The Flames of Resistance Against Japan in Jiangnan

After finishing his speech, Xue Geming personally handed each soldier a three-dollar allowance, and even apologized, saying that he didn't have much money on hand and could only give them this much, but he would give more when the economy improved. This made everyone laugh. Seeing that everyone had paused for a moment, Xue Geming returned to the platform and announced loudly: "The logistics company has prepared three days' worth of rations for everyone. The troops will suspend training and rest for three days. We will set off for the operation in three days!" Upon hearing this, everyone laughed and dispersed in a flurry!

Xue Geming returned to the cave and saw He Changgong looking at him with some worry. A thought flashed through his mind, and he knew what He meant. He immediately said:

"Uncle He, do you think that my use of money to bribe people goes against the Party's principles and purpose?"

Upon hearing this, He Changgong glanced at Xue Geming and nodded. Xue Geming smiled and said:

"Uncle He, it's alright! You know, Party members and soldiers are human beings first! Humans have desires, that's normal, as long as they don't go too far! — With this money, we'll have a reason to stop them from robbing and plundering! If they don't listen, well, then it'll be difficult to talk to them!"

Hearing this, He Changgong finally felt a little relieved. At this moment, Xue Geming, however, was lost in thought again: Historically, Red Army soldiers didn't have much money, and he, from the very beginning of his arrival in Jiangbei, had no intention of doing so; instead, he aimed to ensure the economic well-being of his soldiers. He planned to strengthen the management of the troops both ideologically and economically!

Three days later, the well-rested troops assembled. Except for a portion of the logistics team who stayed behind, all 46 personnel participated in the operation. After checking their weapons, rations, and water, Xue Geming specifically emphasized discipline, specifically the "Three Main Rules of Discipline and Eight Points for Attention" song that he had taught everyone to sing over the past three days:

Every revolutionary soldier must remember

The Three Main Rules of Discipline and the Eight Points for Attention

First, obey all commands.

Only by working together can we achieve victory.

Second, do not take a single needle or thread from the masses.

The masses support and like me

Third, all spoils shall belong to the public.

Strive to reduce the burden on the people

We must adhere to the three main disciplines.

Don't forget these eight points.

First, your tone of voice should be friendly.

Respect the masses and don't be arrogant.

The second buying and selling price must be fair.

Fair buying and selling, no domineering behavior allowed

The third person borrowed something and used it.

Return it in person and do not lose it.

Fourth, if something is damaged

Compensation will be provided at the exact price, down to the last penny.

Fifth, hitting and swearing are prohibited.

Warlordism must be resolutely overcome

Sixth, cherish the people's crops

Every aspect of military operations

Seventh, it is forbidden to harass women.

We must resolutely eliminate hooliganism.

Eighth, prisoners of war must not be mistreated.

No hitting or scolding, no searching of pockets

Everyone should consciously abide by the rules.

Mutual supervision is essential to avoid violations.

Every rule of revolutionary discipline must be memorized.

People's soldiers love the people in every way.

Defend the motherland and march forward forever

The people of the whole country support and welcome it.

Because Xue Geming taught diligently, and the melody was catchy, plus He Changgong and his nephew He Xiaoshan both had some knowledge of folk music and worked very hard to teach, everyone became very familiar with the song in just three days! Xue Geming was only reiterating what he had said. Seeing that everyone answered in unison that they had heard him, he stopped there.

Unfortunately, the team was clearly short-handed. Xue Geming and his small squad, totaling 16 men, each had a rifle, with Xue Geming also possessing a pistol, which he later seized from a wealthy landowner. He Changgong, Cai Zhongshan, Yun Tiansheng, and He Xiaoshan all had rifles, specifically standard-issue pistols; however, the guerrilla fighters and former militia members were short-handed, with only ten rifles for thirty men. Xue Geming then specifically issued rifles to the ten best-performing guerrilla fighters and former militia members; he also distributed the twelve hunting rifles and muskets that Cai Zhongshan and others had acquired through various means to twelve men, while the remaining eight unarmed men were given broadswords and spears, with the instruction that they should be armed first should any captured weapons be seized. Only then did everyone calm down.

The team quickly set off. The training they had undergone in the previous period was now showing its effectiveness. After marching through the mountains for more than two days, they finally reached Anhui Province and were getting closer and closer to Jinzhai County. Upon seeing this, Xue Geming ordered everyone to rest and eat on the spot. Yun Tiansheng, Cai Zhongshan, and He Xiaosheng, who had come earlier to gather information, soon arrived to report the situation. It turned out that there was also a notorious landlord in Jinzhai County named Xiong Shihui, who had committed numerous evil deeds, and they wanted to target him in this operation. After listening to the report, Xue Geming analyzed it with He Changgong and found it reasonable. He then organized a detailed discussion with the captains and deputy captains of each squadron, clarifying their respective roles and the routes of advance and retreat, before issuing the order to move out.

According to Xue Geming, the entire operation was to proceed in three steps:

First, He Changsheng and Cai Zhongshan set off in plain clothes to contact the local Party organization and strive to make logistical preparations and provide support.

Secondly, He Xiaoshan led Yun Tiansheng's special agent squadron first, all armed, to secretly enter the county town and lie in ambush. They would assemble at midnight and secretly open the south gate of the town.

Third, Xue Geming himself led two other combat squadrons to follow. Once the city gate was opened, they would enter through it; if the city gate could not be opened, they would use special means to scale the city wall and enter.

Seeing that everyone understood their tasks, they split up and went about their business. Around midnight, when Xue Geming arrived at the south gate of Jinzhai City, the gate was already open; Yun Tiansheng and his men had successfully taken control of it. They first captured the two soldiers guarding the gate alive, and then, in two groups, knocked out the two patrolling city guards. It was easy for the well-trained soldiers to outmaneuver the untrained city guards. All the city guards were tied up and left in the barracks, while Yun Tiansheng's soldiers, following the original Operation One plan, changed into the uniforms of the city guards, standing guard and patrolling flawlessly. Of course, this also resulted in the acquisition of 10 guns. The eight soldiers who initially had no guns were all given new uniforms, and their confidence soared.

The rest was easy. Xue Geming led two combat squadrons and successfully infiltrated Xiong Shihui's compound. They immediately neutralized the armed men of his household, gagged them all, and escorted them out of the city. The 12 guns were quickly distributed to the other team members.

After finding 30 silver dollars, 27 small yellow croakers, and a pistol at Xiong Shihui's house, Xue Geming unexpectedly discovered that there was also Western medicine in the storeroom. Without hesitation, he confiscated it all! Grain was transported away as much as possible, but the team members also took all the meat from the Xiong family's storeroom for their own use on the road. Because of the swift operation, each team member carried some supplies and quickly withdrew from the battlefield. On the way, they encountered the local Party organization contacted by He Changgong. Following Xue Geming's instructions, they quickly took a considerable amount of grain and then hastily withdrew from Jinzhai City. The next day, when the Jinzhai police station received a report from the Xiong family, they discovered that the Xiong family's house had been completely looted, and Xiong Shihui was nowhere to be found.