You are ordered to support the War of Resistance against Japan; China enters Level 1 combat readines

"Commander Li, let me analyze this for you."

Shen Wang continued, "We caused such a commotion yesterday, the Japanese high command must have received the news."

"If they further disperse their forces to defend these isolated strongholds, it's tantamount to handing us food one by one."

The reason we were able to achieve such incredible results yesterday was mainly because the Japanese forces were too scattered.

If they were to gather together, two or three thousand Japanese and puppet troops, even if they couldn't handle the Type 99A cavalry, could at least cripple the cavalry company.

Li Yunlong immediately understood and realized, "That's right! Those bastards must have consolidated their forces! They've concentrated them in the county town or some large stronghold!"

"Damn it, he's trying to be a coward!"

As they expected, things turned out just as they predicted.

After Tada Shun vomited blood and fell into a coma last night, the high command of the Japanese army in North China made the most "pragmatic" decision in a panic:

Immediately order all garrison troops at small and medium-sized outposts along the Pingshi Railway to abandon their original positions, carry important supplies, and assemble at the nearest county town or large outpost!

They realized that against that invincible tank, spreading out their defenses was suicidal!

Only by concentrating our forces can we perhaps manage the situation, or at least... make the other side realize the difficulty and retreat, and quickly leave this "place of trouble" in North China.

That's right, the biggest wish of the Japanese high command right now is for you, Big Brother, to leave as soon as possible!

We're not going to chase you anymore, and we're not going to block you anymore. You should hurry up and go to Shanxi Province!

It's basically admitting defeat!

It can't be said that the Japanese were completely helpless against the Type 99A. If they really had to use tens of thousands of troops to encircle and annihilate it, they could have worn it down.

The problem was that Tada Shun vomited blood and fell into a coma, and the other Japanese soldiers didn't want to take the blame.

What if another accident occurs?

The more you do, the more mistakes you make; if you do nothing, you make no mistakes. So, with the North China Army commander in a coma, the Japanese made the most conservative decision.

Having figured this out, Li Yunlong couldn't help but curse, "Those damn Japanese devils, they're like eels, they slip away so fast!"

"If they retreat into the county town, it will be difficult for us to take them on head-on with our small force."

Shen Wang nodded.

While the Type 99A is powerful, its advantages are greatly diminished in complex urban warfare environments, making it extremely vulnerable to close-range infantry ambushes.

The same applies to cavalry companies; having lost the space for mobile warfare, they become sitting ducks in urban combat.

"In that case," Shen Wang thought for a moment and made a decision, "we won't waste our time here with them."

"Now that the Japanese have cleared the way, let's take this opportunity to go straight back!"

The system task is still pending: escort Ding Zhijian and his two companions back to the Jin Province base. The reward is a ten-pull of gold, with a guaranteed SSR.

Moreover, we captured eighteen strongholds yesterday, which earned us a lot of military merit points.

Shen Wang looked at the data panel:

[Host direct kill data:]

★Ordinary Japanese soldiers: 416 heads, military merit points +4160;

★Japanese officer: 11 heads, military merit +850;

★Ordinary puppet troops: 372 heads, military merit points +1860;

★Traitorous officers: 8, Military merit points +300;

Subtotal: The host directly killed 807 Japanese soldiers and traitors, military merit points +7170.

Indirect kill data (killed by friendly forces using equipment provided by the host, with a reward of one-tenth):

★Ordinary Japanese soldiers: 666 heads, military merit points +666;

★Japanese officer: 7 heads, military merit +35;

★Ordinary puppet troops: 1026 heads, military merit points +513;

★ Puppet Army Lieutenant: 4 heads, Military Merit Points +18;

Subtotal: Host indirectly killed 1703 Japanese soldiers, Military Merit Points +1232

Another 8000 military merits earned, officially breaking the 3 mark!

Three division-level lottery draws are available!

A guaranteed SSR in a single 10-pull...

Shen Wang really wanted to get back to Shanxi Province as soon as possible.

"Yes! Back to Shanxi Province!"

Li Yunlong immediately agreed.

"There are plenty of Japanese devils in Shanxi Province too. When we get there, we can still turn the place upside down!"

A single company plus 99A rifles can't take down a county town, but what if a regiment plus 99A rifles did?

Li Yunlong was also starting to look forward to it.

With a clear objective, the team quickly adjusted its direction and marched rapidly toward the base area in Shanxi Province.

However, just as the column crossed the provincial border of Shi County, the cavalrymen on reconnaissance reported back on horseback:

"Reporting, Commander! Political Commissar Zhao... Political Commissar Zhao is here!"

"What? Old Zhao is here?"

Li Yunlong was just thinking about how to brag to the brigade commander when he heard that Zhao Gang had arrived, and he was a little stunned.

What's going on?

With neither the regimental commander nor the political commissar present, who is in charge of the independent regiment?

Before he could even sort out his thoughts, Zhao Gang arrived on horseback, accompanied by a squad of guards, looking travel-worn.

"Old Li, I've finally caught up with you."

Zhao Gang looked exhausted, clearly having traveled all night to catch up with Li Yunlong.

"Old Zhao, what brings you here?"

Li Yunlong dismounted and went to greet them with a puzzled look on his face.

"You, the political commissar, aren't here, and I, the regimental commander, aren't here either. Who's going to look after our independent regiment? Does the brigade commander know?"

Zhao Gang jumped off his horse and said solemnly, "It was an order directly from the brigade commander and headquarters leaders! They ordered me to drop everything and come to meet you immediately!"

Old Li was even more confused now.

Then Zhao Gang continued, "Old Li, the situation has changed!"

"According to our intercepted intelligence and confirmation from multiple sources, the mysterious force that caused such a huge commotion in Beiping and rescued Comrade Ding Zhijian and his comrades is heading west along the Pingshi Railway!"

"Their goal is likely to enter Shanxi Province, and they are very likely to run into you!"

Li Yunlong blinked.

Yes, we did bump into each other, but what are you doing here, Lao Zhao?

Zhao Gang, oblivious to Li Yunlong's strange expression, continued relaying headquarters' instructions: "The headquarters leaders have repeatedly emphasized that this force is no small matter!"

"According to the latest intelligence, the enemy has crippled at least two battalions of Japanese soldiers and annihilated a full ten Type 95 heavy tanks!"

"Old Li! The headquarters leaders know your stubborn temper and were afraid you might offend them with a few words, so they sent me to meet you!"

"If we meet them later, we absolutely, positively must not act recklessly. We must show the utmost sincerity and respect as the Eighth Route Army! Understand?"

Zhao Gang patiently explained the headquarters' concerns and instructions, fearing that Li Yunlong, this "foolish fool," might unknowingly cause a major incident.

Now, Li Yunlong finally understood completely.

The previous mission was to provide backup, so they sent him as the sharpest weapon.

Later, realizing that the other party was too important, and worried that his sharp knife might accidentally cut the other party, he sent Zhao Gang's scabbard instead.

However, Li Yunlong was not angry at all; instead, he grinned and laughed.

"Hahaha! Old Zhao, oh Old Zhao! My good political commissar! You're making me laugh so hard! Hahaha!"

Zhao Gang was baffled by his laughter, his brows furrowing. "Old Li! Be serious! I'm talking to you about something important!"

"This concerns whether we can win over a crucial ally; this is no laughing matter!"

"It's important business! Of course, it's important business!"

Li Yunlong suppressed his smile, then revealed a playful expression, pointing to a large iron lump in the distance.

"Old Zhao, look what's that..."