Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 312 Japanese Reaction

"Commander, good news!" Zhang Haoshan rushed into the command post, his voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement.

"Tang Xiaohu and his men have successfully captured Fenshui County!"

"Oh?" Tang Weiguo was slightly taken aback, then a smile appeared on his face.

"I didn't expect it to go so smoothly this time. We didn't even need to use the contingency plan prepared by the staff office." Zhang Haoshan wiped the sweat from his forehead, so excited that he almost jumped up.

"Yes, that was a brilliant victory." Tang Weiguo simply nodded, just as he had expected.

"Tang Xiaohu also said that this time it was thanks to the action team of the intelligence department that the armory was seized in time, preventing the Japanese from detonating it. He asked the intelligence department to commend them."

"Good, they completed the mission so well. Deputy Brigade Commander Zhang, you should remember their merits."

"Yes."

"Now, we just have to wait for Tang Xiaohu and his team to bring that batch of equipment back."

Zhang Haoshan continued his report, "With this batch of weapons, we will have much more confidence in the upcoming battles."

“That’s right.” Tang Weiguo nodded.

Tang Weiguo was already planning his next move in his mind.

"We need to take advantage of the Japanese before they can react and start planning for next year's counter-'mopping-up' operations. They will definitely retaliate, but this is also a good opportunity to wear them down."

"Tell Tang Xiaohu to be extremely careful in transporting this batch of military supplies back safely."

"Commander, Bi Shoucai is now personally going to the front line to oversee the operation and ensure the smooth completion of the transport mission."

"Huh? Why did Bi Shoucai go in person?" Tang Weiguo asked, looking up.

"He was worried about Zhou Yuan."

Zhang Haoshan smiled.

"After all, he's a newly promoted transport regiment commander. Although he's participated in several large-scale transport missions before, this is the first time he's independently commanding the entire transport regiment. Bi Shoucai is worried that he won't be able to handle the pressure."

"Zhou Yuan is a promising talent, steady and eager to learn. It's good to have Lao Bi keep an eye on him; it's both an assessment and a form of training," Tang Weiguo affirmed.

Zhang Haoshan nodded in agreement:

"Yes. Zhou Yuan and his group were the first batch of patriotic students we brought over from the Second War Zone Command. Back then, they were all very young and inexperienced, but now they have become the backbone of the Independent Division."

"I remember back then he was just following Long Wenying around like an assistant, getting incredibly nervous even just to bring a document. I never imagined that just a few years later, he'd be able to handle things on his own," Tang Weiguo said with a smile.

"Yes, almost all of these patriotic young people who survived the battle have grown into the backbone of the nation."

"These young people are cultured, quick-witted, and learn fast."

"We must make good use of them and let them raise the overall cultural level of the army. Only when the cultural level is improved can the army's combat effectiveness truly reach a new level." Tang Weiguo nodded.

"Yes, Commander. I will formulate a training plan as soon as this battle is over," Zhang Haoshan replied with a smile.

"Ah."

Tang Weiguo's smile faded, and his tone changed.

"Notify Tang Xiaohu and his men that the Japanese main force of aircraft is likely to be deployed. If the ground troops cannot catch up, they will definitely send planes to search for Tang Xiaohu's transport convoy."

"Sigh, it's a pity the anti-aircraft regiment stayed behind at the garrison, otherwise we would have made sure the Japanese planes never returned," Zhang Haoshan said through gritted teeth.

“There’s nothing we can do,” Tang Weiguo shook his head, his tone tinged with helplessness. “Anti-aircraft weapons are too difficult to obtain. We barely managed to assemble an anti-aircraft regiment by relying on money, connections, and foreign aid. We have fewer than twenty truly capable anti-aircraft guns, and they’ve all been repaired and patched up.”

He paused, looked out at the night sky, and silently recited in his heart:

"I wonder how things are going with Li Qukou... I hope he can get some real stuff from the United States."

Zhang Haoshan nodded: "I will definitely remind Tang Xiaohu and the others to make sure they are well prepared for air defense camouflage and protection."

"Well, but there's no need to worry too much."

Tang Weiguo said slowly, "They took the mountain road. The mountains are high and the forests are dense. Even if the Japanese planes came to scout, they might not be able to find them. Moreover, the Japanese pilots were scared by us. If we let them fly into the heart of the Taihang Mountains to scout again, they would be hesitant."

"Yes, I understand." Zhang Haoshan wrote it down in his notebook.

"By the way, how's Tang Dazhuang doing?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"We have already made contact with the vanguard of the Japanese army."

"The Japanese attacked fiercely, but Tang Dazhuang executed the plan resolutely, relying on the positions to block the enemy layer by layer, and the troops did not suffer too many casualties."

“Very good.” Tang Weiguo nodded.

"Just as I expected. Tang Dazhuang is usually carefree and rough around the edges, but when it comes to fighting, he's incredibly meticulous. He's especially good at defense, which is why I specifically assigned him to guard the position—because he's so steady."

"but."

He paused, his tone becoming serious.

"Remind him to be careful of that Yamamoto Juroku. According to intelligence, this guy is a ruthless character, cold-blooded and cunning in his fighting style. We can't let our guard down."

"Yes, sir, I will send a telegram to him immediately."

Meanwhile, in the conference room of the Japanese Taiyuan Command, a suppressed anger filled the air.

"Baka! What on earth is going on?!"

Akira Tsuchiya slammed his hand on the table, shattering the teacups on the floor.

"Why is there no news from Fen County? What are your intelligence departments doing?!"

"Reporting to the Commander,"

The intelligence chief's forehead was covered in sweat, and his voice trembled. "According to our assessment, Fen County... has fallen. Colonel Kenichi Matsuyama... is very likely to have been killed in action."

"What?!" Akira Tsuchiya roared in fury.

"Can't even defend a small county town? Useless! What a bunch of useless people! If Matsuyama Kenichi dies, he'll at least have done his duty to Tianhuang. If he doesn't—I'll personally send him to a military court!"

"So, what's the state of the armory in Fen County?" Tsuchiya Akira continued to ask.

"Commander, a reconnaissance team near Hong County reported that they did not hear any explosion at the armory. It is highly likely that the armory was completely captured by the Chinese Independent Brigade," another staff officer whispered.

"Baka yarou—!" Tsuchiya Akira suddenly stood up, his face flushed red.

"We absolutely cannot let them transport that batch of munitions back to Wolong Mountain! That's ammunition for our entire regiment!"

"Order all units to immediately reinforce Fen County!"

"Reporting to Your Excellency Commander, progress in all units is currently extremely slow!"

"what happened?"

"The Nationalist army and the Eighth Route Army blocked our advance at many points along the way, making it difficult for our troops to advance."

"By the time we arrive, the Independent Brigade will have already withdrawn!" the chief of staff calmly analyzed.

"Damn it!" Akira Tsuchiya roared. "Order the air force to take off immediately! I don't care what method I use, we must find the Independent Brigade!"

"Hai!"

The chief of staff acknowledged the order, but inwardly he sighed:

This area is all mountains. Once the independent brigade goes into the mountains, even if we send out ten planes, we might not be able to find them..."

Furthermore, notify the Yamamoto Regiment to accelerate their attack on Wolong Mountain, forcing the main force of the Fenxian Independent Brigade to quickly return to defense.

"Hay."