The Flames of Resistance Against Japan in Jiangnan

After handling the matters concerning the entire regiment, Xu Wenqing led his troops toward Nianzhou Prefecture under the cover of night, intending to rendezvous with the 58th Regiment. Just as they entered Nianzhou territory, they encountered a communications platoon coming towards them, who reported some good news:

The prefectural capital had been occupied by the 58th and 59th Regiments' training battalions.

All the officers and soldiers cheered and quickened their pace. As evening fell, Xu Wenqing led his troops to the capital city of Nianzhou. Li Jianmin, the political commissar of the 59th Regiment, and Ma Xianbing, the acting regimental commander, rushed out of the city to greet them. The joy of seeing comrades was beyond words; Xu Wenqing held their hands tightly, reluctant to let go. The director of the political department joked from the side:

"It really feels like three autumns have passed since we last met!"

Amidst the laughter of the crowd, Xu Wenqing was the first to enter the division's forward command post, which had been prepared by the 58th Regiment. Two officers from the 58th Regiment began to brief the troops on the battle situation after leaving the main division force:

First, they launched a night raid on Huangzhou City, eliminating more than 400 enemy soldiers, capturing more than 200, and seizing nearly 300 guns.

After receiving new orders from the forward command post, the 58th Regiment bypassed Yongkang City and headed straight for Nianzhou Prefecture. On the way, they encountered a battalion of the 73rd Division of the White Army, who were besieging a guerrilla force that had been surrounded on the mountain. The 58th Regiment launched a surprise attack on the battalion, annihilating the unsuspecting enemy and rescuing more than 100 guerrilla comrades.

They stormed into Wuyi County with unstoppable momentum, killing and capturing more than 300 security regiments. They seized a large amount of military supplies from the enemy's 73rd Division at the enemy's garrison, including a radio. After mobilization, the captured White Army radio operator agreed to join the Red Army.

After entering Nianzhou and joining forces with the 59th Regiment's training battalion, reconnaissance revealed that regular White Army troops, recently dispatched to suppress guerrillas, were stationed outside Nianzhou city. After discussion, it was decided to split into two groups. One group would first send men disguised to infiltrate Chaling city for reconnaissance, and then, with coordinated efforts from both inside and outside, seize the city the previous night. Almost simultaneously, the other group of two battalions swiftly and decisively eliminated a battalion of the White Army's 73rd Division stationed outside the city, capturing over 300 men and seizing over 300 rifles.

Immediately afterwards, the prison was opened, and the arrested underground party members and innocent civilians were released;

At daybreak, the troops were busy collecting supplies, arresting and publicly trying all the corrupt officials, local tyrants and bullies, and publicly executing those with blood on their hands. They opened all the granaries in the city and distributed the grain to the poor people. In an instant, the city of Nianzhou was filled with jubilation.

After hearing the report, everyone went home to have dinner. Unexpectedly, Xu Wenqing had just finished dinner and was about to go out for a stroll when Political Commissar Li of the 58th Regiment and Acting Regiment Commander Ma Xianbing mysteriously arrived at the command post to report a thorny matter to their superiors:

"Reporting to the division commander, the reconnaissance battalion captured several people near Jinhua Prefecture. Due to the special circumstances, there was no time to deal with them at the time, and they were brought to Nianzhou Prefecture instead. Please give instructions, sir."

Director Li of the Political Department put down his large bowl of water, wiping his mouth as he spoke:

"What's so special about it? It's very simple: if they're enemies, suppress them; if they're not, let them go!"

Political Commissar Li of the 58th Regiment hesitated for a moment before saying:

"When they were captured, they were with the enemy, but their identities were special. One of them was a foreigner named Andrew, who was an arms dealer."

Xu Wenqing and Director Li of the Political Department were truly taken aback. It was alright if it was a Chinese person, but if it was a foreigner, it would be very troublesome if not handled properly.

Director Li quickly ushered everyone into the inner room and sat them down, then seriously inquired about the situation at the time:

"Tell me the specific details of when you arrested the foreigners, the more detailed the better!"

After listening to the report from Ma Xianbing, the acting commander of the 58th Regiment, everyone in the command post fell silent. The facts were undeniable: this foreigner had not encountered the enemy by chance, but was very familiar with them, and the enemy knew he was an arms dealer. The situation was becoming increasingly complicated!

Xu Wenqing vaguely felt that the name Andrew sounded familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had heard it before. While everyone was whispering about what to do, he rubbed his forehead hard, deep in thought.

"No matter what, we have to find a way to report this to our superiors."

"We have had no contact with the central government regarding how to report this."

"We can report this to the leaders of the Fujian, Zhejiang and Jiangxi Provincial Party Committees."

"Didn't you consider that we haven't yet re-established contact with the Fujian, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi provincial party committees, and therefore can't even report back to them?"

Seeing the group arguing, Director Li also shared his opinion:

"This matter must be handled with caution. The Provincial Party Committee is leading the main force of the army in a bloody struggle against the enemy. We don't know where they are, or how many of them are left!"

"Yes, fight to the death,"

Xu Wenqing slammed his hand on the table, stood up abruptly, and shouted loudly.

The group was startled by Xu Wenqing's shout and didn't know why their division commander was acting like that.

Director Li gave Ma Xianbing a wink, and Deputy Regiment Commander Ma pulled out his pistol and went outside to patrol the courtyard.

"Commander, let's discuss this properly first!"

Director Li watched as Xu Wenqing offered his suggestions in a low voice, and couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment. He was already a high-ranking official, so why was he still so impulsive?

Xu Wenqing realized what he meant and felt a little embarrassed, so he smiled awkwardly and said:

"I've never met a foreigner before, hehe, just thinking about it makes me a little excited."

Director Li instructed Political Commissar Li of the 58th Regiment:

"In any case, we must be cautious about this matter. We must be warm towards foreigners. You go over there in person and explain that we are preparing to send him to see the central leaders. We cannot treat them as enemies right now!"

"If he's colluding with the enemy, then it's dangerous!"

The political commissar of the 58th Regiment hesitated and dared not move.

Xu Wenqing also regained his composure and walked over to say:

"A boil will eventually ooze pus! Go, but be careful not to let him know the true strength of our division."

"Yes, he and the foreigners were kept in the supply train along the way. The regiment was divided into several battalions, so he had no way or opportunity to know our troop strength."

"Oh, right, have the foreign devils send someone over."

Seeing that Political Commissar Li of the 58th Regiment was about to leave, He Feng quickly made arrangements.

Seeing that everyone had left, Director Li of the Political Department, becoming quite the busybody, leaned closer and whispered:

"You were able to analyze this, Commander, you're really something! Tell me about it!"

"The reason this foreigner is familiar with the enemy is not because he is capable, but because he has the status of a foreign elder. Our conditions are harsh, and it cannot be ruled out that he will not be able to persevere. Some people wavered during the first low point of the struggle, and this time the situation is more dangerous and the struggle will be more difficult. They may not be able to hold on!"

Xu Wenqing lowered his voice and began to analyze the situation for the political commissar.

Director Li of the Political Department nodded, also thinking it was very likely:

"Political Commissar, thank you for your understanding!"