After discussing with the big bosses, they decided to let Li Qiufan's independent first column go to the front line. After all, this strength would be overkill to stay in the rear.
As for Li Qiufan, he was distracted the whole time and didn't hear what anyone said, let alone any comments.
"Qiu Fan, do you have any opinions on this decision?"
After agreeing on the outcome, the boss looked at Li Qiufan and asked.
"Ah, I don't have any objection, you just decide."
Li Qiufan suddenly came back to his senses when his boss called him like this. Although he didn't hear what the bosses had decided, it was all right to agree to it anyway!
After resting for a day at the headquarters, Li Qiufan set off with his troops after receiving his next mission.
This time, his independent first column was sent to the southern line of defense to cooperate with the surrounding friendly forces and local national troops.
Before setting off, Li Qiufan asked the telegraph operator to send a telegram to Zhao Gang, informing him of his destination and making an appointment to meet at the destination.
After several days of journey, Li Qiufan and his troops finally arrived at the area he was responsible for, a small county called Changle County.
After arriving outside the county seat, Li Qiufan ordered the troops to station outside the city, and then took several cadres and guards with him to the county seat.
After the Japanese surrendered, the guerrillas had been maintaining security in the area. This time Li Qiufan entered the county just to take over the situation.
As early as when Li Qiufan appeared more than ten miles away, the guerrillas had discovered his traces and were already ready to receive him at the city gate.
"Hello comrade, I am Cheng Wu, commander of the Changle County Guerrilla Brigade. Nice to meet you!"
Before Li Qiufan and others reached the gate of the county town, a group of guerrilla fighters carrying box cannons across their shoulders came to greet them.
"Hello, Li Qiufan of the Independent First Column, nice to meet you too!"
Seeing the enthusiastic captain, Li Qiufan also smiled and returned a military salute.
"Column? What level is this?"
After hearing that Li Qiufan reported his family name, the captain was a little confused about his organization.
Because the Changle County brigade usually cooperates with battalion-level and regiment-level operations at most, and has never been exposed to column-level troops.
"Haha, this is the commander of our column."
After Heizi heard the captain's question, he smiled and explained to him.
"Commander? What kind of officer is this?"
Battalion Captain Cheng Wu didn't understand the title "Commander" even more. He sounded like a bandit leader.
"Well, he's older than the teacher anyway!"
Heizi was also a little numb. He didn't know how to explain the title of commander. He could only say that he was older than the division commander.
"Hello, Chief!"
Hearing that he was older than the teacher, Cheng Wu stood at attention and saluted, his eyes widened a bit.
Although he has only cooperated with regiment-level troops at most, he still knows the brigade commander and division commander.
The captain didn't expect that Li Qiufan, who looked so young, had already become such a senior official.
"Okay, don't listen to his nonsense, let's go to the county and have a look!"
Li Qiufan glanced at Heizi reproachfully, stepped forward, put his arm around the captain's shoulders, and walked inside.
In Li Qiufan's heart, he admired these guerrilla fighters very much.
They used outdated weapons to fight against the well-equipped Japs.
Despite this situation, they still resisted tenaciously.
They are not afraid of hardship or tiredness, and use all means to fight. In Li Qiufan's opinion, they are the most difficult people.
The captain was a little frightened when he was hugged by Li Qiufan, and he didn't know how to let go of his hands for a moment.
"Don't be nervous. We will fight side by side from now on. It's our brothers who have nothing to be nervous about."
Seeing the captain's appearance, Li Qiufan smiled helplessly, and then spoke to comfort him.
With Li Qiufan's comfort, the captain gradually adapted to it, and then began to introduce everything here to Li Qiufan.
After wandering for a long time, everyone finally stopped. At this time, Li Qiufan also had some understanding of the surrounding area.
"Commander, what do you think we should do next?"
The captain looked at Li Qiufan and wanted to know what Li Qiufan's next plans were. They had also heard about the war.
"I suggest that we stop guarding the county seat. Large units of the national army will be sent over one after another."
"At that time, the county will be a burden to us and may drag us all into a pit of fire."
Li Qiufan thought for a while and decided to abandon the county seat and instead rely on the terrain to deal with the enemy.
Because he knew how many troops the old man had, and if he defended the county seat, he would probably be caught in a trap.
“But if we don’t defend the county seat, what will happen to the people in the county seat?”
The captain was a little worried, fearing that the people in the county would be bullied.
"Don't worry, the national army is not a devil, they won't do those beastly things!"
Li Qiufan shook his head. Although the morale of the national army was not very good, most people still had a bottom line.
After the national army moves in, the people's lives may be a little harder, but their lives will not be in danger.
If they defend the county and attract an attack by the national army, the people in the county will suffer.
Even if people are evacuated in advance, how many people are willing to leave their homes?
After listening to Li Qiufan's words, the captain nodded and felt relieved.
Li Qiufan and others did not stay too long and returned directly to the army. Then they studied the terrain and prepared to find a base.
After everyone discussed for a long time, they finally selected a place called Liu Village.
Liucun is a small village not far from the county seat, backed by endless mountains.
And there is only one road in and out of this place except the back mountain, which is a bit like a gourd shape.
This place has a narrow mouth and a wide interior, which can fully accommodate the entire column. If they are defeated, they can retreat directly to the mountains. They can advance, attack, retreat, defend, or run away.
After confirming the station, Li Qiufan waved his hand directly and the troops moved towards Liu Village.
At the same time, Cheng Wu and other guerrilla fighters were accompanying him. They followed to confirm the location. By the way, Li Qiufan had some tasks to hand over to the guerrilla brigade.
After arriving at Liu Village, Li Qiufan ordered each department to select a location to set up camp, while he took the heavy artillery brigade to another place.
Because when Liu Village was selected as the station, Li Qiufan found that the heavy artillery brigade was not suitable for this place.
Because although Liu Cun can advance, attack, retreat or defend, this is for infantry.
If he was really surrounded, it would be impossible for him to carry a cannon and a car into the mountains.
Therefore, Li Qiufan chose another station for the heavy artillery brigade. It was not far from Liu Village and had roads extending in all directions, making it very suitable for automobiles.
Moreover, by building an artillery position here, the entire Liu Village is completely within the range of artillery bombardment, so there is no problem with support.
The only disadvantage is that this place is relatively desolate. It is deserted for miles around and there is no cover. It is easy to be detected by the enemy.
