Chiba Xunyi was very worried that the 32nd garrison division would be eaten by Xu Dalong's troops. In that case, he would be held accountable by the Japanese army. He wanted to retire with dignity, but he couldn't do it after leaving the army, so he always hoped to live in peace with Xu Dalong. . Yan Guiwu secretly communicated with Xu Dalong. Not only did he turn a blind eye, he even hoped to keep it that way.
After listening to Yan Guiwu's suggestion, he was still very interested. Originally, Yucheng and surrounding areas used coal from Datong, Shanxi. Since the Yanbei area was occupied by the Daqingshan Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Column, the supply of coal has been cut off. The charcoal and coal they used were secretly bought by Yan Guiwu from the Mawushan Military Division. The price was much higher than before, and the use must be strictly controlled. It would certainly be a good thing for him if he could resume the use of coal produced in Datong. If the coal produced in Datong can be transported and sold to other areas such as Beiping, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, etc., and then the in-demand materials there can be transported back and sold, the profits can be imagined.
He basically agreed with the suggestion put forward by Yan Guiwu and said: "Yan Sang, your idea is very good, but there are still some problems to be solved. On the one hand, whether the First Army can agree to us doing this, and on the other hand, Now that coal is in the hands of the Eighth Route Army, can it be obtained from them and transported safely? What do you think of these two issues?"
Yan Guiwu said: "Your Excellency, Division Commander, your concerns are very reasonable. I have investigated this matter in advance. The area occupied by the Yellow Army includes Taiyuan City, and of course the coal used by our Yucheng, mainly from Datong. .Since the coal mines in Datong were controlled by the Eighth Route Army, the supply of coal has been extremely tight. Even the use of coal in Taiyuan City needs to be controlled, and the price has skyrocketed.
This put great pressure on the First Army. The logistics department of the First Army tried every means to transport coal from other places, but the water from afar could not quench the thirst of the nearer. They had wanted to solve this problem for a long time, and even secretly negotiated with the Eighth Route Army through some businessmen, but the conditions had not been reached. If the division commander can help solve this problem, the First Army Headquarters will not object. If my prediction is good, I should be happy. "
This news was revealed to Yan Guiwu by Xu Dalong. Xu Dalong considered everything carefully and would fix all loopholes in advance. Takahashi Bei has now been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the Japanese Army. He is the assistant to the logistics section chief of the First Army, and his actual authority is equivalent to the deputy section chief. He had already heard from the head of the Logistics Section that the First Army had indeed negotiated with the Eighth Route Army in Datong to solve the coal problem, but it had not found a suitable negotiation partner.
In fact, Takahashi Bingwei can complete this task, but his position is very important. Xu Dalong reminded him not to let him be exposed, so he did not get involved in this matter. However, Takahashi Bingwei has already attracted a large number of Japanese military officers within the Japanese army, including the logistics section chief, and formed a corrupt gang. The head of the logistics section wanted to make a fuss about Datong's coal and make a fortune from it, and Takahashi Bingwei also played a role in fueling the flames.
This was a foreshadowing laid by Xu Dalong and Takahashi Bingwei in advance. As long as the 32nd garrison division came forward to discuss the matter, the First Army Headquarters would definitely approve it.
Qianye Xunyi trusted Yan Guiwu very much. When he heard what he said, he said happily: "Xinxi, you are thoughtful and meticulous in your work. I greatly appreciate this. I will send someone to Taiyuan later to implement this matter."
Yan Guiwu continued: "As for the Eighth Route Army, their funds have always been tight. Now they have occupied Datong and controlled a large number of coal mines. It can be said that they have abundant resources. Unfortunately, the coal can only be transported to Suiyuan and Chaha. In the Er area, sales are very limited and a lot of resources are wasted. Not only that, after the Eighth Route Army controlled a large number of coal mines, it also assumed the responsibility of feeding those miners. Coal could not be transported out, and a large number of miners could only lose their jobs. This was very important to the Eighth Route Army. It is also a huge pressure for them, so they are also eager to export coal.
I have also sent people to conduct secret investigations in this regard. We can get coal from them at a lower price than before. Transportation is not a problem. After the Eighth Route Army took control of Datong, it took control of Datong’s railway system. There are a large number of trains there. , as long as the area controlled by the Yellow Army allows them to pass, everything will not be a problem. "
Qianye Xunyi knew that Yan Guiwu was secretly colluding with Xu Dalong and completely believed what he said.
