Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 291 See? Can't See (Bonus Chapter, Requesting Monthly Tickets)
After passing through Sanma Town, the main force arrived at the east bank of the Dongchuan River at around 2 a.m.

"Commander, all the bridges across the river that are passable have been occupied by the Japanese."

The vanguard returned and reported.

Artillery regiments are all heavily equipped; they can't possibly cross the river by taking a single-plank bridge.

According to reconnaissance, the Japanese had built pillboxes or bunkers to control the bridges upstream and downstream of the Dongchuan River.

"Send the order to the cavalry reconnaissance platoon to find a shallow spot and prepare to wade across the river," Chen Chengxing commanded.

Unless absolutely necessary, the Second New Regiment should not launch a strong attack lightly.

However, since last year, rainfall in Shanxi has decreased compared to before, and it is currently the dry season, so the river level will not be very high.

This made it possible for the artillery regiment to wade across the river.

"yes!".
Just as the cavalry reconnaissance platoon was searching for a suitable point to cross the river, the artillery regiment also began preparations.

Crossing a river with artillery is no simple task; thorough preparation is essential.

"Deputy Company Commander, I know there's a relatively flat area ahead where we might be able to cross the river."

Just as Ma Zhiyuan ordered the cavalry reconnaissance platoon to disperse and conduct reconnaissance, a soldier took the initiative to report.

"Where?" Ma Zhiyuan asked immediately.

"It's about five or six miles ahead," the soldier said, pointing downstream.

“Let’s go take a look,” Ma Zhiyuan said.

Upon arriving at the place the soldier had described, Ma Zhiyuan probed the water and found that it was indeed not deep.

"Cross the river and take a look on the other side."

Ma Zhiyuan led a few people across the Dongchuan River on horseback.

However, the group had not gone far when they saw a bonfire burning in a nearby village.

"Dismount and stand guard!"

"Xiao Liu, come with me and take a look," Ma Zhiyuan whispered.

The two sneaked to the edge of the village and found that there were puppet soldiers standing guard.

"Company commander, what should we do?"

No one expected that puppet troops would suddenly appear in this place.

And it seems they've been here for more than just a day or two.

"Go check other places to see if there's anything else going on, then go back and report to the regimental commander."

Faced with this situation, Ma Zhiyuan was also unsure of what to do. He could only investigate the situation thoroughly and then go back to report.

"Commander, find a shallow spot downstream where we can wade across the river."

"However, a group of puppet troops were discovered stationed in a village on the other side of the river."

Ma Zhiyuan gave a detailed report on the situation.

Moreover, apart from this place, the cavalry reconnaissance platoon did not find any other suitable places to cross the river.

Upon hearing that there were puppet troops, Chen Chengxing frowned slightly.

"Let the 9th and 10th companies cross the river first and surround the village."

"Then cut off their telephone lines to prevent them from calling for help from Anqiu and Luyang," Chen Chengxing ordered.

"Tell the 9th and 10th companies to surround and monitor them first. If the Japanese don't find the troops crossing the river, then ignore them; if the puppet troops take any action, then wipe them out directly."

Chen Chengxing doesn't have many options now; he can only take risks and try.

"Order the main force to prepare to cross the river!" Chen Chengxing turned and gave the order.

The artillery regiment immediately changed course and headed downstream along the riverbank.

When Chen Chengxing led his team to the river crossing point, the 9th and 10th companies had already crossed the river and completed the encirclement and surveillance of the puppet troops.

The main force then immediately began wading across the river.

"Company commander, company commander, something's happened!"

The puppet army sentry on duty in Maping Village ran to the door of Jiang Sheng, the puppet army company commander, and hurriedly began knocking on the door.

"What's going on?" Jiang Sheng asked impatiently from inside the house.

"There are people outside the village, they look like Eighth Route Army soldiers!"

"What did you say?!"

Jiang Sheng, who was still in bed, immediately jumped up.

Ignoring the cold weather, he yanked open the door.

"Company commander, please go and take a look!"

