Chapter Twenty-Five: Unexpected

  In Zhai Qin's command post, Zhang Min and Zhu Hongxia, five girls sat in front of them. The smile on Zhai Qin's face was gone, replaced by a serious expression. On the table was Xue Yue's telegram.

  Diqin said: "I'll ask again, are you going back or not?"

  Several girls did not speak, but shook their heads firmly. Qi said: "You must be clear that the independent regiment is a guerrilla force, not a garrison defense force stationed in one place. There are no logistics personnel here, and there are no administrative personnel. Every soldier, even if he is a cook, is a combat soldier. On the battlefield, bullets do not recognize who your father is, nor do they care whether you have money at home. The independent regiment is about to take action, crossing the Japanese army's blockade line, entering the enemy's rear to fight, which is very dangerous. I cannot guarantee your safety, and you must think it through yourself."

  Looking at Diqin's serious face, Zhang Min also felt a sense of tension. They were passionate and yearned for battle, wanting to fight against the devils, but had no idea what the battlefield was like.

  But behind the family's back, secretly leaving the machine room and running to this place. If I quit now, no one will be willing to. Zhu Hongxia said firmly: "I won't go back, I'm not afraid. When we left school, it was to go to the battlefield."

  Zhang Min said: "Dai Qin, don't worry, we are also warriors, and what we wear is also military uniform."

  Dai Qin nodded and said, "Alright, I won't force you. On the battlefield against Japan, there is no distinction of nobility. Those ordinary soldiers are also human beings, they have a responsibility to serve the country, we have the same responsibility, life does not distinguish between the noble and the humble. But I declare one discipline, you will all be incorporated into the headquarters battalion. Guo Ma Chun will command, he is your superior officer, you must absolutely obey orders."

  Seeing Diqin no longer chasing them back, the five girls stood up straight and replied: "Yes."

  They left to make preparations, and Ma Chun said with difficulty: "Captain, you'd better change someone else, I can't bear this responsibility."

  Dai Qin's eyes widened: "Nonsense. What responsibility? From this moment on, they are no different from ordinary soldiers. Don't ordinary soldiers have to take responsibility too? Hand over the radio communication to Wei Xiaohui and Zhang Juan, hand over the battle maps and documents to others in charge, you arrange what specifically needs to be done. The logistics squad is both a security force and a combat force, when I'm not around, you're in command."

  Seeing Diqin's expression, Ma Chun didn't dare say anything and stood up straight saying: "Yes."

  Dí Qín said: "Arrange immediately, make good departure preparations."

  Watching Ma Chun leave, Di Qin said to Wang Biao: "You are the logistics team leader, protect these people for me. If there's a problem, I'll shoot you first."

  Wang Biao stood upright, he understood the importance of these people in his heart, but did not understand why the captain had to do this, and simply drove them back. Although several girls were very beautiful and had a strong fighting spirit, they knew that they had never fought just by looking at their marching and gun-wielding style. The thought of the cannon alone was enough to make them cry, and he himself was in trouble this time.

  The entire battalion gathered, 700 people stood solemnly on the playground. The soldiers of the independent battalion had no fear on their faces, but rather a hint of excitement. They were about to go into battle, and as long as they killed many devils, the battalion commander would be greatly rewarded.

  The soldiers of the independent regiment were all people with a vendetta against the devils, and even if they didn't have relatives killed by the Japanese, many comrades had sacrificed themselves on the battlefield.

  Able to avenge, with rewards, especially following the captain into battle, it's basically a victory. Not only not worried, but instead all excited. Such a scene forms a strong contrast with the entire Ningguo City.

  The 12th Division of Zhang Tong's troops established a defensive line in Yanglin Township, more than thirty miles away from Ningguo. Although the sound of gunfire could not be heard in the city, tension and panic filled Ningguo. The rich and the poor, as long as they could run, began to flee Ningguo.

  The National Army is bound to be defeated whenever it encounters a battle. As long as the devils launch an attack, there is no place that cannot be taken, only the length of time it takes to defend varies.

  Even the capital did not hold on, from Shanghai all the way to defeat here, the devils in the north have approached the Yellow River, and landed in Shandong in the east. Everywhere is news of failure, small Ningguo can't stop the Japanese army's attack at all.

  This time, due to the things Nakajima Toshiyuki did in Xuan Cheng, Lieutenant General Nakajima Toshiyuki was furious. Attacking a county town, mobilizing an entire brigade and an artillery battalion for the first time. He wanted revenge, letting the Chinese know what would happen if they opposed the Imperial Army. To coordinate with breaking through Xue Yue's defensive line, Matsui Iwane ordered the 5th Flying Brigade to conduct air support operations.

