Rise From Eight Hundred

New Year's Eve is a day for Chinese families to reunite, and it was also the day for the Sixing Group's collective wedding. Logically, the lunch should be of good quality.

But there were indeed too many people on the scene. If the banquet was arranged as usual, it would take forever.

At the suggestion of Tang Tuanzuo, the general manager Zhuang Shisan developed what might be the largest buffet of this era.

Of course, letting tens of thousands of people crowd in front of dozens of tables to get food is not a buffet, it is completely self-abuse.

The soldiers, friendly forces, family members, and guests from villages and towns of the Sixing Group were divided into four dining areas. The soldiers of the Sixing Group dined in their designated areas in battalions and companies. The guards accompanying the officers were on the scene. The family members of the soldiers were accompanied by the soldiers who had returned home on vacation to the garrisons of the first and second battalions of the Sixing Group. More than 2,000 guests from villages and towns dined at the garrison of the recruit training camp.

This time, nearly 80,000 people were divided.

Of course, for today's buffet, Zhuang Shisan has put a lot of effort. For the chefs alone, all the cooks of the regiment and 1,500 officers and soldiers of the baggage battalion were mobilized, with nearly 2,000 people.

More than 40,000 kilograms of various meats were purchased. There are not many vegetables in winter, basically cabbage, radish, and potatoes. In addition, it is cold in winter, so it is not realistic to cook stir-fried dishes, so all of them are put into hot pot, a hot big hot pot.

Pork stewed with cabbage vermicelli, clear stewed mutton soup, beef stewed with potatoes, and stew pot are the four main dishes. The staple food is rice and mantou. There are 200 people in a group, and there is no need for any tables, chairs, or benches. Each person holds a large bowl, takes a large spoon to add a spoonful of their favorite meat to their bowl, and squats by the big pot to cook.

Whether it is soldiers, civilians, or superiors, no exception!

However, alcohol was not provided. It was not because Tang Tuanzuo was stingy, but because there were too many people. It was okay for the soldiers, as they were disciplined, but the common people could not care so much. Once they got drunk, they would be the boss.

The Quartermaster Department of the Sihang Group had already purchased an additional 5,000 kilograms of Xifeng wine and packed it in porcelain bottles. When the soldiers and the people left, no matter whether they were men, women, old or young, they could take a bottle away and drink whatever they wanted at home at night.

"Damn it, Tang Dao is too rich. This meal alone must cost tens of thousands of dollars!" Wang Xiaoqiang, who was squatting on the ground, tried hard to stuff fat into his mouth while nagging at the brigade commander Cheng next to him. "When we arrive at the base on the first day of the new year, should we also give our brothers some meat?"

"Eating meat is a small matter. As long as your 772nd Regiment can win some swords and guns for me in the afternoon, I will specially approve half a pound of pork for each person in your 772nd Regiment." Brigade Commander Cheng stole a glance at Tang Dao, who was squatting with his superiors, and quietly reminded his capable subordinates.

"That's really not easy. You know how good the Four-Line Regiment is. For example, their reconnaissance company, I heard that fully armed five kilometers is a regular training item after getting up every day. There is also a mountain infantry company, which recruits all the mountain people from Yeyue Village. They are like monkeys in the mountains." I'm afraid that the only one who can make a crazy general afraid before the battle is the Four-Line Regiment.

"Hey! Old Xu, don't worry about eating! Your 771st Regiment is the first regiment of my 921st Division. Give the chief a promise." Wang Xiaoqiang looked at the commander Xu who was trying to chew a big pig's trotter.

"Me?" The always mature and prudent commander Xu replied slowly. "As long as the Four-Line Regiment does not send out soldiers from the reconnaissance company, it is possible. By the way, I forgot to remind you, Old Wang."

"What?"

"The brothers of the 46th Independent Brigade went to buy meat again."

"Fuck! We can fight against the Japanese, but we can't defend against friendly forces!" Wang Xiaoqiang hurriedly fought with the meat in the bowl.

The economic situation of the 80th Army in the past six months is actually not much better than when it just crossed the Yellow River. At least the rice, noodles and vegetables in the army can be guaranteed. A single person can even guarantee 6 taels of rice and a pound of noodles every day, and two cents of salt. From time to time, they can also distribute some white sugar, tea and cigarettes. Only meat is still a luxury.

