Chapter 5 Chapter 4 Prepare for a rainy day, the red capital Yan'an is safe and sound

On September 29, 1946, the autumn air in Yan'an was crisp and breezy.The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China is grandly holding a welcome meeting for the 359th Brigade to return to Yan'an in the Central Auditorium in Yangjialing.Previously, Wang Zhen had met Mao Zedong.That day Mao Zedong turned his body sideways and looked at Wang Zhen's beard in surprise. The corners of his mouth moved a few times, wanting to ask, but he didn't ask.Wang Zhen was sitting upright, and seeing Mao Zedong paying attention to his beard, he said loudly: "Report Chairman, at the beginning of the breakout, I swear to the whole brigade that if I don't bring the team to Yan'an and let you see Chairman Mao, I won't shave it." Beard! So, the beard grows so long!" Immediately he laughed foolishly, and Mao Zedong gave him the nickname "Wang Beard" on the spot.Since then, the reputation of "Wang Beard" has been widely known in the army.

Now, "Wang Beard"'s chin has been shaved clean, and he has put on a new jacket. His mental outlook is much better than when he first came here.At this meeting, Mao Zedong, Zhu De, Ren Bishi, Peng Dehuai, Lin Boqu, He Long and other comrades were all dispatched to congratulate Wang Zhen for bringing the team back alive.It is the first time in the history of our army to hold such a grand and high-standard welcome meeting for a brigade-level unit. The heads of the central government have long been familiar with Wang Zhen and his 359 brigade.In Yan'an's vigorous mass production movement that year, Wang Zhen's 359 brigade created Jiangnan in northern Shaanxi in Nanniwan. Mao Zedong was inspired by it and wrote the famous inscription: "Do it yourself, have enough food and clothing."During the period of strict blockade by Chiang Kai-shek, Wang Zhen's experience in "reclamation" enabled Yan'an to break through Chiang Kai-shek's blockade and solved the big problem of food, clothing and housing for the troops. The deeds of the 359 Brigade's production and self-rescue became a good talk in the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region.Since then, the song "Nanniwan" and the name Wang Zhen have become almost household names in the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region.

At this time, Wang Zhen was sitting on the rostrum together with other central leadership comrades.Faced with such a high-level welcome and such warm applause, what Wang Zhen thought of was not the glorious history of Nanniwan, but the bloody storms of the past two years. Mao Zedong was speaking passionately: "You are not afraid of difficulties and sacrifices, penetrated into the heart of the enemy, dared to fight against the enemy, broke the siege of hundreds of thousands of Kuomintang reactionaries, and returned to Yan'an victoriously. You are the precious wealth of the party...you Experienced the second Long March!"

Mao Zedong's Hunan dialect echoed in the central auditorium, and the eyes of the officers and soldiers of the 359th brigade were already filled with tears.These tough men never cried in the face of difficulties, nor did they cry in the face of death.But today, all of them burst into tears, and some were still sobbing softly. They were not only excited to return to their mother's arms, but also deeply moved by the high evaluation given to them by the party. At this time, Wang Zhen's heart was even more ups and downs, and his passion was uncontrollable. These two years have been really difficult!From the departure from Yan'an on November 10, 1944, to the return to the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region on August 29, 1946, during the 658 days, he hardly had a good meal or a good night's sleep.We are on the borderline between life and death every day.Especially during the period of dealing with Hu Zongnan in the mountains of the Qinling Mountains, there was no food or clothing.When they finally left the Qinling Mountains, there were only 1,893 people left, all of them were sallow, emaciated and dressed in rags.

After the welcome meeting, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China "feasted" cadres above the 359th Brigade in the Eighth Route Army Auditorium in Wangjiaping. In the empty auditorium, there were several dilapidated large tables, and on each table were several large pots of vegetarian dishes and more than a dozen bowls.There is no big fish or meat, only rice wine and millet porridge made in northern Shaanxi.The so-called banquet is as simple as that.But comradeship and friendship are all in it! Although Wang Zhen felt sad for the sacrificed comrades, he finally realized his wish to bring the team back to Yan'an and meet Chairman Mao.Wang Zhen admired Mao Zedong, his indomitable spirit, and his great talent. In May 1943, when Chiang Kai-shek took advantage of the disbandment of the Communist International, he was preparing to attack Yan'an. Mao Zedong asked Wang Zhen to bring troops back from the front to defend Yan'an.After repelling Chiang Kai-shek's anti-communist upsurge, Mao Zedong asked Wang Zhen to lead his troops to Nanniwan, a deserted and wolf-infested area, to engage in production and save himself.Without further ado, Wang Zhen pulled up the team and left, and ended up creating a "Nanniwan Myth" there.Later, Mao Zedong asked Wang Zhen to go south to open up a new revolutionary base area south of the Yangtze River. Wang Zhen still didn't say anything, and led the team all the way south.It can be said that wherever Mao Zedong told him to fight Wang Zhen, he would lead his troops to fight there!

