Chapter 4 Chapter 2 Beaulieu Town (1)
Soldiers Li Jiangguo and Ning Jinshan stood guard under a few willow trees on the top of the hill.Spring climbed up the willow tip.The warm wind brings the fragrance of apricot blossoms.Two rabbits alerted her and ran past their feet, gnawing on the tender green grass.
Ning Jinshan was carrying a gun, feeling weak, as if he hadn't slept enough.He looked around and saw that the hills were crowded one by one, all the way to the horizon.He murmured in his heart: "Poor mountains and evil waters! But we still have to fight here. Day and night, walking, walking, walking, going on like this..." Li Jiangguo, with broad shoulders and tall, is really a head taller than Ning Jinshan Wide shoulder.He also looked around.He felt that the undulating hills of loess really looked like the waves of a great flood.This wave engulfed all the enemies fleeing in northern Shaanxi.He grinned:
"These hills look delicious. They are enough for the enemy to climb!"
Ning Jinshan leaned on his heel and said, "Yes!"
It has just rained and the air is fresh.Li Jiangguo flapped his nose and eyes, and took a few breaths.
He felt that he was physically strong and happy; the surrounding mountains and rivers, the flowing water in the ditches, and the crop seedlings swaying in the wind, all looked kind and lovely.Holding a gun, he held his chest straight, raised his expressive square face, and looked into the distance.After a while, as if directing many people to sing on the stage, he beat the time with his left hand, shook his head, suppressed his loud voice, and sang in a low voice:
The red flag flutters, the magpies chirp, Qinghua, Bianyang, Mahe, the two battles are well fought, and the enemy's two brigades have been wiped out. Everyone laughs at the news of victory. I'm in a happy mood.But he also couldn't figure it out: After crawling in the mud and boiling water for a long time, Li Jiangguo's clothes were rotten, his shoes opened his eyes, and his toes were looking out. Why is he still so happy?Ning Jinshan's eyes met Li Jiangguo's.He felt that he had read his mind.
Ning Jinshan smiled uncomfortably: "You, you are always happy!"
Li Jiangguo said: "Hey! You always speak dryly and without oil. I am happy, but who in our company is not happy? You count your fingers: After the enemy lost a brigade in Qinghuabian northeast of Yan'an, hurry up Pull back the main force in Ansai County, northwest of Yan'an, back to Yan'an. The enemy, Huo'er, is going to find our troops for a decisive battle in the northeast of Yan'an. The enemy, with a hundred thousand people, made a big circle along the Xianyu Highway, armed After marching for more than ten days and walking more than 400 miles, they were all in vain again - we couldn't find where our main force was. In the end, they returned to the vicinity of Yan'an in despair. Later, the enemy's 135th brigade stationed in Wayaobao, Head towards the Panlong Town area to join their main force. We shouted at Yangmahe again and cleared up the 135th brigade. The battle of Yangmahe was only ten years away from the battle of Qinghuabian. Eighty-nine days, only twenty or so days away from Yan'an retreat. How great! Ning Jinshan, if this continues, the enemy will soon pay the food bill!" He thought about it, and then said: "Don't talk nonsense, veterans are the best Find out what the superiors are thinking...Jinshan, in my opinion, we are about to go to war again!"
Ning Jinshan's heart skipped a beat and he asked, "Really?"
Li Jiangguo said: "Look at your look! My words are not effective? You are so forgetful. Before the Yangmahe battle started, I said to you: Ning Jinshan, don't be poor, the enemy will definitely come Our trap. You didn't say anything, but I know you scolded me in your heart: Hey, Li Jiangguo is bragging! What's going on? Didn't he kill four or five thousand people in six hours? Jinshan, the past Don't mention it, but you've got to have a good faith in our way of fighting. If you don't, you'll be on the wrong track!"
Ning Jinshan leaned against the foot and said, "Yes!"
Li Jiangguo said strangely: "Fuck you! The first time you speak, you say, yes, yes. To comrades, you can say what you think in your heart. People who don't agree with their words must be stinky!"
Li Jiangguo started singing again.Ning Jinshan clearly felt that Li Jiangguo's happy mood was transmitted to his heart like an electric current.Based on years of experience in the army, Ning Jinshan has seen that the stupidity of the Kuomintang troops is impressive.He thought: "The People's War of Liberation will definitely win. Besides, I am also a man of four feet five, so I can't bear it?" He felt motivated again, but suddenly, it seemed that a big hand was strangling him again. neck, covered his eyes, and his heart tightened again.Li Jiangguo sang: "Qinghuabian, Yangmahe, two battles were fought well, and the two enemy brigades were wiped out..." He sang so happily and effortlessly. Yes, he Ning Jinshan was in Qinghuabian, Only after the Yangmahe battle was over did I believe in the People's Liberation Army's ability to fight.But after these few battles, he became more and more panicked, irritable, and afraid. "That's right, a lot of enemies have been wiped out in this long period of time, but which one of the battles has not just been cleaned up and then ordered to move! My God! Mobile warfare, mobile warfare, almost broke my leg!" It has been more than a month. In his combat life, what Ning Jinshan can't forget most is: day and night with the enemy around the top of the mountain.The enemy is on this hill, our army is on that hill.How many times have our army marched in the dark, mixed with the enemy, and used grenades, bayonets, and gun stocks to fight together; hungry and full, crossing mountains and mountains, fighting, touching the night, marching in a hurry, raining, fatigued, Heat, cold, blood, sweat, fire….
Ning Jinshan was willing to take the road that Li Jiangguo and the others took, but something seemed to hold his legs, and he couldn't go any further.Although, this step does not seem to be too far away.
After changing the whistle, Li Jiangguo and Ning Jinshan walked towards Zhuangzi where their company was stationed on the hillside.
Li Jiangguo pointed to a person carrying a burden and said, "Look, who is that?" Without waiting for Ning Jinshan to reply, he continued, "I bet it must be Ma Changsheng.
Guess why I recognized him from such a long distance?His neck has been injured and is a little crooked. "
He brought up the centuries-old things of the old generation: where Ma Changsheng was injured on the neck, what was the situation at that time, and how brave he was. ...
"Yes, yes, yes." Ning Jinshan nodded in agreement.To be honest, Li Jiangguo's every word made him restless: "What you say is lighter than water, I don't know how interesting it is!"
Li Jiangguo didn't pay attention to Ning Jinshan's mood at all, and continued to finish the sentence according to his own intention: "Ma Changsheng has been digging coal in a coal mine since he was a child. He is a worker! Look, he is not tall, and his back can roll He has a red face and looks like a tiger! His two arms are thicker than rafters, and his fists are as big as garlic bowls. Speaking of strength, they are surprisingly strong, and no one can match him. He used to fight against the Japanese devils Fight the bayonet, count him who can do it."
