Chapter Six: Going to the Front Line

  When Lang Yiwu returned to the base with the joy of his first battle, Yuan Shijiang had already changed into a new military uniform and bandaged his wound. He was studying an old military map on a table with Cheng Ziqiang.

  Jian Lang also returned with Wen, and Yuan Shijiang hastily asked: "Just now I heard the sound of gunfire on the mountain, how was it? Did you catch that bastard?"

  Lang Yiwu said, "Report to the captain, that Japanese devil is quite cunning and his marksmanship isn't bad either. He injured two of my brothers, but he was also wounded. Unfortunately, he escaped. I'm afraid he has accomplices, so I've left two brothers to guard each place."

  Yuan Shijiang was slightly disappointed, but at this time when using people, it's not good to ask too much. He said: "Lang Shaowei has worked hard, come over and let's study together. Zi Qiang, you introduce the situation first."

  Cheng Ziqiang said: "Just now, we contacted the instructor's department, and the instructor said that the conflict has already escalated completely, which means that a real battle is going on. The instructor ordered us to occupy this place immediately." His hand pointed at the map: "Dongyang Bridge, the Japanese call it Morita Bridge, this is the only bridge within dozens of miles that can drive cars. Our mission is to control this bridge and cover the retreat of officials and civilians in the coastal area. Dongyang Bridge is currently guarded by a team of Japanese overseas Chinese volunteer troops, but there are no more than 20 people. After clearing up just now, there are still 87 soldiers who can fight, although two ammunition depots were destroyed by artillery fire, the weapons are still relatively sufficient. We found that the underground warehouse stored a large number of Slovak-made 65 automatic rifles and ammunition, which is much stronger than the "old golden hook" in our hands. In addition, there are several 7.62mm Slovak rotating light machine guns and water-cooled heavy machine guns, as well as an 81MM mortar. We have the advantage in both manpower and firepower, and it should be no problem to occupy and control Dongyang Bridge on time."

  "Uh-huh." Yuan Shijiang added, "This place is a bit far from Dongyang Bridge, and there are Japanese spies lurking around, it's not safe. Once we engage with the Japanese, this place as a supply base is a bit too far. However, there are still several trucks in the warehouse, and earlier the warehouse soldier reported that although Assistant Warehouse Officer Lieutenant Huang was killed, but some of the drivers from the Base Motorcade survived. We must bring along enough resources to establish a supply base near Dongyang Bridge. Also, Lieutenant, the surviving military police and soldiers who participated in the elimination of Japanese spies must be assigned to the grassroots level as officers, otherwise this team can't fight, we lack too many officers and non-commissioned officers."

  Yuan Shijiang finished saying all this in one breath, and stole a glance at Cheng Ziqiang with his eyes. The latter nodded in approval, apparently Yuan Shijiang's words were all temporarily supplemented by Cheng Ziqiang.

  At this time, the distant rumble of gunfire still came from afar, and it was clear that the Japanese army was still continuously shelling various military strongholds of the Chinese army.

  The warehouse soldiers at the 920 base did not all die in the shelling, because there were no less than dozens of types of infantry ammunition in the warehouse, with different calibers, and even for the same caliber, there were distinctions between pointed-head bullets, round-head bullets, light bullets, and heavy bullets. Some were not universally applicable. Ordinary soldiers, due to lack of training, couldn't tell them apart at all.

  There was another problem, the only mortar found in the warehouse was 81MM, but the ammunition found was actually 82MM. However, Cheng Ziqiang still ordered all the mortar shells to be loaded onto the truck, after all, they were also precious war resources. In addition, he also ordered a large amount of explosives and detonators to be installed on the vehicle.

  "Deputy officer Cheng, these are yours." Lang Yiweng walked over with a smile, accompanied by a military policeman who was holding a set of military uniforms, on top of which were the two handguns that had been confiscated when they first caught the deserters.

  Cheng Ziqiang smiled slightly, changed into his military uniform, but didn't wear the epaulets. Instead, he pulled off the copper stars from the epaulets and pinned them on the upper pocket of his jacket. Then he said to the first sergeant: "Go find me a soldier's cap."

  Lang Yiwu was puzzled: "Deputy Commander Cheng, what's going on...?"

  Cheng Ziqiang laughed and said: "During the European War, I don't know how many officers were blocked by the enemy because of their big hats, all because of these glittering stars."

  "Oh..." Lang Yiwu suddenly realized, took off his own big brimmed hat and said to Shang Shi: "Go find me a soldier's combat helmet too... also find one for Lieutenant Colonel Yuan."

  Cheng Ziqiang said to Lang Yiwu again: "Just now I saw that there were still many constabulary uniforms and helmets in the clothing warehouse, bring them too, they might be useful."

  Lang also made a witty remark and bowed, then turned around and left.

  Just as he finished dealing with these matters, Yuan Shijiang arrived on the other side with his guards, Cao Tou She and Liu Cuicui and her mother.

  "To be honest, this military uniform suits you more than it does me." Yuan Shijiang said with a smile.

  Liu Cuicui saw Cheng Ziqiang, who had changed into his military uniform, and her eyes lit up. Indeed, clothes make the man, this uniform seemed to add a few more points of heroism to him.

  Cheng Ziqiang saluted and said: "I thought I wouldn't have to wear a military uniform for the rest of my life."

  "This is called the uncertainty of life." Yuan Shijiang awkwardly returned the courtesy and said "How's that, are you all ready?"

  "We'll be departing in five minutes." Cheng Ziqiang said, "According to plan, Lieutenant Lang Yiwu and I will lead thirty men to launch a surprise attack on Dongyang Bridge first. Major, you'll bring the main force to provide support."

  Yuan Shijiang nodded and said, "Thanks to you, otherwise I really wouldn't know how to fight." Turning around, he found that Liu Cuicui's gaze at Cheng Ziqiang was not quite right, so he smiled and said, "It seems I should leave you two alone for a few minutes, haha."

  "No need," said Cheng Ziqiang, handing over a Mauser pistol to Cao Toushe and saying: "I believe you know how to use this thing, take them mother and son to the countryside."

  Liu Cuicui wanted to speak but hesitated, only feeling her eyes burning hot. Cheng Ziqiang smiled slightly, suddenly stepped forward, covered Liu Cuicui's eyes with his hand, bent down and lightly kissed her lips, then released his hand and retreated a few steps, shrugging his shoulders.

  A grass-headed snake smiled and said to Liu Cuicui, "So you really have a good hand."

  If it were usual, Liu Cuicui would certainly scold angrily: Go to death! But this time Liu Cuicui actually covered her mouth with her hand, a coquettish attitude of a little woman who wanted to speak but was too shy.

  Cheng Ziqiang waved his hand at everyone, turned around and ran a few steps, jumped onto an army vehicle, and the army vehicle sped away.

  Liu Cuicui stood there in a daze, one hand holding her son and the other gently touching her lips, muttering: "He's gone just like that..."

  The grass head snake knew that his joke was not right, so he comforted her and said: "It's okay, he is a person who has seen the world, he will come back, and he will take you to be a young lady, and then you can just wait for happiness."

  Xiao Dezi has been a bit dazed since the bombing started, and with his eyes covered by a handkerchief, he doesn't know what happened earlier.

  Yuan Shijiang saw the look of life and death separation on everyone's face, so he deliberately smiled and said: "Grass head snake! I'll also give you a retirement certificate, then hurry up and take Cuicui away, I'm going to the front line too, lest you be caught by the military police again."