Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

Joint command headquarters, large operational conference room.

The atmosphere was completely opposite to the clear early winter weather outside the window.

Around the long conference table sat a group of figures who were powerful enough to stir up the winds and waves throughout North China.

Zhao Chengshou, the experienced and prudent commander-in-chief of the North China Mobile Corps.

Li Yunlong, commander of the Eastern Expeditionary Column, and Zhao Gang, deputy director of the political department, represented the Eighth Route Army's forces in the Central Plains region.

Beside him stood a taciturn but piercing-eyed middle-aged man, Director Zhao, the head of the Eighth Route Army's logistics department.

Chu Yunfei sat at the head of the conference table.

Beside him were Zhao Pengcheng, the guard staff adjutant, and Zhang Dayun, the head of the operations section.

Chu Yunfei didn't say anything, but simply pushed a document gently to the center of the table: "Commander-in-Chief Zhao, take a look at this first."

Zhao Chengshou picked up the document with some confusion.

With just one glance, the color drained from his weathered face, turning it ashen!
That was a copy of an impeachment motion filed by a member of the National Council of the Mountain City.

The target of the impeachment was none other than him, Zhao Chengshou!
Following this was the General Headquarters' decision: due to the significant public outcry in the rear, it was recommended that he be suspended from his post, pending a thorough investigation by the Inspectorate, after which he would be reinstated.

Clearly, the General Staff meant that they knew perfectly well that this was nonsense and a smear campaign.

However, given the current sensitive situation, it's best to suspend him from his post for now.

Zhao Chengshou's hand trembled slightly with anger: "This is slander! Utter slander!"

Clearly, his anger was not because the local gentry had conspired to set a trap.

Rather, it was due to the handling opinions of the mountain city authorities.

It's as if he's less important than those stinking landlords.

Chu Yunfei didn't speak, but calmly looked at him, gesturing for him to continue watching.

Following the impeachment case was a lengthy petition from so-called "representatives of local gentry in western Henan".

Its contents are shocking.

In summary, it boils down to just a few points:

First, Zhao's troops were brutal and inhumane, killing people at will and arbitrarily labeling local "lawful and law-abiding citizens" as "bandits," executing them without trial.

Secondly, Zhao's troops were undisciplined, frequently harassed the people, and forcibly conscripted able-bodied men, making them no different from bandits.

Third, the Zhao department levied heavy taxes, creating various pretexts to overwhelm the people.

Fourth, Zhao's officers and soldiers frequently threatened them with force, forcing them to sell their ancestral lands at low prices.

With a cold expression, Zhao Chengshou handed the items in his hand to the attendees.

Everyone's face was extremely grim.

This isn't just mudslinging; it's downright distorting the truth.

A loud shout, like a thunderclap from a clear sky, exploded in the conference room!

Li Yunlong slammed his hand on the table and stood up, his round eyes wide like copper bells: "This kind of petition is utter bullshit!"

"These bastards in long gowns are turning black into white and talking nonsense!"

My regiment is stationed in western Henan, so why haven't I seen these bastards talking about these things?

What I heard was Commander-in-Chief Zhao's soldiers helping the people repair roads and cracking down on those real bandits who were riding roughshod over the people!

He saw Chu Yunfei looking at him with a smile.

Li Yunlong had also grown much bolder. He pointed at Zhao Chengshou, spitting as he spoke: "Let me tell you, Commander Zhao, you're just too soft!"
To deal with these landlords and gentry who devour people without spitting out the bones, you can't reason with them!
We must learn from our Eighth Route Army and mobilize the masses!
This western Henan isn't Shanxi; we can't simply copy past experiences.

Zhao Chengshou blushed with embarrassment after hearing Li Yunlong's crude yet incisive words.

He opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal.

Chu Yunfei immediately rebuked, "Brother Yunlong, you're exaggerating. This is a meeting; what kind of behavior is this?"

"Yes, yes, Commander Chu is right. Commander Zhao, please don't mind. I'm a rough man and I don't know how to speak in such roundabout ways."

Li Yunlong quickly clasped his hands in greeting and sat back down in his chair.

Zhao Chengshou sighed deeply, his voice filled with deep weariness and helplessness: "The situation in western Henan is indeed too complicated."

"Do you remember the banditry that plagued Shandong before?"

Chu Yunfei nodded thoughtfully: "I have heard that before Han Fuqu took charge of Shandong, the banditry in Shanxi was so severe that it was unprecedented in the world."

Zhao Chengshou nodded slowly: "In 1928, in the Shandong region alone, the number of casualties caused by bandits reached hundreds of thousands, including miscellaneous troops."②
Zhang Dayun pondered: "Does Commander Zhao mean that the banditry in western Henan is as severe as that in Shandong back then?"