Jiang Sheng hastily threw on a coat, even buttoning it wrong, but he obviously didn't care about that now.

After scrambling onto the roof, Jiang Sheng looked in the direction the sentry was pointing.

By the moonlight, Jiang Sheng could vaguely see a large dark shadow on both banks of the river in the distance.

Without even thinking, he knew it was the Eighth Route Army crossing the river.

"Damn, that scared me." Jiang Sheng breathed a sigh of relief.

He would be worried if a thousand or eight hundred people came.

But such a large mass of dark figures must number at least 10,000 to 20,000 men.

He's just a small infantry company, with fewer than 100 men. Does he deserve it?

It's obvious they're not targeting me.

Even if it's not aimed at me, what's there to be afraid of?
“Tell the brothers to go to sleep! Pretend nothing happened!” Jiang Sheng commanded.

"You don't need to stand guard anymore, just go to sleep!"

We can't even call our superiors now. What if they send them to check what's going on?

Should we go or not?
If no guards are assigned, nothing will be discovered.

Even if something goes wrong, at most it's just dereliction of duty, and then you'll get a few slaps in the face.

But at least his life was saved.

"Oh, I'll go back right away."

If it were a fight against the Guo army or the Jin-Sui army, these puppet troops wouldn't be too afraid.

But if you mention the Eighth Route Army, they'll shake their heads faster than a rattle drum.

Because the puppet troops chose to feign blindness, the artillery regiment crossed the river very smoothly.

Seeing that the puppet troops were so sensible and did not cause any trouble, Chen Chengxing led his troops forward quickly.

Jiang Sheng breathed a sigh of relief upon learning that the Eighth Route Army had gone far away.

Upon arriving at Yangjia'an, Chen Chengxing ordered his troops to disperse and rest. After dark, Chen Chengxing led his troops to continue their advance.

However, in the middle of the night, after arriving at the agreed meeting point, an unexpected incident occurred.

The 772nd Regiment, which was supposed to come to meet us, was nowhere to be found.

"Send a telegram to the military region immediately!" Chen Chengxing ordered.

It's already 2 a.m., and the surrounding area is full of Japanese pillboxes and strongholds.

If the troops continue to wait here, they will be exposed to the Japanese once dawn breaks.

They would inevitably be besieged. However, after contacting the military region, Chen Chengxing learned that things had taken an unexpected turn.

Previously, the 772nd Regiment had retreated into the Yalu Mountains due to a sweep operation.

When they returned to the Liangshan area to pick up the artillery regiment, they were spotted by the Japanese, and a battle ensued.

To avoid attracting attention, Chen Dasi had no choice but to order the 772nd Regiment to retreat back to the Yalu Mountains.

During the march, the Second New Regiment's radio was not connected, so they did not receive the latest telegrams immediately.

"Commander Chen, should we withdraw to Yangjia'an?" Commander Wu of the artillery regiment asked.

"There's not enough time," Chen Chengxing shook his head.

Their current location is less than 20 kilometers away from Yang Jia'an.

If it were only the New Second Regiment, they could naturally choose to march back quickly.

However, with the artillery regiment present, there was absolutely no way they could withdraw to Yangjia'an before dawn.

"Now we only have one path in front of us: keep moving forward!" Chen Chengxing said solemnly.

Chen Chengxing is currently unable to contact the 772nd Regiment, so he has no idea whether they have prepared any hiding places in advance.

With no new hiding spots, Chen Chengxing had no choice but to grit his teeth and continue forward.

However, there are many difficulties in moving forward.

First of all, the enemy situation is unclear.

This area used to be the guerrilla zone of the 772nd Regiment, and the New Second Regiment had never been here before.

Moreover, if we go any further, we will be in the heart of enemy-occupied territory.

"Keep going?!" The people around were stunned.

Based on the marching distance and time, if they continued forward, they would face the situation of marching during the day.

This means that a battle could break out at any time.

"Is there any other way besides this path?" Chen Chengxing asked in return.

Whether you retreat or stay now, it's a dead end.

Only by continuing forward can we possibly forge a path forward.

