Chapter 46: New Chapter - The Fierce Tiger Encamped (Establishing Authority and Constructing the System)

In the late autumn of the twenty-fourth year of the Republic, the wind across the northern Shaanxi plateau carried a bone-chilling frost. The loess ridges and ravines crisscrossed the vast, desolate landscape. Wuqi Town, a historic ancient town, welcomed its new masters—the Independent Regiment of the Shaanxi-Gansu Detachment of the Chinese Workers' and Red Army.

The regimental headquarters was established in a relatively well-preserved quadrangle courtyard at the western edge of the town. Originally serving as both the town hall and the private estate of the local tyrannical gentry, Master Du, the entrance now bore a wooden plaque reading "Regimental Headquarters of the Chinese Workers' and Red Army Independent Regiment." Two sentries holding rifles stood as straight as pine trees, their sharp gazes silently signaling a profound shift in power.

Inside the main hall, a charcoal brazier dispelled the chill. Regimental Commander Wang Lin, Political Commissar Wang Guangdao, along with the commander of the regiment's directly subordinate guards company, Supply Battalion Commander Zhong Guangbang, Reconnaissance Company Commander Zhang Hongtu, and Artillery Company Commander Liu Gensheng, gathered together. A newly drawn preliminary map of the Wuqi region was hung on the wall, still bearing vast empty spaces. Those vacant areas were reserved for the Fourth Battalion and Li Yunlong, who had marched south toward Huachi.

"Comrades," Wang Lin's voice broke the silence as he tapped his fingers against the map, "Old Li has taken the Fourth Battalion south to drive a wedge into the enemy's flank, and our burden here is by no means light. Can we truly govern this place? The first step depends entirely on whether we can firmly plant our feet, make the common people trust us, and make our enemies fear us!"

Political Commissar Wang Guangdao took up the thread, his tone gentle yet resolute: "The commander is right. To plant our feet firmly, we must first establish our authority by sweeping away all monsters and demons; second, we must establish our credibility by winning over millions of impoverished people. Without authority, orders cannot be enforced; without credibility, our roots cannot hold."

Wang Lin's gaze swept across the gathered officers: "The Supply Battalion, the Guards Company, and the Reconnaissance Company—this time, you must step up!"

"Reconnaissance Company!"

"Present!" Company Commander Zhang Hongtu immediately stood up.

"I give you two days. Take your men, disguise yourselves as peddlers and refugees, and thoroughly investigate the five townships around Wuqi Town and every village, large and small. Especially those wealthy and powerful prominent families—find out whose bottom of the pot is black, and whose hands are stained with blood! Investigate them down to the last detail! Also, find out if there are any organized bands of bandits or routed soldiers nearby, where their strongholds are, and how many rifles they have. Report back on all of it!"

"Understood! Mission guaranteed!" Zhang Hongtu accepted the order, turned, and strode out.

The meeting then proceeded to discuss troop deployment, logistical arrangements, and other matters. After the meeting adjourned, Wang Lin stood alone before the map, his gaze deep and contemplative. Coming from a later era, he knew all too well that grassroots work was far more complex than a simple battle; precise "class analysis" and "differentiated treatment" were the keys to success.

Two days later, Zhang Hongtu returned covered in dust, bringing back detailed reconnaissance intelligence.

"Commander, Commissar, the situation has been mapped out!" After gulping down a bowl of water, he began his report: "In the five townships surrounding Wuqi Town, there are a total of eleven landlord households of varying sizes. According to our standards, they can be roughly divided into three categories..."

He picked up a piece of charcoal and wrote on the blank edge of the map:

"First, those with notorious criminal records and massive popular indignation—a total of six households. Headed by Du Mingshan (Master Du) in the town and Zhao Baichuan in Erlong Township, they all maintain armed local militias. Usury, the forcible seizure of farmland, and driving people to their deaths are countless among their deeds. They are standard tyrannical local gentry."

"Second, those with ambiguous attitudes who have engaged in exploitation but cannot be counted as utterly evil—two households. Most of them are taking a wait-and-see approach."

"Third, those with decent reputations who can be considered 'enlightened gentry'—three households. Normally, their rents and interest rates are relatively light, and during famine years they distribute a bit of porridge and grain. We have heard of no major atrocities committed by them."

"In addition," Zhang Hongtu's tone grew heavier, "at Laoya Ravine, thirty li northwest of the town, a band of bandits is entrenched. Their leader goes by the alias 'Black Mountain Wolf,' commanding around forty to fifty men and rifles. They plunder homes and rob travelers, committing every imaginable evil, and are a local scourge. Our reconnaissance reveals that they just intercepted a small transport team suspected of belonging to warlords, looted plenty of valuable goods, and are currently dividing the spoils in their lair."

Wang Lin and Wang Guangdao exchanged a glance, sharing a tacit understanding. Bandits were the ideal target for establishing authority: they could rid the people of a curse while capturing supplies, achieving two goals with a single stroke.

"What is the combat effectiveness of this band of bandits?" Wang Lin asked.

"A rabble of mobs. Relying on their familiarity with the terrain, they're fine for bullying common people. One of our reinforced companies will be more than enough to deal with them."

"Good!" Wang Lin slammed his hand on the table. "Lin Huowang!"

"Present!" The Supply Battalion commander stood up. The supply battalion was not the main combat force, but it had ample personnel, and its first company in particular was composed of veteran soldiers responsible for escorting vital supplies, possessing a combat capability not to be underestimated.

