Chapter 50: Eight Thousand Tigers Crouching, Schemes Set in Motion Afield-Atravessando o Rio Xiang: Sou um soldado do Exército Vermelho, mas não sei fazer nada(Eu amo batatas.)

In late April of the twenty-fifth year of the Republic (1936), the bustling spring plowing season on the northern Shaanxi plateau had already passed. In the newly turned loess fields, tender green shoots of crops stubbornly poked their heads out, heraging the hope of the summer harvest. In Wuqi Town, an ancient town in eastern Longdong that had been deeply branded with the Red Army's mark, the 1st Independent Regiment of the First Front Army of the Chinese Workers' and Red Army (after the Zhiluozhen Campaign, the Central Red Army restored the First Front Army designation and no longer used the Shaanxi-Gansu Detachment name; Wang Lin's Independent Regiment was still assigned to the 5th Corps)—known as the "Ferocious Tiger Regiment"—had undergone nearly six months of highly effective recuperation, expansion, and base area construction. Like a fierce tiger that had undergone a long period of hibernation and meticulous nurturing, its sinews were now robust, its claws and teeth sharp, and its overall strength had undergone a heaven-shaking and earth-overturning transformation.

On this day, inside the main hall where the regimental headquarters was located, the atmosphere was solemn yet fervent. A core meeting that would determine the fate of the base area and the regiment's next strategic direction was underway. Regiment Commander Wang Lin, Political Commissar Wang Guangdao, and Regimental Quartermaster Zhong Guangbang sat around a wide, eight-immortals table. Spread out on the table was a newly drawn military topographic map of the Shaanxi-Gansu Border Region, densely marked with coordinates and intelligence. Next to it, several thick rosters and account books bound with rough-edged paper were piled high—the preliminary records of the Independent Regiment's now formidable material foundation.

At the very beginning of the meeting, the established agenda was interrupted by urgent military intelligence. Zhang Hongtu, commander of the reconnaissance company, was covered in dust and sweat on his forehead, evidently having ridden at top speed to return. Before he even had time to drink a sip of water, he stood before the map and began his report.

"Commander, Political Commissar, Quartermaster Zhong!" Zhang Hongtu's voice carried the efficiency and urgency typical of a scout. "The situation is critical. Our eyes planted in Huanxian risked their lives to send out intelligence. At the same time, a reconnaissance squad I personally led captured a communications soldier from an enemy division headquarters west of Qingyang, intercepting and deciphering critical orders. Multiple sources of information corroborate one another: the large-scale offensive plan of Ma Hongbin's 35th Division has basically become clear!"

His words seemed to drop the temperature in the room by several degrees. Wang Lin leaned forward, his gaze burning like a torch; Wang Guangdao put down the pen in his hand, looking stern; and Zhong Guangbang instinctively pushed up his glasses, his brows tightly knitted.

Zhang Hongtu picked up a thin wooden stick and pointed to Qingyang and Huanxian on the map: "The main force of the enemy's 35th Division is secretly assembling, divided into two major heavy combat groups: First, assembled in Qingyang city and its surrounding strongholds, including its 35th Division 105th Cavalry Brigade and an-reinforced regiment of the Ma Peiqing Cavalry Regiment, numbering about three thousand troops, forming a cavalry-dominated group led by 105th Brigade Commander Ye Chengzhang. Second, and where their main force lies, concentrated around Huanxian county town and Quzi Town, including the main force of two regiments of its 103rd Infantry Brigade (about 3,000 men) and the majority of another cavalry regiment, with a total strength exceeding 4,000 troops! Commanded by Ma Yulin. The enemy is conscripting corvée laborers on a large scale, gathering rations, and stockpiling ammunition. All indications show that they plan to launch a large-scale 'encirclement and suppression' campaign against our Wuqi base area in two prongs—east and west, advancing in coordination—approximately half a month to twenty days from now, after the spring plowing completely ends and field operations are basically finished. They attempt to suppress, expel, or even annihilate our army in one fell swoop!"

He paused, his tone growing heavier: "The tactical intent of the enemy is also very clear: using the force in the direction of Qingyang as the eastern diversionary group, which may concurrently attack our southern or southeastern directions; while using the main force in Huanxian as the western main attack group, relying on their superiority in manpower and firepower, they will charge straight along the main road into our Wuqi core area. They have arrayed a formal battle formation, intending to rely on absolute strength to crush us over!"

The cave dwelling fell into a silence, broken only by the occasional crackle of the oil lamp's wick. The scale of the enemy's mobilized forces exceeded expectations, and their strategic intent was extremely ferocious.

