Rebirth: I am in Jin-Cha-Ji

"it is good."

Xiao Yongshi applauded.

The cadres of the 34th Regiment also applauded.

Because as soon as Chen Zhonghe arrived, he highly praised the most commendable Jidong Uprising of the 34th and 35th Regiments.

Xiao Yongshi continued, "Comrade Chen Zhonghe, you are absolutely right.

The 34th and 35th Regiments are heroic units, and we cannot tarnish their reputation. The Column has handed over this heroic unit, the 34th Regiment, to you in the hope that you can continue the heroic honor of the 34th Regiment.

"Make sure to complete the mission."

Xiao Yongshi nodded and asked Chen Zhonghe to sit down.

Then he continued to issue a personnel order: "The Column appoints Comrade He Yongfei, formerly the instructor of the 34nd Battalion of the 2th Regiment, as the 34th Regiment's deputy commander and concurrently chief of staff. Comrade He Yongfei made outstanding contributions in the battle to annihilate the 34th Army of the North China Security Army. The Column hopes that Comrade He Yongfei will continue to utilize his intelligence and talents to enhance the combat effectiveness of the th Regiment."

"Thank you for the organization's trust. I will definitely live up to the organization's expectations."

There are always some geniuses emerging during war.

He Yongfei is a representative.

In this anti-mopping-up operation, the most outstanding person of the Pingbei Detachment was He Yongfei.

If He Yongfei weren't so inexperienced and lacking combat experience, he would have been more than just a deputy regimental commander. After all, he had annihilated over 3,000 men in the Fourth Army of the North China Security Army in a single battle, incidentally defeating the 13th Independent Regiment of the North China Security Army and seizing a large amount of Japanese and puppet military supplies. Such achievements made any promotion more than justifiable.

Xiao Yongshi continued, "The Column appointed Comrade Wu Guangming, the former Column Propaganda Officer, as the Director of the Political Department of the 34th Regiment. Before the Anti-Japanese War, Comrade Wu Guangming served as the District Propaganda Committee Member, District Guerrilla Captain, Middle School Party Branch Secretary, and was responsible for student movement work. After the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, he served as Guerrilla Captain, 19th Regiment Company Commander, and Company Instructor. He was also a member of the Column's New-Style Army Reorganization Working Group and a Propaganda Officer of the Column Propaganda Department."

"The Column has appointed Comrade Zhang Qin, formerly Deputy Director of the 16th Regiment's Training Department, as Director of the 34th Regiment's Training Department. Comrade Zhang Qin is a graduate of Peking Normal University and formerly a teacher at Shengxian Middle School. After the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, he joined the Caoyangzhuang Guerrilla Unit. After the establishment of the Independent Detachment, he served as platoon leader and company commander. After the establishment of the 16th Regiment, he served as deputy battalion commander and deputy director of the regimental training department. The 16th Regiment is the Column's top-tier main force, and Comrade Zhang Qin's influence can be seen in the troop training and combat plans. The Column appointed Comrade Zhang Qin as Director of the 34th Regiment's Training Department to improve the 34th Regiment's training and combat capabilities.

"The column appointed Comrade Tang Xijie, former commander of the 18rd Battalion of the 3th Regiment, as commander of the 34nd Battalion of the 2th Regiment. Comrade Tang Xijie was originally a platoon leader of the 29th Army of the Northwest Army. After the July 18 Incident, he retreated to Sheng County and joined the Eighth Route Army. Later, he served as platoon leader and company commander of the Special Service Battalion. After the establishment of the th Regiment, he served as deputy battalion commander and then battalion commander. Comrade Tang Xijie is a veteran of thirteen years of military service. He participated in the Central Plains Campaign, the Great Wall War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and participated in almost all the battles of the Eighth Column. He is a famous general of the column."

The column successively transferred cadres to the 34th Regiment.

Some officers in the 34th Regiment were displeased. After all, the Column had sent so many officers to the 34th Regiment, clearly dissatisfied with its leadership structure. However, in the current atmosphere of widespread criticism, they couldn't say anything.

More importantly, the column dealt with Zhang Chao directly, so no one dared to say anything at this time.

Chapter 272 Wolf Valley Meeting 2

After the detachment meeting, the 34th and 35th Regiments went back to their respective places.

We also need to hold a meeting.

