Chapter Thirteen: Wrath of the Divine Eagle

  Zhao Jun led the militia reconnaissance squad back to Xiaowang Village on the second day, at this time the "Shenying" troops had all arrived, and the villagers of Xiaowang Village had basically evacuated, leaving only Wang Jicai and the militiamen in the village. Hearing that they were going to fight the devils, these militiamen were all very excited, especially when they saw the spirited arrival of the "Shenying", which gave them infinite confidence.

  Zhao Jun didn't even drink water and directly went to report enemy situation to Chen Jifan.

  The headquarters was set up in "Xiao Wangzhuang Militia Headquarters", and apart from the 6 people from the future, there were also Deng Fangshun and Song Guantao.

  "The situation is basically clear now. The enemy has about two reinforced companies, approximately 600 people, two Type 92 infantry guns, four heavy machine guns, six light machine guns and six grenade launchers. The commander is a lieutenant colonel. In addition, there are 20 mules. Last night the enemy camped in Zhulang Town to the east, this morning the enemy troops divided into three routes, respectively heading northeast, southeast and due east." Zhao Jun drew on the table.

  "Wait a minute, you're saying 600 devils actually split into three routes?" Zhong Dingcheng asked.

  "Yes, the central route is led by a lieutenant colonel, with over 300 people, two infantry guns, two light and heavy machine guns each, and two grenade launchers. The other two routes have more than 130 people each, and their commanders are all captains." Zhao Jun continued to add.

  "With just 600 people, you dare to divide your troops? The Japanese devils really think that China has no one left." Luo Yuguang said disdainfully.

  "No, the devils are adopting a dragnet-style sweep, aiming to wipe out all anti-Japanese forces west of Xucheng County at once." Chen Jifan said, pointing at the map.

  "No matter what, the enemy's strength is still very strong this time. We absolutely cannot engage in a fierce battle, but we also can't abandon the ordinary people and retreat." Hu Yunfeng said.

  "Yes, with the devils coming, who knows how many innocent people will suffer? Captain, hurry up and give the order!"

  "Luohan, what's the hurry? The enemy is strong and we are weak. Since everyone is here, let's discuss how to fight this battle." Chen Jifan smiled and interrupted Luoyu Gang's words.

  Actually, anyone with a bit of military knowledge knows that this battle is not easy to fight, let alone the professional soldiers present. However, after discussing it back and forth, Chen Jifan finally made the decision: "Launch a preemptive attack!"

  Chen Jifang decided to take the initiative to attack, and there was reason for that. Taking a defensive position was unthinkable, purely seeking death. Accompanying the devils in their encirclement was not a bad idea, but that would lead to more ordinary people suffering. Only by taking the initiative to attack, making it impossible for the devils to discern reality from illusion, and seizing the opportunity to annihilate the enemy's living forces, could they maximize the avoidance of harm to more civilians.

  Of course, all of this is also due to Chen Jifang's confidence in his own troops' combat effectiveness.

  Hu Yunfeng finally lifted his head from the map, holding a pencil to point: "They're out. Based on Zhao Jun's intelligence and the enemy's marching speed, the three routes of devils should have reached here, here, and here."

  "That's right, the devils' marching route has always been along the northern side. This little devil suddenly splits his troops to head south, and the folks in that area won't have time to get the news, it's likely to be a disaster." Zhao Jun added.

  Chen Jifan fell silent for a moment, "Alright, let's head south and wipe out this group of beasts."

  The troops quickly assembled, and due to the lack of weapons, only 90 people selected by Zhao Jun and Hu Yunfeng were absorbed into the combat troops, led by Hu Yunfeng. The remaining 150 people were led by Deng Fangshun as temporary backup forces and logistics.

  "Captain, we've all left, what about Little Wang Village?" Song Guantao asked.

  Song Guanhu's question made Chen Jifeng and others have a greatly increased good impression of him, because this young man could still think about the ordinary people at the critical moment of battle.

  "Don't worry, Old Song. The villagers have all been evacuated. Even if the devils come, they won't cause too much damage. On the contrary, if we leave armed forces in the village, it will only lead to more brutal retaliation against our fellow villagers." Zhong Dingcheng replied immediately.

  Chen Jifan also nodded in approval at Song Guantao with a look of appreciation.

  The place the troops are going to is called Lijia Village, which is a must-pass route for the Japanese devils to march south. According to the militia who led the way, Lijia Village has 80 or 90 households with a population of 300 people. The land is not much, so some families rely on hunting for a living.

  Thanks to the local militia leading the way, the troops marched relatively smoothly. They set out at 12 o'clock and walked for about 4 hours before finally arriving at Lijiagou.

  "Report to Officer Chen, Lijia Village is just ahead." The militiaman guiding the way reported to Chen Jifang.

