kingnovel Chapter 489 Military Meeting
Chapter 489 Military Meeting
489 Military Meeting
"Go, invite Commander Xiao and Commander Zhou Dai to the headquarters for a meeting."
Ye Qingshan said to the young martial artist.
Since Ye Qingshan already knows that he can lead his troops to join the expeditionary force, he now needs to gather his men to make preparations.
After the last expansion of the group army, Ye Qingshan demoted the chief of staff Xiao Shanling to the 89th Army as commander.
At the same time, Ye Qingshan himself served as the commander of the 86th Army and appointed Zhou Pingkou as the deputy commander.
Although Zhou Pingkou was nominally the deputy commander, he actually had the final say in the 86th Army.
The reason why Ye Qingshan made such arrangements was mainly because Zhou Pingkou's military rank was not high enough to be a commander of an army at this time.
He was only a major general, so as a corps commander, he should have at least the rank of lieutenant general.
In fact, the problem of low military rank at this time is not just Zhou Pingkou's problem.
Ye Qingshan himself has this problem.
At this time, Ye Qingshan still held the rank of lieutenant general, but he was the commander of the army group, which should have been awarded the rank of lieutenant general.
However, after the victory of the Southern Zhejiang Campaign, the headquarters only expanded Ye Qingshan's army but did not promote his military rank.
Not only did Ye Qingshan not get promoted, most of the officers under his command did not get promoted either.
This resulted in most of the officers under Ye Qingshan having low ranks but high positions.
Ye Qingshan was originally puzzled by this question.
What does this mean, High Command?
The army has been allowed to expand, so why are military ranks still being suppressed?
It was not until the last time that Chen Cheng came over that he helped Ye Qingshan solve his doubts.
This is because many people in the high-level command felt that Ye Qingshan had been winning battles continuously and had made too many military achievements.
Moreover, he is too young. If his military rank is promoted too quickly, he may find himself in a situation where there is no more room for promotion.
Therefore, the headquarters decided to temporarily suppress Ye Qingshan’s military rank.
Chen Cheng was worried that Ye Qingshan would feel unhappy, so he told Ye Qingshan that even after a year, he would not have achieved anything.
The High Command will also promote him to the rank of lieutenant general.
After listening to Chen Cheng's explanation, Ye Qingshan seemed to think it made some sense.
Since ancient times, the most troublesome issue has been the problem of meritorious officials becoming too powerful to be recognized by their ruler, and whether they should be given a title or not.
Anyway, now that I have achieved the result of expanding the army that I most want, it doesn’t matter if my rank is promoted later.
At this time, Ye Qingshan’s 42nd Army had two armies.
The 86th Army is a partnership of Zhou Pingkou and Zhang Fa, while the 89th Army is a partnership of Xiao Shanling and Zhou Xinghai.
Sun Mingxu is still the chief of the logistics unit.
People like Lu Dahai, Zheng Quezi, Wang Dachuan, Hei Xiong and others were all promoted.
Some became division commanders, and some became brigade commanders.
Today, these people gathered together for a meeting for the first time since the expansion of the army.
"The commander is here, everyone be quiet."
As the little warrior shouted loudly.
The meeting room suddenly became quiet.
Ye Qingshan walked in, sat on the main seat, and raised his hand for everyone to sit down.
“The purpose of holding this meeting of all officers above the corps level today is to make an announcement.
That is, the Supreme Command ordered our 42nd Army to send out an army to join the Expeditionary Force to fight in Burma.
I will serve as deputy commander of the expeditionary force."
As soon as Ye Qingshan finished speaking, many people were surprised and started whispering.
“All quiet.
I have accepted this order from the High Command.
I decided to take the 86th Army into Burma this time, and the 89th Army will stay in the defense zone.
Ye Qingshan had already made the decision in his mind. This meeting was not a discussion, but Ye Qingshan directly gave orders.
"Sun Mingxu, Lu Dahai."
Ye Qingshan named him directly.
"Arrived!"*2
The two stood up.
"Three days later, your 208th Division, Lu Dahai, will set out first, protecting the baggage train.
We headed to Changsha along the channel from western Zhejiang to northern Jiangxi that we had opened earlier.
Then transfer to Yunnan Province.
This journey is long and will take a long time, so please be careful.
After arriving in Xiangxi, Commander Chen's troops will pick you up. After arriving in Yunnan Province, I also greeted Commander Long.
They will also send troops to meet you.
After arriving in Yunnan Province, you can settle down and wait for our main force to arrive."
Ye Qingshan looked at Lu Dahai and said.
“Yes, Commander.
Our 208th Division guarantees the completion of the mission."
Lu Dahai responded loudly.
Then, Ye Qingshan looked at Sun Mingxu again, who was in charge of Ye Qingshan’s logistics and supply department at this time.
"Old Sun, your logistics department must collect all the mules that are roaming around in the homes of the people in the next three days.
After the meeting, I will approve some money for you.
In three days I shall see five thousand pack-horses and thirty thousand mules.
This time, we went through Yunnan Province to fight in Burma, and we went not only through mountains but also through jungles.
The pack horses and mules of your baggage troop will be the main transportation force for our troops in the future.
Absolutely nothing can go wrong.
Understand? "
"Don't worry, Commander. Our logistics department will ensure that the mission is accomplished."
After the end of the Southern Zhejiang Campaign, Ye Qingshan realized more deeply the importance of logistical transportation in mountain warfare.
In mountainous terrain, cars are far less useful than pack horses, mules and other livestock.
Therefore, after the end of the Southern Zhejiang Campaign, Ye Qingshan used the pack horses captured from the Japanese to start breeding more pack horses.
But even so, the number of pack horses would definitely not be enough.
Then the only alternative is to use a mule.
Therefore, their logistics department eliminated donkeys and focused on breeding mules for transportation.
Because, in actual combat, the soldiers of the 208th Division discovered.
Mules are still useful during transportation.
Mules are not only obedient but also have good endurance. Although they are not as strong as pack horses, the conditions are right here in southern Zhejiang for breeding mules in large numbers.
So, half a year ago, Ye Qingshan issued a notice to the people in southern Zhejiang and Fujian Province.
Ye Qingshan encourages the people to raise mules, and for those who are willing to raise mules, he will first give them ten dollars as a deposit.
When the mule grows up and Ye Qingshan buys it, he will pay them the subsequent money.
In this way, Ye Qingshan was relying on the hands of thousands of people to raise mules for him.
And now, it's time to use these mules.
According to the statistical report that Ye Qingshan received from his subordinates before.
This time, they purchased 30,000 adult mules without any problem.
"The remaining 209th Division and the army's direct-affiliated units will be fully mobilized within a week, and then I will lead them to Yunnan Province.
After I left, all affairs of the defense zone were presided over by Commander Xiao.
Lao Zhou, don't stop your recruitment work.
The number of reserve troops should be maintained at at least 50,000.”
Ye Qingshan looked at Xiao Shanling and Zhou Xinghai and gave instructions.
After he left, all matters concerning the base were left to the two of them.
"Yes, Commander."
The two responded.
"Okay, go back and prepare."
Soon, the meeting is over.
Ye Qingshan’s 86th Army became busy again.
Three days later, a team of 20,000 people marched westward from Quzhou into northern Jiangxi.
The Japanese commander in Nanchang City was so frightened that he thought Ye Qingshan had sent his main force to attack them.
He quickly mobilized troops to defend the city and called for support.
They only breathed a sigh of relief when they discovered that Ye Qingshan's troops were not heading towards Nanchang City.