Because Xiao Yongshi gave each of the 34th and 35th Regiments ten cadre quotas, Xiao Yongshi required that each of the 34th and 35th Regiments must select ten cadres to go to the column for retraining.

The anti-mopping-up performance was not good, and the cadres of the 34th and 35th Regiments could not say anything.

But who should go?

Regardless of who was sent, it would indicate that their performance in the counter-sweep operation was poor. Recruiting ten people would be a real embarrassment for the leadership of the 34th and 35th Regiments. Furthermore, Xiao Yongshi was still waiting, and the detachment had a meeting tomorrow to discuss the quotas submitted by the 34th and 35th Regiments. Therefore, the cadres of the 34th and 35th Regiments held a meeting overnight.

Especially the 34th Regiment.

So many new cadres have arrived.

Before they had even gotten used to each other, they had to hold a meeting overnight to decide the list of cadres who would go to the column to study.

"Comrade He Yongfei, from now on we will eat from the same pot. I hope we can cooperate well.

"Welcome, Captain, to our 34th Regiment."

There are four people on the 34th Regiment.

The regiment commander Chen Zhonghe, the deputy political commissar Zhang Chao who had just been punished, the deputy regiment commander and chief of staff He Yongfei, and the director of the political department Wu Guangming.

Chen Zhonghe was the new regimental commander, so he said politely, "I've just arrived at the 34th Regiment and am not familiar with it. Comrade Zhang Chao and Comrade He Yongfei have been with the 34th Regiment for a long time, so I'd like to hear your opinions. My opinion is that we should make an evaluation based on the performance of this anti-mopping-up operation. Those who perform well will be promoted and given important positions, while those who perform poorly will be sent to the column for training. After completing their training, they can return to continue the revolution."

Chen Zhonghe was very polite.

After Gui Jiu left the 34th Regiment, Zhang Chao became the person in charge of the 34th Regiment.

Although Zhang Chao was punished and is now the deputy political commissar of the 34th Regiment, this was just before Wei Hongjun adjusted the cadres of the 34th Regiment, using Zhang Chao as a pretext to scare others.

Although Zhang Chao was demoted, the column did not assign a new political commissar to the 34th Regiment, and let Zhang Chao serve as acting political commissar as deputy political commissar.

Zhang Chao was also a political officer who participated in the entire reorganization of the 34th Regiment. After the 34th Regiment suffered a defeat, Guijiu was completely at a loss as to what to do. It was Zhang Chao who stabilized the 34th Regiment, restored its morale, and ultimately decided to launch the assault on the Fourth Army of the North China Security Force. Therefore, Zhang Chao held a high prestige within the 34th Regiment, and the column would not allow him to remain deputy political commissar forever.

Zhang Chao coughed and said, "Then let me first tell you my opinion.

The best performance from our 34th Regiment during this counter-mopping-up operation came from the Second Battalion, a feat inseparable from the efforts of the deceased Second Battalion Commanders, Comrades Meng Hua and He Yongfei. Not only did the Second Battalion remain calm during the 34th Regiment's defeat, but it also provided cover for the main force. Later, during the attack on the Imperial Army, it was also the first to break through the enemy's defenses.

"You're too kind, Political Commissar. This is all thanks to Comrade Meng Hua."

“Only when merits and demerits are clearly distinguished, and rewards and punishments are clearly defined, can the army make progress.

The 34th Regiment has undergone too many changes, which can easily cause morale to fluctuate.

As the deputy political commissar of the 34th Regiment, Zhang Chao had to stabilize the morale of the 34th Regiment. With Guijiu's departure, Zhang Chao needed to establish a new representative for the Jidong cadres. He needed to assure them that the column wasn't dissatisfied with them, nor was it seeking to target them. The adjustment of Guijiu was solely due to work-related reasons. He needed to appease the Jidong cadres of the 34th Regiment.

He Yongfei was the cadre chosen by Zhang Chao.

Therefore, Zhang Chao had a very high opinion of the Second Battalion.

Of course, the same thing applies.

Good leadership can lead a combat-ready unit. Meng Hua and He Yongfei, together, led the 34th Regiment's most effective Second Battalion. During the disastrous defeat at Mentougou, if the Second Battalion hadn't fought to the death to cover the rear, the 2th Regiment might have collapsed. However, the Second Battalion also suffered heavy casualties, even losing its commander, Meng Hua.