Wang Lin abruptly stood up, walked over to the map, and heavily pressed his finger on the two points of Qingyang and Huanxian, his voice cold and severe: "What a Ma Hongbin! Quite an appetite! Wanting to take advantage of our base area's nascent establishment and the unharvested summer crops to pull off a Mount Tai crushing down upon us? Wanting to bring the flames of war directly into the homeland we have worked so hard to build?"

He whirled around, his gaze sweeping over Wang Guangdao and Zhong Guangbang, his tone resolute and decisive: "We must never let their clever calculation succeed! If we fight right at our doorstep, no matter the final outcome, the local folks who have just been allocated land, the newly built houses, the newly planted crops, and the trust and support they have just established toward our Red Army could all be destroyed in an instant! Once the morale of the people is shaken, the foundation is moved! We cannot afford this price!"

Political Commissar Wang Guangdao nodded deeply and chimed in, "Old Lin is right! Passive avoidance of war won't do, but a desperate, stubborn defense is even less of a solution. We must strive for strategic initiative. Chairman Mao has long said, 'Fight no battle unprepared, fight no battle with no assurance of victory.' The enemy's preparation is based on their belief that we are still a 'roving bandit' force of a few thousand, but they are wrong! We are a fierce tiger possessing a base area! I agree: if we are to fight, we must never fight at the time and place they choose, nor according to their rhythm. We must leap outward and fight! We must place the battlefield outside our base area!"

Zhong Guangbang adjusted his glasses and brought up the most crucial practical issue: "Fighting on exterior lines entails tremendous logistical pressure and places even higher demands on the mobility and combat effectiveness of the troops. Can our current foundation really support such a proactive, large-scale campaign? To what extent can it be supported? This requires precise calculation. Know the enemy and know yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster. We now roughly know the 'enemy', but what about 'ourselves'? After the development of the past few months, what scale have the various battalions reached? What is their equipment? How is their morale? These must be figured out immediately so we can decide at what scale and over what distance we can operate."

Wang Lin hammered his fist heavily onto the table, his resolve set: "Good! Then let us first thoroughly figure out our foundation! Comrade Guangdao, Old Zhong, immediately issue a regimental order and send an urgent telegram to the main officers of all battalions: aside from leaving one principal cadre in each battalion to garrison the defense sector and closely monitor the opposing enemy, all battalion commanders, deputy battalion commanders, political instructors, and commanders of directly affiliated companies are to immediately ride at top speed back to regimental headquarters for a meeting! I want to hear their reports in person! We must make it crystal clear how sharp and heavy we have forged our own blade!"

"Communications soldier!"

"Present!" The communications soldier waiting by the door responded and stepped inside.

"Immediately issue this telegram according to this order to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Battalions and all directly affiliated companies! Make it fast!"

"Understood!"

The orders spread rapidly in all directions via radio waves and galloping horses. Over the next half-day, the sound of hoofbeats outside the Wuqi Town regimental headquarters was endless, as the main battalion officers hurried over, laden with the dust and fierce aura of warfare.

***

In the afternoon, the largest cave-meeting room at regimental headquarters was crowded with stars, gathering civil and military talents alike. Wang Lin, Wang Guangdao, and Zhong Guangbang sat at the head of the room, while below them sat the battalion and company commanders who had rushed back from various defense lines: 1st Battalion Commander Chen Ahai, 2nd Battalion Commander Huang Musheng, 3rd Battalion Commander Zhou Zhiming, 4th Battalion Commander Li Yunlong (whose booming voice arrived well before his person), along with Reconnaissance Company Commander Zhang Hongtu, Artillery Company Commander Liu Gensheng, Cavalry Company Commander Shamarge, the security company commander, and Logistics Battalion Commander Lin Huowang, among others. The air was thick with the scent of tobacco, sweat, and a sharp, battle-hardened aura.

Wang Lin skipped any superfluous pleasantries and went straight to the point, his voice echoing in the cave dwelling: "Comrades! Regarding the enemy situation, Zhang Hongtu has already briefly explained. Ma Hongbin has mobilized nearly ten thousand troops, preparing to move against us in half a month, attempting to swallow our base area in one bite! Shall we stretch out our necks for the slaughter, or rise up in counterattack?"

"Beat the dog-raising bastards!" Li Yunlong was the first to roar. The others also wore expressions of indignation, their fighting spirit soaring.

"Good!" Wang Lin pressed his hands downward in the air to quiet everyone down. "My opinion, the political commissar's, and the quartermaster's are aligned: we cannot sit and wait to be beaten; we must proactively strike out! Push the battlefield to the exterior lines! However—"

He changed the subject, his gaze sweeping across the face of every warrior: "How to fight? Where to fight? On what scale? This depends on how much capital we actually have in our hands today! Calling you back today is to lay out the true foundation of our Independent Regiment plainly on the table, item by item, clear as day! I want to see what your foundation looks like after half a year of troop splitting! Starting with the 1st Battalion, Chen Ahai, you go first! Report your battalion's current establishment, personnel, equipment, and controlled area! Be specific, be accurate, speak the truth as it is! No concealment is permitted!"

