Rebirth: I am in Jin-Cha-Ji

Chapter 053 Ownership of the County

When Wang Qiuyun and Wei Hongjun walked over, they saw a man wearing a clean suit.

Her hair is combed so stylishly.

Sitting there, drinking tea leisurely, he saw Wang Qiuyun and Wei Hongjun come in and immediately said with a fake smile:

"These two are the heroes who recaptured the county, right? It's true that heroes emerge from youth. I didn't expect you two to be so young. My name is Feng Wannian, and I'm the new Public Security Bureau Chief of Sheng County, appointed by County Magistrate Feng."

"Nice to meet you."

Wang Qiuyun and Wei Hongjun both saluted with their fists.

In Sheng County, the two of them had to be independent. Otherwise, in the past, apart from the army, they would have had no time to meet these people. But now, the two of them had to deal with people from all walks of life.

"Upon hearing of the two men's heroic deeds, County Magistrate Feng repeatedly lamented the many outstanding individuals in Sheng County. The guerrilla army is truly worthy of being the anti-Japanese armed force of Sheng County, and has brought honor to the military and civilians of Sheng County."

Feng Wannian began to praise the guerrilla army.

It lasted for ten minutes, and neither Wang Qiuyun nor Wei Hongjun responded, but he didn't feel embarrassed at all.

Wei Hongjun sneered.

This person spoke at length, seemingly praising the guerrilla army. But in fact, he kept avoiding the question: the Shengxian Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Army was an anti-Japanese armed force under the Eighth Route Army. If nothing else, just look at Wei Hongjun's position to know.

Political Commissar of Shengxian Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Army, this was a position that only existed in the Red Army in the past.

After the reorganization of the Eighth Route Army, the Nationalist government opposed the establishment of a political commissar position. Consequently, none of the Eighth Route Army's three divisions, nor any of their subordinate regiments, had political commissars. Instead, the responsibilities of political commissar were performed by deputy division commanders, deputy regimental commanders, or directors of the political department.

Of course, the Eighth Route Army has now begun to restore the post of political commissar.

But Feng Wannian has always avoided this topic, and always said intentionally or unintentionally that the Shengxian Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Army was a spontaneous anti-Japanese armed force among the people.

Want to blur the concept.

"Director Feng, have some tea."

While Feng Wannian was speaking, Wei Hongjun interrupted him.

Feng Wannian glanced down at the teacup on the table, coughed, and said, "The county magistrate is very satisfied with the performance of the guerrilla army and is planning to give it the designation of the Second Division of the Sheng County Anti-Japanese and National Salvation Army."

"Director Feng, why are you pretending to be confused?"

Wang Qiuyun no longer wanted to waste time talking to him.

Hearing Feng Wannian say that Feng Anmin wanted to reorganize them, he could no longer tolerate it. He sneered, "Feng Anmin, for a county magistrate, is quite ambitious. He previously created the First and Second Regiments of the National Salvation Army, and now he wants to create the Second Division of the National Salvation Army. Is he, a county magistrate, planning to lead two divisions?"

"Heroes should not get angry."

Feng Wannian wasn't angry at all, and continued smiling, "You two are both sensible people. What are your positions over there? I heard you were company-level officers there. If you accept the designation of the Second Division of the National Salvation Army, then our county magistrate can immediately telegraph the war zone headquarters to approve your appointment. That way, you won't be just company-level officers anymore. From now on, I'll address you both as generals."

Wang Qiuyun and Wei Hongjun couldn't help but smile.

This is to tempt the two of them with high positions and generous salaries.

Wang Qiuyun was about to say something when Wei Hongjun quietly tugged on his sleeve. He then spoke, "Director Feng, we're all capable of being fools. The theater headquarters has already crossed the river, and we're fighting behind enemy lines. The theater headquarters is so far away, what good would it do to give us a divisional designation, let alone an army designation? Can the theater headquarters even provide us with pay, weapons, and ammunition? Everything else is nonsense behind enemy lines. The troops we have are everything."

"Commander Wei, you underestimate the War Zone Command. Commander Yan has been in charge of Shanxi for over twenty years. How could he lose control of Shanxi just because of a single defeat? As long as your unit accepts our reorganization, we will provide you with military pay, weapons, and ammunition."

Seeing Feng Wannian full of confidence, Wei Hongjun immediately exchanged glances with Wang Qiuyun.

The two men immediately understood that Feng Anmin must have a large amount of funds, weapons and ammunition in his hands. Although they didn't know how they hid the money and weapons and ammunition, it was not a big deal.

What Feng Wannian said is very correct.

