Chapter 285: 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 stage, the atmosphere inside the militia headquarters in Wuta County was also 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 remained 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, though 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 aerial 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 point they would have to face two divisions plus one independent mixed brigade simultaneously—the pressure would be immense.
At that moment, a cipher staff officer hurriedly entered holding a just-decoded telegram, his face showing uncontainable excitement.
“Commander, Chief 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 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 and assist the Shanxi militia in jointly participating in the Taiyuan offensive campaign. If forces are insufficient, both sides can discuss adding more as appropriate.
“Excellent!”
After reading it, Bai Chongxi, usually so steady, could no longer contain his inner joy and slapped his palm hard. “This is like sending charcoal in snowy weather… Mingxi, we were just worrying about insufficient assault forces, and the 386th Brigade delivers itself to our door! It’s 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, 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 decisively. “For us, anyone who can fight the Japanese is a good brother! Immediately send a reply to Eighth Route Army Headquarters!”
He turned to the cipher staff officer: “The telegram reads: We thank your army for its great righteousness. Our unit agrees and warmly welcomes the 386th Brigade to come cooperate in combat.
Please have your unit send troops in succession to enter Wuta County for rest and replenishment. All weapons, ammunition, food, clothing, and other military supplies will be supplied by our Shanxi militia! Whatever is needed, we provide!”
“Yes!” The cipher staff officer excitedly saluted and dashed 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 on all military supplies. To make such a promise required absolute confidence in one’s own logistics capabilities.
“Mingxi, this time you’ve really gone all in.”
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 commandeered civilian house command post, the oil lamp’s glow illuminated the huge operations map on the wall.
He stood up, paced two steps in front of the map, his tone turning serious.
“Immediately send a telegram to the 386th Brigade, have them enter Wuta County in batches as per the original plan, replenish supplies, and familiarize themselves with the defense zones. Also, emphasize one point especially!”
He turned 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 discipline and conduct.
Do not take even a needle or thread from the masses, and absolutely no initiating 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 urgently on the rugged roads of the Taihang Mountains.
Brigade headquarters
The brigade commander, who was holding a meeting with all his political commissars, received the telegram from headquarters and said solemnly to the more than ten regiment commanders and political commissars below looking 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 replenishment.
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 carried an intangible authority. “Especially…”
He paused, his gaze nailing onto that regiment commander like a spike. “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 mad, 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.
Discipline issues can’t be overemphasized.
You’d better put away those little thoughts of yours. If you dare pull any ‘pilfering’ stunts, forget the brigade commander—I won’t agree first!”
“Go away, go away…”
Li Yunlong waved his hand impatiently, muttering, “Is old Li that kind of person? Commissar, you scholar, you just have too many schemes… 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, send them as a meeting gift—that’s not violating discipline, that’s reciprocity!”
Hearing Li Yunlong say he would give away those precious Type 92 infantry guns he’d been cherishing like treasures as a “meeting gift” to Su Yaoyang, Zhao Gang’s prepared speech was instantly choked back, and he nearly followed 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 2nd 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 him. “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 hefty gift!”
He changed tack, his teasing even thicker: “In my view, you might as well give him that broken command saber you captured from the Japanese officer.
What kind of status does Commander Su have?
Would he even look at those broken guns? Maybe send a saber, and if he’s pleased, he’ll give you two 105mm howitzers in return!”
“Hahahahaha…”
With Kong Jie’s words, the surrounding regiment commanders and political commissars all burst into laughter.
The simple meeting room was filled with cheerful air.
New 1st Regiment Commander Ding Wei, also holding back laughter, patted Li Yunlong’s shoulder earnestly and said:
“Old Li… Old Kong’s words are crude, but the reasoning isn’t.
Put away those little tricks of yours. Though we haven’t dealt with this Commander Su, from his past feats—fighting Nanjing, fighting Xuzhou, and now Taiyuan—which one wasn’t a earth-shaking grand move?
From these, this Commander Su is absolutely a man who distinguishes clear grievances, magnanimous and bold.”
Ding Wei’s eyes shone: “Since he’s replied agreeing to cover all our ammunition consumption during the operation, there’s no reason he would go back on his word.
So, no need for those useless little schemes.
The things you want, those good equipment and ammo, no need to say—he’ll naturally prepare everything for you.
What we need to do now is show real skill, not play petty cleverness.”
Squeezed by his old comrades’ remarks one after another, Li Yunlong’s dark face flushed red. He waved his hand sullenly, sticking his neck out stubbornly: “Go away… you all know nothing!
This is called courtesy! Called building rapport! Not as dirty as you say. Is old Li the type to take petty advantages?”
This drew even louder laughter from around him.
June 6th, after two days of forced marching, the dusty 386th Brigade finally arrived at the border of Wuta County.
When the vanguard troops’ soldiers, dragging weary steps, came down from the last rugged mountain ridge and stepped onto flat ground, the entire column seemed spellbound, stopping in unison.
Everyone was utterly shocked 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.
The road was so wide that the soldiers subconsciously estimated it could easily accommodate six large trucks driving side by side.
The surface was smooth and clean, gleaming solidly in the sunlight, in stark contrast to the mud-caked cloth shoes on their feet.
And along both sides of the road was a scene of prosperity they could scarcely believe.
Endless fields were densely planted with corn, potatoes, and sorghum.
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 fields. Seeing this large army, they showed no panic but smiled kindly, waving from afar.
The entire column fell into an eerie silence, with only heavy breathing and the rustle of wind through the crops.
“My goodness!”
A signature loud voice broke the quiet. Li Yunlong’s eyes bulged, mouth agape enough to fit an egg, pointing at the cement road beneath in disbelief. “They… they actually used cement to build a road?
This is too damn wasteful!
Even the landlords and rich folks don’t squander like this!”
It must be known that in this era’s China, 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 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, thriving scene; the impact on his heart was no less than Li Yunlong’s. This was no longer simply explainable by “wealth”—it represented a terrifying industrial and organizational capacity.
At the rear of the column, the brigade commander and Wang Political Commissar on horseback also saw this sight.
Their expressions shifted from initial surprise to deep emotion and solemnity.
He reined in his horse and said softly to Wang Political Commissar beside him: “It seems this Shanxi militia is… far wealthier than we imagined. This is no ordinary folk armed force.”
“Yes!”
Wang Political Commissar nodded: “We should write a letter to headquarters about this, suggesting increased cooperation with the Shanxi militia—it would be very helpful for our cause.”
“Yes, it seems we all underestimated the Shanxi militia and this Commander Su.” He also sighed.