Zhao Chengshou nodded seriously, looked at Chu Yunfei, and said with a hint of pleading in his voice: "Those local forces are deeply entrenched and have been operating for hundreds of years."

Behind every large family are countless clans and vested interests.

"If our bandit suppression efforts touch their very foundations, they will immediately unite and use all sorts of means to create trouble for us."

"What I'm thinking about is continuing with moderate reforms."

Solve it one county at a time.

First, eliminate the most vicious and ruthless bandits to stabilize the situation.

Then, gradually, they cooperated with enlightened gentry to promote rent and interest reductions.

This way, although it's slower, it's more prudent, won't provoke a full-scale backlash from local forces, and won't cause major problems.

"question?"

Chu Yunfei finally spoke.

His voice, though not loud, was like a cold awl, piercing Zhao Chengshou's heart: "Commander Zhao, what do you think is the biggest problem right now?"

Before Zhao Chengshou could even ponder Chu Yunfei's intentions...

Then Chu Yunfei stood up, walked to Zhao Chengshou, and picked up the impeachment case.

"The biggest problem is that your 'gentleness' has been mistaken for weakness by these people!"

Chu Yunfei slammed the document heavily in front of Zhao Chengshou!

"They're no longer content with just causing you trouble behind your back!"

They have already handed the knife to the mountain city, to the Chairman!
They don't want 'cooperation' with you; they want to completely drive you and our North China army out of western Henan!

"Are you still hoping to talk things out with them slowly?"

Zhao Chengshou remained silent.

Chu Yunfei's voice suddenly rose, like a sharp sword drawn from its sheath, its edge fully revealed: "I'm telling you, this is simply impossible!"

He looked around at everyone present, his gaze finally settling on Li Yunlong and Zhao Gang: "Time is not on our side!"

"What we need is not stability, but revolution!"

"It's a song titled 'A Song That Will Completely Overthrow the Mountain That Has Weighed Down on the Farmers of This Land for Thousands of Years!'"

"With a formidable enemy at hand, the Japanese army resorted to desperate measures and even prepared to launch bacteriological warfare, while we lacked sufficient countermeasures."

"We don't have much time to prepare for a counter-offensive."

"Therefore, we need to unite all forces that can be united and remove as many obstacles as possible that hinder our progress."

Chu Yunfei's thunderous "XXXX" seemed to freeze the air in the entire conference room.

Zhao Chengshou stared at him blankly, his lips moving but no sound coming out.

He was completely stunned by the determination in Chu Yunfei's eyes—the determination to start over at all costs.

"well said!"

Li Yunlong slapped his thigh suddenly, his face beaming with excitement, instantly breaking the silence!
"Commander Chu, you've really hit the nail on the head, Li Yunlong!"

He stepped forward, spitting as he spoke, “Since these landlords are shameless and unwilling to cooperate, then this job will be left to our Eastern Expeditionary Column!”

However, Chu Yunfei waved his hand at him and said, "Brother Yunlong, please calm down."

His voice regained its composure, but beneath that composure lay a far larger and more chilling plan.

"The situation in western Henan is far more complicated than you imagine."

“Relying solely on the existing forces of your Eastern Expeditionary Column and the North China Mobile Corps is far from sufficient.”

Chu Yunfei turned around and walked back to the huge battle map. He picked up a red command baton, as if sketching a magnificent war picture: "This time, the General Headquarters has decided to use more than just your Eastern Expeditionary Column."

He pointed his baton heavily on the map: "We will also transfer the entire Second Cavalry Army under Wang Qifeng from southern Shanxi!"

"at the same time."

Chu Yunfei's baton drew a sharp arc, pointing towards the Fifth War Zone: "Sun Zhen's 22nd Army Group of the Sichuan Army, which is being reorganized in the Fifth War Zone, will also be transferred to participate in this 'Henan-West Purge Operation'!"

"To ensure absolute firepower superiority."

Chu Yunfei's command: "I will transfer three more heavy artillery battalions from the North China Heavy Artillery Group directly under the command headquarters and assign them to you!"

"Those in the sky won't be idle either."

Chu Yunfei's gaze seemed to pierce through the rooftops, looking towards the sky: "The North China Air Force will coordinate operations throughout the entire process! Conducting aerial reconnaissance and targeted eliminations to ensure the destruction of any resistance forces that dare to surface!"

"You can imagine for yourselves what a tremendous force this is."

So many combat troops, a full three A's and six D's. A total of [number missing] people.

