Chapter 40: The Luo Town Meeting, Cavalry Might Beneath Mount Liupan, The Long March Concludes in Wuqi

Chapter 40: The Bangluo Town Conference, The Might of Cavalry at Liupan Mountain, The Long March Concludes at Wuqi

In late September 1935, the Longdong Plateau was characterized by high, clear skies and crisp autumn winds. The Shaanxi-Gansu Detachment of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army arrived in a mighty column at Bangluo Town in Tongwei County. This ancient town in central Gansu, with its long history, was suddenly filled with fluttering red flags and the clamor of troops, becoming yet another pivotal site for decision-making on the Long March.

After Wang Lin led the Independent Regiment (now officially incorporated into the Shaanxi-Gansu Detachment, though still retaining the title "Tiger Regiment") to the outskirts of Bangluo Town, they immediately received notice from the detachment headquarters: all cadres at the company level and above were to attend a meeting.

"Old Li, Comrade Guangdao, notify the battalion and company commanders to assemble at regimental headquarters immediately!" Wang Lin’s expression was solemn. "The Central Committee is about to announce a major decision."

Before long, over forty officers of the Independent Regiment, from company level upwards, stood in neat formation. These veterans—tempered by the bloody battle at the Xiang River, the Four Crossings of the Chishui, the defense at the Jinsha River, and the assault at Baozuo—though dressed in worn uniforms with sun-bronzed faces, all possessed sharp, piercing gazes. Standing like pines, they exuded the awe-inspiring aura of battle-hardened elites.

Wang Lin stood before the ranks, his gaze sweeping over familiar faces: the three battalion commanders, Chen Ahai, Huang Musheng, and Zhou Zhi Ming, stood at the front; Li Yunlong stood with his arms crossed, his eyes deep with anticipation; Liu Gensheng, Zhang Hongtu, Zhong Guangbang, Lin Huowang, and other heads of subordinate units stood behind them; the newly promoted cavalry company commander, Shamalge, also stood among them, posture upright.

"Comrades," Wang Lin said in a resonant voice, "the detachment is holding an important meeting of great significance. As a main force regiment directly under the detachment, our Independent Regiment represents the image and spirit of the entire force. Everyone, check your appearance and prepare to enter!"

"Yes!" the officers replied in unison, quickly smoothing their already tidy uniforms, heads held high.

When Wang Lin led this disciplined and formidable group of officers into the venue, they immediately drew the attention of comrades from other units. The uniform gait of the Independent Regiment, their well-maintained equipment (even the sidearms of the officers were polished to a shine), and the confidence and composure forged in the mountains of corpses and seas of blood formed a sharp contrast with other units, drawing admiring gazes from the detachment leaders on the podium.

The meeting was held on a threshing ground. The Chairman delivered an important speech, his arms waving as his voice rang out with power: "...Comrades! From Hadapu, we learned the good news that there is a Red Army and a base area in Northern Shaanxi! Now, the Party Central Committee has officially decided to change the original plan of moving toward the Soviet border. Our destination is Northern Shaanxi! We will defend and expand the Soviet area there, using Northern Shaanxi as the base camp to lead the Chinese revolution!"

As soon as he finished, the venue erupted in thunderous applause and cheers! Many officers were moved to tears. After nearly a year of long-distance expedition, crossing thousands of rivers and mountains, and enduring countless sacrifices, they finally had a clear and reliable destination! Northern Shaanxi became a beacon in everyone’s heart.

Wang Lin looked at his excited subordinates, his own heart surging with emotion. He knew the wheel of history was rolling along the right track. He stood up and, on behalf of all the commanders and fighters of the Independent Regiment, declared loudly: "We firmly support the decision of the Party Central Committee! All officers and soldiers of the Independent Regiment swear to follow the Central Committee, march to Northern Shaanxi, and head to the front lines of the War of Resistance!"

"March to Northern Shaanxi! Head to the front lines of the War of Resistance!" Li Yunlong, Wang Guangdao, and all the Independent Regiment officers roared in unison, their voices shaking the heavens, demonstrating the unwavering determination and strong cohesion of the "Tiger Regiment." Their performance left a deep impression on the Chairman and the detachment leaders.

