Rebirth: I am in Jin-Cha-Ji

And two thousand people seems like a lot.

However, many of them were assigned to local government positions. Many were also assigned to propaganda departments, as they were all students, making them well-suited for this role. Very few were actually assigned to the military, and even fewer were assigned to the Eighth Column.

"Thirty or fifty people, don't even think about it. About ten people, I can help you find a solution.

“Commissar, this.

"Do you want it or not? If you don't want it, then there will be no one."

"Yes, of course."

Lu Weisheng silently observed Gao Wei from the side.

This time, he came to Ninggao Town Detachment as deputy political commissar, and would work with Gao Wei in the future. Although Huang Hao was the political commissar, he was responsible for too many things.

In particular, as the secretary of the Ninggao Town County Party Committee, he was responsible for the construction of bases in three counties.

Therefore, more of the work of the detachment fell on Lu Weisheng.

So he must understand Gao Wei.

The information he had received before was somewhat different. Before coming here, he only knew that Gao Wei was a fierce general of the Eighth Column, a general highly respected by Wang Qiuyun and Wei Hongjun, and a veteran of the Long March.

Many people say that he has a quick temper.

But I only discovered today that Gao Wei is a man of great talent but also a meticulous one.

He was not the kind of general he had imagined.

After Wei Hongjun discussed the development of local troops, he continued, "Then there's the issue of troop reorganization. The Ninggao Town Detachment has a complex composition, so reorganization is imperative. We can't allow something like the Xu-Yang Rebellion within the Chahar-Sui Guerrilla Army to happen again. The Column has extensive experience in reorganization, and the new style of reorganization has been successfully implemented in other units of the Eighth Column. Comrade Lu Weisheng has been in charge of this work since he became the detachment's deputy political commissar. The Japanese army won't give you much time, so you must complete the reorganization within three months."

"Yes."

Lu Weisheng accepted the order.

Lu Weisheng had previously worked in the column's political department, and along with Zhang Chao, they were the two young political cadres Wei Hongjun valued most in the column. They had performed most outstandingly during the Eighth Column's implementation of the new-style military reorganization.

That's why Lu Weisheng came to the Ninggao Town Detachment.

"But I still have a few words of advice for you. Different units have different actual situations. You need to analyze each situation individually and formulate an appropriate military reorganization plan. You can't blindly implement a new type of military reorganization in the Ninggao Town Detachment just because you've had successful experience in other units.

"Yes."

"Now let's discuss the issue of cross-appointments. Of the three battalions of the Ninggao Town Detachment, the Third Battalion has many educated personnel but is extremely short on military cadres. The First and Second Battalions have good combat effectiveness and a large number of military cadres, but they lack educated personnel. So after the Ninggao Town Detachment is established, your detachments should discuss this issue among themselves. Transfer some educated personnel from the Third Battalion to supplement the First and Second Battalions, and transfer some military cadres from the First and Second Battalions to the Third Battalion. Of course, this doesn't mean you should pursue egalitarianism; each battalion should maintain its own characteristics. Just avoid compartmentalizing and learn to cooperate. Your three battalions should avoid having any territorial mentality. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

After arranging the main tasks for the troops, Wei Hongjun turned to Huang Hao and said, "Comrade Huang Hao, I told you that your workload is heavy. During my visit to the Xining County base, I saw that your rural base is developing very well and your work is generally excellent. However, you have made significant deviations in uniting the enlightened gentry. You haven't been firm where you should be, and you've been conservative where you should be. Our Party demands unity with the enlightened gentry, uniting them to fight the Japanese and jointly implement rent and interest reductions. But unity doesn't mean unity without principles. Revolutionary leadership must rest in the hands of our Party. Leadership of the rural anti-Japanese bases must also be in our own hands. We cannot cede power in the rural bases to local landlords. This is a matter of principle, and we cannot compromise on this issue. However, you are too conservative on the issue of Party membership. The Central Committee has made it clear that we must boldly expand our membership and not be conservative or overly concerned with background. Your conservatism on this issue has dealt a heavy blow to the enthusiasm of many young students joining the revolution. This is detrimental to the revolution and to our efforts to fight the Japanese behind enemy lines."