This number made everyone present gasp in shock!
This is hardly a bandit suppression operation.

This is clearly an attempt to crush the old order of western Henan into dust with the overwhelming force of Mount Tai!
"Me." Chu Yunfei turned around, his gaze sharp as lightning, sweeping over everyone: "I'm only giving you sixty days!"

"Sixty days?" Zhao Chengshou exclaimed, "That's impossible! Even with 200,000 troops, let alone 100,000, it's impossible to wipe out the deeply entrenched banditry and local forces in western Henan within two months!"

Upon realizing this, Zhao Chengshou couldn't help but gasp.
He came up with a solution.
Chu Yunfei nodded, his killing intent palpable: "That's right, there is indeed only one way. I previously thought that a policy of moderate reform or even peaceful redemption would be a win-win situation, but now it seems that we were too merciful."

“We possess absolute coercive power. If they don’t comply, they are acting against us, against the country, against the nation, and against the poor. What kind of behavior is that?”

"This is tantamount to aiding the enemy and committing treason!"

"When dealing with traitors and sellouts like this, there's only one word: kill!"

"Heads rolled and blood flowed like rivers!"

"Charge! All those who dare to stand in our way will be terrified and tremble with fear!"

Chu Yunfei paused, each word seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth with shards of ice: "Even if the mountains are blocked by heavy snow and the weather is freezing cold, our swords will never be sheathed!"

"hiss--"

A collective gasp filled the conference room.

Li Yunlong's usually fearless face now showed a deep look of shock.

He looked at Chu Yunfei in front of him.

It felt like I was getting to know this top commander, who was known to the outside world as the "War Master," for the first time.

This ruthlessness, this determination to achieve his goal even at the cost of turning a piece of land red, gave him a sense of déjà vu!
Zhao Gang, who was standing to the side, suddenly narrowed his eyes!
His back was instantly soaked with cold sweat!
This radical, iron-fisted policy of forcibly pushing forward reforms even at the cost of bloodshed, this resolute determination to "spare no expense"...

He had only seen it in certain historical periods, in certain internal documents and debates! ①

However, he never expected that this would be the most extreme tactic that both sides had used before.

It's unbelievable that Chu Yunfei would say it so casually!

At this moment, looking at Chu Yunfei in front of him, he felt a huge, indescribable shock and fear.

This man has changed so much.

What exactly does he want to achieve by continuing to kill like this?
Zhao Chengshou stood up abruptly and declared, "Please rest assured, Commander Chu, and all the officers of the General Headquarters, I will do my utmost to handle this matter well."

Chu Yunfei nodded slowly and continued, "Shanxi is a mountainous region, which makes large-scale agricultural development inconvenient. Grain production in the plains is the most critical issue right now. Last year's severe drought and small-scale famines in various places have also made us pay close attention to food relief efforts. When you go to western Henan to carry out your work again, you must make good use of this card you have."

"Western Henan is mostly populated by impoverished people; their numbers are considerable. Once we win them over, the local gentry and bandits will naturally pose little threat."

The meeting that stirred up a storm within the North China Joint Command has just ended.

The telegram summarizing the meeting and related reports sent to the mountain city that day had already traveled thousands of miles.

It was quickly placed on Chang Ruiyuan's desk.

The telegram was not a battle report.

Instead, it was a chillingly detailed plan—"A Plan for the Integrated Governance of Bandit Suppression, Land Survey, and Land Acquisition in Western Henan."

The next morning.

Mountain city, Huangshan official residence, Chairman's office.

Chang Ruiyuan leaned back in his chair, fiddling with the objects Wang Shihe had given him, while listening to his chief attendant, Zhu Peiji, read aloud the proposal from North China.

When he heard the words "100,000 combat troops", "three heavy artillery battalions", and "air force coordination", he simply nodded slightly, without much surprise.

When the decision was made to give Chu Yunfei an important position, Dai Yunong and his Military Intelligence Bureau had already conducted a detailed investigation.

Even before the full-scale outbreak of the War of Resistance against Japan, Chu Yunfei had made similar suggestions to Yan Xishan.

However, Yan Xishan was skilled at governing local areas, and his suggestions were useful but few.

As for military matters, Chang Ruiyuan was already used to the large-scale operations of the North China Joint Command.

When a lion fights a rabbit, he also uses all his strength.

Chu Yunfei's arrangement was based on this very reason.

But when he heard radical terms like "completely smash," "reform the land," and "rely on the masses," he was deeply moved.

A hint of disdain finally appeared on Chang Ruiyuan's usually calm face: "Alright, no need to read it anymore."