However, after Meng Hua's death, the Second Battalion was able to maintain its outstanding combat effectiveness. During the battle against the North China Security Army, the Second Battalion was also the best performing of the 34th Regiment. Therefore, Zhang Chao was deeply saddened by Meng Hua's sacrifice.

Comrade Meng Hua is a really good person.

Without making any noise, he turned the Second Battalion into an elite force.

"The worst performer in this counter-mopping-up operation was the 34st Battalion. It had the best weapons and equipment within the 34th Regiment, and the largest cadre reserve. Yet, this time, it performed the worst. In the battle against the Japanese at Mentougou, the st Battalion's position was the first to be breached. And after that, the st Battalion collapsed, directly leading to the complete collapse of the th Regiment. Therefore, I suggest that at least five men from the st Battalion be sent to the column for training. Both the battalion commander and the battalion instructor should go."

"I've also heard about the situation in the First Battalion."

Chen Zhonghe nodded.

The 34th and 35th Regiments were both large regiments, each consisting of four infantry battalions and 16 infantry companies. Each battalion had a full complement of 520 men, comparable to many miscellaneous regiments in certain Eighth Route Army military districts. The 3st Battalion was the primary force of the 4rd and 16th Regiments, as it had an additional machine gun company, equipped with two additional heavy machine guns. Furthermore, each company had two light machine guns, making its equipment comparable to that of the 18th and th Regiments.

Furthermore, the First Battalion was formed by drawing combat-experienced veterans from the then-current Guerrilla Corps. This was intended to be the 34th Regiment's flagship battalion, its main force. Everyone had high hopes for the First Battalion.

Unfortunately, the battlefield performance is so poor.

During the Mentougou battle, the 1st Battalion's position was overwhelmed by a single Japanese squadron in just two charges, something no one had expected.

"If both the battalion commander and the battalion political instructor are sent to the column to study, who will serve as the battalion commander and political instructor?"

"The company commander of the first company of the second battalion, Yan Chenzhi, and the instructor, Wang Zekun."

A raging soldier, and a raging nest.

The overall decline of the First Battalion was clearly directly related to their commander and instructor. After all, the First Battalion had the best infrastructure, the best weapons and equipment, and the largest number of personnel. But why was its combat effectiveness so low? This was undoubtedly the fault of the cadres. Meanwhile, the Second Battalion had produced many outstanding junior officers. Of course, another factor was to appease He Yongfei and the Jidong cadres.

Tell them that if they perform well, they will be promoted in the column.

He Yongfei hesitated and asked, "Will there be any issues with the qualifications of Comrade Yan Chenzhi and Comrade Wang Zekun? The First Battalion is the top-ranking main force of the 34th Regiment. Moreover, according to the order of succession, the commander of the First Battalion is the first in line to succeed the regimental commander."

He Yongfei was of course happy to promote his old subordinate.

But he was also a little worried.

It was clear that the higher-ups were extremely dissatisfied with the 34th Regiment's performance in countering the mopping-up operation. Consequently, adjustments were being made to the regiment's leadership structure, with many company and battalion-level officers being criticized and transferred. He Yongfei was concerned that if only the officers from the Second Battalion were promoted at this time, it would have a negative impact.

Chen Zhonghe shook his head.

He said: "I disagree with what Comrade He Yongfei said. I don't know if you have heard about this. When the commander and the political commissar opened up the anti-Japanese base in Sheng County, Commander Yang Quanwu rejected all objections and gave the then Sheng County Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Army the number of the Independent Detachment. In fact, there were many objections at the time, believing that the commander and the political commissar's qualifications were too shallow. But Commander Yang Quanwu said directly that those who are capable should be used. Later, Commander Nie of the military region gave the independent detachment the number of the Eighth Column. We in the Eighth Route Army do not engage in seniority-based promotions. Whoever is capable will be promoted. Now is a war era. As cadres of the Eighth Route Army, any wrong decision we make will cost the lives of the anti-Japanese army and the people. So at this time, qualifications and favors are useless. For the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japan and for the lives of our comrades, what we have to do is to promote and reuse those capable cadres.

"I agree with the commander."

Zhang Chao nodded.

