Anti-Japanese War: I have a million soldiers and you call me a division commander?

At the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army's Northwest Shanxi Military Region.

"Chu Feng is very brave, and so are his subordinates. They have all started thinking about attacking the county!"

The commander looked at his other partners, the telegram from Captain Gao trembling in his hand. "However, I like this guy's temper. Most of the defenders in Horqin have been wiped out. The Japanese and puppet troops want to provide support. It takes time to mobilize personnel. This gap is good for us to seize."

Hearing the commander's words, the chief of staff also smiled and said, "Who says it's not true? We have dealt with Liu Yiyun before and have heard of him. He is a fierce general."

"I heard they are from the group that started out with Chu Feng."

"From these two battles, we can see that this person has a flexible mind and his tactics are not rigid. This is just a weakened version of the unit."

"If he were to command the First Brigade, which he personally trained, I'm afraid he would just lead it to attack Lucheng or Guisuicheng."

For a moment, a burst of laughter was heard in the headquarters of the Northwest Shanxi Military Region.

After the discussion, the commander made the final decision, saying, "Since they want to fight, let's not let them down and have the troops speed up the selection of personnel."

"Leave early tomorrow morning."

"Tell our people that we are here to learn and will obey Liu Yiyun's orders in everything."

Just as Liu Yiyun was busy preparing for the attack on Horqin.

Five newly formed combat detachments behind enemy lines also began to assemble quietly. At the same time, the Eighth Route Army sent another group of people to join these five newly formed detachments.

"Commander, this is the list of the second batch of five newly formed detachments."

Chief of Staff Wang Tiezhu found Chu Feng, handed him a list, and said, "This time, we're sending two detachments from the Eastward Column, led by Cavalry Brigade Commander Bao Zhiguo and Fourth Brigade Commander Luo Yuanlang."

"The remaining three detachments are led by the Third Brigade Commander Li Hougu, the Fifth Brigade Commander Gao Dagu, and the Reconnaissance Regiment Commander Li Daniu."

"Of the five newly formed detachments, two battalions will be drawn from the various brigades and reconnaissance regiments. The remaining three infantry battalions will be drawn from one each of the garrison regiments or internal security regiments."

"The artillery battalion and the supply battalion will still be drawn from the artillery brigade and the supply brigade."

Hearing Chief of Staff Wang Tiezhu's words, Chu Feng nodded slightly and said, "This is a good arrangement. These eight detachments are for expanding territory. It would be safest to have the commanders of the brigades and the commanders of the regiments directly under the division headquarters lead them."

"During the rotation training, the deputy brigade commander and chief of staff will lead the team, and other deputies will also participate."

"Our purpose in conducting operations behind enemy lines is to take advantage of the low-intensity nature of operations behind enemy lines to increase the combat experience of new recruits, thereby achieving the goal of training the troops."

Having said that, Chu Feng signed his name at the bottom of the list that Wang Tiezhu gave him.

"Commander, look at this!"

Wang Tiezhu took the signed document from Chu Feng and handed him another file bag. He said, "This is the arrangement made by our General Staff regarding the Anti-Japanese Advance Detachment."

"oh?!!!"

Chu Feng's interest instantly piqued upon hearing Wang Tiezhu's words. He reached out to take it, and while pulling out the documents from the file bag, he asked, "It's been almost a month now, hasn't the information from the investigators returned?"

"Yes, Commander!"

Hearing Chu Feng's question, Wang Tiezhu smiled and nodded, saying, "A week ago, the news came back that our investigators had investigated some areas in Yanshan."

"In such a short time, we naturally can't conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation of the entire territory, but we have thoroughly investigated the several counties we have chosen as our bases."

Chu Feng nodded slightly when he heard this. He didn't say anything else, but lowered his head and began to check.

The plan is not long, just a few pages.

It took Chu Feng five or six minutes to read it carefully and attentively.

"Not bad!"

Chu Feng was very satisfied with the plan. He put it on the table with a smile and said to Wang Tiezhu, "The plan is very detailed and well thought out. I have nothing to add."

"I have some questions, though."

At this point, Chu Feng pointed to a spot on the plan and said, "I saw you said that the captain of the anti-Japanese advance team you chose was Zhou Shuangxi, deputy commander of the third battalion of the reconnaissance regiment?"

"In your report, Zhou Shuangxi is from the Northeast Army."

"How is he? Is he reliable?"

"Can a deputy battalion commander shoulder this burden?"

Hearing Chu Feng's question, Wang Tiezhu's expression became serious. He said, "Division Commander, this person is the result of several rounds of selection by our General Staff."

"Zhou Shuangxi's ability has been recognized by the big boss."

Wang Tiezhu paused and continued, "When I asked Li Daniu, he said that Zhou Shuangxi's ability would make him qualified for the position of leader of any of our main regiments."

"The reason he's still the deputy battalion commander is because he just graduated from a two-month crash course at the military academy, and at the training center for operations behind enemy lines, he received recognition and praise from the Eighth Route Army instructors."

"Before the training, Zhou Shuangxi was only a deputy company commander, and he was just promoted to deputy battalion commander."

"I have to say responsibly that he served as deputy battalion commander for less than two weeks. His actual resume is company commander, having served as a company commander in the Northeast Army."

"In our reconnaissance regiment, there's a roster for every position. Daniu said that after he's been in the position of deputy battalion commander for a while, Daniu will promote him to the regimental headquarters. He's already reserved a position for him as deputy regimental commander."

In order to ensure that there is no shortage of military cadres in the Independent 1st Division, each main position is accompanied by multiple deputy positions.

Wang Tiezhu paused, then continued, "Our General Staff not only listened to the troops' opinions, but also considered the particularity of this mission and the goal of our advance team, which is to enter the three northeastern provinces."

"Zhou Shuangxi's identity is a plus point. Coupled with the special nature of the reconnaissance unit, compared to the main combat force, the goal of the first anti-Japanese advance team is to establish a foothold in the shortest possible time."

"The reconnaissance regiment's adaptability is arguably the strongest in the entire division, bar none."

"After comprehensive consideration, we finally chose Zhou Shuangxi."

After hearing Wang Tiezhu's explanation, Chu Feng nodded slightly and said, "Okay!" He did not question Wang Tiezhu's choice. Since he was able to win in the rigorous selection, it was also a kind of ability.

"The advance team this time has 1,300 people. Is that a small number?" Chu Fengyou pointed at the number of people in the advance team and asked, "And I see that the weapons and equipment they are equipped with are mainly Japanese or domestically produced."

"And I see you've also equipped them with five 120mm mortars? Aren't those things bulky?"