Chapter Ten Where to Retreat

  It's not bad after all, the devils have only one artillery company with two 92 infantry guns in a large team. Even if they shoot fast, it's limited after all. Zhai Qin rushed down recklessly, and the order was still timely.

  Only a small number of soldiers were killed in the blast, and most retreated to the back of the position. Seeing more than 80 soldiers return, two companies lost around 40 men. This time, Di Qin was thoroughly enraged, and he punched Zhao Kai with all his might.

  Zhao Kai did not expect that Zhai Qin could hit him. Although it was common for officers to beat soldiers, fights between officers were rare, especially since Zhao Kai was also a captain and company commander, and was of the same rank as Zhai Qin. He was the guard company of the division headquarters, equivalent to the Imperial Guard, and was a red person in front of the division commander. Even the several battalion commanders below him were very polite when they saw Zhao Kai.

  Dai Qin is not a great hero, of course he doesn't care about the principle of hitting people without hitting their face or speaking without revealing their shortcomings. This punch was aimed directly at Zhao Kai's face. Dai Yingfei's body is really terrible, with no strength at all, but when a fist hits your nose, nobody can bear it.

  Zhao Kai was beaten until his nose bled, and he saw stars in front of him. He covered his face with his hand and squatted down. Zhai Qin still didn't feel satisfied, so he went up and kicked Zhao Kai to the ground with two feet. He shouted loudly: "Damn you! What kind of company commander are you? These people were killed because of you!"

  Zhao Kai and his men were still exhilarated from their recent victory, unaware of why Zhai Qin had hit him. Originally furious in his heart, he would have definitely retaliated if not for being punched by Zhai Qin. However, just as he was about to get up and fight back, he heard Zhai Qin's curses and immediately stopped moving.

  Indeed, Zhaiqin had instructed Zhaogui to convey that they should launch a swift and brief attack before quickly retreating. Zhao Kai understood this logic, but such an unusual tactic resulted in the enemy losing over 200 bodies on the battlefield, with more than 100 of their troops fleeing. The annihilation of one of the enemy's squadrons was a huge victory. What was most important was that the National Army had never fought such a satisfying battle before, and in the excitement, they forgot Zhaiqin's reminder. Of the casualties among these 40 men, half were killed by artillery shells.

  Seeing Zhao Kai didn't move, Zhai Qin turned his head and saw Zhang Meng, immediately the fire came up again: "Zhang Meng, you son of a bitch, aren't you very capable? Is your brain mush?"

  Cursing in his mouth was just a kick. Zhang Meng wasn't Zhao Kai, he didn't dare to retort back, so he could only let Zhai Qin kick him hard several times, the pain made him grit his teeth, but no one on the battlefield laughed out loud.

  They had less than 140 people, initially Zhao Kai disagreed to withdraw from the position, sacrificing more than 10 people, this time again it was around 40 people, the third company and guard company combined were left with less than 80 people.

  Dai Qin's body was not up to it, and after this bout of great anger and hitting people, he himself was panting heavily. Wang Biao, the bootlicker, immediately came over and said: "Comrade Commander, calm down, doesn't Commissar Zhao also want to eliminate the devils?"

  Dai Qin was furious, scolding whoever he could: "Damn it, to fight the devils you first need to be alive, what can you use to fight if you're dead? Hold on for three days and we'll lose one-third of our men, what can you use to hold on for three days?"

  It dawned on Zhao Kai and Zhang Meng that it was no wonder Zhai Qin was so furious. Although they had eliminated more than 200 devils, they were a large battalion of over 1,000 people, with 700 or 800 remaining, while they only had around 80 people left. What could they hold out against?

  Zhao Kai wiped his bleeding nose with his hand: "Sorry, I'll go find the squad leader and see if we can get some reinforcements."

  Dai Qin felt a bit better after venting his anger, but if it weren't for worrying that these people might not return, would he have dared to charge into the battlefield? What made Dai Qin so angry was that he had experienced this before.

  That time, a department store in S city caught fire. Originally, most of the goods had been rescued, only some counters and worthless items were left, but the commander at the scene still ordered people to go in and rescue them. The house collapsed. More than 30 people died inside.

