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

He extended his hand and shook hands with Zhou Zeyuan: "Comrade Zeyuan, you are really... younger than I imagined."

Zhou Zeyuan said casually, "I have many advantages, and youth is the least significant one. But Comrade Rui'ou, you're only in your early thirties, don't act so old-fashioned."

Wang Ruiou chuckled at his words, then shook his head. "Haha, the vigor of youth is the most precious thing in the world; no amount of money can buy it back."

Xun Huaizhou had already walked to the table and waved to the two of them: "Alright, alright, stop flattering each other and come over to the important matter."

Without further pleasantries, the two walked to the desk, one on the left and one on the right.

Zhou Zeyuan took the telegram out of his pocket and handed it to Wang Ruiou: "This is the tactical analysis sent by the boss. Take a look at it first, and then share your thoughts."

Wang Ruiou took the telegram and looked down at it. He read very slowly, his fingers moving along the lines of text on the paper word by word, occasionally pausing to review a particular passage in his mind before continuing to read.

After he finished reading the last line, he looked up, rested his chin on his left index finger, and said:

"The entire plan is flawless. I admire the boss's ability to achieve the effect of a large-scale attack with a small force. But if we were to implement it ourselves, I doubt we could do it. At least, I think it would be very difficult."

"If we simply copy it exactly, the results may not be very good, and that would completely waste the boss's hard work."

Zhou Zeyuan's eyes lit up. He suddenly had a feeling that the person in front of him was a kindred spirit, someone who could understand his thinking and keep up with his pace.

An undisguised smile crept across his lips. "This is also what's been giving Comrade Su Yu a headache lately. If the Nationalists knew that we had transferred the main force of seven divisions to the eastern front, the Nationalists in Jiangxi would definitely press forward."

"We could either advance eastward along the Zhejiang-Jiangxi Railway or attack the Huaiyu Mountains. This would greatly tie down our forces. So the most crucial part of the whole plan is actually the feigned breakout on the western front."

Xun Huaizhou picked up the thread: "The commander-in-chief has set up four feint attacks in total. It doesn't matter if one or two of the three eastern attacks fail, but the western one must succeed. Political Commissar, you are quite familiar with the local troops in Fujian, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi. Do you think they are capable of completing this mission?"

Wang Ruiou gave a wry smile: "Many of their teams were hastily assembled, and their tactical training and organizational discipline are still lacking. It's okay for a short time, but in the long run, they will inevitably have to fight tough battles, and then they will definitely be exposed."

"Comrade Huaizhou, Comrade Zeyuan, I understand what you mean. We must do our best to ensure that the main force of the seven divisions is concentrated on the eastern front and not divert too many troops to carry out missions on other battlefields."

"You have a chance of winning a battle if you clench your fist and strike. But that's difficult and requires a lot of effort..."

Zhou Zeyuan nodded: "Political Commissar, have you thought of any good ideas?"

Wang Rui'ou replied hesitantly, "The 21st Red Army Division under my command was reorganized from local troops in Fujian, Zhejiang and Jiangxi."

"During the reorganization, a group of regular army backbone personnel were added, and training has been intensified recently, but the overall quality is still far inferior to the other divisions. When it comes to the main battle, I'm afraid they will drag down the other units."

"My idea is to separate some troops from the 21st Red Army Division and mix them with local forces to be responsible for feints on the western front. The rest will remain in Jiangshan County as a reserve force for the campaign."

Xun Huaizhou turned his head slightly and lowered his voice: "Then there are only six divisions left on the eastern front, which is enough to face at least 100,000 Nationalist troops. Zeyuan, are you confident?"

Zhou Zeyuan said casually, "It's alright, a little strenuous, but not a big problem. From what I know of the Nationalist army, they are prone to making mistakes during the deployment phase. As long as we find their weakness, we can concentrate our forces to break through their defenses."

"Even if they don't make mistakes during the deployment phase, given their uneven quality, they will easily slip up during the actual attack phase."

Hearing this, Xun Huaizhou felt relieved, but Wang Ruiou, who was standing to the side, was very uneasy.

If he were still the same person he was when he first joined the revolution, he would have said whatever upset him on the spot.

But after all these years of ups and downs, he has learned to be patient, to be tactful, and to use indirect methods.

"Comrade Zeyuan, Comrade Huaizhou, it seems to me that the General's plan is not inclined towards a direct confrontation. It's more like we should coil ourselves up like a venomous snake, waiting for the enemy to become complacent before launching a surprise attack. This leans more towards ambush warfare and surprise attack."

Zhou Zeyuan and Xun Huaizhou exchanged a glance. Zhou Zeyuan chuckled and said, "The idea is good, but it's not quite in line with my style. I prefer to defeat the National Army in a direct confrontation. Only if I feel there's no chance of winning in a direct confrontation will I consider other methods."

"Political Commissar, don't rush to refute me. Let me tell you a principle: no matter how many times we defeat the Nationalist army through ambushes, they will not be afraid of us."

"But if we can defeat the main force of the Nationalist army in a head-on battle, then even the most elite Nationalist troops will have to avoid us in the future."

Zhou Zeyuan paused, his tone becoming more serious: "The comrades in the central government aren't blind to this political consideration; they simply don't dare to think about it. But we're on the front lines, understanding the actual situation. That's why we dare to think about it, and even more so, we dare to act on it."

As soon as he finished speaking, the operations room fell silent.

But in Wang Ruiou's mind, it was as if he were thinking of a great bell, a head-on collision to defeat the main force of the National Army! He only dared to think about such things in his dreams.

His gaze fell on Xun Huaizhou once again, and he saw that the legion commander nodded in approval.

Without further hesitation, he shouted, "Alright, let's take the gamble. At worst, we can go back to the mountains and fight as guerrillas again."

Zhou Zeyuan chuckled: "Those who have nothing to lose are not afraid of those who have something to lose. Although we are now wearing shoes, we must still have the spirit of going barefoot. In this respect, I must learn from Comrade Political Commissar."

Xun Huaizhou suddenly interjected, "Zeyuan, why do I get the feeling that you're becoming a bit blindly confident?"

Zhou Zeyuan turned his head to look at him, suppressing a laugh, "Because I know the commanders of the Nationalist army very well."

Xun Huaizhou raised an eyebrow slightly: "Gu Zhutong? No, are you talking about Liu Zhi, who just arrived in Zhejiang?"

"That's right, it's him. Don't let his reputation fool you; he certainly has some real skills. But I've studied him for a long time, and I'm absolutely confident I can take him on."

Wang Rui'ou's relaxed brows furrowed again: "This man is not someone to be trifled with. I've heard he's a seasoned strategist, and his attacks are as fierce as a tiger."

Zhou Zeyuan waved his hand, as if brushing away a clogging clod of dust: "Playing a good game when you're ahead doesn't prove anything. Just watch closely, I'll be in charge of this battle."