Rebirth: I am in Jin-Cha-Ji

To support the battle in Shandong, the General Front Committee decided to send the 21st Corps of the Fifth Field Army, formerly the 9th Corps of the North China Field Army, into Shandong, placing it under the command of Xu Shiyou. The 21th and 27st Corps combined had 40 men, and with the addition of local Shandong Military Region troops, Xu Shiyou commanded approximately men.

The People's Liberation Army has deep roots in Shandong.

The CCP has had a strong presence in Shandong since the beginning of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. By the end of the war, the Eighth Route Army was the most powerful and influential force in Shandong. Marshal Luo organized 36 field army troops in Shandong, along with a large number of militia units. Although 10 troops were sent to the Northeast, and Shandong troops later supported the -man New Fourth Army led by Chen Shui-bian and Su Shi, the PLA's advantage in Shandong remained significant. Compared to historical records, more Nationalist troops entered the Northeast and North China. Furthermore, the Central Plains Military Region provided the PLA with a strong presence in Shandong.

This time, the 21st Corps entered Shandong and cooperated with the Shandong Corps in combat, and the situation was very good.

Xu Shiyou led his troops to capture not only the important cities of Shandong, but also Jinan in a few battles. Now, Qingdao is the only place left in Shandong. Xu Shiyou's main job now is to reorganize the Kuomintang troops that revolted and were captured. Xu Shiyou is not very satisfied with this work. Xu Shiyou has a bad temper and does not like these troops. There are even troops who were traitors in the past, and now they have become the People's Liberation Army. Xu Shiyou really can't stand it. Rao Shushi did not quickly send someone to take over this work.

There is a big war going on in the south, and Xu Shiyou still wants to lead his troops south.

But the General Front Committee hadn't issued any orders, and Rao Shushi hadn't sent anyone either. Both corps were in Shandong with nothing to do.

Seeing Xu Shiyou's nonchalant expression, Li Yingxi hurriedly said, "Commander, something serious has happened. The 74th Army and the US troops in Qingdao have clashed on a large scale. Both sides have already used artillery, and the US military has dispatched aircraft.

"what?"

Xu Shiyou was stunned.

Xu Shiyou had fought for twenty years, always fearless and a renowned PLA general. In his early years, he had led numerous suicide squads. But upon hearing this news, he gasped. It was completely unexpected.

A conflict with the US military?

The 74th Army was part of the 21st Corps, commanded by Xiao Xinhuai and with Fu Chongbi as its political commissar. The 21st Corps, originally formed from the First Jin-Cha-Ji Field Army, was a later unit, though its status was not as high as that of the 18th and 19th Corps. To improve the 21st Corps' combat effectiveness, Yang Quanwu not only transferred some of its main regiments from the 18th and 19th Corps to the 21st Corps, but also transferred a significant number of cadres to the 21st Corps.

Just like Xiao Xinhuai and Fu Chongbi, they are cadres who are highly valued by Yang Quanwu and have strong abilities.

After entering Shandong this time, the 21st Corps also performed very well.

Moreover, the 74th Army understood the overall situation, or rather, the leaders of the 21st Corps. They did not criticize Xu Shiyou's command just because they were from the Jin-Cha-Ji region and had no historical connection with him. On the contrary, after arriving in Shandong, they actively cooperated in the battle. They also did not criticize Xu Shiyou's command.

It is a very stable team.

How could there be a military conflict with the US military?

"what happened?"

Xu Shiyou is a truly rough but meticulous cadre.

He had always been cautious about the Qingdao issue. This wasn't because the Nationalist troops in Qingdao were particularly strong, but rather because of the presence of American troops there. After the end of the Anti-Japanese War, American troops entered Qingdao. Currently, there are approximately 1.4 American troops in Qingdao, with ample supplies of warships, aircraft, and artillery.

How to solve the Qingdao issue is a problem that the central government should consider, not Xu Shiyou's.

So Xu Shiyou never touched Qingdao.

Unexpectedly, the 74th Army clashed with the US Army.