It's not just the 80th Army that is so miserable. It seems that the officers of the 17th Division are the same. Everyone is eating with oil dripping from their mouths at this time, even the major general of the army like Brigade Commander Kong.

It's not entirely because of poverty, but because the supplies in Zhongtiao Mountain and Taihang Mountain are too scarce. The common people can hardly feed themselves, so how can they have surplus food to raise pigs, sheep, cattle and other livestock.

If it weren't for the frequent fighting and the fear of exposing the target due to the large number of Japanese spies and traitors, I'm afraid that even the division and brigade levels would organize professional hunting teams to go up the mountain to hunt like the battalions and companies.

Perhaps only the Four-line Regiment, which has the support of caravans, can organize caravans to stay away from the war zone and cross the Yellow River to Shaanxi Province to buy supplies.

"Hurry up and eat, select people, and fight the Four-line Regiment and friendly forces in the arena in the afternoon! As long as you can win two events, I will give all the autumn wind from Tang Dao to your two regiments, and the brigade will not keep any, and I will give the whole brigade extra meals when I go back." Brigade Commander Cheng tried hard to eat meat while cheering up the two main regiment leaders of his own.

"Really? Chief, you are not lying?" Wang Xiaoqiang's eyes suddenly turned into bull eyes.

Based on his understanding of his leader, he would have at least 20 or 30 brand new German submachine guns like the ones shown at the wedding today.

"Pig's trotter as proof!" Brigade Commander Cheng picked up a shiny pig's trotter. "If I don't keep my word, you will never eat this thing in your life."

This oath was ruthless enough! Wang Xiaoqiang believed it.

"Who cares if he's from a reconnaissance or mountain company? I'm going all out. Let the monk lead my guard squad." Wang Xiaoqiang decided to use his strongest individual soldier.

The monk was the deputy squad leader of the guard squad he promoted after the Jindong War.

A new recruit who had just joined the army for less than half a year could stand out in the 772th Regiment, an ace infantry regiment of the 80th Army, and was promoted to the deputy squad leader of the guard squad on the front line. That must be because he had extraordinary abilities.

This soldier's performance in the Jindong War was really too amazing. On the enemy battlefield, when there were only two people left in the class and the Japanese army had already rushed into the position, this soldier actually relied on a big knife in his hand to chop 9 Japanese soldiers in a row, scaring the Japanese army out of the position.

Then, this completely crazy soldier chased the fleeing Japanese soldiers, chasing them for nearly 60 meters in one breath, and killed 3 people in succession before returning to the position.

That scene stunned the Japanese 300 meters behind them, so much so that they did not launch any more attacks for 20 minutes, and the two soldiers finally waited for reinforcements.

When Wang Xiaoqiang personally stepped on this battlefield after the war, he looked at the Japanese corpses that had been piled up on the fortifications as shelters by the soldiers, and promoted this brave new recruit to a corporal on the spot. After strict examination, he became the deputy squad leader of the guard squad of his great commander.

After actual combat testing, his tactical command ability may be a little lacking, but his individual combat ability is absolutely strong, which can be regarded as a single-soldier trump card in Wang Xiaoqiang's hand.

"Right! This is the spirit that Wang Fengzi should have!"

"Then I will send Lao Pei to fight!" Commander Xu could only say helplessly.

The 772nd Regiment has a fierce general like Wang Fengzi who is unreasonable and chases dozens of people alone, and the 771st Regiment also has a good sharpshooter.

However, Lao Pei is not only famous in the 771st Regiment, but also counts in the entire 683rd Brigade and even the 921st Division.

The battle that made this veteran, who is over 50 years old, famous was when he was on the way of a 10,000-mile transfer. In order to break through the enemy's position blocked by machine gun bunkers, Lao Pei shot through the narrow shooting hole and accurately killed the machine gunner.

But he was really praised as a top sharpshooter in the battle of Qigen Village. As a unit blocking the Japanese reinforcements in an ambush, Lao Pei killed 30 Japanese soldiers alone, consuming 36 bullets specially approved by Commander Xu. He blamed himself for this and felt that it was a waste of ammunition.

That was not target shooting, but in actual combat. Even Commander Tang would give a thumbs up if he knew about such shooting skills.

"Haha! It seems that both of you came prepared! Then I feel relieved." Brigade Commander Cheng bit the pig's trotter in his hand fiercely.