"Understood!" 1st Battalion Commander Chen Ahai snapped to his feet, his voice ringing loud and clear: "Reporting to the Commander, Political Commissar, and Quartermaster Zhong! My 1st Battalion garrisons the northwest direction of Wuqi, primarily dealing with potential enemies in Dingbian and Yanchi. Following recuperation, the supplementation of Hunan campaign veteran backbones, and the absorption of vetted local active elements into the ranks, we now command three full-strength infantry companies, one machine gun company (governing three heavy machine gun platoons), one battalion-attached artillery platoon, and one cavalry reconnaissance platoon. The battalion's actual strength: 1,250 men!"

He paused and continued with detailed reports: "In terms of equipment, the infantry is equipped with a total of 1,050 Hanyang and Zhongzheng rifles, 36 Czech light machine guns, and 9 Type 24 heavy machine guns! The battalion artillery platoon is equipped with two 81/82mm mortars and six Shanghai-made 60mm mortars! The cavalry platoon has 80 mounted troops equipped with carbines and sabers. The controlled area includes seven major and minor villages and towns, all of which have established Soviet regimes and Red Guard detachments. The mass foundation is solid, and they can provide grain, forage, and intelligence support to our army. Report complete!"

Wang Lin nodded, signaling him to sit. The recorder was writing furiously.

"2nd Battalion!" Wang Lin called out.

2nd Battalion Commander Huang Musheng stood up in response. His face was tanned dark, bearing the weather-beaten scars of years stationed on the front lines: "Reporting! The 2nd Battalion garrisons the western line, facing the Huanxian direction. We bear the greatest pressure, experience the most combat friction, and have received the highest priority for troop reinforcement and equipment. We now command three infantry companies, one reinforced machine gun company (governing four heavy machine gun platoons), one battalion-attached artillery platoon, and one cavalry reconnaissance platoon. The battalion's actual strength: 1,380 men!"

His voice carried a hint of pride: "Equipped with 1,150 rifles (same models as the 1st Battalion), 40 light machine guns, and 12 heavy machine guns! Three 82mm mortars and six 60mm mortars! The cavalry platoon has been expanded to 100 mounted troops! Our battalion controls three frontline strongpoint highlands and five surrounding villages. Recently, we have engaged in over a dozen skirmishes with small enemy cavalry units and local militias, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy each time. The troops possess rich combat experience and an extremely high desire for battle! Report complete!"

"3rd Battalion!"

3rd Battalion Commander Zhou Zhiming rose steadily. The northern line he was responsible for was the largest in area and the most complex in situation: "Reporting to the Commander and Political Commissar! The 3rd Battalion garrisons the northern line, with tasks focused on suppressing remnant bandits, maintaining trade routes, and consolidating the new areas. We now command three infantry companies, one machine gun company, one battalion-attached artillery platoon, and one cavalry reconnaissance platoon. The battalion's actual strength: 1,180 men! Equipped with 980 rifles, 32 light machine guns, and 8 heavy machine guns! Two 82mm mortars and five 60mm mortars! The cavalry platoon has 90 mounted troops. Through successive suppression campaigns, there are no longer any organized bandit groups within our defense sector, the Soviet regime functions effectively, and we can provide flank security for the regimental main force. Report complete!"

Finally, all eyes fell upon Li Yunlong, who had been itching for action for a long time. Without waiting for Wang Lin to call his name, this fellow sprang up, his loud voice shaking dust from the roof:

"Commander! Political Commissar! Haha, it's old Li's turn!" He grinned, his face unable to conceal his overwhelming smugness. "Our 4th Battalion garrisons the southern line around Huachi and Heshui. That place is a blessed piece of land! A rich source of recruits, an excellent mass foundation, and old Li's humble name carries weight there! We now command four infantry companies! One reinforced machine gun company (governing four heavy machine gun platoons, three guns per platoon, totaling 12 guns)! One reinforced artillery platoon!"

He deliberately emphasized the word "reinforced" and roared on: "The battalion's actual strength: 1,650 men! Equipped with 1,400 rifles, 48 light machine guns, and 12 heavy machine guns! Four 82mm mortars and eight 60mm mortars! Cavalry? Hehe, we have a complete cavalry regiment—er, cavalry company! 150 fine horses of uniform color, fully equipped with repeating rifles and sabers!"