Huang Hao is an expert at developing bases and promoting propaganda and mobilizing the people.

After all, he was once an outstanding local cadre in the Soviet area.

However, after a year and a half of fighting, Huang Hao was still quite confused about his policies. He could not grasp how to unite the enlightened gentry. This confusion also affected Huang Hao's judgment.

On the issue of the enlightened gentry, he didn't know whether to be tough or compromise. As a cadre from the Soviet area, this was his first time dealing with these enlightened gentry, and he was somewhat unsure of the relationship between them.

In fact, Wei Hongjun understands Huang Hao.

Huang Hao was a local cadre who grew up in the Soviet area. After the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, numerous policy changes occurred, leaving many people struggling to adapt. Furthermore, many central government policies were contradictory, and central leadership statements differed widely. This left many lower-level cadres struggling to grasp the policies from above. Historically, after the Eighth Route Army was established, many military and political cadres who had previously been highly skilled in the Red Army struggled to advance. Some even left the army, veterans of the Long March.

The main problem is that they are not adapting to the new policies, or do not understand the new policies.

This is not a good thing.

Therefore, Wei Hongjun clearly told Huang Hao that uniting with the enlightened gentry did not mean giving them the leadership of the revolution. The Eighth Route Army must firmly control the leadership of the revolution.

Huang Hao was somewhat compromising in uniting the enlightened gentry, but he was very strict on the issue of party membership.

It seems contradictory, but in fact, there is a reason: Huang Hao, a cadre from the Soviet area, was unable to grasp the policy changes for a while.

Huang Hao nodded and said, "Political Commissar, I will review my mistakes."

"I don't look at your attitude, I look at your actions. We are all Party members and must carry out the Central Committee's orders. We must carry them out whether we understand them or not. Of course, I hope you can understand the policies from the bottom of your heart. Don't let other things distract you. You must carefully study the documents issued by the Organization Department. Also, carefully review Chairman Mao's 'On Protracted War' and 'On Contradiction.' You must deeply understand that the principal contradiction in our country at this stage is between the Chinese nation and Japanese imperialism. The Central Committee's current policies are aimed at resolving this contradiction. Let me briefly explain this to you. All policies can be flexible, but revolutionary leadership must remain in our hands. As long as we grasp this point, other policy adjustments are acceptable."

"Yes."

"Also, your work with women in Xining County isn't very good either. You haven't been able to fully mobilize the enthusiasm of the women here to resist the Japanese. You need to think of more ways to do this. So, after I return, I'll send a key figure in the women's movement to your Ninggao Town base."

Wei Hongjun finally came to the Ninggao Town Detachment.

I don't know when the next time will be. So make more arrangements before leaving. After talking about some issues in the construction of the base, Wei Hongjun continued: "Next is the issue of arable land. It's the same old saying, 'work hard and you will have enough food and clothing.' Our troops, whether they are the main force or the local troops, including the local government, must participate in the reclamation so that they can have enough food to allocate. In addition, we should provide policies to allow the people in the base to voluntarily participate in the reclamation. We must have enough food reserves in our base so that even if some emergencies occur, we don't have to panic. Comrade Huang Hao, you must take charge of this work yourself.

Ever since Wei Hongjun put forward the slogan "Work hard to earn enough food and clothing", this slogan has spread to Yan'an.

Yan'an and the Eighth Route Army Headquarters were very supportive, so they issued this document to all bases. However, it was not mandatory, but only a suggestion from Yan'an and the headquarters. Because at this stage, the bases were not short of food.

Wei Hongjun has no control over what happens in other bases.

