Langtou Mountain, the secret room of Zhao Sihu, commander of the 78th Division
As expected, the adjutant Chen Chao brought back Chu Xiong's reply. After reading it, the joy on Zhao Sihu's face flashed away, and then he calmly said to Chen Chao:
"Adjutant Chen, Brigadier Chu should have something else to say. I, Zhao Sihu, will not believe this pie-in-the-sky thing!"
We are all our own people here. If you have anything to say, feel free to say it. If the words come out of your mouth and the sound reaches my ears, if it is suitable, I will accept this gift from Brigadier Chu. If it is not suitable, I will just pretend that you didn't say it. Business cannot be done without benevolence and righteousness. "
When Zhao Sihu talked about this, Chen Chao decided to show off his cards. He was a smart man and would not do anything wrong.
"Division Commander, Brigadier Chu said that you are a man, and he remembers the friendship of fighting side by side in Zezhou City. If the division commander is just to deal with this winter offensive in the past, he is willing to support you free of charge to capture hundreds of Japanese sets;
Including half a brigade of light and heavy machine guns, grenade launchers, three-step guns, helmets, water bottles, military uniforms, armed belts, etc., a complete set, and the military uniforms still have the blood of the Japanese.
Brigadier Chu said that this is a matter of incense and does not require the commander to do anything. "
After Chen Chao finished speaking, he stood there. It was up to Zhao Sihu whether he wanted to continue speaking.
Zhao Sihu naturally knew that there was something in Chen Chao's words. Hundreds of sets of Japanese equipment were just a greeting gift. Chu Xiong was really generous, much more generous than the government;
As Chu Xiong said, these things can only solve temporary difficulties. What Zhao Sihu wants is not just these, he wants the future!
"Adjutant Chen, if I still need Wei Yixiao cannons, food, or even long-term supplies, what does Brigadier Chu need from his brothers and the 78th Division?"
Zhao Sihu went straight to the point. Anyway, if they can reach an agreement, they can talk. If they can't, why not leave Chen Chao as an escape route?
Chen Chao saw that Zhao Sihu had made such a point, and sincerity was enough, so there was no need for him to be secretive. With these hundreds of sets of equipment, Zhao Sihu would not overturn the table.
He cleared his throat and said:
"Commander Zhao, you should be very clear about the situation of the Central Army in Zhongtiao Mountain. Brothers can't even get enough to eat, let alone military pay and ammunition supplies. It's hard to guarantee Commander Wei's direct lineage, and it's even more difficult for outsiders like the 78th Division. say no more!
Hundreds of thousands of people are fighting guerrillas in these ravines. How much food will be consumed in one day?
Where does this food come from?
What about ammunition supplies?
Once the Japanese have their hands free, there is no need for them to fight. Once the perimeter is sealed off, these hundreds of thousands of people will collapse in less than half a year!
Master, we have to find a way out for thousands of brothers. "
Zhao Sihu is a smart man. What Chen Chao said is not that he cannot see it. It is even more serious than this. Otherwise, if he is a lieutenant general, he will ask for help from a major general in Chuxiong?
"Adjutant Chen, tell Brigadier Chu's conditions directly!"
"Division Commander, Brigadier Chu proposed two plans. One is to join in secret now. The independent brigade will be responsible for all the supplies of the 78th Division. All treatment will be carried out in accordance with the standards of the main force of the independent brigade. Of course, the troops must also accept the transformation of the independent brigade. Implementation in the form of dispatching some teaching departments;
The main regiment of the independent brigade has an artillery battalion, equipped with 16 Weiyixiao artillery. There are only a few people left in a brigade to cover the Japanese. There are enough grain and ammunition tubes, and each person is supplied with a daily ration of 3 kilograms. "
Zhao Sihu's eyes flashed, and Zhao Musheng was even more happy. Each person was given three kilograms of rations a day. None of the direct descendants of the Central Military Army had this kind of treatment. In this era, food was the hard currency.
Zhao Sihu asked calmly:
"What about the second option?"