  Although the commander was sentenced to three years in prison for dereliction of duty, more than 30 people died, including his good brother who grew up with him since childhood. From then on, Zhai Qin remembered not to give reckless orders. When he commanded the民工队 (migrant worker team) to work, if there was danger, he would resolutely refuse to do it, no matter what the old boss or manager said.

  Today he suddenly appeared on the battlefield, this is a place of death, making Diqin exceptionally worried. A sneak attack killed more than 40 people, leaving him feeling guilty for a long time. Today he racked his brains to come up with this tactic, just not wanting to sacrifice so many people, but unexpectedly these people died again, causing him to lose his sanity and beat Zhao Kai and Zhang Meng fiercely.

  Upon hearing Zhao Ke's words, Zhai Qin waved his hand and said: "No need to apologize. I'm angry, but I won't hold a grudge against you."

  Zhao Kai has already conceded to Zhai Qin. He is just a small company commander, not a high-ranking officer, and he also gets along well with the soldiers. The casualties that shouldn't have happened are also deeply regrettable. Seeing Zhai Qin say this: "Am I so petty? But remember, if I get the chance, I'll be back. Whoever dares to slap my face, if they're not careful, will marry my sister."

  Dai Qin knew from Dai Gui's mouth that he actually had a younger sister, but she was only in her teens. He said disdainfully: "Just him wanting to marry my little sister, forget it, maybe next life."

  Fighting on the battlefield, and the devils below did not attack again, I don't know if they were afraid or preparing something.

  Zhao Kai said: "I'll go to the battalion headquarters to find the battalion commander and see if we can get some reinforcements. It seems that it's getting dark, the devils won't attack, they don't have the habit of fighting at night."

  Dai Qin nodded, his own men were too few. He couldn't understand either, it seemed that the National Army wasn't short of troops, so why only leave this small group to hold out against the devils. Hearing Zhao Kai say that everyone was withdrawing in the rear, he cursed, where were they going to withdraw to: "Alright, you go and come back quickly, bring more hand grenades. This time we used up all the hand grenades."

  Zhao Kai nodded and led his guards to the left rear of the regiment. Di Qinxiao looked down and saw that the devils really didn't intend to attack, so he also felt at ease and said to Wang Biao: "Take a few people, go to Yangjiapu, find Yang Lie, get some food. Don't stay in the back preparing to be a traitor."

  "Alright!" Wang Biao knew that Lian Zhang had extorted 1,000 dollars from the Yang family before, so this time he should be able to get at least 200. He led a group of over ten people to the Yang family's residence with relish.

  Dai Qin finally had time to sit down and think about the problem. It seemed that he had indeed crossed over into the battlefield of the War of Resistance against Japan, and it was likely impossible for him to return.

  Go back to that house in Hunan? What's the point of going back to a home I'm not even familiar with? There's also an unfamiliar wife at home, although she's very beautiful, but she's a ruthless shrew.

  Fighting devils is a dream come true for later generations, and being able to catch up with it is great. Although leaving that world makes me miss it so much and feel heartbroken, fighting devils here is not bad either. At least I can live life to the fullest, and even if I die, it's worth it.

  I'm not a military expert, never been a soldier, but I've read many war examples, battlefields, online posts and movies/TV shows. However, these can't solve major problems. Looking at the recent war results, it's not that the enemy is too strong, but rather the Chinese army is too weak. I need to plan carefully for myself, I don't want to die at the hands of the enemy.

  Dai Qin slowly began to think, and as he recalled the history of the Anti-Japanese War that he knew, he realized that he only knew some general directions, but almost none of the details. He didn't know if it was because of the time-travel or not, but many things that he clearly remembered before, he couldn't recall now.

  Since I couldn't remember, I just didn't think about it. Anyway, I knew the devils ultimately failed. But that was won by the Americans, China seemed to have no achievement.

  I'm just a company commander, and out of over a hundred men, only these are left. Who knows what will happen next? Let's take it one step at a time! Anyway, as long as I have the chance, I won't let those devils have an easy time.