  "You've worked hard, go take a rest now! Zhao Jun!"

  "Here!" Zhao Jun, already fully armed, quickly ran up to Chen Jifan and replied.

  "Take a few people to check it out, and have the others stand by!"

  Zhao Jun accepted the order and led 7 people towards the village. Chen Jifan took out his binoculars again to observe in the direction of Lijiacun. The village was hidden behind a forest, seemingly very quiet, yes, quietly suffocating.

  Zhao Jun's scout had been gone for over 10 minutes, and there was no sound of dogs barking or gunfire. Had the devils not arrived? It was impossible, judging by their marching speed, the devils should have arrived even if they were slow; had Zhao Jun encountered an ambush by the devils? Even more impossible, if it was really an ambush by the devils, Zhao Jun would not have been able to fire a single shot.

  Just as Chen Jifan was thinking, a scout soldier ran back with an expression of extreme grief and indignation. Everyone thought that the scouting party had encountered misfortune and immediately stood up in unison.

  "Captain, hurry up and take a look! It's too miserable, died too miserably!" The soldier said while pounding the tree trunk beside him with his hand.

  "Calm down and speak slowly, who died too miserably, Zhao Jun and the others?" Chen Jifan said as he walked up to him.

  "Sorry, Captain. It's like this, there are no devils in the village, but all the villagers have been killed by the devils! Captain, we must avenge them!" The scout couldn't hold back his grief and indignation.

  Judging from his appearance, Chen Jifan had already guessed eight or nine out of ten that the villagers must have been affected. Zhao Jun should now be leading people to search and stand guard in the village, sending someone to report back to him.

  Although he had some mental preparation, Chen Jifan was still shocked by the tragic scene in front of him when he led his troops into the village.

  People like Chen Jifang from later generations knew about the Nanjing Massacre and had seen pictures of it, but this was the first time they truly saw their compatriots being slaughtered. No picture could make them angrier than the reality in front of them!

  A pile of corpses! Old and young, all are here! Their bodies were riddled with bullets, some had dense stab wounds on their backs, and blood flowed like a small river!

  Not far away, on a big tree, more than ten villagers were tied up, their bodies pierced by countless knives, intestines and internal organs spilled all over the ground, only their eyes wide open, as if to vent out their hatred. And in and out of the house, the corpses of the female villagers, some stabbed with bayonets into their bellies, some shot in the head, others brutally stabbed with bayonets into their lower body...

  No one spoke. Some stabbed the tree with bayonets, some clenched their fists and made "cracking" sounds, only a few militiamen couldn't help but vomit.

  Zhao Jun stood in front of Chen Jifan with tears in his eyes, wanting to salute, but was stopped by Chen Jifan. At this time, Chen Jifan had already been tearful, patted Zhao Jun on the shoulder, and then began to transport the body.

  Everyone followed to clean up and bury the bodies of their fellow villagers. The air seemed to be solidified with anger, eerily quiet, and the occasional crow calls from above the village added a touch of horror to the atmosphere. This is the human hell created by the Japanese devils!

  Two hours later, the bodies of the villagers were buried. No one felt tired now, all the warriors had only one thing in mind, to find the Japanese devils as soon as possible and avenge these innocent villagers.

  "Assembly of all!" Chen Jifan shouted loudly.

  "Comrades! Fellow soldiers! In Xiao Wang Zhuang, someone once asked a question: why are we fighting? Today you have all seen the reason! Why? For the sake of tens of millions of innocent people like them! Since Japan invaded China, they have been slaughtering our compatriots, humiliating our sisters, plundering our wealth and destroying our homes. I ask you, are we willing to be slaves to the Japanese or take up guns to fight against the little devils?"

  "Down with little Japan! Avenge our ancestors and relatives!" Below was already a crowd of excited emotions.

  "It's right now, these devils are still swaggering into our homes, and may continue to harm our compatriots. What can we do?"

  "Destroy them! Destroy them!"

  "Beating the devils will inevitably lead to sacrifices, but for the sake of our tens of millions of compatriots, any sacrifice is worthwhile. Are you afraid of death?"

  "Don't be afraid! Don't be afraid!"

  "Alright, everyone remember! We are not afraid to die, but our lives are a hundred times more precious than those of the little devils! If we must die, let's kill as many little devils as possible before we do. Now I command: troops depart quickly, find the devils and annihilate them!"

  Chen Jifan was clear in his mind that he must find the devils as soon as possible, otherwise more civilians would be harmed. As for the devils' marching direction, several special reconnaissance soldiers had already determined it through the traces left by the devils.

  These devils have passed through Lijiashan and are continuing westward. It is estimated that they will turn north at some point ahead to merge with the Central Route Japanese Army.