Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 307 It’s OK, I’ll Take Action
"Baka yarou! Kujo, you piece of trash!"

As Hiratsu Yongfu looked at the telegram, the veins on his forehead bulged.

You still use night raids to deal with the Eighth Route Army? Where have you been doing night raids?
“Brigade Commander, Major Kujo was far too careless,” said Yoshiki Aoki, the Fourth Brigade Chief of Staff.

Having ventured deep into enemy territory alone and fallen into an ambush, it would be strange if they weren't surrounded and annihilated.

The New Second Brigade was the main force of the Eighth Route Army, unlike those poor Eighth Route Army soldiers who couldn't even gather enough guns.

"The complete annihilation of the Nine Battalion was indeed due to carelessness."

Hirano Yufu tossed down the telegram and nodded.

"But Aoki-kun, what are your thoughts on the heavy artillery and semi-automatic weapons of the New Second Brigade mentioned in the telegram?"

"Brigade Commander, heavy artillery is possible. The intelligence department has discovered that the Eighth Route Army has large-caliber mortars."

“However, it’s unlikely to be a semi-automatic weapon; I suspect it’s most likely a light machine gun,” Aoki Yoshi analyzed.

"Due to ammunition issues, the Eighth Route Army was unable to conduct sweeping fire and was likely firing in bursts, which led to Major Kujo's misjudgment."

“Yes, you’re right.” Hiratsu Yuu nodded.

He simply couldn't believe that the Eighth Route Army could possess semi-automatic weapons.

Although many countries now have semi-automatic weapons, only the United States actually uses them on the battlefield.

The Japanese never imagined that the New Second Brigade had been saving up rifles and bullets for more than a year before daring to use them in small-scale battles.

"However, the firepower of the new Second Brigade has not been significantly reduced despite being surrounded, which must be because they have something to rely on."

“I estimate that there is very likely an arms factory inside Zhongyun Mountain,” said Hiratsu Yuufu, looking at the map.

"Arsenal? Where is it?" Aoki asked, puzzled.

"Erlang Mountain! It's highly likely that the Sakata Regiment didn't completely destroy this place before."

Hiratsu Yuu guessed that the arsenal was there, but he didn't expect that the previous battle reports from the Sakata Regiment were completely fabricated.

“Now Erlang Mountain has probably resumed production again,” said Pinglu Yongfu.

"Aoki-kun, order all units to assemble! I've decided to attack the New Second Brigade!"

Both the Sakata Regiment and the Kujo Battalion were units of the 4th Brigade.

They failed in their mission, and as the brigade commander, I have to get revenge.

This is also a good opportunity to settle the scores I didn't have time to settle during the previous raids.

"Brigade Commander, we have received a telegram from the military region."

Chen Chengxing casually took the telegram from Xu Wu's hand.

"Have the Japanese given up on their mopping-up operation?" Luo Ping asked, looking at the telegram with a puzzled expression.

"It doesn't seem like it." Chen Chengxing shook his head.

"If the Japanese abandoned their mopping-up operation, it shouldn't have been only a portion of them that retreated."

"And they all retreated to the Ping'an County and Zhengtun Town area."

Normally, if the Japanese stopped their mopping-up operations, the main force should have retreated simultaneously.

And while retreating, they gradually divided their troops and returned to their respective posts.

"I feel that the Japanese are inclined to attack."

Chen Chengxing stroked his chin, feeling as if the Japanese soldiers were about to attack him.

However, Chen Chengxing was a little unsure at this point.

After all, judging from the overall movements of the Japanese troops in Shanxi, it seemed that they were heading towards the Zhongtiao Mountains.

Logically speaking, the Japanese shouldn't have chosen to create unnecessary trouble.

Regardless of the Japanese's intentions, the New Second Brigade must be prepared.

"Xu Wu."

"To!"

"Order the 212th and 213th Regiments to establish reverse slope positions along the western hills."

"Send an order to the 211th Regiment to move towards Dayun Mountain."

"Local county brigades and militia should do a good job in logistics."

"Yes!"

Xu Wu hurriedly walked out of the brigade headquarters and turned to the communications platoon next to him.

"You think the Japanese are coming for us?" Luo Ping, who was listening nearby, understood.

"Most likely, otherwise why would the Japanese be gathering in Ping'an County and Zhengtun Town?"

By sending troops from Ping'an County and Zhengtun Town, they can launch a pincer attack on the New Second Brigade from the west and north.

The 4th Brigade was a standard infantry brigade with more than 7,000 men.

Its troop strength is no less than that of the New Second Brigade, and its firepower is even higher.

Given the current strength of the new Second Brigade, it is not yet capable of engaging in direct field combat with them.

Putting everything else aside, the New Second Brigade would have a hard time sustaining a field battle in terms of ammunition alone.

Although the Xishan mentioned by Chen Chengxing is called Xishan, it is actually located to the east of Hongniwan, that is, the back mountain of Hongniwan.

It has two mountain ridges, making it perfect for use as a reverse slope position.