  Diqin looked up to see that it was already dark, Zhao Kai hadn't returned, and Wang Biao hadn't returned either. He didn't know if Yang Lie's mother was unwilling to help out. This guy looked like a traitor at first glance.

  At this time when Zhang Qin was anxious, Wang Biao brought back a dozen or so people, with empty hands. Zhang Qin asked: "Doesn't that Yang Caizhu care?"

  "Wang Biao said: 'No, Commissar, the situation is not good. The people from Yangjia Alley in the back have all run away. It's said that the devils have come. We haven't found anyone.'"

  Diqin was shocked, pulled over the map and said: "No, we are in front, Yangjiapu is behind. There are also the first and second companies on the side. Without the battalion commander's order, how could the devils appear behind?"

  Wang Biao shook his head and said: "I don't know. But everyone has run away."

  Dai Qin said: "Wait a minute, Zhao Lianzhang has gone to the battalion headquarters, and he will know when he comes back."

  No sooner had he finished speaking than two black shadows emerged from behind the array. The sentry shouted: "Who goes there?"

  Zhao Kai said: "I am Zhao Kai."

  As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Kai and the guard rushed up, sweating all over his face. Seeing Di Qian, he said: "Commander Di, quickly gather our brothers to retreat."

  Diqin was shocked and asked: "What? Has the order changed?"

  Zhao Kai said: "When I arrived at the regimental headquarters, the regimental headquarters had already withdrawn. I didn't see the regiment commander. The second battalion's position on Huangtuling was breached by the devils, and they have killed their way to Yiyang. Our third battalion's position was occupied by the devils, and the battalion commander died for his country. Two companies of the entire battalion were completely annihilated, and the devils are now behind us."

  Diqin was stunned, what surprised him the most was that Xiang Qiong Dong had sacrificed himself. This commander who looked down on himself and relieved himself of his duties actually died for his country. After a long while, he said: "Why didn't the headquarters notify us?"

  Zhao Kai said: "Toward the camp long, he is two companies, facing a large team, the whole camp was annihilated. We only have less than one company, also a large team of devils, the brigade headquarters thinks we can't hold on, not all annihilated, or abandon the position and escape, so no notification. If you know we held on, the brigade headquarters is unlikely to retreat so quickly. I saw the deputy regiment commander retreating from the front line, only then did I know. We also have to hurry up and leave here, otherwise, we will be surrounded by devils and can't get out."

  Diqin was somewhat puzzled, the team leader and battalion commander were directing from behind, how could they not know whether the position was in or not? This is how to direct. Such a command can't help but lose the battle. But he had no time to complain, he only had this many people, if they were surrounded, there would be only one way left - death. He hastily asked: "Where to retreat?"

  Zhao Kai said: "There were no orders for us. But other troops all retreated in the direction of Guangde."

  Dai Qin brought over the map, borrowing a small amount of firelight to take a look at it. He understood that they were going to retreat to Hangzhou, but he knew that Hangzhou would also fall eventually. From here to Hangzhou? He estimated that by the time he arrived there, it would already be occupied by the Japanese. Looking at the map, he said: "Assemble the entire regiment, cross over at Langxi River and directly retreat to Ningguo."

  Zhao Kai asked in puzzlement: "Why Ningguo, we should be retreating to Hangzhou and joining the main forces."

  Dai Qin didn't know much about the history of the War of Resistance, but he knew that the devils only occupied big cities and along railway lines, and basically didn't occupy rural areas. Especially at this time, it was because they were short-handed and their battle line was too long. Ningguo is close to Tianmu Mountain. The devils wouldn't attack mountainous areas, so it's safe there. He said to Zhao Kai: "The devil's goal is Hangzhou, we retreat to Ningguo, which is near Tianmu Mountain, the devils won't attack, rest and train well there, then find out where the captain is and go over."

  Zhao Kai also had no idea, seeing Di Qian say so surely, he nodded and said: "Listen to you."

  The third company immediately assembled, when these people knew that the devils had broken through the front line and surrounded them, they all nervously assembled and quietly withdrew from the position. Zhang Qin and others did not go to Yangjiapu, but retreated in the direction of Langxi on the side.