The 74th Army pursued the remnants of the Nationalist Army as they retreated towards Qingdao. Originally, the 74th Army intended to annihilate these remnants before they could reach Qingdao, but unexpectedly, the US military did not stay in Qingdao as before, but instead moved their defense line forward significantly. As the 74th Army's troops were interspersed, they encountered US positions. Then, for unknown reasons, a conflict broke out between the 74th Army and the US military. After the fight broke out, reinforcements arrived from both sides. The 74th Army took down the US frontline positions, and finally the US military dispatched aircraft.

"Who fired first?"

"The 74th Army itself is currently unclear. Because the situation was so chaotic at the time, the 74th Army and the Nationalist Army were already exchanging fire. They are not sure whether the 74th Army's artillery fire hit the US positions first, or whether the US positions opened fire first. However, the 74th Army stated that they did not realize that the enemy was the US Army at the beginning. They thought it was reinforcements from the Nationalist Army, so they intensified the attack. Unexpectedly, the battle escalated. By the time they realized that the enemy was the US Army, both sides had already started fighting and were entangled, unable to withdraw. So they continued the fight. However, this matter was too serious, so it was reported immediately."

"The Americans fired first. The US troops were originally inside Qingdao. Since they left the city and deployed forward, it was to help the national army."

Xu Shiyou answered directly in the affirmative.

No matter who fired the first shot.

In Xu Shiyou's opinion, it was the US military that fired the first shot. Who fired the first shot might become a point of contention during future negotiations. Xu Shiyou immediately asked, "What are the casualties?"

"The 74th Army reported 448 killed and over 900 wounded."

"Xxxx."

Xu Shiyou couldn't help but swear.

Throughout the Shandong battlefield, the PLA liberated most of Shandong and annihilated over 20 Nationalist troops, yet the PLA suffered only a few casualties. Yet, in such a short period of contact with the US military, the casualties were surprisingly high. Li Yingxi said, "After the US military lost its frontline positions, the reinforcements it sent were unable to stop the 74th Army's attack. Seeing that they couldn't stop the 74th Army's attack, the US military deployed aircraft and tanks to halt the 74th Army's offensive. The US military's firepower was far superior to that of the US-equipped Nationalist troops. Our troops were also caught off guard."

"The 74th Army fought well, demonstrating the might of our People's Liberation Army."

Xu Shiyou couldn't help but feel better.

What about the US military?

The 74th Army fought head-on, completely unfazed by the US. Xu Shiyou had initially been somewhat wary of the US military, but after hearing the battle report, he slowly relaxed. The Americans were just as bad, their weapons and equipment superior. Every PLA unit was battle-hardened. If a real fight broke out, they wouldn't necessarily be defeated by the US.

"How is the situation now?"

"Both sides have already ceased fire and are currently in a standoff?"

Xu Shiyou said, "Send a telegram to Comrade Wen Niansheng and Comrade Xiang Zhonghua, asking them to rush to the front lines and station the 21st Corps headquarters outside Qingdao. Also, pull up the 75th Army and begin deploying defensive positions. Send a telegram to the 26th Army, asking them to rush to Qingdao as soon as possible to support the 26th Army and accept the command of the 74st Corps. We can lose anything in battle but not our formation, and we must also be prepared for any eventuality. Although the US military only has more than 21 troops in Qingdao, there are US troops on the islands surrounding Qingdao. All together, the US Marine Corps has nearly 30000 people. If the US military suddenly launches an attack, with only the 74th Army alone, it will be overwhelmed."

"Old Xu, we can't be reckless now."

Wang Jianan spoke.

Wang Jianan was previously the deputy commander of the Shandong Corps. This time, the Shandong Corps was reorganized into the Ninth Corps of the Third Field Army, and Wang Jianan was appointed political commissar of the Ninth Corps. Xu Shiyou and Wang Jianan had been comrades for many years and had a good working relationship, but they also had their fair share of arguments.

In fact, Wang Jianan would rather lead troops to fight.

Because Wang Jianan is an excellent cadre in both military and political aspects, he does an excellent job in both military and political work.

