Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 87 The opportunity has come
During these days, Chen Chengxing, who stayed in Shangge Village, received a large amount of intelligence from the guerrillas every day.

Chen Chengxing would carefully check every piece of intelligence, and fighter planes were often among these intelligence.

"Old Chen, now all three groups of Japanese troops have entered the base. Shouldn't we move?" Luo Ping said as he walked into the temporary command post from outside.

He had just walked around the camps and the soldiers were already getting a little restless.

Many soldiers of the New Second Regiment were recruited from Dayun Mountain and surrounding areas. Now that their hometowns were raided by the Japanese, it was difficult for them to sit still.

"There is no chance. Even if the Japanese walk past the door, we can't move!" Chen Chengxing looked at the intelligence without raising his head.

Even though the Japanese seem to be in trouble now because of the harassment from the guerrillas, that's because they haven't found their target yet.

Once the main force of the New Second Regiment is exposed to any group of Japanese devils, the other two battalions will inevitably surround it quickly.

The entire Dayunshan area is not small, but it is not very big either. It is only 80 miles from north to south and 130 miles from east to west.

As long as the Japanese want, they can reach any location within one day after abandoning their heavy weapons.

"Eh" Luo Ping sighed and sat on the chair.

As a political commissar, Luo Ping could certainly issue orders in the name of the organization, but when it came to fighting, he was far inferior to Chen Chengxing.

Now Chen Chengxing feels that this is not possible, and of course he has his reasons.

Luo Ping had just sat down when he suddenly heard Chen Chengxing say, "Got it!"

"Got it? Got what?" Luo Ping asked.

"We have the fighter plane!" Chen Chengxing said as he took a map.

"A few days ago, the Japanese army group that entered the mountains via the Laolongshan Highway was ambushed by the guerrillas and the county group using the terrain. They are now sweeping the Ningjiazhuang area.

After the Taigu devils entered the mountains through Sanhe Town, they did not move westward, but instead went south to sweep around Jiaozi Mountain.

The Japanese troops that entered the base from Zhangjiahui, after occupying Liangzhuang, were blocked by the guerrillas at Fanjiagou when they tried to move westward to Hongniwan.

The information Chen Chengxing mentioned had already been marked on the map.

The terrain in the Fanjiagou area is long and narrow with gullies everywhere, which is very conducive to defense. Although the Japanese had a large battalion of troops, they were unable to deploy all of them and could only launch an attack with a small squad at a time.

Therefore, even though the Japanese had the support of two infantry guns and two mountain guns, after a day of fighting, they were unable to do anything to the Fanjiagou position.

"I know everything you said. What happened today?" Luo Ping asked.

The regiment staff would summarize the intelligence reported by the guerrillas, and Luo Ping would also read it every day.

"Look at this." Chen Chengxing handed the information he had just seen to Luo Ping.

"What is this?" Luo Ping said he didn't understand.

Intelligence shows that two days ago, more than 2 Japanese soldiers with two infantry guns passed through Liangzhuang, Xiping, Shangguanzhuang, and Qianlingzhuang, and have now arrived at Liujiazhuang.

Although this force is relatively small, it is a full-strength infantry battalion of the Japanese, that is, 3 infantry companies, 1 machine gun company, and 1 artillery squad, a total of more than 770 people in the main combat force.

The more than 400 people who now appeared in Liujiazhuang are already 2/3 of the main combat force of an infantry battalion. Even if the New Second Regiment is fully mobilized, it will be difficult to wipe out the enemy in a short period of time.

By then, the Japanese will definitely provide support from the east and west. Once the New Second Regiment is caught, it will probably be difficult to break free.

"A few days ago, the Japanese arrived in Liangzhuang. After the 4th, 5th, and 6th guerrillas and the county brigade established a defense line in Fanjiagou, the villages south and west of Liangzhuang were cleared of all the food and people. All the villages were empty and even the roads were destroyed, making it difficult for large vehicles to pass."

"I estimate that the Japanese must have made great efforts to get from Liangzhuang to Liujiazhuang, but it is difficult to move further north from Liujiazhuang. I speculate that the Japanese will definitely retreat." Chen Chengxing said confidently.

Liujiazhuang is located at the intersection of two mountains, and going north you can reach the back of Fanjiagou.