Ning Jinshan coped and said: "It can be seen that he has a stubborn temper, and he can be practical to people's hearts."
Li Jiangguo said: "Yes, yes. Don't look at him talking, pouted, he can push you three feet away, as if he has something to do with someone. In fact, he is a good comrade. Don't lie , I like him from the bottom of my heart."
While talking, they walked to Ma Changsheng's side.Ma Changsheng was sweating profusely. He probably carried dozens of loads of dung for fellow villagers.
Li Jiangguo said: "Comrade Ma Changsheng, I am here to comfort you, you have worked so hard!"
Ma Changsheng said: "Working is not watching a show!"
Li Jiangguo gave Ning Jinshan a wink, and said, "Look, my ancestor! Isn't this like someone owed him two buckets of rent?"
The soldiers of the first company lived in the dilapidated cave dwelling where the villagers of Jikong used to graze grass.The troops might be about to leave soon, but the soldiers followed their old habits: cleaned the dilapidated cave dwelling very clean; bullet belts, grenade bags, and hanging bags were neatly hung on the wall; Lean on one and place them in a row on the ground.Some soldiers read books, some wrote letters, and some talked about various things in the battle.
The small smoke pot that Wang Huo was holding had already been extinguished.He sat in the corner of the cave dwelling, with a half-smile, as if he knew many secret and interesting things in the world.He didn't say a word, but he listened carefully to his comrades with a thoughtful expression.With his air, people feel that he is the one who understands other people's feelings best, but even half a bragging can't fool him.He seemed inconspicuous, but he had a noble quality, so powerfully attractive that whoever saw him could not help being drawn to him.Near the entrance of the kiln, four or five soldiers surrounded Ma Quanyou.Ma Quanyou drew a big circle on the ground, and said in a fierce voice: "The enemy has come in now, and he can't help him if he wants to retreat. Enemy, the deeper and deeper you are, the more unlucky you will be!"
Li Jiangguo stepped into the kiln door and shouted loudly: "Report! Comrade Ma Quanyou, please keep your voice down, and be careful to knock down the kiln!"
When Ning Jinshan entered the cave, he lay on the grass without even undoing his bullet belt.Wang Huhu thought it was because he was not in good health, so he hurried over to take care of him.He stroked Ning Jinshan's head, put his hands in his hands, and asked questions kindly and patiently, just like an old mother.
"I bet my head that Ma Quanyou is going to smash Chiang Kai-shek's pot in no time." Li Jiangguo hung the gun and bullet belt on the wooden nail, and squeezed towards Ma Quanyou like a whirlwind.
Did Ma Quan pay attention to Li Jiangguo, and continued to speak loudly: "The enemy is looking for our main force to fight. What a shame! Their entire army is lightly armed, and the soldiers carry dry food on their backs. Hundreds of thousands of people are divided into several groups, and each road is arranged in a horizontal line. The phalanx of thirty or forty miles only walked on mountain roads, not on flat roads. They marched every day, camped every night, and dawdled for twenty or thirty miles every day. I don't know where our main force is. As for us, if we don't make a move, we don't say anything, and when we make a move, we will grab him. After fighting these few battles, I can see through: Hu Zongnan's head is full of muddleheadedness. According to me, the enemy is looking for my main force A decisive battle, let's fight him! If we don't win, he will be a ghost!" Listening to his tone, it seems that he is going to swallow the enemy alive immediately. "Decisive battle?" Wang Huo leisurely tapped the cigarette pot on the upper of his shoe. "Boy!
The enemy is short of a few hands in battle, but if he is to be completely defeated, he will have to sweat a lot! "
Everyone also disagreed with Ma Quanyou's opinion:
"Mr. Peng said, you have to be more cautious when you win a battle. Ma Quan has it, but you have to fight the enemy!"
"His head is hot! Why we have a set of sports battles, he doesn't understand!"
"No wonder he! He has no strategic mind!" Li Jiangguo said as if drawing conclusions.
Ma Quan was vicious, he stared, the scar on his left cheek was also red, and he shouted:
"Go, go! With your effort, Yan'an will not be able to recover in eight lifetimes! I'm so pissed off!"
Li Jiangguo spread his hands and said, "We have to discuss issues with Ma Quan, so we have to prepare for a counterattack. So, I will serve you. I always bear hardships first, and I will not say anything no matter how tired I am." "He picked up two pieces of stone skins, rolled up his sleeves, coughed a few times, and cleared his throat.Hopped, hopped, tapped, acted, sang:
Big eater Hu Zongnan,
Attack northern Shaanxi and occupy Yan'an.
Comrades feel troubled when they hear this,
Pick up the bayonet and do it.
Commander said:
Keep calm and steady,
Tell me to go up the mountain and have a look.
The commander went up the mountain,
With eyes and mind calculating,
I want to smile in my heart and face.
Commander made a statement:
Hu Zongnan, big eater,
Pull his nose and tell him to turn;
Pull him over several mountains,
pull him around a few turns,
Three turns and five no turns,
Hu Zongnan was so dazed that he couldn't even find the east, west, north, south.
At this time the commander issued an order:
Comrades be brave,
A command to move forward;
break his pot,
smashed his bowl,
Hu Zongnan can't eat this reactionary food.
The comrades all applauded and shouted: "One more! One more!"
What's the problem?Open your mouth and come.With a movement of Li Jiangguo's fingers, the two stone skins in his left hand rattled strangely again.He stretched out his voice and sang word by word:
Deputy Commander-in-Chief Peng cast a net all over the sky,
We move to the top of the mountain;
The enemy crawls through the net,
They took prisoners and handed over their guns.
After Li Jiangguo finished singing, someone handed him a rolled cigarette, and someone put a bowl of boiling water in front of him.Li Jiangguo took a sip of water, tasted the taste of the water, lit a cigarette, and sat on the backpack with his waist bent.He frowned and elongated his face, looking very sad.He was about to speak, when Wang Huo spoke up: "Wait a minute! If Li Jiangguo says it again, it will be downhill!"
The comrades laughed coaxingly.
Li Jiangguo said: "The tiger has figured out my bottom line! Let's talk about some serious things without talking nonsense. It seems that May and June are coming. We have to hurry up and fight again while the weather is cool. Besides, we have to ask Ask the enemy, have you prepared the unlined clothes for us?" After saying that, he tore off the cotton covers on the torn cotton clothes piece by piece.
Ma Quanyou *#踥/oo rushed to a stand, rushed forward with his upper body, and said, "Yes. Give advice to your superiors and go out to fight immediately!"
Li Jiangguo seemed taken aback, stopped Ma Quanyou, and said, "Come on, come on! If you dig out Chiang Kai-shek's internal organs, Truman will cry to death. I can't bear this responsibility!"