He waved his hand, took the plan from Zhu Peiji, flipped through it casually, and then put it aside as if it were an insignificant ordinary document.

"Making a fuss out of a molehill."

Chang Ruiyuan picked up his teacup, gently blew away the foam, and said in a calm tone: "A soldier, thinking about these things in the fields every day."

Land annexation during the Republic of China era was not as severe as he described.

They're just a few local tyrants colluding with bandits; we can just send troops to wipe them out.

In Chang Ruiyuan's view, Chu Yunfei's actions were somewhat "womanly indignation."

Using such a massive military force to deal with local gentry and bandits for the sake of the local people is simply putting the cart before the horse.

However, after finishing his tea, Chang Ruiyuan thought about it more carefully.

It is speculated that the banditry in western Henan is probably much more serious than previously reported, otherwise such a large-scale operation would not have been necessary.

Ultimately, Chang Ruiyuan knew he was no match for Chu Yunfei in military command, so he simply didn't interfere or meddle.

Just then, an announcement came from outside the door.

"Chairman, General Bai has arrived."

"Let him in."

Bai Jiansheng, dressed in a crisp military officer's uniform, strode in with steady steps.

He came to report on matters related to the Yunnan-Burma front, namely the results of the investigation into the conflict and Stilwell's current stance.

But as soon as you enter.

Bai Jiansheng keenly sensed the slightly subtle atmosphere in the room.

His gaze fell on the proposal from North China on the table.

Chang Ruiyuan did not hide anything and handed him the plan: "Jiansheng, take a look too. This is the 'good solution for governing the world' that Yunfei sent me from North China."

There was a hint of mockery in his tone.

Clearly, they don't take this proposal seriously.

Bai Jiansheng took the proposal and only glanced at a few pages.

His face, which always wore a gentle smile, instantly became extremely solemn!
Bai Jiansheng abruptly raised his head, looked at Chang Ruiyuan who still seemed unconcerned, and spoke in an unprecedentedly serious tone!

"Chairman! How is Yunfei's action any different from XX's?!"

These words struck like a thunderbolt, causing the air in the office to freeze instantly!
Chang Ruiyuan's brows finally furrowed tightly.

Bai Jiansheng didn't pause. He stepped forward, pointed at the proposal, and his voice became urgent and sharp!
"Chairman, isn't this exactly what XXX has been doing in Jiangxi and northern Shaanxi?!"

"If he does this in western Henan today, will he do the same tomorrow when the Nationalist army in North China liberates Hebei and Shandong?"

"If this continues, will the hearts of the people in this world belong to the Party-state or—to the Communist Party?!"

These words were piercing to the heart!

It was like a sharp scalpel, precisely dissecting the most sensitive and fearful nerve deep within Chang Ruiyuan's heart!
Chang Ruiyuan fell silent. Looking at the resourceful and ambitious general of the Guangxi clique before him, a storm raged within him.

Bai Jiansheng is certainly not stupid.

He knew better than anyone that the attacks made by those congressmen against Zhao Chengzhou were completely unfounded.

He also knew that even if something really happened to Zhao Chengshou, it would not be able to shake the position of the North China National Army in the hearts of the people, or even in the hearts of Chang Ruiyuan.

Chang Ruiyuan still views Chu Yunfei through a thick filter.

It will be extremely difficult to bring down Chu Yunfei.

After all, Chu Yunfei had never suffered a defeat, nor had he done anything particularly outrageous.

The only possible solution is to dye him with the most lethal "red"!
For the ruling class of the Republic of China, that bright red was like a plague!

This is Bai Jiansheng's real killer move!
Chang Ruiyuan understood this, of course.

The reason he reluctantly gave this Guangxi clique leader a prominent position was not only to compromise with the Guangxi clique and win the united front against Japan.

Furthermore, in his eyes, Bai Jiansheng was indeed quite capable.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have entrusted many key battles to this famous general of the Northern Expedition.

Chang Ruiyuan's knuckles tapped unconsciously on the table.

He was carefully considering what Bai Jiansheng had said.

Little Zhuge's insight always allows him to see the most dangerous places that others cannot.

Unfortunately, it was used in the wrong place.

Such keen insight is not found on the battlefield, but it is a masterstroke in political infighting.

Bai Jiansheng took a deep breath and slowly said, "Chairman, Yunfei is indeed a sharp blade of the nation, but this blade is now too sharp."

"If he continues killing like this, the entire western Henan region will probably descend into chaos."

A long silence fell over the office once again.

Only the antiques that Wang Shihe had sent emitted a dull, unsettling "clucking" sound in Chang Ruiyuan's hands. (End of Chapter)