Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 294 A single telegram was enough to make the Japanese retreat.

"Commander, we have received a telegram from the new Second Regiment."

"Chen Chengxing wants us to assist in the attack on Anqiu."

Fang Ligong handed a telegram to Chu Yunfei.

"Chen Chengxing?" Chu Yunfei took the telegram and glanced at it.

"Hehe. It seems that the Eighth Route Army that passed through Anqiu and Dagushan before was the New Second Regiment."

"The New Second Regiment? What are they doing here?" Fang Ligong asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Have you forgotten those dozens of cannons? I reckon that's the artillery regiment of the Eighth Route Army, about to retreat back to Shaanxi."

"The new Second Regiment should be responsible for one section of the escort mission," Chu Yunfei confirmed.

"I see, that explains everything." Fang Ligong suddenly realized.

No wonder this group of Eighth Route Army soldiers, who looked ready to fight, ran west into the mountains.

"Last night, the Japanese troops in Anqiu took a risk and went straight to the west."

"It seems the Second New Regiment has been targeted," Chu Yunfei said.

"With the Japanese troops in Anqiu, plus the reinforcements from Luyang and Taiyuan, the Second New Regiment probably won't have an easy time this time," Fang Ligong said with a smile.

"No matter what, the losses are all to our national defense forces, so we should lend a hand if we can," Chu Yunfei said solemnly.

"Commander, you can't make a mistake."

"The Second World War Zone Command repeatedly emphasized that any cooperation with the Eighth Route Army must be accompanied by a written order from the Command."

“Those who disobey orders will be subject to military law!” Fang Ligong advised.

Even though Chu Yunfei was a favorite of the Chairman and Commander Yan, he could not cross this red line.

“You still don’t understand Chen Chengxing. If the 358th Regiment doesn’t make a move, he might try to shift the blame elsewhere,” Chu Yunfei said.

"Shifting the blame eastward? As long as we remain inactive, the Japanese army is unlikely to attack us."

Fang Ligong clearly did not believe what Chu Yunfei said.

The Chinese troops in Shanxi were mainly composed of three forces: the Eighth Route Army, the Central Army, and the Jin-Sui Army.

The Japanese army's main force on the front lines was the Central Army, while its enemy forces behind enemy lines were the Eighth Route Army.

The Jin-Sui Army was not within the range of the Japanese army's attack.

Moreover, according to Fang Ligong, Commander Yan seemed to have been in contact with the headquarters of the Japanese First Army.

"What if the new Second Regiment enters Dagushan?" Chu Yunfei countered.

“That’s absolutely impossible!” Fang Ligong affirmed.

The Jin-Sui Army and the Eighth Route Army kept to themselves and did not interfere with each other. How could they dare to easily enter the Jin-Sui Army's territory?
Aren't we afraid of being accused of undermining the united front?
“That’s why I said you underestimated Chen Chengxing,” Chu Yunfei said.

Although Chu Yunfei only stayed in the Second New Regiment for a few days, he was well aware of Chen Chengxing's courage and strategy.

He can always find an excuse if he wants to.

That's when the 358th Regiment will truly be put in a precarious position.

"But you're right, without orders from headquarters, we really can't just cooperate with the Eighth Route Army in battle."

“But I won’t take action; I’ll just adjust the troops’ defense zones. That should be fine, right?” Chu Yunfei said with a smile.

In addition to observing combat tactics, Chu Yunfei also learned how to outwardly comply while inwardly resisting orders in the New Second Regiment.

"Pass on my order: the First Battalion, the Second Battalion, the Third Battalion, and the Artillery Battalion, advance to Xiaomingzhuang and construct defensive positions! Prevent the Japanese from launching a surprise attack on our rear."

One kilometer ahead from Xiaomingzhuang is Anqiu.

Previously, in order to avoid excessively provoking the Japanese, the 358th Regiment only deployed an infantry company in this area.

Now that the army has suddenly pressed in, the Japanese troops in Anqiu will surely panic. At that time, it will all depend on Chen Chengxing.