However, the Third Field Army was plagued by numerous factions, the most severe of any field army. This was due to historical reasons. The New Fourth Army itself was formed from the coalition of guerrilla forces from across southern China. Not only was its origins complex, but it also boasted a large number of experienced and high-ranking cadres. After the Southern Anhui Incident, the Eighth Route Army moved south to join the New Fourth Army, helping it recover. Later, when the Third Field Army was formed, Shandong troops joined the New Fourth Army. The integration of so many units led to a proliferation of factions within the Third Field Army. If Wang Jianan left the Ninth Corps, he would not have been given a chance to command any of the other corps. Therefore, he had no choice but to remain with the Ninth Corps.

"We originally didn't attack the Nationalist troops in Qingdao because of the US military. Now that the incident has happened, we need to remain calm and not act impulsively. This matter still needs to be reported to the central government as soon as possible, and we must act according to the central government's orders.

Conflict with the US military.

This is no small matter. It is not something that a corps commander can decide. Not to mention a corps commander, even the local central bureau is not qualified to make the decision. What Wang Jianan is most worried about is that Xu Shiyou will get impulsive and fight the US military directly. Xu Shiyou nodded and said, "I know that this matter must be handed over to the central government for resolution. But now at this time, as frontline generals, we must also be prepared and cannot wait for orders from the central government. We must let the Americans see that we are not afraid of fighting, and we are not afraid of them. The tougher we are, the more wary the Americans will be, and they will be cautious instead. But if we are soft, the United States will think we are afraid of them, and then they will go crazy. So the more times like this, the more we cannot show weakness. Our frontline troops are not afraid of fighting, and the central government will be more confident in negotiating with the United States. Lao Wang, you should send a telegram to the Central Committee and the General Front Committee now and report what happened. I want to hold the Americans back, and we can't let our troops suffer."

"Okay, I'll go now. But Old Xu, you must keep the troops calm. You can put pressure on the US military, you can take other actions, but absolutely do not continue to clash with the US military."

"do not worry."

Chapter 737 Changes in the Liberation War

On September 1947, 9, something shocking occurred in Qingdao. It was a sudden, unprepared, and unexpected military conflict. Both the US and PLA suffered heavy casualties.

徐实友接到74军的汇报之后，第一时间就命令21兵团指挥部迁移，然后调动21兵团75军和山东兵团26军去支援74军。徐实友是一个很聪明的将领。

He may not have read much, so he looks very rude and others think he is a reckless man.

But Xu Shiyou is a thoughtful person.

He knew that this conflict with the US military would have serious consequences, and who knew what would happen next. But he also knew that at this moment, he could not show weakness or any fear.

So even before the central government issued an order, he had already begun mobilizing troops and preparing to fight the US troops in Qingdao. This was mainly to tell the US troops that they were not afraid of him. Xu Shiyou's actions really surprised the US troops in Qingdao.

After the clash with the PLA, the US military in Qingdao initially sought revenge. They also began to assume that the PLA, upon realizing they were facing the US, would retreat. This was because the US military was completely confident in its own capabilities. World War II exposed the power of the United States and the US military to the world. Similarly, the US and its military underwent a transformation during World War II, beginning to understand their position as the world's dominant power.

Compared to that, the People's Liberation Army on the opposite side is nothing.

China? Chinese military?

China is a big country, but it has had absolutely no influence in the world over the past century. Instead, it has become a place where the world's major powers are scrambling to grab territory.

Therefore, the US military looks down on the Chinese military, including the People's Liberation Army.

But the choice of the People's Liberation Army was completely different from what they expected.

The PLA troops on the other side not only did not retreat, but more and more troops came to Qingdao. When the military conflict with the US military began, there were only about 3000 people, but soon the number exceeded .

US military reconnaissance aircraft could clearly see the movement of the PLA troops. Xu Shiyou did not conceal the movement of his troops at all because he wanted the US military to see this situation.

As a result, the PLA troops gathered in Qingdao increased from 10,000 to 30,000, and finally to over 100,000. Large numbers of artillery were also brought to Qingdao.

This scared the US troops in Qingdao and they couldn't grasp the PLA's thoughts.

