Chapter 44: Wu Qi Sets the Strategy: The Independent Regiment's "Three Modernizations" Construction and Strategic Layout

The discussion inside the kiln courtyard was passionate and profound. Drawing on their respective tasks and characteristics, the officers of each battalion and company put forward a wealth of practical and feasible suggestions. Wang Lin and Wang Guangdao listened attentively, nodding and taking notes from time to time.

As the speaking session drew to a close, Wang Lin stood up once again, and the conference room fell silent immediately. He knew it was time to put forward his deeper thoughts and set the tone for the Independent Regiment's development in the coming period.

"Comrades!" Wang Lin's voice was steady and powerful. "Everything everyone said just now was exceptionally good, with broad horizons and practical methods. With everyone pooling their wisdom and efforts, we are full of confidence in completing the tasks assigned by the Central Committee!"

Shifting his tone, his gaze became even more profound: "However, we cannot simply fix our eyes on the immediate present. We must look further ahead. Our Independent Regiment is staying here not just to guard the home or farm the land, but to use this relatively peaceful period to diligently hone our internal strength and comprehensively enhance the combat effectiveness of our troops! We must prepare ourselves for the larger-scale and more arduous battles that may come in the future!"

Pausing for a moment, he introduced a somewhat forward-looking concept: "I have been pondering this: while the combat effectiveness of our Independent Regiment is strong, our shortcomings are also quite obvious. First, our mobility is insufficient; second, our communication efficiency is not high enough; third, our logistical support system is still not robust enough. In response to these three points, I propose the 'Three Modernizations' targets that our Independent Regiment will focus on building next: Equinization, Informatization, and Logistics-ization!"

These fresh terms aroused the officers' curiosity, and they all perked up their ears.

"First, Equinization!" Wang Lin explained. "The Northwest is vast and sparsely populated; running on two legs alone cannot cover much ground. We must learn from our opponents, or even surpass them! We must strive to ensure that our troops—at least the infantry backbone, all commanders, signalmen, and logistical transport teams—can achieve mounted or packed transport using mules and horses! The objective is that in the near future, our regiment can achieve the goal of every squad having horses and every platoon having heavy wagons!"

Looking toward the west, he continued: "To achieve this goal, relying purely on purchasing is out of the question. There are primarily two sources: first, capture! In future small-scale conflicts with the Ma Clique forces, capturing horses, pack animals, and large wagons must be established as an important task objective! Second, winning over and reforming them! Many soldiers of the Ma Clique are from impoverished backgrounds, forced into military service, and they are also natural horsemen. We must capture more prisoners in battle, and through thorough grievances-airing and education, win them over. After ideological transformation, they can become our Red Army's excellent cavalry backbone and muleteers! This matter will be personally overseen by Deputy Regiment Commander Li Yunlong! Old Li, you are experienced and deal extensively with cavalry and horses; I am most at rest leaving this task to you!"

Hearing this, Li Yunlong's eyes lit up as he snapped into a crisp salute: "Don't worry, Regiment Commander! I guarantee to turn our Independent Regiment into a four-legged fierce tiger! I'll make Ma Hongbin deliver horses and men right into our mouths!"

"Second, Informatization!" Wang Lin continued. "Our current communications rely basically on shouting and running; the efficiency is too low and prone to causing delays. In modern warfare, the speed of information transmission determines victory or defeat! We must exert all our strength to improve communication conditions. The objective is: between the regimental headquarters and each battalion, as well as the regimental direct-reporting companies, radio stations must be equipped to ensure smooth command channels! Between each battalion and its subordinate companies, wired telephones should be strung wherever possible! In addition, we must establish a strong cavalry communication squad, distributed to various battalions and companies, and even down to the platoon level, to ensure that when telephone lines are disrupted or radios fail, there are still reliable means to transmit orders and intelligence! This matter will be personally overseen by Reconnaissance Company Commander Zhang Hongtu! Your reconnaissance company is the most familiar with the terrain and routes; there is nobody more suitable than you to be responsible for training signalmen, laying and maintaining communication lines, and keeping communication equipment!"

Zhang Hongtu immediately accepted the order: "Yes, Regiment Commander! I guarantee to keep the neural pathways of our regiment unimpeded!"

"Third, Logistics-ization!" Wang Lin's voice grew exceptionally solemn. "Comrades, we have all climbed out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood, and we all know that fighting a war is fighting logistics! Without reliable logistics, no matter how formidable a force is, it will collapse. Our logistics construction must sink downward and become refined! The objective is: every squad must have soldiers who master basic battlefield first aid and equipment maintenance skills; every platoon must have a dedicated or concurrent medic; every company must have a medical rescue squad and a material custodian; every battalion must establish a small medical station and material supply point; and the regimental headquarters must expand and strengthen the field hospital's forces, while establishing a reliable transport team and ordnance repair shop. This matter, encompassing countless threads and of utmost importance, will be personally overseen by Baggage Battalion Commander Lin Huowang! You are meticulous and possess a strong sense of responsibility; you must forge the logistics lifeline of our Independent Regiment into an indestructible one!"