"If the teacher hasn't made up his mind yet, you can refuse to accept the adaptation for the time being. When the Zhongtiao Mountain collapses, you can decide your choice, and then you will be treated as an insurrection;
During this period, the independent brigade can support a company of Wei Yixiao artillery of the 78th Division, that is, 6 guns, and a batch of grain and ammunition can also support us;
Brigadier Chu's request is to send us a group of military instructors. These instructors only teach military affairs and do not engage in political propaganda. They need to have some spies in Zhongtiao Mountain. If the Japanese attack the 78th Division, they can be the first to do so. Meet us. "
Zhao Sihu finally understood that Zhongtiao Mountain would collapse sooner or later. Chu Xiong wanted to fish in troubled waters and used the 78th Division as a springboard. He probably was eyeing the fat meat of Zhongtiao Mountain and wanted to take a big bite.
Zhao Sihu is a smart man, and joining Chu Xiong now is a timely help. He can at least find a main force leader in the Independent Brigade;
Waiting for the overall situation to be decided before joining the army, it would be the icing on the cake at most, and considering the remuneration for the uprising, it would be good to be given a battalion commander at most.
After understanding this, he instantly had an idea. If he wanted to have a good way out in the Independence Brigade, he could no longer be ambiguous and ambiguous;
Maybe the second plan was used by Chu Xiong to test him. This one didn't seem to suffer any loss, but it was definitely poisonous!
When it comes to positioning, the most taboo thing is to be hesitant and think about everything. Nothing in the world is that cheap.
"Adjutant Chen, if I guess correctly, you should be Brigadier Chu's man, I, Zhao Sihu, am not a snake or a rat!
I chose the first plan. The 78th Division fought with the Eighth Route Army and unconditionally accepted the Eighth Route Army's adaptation. From today on, whatever is needed from me, Brigadier Chu will give the order. "
When Chen Chao heard this, he immediately beamed with joy. He did not expect that Mr. Zhao was such a bachelor, and he unknowingly took a high look at Zhao Sihu.
"Comrade Zhao Sihu, I'm going to call the brigade headquarters back. I believe Brigadier Chu will get a reply soon."
After Chen Chao finished speaking, he left. This was a big deal and he had to implement it immediately.
Zhao Musheng stood aside and was anxious to death. As soon as Chen Chao left, he couldn't help but speak:
"Brother, I don't have any objection to us joining the Eighth Route Army as a whole. We just need three kilograms of rations per person per day and enough ammunition supplies. It won't be wrong for us to join the independent brigade, but we should put some conditions in place. You are the lieutenant general and division commander!"
"Mu Sheng, you still don't understand. Without food, ammunition, and troops, the lieutenant general and division commander are nothing!
Sometimes you get more if you don't ask for anything than if you ask for it. Brother, I am taking steps back to make progress;
The Eighth Route is already our last road. Since we have decided to take refuge, we should be single. Don't let Chu Xiong think that we are still looking forward and backward. No one will use such people.
Musheng, the less we make demands, the less likely Brigadier Chu will treat us badly. I am the main regiment commander, and you, the main battalion commander, cannot escape!
Everything must be viewed in the long term. When I met Chu Xiong, he was just a small battalion commander. He was promoted to brigade commander in just over a year. The company commanders and platoon commanders who followed him in the past are now regimental commanders. , battalion commander, you have everything you want, that is not something that a arrogant division commander like us can compare with;
As long as we brothers follow Chu Xiong wholeheartedly, it is possible to be promoted to brigade commander, regiment commander, or even division commander. We have to take a long-term view! "
After hearing this, Zhao Musheng's blood was already boiling, and he said to Zhao Sihu with joy:
"Brother, it's better that you look far ahead. From now on we will do it with Brigadier Chu!"
"Mu Sheng, remember, he is our brigade commander. Didn't you hear that Chen Chao just called me Comrade Zhao Sihu?
In the Eighth Route Army, as long as you are called comrade, you are one of our own. "
"Mu Sheng, you must abide by the rules after becoming the Eighth Route Army. Our Eighth Route Army is more benevolent and righteous than the Central Army!"
