Rebirth: I am in Jin-Cha-Ji

Zheng Weishan shook his head.

Wei Hongjun said apologetically, "Actually, the commander and I are also quite troubled about how to arrange for Comrade Zheng Weishan. Originally, based on your abilities, the column should have appointed you as the commander of a subordinate detachment. However, you may also be aware that the cadre configuration of our five detachments is very stable. These detachments have also achieved great military success in the past two years, and it is not easy for the column to arbitrarily adjust the cadre configuration of the subordinate detachments."

"Commissar, I'm doing a good job now."

After Zheng Weishan came to the 8th Column, he actually did not feel that the 8th Column ignored him.

Overall, I am very satisfied.

Zheng Weishan may be young, but he's experienced many ups and downs. As the 18-year-old divisional political commissar and a fierce general in the Fourth Front Army, he was a rising star. However, he endured three round trips to the grasslands and the horrific defeat of the Western Route Army. He was implicated by Zhang Guotao during his criticism of him in Yan'an, and spent the next few years in the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University and the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military and Political Cadre School. He finally achieved the position of commander of the Military Region Training Corps, but that position was only at the regimental level. It was a stark contrast to the cadre corps of the Red Army era.

Having experienced both success and failure, Zheng Weishan had already become very steady at such a young age. He was even prepared to continue to lead the teaching corps in Jin-Cha-Ji.

Zheng Weishan was very happy to be suddenly appointed as the deputy commander of the 12th Military Sub-district.

In fact, Wei Hongjun's thoughts were a bit complicated.

Wei Hongjun was worried that Zheng Weishan might be dissatisfied with the Eighth Column's arrangements for him. However, Zheng Weishan had only just emerged from a low point and didn't yet have the nerve to complain about anything.

His current idea is to work hard and strive for the opportunity to go to the front line in the future.

"I hope that Comrade Zheng Weishan can help the cadres of the Eighth Column quickly get to know you at the Cha'nan Cadre School and the Teaching Brigade. You know the history of our Eighth Column. Compared with other military sub-districts, our worst quality is our basic salary, but it is also our best quality. Therefore, we in the Eighth Column only recognize ability. Many cadres have risen through the ranks very quickly because of their outstanding ability and strength. As long as you gain the recognition of the commanders and fighters of the column, it will be much easier for the column to arrange your work in the future. I hope Comrade Zheng Weishan can understand this.

"I see."

Zheng Weishan himself used to work in political work.

Understand what Wei Hongjun means.

When the cadre structure is stable, it is indeed difficult to arrange for an external cadre who suddenly arrives.

"Comrade Zheng Weishan, on behalf of the Eighth Column, I welcome you again. I hope you can truly become a member of the Eighth Column, and we will work together to capture Chahar.

Zheng Weishan saw Wei Hongjun extending his hand so seriously.

He immediately put away his smile, shook Wei Hongjun's hand very seriously and said, "Comrade Wei Hongjun, I am very happy to be able to come to the Eighth Column.

Both of them are very serious.

Wei Hongjun was genuinely happy that Zheng Weishan had joined the 8th Column. However, Wei Hongjun wanted Zheng Weishan to stay there willingly. As long as Zheng Weishan was content with his work, he would be able to provide countless benefits to the 8th Column in the future. Not to mention leading troops in battle, just his leadership of the Cha'nan Cadre School and the Training Brigade alone could train countless cadres for the 8th Column.

Zheng Weishan felt relieved after chatting with Wei Hongjun today.

Ever since graduating from the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University and arriving in Jin-Cha-Ji, he'd known he didn't truly belong. Despite his excellent performance at the Jin-Cha-Ji Military and Political Cadre School, for over a year, none of the numerous military sub-districts within Jin-Cha-Ji were willing to offer him a position. It was only after Sun Yi's repeated recommendations that Marshal Nie gave him the opportunity to head the teaching regiment.

But that's all.

Jin Cha Ji has had so many positions in the past year, but Nie Shuai has never thought about himself.