However, within the Eighth Column's base, Wei Hongjun strictly enforced food security. Some of the Eighth Column's cadres actually complained about this. Since the Eighth Column was not short of food, asking soldiers and local government staff to reclaim wasteland seemed unnecessary. Asking the civilians to do the reclamation was sufficient, and even the military and local government participating in the reclamation seemed like a waste of time.

However, Wei Hongjun was firm in his attitude.

Wei Hongjun knew that after the Hundred Regiments Campaign, the Japanese army would mobilize heavy troops to sweep the base areas, and the Eighth Route Army would have a very difficult time. In addition, after entering the 40s, there would be a drought in North China, which would seriously affect the Eighth Route Army's food security.

So now that we have food, we should store as much as possible.

"Yes."

Chapter 208 Changes in the Mongolian Army

"Commander, intelligence from the Mongolian troops."

Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region Headquarters.

The Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region was now strong and powerful. The First Division and the Eighth Column had won a series of victories, expanding the First Division's base area. This had a significant impact on the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region. After breaking the 25-way siege of the Japanese army, the First Division and the Eighth Column had grown rapidly.

The Eighth Column is currently developing bases in more than a dozen counties in Cha'nan and Pingxi, while the First Division is developing bases in more than ten counties in Yanbei and Yixi. Although both have bases covering about ten counties, the First Division's bases are far more valuable than the Eighth Column.

Because the base area of ​​the first division is typically large in population and land, with a good economy and abundant resources.

To put it bluntly, it means having money and connections.

The First Division currently has nine main regiments, and the Eighth Column has five main regiments. Moreover, the First Division and the Eighth Column not only have main regiments, but also a bunch of main forces with different numbers.

For example, the First Division had four designated guerrilla detachments under its command, along with 7,000 to 8,000 men in the independent regiment, the guard regiment, the artillery battalion, and other units directly under the division. While not considered a main force, they were all capable of fighting. With the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region granting them designations, these units could be upgraded to main force status.

The same is true for the Eight Verticals.

Like the newly established Ninggao Town Detachment and Longyanchi Detachment, their strength is not much worse than the main force regiment, but they just don’t have the numbers given by the military region.

The First Division and the Eighth Column were so powerful that they tied down the troops stationed in Mongolia, as well as the Japanese troops in Peking and Baoding. Even the 33rd Division in Datong had to allocate part of its troops to block the development of the First Division.

The Japanese North China Front Army was already short of troops, and the rise of the First Division and the Eighth Column made them even more uncomfortable. The strength of the First Division and the Eighth Column also gave opportunities to several other military divisions in the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region.

The Eighth Route Army was good at building bases and developing troops.

With less pressure from the Japanese army, they immediately became like Sun Wukong. The second, third, and fourth districts, which had been developing slowly, had all begun to develop rapidly in the past few months.

This made the leaders of the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region very happy.

The Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region is becoming more and more prosperous.

"What happened to the Mongolian troops?"

Commander Nie looked up.

The troops stationed in Mongolia suffered a crushing defeat last year, severely damaged by the First Division and the Eighth Column, and then severely attacked by Fu Zuoyi. In less than six months, the troops stationed in Mongolia suffered over 10,000 casualties, which was a serious blow. For the past three months, the troops stationed in Mongolia have been very quiet.

"Just received intelligence. The Japanese North China Front Army is preparing to transfer the 9th Independent Mixed Brigade to join the Mongolian Garrison. This will now include the 26th Division, the 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade, the 9th Independent Mixed Brigade, and five garrison battalions.

"The 9th Independent Mixed Brigade?"

"Yes."

Commander Nie frowned.

Looking at the map, he asked, "Where did this army come from?"

"The 9th Independent Mixed Brigade was recently formed in Taiyuan. It was formed by the Japanese army from various units drawn from the Zhongtiao Mountain front, specifically to sweep our base areas behind enemy lines. However, we didn't expect this unit to be included in the ranks of the Mongolian garrison.

"The 9th Independent Mixed Brigade? Does that mean the Japanese army is starting to expand?"

