Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

In the blink of an eye, another half month has passed.

A heavy snowfall arrived quietly, covering the entire North China Plain with a thick layer of silver.

The world was a pristine white expanse, utterly silent.

It was amidst this snow-covered winter scene.

A special train bearing a special pass from the Ministry of Military Affairs is slowly entering the defense zone of the First War Zone.

Minister of Military Affairs Chen Ci sat upright in the warm carriage, holding a cup of hot tea, his gaze fixed on the vast Hebei Plain covered in snow outside the window.

"Brother Cixiu."

Qian Dajun, the Vice Minister of Military Affairs who was accompanying the group, looked out the window at the endless rows of newly built field defense fortifications, forward bases, and supply distribution centers, and couldn't help but sigh, "The National Revolutionary Army in North China really knows how to fight. In such a short time, they've driven the Japanese devils so far that they don't even dare to raise their heads."

Chen Cixiu nodded slightly, turning his gaze away from the window, but his face did not show much joy.

"Yes." He blew on the hot tea in his cup, his tone flat. "The Japanese are scared and are hiding in Beijing, Tianjin and along the railway line. They are powerless to launch another large-scale offensive. This is naturally a good thing for us."

He changed the subject, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes: "But sometimes, good things can turn into bad things."

Qian Dajun was taken aback and looked at him with some confusion.

Chen Cixiu put down his teacup and slowly said, "Our people have an undeniable flaw in politics: once the pressure from external enemies decreases, internally, some inappropriate thoughts will always arise."

These words sent a chill down Qian Dajun's spine.

No wonder Chang Ruiyuan personally ordered Chen Cixiu to come to North China for inspection.

This isn't a simple inspection; it's clearly a warning shot.

This is to give a warning and a wake-up call to the joint command that is gaining momentum in North China and to those local power groups that are already showing signs of forming a coalition!

……

The special train from the Ministry of Military Affairs slowly came to a stop at the garrison of the newly formed 16th Division.

Guo Yanzheng, the commander of the newly formed 16th Division, had already been waiting on the platform in the snow with all the officers of the division at the rank of colonel and above.

Chen Cixiu stepped off the train.

A gust of cold wind mixed with snowflakes rushed towards him, causing him to instinctively tighten his officer's overcoat.

"Commander Chen!"

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the inspection began.

Chen Cixiu did not follow the predetermined procedure and first went to listen to Guo Yanzheng's report.

Instead, he directly requested to go to the barracks and see the soldiers at the lowest level.

This sudden request startled Guo Yanzheng slightly, but he quickly and readily made a "please" gesture.

Inside the barracks, it was warm as spring, with the coal stove burning brightly, keeping the cold air firmly out of the door.

On the soldiers' beds, the blankets were folded into neat, square blocks, with sharp edges and corners.

On the wall, weapons, polished to a gleaming shine, hung in neat rows.

There were even slogans written in red inside the barracks.

Defending our homeland is the greatest honor!
National armed force, people's vanguard!
Chen Cixiu's gaze swept over the young and resolute faces, and he was slightly surprised.

He noticed that every soldier here had a healthy rosy glow on their face, bright eyes, and full of energy.

That's a state that only people who can eat and drink their fill every day and are full of hope for the future can have.

This was a world apart from the emaciated, listless Guangxi soldiers he had seen during his inspection in the Fifth War Zone!

As for the more ragtag combat troops, they were beyond description; they were more like farmers with guns.

He walked up to a young soldier who was wiping his rifle and suddenly asked, "What's your name?"

The soldier suddenly stood up, chest out, and answered loudly, "Reporting, sir! Private Zhang Tieniu!"

"Let me see your gun."

"Yes!"

Zhang Tieniu presented the Type 24 rifle with both hands.

Chen Cixiu took the rifle, skillfully pulled back the bolt, and brought it close to his eyes to carefully examine the barrel in the light.

Smooth as a mirror!

There wasn't a single trace of rust or gunpowder residue!
He then inspected the moving parts of the bolt; the oil was sufficient and the lubrication was adequate.

This is hardly a rifle that has just been through a bloody battle.

