Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 146 New Department

Upon seeing Li Qukou's statement, Tang Weiguo nodded and gestured for him to sit down.

Although Li Qukou was his classmate and friend in Beiping, Tang Weiguo still showed him no leniency when it came to matters concerning the militia, criticizing him as necessary because he was responsible for all the soldiers of the militia.

"I've finished explaining the problems we've exposed. Does anyone have anything to add?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"Commander, there's one more thing. Our logistics and transportation speed is too slow, far behind the Japanese army's truck transportation. So our regiment needs to strengthen the construction of our transportation force." Tang Xiaohu expressed his thoughts.

"Xiao Hu's idea is excellent. I'll elaborate on that later when we discuss the future development of the militia. Besides that, is there anything else you'd like to mention?" Tang Weiguo asked again.

"Nothing."

"Okay, next I will focus on the development plan of our militia for the next period of time."

Upon hearing Tang Weiguo's words, everyone perked up their ears to listen carefully.

"First, the most important task next is to do a good job in providing compensation for the fallen soldiers. In the past few days, everyone has submitted the list of fallen soldiers from each battalion to me, and I have handed it over to the logistics department to start preparing the corresponding supplies and compensation."

"Regarding the remains of the fallen soldiers, we will still handle them according to the previous method. If their families are willing to take them back to the village for burial, the soldiers of the regiment will personally go to help and give the families of the fallen soldiers honor."

"If anyone is willing to let the soldiers be buried together in the cemetery for fallen soldiers that we built on the back mountain, we will make proper arrangements for them."

"The most crucial point is that the compensation must be paid in full. Battalion commanders at all levels must personally oversee this matter and ensure that the compensation is delivered to the soldiers' families. If anyone dares to tamper with the compensation for fallen soldiers, I will punish them severely."

"Yes, we guarantee to complete the mission," the battalion commanders replied solemnly.

"Zhao Zhu, also instruct the village protection teams in each village to take good care of the families of the fallen soldiers, and to let them come to our militia for help as soon as possible if they encounter any difficulties."

"Yes."

"Regarding the wounded soldiers, it remains the same. Those who wish to stay in the militia will be assigned to the logistics department, where they will be given jobs and continue to contribute to our militia."

“For those who are willing to go home, we will provide them with living expenses on a quarterly basis to ensure their basic living needs.”

"In addition, in order to better arrange the above work, I have decided to establish the Militia Soldiers Service Department, which will be composed of Militia personnel who were originally responsible for the compensation of fallen soldiers and the follow-up care of wounded soldiers in the Logistics Department."

"Bi Shoucai, these are all your subordinates. Who do you think is suitable to serve as the head of the militia's service department?" Tang Weiguo asked.

Bi Shoucai considered for a moment and then said.

"Commander, let Tang Guo take the position. He has been in charge of related work for a long time and has a lot of experience," Bi Shoucai suggested.

"Tang Guo, that's fine," Tang Weiguo nodded and said.

Tang Guo was originally a member of the guards at the Tang residence. Later, when Tang Weiguo formed a militia, they were among the first members and were considered veterans of the militia. When Bi Shoucai recommended Tang Guo to serve as the head of the militia's service department, Tang Weiguo understood Bi Shoucai's intentions and nodded in agreement to his proposal.

"Bi Shoucai, you will cooperate with Tang Guo to complete the handover of relevant personnel."

"Yes, Captain."

"Now that the New Year is over, spring plowing is approaching. In order to better ensure the food supply for our militia, I have decided to establish an Agricultural Construction and Production Department, which will be specifically responsible for reclaiming land, planting grain, and raising livestock in the Wolong Wolong Mountain area."

"The various breeding farms and related personnel originally managed by the Logistics Department will be merged into the Agricultural Construction and Production Department."

"Do you have any suitable candidates to recommend for the position of Director of the Agricultural Construction and Production Department?" Tang Weiguo asked everyone.

"Commander, how about we let Li Zhi take the position? He used to be a skilled farmer in the village, and later joined our militia, becoming a proud militia soldier."

"Later, during the battle of Liujiagou, one of his arms was broken by a machine gun shot from a Japanese plane."

