Chapter 39 4. Surprised by the enemy, the representatives of the United States and Chiang Kai-shek woke up like a dream

The Central Plains Bureau sent a telegram to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on June 21. The telegram stated: "We propose that the Central Committee allow us to start implementing the plan to break out of the encirclement by the end of this month, that is, divide two columns through central Hubei to break out of the encirclement in southern Shaanxi and Wudang Mountains, respectively. Then we turn to the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region. We believe that in terms of time and the enemy's situation, it is much more difficult to take the initiative to break through the siege now than in the past, and although we may suffer certain losses during the breakout process, it will be even more difficult in the future if we do not take the initiative to break through. How? ? Please repeat immediately."

On June 23, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China immediately replied to the Central Plains Bureau: "(1) Telegram on the 21st. What you see is true. I agree to break through immediately. The sooner the better, don't have any worries. Survival comes first, victory comes first. (2) ) For future actions, everything is up to you to decide, do not ask for instructions, so as not to delay the opportunity, and keep it confidential. (3) Hope to unite and struggle. I wish you victory." Upon receiving instructions from the Central Plains Bureau, the Central Plains Bureau immediately and urgently deployed a breakout operation.Deliberation and decision: Li Xiannian, Zheng Weisan, and Wang Zhen led the Central Plains Bureau, the Central Plains Military Region, and the 13th, 15th, and 359th Brigades of the 2nd Column as the North Route Army (right wing), breaking out from Xuanhuadian to the west; Wang Shusheng led 1 The 2nd and 3rd Brigades were the South Route Army (left wing), approaching Xuanhuadian from the Popi River, and then breaking out to the southwest.Luo Houfu and Wen Minsheng led troops from the Jianghan Military Region to break out from Anlu Sangshudian to the west, and the camera entered Sichuan.The 1st Vertical and 1st Brigade was left behind, commanded by brigade commander Pi Dingjun and political commissar Xu Zirong to defend Baiqueyuan in the north; the 2nd Independent Brigade in Eastern Hubei, commanded by brigade commander Wu Chengzhong and political commissar Zhang Tixue, defended in the south at Luwang City and went to Xuanhuadian Take the defense and cover the main force to break through.The deployment was ready, and the troops began intense and secret preparations.

On the afternoon of June 24, the brigade commander Pi Dingjun and political commissar Xu Zirong of the 1st Brigade of the 1st Column received an order from the head of the column and rushed to the headquarters of the Popi River Column.Commander Wang Shusheng explained to them: Following the order of the military region, the main force broke through to the west. The 1st Brigade carries out the task of containing the enemy and covering the westward advance of the whole army. It must use all means to hold the enemy and confuse the enemy so that the enemy cannot find the direction of our army's main action within three days.Three days later, the main force crossed Pinghan Road, and the 1st Brigade could follow the main force westward or break out in other directions according to the situation.Pi and Xu accepted the task, received a sum of money from Wang Shusheng, and rode back to Baiqueyuan on horseback.

From the first few days before the operation began, I marched eastward in a big way during the day, moved some troops westward at night, and then moved eastward in a big way on the second day, creating the illusion that a large number of troops were gathering in this area to attract the enemy's attention. In terms of military strength and attention, our representatives in the executive team of the Military Adjustment Department kept exposing the Kuomintang's conspiracy to mobilize troops in violation of the contract in an attempt to encircle and annihilate our army, and continued to negotiate with them, so that the representatives of the United States and Chiang Kai-shek could not understand the bottom line of my plan to break through. ; In order to avoid my actions from the eyes and ears of representatives of the United States and Chiang Kai-shek in the 32nd executive team stationed in Xuanhuadian, on the night of June 27 when I started the operation, I "invited" them to watch a cultural program. Leaving secretly, the troops of the Eastern Hubei Military Region stationed in Xuanhuadian to pretend to be the main force and maintain the original law of activities.

On the 28th, representatives of the United States and Chiang Kai-shek from the executive team proposed to meet with Commander Li Xiannian. They believed that if Li Xiannian was still in Xuanhuadian, it meant that our army had not taken action to break out of the encirclement; otherwise, it meant that our army was indeed preparing to break out.At that time, the headquarters of the Central Plains Military Region replied by phone: General Li is not in good health, and we will meet again at another day. In fact, Commander Li Xiannian has led the main force and the Central Plains Military Region to move west towards Pinghan Road.

On the morning of the 29th, the U.S. representative, Lieutenant Colonel Bai Lude, also proposed: "We must send medicine to General Li and express our condolences to General Li." At the time of Li Xiannian, Commander Li had already left Xuanhuadian for 30 miles. In order to further create illusions for the enemy, after receiving the telegram from Zhang Tixue, Li Xiannian decisively made the decision to receive Lieutenant Colonel Bai Lude. Li Xiannian stepped on his horse and returned to Xuanhuadian at lightning speed, leading the US representative into a five-mile cloud. On the afternoon of the 29th, in order to thank the representatives of the United States for their "concern" for Li Xiannian, we prepared a sumptuous banquet for the representatives of the United States and Chiang Kai-shek for them to drink and play cards for fun. At night, it began to drizzle, and the mountains were hidden in the clouds middle.Zhang Tixue came to the 32nd executive team of the International Guest House, accompanied by our representative, and went to the representative of the United States and Chiang Kai-shek, saying: "Unfortunately, the Kuomintang army tore up the Armistice Agreement and attacked us. We broke through." It means waking up from a dream, desperate and helpless...