"Yes. According to the intelligence we have received, the Japanese army will increase the number of independent mixed brigades in China, starting with the 8th Independent Mixed Brigade and continuing to the 14th Independent Mixed Brigade, for a total of seven independent mixed brigades."

By 1939, the Japanese army clearly felt the shortage of manpower.

In 1937 and 1938, the Japanese army advanced rapidly, occupying most of China. However, such a large area required sufficient troops to garrison it. Adding to the Japanese army's headaches, the large number of resistance forces behind enemy lines in these occupied areas seriously hampered their control.

Not only the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army, but also hundreds of thousands of Nationalist Army troops were behind enemy lines.

The Japanese army suffered a heavy blow behind enemy lines.

Therefore, the Japanese army decided to continue to increase its troops. Not only did the Japanese army set up 10 triple-command divisions (32nd to 41st Divisions), but it also prepared to add 7 independent mixed brigades in China.

"With the addition of the 9th Independent Mixed Brigade, the full strength of the Mongolian Army will be around 25,000 men. This will put a lot more pressure on the 8th Column.

"Commander, I don't think the Eighth Column will be afraid."

"How to say?"

Commander Nie was very interested.

Tang Jie pointed at the map and said, "Commander, look. The Eighth Column is now besieging Zhangjiakou from three sides: the Ninggaozhen base, the Xuanhuai base, and the Longyanchi base. Furthermore, all three bases are developing very well. In addition, they've also developed a base in Zhangchonggu, north of Chahar. This means they're attacking from all four sides. The Eighth Column's strategic momentum is set. Unless all Japanese troops stationed in Mongolia participate in the sweep, the Eighth Column will be safe."

"It's impossible for all the troops stationed in Mongolia to sweep the Eighth Column."

Commander Nie shook his head.

Tang Jie also said, "The Commander is right. The Mongolian Army has a large defense area, especially the 359th Division. They not only have to deal with the Eighth Route Army's Yanbei troops, but also the 35th Brigade in Suiyuan and Fu Zuoyi's th Army. Therefore, the only troops the Mongolian Army can deploy are the nd Independent Mixed Brigade and the th Independent Mixed Brigade, as well as the five garrison battalions they deployed on the Pingsui Road."

"But we still can't be careless. After all, this is a force of over 5,000 men. Send a telegram to the First Division and the Eighth Column immediately.

"Old Wei, what do you think?"

"I think so. Not only are the Mongolian garrison troops getting new recruits, they're also transferring the 9th Independent Mixed Brigade from Taiyuan, specifically targeting us. The 9th Independent Mixed Brigade has just been formed and is still in Taiyuan. Furthermore, the Mongolian garrison troops haven't received all their new recruits yet. Before the Mongolian garrison troops are fully deployed, let's give them a head start."

Wei Hongjun had just left the Ninggao Town Detachment when he received intelligence from the military district.

The troops stationed in Mongolia are going to increase their forces.

Wei Hongjun met Wang Qiu and Wang Yun on the way.

The two met at the Eighteenth Regiment. Wang Qiuyun's idea was to teach the Mongolian troops a lesson before they were fully deployed. Wei Hongjun also agreed with Wang Qiuyun's idea.

In China's war against Japan, the enemy is currently strong and we are weak. This will likely continue for several years to come. This is an objective fact that no one can change. However, in some localized areas, we are strong and the enemy is weak. Currently, in the area around Zhangjiakou and the Pingsui Road, the Eighth Column is stronger than the Japanese.

After repeated attacks by the First Division, the 359th Brigade, and Fu Zuoyi's 35th Army, the th Division suffered over half its casualties, leaving it severely damaged. Two of its three regiments were practically annihilated, with three regiment commanders killed within a year. Within two or three months, the division was rendered incapable of combat. The nd Independent Mixed Brigade, needless to say, saw only a tenth of its personnel remaining. The th Column killed a major general, three colonels, and five lieutenant colonels from the nd Independent Mixed Brigade.