Rebirth: I am in Jin-Cha-Ji

After the Second and Third Armies broke through, Pang Bingxun in Baoding announced that he had signed an armistice agreement with the Japanese army. Soon after, the Wang Puppet Government appointed Pang Bingxun as the commander-in-chief of the temporary 24th Army Group of the Wang Puppet Government and the director of the Baoding Pacification.

The North China Front Army also promised Pang Bingxun to support him with weapons and ammunition. They also agreed to Pang Bingxun's request that Pang Bingxun only cooperate with the Japanese army to attack the Eighth Route Army and would not cooperate with the Japanese army to attack the National Army.

Naosaburo Okabe didn't care about Pang Bingxun's condition.

Because in North China today, the main enemy is the Eighth Route Army. As long as Pang Bingxun is willing to cooperate with the Japanese army to attack the Eighth Route Army, then he will support Pang Bingxun.

After accepting the appointment, Pang Bingxun, acting as the Baoding Pacification Director, quickly gathered his troops and gathered all the surrounding traitorous forces, both large and small, under his Provisional 24th Army. Pang Bingxun welcomed all the puppet guards and bandits who came to him. He gave them designations and made them affiliated with the Provisional 24th Army. As a result, Pang Bingxun's Provisional 24th Army quickly grew to 37000 men, becoming the largest and most powerful puppet army in Hebei.

It can be said that in this battle, the national army troops north of the Yellow River suffered heavy losses.

只有武士敏的98军在山西，硬生生的打下了晋城。歼灭37师团1700人的留守部队，以及周围日军守备部队和伪军部队2000人左右。晋城战役歼灭日伪军近4000人。

It became the most glorious battle of this campaign.

However, despite such heavy casualties, Chiang Kai-shek did not feel embarrassed.

On the contrary, he became more and more confident about the situation in Hebei. In particular, through Pang Bingxun, he understood the attitudes of the puppet troops and bandits in Hebei.

The situation here was a mess, but it did not affect Wei Hongjun's affairs. Wei Hongjun explained the situation clearly and was responsible for forming a supplementary brigade. Then, he led the 35th Regiment and began his journey to Yan'an.

Chapter 531 Representatives of Shanxi, Chahar and Hebei

Wei Hongjun brought the 35th Regiment to Zhangjiakou on May 1943, 5.

When Wei Hongjun arrived, he saw a representative from the Jizhong Military Region. This was Luo Renfa, Wei Hongjun's former leader, currently serving as the deputy political commissar and director of the political department of the Jizhong Military Region. It was Luo Renfa who accompanied Marshal Nie to Yan'an.

Just as in history, Yang Quanwu selected his most elite main force regiment to follow Luo Renfa to Yan'an.

"Comrade Wei Hongjun."

Luo Renfa knew Wei Hongjun was coming and had been waiting outside for him. The moment he saw Wei Hongjun, he immediately stepped forward and extended his hand to shake his hand. He didn't address Wei Hongjun by name as usual. Instead, he politely called him "Comrade Wei Hongjun."

"Old leader, you are too polite."

After shaking hands, Wei Hongjun immediately saluted Luo Renfa.

Luo Renfa taught Wei Hongjun and others how to use a gun, and he was the one who brought Wei Hongjun into the revolutionary ranks.

"This time we're following the Commander to Yan'an, and you'll be one of the representatives of our Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region, as well as your Hebei-Rehe-Cha Military Region. You're no longer the company instructor of the Eighth Route Army before the troops crossed the Yellow River, but the Deputy Political Commissar of the Hebei-Rehe-Cha Military Region. You must understand this. After arriving in Yan'an, your old leaders will be everywhere. You'll have to address the cadres from western Fujian, the First Red Division, and the First Red Army Corps as 'Old Commander.' But you're now the Deputy Political Commissar, the Acting Political Commissar, of the Hebei-Rehe-Cha Military Region, and you must understand your position."

Luo Renfa approached Wei Hongjun and spoke to him in a low voice.

Wei Hongjun immediately became serious.

Wei Hongjun understood Luo Renfa's meaning. Wang Qiuyun and Wei Hongjun, despite their relatively young experience, had only served at the battalion level in the Red Army before the reorganization of the Anti-Japanese War troops. But this didn't mean they had a short military history; on the contrary, they were genuine veterans, simply having joined at a young age.