  With such a strong attack, Zhang Tongye almost wanted to abandon the position and retreat. However, the order from the Front Enemy General Command was too clear: anyone who dared to retreat would be shot on the spot.

  The city of Ningguo was in a state of chaos, but the Guandi Temple's independent battalion camp was in perfect order. All personnel were fully armed once again, with only two days' worth of dry rations on them. Each person carried over 40 kilograms of gear, without any ceremonial items or other goods, except for food and ammunition.

  This is the rule set by Diqin, no logistics soldiers, infantrymen carry their own ammunition. Two machine gunners, each carrying their own ammunition. No artillery, not even mortars, the independent battalion's artillery was just hand grenades. This time Xu Supu agreed to supplement some ammunition. With a big truck of gifts, the entire forward command headquarters gave Diqin a green light all the way.

  Huang Bingjie's eyes were about to laugh out, and he generously opened the military supplies warehouse, letting Diqin take it himself. With Diqin's personality, would he still be polite? In Ningguo, they found a few more horse-drawn carriages and returned with a full load.

  Such ammunition, such equipment, high morale, special tactics. Even Zhao Kai and Zhang Meng had the same idea, let alone a large team of devils, even a brigade was nothing to worry about.

  Zhang Min and his men finally put on leg wraps, and their feet were no longer in leather shoes, but in cloth shoes like the soldiers. This was discovered by Zhai Qin after research, that China's thousand-layered sole cloth shoes also have advantages, that is, they are very light and suitable for rapid marching, better than Japan's big-headed leather shoes and boots. The wealthy Zhai Qin bought military shoes in Ningguo City at a high price, paying double the price for high-quality ones.

  In Ningguo, over the past month, the women of Ningguo have made a fortune, that is, making shoes. Zhai Qin's order to Wang Biao was that everything must be the best, today, the Central Army's uniforms are neat and uniform, with fine equipment and high morale.

  Standing at the front of the troops, Diqin also had some trepidation: "Brothers, the Independent Regiment is setting out again, facing the enemy's 116th United Brigade, do we have confidence?"

  More than 700 people shouted together, their voices deafening and echoing through the sky.

  Dai Qin pointed to the five girls behind him: "Brothers, have you seen? They are college students, beauties, and lovely girls. Each of them comes from an extraordinary family, but they resolutely picked up guns, joined our independent regiment, and fought side by side with us. Will you lose to them?"

  "Impossible!" More than 700 people shouted in unison, laughing. Would a dignified man really lose to a woman?

  Diqin was trying to boost morale, he didn't care what the five girls behind him thought, and continued: "Yes, not only can't we lose to them, but we must have a man's demeanor, a soldier's will, and a gentleman's demeanor. We must protect them well, as the saying goes, beauties love heroes, I hope you can fight bravely on the battlefield and win their hearts. Do you have confidence?"

  "More than 700 officials and soldiers shouted together, this is a great thing. The faces of Zhang Min and others behind him showed a hint of redness. Zhu Hongxia said viciously: "Dead Diqin, what are you talking about? Are you going to reward us after making contributions?"

  Zhang Juan smiled and said: "This is quite interesting, we've become prizes."

  The most intelligent one is Zhang Min, she understands that Zhai Qin is boosting morale. This guy is too bad, even using this. After Zhai Qin finished speaking, he said to Zhao Kai beside him: "Cheng Shizhong's people have returned and found a passage through Green Leaf Mountain, but the road is not easy to walk. Sneak out of the city at night. Take a shortcut to insert into Xuan City, and occupy Xuan City again before dawn, let Handa San少将 cry."

  "It's just too far away."

  Dai Qin said: "This is why I made you run. Speed is precious for soldiers. We'll catch the enemy off guard."

  The troops had their last meal, packed up and set off at dusk. When the enemy planes couldn't take off, they left the city through the west gate, and the Independent Battalion was divided into three companies, quietly leaving the city and heading in the direction of Green Leaf Mountain.

  The guide was a resident of Green Leaf Mountain, a woodcutter named Wang Sibao. He had been chopping firewood in the mountains for years and knew a small path through Green Leaf Mountain. Wang Sibao did not believe that these soldiers could pass through that small path at all, it was very dangerous there, almost no one walked through, let alone these National Army soldiers.

  But it wasn't long after leaving Ningguo City that Wang Si Bao discovered these soldiers were not slow at all, and were even faster than him. Each person was carrying dozens of kilograms of things, which made him look at them in a new light.