The second mountain ridge is about 2 kilometers away from the first mountain ridge, which is just right to serve as a position for a mountain artillery company and a heavy mortar battalion.

Moreover, less than 7 kilometers beyond the second mountain ridge lies the main peak of Erlang Mountain. 105mm cannons or 75mm anti-aircraft guns could utilize the height of Erlang Mountain and their own range to provide fire support to the front-line positions.

A three-in-one defensive position was enough to give the Japanese 4th Brigade a run for its money.

Two days later, just as Chen Chengxing was directing the engineers to dig tunnels on the front-line reverse slope, Xu Wu ran over.

"Brigade Commander, the Japanese have launched an attack!"

"They're heading east from Ping'an County, it seems they're going to pass through Zhangjiahui and then attack from the north."

"Another route goes east from Zhengtun Town, heading straight for Laolong Mountain," Xu Wu reported.

"Just as I expected, the Japanese are planning to meet up at Hongni Bay," Chen Chengxing said.

"Order the county brigade and militia to cover the people as they enter the mountains and clear the fields."

"The rest of the troops should prepare; this is likely to be a major battle."

Chen Chengxing didn't think that the Japanese would choose to retreat after finding nothing at Hongniwan.

If the Japanese continue their eastward advance, Erlang Mountain will be exposed to their military might.

When the Japanese and their puppet troops conduct small-scale sweeps now, they carry very few supplies.

The spoils alone are no longer enough to satisfy the main force of the new Second Brigade.

In this situation, the importance of arsenals is rising dramatically.

The new 2nd Brigade is now relying on the arsenal for reloaded bullets, grenades, and mortar shells.

It is precisely because the importance of the arsenal has increased significantly that the defense system of Erlang Mountain is now more complete.

However, Chen Chengxing did not intend to take action at Erlang Mountain unless absolutely necessary.

After such a long period of development, the arsenal is no longer just located inside Erlang Cave; there are many other things outside the cave as well.

Although the equipment outside the cave is not important, breaking bottles and jars can still have a significant impact.

The arsenal consumes a significant amount of sulfuric and nitric acids every day. If the supply of raw materials is cut off, ammunition production will immediately come to a standstill.

"Brigade Commander, the 13th and 22nd Regiments report that they are making rapid progress and have not encountered any enemy troops," Aoki Yoshi reported.

"Hmph! Another scorched earth tactic. That's all the Eighth Route Army can do," Pinglu Yongfu said disdainfully.

Despite their large numbers, the Eighth Route Army only dares to fight against battalion-level or reinforced battalion-level enemy forces.

He really can't be called a hero.

"Order the 13th and 22nd Regiments to continue their eastward advance!"

"Burn all the houses you encounter along the way, and bury all the wells!" Pinglu Yongfu ordered.

If it weren't for the fear of wasting time, Pinglu Yongfu would have wanted the troops to cultivate all the farmland in Dayun Mountain.

"Hai!"
Luo Ping was furious when he received the report from the militia.

"Damn it, you beast, you beast!"

Even if the Japanese retreat, the situation in the base area will probably take several months to recover after what they did.

"Luckily, the civilians were evacuated, otherwise the Japanese would have definitely started a massacre," Xu Wu said from the side.

What the Japanese are doing now is even more outrageous than their previous large-scale mopping-up operations.

"The Japanese devils are the Japanese devils; never take chances."

Chen Chengxing wasn't particularly angry about this.

After all, he already knew how ruthless the Japanese were, and all of this was within his expectations.

"Judging from the Japanese soldiers' actions, we can only see who's the real deal now," Chen Chengxing said solemnly.

"Order all units to prepare for battle."

"Plant all the landmines and distribute the grenades to the front-line troops."

“This time, I’m going to break Pinglu Yongfu’s front teeth!” Chen Chengxing said.

"Yes!"

On the Laolongshan Highway, Pinglu Yongfu is riding his horse towards the interior of Dayun Mountain.

Beside him were several hundred Japanese soldiers from the 4th Brigade's engineering, medical, and logistics units.

At the same time, there was also a mountain artillery battalion, with 12 Type 94 mountain guns marching together.

"Brigade Commander, the 22nd Regiment reports that they have spotted enemy troops and a firefight has already broken out," Aoki Yoshi reported as he rode up on horseback.

"Really? How many Eighth Route Army soldiers are there?" Pinglu Yongfu asked.

"The exact number is currently unknown, but it is definitely the main force of the Eighth Route Army."

“The enemy not only has a large number of light and heavy machine guns, but also mortars and infantry guns,” Aoki Yoshi said.

"Infantry artillery? It seems this is at least a main force regiment." Hiratsu Yuufu smiled.

According to Pinglu Yongfu's understanding, the Eighth Route Army's main regiments might have mortars, but they would definitely not have infantry guns.

With infantry guns, the Eighth Route Army could easily take down pillboxes.

With this artillery piece, the main force regiment can gain a major opportunity for development and directly leap to the level of a main force.

"Order: Speed ​​things up!"

"I want to personally command the battle!" Hiratsu Yuu ordered.

"Hai!"
(End of this chapter)