Lin Huowang nodded steadily: "Understood, Regiment Commander! As long as I, Lin Huowang, am here, I will never let the brothers on the front lines lack weapons, medicine, or food!"

Having announced the "Three Modernizations" construction, Wang Lin then deployed specific action modes and development directions:

"To achieve these goals, and to mobilize the masses more quickly and firmly establish our footing, various units, after returning and consolidating key points, must dare to break down into smaller units! Operating as companies, platoons, or even capable squads, scatter yourselves out like seeds! You have two tasks: first, combat—actively seek out combat opportunities to strike small units, security forces, local militias, and bandits of the Ma Clique, training through warfare and obtaining supplies through capture; second, development—penetrate designated townships and villages, mobilize the masses, establish political power, strike local tyrants to redistribute land, and expand our ranks. In principle, materials captured in combat (excluding heavy equipment and special items that need to be reported upward) shall be retained by each unit for its own use to replenish consumption, achieving self-development and self-sufficiency! However, strict discipline must be enforced; all captured goods must be turned in for public registration before redistribution, and embezzlement is strictly prohibited!"

He clarified the primary development directions for each battalion:

"The First Battalion, head northwest, responsible for the area from Wuqi Town to Yanchi and Dingbian, keeping a close eye on the Ningxia direction.

The Second Battalion, head west, responsible for the Huanxian direction, which is the old lair of Ma Hongbin. The pressure there is highest, so you must be proactive and enterprising!

The Third Battalion, head north, responsible for the Jingbian area, remaining vigilant against potential enemies from the Yulin direction.

The Fourth Battalion, head south, responsible for the Huachi area, concurrently undertaking the coordination and vigilance for friendly forces on the southern front.

The Regimental Headquarters, Baggage Battalion, and Guard Company are responsible for the core area of Wuqi Town and its surrounding consolidation.

Aside from intelligence missions, the Reconnaissance Company will devote its full strength to implementing informatization construction.

The Cavalry Company, serving as the regiment's rapid-response force, will maneuver to provide support at any time.

"All decentralized units must maintain close contact. Establish a regular reporting system: squads to platoons, platoons to companies, companies to battalions, and battalions to the regimental headquarters; dispatch couriers at least once a week to report conditions and request instructions. Disconnection is strictly forbidden, and turning into roving bandits is even more out of the question!"

Finally, Wang Lin looked at Political Commissar Wang Guangdao: "Political Commissar, there is another important task bearing on the long term—the construction of the study system! We must open literacy classes, cultural night schools, political ideological study classes, and tactical-technical discussion sessions! We must ensure that our soldiers not only know how to fight, but also possess culture, understand principles, and see the direction clearly! Please personally preside over this matter!"

Wang Guangdao nodded solemnly: "It is an unshirkable duty! Ideological construction and cultural study are important guarantees for the combat effectiveness of the troops."

Wang Lin's gaze shifted to the Cavalry Company Commander Shamaerge, and this ethnic Yi man immediately straightened his posture.

"Shamaerge!"
"Present!" Shamaerge's voice was resonant, carrying an irrepressible excitement.
"Your Cavalry Company has a heavy task, far beyond mere mobile support!" Wang Lin pointed out clearly: "You must shoulder three core tasks:
"First, remain the strategic fist and rapid-response force of the whole regiment. Wherever the battle is tight, wherever there is a need for rapid raiding to break open the situation, you must pounce like a whirlwind! You must display the might of our Red Army cavalry!
"Second, and even more importantly, you must become the 'cavalry seeds' and 'instructor team' of the whole regiment!" Wang Lin emphasized, "Once the various battalions disperse, depending on the enemy situation and terrain in their respective defense zones, each will need one or more small, rapid-mobile cavalry forces for reconnaissance, vigilance, communication, pursuit, and short-duration assault. Relying solely on your single company is far from enough."

Looking at the battalion commanders and back to Shamaerge, he stated: "Therefore, I order: the Cavalry Company must select the most outstanding cavalry backbones and politically reliable liberated soldiers to form several small detachments and distribute them to the various battalions! Their task is to help the various battalions establish and train their own cavalry platoons, and even future cavalry companies! They will impart riding skills, mounted sabre techniques, cavalry tactics, and horse care! The various battalions must also give priority to selecting soldiers with a foundation in riding skills, especially local soldiers and those from the Northwest, and do their utmost to collect and capture horse equipment. You, Shamaerge, must personally take charge of this matter overall, and report regularly to me and Deputy Regiment Commander Li on the construction progress of the cavalry detachments in each battalion!"