With the sudden advance of the 358th Regiment, Anqiu City immediately entered a state of emergency.

However, most of the troops in Anqiu City and the nearby strongholds were taken away by Nojiri Masakawa.

Now, including the Japanese soldiers and their collaborators, there are only about 2 people in total.

"What is the 358th Regiment up to?"

Kurofuji Kizo paced back and forth in his office.

He never expected that the 358th Regiment would make a sudden move at this time.

Now is the time when Anqiu's defenses are at their weakest. If things go wrong, the blame for losing the city might fall on our shoulders.

He can't afford to take on this crime.

"What else could we do but come and beat you up?" Jia Gui explained from the side.

"Baka! I know this perfectly well, do you need to tell me?" Kurofuji Kizo was almost driven mad by Jia Gui.

It's just that it's hard to find someone right now, and Jia Gui is extremely loyal to him, otherwise he would have replaced Jia Gui long ago.

"Somebody come!"

"Immediately send a telegram to Colonel Nojiri, asking him to quickly lead his troops back to reinforce the city! Otherwise, Anqiu City will be lost!" Kurofuji Kizo ordered.

This responsibility cannot be borne by oneself under any circumstances.

Nojiri Masakawa was shocked when he received the telegram.

He was the highest-ranking official in charge of Anqiu's defense; if Anqiu fell, he would absolutely bear the responsibility.

But he was unwilling to let these Eighth Route Army soldiers go.

After all, while he could withdraw, the reinforcements from Ping'an County, Luyang, and Taiyuan would not.

Wouldn't we just hand over this great achievement to someone else?
Just as Nojiri Masakawa was struggling with his decision, the Japanese battalion commander from Ping'an County ran over.

"Colonel Nojiri, Heian Prefecture has been attacked. I need to lead my troops back immediately!"

"What?!" Nojiri Masakawa was dumbfounded.

Anqiu was only threatened, so how come Ping'an County was directly attacked?

However, the Japanese battalion commander in Ping'an County clearly didn't have time to pay attention to Nojiri Masakawa.

After informing Nojiri Masakawa of his decision, he immediately led his troops on a forced march back.

According to the telegram he received, the armory in Ping'an County had been bombed by someone, and the damage was now severe.

He must return quickly to take charge.

"Baka! Order the troops to withdraw to Anqiu!" Nojiri Masakawa commanded.

The attack on Ping'an County is most likely related to the Eighth Route Army.

This indicated that Anqiu was also highly likely to be attacked, and they had to return quickly. With the troops in Ping'an County and Anqiu withdrawing, the Japanese troops in Luyang and Taiyuan were left with no choice.

The First Army Headquarters required that the troops in Anqiu and Ping'an cooperate in a joint attack on the Eighth Route Army.

Now that everyone who needed to cooperate has left, what am I still doing here?
We'd better hurry up and leave, or we might miss the bus.

"Commander, the Japanese have really retreated!" Xu Wu said excitedly.

No one could have imagined that a single telegram could force the Japanese to retreat.

Compared to everyone's admiration, Chen Chengxing was somewhat puzzled.

According to his estimate, even if the Japanese and puppet troops in Anqiu retreated, there would still be more than two thousand enemy troops here.

Why did they all suddenly leave?
"What a pity, it didn't make us rich," Chen Chengxing said.

According to Chen Chengxing's original estimate, of the more than 2,000 people left behind, only half were Japanese soldiers.

The new Second Regiment will be able to completely wipe them out.

Now they've all run away.

"Commander, shall we retreat too?" Xu Wu said.

They had received a telegram from the military district informing them that the Yoshino Regiment was marching in their direction.

"Withdraw!" Chen Chengxing nodded.

Since they no longer needed to manage the artillery regiment, the new Second Regiment chose to return to Hongniwan directly from Zhengfeng Town via Laolongshan.

This straight-line distance is 40 kilometers. As long as we move quickly enough, the Japanese will not have time to re-encircle the Second Regiment.

The retreat of the Second New Regiment went smoothly.

