Chapter 55: Strength in Numbers

  In the mountain area, Zhou Yulan's bedroom.

  Although the decoration here is not luxurious, it is very clean.

  Simple and clean bed, neatly arranged with bedding.

  On the dressing table beside it, there was no rouge or powder, only several different styles of handguns.

  Zhou Yulan has forgotten for many years and hasn't dressed herself up anymore.

  Sitting on the chair, Zhou Yulan stared at a distance, somewhat dazed.

  She had never had such emotions before and would not miss any man.

  However, in recent days, Zhou Yulan's mind has been filled with Yang Junran's figure.

  The people in the distance have already started their busy day. In the azure sky, a few white clouds float about, adding some color to it.

  Zhou Yulan's mood became even more confused, she didn't know how to deal with the current situation.

  She knew Meng Yumei liked Yang Junran, and as the elder sister, she would never compete with her own younger sister for this man.

  Although she and Meng Yumei Chen Qiaoru are not biological sisters, many years of sharing life and death have made the three women closer than flesh and blood.

  "Sister, something's wrong." Chen Qiao's voice had already come in from outside.

  Zhou Yulan hastily tidied up her dressing table and placed a mirror on it.

  Chen Qieru had pushed open the door and walked over, seeing Zhou Yulan's face without any cover.

  Although Chen Qiaoru often accompanied Zhou Yuluan, it was rare for her to see her without any covering on her face.

  Even Chen Qiaoer was a beautiful woman, but when she saw Zhou Yulan, her face also showed some shock.

  A fair complexion, a small mouth like a cherry, this is what makes Chen Qiao Ru reveal the jealousy that a woman should have.

  "Sister, you're really too beautiful. If that Yang kid saw you like this, he'd definitely be drooling all over the place. I've seen him staring at you a few times already." Chen Qiao walked over, clearly having forgotten about the original matter.

  Zhou Yulan smiled and covered her face with a black veil on the table, saying: "Don't talk nonsense, it's not good to say something."

  Chen Qieru suddenly remembered something and said seriously: "A large number of Japanese troops have arrived in Duolun County, and Second Sister personally sent someone back to transmit the intelligence. However, it seems that this time they are not targeting us. A small group of Japanese troops has already been dispatched to Yang's place, apparently investigating something."

  Zhou Yulan's eyebrows were tightly furrowed, making her even more enchanting.

  "You immediately let the signal corps send a telegram to Commander Yang Junran, you withdraw two battalions of troops to prepare, as long as the Japanese army is going to attack Commander Yang Junran, we must reinforce them, after all, they have saved us many times, both emotionally and rationally, we should help them." Zhou Yulan gave the order seriously.

  Chen Qiu Ru nodded and walked out towards the outside.

  Inside Guangfu County Town, in Yang Junran's command center conference room.

  Yang Junran, who had just received a report from Zhou Yulan's place, began to convene a meeting of the four brigade commanders.

  The purpose of the meeting was simple: how to defend against this Japanese attack.

  When Fang Hanjin made his own judgment about the output of the Japanese army's strength, everyone was shocked.

  "Commander, if it's really the Japanese army's elite troops coming, I think we may not be able to stop their attack. I suggest that we should proactively abandon the county town and engage in flexible combat with them." The first to express his opinion was Qin Litian, the commander of the second brigade.

  Yang Junran sat on the chair, constantly looking at the map.

  Fang Hanchen on the side was drawing something on the blueprint.

  Qin Litian finished expressing his own opinion, sat down, and waited for Yang Junran and Fang Hanchen's response.

  "What's wrong with the elite division? We're fighting against their elite division. They have four infantry regiments, we have four infantry brigades. They have a cavalry regiment, we have a cavalry division. They have an artillery regiment, we also have an artillery division. Why should we give up the county town? I think we should hold our ground in the county town, and after inflicting heavy casualties on the Japanese with defensive positions, we can launch a fierce counterattack with the tank brigade and cavalry division as the main force, and beat those sons of bitches to death." The commander of the 4th Brigade, Xu Da, stood up and said loudly.

  Yang Junran furrowed his brow, he knew that the time left for himself was limited.

  "Director Fang, speak your mind." Yang Junran asked by name.

  "My idea is almost the same as Xu's, as long as we make use of the fortifications that have been built for a long time, it may not be impossible to stop the Japanese army's attack. Moreover, we also have a large underground fortification, in case of emergency, we can also retreat into the underground fortification." Fang Hanqin stood up and said to Yang Junran.

  "Let's vote now. Those in favor of a unified withdrawal, please raise your hands." Yang Junran saw Fang Hanchen's attitude and directly solved it with the simplest method.

  Qin Litian of the Second Brigade and Deng Ziyong of the Third Brigade quickly raised their arms.

  The rest of the officers looked at Yang Junran, waiting for his orders.

  "Those who agree to stay and fight, please raise your hands." Yang Junran continued to say.