After the meeting, the morale of the troops rose to an unprecedented high. With a clear goal, the Red Army, like a river returning to the sea, marched toward the northeast with even firmer steps.

On October 7, 1935, the Shaanxi-Gansu Detachment crossed the last high mountain of the Long March—Liupan Mountain. As the vanguard of the detachment, the Independent Regiment was the first to arrive near Qingshizui at the foot of the mountain.

Wang Lin was using the [Marauder's Map] to scout the terrain ahead when suddenly, a large number of rapidly moving red dots (enemy forces) appeared on the edge of the map!

"Situation!" Wang Lin immediately raised a fist, and the troops suddenly halted.

Almost simultaneously, the sharp sound of warning shots came from the reconnaissance company ahead!

Zhang Hongtu galloped back to report: "Regimental Commander! Northeastern Army cavalry! At least two companies, over two hundred horsemen, are charging from the direction of Qingshizui! They are fast!"

The group’s expressions tightened. It is extremely dangerous for infantry to encounter a cavalry charge on open ground.

Li Yunlong’s eyes widened: "Cavalry? Damn it, just in time to see if our 'iron pipe cannons' can send them flying!"

"No! The terrain is open and the enemy is dispersed; the precision of the iron pipe cannons isn't enough!" Wang Lin immediately vetoed the idea, his mind racing as his gaze swept over the surrounding terrain—to the left was a hill with a gentle slope and some bushes.

"First Battalion, take orders!" Wang Lin issued the command without hesitation. "Chen Ahai! Take your First Battalion, immediately seize that hill to the left, utilize the terrain, and construct a simple defensive position! Set up all your heavy machine guns! Form a crossfire network! I want you to pin those two hundred cavalrymen to that open ground!"

"Yes! First Battalion, follow me!" Chen Ahai didn't hesitate for a second, shouting as he led his eight hundred soldiers like tigers leaping from their cages, rapidly rushing toward the hill. The soldiers moved with speed, digging foxholes and setting up machine guns; the entire process was seamless, demonstrating extremely high tactical proficiency.

"Old Li!" Wang Lin looked at Li Yunlong.

"Here! Regimental Commander, is it our Fourth Battalion's turn?" Li Yunlong was itching for action.

"There are only two companies of cavalry; it’s not enough for the whole regiment to move. You are the reserve force; stay hidden and wait for orders behind the First Battalion! Do not expose yourselves without my command!"

"Ah? Reserve again..." Li Yunlong’s face fell.

"Execute the order!" Wang Lin’s tone allowed no room for doubt, then he looked to the other side. "Shamalge!"

"Here!" The young Yi company commander rode forward, his eyes burning.

"Your cavalry company, hide behind that woods to the rear-right! Load your bullets, draw your sabers! Wait for my signal! I want you to strike like a leopard once the enemy is in chaos—charge in and cut them down! You’ve been training for a month; it's time to show your blades!" Wang Lin’s hand slashed downward.

"Understood! Cavalry company, follow me!" Shamalge pulled his reins in excitement, leading his 120 cavalrymen into the woods like the wind, the sound of hooves absorbed by the dense vegetation.

By now, the Northeastern Army cavalry was clearly visible. Over two hundred warhorses galloped, kicking up dust that filled the sky, their sabers glinting coldly in the sun as they charged aggressively, clearly intending to use their speed to crush this "infantry" in one stroke.

"Fire!" With Chen Ahai's roar, the First Battalion's positions instantly spat out countless tongues of flame!

The dense crossfire network formed by nearly ten heavy machine guns was like the scythe of death, sweeping violently toward the charging cavalry! The cavalrymen in the front, men and horses alike, were instantly shredded, falling to the ground with screams.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!" The riflemen fired calmly, aiming specifically at the horses.

"Boom! Boom!" The battalion's mortars also roared, shells landing among the charging cavalry. While the direct casualties were not high, the explosions and shrapnel greatly spooked the horses.

The Northeastern Army cavalry had not expected this "infantry" to have such ferocious firepower and such rapid response! Their momentum was instantly checked, and their formation fell into chaos. The horses were spooked and galloped wildly; the riders struggled to control their mounts while being repeatedly shot from their saddles.

