Chapter 289: No Longer An Ordinary Militia
At the moment when machines on various battlefields outside Taiyuan City were operating at high speed and entering the final pre-battle preparation phase, the atmosphere inside the militia headquarters in Wuta County was equally tense to the extreme.
Staff officers shuttled back and forth between the huge sand table and maps, with telephone bells and the “beep-beep” sounds of telegraph machines rising and falling one after another, forming the unique rhythm of the eve of war.
Su Yaoyang and Bai Chongxi stood side by side in front of the sand table, simulating all possible counterattack methods by Shono Yoshio and formulating corresponding contingency plans.
Although they had initially gained air superiority and begun transporting artillery to the front lines, Taiyuan was after all the core of Japanese rule in Shanxi, with solid city defenses and strong forces; any trace of carelessness could lead to catastrophic consequences. Their greatest concern was always the shortage of infantry forces during the assault on the city.
It must be known that the main force responsible for Taiyuan’s defense was now the Japanese 36th Division, which, although a Class B division, was rich in combat experience and, relying on Taiyuan for operations, had convenient weapon resupply; it was absolutely a tough nut to crack.
Moreover, according to air reconnaissance reports, the 27th Division stationed in Hejian and the Independent Mixed 7th Brigade stationed in Zhangjiakou had already set out, expected to arrive in Taiyuan within five or six days, at which time they would have to face two divisions plus one independent mixed brigade simultaneously; the pressure would be immense.
At that moment, a signals staff officer holding a just-decoded telegram hurried in, his face showing irrepressible excitement.
“Commander-in-Chief, Commander Bai!”
He stood at attention and handed over the telegram, “Telegram from Eighth Route Army Headquarters!”
Bai Chongxi took the telegram and leaned over with Su Yaoyang to read it. The text on the telegram was not long, but its content instantly lit up the eyes of the two commanders.
The telegram was from Eighth Route Army Headquarters, with simple content: To cooperate with friendly forces in recapturing the SX provincial capital, Eighth Route Army Headquarters decides to dispatch the 386th Brigade under its command to immediately proceed to Wuta County to assist the Shanxi militia in jointly participating in the Taiyuan offensive campaign; if forces are insufficient, both sides can discuss increasing them as appropriate.
“Great!”
After reading it, Bai Chongxi, usually so steady, could no longer suppress his inner joy and slapped his palm hard, “This is really a timely help… Mingxi, we were just worrying about insufficient assault forces, and the 386th Brigade has come knocking! This is one of the best-fighting units in the Eighth Route Army; with them, our chances of taking Taiyuan have increased by at least twenty percent!”
A smile also appeared on Su Yaoyang’s face.
He knew full well how important a battle-hardened and tenacious unit like the 386th Brigade was in complex mountainous siege warfare. This was not just a supplement in numbers, but a huge boost in combat power.
“Jian Gong is absolutely right.”
He nodded and made a decisive decision, “For us, anyone who can fight the Japanese is a good brother! Immediately send a reply telegram to Eighth Route Army Headquarters!”
He turned to the signals staff officer: “The telegram reads: We thank your army for its great righteousness; our unit agrees and warmly welcomes the 386th Brigade to come for joint operations.
Please have your unit immediately send troops in succession to enter Wuta County for rest and reorganization; all weapons, ammunition, food, clothing, and other military supplies will be provided and supplied by our Shanxi militia! Whatever is needed, we will provide!”
“Yes!” The signals staff officer excitedly saluted and turned to dash away.
Bai Chongxi looked at Su Yaoyang, a complex yet admiring light flashing in his eyes.
He hadn’t expected Su Yaoyang to be so generous, even taking full responsibility for military supplies. To dare make such a promise required absolute confidence in one’s own logistics capabilities.
“Mingxi, this time you’ve really gone all out.”
Bai Chongxi sighed, “But this deal is worth it. With the 386th Brigade assisting from the flank, Shono Yoshio’s days will be even harder!”
Eighth Route Army Headquarters, in a simple civilian house command post, the oil lamp’s light illuminated the huge operations map on the wall.
