Rebirth: I am in Jin-Cha-Ji

Wei Hongjun finally saw Zhang Qiuping's face. Although her hair was casually tied up, Zhang Qiuping's appearance was indeed remarkable. Although she had become quite haggard and her skin had become dry due to life in recent years, her eyes were bright and her face showed no trace of decadence. This kind of spirited appearance is not seen in many rural women today.

"How did you come."

"Our political commissar wants to see you."

"Political Commissar Wei."

Wei Hongjun and his team stayed in Zhangjiagou Village for quite some time, and of course all the villagers knew about it.

Zhang Qiuping had also seen several guerrilla army leaders from afar. Seeing Wei Hongjun, she immediately said, "Commissar Wei, come in and sit down."

"Sixth sister-in-law, you don't have to be so polite. I came to see you today because I have something to ask of you."

"As a housewife, how can I help the guerrillas?"

Zhang Qiuping is very efficient in doing things.

Women of this era, even in the city, were not allowed to talk to men casually. This was even more so in the secluded countryside. Young wives and older women would be very careful about the impact they would have on men if they met them.

But Zhang Qiuping has no such concerns.

She was also very confident and calm in front of Wei Hongjun, without any shyness at all.

"Sixth Sister-in-law, you probably know that our guerrilla army is a subordinate unit of the Eighth Route Army. When we receive orders from our superiors in the future, we should also be reorganized into an Eighth Route Army unit. Then we will have to wear Eighth Route Army uniforms."

"Yes."

Zhang Qiuping went to school in Datong, so she easily understood what Wei Hongjun meant.

The guerrilla army is not a force without foundation.

In the future, she will become a regular soldier of the Eighth Route Army. However, she still did not understand what Wei Hongjun wanted her to do. Wei Hongjun continued: "We in the Eighth Route Army have our own military uniform factories, but they are all at the headquarters. We are now fighting behind enemy lines, and the headquarters cannot send us uniforms. So we have to solve the problem of military uniforms ourselves, which means we need to set up our own military uniform factory. When it comes to making clothes, we men can't catch up with women. So I want to organize the women in the village to help us make military uniforms. We will reduce public grain according to the number of military uniforms, or directly distribute a certain amount of food. But organizing women is inconvenient because our army is made up of men. We still need women to take the lead in organizing them."

"Political Commissar Wei wants me to come forward?"

"Yes. I know that Sister Liu is educated, knowledgeable, and worldly-wise. She's established herself in recent years, and everyone in the area knows Sister Liu Zheng's name. There's no one more suitable than you."

"Just making military uniforms?"

Zhang Qiuping always felt that it was just for making military uniforms and there was no need to make such a big fuss.

In fact, when making military uniforms, we should spread the word in the village. We should reduce or exempt the public grain tax, or directly distribute grain so that women can earn money. As long as we pay them, there will be no shortage of manpower.

There is no need for Wei Hongjun, a big leader, to come forward in person.

Wei Hongjun smiled.

Zhang Qiuping is not only educated and courageous, but also very thoughtful. So she shook her head and said, "Sixth sister-in-law, we in the Eighth Route Army advocate equality between men and women. This equality includes many things. Men and women have equal access to education, freedom of marriage and love, and equal status in the family. But this kind of equality is not so easy to achieve. The idea of ​​male superiority and female inferiority that has lasted for thousands of years has taken root in our land. It takes time and requires our joint efforts to pull it out. Therefore, our Eighth Route Army will establish a Women's Rescue Association in the base area, the full name of which is the Women's National Salvation Association. At this critical moment of national extinction, women must participate in the great revolution of saving the country and the people just like men. In this process, women save the country and the people, and at the same time save themselves, get rid of feudal shackles, and move towards personal independence. I hope that Sixth sister-in-law will organize women, not only to make military uniforms for the troops, but also to establish the Sheng County Women's National Salvation Association."

"Women's National Salvation Association, Women's National Salvation Association."

Zhang Qiuping was shocked.

Although she had expected Wei Hongjun's visit to her to be more than just a simple matter, she hadn't anticipated Wei Hongjun's intention to have her organize the Women's National Salvation Association. When Zhang Qiuping was sixteen or seventeen years old and studying in Datong, they were full of vigor and ambition. Many people wanted to participate in the vigorous revolution.

But later I regarded this as an impulse of youth.

She never expected that after so many years, someone would actually invite her to join the great cause of saving the country and the people. Although Zhang Qiuping was educated and worldly-wise, she was still overwhelmed by Wei Hongjun's invitation.

It took Zhang Qiuping a while to calm down.

"Commissar Wei, if we establish a Women's Rescue Association, what should we do?"

Zhang Qiuping really didn't know.

What can the Women's Rescue Association do?

