Chapter 38: The Legendary Horse Bandit

  The road back was finally a bit easier, with some adaptation to going first, the warriors also started to get used to it.

  These ordinary people seem to be in no hurry to go home, with smiles on their faces that can be seen everywhere.

  It is clear that this time's harvest has made the common people very happy.

  Maybe their demands are not many, just hoping to make some money, and guaranteeing a family's expenses is enough.

  Every business deal is a hair-raising experience for them, but in the face of life's pressures, they have no other choice.

  Now that they have Yang Junran's troops, they don't have to worry about anything anymore.

  "Commander Yang, this is a token of our goodwill. Please accept it." A commoner held out a pouch filled with the sound of silver coins.

  Looking at the satisfied faces of the villagers, Yang Junran waved his hand and said: "Fellow countrymen, listen to me, you don't make money easily either. You can support us with some food, we are already very grateful for that. Doing something within our power for you is also what we should do. Our troops have also been trained through this."

  The common people hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond.

  "Go back and take a good rest, we will rush back overnight." Yang Junran smiled and said to the people.

  The common people sighed and walked away to one side.

  Qin Litian looked at Yang Junran and nodded in satisfaction.

  As a miscellaneous army born, Qin Litian naturally knows the benefits of getting along with the people. The young commander in front of him is obviously doing very well.

  The Second Squad had hardly ever taken action with Yang Junran from its establishment to the present, but this time's action made the officers of the Second Squad admire Yang Junran very much.

  "Deputy commander, this time our troops have exposed many problems. We need to train well when we get back." An officer walked over and said to Qin Litian.

  Qin Litian smiled and walked over in the direction of Yang Junran's place in the distance.

  "Commander, have something to eat." Qin Litian walked over and called out to Yang Junran.

  Yang Junran took a look at Qin Litian and took over the dry food in Qin Litian's hand and started eating.

  The troops of the Second Brigade have already taken up defensive positions around the perimeter, and three battalions of infantry have begun constructing simple fieldworks.

  The machine gun battalion has occupied the nearby high ground to prevent any unexpected occurrence.

  Although everyone was very tired, they didn't dare to be careless at all.

  Twenty tanks were deployed around Yang Junran.

  Yang Junran sat on the ground and slowly started eating.

  All around was quiet, and the weather on the grassland became even colder.

  Under the moonlight, it seemed as if every face had a frost on it.

  Gradually, horseshoes sounded in the distance.

  The warriors around quickly sounded the alarm, and the ten Type 92 heavy machine guns of the machine gun battalion quickly made preparations.

  The tank also received instructions, and the tank gunner quickly adjusted the machine gun, preparing to fire.

  The common people were somewhat flustered, occasionally looking out into the distance.

  "Take cover and get out of the way, prepare for battle!" Yang Junran shouted loudly.

  Several officers quickly walked towards the civilians and directed them to take cover.

  The warriors around had made preparations and were staring intently into the distance.

  The sound of horseshoes stopped, and the surroundings gradually quieted down.

  But Yang Junran had a feeling that danger was still lurking around.

  Suddenly, hoofbeats came from all around, and they were very loud.

  "It's not good, it's a bandit." Someone in the crowd shouted loudly.

  Yang Junran quickly pulled out a formal rifle and began aiming at a distance.

  Horses gradually appeared, but the people on horseback wore all sorts of clothing.

  The "Tutu" light machine gun fired rapidly, and flames began to spew out in all directions.

  Many of the bandits in the distance quickly hid, and some even bent their bodies to lean on the horse's back.

  The machine gun's firepower was strong, but the bandits' skills were quite formidable, and a number of them actually dodged the bullets.

  "Heavy machine gun, fire!" Yang Junran shouted loudly as he watched the horses getting closer and closer to him.

  The Type 92 heavy machine gun fired rapidly, with huge flames shooting towards the bandits.

  At the same time as the heavy machine guns were firing, the mortar battalion nearby also started firing.

  Shells began exploding all around the horses, and the 94-shiki 90mm mortar shells still packed quite a punch.

  Many horses were injured and lay on the ground moaning in pain.

  But Ma Fei did not intend to stop attacking and kept charging towards here.

  They had been eyeing this troop before, and now they wouldn't let go of the civilians who had a lot of money on hand.

  But they underestimated the strength of Yang Junran's troops, which apparently caused their failure.

  A bald-headed man in the distance, wearing a Japanese military uniform, with a scar on his face that is particularly eye-catching.

  If you mention Hei Lao Ba's name in this area, I'm afraid everyone will be shocked.

  This is a notorious horse thief, whether it's Japanese or civilians, Hei Lao Ba has never let go.

  Hei Lao Ba's reputation is very great, because every time he finishes washing and plundering, he will kill all the people.

