20_20434Yang Zhen, who had some understanding of the intentions of the Central Committee, did not pay attention to the subtle changes in attitude of the Central Committee, and only went to the third branch of the Anti-Japanese University every day in accordance with the requirements of the Central Committee to teach various tactical courses to those grassroots cadres and commanders at all levels who were transferred back from the front line, especially the operational command of the large corps. As for his initiative to go to southern Anhui for a field trip, he did not get any reply.

As for the Gass bulletproof vehicle allocated by the central government for his use, Yang Zhen has never used it. On weekdays, when I go to give lectures at Kang University, I only ride two war horses borrowed from the central government. Yang Zhen, who was used to being busy, suddenly felt that he was enjoying this kind of idle life now. Although he knew that his idle life would not last long.

The reason why the central government has not yet expressed its opinion and made arrangements for its next trip should still be weighing it repeatedly. After all, sending oneself to southern Anhui is a very important matter, and this determination is not too easy for the central government to make.

But Yang Zhen estimated that by December at the latest, as the shape of southern Anhui continued to deteriorate, the central government would definitely agree to his request. At least according to the history that I am familiar with in later generations, before the outbreak of the Southern Anhui Incident, there will definitely be a result. Sure enough, this calm, which lasted only for a short time, was disrupted by a sudden summons from the central government.

When Yang Zhen received the notice and hurriedly rode back to the central station from Kang Da, he found that the faces of the chairman and the commander-in-chief present were not very good-looking. Looking at the rather unkind faces of the two leaders, Yang Zhen, who had been receiving a summary of various situations from the New Fourth Army these days, immediately understood what was going on.

Seeing Yang Zhen rushing over, the chairman's somewhat gloomy face was slightly soothed and said, "Comrade Yang Zhen, if the Central Committee approves your plan, can you guarantee that you will come back safely." Ninety-nine percent no, not 100 percent, 200 percent safe. ”

Regarding the chairman's opening point, Yang Zhen paused for a moment and said: "Chairman, there is no 100% thing in this world, and there is no absolute certainty of one thing. But what I want to say is that as long as there is a 1 percent chance, we have to work on it. There is nothing difficult in the world, as long as you are willing to climb. How can we know it's impossible without trying. ”

Looking at Yang Zhen's resolute face, the chairman still looked a little hesitant. Liang Jiu made up his mind and said: "The southern Anhui side has rushed to repair a temporary airfield, and at the same time, the commander of the First Theater has agreed that we will use Luoyang Airport for refueling. We've also got the route map you need from Luoyang to Shangrao, Jiangxi. ”

"After careful consideration, the central government has decided to agree to your plan. This time, the central government has made a lot of determination to agree to let you go to southern Anhui, so you must come back safely. Not only do you have to come back safely, but you also have to bring the New Fourth Army headquarters to Jiangbei safely. ”

"The Central Committee has decided to appoint you as the first political member of the New Fourth Army, the first secretary of the Southeast Bureau, and the first secretary of the New Fourth Army Branch, with full authority to preside over the work of the New Fourth Army. After you arrive in southern Anhui, the current first secretary of the Southeast Bureau, the first secretary of the New Fourth Army Branch, and the deputy commander of the New Fourth Army will return to Yan'an with your special plane. ”

The chairman's voice fell, and the commander-in-chief took over and said: "Comrade Yang Zhen, the shape of southern Anhui has undergone drastic changes in the past month. The military headquarters of the New Fourth Army has agreed to go north, but there is still some hesitation about the route of crossing the river. The Third Theater mobilized some troops from Zhejiang to rush to southern Anhui, and the encirclement of southern Anhui was basically completed. The Japanese troops in the east also made frequent movements, blocking most of the river. ”

"You go this time, it can be described as a heavy responsibility. Originally, the central authorities did not agree with you to go to southern Anhui, and as the commander of the Northeast Military Region, who is responsible for the military command of the largest and most important strategic area in the whole army, it is not a good choice to go to southern Anhui at this time. However, for the sake of the safety of the more than 9,000 cadres and soldiers in southern Anhui and the large number of intellectuals who have gathered the essence of the southeast, the central authorities have no choice. It can only be put on your shoulder. ”

"With the Caodian anti-stubborn campaign carried out by the Jiangbei troops of the New Fourth Army has ended, the Third Theater has now focused all its energy on southern Anhui. You must be more careful when you go. Even if we can't give them the pretext that we started a civil war, we can't let it be destroyed. If the Third Theater launches a military attack against you, you must resolutely fight back. ”

Speaking of this, the commander-in-chief was silent for a moment and then said: "Now the military headquarters of the New Fourth Army is trapped in a small area, and it can be said that there is a shortage of food and ammunition. In particular, ammunition is scarce, so you must be prepared to endure hardships when you go. The central authorities have decided to transfer 2 million rounds of 79 rounds and 1 million rounds of 65 rounds of ammunition from the ammunition you have airlifted. As well as fifty thousand grenades and a thousand submachine guns. ”

"At the same time, three mortar companies are drawn from the garrison in northern Shaanxi, and you take them with you. Southern Anhui is all mountainous, the terrain is complex, and if you don't have the ability to attack fortifications, you will suffer at a loss. As for the combat effectiveness of the southern Anhui team, you don't have to worry. The troops in southern Anhui are all old bones that have been tested by three years of guerrilla warfare, and their combat effectiveness does not need to be considered. The government is also extremely good. ”

