Chapter 68 No Captives

  The sound of the guns was the order, and the previously silent snowy plain suddenly swept up a metal storm. More than 40 light and heavy machine guns spewed out tongues of flame that injured and killed people. The scarlet flames ejected from the gun muzzles were about one foot long, dazzling in the dark night, and a hail of metal bullets poured down on the devils' heads.

  But that's not all, behind the cliff, another burst of hand grenades fell, and the shattered shrapnel whizzed around in all directions. It's unknown how accurate the soldier was with his grenade toss, but it landed right on the bonfire, sending burning wood flying everywhere, setting the enemy tent ablaze once again.

  Deafening light and heavy machine gun fire, "rumbling" hand grenade explosions, the enemy's mournful cries, the raging fire, turned this quiet mountain forest upside down, occasionally still able to hear the "crack crack" of rifle shots, that was the marksmen shooting to kill the enemies who attempted to resist.

  So many light and heavy machine guns fired at the same time, let alone these two hundred or so devils, even if there were ten or twenty times more, it would not be enough to withstand such a toss, the fierce firepower repeatedly plowed a small mountain nest several times, and the snow splashed by bullets was several feet high!

  The battle was without suspense, and ten minutes later, Tang Qiuli ordered the shooting to stop. The noisy valley suddenly fell silent, with only the burning flames making a faint crackling sound, which seemed even more quiet, forming a stark contrast with the previous volcanic eruption-like momentum, giving people an eerie feeling.

  There wasn't a single Jap who could stand up, the ground was littered with their severed limbs and bodies. If it weren't for the scene before them, the soldiers would have even doubted whether they had just engaged in fierce combat - this was simply one-sided slaughter!

  The artillery company commander was so depressed, the shells were hot in his hands, and his eyes were straight, but he didn't wait for the order to fire. In the blink of an eye, the job was done, not a single shell was fired from this side, just watching the light and heavy machine guns perform. What's going on? What is the commander thinking? The company commander was sulking, raised his head, saw that his own soldiers were also listless and dispirited, even more depressed. After traveling hundreds of miles, not a single shot was fired, how to report back to Commander Zheng?

  When sweeping the battlefield, there was actually no need to sweep anymore. The two squadron leaders were from the Red Army and were used to living a tight life. However, what made them disappointed was that there was nothing good to sweep up, not even a few intact guns could be found. As they led their troops in sweeping the battlefield, they stuck out their tongues in shock! My god, who has ever seen such a battle? A burst of machine gun fire and grenades rained down on the enemy's heads, over 200 devils were gone, without needing to charge forward, not even one soldier's hair was hurt, all were alive. This job was done too perfectly!

  No wonder the two battalion commanders were surprised, in the Red Army at that time, they were used to charging after three rounds of gunfire, but here, bullets came like they didn't cost money, the devils didn't even have a chance to engage in close combat with bayonets, and most of them went to see the God of Heaven in their dreams. Following such leadership in battle is just a thrill!

  No guns or ammunition were found, but seven or eight wounded devils were discovered. To say that these little devils' lives are quite big, under such intense firepower, they actually managed to pick up a life, and I don't know what kind of incense their ancestors' tombs are emitting! However, their lives are temporarily not lost, but lacking arms and legs is unavoidable. One by one, they lay in the blood pits, struggling desperately, refusing the soldiers' rescue, and still cursing in their bird language.

  A company commander saw the commander arrive at the battlefield and rushed forward to report: "Report, Commander, the 3rd Battalion's 2nd Company is clearing the battlefield and bandaging captured wounded soldiers!"

  Tang Qiuli gave him a glance, but didn't say anything. The squadron leader was a bit puzzled, wondering what was wrong with the commander's orders. Was there something wrong with what he had done in that place?

  Tang Qiu glanced out of the corner of his eye and saw a crippled Japanese soldier crawling towards a hand grenade, intending to play some kind of samurai game, and die together with these damn Chinese people. The brave warriors of the Great Japanese Imperial Army were not afraid of death!

  Tang Qiuli and Bateer exchanged a glance, and Bateer immediately understood what to do. He took two steps forward, kicked the stubborn devil with one foot, and sent him flying onto his back. The devil was fiddling with something in his hand, trying to pull out half of a rifle stock. Bateer drew out a large, shiny chopping knife and beheaded the little devil with one slash. He then calmly wiped the blood off the knife on the devil's clothes and returned to stand beside Tang Qiuli as if nothing had happened. Shan Hu gave him a thumbs-up.

  This made the two team leaders shrink their necks, was this kid reborn from a beheader in his past life? His technique was clean and efficient, especially after beheading the little devil, he had an expression that was calm and composed, just looking at him made people's hearts cold. Even killing a chicken would require some effort, right? Is this still a 15-year-old kid? He's totally a reincarnated god of killing!

  Look at the two monsters next to the commander, one of them is using a heavy machine gun like a handgun, carrying tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition, it's exhausting just looking at him! He walks freely, climbing hills and crossing ridges more easily than us. Look at this one, he has four big items on his body, an M38 rifle, two pistols, a circle of hand grenades around his waist, hundreds of rounds of ammunition on his back, and a large machete hanging from his belt, just like a walking arsenal! Cutting off heads is like cutting watermelon for these two guys, better not to mess with them!