Therefore, his arrival at the Eighth Column was a surprise. He had been somewhat apprehensive since arriving. But now, Wei Hongjun was so open and honest, not hiding his difficulties and welcoming him to the Eighth Column. Zheng Weishan had always felt like an outsider in the Jin-Cha-Ji region, but now he felt at home in the Eighth Column.

Afterwards, Wei Hongjun and Zheng Weishan discussed the current anti-Japanese situation and issues regarding troop construction.

One of the main tasks of Political Commissar Wei Hongjun was to reassure the cadres who had come to the 8th Column. Besides Zheng Weishan and Tang Fan, the column was upgraded to a military sub-district, and the military sub-district assigned a number of cadres from the Military and Political Cadre School and the Second Branch of the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University to support the 8th Column. Although these cadres were relatively junior, Wei Hongjun would take time to chat with them, helping them familiarize themselves with the 8th Column and adapt to its demands.

While Wei Hongjun was busy with the cadre issue, the column began to stockpile supplies according to the spirit of the "February 6th Conference" that had just concluded. The most important of these was the business with the North China Security Army.

The Eighth Route Army and the North China Security Army, one is an anti-Japanese force, the other is a puppet army unit of the Japanese, the two sides should have been irreconcilable enemies. When they met, it should be a life-and-death battle.

But there is nothing absolute in the world, everything is relative.

The Eighth Route Army's approach to the puppet troops was not resolute annihilation, but rather a combination of political offensives and military strikes. Those who could be won over to the puppet regime were encouraged to do so. Those who could be used were allowed to serve as insiders within the puppet army. Those who wavered were encouraged to remain neutral, not to become die-hard traitors. Those determined to follow the Japanese in their persecution of the Chinese were resolutely eliminated.

This is what the 8th Column did this time, and it completed a big deal with the North China Security Army.

Wei Hongjun had been keeping an eye on this matter. After all, this was no small matter; it was a major issue concerning the future development of the Eighth Column. After several rounds of contact, the two sides finally decided to complete the transaction in Wanping.

It looks like a lot of things, but it’s actually just the size of two or three cars.

Huang Peng was a direct subordinate of Qi Xieyuan, so he held a high position within the North China Security Army and possessed connections in all quarters. The Fourth Army of the North China Security Army, currently stationed in Wanping, had given Huang Peng the green light for his business ventures. It was an open secret that high-ranking officials in the North China Security Army were smuggling goods to make money.

Therefore, the transaction was completed very smoothly.

Although it cost a lot of money, Wei Hongjun was very happy after the transaction was completed.

Because everything was brand new. 140 boxes of Type ammunition, all brand new. Wei Hongjun knew at a glance that these were indeed the same ammunition used by the Japanese Army's Type rifle. This type of ammunition could even be used in a Type rifle.

At present, the Eighth Column has a large number of Type 38 rifles and Jin-made Type 65 rifles, as well as a large number of Type 65 rifles. It can be said that the Type 65 bullet is the universal bullet in most of the Eighth Column troops.

This time, there are more than 100,000 extra bullets, and the army’s bullet reserves are now very sufficient.

There were also Type 20 rounds, used for the Hanyang and Zhongzheng rifles. These were clearly ammunition captured by the Japanese from the Nationalist army and later distributed to the North China Security Army. The Eighth Column also had a large number of Hanyang and Zhongzheng rifles. These two rounds combined totaled nearly rounds.

Then there were 30 boxes of grenades made in Northeast China.

Nearly 1000 grenades, much more powerful than those manufactured by the th Column's own arsenal.

Finally, there were 160 twenty-shot Mauser pistols.

After receiving these things, Wei Hongjun was very excited. Especially the bullets, which were the most valuable. Because this part of the bullets was purchased suddenly, Wei Hongjun kept all the bullets.

It was placed in reserve on the column side.

Then continue to discuss with the North China Security Army the possibility of purchasing weapons and whether other business can be done.