"Sir, Brigade Commander Cheng is already encouraging the people below!" A colonel of the 46th Independent Brigade hurriedly reminded his brigade commander.

"Hehe! What's the use of just encouraging? The final competition still depends on strength. Have you selected the personnel?" Brigade Commander Kong smiled confidently.

Before coming to the Four-Line Regiment, he specifically asked the army commander who was most familiar with Tang Dao. He knew that the Four-Line Regiment intended to hold a military competition to celebrate New Year's Eve, and had already prepared the elite soldiers of the 46th Brigade.

To put it bluntly, although the big guys in the divisions and brigades are eating meat with great enthusiasm, they are actually secretly waiting for the military competition in the afternoon.

After all, it's not just the swords and guns that Tang Dao brought out that are impressive, no one can lose the face of their own troops.

Those who can come are all veterans!

After lunch, as the director of the organizing committee of the sports meeting, Division Commander Liu announced the competition items, rules, and rewards in public.

This military competition has four major categories: shooting, fighting, military obstacle, and military physical fitness, including pistol shooting, rifle shooting, machine gun shooting, small-caliber artillery shooting, unarmed combat, bayonet, pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups, and military obstacle relay.

If the first nine events are for individual soldiers or three-person teams to participate, which tests personal strength, then the military obstacle relay can only be registered as an infantry squad, and personnel cannot be drawn from other units to piece together, which tests overall strength.

As the host of the military competition, the Four-Line Regiment took the initiative to request that the four-line regiment participate in the games. The personnel participating in the four-line regiment are four infantry battalions, and the infantry squad participating in the last military obstacle relay is not sent by the respective chief officers themselves, but is drawn by several directors and deputy directors of the organizing committee from the infantry squad numbers provided by each brigade.

Whether it is to define the sequence of its own participating troops or to require the infantry squad to participate in the team competition, it is actually a little unfair to the Four-Line Regiment.

Because, the ones who can come with the military commanders are the most elite infantrymen in each unit, except for the guard battalions and companies.

For example, even though the 22nd Army Group has the worst equipment and treatment among all the troops, the personnel brought by Division Commander Li are neatly dressed and energetic, equipped with submachine guns and Mauser pistols.

However, even so, no one feels relaxed.

In the Battle of Zhongtiao Mountain, the Four-line Regiment relied on part of the four major infantry battalions to beat the old man Kunisaki Zheng into the hospital. It is said that he is still groaning in the hospital bed!

The project has been determined, but that is not the point. The officers of each army are waiting to see the rewards, right?

Ever since the dozens of new submachine guns were unveiled, and it was a special holiday like New Year's Eve, this competition was destined to be more than just a stage to show the quality of the soldiers of each army.

Whether it is an individual competition or a team competition, the officers and soldiers sent by each army represent the brigades and divisions.

The armies are on good terms with the Four-Line Regiment. In addition to the fact that the Four-Line Regiment is good at fighting, they may also want to fight against the rich group of the Four-Line Regiment.

Human nature is complex and three-dimensional, just like love between men and women. If a boy says to a girl, I just admire you and have no possessive desire at all, such a person should be kicked out as soon as possible.

If the commanders of each army have no selfishness, Tang Dao will definitely stay away from this person. If they have no selfishness, they may have murderous intentions.

Just like the one in Shancheng, he doesn't look down on the property of the Four-Line Regiment, but his terrible desire for control is far more terrible than coveting the property.

"The friendly forces that have arrived at our Sixing Regiment include the 921st Division, the 17th Division, the 104th Division, the 101st Division, the 12th Division, and the 28th Division. Together with our Sixing Regiment, there are a total of 6 divisions and one regiment. In order to avoid too many participants and prolong the time, each division-level unit can send at most 2 people for each individual event, and our Sixing Regiment can send 1 person. The same is true for the small-caliber artillery event. In the collective obstacle race relay, each division and our regiment can only send one group. What do you think?" As the host, Tang Dao first put forward constructive suggestions.

"We can't always take advantage of the Sixing Regiment. It's better for each unit to send one person for each event, and the victory or defeat depends on personal ability." Brigade Commander Hu of the 28th Division couldn't wait to speak.

"That's the truth!" Deputy Commander Cun of the 12th Division nodded.

Two old foxes! Several division commanders secretly complained in their hearts.

