Rebirth: I am in Jin-Cha-Ji

Then came the new-style military reorganization and grievance movement of the 8th Column.

The Eighth Route Army was able to maintain sufficient combat effectiveness despite its rapid expansion. Of course, the most important factor was the ability to quickly gain recognition from these reorganized troops and new recruits. Even if all went smoothly, it would take several months for other Eighth Route Army units to fully integrate into the ranks of the Eighth Route Army. This would also raise concerns about potential rebellion. However, the Eighth Column was remarkably swift in this regard, being able to deploy to battle in just three months.

It was precisely because of the success of the Eighth Column that it was finally promoted in the First Division and is now being promoted throughout the entire Eighth Route Army.

The new military reorganization, centered around the grievance campaign, has significantly increased the Eighth Route Army's strength. It can be said that the current Eighth Route Army is more than one-third larger than it was historically. A sound policy and a sound political plan are crucial to the development of the Eighth Route Army.

Therefore, Xu Luomin admires Wei Hongjun very much.

Since taking charge, Wei Hongjun has demonstrated amazing political ability.

Now he had unexpectedly caught up with the Eighth Column's new military reorganization plan. Xu Luomin had been carefully considering this merit award plan, and the more he thought about it, the better it seemed. He was training students at the Anti-Japanese University and also used rewards and punishments to deal with them.

So Xu Luomin couldn't help but speak up: "Commander, Political Commissar, I think this proposal for commending merits is a good one. However, this commendation system needs to be improved. There must be no confusion, and there must be no false recognition of merits. Clearly distinguishing rewards and punishments can improve troop morale. However, confusion in rewards and punishments will affect troop unity."

"Comrade Xu Luomin is right."

Although Xu Luomin had just arrived, he was not yet familiar with the affairs of the Eighth Column.

But what he said was still very objective.

Once rewards and punishments become chaotic, unity will be directly destroyed. Once a unit loses its unity, its combat effectiveness will plummet. Xu Luomin, who has led troops in battle for many years, is well aware of this principle.

Wei Hongjun really likes Xu Luomin's remarks.

When Xu Luomin, a cadre of his rank, arrived at the Eighth Column, Wei Hongjun hoped he would dive right into the work. He shouldn't waste time simply because he was in a new place. Xu Luomin actively expressed his opinions during the meeting, demonstrating his commitment to being a cadre of the Eighth Column.

This is Wei Hongjun's favorite.

Therefore, Wei Hongjun said, "So my idea is that the commendation campaign should be slow and concise, but not chaotic. We can't roll it out all at once, but one at a time. We need to let not only our soldiers but also our cadres adapt. And just like the new type of military reorganization through grievances, we should start with a few base areas. Then, we will summarize and promote it to the entire 8th Column and all base areas. If the results are good, we will compile and report to the First Division."

"This is safe."

Xu Luomin nodded repeatedly.

No wonder the Eighth Column developed so rapidly. Look at the political commissar, Wei Hongjun, who handled things with such a steady hand. Many cadres, eager for quick results, have caused chaos when the central government has formulated some excellent policies.

But although Wei Hongjun is young, he is not blind.

"Old Wei, where are you going to start?"

"Chadong Detachment."

Wei Hongjun pointed at the Chadong Detachment and said, "Currently, the Japanese army has begun to rebuild bunkers along the Pingsui Road to ensure its safety. The Chadong Detachment's latest mission is to destroy these Japanese bunkers. In this process, many heroic deeds will surely emerge, as will many clever tactics for killing the enemy. I'd like to start with this aspect. After all, bravery in killing the enemy and effective tactics are both visible and tangible, making them easier to commend. Furthermore, Comrade Xia Houwen of the Chadong Detachment is a very steady and thoughtful person. I'd like to try it out with the Chadong Detachment first to see how it works."

"Okay, let the Chadong Detachment try first."

Chapter 286 Titans

After Xu Luomin arrived at the 8th Column, he quickly got down to work.

It doesn't take much getting used to.

Because Wang Qiuyun and Wei Hongjun had given him enough trust, Xu Luomin, after arriving at the 300th Column, took charge of its training as Chief of Staff. Furthermore, in order to train grassroots commanders, he selected squad leaders and veterans who had performed well in the anti-mopping-up operation to form a new training brigade for the th Column.

The teaching brigade of the Eighth Column was trained in batches.

Xu Luomin personally served as the captain, and then divided the team into three squadrons.

The captain of the first squadron is Han Chengwei, the captain of the second squadron is Yu Yang, and the captain of the third squadron is Li Gengda.

The three squadron leaders were all officers Xu Luomin had brought over from the military region. The first three classes of the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University were all high-ranking Red Army officers. The fourth class also included many Red Army officers and student leaders.

Some of them did not leave the Anti-Japanese University after graduation, but stayed there to serve as team leaders or teachers.

Xu Luomin is like this.

