Rebirth: I am in Jin-Cha-Ji

"Yes, that's right." The place Wei Hongjun was pointing to was Fengning County in Rehe Province.

Fengning County, with its high mountains and dense forests, has long been plagued by banditry. After the Rehe War, the Japanese controlled the entire Rehe region, and Fengning County also fell into Japanese hands. However, Fengning County has many unique features.

The geographical location is not very important. Fengning County is not a very wealthy place and does not have the minerals that the Japanese want. However, since it has been occupied, the Japanese will not allow other anti-Japanese forces to exist.

So the Japanese chose to win over local traitors.

The local police in Fengning County, along with the bandits, all accepted the Japanese army's solicitation. The Japanese army had few troops in Fengning County and relied on these traitors to maintain order. Later, the Japanese army dispatched three puppet Manchukuo infantry brigades to maintain order in Rehe.

As a result, these three puppet Manchukuo infantry brigades were almost wiped out within half a year.

Previously, an infantry brigade participated in a sweep of the Longyanchi base, but was wiped out by the New Third Regiment. Following the Jidong Uprising, another regiment was wiped out by the Fourth Column during the pursuit. Later, during a sweep of the Jidong forces, the Second and Third Detachments remaining in Jidong were ambushed, resulting in over 800 casualties. With so many casualties, even Rehe was unable to stabilize. The Japanese, in desperation, transferred the Fourth Brigade of the Puppet Manchukuo from Heilongjiang.

Unfortunately, the expedition started off badly and was annihilated by the Chadong Detachment within just a few months of arriving in Rehe.

"But precisely because of these characteristics, Fengning County is suitable for us to develop a base here. Fengning County did not seem very important when the Japanese army completely occupied the Northeast and Rehe, but if it is really occupied by us, its importance will be undoubtedly revealed. To the northwest is our Chabei base, to the south is Luanping, and to the east is Chengde. What a great place, we can radiate to the important areas of Rehe. Besides, the Japanese army is currently under-strength in Rehe, which is a good opportunity for us to strike. The people of Fengning County have been plagued by bandits for years. If we can successfully suppress the bandits, we will surely gain the support of the local people.

Wei Hongjun's idea is very simple.

Take advantage of every opportunity.

As long as there is room for development, we must send people to develop it. Before the Japanese army's future sweep, we must maximize the strength of the Eighth Column and expand its base as much as possible. This is the top priority. The Japanese army currently has few troops in Rehe, so of course we must take advantage of this opportunity to develop here.

"Political Commissar, Rehe is the defense zone of the Hebei-Rehe-Liaoning Advancing Army."

Xiahou Wen spoke to Wei Hongjun in a low voice.

The development of the Eighth Route Army was planned, not chaotic. With the sudden emergence of the Eighth Column, the original Hebei-Rehe-Chahar Advance Army became the Yi-Rehe-Liaoning Advance Army. The relationship between the two sides was already very delicate.

Going to grab territory at this time?

Wei Hongjun smiled and said, "The Ji-Re-Liao Advance Army has many internal problems, and several leaders have different views on future development. Now is such a good opportunity, it should be the time for the Ji-Re-Liao Advance Army to show its strength. But looking at their current actions, it is confusing. The main force should have shown its strength after entering Rehe and Yidong, but I don't know what they are doing. The main force has not made any major moves. Even if they don't take it seriously, we can't miss such a good opportunity. Fengning County and the counties around it have a large population. The entire Rehe has a population of over five million. Which of our bases can compare? Moreover, this place has been a place with a strong folk custom since ancient times, and there is an excellent source of soldiers. If we don't occupy it, it will be a waste of the good opportunity now. You should go to Fengning County to develop the troops and recruit three to five thousand people. Even if Fengning County is returned to the Ji-Re-Liao Advance Army in the future, we will not suffer any loss.

"You can say that."

"Have you decided which troops to send?"

"Special Agents Group.

Chapter 233 Special Agents Group

Zhang Dahu and Xiahou Wen had the same attitude towards developing an anti-Japanese base in Fengning County.

The Special Forces Regiment is the only one who can take on this important task.