  The first division's Kang Lianqin, the fourth division's Xu Da, Chief of Staff Fang Hanjin, and Division Commander Yang Junran raised their arms.

  Yang Junran gestured to everyone to put down their arms and walked to the map on the wall, saying: "Since most people agree to stay, I'll come up with a battle plan, which can also be considered as throwing a brick to attract jade. Anyone who has different opinions on defense can speak out."

  Everyone nodded and waited for Yang Junran's command.

  According to the experience of later military schools, Yang Junran carefully recalled and found a suitable method.

  "With the tank regiment and cavalry regiment as the outer line combat units, they were unified under the command of Regimental Commander Zhang Junzhe, equipped with wireless radios to maintain contact with the division headquarters at all times. Several trucks were also temporarily reinforced to the tank regiment to transport fuel and ammunition, replenishing the needs of the battle in a timely manner." Yang Junran gave a glance to the orderly beside him.

  The orderly immediately ran out towards the outside because the two battalion commanders were not here.

  "After they arrive, I will talk about the specific combat plan of the external line combat unit." Yang Junran said with a smile, and then continued to say: "The 4th Brigade is the garrison force for the recovery of the county seat, responsible for defending the county seat. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Brigades, as well as the artillery regiment, are the outer defense forces, all under my command. Specifically, the 1st and 3rd Brigades are the front-line defense forces, the 2nd Brigade is the reserve team, and the artillery regiment assists in the defense of each unit."

  "Yes, sir." The officers quickly stood up and replied loudly.

  At this moment, the commander of the tank regiment Zhang Junzhe and the commander of the cavalry regiment Liang Fei walked in from outside. After seeing Yang Junran, the two quickly saluted.

  Yang Junran smiled and gestured for the two of them to sit down.

  "Zhang Junzhe, you unify the command of the tank regiment and cavalry regiment. Mainly on the outskirts to pin down the Japanese army's forces, cannot let them concentrate their forces to attack the county town. Your tank troops immediately set out to the city's outer suburbs, all hiding, waiting for the division's orders. The cavalry regiment immediately rushes to Duolun nearby, ambushing Japanese troops along the way." Yang Junran saw that the two sat down and immediately issued combat orders.

  Upon receiving the order, the two stood up and shouted: "Yes, Master!"

  "Does anyone else have a different opinion?" Yang Junran asked after finishing his own words.

  Everyone shook their heads, indicating they had no opinion at all.

  Fang Hanchen saw that everyone had no opinion, glanced at Yang Junran, and got Yang Junran's tacit consent. Fang Hanchen smiled and said: "Everyone go back and prepare, didn't we easily annihilate the Japanese army division last time? Our equipment was not as good as it is now, and this time there are only two divisions, just right for our regiment to take down."

  The crowd forced a smile and bowed, walking out in droves towards the outside.

  Everyone is clear about their own stress, and most of these officers are from the Second War Zone, so they naturally know the situation of the Japanese army.

  A single Japanese division caused chaos in the entire Second War Zone, which had dozens of divisions.

  Not to mention that with such a small force, even if we were to bring in four infantry brigades, it's unlikely that we would be a match for the enemy's elite divisions.

  But Yang Junran's orders, they dare not disobey.

  After seeing the officers leave, Fang Hanqin asked: "Commander, this time it's a bit tricky. If we follow Commander Zhou Yulan's report, they not only have strong infantry but also many cavalry units. I think we may not be able to defeat them."

  Yang Junran sat on the chair, looking at the map and said: "But once we retreat, the reputation that has been accumulated with great difficulty will be gone. What's more, these civilians, we can't take them away either. The consequence of leaving them behind is only one, all being killed by the Japanese army. Four infantry brigades, plus a tank regiment and a cavalry regiment, may not necessarily be unable to fight against his elite division."

  Looking at Yang Junran's gaze, Fang Hanchen had some admiration for this young superior, but he also had some worries in his heart. Once the situation deteriorated, it was likely that this army, which had been accumulated with difficulty to its current strength, would lose everything.

  Yang Junran's heart was also racing, he knew he was making an unusually bold bet.

  If we win, it will be the greatest victory and we will receive praise from all sides. Even many patriots will join our army. But if we lose, not only my life is at risk, but also these subordinates who have just begun to obey me may betray me.

  After all, this era is about strength, if you have nothing, I'm afraid there won't be many people who will follow in your footsteps and take action together.

  "Chief of Staff, give me a cigarette." Yang Junran suddenly blurted out such a sentence.

  Fang Hanqin hesitated for a moment, refusing to say: "Master, this thing is addictive if you take a puff, just like smoking a big cigarette. I advise you not to smoke it."

  Yang Junran smiled helplessly, adjusted his uniform and walked out towards the outside.

  Looking at Yang Junran's back, Fang Hanchen shook his head helplessly, knowing that the pressure Yang Junran was about to face was extremely heavy.