The autumn rain was drizzling and the road was very muddy. Xu Xiangqian, Chen Changhao and the guards rode their war horses and rushed to Zhenyuan with wet bodies. They immediately convened a military meeting. At the meeting, Xu Xiangqian made a mobilization order for the Western Expedition. Political Commissar Chen Changhao briefly introduced the situation in the west, and then ordered Li Xiannian's unit of the Red 30th Army to set out first as the vanguard. After the meeting, Xu Xiangqian and Chen Changhao specifically explained to Li Xiannian. Li Xiannian was shocked when he heard this. It turned out that the launch of the Ningxia offensive was to hide the world.

After the Yuan Hong Er and the Fourth Front Army arrived at the Shaanxi-Gansu base and joined the Central Red Army, after a month of rest, the officers and soldiers quickly regained their spirits. A few days ago, they arrived in Zhenyuan to assemble and make preparations. All the officers and soldiers changed their clothes and replenished their weapons and ammunition. Among the supplementary weapons and ammunition, there were 50 new mortars.

After the military meeting, the vanguard set out in the wind and rain. The troops were divided into two columns, with a long snake winding forward. Long-distance marching was like a common occurrence for this unit. The officers and soldiers looked full and had high fighting spirit. A few hours later, the follow-up troops followed up, and the troops entered Ningxia one after another, and the officers and soldiers realized that there was no war on the way westward.

Perhaps the relaxation of the nervous mood made the officers and soldiers very happy, and there were singing and laughter in the queue. Especially the female soldiers in the army, they spontaneously organized themselves, stood by the road and performed wonderful small programs, encouraging the soldiers to move forward bravely. The number of female soldiers in the Western Expedition troops was quite large, with about five or six hundred people. The singing and laughter of the female soldiers made the boring march particularly energetic.

In the early morning of the next day, the air after the rain formed a layer of mist. In the morning light, Xu Xiangqian and Chen Changhao led the General Command of the West Route Army to Guyuan. The sun rose and the sun shone. Although the morning after the rain was a little chilly, the officers and soldiers were still energetic after the continuous march and trekking. Suddenly, a group of national troops appeared under the city of Guyuan.

Xu Xiangqian and Chen Changhao turned over and dismounted, and saw a young lieutenant general in the other party's queue, raising their hands and saluting, "Liu Hui, deputy commander of the 9th Cavalry Division of the Second Army of the National Revolutionary Army, is ordered to welcome your troops here, welcome you." Xu Xiangqian and others salute each other and introduce themselves. The two sides shook hands enthusiastically. Then Liao Hui welcomed the group into Guyuan City.

Liao Hui personally welcomed Xu Xiangqian, Chen Changhao and others in a very famous restaurant in the city. Since this arrangement was ordered by the central government before departure, the two of them were inconvenient to ask in detail. During the meal, Liao Hui took the initiative to say: "Commander Xu, welcome your department here again. I am fully responsible for the route of your department in Ningxia and Gansu. We provide logistical support for all important places where your department passes from Guyuan to Jiayuguan. If your department has any difficulties, please raise it, and we will provide the greatest convenience for your department to solve it."

Xu Xiangqian was overjoyed when he heard this and said, "General Liao, thank your troops for your selfless help. On behalf of the officers and soldiers of the Western Route Army, I would like to express my sincere gratitude!" Liao Hui said, "This is what we should do, please don't be polite. I found that your troops are still wearing summer clothes. Now your troops will overcome them. I have contacted Xiaozhou. At that time, Yue Lin, the commander of the Qinghai Independent Mixed Cavalry Brigade, will personally welcome you in Jiayuguan, and prepare cotton clothes and more than 20,000 sheepskin coats for you. If you need anything else, please come forward."

At this time, Chen Changhao took the opportunity to raise the question, hoping that your troops could solve some of the war horses. Liao Hui smiled and said, "You will know this problem when you arrive at Jiayuguan. At present, Xiaozhou is often under the jurisdiction of Qinghai, and Qinghai will solve this problem for you. In addition, after you leave the pass, you have to pass through the vast Gobi and desert areas, and the journey is very difficult, so you have prepared enough daily necessities for you in Jiayuguan."

The atmosphere during the meal was even more harmonious, and Xu Xiangqian had no objection to this Western Expedition. Chen Changhao had many questions. He tried to find out the confusing questions in Liao Hui's mouth, but Liao Hui was very alert and said unnecessary words, and passed by perfunctorily. After the banquet, Xu Xiangqian and Chen Changhao stayed in an inn. They wanted to live in Guyuan for one day and prepare to build a Western Route Army Office in the city. It can be said that all the officers and soldiers of the Western Route Army were very confused and did not expect that their situation was surprisingly good.

In the evening, Chen Changhao reported to Xu Xiangqian about the establishment of the West Route Army Office and said: "Commander Xu, the establishment of the office was very smooth. The other party provided us with three locations for us to choose from, and he thought very thoughtfully." Xu Xiangqian said: "No wonder the central government is confident. It goes without saying that the political structure in the northwest has indeed undergone tremendous changes, even exceeding our expectations."

Chen Changhao agreed, "I have always been confused, how could this phenomenon occur? I found that this young Commander Liao seemed to be different from the Kuomintang officers we have seen in the past, especially the arrogant manners, and very easy-going and friendly. This is what puzzled me the most. Moreover, I found that his subordinates were different, and their words and deeds and actions were different from the Kuomintang army. It was really unimaginable."

