Chapter 49: Spring Bursts Forth in Wu Qi, as Farming and Warfare Lay the Foundation

Chapter 49: Spring Surges Through Wuqi—Farming and Fighting Together to Lay a Solid Foundation

The spring wind of 1936 swept across the northern Shaanxi plateau, carrying away winter’s bitter chill and bringing with it the damp scent of thawing earth and the vitality of all things awakening. Though the gullies, ridges, and hillocks still bore traces of last year’s withered yellow grass, specks of tender green had stubbornly broken through the soil, heralding the beginning of another year’s labor.

In Wuqi Town, this base area painstakingly developed by the Red Army Independent Regiment, the air held more than the freshness of spring. It was charged with an unprecedented fervor of effort and a vigorous hope.

That day, amid the slightly crackling electrical noise of the regimental radio station, a telegram was painstakingly decoded—one powerful enough to set everyone’s blood surging. The signalman nearly ran as he delivered the sheet to Wang Lin, his face flushed with excitement.

“Commander! An urgent telegram from headquarters! The Eastern Expedition! News of the Eastern Expedition!”

Wang Lin snatched it up and swept his eyes across the lines like lightning. Political Commissar Wang Guangdao, several battalion commanders who had just returned to report on their work, and Logistics Battalion Commander Lin Huowang immediately crowded around him.

The telegram announced it plainly: the Chinese People’s Red Army Anti-Japanese Vanguard Force had crossed eastward over the Yellow River and officially launched its Eastern Expedition against Yan Xishan, the warlord of Shanxi. Its aims were to open an anti-Japanese corridor, expand the Shaanxi-Gansu Soviet Area, promote peace through warfare, and advance the nationwide anti-Japanese movement.

“Excellent! Beautifully done!”

“They should have struck out long ago!”

“Now we’ll show Old Yan what our Red Army can do!”

The cave dwelling instantly rang with excited discussion. Every cadre rubbed his hands eagerly, as if they might draw their weapons, mount their horses, and ride east at the very next moment to fight shoulder to shoulder with the brother units.

Wang Lin drew a deep breath and suppressed the same surging battle fervor within himself. He rapped his knuckles hard against the table, bringing everyone to silence.

“Comrades!” His voice was steady and powerful, instantly drawing every eye. “The Eastern Expedition! This is a wise decision by the Central Committee, and an important step toward going north to resist Japan! Every officer and soldier of our Independent Regiment firmly supports it and is profoundly encouraged!”

Then his tone shifted, and his gaze passed over every eager, battle-hungry face.

“But the more crucial the moment, the clearer our minds must remain! What task has the Central Committee entrusted to us? To stand rooted here! To become the hardest nail in the northwest gateway! To keep the two Ma warlords of Ningxia in check and consolidate the rear of northern Shaanxi! While the main force clears a path through the thorns ahead, we must ensure that the homeland remains secure behind it, so that the Central Committee and the main forces can advance without fear for their rear.”

He walked to the military map on the wall, which had grown increasingly detailed, and pressed his finger firmly against the Wuqi region.

“What is the most important battle in Wuqi right now? Not an offensive. Spring plowing! If a man misses the proper season, it costs him a moment; if the land misses it, it costs a whole year! Apart from the grain we ate or distributed, every kernel we captured last year is precious seed. It is the future food supply of our base area and the capital with which we support the front lines. Every last grain must be planted in the earth on time and in the proper quantity! That will be the most practical and powerful support we can give the Eastern Expedition!”

The meeting quickly turned to concrete arrangements.

“Chen Ahai, Huang Musheng, Zhou Zhiming!” Wang Lin looked toward the three commanders of the main infantry battalions.

“Here!” The three men rose in unison.

“Your battalions’ primary task remains combat readiness. Keep your eyes wide open and watch the Ningxia direction without the slightest lapse. Do not let Ma Hongbin or Ma Hongkui find an opening! At the same time, so long as it does not affect battle preparedness, each battalion must send out some non-duty squads, led by an instructor or deputy commander, to help the village Soviet governments and the local people in your areas with spring plowing. Assist households short of labor, especially military families and the families of fallen soldiers, in solving their practical difficulties. Remember: one hand holds a rifle, ready for battle at all times; the other hand guides the plow and helps the people produce!”

“Yes! We guarantee we’ll complete the mission!”

The three battalion commanders understood the weight on their shoulders and accepted the order with a thunderous response.

“Old Li!”

“Here!” Li Yunlong’s voice rang out. He was responsible for the southern line toward Huachi. Though the pressure there was comparatively lighter, the defensive zone was broad and still demanded the highest vigilance.