Brigade Commander Hu's seemingly lofty reason actually also has some self-planning.

The chief officers of the 921st Division, the 17th Division, the 104th Division, and the 101st Division all attended in person, and they all brought troops at the level of guard battalions. In particular, the 921st Division and the 17th Division had five or six brigade commanders and regiment commanders, and the guard troops had more than a thousand people. He and Deputy Division Commander Cun of the 28th Division only brought a guard company and a reinforced infantry platoon.

Can selecting one in a thousand be the same as selecting one in a hundred? If these divisions were asked to send one more person, what would happen to the two divisions?

"Since Brigade Commander Hu said so, I think it would be fairer to follow what Brigade Commander Hu said and have each unit and project send one person." The white-haired general nodded.

The white-haired general was not giving face to Brigade Commander Hu, but to the 12th Division. During the battle of Mo Nan Town, the 12th Division drew a guard company to rescue him. Without that guard company, I am afraid that even if Long Yan was a god, he would not be able to fight against thousands!

"Then it's settled. As for the rewards, the first place in the friendship competition and the second place in the competition will be awarded 12 silver dollars and 6 MP38 submachine guns. The second place will be awarded 10 silver dollars and 5 submachine guns. The rewards will be reduced in the following order. The seventh place will be awarded a three-edged bayonet made by our regiment as a commemorative prize.

The first three places in the group competition will be awarded 100 silver dollars, 15 submachine guns, and 15 tactical knives; the second place will be awarded 70 silver dollars, 7 submachine guns, and 7 tactical knives; the third place will be awarded 40 silver dollars, 3 submachine guns, and 3 tactical knives!

The rest of the participating infantry squads will receive commemorative prizes, 30 silver dollars, 1 submachine gun, and 1 tactical knife!

What do you think, officers?" Tang Dao said the reward conditions.

The generals present were collectively stunned.

The reward conditions of Tang Dao are so generous that they are beyond their imagination. There are 10 individual events, and there are 210 submachine guns as rewards. There is one team event, and there are 25 submachine guns, which is a total of 235. If you add the tactical knife and the silver, the value of this reward is definitely more than 100,000 silver.

And those new submachine guns and tactical knives are not something you can buy with money. Who dares to say that this trip is not worth it?

However, how much you can take away depends on the strength of your officers and soldiers.

Perhaps, it is not just that.

"You kid, not only the soldiers under us old guys are tested, but also us old guys are counted in it! Be careful not to be outdone!" Commander Liu smiled slightly and pointed out Tang Dao's little thoughts.

This move of Tang Dao seems to be a big giveaway. The top six will have rewards. Even if the unit is bad and all the units are at the bottom, they can take 10 submachine guns together, at least they will not let everyone return empty-handed.

But if you use this rule to play a tactic like Tian Ji's horse racing, you may be able to steal opportunities among many powerful enemies and get more rewards.

The total reward of 235 submachine guns, 7 troops compete, as long as you can take away 30 submachine guns, it will be considered a break-even.

Which of the generals present is not a veteran who has been on the battlefield for a long time? They will figure out the tricks immediately, and this depends on the tactics of these commanders.

"How dare you, kid, aren't you trying to make everyone happier!" Tang Dao would never admit it.

If he admitted it, it would be that he, a little colonel, was using equipment to force a group of generals to play with him, which would be asking for trouble!

Of course, perhaps Commander Liu did not realize Tang Dao's real intention.

Tang Dao had no confidence in others, but he was full of confidence in him. The strategic and tactical capabilities of this lieutenant general of the army were definitely the best among all those present.

Showing off muscles now will definitely play a sufficient role when you have to make a choice in the future.

Including this military competition, it is actually Tang Dao's advance arrangement for the next few years.

The strength of the 4th Regiment and the 921st Division lies not only in their equipment and soldiers, but also in their commanders!

After the war is won, Tang Dao hopes that these friendly forces will have the opportunity to sit together and drink happily.

"So, if the commander is willing to sign an IOU for any guns and tactical knives awarded to my Four-Line Regiment, he can take them away!" Tang Dao's last sentence directly broke the defense of the generals who were still thinking.

"I will sign seven or eight notes for you now, give me the guns, and count them as the first place." The words of the commander Li of the 104th Division made everyone laugh.

In front of equipment, no little thoughts are important.