This is practically a brand new gun that just came out of the arsenal!
A huge wave of emotion surged within Chen Cixiu's heart.

He looked around and then randomly checked the weapons of several soldiers.

Without exception!

The maintenance condition of each firearm is not just "good", it can even be called "excellent"!
"Good soldier!"

A high-ranking military official accompanying the group couldn't help but express his sincere admiration upon seeing the scene before him.

Another staff officer from the adjutant's office whispered to his companion, "I've accompanied the Chairman on his tours of all the war zones across the country. To be fair, such military bearing and morale are the best among our millions of Nationalist troops!"

"General Guo Yanzheng, as expected of a top student from the Central Military Academy, is skilled in leading troops and fighting battles!"

"With such a powerful army, how can we not destroy the Japanese invaders!"

"In my opinion, the newly formed 16th Division, as the main force under the 88th Group Army, is probably no less powerful than our Central Army's most elite American-equipped divisions!"

"It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it the strongest army in the world!"

These heartfelt praises, word for word, reached Chen Cixiu's ears.

His face remained expressionless.

But his heart was already filled with mixed feelings.

Shock, relief, and a hint of vigilance and unease that even he himself was unwilling to admit.

He put down his rifle, and his opinion of Guo Yanzheng rose even higher.

To be fair, among the talented and brilliant generals of the "Flying Tigers" faction, Guo Yanzheng could not be considered the most outstanding.

Although he was a senior officer, having been a main force company commander under Chu Yunfei since 37, he had fought his way through gunfire and was considered a fierce general under Luo Weiguo.

However, compared to those rising stars who came later and were exceptionally talented, especially command geniuses like Chen Zejun who seemed to be born for war, Guo Yanzheng's command art was indeed somewhat mediocre, lacking a bit of agility and brilliance.

In other words, how many truly mediocre people could one have under his command, having fought his way up from that bloody battle of 37 to the current commander of a main force division?
War is the best filter. Those who survive and rise through the ranks must have extraordinary abilities.

Chen Cixiu's gaze fell on the equipment at the soldiers' waists.

He noticed that this newly formed 16th Division was not the "all-American-equipped" unit he had imagined.

The soldiers still gripped the domestically produced Type 24 rifles tightly in their hands, and the light machine guns in their squads were the familiar Czech-made ones.

Only in the directly subordinate units did he see the brand-new American-made howitzers and American-made heavy mortars.

This illustrates a simple principle.

When distributing American aid supplies, Chu Yunfei did not simply pile up firepower even for his own elite troops.

Instead, it has a clear, tiered plan.

Even so, with the added support firepower alone, the morale and fighting spirit of this unit far surpassed any unit he had ever seen.

Chen Cixiu secretly pondered: If this unit were fully equipped with Garand semi-automatic rifles and paired with high-performance Browning M1917 water-cooled heavy machine guns, how terrifying would its combat power become?

The combat effectiveness of an American-equipped division is probably equivalent to that of a Japanese Class B division.

If it were two American-equipped divisions, or even an army group, they could indeed defeat a Japanese Class A division.

There are only two army groups in North China with such combat capabilities: Qian Bojun's Sixth Army and Fang Ligong's Eighty-Eighth Army.

Not to mention the skilled troops under Fu Yisheng of the Seventh Army Group.

In addition, the remaining Type B combat units that have completed reorganization and reorganization also possess formidable combat capabilities.

Although progress was far below expectations, at least four divisions and two armies were reorganized.

When on the defensive, this type of combat force is sufficient to withstand the attack of the main Japanese forces.

Such a formidable fighting force.

Even if "War General" Chu Yunfei were to command, Okamura Yasuji would still have a hard time winning, let alone if a dog were leashed to the command.

With that thought in mind, he pulled himself together. He turned to Guo Yanzheng and said, "Commander Guo, take me to see your quartermaster department and financial accounts."

This is an extremely sensitive, and even somewhat overstepping, requirement.

Inspecting troops, checking their appearance, and checking their training are all part of their duties.

However, directly examining the financial accounts of a non-core unit carries an undercurrent of scrutiny and distrust.

