Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 268 The Japanese Scheme

"Brigade Commander, latest battle report." Zhang Haoshan had just run over from the communications department.

"How is it?" Tang Weiguo, who was looking at the map, looked up and asked.

"Tang Dazhuang's First Regiment and Li Debao's Second Regiment, which are responsible for blocking the enemy, have already engaged in combat with the Japanese. According to their feedback, the Japanese are not playing by the rules this time and have launched a large-scale attack right from the start."

"Their two regiments are now using the terrain to their advantage, launching layer upon layer of blocking attacks to slow down the speed of Japanese reinforcements."

"Judging from the current situation, the Japanese are definitely going to reinforce Lingshui County," Tang Weiguo judged.

"Lingshui County is located right in the middle of our base area. If it were me, I wouldn't give up Lingshui County so easily either, especially since the Japanese have stationed a reinforced battalion there."

"According to the Japanese command's assessment, they have enough strength to hold out in Lingshui County for a while," Zhang Haoshan pondered.

"How are Tang Xiaohu and the others doing now?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"Currently, Tang Xiaohu and his men are fighting fiercely with the Japanese, and the Japanese are breaking up into smaller units to fight in urban warfare, so Tang Xiaohu and his men are advancing very slowly," Zhang Haoshan said truthfully.

Upon hearing this news, Tang Weiguo remained silent and pondered for a moment.

"Brigade Commander, should we send a support regiment up to help Tang Xiaohu and his men take Lingshui County as soon as possible?" Zhang Haoshan suggested again.

After listening to Zhang Haoshan's words, Tang Weiguo continued to ponder with his head down.

After a while, Tang Weiguo finally spoke.

"The support team will remain in place for now. I believe Tang Xiaohu and his team will be able to take Lingshui County in time."

"Also, inform Tang Dazhuang and Li Debao to resolutely block enemy reinforcements and absolutely not let a single Japanese soldier get away."

"Brigade Commander, this will result in heavy casualties for Tang Dazhuang and his men," Zhang Haoshan warned.

"Tang Dazhuang and his team have made thorough preparations for this defensive battle. I believe they can control the number of casualties and achieve the greatest results with the fewest casualties," Tang Weiguo said firmly.

"Yes, Brigadier."

"Also, what's the Japanese doing in Wolongshan County?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"This time, the Japanese only sent one battalion to our defense zone, and their advance was slow. It seems they aren't very interested in attacking Wolong Mountain," Zhang Haoshan said.

"Why are the Japanese acting so strangely this time?"

Tang Weiguo was also surprised. Based on the Japanese troops' previous tactics at Wolong Mountain, they would have launched an attack on Wolong Mountain long ago, taking advantage of the Independent Brigade's weakened state!

"Brigade Commander, could it be that the Japanese are afraid of us and dare not make any rash moves against us?" Zhang Haoshan offered his opinion.

"I don't think so. These days, the Japanese don't know the meaning of fear. They're riding high on Chinese soil right now, so why would they be afraid of us?" Tang Weiguo said with a hint of self-deprecation.

Compared to Japan at that time, China was far inferior in both national strength and weaponry, and could only rely on its flesh and blood to buy time for the Japanese invaders.

"Brigadier, could it be that the Japanese troops in Wolongshan County are afraid we'll launch a surprise attack on them? After all, their main task right now is to ensure the safety of the railway line," Zhang Haoshan continued.

"No, the Japanese can now tell that our forces at Wolong Mountain are insufficient to launch an attack against them," Tang Weiguo quickly expressed his doubt.

"Brigade Commander, after hearing what you say, I'm completely baffled as to what those Japanese devils in Wolongshan County are up to." Zhang Haoshan was also utterly confused at this moment.

"By the way, Deputy Brigade Commander Zhang, you mentioned the railway line. Is there anything unusual about the Japanese railway line?"

"I'm not sure about that yet. Wait a moment, I'll go to the intelligence department to confirm with Li Qukou." Zhang Haoshan said and ran out of the house without waiting for Tang Weiguo's reply.

"When did this guy become so impatient?" Tang Weiguo couldn't help but chuckle as he watched Zhang Haoshan run off.

A short while later, Zhang Haoshan came running back again, panting heavily.

"Brigade Commander, according to intelligence, the Japanese have a train that has just stopped in Wolongshan County. Due to the Japanese's tight defense, the intelligence personnel are unable to infiltrate and investigate."

"train."

After those two words popped into Tang Weiguo's mind, he walked over to the map to take a closer look, and then drew a sketch along the railway line with a pencil in his hand.

Suddenly, an idea flashed through Tang Weiguo's mind.

"Deputy Brigade Commander Zhang, look at this." As he spoke, Tang Weiguo drew and drew a spot on the map with a pencil.

“Anping Station?” Zhang Haoshan asked, looking at the location with a puzzled expression.

“Yes, Anping Station is less than 20 kilometers from Qingshan County. If the Japanese troops were to transfer from Wolongshan County to Anping Station by train, and then launch an attack on Qingshan County from Anping Station,” Tang Weiguo increasingly agreed with his idea.

"Brigade Commander, Qingshan County is currently being defended by the Eighth Route Army Independent Regiment. They are able to hold off a battalion of Japanese soldiers."

If it were any other Eighth Route Army soldier, Zhang Haoshan might have had doubts, but he highly approved of Li Yunfei's Independent Regiment, after all, they had cooperated several times already.

Moreover, after the last equipment change, Li Yunfei was now equipped entirely with Japanese gear, which would be more than enough to defend against two battalions of Japanese soldiers.

"What if it were two battalions of Japanese soldiers, plus two battalions of Japanese soldiers from Quanyang?" Tang Weiguo countered.

"If that's the case, the Independent Regiment is in danger. Even for us, under the pressure of so many Japanese troops, Qingshan County will definitely fall," Zhang Haoshan asserted.

"If Qingshan County is lost, then even if we occupy Lingshui County, it will be meaningless, and the Japanese can continue to attack Lingshui County from Qingshan County."

"If the Japanese really do that, Lingshui County will be surrounded from both sides and will fall into the Japanese encirclement." Zhang Haoshan immediately thought of the situation in Lingshui County.

"Brigade Commander, we really can't let our guard down when fighting the Japanese devils. We might just get ambushed by them," Zhang Haoshan remarked.

"Brigade Commander, what should we do?" Zhang Haoshan asked.

"Now send our predictions to Regiment Commander Li, and also inform Zhou Liansheng to lead the Third Regiment to immediately reinforce Qingshan County," Tang Weiguo ordered.

"Brigade Commander, if we transfer the Third Regiment there, what about the safety of Wolong Mountain? Wolong Mountain is our base camp," Zhang Haoshan asked.

"Contract the defensive line and order the guard regiment to garrison the Wolong Mountain underground fortress for defense. The Japanese devils won't be able to break through our fortress without ten times the number of troops!"

"Furthermore, I'm certain that the Japanese devils won't dare to attack our Wolong Mountain," Tang Weiguo said with a confident expression.

“With an underground fortress, a guard regiment is enough to protect our safety!” Zhang Haoshan agreed.

"Brigadier, I'll make the arrangements right away."

"Okay, sure."