Among this group of people, everyone was convinced by Wang Huohu.Everyone started arguing about things. Zhang said that Zhang was right, and Wang said that Wang was right. They blushed and had thick necks, and they couldn't stand for a long time.But as long as Wang Huo came forward and said a few sentences in a slow voice, the clouds in the sky would disperse.
Wang Huo said: "Jiang Guo, don't mess up the drumbeat. I think we should write a letter of invitation!" He slowly took out a notebook, slowly tore off a piece of paper, and put a pencil on the tip of his tongue. After dipping it a few times, squinting his eyes, he smiled and said, "Come on! Sign your name." He spoke in a low voice, as if he hadn't eaten for three days.
The soldiers scrambled to write their names.The young fighters deliberately pushed people; some even climbed on other people's backs.Everyone surrounded Tiger Wang, as if they were catching something that would fly away in the blink of an eye.
Everyone was having a good time, and a loud voice came from outside the cave: "I have a share too!"
The soldiers looked up and saw that it was the company commander Zhou Dayong.Everyone got up suddenly and stood at attention, their chests heaved, their faces were flushed, and their eyes sparkled with excitement.
Zhou Dayong stood at the entrance of the kiln, put his hands on the door frame, and said with a smile on his face, "Comrades, do you want to fight? You want to. There will be a big battle soon!"
Then, there was a burst of warm applause.
After Zhou Dayong talked to the soldiers about the news of the upcoming battle, he went to the regiment headquarters with his instructor Wang Chengde.Cadres above the regiment and battalion are in a meeting.There is no company-level cadre here, and it is hard to figure out what the regiment leader asked Zhou Dayong and the others to do.
Zhao Jin, the head of the group, greeted the cadres who were in the meeting, and led Zhou Dayong and Wang Chengde to the cave next door.
Zhao Jin stood upright, with two thumbs hanging on the belt around his waist.He looked exceptionally lean and powerful today.Looking at the wall of the cave dwelling, he said: "We dragged Hu Zongnan's last strategic reserve force, Hu Zongnan's hundreds of thousands of troops, to northern Shaanxi. This is the enemy's biggest headache. Do you understand?"
Zhou Dayong stood upright, looked straight at Zhao Jin, and said, "Understood."
Zhao Jin said: "Yes, if you understand this, you won't just see your company, but the whole country. Now that Chiang Kai-shek has suffered from black and blue eyes in other battlefields, he wants to take Hu Zongnan from the battlefield in northern Shaanxi. Part of his troops was withdrawn and sent to North China. But Hu Zongnan could not step down in northern Shaanxi. We dragged his troops back and forth, exhausting him. At the critical moment of the enemy, Chen Geng's corps suddenly Launched an offensive and liberated most of southwestern Shanxi. Now the soldiers of the Chen Geng Corps can almost see Hu Zongnan's old nest-Xi'an across the Yellow River. The enemy's rear is tight, so Hu Zongnan took out all his capital and made the greatest determination , to end the war in northern Shaanxi. We have also made some plans for the enemy. But before we realize this plan, we must first send an army to fight an interesting and important battle." He walked back and forth, speaking bluntly and suspiciously Said: "Comrade Zhou Dayong! Our regiment wants to send you to carry out this task, but I don't know if you can do it!"
"Hey, I've fought with him for many years, and he doesn't seem to understand me." Zhou Dayong felt strangely angry. "Commander! All right, all right. If you have a task, leave it to me. If you can't finish it, you will be punished in any way." He wanted to show his determination with gestures, but in front of Commander Zhao, he couldn't lift his hand no matter what. Get up and point.
Zhao Jin stared at Zhou Dayong, and said coldly and distrustfully: "No, you can't. Let me ask you, - don't frown - you will win the battle, but will you lose the battle? It will be a very embarrassing defeat. what!"
"Going to lose the battle? What happened to the leader today?" Zhou Dayong turned his head in a daze, looking at the leader.The leader is not joking, look, his thin face is still serious and self-respecting.Zhou Dayong thought: "I must have heard it wrong!" He timidly asked: "Commander! Want me to defeat the battle? I don't have such a task...Why? Why--" Zhao Jin said: "Why? You do this, you do this." He called the staff officer and asked him to bring a battle map.
Put the map on the ground vigorously, and said: "Zhou Dayong! The enemy is eager to find the main force of our army for a decisive battle. Mr. Peng will serve the food according to the enemy's appetite. That is to say, Mr. Peng wants each regiment of our column to draw out one or two companies, temporarily Form a regiment. This regiment is to lead the enemy's main force in the Panlong Town area to the north for four hundred miles to the Suide and Mizhi County areas; and it must also give the enemy the following illusion:
We couldn't hold on any longer and had to cross the Yellow River. "
Zhou Dayong was both happy and puzzled.The happy thing is that this mission is really interesting; the difficult thing is, carry the enemy's main force and head north, but is the enemy willing to be trapped?Zhao Jin saw through Zhou Dayong's mind.He said: "You have to learn to touch the enemy's temper! After a long time, the enemy can't find our main force, and his eyes are red with anxiety. If you carry the enemy's troops northward and expose them deliberately, the enemy will definitely follow them. Of course. Well, whether you complete this task well or not depends on how smart you are. For example, you fight while retreating. Then, you should fight like you are fighting, and you should retreat like you are retreating. No, the enemy suspects that we have ghosts. You'd better discard some rotten shoes, rotten clothes, broken guns, and bullet belts in a planned way along the way... If you catch prisoners, let them run away with your eyes open, and let them report back to you The whereabouts are in a state of distress. Zhou Dayong! There is a saying in our hometown: You can sing what you sell, and you can pretend to be what you look like. You can’t be honest with the enemy. Anyway, don’t worry. There are a lot of ghosts and gossips." He looked at the mountain in the distance, and said: "Below that mountain castle is Panlong Town. If you want to, come back after completing the mission, pass by Panlong Town, and go to have fun."
Zhou Dayong said: "The Panlong Town is occupied by the enemy!"
Zhao Jin said: "When will you learn to be smarter? After you leave, we will let the machine guns negotiate with the enemy, and the town of Beaulieu will return to us? Comrade! We are very interested in Beaulieu Town , because the enemy there has prepared a large amount of ammunition, food and clothing for us!" He said these words seriously, his tone was a bit harsh, and there was no smile on his face.
Zhou Dayong said: "I will immediately notify the comrades in our company to prepare for departure."
Zhao Jin said: "Don't worry, the second battalion has drawn two companies. The deputy battalion commander of the second battalion is injured. The troops are going to attack Panlong Town, and other battalion-level cadres can't be drawn. You can take the two companies of the second battalion. Go. They're all at your command."
Zhou Dayong looked at the instructor Wang Chengde who was standing next to Head Zhao.
Wang Chengde nodded and said, "Dayong, you just have to rest assured. This time we attack Panlong Town, our company will do it down-to-earth. We won't smear our faces!" Two
The rain was pouring down.The mountains and plains are so white that if you are twenty or thirty paces away, you can't see anything clearly.
