Chapter 57: Reorganizing the Sharpened Sword, Looking Eastward to the Taihang Mountains

The ancient city of Qingyang stood under the early summer sun, its battle-scarred walls appearing increasingly resolute and majestic. Wang Lin walked alone and slowly along the broad ramparts. Beneath his feet lay the coarse bricks and stones, while before his eyes stretched the vast Longdong Plateau. Countless ravines and gullies rolled like the frozen waves of the earth, surging eastward all the way to the hazy horizon where the land met the sky.

His gaze was likewise fixed firmly upon the east.

"Shanxi... the Taihang Mountains..." Wang Lin murmured inwardly, a heavy and pressing sense of urgency welling up within him. Having traveled through time from a later era, he knew more clearly than anyone else in this world that in at most a little over a year, this revolutionary force, which had striven through countless hardships to secure its footing in northern Shaanxi, would cross the Yellow River eastward. They would head to the North China anti-Japanese front to engage in a life-or-death struggle concerning the survival of the nation against a fully armed Japanese invading army.

"When that time comes, what kind of adversary will my Independent Brigade face?" The system spun at high speed: "A fully equipped Japanese Class A division-equivalent infantry regiment—roughly 3,800 men, equipped with four to six Type 41 or Type 38 75mm mountain/field guns, six to eight Type 92 infantry guns, nearly a hundred Type 89 grenade dischargers, over a hundred light and heavy machine guns, alongside air support and possible tank coordination... Rigid in tactics yet well-trained, soldiers deeply poisoned by militarism and fearless of death, with tight fire coordination and formidable close-combat capabilities..."

He stopped walking, pressing his hands against the cold battlements, his knuckles turning slightly pale from the force. Although the Independent Brigade now boasted nearly eight thousand men with grand momentum and abundant captured supplies, if these forces could not be scientifically integrated, modernized, and subjected to targeted intensive training, the consequences would be unimaginable once they were thrown into a head-on collision with such Japanese elite forces. The troop size had expanded, but it must never become bloated and inefficient. It had to be forged into a genuine elite force—a steel-hard powerhouse that was rapid in reaction, formidable in firepower, resilient in logistics, and capable of meeting the demands of modern warfare.

"Reorganization! A thorough, transformative reorganization must be carried out!" Wang Lin's gaze grew exceptionally sharp, and a clear, grand blueprint for the reorganization gradually took shape in his mind, every detail becoming clearly visible.

That night, inside the temporary command post of what was now the Qingyang Independent Regiment (soon to be upgraded to a brigade), large hurricane lamps illuminated the room as brightly as day. Regiment Commander Wang Lin, Political Commissar Wang Guangdao, Quartermaster Zhong Guangbang, along with major battalion commanders, direct-subordinate company commanders, and other core backbones gathered together. The air was thick with the scent of tobacco, sweat, and the excitement and solemnity preceding a major battle.

Without superfluous pleasantries, Wang Lin walked up to the huge military map that covered an entire wall, tapped the blank space beside the map with a thin wooden stick, and pointed toward a temporary blackboard pieced together from wooden boards.

"Comrades!" Wang Lin's voice was steady and powerful, instantly drowning out all the murmurs. "In the battle of Qingyang, we achieved an unprecedented victory, annihilating Ma Hongbin's main forces and capturing mountains of supplies. More importantly, we have controlled this vast base area comprising Qingyang, Huanxian, and Yuancheng! The Central Committee has already officially wired back, approving the upgrading of our unit to the Independent Brigade of the Fifth Army Group of the Chinese Workers' and Red Army's First Front Army!"

"Splendid!" A burst of enthusiastic cheers and applause instantly erupted in the cave dwelling. Li Yunlong slapped his thigh with excitement, nearly shaking his stool apart. Cadres of Red Army origin such as Chen Ahai and Zhou Zhiming, though relatively restrained, also wore faces glowing with excitement and pride. From the remnant troops who had fought their way through the bloody banks of the Xiang River to a mighty force boasting nearly eight thousand men and shaking the entire Longdong region today—how arduous yet how glorious this journey had been!