Wei Hongjun smiled and said, "The Women's Association can do so much. But we must first start with things like making military uniforms. A major reason for gender inequality in rural areas is that men work outside to earn money and support the family. But if women can also support the family and earn as much as men, then it means that women are no less capable than men. Gradually, some old ideas will change. Then we must teach women to read and help them understand more. Sixth Sister-in-law studied in a big city, so she should know. Nowadays, women are teachers, doctors, and even in politics and the military. The purpose of establishing the Women's Association is to give women here the opportunity to choose the person they like and the job they like."

"Political Commissar Wei, can men and women really be equal?"

"of course."

Wei Hongjun nodded affirmatively and said, "Although the process will be difficult and long, as long as we persevere, gender equality will definitely be achieved. Wherever our Eighth Route Army is stationed, we will implement the policy of gender equality."

"Okay, I'll do it then."

“Thank you to the six ships for supporting our work.”

"Political Commissar Wei, didn't you just say this? This is our women's business, and I have no choice but to thank them. We should be the ones thanking the Eighth Route Army."

"Sixth sister-in-law, there's one thing I want to make clear to you. We can't rush this women's work. If we rush, we won't be able to accomplish anything. Gender equality can't be achieved overnight. We must do it step by step."

"I am clear."

"Then you should first mobilize some women who are willing to leave their homes and wait for our news."

Chapter 044 Sheng County Government

Sheng County Districts 3, 4, and 5 launched a vigorous campaign to reduce rent and interest rates. Although there were many conflicts and problems, it was generally smooth sailing. Meanwhile, Wei Hongjun also seized the opportunity to establish local organizations in these districts.

Because after this rent and interest reduction, the guerrilla army will start collecting public grain next year.

After the rent reduction, the land rent in Districts 20, 25, and of Sheng County would drop to %, effectively cutting it in half. In fact, this rent reduction was even lower than the Eighth Route Army's policy. However, since the troops were now disconnected from the main force, Wei Hongjun could not intervene. After the rent reduction, the grain tax was set at %. This provided the guerrilla army with a rear base and supplies.

If people decades from now look at this data, they'll think the collection is excessive. But the residents of Sheng County, upon hearing about the rent and interest reduction policy, were incredibly excited. Previously, they paid around 60% of their land, and even then, more than half. Adding in other miscellaneous taxes and levies, they typically only kept 30-35%. But after the rent and interest reduction policy, they can now keep 55% each year.

This is a great thing for them.

So despite the 25% grain tax, the people of Sheng County were very excited and supported the Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Army. The army really began to have a base in Sheng County.

Then came the establishment of the Women's Rescue Association.

Although the Women's Rescue Association had not yet been formally established, Zhang Qiuping had already begun mobilizing women. This work was quite effective, largely because Wei Hongjun had pledged to pay them adequately based on their workload.

Wang Qiuyun was busy reorganizing the troops.

The troop expansion was so fast that it surprised both Wang Qiuyun and Wei Hongjun.

How to prevent these troops from becoming chaotic and how to increase their combat effectiveness is what Wang Qiuyun has been thinking about these days. The troops are currently lacking everything, especially the grassroots commanders and fighters.

But they are military cadres and political cadres.

The army, with a thousand men, was already the size of a regiment. However, the number of Party members within the army was very small, and the number of veteran Red Army members was also small. Such an army was very dangerous. Although it was gathered together now, it was very likely to fall apart if something serious happened.

So, both Wei Hongjun and Li Shiping were currently observing some activists, preparing them for potential Party membership. Both the military and local governments needed to expand their Party organizations. Just as they were busy, Li Shiping arrived.

"Commander, Commissar, something big has happened."

"what happened?"

"Feng Anmin announced in Beiling Village the reconstruction of the Sheng County government and appointed himself the county magistrate. The bandits and landlord armed forces around Beiling Village have already surrendered to Feng Anmin and have been reorganized into the First Regiment of the Sheng County Anti-Japanese National Salvation Army. Furthermore, I heard that the remnants of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army in Beishuigou Town are also discussing reorganization with Feng Anmin. If they accept the reorganization, they will become the Second Regiment of the National Salvation Army."

"Who is this Feng Anmin?"

Wei Hongjun was very confused.

Where did this Feng Anmin come from? I'd never heard of such a prominent figure in Sheng County before. I never expected him to be able to reorganize so many local bandits and landlord armed forces in such a short time.

"Before Sheng County fell, Feng Anmin was the deputy county magistrate. Later, the Japanese army followed the remnants of the 29th Army into Sheng County, and all the county officials fled. There has been no news of them since then. Who would have thought that Feng Anmin would recruit troops in Beiling Village and now directly announce the reconstruction of the Sheng County government."

Li Shiping is familiar with these.

So he immediately introduced Feng Anmin to Wang Qiuyun and Wei Hongjun.

Wang Qiuyun said disdainfully, "What a bullshit county magistrate! He was nowhere to be seen during the war, and now he's out to reap the rewards after we've driven the Japanese into the county. How many men and how many guns can he have under his command, the bandit and landlord armed forces? And he even dares to announce the formation of a regiment."

