Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 289 Listen to me, you can't handle this.
"Old Luo, this is a top-secret telegram from the military region. I just translated it."

As Chen Chengxing spoke, he handed the telegram he had just translated to Luo Ping.

"Headquarters Artillery Regiment?" Luo Ping looked at the telegram, somewhat surprised.

“That’s right. The artillery regiment is too big and too dangerous a target right now. Yan’an has decided to send them back to northern Shaanxi.”

Since the Japanese launched their large-scale mopping-up operations, although the Eighth Route Army's situation is better than in the past, it still feels immense pressure.

As the base area shrinks, the artillery regiment's twenty or thirty mountain guns will be easily discovered by the Japanese.

If it gets bombed, the losses will be huge.

This was the only fully-fledged artillery regiment of the Eighth Route Army.

"Along the way, the Japanese strongholds were densely distributed, and the highways and railways crisscrossed, making the blockade extremely tight."

"This is by no means an easy task," Luo Ping said solemnly.

According to the military region's telegram, the headquarters artillery regiment's return to Shanxi this time started from Liaoxian County.

After passing through Shexian and Qixian, we entered Jinzhong, and then crossed the Tongpu Railway to enter Liangshan.

Then, after passing through Anqiu and Dagushan, we entered Yalushan.

Finally, it crossed the Yellow River to the west, a journey of more than 1000 kilometers.

“It’s not just the artillery regiment,” Chen Chengxing said.

"Accompanying the artillery regiment were a group of mid- to high-ranking officers, students from the military and political academy, and members of the Italian-British 'Anti-War League'."

"There are many non-combat personnel, many units, and a lot of heavy equipment."

The more personnel and the more complex the situation, the more difficult the escort mission becomes.

Fortunately, this time the entire process wasn't handled by the new Second Regiment.

The Second New Regiment is mainly responsible for the Liangshan section.

The escort team only needs to pass through Luyang, and then the 772nd Regiment will take over and pass through Anqiu.

In the past, this task would not have required the new Second Regiment at all.

However, due to the Japanese sweep, all the Eighth Route Army troops that were relatively close to Luyang had already withdrawn.

Now, the new second regiment is actually closer.

"So what are your plans? How many people will you bring?" Luo Ping asked.

Now that the task has been assigned, it must be completed.

"I will take four main battalions and a cavalry company with me, while the rest of the troops will remain in the base area," Chen Chengxing said.

This mission is of great importance, and Chen Chengxing must be prepared for the battle to begin.

"By the way, Lao Luo, now that the artillery regiment is going back to northern Shaanxi, what do you say?"

"Chen Chengxing really dares to ask for it! He wants the artillery regiment to leave him 2 men? Does he think I own the artillery regiment?"

Inside the military region command post, Chen Sijin saw the telegram from the New Second Regiment and laughed in anger.

"You don't know Chen Chengxing, he always takes risks, even if there's no guarantee of success."

"I reckon he's definitely waiting to negotiate," the chief of staff chuckled from the side.

"Negotiate terms? Humph! What terms does he have? Does he really think he'd hand over those cannons?" Chen Sijin said.

After the artillery regiment returned to northern Shaanxi, its main task shifted from combat to teaching.

It's not a problem if we want to keep some people, but you, Chen Chengxing, are just trying to make a quick buck with nothing but empty promises?
He probably thinks too highly of himself as the commander of the military region.

The operations staff of the New Second Regiment brought over the reply telegram from the General's District.

"Commander, the Grand Commander sent a telegram today."

Chen Chengxing took a look and found that the telegram was simple, containing only four characters.

Daydreaming!

"Tsk, what Da Sijin said was really too harsh."

"I just feel that it would be a waste for the soldiers of the artillery regiment to just return to northern Shaanxi like this."

"Staying in my new Second Regiment will still allow me to shine, and we have plenty of artillery too," Chen Chengxing said somewhat indignantly.

This was clearly a well-intentioned gesture, yet Chen Dasi is completely ungrateful.

They don't even know how to fight for the interests of their own troops.

"Hehe. Old Chen, I told you long ago, even the artillery battalion of the military region is short of manpower. How could you possibly get any benefits from Da Sijin?"

Luo Ping looked at Chen Chengxing's expression and almost laughed.

