"You are his political commissar. When he makes mistakes, why don't you stop him? He is young and energetic, and you are young and energetic? You are the political commissar at this level? That's how you work? If so, what's the use of being the political commissar?"

"And you, Wang Guangyu, are you my old subordinate, or a member of the political commissar of the division, and the only one among you five who has truly been a senior political cadre. If this happens, why don't you stop them and help them hide it together? Where did you learn your policies?"

Among Yang Zhen's command team, except for Guo Bingxun who was not a party member and a friendly army, the commander-in-chief was somewhat taboo and did not criticize him. Peng Dingjie was not present because he stayed in the secret camp, all the other three were criticized by the commander-in-chief.

Regarding the anger of the commander-in-chief, Yang Zhen acted like an ostrich and did not respond at all. Instead, he turned his eyes to Li Yanping, who was scolded by the commander-in-chief, and blushed and signaled him to explain.

Seeing Yang Zhen's gesture, Li Yanping could only smile bitterly. He knew the character of the commander-in-chief very well, but he did not dare to explain when the commander-in-chief got angry. Although the commander-in-chief said very seriously, he was a little worried that Yang Zhen would not accept it. But he really didn't have the courage to persuade him at this time, so he could only bit the bullet and wait until the commander-in-chief's anger was relieved before he could express the arguments he had discussed with Yang Zhen.

In fact, Yang Zhen was not angry at the critical tone of the commander-in-chief, but was still very happy. The commander-in-chief's blunt criticism in person shows that the commander-in-chief is open-minded and has something to say in person and not to make small moves behind his back.

Whether you regard it as a real superior or a nominal superior, there is such a superior who is always much better and safer than those who are specializing in making small moves behind the scenes and often exaggerating. When fighting, they are not good at making small moves. At least when you fight in front, you don’t have to worry about someone who will mess up later.

No wonder in the history I knew later that although this commander-in-chief of the Second Route Army was not the most famous among the Third Route Army of the Anti-Japanese Allied Forces, he received much higher evaluations in the army, especially among the Second Route Army's armies, and more popular. The political struggles in the Second Route Army were also the least. With such a superior, it would always make people feel much more at ease.

After listening to Li Yanping's explanation, although the commander-in-chief's gloomy face was still very gloomy, it had improved a lot. After his face calmed down, the commander-in-chief also knew that his tone was a little heavy. He was still worried that Yang Zhen was young and energetic, and could not accept his criticism.

But unexpectedly, after being criticized, Yang Zhen neither showed any unacceptable nor had he seen a deep understanding of the serious mistakes he had made, but instead showed a proud look.

After being criticized, Yang Zhen looked proud, and the commander-in-chief, whose anger had already calmed down, almost did not get angry. If Li Yanping next to him had not secretly pulled him gently, Yang Zhen would have been criticized again. If he could make the commander-in-chief who was gentle, always calm, and rarely angry, angry, angry, at least, Yang Zhen would be the first among the second army.

Seeing that his criticism did not play much role in this guy, and it was not easy to continue criticizing him. The commander-in-chief, who always had to leave some face to the young general, could only point to Yang Zhen with a wry smile and said, "You guy can fight in war, but you are so thick-skinned."

"Your ideas are good, but I don't agree with the measures you have taken. Since the main leaders of your group have formed a unified opinion on this matter, I will not pursue it anymore. You are still young, and according to your ability, you will go further in the future. No matter the day you take the position of a senior general, can I see it? But I still have some advice, you must remember it."

"You think these advices are the advice of an old soldier, an old party member, or a big brother's kindness, I hope you can remember him."

"Fighting against the enemy is an extremely complicated matter, and it cannot be solved by killing alone. You are a military commander and the military chief of the army. What you do should be a good example and lead the way for the subordinates, and you cannot rely solely on your intentions. You should consider other aspects more in everything, especially against the enemy. Fortunately, you have become the department of against the enemy."

"If you do the work against the enemy like you, I am afraid that all those you want to fight for will be killed by you long ago. Unfortunately, all those who are qualified to be fought for by you are within the scope of your execution."

"As a senior commander, you must be calm in any form. Only by being calm can you think about things more comprehensively. There are many times when simply relying on military means cannot solve all problems. For those military and political personnel in the puppet Manchukuo, as long as they are not guilty of great crimes, we can try our best to fight for them. You know the current party's policies more than me. I hope you can learn more time."

Speaking of this, the commander-in-chief sighed and said, "I have decided to select the director of the political department of the 5th Army and a political commissar of the 3rd Division, as well as a regiment political commissar, and go to Shandong and Hebei to search for the Party Central Committee according to the method you said. I hope we will not disappoint this time."

Yang Zhen still listened to the advice of the commander-in-chief. He knew that killing was not the only way to solve the problem. However, Yang Zhen always believed that with the current severe situation in Northeast China, he must not be ruthless to those traitors who are accomplices of tigers.

If he wanted to break the enemy's strict rule and get the environment needed for his troops to survive, he could only give him severe medicine for his serious illness. But these words, now as the commander-in-chief, may have to preach again. After hesitating for a moment, Yang Zhen swallowed the words he had already said. He was a little dissatisfied, but Yang Zhen still showed humility on his face.

