Chapter 32: An Unexpected Acquisition of 500 Veterans

The cheers celebrating the successful rendezvous had yet to fully subside when a subtle, complex atmosphere began to permeate the two main forces of the Red Army. Beneath the joy lay striking differences in uniforms, accents, and palpable disparities in organizational structure and combat strength. While the rank-and-file soldiers were busy exchanging meager supplies and sharing combat stories, a debate over strategic direction and future operational guidelines was already simmering like an underground fire among the high command.

Wang Lin was well aware of this. His fragments of historical knowledge from the future rang in his mind like an alarm. He knew that beneath this ocean of celebration lay undercurrents capable of tearing everything apart. But he knew even better that for him and his newly revitalized Independent Regiment, the best course of action was silence and absolute obedience.

The order finally arrived. The troops were to set out, marching north across the vast grasslands. The march was divided into two columns: the Left and the Right. The Fifth Army Corps, that iron-willed rearguard, was assigned to the Left Column under the direct command of the Red Army General Headquarters, meaning they would operate alongside the main forces of the Fourth Front Army.

In the regimental headquarters, Wang Lin, Wang Guangdao, and several battalion commanders gathered around the newly arrived orders.

"The Left Column... under the direct command of Commander-in-Chief Zhu, Chief of Staff Liu, and... Political Commissar Zhang," Wang Guangdao read the final names with an almost imperceptible hesitation. His eyes met Wang Lin’s for a fleeting moment, and both saw the gravity in the other's gaze.

"It is fine," Wang Lin broke the silence, his tone steady and calm. "We are soldiers; obedience is our duty. We will fight wherever the General Headquarters directs us. No matter how difficult the grasslands are, can they be harder than the Xiang River? Harder than Shiban River?" He looked at his capable officers. "Go back and tell the men to focus and prepare for the march north. Especially the new recruits—ensure their ideological work is thorough and that supply preparations are meticulous! If anyone drops the ball, don't expect me to be lenient!"

His attitude was clear: no discussion, no speculation, no participation. Keep your head down, lead the troops well, survive, and reaching the destination is victory. Do not look for trouble with the leadership at such a critical juncture. Having crawled through mountains of corpses and seas of blood, the battalion commanders saw their leader's stance and suppressed their own doubts, responding in unison: "Yes! We guarantee to complete the mission!"

While checking the soldiers' preparations for straw sandals, Wang Lin paused briefly, his mind racing. Commander Xu was a renowned warrior, skilled in battle, who loved his soldiers like his own children and held immense prestige within the Fourth Front Army. More importantly, Wang Lin knew that the officers and men of the Fourth Front Army were exceptionally experienced, especially the veterans from the E-Yu-Wan base—they were all treasures.

Looking at his own Independent Regiment, despite reinforcements and rest, the strength was nearly 3,500. Yet, excluding the 600 liberated at Gulin and the hundreds recruited in the Yi area of southern Sichuan, fewer than half were the true veterans who had survived the bloodbaths of the Xiang River and Guizhou. No matter how rigorous the training for new recruits, they lacked the tempering and depth born of the battlefield. The grasslands were treacherous, and there were hard fights ahead; the depth of the unit's core was crucial.

A bold idea emerged: could he... go "beg for alms" from Commander Xu?

Once the thought took root, it could not be suppressed. He knew it was shameless; the two main forces had just joined, and neither had deep pockets. But for the sake of his regiment's survival and combat effectiveness, what was a little shame?

He discussed it with Political Commissar Wang Guangdao. Wang sighed after a long pause, taking a drag of his pipe. "The idea is good; the comrades of the Fourth Front Army are indeed experienced. But... asking for men won't be easy. As for Commander Xu..."

"I know it's difficult," Wang Lin rubbed his hands together. "But trying won't hurt, right? For the sake of our regiment, I'll put my pride aside! We have many new recruits and lack grassroots backbone. I'll ask for support—not much, just a hundred or so veterans! After all, we are all one family now."

Seeing Wang Lin’s "beggar for the children" demeanor, Wang Guangdao could neither laugh nor cry, finally nodding. "Very well, give it a try. Watch your attitude; be sincere, and show full respect to Commander Xu and the comrades of the Fourth Front Army."

With the Commissar’s approval, Wang Lin acted immediately. He put on his most faded uniform, tucked away his only half-pack of Hatamen cigarettes, and steeled himself to find the Fourth Front Army’s forward command post.

After being announced, he was ushered in. Inside, Commander Xu Xiangqian and several Fourth Front Army generals were huddled over a map. Wang Lin stood at attention and gave a standard salute: "Report to Commander Xu! Wang Lin, Commander of the Independent Regiment of the Fifth Army Corps, reporting for duty!"