  Battel's equipment is his own brainchild. He didn't get used to the heavy machine gun, and the light machine gun was too long. After some deliberation, he ended up with this setup. The rifle is for shooting at distant targets, the shotgun serves as a submachine gun, the hand grenade is accurate enough to be a throwing tube, and the big knife is a lethal weapon in close combat. He's very satisfied with his equipment, having considered all aspects.

  Tang Qiuli had tried out this knife, cutting iron like mud, extremely sharp. The little devil's warrior knife was like a wooden chip in front of it, breaking as soon as it touched. After the Battle of Sanhe River, Bao'er asked him for 500 silver dollars to buy a knife. At that time, he didn't think much of it, his younger brother liked it, so he bought it. Now it seems like he had traded for a treasure!

  At this time, Tang Qiuli finally spoke up, saying to the two already half-petrified battalion commanders: "From now on, remember that the Blood Hand Brigade has no prisoners. I don't have extra food and medicine to keep alive and treat beasts, except for Chinese people!" The old soldiers of the Blood Hand Brigade had long known what to do, and a few people went up to give the struggling little devils a few swift stabs, not even wasting a single bullet, also helping the devils to ascend to their dogshit great god!

  The two squad leaders suddenly realized, no wonder the three major disciplines and seven items of attention in the execution of the troops did not include the prohibition of mistreating prisoners of war. They were puzzled by this before, but now they understand that there are no prisoners to be taken here, let alone mistreated.

  At this time, the sky had already brightened up. Sun Defu led his troops along the mountain road they came from, hurrying back to catch up with the main force. There was no need to worry about exposing their tracks, a strong wind would blow everything away, and if it snowed again, even gods wouldn't be able to find any trace!

  They arrived at the battalion's campsite, it was almost noon, the main force had already set off, and only the logistics team and the rear guard were waiting for them.

  What surprised Tang Qiuli was that Zhou Yushan, the deputy director of the Logistics Department and the commander of the artillery company, reported to him with a smile, saying that more than 360 young people from the whole village had joined the army, and together with the commander-in-chief, they went to the battlefield to fight against the devils. They were all sons of farmers and hunters, with good conduct and strong bodies!

  After understanding the course of events, Tang Qiuli couldn't help but admire this deputy director of the logistics department who usually looked older and dull. Who would have thought that he had such skills? These Red Army cadres are all talented individuals, they can shine wherever they go. It seems that ultimately winning the victory is not accidental.

  Originally, during the waiting period for the combat troops, Zhou Yushan and other Red Army-born commanders brought out their skills and talked with Sun Defu's father and others who had prestige in the village. They immediately convened a meeting of young people of suitable age, and at the meeting, they made a passionate speech that ignited everyone's enthusiasm. The blood of the Guandong Hans was originally hot, and staying at home was not possible, so they either caught national soldiers or went out to make a difference. Every now and then, the Japanese devils came to cause trouble, and they couldn't bear it anymore. Now there was such a team with good discipline, and everyone's hearts were united. Who was good and who was bad was clear, so why wait? Let's join the fight against the Japanese devils!

  In just half a morning, with swift and efficient movements, more than 300 people from the village who were available joined the troops. What's more, every household brought out the guns that had been collected, over 200 firearms abandoned by the defeated Northeastern Army soldiers, plus the guns exchanged among the big squads, instantly forming a fully armed new battalion.

  Tang Qiu appointed Zhou Yushan as the commander of the new recruits' battalion, considering that these new recruits had not undergone rigorous training and for the convenience of leadership. They marched together with the logistics battalion, responsible for the custody and transportation of materials and equipment.

  Tang Qiuli had Zhou Yushan leave thirty taels of silver to each new recruit's family. When the troops were about to depart, all the villagers came out to see off their loved ones at the village entrance, bidding farewell with tears in their eyes. The scene was warm and touching, yet heartbreaking. This place was like another hometown, Tangjiawopu, a place that made one feel attached. Over three hundred excellent young men, carrying the hopes of their fellow villagers and their trust in themselves, followed him to the battlefield where cannons roared and danger lurked. How many would return? Another burden on his shoulders!

  Bid farewell to relatives and elders, turn back once again to gaze at the village covered in white snow, Tang Qiu led his troops to catch up with the main force, soon reunited with the army.

  Three days later, the troops approached the battlefield.

  These days' march has been relatively smooth, encountering several small-scale enemies, all of which were neatly resolved by the vanguard team without affecting the speed of the troops.

  That afternoon, the troops arrived at the foot of a mountain valley. In front was a not-so-high mountain ridge. The troops suddenly stopped in their tracks. Tang Qiuli found it strange that he hadn't even given the order to rest in place. Had they encountered enemy forces ahead?

  He led the headquarters staff to the vanguard of the First Regiment, and as soon as they climbed up the mountain ridge, Li Hong's face turned iron-green, his teeth biting his lips white, and his eyes spewing flames. He looked like he was in extreme grief and indignation, and hastily walked up to him.

  What's going on? Li Honggang has never been so out of control, it's abnormal... A huge question rose up in Tang Qiu's mind.

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