He stood up, paced two steps in front of the map, and his tone became serious.
“Immediately send a telegram to the 386th Brigade, have them enter Wuta County in batches according to the original plan, replenish supplies, and familiarize themselves with the defense zones. Also, emphasize one point especially!”
He turned back sharply, his gaze sharp as an eagle, “After entering Wuta County and areas controlled by the Shanxi militia, all units must strictly abide by our army’s military discipline.
Do not take even a needle or thread from the masses, and do not allow any active conflicts with friendly forces.
Whoever dares to cause trouble for me at this critical juncture and damage the Eighth Route Army’s reputation, no matter who they are or how high their rank, I will punish them severely! No mercy!”
“Yes!”
The deputy chief of staff immediately straightened up and turned to draft the telegram.
The radio waves pierced the sky and soon reached the 386th Brigade, which was marching rapidly on the rugged mountain roads of the Taihang Mountains.
Brigade headquarters
The brigade commander, who was convening all his political commissars, received the telegram from headquarters and said solemnly to the more than ten regiment commanders and political commissars below who were staring at him eagerly: “Headquarters leaders have formally approved our request, and the Shanxi militia has also sent a telegram agreeing to our entry into Wuta County for resupply.
Su Yaoyang said they will provide whatever we need!”
At this point, he deliberately turned his gaze to a regiment commander beside him who was grinning widely with excitement all over his face.
“Additionally, I reiterate the importance of military discipline to all units!”
The brigade commander’s voice was not loud, but it carried an intangible authority, “Especially…”
He paused, his gaze nailing down on that regiment commander like a nail, “Especially you… Li Yunlong.”
Li Yunlong, who was fantasizing about how much equipment and canned beef he could get in Wuta County, froze his smile upon hearing this, stuck out his neck, and grumbled discontentedly:
“Hey, brigade commander, what do you mean by that? Why single out old Li again?
With so many people in the brigade, does old Li look like the undisciplined one? When have I ever caused you trouble?”
His rogue-like demeanor almost made the brigade commander laugh in anger.
Before the brigade commander could get angry, Political Commissar Zhao Gang standing beside Li Yunlong pushed up his glasses and advised: “Old Li, the brigade commander says this for your own good, for the good of our independent regiment.
This time we’re cooperating with the Shanxi militia in combat; we represent the face of the entire Eighth Route Army.
The Shanxi militia is wealthy and well-equipped; we’re going as guests and even more as comrades-in-arms.
Military discipline can never be overemphasized.
You’d better put away those little thoughts of yours; if you dare pull any ‘pilfering’ tricks, forget the brigade commander—I won’t agree first!”
“Go go go…”
Li Yunlong waved his hand impatiently, muttering, “Is old Li that kind of person? Political commissar, you scholar, you just have too many ideas… I’m just thinking,
This Commander Su is so generous; we can’t go empty-handed, right? If we capture a few more Japanese Type 92 infantry guns and give them to him as a meeting gift, that’s not violating discipline—that’s reciprocity!”
Hearing Li Yunlong say he would give away those few Type 92 infantry guns he treasured like babies as a “meeting gift” to Su Yaoyang, Zhao Gang’s prepared speech was instantly choked back, and he nearly followed in the brigade commander’s footsteps, almost laughing in anger at this blockhead.
Before he could speak, another regiment commander nearby, Kong Jie of the New Second Regiment, couldn’t help bursting into loud, hearty laughter.
“Old Li… I mean Old Li… did I hear that right?”
Kong Jie, sitting next to Li Yunlong, laughed so hard he doubled over, pointing at Li Yunlong, “You’re going to give those Type 92 infantry guns you captured with great difficulty to Commander Su as a meeting gift? My goodness, what a weighty gift!”
He changed tack, his teasing even thicker: “In my view, you’d do better to give him that broken command saber you captured from the Japanese lieutenant officer.
What kind of background does Commander Su have?
Would he even look at those broken cannons? Maybe if you give him a saber, he’ll be so pleased he’ll give you two 105mm howitzers in return!”
“Hahahahaha…”
As soon as Kong Jie said this, the surrounding fellow regiment commanders and political commissars all burst into laughter.