According to Luo Ping's estimation, since the artillery regiment was going to return to northern Shaanxi, it would definitely send personnel out to join various units.

However, there won't be too many people, since the entire artillery regiment only has about a thousand men, and that includes a large number of ammunition and supply troops.

A normal artillery squad consists of only five or six people, excluding those transporting ammunition.

Chen Chengxing immediately mentioned 2 people, which would probably wipe out the entire artillery regiment's technical soldiers.

"Sigh, I could at least try to negotiate a lower price," Chen Chengxing sighed.

The new 4nd Regiment is severely lacking in artillery personnel, especially those four heavy cannons, which they still haven't figured out how to use.

"Never mind, let's send another telegram to the Grand Master."

Knowing that Da Sijin was the type to not act until he saw a clear benefit, Chen Chengxing could only offer his own terms.

"I knew Chen Chengxing would bleed this time."

Chen Sijin smiled as he held the newly sent telegram from the Second Regiment.

The artillery regiment's withdrawal to the rear is something that happens only once in eight hundred years.

"What does Chen Chengxing want in exchange?" the chief of staff asked curiously.

"Two field guns, plus 200 rounds of ammunition."

"Those two Italian cannons from the Erlang Mountain Arsenal?" The chief of staff was somewhat surprised.

"Aren't these two cannons the arsenal's prized possessions? Is Chen Chengxing really willing to part with them?"

“Don’t you know him? This is definitely the lowest-value artillery piece in the New Second Regiment,” Chen Dasi said.

The Second New Regiment was primarily engaged in mountainous operations, and the mobility of field artillery was a major challenge.

Furthermore, with the addition of the Type 94 mountain gun, the value of these two Italian guns in the Second Regiment has been greatly reduced.

As for the two cannons and two anti-aircraft guns that the New Second Regiment had previously captured from the armored train.

To avoid being discovered by the Japanese and subsequently bombed, it was kept secret.

Chen Sijin only knew that the New Second Regiment had captured four cannons with incomplete gun mounts.

In addition, Chen Chengxing had not been to the military region for a long time, so Chen Dasi did not know what kind of cannon it was.

"Why don't you ask those new second regiments?" the chief of staff said.

These two cannons are quite a significant investment; the artillery regiment should agree to the personnel change.

"Okay, go and send a telegram to the artillery regiment, ask if they're willing, and how many men they can send." Chen Dasi nodded.

Upon receiving the telegram, the artillery regiment became very interested in the exchange terms offered by the new 2nd Regiment.

Although these two field guns are products of World War I, they are not outdated even today.

Moreover, they already had a large number of heavy weapons, and the addition of two field guns wouldn't affect their speed. After discussion, the regimental party committee of the artillery regiment quickly replied to Chen Sijin with a telegram.

"Commander, the artillery regiment has replied. They are willing to offer a company of artillerymen in exchange." Chen Can walked in with the telegram.

"The artillery regiment is quite generous," Chen Dasi said with a smile.

Although an artillery company has fewer than a hundred men, it also has a large number of ammunition handlers.

But this is already pretty good.

If the artillery regiment hadn't been returning to northern Shaanxi, they would never have just pulled out an artillery company like that.

This artillery company can easily form an artillery battalion by integrating with the original artillery of the New Second Regiment and adding some new recruits.

"Send a telegram to Chen Chengxing, telling him to just move the artillery over when he's covering the artillery regiment," Chen Dasijin said.

"I'll go right away. Chen Chengxing will be very happy to know that there's an artillery company for him," Chen Can said with a smile.

"etc."

“Who said it was a single artillery company? You tell Chen Chengxing that one platoon can be exchanged for one cannon.”

"I can't just be the middleman for nothing, can I?" Chen Dasi said.

The military region's radio station has been working so hard for so long, surely it can't come away empty-handed?
Two platoons are enough for the new Second Regiment. If there are more, Chen Dasi is afraid that Chen Chengxing will not be able to handle it.

At the headquarters of the New Second Regiment, Chen Chengxing carefully studied the map.

Chen Chengxing was already quite satisfied with exchanging two Italian cannons, which he wouldn't need in the short term, for two platoons of artillerymen.

With these people in place, the artillery battalion of the new 2nd Regiment can be put on the agenda.

However, there are many issues to consider when marching with these two field guns.

First of all, the new Second Regiment can no longer take the shortcuts.