Wei Hongjun came this time not only to listen to their report, but also to see the actual situation up close. Therefore, he followed Zhang Dahu and Xia Houwen to the special forces regiment's base to take a look.

When Kang Shui, the head of the special forces regiment, heard that Wei Hongjun was coming, he immediately came over to greet him.

"political commissar."

"Comrade Kangshui, look how energetic you are now."

Compared to last year's training at Beiling Village, Kang Shui was now much more energetic. He was no longer as carefree as before and was not much different from those Eighth Route Army commanders.

His hair was trimmed and his beard was clean shaven.

Wearing the Eighth Route Army uniform, he looks very energetic.

"The political commissar was right to criticize us. I cannot tarnish the image of our Eighth Route Army."

"Not bad."

Wei Hongjun nodded.

Then I started watching the training of the special forces regiment.

Each unit of the Eighth Route Army had its own unique characteristics, as can be seen in their training. Different units had different training emphases. This was related to the unit's military and political leaders.

Different military and political commanders of the troops will inject different characteristics into the troops.

After walking around, Wei Hongjun said, "The training is pretty good. Comrade Kang Shui, have the troops received any training on how to fight in the mountains?"

"Political Commissar, this is our special forces regiment's forte. The Long Yanchi base is surrounded by mountains, and there should be many opportunities for fighting in the mountains in the future. Therefore, the special forces regiment trains marching in the mountains every day, and also trains how small units can survive in the mountains after the troops are broken up, and how to find the main force.

"Have a vision."

Kangshui is good.

He is a qualified military cadre.

From a bandit, he grew into a qualified trooper of the Eighth Route Army.

To open up a new base, one needs either “farming” cadres who can manage the base, or “generals” who are good at fighting and can fight.

A complicated place like Fengning County, especially one full of bandits, needs military cadres like Kang Shui.

"Comrade Kang Shui, this is Fengning County. The column requires your Chadong Detachment to develop towards Fengning County and open up an anti-Japanese base here. The Japanese troops in this area are not many, and there is only one squadron of devils stationed there. In addition, there are some puppet police and the like, and even the puppet Manchukuo army does not have any. But Fengning County is a place with high mountains and dense forests, so it has been plagued by serious banditry since ancient times. After the Japanese came, they kept to themselves and the bandits, so the bandits here have only increased in recent years. According to our intelligence, there are many bandits here, and there are many people. There are more than 20 large gangs of bandits alone, and all the bandits together are as many as 7,000 to 8,000 people, maybe even tens of thousands. I have talked with Comrade Zhang Dahu and Comrade Xiahou Wen, and they all agree that the Special Agent Regiment is the most suitable to open up the Fengning County Anti-Japanese Base."

"Commissar, the Special Forces Regiment obeys orders."

"This is not an easy mission. Your biggest challenge in Fengning County is not the Japanese, but the bandits that are everywhere in the mountains. How to deal with these bandits is your most difficult task.

"Commissar, don't worry. Our special forces regiment will definitely complete the order.

"it is good."

Wei Hongjun certainly expected the special forces regiment to complete the order.

However, the Special Forces Regiment ultimately failed to establish a presence in Fengning County, so they could withdraw. Therefore, Wei Hongjun patted Kang Shui on the shoulder and said, "Don't be too burdened. The Column certainly hopes that you can establish an anti-Japanese base in Fengning County. But if there are difficulties, don't force it. You've read Chairman Mao's 'On Protracted War,' and our war of resistance is not a matter of one or two days. If establishing a base area is not going well, you can choose to withdraw."

"Yes."

“From now on, your special forces group can start sending people to understand the situation in Fengning County.

After meeting Kang Shui, Wei Hongjun, Zhang Dahu, and Xia Houwen left the Special Forces Regiment. On the way, Wei Hongjun asked, "What is the relationship between Ma Hongyuan and Kang Shui? If the cavalry regiment is assigned to the Special Forces Regiment, can Kang Shui command Ma Hongyuan?"

“It should be difficult.”

Zhang Dahu shook his head slightly.

