The Flames of Resistance Against Japan in Jiangnan

From the prisoners, Ding Fujiang learned that the commander of the Huangzhou County Security Regiment would soon be leading his troops back to the city. He hurriedly ordered the training battalion and artillery company to rush out of the city to reinforce the engineer battalion, which was carrying out the blocking mission. The regimental headquarters, subordinate units, and recruit battalion were responsible for searching for and capturing the remaining enemy forces in the city and confiscating various supplies.

As for the local militia in Huangzhou County...

It would be no exaggeration to describe the Huangzhou County Youth League as "satisfied and smug," according to reliable sources:

The head of the militia will likely be promoted to commander-in-chief of the militia in the three counties soon.

So, the leader of the militia was in a very good mood the whole way. Even when he saw the militiamen slacking off and leaving their guns on the carts, he was not surprised at all. He kept reminding himself not to get angry and to win people over with virtue!

As the security regiment's troops entered the mountain path beside the small village of Dengjiachong in scattered formation, the city walls were already visible in the distance. The regimental commander ordered his men to stop, tidy their appearance, and stand in formation, preparing to show off when they entered the city. However, the troops below were noisy and ignored him. Frustrated, he drew his gun and fired a shot into the air, finally silencing the men.

The regimental commander was very satisfied with the effect and was about to give a speech and show off his authority when fierce gunfire broke the temporary silence. The soldiers of the training battalion and the engineering battalion had been waiting impatiently. At the commander's order, they lay prone on the high slopes on both sides of the mountain road and immediately began firing. Light and heavy machine guns swept across a large area like a whirlwind. The muffled firing of the mortars, accompanied by the loud bang of exploding shells, sent the regimental soldiers flying in terror.

When the bugle sounded, many militiamen hadn't had time to take their rifles off the carts and stood there dumbfounded.

Having easily resolved the battle, the soldiers cheerfully cleaned up the battlefield. While cleaning, they uttered strange remarks to the prisoners:

"You're in the security regiment? Quit, it's boring! Take my advice, come join the Red Army! We officers and soldiers are equal!"

When the Red Army commanders and soldiers escorted the prisoners and drove carts loaded with spoils of war back to the city, Commander Ding, who was standing at the city gate to greet them, knew:

The 59th Regiment has already reached a preliminary stage of maturity.

Wearing brand-new uniforms, the Red Army soldiers were full of pride and joy. They patrolled the streets and alleys in a smart and heroic manner, maintaining social order. Some were escorting groups of prisoners, while others were busy moving large quantities of captured weapons and ammunition.

Under the arrangement of the 59th Regiment Party Committee, cadres and soldiers launched a vigorous propaganda campaign throughout the town, searching for reactionary bureaucrats and local bullies, confiscating their wealth, and purchasing various urgently needed supplies. Several small teams were dispatched to the rural outskirts of the town to raid local tyrants, open granaries, and distribute grain. The people flocked to the streets, eagerly watching various proclamations and propaganda performances. Everywhere was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, filled with a festive atmosphere. Shops gradually resumed business, and the market returned to order. The sun shone brightly throughout Huangzhou Town, and red flags fluttered in the wind. The resounding songs of the Red Army echoed throughout the town.

That evening, Xu Wenqing led the division's forward command post and some directly subordinate units, who had been resting in hiding in the Huangtang area for a day and were preparing to set off after dinner, when news of the victory in the Huangzhou Town battle arrived. The news spread like a spring breeze throughout the entire unit, boosting the morale of the officers and soldiers and dispelling Xu Wenqing's concerns about the 59th Regiment, especially the combat effectiveness and cohesion of the new recruits' battalion.

Huangtang is located at the intersection of the highway connecting Huangzhou County to Taizhou and Hangzhou. There is a relatively spacious courtyard in the village with two open gates and two soldiers with live ammunition standing on both sides.

The courtyard was quiet and peaceful. The soldiers coming and going moved quietly, without making any loud noises or disturbances.

A topographical map of Zhejiang Province hung on the wall of the main room. Xu Wenqing leaned against the wall opposite the map, seemingly half-asleep, his eyes closed as if resting. Occasionally, he would slightly open his eyes to glance at the map, then quickly close them again, as if deep in thought.

Since his transmigration, Xu Wenqing has never been able to sleep normally. The arduous task he shoulders keeps his mind constantly on edge, as one event after another unfolds:

The division now has nearly five thousand men, more than a hundred light and heavy machine guns, and a dozen mortars of various calibers, making it a formidable force. Thinking of these achievements, a sense of pride welled up within him, and a satisfied smile unconsciously appeared on his lips.

Xu Wenqing loosened his tightly clasped hands, then clasped them behind his back. He paced slowly around the room, carefully considering the battle plan he had long meticulously devised. Like a hunter who had been lying in wait for days, he had seen his prey after a long wait—eager, eager, and exceptionally spirited. The time had come to complete the task of containing the Zhejiang army. The ambitious Xu Wenqing couldn't wait to immediately engage the White Army in battle, to demonstrate the heroic spirit of the 19th Red Army Division!

Today, scouts arrived to report that the 58th Regiment successfully captured Xinzhou Town, taking more than 300 members of the security regiment prisoner, a company of regular Zhejiang troops, and seizing more than 300 guns, six machine guns, and a large quantity of other supplies; the 59th Regiment captured Huangzhou Town, taking more than 500 prisoners, seizing nearly 500 guns, seven machine guns, and a quantity of other supplies; it seems that the two newly formed regiments have begun to form combat capabilities, and it is time to launch a major operation.

It was estimated that the 58th Regiment had already set off for Dongyang after dealing with the Xinzhou Security Regiment. On the other hand, Xu Wenqing had sent out a messenger to deliver orders, requiring the 59th Regiment's messenger to advance towards Dongyang to have reached Huangzhou Town. The division's forward command and direct subordinate units were to depart now and arrive in Dongyang by tomorrow evening. At that time, the troops would concentrate their firepower to attack Dongyang, and regardless of success or failure, immediately advance north through Yiwu to seize Pujiang County and threaten Hangzhou! Would he then be known as the ruthless bandit Xu Wenqing? Thinking of this, Xu Wenqing narcissistically stroked his chin and chuckled.

He gazed intently at the quiet moonlight, pondering the matter, and felt confident of victory.

Having made up his mind, Xu Wenqing suddenly opened his eyes and stared intently at the word "Hangzhou" marked on the map, a faint sense of pleasure welling up inside him.

Xu Wenqing picked up the rice that his guard had brought earlier and ate it hastily. As soon as he finished dinner, he prepared to order the troops to continue their advance.

"Report, Captain Wang wants to see you."

Ma Xiaoer ran in to report.

Xu Wenqing was taken aback for a moment before remembering that the guard had mentioned a former Jiangxi army radio operator who had just joined the Red Army. He hurriedly gave the order:

"Waiter, quickly invite Captain Wang in!"

Captain Wang rushed in, not even bothering to salute, and nervously handed over a telegram. Xu Wenqing took it with some curiosity, then held it up to the light to read it. His expression became somewhat excited, yet also tense.