He said: "Xinxi, you are responsible for contacting the Eighth Route Army, and I will be in charge of the First Army Command Headquarters. As for places like Peiping, Tianjin, and Shijiazhuang, I have many friends, and they will provide convenience."
Qianye Xunyi was in a high mood. He drank with Yan Guiwu and enjoyed the performances of his dissidents. When he was happy, he stood up and danced with them.
Not to mention, his dancing skills are very proficient and he can dance decently.
Chiba Xunyi sent his adjutant and the logistics section chief of the 32nd garrison division to Taiyuan. They met Takahashi Bei first. Takahashi Bei originally came from the 32nd garrison division. After they explained their intention, Takahashi Hei arranged for them to have a separate banquet with the logistics section chief of the First Army, and the two sides hit it off immediately.
The head of the logistics section of the First Army put forward some requirements. They were fancy and complicated, but in fact there was only one requirement, which was to leave enough benefits for the logistics section of the First Army. This was also the case in Chiba before. What Xunyi meant was that his adjutant had already received instructions from Qianba Xunyi before he came. If there is money, everyone can make it.
An agreement was quickly reached. Next, the First Military Command quickly approved Chiba Xunyi's plan to transport and sell coal.
After Chiba Xunyi received the authorization from the First Army Headquarters, he established a trading company with Yan Guiwu's Huang Xiejun Fourth Division in the name of an island businessman. This trading company was chaired by Wang Shuhuai.
Through his own connections, Chiba Xunyi set up an office of the 32nd Garrison Division in Qingdao, and Yan Guiwu also set up an office there.
After the Daqingshan Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Column occupied Datong, at the beginning, Ma Zhenyu thought he was sitting on a golden mountain in order to master a large amount of coal resources. However, the good times did not last long, and soon these coal mines became a heavy burden.
Since the produced coal cannot be sold, a large number of coal mines can only reduce production or suspend production, leaving hundreds of thousands of miners with their mouths open for food. This made Ma Zhenyu very worried. Although efforts have been made to increase coal transportation to the Chahar and Suiyuan areas, the demand there is very small, which is only a drop in the bucket for the Daqingshan Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Column.
He originally hoped that Xu Dalong could help him solve the coal sales problem, but the Mawushan Military Division also had its own coal mines, and he was too embarrassed to open his mouth. The Japanese army contacted him through some coal merchants, but the Daqingshan Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Column had no experience in dealing with the Japanese army and was worried that Zheng Zhi would be affected. Therefore, the matter was dropped.
When Ma Zhenyu received Xu Dalong's telegram, he was overjoyed and immediately promised to fully cooperate with Xu Dalong's actions.
Coal transportation and sales is a big business in Shanxi, it can even be said to be the biggest business. Being able to rationally utilize the coal resources held by the Eighth Route Army and transport a large amount of strategic materials from the Japanese-occupied areas to the Eighth Route Army's base areas is of course what the Eighth Route Army needs. The superiors of the Eighth Route Army also hold a supportive attitude, but this matter is very complicated, and the boundaries are difficult to grasp. If it is not handled well, it may be suspected of supporting the enemy.
Commander Sling is a man of great wisdom, and he cannot leave any trouble behind. In order to prevent anyone from making a fuss about this matter, he personally flew to northern Shaanxi, met with the old superior comrade in charge, and reported Xu Dalong's plan to him in detail.
The comrade in charge originally sent Xu Dalong to Tianjin to open up transportation lines. He believed that Xu Dalong would be able to build a secret transportation line, but he did not expect that Xu Dalong would make it so big. If this plan can be completed successfully, it will be a major benefit to the underground party and the Eighth Route Army.
The person in charge had rich experience in underground work and highly affirmed Xu Dalong's plan. He also gave some specific instructions, telling Xu Dalong to go ahead and do it without any scruples.
Commander Si Ling got Shang Fang's sword for Xu Dalong and breathed a sigh of relief. After he returned to the Military Region Command Headquarters, he sent Xu Dalong the spirit of the instructions from the comrade in charge.
After receiving approval from superiors, the plan officially began to be implemented, and the work of establishing traffic lines was carried out in an orderly manner.
In the following time, strange scenes occurred in many places in Shanxi. Many local people saw the Eighth Route Army organizing migrant workers to build railways there. Everyone was very curious. In the past, the Eighth Route Army used to destroy roads and railways everywhere. It was not clear what they were going to do now.