Although I thought Huang Peng had good things in his hands, I didn't expect that Huang Peng had so many good things in his hands.

What Wei Hongjun didn't know was that Huang Peng had actually looted Japanese arsenals in Zhuoxian and Liangxiang, and had reported back to his superiors how much weapons and ammunition the Second Army had lost. The entire North China Security Army had been routed by the First Division, losing an untold amount of weapons, ammunition, and supplies.

Huang Peng used this opportunity to report his losses, and no one suspected him. Because the other troops had suffered far greater losses, his losses were not noticeable at all. The North China Security Army was being defeated so quickly, everything was in chaos, and even the Japanese were confused. Huang Peng, however, took advantage of this opportunity and not only stole the valuables from the Japanese arsenal, but also a large amount of weapons and ammunition from the North China Security Army.

The weapons and ammunition they had were more than Wei Hongjun and his men had imagined.

Chapter 322 Mortar Modification

The success of their first business venture established initial trust between the two parties. An investigation by the Political Department revealed that Huang Peng was a vacillating figure. He had no intention of turning against the Japanese, but he also didn't intend to become a die-hard traitor and oppose the Eighth Route Army.

I wouldn't say I have a favorable impression of the Eighth Route Army, but I'm willing to maintain a sense of kinship with them. In fact, I'm willing to leave myself a way out.

He is considered the most common fence-sitter in this era.

There are countless people like this in this era. Especially among the puppet army, these two-faced individuals are plentiful. They can be used and collaborated with, but they can't be completely trusted. You never know when they might betray you. For these people, there's no one they won't betray, provided there's enough profit. However, using them effectively can yield many benefits.

Just like Huang Peng, he is a traitor. But he is a traitor who can be used and can bring more good things to the Eighth Route Army.

What Wei Hongjun wants is simple.

It's a bullet.

The Eighth Column is not short of guns now, but of bullets. It can be said that the entire Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region is short of bullets. In history, after the Hundred Regiments Campaign, the First Division was severely damaged. One of the important reasons was that the Hundred Regiments Campaign used up too many bullets, even using up all the reserved ammunition, resulting in a serious shortage of ammunition for the entire unit. Faced with the Japanese army's sweep, many units were unable to fight at all. In many units, each person had less than two rounds of ammunition, which shows how embarrassed the First Division was at the time.

If there were enough bullets, the Eighth Route Army would not have had such a difficult time in 1941 and 1942.

The same goes for the Eight Verticals problem.

The Eighth Column's own reserves are sufficient to handle routine mopping-up operations. However, as history has shown, if the Japanese army increases its forces and the number of mopping-up operations increases, ammunition will be severely scarce. Therefore, the need to stockpile as much ammunition as possible is for future use.

As long as Huang Peng is willing to sell ammunition, Wei Hongjun will buy it at any price.

Huang Peng really has something.

After all, he took advantage of the chaos to intercept the Japanese army's ammunition and supplies. If the Japanese army's ammunition and supplies were only a few hundred thousand rounds of bullets, the Japanese army would be embarrassed to tell others about it. When the Japanese army was fighting, each person carried more than a hundred rounds of bullets, or even two hundred rounds of bullets. When a Japanese battalion set out to mop up an operation, the number of bullets they carried with them was nearly 14 rounds of bullets. In addition to the bullets they carried with them, the Japanese army also had temporary arsenals behind them when they mopped up, just to replenish the ammunition needed by the front-line troops at any time. During the last summer mopping-up operation by the Japanese army, there were nearly Japanese and puppet troops directly participating in the mopping-up operation. The amount of ammunition in the temporary arsenals used to replenish the ammunition of these troops was astonishing, easily containing millions of rounds of bullets.

Huang Peng brought out another 300 boxes of Type ammunition, totaling over rounds. He demanded yuan from the th Column. Wei Hongjun didn't even bargain and simply paid the money.