"Third, you yourselves must achieve major development and expansion!" Wang Lin put forward a higher goal. "You cannot be satisfied with just being a company. Utilize every combat opportunity to give priority to capturing intact warhorses, saddlery, cavalry rifles, and sabers! In combat and mass work, pay attention to discovering and absorbing impoverished, highly skilled young horsemen, whether they are Han, Hui, Mongol, or Yi brothers! Especially for captured Ma Clique soldiers, after education and transformation, qualified ones should be boldly absorbed; they are the best cavalry seedlings. My objective is that in the near future, our Cavalry Company must be expanded into a full-strength, fiercely combat-capable cavalry battalion! Shamaerge, do you have this confidence?"

"Yes! Regiment Commander!" Shamaerge's face was flushed with excitement as he saluted sharply, "Guaranteed to complete the task! Our Cavalry Company will definitely serve as the regiment's cavalry seed, quickly train the cavalry units for each battalion, and develop ourselves into a cavalry battalion capable of chewing through hard bones! We will never live up to the Regiment Commander's trust!"

"Good!" Wang Lin praised approvingly, then looked at Li Yunlong once again: "Old Li, within the equinization construction, the expansion and development of the cavalry is of paramount importance. You must also put in extra effort to coordinate the distribution of horses, equipment, and personnel for the whole regiment, giving priority to guaranteeing the needs of cavalry construction."

"No problem! Leave it to me!" Li Yunlong patted his chest in assurance, "I've long wanted to have a cavalry brigade; I'll start by building a cavalry battalion first!"

Wang Lin's gaze then turned to Artillery Company Commander Liu Gensheng. Liu Gensheng's expression instantly tightened as he awaited instructions. The artillery company was the firepower backbone of the Independent Regiment, and everyone understood its importance.

"Liu Gensheng!"
"Present! Regiment Commander!" Liu Gensheng answered loudly.
"Your artillery company is the 'foundation' of our regiment, the iron hammer used to crack hard walnuts. Your task now is different from the past; you cannot just think about how to make the guns fire, but rather how to make the artillery keep pace with the troops, how to strike better, farther, and more fiercely!" Wang Lin's words focused the attention of Liu Gensheng and all the officers.

"I emphasize three points regarding your tasks:" Wang Lin held up three fingers.
"First, base yourselves on the existing inventory and strive for perfection. Thoroughly master the performance of the mortars and 'iron-pipe thunderbolts' currently on hand, accurately calculate the firing data, and practice infantry-artillery coordination until it is second nature. The battalion-attached artillery will also be placed under your unified guidance and training. You must ensure that our existing firepower can unleash twelve percent of its might!

"Second, look even further to the future and study ahead of time!" Wang Lin's tone carried an urgent expectation. "We don't have heavy artillery now, but what about in the future? Are we going to wait until the day we have mountain guns, field guns, or even more formidable contraptions, only to stand around staring at them, unable to use them?"

His gaze swept across the entire room: "No! Such a situation must never be allowed to occur! I require your artillery company to begin studying heavy artillery knowledge starting right now! If there are no physical objects, find books by any means possible! Find various military textbooks and field manuals, even old or incomplete ones! You can dispatch telegrams to the Central Committee to request assistance, find ways to obtain them from enemy-occupied areas, or consult comrades who might understand. Organize a backbone to form a heavy artillery study group to research the structure, principles, firing tables, and tactical applications of heavy artillery! Even if you can only study them on sand tables and blueprints for now, you must study them! This is called 'rather prepare and not use, than use and not be prepared.' You, Liu Gensheng, must personally take charge of this, regularly organize study discussions, and I will check on the progress!"

"Third, and a crucially important point: research heavy weapon mobility!" Wang Lin pointed out the critical difficulty. "Why are we pursuing equinization? To a large extent, it is precisely for you 'precious treasures'! Mortars can be disassembled and packed by mules and horses, but what about heavier artillery? How to rapidly tow them? How to maneuver through complex loess gullies? How to select artillery positions and transfer routes? How to guarantee heavy ammunition supply?"

He looked at Liu Gensheng, then at Li Yunlong, who was responsible for equinization: "The two of you must closely cooperate. The artillery company must put forward specific mobility requirements and concepts—how many mules and horses are needed, what types of pack frames or trailers are required. Deputy Regiment Commander Li must do his utmost to coordinate resources to give priority guarantee. Consider not just peacetime marches, but even more so wartime emergency displacement and position construction under enemy fire. You must organize specialized drills, transforming the mobility, deployment, firing, and transfer of heavy weapons into a fluid process; our most powerful fist must never become a burden that drags down the regiment's mobility speed! This principle applies equally to the machine gun detachments of various battalions and companies!"

Listening to this, Liu Gensheng felt his blood surging with passion while also feeling a tremendous sense of responsibility. He loudly guaranteed: "Please rest assured, Regiment Commander! The artillery company guarantees to complete the mission! We will definitely hone the tools in our hands to the extreme, master the future skills, and figure out how to make these iron blocks run faster than rabbits! We will never hold back the regiment!"

"Good! That's the exact spirit we need!" Wang Lin nodded with satisfaction.