With a grand wave of his large hand, he exuded immense momentum: "Our controlled area has pushed southward by at least thirty li! We are now strong in manpower and horses, with abundant ammunition. The soldiers are howling for action, just waiting for the Commander's order to chew on the hardest bones and fight the most brutal battles! Report complete!"

Li Yunlong's report elicited waves of laughter and gasps of amazement; this fellow's speed of expansion and strength truly surpassed the entire regiment.

The commanders of the directly affiliated companies also rose to report in turn:

***

Regimental Reconnaissance Company (Zhang Hongtu): 320 men. The entire company was highly militarized with pack animals, equipped with the newest rifles, submachine guns, binoculars, and compasses—the eyes and dagger of the entire regiment.

Regimental Artillery Company (Liu Gensheng): 280 men. Governing an 82mm mortar platoon (6 guns), a 60mm mortar platoon (8 guns), and heavy explosive demolition squads ("Iron Pipe Thunder", 4 teams), they were the "God of War" in Wang Lin's hands.

Regimental Cavalry Company (Shamarge): 180 men. Completely mounted, with exquisite horsemanship and fierce combat prowess, they constituted the sharp blade for rapid breakthroughs and pursuits.

Regimental Headquarters Security Company: 450 men. Excellently equipped, loyal, and reliable.

Logistics Battalion (reported by Battalion Commander Lin Huowang): 950 men. Although not a purely combat unit, through rigorous training and equipment, equipped with pack-mule carts, and responsible for the regiment's logistical transport, engineering operations, and field hospital (possessing a considerable quantity of captured and self-made medicines and instruments), they possessed a very respectable combat capability.

When all the reports were finished, Zhong Guangbang pulled out an abacus and began rapidly clicking the beads with a flurry of clacks before everyone's eyes. The cave dwelling was dead silent, save for the crisp clicking of the abacus and the heavy breathing of the crowd. Every single number represented the tangible, solid strength of the "Ferocious Tiger Regiment."

After a long while, Zhong Guangbang raised his head, took off his glasses, wiped them vigorously, his face flushed with a warm glow, his voice trembling slightly with excitement: "Commander! Political Commissar! Comrades! The tally is complete! As of today, following nearly six months of recuperation and expansion, the total strength of our Independent Regiment has reached: 7,980 men! This does not even include the nearly 2,000 members of the Red Guard detachments and local guerrilla forces within each battalion's controlled area, whom we helped organize, brought under our command, and provided with preliminary military training!"

Nearly eight thousand troops!

This number exploded like a thunderclap inside the cave dwelling, immediately followed by a collective intake of breath and irrepressible waves of excited murmurs! Enormous pride, excitement, and disbelief surged across everyone's faces. What a formidable force this was! Its scale far exceeded the establishment of a Kuomintang army division, its equipment level was even superior, and its morale was soaring. Having weathered blood and fire and been tempered by the construction of the base area, its cohesion and combat effectiveness were incomparable to the past!

Wang Lin took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the surging, passionate current in his chest. He slowly stood up, walked over to the map, and once more swept his gaze over every flushed, excited commander.

"Good! What a fine force of eight thousand fierce tigers!" His voice was as steady as a monolith, yet pregnant with volcanic power. "Brothers! We are now strong in manpower and horses, with a thick material foundation! We are no longer that short of guns, ammunition, and exhausted detached force we were when crossing the Xiang River! We are now an iron-clad army of nearly eight thousand elite soldiers, fully equipped, with guaranteed logistics!"

His palm came down heavily on the map, with a force that made the table tremble. His finger swept outward from the Wuqi Town region representing the base area, landing squarely on the vast expanse representing the enemy-occupied territory or buffer zones.

"Now, we have ample capital to leap outward! Capital to choose our own battlefield! Capital to fight a major battle that will severely cripple Ma Hongbin and make him never dare to look our Wuqi base area squarely in the eye again!"

His burning gaze turned to Wang Guangdao and Zhong Guangbang, his tone resolute: "Political Commissar, Old Zhong, the situation has become completely clear! My resolve is made: the main force will rapidly and secretly assemble, utilizing the final window of time before the enemy completes their offensive preparations to proactively strike out and fight on exterior lines! The specific campaign direction, objectives, and tactics will be drawn up in detail immediately by our regimental headquarters based on this formidable foundation of eight thousand men! We will make Ma Hongbin's offensive completely bankrupt before it even begins!"

And this time, they possessed absolute confidence in their hearts. Where their gazes fell, there was no longer passive defense, but boundless exterior lines and endless possibilities. Behind them stood nearly eight thousand sharpened, keen sabers, waiting only for the single command to hack toward the most unexpected direction for the enemy! The strategic initiative was now firmly grasped in the hands of the "Ferocious Tiger Regiment."