Wang Lin pressed his hands downward in a calming gesture. As the crowd quieted, his tone abruptly turned even more solemn: "However, comrades! Upgrading means greater responsibilities and more arduous tasks! We are no longer merely a flank force responsible for diversion and interception! We are going to become a strategic force! Our vision must be cast much further! Thousands of miles away in the Northeast, the iron hoofs of the Japanese invaders are trampling our homeland! The Party Central Committee and the Chairman have called for the establishment of the Anti-Japanese National United Front, and the all-out War of Resistance is about to break out! In the future, our Independent Brigade will inevitably cross the Yellow River eastward, head to the front lines, and face the shameless Japanese aggressors head-on!"

He paused, his gaze like lightning sweeping across every face that had instantly grown immensely serious. "We must ask ourselves: in our current state, can we defeat a fully armed Japanese army? Can we guarantee that we can hold back the devils? Can we live up to the expectations of the Party and the people?"

A string of questions struck everyone's heart like heavy hammers. The excitement brought by the upgrading quickly settled into a weighty sense of responsibility and urgency.

"No! At least not yet!" Wang Lin answered his own question with a decisive tone. "We must make good use of this precious period of respite right now to complete a thorough reorganization! We must truly integrate these eight thousand men into a precise, efficient, and formidable war machine! Our goal is simple: when we arrive in Shanxi in the future, my Independent Brigade must be able to go head-to-head with a Japanese Class A infantry regiment and emerge victorious! We must let the devils know what kind of force the Chinese Workers' and Red Army is!"

He picked up a charcoal pencil and began sketching the future organizational blueprint of the Independent Brigade on the blackboard, every stroke pressing deeply into the board:

I. Combat Core: Two Main Infantry Regiments (Totaling Approximately 5,400 Men)

"These are the steel backbone of our brigade, the absolute mainstay for assaulting fortified positions and defense!" Wang Lin wrote the characters "Infantry Regiment" in the upper-left corner of the blackboard.

First Regiment: Formed by the merger and reorganization of the former First and Third Battalions. Regiment Commander: Chen Ahai, known for his steady combat style and broad strategic vision; Deputy Regiment Commander: Zhou Zhiming, equally experienced and skilled in positional warfare. Full establishment of 2,700 men.

Comprising three infantry battalions (each with approximately 800 men, consisting of three infantry companies and one machine gun/mortar company featuring a heavy machine gun platoon and a mortar platoon);
Regiment-attached machine gun company (equipped with six to eight heavy machine guns as mobile fire support);
Regiment-attached mortar company (equipped with six 82mm mortars to provide battalion-level support fire);
Regiment-attached cavalry company (a full-strength cavalry company of 120 men responsible for mobile operations);
Regiment-attached reconnaissance and communications platoon (responsible for intra-regiment communications and frontline reconnaissance);
Regiment-attached security and service platoon.

"Every regiment must be capable of independently undertaking offensive and defensive tasks in a campaign direction. The coordination of infantry, machine guns, mortars, and cavalry—especially the assault, defense, and flanking capabilities at the company and platoon levels—must be strengthened through high-intensity joint drills!"

Second Regiment: Formed by the merger and reorganization of the former Second and Fourth Battalions. Regiment Commander: Li Yunlong, known for daring to fight hard battles and full of cunning ideas; Deputy Regiment Commander: Huang Musheng, possessing a tenacious work style and skilled in brutal battles. Full establishment of 2,700 men, with an organizational structure identical to that of the First Regiment.

"Old Li, for your Second Regiment, I want you to forge it into an unstoppable sharp knife! But a sharp knife must also have a hilt and rules; it cannot be poked blindly! You must be ruthless, yet clever!" Wang Lin specifically singled out Li Yunlong. Li Yunlong chuckled, rubbing his hands together and saying, "Regiment Commander, rest assured! Old Li guarantees to bring you a main regiment that is capable of both attacking and defending, and knows how to manage provisions well!"

II. Mobile Iron Fist: Brigade-Attached Cavalry Battalion (Approximately 360 Men)

Wang Lin outlined an area in the upper right of the blackboard and wrote "Cavalry Battalion."

Based on the existing cavalry company, all captured horses and prisoners who had undergone ideological re-education and possessed basic riding skills were integrated. After allocating mounts to the two regiments, the remaining selected personnel were expanded into the brigade-attached cavalry battalion. Battalion Commander: Shamarge, brave and loyal.

Comprising: Three cavalry companies (each with 120 riders, equipped with cavalry carbines, sabers, and a small number of horse-mounted light machine guns); one battalion-attached machine gun platoon (equipped with 10 light machine guns to provide assault firepower).