Wang Zhen picked up the big bowl and walked towards Mao Zedong.This is the practice of toasting, because Mao Zedong is the highest chief executive present.But this time, Wang Zhen had mixed feelings.Because Mao Chuxiong, Mao Zetan's nephew and Mao Zetan's son, died during the breakout. When breaking through, Mao Chuxiong was a cadre of the Central Plains Military Region and acted with Wang Zhen's troops. On August 2, after Wang Zhen led his troops to occupy Zhen'an County, which is only more than 200 kilometers away from Xi'an, Hu Zongnan was very shocked and wanted to negotiate with Wang Zhen to resolve the dispute between the two sides.At that time, a full-scale civil war had not yet broken out. With the approval of the Military Commission, Wang Zhen sent Zhang Wenjin, commander of the cadre brigade, Wu Zuyi and Mao Chuxiong, directors of the political department of the cadre brigade, to negotiate with Hu Zongnan.But when the three negotiators entered the Dongjiang Port, they were detained by Cen Yunying, head of the 181st Regiment of the 61st Division of Hu Zongnan.A few days later, the three representatives were killed at Dongjiangkou.

Hu Zongnan's treachery made Wang Zhen very angry, and he didn't know how to tell Mao Zedong.Because for the revolution, Mao Zedong lost too many relatives!In the early years, he lost his beloved wife Yang Kaihui, and lost his younger brothers Mao Zetan and Mao Zemin.After Yang Kaihui was killed, brothers Mao Anying and Mao Anying wandered around, begging for a living.Mao Anqing was also arrested by the Kuomintang and suffered inhuman torture, leaving him permanently disabled, while He Zizhen gave birth to Xiao Mao during the Long March, and there was no whereabouts; The level of abuse... Now, his nephew was killed by Hu Zongnan again.What kind of life experience is this!

When he went to see Mao Zedong a few days ago, Wang Zhen made a self-criticism.Today, he still wants to borrow a bowl of spirits to express his memory of the revolutionary martyrs. "Chairman, this bowl of wine is to Chuxiong, may he rest in peace." After speaking, he drank a bowl. Mao Zedong still had some emotional ups and downs when his nephew was killed.But looking at the sincerity on Wang Zhen's face, Mao Zedong still waved his hands and said, "There is no one who survives the revolution! From the April 12 coup to Jinggangshan, and now, how many of us did Chiang Kai-shek kill? This time you broke through, There are quite a few comrades who died!"

Wang Zhen didn't notice the slight emotional change in Mao Zedong's heart, so he took up the conversation and said: "Yes, a total of 2,917 people were lost in the breakout, some were killed in battle, and some disappeared after the troops were dispersed. I am tenacious, and I am able to endure hardships and fight more. This can be regarded as a gain.” "It's another long march, of course there are gains. The gains are not only these! You broke out all the way to the west, and Chiang Kai-shek sent Liu Zhi and Hu Zongnan to block and chase all the way. Thousands of you restrained their hundreds of thousands of troops. It is very effective in coordinating with the combat operations on other battlefields! It is helpful for He Long's battle in northern Shanxi and Liu Deng's battle in Longhai!"

Wang Zhen nodded, and Mao Zedong continued: "Chiang Kai-shek is now attacking Shaanxi, Gansu and Ningxia from the south, east, and west. With the addition of Deng Baoshan in the north, we are now surrounded on all sides! Now we are fighting for the security of the Kuomintang in northern Shaanxi. Hu Jingduo, the deputy commander of the command headquarters, led the uprising, and the chances of success are relatively high. If successful, we will have more room for maneuver in northern Shaanxi, and Chiang Kai-shek’s idea of ​​encircling us will come to naught. It will be good if you come back now, and we have more You are a general. You should rest in Yan'an for a while, and then drive to the Jinsui Liberated Area. Boss He will recruit some new recruits for you. Your next task is still very heavy. After arriving in the Jinsui Liberated Area, you still have to give full play It will be very useful. We must defend the border area, defend Yan'an!"

Wang Zhen made a statement on the spot and promised to complete the task. Next, Wang Zhen made a toast to all the central leaders present.When he arrived at He Long, Wang Zhen was already a little dizzy.His drunken eyes were hazy, and he looked at He Long and smiled.He Long's face was also a little flushed, and he smiled and raised his fist to punch Wang Zhen.When they left for the south two years ago, He Long and Wang Zhen had an agreement, that is, Wang Zhen must come back alive to see He Long.Now that the agreement was fulfilled, the two drank a big bowl happily. In the past two years, He Long has really broken his heart for Wang Zhen, Wang Shoudao and the 359th Brigade. After all, they are the troops of the old 120th Division, so they have feelings! When the 359 Brigade went south, He Long had to contact Wang Zhen almost every day.It is necessary to learn more about the battles they have experienced, their locations, and troop casualties.He Long has to ask about everything about the army.A year later, the 359th Brigade was ordered to return to the north, and Chiang Kai-shek sent troops to chase and intercept him. When the 359th Brigade broke through, He Long was commanding the Jinbei Campaign to fight against Yan Xishan. His