Yang Ling used thunderous means to eliminate the plainclothes teams and traitors hiding in the villages in the guerrilla zone, which greatly shocked those wavering wallflowers.
People on both ends of the spectrum realized Yang Ling's iron-blooded tactics, so they all put aside their petty thoughts and actively supported the work of the guerrillas.
The propaganda team under the guerrillas went deep into the fields to publicize the idea of resisting Japan and saving the nation, making the illiterate people realize the importance of everyone participating in the war of resistance and national salvation.
With the support of the guerrillas, women's committees and militia patrols and other organizations were established in each village in the area of the Third Guerrilla Detachment to restore order.
Due to the corruption in the early stage of the war, a large number of officials fled, and the Japanese had limited troops and could only worry about the towns. Many rural areas in northern Jiangsu became anarchic, so that bandits were rampant and the people were in dire straits.
Now, the arrival of Yang Ling and others has quickly restored order in these rural areas, cracked down on bullies and bandits, suppressed traitor plainclothes teams, and ended the previous chaotic state.
With the establishment of village militia units one after another, the guerrilla officers and soldiers originally stationed in each village to maintain order gradually retreated to the Xiaowangzhuang area for intensive training to improve their combat effectiveness.
After the initial intensive training, the six companies of recruits recruited by Yang Ling and his third guerrilla detachment already looked somewhat like soldiers.
In order to quickly improve their combat effectiveness, Yang Ling asked the recruits to be mixed into two main companies in batches, and with veterans as the backbone, he led them to the nearby Qinghe Town for cold-blooded training.
The recruits had good logistical support and were very enthusiastic about fighting. Although they failed frequently at the beginning, Yang Ling believed that after training, they would gradually grow up.
When Yang Ling focused on the training of new soldiers, he mobilized some elites from the veterans who were preparing the backbone and began to form a special force.
"Sir, what is a special force?"
At the regular military meeting of the guerrilla detachment, Yang Ling just proposed the formation of a special force. Everyone was puzzled because they had never been exposed to this concept before.
Facing the confused looks of everyone, Yang Ling was not in a hurry, but patiently explained to them.
Yang Ling gave an example: "You know our group armies and the special agent battalions and special agent companies directly under each army, right?"
"I know, they are all very powerful." When Yang Ling said this, they all suddenly realized.
After all, in the Chinese ** team, these special agent companies and special agent battalions are elites selected from the entire regiment and the entire army, and to a large extent they also shoulder special combat missions.
"The special operations team we are going to form is similar to a special agent battalion. It is mainly formed to perform special tasks, but it is also different."
Staff officer Lei Xiong asked curiously: "What's the difference?"
Yang Ling explained: "Those special forces directly under the regiment and military headquarters are mainly responsible for protecting the commander and blocking the enemy at critical moments. They have a large number of personnel and the selection is not very strict."
"But the special forces I'm talking about perform more difficult tasks, such as going deep into enemy camps to perform beheading missions, going deep into enemy-occupied areas to spy on military intelligence, and rescuing hostages under heavy enemy siege..."
After Yang Ling finished speaking, everyone took a breath of cold air. These tasks were really beyond the capabilities of ordinary troops. Almost all of them involved a narrow escape from death.
"This is almost the same as a death squad." Deputy Company Commander Zheng Gang said.
Yang Ling nodded: "It is precisely because the tasks carried out are extremely dangerous, so the special operations team must be the best among the best."
Company commander Wu Changqing asked: "Sir, do you know what are the requirements for joining the special forces?"
Yang Ling looked around at the people who were looking at him, and slowly said: "First, we must be absolutely loyal and cannot allow enemy agents to sneak in."
"What else?"
"In addition, you need to be quick to respond, have outstanding marksmanship, be determined, and be hard-working..."
Yang Ling mentioned many conditions in one breath, which made everyone stunned. Based on such conditions, the entire third guerrilla detachment might not be able to select a few.
"Sir, are these conditions too harsh?"
Although Sun Chong, the director of munitions department, had never led troops to fight in a war, as the saying goes, he has never seen such strict conditions for selecting soldiers before he has eaten pork.
Seeing that everyone was frightened, Yang Ling softened his tone and said, "Of course, it is not impossible to relax the conditions. People with outstanding abilities in a certain area can also be admitted under special conditions, such as marksmen who can speak Japanese and have particularly outstanding marksmanship."
Although Yang Ling relaxed the conditions, everyone still absolutely wants to join this so-called special force, which may be even harder than reaching the sky.
"Of course, because the special operations team performs extremely difficult and dangerous tasks, every member of the team will be promoted to second lieutenant, and their monthly salary will be five times that of ordinary soldiers."
Yang Ling offered a very generous salary. As long as you successfully join the special forces, it is equivalent to a crow turning into a phoenix. Ordinary soldiers can also become second lieutenant-level officers.
After hearing the treatment given by Yang Ling, everyone looked at each other. This treatment must be too good.
Many brothers may not reach the rank of captain after fighting for a lifetime, but now Yang Ling has created a shortcut for them to be promoted.
"Do you have any objections to this?" Seeing that everyone was silent, Yang Ling knocked on the table and asked.
How can anyone have any objections? Now Yang Ling has established absolute authority in the third guerrilla detachment.
Moreover, the deputy captain Zhang Liechen has not returned from the column yet. He always speaks the truth. Even if he objects, it is useless. They all shake their heads.
"Since you have no objections, let us inform you that the selection of special forces members in our third guerrilla detachment will begin tomorrow. Anyone who is willing can sign up."
Staff officer Lei Xiong asked weakly: "Sir Yang, can new recruits also participate?"
Yang Ling nodded: "Both veterans and new recruits are welcome, you can also participate."
Hearing this, Wu Changqing and others became excited. Ordinary special operations team members have the rank of second lieutenant, so the special operations team leader must be at the school level.
Although Wu Changqing and others are now company commanders of the main company, they are also officers at the rank of lieutenant. If they can enter the special operations team, their ranks will probably have to be promoted. They are very excited and eager to try.
Soon, news about the formation of a special force spread among the Third Guerrilla Detachment. When they heard about such generous treatment, they immediately went crazy.
Both veterans and recruits are gearing up for a big fight. After all, you can be promoted to second lieutenant through the competition, and the military pay is five times that of ordinary soldiers. This is too tempting.
But when they saw the harsh conditions for selection, they were all dumbfounded. Isn't this just a joke to them?
No matter what the soldiers thought, the selection of Yang Ling's special force team began, and Yang Ling personally attended the selection, making everyone realize that Yang Ling was not joking.
The new recruits who did not have the strength were very anxious, but the veterans who had the strength were full of confidence. Faced with the generous treatment, almost all officers and soldiers signed up to participate in the primary election.