"Good! First Battalion, well done!" Wang Lin cheered as he watched the scene through his binoculars. The Independent Regiment's superior firepower configuration played a decisive role at this moment.

The enemy cavalry commander, seeing that the situation was dire, attempted to rally his troops and retreat.

"Want to run? Not that easy!" Wang Lin sneered. "Signal flare! Shamalge, attack!"

Three red signal flares rose into the sky!

"Cavalry company! Charge!" Behind the woods, Shamalge, who had been waiting impatiently, suddenly drew his saber, pointing it directly at the panicked enemy group!

"Charge!" The 120 Yi warriors let out a heaven-shaking roar. Like tigers released from their cages, they spurred their horses, violently flanking the retreating enemy cavalry!

These warriors from Liangshan were skilled in horsemanship and fierce beyond compare. They swept into the enemy ranks like a whirlwind, swinging their sabers and chopping down the panicked enemy soldiers as if harvesting vegetables. Their timing and angle of attack were perfect, striking exactly at the most chaotic and vulnerable flank of the enemy!

The already confused Northeastern Army cavalry collapsed completely! They were unable to organize any effective resistance, forced to flee in all directions or dismount and surrender.

The battle ended quickly. On the open ground, horses and men lay in disarray.

After counting, the battle resulted in nearly a hundred enemy cavalry killed or wounded, over 120 captured, and the seizure of over 150 intact warhorses, along with a large number of sabers, cavalry rifles, and ammunition.

"Hahaha! Splendid! Absolutely damn splendid!" Li Yunlong ran over. Although he didn't get to lead the main attack, he was thrilled by this beautiful defensive and counter-attack battle. "The First Battalion's machine guns are fierce! And Shamalge’s cavalry charge was ruthless enough!"

Wang Lin watched as the soldiers joyfully collected the spoils, especially the sturdy warhorses. He was happy, yet clear-headed. He said to Wang Guangdao and Li Yunlong: "Warhorses are good things, but we can't afford to keep too many right now. Cavalry training and horse fodder consumption are huge. My opinion is that we select the best thirty to replace the inferior horses in our cavalry company and strengthen it. All other 120-plus horses and prisoners will be turned over to the detachment headquarters. The Central Committee needs these resources more than we do to build a larger cavalry force."

Wang Guangdao agreed: "The Commander is thoughtful; I agree."

Although Li Yunlong was a bit reluctant, he understood the bigger picture: "Fine, I'll listen to the Commander! Anyway, having one cavalry company is enough for us; that kid Shamalge leads it well!"

Soon, Wang Lin personally delivered the 120-plus warhorses and the captured cavalry to the detachment headquarters.

The detachment leaders were pleasantly surprised to see such a generous gift from Wang Lin. The Chairman shook Wang Lin’s hand and said: "Comrade Wang Lin, your Independent Regiment has made another great contribution! Not only did you defeat the enemy, but you also brought us the warhorses we urgently needed! You really are the fist and the treasure of our Shaanxi-Gansu Detachment!"

Commander Peng also patted Wang Lin on the shoulder: "Well fought, and a generous handover! With these horses, our headquarters can build its cavalry unit faster! Your 'Tiger Regiment' lives up to its name!"

Wang Lin stood at attention and saluted: "Chief, this is what we should do! The Independent Regiment firmly obeys the Central Committee’s decision, everything for the northward march against Japan!"

That evening, the detachment headquarters announced the official formation of the Shaanxi-Gansu Detachment Cavalry Reconnaissance Company of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army (the predecessor to the famous first cavalry unit of the Red Army), based on these horses and captives. Because of their outstanding performance and selfless contribution in this battle, Wang Lin’s Independent Regiment was once again commended in a circular throughout the army, and the fame of the "Tiger Regiment" resounded across the Longdong Plateau.

On October 19, 1935, the Shaanxi-Gansu Detachment victoriously arrived at Wuqi Town (now Wuqi County) in the Shaanxi-Gansu base area. The Long March, which lasted one year and saw the Party Central Committee and the main force of the Central Red Army traverse eleven provinces and cover 25,000 li, was declared a victory.