Zhou Dayong and the others, in cooperation with seven or eight companies of brother troops, set off from the Panlong Town area, carrying more than 100,000 enemy main forces, and headed northward.
Today is the third day that Zhou Dayong and the others went north with the main force of the enemy on their backs.After half an hour, they fought the enemy and got rid of the enemy. After a quick march of twenty miles, they camped in a small ravine more than two hundred miles northeast of Yan'an.Zhou Dayong set up a guard, came down from the hillside, and walked towards a village.His body was covered in mud, and the rain was running down his face.He, with a heavy heart.Because the fifth company he commanded suffered heavy casualties, the company commander and instructor all died.He saw Captain Wang on the hill just now.Head Wang's eye sockets were sunken, and his face seemed to be scorched by heart fire.He said: "Dayong, it is really difficult to carry out such a task, extremely difficult! The enemy is very cunning, very cunning!"
Zhou Dayong approached a cave dwelling, and heard some soldiers discussing something in the cave, some voices were high-spirited and excited, and some voices were angry and dissatisfied.
"After we finished the battle today, when we were about to retreat, we had a clear picture: the enemy was like a swarm of locusts, climbing up and down the hills one after another! The heavy rain came suddenly and poured down. I see, The enemy has suffered enough today!"
"That goes without saying. The prisoners we caught today looked dead: carrying weapons, ammunition, luggage, nine days of dry food and three days of raw food, and their waists bowed; they were wearing ragged cotton clothes, like beggars; hey! Once poured, people are not like humans and ghosts."
"You guys are still chatting, look at what kind of battle we are fighting! Today, we were fighting the enemy vigorously, and Commander Zhou suddenly ordered to retreat. If you retreat, retreat, hey, hey! Here comes a mess, it looks like a fight Lost battle! Didn't this mean to make the enemy laugh at us? We have seen many company commanders, but we have never seen such a company commander who is so restless!"
"What are you talking about, we are more annoyed than you! The company commander made our squad throw away four backpacks, and made me tear up and throw away the armbands. I would give my life but not my armbands, but orders are like mountains Damn it! The northern Shaanxi soldier in our class said it strangely: Chairman Mao has not yet crossed the Yellow River, but we gun-bearers must cross the Yellow River first. I will die in the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region! Look. Like this If you continue to toss around, how will you bring the soldiers?"
"Fortunately, you are still veterans, so you can't even understand this point. Company Commander Zhou is pretending to be a ghost. I have the bottom of my heart!"
Zhou Dayong leaned against the earthen wall next to the kiln door, and when he heard the tone of the last soldier, he was secretly startled: "If the enemy also sees through our intentions, it will be terrible!" He was about to enter the cave, went to Drying clothes with the soldiers, the monitor of the communication squad came to report: "The deputy instructor of the Sixth Company is looking for you."
Zhou Dayong said: "Tell him to come to the cave on the left. Go slowly! You send a few correspondents to the valley to look for the villagers, and tell them that our troops are back. Tell the correspondents, whoever screams and screams to startle the villagers, I will I won't spare him!"
Wei Gang, the deputy instructor of the Sixth Company, stepped into the kiln door and shouted: "Hey, I caught it!"
He was covered in mud, the brim of his hat was dripping, and he had a cocked pistol in his belt.Wei Gang said: "We came back from the guard, and together with the comrades of the guerrillas, we wiped out a plainclothes reconnaissance team of the enemy. The enemy is very tricky: catch up with the donkey, load it with fodder and grain, and if you want to question it, they will say: here The Eighth Route Army is sending food and grass! It’s not like pretending to be garlic. Dayong, the enemy has been wiped out, but the food has been brought back. Go out and see, you will be happy!" Wei Gang’s eyes burst out with enthusiasm, and he was jumping with joy.Zhou Dayong turned his head and thought: "The enemy is trying their best to understand our situation! This news must be reported to Commander Wang immediately." He patted Wei Gang on the back and said: "Hey, you are really quick! The guerrillas What about your comrades?"
"I'm moving food outside."
Zhou Dayong shouted: "Correspondent, I want the fifth company to send a squad to carry food, and invite comrades from the guerrillas to come up and dry clothes. Hurry up!"
Wei Gang, firstly he won the battle, and secondly he was praised by Zhou Dayong, his eyes widened and he was so happy that he couldn't sit still.He took off his upper body clothes and swung his arms back and forth to keep warm.He said: "I will lose five years of my life if I carry out the task of carrying the enemy this time. It's too much thought! Our main force is about to attack Panlong Town. That's soldiers against soldiers, generals against generals, and it's very fun to do it." !"
Zhou Dayong said: "Too much thought? Only simple-minded people can fight with all their strength!" He looked at Wei Gang's tall and strong physique, broad and thick chest, and felt Wei Gang's strong physique Much like myself.He pondered: Two or three years ago, his temperament was exactly the same as Wei Gang's, and he was also so bubbly and angry.Zhou Dayong liked Wei Gang from the bottom of his heart.At the same time, he also thought of Wei Yi, chief of staff of the regiment, from Wei Gang's appearance.He said: "Weigang, you are as tall and powerful as your brother!"
Wei Gang said: "How much worse can a mother raise!" Then he shook his head impatiently: "Don't mention him. My brother is the chief of staff, a big cadre, and it has nothing to do with me!"
Zhou Dayong was funny and strange, he looked at Wei Gang's childlike innocence, and said, "You have a big opinion on your brother!"
Wei Gang said: "Speaking of which, my stomach growled with anger. My brother was wounded in the battle of Yangmahe, and I ran more than 30 miles to see him in the hospital. At the beginning, we talked very intimately, but nothing happened. After talking about ten sentences, it collapsed. I said, you stay in the hospital for a few more days, rest and recuperate. He gave me a leader, saying that he was here to fight, not to press the bed. I was so angry! "
Seeing Wei Gang's angry look, Zhou Dayong couldn't help but laugh.He was about to say something when he suddenly heard someone shouting outside the door: "Commander Zhou, Commander Zhou!"
Zhou Dayong stepped out of the kiln door and met a person face to face.This man, in his thirties, was tall and tall, with a white towel tied on his head, a bag and a box gun on his back.He was covered in mud, and he probably fell down a lot.
Zhou Dayong looked at this man carefully for a while, then grabbed him by the shoulder and said:
"Isn't this District Chief Li? Are you also playing with guns? Remember? When Qinghuabian was fighting, you led the stretcher team. I saw you once."