Although he didn't say how difficult it was, Wei Hongjun could roughly guess.

Ma Hongyuan and Kang Shui both came from bandit families.

However, Ma Hongyuan himself was a military man, having participated in the Chahar Anti-Japanese Allied Army in his early years. After the Chahar Anti-Japanese Allied Army's defeat, he and his men recruited some local bandits, forming a new group of bandits. They came and went, specifically targeting Japanese logistics units and traitorous armed forces.

Kangshui, the son of a wealthy family, attended school from a young age. However, after his family was destroyed, he was forced to become a bandit in the mountains. Ma Hongyuan and Kangshui, the two bandits, actually disliked each other. Ma Hongyuan considered Kangshui a hypocrite, while Kangshui considered Ma Hongyuan a rough-and-tumble man with no future.

It's not easy to get two people to cooperate. Wei Hongjun won't force anyone to drink water.

Getting two people who don't get along well to cooperate will only result in one plus one less than two. People are not machines, and war is not a game. Simply because everyone aims to resist Japan doesn't guarantee unity.

Internal recruitment is the biggest problem in the army.

Wei Hongjun originally thought that if Kangshui and Ma Hongyuan had a good relationship, they could go together to establish the anti-Japanese base in Fengning County. However, it seemed that Kangshui and Ma Hongyuan would have difficulty cooperating.

"Political Commissar, I would like to apply to the column for a batch of flat-fire artillery.

Zhang Dahu suddenly made a request to Wei Hongjun.

"Flat-firing cannon?"

"Yes."

"Why do you want to fire the cannon? There are no strong Japanese troops around you at the moment."

The cannon is a treasure.

In a decisive battle, nothing can compare to the power of artillery.

But the artillery has limited shells.

So, aside from some mortars and ammunition canisters assigned to lower-level units, the infantry artillery, flat-fire guns, and heavy artillery were all column artillery, directly under the corps. In normal combat, the column artillery regiments wouldn't use these cannons. They would only be deployed during major operations.

Moreover, the Eighth Route Army is best at mobile warfare.

With all this artillery, the marching speed couldn't be very fast. Especially when being pursued by the Japanese, the troops entered the mountains, and the artillery was a burden. Therefore, the troops below would occasionally have one or two infantry guns.

Xia Houwen explained: "Political Commissar, the Japanese army is currently short of manpower.

Even with the new recruits, they are still undermanned in the Longyanchi area. The traitorous group they relied on to rule here has been completely destroyed by us. Therefore, the Japanese army cannot directly attack us in the short term. Therefore, the Japanese army's biggest task here is to protect the Pingsui Road. To ensure the safety of the Pingsui Road, the Japanese army has established many strongholds along the Pingsui Road. Since last year, we have noticed that the Japanese army has increased the number of strongholds along the Pingsui Road. In addition to some large strongholds, they have also begun to establish small and medium-sized strongholds.

"In a large stronghold, the Japanese army will have at least one squadron. In a medium-sized stronghold, the Japanese army will have a small team stationed there, with a security force of more than one hundred people. In a small stronghold, the Japanese army will only have a small team of ten people, with a security force of forty or fifty people. It's just that the Mongolian army failed to sweep our base last year, so they stopped setting up strongholds. But we both believe that given the current situation of the Japanese army, if they want to protect the long Pingsui Road line, the best way is to densely establish strongholds. With these strongholds, the Japanese army can prevent our small and medium-sized troops from wantonly interspersing on the Pingsui Road. In the future, as long as our army makes any slight move on the Pingsui Road, they can rely on their strongholds to hold on and wait for help, and support each other, thus compressing our army's space for activities in the Pingsui Road area.

Chapter 234 Cage Policy

"Draw the Japanese strongholds currently on the Ping-Sui Road. Draw them all, no matter how big or small.

Wei Hongjun felt that this was a big deal.

Wei Hongjun had always believed that the Japanese "cage policy" against the Eighth Route Army in North China originated with Tada Shun, the current commander of the North China Front Army. It was he who initiated the "cage policy," ultimately isolating the Eighth Route Army base in North China with various bunkers. This ultimately led to the Eighth Route Army headquarters launching a "counter-cage" raid, known as the "Hundred Regiments Offensive."