Among the graduates of the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University that Xu Luomin was going to lead to the Hebei-Rehe-Liaoning Advance Army, there were quite a few such cadres, and not all of them were graduates.

They graduated early and stayed in school. Han Chengwei, Yu Yang, and Li Gengda are such cadres.

The three of them who have been released now are at least battalion-level cadres.

However, rather than having them lead troops in battle, Wang Qiuyun and Wei Hongjun wanted them to train grassroots commanders, primarily company commanders, platoon leaders, and squad leaders.

Cultivating more grassroots cadres is the most effective way to improve the combat effectiveness of the troops.

After actually starting work, Xu Luomin was already very satisfied with his arrival at the 8th Column. Xu Luomin knew the 8th Column was very powerful during his time at the Anti-Japanese University, but he had never experienced it in person. After all, the Second Branch of the Anti-Japanese University was located in the 4th District, and he had only heard about the 8th Column from others.

No matter how powerful the Eighth Column is, it is just a unit under the First Division.

Now that he has become the chief of staff of the 8th Column, he realizes how powerful the 8th Column is.

光是军区赋予的主力团番号就有七个，把19团移交给五分区之后，还剩下了6个。16团、18团、25团、26团、34团、35团，而且都是大团。人数最少的都是拥有12个步兵连的大团，人数最多的甚至是拥有15个步兵连，三千多人的大团。

In addition to these main regiments, the Eighth Column also had the Chaxi Detachment, the Chabei Detachment, the First Guard Regiment, the Second Guard Regiment, the Third Guard Regiment, the New First Regiment, the Special Service Regiment, the Cavalry Regiment, and the Guard Regiment and Artillery Regiment directly under the column. These main forces totaled more than 20,000 people.

There were so many local troops in the Eighth Column's base area. County battalions, district squads, militia units—the layers were very distinct. Of course, what surprised Xu Luomin even more was that the anti-mopping-up campaign had only just ended two months earlier.

The main force and local forces of the 8th Column are basically full.

Although combat effectiveness was still recovering, the fact that the troops were able to be reorganized so quickly showed the 8th Column's mobilization capabilities within the base area. Only with sufficient mobilization capabilities within the base area and the support of the local people could such a large number of people join the army. Xu Luomin knew that he had underestimated the 8th Column.

No wonder the 8th Column was able to kill three Japanese brigade commanders rank major general within a year.

After seeing the strength of the 8th Column, Xu Luomin participated in the work more actively.

About half a month after Xu Luomin reported to the 8th Column, Cai Debao also reported to the 8th Column. Commander Nie coordinated with the Ji-Re-Liaoning Advancing Army to transfer Cai Debao back. The Ji-Re-Liaoning Advancing Army did not have much resistance.

The real reason is that they don’t like Cai Debao.

Cai Debao was a thorn in the flesh. A small regimental cadre actually pointed his finger at someone and cursed at him at a meeting of the Ji-Re-Liao Advance Army. They couldn't help it. But the key issue was that Cai Debao was a hero of the Jidong Anti-Japanese War. During the most difficult period of the Jidong Anti-Japanese War, he stayed in Jidong to complete the mission and develop the team. During the eight or nine months he was in Jidong, he made real achievements. In the current Jidong Anti-Japanese War, Cai Debao is a banner that can be compared with Bao Shen. There are already many rumors that such a hero with such great military achievements should be appointed as the deputy commander of the 15th Regiment.

Many people felt sorry for him.

Criticize the leaders of the Jireliao Advance Army for suppressing Cai Debao.

Therefore, Cai Debao's presence in the Ji-Re-Liaoning Advance Army was a hot potato. Now that the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region, through Deng Guo, had expressed its desire for Cai Debao, the Ji-Re-Liaoning Advance Army certainly wouldn't stand in their way. A thorn in the side of Cai Debao would be difficult to handle if he remained in the Ji-Re-Liaoning Advance Army. Therefore, they happily let Cai Debao leave the Ji-Re-Liaoning Advance Army.

However, Cai Debao did not come alone, but with a company to the Eighth Column. This was the special agent company that Cai Debao built when he was fighting in eastern Hebei.

It is considered to be Cai Debao's most loyal troops.

Cai Debao wanted to go to the Fifth Division. But Deng Guo, the veteran leader, understood the principle of reciprocity. The Eighth Column had just sent a main force regiment to support the Fifth Division. Cai Debao was the cadre the Eighth Column wanted. Furthermore, Cai Debao was a skilled general, so he would have room to flourish in the Eighth Column.

So Deng Guo did Cai Debao's work and asked Cai Debao to report to the Eighth Column.

"Comrade Cai Debao, welcome.

"Cai Debao reports."

Although he is stubborn and unruly, Cai Debao is also an old Red Army soldier.

I still understand the rules and disciplines that should be followed.

"Comrade Cai Debao, we have been looking forward to your arrival."

Wei Hongjun was very polite.