  Wang Sibao, who was leading the way in front, didn't know that among all the people in the independent battalion, Diqin was the most miserable. He had been busy day and night, hardly participating in training, and now he was gritting his teeth to keep up. It had only been over an hour of rapid marching, but Zhang Min and the others were already sweating profusely, with sweat dripping down their faces.

  It's not too late to give up yet. Looking at the five girls who were constantly falling behind, Zhai Qin panted and said: "Zhang Min, Zhu Hongxia, it's still possible to go back now."

  Zhang Min wiped the sweat and looked at Di Qian, who was not much stronger than them. She gritted her teeth and said, "I'm determined not to fall behind. I won't be worse than you. Sisters, let's put in more effort and shake off the team leader."

  Wei Xiaohui is the strongest among them. Smiling, she said: "It turns out that the captain is just bragging, not as good as us."

  Dai Qin was exhausted and dizzy: "Bullshit, am I worse than you? Just wait and see."

  His mouth said fierce words, but his legs were like lead, and he took a difficult step forward. The sky was dark, and Zhao Kai returned to say: "Captain, the troops are approaching the mountain, and as soon as they enter, they will be in the mountains."

  Diqin panted and said: "Rest for now, strengthen vigilance, enter the mountain in an hour, through Green Leaf Mountain."

  The independent team rested in place, looking at the five girls who had fallen to the ground and forgotten their elegant image, saying: "Can you still brag now? Do you think fighting is that easy?"

  Zhang Juan crawled over, pushed Dai Qin a push, fell on Dai Qin's thigh and said: "It's comfortable here, don't talk, I want to rest."

  Di Qin smiled bitterly and didn't speak, he himself didn't know what he was doing. Shutting down the radio station and not contacting headquarters, bringing a few dangerous people to participate in such a battle, it's simply courting death. However, the five girls were really good, they didn't complain or get tired, persisting until now was really impressive.

  Even Zhai Qin felt that the time was short, but an hour passed and the troops began to act again. As soon as they entered the mountain, they immediately felt that the road was not easy to walk. Some places didn't even have roads, just advancing through thorns.

  Zhang Meng led the first team in front, Wang Biao and Zhao Kai on both sides, Di Qin behind, moving through the forest in the dark night. This was winter time, the weather in Jiangnan was not very cold, everyone was sweating profusely. The speed had gone, but the road was rugged. Fortunately, Green Leaf Mountain was just a residual hill of Huangshan, not very high and large. At midnight, the troops crossed over Green Leaf Mountain, entered the mountain edge, and then moved forward for more than ten miles to reach Xuan City.

  Diqin was well aware that the enemy's 116th Regiment had attacked Yanglin Township, and after a fierce battle yesterday, the temporarily formed 12th Brigade suffered heavy casualties. In order to capture the position of Yanglin Township, the regimental commander Kataoka Kakujirō led three large teams to press on. Two large teams restrained on both sides, while the first team in the front coordinated with the field artillery team and attacked for a whole day.

  I don't know if I can hold on for another day. The commander of the 35th Brigade, Lieutenant General Handa Shunsan, was very arrogant and ordered the 124th Regiment's Major Kaito to lead his troops in an attack on the position of the Independent 37th Brigade.

  Facing the enemy's planes and artillery, the two brigades that held their ground suffered heavy casualties. The two divisions pushed forward to the front line, leaving only the division headquarters in Xuancheng, with a logistics unit, an engineer battalion, a cavalry squadron, totaling over 2,000 troops.

  Daiqin believed that as long as Xuan City was captured, the Japanese army would definitely retreat. Even if Xuan City was not captured, Shandong Province's third division would not dare to launch a full-scale attack. If they didn't fight, it would be fine; but once they fought, it would be with all their might - the tactic of a lion pouncing on a rabbit.

  Diqin is not a military strategist, nor a tactician, nor even a soldier, but he can understand the meaning of many idioms, such as "out of the blue", "catch off guard", "speed is precious", "attack where the enemy must rescue", and "besiege Wei to rescue Zhao". He has used all these tactics.

  Panting and exhausted, the independent battalion finally entered the outskirts of Xuan City at dawn. Zhai Qin dragged his almost immobile legs and whispered to Zhao Kai: "Order the first and second squads to ambush in the weeds on both sides of the city gate. According to Cheng Shizhong's reconnaissance, the devils haven't closed the city gate, and they will definitely open it at dawn. Get me into the city quickly, fiercely, and accurately. Defeat the devils."

  Zhao Kai said: "We are one-third of the Eight Banners Army."

  Diqin said fiercely: "Use hand grenade tactics, close in and attack, bomb Xuan City."