The Xi'an Incident of 1936 seemed to have given Bai Yihua some hope. Bai Yihua learned about the situation from the newspapers Hu Zi brought back. Jiang was then forced to accept the idea of the people resisting Japan. Bai Yihua asked Hu Zi about the situation around him. Hu Zi reported," We've already entered the territory of Shanxi. About 30 miles away from us is Pingyao County. There is a division of the Jin Suijun stationed there. It's called the 36th Division. Yan Xishan of Shanxi also advocated resisting Japan. He did not want the Japanese to enter Shanxi. I think we can ask the 36th Division in Pingyao County for help.”
Bai Yihua also felt that it made sense. The team was currently facing many difficulties. If the Jinsui Army could help him, he would not lose this opportunity. Hence, he asked Hu Zi to find Tang Jian, Cai Shan, Shan Haitao, and Shi Shoutian and told them his thoughts. When he learned that Bai Yihua wanted to contact the 36th Division, Shan Haitao expressed his concern to Bai Yihua."Although we are currently in great trouble, if we ask the 36th Division for help, we will be like sheep entering the tiger's mouth.”
Cai Shan also expressed the same worry."Right now, everyone wants to expand their own forces. It's impossible for the Thirty-six Divisions not to be envious of the fat meat that's delivered to their mouths. We're not far from the Tang army now. Just hold on a little longer and we'll be out of trouble.”
Facing his two comrades who had gone through life and death with him. Bai Yihua sighed helplessly."There's really no other way. The Red Army is still far away from us. Distant water can't quench our thirst. We can't let our troops collapse like this. I just want to get some supplies. We just have to be more careful this time.”
"There's no free lunch in this world," said Tang Jian."Would the Thirty-sixth Division help us for nothing?"”
Shi Shoutian supported Bai Yihua." How would we know if we don't try? What if the 36th Division wants to support us?" After all, they were all from China, and even Jiang Jieshi had begun to change his mind. It's a war of resistance."
Bai Yihua slammed the table and said,"This matter is settled. Hu Zi, you are in charge of contacting the people of the 36th Division." Then we'll decide."
A few days later, Bai Yihua received a notice from the 36th Division, asking him to go to the headquarters of the 36th Division to discuss cooperation matters. Bai Yihua brought Cai Shan and Hu Zi to the headquarters of the 36th Division. The person in charge of receiving him was a lieutenant colonel staff officer from the division headquarters. After the staff officer patiently listened to Bai Yihua's introduction, he conveyed the division headquarters 'instructions to Bai Yihua. Our division agrees to provide assistance to your army, but the premise is that we must bring our troops to the designated location of the 36th Division and not take any action without the command of the division headquarters.
Bai Yihua understood the 36th Division's intention. He said to the staff officer,""The members of my team are quite mixed, and their quality is also mixed. Moreover, their discipline is lax. If we enter your camp, it will disrupt your normal life. Can we camp outside your camp? After the troops are rested, we still have to fight back to the northeast.“
After the lieutenant colonel staff officer listened to Bai Yihua's words expressionlessly, he expressed that he would have to consult his division commander before deciding. Then, he made a phone call and said to Bai Yihua,"The division commander has agreed to your request and said that he will help you as much as possible.”
After the two of them returned to the encampment, Bai Yihua immediately ordered the troops to gather and move into the ten-odd bungalows provided by the 36th Division according to their requirements. These bungalows were backed by mountains, and the 36th Division's troops were on both sides. After asking around, Bai Yihua learned that the 386th Regiment of the 36th Division was on their left, and the 387th Regiment was on their right. Only then did Bai Yihua realize that the situation was not good. Not only was he being controlled by the two regiments of the enemy, but he was also likely to be taken in. Bai Yihua called Cai Shan Master Shou Tian Dan Haitao together and voiced his concerns. He also reminded them to be more alert when they slept at night in case the 36th Division suddenly attacked. After giving his instructions, Bai Yihua walked out of the barracks alone. On the surface, he was taking a stroll, but in reality, he was looking for a route of retreat.
In the next few days, Bai Yihua's anti-Japanese volunteers received food supplies from the 36th Division. The food these few days was indeed good. There was enough rice and steamed buns. The dishes were meat at noon and at night. However, they were not provided with any ammunition. During the patrol, Bai Yihua had heard many soldiers discussing: A considerable number of soldiers had the idea of staying in the 36th Division. The lieutenant colonel staff officer in charge of receiving Bai Yihua, in his chat with Bai Yihua, intentionally or unintentionally mentioned the intention of the 36th Division to incorporate the Anti-Japanese Legion, which made Bai Yihua feel that things were not good. He knew that this was the 36th Division trying to break the will of the members of the Anti-Japanese Army. Bai Yihua immediately called Tian Caishan, the commander of Shan Haitao's division, and told them his concerns. At the same time, he gave a death order. From today onwards, the officers and members of the army were not allowed to take off their clothes when they slept at night so that they could deal with the enemy's sudden attack. Shi Shoutian also told Bai Yihua that the lieutenant colonel had already spoken to him. If the anti-Japanese volunteer army accepted the 36th division, then he would be the major and battalion commander. Moreover, the team would be expanded to an A-class regiment, and Bai Yihua would be the lieutenant colonel. Cai Shan and Shi Shoutian also repeated what the lieutenant colonel had told them. The content was exactly the same. After Bai Yihua heard this, he realized the predicament they were facing. He was silent for a while before he slowly said,"We'll pull the team out in three days. When you go back, make sure everyone is fully prepared.”
After the four of them parted, Bai Yihua lay in bed and was about to fall asleep in a daze. He suddenly felt the three red whiskers on his upper lip pricking his face. Not only did it make him restless, but it also made him more and more irritable. This was something that had never happened before. Bai Yihua realized that the situation was not good. He quickly asked the guards to give orders to Shan Haitao and Shi Shoutian to gather the troops. He was ready to lead the team up the mountain. Ten minutes later, the guards reported to Bai Yihua that the troops had gathered. Bai Yihua quickly walked out of the house. Cai Shan and Shi Shoutian reported to him,""Someone in the team wants to join the 36th Division and doesn't want to leave with us.”
Bai Yihua waved his hand." Father and mother are getting married. We can't care about them anymore." Let's go!" As he spoke, he walked in front. The team retreated up the mountain along the route that Bai Yihua had observed beforehand. When they were halfway up the mountain, Bai Yihua could hear the clamor of people and the bright torches. He understood that the camp had been surrounded by the 36th Division. Seeing this scene, Cai Shan stuck out his tongue,""That was close. If we were half an hour late, we would have been taken in.”
Bai Yihua turned around and looked at Tang Jian, Shi Shoutian, and Shan Haitao. Although they could not see each other, he could still feel that they were looking at him. He smiled. After Bai Yihua felt that they had reached a safe place, he ordered the troops to rest. At this moment, he found Cai Shan and Shi Shoutian and asked them to do a headcount. Soon, they returned. Cai Shan reported,""There is probably a company of people from our battalion who did not follow us out.”Shi Shoutian's camp was similar to Cai Mountain. This already made Bai Yihua feel very gratified. If they hadn't retreated in time, they probably wouldn't have been able to bring an entire class out.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。