On the railway from Datong to Taiyuan, there was a more interesting scene. On the same railway, the Eighth Route Army and the Japanese army were repairing the railway section that had been destroyed by the Eighth Route Army at the same time. The soldiers on both sides were only a few dozen meters apart, but it seemed that no one could No one was seen, everyone was doing their own work. In the end, the two sides connected the repaired railway. The commander of the Japanese army and the cadres led by the Eighth Route Army shook hands to express their happy cooperation.
Chiba Xunyi also attached great importance to this matter. He personally went to Peiping, Tianjin and Shijiazhuang, met with the local Japanese garrison commanders, and negotiated related interests. The local Japanese garrison promised to provide convenience for the trading company under Chiba Xunyi.
In Xiaojiabi Village, Datong County, DT City, at the entrance of the village, two young men were carrying worn-out bedrolls and preparing to go on a long trip. Their parents, wives and children are seeing them off.
These two young men, one named Zhou Qinghua and the other Wang Weimin, turned out to be miners in Qingshiyao No. 6 Mine. Coal mines were forced to suspend production because there was no market for the coal they produced, and they could only stay at home to stay employed.
There are already a lot of people here but little land, and it is impossible to support a family just by farming. Therefore, the two decided to go out to find work to earn money to support their family.
Zhou Qinghua's father was also a miner. Due to an accident in the mine, he broke a leg and was on crutches. He told his son to be careful when going out and not to quarrel with outsiders. If he couldn't stay any longer, he should go home quickly.
The mother and wife kept wiping away tears, but the ignorant child asked his father to buy candy for himself when he came back from outing.
The two families were reluctantly saying goodbye with tears when a group of people suddenly ran out of the village, some of whom had guns in their hands.
After they ran over, they surrounded Zhou Qinghua and Wang Weimin. The leader was wearing plain clothes and an Eighth Route Army cap on his head. His name was Li Jixian, the militia captain of Xiaojiabi Village.
Li Jixian said: "Zhou Qinghua, Wang Weimin, we mobilized you to join the militia, but you didn't agree. Now that you have to run away, do you still want to do things for the little devil?"
Zhou Qinghua said: "It's nothing. We just want to find some work to earn money to support our family because our family is too difficult."
Li Jixian said dissatisfiedly: "You used to work in the Japs mines. The Japs didn't pay you and didn't treat you as human beings. If the Eighth Route Army hadn't saved you, you would have died eight times ago. Have you forgotten that with us? How did the miners with you get tortured to death by the Japanese?"
Yes, the Japanese army implemented military control in the coal mines in the past. They simply did not regard the miners as human beings. They not only treated them as livestock, but also killed them at will.
The Daqingshan Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Column captured Datong and liberated these miners, so that they had a way to survive.
Zhou Qinghua's father said with a smile: "My eldest nephew, the Eighth Route Army saved Qinghua and the others, and we are all very grateful. But as you can see, Qinghua and the others now have no livelihood, and the family's life is really unbearable. Let They go out to do odd jobs to earn some money to support their families, and they will definitely not work for the Japanese again."
Li Jixian said: "It's all nonsense. After they went out, they were captured by the Japs and Hanjian. If they were to work for them as laborers, wouldn't they still work for the Japs? The Eighth Route Army has treated you well. You have no work in the mines." Didn't I give you some money as a subsidy after I started working? Has anyone else in our village received a subsidy? You are still not satisfied, and you are not willing to serve as soldiers. What kind of consciousness do you have?"
The militiamen who came with him also accused Zhou Qinghua and Wang Weimin.
After the Daqingshan Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Column captured the mining area, a large number of miners had no work to do. Considering the hardship of their lives, the guerrillas also spent some money to subsidize them. However, the Daqingshan Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Column itself was not rich. There are so many miners and the subsidies they can receive are really negligible, which is a drop in the bucket to improve the lives of their families.
Li Jixian and the militiamen firmly disagreed with Zhou Qinghua and Wang Weimin going out, and wanted to take them back to the village and imprison them, saying that they would be punished after reporting to the township.
The families of Zhou Qinghua and Wang Weimin begged, but Li Jixian and others firmly disagreed and pushed Zhou Qinghua and Wang Weimin toward the village. Some militiamen even took out ropes and said they would tie them up if they disobeyed.
At this moment, a young man came over on horseback. (End of chapter)
