Stationed in Wuqi, Deterring the Northwest

Chapter 42: Garrisoning Wuqizhen and Deterring the Northwest

The smoke of battle over the Wuqizhen campaign had not yet fully dispersed. Wang Lin was leading the battalion commanders inspecting the aftermath and defense layout at the Toudaochuan position when a courier galloped over, bringing a verbal message from the detachment headquarters (concurrently serving as the Northwest Military Commission): "The Commander asks you to come to the headquarters immediately."

A stir rippled through Wang Lin's heart. Unsure of the reason for the summons at this moment, he temporarily handed over the on-site duties to Political Commissar Wang Guangda, and then spurred his horse toward the headquarters located at Platform Mountain not far away.

The cave dwelling serving as the headquarters was filled with haze from tobacco smoke. The General was deep in thought while looking at a map, and staff officers were whispering to each other. Seeing Wang Lin enter, the General put down his pencil, motioned for him to sit, and spoke in a tone that was cordial yet carried a hint of solemnity: "Comrade Wang Lin is here, please sit. The battle at Wuqizhen was fought cleanly and crisply, showing off the prestige of the 'Iron-Blood Rear-Guard Tiger Regiment.' You have made a great contribution!"

"Thank you for the commendation, Chief. All comrades of the Independent Regiment and I will continue to press on and make even greater contributions to the Red Army," Wang Lin saluted with excitement.

The General nodded and followed up, "How are the casualties among the troops? Are the morale of the fighters holding up well?"

"Reporting to the Chief, everything is fine. Our regiment suffered fewer than 200 casualties. The Independent Regiment is currently clearing the battlefield, mopping up the remaining enemy forces, and handling the aftermath and defense."

The Chief of Staff looked at Wang Lin warmly and said, "Comrade Wang Lin, the reason we called you here today is, first, to represent the Central Committee and the Military Commission in expressing our regards and gratitude to all commanders and fighters of the Independent Regiment. And second," he paused, his tone shifting to one of more formal strategic discussion, "it concerns the next steps for the Independent Regiment. After careful consideration, the Central Committee has a strategic arrangement that affects the overall situation, and we want to hear the opinion of you, the regimental commander."

The General took over the conversation, looking at Wang Lin with a sharp and candid gaze, his finger sweeping across the map from Ningxia and eastern Gansu to the northern Shaanxi Soviet area: "Comrade Wang Lin, your regiment fought exceptionally well in the battle at Wuqizhen. Not only did you wipe out the pursuing enemy, but you also established your prestige. Now, we are faced with a strategic choice. The main forces must head south to rendezvous with the Fifteenth Army Corps, which is the key to breaking the enemy's 'encirclement and suppression.' Meanwhile, to our west and northwest, Ma Hongkui and Ma Hongbin in Ningxia, along with the Kuomintang forces in eastern Gansu, are like a pack of wolves, constantly eyeing us."

Taking a deep drag of his cigarette, he continued, "The Military Commission's initial consideration is to have your Independent Regiment stay behind and garrison the northwestern frontline with Wuqizhen as its core. There is only one core objective: utilize your regiment's formidable combat effectiveness and the renown you've earned among the Kuomintang to create a powerful strategic deterrence, firmly guarding this direction like a 'guardian deity'!"

The General's finger gently tapped the Ningxia and eastern Gansu regions on the map, clearly expounding the strategic intent: "As long as the banner of your Independent Regiment, the 'Iron-Blood Rear-Guard Fierce Tiger Regiment,' remains firmly planted here, displaying sufficient strength and determination, the 'Three Mas' of Ningxia (Ma Hongkui and Ma Hongbin) will not dare to blindly push eastward and participate in the 'encirclement and suppression' of the Shaan-Gan Soviet Area. Fundamentally local warlords, they value the preservation of their own strength and territory above all else. Without absolute certainty, they will never take the risk of depleting their foundation to chew on hard bones like your regiment."

He then spoke in his usual direct manner: "Consequently, the enemy we must face head-on will primarily become the Northeast Army coming from the south. The pressure will be cut in half! Although the southern front is also tense, the situation with the Northeast Army is different, and we can concentrate our efforts to deal with it. Leaving you behind means using your presence to 'deter' and 'pin down' the potential threat from the northwest! This mission is no less strenuous than fighting southward; in fact, it requires even greater resilience and strategic steadfastness."

The General looked at Wang Lin with sincere tones: "We know that leaving your battle-hardened elite force behind to undertake garrison and deterrence duties, rather than following the main force south to continue serving as the primary assault force, might make some comrades feel as though they are being relegated to the second line. Therefore, we called you here to communicate this strategic intent clearly to you in person and hear your thoughts. This mission cannot be accomplished by any troops except those that are fierce, adept at fighting, and capable of standing alone. The Central Committee believes the Independent Regiment is the best choice."

Upon hearing this, Wang Lin's mind cleared instantly, and he felt a deep admiration for the Central Committee's overarching planning. He immediately stood up and responded resolutely:

"The Central Committee wants our Independent Regiment to act as the 'anchor in the rolling waves,' to 'subdue the enemy without fighting,' and to use our presence and strength to firmly lock down the northwestern direction, thereby easing the strategic pressure on the main forces heading south!"