Li Yushan stepped on the edge of the kang with one foot, wiped the rainwater off his face with a towel, and said:
"It's raining so much! Company Commander Zhou, ah, let me call you Dayong. Once you are born and you are familiar with each other, you are considered old friends. Dayong, I stopped talking with you in Qinghuabian, and I haven't seen you for several months. La! Dayong, now I am not the head of the district. I have become the captain of the guerrillas. I have led a group of two-headed young men, jumping all over the mountain! Seriously, the few bags of millet I got just now belong to the army , or as a guerrilla? If you want to count as an army, then you have to give me a box of gun bullets for each bag of millet."
Zhou Dayong said: "Old Li, how can we separate you and me, anyway, the boiled meat rotted in the pot!"
Li Yushan punched Zhou Dayong in the chest and said, "I'm just kidding, we are here to get food for the troops. Dayong, when the masses heard that the enemy was coming, they took all the clothes, food, and furniture The solid wall has risen, and everything is clean, as if swept by a broom. If we hadn't got these sacks of millet today, your camping pots would be hung up and the bells will strike!" Three
After the enemy's main force moved north from Panlong Town, the main force of our army approached the area around Panlong Town.
For the last ten days of April, it rained day and night.Among the mountains and fields, there is mist.The sky is getting lower and lower, and it is almost pressing on people's heads.The soldiers slipped and rolled up and down the ditch; squatting in the damp and broken cave dwellings, it was uncomfortable to vent their breath.Such weather should make the soldiers panic!No, the soldiers were very happy.They saw the weather as a harbinger of victory, a chance for meritorious service.Because on the Northwest battlefield, it must rain every time there is a battle.what reason?Perhaps it is a coincidence that is often encountered in wars!
In the past few days, the soldiers have been busy preparing for battle all day long: making ladders, binding explosives, cleaning guns, and holding meetings to study ways to fight the enemy.The cadres above the platoon stand in the rain and step on the mud every day, repeatedly looking at the terrain of Panlong Town and studying the fortifications built by the enemy.
One day at the beginning of May, brigade commander Chen Xingyun was leading the cadres to look at the terrain when he was suddenly notified to go to the field army headquarters immediately.
Early this morning, General Peng Dehuai, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the People's Liberation Army, Commander and Political Commissar of the Northwest Field Army, braved the rain to observe the enemy's main positions on the hills around Panlong Town, and then returned to the Field Army headquarters.
Mr. Peng lives in a cave dwelling of a fellow villager.The doors and windows of the cave were burned by the enemy.Entering the cave dwelling, there is a bed supported by a door panel on the right.There was a simple bedding on the bed.The wall behind the kiln is covered with battle maps.
Notice from the Field Army Command: A meeting of cadres above the brigade will be held in the afternoon.But the brigade commander Chen Xingyun arrived at ten o'clock in the morning according to President Peng's instructions.Because Chen Xingyun's brigade was responsible for the important task of attacking the commanding height of Panlong Town - Jiyumao.
Chen Xingyun walked to the door of the cave where Mr. Peng lived, twisted the water on the hat and put it on again, and shouted: "Report!" There was no answer from the cave.
"Didn't the guard say Mr. Peng is back?" Chen Xingyun thought.He was about to turn around and ask the staff standing in the yard when suddenly he heard a voice in the cave where Mr. Peng lived: "Knock him here...here...oh, that's right..." Chen Xingyun stretched his head towards the cave. Looking inside, it turned out that Mr. Peng was concentrating on something there.
Mr. Peng sat on a rock beside the fire.His clothes were soaked through, and there was a military cap on the firewood pile beside him, and water dripped from the brim of the cap.He raised his head, closed his eyes slightly, hugged his knees with both hands, and shook his shoulders slightly from side to side.
"Report!" Chen Xingyun walked into the cave lightly and shouted in a low voice.
"Oh, come here! Take off your wet clothes." Mr. Peng walked to the bed, lifted a worn cotton coat, and said, "Put it on."
Mr. Peng, with a body above average, has the face of an ordinary worker, and a pair of small eyes under two thick and dark eyebrows are serious and resolute.This talented military strategist is as simple and honest as ordinary working people.After talking with Chen Xingyun for a few words, he looked at the battle map again, counting something with his fingers.Sometimes he paced lightly back and forth.It seemed that he was always concentrating all his energy on one point, thinking calmly.
Our troops have won several victories in succession, dampening the viciousness of the enemy's attack on Yan'an Shiguang.Now the enemy's main force is commanding to climb towards the Suide area; he must also have a clear idea of taking down the isolated stronghold of Panlong Town.But Chen Xingyun clearly felt that Mr. Peng was not only not excited, but was more cautious and deep in thought.
Mr. Peng asked Brigadier Chen to go to the map and asked him to see the situation of the enemy and ourselves in other battlefields as well as the distribution and movement of the enemy in northern Shaanxi.Sometimes, he looked back into Chen Xingyun's eyes, as if observing: "Does he understand all this?"
Chen Xingyun felt that Mr. Peng's serious and deep gaze pierced people's hearts.Under such a vision, weakness, hesitation, and selfishness cannot be hidden, just like there cannot be dust the size of a needlepoint in the eyes.
Mr. Peng stood quietly in front of the map, which made people feel a huge spiritual power.He doesn't make you feel cold, on the contrary, it's patient inspiration, waiting and paternal care.
Although the upcoming battle was the first fortified battle for the troops in the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region, and although the troops had little experience in fortifications, as soon as Chen Xingyun stood in front of Mr. Peng, he felt that Panlong Town would definitely be won.
Mr. Peng thought deeply, and occasionally said a word or two to Chen Xingyun.
Chen Xingyun, at the moment when he got close to Mr. Peng for the first time, Mr. Peng's behavior and speech made him feel slightly strange.He recalled that every time he explained the task to the cadres, he always told them repeatedly and asked some of them to repeat it for fear that they would not understand.But Mr. Peng is always calm and concentrating on thinking, and rarely speaks.Why does he seldom speak?Perhaps, Mr. Peng feels that the experience he has experienced deeply, although he has spent a lot of money in exchange for it, is very precious, but for those who have not experienced these experiences, they may not feel that it is valuable!Immediately, Chen Xingyun felt that his speculation was not necessarily correct.Because whether it's me or other cadres, even if I get close to Mr. Peng for a short time, I can learn a lot from his thinking and handling of things, his life style and every move.Mr. Peng does not give long speeches, but his words contain precious thoughts and rich experience.His words will remind you of many things.As soon as his words are put into your mind, your messy and fragmented experience, which you feel vaguely but cannot be described, becomes coherent, systematic, clear, and improved.At this time, you will be amazed and say to yourself:
"Ah! Things are so simple and clear! But why did I think it was so complicated and clueless before?"
Chen Xingyun was thinking about it, when he suddenly saw an old man with gray hair standing at the entrance of the cave, holding a stick, he put his head in and said to Mr. Peng: "Comrade, I want water to drink. You are at your home, don't look outside. "As he spoke, phlegm roared in his throat. "Ah! Always busy! Busy!"