"The mission of the cavalry battalion is not limited to reconnaissance and communication!" Wang Lin emphasized. "You must become the brigade's rapid response force, the 'eyes' and 'lightning' on the battlefield! You are responsible for long-distance raids, flank encirclements, pursuing retreating enemies, and cutting off supply lines! Shamarge, you must train our cavalry into an all-terrain elite force capable of running on the ground, fighting on horseback, and dismounting for infantry combat!"

Shamarge sprang to his feet, puffing out his chest and roaring in heavily accented Chinese, "Please rest assured, Brigade Commander! The cavalry battalion guarantees to become the sharp blade piercing the enemy's heart!"

III. God of War: Brigade-Attached Artillery Battalion (Approximately 400–500 Men)

Wang Lin's charcoal pencil moved to the center of the blackboard, writing heavily the three characters "Artillery Battalion." Everyone's gaze converged here, especially upon those twelve brand-new 75mm field guns.

Based on the original artillery company, all artillerymen and technical personnel were integrated and upgraded to the brigade-attached artillery battalion. Battalion Commander: Liu Gensheng, who possessed exceptional technical skills and excelled at learning.

Comprising:
Heavy artillery company (twelve 75mm Krupp field guns, equipped with observation squads, communication squads, calculation squads, along with four towing trucks and necessary pack animals);
Mortar company (comprising two platoons equipped with 82mm and 60mm mortars respectively, totaling around 40 tubes, responsible for medium- and close-range fire support);
Train company (responsible for battalion-wide ammunition transport, artillery forward delivery and transfer, and technical support).

"Gensheng!" Wang Lin looked at Liu Gensheng, his tone exceptionally grave. "Your burden is the heaviest! These heavy guns are the lifeblood of our brigade and our trump card for dealing with Japanese fortified positions and artillery positions in the future! You must master the performance, firing tables, operating procedures, and tactical application of these new artillery pieces at the absolute fastest speed! You must not only fire accurately, but also quickly and fiercely! You must be able to respond to infantry calls at any moment and strike wherever pointed! You must also be capable of defending against enemy counter-battery fire and aerial bombardment!"

Liu Gensheng snapped to his feet. Without a trace of joy on his face, only a massive sense of responsibility and determination, he replied, "Yes! Brigade Commander! The artillery battalion guarantees the completion of the mission! Even if I don't eat or sleep, I will take good care of our 'God of War' and train them to perfection!"

IV. Life Hub: Brigade-Attached Logistics Support Regiment (Approximately 1,500–2,000 Men)

Wang Lin's pencil moved to the lower right corner of the blackboard, where he outlined the massive foundation supporting the operation of the entire brigade.

With the former transport battalion as the core, all logistics, technical, medical, and new-recruit training units of the brigade were integrated and upgraded to the brigade-attached logistics support regiment. Regiment Commander: concurrently held by the meticulous Zhong Guangbang; Deputy Regiment Commander concurrently serving as Chief of Staff: Huo Wang (responsible for daily specific operations). Wang Lin emphasized: "Modern warfare is a war of logistics! The support regiment is the lifeline of our Independent Brigade and the key factor determining how far we can go and how long we can fight!"

The logistics support regiment comprised three major divisions:

Transport and Support Battalion (approx. 800 men):
Transport company: equipped with 200 mules and horses, 50 large wagons, and a number of captured trucks/pack animals, responsible for the forward delivery and rear transport of ammunition, rations, uniforms, and supplies.
Engineering company: responsible for bridging, road construction, trench digging, mine laying/clearing, and constructing defensive positions to support troop mobility and halting.
Medical detachment: comprising a field hospital (with operating rooms and wards), stretcher-bearer teams, and medical squads, dedicated to minimizing combat attrition and treating the wounded (including treating wounded prisoners as appropriate).
Repair workshop: responsible for the repair, maintenance, and modification of firearms and artillery, reloading ammunition, and achieving ammunition self-sufficiency whenever possible.
Ration and forage team: responsible for the receipt, storage, management, and distribution of grain, cooking oil, salt, uniforms, and other military supplies.

Information and Communications Support Battalion (approx. 300 men):

Wang Lin paused here specifically, explaining: "Why classify communications support under logistics? Because radios, telephones, batteries, wire materials, and the like are all vital combat supplies. The training of signalmen, the laying and maintenance of lines, and the upkeep of equipment lean more toward technical support and service backing rather than frontline combat assault. Placing them within the framework of the logistics support regiment is more conducive to unified management, resource allocation, and wartime technical support."