Yan Xishan ruled Shanxi for over twenty years, and at its peak, the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army boasted over 300,000 troops. While farming in Shanxi, Yan Xishan thrived in all aspects of his life, including his Taiyuan Arsenal, which produced a significant amount of weapons and ammunition.

Before the end of the Central Plains War, the Taiyuan Arsenal had produced 40,000 Shanxi-made submachine guns alone. The production of other rifles, light machine guns, heavy machine guns, and mortars was even greater. At its peak, Yan Xishan's arsenal not only met the needs of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army but also supplied other warlords. Even many of the servants of the landlords in Shanxi were equipped with Shanxi-made weapons.

Yan Xishan was the longest-serving warlord in the Republic of China. Therefore, no one could completely eliminate the preparations and deployments made by Yan Xishan and the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army in Shanxi.

There are even rumors that in order to defend Shanxi, Yan Xishan secretly built many arsenals in various places in Shanxi.

Once the outside troops enter Shanxi, the weapons in these arsenals will be activated.

But no matter whether these are true or not, Wang Qiuyun and Wei Hongjun both know that Feng Anmin does have good things in his hands.

Now that he knew, Wei Hongjun stopped pretending and said directly, "We two have no interest in these numbers.

Director Feng, if there is nothing else, please go back."

Feng Wannian frowned.

How come Wei Hongjun's attitude changed so quickly?

He seemed to have some ideas at first, but how did it change in the blink of an eye? If it weren't for the mission, Feng Wannian would not want to talk to these two peasants at all. So he suppressed his temper and said, "You two, then you can go back and think about this matter. But there is one thing that requires your cooperation."

"Please say."

"The county seat is where the county government is located. County Magistrate Feng sent me here to move the county government from Beiling Village to the county seat."

"That's great. Just move here. I'll have our people withdraw from the county government and other government departments, and you just move."

"This……"

Feng Wannian was stunned.

It was unclear whether this peasant truly didn't understand or was doing it on purpose. Feng Wannian was furious, but remembering his purpose, he could only calm himself down. Then he said calmly, "You two, I'll be frank. County Magistrate Feng means that your troops should withdraw from the county and hand it over to the First and Second Regiments of the National Salvation Army."

"Why?"

Wang Qiuyun replied directly.

Wei Hongjun did the same, saying bluntly, "We captured this county. Why should we give it to the National Salvation Army just because of a word from County Magistrate Feng? That doesn't make sense."

"You two, this is the period of the Kuomintang-Communist cooperation in the fight against Japan. Our County Magistrate Feng was appointed by Commander Yan himself, and the National Salvation Army is a unit recognized by the War Zone Headquarters. No matter what unit your unit is, you must obey the orders of Commander Yan and the War Zone Headquarters."

Feng Wannian's tone began to become tough.

However, their tone became tougher, which made Wei Hongjun even happier. Since they had already torn their faces apart, they should just say whatever they wanted. So Wei Hongjun said directly: "My Eighth Route Army troops are fighting behind enemy lines and conducting guerrilla warfare independently.

Especially for guerrillas like us, who are far away from the main force. It's difficult for us to contact our own superiors. As for Commander Yan and the war zone commander, they are too far away from us. Do you think we care about them?

Seeing Wei Hongjun speak like this, Feng Wannian became a little anxious.

Seeing Feng Wannian's anxiety, Wei Hongjun knew that Feng Anmin was eager to enter the county town. So Wei Hongjun said, "Giving this county town to the National Salvation Army is not a big deal. We are used to living in the countryside, and we are not used to entering the city out of the blue."

"Commander Wei, are you willing to withdraw from the county?"

Feng Wannian came to life.

But Wei Hongjun shrugged and said, "There's no problem retreating. But we suffered so many casualties just to capture the county. How can I explain to my troops if we just leave like this?"

"What does Commander Wei mean?"

"Give me five hundred rifles, long or short, but no broken ones with worn-out grooves. Also, thirty thousand rounds of 6.5mm ammunition, and five thousand silver dollars so I can provide compensation for the wounded and killed. Once you have the guns and the money, we will withdraw immediately."

"Commander Wei, this is asking for too much."

"Just go back and convey our message. Show him out."

Chapter 054 Feng Anmin

"Commander, Political Commissar, are you really going to give the county town to Feng Anmin? We conquered it with great difficulty."

After seeing Feng Wannian off, Li Shiping came back in a hurry.

He was really too anxious.

Although both the Red Army and the Eighth Route Army developed in the countryside, cities still had the most talent and supplies. This time, the guerrilla army captured the county town and gained so much. Just look at all that material stuff. If they had been staying in the countryside, where would they have gotten so much?