Mr. Peng turned around and approached the old man, and said, "Old man, don't bother you." He then asked kindly, "What do you want to discuss with me?"
The old man shook his head with difficulty and said, "No, no—yes."
The old man had just left, and the three little dolls ran to the entrance of the cave where Mr. Peng lived.The oldest of these dolls is six or seven years old, and the youngest is only four or five years old.The guard stared and threatened, and shouted in a low voice: "Little brat, don't run around, come back!" The dolls ignored them at all, and rushed into the cave where Mr. Peng lived.
Mr. Peng bent down, gently rubbed the dolls' heads, and asked, "Oh, do you have any important military affairs to discuss?"
The dolls looked at each other silly, with pairs of black eyes rolling like water drops on lotus leaves.They smiled foolishly.接着，他们像事先商量好了一样，一拥上去抱住彭总的腿，有的向彭总要子弹壳，有的向彭总要一支很小很小的手枪。
彭总给一个小娃绑好鞋带，给另外一个小娃擦了擦鼻涕，然后又跟他们有趣地谈了一阵，最后说："这里不需要你们发言！"娃娃们跳着往出走，彭总用手照护着他们，一面走，一面说："好，到外面去玩。对你们是不能讲原则的。小心，不要跌跤！"
彭总望着：走远了的娃娃们，故意踏着泥水，倒退着、跳着向他招小手，他坦然地笑了。
彭总转过身，说："敌人主力部队，竟然向北去咯。"
陈兴允说："谁叫他们急着找我军决战，愚蠢！"
"这就叫按主观愿望办事嘛！"彭总讥讽地说。"决战是要决战，但是要在我们指定的时间和地点决战。"他向陈兴允问了战士们对最近战局的看法和议论以后，又非常简明地把全国战争情况讲了一番。然后，背着手，站在窑门口，眯着眼睛望远处雾沉沉的高山头。望了一阵，他转身问："拿下蟠龙镇，你有没有信心？"
陈兴允说："我还需要充分地了解情况。"
彭总看着地图，扳住指头冷静地讲着计算着。他说，北上的敌人到绥德城最少要七天。为什么敌人到绥德城要七天？
他计算了陕北的山路、气候，敌人每个士兵的负重量，行军速度和特点。又讲，我们一开始攻蟠龙镇，进到绥德城的敌人部队必然反转来增援。他们反转来以前，一定要请示胡宗南。胡宗南接到绥德城敌人请示的电报，会提出几个什么样的作战方案。他考虑这些方案又要多少时间，胡宗南考虑好了，把电报发刊绥德城的敌人手中，又要多少时间。敌人从绥德城返回蟠龙镇地区，路上还要多少时间。末了，彭总总括起来说："这样看来，最少，最少我们有四天的攻击时间。"
陈兴允惊奇地想：彭总讲得多么肯定，多么详尽，多么清楚啊！胡宗南的脾气，甚至于胡宗南接到我军攻击蟠龙镇的消息时，那种震惊的样子他也想象到了。
彭总察觉到陈兴允的心情了。他打量着陈兴允，坦率地说："没有什么可惊奇的。你和胡宗南打交道也不少嘛！他历来是我军手下的败将。一九三六年十月山城堡打的那一仗，你参加了，消灭了胡宗南一个主力师。十年内战的最后一战啊！
那时候，我们就认识了他，知道他是个运输队长。抗日战争初期--一九三八年，我和几位同志路过西安，住在胡宗南的司令部里，表面上是很客气咯！但是，我们知道将来是要和这家伙交手的。吃饭啦，谈话啦，使我们有机会进一步了解这位上将司令长官。你想想看，我们硬是听见他两个小时打了十四次电话，都是讲什么军衣上的扣子怎么钉呀等等鸡毛蒜皮的事情。和我同行的同志们说，胡宗南是个志大才疏的饭桶。我同意这个看法。因为他无能而又死心塌地地追随蒋介石，所以才把几十万军队交给他指挥。拿眼前的情况来说，他坐在千里之外的西安指挥，而他在前线的兵团司令，不得到他的批准，连一个营也调不动。这样一个独断专行的人，除了葬送他的军队还能干什么？ "
陈兴允聚精会神，听得出神了，最后止不住地低声笑了。
彭总手轻轻一挥，说："不能再评论胡宗南了，我们还是研究当前的任务吧！"
彭总指着地图，继续沉静地讲，敌人在蟠龙镇周围几十里的山头上，除了强大的野战工事以外，还有三十多个重要碉堡。拿下这些重要阵地，需要多少时间。并讲到敌人的兵力、火器、士气、战斗力，敌人的优点和弱点；我们的兵力、火器、士气、战斗力、我们的有利条件和不利条件。 ...
陈兴允觉得脑子里千头万绪的想法，现在非常明确了；对这次攻坚战，他分外乐观，分外有把握了。
彭总讲完，背着手慈祥地看着陈兴允，又问："你觉得怎么样？"
陈兴允说："原来我担心的是时间。照彭总的计算，我们除了战斗准备需要的时间，还有四天的攻击时间。"
彭总肯定地插了一句："是的。最少，最少有四天--四天四夜啊！""那就很有把握。"
彭总问："有把握吗？你用什么战术手段，拿下积玉峁这个决定全局的重要阵地？"
陈兴允看着挂满地图的墙壁，回想着这几天侦察、研究的印象；回想着积玉峁的地形，敌人的兵力分布，工事构筑，火力配系。他边回想边盘算。
彭总仿佛怕打扰陈兴允的思索，轻轻地踱着步子。
陈旅长讲了讲：侦察地形的结果，火力阵地的选择，突击部队的组织，冲锋道路的开辟。 ...