"Old Wang, we need to be cautious about this matter. Regardless of his strength, once he gets Yan Xishan's support, he will be the legitimate magistrate of Sheng County. We are currently united in the anti-Japanese war, so we must be careful in this regard."

"The political commissar is right. This is what I'm worried about. If Feng Anmin issues an order to us in the name of the Sheng County government, what will we do then?"

"He dares."

Wang Qiuyun was furious.

The Shengxian Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Army was built step by step by Wang Qiuyun and Wei Hongjun to its current size. Moreover, this armed force was part of the Eighth Route Army, so how could anyone else interfere?

"It's always better to be prepared. Teacher Li, you must send someone to monitor the situation at Beiling Manor."

"it is good."

"It's understandable that the remnants of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army are willing to accept Feng Anmin's reorganization. After all, they used to work together. What about the remnants of the 29th Army? What's their current situation?"

"Right now, the relationship between the remnants of the 29th Army and the remnants of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army isn't that good. Before, when there was a Japanese threat, the two families were still able to cooperate. Ever since we drove the Japanese into the county, the conflict between them has grown. The 29th Army, in particular, is affiliated with the Northwest Army, and its relationship with the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army isn't very good. Although the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army is a defeated remnant, they are well-equipped and based locally. They recovered quickly. However, the 29th Army isn't acclimatized to Sheng County, and logistical supplies are difficult, let alone manpower. They may not have agreed to Feng Anmin's request yet, but once Feng Anmin agrees to pay them and provide them with logistical supplies, they'll probably come over."

"This won't work."

Wang Qiuyun shook his head and said, "Old Wei, if Feng Anmin is appointed by Yan Xishan, then he has the upper hand. Moreover, he is in his own territory, so he will probably develop rapidly. If they also incorporate the remnants of the 29th Army, which is a combat-capable unit, then their strength in Sheng County will be greatly enhanced. This will be disadvantageous to us."

"Ah."

Wei Hongjun nodded, agreeing with Wang Qiuyun's opinion.

"Commander, there's nothing we can do about it. The 29th Army is a stranger here, unfamiliar with the area. Their discipline is decent, and we haven't heard of any incidents of them looting. But this isn't a long-term solution. Without logistics, they'll definitely surrender in the end."

Li Shiping also felt sorry.

The 29th Army was a highly skilled and combat-ready force, or rather, Feng Yuxiang's Northwest Army maintained a strong fighting capacity. The troops were known for their endurance, discipline, and fierce fighting style. Even those who later became traitors to the Han Dynasty maintained their combat effectiveness.

If this unit could be recruited, or even incorporated into the guerrilla army, it would greatly improve the guerrilla army's combat effectiveness. However, it would take more than a day or two for the guerrilla army to reorganize this unit, and it was clear that the remnants of the 29th Army could not wait that long given the current situation.

“Who said there’s no logistics?”

Wang Qiuyun smiled and said, "Yes, we have logistics. Have you forgotten where the richest place in Sheng County is?"

"Old Wang, do you mean the county town?"

"Yes, it's the county town. There aren't many Japanese troops in the county town right now, maybe less than a squad. Even if they return to the county town and recruit traitors, they won't have much combat effectiveness. They lost more than half of their heavy weapons when they fought us. Do you think they can stop us if we attack the county town?"

"You mean we invite the remnants of the 29th Army to attack the county town together."

"Correct."

Wang Qiuyun nodded and said, "Our guerrilla army currently has many men and guns. Our only shortcoming is that we have too many new recruits. We're fine for fighting bandits, but if we want to attack a county town guarded by the Japanese, even if we take it, we'll inevitably suffer heavy casualties. We might not even be able to take the county town, and in the end it will be a losing proposition. But the remnants of the 29th Army are quite capable, but what they lack now is logistics. As long as we take the county town, they can have everything they want, and the logistics problem will be easily solved. As long as we gain a reputation, we can expand our army. If our two families cooperate to attack the county town and divide up what's there, we can both make a fortune. With logistics support, will the 29th Army be willing to join Feng Anmin?"

"interesting."

Wei Hongjun nodded repeatedly.

Yes.

The guerrillas had many soldiers, but also many new recruits, so their combat effectiveness was a problem. The remnants of the 29th Army were small in number, but their combat effectiveness was strong. If both sides cooperated to capture the county town, wouldn't all the valuable resources in the county town go to the guerrillas and the remnants of the 29th Army?

"Didn't Feng Anmin claim to be the county magistrate of Sheng County? Now that we've taken the county seat, let's see what he can offer us in exchange for it."

"Yes. If Feng Anmin wants to become the county magistrate legitimately, the best way is to return to the county. But what can he use to make us hand over the county to him? I think he must have some foundation, otherwise he wouldn't be able to raise an army so quickly. We will ask him for money and guns when the time comes."

"Old Wei, do you think this is feasible?"