Chen Chengxing had to find a road that would allow the Italian cannons to pass.

Moreover, Chen Chengxing also decided to stir things up inside.

As long as something happens on Dayun Mountain, it will draw the Japanese's attention.

This will reduce the probability of the artillery regiment being detected.

Based on the intelligence gathered during this period, Chen Chengxing gradually drew a crooked route on the map.

Although the route is crooked, the terrain it passes through is relatively flat.

Moreover, there were only about a dozen pillboxes along the way, and no strongholds.

The new Second Regiment did not need to carry mountain guns or heavy mortars on its march, nor did it need to expend too much energy.

Two days later, the appointed time arrived.

"Xu Wu, you take a battalion and remove the nails one by one along this line."

At the regimental headquarters, after informing the battalion commanders of the tasks, Chen Chengxing handed the drawn map to Xu Wu.

Each battalion now has infantry guns, which are fully capable of destroying these brick-built pillboxes.

The First Battalion had the most infantry guns and shells, which is why Chen Chengxing assigned the task to the First Battalion.

"The First Battalion can set off now. I will lead the main force along the road after dark," Chen Chengxing said.

At this point, there was still about an hour until it got dark.

At this time, the pillbox was attacked, and the Japanese soldiers in other pillbox strongholds dared not easily provide support.

Especially when the attacking troops were extremely powerful, the Japanese dared not venture out easily.

"Yes!"

"Sir! Several watchtowers in Tangping Village, Quanzhuang, Liushuping, and other locations have been attacked!"

"The Eighth Route Army is attacking with a large number of troops, and they also have several cannons."

“Each pillbox was out of contact within 20 minutes of being reported attacked.”

Wei Zhong, the regimental commander of the puppet army in Luyang, ran into the city defense headquarters.

The row of pillboxes depicted by Chen Chengxing were all garrisoned by puppet troops.

So they immediately called Wei Zhong.

Upon hearing Wei Zhong's report, Noguchi Hidehito, the Japanese battalion commander in Luyang, immediately got up and went to the map.

"Tangping Village, Quanzhuang, Liushuping," Noguchi Hidehito's finger traced along the path.

"What does the Eighth Route Army mean by this?" Noguchi Hidehito frowned.

Even as the pillboxes were being pushed forward, Hidehito Noguchi knew that an attack was inevitable sooner or later.

However, he couldn't quite understand why the Eighth Route Army was taking down the pillboxes.

Tangping Village and Quanzhuang Village are relatively easy to manage, but Liushuping Village is not located on a major transportation route.

In accordance with the Eighth Route Army's past practices, whether they wanted to open up transportation lines or expand their base areas, they always targeted and destroyed pillboxes.

This was the first time he had ever seen such a chaotic battle.

"Sir, should we send troops to provide support?" Wei Zhong asked.

While he was running to report, the phone kept ringing.

It seems the Eighth Route Army has no intention of stopping yet.

“Support? No, no, no, we can’t provide support lightly.” Hidehito Noguchi shook his head repeatedly.

Hidehito Noguchi has always been as steady as a rock.

We will never act rashly when the situation is unclear.

The Eighth Route Army's tactic of besieging a stronghold and attacking reinforcements was notorious.

He couldn't control other units, but the Noguchi Battalion absolutely could not be fooled easily.

Besides, those who died were all collaborators, what does it have to do with Noguchi Hidehito?

"Order all units to strengthen vigilance, and if attacked by the Eighth Route Army, they must resist to the end."

Hidehito Noguchi knew he was talking nonsense, but he still had to say it.

He couldn't control what would happen to the Locust Army in the end.

As long as they can send a message and let me know the Eighth Route Army's movements, that's enough.

As for the pillbox, we can build it later.

Wei Zhong was surprised that Noguchi Hidehito was so ruthless.

In any case, this loss is a blow to Luyang's defenses.

However, Luyang was, after all, the territory of the Japanese, and since Noguchi Hidehito had made the decision, Wei Zhong did not have the courage to object.

After returning to his territory, Wei Zhong ordered, "If any place is attacked from now on, make sure they hold off the attack."

"The Locust Army is already mobilizing its troops and will arrive soon."

Since the pillboxes that are attacked are doomed to perish, we might as well let them prove their worth.

It's good to try and gain some benefits for myself.

(End of this chapter)