"Take your first company, have Zhang Hongtu assign you a guide, and set out tonight! Raid Laoya Ravine and wipe out Black Mountain Wolf's lair! Remember to minimize casualties and make the capture of supplies your primary objective!"

"Understood!" A flash of excitement crossed Lin Huowang's eyes; it was rare for the supply battalion to independently execute a combat mission.

The battle held no suspense. At the break of dawn, the rattling of gunfire and the muffled explosions unique to iron-pipe thunder charges shattered the silence of the mountain ravine. In less than an hour, a communications soldier raced back to regimental headquarters to report victory: the bandit lair had been breached, the stubborn bandit leader "Black Mountain Wolf" and over a dozen thugs were killed, more than thirty were captured, and over forty rifles along with a quantity of ammunition were seized. Most importantly, inside the bandits' cave, they discovered mountains of grain (likely accumulated by the bandits over years and newly plundered), dozens of bolts of cloth, large amounts of salt, and a heavy wooden box containing several hundred silver dollars and over a dozen gleaming gold bars!

When the news reached them, Wang Lin was overjoyed. This batch of supplies was a timely rain for the newly arrived Independent Regiment!

That afternoon, the open ground in the center of Wuqi Town was a sea of heads. Urged on by the soldiers, the local villagers gathered around, feeling a mixture of curiosity and terror.

A public trial assembly was convened. Political Commissar Wang Guangdao personally presided over it, his voice resonant and earnest, yet carrying an unquestionable majesty. The reconnaissance company's soldiers and representatives of the victimized common people took turns stepping onto the platform, pointing at the six tightly bound tyrannical gentry (including Du Mingshan and Zhao Baichuan) and tearfully accusing them of countless crimes—abusing women and men, seizing fields, extorting debts, and taking human lives as if they were grass. Every single case was backed by irrefutable evidence, causing the crowd below to shift from whispered murmurs to seething anger.

"Shoot them!"

"Kill these man-eating jackals!"

The roars of fury ultimately surged into a tidal wave.

Wang Lin finally took the stage, his gaze like lightning sweeping across the entire crowd, his voice decisive and unyielding: "Father, mothers, and fellow villagers! The Red Army is the army of the poor! The very purpose of our coming is to eradicate these feudal tyrants who weigh down upon your heads! In accordance with Soviet law and the fervent demands of the broad masses of the people, I announce: Du Mingshan, Zhao Baichuan, and four others are sentenced to death, to be executed immediately!"

A few gunshots echoed, announcing the complete collapse of the old order. Cheers shook the earth. Immediately afterward, soldiers carried out chests of land deeds and IOUs seized from the homes of the tyrants and the bandits' lair, casting them into the roaring flames right before the crowd. Watching those slips of paper that had devoured their countless blood, sweat, and tears turn to ashes, many elderly people fell to their knees in overwhelming emotion, tears streaming down their faces.

"Fellow villagers!" Wang Lin announced loudly, "The lands and movable wealth of these individuals, including the ill-gotten gains looted by the bandits, will be presided over by the Soviet government and distributed fairly to everyone!"

Thunderous methods coupled with a merciful heart—the establishment of authority had been achieved.

Over the following days, the handling of the remaining five landlord households unfolded swiftly. For the two households with ambiguous attitudes, the regimental headquarters dispatched cadres to visit them in person, clearly laying out the policy: aside from retaining their ancestral residential home and a sufficient amount of self-farmed land, the rest of their property would be confiscated and redistributed, while their movable wealth would not be pursued. They were required to support the new policies and abide by Soviet decrees. Having witnessed the fate of the tyrannical gentry, the two landlord households dared not disobey and tremblingly expressed their cooperation.

Finally, Wang Lin changed into a slightly worn military uniform, taking only a single guard, and paid a personal visit to the three "virtuous households" of good reputation.

At the home of the most respected Elder Bai, Wang Lin adopted a humble demeanor, greeting him with the etiquette of a junior.

"Elder Bai, the Red Army has come here solely to save the country and its people. In fighting local tyrants, dividing land, and striking down the unrighteous gentry who bullied the villages, we are by no means making enemies of all gentry. You, sir, have performed many charitable deeds in normal times and won the praise of your neighbors, for which we hold deep respect."

Elder Bai had initially been filled with anxiety, but seeing this renowned Red Army commander treat him with such courtesy, he grew somewhat reassured.

Wang Lin continued: "Now the old regime has crumbled, the new regime is newly established, and everything is waiting to be built. We hope that enlightened gentry like yourself can see the grand trend and support the new policies of the Soviet government. In future local development and the stabilization of the villages, we will still need to rely on the prestige and support of you gentry. The Red Army guarantees that your lawful property and personal safety will be protected."

These words combined respect and warning while pointing out the way forward. Elder Bai pondered for a moment, ultimately touched by their sincerity, and cupped his hands: "Commander Wang shows a deep understanding of the greater good, and this old man is full of admiration. That your army rids the people of evils brings great comfort to this old man as well. Wherever my humble efforts may be of use, I shall certainly do my utmost."

As night fell, under the oil lamp at the regimental headquarters, Wang Lin looked at the preliminary inventory of supplies and the draft diagram of land distribution on the table, smiling at Wang Guangdao: "Old partner, this first fire has been successfully lit. Next, we must make this fire burn even brighter, embedding our roots firmly into this loess soil!"

Wang Guangdao nodded, his gaze equally resolute: "Indeed, authority has been established, and credibility is beginning to show. The next step is to truly take root, allowing this Wuqi Town to completely embrace a brand-new heaven and earth!"

Outside the window, the cold wind still blew, but this winter in Wuqi Town was destined to be unlike any before.