Chapter 60: Harada's Great Squad Flying Net

  The headquarters of the Eighth Route Army replied clearly, once again emphasizing Liu Feng's command over the assault team and specially requesting Lin Xuejun and Chen Zhiyi to fully support Liu Feng's work without deliberately trying to win him over to our party, so as not to cause Liu Feng's resentment. And also sent a commendation telegram.

  Captain Lin and Commissar Chen received the telegram, took a deep breath, and still the headquarters commander had guts, solving the big problem at once. The two of them quickly told Liu Feng the news, Liu Feng was also very happy, because this way Liu Feng could continue to lead this elite small unit, continuing to bleed the little devils.

  Captain Lin showed Liu Feng the commendation order from headquarters, and Liu Feng was delighted to see his own name and that of the Liu Feng Raiding Team on it. Such a situation where the entire army is commended is rare in the history of the Eighth Route Army. Liu Feng estimated that if he continued to work here, after the founding of the country, he would at least be able to become a general. However, thinking about the many terrifying movements after the founding of the country, even great generals who dared to stand up against them had no good ending, what could a small person like him do? Liu Feng still firmly believed in eliminating the little devils and then hiding away.

  Comrade Chen Zhengwei gathered all the members of the assault team, read out the commendation order from the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army to Liu Feng's assault team, and the commendation notice to Liu Feng personally. The whole assault team cheered, this honor made every member of the assault team excited. They trained extremely hard, now they finally got the honor they deserved. Although this time it was Liu Feng who led 16 snipers to win, it was also an honor for all members of the assault team.

  Captain Lin said: "Now we invite Colonel Liu to say a few words."

  Liu Feng stepped forward and said, "Our assault team has gained honor, but to be honest, I'm not satisfied. Because our sniper actually showed signs of injury when facing a regular little devil's unit. This can only mean that our training is still insufficient. We need to continue strengthening it. Only by sweating more in peacetime can we bleed less in battle and better kill the devils. If you still want to follow me to kill devils, then train hard for me. If your training doesn't meet standards, I'll say it again: wherever you came from, go back there. Our assault team doesn't need cowards!"

  "Answer me, are you cowards!" Liu Feng suddenly thundered.

  More than 100 commandos shouted in response: "No!"

  "Good, I hope you're not! Now all of you get out and train!" Liu Feng roared.

  The assault team once again entered a state of intense training.

  Liu Feng had divided the assault team into smaller groups, including a sniper group, rifle group, firepower group, heavy firepower group, and reconnaissance group. The firepower group was equipped with machine guns and heavy machine guns, while the heavy firepower group was equipped with grenade launchers and mortars. The reconnaissance group consisted of agile individuals who could climb mountains, cross rivers, and scale walls. Each group had a leader who followed Liu Feng's training outline, allowing Liu Feng to be freed from his duties. He only needed to inspect their training every day.

  Liu Feng directly participated in the construction of the tunnel after being withdrawn from training. From the design, construction, to reinforcement and testing of the tunnel, Liu Feng was personally involved in every step. With the full support of the local people and the help of Commander Pei's 223rd Regiment, the construction of the tunnel went very smoothly. About a month later, the tunnel system in Hanzixiang Village took shape.

  Even if the little devils brought in heavy artillery, it would be difficult to destroy the underground tunnel system. On the surface of the entire He Xi Village, many fortifications were built on top of the buildings, and these fortifications were all connected to the tunnels and had been camouflaged. If you didn't get close to these fortifications, it was hard to discover from the outside that this was a machine gun bunker or a sniper's position.

  ……

  Handan, Headquarters of the 1st Mixed Brigade

  Colonel Inoue approached the office of Lieutenant General Uegaki, "Crack" a salute, said: "General, according to our long-term reconnaissance, Liu Feng's squad should be stationed in Hanzhao Village near Guangping County. The number of people does not exceed one hundred. Only the 223rd Regiment of the Eighth Route Army is active nearby.

  Uematsu immediately turned around to look at the map on the wall and said, "Ah, don't worry about the 223rd Regiment. They don't dare to confront the Imperial Japanese Army head-on. It's Liu Feng's snipers that are difficult to deal with. Ikeda-san, do you have any good ideas?"

  "General, the defeat of the Akatsuki Brigade was due to division of forces. If we had allowed the Imperial Guards to surround and the Imperial Army to attack from within, with all units acting together, without worrying about Liu Feng's snipers, it would have been easy to reach Hanxi Village. Then we could have annihilated Liu Feng's small unit!" Inoue Yasushi stood at attention in response.

  "So," Uegai turned around, "what if Liu Feng and his men have escaped?"

  Inoue Yasushi replied: "Then kill all the Chinese in Hancheng and several surrounding villages. This way, Liu Feng's troops will have no supplies and it will be difficult for them to survive. Lieutenant General Tanaka's 'Three Alls' policy is one that I strongly agree with. Any Chinese who dare to associate with the Eighth Route Army or anti-Japanese organizations should all be eliminated. The Chinese are very weak-willed, as long as they are killed until they are scared, they will not dare oppose the Great Japanese Empire."

  "Ah, yes! The Manchu dynasty of China also relied on slaughtering Han people to stabilize their rule. If a barbarian tribe from several hundred years ago could make the Han people surrender with the 'keep your hair, not your head' decree, then our great Japanese Empire can do it too! And we'll do it even better!"

  "Hey! General, you are truly erudite. It can be said that you are a China expert, this battle will definitely be won with your presence!" Inoue Yasushi flattered him at the right moment.

  "Hahaha!" Uesugi Kenshin laughed with a wicked grin on his face.

  ……

  "Report, the Eighth Route Army headquarters has sent a telegram. According to our comrades' intelligence in Handan's outer suburbs, the devils' Independent Mixed First Brigade is on the move, with the Yuan Tian detachment accompanied by two puppet army detachments, departing from Handan and heading towards Guangping County. Headquarters warns that the Yuan Tian detachment may be targeting our assault team, and requires us to avoid their attack." A soldier entered the room to report this to Liu Feng, Chen Zhi-kui, and Lin Xue-jun, who were studying tactics.

  "Bring it here and let me see." Liu Feng said.

  The warrior naturally handed the telegram to Liu Feng. Now Liu Feng's prestige in the assault team is first-rate, Lin Xuejun is the captain and Chen Zhiyuan is the political commissar, but Liu Feng is the natural leader. In the army, soldiers have a heartfelt admiration for commanders who can win battles.

  Liu Feng finished reading the telegram and handed it to Chen Zhi-kui and Lin Xue-jun, saying: "This time the little devils have learned to be clever, all huddled together in a group. Even when camping, they stay together and don't go out to sweep the village, but instead come straight for us. It seems that a simple sniper war won't work."