The people nearby looked at each other, unsure how to respond.

They really had no other choice.

"Commander Chen, please explain your plan in detail," Commander Wu said.

"The plan is simple: exploit the psychology of the Japanese soldiers and their collaborators, and stage an 'empty city ruse' for them!"

"Let's take advantage of the cover of night to march a distance, and then during the day, we'll openly march in front of the Japanese soldiers."

"The artillery of the artillery regiment was changed from being transported by pack animals to being removed from its gun cover and pulled by mules and horses."

"The troops of the New Second Regiment had bullets loaded and bayonets fixed to their rifles."

"We are adopting a posture that allows us to launch an attack on an enemy at any time."

"To give the Japanese the illusion that this is a powerful force that could attack them at any time."

"In this way, the Japanese will have to make defensive preparations, and we may be able to swagger through this enemy-occupied area."

Chen Chengxing shared his thoughts with everyone.

Everyone was amazed by Chen Chengxing's wild imagination.

If the Japanese soldiers were truly holding their stronghold to the death, then they would indeed face no obstacles.

However, they also need to be fast; if they drag it out for too long, the Japanese might react.

"Commander Chen, what if the Japanese dare to launch an attack?" Commander Wu asked.

This point must be carefully considered, and contingency plans must be prepared.

"If the Japanese invaders launch a blockade or harassment, the Second New Regiment will try to open up a passage."

"The artillery regiment and the other comrades will go first, and the new Second Regiment will be responsible for the rearguard," Chen Chengxing said.

After a brief discussion, the artillery regiment and the other guarded troops agreed to Chen Chengxing's plan.

This is currently the optimal solution.

At dawn, a jaw-dropping scene unfolded in the enemy-occupied territory.

A column of dozens of artillery pieces, pulled by mules and horses, and several thousand Eighth Route Army soldiers walked along the main road in the Japanese-occupied area as if no one else was there.

It looked as if the Eighth Route Army was conducting an armed parade in enemy-occupied territory.

The people who got up early to work were stunned by what they saw.

"Could it be that the Japanese soldiers were driven away?"

"No, the pillbox is still there, isn't it?"

When the people looked up, they could see the watchtower not far away.

Since the pillbox is still there, it means the Japanese are still there.

Meanwhile, the Japanese soldiers and puppet troops inside the pillbox stronghold also saw the Eighth Route Army marching outside.

"What the hell is going on?"

Where is this Eighth Route Army unit headed?

"No matter where we're firing, we can't go out. With so many artillery pieces and machine guns, going out means certain death."

"Shut up and see how the Italian reacts."

"If Yi insists on going to his death, brothers, be smart then."

However, at this moment, not only did the puppet troops dare not make any rash moves, but even the Japanese soldiers were dumbfounded.

They had never seen the Eighth Route Army march so openly in broad daylight.

"Did the call go through?" the Japanese sergeant asked.

"Nearby outposts are all out of service; the phone lines must have been cut."

The Japanese soldier standing nearby reluctantly put down the phone.

"Baka yarou".

Although the Japanese soldiers admired Bushido, it doesn't mean they were brainless.

With such a small group, they'd just get trampled to death if they went out.

If you can't contact other units, staying put is the best option.

After all, the Eighth Route Army soldiers outside clearly have other missions. As long as we don't provoke them, we shouldn't get beaten up.

Moreover, they are garrison troops, whose primary task is to guard pillboxes and strongholds.

You must not go out without orders from your superiors.

What if the pillbox is moved away?
Seeing that the Japanese soldiers had chosen to retreat as expected, Chen Chengxing felt half relieved.

"Order all units to speed up," Chen Chengxing said.

When the vanguard 3rd and 4th battalions passed by the Japanese strongholds, they would first send out guard troops to monitor the movements of the Japanese troops inside the strongholds.

As long as the Japanese don't move, the guard troops won't take any additional action.

And so, the Japanese soldiers watched as the Eighth Route Army marched through the blockade lines like an armed parade, as if they were observing.

(End of this chapter)