Sword: Heart of Iron

Chapter 210 Returning to Changzhi
at the same time.

Changzhi.

The city, which is currently in a state of war, is now brightly lit and decorated on the main streets, with people gathering on both sides of the main road, constantly looking towards the city gate.

Below the city gate tower.

Song Wenjie stood ramrod straight, wearing his military uniform that had been ironed at noon.

A group of members from the People's Commissariat for Defense Industry stood behind him, and even senior officials from the Administrative Office came to greet him personally.

Huang Shaohong, dressed in a Zhongshan suit, glanced at Song Wenjie beside him and asked, "How much longer until Commander Wang arrives?"

Song Wenjie took out his pocket watch: "About fifteen minutes more. There's road construction nearby, so we'll have to take a detour, which might have caused a slight delay."

Huang Shaohong nodded and responded.

Chiang Kai-shek originally changed his decision to send Huang Shaohong to govern Zhejiang and forcibly transferred Huang Shaohong to Changzhi, intending for him to check and balance Wang Feng there.

But what he didn't expect was that not everyone was as narrow-minded as him.

After spending a long time in contact with the garrison, Huang Shaohong was naturally "assimilated". When the People's Commissariat for Defense Industry was being established a while ago, he was even given a vice minister position.

They can be considered core members of the "newly emerging faction".

It also serves as a link between the two sides and the "New Guangxi Clique".

After waiting a short while, the roar of an engine came from behind.

Song Wenjie and Huang Shaohong immediately perked up.

The committee members behind him quickly straightened the hems of their clothes, afraid that these "minor issues" would leave a bad impression on the Commander-in-Chief.

Two beams of headlights appeared in everyone's view. The jeep had just come to a stop under the city gate when Song Wenjie and Huang Shaohong walked over and stood at attention in front of the rear door.

"Hello, sir!"

Wang Feng lowered the car window and slightly raised his hand in return:
"You've lost a lot of weight since I last saw you in half a year!"

Song Wenjie quickly said, "Everything is for the war effort! The more cannons the rear can build, the less blood our brothers on the front lines will shed!"

Wang Feng nodded: "You two have been working very hard these past few days, I'm sure you've both been through a lot."

Huang Shaohong stepped forward: "Thank you, sir!"

Wang Feng: "It's getting late, let's talk inside!"

Who are these people?

Even before he arrived in Changzhi, he noticed the crowds of people on the streets from his vantage point.

Song Wenjie explained, "These people came spontaneously to welcome their commander's triumphant return."

Wang Feng smiled inwardly: "The main force is still in Puyang, what kind of triumphant return is this?"

"Let's go, into the city first!"

The soldier responded and then stepped on the accelerator, and the jeep slowly moved forward.

People on both sides of the road craned their necks to look into the car.

"Is that Commander Wang?"

"Of course, I've seen it once before!"

"So young!"

"Heroes often emerge from among the young!"

Wang Feng smiled, looked out the car window, and raised his arm in salute.

Since the people had come out to line the streets to welcome them, it would be disheartening if I didn't react at all. This time, the return of the troops was very sudden. I only brought a guard battalion and two days' worth of rations. All the soldiers traveled by vehicle, while the horses and other supplies were left in Puyang. Getting off the vehicles and walking into the city would be too slow, and the jeeps didn't have sunroofs. After much thought, this was the only way I could return the favor.

Wang Feng sat in the carriage, looking out by the moonlight and streetlights. Along the way into the city, wherever the convoy passed, bursts of noise and laughter could be heard.

Zhao Fangyuan, sitting in the passenger seat, turned his head and said, "Sir, the people of Changzhi are living quite well!"

Wang Feng smiled, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the people who lined the street to welcome him.

During the six months that the army marched out of Shanxi, it fought in Anhui, Shandong and Henan. Along the way, he saw many people who had been displaced by the war.

"Only those who have experienced the suffering of war know how precious peace is."

Wang Feng muttered to himself, his voice not loud, but it was immediately drowned out by the cheers of the people.

Looking at the smiles on the faces of the people outside, he couldn't help but feel a little dazed—this was probably the meaning of his previous struggle!

The convoy slowly drove into the military camp.

Wang Feng got out of the car, glanced at the office he hadn't seen in a long time, and strode in.

Pushing open the door, the furnishings inside were unusually new; at first glance, they didn't look like they had been idle for half a year.

Zhao Fangyuan followed behind: "Sir, the 386th Brigade of the Eighth Route Army has replied. They have agreed to our request and promised to help us contact the Japanese Communist Party representative, Nosaka Sanzo."

Wang Feng nodded: "Where is Brigade Commander Chen now? This matter is of great importance, so it's best to discuss it in person."

Longwave radio communications require constant translation, are limited in word count, and are easily intercepted. It's not a good thing for local armies to bypass the central government and secretly support opposition parties in hostile countries.

Chiang Kai-shek's situation isn't a big deal, but the key issue is that his dark history will affect future relations with other Nationalist forces.

Cheng Qian made a good point.

"We cannot limit ourselves to a single time or place."

Take a longer-term view and broaden your horizons.

Zhao Fangyuan: "Okay, I'll contact them right away!"

Wang Feng: "What's the situation with the 47th Army? Is Li Jiayu on the front lines now?"

Song Wenjie continued, "At the beginning of the war, the situation of the 47th Army was not very optimistic. After many days of continuous fighting, the casualties were heavy. However, with the arrival of military aid and the participation of our troops, the situation has now stabilized."

"The Japanese invaders were fierce a while ago, probably because they knew that Changzhi was weak and wanted to defeat us with lightning speed. But now the Japanese have used up their three tricks, and the advance of the battle line has been completely stalled."

"In the recent battles, we and the Japanese invaders have had mixed results."

Wang Feng sat down in a chair and stretched: "Well, the Japanese army may seem aggressive, but they're just paper tigers. There's nothing to be afraid of!"

“Mountainous terrain is different from plains; large-scale decisive battles cannot break out there. The First Army’s troop reserves are insufficient. In addition to dealing with us, Kiyoshi Kōzuki also has to deal with the Eighth Route Army’s rear bases, as well as Wei Lihuang and Yan Xishan in southern Shanxi. It won’t be long before he withdraws on his own!”

Song Wenjie quickly agreed, "Sir, your analysis is absolutely correct!"

"Sir, during your absence, several arsenals under the Committee have developed a number of new weapons. Why don't you take a look when you have some free time?"

Wang Feng thought for a moment and said, "How about tomorrow? How's the tank project going?"

Song Wenjie: "The workers at the vehicle factory have made several modifications to address the problems that arose during the trial production. The technology is now relatively mature and will soon be ready for mass production!"

Wang Feng was overjoyed: "Great!"

Which man doesn't love a torrent of steel?

Although there aren't many armored units that can be configured right now, it's still enough to have some fun.

"The first place I'll go to tomorrow is the vehicle factory!"

"Tell them to get ready!"

(End of this chapter)