military court.

Therefore, thorough planning is essential.

In the Pucheng command post, Zhang Yi sat in a grand chair, holding a cup of tea in his hand. The tea had gone cold, but he didn't bother to drink it.

After listening to the report from Song Tiancai, the commander of the 75th Division, he put his teacup on the table, stood up, walked to the map on the wall, and his gaze fell on the winding Nanpu River.

"Is the team all assembled?"

Song Tiancai, standing behind him, nodded: "They've already assembled in the north of the city. Their belongings are all packed. We can retreat immediately at a moment's notice."

"In addition, I have deployed a regiment of troops in Nanpu Creek, which can at least slow down the Red Army's advance."

"We will retreat directly towards Wuyi Mountain. As long as your judgment is correct, Commander, the Red Army's objective is to head north, and they will certainly not pursue us."

A smile crept onto Zhang Ji's lips: "Haha, there's no way that's wrong. Could it be that Su Yu went to all this trouble just to devour you, Old Song? You're overestimating yourself."

Song Tiancai chuckled: "I really wouldn't dare think that way. I'm not that valuable."

The two looked at each other and laughed at the same time.

Laughter echoed in the command post, sounding relaxed, but both men knew perfectly well what lurked beneath that relaxed facade.

After laughing, Zhang Yi suddenly stopped laughing. "No planes are coming today, are there?"

Song Tiancai was taken aback for a moment: "No, why are you asking this?"

Zhang Yi paced back and forth in the room for a couple of steps, then stopped and turned around: "I was thinking, if we don't report it, or report it later, wouldn't Jiang Dingwen and even the Nanchang authorities find out about the Red Army's presence in Pucheng later?"

Song Tiancai's expression first showed a slight surprise, but that fear was quickly replaced by a greater excitement.

He took a half step forward and lowered his voice, saying, "Commander, we are the primary source of intelligence. Whenever we report, the higher-ups know immediately. However, we must be cautious about this. There are people sent from the Central Committee in the communications department."

Zhang Yi nodded. "Yes, the Central Committee is wary of us. This matter can't be handled carelessly. So, tell me, is it reasonable to say that there are Red Army spies within our ranks?"

Song Tiancai's mind worked quickly, and he almost instantly replied, "Haha, that makes perfect sense! Su Yu's surprise attack on Pucheng was premeditated; he had already bribed a local armed force that we had just incorporated."

"As the great battle approached, he sent men to behead the command post. To protect the radio equipment, Director Wang fought desperately, sustaining six bullet wounds, and died for his country. How heroic!"

Zhang nodded slightly and added, "Not only that, after Director Wang's sacrifice, we must immediately send someone by fast horse to report the enemy situation to Nanping. We must not slack off."

Song Tiancai's eyes darted around, and he tugged at Zhang Zi's arm, lowering his voice with a hint of eagerness: "Commander, why don't you grit your teeth and suffer a little, and stage a self-inflicted injury ruse?"

Zhang Yi abruptly pulled his arm back, glaring at him: "Hey, you old Song! Are you trying to settle a personal score? Why don't you just grit your teeth and do it yourself? Why do you have to make me do it?"

Song Tiancai quickly waved his hand, his face full of smiles: "Look at what you're saying, I'm doing this for your own good. If you don't get hurt, I'm afraid you'll be taken to Nanchang for trial if the higher-ups blame you."

"Everyone knows this kind of thing. No matter how perfectly we cover it up, we can still be convicted without evidence."

"We'll report your injury first. If they send you to Nanchang for questioning, just say you had a gunshot wound that's infected, you have a persistent high fever, and you're unconscious. Basically, they'll say you can't go anywhere."

Zhang Yi remained silent for a moment; he certainly understood the intricacies of the matter.

If he's doing well, but the authorities in Nanchang become suspicious and issue a transfer order, he'll have to obediently go to Nanjing or Nanchang to be questioned.

But if he's lying on a stretcher, wrapped in bandages, with a high fever and unconscious, who can drag him off the hospital bed?

He sighed, his tone tinged with helplessness: "Alright then, whatever you say."

Song Tiancai immediately perked up and reached for the pistol at his waist.

Zhang Yi waved his hands repeatedly: "Get lost! Who told you to come! Go find someone with good marksmanship. Don't shoot me in the bone."

Song Tiancai awkwardly withdrew his hand. "Alright, I'll go arrange it right away."