Apart from anything else, the capture of the county seat sent shockwaves throughout Sheng County. Without even a mobilization, countless young men eagerly enlisted. Even before Li Shiping had even begun to exert much effort, hundreds of young men had signed up. Many of them were educated.

Moreover, there are many businesses in the county town and they are well-informed.

How can I give it to Feng Anmin?

"You have to give in when you should."

Wei Hongjun nodded.

Li Shiping said angrily, "Feng Anmin has been hiding in Beiling Village and hasn't fought a single battle. Why should he want the county seat? We should give it up to him."

"He was the county magistrate appointed by Yan Xishan, and the National Salvation Army was a unit recognized by the war zone headquarters."

Although Wei Hongjun spoke harshly to Feng Anmin's men, stating that the Eighth Route Army was an independent guerrilla force, at this stage, cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party was still fundamental. If cadres of Wang Qiuyun and Wei Hongjun's rank truly undermined this cooperation, the charge would be a serious one.

Besides, there are currently serious disputes within the party.

Some leaders shouted "Everything for the Anti-Japanese War" and "Obey the Anti-Japanese United Front," demanding that the Eighth Route Army obey the orders of the Nationalist Army, directly attacking the Chairman's proposal for independent and self-reliant mountain guerrilla warfare. This view was supported by more than just one or two leaders.

If a firefight broke out between his own troops and the National Salvation Army, the war zone would label the guerrillas as rebels. Some leaders within the party might even demand severe punishment for the two men.

“And there’s no benefit in staying in the county.”

Wang Qiuyun added.

Pointing to the map, he said, "After Commander Nie established the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region, the Eighth Route Army's anti-Japanese activities behind enemy lines will intensify. These towns around Fuping will be threatened by our Eighth Route Army. Even with the strength of Commander Nie's troops, these surrounding counties are likely to fall into the hands of our Eighth Route Army. The Japanese army previously diverted too many troops to fight the Battle of Xinkou and the Battle of Taiyuan. There are simply not many soldiers in the rear to stop the main force of our Eighth Route Army. Now that they have driven the large forces of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army west of the Yellow River, they will inevitably respond to what is happening in the rear. I estimate that within a month or two, the Japanese army will definitely send troops to wipe out our Eighth Route Army."

Wang Qiuyun expressed her opinion.

"The commander is right. The Japanese army has few troops in the northeastern and southeastern Shanxi regions. Look at us, a unit that was formed less than two months ago, and we were able to capture a county town. With the main force of the 115th Division under Commander Nie, it is not easy to capture several county towns. However, the location of the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region poses a great threat to the Japanese army's transportation lines. They will not watch our Eighth Route Army continue to grow and develop, and will definitely sweep Jin-Cha-Ji. We happened to capture the county town, and we are estimated to be among the Japanese army's targets. When the Japanese army sends troops into Sheng County, the county town will be the first target.

If we stay in the county, we will have to fight the Japanese army face to face. This is not our strength. We might as well take advantage of this opportunity to evacuate the county and give it to Feng Anmin. Doesn't he want the county? Let's give it to him. It's a good opportunity to get some benefits from them."

Wang Qiuyun and Wei Hongjun have been partners for so many years and have a very good understanding in many aspects.

The Red Army and the Eighth Route Army relied on the countryside for their development. After occupying a city, it's still possible to gather supplies.

Staying in the city all year round is of no benefit to the development of the Eighth Route Army.

Fight a positional war with the Japanese army?

The guerrilla army now numbered over a thousand men and appeared strong. However, if they engaged in a positional battle with the Japanese, they would not be able to defeat even a squadron of less than two hundred men. Positional warfare was not the Eighth Route Army's forte.

Especially now that the Eighth Route Army is expanding rapidly, many of them are new recruits. If new recruits are asked to fight positional warfare, they will die without knowing how they died.

We still need to give full play to the strengths of the Eighth Route Army.

Fighting guerrilla warfare was a way to train new recruits and improve the combat effectiveness of the troops. When necessary, ambushes were launched to annihilate the Japanese troops' active forces, seize weapons and ammunition, and replenish logistical supplies. Once the Eighth Route Army had sufficient heavy weapons, they could then launch offensive offensives.

"If Feng Anmin wants to retake the county by force, I also want to see the combat effectiveness of the National Salvation Army troops he recruited. Didn't he successively establish the First and Second National Salvation Army Regiments? Let's see their quality."

Although he had to give up the county town, Wang Qiuyun was still unhappy.

If Feng Anmin really didn't care, Wang Qiuyun was not afraid to fight with them.

"Can they really give us weapons, ammunition and money?"