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

According to the original plan, if they could capture Youxi County through a night raid, the army headquarters would return to the county seat that very night and would not stay in Meixian Town any longer.

When Xun Huaizhou rode back to the county town first, it was already dawn. The battlefield had been basically cleaned up, and all the prisoners had been gathered and imprisoned.

Only the makeshift medical clinic remained, brightly lit and bustling with people.

The medical team's doctors and nurses are racing against time to perform emergency surgeries and treat the seriously wounded who were injured in the daytime battles and the city's fall last night.

Many of them hadn't slept all night; their temples were soaked with sweat, and their eyes were bloodshot, but their hand movements remained steady and precise.

These doctors wielding scalpels are the most steadfast and selfless warriors on another battlefield.

Upon learning that Zhou Zeyuan was comforting the wounded at the medical clinic, Xun Huaizhou immediately rode over there.

The shack was dimly lit. Xun Huaizhou immediately saw Zhou Zeyuan squatting beside a makeshift stretcher, tightly holding the only remaining left hand of a young soldier.

The empty sleeve on the right side of the soldier silently testifies to the tragedy of the previous night.

"...Do you know General Peng Shaohui of our First Army Corps? He was seriously wounded during the anti-encirclement and suppression campaigns, but he still persevered. What's losing an arm? That's what matters in war!"

Zhou Zeyuan tapped his temple with his free finger, his tone firm yet gentle, "If you have hands, use them; if you don't, use your mouth, use your brain! Besides, don't you still have an arm? You can still contribute to the revolution!"

The soldier was pale, tears welling in his eyes, his voice choked with sobs: "Commander... I've lost my arm, how am I supposed to cock and fire now... From now on, I'll just be a burden to our 7th Red Army Division... I don't want to be a drag on everyone..."

"Hey, you stubborn fool! Didn't I tell you clearly? Use your mouth!" Zhou Zeyuan gently patted the back of his hand, his tone reproachful.

"Use your combat experience and the skills you've learned! After you recover, go to the training unit and teach all your knowledge to those greenhorns! Teach them how to dodge bullets, how to find cover, and how to aim at the enemy!"

"A good instructor who trains a group of good soldiers is more effective than ten elite soldiers charging into battle! Revolution needs all kinds of soldiers; fighting isn't just about charging with a gun!"

Xun Huaizhou, who was standing nearby, felt quite gratified when he saw this scene.

Zeyuan, that kid, is not only good at fighting, but also has a knack for leading troops. He knows how to care for his soldiers and unite them. The revolutionary cause truly has successors.

What he didn't notice was that the wounded soldiers from the Second and Third Divisions on the beds next to him, seeing Zhou Zeyuan so patiently persuading and giving hope to an ordinary soldier, had an almost tangible admiration and respect for this young division commander in their eyes.

Can you say that Zhou Zeyuan's actions had no element of "showmanship" or "winning people's hearts"? Perhaps.

But he can assure you that every word he says is a genuine expression of his feelings, and he will do his best to fulfill his promise as long as conditions permit.

Human hearts are made of flesh and blood; only by treating others as you would like to be treated can you earn their sincerity.

After comforting the soldier with the missing arm, Zhou Zeyuan gave a few more instructions to the medic next to him before standing up.

Turning around, he saw Xun Huaizhou waiting at the door.

He smiled at the soldier on the bed: "Look, even the corps commander has come to see you. Don't worry too much, just focus on recovering. Your revolutionary journey is still long."

Then, he headed towards Xun Huaizhou.

Xun Huaizhou spoke first, his tone filled with emotion: "Zeyuan, your ability to soothe people's hearts is even more professional than our current political commissar."

Zhou Zeyuan snorted: "Compare yourself to him? That's shameful."

"I was referring to our former political commissar, Lao Xiao," Xun Huaizhou corrected, his eyes filled with nostalgia.

That Political Commissar Xiao was a political worker who could truly connect with the soldiers and win their hearts and minds.

Zhou Zeyuan waved his hand, his expression becoming more serious: "I can't compare. I'm just an amateur after all; military command is my main job. Speaking of which... if Old Xiao were still here, that would be so much better. With him, I'm confident I could lead everyone all the way to Nanjing!"

Upon hearing this, Xun Huaizhou's eyes flickered, and he lowered his voice, saying, "Zeyuan, sometimes... I've also had some impulsive moments, and even some inappropriate thoughts. But you must remember, we are Party members, we must obey the overall situation and abide by discipline. Never do anything that violates principles."

Zhou Zeyuan felt a chill run down his spine. Xun Huaizhou, through certain words and actions, vaguely sensed his underlying restlessness.

[Mind Insight] Clearly tell him that Xun Huaizhou is both worried and testing him at this moment, but more so, it is advice out of care, not malice.

He decided to tell another half-truth to divert Xun Huaizhou's attention.

He smiled with a hint of mockery: "My great commander, I'm not like you, just here complaining and lamenting my bad luck. I will try my best to find a solution within the rules and give our army a way out."

"A way out? What way out? You have a new idea again?" Xun Huaizhou's thinking was indeed swayed.

Zhou Zeyuan leaned closer, lowering his voice even further: "Do you miss Comrade Fang Zhimin?"

"Of course we want to! He was the founder of the Fujian-Zhejiang-Jiangxi revolutionary base area, a leader of the 10th Red Army, and a good comrade and comrade-in-arms!"

"Yes, you know, if our Seventh Red Army Corps made a detour on its northward march and went to the Fujian-Zhejiang-Jiangxi border region to join forces with Comrade Fang Zhimin's Tenth Red Army, the two forces could combine to form an even stronger army corps..."

"Who do you think would be most suitable to serve as the political commissar of this new legion?"

Xun Huaizhou's eyes widened instantly, and his breathing quickened: "This...this is truly a brilliant idea! The two isolated armies will join forces, greatly increasing their strength. Whether they march north to fight the Japanese or continue the struggle, they will have a greater advantage! But..."

He quickly calmed down and said, "According to the route planned for us by the central government, we are going to southern Anhui, not Fujian, Zhejiang and Jiangxi."

Zhou Zeyuan chuckled lightly, with a hint of sarcasm, "They're not far away. When the Kuomintang forces surround and intercept us, and the situation becomes critical, it's only natural to join forces with nearby allies to preserve revolutionary strength and stick together for mutual support, isn't it? Besides..."

He stopped smiling and looked Xun Huaizhou into the eyes: "Do you really think we have a chance to reach southern Anhui peacefully along the original route?"

"What do you mean?" Xun Huaizhou frowned.

"See? I told you long ago, we're expendable pawns." Zhou Zeyuan's tone turned cold. "Once we cross the Min River, do you think those two in the central government will give us even more radical tasks—like, capturing a major city!"

"Don't forget, we made such a big commotion in Datian and Youxi, annihilating enemy troops and capturing countless spoils, but what substantial action has Jiang Dingwen of the Eastern Route Army taken? He remains completely unperturbed!"

Xun Huaizhou fell silent. He had to admit that Zhou Zeyuan was right: "If we go north along our original route, the main threat will be to the territories of local warlords, and the damage to the core areas under the rule of the Kuomintang will be relatively small."

"Jiang Dingwen, and even the Nanchang Headquarters, might be happy to see us and Lu Xingbang fight to the death. But from another perspective, if we march north into western Zhejiang, that directly threatens Hua Shengmi's stronghold, and can also serve as a check on him..."