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

Therefore, Zhou Zeyuan said very frankly, "Logically speaking, I should learn from Comrade Su Yu, be humble, and say that I am not capable enough and still need to train."

"However, the current situation is critical, the enemy situation is unclear, the troops have just been attacked by air, and the corps commander has been unexpectedly wounded. Revolution is about seeking truth from facts, not about seniority or polite words."

He straightened his back and spoke in a firm and powerful voice: "As long as the organization trusts me and my comrades support me, I believe I have the ability and determination to take on the important responsibility of acting corps commander!"

"I will never let everyone down. I will do my utmost to lead the Seventh Red Army Corps to overcome difficulties and complete the tasks assigned by the Central Committee!"

"Of course, if the organization deems Comrade Su Yu more suitable and decides to have her act as acting comrade, requiring me to assist, I will have no complaints. I will fully support Comrade Su Yu's work, just as I did in assisting Comrade Huaizhou in the past. What do you think, Political Commissar?"

Zhou Zeyuan said everything, both positive and negative, leaving Le Shaohua furious but helpless.

He glanced at Su Yu; the current situation was far too passive. The person he had recommended had been rejected outright, and instead, Zhou Zeyuan had been recommended instead.

Zeng Hongyi is clearly on Zhou Zeyuan's side again. Is this time, going to let this brat get away with it again?

Seeing this, Zeng Hongyi wanted to make a decision quickly to avoid any complications: "In that case, it's the same if Comrade Su Yu serves as chief of staff and provides assistance. This is his job. I believe Comrade Zeyuan is capable of leading everyone to complete the Central Committee's mission."

"I think it's settled then. Comrade Zeyuan will act as the corps commander, responsible for military command; I will remain the commander-in-chief, in charge of the overall situation; and Political Commissar Le, you will be responsible for political work. Our three-person leadership team will remain unchanged, except that Comrade Zeyuan will temporarily assume Comrade Huaizhou's military responsibilities. What do you think?"

Just as the situation seemed to be set according to Zeng Hongyi's plan, Le Shaohua's mind raced, and he suddenly came up with a way to turn the tide.

He took a deep breath, his face becoming extremely serious: "Commander-in-Chief Zeng, Comrade Zeyuan, this matter concerns the core leadership of our Seventh Red Army Corps and the future and fate of over ten thousand soldiers. How can we make such a hasty decision?"

"I believe that such a significant personnel arrangement should be reported to the Central Committee for review and decision-making. This would be more legitimate and prudent!"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the people present changed slightly.

Report to the central government?

What image does Zhou Zeyuan have in the eyes of the two top decision-makers in the central government?

A disobedient troublemaker who likes to act on his own and always contradicts them!

On such an important issue of personnel appointments, it's obvious what kind of decision the central government will make.

They would rather choose an obedient but mediocre one than hand over military power to a "dangerous element" like Zhou Zeyuan who is difficult to control!

Zeng Hongyi was now in a bind. He felt no pressure at all about confronting Le Shaohua, since Le Shaohua couldn't do anything to him anyway.

But even if he had a hundred times the courage, he wouldn't dare to openly violate the correct procedure of "reporting to the central government," let alone go against any possible instructions from the central government.

The atmosphere inside the tent instantly plummeted to freezing point. Le Shaohua's move of "cutting off the fuel supply" was indeed ruthless, striking at the heart of the matter in one fell swoop.

A faint smile appeared on Zhou Zeyuan's lips, but an extremely panicked feeling was rapidly approaching.

After crossing the Minjiang River, Ruijin will issue new combat missions, which will not take too long.

Judging by the time, it should be about that soon; it looks like a good show is about to begin.

Just then, the tent flap was suddenly flung open, and the telegraph operator, panting, jogged in, holding a newly translated telegram in his hand.

"Reporting to the Political Commissar and Commander-in-Chief! Urgent telegram from the Central Committee!"

Everyone's hearts were in their throats. An urgent telegram at this hour?

Le Shaohua grabbed the telegram and quickly scanned it. After just one glance, his pupils contracted sharply, and all color drained from his face.

Zeng Hongyi leaned closer to take a look, and he too gasped in shock, exclaiming, "This...how is this possible?!"

Su Yu took the telegram, and after reading it, her face turned pale. She looked at Zhou Zeyuan in disbelief.

Even Xun Huaizhou, lying on a stretcher, struggled to lift his upper body and asked urgently, "What...did the Central Committee say?"

Zhou Zeyuan walked over, took the telegram from Su Yu's hand, and read it aloud:

"...Order the Seventh Army Corps to immediately change its original plan to march north to southern Anhui and instead advance eastward! Seize the opportunity to capture Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian Province! Make every effort to attract and divert the enemy besieging the Central Soviet Area, in coordination with the main force of the Red Army's strategic operations...This order is extremely urgent and must be resolutely executed!"

Seize Fuzhou!

These four words were like a bolt from the blue, leaving everyone in the tent stunned and speechless!

Zeng Hongyi snapped out of his daze and yelled at the communications officer, "Did you translate it wrong?! Double-check!"

The communications officer's face was pale, but his tone was certain: "Reporting to the Commander-in-Chief! We have already confirmed with a reply that the original message is correct; it is indeed instructing us to attack Fuzhou."

Even Xun Huaizhou, lying on the stretcher, couldn't help but cough violently, his face filled with shock and despair.

Zhou Zeyuan's previous prediction has come true!

And that's the worst-case scenario! If they were to try attacking Quanzhou and Nanping, they might still be able to put up a fight with their current strength.

But Fuzhou? That's the capital of Fujian Province! It was the core of the Kuomintang's rule in Fujian!

With its strong city walls, numerous garrison troops, complete heavy weaponry, and comprehensive defense system, its defensive strength is far superior to that of county towns like Youxi and Datian!

Given the current situation of the Red Seventh Army Corps, which has only a little over 10,000 men and lacks heavy weapons, launching a strong attack on Fuzhou would be tantamount to throwing an egg against a rock!

Just as everyone was reeling from the sudden and absurd order, Xun Huaizhou on the stretcher suddenly unleashed astonishing power.

He endured the excruciating pain, gripping the edge of the stretcher tightly with his intact right hand, struggling to sit up straight.

Su Yu, who was standing nearby, immediately supported him. Xun Huaizhou said, word by word:

"The Central Committee issuing such a task... must mean that the situation in the Soviet area has reached... an extremely critical juncture!"

He took a breath, his voice hoarse but incredibly firm: "So... this time, we have no choice, we must... we absolutely must find a way to accomplish it! At the very least... we must make our utmost effort!"

His gaze swept over Le Shaohua and Zeng Hongyi, finally settling on Zhou Zeyuan's face. His eyes were filled with entrustment, trust, and a resolute determination:

"In my capacity as commander of the 7th Red Army Corps, I solemnly recommend... Comrade Zhou Zeyuan to serve as acting commander of the corps and to have full authority over military operations!"

"Now... only him! Only he has the potential to... lead us, to create a miracle in this desperate situation!"

A hint of struggle appeared on Le Shaohua's face, but it quickly turned into determination.

He looked directly at Zhou Zeyuan and asked in a deep voice, "Comrade Zeyuan, if you were put in charge of military command, are you confident you could complete the tasks assigned by the Central Committee?"

Zhou Zeyuan did not answer immediately; his mind was racing.

Historically, the Northern Expeditionary Force's attack on Fuzhou failed, resulting not only in heavy casualties but, more importantly, exposing its own weaknesses.

As a result, the Kuomintang only dispatched twenty regiments to encircle and intercept the advance team, which almost drove them to the brink of despair.