radio station was always very nervous. In addition to receiving the battle report from the commander in front, he also had to learn more about Wang Zhen's breakout situation.When he learned that Wang Zhen led the troops back to Shaanxi, Gansu and Ningxia, he was very excited. He specially called several heads of the field troops together for a meal to celebrate Wang Zhen's safe arrival.Before that, his heart was really in his throat, he was afraid that he would never see his old subordinate again.Now that Wang Zhen is back, his hanging heart can finally be let go. What Mao Zedong told Wang Zhen about winning over Hu Jingduo, the deputy commander of the Northern Shaanxi Security Headquarters of the Kuomintang to lead the uprising, was handled by Xi Zhongxun, secretary of the Northwest Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. In April 1946, before Chiang Kai-shek tore up the peace agreement, Mao Zedong handed over the task to Xi Zhongxun, asking him to go to the north to do some united front work. At that time, the Kuomintang had two troops stationed in the north, one was Deng Baoshan's 22nd Army, and the other was Hu Jingtong's Northern Shaanxi Security Regiment.Because they are not directly related to Chiang Kai-shek, they are not only discriminated against, but also often have their food and salary deducted.Especially when the whole country was fighting against Japan, Chiang Kai-shek threw them in this northwest border to block the Communist Party, doing nothing and doing nothing all day long, which made the officers and soldiers more angry. Mao Zedong said to Xi Zhongxun: "In terms of personal feelings, these two troops have no great enmity with us. During the Anti-Japanese War, we had very close contacts, and Deng Baoshan was often our guest. Later, we started a large-scale production movement, and the surplus food They also helped Deng’s troops. They all hated Chiang Kai-shek. If the work is in place, they can win one or several uprisings to surrender. If we take Yulin or Hengshan, we will win a big strategy in northern Shaanxi The room for maneuver is of great significance to smashing Chiang Kai-shek's plan to attack Yan'an." Xi Zhongxun had done united front work for many years and was familiar with the situation in the north, so he immediately found the teacher of the deputy director of the United Front Work Department of the Suide Prefectural Committee. Xi Zhongxun said: "The chairman instructed to send some capable cadres to the Deng Department or the Hu Department to do united front work and win over some patriotic officers and soldiers. It is best to be their middle and upper-level officers, who are key to the victory of Yulin and Hengshan. You I have been engaged in United Front work for many years, does it have anything to do with the middle and upper-level officers of the Deng Department and the Hu Department?" Shi Yuan rubbed his forehead and said: "I don't have a strong relationship, but I know Hu Jingtong's younger brother Hu Jingduo, and the relationship is not bad. I don't know if it will work." Xi Zhongxun's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly urged: "Tell me." Shi Yuan said: "Hu Jingduo has been more radical in his thinking since he was a child, and he has had contacts with our party when he was young. In 1938, he went to the Gaoguizi Department as the commander of the field supplementary battalion. He led the troops through Fuping. Shao Wu, secretary of the Fuping County Working Committee Xuan handed over to Hu Jingduo more than 40 volunteer soldiers, all of whom were good young men educated by the Party. At that time, Shao Wuxuan sent me and Liu Maokun to Hu Jingduo's department, preparing to work for Hu Jingduo for a long time. At that time, I had a relationship with him. After contacting him, he was very radical in his thinking and hated Chiang Kai-shek’s policies deeply. Once chatting with him, he raised his fist and said that Chiang Kai-shek would collapse sooner or later. The cadres were transferred away because of study." Xi Zhongxun couldn't wait: "What happened next?" "There was very little contact afterwards." Shiyuan took a sip of water and continued: "But I also heard something about Hu Jingduo. I heard that Hu Jingduo was very active in resisting Japan and had some contacts with our party. About the year before last, He became the commander of the 252nd Regiment of the 17th Army and was transferred to Wuyuan, Gansu Province. Because he was transferred to Wuyuan, he had a quarrel with the army commander Gao Guizi. He was going to fight against Japan, but Gao Guizi did not allow him, so he simply asked for leave and returned home. Pull up a team in the Guanzhong area. I heard that he is now serving in his brother Hu Jingtong's department, but the specific situation is not clear." Xi Zhongxun frowned and nodded straight: "It seems that this person still has a bit of a temper, and it is worth a try. How about this, you get ready, go to Yulin immediately, say to negotiate the border issue, meet Hu Jingtong, and tell Hu Jingduo the specific situation Find out. If there is any situation, please contact me in time." Shi Yuan got up and stood at attention, then left. Shi Yuan packed lightly and went straight to Yulin with documents related to the border issue.After staying with Deng Baoshan for two days, he went to Hu Jingtong's headquarters alone. Hu Jingtong is an anti-communist buddy, with a sloppy face, he looks like a martial artist. Seeing