Wei Hongjun and his comrades joined the Red Guards organized by Luo Renfa in the spring of 1929. This unit was soon incorporated into the Fourth Column of the Red Fourth Army and continued to fight with the army. Therefore, for Wang Qiuyun and Wei Hongjun, the veteran leaders in the army were numerous.

This was the situation during my trip to Yan'an.

In Yan'an, there were many cadres from the First Red Army Corps and the First Red Division, as well as many former cadres from western Fujian. It could even be said that any cadre picked up in Yan'an could be a former leader of Wei Hongjun. If Wei Hongjun himself lacked confidence, then in Yan'an, when he met so many old leaders, he would be speechless.

Knowing this, Luo Renfa whispered to Wei Hongjun. Wei Hongjun was now the acting political commissar of the Ji-Re-Cha Military Region, and his rank was even higher than Luo Renfa's.

Luo Renfa was just giving Wei Hongjun a gentle reminder.

The two people quickly separated.

"Director Luo."

Wei Hongjun immediately changed the way he called it.

Luo Renfa smiled faintly. Yang Quanwu and Luo Renfa were both very worried about Wei Hongjun's trip to Yan'an. Yang Quanwu, in particular, had offended too many people in the First Division. After the establishment of the First Division of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Region, Yang Quanwu had partnered with many people, many of whom were cadres with equal experience, yet none of them could remain in the First Division. This was because Yang Quanwu was "dictatorial and dictatorial" in the First Division, and he had absolute control over everything.

These cadres, unable to defeat Yang Quanwu in the First Division, and even in the Jin-Cha-Ji region, were filled with resentment. After being transferred to other units, they naturally had nothing good to say about Yang Quanwu. Not to mention others, even Deng Guo and Huang Yong, both former members of the Independent Regiment and the First Division, had a difficult relationship with Yang Quanwu. Fortunately, Marshal Nie intervened, and since their interests no longer conflicted, they were able to maintain their relationship.

However, many cadres who left Jin-Cha-Ji had nothing good to say about Yang Quanwu.

This time, when Wei Hongjun went to Yan'an to participate in the Yan'an Rectification Movement, Yang Quanwu was worried that those people would not be able to reach Yang Quanwu and would target Wei Hongjun. As for Marshal Nie, he did not consider it.

Yang Quanwu doesn't think Marshal Nie will be criticized.

Given Marshal Nie's qualifications and status, as well as the current achievements of Jin-Cha-Ji, Yang Quanwu did not think there was anything to criticize about Marshal Nie.

The main concern was Wei Hongjun. His experience within the Party and the military was too shallow. That's why they allowed him to establish himself, telling him he was no longer a battalion-level officer from the Red Army era, but the acting political commissar of the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region. In terms of rank, many of Wei Hongjun's former superiors were now inferior to him.

"Director Luo, this is Comrade Song Zhiyuan, Deputy Commander of the 35th Brigade and Commander of the 35th Regiment. The Military Region had originally planned to transfer Comrade Song Zhiyuan to serve in the region, but this time, to protect the Party Central Committee, they asked Comrade Song Zhiyuan to personally lead the 35th Regiment to Yan'an. This is Comrade Wu Guangming, the Political Commissar of the 35th Regiment, and this is Comrade Ma Changgeng, the Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the th Regiment."

The military district is really planning to transfer Song Zhiyuan to the military district.

The main plan was to have him take charge of the military training department. However, because the 35th Regiment was chosen to go to Yan'an, the appointment was postponed. Song Zhiyuan was allowed to lead the troops to Yan'an.

At this time, a man came out from behind Luo Renfa and saluted Wei Hongjun, saying, "Hello, Political Commissar."

"Are you leading the regiment?"

"Yes."

"Okay, okay." Wei Hongjun nodded repeatedly.

The predecessor of the Independent Regiment was the 1st Red Division, and the predecessor of the 1st Battalion of the Independent Regiment was the 1st Red Regiment, which is now the main force of the Hebei-Central Military Region. This is the Autumn Harvest Uprising unit that was truly of red origin after the Sanwan Reorganization.

