Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 94 Important Meeting

At 7 p.m., officers at all levels arrived at the regimental headquarters on time to attend the meeting. Everyone watched with curiosity as Bi Shoucai brought in five unfamiliar people.

"Xiao Hu, what's the deal with these five people?" Tang Dazhuang, who had just rushed back from outside, asked Tang Xiaohu curiously. Li Debao, Niu Dali, and the others who were standing nearby also gathered around to listen to what Tang Xiaohu had to say.

“I know. The commander summoned us this time to announce this matter. There will be big changes in our militia this time,” Tang Xiaohu said.

"The regimental commander is here." Tang Xiaohu quickly reminded them, and the group resumed their upright posture.

"The main reason for calling this meeting tonight is to announce a few important things. I believe you have already noticed that there are a few new faces at this meeting."

Upon hearing Tang Weiguo's words, everyone turned to look at the five people sitting next to him.

"I'll introduce these individuals later. First, I'd like to announce a major event concerning our militia."

"Now our militia is officially under the command of the Nationalist government's army and is directly under the jurisdiction of the Second War Zone Command of the Nationalist government." Tang Weiguo threw out a major topic right from the start.

"Ah, we've joined the regular army?" Immediately, the people below began to discuss in hushed tones.

"The decision to have us join the regular army was made personally by the commander of the Second War Zone, who also granted us the title of Anti-Japanese Independent Militia. So for our militia, this is a whole new world. From now on, we are part of the regular army."

“I support the regimental commander’s decision. Joining the regular army’s logistics support will ease our burden,” Bi Shoucai said proactively. Bi Shoucai had already learned about this beforehand and was not surprised. In his mind, getting in touch with the Nationalist government would solve the problem of the militia’s logistical supplies.

Bi Shoucai had dealt with the Nationalist army quite often, and with the funds allocated by the regimental commander, he had purchased a lot of military supplies for the militia from the Nationalist army.

Now that the militia has joined the regular army, they are now on the same side as the military. This makes it easier for him to operate his military supplies business. Therefore, he is quite supportive of the militia joining the Nationalist government's regular army.

"Then what about the command of our troops? Will the independent regiment be under its own command, or will it be under the control of the Second War Zone?" Tang Dazhuang asked doubtfully.

Military commanders at all levels were discussing the matter extensively.

"Everyone, please quiet down. This is an order from the Second War Zone Command, and we can only obey it. As for the command, I will communicate with the War Zone Command, so there's no need to worry." Tang Weiguo set the tone for this matter.

Seeing that Tang Weiguo had made his decision, the military commanders at all levels fell silent and obeyed his orders. The militia was built up by Tang Weiguo alone, and they were absolutely obedient to his decisions. In their eyes, at least for now, none of the decisions their commander had made had been wrong.

"Now I'd like to introduce the officers that the Second War Zone Command has dispatched to our militia."

"The first one is Zhang Haoshan, who will be the deputy leader of our militia from now on," Tang Weiguo introduced.

"Fellow officers of the militia, I ask for your support in military matters." Zhang Haoshan stood up and gave everyone a standard military salute.

The officers didn't react often. Suddenly, a leader was parachuted in, and no one was happy about it. Out of respect for the regimental commander, no one voiced their objections, but the glances they exchanged indicated that they would absolutely not obey Zhang Haoshan's orders. The only person who could command them and who could command their trust was Tang Weiguo.

In the crowd, Zhou Liansheng recognized Zhang Haoshan's voice; the Sichuan accent was familiar, so he knew the man was from Sichuan. Seeing that they were from the same hometown, Zhou Liansheng immediately decided to speak with Zhang Haoshan privately, warning him not to have any thoughts of vying for power with Tang Weiguo, and to simply be a deputy regimental commander who helped Tang Weiguo devise strategies. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to control this group of arrogant and unruly soldiers.

Although Tang Weiguo wouldn't care about anything, his men were no pushovers; they were all veterans of bloody battles. If you angered them, who knew what they might do?

"Everyone, let's give them a round of applause." Seeing that no one reacted, Tang Weiguo started clapping.

Seeing that the leader was clapping, the others reluctantly followed suit, and the applause was sparse.

Seeing everyone's reaction, Zhang Haoshan understood that anyone would feel uncomfortable having an unfamiliar superior. He knew he could only try to understand the militia gradually; he was aware that he could never gain any real power over them.

"As for Deputy Regiment Commander Zhang's work assignment, he will temporarily be in charge of the construction of the Wolong Mountain military fortress. Professor Zhao will assist in handling related work. I have only one request: make the fortress's defenses as strong as possible, and strengthen its firepower as much as possible. I want to make Wolong Mountain a place of heartbreak for the Japanese devils," Tang Weiguo said loudly.

Tang Weiguo made his decision regarding Zhang Haoshan's work assignment after hearing his analysis of Wolong Mountain. He assigned Zhang Haoshan to repair the fortifications of Wolong Mountain from a practical combat perspective. Although Professor Zhao was very capable, he had not experienced the baptism of war. Therefore, he needed someone who had experienced war to cooperate with him to further improve the defensive fortress of Wolong Mountain. Thus, Zhang Haoshan was undoubtedly the best candidate.

"Yes, Commander, I guarantee to complete the mission." Zhang Haoshan felt very excited and thrilled to be valued by the commander so soon after joining the militia. He secretly resolved to complete the mission well.

"The second one is Sun Lianquan, who will later become the militia's staff officer."

"Brothers in the militia, I will definitely do my job as a staff officer, and I hope you will all support me." After saying this, Sun Lianquan stood up and saluted everyone.

"Everyone, please welcome them." Tang Weiguo once again led the applause in welcoming them.

"The third one is Wu Si'er, who will be the militia's communications officer from now on. He will be specifically responsible for communication between our militia and the Second War Zone Command," Tang Weiguo continued.

"Hello everyone, I'm Wu Si'er, and I'm in charge of communications," Wu Si'er said somewhat shyly.

"Li Qin, Wu Si'er, I'm handing them over to your communications department. Train them well." Tang Weiguo emphasized the word "train" when he spoke.

Having followed Tang Weiguo for so long, Li Qin knew exactly what he meant, and immediately stood up and spoke.

"Commander, don't worry, we will definitely give Wu Si'er special training."

"Thank you, Director Li," Wu Si'er said naively. Tang Weiguo then introduced the other two members.

"Alright, that concludes tonight's announcement. The meeting is adjourned. If you have any thoughts, please come and discuss them with me privately." After announcing the matter, Tang Weiguo adjourned the meeting.

"Yes, Captain."