Hu Jingtong, Shiyuan clasped his fists and said, "I'm under Shiyuan, I'm an old friend with brother Jing Duo. I've heard about the name of the commander-in-chief for a long time, and this time I'm on business in Yulin, so I came to disturb you. I haven't seen brother Jing Duo for many years, and I miss you very much." , I don’t know where he can get a job?” "Oh, it's Jing Duo's old friend. Fast forward, fast forward." Hearing that he was an old friend, Hu Jingtong was also quite straightforward, and quickly stretched out his hand and said, "Jing Duo is now the deputy commander of my department, at Boluo Fort in Hengshan. I'll give him a hand right away." Make a phone call and ask him to come to Yulin to meet you?" Shi Yuan said happily: "Brother Jing Duo is busy with military affairs, don't bother him, let me go." Shi Yuan didn't go to Poluo Fort, but went back to Suide directly, and immediately wrote a note saying that there was something important to discuss, and asked his subordinates to dress up as small businessmen and send it to Hu Jingduo. Hu Jingduo was overjoyed, and immediately wrote back: Please come quickly. Shi Yuan once again went straight to Hengshan Poluo Fort on the grounds of negotiating the border. When Hu Jingduo saw Shiyuan, he snotted and cried about Chiang Kai-shek. From deducting food and salary to moving to Wuyuan, he finally shook his hat and said viciously: "Chiang Kai-shek never looks at us, thinking that Lao Tzu is It was raised by my little mother. I told my elder brother a long time ago that I would drag the team to the Communist Party. But he is a dead-headed person, and he is determined not to do it. Today he quit, and I did it. The deputy head of the division, I will be from today A member of the Communist Party. I will follow your instructions on what to do next." "Good comrade, good comrade." Shi Yuan got up and held Hu Jingduo's hand tightly and said, "But don't worry, take your time." In this way, the matter of fighting for Hu Jingduo to lead the uprising was concluded. The Northwest Bureau successively sent more than 30 cadres to serve in Hu Jingduo's department, and also brought some guns, ammunition and funds.The cadres sent over were scattered in the Hu Department, and their positions ranged from squad leader, platoon leader to company commander. The main task was to find out the situation of the grassroots officers and soldiers of Hu Jingduo's department. Hu Jingduo himself was not sloppy, and had a serious conversation with his subordinates.For those who are more at ease, the words are very thorough; for those who are not at ease, they stop halfway through the speech, and let them go back to understand; for those who oppose the Communist Party to the end, they simply withdraw and change.So in less than a few months, the Hu Department basically underwent a major shake-up. In order to do a good job in this uprising, Hu Jingduo's actions in the army can be described as drastic.In August, the lawsuit was brought to his elder brother Hu Jingtong.Hu Jingtong had heard about his younger brother's misbehavior for a long time, but he never found conclusive evidence.This time the complaint came again, so I couldn't be sloppy anymore.According to Chiang Kai-shek's law of rejoining the revolutionary soldiers, if the younger brother leads the uprising, the older brother will be implicated, not to mention the younger brother is his own subordinate.Hu Jingtong quickly and secretly summoned dozens of Hu Jingduo's subordinates, coaxing, deceiving and intimidating, but found nothing. Another month passed, and the rumors got louder and louder.Hu Jingtong couldn't sit still anymore, so he directly called his younger brother to Yulin, where he wanted to confront him face to face. Hu Jingtong patted Hu Jingduo on the shoulder and said, "Jing Duo, it's not easy for us brothers to get to where we are today. We don't have much power, but we don't have to worry about food and clothing. We brothers will lead troops to fight, be loyal to the Kuomintang, and other things. Just think less about it." Hu Jingduo knew what his elder brother was referring to, so he evaded the truth and said: "Yes, I also feel that it is not easy. I have been diligently leading troops to fight, and I have not done other things! I am very confused when I say that today. gone." When Hu Jingduo played "Tai Chi", Hu Jingtong was a little displeased, and said bluntly: "It is said that you have close contacts with the Communist Party and behave sneakily. You haven't heard of it? I have learned from the side, and you have actions. I will tell you today. , It is still too late to rein in the precipice, otherwise I, as an elder brother, will kill my relatives righteously." The window paper has been torn, and there is no need to hide anything anymore.Hu Jingduo got up together: "What I do is beneficial to the people. If you want your righteousness, kill your relatives. I'm leaving, brother, take care!" After speaking, he strode away. Back at Poluo Fort, Hu Jingduo immediately called an emergency meeting of the uprising generals, and decided to uprising immediately, lest there would be more nights and dreams.The uprising was scheduled for October 13. On the evening of the 12th, the troops stationed in Shiwan took the lead.Shiwan is located on the north bank of the Dali River in the southeast of Hengshan County, at the junction of Zichang County. It is the throat of Yan'an Jingzichang to Yulin, and it is also a prominent