But he was Chen Cixiu, the junior chairman, and the second most powerful military and political figure in the Nationalist government.

Guo Yanzheng could not refuse, nor did he have any reason to refuse.

The accompanying officers were all worried for Guo Yanzheng.

When auditing accounts, problems are bound to occur.

However, Guo Yanzheng showed no sign of panic.

He simply and calmly made another "please" gesture.

"Please come with me, Commander Chen."

The accounts of Guo Yanzheng's department were clear at a glance.

Staffing, pay and rations, ammunition consumption, and pension records—every single detail is clear and verifiable.

On a whim, Chen Cixiu launched another "surprise attack".

"Bring me the roster of your division's guard battalion and the daily personnel movement reports submitted by each regiment."

Upon receiving the order, Guo Yanzheng did not hesitate at all and immediately had his staff bring the documents.

Chen Cixiu's adjutant, along with a team of staff officers, began to nervously verify the information.

They randomly checked the data from several regiments and compared it with the roster of the division's directly subordinate units.

As a result, all the accompanying officials were once again plunged into great shock.

The accounts and the actual situation are almost perfectly consistent!
According to the reports, the actual number of soldiers in the newly formed 16th Division reached more than 95% of its authorized strength!

In a time when "ghost employees" had long been an unspoken rule in the National Revolutionary Army, this was simply an incredible miracle!
What shocked Chen Cixiu even more was what followed.

When he checked the division's accounts, he discovered that in addition to the military funds allocated by the Ministry of Military Affairs, there was a large surplus in the accounts!

"This money"

He pointed to the account book for an item called "Officer-Soldier Mutual Assistance Fund" and asked, puzzled.

A hint of pride appeared on Guo Yanzheng's face.

"Reporting to the Minister, this money is not public funds. It was donated and saved by the officers and soldiers of our division."

"It is intended to help brothers who have suffered a sudden disaster at home or who are disabled or retired from the military and are experiencing financial difficulties."

Chen Cixiu remained silent.

He looked at the division commander in front of him, whose face was dark and whose expression was open and honest.

Looking at the pristine account book, without a single flaw, and at the well-disciplined and spirited army outside the window.

He knew how ridiculous it was that the Chairman had sent him to North China to "make an example of someone."

Such an army and such generals cannot be united by petty favors or factionalism.

They have acquired something more powerful and terrifying—faith.

Chen Cixiu silently closed the ledger.

On the inspection and assessment rating manual he carried with him, he solemnly wrote a single character in the column for "Newly Compiled Sixteenth Division".

"First."

As for whether it is in Jiazhong or Jiashang.

That remains to be seen what kind of "surprise" or "shock" Chu Yunfei's other troops will bring him next.

"Commander Guo is truly a worthy elite of our Party and country, and is indeed a capable and sincere individual."
-
Luoning County, western Henan.

In the dead of winter, the north wind, like a knife, swept across the desolate streets, swirling up the remaining snow and withered leaves on the ground, and then lashing against the faces of pedestrians who were frozen purple.

At the foot of the city wall at the east gate of the county town, a group of ragged people were gathered around a newly posted notice, the ink still wet, whispering and discussing among themselves.

The notice was on a very large sheet of paper, and the words on it were written in thick, dark ink, as if afraid that people would not see it.

"By joint order of the North China Joint Command and the Western Henan Bandit Suppression and Rebellion Suppression Headquarters, in order to eliminate banditry, stabilize the local area, and protect people's livelihoods, the 'Western Henan Wartime Management Regulations' shall be promulgated throughout the entire territory of Western Henan, effective immediately."

The white-bearded old scholar who set up a stall at the city gate to read and write letters for people was speaking in a high-pitched voice, word by word, to the illiterate villagers around him.

As he spoke, the initially lighthearted chatter in the crowd gradually faded away, replaced by an increasingly heavy and oppressive silence.

"The regulations consist of ten articles and are hereby promulgated throughout the entire territory for universal compliance!"

The old scholar cleared his throat and began to recite the laws that were powerful enough to change everyone's fate.