“Your Fourth Battalion’s mission remains unchanged! Keep a firm watch over the southern line and ensure the safety of the Huachi direction. At the same time, maintain surveillance toward the Guanzhong region. Do not let a single enemy slip in and cause trouble! During spring plowing, enemy agents may become more active. Your primary focus must remain on combat readiness. Make certain that our great rear stays safe and sound!”

“Yes, Commander! Rest assured!”

Li Yunlong put away his usual careless expression, his face turning solemn.

“Our Fourth Battalion guarantees that we’ll watch the southern gate so closely that not even a fly will get through to cause trouble! We’ll give the brother units and the villagers peace of mind to get on with production!”

At last, Wang Lin’s gaze fell upon Logistics Battalion Commander Lin Huowang and the commander of the Guard Company.

“Lin Huowang!”

“Here!” Lin Huowang immediately stood. He was usually a man of few words, but he was meticulous to the finest detail and managed logistics with flawless order. Now he straightened his back.

“Comrade Huowang, the burden on your shoulders is the heaviest! Your Logistics Battalion will take overall responsibility for spring production around regimental headquarters and in the core area of Wuqi Town.”

Wang Lin laid out the assignments in detail.

“First, you must guarantee the daily supplies of the entire regiment—several thousand men and horses—as well as the numerous offices and military families. Not a single mistake can be allowed.”

“Second, the selected seeds stored in the warehouses—wheat, millet, beans—are the lifeblood of our people! You will take unified responsibility for their precise allocation. Work closely with Political Commissar Wang to formulate a detailed distribution plan and ensure that every good seed is sown in the most suitable soil. Not one grain may be wasted!”

“Third, farm tools! There is an enormous shortage! Mobilize your repair workshop, along with every local blacksmith and carpenter you can enlist. Have them work through the night to make hoes, sickles, and plowshares, and repair damaged tools. If materials are lacking, find ways to barter for and gather them!”

“Fourth, your Logistics Battalion will organize the labor needed to plow and sow the ownerless wasteland and cultivated fields around headquarters and near the town. You will coordinate the manpower required.”

Lin Huowang’s expression grew grave. He quickly committed each demand to memory before answering steadily.

“Understood! Rest assured, Commander! The food supply will never fail. I’ll personally oversee the seeds and farm tools, and after the meeting I’ll immediately check the requirements with the political commissar and do everything possible to secure them. I’ll lead the team myself in reclaiming and sowing the land around headquarters. We will not miss the farming season!”

Wang Lin nodded and turned to the commander of the Guard Company.

“Zheng Shuisheng!”

“Here!”

“Besides handling the daily security of headquarters and protecting the senior leaders, your Guard Company must also send some men to assist the Logistics Battalion with the spring-plowing work around headquarters. In particular, when it comes to heavy labor such as reclaiming wasteland and digging irrigation channels, you must take the lead!”

“Yes! We guarantee we’ll complete the mission! The Guard Company is a fist in battle, and a strong hand in production as well!”

Wang Lin continued speaking to Lin Huowang.

“There is a fifth matter, Huowang. I’ve thought it over for a long time. Farming alone is not enough; we must improve people’s lives. I plan to establish a livestock farm on the sunny slope behind headquarters. We’ll raise pigs and chickens!”

He explained in greater detail.

“Among last year’s spoils are quite a lot of old grain and mixed beans. They taste poor to people, but they’re perfect for feed. Once the pigs and chickens are raised, the meat and eggs can supplement our nutrition, while the manure will make excellent fertilizer for the fields. I’m entrusting this to you as well. You’re careful and dependable, and animal husbandry requires precisely that kind of patience and attention to detail.”

Understanding and approval shone in Lin Huowang’s eyes.

“That’s an excellent idea, Commander! In the long run, it will bring enormous benefits. I’ll immediately select several careful, responsible soldiers—preferably with some experience raising animals—and form a livestock squad. I’ll also find an experienced old farmer to serve as a technical adviser. We’ll enclose the site as quickly as possible and strive to bring in piglets and chicks before the end of the month!”

“Good! That’s how we’ll do it!”

Wang Lin was highly pleased with Lin Huowang’s steadiness and thoroughness.

“Political Commissar Wang Guangdao!” Wang Lin turned to his old comrade.

“Here!” Wang Guangdao was already prepared.

“Comrade Guangdao, mass mobilization and organization are your main battlefield. Use the village Soviet governments and peasant associations we have just established to spread the news of the Eastern Expedition’s victory and the importance of spring production to every villager! Organize mutual-aid groups and labor-exchange teams so that the entire village workforce can be mobilized efficiently. Seize the farming season and secure the spring sowing! When the battalions send troops to help with production, your people must coordinate everything and establish close ties with the village Soviet governments.”