Chen Chengxing speculated that the Japanese must be unable to break through from the front and wanted to launch a surprise attack from behind.

However, the road to the north of Liujiazhuang is not as good as the road to the south. After the road on the south side of Liujiazhuang was destroyed, the Japanese could choose to get off the highway and take a detour, and at most the soldiers would be forced to work like slaves.

However, the road to the north is very narrow and there is no room for detours. If you want to pass through, you have to lift the cart and walk.

If the Japanese had the strength to do this, there would be no need to use a horse-drawn carriage. They could just carry the load on their backs.

"If the Japanese retreat, our chance will come," said Chen Chengxing.

In order to ensure that everything was foolproof, Chen Chengxing immediately ordered Ma Zhiyuan to take a few people to conduct reconnaissance.

Shangge Village is only 20 miles away from Liujia Village, and Ma Zhiyuan and his men are not carrying any loads, so they can take a shortcut.

At this time, Nobuo Yasuda, who led the team to raid Fanjiagou from behind in Liujiazhuang, looked at the intelligence sent back by the scouts and said with a headache: "The destruction by the Eighth Route Army is too thorough!"

The Japanese scouts had advanced 5 kilometers. The 5-kilometer road had been destroyed beyond recognition, with deep pits everywhere.

The entire road is accessible to people and wheelbarrows, which are common in rural China, but large vehicles are not allowed to travel on it.

"Deputy Captain, can we choose to abandon the carts and move forward with light troops?" said Kujo Rokuro, the captain of the 1st Infantry Squadron.

"I'm afraid it's difficult." Nobuo Yasuda shook his head.

Because it was a surprise attack, they did not carry too many supplies. The accompanying carts only carried ammunition and the necessities.

However, during the march, in addition to being constantly harassed by the guerrillas, they also failed repeatedly in Xiping, Shangguanzhuang, Qianlingzhuang, and Liujiazhuang, and did not capture a single hair.

Moreover, these villagers cleared the land so thoroughly that they couldn't even find a pot.

This meant that they had to carry their food along with them. After all, people could go a day without food, but it was difficult to go without water, especially when marching.

Moreover, they were not allowed to drink raw water directly. Regardless of whether the Eighth Route Army had poisoned the water or not, the bacteria in the water alone were enough to cause them a lot of trouble.

Their locust army is no match for the local natives, and the unfamiliar climate and water may cost them their lives.

However, it would take at least two days to get from Liujiazhuang to Fanjiagou, and no one knew where the main force of the Eighth Route Army was, so it was too risky to continue advancing.

Moreover, even if they had been frugal along the way, their supplies had been basically used up. If they continued to move forward, they would have to starve.

"To be on the safe side, let's retreat to Xiping first," said Nobuo Yasuda.

Of course, Nobuo Yasuda could also choose to take the risk and move forward, but if anything went wrong it would be his responsibility.

But if he led the team back to Liangzhuang, the loss of strength in Fanjiagou would be the responsibility of the captain. Although he might be slapped by the captain at that time, at least he would not be held responsible. As for what to do if he was slapped, Nobuo Yasuda knew that he had to stand at attention when he was beaten.

The blame can be shifted away with two slaps, this deal is worth it.

"Hai!"

On this side, Ma Zhiyuan, who had just climbed to the ridge, saw the Japanese pulling a cart from afar.

"Hide! There are Japanese!" Ma Zhiyuan immediately signaled everyone to pay attention, and then took out a telescope to observe.

"The commander's guess is too accurate. The Japanese have already started to retreat." Ma Zhiyuan said as he looked at the Japanese's movements.

"You guys continue to follow and monitor, I will return to the regiment headquarters to report immediately!" Ma Zhiyuan ordered.

"Yes!"

After arranging everything, Ma Zhiyuan immediately rushed to Shangge Village.

"Captain." Ma Zhiyuan ran into the regiment headquarters, panting.

"Why did you come back so soon?" Chen Chengxing was a little surprised.

It has only been one hour since Ma Zhiyuan set out. Even with the bonus of characteristics and taking shortcuts with light equipment, a round trip will take at least one and a half hours, after all, this is a mountain road.

"Before we reached Liujiazhuang, we saw the Japanese's carts and troops retreating in Xiaoliu Village!" Ma Zhiyuan reported.