The one who is leading this army to Yan'an is Tao Laifeng.

Wei Hongjun hadn't seen Tao Laifeng in a long time. The two had been comrades for many years, having been together during the Long March. Wei Hongjun was the battalion instructor, and Tao Laifeng was the company commander.

Now Tao Laifeng is the commander of the main force regiment of the Hebei-Central Military Region.

The value of this team leader is very high.

Wei Hongjun was very happy for Tao Laifeng.

If things went smoothly, Tao Laifeng, as the commander of the main regiment, would have been a natural choice for divisional commander during the Liberation War, barring any major setbacks. If he had progressed well, especially if he performed well, a promotion to army commander during the Liberation War wouldn't have been impossible. Of course, even if he hadn't achieved that title, Tao Laifeng's long service history made him a veteran Red Army soldier. Therefore, even if he hadn't achieved the position of deputy army commander or division commander, he could have easily become a founding major general.

But I was quite confused.

Wei Hongjun knew that Kong De had previously been the commander of the main 1st Regiment. Later, when the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region established the 5th Brigade, Kong De became the political commissar of the 5th Brigade.

Later I heard that the commander of the first regiment was not Tao Laifeng.

Tao Laifeng's style is stability.

But under Yang Quanwu, the First Regiment had always been the main offensive force, so why would he appoint Tao Laifeng as its leader? However, with Tao Laifeng as the leader, given his steady character, the First Regiment wouldn't have any problems. Tao Laifeng might not be as sharp in offensive battles as others, but he was an expert in defensive battles.

"Director Luo, which troops did the military district mobilize this time?"

"In addition to our two families, the Jilu Military Region has dispatched two regiments, the Yanbei Military Region has dispatched six regiments, and the total number of military regions dispatched is 2 regiments."

“These are all veteran troops of our independent regiment.

Wei Hongjun blurted out.

In addition to the main 35st and 38th Regiments, the 2th Regiment transferred by the military region was an old unit of the th Column. The nd Regiment transferred by the Hebei-Shandong Military Region was the main nd Regiment that the st Division gave to the rd Division.

Back then, the Third Division was in dire straits, developing slowly and failing to play a significant role in Hebei. Consequently, the military district intervened, and Marshal Nie decided to exchange the Second Regiment of the First Division for the Tenth Battalion of the Third Division. While in the First Division, the Second Regiment was its primary force in Yanbei. It was the primary force resisting Japanese forces approaching from Taiyuan and Datong. Normally, it also coordinated with the 2th Division, having achieved remarkable feats during its time in the First Division.

Later, after arriving at the Third Division, the 2nd Regiment became the main force of the Third Division because it had no main force. Unexpectedly, after the Third Division was expanded into the Hebei-Shandong Military Region, it was strong and did not need the 2nd Regiment to support it.

The 6th Regiment of the Yanbei Military Region and the current 11th Regiment of the Jireliao Military Region were both the 11rd Regiment of the main force that was taken from the 11st Division when the Pingxi Detachment was established. The 6rd Regiment of the main force was transferred to the Jireliao Advance Army and became the th Regiment. Later, when the th Military Sub-District was established in the Jinchaji region, the th Regiment was split into two, and the one in the th Division became the th Regiment.

In other words, the Jin-Cha-Ji troops that went to Yan'an this time consisted of the 35th and 38th Regiments of the former th Column, as well as the st, nd, and rd Regiments, the main forces of the st Division. In short, they were all troops from the st Division. The officers above them were basically all from the independent regiments.

"Can you say such things casually?"

Luo Renfa gently reprimanded Wei Hongjun.

Although Wei Hongjun is now of a higher rank, Luo Renfa can still speak like this because of the relationship between the two.

Yang Quanwu had offended so many people over the years, and when the Rectification Movement began, countless people wanted to punish him. However, Marshal Nie had been mediating over the years, so nothing went wrong.

But Yang Quanwu has been labeled as a "warlord", "factionalist", and "sectarian".

Although the troops that went to Yan'an this time were indeed all from the First Division, and were the descendants of the former Independent Regiment, it was still not the case. Wei Hongjun nodded, realizing that what he had just said was indeed somewhat inappropriate.

