Chapter 53: Borrowing Troops

  From being captured to regaining freedom, it was only over thirty hours, but Peng Youming had a feeling of being in a different world. He didn't know where the underground organization he led went wrong or why the Japanese suddenly released him.

  It wasn't until Yamashita Keigo removed his blindfold and saw the made-up Wei Xiangdong in front of him that he suddenly realized.

  The whole process of the exchange went very smoothly, Yamashita Kengo didn't make any small movements, and after receiving Takahashi Nobuyuki, Yatou Fei and Zhang Luohui, he immediately drove away.

  Peng Youming was taken to Gengji Town by Wei Xiangdong, Yan Xiwen and others.

  "Xiao Wei, your elder brother may be in trouble!" Peng Youming made this judgment after hearing Wei Dong's statement.

  Regarding Gao Qiaoxin's situation, Peng Youming learned about it from Wei Xiangdong. Like Yan Xiwen, he also trusted Gao Qiaoxin quite a bit. Take Wei Xiangdong for example, an iron-clad traitor would absolutely not help someone suspected of being a communist, even if that person had a close relationship with him. Especially this time, Gao Qiaoxin really risked his life to rescue him through a hostage exchange, risking being caught by Yamashita Kōsuke. Peng Youming confirmed in his heart the nature of Gao Qiaoxin's friendship.

  Wei Xiangdong also vaguely felt that there were some problems, but he couldn't make sense of them. So when Peng Youming raised the question, Wei Xiangdong appeared very anxious: "I have a bad feeling too, Secretary Peng, what are you thinking?"

  Peng Youming said: "Our liaison points in Xuzhou were all taken out by the Little Devils at once, four of them. I carefully analyzed it, and these four liaison points were all places you had been to. At first, I suspected that Takahashi was behind it, but now it seems that it shouldn't be him."

  Wei Dong was shocked and said: "Could it be Shan Xia Jing Wu?"

  Peng Youming nodded and said, "My analysis is also Yamashita Keigo. He should have discovered your secret of faking death. I think Yamashita Keigo has doubts about Takahashi Makoto."

  Wei Dong said: "If so, why did Yamashita Kōsuke still agree to exchange hostages?"

  Peng Youming replied, "For those who do underground work, once exposed, they lose their value. Yamashita Tomoyuki can sense that I won't surrender to him, which means continuing to detain me will only result in wasting another bullet. However, exchanging Higashi Nobuo is different because Yamashita Tomoyuki still doesn't know if Higashi has any other accomplices within the Japanese military system. Digging out Higashi's accomplices is a top priority for Yamashita."

  Wei Dong suddenly realized and said: "Isn't Gao Da Ge jumping into the net himself?"

  Peng Youming nodded silently.

  Wei Dong said: "Unless I go inform Gao Ge, and let him withdraw? I think now Gao Ge still has the opportunity to withdraw."

  Peng Youming's expression was painful, he said: "If Mr. Gao withdraws now, what about those treasures? Are we just going to give them away to the Japanese for nothing? Even if we're willing, Mr. Gao wouldn't be willing either! Think about it, why did he take the risk of revealing the ancient tomb treasure? Isn't it because he wants us to come up with a way to get our hands on those treasures?"

  Wei Dong buried his head deep in his arms.

  "Go find Ye Tufei! Now the only one who can protect Mr. Gao is Ye Tufei." Peng Youming thought of this legendary figure he had only met once, "At the same time, try to send him some ammunition, I think at a critical moment, his team will play a crucial role."

  Just then, Yan Xiwen came in. He greeted the two of them and picked up a teacup from the table, drinking the remaining half cup of water in one gulp. Putting down the teacup, he said to Peng Youming: "Secretary Peng, I just received some news."

  Peng Youming interrupted Yan Xiwen with good intentions, saying: "Old Yan, it's not that I'm criticizing you, but you should also pay attention to your living habits. Aren't you always complaining about your stomach being bad? Can this leftover tea from last night still be drunk?"

  Wei Dongxiang smiled and interjected: "Director Yan's stomach problems only act up when he drinks, normally his stomach is fine!"

  Yan Xiwen waved his hand at the two of them and said, "Don't interrupt, listen to me. The Japanese have increased their troops at Jiajia's place, at least by one squadron. It looks like they're preparing to move that batch of treasures somewhere else."

  "Wei Dong said: "Transfer? Where does little Japan want to transfer its treasure?"

  Yan Xiwen replied irritably: "Where else can we move? Xuzhou City!"

  If that treasure was really moved to Xuzhou City by the Little Japanese, then it would be troublesome. Xuzhou City is garrisoned by a full-strength Type B division of the Japanese army, and although the Type B division is inferior to the Type A division in terms of numbers, equipment, and individual combat skills, its combat effectiveness is still far superior to that of China's armed forces. Taking down Jiajiawang may be difficult, but there is still hope; taking down Xuzhou City?

  Peng Youming didn't dare imagine it and started pacing back and forth in the house.

  "Hey, Old Peng, aren't you annoying? You're swaying back and forth and making me dizzy. By the way, are your injuries okay?" Yan Xiwen grabbed Peng Youming and forcibly pressed him into his seat. "You just sit here properly now, what we need is your brain, not your legs!"