"Article 1: Curfew. A curfew shall be imposed throughout the territory from 5:00 PM to 5:00 AM the following day. No one may walk or loiter on the streets without a special military pass. Violators shall be treated as accomplices to bandits and shall be executed without exception!"

"Hiss—" A collective gasp rippled through the crowd.

The phrase "kill without mercy" was like four cold knives, piercing deep into everyone's hearts.

"Article Two: Control of Movement. Effective immediately, any movement of people between counties, townships, and villages requires a travel permit issued by both the local head of the village and the garrison. Anyone found traveling without a travel permit will be immediately detained for investigation!"

"Article Three: Household Registration Check. Each village head must compile a detailed register of all registered residents within their village within three days and report it to the garrison. Any lodgers of unknown origin or whose behavior is suspicious must be reported immediately! Anyone who knows of such a person but fails to report it will be punished the same as a bandit!"

With each passage read by the old scholar, the faces of the surrounding people grew paler.

"Article 4: Inventory of Supplies. All shops, grain stores, and large households must register and report all strategic supplies in their inventory, including grain, cloth, salt, iron, and medicine, to the Military Control Commission within three days. Concealment, transfer, or hoarding is strictly prohibited!"

"Article 5: Requisition of Surplus Grain. Apart from reserving basic rations and seeds for next spring's planting, all surplus grain from each household will be requisitioned by the military in the form of war bonds, to be repaid uniformly after the war!"

"Article Six: Rationing System. After the grain requisition is completed, the basic necessities of life for all people in the entire territory, including grain, salt, cloth, and coal, shall be uniformly rationed by the Military Control Commission on a per capita basis!"

……

Article 9: The private possession of weapons is strictly prohibited. All weapons, including knives, spears, bows, crossbows, and firearms, must be surrendered within three days. Anyone found to be possessing weapons will be punished as a traitor who colludes with bandits or plots rebellion!

"Article 10: Collective punishment. If one household colludes with bandits, the entire village will be punished! If one village colludes with bandits, the entire village will be punished! Anyone who harbors or conceals bandits will be punished the same as the bandits, and their family members will also be punished!"

When the old scholar finished reading the last and most severe rule in a trembling voice, a deathly silence fell over the area beneath the notice wall.

Everyone's face was filled with immense shock and fear!

This is hardly a "Wartime Management Regulations" at all.
This is clearly a trap!
It aims to firmly control every person, every grain of rice, and every inch of cloth on this land under the army's control!

The old scholar's face had already turned ashen white.

In his cloudy old eyes, there flickered a kind of fear that seemed to have seen through the ways of the world.

He didn't bother to collect the writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones from his stall anymore. He hurriedly stuffed a few copper coins into his pocket, hunched over, and tried to squeeze through the crowd to run home.

The surrounding people were still reeling from the immense shock.

But among the crowd, several people dressed in silk robes, who looked like stewards of wealthy landlords, were already ashen-faced!
They looked at each other and saw the same fear and despair in each other's eyes!
Others may not understand it, but they see it clearly!
These ten laws are interconnected, and each one is potentially fatal!
Curfews, movement restrictions, and household registration checks are all aimed at severing their connection with the "black gloves" in the mountains!

Inventorying supplies, collecting surplus grain, and implementing rationing are all aimed at cutting off their economic foundation for survival and control over the local area!

And those last two.

"Strictly prohibiting the possession of weapons" and "collective punishment" are two sharpest butcher knives hanging over their heads!

Without weapons, how can they protect their property?
Let alone the army, even ordinary people can be robbed clean.

It's going to change!

Something big is about to happen!
This thought struck them like lightning!

Right now!

A series of orderly and heavy footsteps, like thunder, rolled in from outside the city gate!

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The sound grew louder and louder as it approached, as if each step was pounding on everyone's heart!

The people turned around in fear.

All that could be seen was a paved road outside the county town, covered in white snow.

An army that stretched as far as the eye could see was marching into the city with a chilling and irresistible momentum!
They were dressed in uniform winter military uniforms, and the rifles they carried reflected a chilling glint in the winter sun!
Team One!
Another team!
It seemed endless! (End of Chapter)