Xu Xiangqian expressed his feelings and said, "Did you find a problem? The young Commander Liao did not mention the name of Erma at the dinner table. It is logical that Ningxia and Gansu are the territory of Ma Hongbin and Ma Hongkui, which is very abnormal. In addition, he mentioned that Xiaozhou was controlled by Qinghai and that there was a brigade commander Yue. Obviously, the relationship between them is extraordinary. What changes have happened in the western region? No wonder the Chairman repeatedly emphasized that the situation in the northwest has never been so good."

Chen Changhao said: "If you can't figure it out, don't think about it. Just consider how we complete this long-distance trip. In addition, the matter of going to Xinjiang should also be planned." Both sides nodded and fell into thinking. The next day, Xu Xiangqian and others bid farewell to Liao Hui and continued to drive westward. Liao Hui and his subordinates saw each other off. The atmosphere was like a comrade-in-arms parting, and it seemed a little reluctant to leave.

In early November, the cold wind began to storm Jiayuguan. At this time, in front of the gate of Guancheng, the cold wind rose up a piece of sand and dust from time to time, and the wilderness was not silent because of the cold. Looking around, a long railway subgrade appeared in the north of Guancheng, and a steel rail extended to the west. Coincidentally, the biggest highlight is that there were scattered and dense tents around.

Yue Lin stood in the cold wind in military uniform, accompanying his subordinates around him, all looking forward to it. A month ago, Yue Lin received a telegram from Mu Yaping and began to prepare. In the telegram, Mu Yaping asked him to prepare 300,000 kilograms of grain, a large amount of daily necessities, 20,000 sets of cotton and sheepskin coats, and 10,000 military tents. In addition, three thousand war horses, two thousand camels and a large amount of forage were prepared. After receiving the order, Yue Lin began to prepare nervously. Three days ago, he arrived at Jiayuguan to personally welcome the vanguard of the Western Route Army.

"Report to the brigade, 1,500 tents have been built, and charcoal fires have been raised in each tent, and daily necessities have been fully equipped. In addition, cotton and leather coats are ready, please give instruct!" A quartermaster came to report. "Yue Lin asked: "When will the military horses and camels arrive?" "It is estimated that three days later!" As early as three years ago, Yue Lin had been developed into a comrade in the party by Peng Xianyun, so Yue Lin was a little excited and was always excited.

"Here are here! They are here!" A subordinate shouted excitedly. Sure enough, a red flag appeared in the distance, and then the figure of a large group of people appeared. The team opposite was getting closer and closer. Although they were thin and small in size, each soldier was still energetic and full of vitality. Yue Lin was filled with energy and stepped forward...

Early the next morning, Yue Lin and Li Xiannian, commander of the Red 30th Army, the commander of the vanguard of the Western Route Army, stood side by side on the city tower of Jiayuguan, raising their eyes and looking at it. After a night of rest, Li Xiannian could not see any tired look on his face, and his dark face was full of energy and full of energy. Yue Lin asked with a smile: "Captain Li! Did you rest last night? If you have any unsatisfactory, try to raise it as much as possible."

Li Xiannian said gratefully: "If you have an opinion, your department is receiving it very well. At this moment, I don't know how to express my feelings." Yue Lin said: "This is what we should do, because your department is our sincere friend." Both parties politely said a few more words and expressed their sincerity. Li Xiannian is 27 years old and Yue Lin is 25 years old. The two are about the same age and suddenly feel close.

"I didn't expect there was a railway here. Where did this railway lead?" Li Xiannian put down his telescope and asked. Yue Lin smiled and said, "This railway leads to Yumen, which leads to the west. The railway is currently laying tracks and is expected to be opened to traffic in the middle of next year. We found an oil mine in Yumen, and now an oil refinery is built in Yumen. Once this railway is built, our place will soon become lively. The west will no longer be desolate, and the prospects are very exciting!"

Li Xiannian said to himself: "It would be great if this railway could reach Dihua. I really hope that one day would come!" Yue Lin said decisively: "I believe that one day will come, and it will not be far away. The whole northwest Bi will have a prosperous scene of old appearance and new appearance." Li Xiannian looked at Yue Lin and said with some envy: "General Yue, I didn't expect you to understand so many truths. I want to ask why you are so confident."

Yue Lin smiled and said, "Your troops can fight bloody battles in the northwest without fear of hardships. This shows that your troops are full of faith in the future. I think as long as your troops have gained a foothold in Xinjiang, make full use of Xinjiang's own advantages, and make your troops grow rapidly, we are all looking forward to this result." Li Xiannian guessed that the young brigade commander must have known a lot of inside information in front of him, and he couldn't help asking. Many questions along the way bothered him and couldn't understand many questions. But he had to hold back when he thought of Commander Xu's advice.

Yue Lin did not consider the changes in Li Xiannian's mood and continued: "After your subordinate came out of seclusion, he was facing a vast neighboring house and desert. The natural conditions were quite harsh. There were many ethnic minorities along the way, and there were a few bandits who might have armed harassment, but it was not worth worrying. The main difficulty you face was the harsh environment. Along the way, we have provided you with a very safe route to Xinjiang, and the water source distribution map was also marked very clearly. Now, it is very important for officers and soldiers to keep warm in winter. It is necessary to minimize the non-combat reduction of officers and soldiers, especially as the vanguard, you should pay enough attention to it."

Li Xiannian nodded gratefully and said, "General Yue, you are so thoughtful. Don't worry, we will arrive in Dihua smoothly." At this time, a subordinate came up and reported excitedly, saying that Commander Xu led the command center and the Fifth Corps officers and soldiers to Jiayuguan. The two turned their heads and looked eastward, and they saw a large group of people coming in a row.
Chapter completed!