part of the KMT's extension into the abdomen of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Liberated Area. The KMT calls it the South Line fortress.Stationed in Shiwan is the 9th Security Regiment, with a total of more than 600 people.Zhang Ziya, the leader of the group, is Hu Jingtong's best friend. Right after his wife died, he begged for a young and beautiful concubine. When the rebel troops surrounded the regiment headquarters of the 9th regiment, he was making out with his wife at home. After he realized it, he had already become a prisoner of the rebel troops. After Shiwan was captured, the deputy commander of the Suide division of our army led a battalion to Gaozhen. Gaozhen is the only way from Shiwan to Poluo Fort. It is easy to defend and difficult to attack, and its military role is very important.Stationed in Gaozhen is Qin Yuewen, deputy head of the 9th regiment of the Hu Department.Hu Jingduo talked to him in advance, and he expressed his willingness to revolt, so the Gaozhen Uprising developed relatively quickly. Then, the uprising troops took control of Boluo Fort, Xiangshui Fort and other places, basically controlling the whole county of Hengshan. Hu Jingtong in Yulin was very surprised and couldn't believe that his younger brother Hu Jingduo would really lead his troops to join the Communist Party.He quickly sent reinforcements to attack Xiangshui Fort, but the situation was gone and he was powerless. After the defense of Hengshan was handed over to the People's Liberation Army, the rebel troops were ordered to go south to Yan'an, and Mao Zedong, Liu Shaoqi, Zhu De and other comrades had to personally reward them. On the evening of December 24th, the small auditorium in Zaoyuan, Yan'an was full of joy, and the welcome meeting of the 6th Cavalry Division (Hengshan Uprising Troop) was being held.The 6th Cavalry Division was established in Poluobao after the liberation of Gaozhen on October 14, with Hu Jingduo as its commander. At the welcome meeting, Mao Zedong was very excited and gave an impromptu speech: "The uprising of the 6th Cavalry Division pointed out a bright road for the old army in the northwest. Although the US-Chiang boat was bigger, it was a broken boat. It will sink. Although our revolutionary ship is still relatively small, it is brand new, able to ride the wind and waves, and advance victoriously...Your uprising is wise. You have not only found a bright way out for yourself, but also expanded the territory of the border area. The room for maneuver is of great significance to smashing Chiang Kai-shek's attack on Yan'an." The officers and soldiers of the 6th Cavalry Division listened to Mao Zedong's speech for the first time. The Hunan dialect was not easy to understand, but they could all hear some words.After Mao Zedong finished his speech, there was thunderous applause from the audience. When he learned of Hu Jingduo's uprising, Chiang Kai-shek was furious, and the veins on his forehead collapsed. During Chiang Kai-shek's life, he did not understand many problems, one of which was the continuous uprising led by the Kuomintang generals. Just after the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, Deng Baoshan's newly formed 11th Brigade Commander Cao Youshen led an uprising, which started the uprising of the Kuomintang generals; Hu Jingduo, deputy commander-in-chief of the Northern Shaanxi Security Corps, revolted.The uprising did not lose many troops, but the political impact was very bad.At this time, Chiang Kai-shek couldn't figure it out, and he didn't bother to figure it out. The most important thing was to wipe out the vital forces of the Communist Party. At this time, Chiang Kai-shek had been in Nanjing for several months. He was busy attending the ceremony of returning the capital, and then led officials of all sizes to pay homage to the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. Busy opening the so-called "National University". The war situation across the country is developing in a direction that is beneficial to the national army, which somewhat dilutes the unhappiness that Hu Jingduo's uprising brought to Chiang Kai-shek's heart. He got up and looked at the huge military map hanging on the wall.The areas circled in green on the map are the liberated areas of the Communist Party; the ones with the flag of blue sky and white sun are those that the national army has just taken back from the communist army. The map clearly shows that from July to October, the national army successively launched large-scale attacks on the Communist Party’s Jiangsu-Anhui Liberated Areas, Shandong Liberated Areas, Shanxi-Hebei-Luyu Liberated Areas, Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Liberated Areas, Shanxi-Sui Liberated Areas, and Northeast Liberated Areas.In this short period of three months, the Kuomintang army successively occupied 105 large and small cities including Chengde, Zhangyuan, Andong (now Dandong), Huaiyin, and Heze in the Liberated Areas of the Communist Party of China.They also drove the Communist Party's New Fourth Army and Eighth Route Army, which persisted in guerrilla warfare in South China, all the way to the north of the Yangtze River, and also removed the worry in the Liberated Areas of the Central Plains, and drove Wang Zhen's 359 Brigade from Xuanhuadian to Yan'an.Such a victory is rare since Chiang Kai-shek "suppressed bandits" in Jinggangshan. However, Chiang Kai-shek also knew in his heart that although some