in2ebook Chapter 385 1st Infantry Division
Chapter 385 1st Infantry Division
Yan Xishan was desperate. Seeing that he could not recall Chu Yunfei, he directly sent a telegram to the whole country:
"The 358th Regiment of our unit disobeyed the orders of the Second War Zone and is suspected of collaborating with the enemy. We are now expelled from the group!"
Yan Xishan even arranged for newspapers to publish the photos of the puppet army uniforms as "evidence" to the public.
After the electricity was sent to the whole country, there was an uproar.
All the battalion commanders gathered at the headquarters of the 358th Regiment, looking at Chu Yunfei with sad faces.
"Commander, are we considered rebels now?"
"That's right, Commander Yan really disappointed us. Even though we haven't made any contributions over the years, we have worked hard. Why are you just leaving us like this?"
"It would be fine if he just ignored us, but he is also throwing dirty water on us. Others may not know the secret, but doesn't he know it himself?"
Chu Yunfei looked at everyone talking at once, it was a mess.
"Brothers, please be quiet. There is no point in discussing this. There are only two options before us. One is that you tie me up and send me to the Second War Zone, then apologize to Yan Xishan and let this matter go!"
Before Chu Yunfei could finish his words, the battalion commanders all expressed their opposition. After all, Chu Yunfei had been working in the 358th Regiment for many years and he still had some prestige and affection.
"Second, we should stick together as a team and work together to find another way out!"
"Commander, we'll do whatever you say!"
Chu Yunfei saw that everyone had basically reached a consensus and was ready to announce the final decision.
"Brothers, since everyone thinks so highly of me, I will shamelessly make a decision for you all. The 358th Regiment will be incorporated into the independent column and upgraded to an infantry division!"
These words rang like thunder in the ears of the battalion commanders of the 358th Regiment. They thought of setting up their own faction or joining the Central Army, but they didn't expect that they would join Li Yunlong's independent column?
"Commander, we have had some friction with the Independent Column in the past. Will they make things difficult for us when we get there?"
"Yes, after all, we are new here. Will they take advantage of the situation to suppress us? And take away our military power?"
Chu Yunfei looked at these battalion commanders with a smile. It was much better to express his opinions now than to regret it later and stab them in the back.
"Don't worry, everyone. If you are treated unfairly, I, Chu Yunfei, will naturally settle accounts with Li Yunlong. At that time, the worst that can happen is that we fight to the death!"
The battalion commanders of the 358th Regiment still had full trust in Chu Yunfei. After all, they had been with him day and night for many days and knew him very well.
Moreover, Chu Yunfei was meticulous and never fought a battle without preparation. Since he had decided to surrender to Li Yunlong this time, all the conditions must have been agreed upon.
"Okay, I'll do it with you!"
"Me too!"
……
Seeing that all the battalion commanders agreed, Chu Yunfei felt proud and did not embarrass himself in front of Li Yunlong.
"Brother Yunlong, come out!"
Li Yunlong walked out from the side room of the regiment headquarters with a smile on his face and bowed to Chu Yunfei and the battalion commanders.
"You are all people who understand the greater good. You broke with Yan Xishan at the critical moment. You are all true heroes and upright Chinese soldiers. Li admires you. I have heard the concerns you just expressed. I, Li Yunlong, promise that as long as I am still in the Independent Column, we will treat you all equally!"
Although Li Yunlong was well-known for taking more land and occupying more territory, he was also well-known for being righteous. The officers and soldiers of the 358th Regiment had heard of this, otherwise they would not have felt comfortable joining.
"Okay, we trust you, Commander Li!"
After reaching an agreement, Li Yunlong began to arrange the adaptation.
He first asked each battalion to compile a list of those who were unwilling to follow the independent column, and then gave each person ten dollars for travel expenses and allowed them to go home.
Then the discipline of the independent column was announced, and those officers and soldiers who thought it was too harsh could go home.
"Everyone, I, Li Yunlong, have something to say. I will not delay paying you military pay, but if you have violated military law, then we have to talk it out. If you take my money, you must be under my control. Isn't that the truth? If you feel that the discipline of our independent column is too strict, leave now. I will not stop you!"
Finally, political cadres were assigned to each battalion and company, and some new recruits were selected from the Pingshun recruit camp to fill out the various units.
The next day, the news and photos of the 358th Regiment "surrendering to the enemy" were indeed published in the newspapers controlled by the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army, which made Chu Yunfei's hands swollen from slapping his hands.
"Brother Yunlong, once the arrow is shot, there is no turning back. Let's get started!"
A total of 503 people from various battalions and companies who decided to leave the team for various reasons were given travel expenses to allow them to return home.
The 358th Regiment of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army officially announced its disbandment on the spot and published an announcement in the newspaper.
The next second, the First Infantry Division of the Independent Column was officially established, with Chu Yunfei as the division commander and the heads of each regiment and directly affiliated unit to be confirmed.
It has three mechanized infantry regiments, one artillery regiment, one armored reconnaissance battalion and other directly affiliated units.
Then, 4,000 new recruits transferred from Pingshun entered Linzhou and were incorporated into the 8th Armored Division to begin a three-month combined training.
Shen Quan's Second Armored Division moved to the Linzhou area to guard against the enemy in Anyang in the east.
On the third day, when the fruits of his labor were ripe, Yan Xishan looked at the newspaper on the table and pounded the table in anger.
He never expected that Chu Yunfei would really bring his family and go directly to Li Yunlong. After being busy for most of the day, not only did he not consume any strength of the independent column, but he also helped it, adding another reinforced regiment to the independent column.
"Protest immediately! The independent column is actually recruiting troops that have surrendered to the enemy!"
Another telegram was sent directly to the independent column, but Li Yunlong was not in a hurry. After all, he still had a blockbuster bomb in his hand.
"Call him back and tell him that I, Li Yunlong, have Shang Zhen's testimony. If he wants to embarrass Yan Laoxi, he can do whatever he wants!"
When Yan Laoxi saw Li Yunlong’s call back, he was shocked and immediately found Shang Zhen who was in custody.
"Shang Zhen, after you were caught, did you reveal any secrets to them?"
Shang Zhen shook his head like a rattle, with a serious look on his face.
"I fought hard, but I was outnumbered and captured! They threatened and bribed me, but I gritted my teeth and didn't say a word! I kept the cooperation with the capital city to myself!"
Old Yan narrowed his eyes and moved his head forward a little.
"Really? Then why did Li Yunlong say he had a confession written by you?"
When Shang Zhen heard this, he immediately became manic, but then softened.
"Slander! This is all slander! But...but in order to prevent them from biting me like a mad dog, I still suggest that you don't bother with them!"
How could this little trick possibly defeat the cunning and treacherous Yan Laoxi?