The Flames of Resistance Against Japan in Jiangnan

The battle of Chuzhou City resulted in the deaths of over 500 Zhejiang officers and soldiers, the capture of over 300, the seizure of over 20 light and heavy machine guns, over 500 rifles, 43,000 rounds of ammunition, 2,600 hand grenades, and a large quantity of other supplies.

In the battle of Wenzhou Prefecture, 93 Zhejiang soldiers and 386 militiamen were captured; 273 rifles and pistols, 6 machine guns, 140,000 rounds of ammunition, 400 artillery shells, a radio station, a large quantity of medicine and equipment, 173 gold bars, 116,000 silver dollars, and a large amount of other supplies were seized.

During the battle, numerous Zhejiang soldiers were killed and 67 rifles and pistols were captured.

"The Battle of Huangsha River,"

Director Chen's voice began to tremble slightly as he spoke:

"768 Jiangxi and Central Army soldiers were captured, along with 145 militia members; 1,040 new and old rifles and pistols, 18 light and heavy machine guns, 260,000 rounds of ammunition, 8 mortars, 800 artillery shells, 2,000 cotton uniforms, 1,000 cotton quilts, 1 radio, 60 wagons for transporting supplies, 3 cars, and a large quantity of other supplies."

"Hey! What model of mortar is it? Where are the shells?"

As soon as Director Chen finished speaking, a strange cry came from below the stage. Everyone turned around and saw that the artillery battalion commander had become delirious with laughter and started talking nonsense.

Xu Wenqing silenced Battalion Commander Wang's elation with a glance, but understandingly refrained from criticizing him for disrupting the meeting. Indeed, it hadn't been easy; the artillery battalion had finally lived up to its name, no wonder Battalion Commander Wang was so excited.

Then the logistics director began to speak:

"This is all the spoils. Excluding combat losses, our division now has 3,080 rifles and pistols; 91 light and heavy machine guns; 24 mortars of various types; and 306 semi-automatic machine guns."

The meeting hall was silent. The cadres of the 19th Red Army Division were in a daze, their faces filled with disbelief. The past few days felt like a dream—a dream that filled them with joy and excitement, one they didn't want to wake up from, fearing that it would all disappear when they opened their eyes. No one had expected the results to be so brilliant; the weaponry they now possessed was better than that of an entire division of the former main force of the Red Army!

Seeing everyone's state, Xu Wenqing slammed his fist on the table, finally snapping the dazed cadres back to their senses and getting them focused on the meeting. He was satisfied with his method of announcing the results of their efforts; it would create a greater impact and boost morale. The next step was to strictly enforce discipline. As the great man had said:

"We must grasp both aspects firmly!"

After the political commissar finished reporting on the ideological and political work, Xu Wenqing began to give a brief summary of the battle. He expressed satisfaction with the revolutionary fighting spirit and strong perseverance of the officers and soldiers, noting that the several battles since the unit's reconstruction had been successfully completed. The officers and soldiers who received the affirmation applauded excitedly.

"However, there are also some problems that, if not corrected, will eventually lead to a revolution and cause great losses!"

Xu Wenqing's cold gaze swept over the excited cadres, then settled on Ding Fujiang, and he said expressionlessly:

"For example, some comrades have seriously underestimated the enemy! After deliberation, the division headquarters has adjusted their positions."

The political commissar was about to speak when, as if suddenly remembering something, he opened his mouth but then closed it again. The battalion and company officers, who had just been in high spirits, felt a chill run down their spines, finally understanding the division commander's sternness.

Reconnaissance Battalion Commander Ma Xianbing kept pondering in his mind:

"From now on, we must be more serious about everything we do and not be careless. This time, many of the people being reassigned are the division commander's old subordinates, and they were taken down just like that, let alone an outsider like myself!"

After the battle summary was completed, an emergency combat meeting was held. As Regiment Commander He put it, "We must not let the horses rest, even if the men do!" The division political commissar first gave a brief pre-battle mobilization speech.

Xu Wenqing glanced intently at the energetic commanders and soldiers before him, and said with a serious expression:

"Although the soldiers of the entire division are exhausted, our situation is still very dangerous. The main force of the Zhejiang Army can reach Shahe as early as tomorrow afternoon. For safety reasons, the entire division must quickly withdraw from here and cross the river at the ferry to advance to the Taizhou area."

The political commissar added from the side:

"The reconnaissance battalion, led by its political instructor, captured a company of local troops yesterday afternoon and occupied Tuguan Town."

"After the entire division arrives in northern Fujian, a guard unit will be dispatched at the border of Zhejiang and Fujian. The 56th and 57th Regiments will rest on the spot for a day and set off with the supply battalion early tomorrow morning."

Xu Wenqing continued:

"The 55th Regiment is advancing towards eastern Fujian, and with the cooperation of the reconnaissance battalion, it will seize Sendai City when the opportunity arises."

Finally, Hu Jiu, Chief of Staff of the 19th Division, read out the order:

"The entire 19th Division will cross the Shahe River via a pontoon bridge in half an hour. The 55th Regiment will advance straight to Taizhou! Then the supply battalion, the 56th Regiment, and the 57th Regiment will cross the Shahe River and advance to Tuzhenguan Town to rest and await orders."

The battalion and company commanders answered with a loud and clear "Yes, sir!" and then hurriedly left the division headquarters to assemble their troops.

Standing before the rapidly assembled troops, Xu Wenqing waved his hand and uttered four concise yet powerful words to the entire division:

"Let's go immediately!"

The main force of the 19th Division of the Red Army, which had been marching from Mengshan to Shahe Town since the first half of the night, only stayed in the town for less than two hours before continuing its advance into Taizhou. The Shahe River in the cold night was quiet and peaceful, flowing northward without stopping, with the firelight reflecting on the river surface, making it appear sparkling.

Amidst the rushing sound of the river, Xu Wenqing rode his horse across the Shahe River, stopped on the earthen slope on the bank, and looked up at the commanders and soldiers gathered on the opposite bank, preparing to cross the river.

In the dim light of the fire, soldiers carried rifles and cannons, the entire crossing bustling yet orderly. The 55th Regiment of the 19th Division, the first to cross the Shahe River, immediately reorganized its ranks and, like arrows released from a bow, sped northward along the mountain path, disappearing into the pitch-black night in no time.

The troops waiting to cross the river stood in neat rows near the ferry crossing, waiting quietly. After the 55th Regiment left, the supply battalion began to cross the river. A continuous stream of mule-drawn carts, loaded with various captured supplies, slowly crossed the pontoon bridge. Ding Fujiang led a large mule carrying cooking utensils through the middle of the column. As he passed the line of soldiers waiting to cross the river, they greeted him.

"Battalion Commander!" "Battalion Commander Ding!"

Ding Fujiang replied with a self-deprecating laugh:

"Stop calling me battalion commander, I'm squad leader Ding now!"

As the long line of prisoners passed in front of Xu Wenqing, Li Jianmin, the deputy director of the political department, ran over to ask for instructions on how to deal with the prisoners:

"Commander, should we release these prisoners after educating them, as is the old method?"