places were occupied, the losses were heavy.A total of 290,000 troops were lost in a few months, which is not a small number!And after occupying these cities, they have to send troops to guard them, which is tantamount to increasing their own burden. Now, on Chiang Kai-shek's desk is the "Battle Plan for Raiding Northern Shaanxi" that Hu Zongnan just wrote again. As early as May, Hu Zongnan wrote a confident "Battle Plan for Raiding Northern Shaanxi". Chiang Kai-shek thought that the Central Plains was the heart, and he had to cure the "heart disease" first, so he aimed at the first goal The Central Plains Liberated Area did not approve this plan.Five months passed in a flash, and Hu Zongnan was very anxious in Xi'an, so he wrote a letter again.This time it caught Chiang Kai-shek's attention. He picked up this heavy plan and felt heavy in his heart.After turning a few pages, he turned around and looked at the map, his gaze fell on the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region. Chiang Kai-shek has looked at this area on the map many times, including the northern part of Shaanxi and the eastern part of Gansu and Ningxia. Once upon a time, it was a place that Chiang Kai-shek himself could not name.The mountains are high and the valleys are deep, the land is barren, and it is a yellow land that can't be seen at a glance. On October 19, 1935, before the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China led the Red Army to reach northern Shaanxi through the Long March, there were very few arrows pointing there on Chiang Kai-shek's battle map.But since Mao Zedong and the Long March of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, this piece of yellow land has gradually become the center of the Chinese revolution, and it has gradually become a focus of attention of the world.Various descriptions and legends about the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region at home and abroad continue to appear.During the Anti-Japanese War, countless passionate young people crossed mountains and ridges and traveled thousands of miles to Shaanxi, Gansu and Ningxia, and came to Yan'an to seek the spark of revolution.Even Edgar Snow, a foreign teacher at Yenching University, was attracted by its mystery.There are also many visiting groups, observation groups and senior officials from China and the United States who also frequent here.From that time on, it became a place where Chiang Kai-shek could not sleep peacefully. At this time, Chiang Kai-shek felt that the time had come.He picked up a drawing pen and drew three big red arrows pointing directly at Yan'an from south, west and east on the map.His idea is that Hu Zongnan on the South Road, Ma Hongkui on the West Road and Yan Xishan on the East Road, together with Deng Baoshan on the North, will completely encircle Shaanxi, Gansu and Ningxia.He set the attack time for early November. When Chiang Kai-shek's telegram reached Xi'an, Hu Zongnan jumped up from the sofa excitedly. The "Battle Plan for Raiding Northern Shaanxi" is just a few sheets of paper, but it has condensed his painstaking efforts for several years, and it also contains his fame! Hu Zongnan adjusted his military appearance in front of the mirror, his belt was tied tight, and his military boots were polished to a shine.He is now not only the commander-in-chief of the first war zone, but also the front-line commander-in-chief of the "encirclement and suppression campaign". In addition to the headquarters, he also commanded 34 brigades of Ma Hongkui in Ningxia, Ma Bufang in Qinghai, and Deng Baoshan in Yulin, with a total of 250,000 people.It has been Hu Zongnan's dream for several years to command thousands of troops across the Northwest. Now Hu Zongnan has the final say on the Northwest military affairs, and he has become a veritable "Northwest King" overnight.What made Hu Zongnan even more satisfied was that Chiang Kai-shek also ordered Air Force Commander Zhou Zhirou to send a large number of aircraft to support the Northwest battlefield.All of a sudden, the sound of aircrafts at various military airports near Xi'an rumbled, and various fighter jets gathered here. There are hundreds of C-46, C-47, P-52, B-25 and other fighters, equivalent to 3/5 of the entire air force of the Kuomintang.This is enough to see how much Chiang Kai-shek bet on this "encirclement and suppression" of Yan'an. Hu Zongnan couldn't wait any longer, and the next day after receiving the secret order, he called all the officials from the First War Zone, big and small, Pei Changhui, Sheng Wen, Dong Zhao, Liu Kan, Gao Guizi and others sat around the conference table.They knew that a divine mission had come.For this group of senior Northwest military officers of the Kuomintang, what could achieve their fame better than the suppression of Yan'an?Whose army was the first to occupy Yan'an, whose subordinates captured Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Liu Shaoqi, or such heavyweights as Zhu De and Peng Dehuai alive, what kind of achievement would that be? ! Hu Zongnan paced in the conference room with his hands behind his back, while the others sat upright with serious expressions.In the silence, Hu Zongnan spoke. "After several months of suppressing the bandits, the national army has won a decisive victory. Now the communist bandits are running around, and time is running out. The commissioner ordered us to immediately implement the "Battle Plan for Raiding Northern Shaanxi", and