However, as the main force passed through the north of Zhengfeng Town, they suddenly heard gunshots.

"Sun Desheng, send someone to see what's going on," Chen Chengxing ordered.

The main force could stop, but the cavalry company was fast enough to send them out to scout.

If any of their comrades are attacked, the cavalry company can lend a hand.

A few minutes later, Chen Chengxing heard a burst of intense gunfire not far away, followed by an abrupt end to the sound.

After a short while, Sun Desheng returned.

"Commander, about ten Japanese soldiers are chasing two people. I've brought them over."

As for the dozen or so Japanese soldiers, Sun Desheng didn't mention them, and Chen Chengxing didn't ask either; it was obvious what would happen to them.

"Bring the man over here," Chen Chengxing said, dismounting.

"Yes!"

Sun Desheng waved his hand, and the cavalry soldiers from not far away brought the two men over.

As the two approached, Chen Chengxing asked directly, "What are your names? Where are you from? What did you do to offend the Japanese?"

"Good day, sir. This is Zhou Weiguo, and this is my friend Xu Hu, also known as Qingfeng Shanren."

Zhou Weiguo glanced at the equipment on the Eighth Route Army soldiers and a smile appeared on his face.

"When we were in Ping'an County, we accidentally blew up the Japanese army's armory, and that's why they kept chasing us."

"You two blew up the Japanese armory?" Sun Desheng asked incredulously.

This is like Sun Wukong causing havoc in the Heavenly Palace, but judging from these two people, they don't seem to have that kind of ability.

"Just lucky, just lucky." Zhou Weiguo simply smiled and did not refute.

"Zhou Weiguo?"

Chen Chengxing immediately knew who this person was.

"Qingfeng Mountain? Bandits? A dignified Chinese soldier, instead of fighting the Japanese on the battlefield, how did he become a bandit?" Chen Chengxing laughed.

Even though Chen Chengxing had never watched the TV series, he could tell from their demeanor that they were people who had received professional military training.

"Where we fight the Japanese is still where we fight, so Qingfeng Mountain is just fine."

Zhou Weiguo knew he couldn't hide it, so he didn't lie.

“I see you have some skills. If you’re willing, you can come to Dayun Mountain to find me. I guarantee you won’t be treated unfairly,” Chen Chengxing said.

Zhou Weiguo is a talented individual. If he could be put to use by the new Second Regiment, the regiment would be even more powerful.

"Who is the commander?"

"The new Second Regiment Commander is Chen Chengxing."

"You are Chen Chengxing?" Zhou Weiguo's tone changed from before, sounding somewhat incredulous.

He knew from the equipment of this group of Eighth Route Army soldiers that they were no ordinary team.

But he never expected that this was the renowned New Second Regiment in northwestern Shanxi.

“I am Chen Chengxing, without a doubt.”

Upon hearing Chen Chengxing's offer to recruit him, Zhou Weiguo hesitated.

The Second New Regiment was no ordinary Eighth Route Army unit; it was a force that utterly routed the Japanese.

Such recruitment is rare and hard to come by.

If it weren't for the fact that the leader of Qingfeng Village treated him well, Zhou Weiguo might have already left with Chen Chengxing.

“Commander Chen is giving me face, so I’ll definitely take care of it. But I have some things to do right now. How about I come to visit you in a couple of days?” Zhou Weiguo said.

Chief Zhu treated him well, but he still had to go back to Qingfeng Mountain.

“Of course, no problem. My promise is valid forever. You can come to me anytime.” Chen Chengxing nodded.

"Commander Chen, I'll take my leave now!" Zhou Weiguo prepared to return to Qingfeng Mountain immediately.

"Please go ahead," Chen Chengxing said.

Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, Sun Desheng scratched his head.

"Commander, do you really believe what he said?"

The two men blew up the armory, which Sun Desheng found impossible.

There are many talented people in the world.

Chen Chengxing didn't offer much explanation, but instead remounted and caught up with the main group.

Seeing that the regimental commander was ignoring him, Sun Desheng had no choice but to continue his guard duty.

(End of this chapter)