Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 261 New Operation

As the fighting intensified on the Central China battlefield, more and more Japanese troops were deployed there. Due to the Japanese troop deployment, the entire Shanxi region remained remarkably quiet.

Time flies, and it's already mid-August. The weather is getting hotter and hotter.

The scorching sun could not dampen the soldiers' enthusiasm for training.

The soldiers trained hard under the scorching sun, sweating profusely.

The Independent Brigade's headquarters was unusually lively today, with commanders of troops stationed elsewhere returning to the Wolong Mountain Brigade Headquarters with their guards.

People who know each other well start chatting non-stop as soon as they meet, while others gather under the shade of a tree, watching the soldiers being trained with a sense of boredom, and occasionally offering a few comments.

The brigade's catering service had prepared meals in advance for everyone who came to the brigade.

After dinner, everyone went to the command post together.

"Xiao Hu, over here." Tang Dazhuang, who had arrived at the conference room ahead of time, greeted Tang Xiao Hu warmly and gestured for him to come and sit down.

"You're here so early?" Tang Xiaohu walked over, sat down, and said.

"We had nothing better to do, so we brothers came over early," Tang Dazhuang said.

"Winning streak, Debao."

Tang Xiaohu warmly greeted Zhou Liansheng, Li Debao, and the others.

"Where is Niu Dali?" Tang Dazhuang asked.

"Haha, don't even mention it. That kid disappeared as soon as he got back. He's probably in Staff Officer Long's office. I've heard Niu Dali talking about Staff Officer Long a lot on the way here," Tang Xiaohu said with a laugh.

"It was at Staff Officer Long's place. I passed by and saw him chatting with Staff Officer Long. He looked very happy," Li Debao added from the side.

"Xiao Hu, I don't think Niu Dali came empty-handed this time. He brought a bunch of things in big bags and small packages. Do you know who they're for?" Zhou Liansheng asked curiously.

"I'm guessing. It's probably Staff Officer Long who brought it. I've been at the brigade headquarters for a whole day, and I haven't seen Niu Dali bring me anything," Tang Dazhuang said indignantly.

"Hahaha."

Hearing Tang Dazhuang's words, everyone couldn't help but laugh.

"Little Tiger, how far have things progressed between Dali and Advisor Long?" Tang Dazhuang's gossipy heart was burning brightly.

"Where are we at?" The two people beside him also looked curious.

"I don't know either, this kid is hiding something deep." Tang Xiaohu shook his head.

"After the meeting, we guys need to give him a good interrogation," Tang Dazhuang joked.

"Count me in."

"I count too."

The group quickly reached a consensus.

"Hey, Xiao Hu, is the brigade commander calling everyone here for a meeting because there's going to be a big operation?" Tang Dazhuang asked curiously.

"There must be a major operation going on. It's been almost four months since the last battle to defend Wolong Mountain, and our troops have basically recovered to their pre-defense strength."

“We’ve been quiet for so long, it’s time to make a move,” Tang Xiaohu said.

"Great! I've been itching to get my hands dirty lately," Tang Dazhuang said with a smile upon hearing this.

It was almost 8 o'clock when Niu Dali finally arrived, albeit late.

"Dali, why are you so late?" Tang Dazhuang asked with a wicked grin.

"I need to take care of something."

"I think things have been handled by the staff officer all along," Tang Dazhuang continued to ask.

"No, no, I only stayed for a short while." Hearing Tang Dazhuang's words, Niu Dali blushed and quickly waved his hands.

"Hahaha, Dali, you should just tell the truth. We brothers all know about you." Tang Xiaohu grabbed Niu Dali and whispered in his ear.

"Yeah, yeah, how far have you two gotten?" Li Debao, who was usually quiet, stepped forward and asked curiously.

Hearing everyone say that, Niu Dali's face turned even redder, and he stammered, unable to say anything.

Just as Tang Dazhuang was about to ask another question, Tang Weiguo came out of the house.

When everyone saw Tang Weiguo come out, they stopped talking and sat up properly.

Tang Weiguo walked over, looked around, and said with a smile.

"It seems like everyone's been doing well lately. I think everyone's gained weight since the last time I saw them."

"Brigade Commander, when are we going to take action? We've all been so bored lately," Tang Dazhuang said, standing up.

"Don't rush, we have a new mission coming up soon. The reason we called everyone here from so far away for this meeting is for this battle."

Upon hearing that a battle was about to begin, the eyes of the crowd below the stage lit up.

"Great!"

"I've wanted to beat up those Japanese for a long time."

After everyone quieted down, Tang Weiguo continued.

"Based on the recent developments that everyone has gathered, our independent brigade has already exceeded the size of the force before the Battle of Wolong Mountain."

"It recovered its strength almost two months earlier than I expected in October."

"This shows that everyone has not slacked off during this period and has been doing their best to develop the strength of our independent brigade."

"Here, I, Tang Weiguo, would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone for your hard work and dedication to the Independent Brigade," Tang Weiguo said gratefully.

"Brigade Commander, you're being too polite. We're all one family in this Independent Brigade, so there's no need to be so formal," Tang Xiaohu said, standing up.

"Xiao Hu is right. Besides, Brigade Commander, if it weren't for you raising this unit, our land would have been occupied by the Japanese long ago."

"That Shanxi king, Yan Laoxi, is unreliable!"

Everyone spoke frankly and respectfully, their words revealing their trust and reverence for Tang Weiguo.

"You're all right, I was just being polite," Tang Weiguo said with a smile.

"Alright, enough of this small talk. Now, Deputy Brigade Commander Zhang will explain the mission for this operation." Tang Weiguo looked at Zhang Haoshan, who was standing to the side.

"Yes, Brigade Commander." Zhang Haoshan then stood up and walked to the map.

"Our target this time is Lingshui County, near the border of Xiaoqingshan and Wolongshan." Zhang Haoshan pointed to Lingshui County on the map with a long pole.

"We currently only have one route connecting us to Qingshan County," Zhang Haoshan said, pointing with his pole.

"Once the Japanese launch an attack from Lingshui County, they will cut off our connection with Xiaoqingshan, thus dividing and encircling us. Therefore, we plan to take the initiative and launch an attack on Lingshui County when the Japanese are not paying attention."

"Once we capture Lingshui County, we will form a triangular area with Wolong Mountain, Lingshui County, and Qingshan County, so that we can support each other from all sides."

"Attack the county seat, that's great!"

"It's definitely a major operation."

"When the brigade commander makes a move, he doesn't act at all; but when he does, he takes down an entire county."

Upon hearing Deputy Brigade Commander Zhang's operational plan, everyone became incredibly excited, as if they had been injected with adrenaline, saying they couldn't wait to go to the battlefield the next day.

"Everyone, please be quiet and let Deputy Brigade Commander Zhang continue," Tang Weiguo gestured for everyone to quiet down.

Hearing Tang Weiguo's words, everyone quieted down and continued listening to Zhang Haoshan.