together with Ma Bufang, Ma Hongkui, Deng Baoshan and Yan Xishan attacked the bandit area from all sides. This is the last battle against the Communist bandit. We stationed hundreds of thousands of troops in the northwest, waiting for this day. The committee ordered us to carry forward the Whampoa spirit, unite sincerely, and complete the eternal struggle of the party and the country. meritorious deeds. As a revolutionary soldier, you must obey the teachings of the commissioner and make meritorious service for the party and the country!" This meeting is to unify and unify thinking, let everyone know that there is such a thing.As for the specific military deployment and actions, Hu Zongnan has always been the one who has the final say. He is famous for his arbitrariness and excessive self-confidence. Hu Zongnan's immediate goal is Yan'an.It's worth any price to take this place down.And Chiang Kai-shek's intention is to take Yan'an as soon as possible.Although they all know that the military significance of taking Yan'an is not great, it can make a big fuss politically.A few days ago, Chen Bulei also wrote an article and published it on the Central Daily, saying that the bandits had won a great victory in the past few months, and the Communist bandits had fled with their heads in their hands.In a few months, the banditry will be basically wiped out. At that time, the country will prosper, the people will enjoy their jobs, and a new China will be just around the corner... Such an inspiring declaration of "suppressing bandits" has already been sung, and some practical actions must be taken. Hu Zongnan's arrangement was that Ma Hongkui concentrated several brigades to attack the three divisions of Shaanxi, Gansu and Ningxia (Anbian, Dingbian, and Jingbian) from west to east, and Yan Xishan's troops in southwestern Shanxi attacked the Shanxi, Gansu and Ningxia divisions from east to west. Sichuan and Yanchang lines, and Hu Zongnan himself transferred 6 main brigades from southern Shaanxi and southern Shanxi, plus the 4 brigades that originally blocked the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia border area, a total of 10 brigades plus 1 armored regiment as the main force from the south. Advancing northward, approaching Yan'an. Chiang Kai-shek also meant the same thing. Ma Hongkui and Yan Xishan attacked from the east and west to attract the main force of the communist army, while Hu Zongnan went straight to Yan'an from the south, took Yan'an and wiped out the CCP's head office in one fell swoop. If people like Mao Zedong, Liu Shaoqi, and Zhou Enlai can be captured alive better. But the most troublesome thing for Hu Zongnan was the Guanzhong division.It starts from Yijun, Tongchuan, and Yaoxian, then goes west through Chunhua, goes north through Xunyi, and reaches Zhengning in Gansu.The Guanzhong Sub-region is a prominent part of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region that extends into the Kuomintang ruled area. Because it looks like a pocket, the Kuomintang calls it a "sac-shaped area." It is conceivable that this strategic position extending into the pocket of the Kuomintang ruled area can not only keep an eye on Xi'an, but also cut off the Xian (Xianyang) Yu (Yulin) highway, and threaten Xi'an to Baoji, Xi'an via Fuping, Yaoxian to Tongchuan The railway can also threaten the roads from Xi'an to Pingliang and Guyuan in Gansu via Qianxian and Binxian.More importantly, the Guanzhong division can constitute a side threat for Hu Zongnan to attack Yan'an.If Hu Zongnan didn't care about the Guanzhong partition and the soldiers went straight to Yan'an, his ass would be left behind.The Communist Party's border troops set out to outflank the Guanzhong division, and once encircled with the northern troops, they could form a north-south pincer attack on Hu Zongnan. Hu Zongnan thought again and again, and decided to put the six brigades on the front line of Luochuan and Yichuan, stand still, and first send Liu Kan's 29th Army to launch a fierce attack on the Guanzhong Division, forming a situation of fighting against the Guanzhong Division. After attracting the main force of the Communist Army, Luo The garrisons on the front lines of Sichuan and Yichuan were dispatched to take Yan'an in one fell swoop. As early as the beginning of October, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China had obtained information through the underground party that Chiang Kai-shek secretly ordered Hu Zongnan to strike Yan'an.So before Hu Zongnan started to deploy, Mao Zedong, Zhu De and others began to discuss how to deal with Hu Zongnan. In Mao Zedong's view, whether it was opening the "National University" or attacking Yan'an, it proved that Chiang Kai-shek's offensive ability was about to be exhausted.Because after Chiang Kai-shek's 35 brigades were wiped out militarily, he had to use the two methods of opening the "National Congress" and attacking Yan'an to reflect his achievements politically. After reading the report on Humayan's enemy situation, Mao Zedong laughed: "If Chiang Kai-shek still wants to attack Yan'an with his little ability, go to hell!" This is of course not that Mao Zedong underestimated the enemy, but that he had one hundred thousand soldiers in his chest.Obviously, the Shanxi-Sui Field Army in Shanxi was used for emergencies. With an order, they could cross the Yellow River within a few days; the troops of Chen Geng and Xie Fuzhi operating in southern Shanxi could also