How dare the People's Liberation Army be so arrogant at this time?

Don’t they know that the people on the other side are the US military?

While the US military was proud, they were no fools. This clash with the 74th Army truly shocked the US military. The 74th Army had successfully breached two US lines of defense, nearly bringing the US frontline to its knees. The US military hadn't expected such a capable unit within the Chinese military. This battle also made them realize that the current PLA was no longer the warlord-like armies of China's past.

The US military in Qingdao has been keeping an eye on the Shandong battlefield.

Shandong already had numerous PLA field troops, and was currently undergoing the reorganization of over 74 Nationalist troops. Add to that the numerous local forces. Compared to the hundreds of thousands of PLA troops, the entire US military presence in Qingdao, including the disorganized logistics forces, barely numbered . Having witnessed the formidable combat capabilities of the th Army, the US troops in Qingdao doubted their ability to defeat hundreds of thousands of PLA troops. Therefore, seeing such a large-scale PLA concentration in Qingdao, they were genuinely distraught.

Did the PLA decide to take Qingdao regardless? After Wedemeyer arrived in Qingdao, facing pressure from the PLA, he had no choice but to begin assembling his troops. The US military had troops on the islands surrounding Qingdao, and they all began to gather.

The situation looks increasingly dire.

Yi County, Hebei Province.

The Chairman and his colleagues were also very shocked after receiving the telegram from Shandong.

The United States had previously publicly called for the KMT and the CCP to sit down for peaceful negotiations. Beyond these calls, the US also sent delegations and sought out prominent figures in China with close personal ties to the CCP Central Committee to convey their message, urging the KMT and the CCP to cease fighting. Even many pro-democracy figures publicly voiced concerns in the newspapers, arguing that China could not continue its civil war and must pursue peace. It could be said that the US and Chiang Kai-shek were using public opinion to pressure the CCP Central Committee. However, the CCP remained steadfast and ignored these public opinions, countering them in the newspapers. They then quickly launched the decisive battle north of the Yangtze River.

However, although the CCP has ignored the US’s call, it does not mean that it wants to go to war with the US.

After all, the United States is too powerful.

The central government is also wary of the United States' strength.

But now something so serious had happened. Aside from Wu Hao's departure for the Soviet Union, the Chairman, Commander-in-Chief, Xiu Yang, Ren Peiguo, along with two alternate secretaries of the Secretariat, Chen Yun and Peng Zhen, Marshal Nie, and Xu Xiangqian, who had recently been appointed Chief of the General Staff of the Military Commission, attended the meeting.

Everyone's face looked very solemn.

"What is the American response now?"

The central government's response was very quick.

As soon as the Central Committee received the news, they informed Xu Shiyou that the US military must have fired the first shot in this conflict. So Xu Shiyou took the initiative and immediately held a press conference in Jinan to condemn the US military for interfering in China's civil war. To prevent the PLA from annihilating the remaining KMT troops, he actually opened fire on the PLA.

Take the moral high ground first.

"Not yet. But after Wedemeyer went to Qingdao, the US military began to frequently deploy troops, and the number of US troops in Qingdao increased significantly."

"What about the Soviet Union?"

“The Soviet Union hasn’t said anything yet.

The Chairman’s first concern was the attitudes of the United States and the Soviet Union.

As for the attitudes of others, the Chairman didn't care at all. Whether it was the once-established imperialists Britain and France or the voices of democratic figures within China, they were insignificant compared to the US and the Soviet Union. Because only the US and the Soviet Union could influence China's current situation. No matter how much other forces clamored, they couldn't affect China's overall situation.

Maybe it happened too suddenly.

Neither the US nor the Soviet Union anticipated this. Therefore, neither side has taken any stance so far. However, the US military has been increasing its troop numbers, which is not a good thing.

"Will the Americans become enraged and start a war with us in Qingdao?"

Ren Peiguo was very worried.

Marshal Nie also frowned and said, "If the United States sends troops to intervene in the Liberation War, it will directly affect the domestic situation."

"If the war breaks out in Qingdao, the US military won't have much of an advantage."