彭总背着手一动也不动地站在那里，注意力非常集中地听，像是掂量陈兴允说的每一句话、每一个字。有时彭总的眼光移到作战地图上，边听边思索。当陈兴允讲到土工作业和爆破问题的时候，彭总说："土工作业和爆破怎么样？你仔细讲。"
陈兴允说："我们火器很少，炮弹有限。因此，土工作业和爆破在这次攻坚战中有决定作用。……各个进攻部队把交通壕挖得顶住敌人阵地的外壕；用大铡刀砍断铁丝网；……逢到绝崖无法攀登的时候，就在崖壁上挖洞爆炸，使崖壁变为坡形，成为冲锋道路……"彭总向前微微地移动了一下脚步，他全副精力又集中到某一点上思索了。过了一阵，他说："你说得对。土工作业与爆破，在这次攻坚战中是会起重大作用的。"
彭总又仔细地讲了关于侦察地形、火力和突击队的组织……。还语重心长地叮咛："陈兴允同志！我们要兢兢业业地挑起党中央交给我们的担子。算算这个账：革命早胜利一个月，会给老百姓减轻多少负担啊！就拿这次战斗说，它包含多少生命、物质和劳动，而指挥人员的任何一点微小的疏忽，都会造成不可补偿的损失。你回去反复地对各级军事指挥员和政治工作人员讲：不能有丝毫大意，战斗前须有确切的计划，周详的准备--战斗胜利是充分准备的结果，严格的检查--把战士们的每一颗子弹和每一根鞋带都要检查到。"
陈兴允一边听彭总说话，一边想着自己旅的战斗准备工作和对准备工作检查的情况。啊，几个重要环节没有注意到，到处都是漏洞。他心里焦灼不安，很想立刻抓起电话机，告诉旅政治部主任、参谋长和各个团的干部说：同志，不要说什么都准备好啦，赶快打吧；实际上，我们简直什么都没有充分准备，更不要说严格检查了！ "
"你攻击这一点，你就必须打上去，无论遇到什么困难，你也必须拿下它。"彭总指着地图上的积玉峁说。"这就要求指挥员有最大的决心和毅力，有坚定顽强的战斗意志。"他指着自己的头，又说："一个人的头脑里不能是一格一格的；或者说一个人的思想不能分为两半：这边要胜利，这边又怕消耗。否则，你看到消耗心就软了，战斗意志便会动摇，从而也会影响到战斗胜利。这是很危险的。"停了一阵，他稳实而从容地踱了几步，像循循善诱的老教师似的，说："消灭多少万敌人，是从消灭敌人一个哨兵，一个班开始的。你若对这一个哨兵一个班不小心，那就可能影响到整个战斗的进展。敌人的兵、飞机、大炮再多，都吓不住我们，可是在具体战斗中哪怕敌人兵力很少你也不能轻视他，而要认真谨慎地对付他。"他坚毅地把手摆了一下，像总结他的谈话似的，说：
"死老虎也要当活老虎打；轻敌骄傲的人注定要失败，这在古今中外都是一样的！"
陈兴允想着彭总的话，想着积玉峁的地形。接着，他脑子又闪过了一个想法：彭总讲到整个西北战场的敌人的时候，是那样轻蔑，可是讲到怎样夺取积玉峁这个山堡的时候，却讲得非常详尽，连那战斗中团长、营长都可以不去着重过问的事情他也讲到了。
彭总问："还有什么问题？"
陈兴允说："没有别的问题，就是炮弹还少点，不过我们回去想办法。"
彭总没有表示什么。
陈兴允说了关于炮弹少的意见以后，又很后悔：自己哪一次打仗，不是三五发或十来发炮弹就解决问题呢？炮弹完了，仗还不是一样要打，是咯，这问题何必提呢？
回来的路上，陈兴允再三地思量过彭总说的每一句话，这些话好像在什么地方听过多少遍，但是这次听了又觉得格外新鲜和思想丰富。
马猛跑了一阵，陈兴允回头一看，骑兵通讯员拉远了。他放松马的嚼口，让马信步走着。这样，他又静心地寻思起来：
"我提到炮弹少的问题，彭总没有表示什么。是咯，这个问题不应该提。可是，说心里话：从哪里要能搞来四五发山炮弹，那就是最大的宝贝啊！"四
一天断黑，准备进入阵地的西北野战军主力部队，有的集合在山沟里，有的开始向山上爬去。骑兵通讯员来回在沟里奔跑。
这时光，蟠龙镇四下里的山头上，传来机枪短促的射击声。
部队全部进入阵地以后，旅指挥所就设在一个垅坎下面的土窑中。
陈旅长正在给几个干部交代什么，电话铃响了。他拿起耳机，立刻就听出是纵队司令员的声音：
"兴允，部队都进入阵地了吧？啊，啊，要把最大的决心拿出来，我们一定打得赢。告诉你一个好消息：野战军司令部发给你们八发山炮弹。"
陈旅长一听就高兴地喊："好呀！这才是宝贝。司令员，彭总记性确实好。昨天他问我有什么困难，我顺便提了一句：
要有几发山炮弹就好了。现在他就给我送来了八发。他这一下可帮了我的大忙啊！ "
司令员说："也许用不了多少时间，我们就会在一次战斗中一连往敌人头上摔几万发炮弹，可是现在有八颗炮弹，就是一笔大本钱哪。告诉你们的炮手，一颗都不能落空。"耳机中送来爽朗愉快的笑声。
陈旅长回答："放心，炮手们恨不得拿一发炮弹当十发用，谁还舍得空放！"
月亮一阵价从云彩中露出脸，照着起伏的山头，一阵又让云彩吞没了。刚下过雨，空气特别清新，敌人的枪声，听起来也格外清脆。我方阵地上，是被黑暗严严地覆盖着。战士们挤在垅坎下，交通壕里，掩体里，山峁背后。他们，有的人用帽子捂住嘴，轻声咳嗽；有的，摸着枪口，生怕堵上了土；有的，轻轻地用袄袖子擦机枪上的土，或者把脸腮贴住枪身像在给枪叮咛什么。
夜里五点钟的时光，枪声渐渐地紧了，子弹在头上尖叫。敌人阵地上红绿信号弹交叉着放射；一个一个的照明弹，像电灯一样挂在天空，白灿灿的，把有些个山头照得通亮。
敌我双方，都在紧张地活动着。眨眼工夫，那伸展在我军阵地上的几百根电话线上，便会猛然传出彭总那简短而严厉的命令声："战斗开始！"随着这命令声，西北战场第一次激烈的攻坚战斗便要展开。
胡匪军主力军九个半旅，从蟠龙镇地区向绥德地区推进时，西北野战军的指挥员在蟠龙镇附近的山头上，看着他们摆成长宽几十里的方阵，在一眼望不尽的黄土山上，向北漫去。
胡匪军整整走了一个星期，五月二日到了绥德城。敌军十来万人，有的拥到绥德城内，有的就摆在城周围的山头上。第一军军长董钊住在绥德城内一座大院落里。
参谋们正在房子内挂作战地图。董钊正在洗脸。二十九军军长刘戡正在看一份电报草稿。这电报是要发给胡宗南的，内容是："……共匪，溃不成军，收复战略要地绥德……"电话铃响了。刘戡抓起电话耳机，听了半天一个字也没吐。末了，他严厉地喊："知道了！"