  Peng Youming sat down, waiting for Yan Xiwen to relax his grip, he unconsciously stood up again, walking and saying: "Absolutely cannot let the little Japanese move this batch of treasures into Xuzhou City, must seize this batch of treasures before the little Japanese acts!"

  When Peng Youming walked up to Wei Xiangdong, he suddenly stopped and stared at Wei Xiangdong, asking: "How many troops can we gather now?"

  Wei Dong replied, "Our big team has more than 200 people. The Eighth Route Army in Yimeng Mountain can support our two battalions of troops. In addition to our local armed forces, we should have around 1,200 or 1,300 people."

  Peng Youming shook his head and said, "This force is not enough! The Japanese have stationed three companies of troops in Jiajia Bay, to take down Jiajia Bay, at least two regiments are needed!"

  Yan Xiwen then gave Peng Youming hope, saying: "After lunch, I'll go find Han Hongxun. In the National Army, my relationship with him was not bad. This old Han is also a straightforward fellow. Borrowing a regiment from him shouldn't be a problem."

  Wei Dong stared with wide eyes, expressing his doubt: "Borrow troops from the Guomindang? Yan Zhengwei, have you gone mad?"

  Yan Xiwen brushed aside Wei's outstretched hand and said, "Get lost! What's wrong with the National Army? Even if we weren't cooperating with the Communists now, we're all Chinese, fighting against the little Japanese together, taking back our treasures. What's the problem?"

  Peng Youming also supported Yan Xiwen's opinion, saying: "Do it according to Lao Yan's method, if there is a problem, I Peng Youming will take responsibility."

  Han Hongxun's camp was about 200 miles away from Gengji Town, and Yan Xiwen specially found a fast horse and arrived at Han Hongxun's camp before sunset.

  Han Hongxun was delighted to visit his old friends, and with the New Year approaching, he ordered his men to hurry up and prepare wine. He wanted to have a good drink with his old brothers and reminisce about old times. Although it was still at least an hour before the troops finished their meal.

  Accompanying Yan Xiwen in drinking and eating were also Han Hongxun's sworn brothers, his chief of staff and the commanders of three regiments under him.

  "Come on, come on! Magistrate Yan is not an outsider. You guys have also benefited from his kindness in the past. Today, let's brothers have a good drink together and not stop until we're drunk!" Han Hongxun excitedly invited his brothers to take their seats.

  Han Hongxun was from the Northwest Army, and his old superior was Chi Fengcheng, the commander of the 31st Division of the Second Army Group, who fought out the prestige of the Chinese army in Taierzhuang. At that time, Han Hongxun was only a deputy regimental commander, but the battle of Taierzhuang was too hard for the 31st Division, and one regimental commander was killed and two were seriously injured. Han Hongxun was first promoted to regimental commander by Chi Fengcheng for his bravery in battle.

  Afterwards, Mr. Chiang put forward the strategic idea of attacking the Japanese from behind, requiring all troops to organize elite soldiers and strong generals, infiltrate into the enemy's rear, learn from the Communist Party, play a role on the battlefield in the enemy's rear, and pin down the Japanese army. This idea was unthinkable for KMT officers, so although there were orders from above, there was no response from below.

  At this time, Han Hongxun stepped forward. He took the risk and established an armed force that dared to penetrate deep into the enemy's rear. This armed force was initially just a little stronger than a regiment. When Han Hongxun miraculously stood firm in the enemy's rear, his superiors saw his value and equipped him with the best weapons and ammunition, while expanding the formation into a brigade.

  Han Hongxun was naturally appointed as the commander of the brigade.

  His four sworn brothers were all fellow villagers who wore military uniforms with Han Hongxun back in the day. After more than a decade of fighting, only five of them were left from that batch of enlisted villagers.

  After Han Hongxun invited his brothers to sit down, he introduced Yan Xiwen again: the chief of staff was surnamed Wang and named Shaofeng, the first battalion commander was surnamed Zheng and named Dazhu, the second battalion commander was surnamed Huang and named He, and the third battalion commander was Han Hongxun's own brother, Han Hongjie.

  Han Hongxun introduced himself on this side, while Yan Xiwen exchanged pleasantries on that side.

  Yan Xiwen was not familiar with Han Hongxun's brothers, but they were very familiar with Yan Xiwen. During the Battle of Taierzhuang, as a senior staff officer in the headquarters of the 5th War Zone Commander-in-Chief, Yan Xiwen had helped their eldest brother a lot, and this kindness would be remembered by these Northwesterners for a lifetime.

  So, before three rounds of drinks were over, everyone became familiar with each other and no longer called Yan Xiwen "Officer Yan", but instead called him "Big Brother Yan".

  Two catties of strong liquor had gone down their throats, and everyone was in high spirits. Han Hongxun began to talk business.

  "Yan, old brother! Nowadays you and our brothers don't wear the same clothes anymore. Speak up, what brings you here this time? Is there something that needs my help? Just say it, as long as I, Old Han, can do it, it's a done deal."

  Yan Xiwen calmly drank their fourth cup of wine with the chief advisor before responding to Han Hongxun, "Your territory is not far from Jiajia Wang's, have you heard any stories about what happened on his side?"

  Han Hongxun burst out laughing and said: "I figured your elder brother came for this very reason. To be honest, I was just thinking of going to find you about this matter."

  Yan Xiwen pretended to be stupid and said: "Looking for me? What's up?"