“Leave it to me, Old Lin!” Wang Guangdao was brimming with confidence. “I’ll immediately call a meeting of the political officers and Soviet officials. We’ll make certain the villagers understand that successful spring plowing is support for the Red Army’s victories and protection of their own good future! We’ll turn the bond between the army and the people into something real in the sweat shed during this year’s spring plowing!”

Orders of battle became orders for production and were swiftly carried to every corner of the Independent Regiment. This steel machine, freshly tempered in the fires of war, rapidly and precisely shifted modes, sending forth a new roar.

Across the vast Loess Plateau, an unprecedented sight emerged. Along the border, the soldiers’ vigilant eyes remained sharp. In the relatively secure interior, red flags fluttered and songs rang out.

Around Wuqi Town, Lin Huowang displayed remarkable organizational ability. He mixed soldiers from the Logistics Battalion with those Guards Company troops who could be spared, divided the work into districts, and assigned responsibility to individuals. He himself led by example, rolling up his trouser legs and stepping into the muddy water with the soldiers as they swung their hoes.

In the warehouse courtyard, all kinds of seeds were carefully inspected once more, sorted, packed, and labeled. Representatives from the village Soviet governments arrived in teams, carrying authorization slips to collect the precious seeds. Lin Huowang personally checked each entry in the ledger, repeatedly offering his instructions.

“Chairman Zhang, these are the wheat seeds for your village’s three hundred mu of land. Every grain is plump. Go back and organize the people to sow them immediately. Whatever you do, don’t miss the season.”

Meanwhile, the repair workshop and temporary sheds were filled with roaring fires and the endless clang of metal. Master craftsmen worked day and night with their apprentices and the soldiers to forge and repair farm tools. Broken hoes were reforged, tempered, and sharpened. Sickle blades worn blunt were fitted with new handles. Fresh plowshares were hammered into shape.

Behind headquarters, several meticulous soldiers selected by Lin Huowang had already begun, under the guidance of a hired old farmer, to build low walls for pigpens and henhouses from stone and packed earth. The rough outline of an orderly livestock farm was taking shape.

The same feverish activity filled the defensive zones of the main battalions. Led by platoon commanders and instructors, the soldiers used the intervals between their sentry duties to help the villagers plow fields, haul manure, and repair the ridges between plots. Their discipline was strict: they would not take so much as a needle or thread from the people, yet they spared no effort in their work and were warmly welcomed by the villagers.

At the village entrances and along the lanes, the mutual-aid groups and labor-exchange teams organized by the Soviet governments also began operating efficiently. Neighbors helped one another, the strong supported the weak, and the worried faces that had once marked the spring-plowing season were replaced by laughter and cheerful voices.

The propaganda teams organized by Political Commissar Wang Guangdao were even more active, moving through every corner of the region. With clapper talks, songs, and crude living newspaper performances, they announced the Eastern Expedition’s victory, explained the importance of spring production, and spread agricultural knowledge.

“Produce well and support the front!”

“Grow more grain, fill our bellies, and fight the invaders!”

Such slogans sank deep into the people’s hearts.

Wang Lin rode from one spring-plowing site to another with his staff officers. He saw Lin Huowang directing the work in the fields, sweat soaking through his uniform. He saw the soldiers of the Guard Company pulling a plow across a barren slope while shouting in unison. He saw soldiers from the Third Battalion helping an old woman carry manure to her field. He heard the tender sound of children reciting lessons from Lenin Primary School. And he saw the walls of the livestock farm behind headquarters rising a little higher each day.

The spring sunshine was bright, and all things were stirring back to life. Across the gullies and hilltops of the Wuqi region, it was not only the figures of those busy with spring plowing that were moving. A vigorous new force was surging beneath everything.

The Independent Regiment gripped rifles in one hand, keeping the warlords of the northwest in check; with the other, it swung hoes and worked deeply into the soil beneath its feet. In another form, it answered the sound of the Eastern Expedition’s artillery in the distance, steadily laying the solid foundations of the Chinese revolution upon this heavy yellow earth.

Standing atop a slope, Wang Lin gazed at the vibrant scene before him, his heart filled with confidence. He knew that what had been sown that spring was more than seed for grain. It was the hope of the future.

And cadres like Lin Huowang—steady, diligent, and meticulous—were precisely the guarantee that everything could proceed smoothly. This spring, the Wuqi base area would surely sink deeper roots and spread more flourishing branches.

Once spring plowing was finished, the Independent Regiment would have to make a move.