Because it was already the end of March and April was approaching. The time for the Eighth Route Army Headquarters to launch the Hundred Regiments Campaign was getting closer and closer. Before then, the Wei Hongjun army had to stockpile as much ammunition as possible. This would not only be used during the Hundred Regiments Campaign, but also in the subsequent counter-mopping-up operations.

Of course, Wei Hongjun is not only worried about this.

"Commander, Political Commissar."

"Comrade Lin Dafeng, I heard your transformation is complete?"

"The Chadong Detachment's ideas are excellent, and they've put together a comprehensive plan. Following this approach, our transformation will be much faster. After numerous trials, we believe the equipment is ready for deployment to the troops and actual combat. However, we still need several commanders to personally inspect it."

Wei Hongjun has been worrying about the transformation of the mortar.

Blockhouses were always Wei Hongjun's biggest concern. The effectiveness of flat-fire artillery in capturing Japanese blockhouses was greatly reduced. Of course, the best way to take out the blockhouses was to use artillery like infantry guns. However, the Eighth Route Army lacked infantry guns, field artillery, and other such weapons.

Even if there were captured items, there wouldn't be enough shells.

Even if they had field artillery and infantry guns, without ammunition, many of them would be useless. For example, the First Division defeated the North China Security Army twice and captured sixty or seventy cannons. But now many of them are gathering dust because of a lack of ammunition.

The Eighth Route Army's most common equipment at present is mortars and grenade launchers, because many of these items were captured, and there are also a lot of artillery shells.

However, mortars and grenade launchers are best suited for guerrilla warfare in mountainous areas. Mortars, in particular, are a powerful weapon in mountainous areas. They can be used to launch surprise attacks on Japanese troops from the other side of the mountain. However, dealing with forts like these is fraught with difficulty.

Because mortars fire indirect fire, it is not easy to hit the bunker accurately.

But the Eighth Route Army was not without solutions.

Historically, the 129th Division found a very clever solution: to modify their mortars, turning them into guns capable of both indirect and direct fire. The 129th Division's modification was highly successful.

After this transformation, mortars could be used for indirect fire during guerrilla warfare. During offensive operations, they could be transformed into flat-fire artillery. The explosive power of mortar shells far exceeded that of flat-fire artillery. Therefore, mortars could take down bunkers that flat-fire artillery could not.

Therefore, the modified mortar can not only be used to attack bunkers, but can also participate in sieges.

In particular, the Japanese heavy mortar, after being modified, is more useful than infantry artillery and is a very good siege weapon.

After someone from the Chadong Detachment made this suggestion, Wei Hongjun was also inspired.

The 129th Division could have been modified historically, and so could the 129th Column. Furthermore, the 1942th Division's modification of this mortar occurred in . If it could have been modified now, how many Eighth Route Army officers and soldiers would have been spared during the Hundred Regiments Campaign?

The Eighth Route Army captured each bunker one by one at the cost of the lives of its commanders and fighters.

So Wei Hongjun immediately discussed it with the arsenal.

Actually, the technical difficulty isn't that great. The real challenge lies in the idea. No one has ever thought of this before.

After Wei Hongjun shared his ideas, the military personnel quickly came up with many ways to improve the system. Of course, Wei Hongjun did not say that these were ideas and methods he had come up with from the 129th Division in history, but rather directly attributed everything to the ideas of the officers and soldiers of the Chadong Detachment, with some of his own insights added.

It has been almost three months, nearly four months, since the end of 1939.

The Eighth Column Arsenal has been studying this.

They'd been modified several times before, but it was cumbersome to use and unsuitable for widespread military use. So they kept refining it, and now they think it's quite successful. So they invited column leaders like Wang Qiuyun and Wei Hongjun to come and take a look.

"Where's Li Yong?"

"Commander, Political Commissar, I'm here."

Li Yong, currently the commander of the 8th Column Artillery Regiment, came to Wei Hongjun.

Wei Hongjun said to Li Yong, "Hurry up and try it out."

"Yes."

Wang Qiuyun and Wei Hongjun both attached great importance to the modification of the mortar.