Xu Xiangqian looked up, his sharp gaze sweeping over Wang Lin. He had heard of this "Tiger Regiment" commander who had recently risen to fame—the bloody battle at the Xiang River, the recruitment in Tongzi, the defense at Shiban River—every engagement had been brilliant, perhaps even "uncanny." Seeing him in person, he was younger than expected, with a rugged, battle-hardened sharp-wittedness in his brows and a lively glint in his eyes.

"Comrade Wang Lin, what is it?" Xu Xiangqian’s tone was calm, tinged with a Shanxi accent.

Wang Lin took a deep breath and spilled the speech he had prepared, his tone earnest: "Report to the Commander! My regiment is ordered to move with the Left Column. All officers and men are honored and determined to fight well! However... after the Shiban River defense, our casualties were heavy. We have many new recruits who, despite training, lack experienced veteran backbone. I have heard that the veterans of the Fourth Front Army are seasoned and highly experienced... I am bold enough to request if the Commander could... spare some veterans to support us and strengthen our grassroots? Not many, just a hundred or so would be a huge help! My regiment would be eternally grateful!" He finished with another crisp salute, his back straight, eyes filled with longing and "sincerity."

The command post fell silent. The generals exchanged knowing, amused glances. This kid had guts, asking for veteran backbone right off the bat—these men were the heart and soul of every unit.

Commander Xu looked at Wang Lin without answering immediately. He drummed his fingers on the table, weighing the request. The Independent Regiment was indeed formidable, and Wang Lin was a rare talent; strengthening his core would benefit the overall combat power of the Left Column. But the two forces had just joined, and stripping men from the Fourth Front Army to bolster the First Front Army was a dangerous precedent that could lead to friction. He hesitated.

Just then, a voice came from the side: "Oh? So our 'Tiger Regiment' commander is short on veterans to lead the new recruits?"

Wang Lin turned and felt a chill. It was Political Commissar Zhang, who had approached unnoticed, a mysterious smile on his face.

Wang Lin quickly saluted again: "Political Commissar Zhang!"

Zhang waved a hand, walked up to Wang Lin, and looked him up and down, as if peering into his soul. "Comrade Wang Lin, your Independent Regiment has fought very well. The Old Marshal and the Chairman have both called you a 'Tiger of the Red Army.' How is it that there are troops you cannot lead?"

Wang Lin bit the bullet and replied, "Report to the Commissar! The soldiers are all fine, but they lack seasoning. For hard battles, we need veterans to pass on their experience. We suffered too many losses on the road and really lack core backbone, which is why I came to ask the Commander for support." He deliberately emphasized the regiment’s losses and hardships.

Commissar Zhang’s smile deepened. He glanced at Commander Xu and said to Wang Lin, "Well, the difficulties are real. Strengthening the grassroots to improve combat power is a good thing. What do you think, Commander Xu?"

Seeing the Commissar’s support, Xu Xiangqian nodded. "Since the Commissar agrees, then let us transfer some."

Zhang turned back to Wang Lin, held up five fingers, and said briskly, "How about this, Comrade Wang Lin? I will give you five hundred men! Not new recruits, but veterans who have been through the E-Yu-Wan battles and the anti-encirclement campaigns. Their combat experience is unquestionable! How about it? Is that enough to help you hold your unit together?"

Five hundred veterans?!!

Wang Lin’s head buzzed; he almost thought he had misheard! He had only hoped for a hundred, and would have been thrilled with thirty or fifty! Commissar Zhang had offered five hundred! And all of them veteran backbone! This was an absolute windfall! The sheer surprise left him stunned, and for a moment, he forgot to answer.

Seeing him dumbfounded, Zhang seemed satisfied with the effect and laughed heartily. "What? Is it too few?"

"No! No! No! Thank you, Commissar! Thank you, Commander!" Wang Lin snapped out of it, his face flushing with excitement, his voice trembling. "Five hundred! That is more than enough! I... on behalf of all the officers and men of the Independent Regiment, thank you for your care! We will surely lead these veterans well and never fail your expectations!" He saluted again, his hands shaking.

Commissar Zhang stepped forward, patted Wang Lin on the shoulder, and said with a meaningful tone, "Work hard, Comrade Wang Lin. The Left Column has a bright future, and this is exactly the time when talent is needed. Make your 'Tiger Regiment' even stronger; there will be more important missions for you in the future!"

"Yes! We will resolutely complete the mission!" Wang Lin shouted, his heart filled with joy. Yet, that final sentence from Commissar Zhang slid into his heart like an imperceptible thread of ice. He had no time to ponder it now, his mind completely consumed by the thought of those five hundred veterans.