The Flames of Resistance Against Japan in Jiangnan

"Commander Chen, we learned from the newspapers we captured that our corps' main force was heavily besieged by the White Army in Huaiyu Mountain and suffered heavy losses. We don't know how many troops broke through or where they broke through to. Therefore, it seems that our 55th Regiment will not be able to find the main force to return to in the near future and will have to stay in the Anhui-Zhejiang-Jiangxi region to fight guerrilla warfare like you."

I know I can't persuade you to come with me. So let me offer my opinion on your suggested best route back to southern Anhui. In my view, the route you've designed does indeed allow you to return to southern Anhui in the fastest possible time.

However, you've overlooked a few issues. First, the Anhui Army has established numerous checkpoints and security regiments along this route. With your current forces, you simply cannot handle the pursuit of more than a regiment of Anhui troops. Once you lose your supplies and support, I don't need to elaborate on your fate; I'm sure you understand.

Therefore, in my opinion, instead of thinking about returning to the Soviet area as soon as possible, you should consider expanding your troops. If you currently have more than one regiment, your chances of returning to the Soviet area might increase by 10% to 20%. Without a main force regiment, with your current forces, you might not even be able to break through the defenses set up by the Anhui Army.”

Hearing Xu Wenqing's complete rejection of his request to watch the match, Chen Xinchun was not angry. On the contrary, he calmly said:

"Xiao Xu, what do you think our group should do right now? You need to know that the situation in southern Anhui is very serious."

If a main force doesn't return, I fear we'll lose not only the lives of our soldiers, but also the trust of the people! I know we don't have enough troops, but we can't just stay here and wait!

Instead of waiting to be killed, why not take the initiative and attack? Perhaps there's still a chance to lead the remaining Red Army troops to strengthen their forces and seize control of the region!

Xu Wenqing responded with a wry smile to Chen Xinchun's rosy vision:

"Commander Chen, if we really had a chance to gain a foothold in southern Anhui, why would our main force have to pay such a high price to break through? Although I didn't participate in the Huaiyu Mountain Campaign, I know without asking. Even the main force of the 19th and 20th Divisions were in such a state, the 21st Division must have suffered heavy losses as well."

I told Commander Chen all this because I wanted to teach you a lesson: haste makes waste.

Instead of returning to southern Anhui at this time, it would be better to conduct more operations along the Anhui-Zhejiang-Jiangxi border to attract the enemy's attention, create opportunities for the main force of the army to break out, and also provide time and favorable conditions for the guerrilla forces in various places to expand their strength. When Commander Chen feels that his strength is sufficient to deal with the interception by the security forces along the way, you can lead your troops back to southern Anhui.

Furthermore, in my view, even if you return to southern Anhui, you must act discreetly. This is because this is the most dangerous time for our Red Army. Only when the main force successfully breaks through the blockade and reaches safety can our Red Army units in the Soviet areas and enemy-occupied territories truly launch guerrilla warfare behind enemy lines. While concealing our strength and developing our forces, we must also build up our reserves in anticipation of the main force's return south!

After stating his personal points in one breath, Xu Wenqing stared at Chen Xinchun, who looked at him with a somewhat surprised expression. He wondered if Chen Xinchun was willing to follow his wishes and abandon the current plan to lead the team to break through and return to the Soviet area.

Xu Wenqing had drawn a route on the map that was clearly somewhat unexpected. This military route, which resembled a loop, basically followed the border between Anhui, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi provinces, and then returned to southern Anhui from the Zhejiang-Jiangxi border. The time required on the journey would undoubtedly be several times longer than the route he had drawn.

Faced with Chen Xinchun's confusion, Xu Wenqing quickly explained:

"Commander Chen, if I were leading these men back to southern Anhui now, I wouldn't be in such a hurry to return. Instead, I would rely on this complex border region to discreetly undermine the development of the Anhui-Jiangxi army through guerrilla tactics. Occasionally, I would raid Jiangxi's territory, and if things turned sour, I would return to Anhui's territory."

If that doesn't work, you can wear Anhui Army uniforms to rob Jiangxi Army troops, or vice versa. The point is to create a complete, covert conflict between these two opposing factions. Once a rift develops between them, that's when you should lead your troops away.

If Commander Chen does not object to my suggestion, after two days of rest, I will lead the 55th Regiment to attack Shangrao City, which is under the control of the Jiangxi Army, in order to rescue the comrades imprisoned there. At the same time, I will transfer the Jiangxi Army's fighting strength for you. After taking Shangrao City, I will spread the word that we are preparing to attack Hongdu, a major town in Jiangxi Province, so that the security regiments near Fuliang County will be mobilized to the vicinity of Hongdu.

Actually, my next major offensive target isn't Hongdu, but Lin'an County. Once I've fully mobilized the Jiangxi and Zhejiang armies, the surrounding towns and county seats will inevitably be sparsely defended, making them your primary targets. All you need to do is swiftly rescue our comrades during each attack and immediately return here under cover of night.

I believe that in the short term, with us and the main force drawing the fire of the Jiangxi and Anhui armies, you should be safe. Furthermore, I will leave you with a regiment's worth of weapons and ammunition for resupply before I leave. Once Commander Chen feels his strength has been reinforced, he can retreat as needed.

Using this border between the two armies, you can sometimes operate in southern Anhui and sometimes in northeastern Jiangxi. As long as you don't attack their key military strongholds that they feel will hurt, I think they won't deploy a large force to encircle and suppress you. This means you can take advantage of their complacency and carelessness.

Contact the guerrillas operating along the border of the two provinces and expand the size of your guerrilla base. Also, allow you to confidently lead your main force back to southern Anhui. As long as you maintain a low profile and adhere to a strategy of only gaining advantages and avoiding losses, I believe your Southern Anhui Independent Regiment will be rebuilt and strong again by the time you arrive in southern Anhui.”

Watching Xu Wenqing continuously draw suitable places for them to rest temporarily on the map, which also included the border of northeastern Jiangxi, and marking the areas where various guerrilla groups they were in contact with were located, Chen Xinchun felt that although this route back to southern Anhui was time-consuming, it was indeed safer.

Especially after hearing Xu Wenqing tell him directly that some Red Army soldiers had been captured by the Jiangxi and Anhui armies after he left, and that it was all up to him to rescue them, Chen Xinchun considered the situation and decided to try Xu Wenqing's approach.

After all, the Red Tenth Army Corps, especially the former Red Seventh Army Corps, is almost wiped out. If it were truly destroyed, the Red Seventh Army Corps would be truly doomed!