It turns out that I took it for granted.

Tada Shun's "cage policy" was clearly a continuation of the Japanese army's previous policies, which were based on the Japanese army's many years of experience in fighting in China, including its experience in dealing with the Anti-Japanese United Army in Northeast China.

The Japanese army had actually been building bunkers since they entered North China.

However, before Tada Shun became the commander of the North China Front Army, the Japanese army relied primarily on field battles, so the number of forts built was limited. After Tada Shun became the commander of the North China Front Army, the number of forts built was increased. Although Zhang Dahu had been with the Chadong Detachment for less than six months, as the military commander, he was still very familiar with the enemy's situation.

He immediately drew out the Japanese army's previous troop distribution.

Wei Hongjun was shocked.

I didn't expect that the Japanese army already had so many strongholds on the Pingsui Road.

"What I'm worried about now is that the Japanese strongholds along the Pingsui Road and the Japanese fortifications are just the beginning. As the large-scale battles between the Japanese and the Nationalist Army end, the Japanese will definitely turn around and sweep our base. If the Japanese army sets up strongholds and fortifications along the railways and highways in our base, dividing our base, how will we deal with it then?"

Looking at this map, Wei Hongjun could already imagine the future situation where the Japanese army would build bunkers in the base area.

For the Eighth Route Army, which lacked heavy weapons, the blockhouses posed a significant threat. However, this was a major trend, and even Wei Hongjun couldn't stop it. However, some advance preparations were possible.

Wei Hongjun thought for a moment and said, "What do you want to do?"

"Political Commissar, the Japanese and puppet troops are increasingly strict in their management of weapons and ammunition. Even in ordinary ambushes, the ammunition captured is far too little. Even for us now, if we ambush a Japanese unit, the spoils are far less than what we use in battle. So our idea is not to interfere with the Japanese army setting up bunkers along the transportation routes. Instead, we can give the local troops a chance to find ways to destroy the Japanese bunkers themselves, which can be considered as training for them. After the Japanese army has built a large number of bunkers along the Pingsui Road, the main force will attack and destroy them all along the Pingsui Road. There will definitely be a lot of good stuff in the bunkers, which will greatly supplement the needs of the troops."

"Aren't you afraid of the numerous Japanese bunkers? Aren't you afraid that you won't be able to take down those bunkers?"

Wei Hongjun asked Zhang Dahu.

Zhang Dahu said, "If we can't deal with the bunkers, it will certainly be a huge blow to our base. But we have ways to deal with the enemy. As long as the column allocates us some flat-fire artillery, it will be easy to take down those bunkers."

"you sure?"

“Commissar, I personally inspected the unfinished bunkers of the Japanese army.

The Japanese army's blockhouses were designed to exploit our Eighth Route Army, exploiting our lack of heavy weaponry. Our best heavy weapons were generally mortars or grenade launchers. Mortars and grenade launchers were rare, and those were only available to the main regiments. Furthermore, mortars and grenade launchers were also inaccurate. Heavy machine guns were also rare in the average Eighth Route Army unit. The Japanese built blockhouses for this very reason. In reality, they were nothing special. Infantry guns could easily destroy them. If infantry guns couldn't be deployed, direct-fire guns could be deployed, and these blockhouses were equally accurate. Many of the Japanese bunkers were simple earthenware structures. We could actually destroy them with Maxim heavy machine guns, but the ammunition consumption was too high. Unless they were important Japanese strongholds, ordinary blockhouses were vulnerable to mortars and heavy machine guns. When I was in the 29th Army, I saw quite a few direct-fire guns. The Northeastern Army has also produced a number of flat-fire cannons. They're primarily used to attack enemy machine gun positions, but they can also be used to attack pillboxes. Especially against pillboxes like the ones the Japanese have now, flat-fire cannons are the most effective. I know the column has a batch of previously captured flat-fire cannons that have never been used. If we had a few of these, we could destroy dozens of Japanese pillboxes in a matter of days."