"Several regiment commanders are long-tested veterans with rich combat experience. But the biggest flaw is the lack of backup and ammunition. If you take these ammunition with you, you can at least ensure that you don't run out of ammunition in the event of an accident. ”

"But you only take two guards to southern Anhui, and the central government can't agree. We heard that an American-built C47 transport plane could carry 22 people. In this way, a platoon brought by Li Yanping to the Central Committee last time was left by the Central Committee to train troops. Now that the training mission has been completed, the central government has decided to return this platoon to you for use as your guard platoon. ”

"If that Huang Dali also wants to go with you, as long as you agree, the central government will also decide to approve it. For the center, your safety comes first. The military headquarters of the New Fourth Army is important, but your safety is also even more important. As the military commander of the largest strategic zone in the whole army, your life is related to the entire Northeast war situation. So here today I want to say a word to you, which is also what the Central Committee and the Chairman meant. That is, you have to come back alive no matter what. ”

Regarding the commander-in-chief's words, Yang Zhen smiled and said, "Boss, you don't have to worry about my safety." I promise the Central Committee, the chairman, and you that I will do my utmost to bring out the military headquarters of the New Fourth Army safely. As for my personal safety, as long as the troops are safe, my safety will be guaranteed. ”

"As for the ammunition, I have telegraphed to the two comrades Li Yanping and Guo Bingxun who remained in the Northeast Military Region, and they will replenish the Central Committee in the shortest possible time. At the same time, a batch of steel helmets and other equipment, as well as some small military equipment, are also about to be shipped. ”

"In fact, according to the current situation of the southern Anhui team, in addition to the lack of ammunition and backup, the most lacking thing is the same as our other troops, that is, effective means of communication, especially in the mountainous environment. The terrain in southern Anhui is complex, and the mountains are vertical and horizontal, so it is impossible for the troops to gather together and march. Not only is this not allowed by road conditions, but it is also a taboo for soldiers. ”

"But once the troops are dispersed, it is impossible to obtain timely countermeasures from each other without a reliable means of communication. Although the troops in southern Anhui are units directly under the jurisdiction of the military department, like other units in the Guannai, there are no radio stations below the regimental level or even at the regimental level. However, wired communications are restricted by the march of troops, and relying on manpower alone is time-consuming, and the confidentiality and security are also extremely poor. ”

"I took a look at the establishment of the southern Anhui team, and because of the military department, there is no shortage of operators. What is lacking is only radio and other communication equipment. I have ordered the Northeast Military Region to dispatch a batch of Japanese-style 94-style 5-watt radios, five 15-watt radios manufactured by ourselves, as well as a batch of batteries and hand-cranked charging motors, and transport them to the central government as much as possible. ”

"After the arrival of these radio stations, according to the existing establishment of the southern Anhui troops, the regimental level can basically be equipped with radio stations. At the same time, I hope that the central authorities will come up with several sets of vertical and horizontal communication codes before I set out, so that the military headquarters can quickly and promptly mobilize troops. ”

Regarding Yang Zhen's thoughts, the chairman and the commander-in-chief glanced at each other, then nodded and said, "You think very comprehensively. Since the time of the Red Army, we have missed many fighters and caused many unnecessary losses because of the backwardness of the means of communication. You go back and prepare, think carefully about what else you need to pay attention to, and set off in a week. ”

The chairman made a final decision, and Yang Zhen didn't need to fight for anything. Although the content of the conversation was important, it was short-lived. In less than an hour, it was decided that Yang Zhen would be ordered to temporarily go to southern Anhui to serve as the acting political commissar of the New Fourth Army and the secretary of the military branch. In other words, although he will not be in office for too long, Yang Zhen has actually replaced the deputy commander of the New Fourth Army and become the first person in the New Fourth Army.

After a week of intense preparation and preparation, Yang Zhen took off from Yan'an on December 12 with three planes loaded with ammunition, communications equipment and some medical supplies. In order to cover Yang Zhen's actions, the air reinforcements that had already arrived in Yan'an dispatched almost all their planes to carry out large-scale air raids on the main air bases of the Japanese army in North China in Yuncheng, Taiyuan, Xinxiang, and other places.

The explosions that sounded at the airports in Yuncheng and Xinxiang attracted the attention of the Japanese army in North China. A small team led by Yang Zhen consisting of a C47 and two C46 transport planes took off from Yan'an in the light rain. Fly straight in the direction of southern Anhui.

At dusk, when the group of planes led by Yang Zhen landed at Luoyang Airport to refuel, they were invited by the commander known as the tiger general, who was then the commander of the First Theater of the Military Commissar of the Nationalist Government, who came to the airport to welcome him, to rest for the night. After careful consideration, Yang Zhen still refused. However, when the plane was refueling, Yang Zhen had a conversation with the commander, who was known as the Five Tiger Generals.

When the conversation involved the next move of the Japanese army, Yang Zhen bluntly told the tiger general who commanded the Xinkou Campaign, whether it was for the Japanese army's next strategic attempt or for the Japanese army's battle plan for next year, that the primary combat target of the Japanese North China Front next year was likely to be the first theater troops stationed in the Zhongtiao Mountains of southern Jinnan.