"The Japs are really decisive!" Chen Chengxing said while looking at the map.

"Old Chen, shall we take action?" Luo Ping said.

"Let's do it! The mountain road from Liangzhuang to Liujiazhuang is 130 miles long. It's enough to give the Japanese a hard time going back and forth." Chen Chengxing said.

The Japanese are now exhausted and their combat effectiveness has been greatly reduced. This is a good opportunity for the New Second Regiment.

"This time the comrades did a great job in mobilization. They used an 'empty city plan' on the Japanese. They must have run away with empty stomachs," said Luo Ping.

"I have the advantage of waiting for the opponent to tire out!" Chen Chengxing stood up and put on his hat.

"And there is a place on this road where the field artillery platoon can exert its strength," said Chen Chengxing.

This is why he was confident that he could defeat the Japanese in a short period of time.

"Italian cannon?" Luo Ping hurried to look at the map.

"Nanzhuang." Chen Chengxing pointed at the map.

When the Japanese were suddenly surrounded by a pincer attack, they would definitely find a place to organize their defense and then regroup.

Nanzhuang is the most suitable place. Nanzhuang is located in a V-shaped valley. Although its mouth faces outward, as long as the mountain pass can be defended, the heavy armored troops retreating to the valley will be able to react.

However, Nanzhuang was only 7 kilometers away from the Erlangshan field artillery position, which was well within the precise strike range of the Italian artillery.

The soldiers of the New Second Regiment who were sent to the Headquarters Artillery Regiment for study have learned the basic operations of artillery after more than a month of training. Although they still shoot slowly and inaccurately, it does not mean that they cannot be used.

Moreover, without actual combat, a soldier will never grow.

At most, it would just waste a few more shells for adjustment. How could Chen Chengxing let go of such a perfect opportunity?

"Bugler, blow the emergency assembly call!" Chen Chengxing shouted as he walked out the door.

A few minutes later, the entire regiment quickly assembled.

"Comrades! The opportunity for battle has arrived! The Japanese are now exhausted and discouraged, and their morale is shaken. We will surely win in one battle!" Chen Chengxing said to the assembled soldiers.

When the soldiers heard Chen Chengxing say that the battle was finally about to begin, they immediately became full of fighting spirit; they had been feeling very depressed over the past two days.

"Zheng Hua!"

"To!"

"You must immediately take the 5th and 6th companies to Shangguanzhuang as quickly as possible, occupy the hilltop position in the southern part of Shangguanzhuang, and use the terrain to block the enemy's retreat route!" Chen Chengxing ordered.

"Whether we can defeat the Japanese this time depends on the strong support of your Second Battalion," said Chen Chengxing.

"Make sure to complete the mission!" Zheng Hua stood at attention.

The Second Battalion is not only good at night marches and night fighting, but is also very adept at forced marches during the day. Their marching speed is among the best in the New Second Regiment.

"The first and third battalions will split into two groups from Qianlingzhuang and attack from the north and south. I will lead the supplementary battalion, the eighth and ninth companies, and the regiment's direct troops to track and pursue them." Chen Chengxing continued to order.

When Ma Zhiyuan discovered the Japanese half an hour ago, they had already reached Xiaoliu Village.

By the time the New Second Regiment caught up from Shangge Village, the Japanese must have passed Qianling Village.

"Captain, should we fight the Japanese if we encounter them?" Xu Wu asked.

"The Japanese are now eager to find us. As long as you catch up with us, you should attack them. They will definitely turn around and attack you." Chen Chengxing said.

Although the Japanese have chosen to retreat now, they have not lost their combat capability. Once they see the main force of the New Second Regiment, they will definitely fight.

If the Japanese devils want to switch from marching to fighting, they must have a place to adjust.

Once the Japanese entered Nanzhuang, what awaited them was the care of Italian artillery.

"Yes!"

"Communications platoon, you must ensure that the telephone line between the Erlangshan artillery position is unobstructed." Chen Chengxing said.

There is a telephone connection between Shangge Village and Erlang Mountain, but once the regiment headquarters moves, the call will inevitably be interrupted for a short time.

Chen Chengxing’s requirement is that this time should be as short as possible.

"Yes!"

"Everyone! Let's go!"

(End of this chapter)