Looking at Yang Zhen's humble attitude, the commander-in-chief shook his head. He didn't know how much of his advice Yang Zhen could listen to. But he did not continue to pursue this matter.

However, after obtaining the interrogation records of the puppet Manchukuo military and political personnel, the commander-in-chief's face was very ugly. After obtaining the confession of the captives of the Japanese Eighth Regiment who participated in the clearance of the Xiajiang area, the commander-in-chief's face turned from ugly to ashen.

From the results of the interrogation of the Japanese and puppet troops, the commander-in-chief knew that his Second Route Army had left behind the troops in Xiajiang area, except for a very small number of troops hiding in the mountains and forests, and still insisting on fighting, the rest of the troops were captured and surrendered to the enemy, and most of them died.

The seventh army troops, the fourth army and a few remnants of the fifth army that had retreated to Fujin, Tongjiang area, were almost in desperate situations after being severely damaged by the Japanese and puppet troops, which had an absolute advantage.

Since the defeat of the Western Expedition, the whereabouts of the commanders of the Fifth Army, who had been losing contact and some of the troops of the Fifth Army led by him, were also verified from the mouths of these prisoners. Under the pursuit of the Japanese and puppet troops, they had no choice but to cross the river and retreat into the Soviet Union for a while, and were unable to get rid of the pursuit of the troops.

In order to break the clearance of the Japanese and puppet troops, the main force of the Third Route Army, which also carried out the Western Expedition, was also severely damaged. Although the losses were less than the Second Route Army, they were also in trouble. Although the Western Expedition achieved some success, they failed to completely get out of the predicament. Instead, they suffered heavy losses during the Western Expedition due to cold and hunger.

Although the Third Route Army, which had relatively strong strength, avoided huge losses like the Second Route Army, its total strength dropped sharply from more than 2,000 before the Western Expedition to less than 800. Many division cadres died and lost the ability to fight continuously in a short period of time. The losses of each left-behind troops were even heavier. Two division commanders rebelled one after another, causing most of the hundreds of people left by the Third Route Army to die in Xiajiang. A few surviving troops were forced to retreat into the Soviet Union.

Now facing the remnants of the Second Route Army, mainly the Seventh Army in Tongjiang area, facing the severity of food and bullets, lack of supplies, and lost the extremely serious situation of friendly forces to respond. Whether to die in battle or find another way out and give the troops at least some rest time has almost become the most difficult choice for the commander-in-chief.

Unexpectedly, the situation would change so sharply. The Second Route Army, which was active in North Manchuria, failed one after another. Except for some troops of the Third Route Army retreating to the Heinen area, most of the Anti-Japanese United Army troops that were originally active in the Xiajiang area died and some rebelled, and only a small number of troops retreated to the Soviet Union. It can be said that the anti-Japanese struggle in the Xiajiang area was close to failure.

Although I have always wanted to learn about the situation of the Third Route Army and have been looking for the lost Five Army troops, when I learned from the enemy that I wanted to know everything, the commander-in-chief who suddenly became much older due to the sharp deterioration of the current situation.

Yang Zhen, who had read the interrogation records, was naturally aware of the change in the commander-in-chief's face. But the matter has come to this point. When he cannot get direct contact with the Seventh Army, Yang Zhen is also out of reach for the difficulties faced by the Seventh Army. He is even more powerless to do anything about the difficulties faced by the Third Route Army.

After pondering for a long time, Yang Zhen raised his head and said to the commander-in-chief who had just become older and teenager, "Commander-in-chief, it's time to make up his mind."

Yang Zhen said that he was determined, and the commander-in-chief, who had a long talk with him, was naturally aware of it. But this determination is really difficult for the commander-in-chief.

After hesitating for a long time, the commander-in-chief shook his head and said: "They retreated across the river, and you will really become lonely people in the entire Xiajiang area. It is hard to support them. They stayed in the Xiajiang area. Although their strength was greatly reduced, they still supported you. At least they could attract some of the attention of the Japanese and puppet troops."

Speaking of this, the commander-in-chief raised his head and looked at Yang Zhen expectantly and said, "Xiao Yang, this is the first time I call you that. I know you have many ideas. Today, I am not in the name of commander-in-chief. I am just asking you as an ordinary veteran of the Anti-Japanese United Army. What are you doing with the dilemma of the Seventh Army?"

Although he couldn't bear it, Yang Zhen finally shook his head and said, "Commander, I understand the truth you said. I know more about what will be waiting for us after the Seventh Army withdraws?"

"But commander-in-chief, we are really out of reach and powerless. If the Seventh Army can hold on for another half a year, the situation may be improved. But now time does not wait for anyone, and the Seventh Army's situation does not wait for anyone. If we persist, we do not need to encircle and suppress the Japanese and puppet troops, even if we are hungry, we will freeze the Seventh Army."

"Even if we attack can attract some Japanese and puppet troops, our strength is limited after all. We are covered in iron, how many nails can we fight? How many more can we attract more than 100,000 Japanese and puppet troops in the North Manchuria area? Besides, the Japanese army is still increasing its troops so far."
Chapter completed!