He said, "If Commander Nie of the Military Region and Commander Yang of the First Division had been so wedded to seniority, how could we have the Eighth Column we have today? It is precisely because they dared to break with conventional cadre appointments that we have the powerful Eighth Column. Comrade He Yongfei, don't have any concerns. While it's said that cadres shouldn't appoint people based on personal connections, there's also a saying that goes, 'Aspire to the best, not to avoid personal connections.' The cadres of the Second Battalion performed exceptionally well in this anti-mopping-up operation, and they should be vigorously promoted."

The phenomenon of cadres in Jidong forming cliques is quite serious.

The large-scale deployment of troops into the 34th Regiment was intended to break this situation. The vigorous promotion of the Second Battalion's cadres was also intended to break the clique-like situation among Jidong cadres. He Yongfei's Second Battalion cadres were used as a breakthrough point.

He Yongfei breathed a sigh of relief and said, "I understand."

"As for the Third and Fourth Battalions, their performance in this counter-mopping-up operation was average. However, judging by their performance in the final assault on the puppet troops, they were not afraid of hardship or sacrifice, and their political education was excellent. The military officers in the unit were also mentally sound, and not a single one flinched during the battle. They completed the assigned tasks properly. However, no one among them stood out."

Zhang Chao continued to introduce the situation of the 34th Regiment.

Chen Zhonghe thought for a moment and said, "The biggest problem with this situation is that the commanders of the third and fourth battalions have never led troops into battle alone. They are used to following orders."

"I've thought about it. I think it's mainly because our 34th Regiment hasn't operated independently since its establishment. After the anti-mopping-up campaign began, the main forces of other bases were dispersed, operating in battalion and company units.

This would reduce their size and make them less likely to be discovered by the Japanese army.

But when our 34th Regiment moved together, we became a bigger target and were immediately spotted by the Japanese. At the same time, this approach also deprived the commanders below of the opportunity to act independently and to train.

"Yes, that's the problem."

Chen Zhonghe criticized Gui Jiu harshly in his heart.

The 34th Regiment, a force of nearly men, was acting together during the anti-mopping-up operation. Such a large target would have been found by any Japanese who weren't fools. If you were truly capable of taking on a regiment, you wouldn't have been afraid. But when you couldn't even defeat a regiment, you still acted together as a regiment.

During the counter-mopping-up operation, even the column's top main regiments such as the 16th and 18th Regiments did not dare to act together.

Guijiu is really not a good military commander.

Chen Zhonghe said, "After the 34th Regiment is reorganized, we will also operate as battalion and company units. Because most of the Wanping base has fallen into the hands of the Japanese army, we must develop the base in a small unit model. My idea is to form a teaching team immediately after this meeting is over and we return to the army. Let Comrade Zhang Qin be the leader of the teaching team, and select squad and platoon cadres who performed well in this anti-mopping-up operation, as well as some soldiers with good performance to join this teaching team. Train a group of grassroots cadres for the 34th Regiment. What our 34th Regiment lacks now is outstanding grassroots commanders. There are ten vacancies, six of them will be drawn from the first battalion. Two people will be drawn from the third and fourth battalions each. Comrade Zhang Chao, what do you think?"

"can."

Chapter 273: Support from the People in the Base Area

The Eighth Column and the base were very busy.

The main purpose is to recuperate and restore vitality.

For example, the Chanan Detachment is currently integrating local troops into the main force according to the column deployment. Because the main force has suffered heavy casualties, it has no combat effectiveness if it goes out to fight in this situation.

So we have been replenishing local troops.

The Chanan Detachment was not alone in this strategy; other units that had suffered heavy casualties also adopted the same strategy. Units like the 25th Regiment, the st Guard Regiment, the nd Guard Regiment, and the rd Guard Regiment were all actively supplementing local forces.

The county brigade was the first to replenish, followed by the district squad.

Fortunately, the 8th Column was very diligent in building up its local forces. It could even be said that of all the units in the Eighth Route Army, the 8th Column placed the most emphasis on building up its local forces. Therefore, although the combat effectiveness of the 8th Column's main force was affected by the addition of local forces, it did, to a large extent, restore much of the main force's combat effectiveness. Of course, this wasn't the end.

After replenishing the local troops, they still need to train and improve their combat effectiveness. After all, local troops are just local troops. Although the local troops of the Eighth Column have some combat effectiveness, they are still far behind the main force.

The Pingbei Detachment has been holding meetings.