Bright Sword: From Soldier to Brigade Commander

Deputy division commander? Medal?

Of course Su Fei was very happy. This was a reward for the War of Resistance Against Japan, proving the value of his patriotic and dedicated life. It was certainly worth it.

However, he did not indulge.

In a few years, all these things would be reduced to ashes. All he wanted was to be able to fight against the Japanese devils and fulfill his duty as a patriotic veteran.

Now that the enemy has withdrawn and there is no immediate danger, his task is to train the troops, improve their combat effectiveness, and recruit soldiers.

Unfortunately, this area is all mountainous, remote and poor with a sparse population. Some towns are guerrilla areas of the Eighth Route Army and guerrillas, so he will not disturb them. There are really not many places left.

His position as deputy division commander is just a blank check.

Seeing that he was in a bad mood, Fang Ligong hurried to comfort him. As Chu Yunfei's deputy for many years, he was good at reading people's expressions. "Commander, there is no need to hide the fact that the higher-ups of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army are currently evaluating you. Therefore, we are not able to send you more troops or supplies. Moreover, transporting them from northwest Shanxi to here is extremely risky, and we have some unspeakable reasons."

Su Fei certainly knew that it was not easy for Fang Ligong's troops to travel thousands of miles and fight a battle, with only one-third of their troops left.

He sent people to the county town to recruit soldiers, but the effect was not very good because most of the people were unwilling to join the war.

The main reason was Okamura Yasuji's policy of inducing surrender, "treating" the people well, prohibiting large-scale looting by the Japanese army, and sending people to pretend to be friendly to the people.

As long as they can live and work in peace and contentment, or at least not worry about their lives, who among ordinary people would risk their lives?

They were willing to donate money and materials to support Su Fei's troops.

But only those who really can't make ends meet would choose to join the army.

There were also some family members who had been harmed by the Japanese devils who would gladly obey.

After several days of hard publicity and relying on brilliant battle records, they recruited more than a hundred soldiers.

This situation made Su Fei understand how serious the pressure was that the anti-Japanese forces in North China faced in the middle and late stages of the War of Resistance!

The people's hearts are being tarnished and eroded by the Japanese army!

The only solution is...

Attack, attack, and attack again, inflict heavy damage on the Japanese army, boost the morale of our army, and awaken the enthusiasm of the people.

Strike out the psychological trauma of the Japanese soldiers and make them completely awed.

Enter the garden city from the east.

Fifty miles to the east is a county town occupied by Japanese troops.

In the border area between Shanxi and Hebei, the Eighth Route Army and local armed forces controlled a large rural area. The Japanese army divided its troops to garrison the main towns. During the calm period when the Japanese army had not yet carried out large-scale mopping-up operations, it was imperative to launch a powerful attack and eliminate the Japanese army's large urban strongholds one by one.

It was not that the Eighth Route Army did not want to capture the enemy county town, but that it did not have enough heavy weapons.

Now, Su Fei’s troops have enough mountain artillery, infantry guns, and mortars, and they are in a good position.

A military meeting was held. On the map, Su Fei pointed out the objectives, tasks, and methods of the operation. "We must make careful preparations and capture Yuancheng within three days and eliminate the Japanese and puppet troops stationed there."

Destroy the Japanese army, capture and convert the puppet army, and gradually strengthen their own strength.

Unexpectedly, Fang Ligong objected with a serious expression.

Almost all officers above the rank of platoon leader do not support it.

"We can't take too many risks. The Japanese know how powerful we are. The surrounding counties must be actively preparing and strengthening their defenses. If we attack again, we will definitely pay a heavy price!"

No one was willing to take the risk. Even the officers and confidants from Baijia Town and Wanjia Town were unwilling to provoke the Japanese army. They hoped that the troops would return to Linwu County, be stationed there comfortably, receive monthly salaries, and live a carefree life.

This was the situation of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army's eastward march. Lacking the political cadres of the Eighth Route Army, the army lost its soul.

Su Fei was very upset, but he did not give up. He temporarily terminated the battle plan and sent people to contact the Eighth Route Army's Xing Zhiguo and Sun Desheng troops, hoping to get their help, but learned that they had already returned to northwest Shanxi.

The ancients have already gone away on the yellow crane!

What a pity.

Su Fei wanted to return to northwest Shanxi, rejoin the Eighth Route Army Independent Regiment, and become an ordinary Eighth Route Army soldier again.

However, now that things have come to this, he must find another way.

The common people and their families who had been harmed by the Japanese devils in and around Linwu County were invited to tell the officers and soldiers the true story. Although most of them happened a year or several years ago, the shocking tragedies still angered the officers and soldiers. Some of the Japanese devils' atrocities were outrageous.

Many officers and soldiers shed tears, some cursed, and some swore to fight the Japanese to the end and kill them all.

Works great!

Su Fei organized his troops to visit some villages burned by the devils, water wells filled with corpses, crime scenes of torture and killing, and the bloodstained interrogation room of the Japanese military police in the county town, to listen to the cries of the survivors and experience and feel the cruelty of the devils firsthand.

Similarly, the officers and soldiers were so shocked that they burst into tears.

"The devils are really not human beings."

"Let's fight the Japs!"

"Anyone who still believes the devil's lies is simply a fool!"

Su Fei personally convened a meeting of the military and civilians in Linwu County, allowing typical victims to speak out and denounce the Japanese atrocities. He also recounted the extremely atrocious and inhumane crimes committed by the Japanese bacteriological unit. He also analyzed the reasons for the Japanese army's current strategic changes.

It's not because they have a change of heart, but because their strength has been severely damaged by the attacks of our military and civilians during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and coupled with the successive defeats in the Pacific War, they have to disguise themselves. Once they recover, they will show their true colors!

"A wolf is a wolf. It won't eat sheep for now, not because it has changed its nature, but because it is threatened by tigers and leopards and can't take care of them for the time being! If you turn around, it will only be more cruel."

Su Fei also used the Eighth Route Army's persistent strategy to explain the prospects of the War of Resistance Against Japan. China will definitely win, but only in three to five years!

In three days, the morale of Su Fei's troops was completely renewed. Every officer and soldier was clamoring to start a war with the Japanese immediately and fight to the death.

The people in the county were also moved, and in one day, more than 400 people signed up to join the army.

Fang Ligong was stunned and deeply moved: "Commander, you are so resourceful. To be honest, I knew the Japanese were brutal, but I was numb to them. After listening to the complaints of the people, I hated myself. I can't go on like this. I have to fight, and I have to fight the devils!"

In a few days, Su Fei's army grew to 3000 people.

Dozens of militia units of various sizes were also organized.

The troops are organized into a light combined brigade with five combined battalions under its command.

After a brief integration training, Su Fei personally led a main force on a long-distance attack to Yuan County.

It's not that he is anxious, but the officers and soldiers are very excited. They come to urge and request every day. Their blood is boiling and they can't be stopped.

However, Su Fei was very calm.

Almost a month has been wasted in Linwu County, and winter has already arrived. Not only has the strength of his troops increased greatly, and the military spirit has been rebuilt, but the Japanese army should also be sharpening their knives, right?

He left a combined battalion to guard the county town, and the other two hid secretly outside the city, ready to fight against the Japanese army's attack at any time.

Fang Ligong served as the commander-in-chief.

After settling the rear, Su Fei's two combined battalions appeared at the foot of Laiyuan City.