So he immediately changed the subject and asked, "What about the other troops?

"They will follow later. Comrade Sun Yi will be in charge of the remaining troops. This time, the 35st Regiment, the 38th Regiment, and the th Regiment will follow the commander to Yan'an first."

"Ah."

As Luo Renfa walked, he introduced the current situation to Wei Hongjun.

After all, Wei Hongjun was a high-ranking cadre who rose to prominence during the Anti-Japanese War and didn't know much about many things. But Luo Renfa had experienced a lot, so he explained a lot about the current situation to Wei Hongjun.

When we arrived at the military district headquarters, Marshal Nie had already walked out.

Marshal Nie, upon seeing Wei Hongjun, addressed him formally, "Comrade Wei Hongjun, you've worked hard on this journey." Wei Hongjun understood that both Luo Renfa and Marshal Nie had helped him adjust to his new role before leaving for Yan'an. He was deeply grateful to both Marshal Nie and Luo Renfa, his old leaders.

If they hadn't warned him about his status beforehand, Wei Hongjun might have developed the mentality of a battalion-level officer from the Red Army era upon arriving in Yan'an. But now, Wei Hongjun was the acting political commissar of the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region, a high-ranking official within the Party and the military.

Therefore, Wei Hongjun saluted Marshal Nie and said, "Wei Hongjun, the acting political commissar of the Hebei-Rehe-Chahar Military Region, reports to the commander."

Marshal Nie smiled slightly.

He returned the salute to Wei Hongjun and said, "Comrades, thank you for your hard work. Let the troops rest and we will set off in two days."

"Yes."

Chapter 532

During this period, Marshal Nie also began to arrange the work of the military region.

The Central Committee sent Marshal Nie back to Yan'an, but still appointed him as Secretary of the Jin-Cha-Ji Branch Bureau and Commander and Political Commissar of the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region. During Marshal Nie's absence from the military region, Comrade Luo Qirong served as Acting Secretary of the Jin-Cha-Yi Branch Bureau. On the military region side, Comrade Cheng Zhihua served as Acting Commander of the Jin-Cha-Yi Military Region, while Comrade Luo Qirong served as Political Commissar of the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region.

The only people who accompanied Marshal Nie to Yan'an this time were Luo Renfa and Wei Hongjun, in addition to some staff members around him, such as Zheng Tianxiang, who worked as Marshal Nie's secretary and had been doing propaganda work in Jin-Cha-Ji.

After Wei Hongjun arrived, Marshal Nie held a meeting with Wei Hongjun and Luo Renfa.

The main discussion was about the route to Yan'an.

Because the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region and the Jin-Sui Military Region had conquered Guisui, the connection between the two regions was completely opened. There were not many enemies on the way to Yan'an, and there was not much danger.

But Marshal Nie still had to plan the safest and most suitable route. Wei Hongjun and Luo Renfa were both veterans of the war, and the three regiments accompanying Marshal Nie to Yan'an this time—the main force of the 35st Regiment of the Hebei-Central Military Region, the 38th Regiment of the Hebei-Rehe-Chahar Military Region, and the th Regiment sent by the military region—were all Luo Renfa and Wei Hongjun's old units.

That's why Marshal Nie discussed it with the two of them.

There isn't much controversy.

The troops departed from Zhangjiakou and took a train to Guisui. Disembarking at Guisui, they headed south to Yulin. Yulin was home to both Nationalist and Eighth Route Army troops. However, the current Nationalist leader in Yulin was Deng Baoshan, who had strong ties with Yan'an. Therefore, this route was very safe.

After passing Yulin, one enters the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region. From Yulin, heading south, one can reach Yan'an.

Much easier than before.

In the past, troops going to Yan'an had to cross the Tongpu Road and fight many battles with the Japanese and puppet troops along the way before they could enter the Jinsui Military Region. But now, with Zhangjiakou, Jining, and Guisui, the road to Yan'an is directly connected.

The three of them held a small meeting and decided that Marshal Nie would be responsible for all matters related to the trip to Yan'an. However, Marshal Nie was the overall responsible person, and the specific work was handed over to Wei Hongjun and Luo Renfa.