刘戡站在桌子跟前，用拳头轻轻地敲着桌子，说："董军长！各部开小差、生病的士兵很多。……现在各部带的给养只能维持一天。已经到五月了，士兵们还穿着破棉衣。这，……"他摸摸下巴筹思。
董钊说："胡先生再三电示，他很关怀各部将士，第一批单衣、衬衣四万多套已经运到战略补给站蟠龙镇；至于给养，他也电示，早就运集到蟠龙镇。虽然道路坎坷不平，可是用汽车把粮食从蟠龙镇运到此地，只需要两三天时间。目前我们在绥德城按兵一二日，等候给养，然后再向米脂县一带推进。麟书兄，你以为如何？"
刘戡举起手正要说话，一个脸色白净净的军官递给他一份电报。刘戡走到作战地图下，回头对董钊说："董军长！二十八旅和二十二军一部，由榆林城南下，已经进至镇川堡一线，很快就可以占领米脂城。"
董钊说："看来，我们和榆林城南下的军队，马上便可会师。此行虽然艰险，但是亦属顺利。"他得意地摆着头，潇洒地来回走动。
刘戡用拳头在地图上很熟练地量了一下，说："榆林城南下的军队距我们至多不过一百二十多华里。我们如果不在绥德城暂停，那么两边靠拢，明天定可会师。我们和他们会师后：第一，打通了咸榆公路--交通线是近代战争的命脉；第二，会师后，我们以全部兵力向东把敌人压至黄河边。敌人必然背水为战。这样，敌人将会有什么下场，简直可以说，……"说话间，一个夹皮包的军官，又把一份电报递给董钊。董钊一看电报，猛然一惊，变颜失色。他一手抓着桌沿，一手垂下，像是僵掉了。过了好一阵，他把电报飞快地看了三遍，仿佛还没看清，嘴里嘟嘟哝哝："会有这样的事情？简直难以设想！"
刘戡早已看清董钊震动的神色，但他走来走去不言不语。
他仿佛表示：任何打击都值不得发慌，任何突然事变都在他的意料中。嘴边挂着傲慢、藐视的冷笑。过了好一阵，他稳健而冷淡地从董钊手里把电报接过来，用眼一扫，思索了很久，沉着而冷静地说："共军包围了蟠龙镇？……庸人自扰！共军声东击西的诡计，只能欺骗纸上谈兵的人。我永不能理解胡先生周围的人，像盛文……"他稳重地把电报用茶碗压在桌子上，说："第一，我们从蟠龙镇地区出发，就紧紧地追赶着敌人主力，难道敌人突然从绥德地区飞回蟠龙镇地区了？第二，据空军侦察报告，敌人在绥德、米脂县以东的黄河渡口边，集中了大批船只，这不是准备东渡逃跑吗？第三，我们从蟠龙镇地区出动后，共军就有一支队伍尾我军前进。最初，我们以为是游击队虚张声势，但是现在查明尾我们北上的敌人是共军三五九旅等部。很明显，他们的目的是要拖住我军，使我军不能集中全力向绥德以东地区压迫他们的主力军。第四，我们前边是敌人溃逃的主力，后边是共军三五九旅等部。试问，共军用什么东西夺取蟠龙镇呢？哼哼，共军的实力情况我们是略知一二的。第五，我军长途远征，给养最为重要，而敌人以小股兵力佯攻我军战略补给站蟠龙镇，就易使我军恐慌。但是这只能使盛文之类的人恐慌呀！看，这电报必然是出自盛文之手。胡先生任命这样一个不学无术的人当参谋长掌握军机，哼，将会断送我们的丰功伟业！"
刘戡傲然自得地瞅董钊。这傲慢的眼色中倾倒出他对董钊的全部不满与藐视。
董钊眨眨眼，说："我们首先要向胡先生请示；也需要充分研究敌情。我以为，我们最好按兵缓德地区，暂不推进。当然，这也必须向胡先生请示。总之，总之宜缓不宜急。麟书兄，你以为怎么好呢？"
刘戡缓缓地说："宜缓并不等于不动。鄙人的看法是：
我们迅速派出空军继续在绥德以东地区，尤其是在黄河渡口上空侦察敌人动向。只要在这里发现敌人主力，那敌人一切诡计就暴露无遗。其次，董军长坐镇绥德城，我指挥我的二十九军，在绥德周围清剿。如此，既可搜寻粮食，又可探测敌人的虚实。 "
刘戡不等董钊答话，就转身出去，回到城内二十九军军部驻扎的地方去了。
五月三日，胡匪军好几万士兵，在绥德城周围，像一群蝗虫一样，从这山头爬到那山头上……
董钊在他住的房子里，坐一阵睡一阵，地图下边站一阵。就这样，他从二日黄昏磨蹲到三日拂晓，从三日拂晓又磨蹲到四日太阳出。他除了召见几个心腹人以外，闭门拒绝会见其他任何人。有些将校官员们，走到军部门口都被副官长挡了驾。风声不好，到底出了什么事情？只有第一军几个师长知道底细。但是他们除了在屋子里绕桌转圈以外，屁办法也拿不出。昨天黄昏，董钊以他个人名义给胡宗南发了急电，询问这摆在绥德地区的主力部队怎么办？但是迟迟不见回音。董钊心里毛辣火热。
胡宗南署名的电报不见来。可是董钊还不断地接到胡宗南指挥部照例应该发来的电报。电报的大致内容都是：
"共军围攻蟠龙镇，炮火异常猛烈，我守军已被迫放弃五处重要阵地……""共军已摧毁蟠龙镇大部阵地。坚守各该阵地的将士，全部壮烈殉国……""共军正猛攻蟠龙镇制高点积玉峁……指挥部已命李昆岗与蟠龙镇共存亡……不得擅自突围……""……你指挥的空军，务令其星夜返回，支援蟠龙镇。毋误戎机……"五月四日早晨，胡宗南催促董钊、刘戡率部回头增援蟠龙镇的电报，不断地飞来了。这些电报像催命符一样，都是十万火急的。
"发昏！发昏！空运也来不及！"董钊软瘫瘫地坐在凳子上，电报从手里溜下去，在空中颤抖地飞了一阵，躺在他脚下。
董钊身旁的桌子上，放着四五架军用电话机。那些电话机的铃子响了好久，董钊仿佛才突然听见。他拖起沉重的胳膊，抓起电话耳机。耳机中送来话："军长！职部……粮食……"他放下这个电话耳机，又抓起一个听："军长！职部粮绝……"每个电话耳机中都用不同的话，送来同样的意思：没粮食吃。迟不报告早不报告，都偏偏在这节骨眼上来凑热闹，该死！
董钊把桌子轻轻一敲，一个参谋怯生生地进来了。
董钊说："电话不要接过来，两小时之内，我不和任何人讲话。"
四日下午，董钊开起报话机。他听见坚守蟠龙镇的一六七旅旅长李昆岗向延安长官指挥部呼喊讲话：要求空军助战，要求增援。
董钊又拨开旁边的收音机。收音机发出吱吱哇哇刺耳的声音，过会又是乱哄哄的军乐声，接着有女人娇滴滴的声音送出来："陕北剿匪之国军将士，英勇奋战，共军已被击溃，零散的匪徒，有东渡入晋之势……"董钊长叹了一口气，说："嘘！无--聊！"
董钊回头看，奉命来开会的师长、旅长们全都来了。率领队伍在绥德城周围"清剿"的刘戡，也急急地赶来了。董钊关住收音机