The War of Resistance: From Overseas Chinese Mechanics to King of Nanyang

"Will this thing even work?" After watching the engineers finish laying the so-called landmines, Meng Fan still looked doubtful. Could this thing really destroy a tank?

If he actually managed to destroy the Japanese tanks, he'd eat shit.

"To be honest, I don't know either. Although the other party assured me that it would definitely work, you know, I've never seen it, so I don't know." Long Wenzhang spread his hands, indicating that he didn't know either.

It's said that this thing is extremely powerful, filled with explosives. It could blow up not only Japanese soldiers, but even Japanese tanks, so much so that the parts couldn't be put back together. This is just what others have said; he hasn't seen it himself, so he's somewhat skeptical. However, he can't say this to Meng Fanle.

After all, he's the superior officer, so he certainly can't say such discouraging things.

Upon hearing this, Meng Fan hesitated for a moment, especially looking at Long Wenzhang's sincere expression. He didn't know what to say for a while. If it were true, it could indeed cause considerable harm.

"And then there's that gas cylinder cannon, which is said to be very powerful. To be honest, if we coordinate well, it will definitely give the Japanese a run for their money," Long Wenzhang continued, his tone relaxed.

Meng Fan fell silent. He looked at the busy cannon fodder in front of him, at the hidden bunkers and landmines, and then at Long Wenzhang beside him, who was grinning but had a determined look in his eyes. The turmoil in his heart gradually dissipated.

"Alright, stop looking so long-faced. Just follow me and I'll make sure you live. You'll even earn a merit and never be used as cannon fodder again," Long Wenzhang said with a smile, patting the other man's shoulder.

If Huang Zurong were here, he would definitely swear to God that he did not think that way at all. The reason he sent the other party here was simply because he thought that although the other party was cannon fodder, at least he had a certain level of military skills. With these weapons, he would definitely be able to hold out for a while.

There's no way around it; there's a big difference between veterans and new recruits. At least veterans know how to dodge, while new recruits are completely stunned when hit by artillery shells.

Just as the two were talking, a scout rushed back from the woods, pale-faced and breathless, panting heavily. He stopped abruptly in front of Long Wenzhang and saluted immediately: "Sir, sir! We've spotted Japanese reinforcements ten kilometers ahead. Judging by their size, it's at least a regiment!"

Upon hearing this, Long Wenzhang's smile vanished instantly, his expression changed drastically, and he felt a chill run down his spine. He subconsciously raised his voice.

"How many? A regiment?"

He had initially thought that the Japanese reinforcements would consist of at most two battalions, a maximum of two thousand men. He believed that with the advantage of the terrain and their weapons, they could manage to hold them off with a valiant effort. But a regiment, a full three thousand men, with light and heavy machine guns, mortars, and possibly even tanks—how could he possibly hold them off?

Isn't this too much?

That's not right.

What kind of madness have those Japanese devils gone mad?

Why are there so many people here all of a sudden?

"Order! Everyone, get ready, hide and wait. Do not fire without my order, and do not expose yourselves!" Long Wenzhang's eyes narrowed as he gave the order in a low voice.

"Also, send a telegram to the regimental commander, saying that there are many Japanese reinforcements and requesting that more troops be sent."

Long Wenzhang wasn't stupid. He knew perfectly well that a regiment of Japanese soldiers was far beyond what his two hundred-odd cannon fodder could withstand. Fighting head-on would only lead to their deaths. The only chance of survival was to request reinforcements.

Not long after, Huang Zurong received a telegram from Long Wenzhang. After glancing at it, he couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine.

He was observing the battle situation on the front lines with binoculars, a sense of relief on his face, because the 200th Division, supported by gas cylinder artillery, was launching an increasingly fierce offensive and had already captured several key Japanese strongholds, getting very close to the complete occupation of Lashio. But this news left him completely stunned.

"A whole regiment? So many of them? And so fast? They don't even need logistics and supplies?" Huang Zurong muttered.

He simply couldn't understand how the Japanese reinforcements could arrive so quickly.

According to his previous estimates, even if the Japanese army sent reinforcements, it would take at least three or four days to arrive, and the force would be at most two battalions, with a maximum of two thousand men. With Long Wenzhang's troops and the "homemade weapons" at his disposal, they could hold out until the main battlefield captured Lashio, and then send reinforcements.

But now, only two days later, Japanese reinforcements have arrived ten kilometers away, and the force is a regiment. This is completely beyond his expectations and has disrupted his entire plan.

"Commander, the situation is dire. A Japanese regiment is very strong, while Captain Long's force only has a little over 500 men. Even with pressure cooker mines and gas cylinder cannons, they probably won't last long. If they are defeated, Japanese reinforcements will arrive in Lashio, and we will be attacked from both sides, which will also affect our offensive on the main battlefield." Lin Yi immediately demonstrated the qualities of an excellent staff officer, speaking with a grave expression.

Huang Zurong nodded slowly, his eyes gradually sharpening. He knew that now was not the time to panic; he had to find out the true situation of the Japanese reinforcements as soon as possible in order to make the right decision.

Relying solely on scouts is too slow and inaccurate. If there were a full regiment, then some operational plans would need to be changed.

"Send the drone squadron up immediately and head to the route the Japanese reinforcements are bound to take to scout. Make sure you see clearly whether the Japanese actually have a regiment. Also, find out their weapon configuration, marching formation, and logistical support situation as soon as possible!" Huang Zurong said in a deep voice.

"Yes!" Lin Yi responded immediately. He knew that the other party had a very mysterious team. Although the name was strange, he did not ask any further questions.

After the other party left, Huang Zurong picked up the telegram again, his brows furrowed, and he fell into deep thought.

He knew in his heart that reinforcements were definitely needed, otherwise Long Wenzhang's more than 500 men would probably be wiped out.

As for the main battlefield, it has also reached a critical moment, and it would be difficult to get the 200th Division to spare troops for reinforcement.

So in the end, he still had to personally lead his troops to reinforce the area. However, before that, he needed to find out exactly how many troops the Japanese army had so that he could respond better. Otherwise, relying on piecemeal tactics would just be sending his men to their deaths.

Before long, several drones slowly took off in the sky not far away, flying towards the direction from which the Japanese reinforcements were coming, like a few hidden eagles silently spying on the movements of the Japanese army.

At the same time, the Japanese 18th Division was advancing towards Lashio at top speed. The vanguard was already very close to Lashio, and the sound of gunfire could even be heard. This was because Lieutenant General Watanabe Masao's telegrams had been coming in like snowflakes for the past two days.