"This mission is of profound significance! Please rest assured, Central Committee! Our Independent Regiment is not only capable of fighting tough battles, but we also understand how to use our might to deter the enemy. Remaining in the northwest, we will by no means be restricted to passive defense. Using Wuqizhen as our base, we will deploy forward, operate actively, continually flex our muscles, and maintain a high-pressure posture. We must make Ma Hongkui, Ma Hongbin, and the others clearly feel that anyone daring to advance an inch eastward will meet with a fatal blow from our Independent Regiment! We will keep them restless and unable to sleep in peace, completely stripping them of any wild thoughts of reckless action!"

"Good! Excellent! You grasp it thoroughly!" the Chief of Staff smiled with gratification. "That is precisely the effect of 'subduing the enemy without fighting' we want! Comrade Wang Lin, with your understanding and determination, we are completely at ease!"

"With your fierce tiger crouching in the northwest, the Three Mas will definitely not dare to move lightly. This will vastly improve our strategic posture."

Looking at Wang Lin, the Chief of Staff continued with sincere earnestness, "Leaving you behind involves another, more far-reaching consideration beyond strategic deterrence." His finger tapped the northwestern region on the map. "After the main force moves south, the Independent Regiment will garrison the northwest, giving you a relatively longer and rare period of rest and reorganization compared to other areas. Unlike the southern front, which faces the direct pressure of the Northeast Army's main force, large-scale 'encirclement and suppression' offensives will not spread here for the time being."

The General took over the conversation, clearly stating the core intention: "The Central Committee hopes you will make full use of this precious time to take root not only militarily, but also politically, economically, and in mass work! You must not merely function as a military garrison unit; you must also become a sowing machine and a propaganda team. You must strive to transform your garrisoned region from a purely military buffer zone into a consolidated Soviet base area!"

The Chief of Staff added specifically, "That's right! The troops must disperse, serving as a garrison on the one hand while vigorously carrying out mass work on the other. Send out work teams to mobilize the masses, overthrow local tyrants, distribute land, establish Party organizations, and set up Soviet political power, Red Guard units, and Young Vanguard units. Make the ordinary people truly realize that the Red Army is their own army, existing to protect their interests. Only in this way can your roots grow deep, can you truly stand firm, and can you secure a continuous stream of soldiers and supplies. No matter how the situation changes in the future, this place can become our solid bastion."

The General summarized: "This is an arduous task of transforming a 'garrison zone' into a 'base area,' requiring immense patience and meticulous work. But it has immeasurable strategic significance for our Party and the Red Army to take root in northern Shaanxi, and even for future development. Comrade Wang Lin, this mission is likewise a tough battle—a tough battle concerning the hearts of the people."

Listening to the Chief's instructions, Wang Lin found that modern theories on "base area construction" and "people's war" fit this perfectly in his mind, and he deeply understood the immense energy and long-term value contained within it. He responded immediately, his tone full of insight and determination:

"I completely understand the profound intention of the Central Committee! 'Building a consolidated base area' is a more fundamental and enduring strategy than mere military deterrence!"

With clear logic, he stated: "Please rest assured, Central Committee! The Independent Regiment will never be content with merely acting as a garrison force. We will resolutely execute the instructions of the Central Committee and make full use of this relatively stable period:

First, militarily: adopt an offensive defense, maintain deterrence, ensure the security of the main direction, and create a stable environment for base area construction.

Second, politically: immediately select capable cadres and fighters to form powerful work teams, go deep into the villages, and extensively publicize the Party's policies and the Red Army's propositions. We will resolutely mobilize the masses, overthrow local tyrants, and distribute land so that impoverished peasants can truly stand up and become masters!

Third, organizationally: actively cooperate with local Party organizations to help establish and consolidate rural Soviet political power, develop Party members, organize local armed forces and mass organizations, and plant the Party's roots deeply among the masses.

Fourth, economically: under feasible conditions, help the masses restore and develop production and improve their livelihood. At the same time, our troops must also engage in production activities to minimize the burden on the people and achieve partial self-sufficiency."

The more Wang Lin spoke, the more confident he became, even incorporating some more visionary ideas: "We are confident that through solid work, what we report to the Party Central Committee in the near future will not merely be a stable military defense line, but a new northwestern Soviet district where the hearts of the people lean toward us, the organization is sound, and it is capable of self-support and development! This will provide the most solid rear-line foundation for us to meet greater challenges in the future!" (In his heart, he thought of stockpiling strength for the future War of Resistance.)

"Good! Wonderfully said!" the Chief of Staff was exceedingly satisfied. "That is precisely the determination and boldness required! You must not only guard the gate, but also tidy up the courtyard and turn it into our own home!"

The General praised, "Comrade Wang Lin, your deep understanding and proactive thinking regarding the construction of the base area are most commendable. The Central Committee will send a batch of cadres with local work experience to assist you."

The Chief of Staff said, "Just do it this way! Whatever policy support you need, submit a report!"

"Understood! We will resolutely accomplish the mission! Our Independent Regiment guarantees to act well as a combat team, and even better as a work team and a production team!" Wang Lin saluted. The burden on his shoulders felt heavier, but the direction was incomparably clear and bright.