rush to Yan'an if necessary.Of course, Mao Zedong's self-confidence is more supported by the people and mountains in northern Shaanxi.The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has stayed in northern Shaanxi for more than ten years. It has carried out land reform and established a democratic government here, both economically and politically, which has made the people of northern Shaanxi feel earth-shaking.There is nothing to say about the political consciousness of the people in northern Shaanxi to defend the border area and defend Yan'an.In addition, the maze-like mountains in northern Shaanxi are a good support. Mao Zedong's guerrilla warfare and mobile warfare without relaxing favorable conditions, these strategies and tactics Chiang Kai-shek will never understand. In the situation of being surrounded by enemies, as long as Mao Zedong is confident, the people in Yan'an and the whole northern Shaanxi seem to have taken a reassurance.Mao Zedong set the policy and strategy, and the specific implementation depends on his capable subordinates. Peng Dehuai thought about the problem meticulously to every corner.In the past few days, he hardly slept much, reading maps, listening to reports, analyzing the enemy's situation, organizing the evacuation of the masses, he was extremely busy. On November 12th, I also deliberately took time to inspect the fortifications in Fu County, Chafang, and Jinpen Bay. This is the defense area of ​​the teaching brigade, directly confronting Hu Zongnan's outposts Luochuan and Yichuan.As soon as Peng Dehuai arrived, he took Luo Yuanfa, the brigade commander, and Chen Haihan, the chief of staff, to the forward positions. Pull the net and go through it again.Luo Yuanfa and Chen Haihan answered one by one, sweating, for fear that something might be wrong.Everyone knows Peng Dehuai's temper, and he doesn't give face to anyone when he scolds others. Peng Dehuai was satisfied with the defense work, but he still felt uneasy because there were too few troops.The defense lines of the entire Fuxian County and Chafang stretched for hundreds of miles. Hu Zongnan had 6 brigades here, and it was too easy to break through the defense lines.Especially after the first ten days of November, the situation in Yan'an deteriorated significantly. On November 16, the 19th Regiment of the 10th Brigade of Ma Hongkui's Cavalry had occupied Xingwuying, Tianzichi and other places in Yanchi County in the three-sided division, and there were still attempts to commit further crimes eastward.Yan Xishan's troops in the east are ready to cross the Yellow River to fight.In the south of Hu Zong on the front line of Luochuan and Yichuan, he has been harassing the border area since mid-November; and his 29th Army in Guanzhong has also begun to attack.Deng Baoshan in the north was also eager to move, and kept sending troops south to occupy some small towns. At this time, northern Shaanxi is in danger, and Yan'an is in danger. Peng Dehuai seemed to be holding a stove, and ran to Mao Zedong in three steps and two steps. Seeing Peng Dehuai's appearance, Mao Zedong felt relieved: "Are you so anxious? What can trouble our General Peng?" 彭德怀没有毛泽东那么轻松，把自己的意见和盘倒了出来。 彭德怀的意见是要张宗逊赶紧把358旅、独立第1旅从山西带到延安来，一刻也不能耽误；另外叫陈赓、谢富治在山西南部加紧活动，把胡宗南的后腿拖住，必要时，可以令陈赓、谢富治也西渡黄河参加作战。 这么安排，彭德怀的理由很充分。他说：“形势已经很紧张，富县、茶坊一带都可以听到胡宗南的枪声。罗元发他们的防御准备做得很充分，但我们的兵力太少，压力太大了。按现在的力量，最多也只能顶一顶，解决不了根本问题。把一纵叫过来，可以先拖一拖，让群众和机关的重要设备和物资疏散后再作打算。” “这个可以。”毛泽东立即表态，吸了一口烟又说道：“不过过来的部队不能太多，太多了粮食会有压力。我看，还是把问题放在外面来解决。一纵部队来这边先顶一顶，机关群众加紧疏散。同时要陈赓、谢富治还有贺龙配合起来在吕梁地区打一场恶仗，把胡宗南从山西调过来的几个旅给拖回去。只要他回去，我们马上在富县发起攻势，乘机吃掉胡宗南的部分兵力，这样他就老实了。至于马鸿逵、邓宝珊、阎锡山几个人，都是跟着胡宗南屁股后面起哄的。只要把胡宗南解决了，我料他们几个也不会兴风作浪。” 毛泽东、彭德怀的这一着棋着实让胡宗南吃了一惊。 他的部队刚刚西渡黄河不久，进入吕梁地区的晋冀鲁豫野战部队第四纵队与从离石南下的晋绥军区第二纵队就在晋西南的中阳、石楼、交口、永和、隰县、大宁、蒲县等县大打出手，几天之内就把这几个县城席卷一空。 屁股后面着火，胡宗南着急了。要知道，胡宗南在山西占得这几个地方可是费尽了千辛万苦的。 那还要追溯到抗战胜利的时候，胡宗南部去华北受降，蒋介石以争取时间为由，要阎锡山允许胡宗南受降部队从山西“过境”。阎锡山知道蒋介石的用意根本就不是什么过境，胡宗南来了就会赖着不走的，说不定还会把“假途灭虢”的把戏再演一次。所以他想了好多理由予以拒绝，什么山西多年战乱，粮草补济困难啦，什么山西铁路公路损坏严重，运输能力有限啦，等等。但蒋介石表示任何困难都比不上时间重要，阎锡山无奈，只得同意。蒋介石就利用这个机会把胡宗南几个师锲进了阎锡山的地盘，打破了山西几十年来独立王国的局面。 现在，胡宗南当然要拼全力替蒋介石保住在山西的势力范围，好制服土皇帝阎锡山。所以吕梁战役一打响，胡宗南的部署就全乱了。延安暂不打了，先把晋西南的局势稳定下来再说。胡宗南赶紧令已入陕西的整编第1、第90师撤返黄河东岸，同驻扎在临汾、吉县的整编第30师67旅、整编第20师47旅，分路向蒲县、大宁反扑。 胡宗南的举措，正是毛泽东要达到的目的。 在运动中歼敌是毛泽东最拿手的战略战术了，只要敌人运动起来，抓住敌人的薄弱点吃掉其一部或几部是很轻松的事。所以当胡军向大宁、蒲县反扑的时候，毛泽东要我晋绥军区二纵抽出少量兵力作运动防御，诱敌深入，其主力与晋冀鲁豫野战军四纵合在一起隐蔽在能攻好守的地理位置，待机歼敌。果然不出毛泽东所料，胡宗南6个旅气势汹汹扑来的时候，担任后卫的67旅与前卫部队脱节了。我军二纵和四纵瞅准机会，待67旅进入伏击圈后就一口气把它全吃了。一仗下来，胡宗南损兵折将就没了士气。而这时，中共中央在已经筹划好吕梁战役的同时，还在三边地区和关中分区展开攻势，打马鸿逵个措手不及，也使胡宗南左右为难。 进攻马鸿逵的时间定在12月3日。这时距他占领盐池兴武营已半个多月了，马鸿逵部以为边区战事吃紧，共军自顾不暇便疏于戒备。殊不知这天早上天还没亮，兴武营守军还酣声大作的时候，我军联防军警备第8旅8团和三边分区地方武装就偷偷来到了兴武营附近。随着一阵猛烈的枪响和几声“缴枪不杀”的劝降，马鸿逵守军骑兵第19团团部和1个营就成了阶下囚。此时的马鸿逵见胡宗南正疲于奔命在晋西南战场，很难对延安形成有力的进攻，就丢下盐池的几百守军，命部队全线西退，以保存实力再战。 胡宗南仗打得正吃紧，马鸿逵一撤，自己也没了多大信心，原来要拿下延安的打算早就没了。他调整了部署，重新把目标对准那个“囊形地带”。在12月31日这天，胡宗南的整编第48、12、135旅及两个保安团向关中分区发起全线攻击。但直打到1月17日这天，不仅没有占到任何便宜，反而把旬邑县城给丢了。而就在同一天，晋西南战场还丢掉了孝义，国民党整编第1师第1旅也被全部吃掉，旅长黄正诚也被活捉。整1旅前身是第1军第1师，中原大战刚开始时，胡宗南就任1师师长。他带着1师南征北突，屡建奇功。蒋介石曾颇为得意地说：“还是我的第1师能打仗！”后来，胡宗南就以“天下第一师”师长自居，1师，也自然就成了他的起家本钱。抗战胜利后，1师改编为整编第1旅，胡宗南便又叫响了“天下第一旅”的口号。如今这一仗，共军把他的起家本钱吃了个精光，“天下第一旅”的神话也被打破了。 此时，张宗逊、廖汉生率领的晋绥军区第一纵队已在延安周围驻防，随时准备迎接胡宗南的进攻。他们是接到军委命令后，于11月中旬由临县碛口西渡黄河来陕北的，到达延安后还在延安机场接受了毛泽东、朱德的检阅。那天气温降到零下好几度，北风呼呼，天寒地冻。当毛泽东、朱德各穿着一件单薄的棉袄出现在机场时，一纵官兵已冒着严寒在北风中站立了很久。这样的作风得到了毛泽东、朱德的好评，毛泽东说，把延安交给你们，中央是放心的；胡宗南有飞机大炮，我们有一纵官兵。当时在场的一纵干部战士无不受到鼓舞，群情高涨。现在张宗逊、廖汉生命令他们严防死守保卫延安，官兵们枕戈待旦，丝毫没有懈怠。 而此时的胡宗南心里是一点底都没有了。还能怎么办呢？晋西南一败涂地，关中分区处于胶着状态，而西边的马鸿逵早已逃之夭夭。胡宗南无可奈何，暂且把这次军事行动看作是下一步全面进攻延安的预演吧！