  "Bring those few cannons over to me, this time let them see our real strength." Hei Lao Ba touched his own bald head and shouted loudly.

  Several bandits quickly ran towards the back and in a short while, the Type 92 infantry gun was pushed to Hei Lao Ba's side by the bandits.

  "Fire, give me a good beating." Hei Lao Ba shouted loudly.

  Under Hei Lao Ba's command, the infantry guns fired rapidly.

  Shells began exploding all around, although no casualties were inflicted on the soldiers, but it reminded Yang Junran.

  "The machine gun squad's infantry guns are concentrated and fired." Yang Junran shouted loudly to Qin Litian, who was not far from him.

  Qin Litian heard and quickly ran away to one side.

  In a short while, the nine infantry guns of the three battalions concentrated and fired at the bandit's artillery.

  With the sound of gunfire, six Type 92 infantry guns of the bandits were hit, two of which were concentrated by shells, causing the gun barrels to bend.

  Hei Lao Ba's face was not good, with a look of anger staring at the troops in the distance.

  "Which unit is this from? How dare they not give me face?" Hei Lao Ba said to the person beside him.

  One of the bandits hesitated for a moment, as if recalling something.

  "Boss, isn't that the National Army's guerrilla force? They've been making a big splash lately. I heard the Japanese have suffered quite a bit at their hands." Ma Fei said to Hei Laoba, looking puzzled.

  Hei Lao Ba furrowed his brow and said to Ma Fei beside him, "Let the brothers retreat, I'll go talk to them, we can't just lose so much for nothing."

  Ma Fei nodded and immediately rode his horse forward at a gallop.

  Yang Junran was about to launch a tank attack when he found that the enemy cavalry had stopped their assault.

  Before long, several bandits carrying a white flag walked over, and Hei Lao Ba's bald head was particularly eye-catching.

  "Call your officer over, our boss wants to see him." One of the bandits shouted loudly, pointing at the soldiers on the battlefield.

  The warriors were somewhat resentful, they were regular troops after all, how could they be intimidated by these bandits.

  With a "crack", the white flag in the bandit's hand was broken off.

  Hei Lao Ba's eyebrows were tightly furrowed, and he loudly shouted at the opposing side: "Trouble brothers, let your officer come out for a moment, I Hei Lao Ba have something to discuss with him."

  Upon hearing Hei Lao Ba's shout, many of the new recruits on the training ground began to hesitate, and some even put away their rifles.

  "Commander, the bandit leader opposite us is requesting to see you." A lieutenant ran up beside Yang Junran and said.

  Yang Junran smiled and adjusted his uniform, saying: "I'll go take a look."

  Qin Litian was somewhat worried and quickly followed behind Yang Junran.

  Hei Lao Ba saw a young man walking towards him from across the street, and his expression suddenly became somewhat disdainful.

  When he saw Yang Junran come to his side, Hei Lao Ba did not dismount.

  "This officer, report your name and title, so we can meet again in the future." Hei Lao Ba had a pleased expression on his face, as if he was talking to one of his younger brothers.

  Yang Junran has already seen that since this person reported his own name, many new recruits are somewhat afraid.

  Although Yang Junran knew that these bandits were not good people, he had to be tough at this moment.

  "Black Lao Ba, I don't care how you were in the past, but after I arrived, you have to behave and follow rules, otherwise don't blame me for being impolite. Others may fear your majesty, but I'm not putting you in my eyes." Yang Junran said coldly while looking at Black Lao Ba.

  Hei Lao Ba looked at the young military officer in front of him, and his heart was filled with indignation.

  How many years have I been here, let alone the young people in front of me, whether they are Chinese or Japanese, can give themselves a few faces. Now this young man is so arrogant, making Hei Lao Ba want to kill someone.

  "Listen up, kid. I'm telling you, this is my turf. If you're smart and leave the money behind, I might let you off easy. Otherwise, you're not leaving here today." Hei Lao Ba's face was ablaze with anger as he pointed his whip at Yang Junran.

  On the position in the back, several battalion commanders have made preparations for battle.

  This army of over 3,000 people is not afraid of these bandits at all. As long as they dare to act, these light and heavy machine guns are not vegetarian.

  "Sir, Black Old Eight has many people under his command, I've heard over two thousand. I think it's better to just give them some money and make friends with them." A civilian walked up, holding a large sum of money, apparently wanting to use wealth to resolve the situation here.

  The faces of several battalion commanders were somewhat unhappy, and their own strength was apparently underestimated by these civilians.

  "Don't worry, these bandits are no match for us. If they dare to come, we'll have horse meat for dinner tonight." A lieutenant colonel waved his weapon and said to the civilians.

  The faces of the people were still somewhat fearful, but seeing the face of the lieutenant colonel, they could only helplessly turn back.