Chapter 5: Turbulent Changes

  On the road to Zunhua from Lengkou, a cavalry team of the 29th Army was galloping, with about seven or eight people in sight, all wearing gray military uniforms and red armbands on their right arms, which could be identified as the communication squad of the 29th Army.

  Several people crouched on horseback, the whips in their hands constantly lashing at the beloved horses they normally pampered and couldn't bear to touch. The warhorses were in pain, neighing loudly, their hooves flying as they galloped like crazy wind across mountain ridges and over streams.

  In front of it is another 90-degree turn, and after turning over the cliff, not far away is a three-forked road. The left one leads to Zunhua, while the right one leads to Jizhou.

  The war horse panted rapidly, white mist constantly spewing from its mouth and dissipating in the air, but its speed remained unabated as it nimbly turned around the mountain bend.

  "Alas!"

  The leading cavalry suddenly pulled the reins, and the huge force lifted the horse's front hooves. The horse body rotated half a circle in the air before stopping. The cavalry behind almost simultaneously pulled the reins, skillfully stopping the horses.

  "Squad leader, what's wrong?" A soldier spurred his horse forward a few steps and asked in a low voice.

  The head of the communications squad raised his head, pointed to the front with his chin, and snorted: "You see for yourself, it seems that the little Japanese don't want us to deliver this letter, our communications squad is in trouble!"

  The warrior lifted his head and looked over, involuntarily taking a cold breath.

  In front of the fork in the road, a team of Japanese soldiers wearing khaki uniforms stood in a line, looking like there were around 70 or 80 people, blocking the already narrow mountain path. The infantrymen stood at the front, while four grenade launcher operators crouched behind them, their dark muzzles aimed forward.

  Japanese soldiers also found the signal corps troops who had just turned a bend, dozens of Type 38 Arisaka rifles were raised, their bayonets glinting in the snow as they took aim.

  "Squad leader, what should we do?" the soldier asked aloud.

  The squad leader sneered and looked at the Japanese soldiers not far away: "What can we do? Those little devils, after charging over, you guys follow me to stay behind and block the enemy. Shunzi and Dahuo will split up to go to Yunzhou and Jizhou. Remember, even if it's death, you must deliver the letter to the military department and the brigade commander for me. Got it?"

  "Understood!" The two warriors nodded.

  Brush pulled out the cavalry sword from his waist, and the head of the communication squad shouted loudly, riding a horse to charge at the Japanese soldiers. Seven or eight cavalrymen behind him also drew their swords, riding horses closely following.

  Japanese infantrymen charged with bayonets drawn.

  "Kill!"

  In the blink of an eye, both sides collided, the cavalrymen's sabers flying up and down, Japanese soldiers fell to the ground one by one, blood spraying in the air, as if a red rain had fallen.

  In a matter of seconds, the cavalry communication squad broke out of the encirclement by the Japanese army. In that brief moment, three cavalrymen had fallen under the enemy's bayonets. Including him, there were only six cavalrymen left.

  The head of the communication team wiped the fresh blood from his face and urged loudly: "Shunzi, you guys, why aren't you leaving yet?"

  "Go!" The two warriors turned back to look at their squad leader, with tears in their eyes, urging their horses to gallop up the two diverging roads, rushing towards their respective destinations.

  From behind came a loud shout from the platoon leader: "Brothers, kill!"

  Two minutes later, when the silhouettes of the two signal soldiers disappeared between the mountains, the battlefield quieted down.

  The squad leader lay on his back on the mountain road, with a broken bayonet stuck in his chest, his hands still tightly grasping the neck of a Japanese soldier, dozens of wounds all over his body.

  The bodies of a communications squad soldier and more than ten Japanese soldiers lay beside me!

  ……

  Ji Zhou City Dule Temple, 29th Army 109 Brigade brigade department entrance.

  A swift horse came galloping from afar, with a person bent over on its back, quickly arriving at the temple gate and rushing straight inside.

  "Halt!" The sentry shouted loudly, stretching out his hand to grab the reins of the war horse, blocking it at the gate.

  The cavalryman on the warhorse was motionless, the sentry walked up and touched him with his hand, his body had already turned cold, two wounds on his back, the blood had all congealed, the cavalryman's eyes were wide open, his hands tightly grasping the horse's neck.

  "Report to the commander at once!" The sentry shouted into the tent as soon as he saw the dispatch case on the cavalryman's back.

  Soon, a chaotic footsteps came from the door, Zhao Dengyu and Qin Yang walked out in big strides with a group of people. They arrived in front of the sentry.

  "What's going on?"

  The sentinel handed over a blood-soaked mail bag and whispered, "It's the communication soldier of the Cold Mouth Cavalry Regiment. He has sacrificed!"

