The Flames of Resistance Against Japan in Jiangnan

In the center of the meeting room, there was a small square table. Leaders such as Cao Wenting, Fang Shuihua, Xu Hongji, and Chen Wendong sat around the table, while other cadres sat scattered around.

Cao Wenting did not bring a prepared speech. He first analyzed the revolutionary struggle situation in the Hubei-Henan-Anhui border region after the 25th Red Army's westward expedition, and proposed that, in the case of the Soviet area being occupied by the enemy, they should boldly seek new footholds.

Cao Wenting looked at everyone with deep affection and said:

"Comrades, since the 25th Red Army's westward expedition, we are all aware of the situation we are facing. The enemy has nearly 60 regiments of troops carrying out a large-scale mopping-up operation in the Soviet area. Under such circumstances, where should our troops go?"

I've thought about this problem for several days. Staying in northwestern Anhui or heading west to northeastern Hubei are not the best options.

Staying in northwestern Anhui would only mean waiting for the enemy to come and annihilate us;

Moving westward into northeastern Hubei would be tantamount to walking into a trap already laid by the enemy. Even if we weren't immediately annihilated, we would only be slowly worn down by them. Perhaps we would be exhausted before we even reached northeastern Hubei.

And what about us? A mere thousand-odd men with seven or eight hundred guns—we are inferior in both manpower and equipment, and most of our soldiers haven't received formal training. Lacking experience in large-scale annihilation battles and defensive engagements, we cannot afford to engage the enemy in a direct confrontation. A direct confrontation would only result in losses, heavy losses. Personally, I believe our immediate priority is to preserve our strength, seek opportunities to fight, replenish our equipment, and then systematically annihilate the enemy!

Cao Wenting spoke loudly, his booming voice echoing throughout the ancestral hall. His speech was insightful, logical, and inspiring, greatly encouraging the officers above the company and battalion levels present, who clapped in agreement.

Fang Shuihua also looked at Cao Wenting with surprise. He was also greatly moved and gained a deeper understanding of Cao Wenting. He couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration. He took the lead in clapping, and the cadres present also clapped.

Cao Wenting waved to the cadres present. He seemed to have suddenly become interested, so he raised his voice and said loudly:

"Comrades, we have come here after a long march and have initially shaken off the enemy. Now we need to do a few things:

First: We need to rest and recuperate;

Second: We need to further train the soldiers' ideological and combat qualities;

Third: We must boost the morale of our soldiers and conserve our energy;

Fourth: We also need to look for opportunities to specifically target small groups of enemy troops…

The officials present applauded enthusiastically once again.

"Comrades, although the main force of the Red Army has left, we must still shoulder the heavy responsibility of defending the Soviet area with a hundredfold confidence, persevere in fighting the enemy to the end, continuously expand our gains and our area of ​​operation, and gradually establish our solid base areas. All of this requires a unified command and leadership, and a regular Red Army to confront the enemy. Now I formally announce:"

The 28th Army of the Hubei-Henan-Anhui Red Army is reorganized and officially established today!

"it is good!"

Everyone applauded again.

Cao Wenting waved to everyone again, signaling them to stop clapping for a moment, and continued:

"After the formal establishment of the 28th Red Army, it must shoulder the important task of revitalizing the Soviet area. Militarily, it will be under the unified leadership of the Provincial Party Committee, and specific actions will be decided by the leaders of the army headquarters after joint consultation. Since the position of commander of the 28th Red Army can only be assumed after the Provincial Party Committee decides, the position of commander can only be temporarily vacant. I will serve as political commissar and act as commander. I propose that Comrade Fang Shuihua serve as deputy political commissar. What are your opinions?"

"agree!"

The representatives present shouted in unison.

"it is good!"

Cao Wenting continued,

"The 28th Red Army consisted of the 82nd Division and the Pistol Regiment. Comrade Xu Xiancai served as the commander of the 82nd Division, Comrade Xu Hongji served as the political commissar, Comrade Luo Chengyun served as the deputy commander, and Comrade Xiong Jihai served as the director of the political department. Comrade Yu Xiong served as the commander of the Pistol Regiment, and Comrade Cai Zeli served as the deputy commander. The organization of each battalion and company remained basically unchanged!"

"it is good!"

Everyone cheered again, and it was a long, long time before Cao Wenting finally announced the end of the meeting.

The 28th Red Army was reorganized, with a total of 1100 men. Given that the Provincial Committee had already joined the 25th Red Army on its westward expedition, the meeting passed a resolution by a show of hands:

Cao Wenting will temporarily take overall leadership of the Party, government, and military work in the Hubei-Henan-Anhui border region.

The Chatingwan Conference marked the formation of a unified leadership and command in the Hubei-Henan-Anhui border region after the 25th Red Army's westward expedition, creating another main force of the Red Army and opening a new chapter in the revolutionary struggle in the Hubei-Henan-Anhui region.

The news that the 28th Red Army had stopped and rested in Chatingwan was quickly discovered by the local militia. They immediately reported the news to the local White Army garrison, which in turn reported it to the Anhui Provincial Suppression Headquarters.

白军剿总闻讯后，不敢怠慢，马上调集其191、182、194、94、95、旅部直属队共5个团又5个营的兵力从东北、西面、正南三个方向向红军的集聚地合围而来。

The scouts at the front of the 28th Red Army quickly learned of the enemy's movement and rushed back to report to Cao Wenting.

Cao Wenting was shocked upon hearing the news. He said:

"We didn't expect the enemy to arrive so quickly. We were hoping to let the soldiers rest here for a few days, but it seems that's not possible now. We'll have to play cat and mouse with the enemy again! These Kuomintang troops, they don't even want us to have a few days of peace!"

Therefore, after only one night of reorganization, the 28th Red Army quickly withdrew from Chating Bay and moved eastward at breakneck speed.

However, the 28th Army had only withdrawn from Chating Bay a few miles away when it was intercepted by an enemy regiment. Cao Wenting immediately ordered a battalion to be left behind to provide cover while the main force quickly moved eastward and broke through the encirclement. After that, they were intercepted by the enemy twice more. So they had no choice but to wander around and circle with the enemy in the deep mountains and forests. After more than ten days of arduous fighting, the troops finally reached the foot of Baimajian Mountain, the highest peak in western Anhui at the junction of Qianjiang and Taiyuan.

Baimajian Mountain, at an altitude of 1774 meters, stands tall in the western part of Qianshan County, reaching into the clouds. Its cliffs are steep, densely forested, and shrouded in white mist, making the mountain paths rugged and difficult to traverse. A local folk song goes:

"White Horse Peak, soaring into the sky, makes horses bow their heads and men feel ashamed. Climbing up the mountain leaves you drenched in sweat, and descending it, you're enveloped in clouds!"

This demonstrates the height, uniqueness, steepness, and danger of Baimajian Mountain.

The soldiers of the 28th Red Army had just arrived at the foot of the mountain and were already exhausted. Some soldiers were so tired that they collapsed on the flat ground at the foot of the mountain and did not want to get up; some were panting heavily and sweating profusely, standing there panting heavily; some were so hungry that they were trembling all over and had no strength left to climb the mountain.