Especially when he saw him coming to the Eighth Column with his special agent company, he was even happier. Wei Hongjun was not afraid of Cai Debao's personality or bad temper. As long as he was an Eighth Route Army cadre, did not violate the Eighth Route Army's discipline, and did not defect to the enemy, then these things could be tolerated. So what if he had a bad temper, as long as he abided by the discipline and obeyed orders. Wei Hongjun never thought of turning the Eighth Column into an independent kingdom, and Wei Hongjun did not have such ability.

The 8th Column is an Eighth Route Army unit.

The Eighth Column is in great need of capable cadres like Cai Debao, who are good at fighting.

Especially after the last Japanese raid, the Eighth Column lost too many bases.

Now many bases have become guerrilla zones. If we want to turn these guerrilla zones into bases again, we need generals like Cai Debao.

When Cai Debao was in Jidong, the situation was even worse, but he was still able to develop.

"Commander, Political Commissar, Political Commissar Deng said it. He said that your Eighth Column wants me. Just tell me directly, where do you want me to go?"

After sitting down, Cai Debao asked Wang Qiuyun and Wei Hongjun directly.

As long as he could defeat the Japanese, Cai Debao didn't care where he fought. However, he still felt that the situation in Jidong was unfair to him. He had made great achievements in Jidong and personally built the troops, but in the end, he was not the commander. This kind of differential treatment was truly unbearable for him.

When he left the Jireliao Advance Army, he was only reluctant to leave the troops he had built himself, and he was reluctant to leave anything else.

He was not opposed to joining the Eighth Column, so he did not hesitate to be polite with Wang Qiuyun and Wei Hongjun.

Wang Qiuyun stood up and pointed to Wanping and Fangshan on the map.

He said: "Comrade Cai Debao, we want you to go to Wanping and Fangshan. Our 34th Column Pingbei Detachment is located in the Changping, Wanping and Fangshan bases. But in the previous Japanese sweep, we lost the Fangshan base, and the Changping base and Wanping base also lost more than half. Our 35th Column is preparing to restore the Changwanshan base. But this place is close to Peking, and here are the Japanese Army's 34th Independent Mixed Brigade and the 35th Independent Mixed Brigade. Together with the North China Security Army and the local security forces, there are about Japanese and puppet troops in the Changwanshan base. And we have the th and th Regiments in the Changwanshan base, which are the original Yidong Uprising troops. In this counter-sweep, the th and th Regiments suffered heavy casualties. So we are going to strengthen the strength of the Pingbei Detachment."

"The Jidong troops were either peasants who had surrendered their heads or students who had just left school. None of them had ever fought in a war.

Cai Debao answered directly.

They looked down on the strength of the Eastern Team. When the Japanese army repeatedly raided Eastern Hebei, most of the Eastern Hebei troops were unable to hold on.

In fact, the most important reason is that the troops involved in the Yidong riot had not received any training.

Before the riot, they were all ordinary citizens.

Where will the war be?

Wang Qiuyun continued, "The 34th and 35th Regiments are also currently training hard to improve their combat effectiveness. However, the Japanese army is currently short on manpower. Although there appear to be a large number of troops around Peking, they also have to garrison the city and protect transportation lines. Few troops are actually able to participate in routine mopping-up operations. In fact, these troops are usually the weak North China Security Army and the puppet security forces. They are even weaker than the puppet Manchukuo Army, your enemy in Yidong. Therefore, we hope to use this gap to restore our base."

Although they had the 34th and 35th Regiments, Wang Qiuyun and Wei Hongjun were ready to send another general to disrupt the situation in the Changwanshan base. They chose Cai Debao.

Cai Debao nodded.

He understood what Wang Qiuyun meant. So he said directly: "Whatever position the Eighth Column gives me, how much support will it give me."

"The Column appoints Comrade Cai Debao as Deputy Commander of the Pingbei Detachment and simultaneously establishes the Pingbei Guerrilla Detachment. Appoint Comrade Cai Debao as Commander and Political Commissar of the Pingbei Guerrilla Detachment. The Column can form the Pingbei Guerrilla Detachment by combining the 300 veterans who have recently returned from their injuries, the remaining 200 men from the former Wanping County Battalion and the Fangshan County Battalion, and the special agent company brought by Comrade Cai Debao."

"That means there are about 700 people."

"Correct."

"Where are the weapons?"

"A full complement of Hanyang-made rifles, plus two heavy machine guns and seven light machine guns for the Pingbei Guerrilla Detachment. 2 rounds of rifle ammunition. If you need anything else, please let us know."

"enough."

Cai Debao stood up.

Compared to sitting on the bench in Jidong, the Eighth Column gave him enough trust and support. As long as he could fight, as long as he was given the opportunity, he would not be dissatisfied. So Cai Debao saluted and said, "When do I leave?"

"The sooner the better."

Chapter 287 The Dilemma of the Chinese Expeditionary Force

As September approached, the First Division and the Eighth Column began to recover their strength.

A large number of lightly wounded soldiers returned to the troops.