"After recovering from his injury, he could no longer stay in the combat unit because of his arm, so he applied to stay in the logistics department and started as a breeder."

"Because of his outstanding performance, he is now the manager of the chicken farm. Since he took over as manager, the number of eggs produced by the chicken farm has increased significantly."

"Now our militia no longer needs to go down the mountain to buy eggs from the villagers, and we can meet the nutritional needs of the wounded and sick in the hospital."

"Therefore, I recommend Li Zhi to serve as the director of the newly established Agricultural Construction and Production Department."

Bi Shoucai stood up and recommended that he have full authority to speak on this matter.

"Commander, I agree with Director Bi's proposal. Li Zhi performed outstandingly in the Third Battalion and had a strong fighting spirit. He was promoted to platoon leader very early on."

"Even his arm, which was broken by Japanese machine gun fire, was broken by a plane while he was saving the soldiers in his platoon."

“Therefore, I also propose that Li Zhi be appointed to the Agricultural Construction and Production Department.” Li Debao also stood up to speak.

We must hold our own troops.

"Anyone else you'd like to recommend?" Tang Weiguo looked at the others.

Seeing that the others shook their heads, Tang Weiguo spoke up.

"Alright, I now appoint Li Zhi as the director of the Agricultural Construction and Production Department."

"The relevant appointment documents will be arranged by Staff Officer Long," Tang Weiguo ordered.

"Yes, Captain."

"By the way, Bi Shoucai just said that our militia is no longer buying eggs from the villagers down the mountain?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"Yes, Commander, our farm can already meet our needs, so I'm not allowing us to continue buying eggs from the villagers."

"We'll continue to buy eggs from the villagers, since eggs are one of the few things they can sell for money," Tang Weiguo said.

"Yes, Commander, I understand."

"As for the extra eggs, give them to the soldiers during training to help them recover. Don't worry about the money," Tang Weiguo said.

"Yes," Bi Shoucai replied.

"In addition to the two newly established departments, I plan to add another department called the Culture Department."

"The Cultural Affairs Department? It's not the one that directs everyone's studies, is it?"

"This is terrifying!" Everyone looked at each other in disbelief.

The officers below the stage, who showed no fear whatsoever in the face of the Japanese, immediately panicked upon hearing this news. They weren't afraid of fighting the Japanese, but learning to read and write was more terrifying than encountering a ghost!

"Everyone, quiet down." Tang Weiguo saw that everyone had suddenly started whispering to each other and knew what they were thinking.

"Yes, that's right, just as everyone thinks. The first task of the Cultural Department is to assist the militia soldiers in learning to read and write. The focus of our Cultural Department is to ensure that no illiterate member of the militia is overlooked!"

"Every battalion commander must be a leader in learning culture!" Except for Tang Xiaohu, everyone else was wailing in despair.

"The pain of studying is just too much."

"The second task of the Cultural Affairs Department is to organize activities for our militia members to enrich their professional lives. Yesterday, we organized a competition on short notice, and I think it worked very well. It really boosted the morale of our militia members, and I see that everyone is very enthusiastic about training today."

"Therefore, we should organize more activities like this in the future to enrich the lives of our soldiers."

"Commander, this is great, I totally agree!" Niu Dali jumped up and said, taking the lead. The reconnaissance battalion had been the talk of the town in yesterday's competition, showing off in front of several battalion commanders. Even today, he was still walking on air.

"Awesome, this is so awesome!"

"Look how smug Battalion Commander Niu is," Tang Xiaohu rolled his eyes at Niu Dali.

“You’re so cocky even after you win,” Niu Dali retorted defiantly.

Those who were listening to their conversation and watching their interaction couldn't help but laugh.

“It’s really interesting.”

"In order to better supervise everyone's learning, I have decided to personally assume the role of Director of the Cultural Affairs Department, and Staff Officer Long will serve as the Deputy Director of the Cultural Affairs Department. Staff Officer Long will be responsible for organizing and arranging related activities. In addition, Staff Officer Long will personally select the staff of the Cultural Affairs Department."

"Yes, Commander." Long Wenying stood up and accepted the order.