  Zhao Dengyu was taken aback and asked, "Then how did he send it over?"

  "He untied his leg bindings and tied himself to the horse's back, letting the warhorse run over on its own!"

  Everyone fell silent for a while. Zhao Dengyu took off his military cap and saluted the communications soldier who was lying on the ground with wide eyes.

  Qin Yang and others behind him also raised their right hands, paying their most sincere respects to this ordinary soldier.

  In the hall, Zhao Dengyu furrowed his brow and stood with his back to the crowd who were passing around the battle report.

  The news from the front line is not optimistic, the Japanese army has occupied the LAMA cave line, and the 119th division of the first army group under Xuezhong's command and the second army group under Shangzhen's command have retreated to Lengkou and Chengde. The 106th division under Shenke's command was dispersed while advancing towards LAMA cave, and the enemy has occupied Lingnan and Lingyuan. Many soldiers retreated to Lengkou, causing chaos and trouble for Wang Changhai's 217th regiment stationed there. Moreover, Deputy Commander He Jishan analyzed that the Japanese army may launch a fierce attack on Xifengkou and Gubeikou in the near future to open up the passage to North China. Therefore, it is hoped that the 29th Army Headquarters and its subordinate combat units will prepare for a hard battle.

  Thinking of this, Zhao Dengyu looked at Qin Yang sitting on the edge of the table, lost in thought and speechless, admiring him for having anticipated today's situation a year ago.

  Everyone finished reading the battle report and handed it back to Zhao Dengyu, returning to their respective seats. Zhao Dengyu asked: "You've all read the battle report, what are your opinions?"

  Chief of Staff Li Yinghao stood up and said: "What's there to say, since he's rushing over, let's fight it out! Assemble the troops immediately and rush to Xifengkou!"

  Qin Yang glanced at Li Ying and said, "Director Li, this plan won't work. The Jifengkou area is currently guarded by Wan Fulin's troops, while our defensive zone is along the Zunhua-Jixian line. If we move there without authorization, we'll likely be held accountable, not only will it bring no benefits, but also lead to unfavorable consequences."

  Zhao Dengyu also nodded: "Yes, Wan Fulin is a narrow-minded person with a strong desire for revenge, but he's good at flattering and has won the favor of his superiors. If we go there rashly, he might even think we're trying to steal his credit!"

  Li Ying heard this and sat down helplessly: "What can we do?"

  Qin Yang smiled: "General Li doesn't need to worry, General Zhang of the Beiping Military Region also understands Wan Fulin's abilities. The responsibility for defending the Great Wall is heavy, and I believe that an order will come down soon to let us replace Wan Fulin in defending Xifengkou. So now we should seize the time to reorganize our troops, make the army prepare for battle, and appropriately advance towards Xifengkou to make preparations!"

  Qin Yang thought that due to the Mengjialing garrison's retreat without a fight, the Japanese army easily occupied the Koumen array and took advantage of the favorable terrain to seize the high ground of the Great Wall in the northeast corner of Xifengkou. To retake this commanding height, the 29th Army sacrificed many brave soldiers. If possible, he hoped to minimize losses, so he decided to remind Zhao Dengyu to prepare early and try to arrive there before the Mengzi Ridge position was lost.

  "Good!" Zhao Dengyu slapped the table and stood up: "I order, 109th Brigade 218th Regiment to depart immediately to Xingcheng Town, make preparations to replace Wan Fulin's troops defending the Great Wall at any time, wait for my command!

  Tong Jingying responded with a "yes" and hurriedly went back to tidy up the troops!

  At this moment, a messenger rushed in from outside the door and handed a command to Zhao Dengyu. Zhao Dengyu unfolded it and excitedly told Qin Yang: "The 29th Army Headquarters and the 37th Division Commander Feng have issued an order, asking our 109th Brigade Commander Wang Changhai to rush to Xifengkou immediately to replace Wan Fulin's defense against the Japanese army's attack, and at the same time, the division's special operations battalion will also be transferred over for us to command. The troops stationed in Lengkou, led by He Jishan, will return with their cavalry regiment to build fortifications in Xingcheng Town and Santunying area, making preparations to counterattack!"

  Upon hearing this news, Qin Yang couldn't help but let out a sigh: "Alas, it seems I'm still one step too late!"

  The wheels of history are moving forward slowly and steadily. Qin Yang's first attempt failed, but he will not give up his efforts...

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  Starting from the next chapter, the Battle of Xifengkou is about to erupt. Those who like to see big knives chopping ghosts can go and take a look! Everyone clicks on recommendations and collections, I express my gratitude here!