The simple meeting room was filled with cheerful air.
New First Regiment Commander Ding Wei also held back his laughter, patted Li Yunlong’s shoulder, and said earnestly:
“Old Li… Old Kong’s words are rough, but the reasoning isn’t.
Put away those little schemes of yours. Although we haven’t dealt with this Commander Su before, from his past exploits—fighting Nanjing, fighting Xuzhou, and now Taiyuan—which one isn’t a earth-shaking grand move?
From these, this Commander Su is absolutely a man who distinguishes clear grudges and is bold and generous.”
Ding Wei’s eyes sparkled: “Since he’s already replied by telegram promising to cover all our ammunition consumption during the operation, there’s no reason he would go back on his word.
So, you don’t need to play those useless little tricks.
The things you want, those good weapons and ammo, he will naturally prepare everything for you without you saying.
What we need to do now is show our true skills, not play petty smart.”
Squeezed by his old comrades’ words one after another, Li Yunlong’s dark face turned bright red; he waved his hand sullenly, stuck out his neck, and stubbornly said: “Go go go… you all know nothing!
This is called courtesy! Called building rapport! Not as dirty as you make it sound. Is old Li the kind of person who takes petty advantages?”
This remark drew even louder laughter from those around.
On June 6, after two days of forced marching, the dusty 386th Brigade finally arrived at the border of Wuta County.
When the vanguard troops’ soldiers, dragging their weary steps, came down from the last rugged mountain ridge and stepped onto flat ground, the entire column seemed to be frozen in place, all stopping their steps simultaneously.
Everyone was completely stunned by the scene before them.
In front of them was no longer the familiar pitted, dusty yellow dirt road.
In its place was a flat, wide, high-grade gray cement road.
This road was so wide that the soldiers subconsciously estimated that even six large trucks driving side by side would have plenty of room.
The road surface was smooth and clean, gleaming with a solid sheen in the sunlight, in stark contrast to the mud-caked cloth shoes on their feet.
And along both sides of the road was an incredibly prosperous scene they could hardly believe.
In the endless fields, corn, potatoes, and sorghum were densely planted.
The crops were thriving, a lush green expanse full of vitality. From time to time, farmers in clean clothes with ruddy complexions could be seen leisurely tending their crops in the fields; upon seeing this large army, they showed no panic but instead smiled kindly and waved from afar.
The entire column fell into an eerie silence, with only heavy breathing and the rustling of wind through the crops.
“My goodness!”
A signature loud voice broke the tranquility. Li Yunlong’s eyes bulged, his mouth agape enough to fit an egg; he pointed at the cement road underfoot and shouted incredulously, “They… they actually used cement to build roads?
This is too damn wasteful!
Even the landlords and rich folks don’t squander like this!”
It must be known that in China of this era, cement was a very precious scarce commodity.
Not to mention the Eighth Route Army—even the Japanese army used it as a strategic material for building the most important bunkers and fortifications.
Forget roads—even for building houses, they were reluctant to use it. Now seeing Su Yaoyang using it to pave a grand avenue stretching who knows how far, this completely overturned Li Yunlong’s worldview.
Political Commissar Zhao Gang standing beside him didn’t shout out like him, but behind those thick glasses, his eyes also flickered with unconcealable shock.
He adjusted his glasses, looking at this orderly and thriving scene; the impact on his heart was no less than Li Yunlong’s, if not more. This was no longer simply explainable by “having money”; it represented a terrifying industrial and organizational capability.
At the rear of the column, the brigade commander and Wang Political Commissar on horseback also saw this scene.
Their expressions shifted from initial surprise to deep emotion and solemnity.
He reined in his horse and said softly to Political Commissar Wang beside him: “It seems this Shanxi militia is… far wealthier than we imagined. This is no ordinary civilian armed force anymore.”
“Yes!”
Wang Political Commissar nodded: “We need to write a letter to headquarters about this, suggesting increased cooperation with the Shanxi militia; it will be very helpful for our cause.”
“Yes, it seems we all underestimated the Shanxi militia and this Commander Su.” He also sighed.