This battalion integrated all communication forces of the brigade: brigade headquarters radio squads, regimental and battalion telephone squads, cavalry communicators, foot messengers, flag signalers, etc.
Responsible for: laying and maintaining field telephone lines; operating wireless radios, sending and receiving encrypted messages, and maintaining confidentiality; establishing and managing cavalry and foot communication networks; simple signal communication (flag semaphore, light signals); safekeeping, repair, and battery charging of communication equipment.

"On the future battlefield, the speed of information transmission determines victory or defeat! The communications support battalion must ensure that communication between the brigade headquarters and various regiments, battalions, and even key frontline companies remains unobstructed under any circumstances! This is the core unit for achieving our 'informationization' goal!"

New Recruit Training Camp (approx. 400–600 men, varying in number; as long as we could sustain them, the more the better):
Responsible for receiving and retraining newly enlisted youths and liberated soldiers who had undergone preliminary grievance-airing education.
Conducting political education (Red Army traditions, class consciousness, discipline), basic military training (drill, shooting, grenade throwing, bayonet fighting, earthwork operations), and literacy education (literacy classes).
Training cycle of 2 to 3 months; upon passing evaluations, soldiers were assigned to fill vacancies in various combat units.

"This is the living source for maintaining our combat effectiveness and purity! Training must be strict, and political stance must be qualified!" Political Commissar Wang Guangdao interjected and emphasized.

V. Dark Night Blade: Brigade-Attached Special Operations Battalion (Approximately 400 Men)

Finally, Wang Lin pointed his charcoal pencil to a special area at the top of the blackboard—the Special Operations Battalion.

Based on the elite backbones of the former reconnaissance company and security company, and absorbing combat experts selected from each regiment, the unit was expanded into the brigade-attached special operations battalion. Battalion Commander: reconnaissance expert Zhang Hongtu; Deputy Battalion Commander: loyal and reliable Zheng Shuisheng.

Comprising: Reconnaissance company (disguised reconnaissance, long-distance infiltration, terrain surveying), assault company (skilled in night combat, close combat, raids, and decapitation strikes), sniper platoon (long-range precise shooting and sniper elimination of key targets), demolition squad (proficient in the use of various explosives, destruction of fortifications), and foreign language group (beginning to learn common Japanese phrases to prepare for capturing prisoners, interrogating captives, and behind-enemy-lines activities in the future).

"The special operations battalion is the sharpest dagger and the hardest shield of the entire brigade!" Wang Lin swept his gaze across Zhang Hongtu and Zheng Shuisheng. "Your training must be the strictest, your standards the highest, and your equipment the best! In the future, you must be able to go deep behind enemy lines and turn things upside down! You must be able to pierce directly into the enemy's heart at a critical moment and strike dead with a single blow!"

Zhang Hongtu and Zheng Shuisheng stood up simultaneously, their eyes sharp as they said firmly, "We will never fail the Brigade Commander's trust!"

With the blueprint drawn, the cave dwelling fell into silence, broken only by heavy breathing and the occasional crackle of exploding lampwicks. Everyone was digesting this massive and meticulous reorganization plan, feeling not merely a change in position, but a weighty historical mission.

Wang Lin put down the charcoal pencil, his voice steady and filled with power: "The reorganization plan is roughly like this! Each battalion, company, and platoon must immediately begin assessing and brewing the lists of backbones! The brigade party committee will study and determine the appointments of cadres at all levels as soon as possible, and report them to the army group headquarters and the Central Committee for approval. Time is short; I give you only three months! Within three months, you must complete the reorganization, initial integration, and targeted intensive training to form true combat effectiveness!"

He finally scanned the entire audience, his tone decisive: "Remember, we hone the swords in our hands not for internal strife, not for hegemony, but so that one day we can bare our swords east of the Yellow River and sever the devilish claws of the Japanese invaders! We want the whole of China and the whole world to see that the Red Army under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party is the true pillar of the anti-Japanese national effort!"

"Understood! Guaranteed completion of the mission!" All the cadres stood up as one, their roaring voices merging into a firm torrent that rushed out of the cave dwelling and echoed in the ancient night sky of Qingyang, resembling a resounding clarion call proclaiming the nirvana and rebirth of a steel-forged mighty force.