Even if I'm a useless bum at Whampoa Military Academy, I'll be invincible in the War of Re

East of the Shi River, along the Liuye Highway, lies the ambush position of the 3rd Battalion of the Cavalry Regiment.

The entire 3rd Battalion of the Cavalry Regiment dismounted and hid in the dense forests on the steep slopes on both sides of the road.

The horses' mouths were all tightly gagged, their hooves wrapped in cloth, and the entire group was silent except for the rustling of the wind through the leaves.

Scouts had already reported that a supply corps was approaching from the direction of Lu'an. The fierce fighting at Fujinshan had been going on day and night for several days, resulting in huge consumption of ammunition and supplies. The supplies in Yejiaji were running out, so Dizhou Libing applied to the military headquarters for a batch of supplies.

After crossing the river, the 3rd Cavalry Battalion kept looking for an opportunity along the highway. Finally, they got their chance. Major Hu Ning was very excited. This was the first time they had caught a big fish.

The company commander came over again to report:

"Commander, the Japanese are coming!"

Hu Ning looked in the direction the company commander was pointing, and at the bend in the road ahead, a Japanese supply convoy slowly came into view.

Dozens of mule-drawn carts, fully loaded with supplies, slowly made their way through the mountain pass, escorted by over a hundred infantrymen.

The soldiers looked exhausted and were less vigilant. All their attention was focused on the area west of the Shi River, where fierce fighting was raging, while the Six Leaf Highway was far behind and very safe.

The cavalry battalion deployed in the inverted figure-eight formation commonly used by the Tiger Army. Because they were cavalry, they charged quickly, so the starting position was several hundred meters away from the road. With the cover of dense forest, it was difficult for the Japanese to spot them.

Hu Ning didn't take a company of Japanese soldiers seriously, and lowered his voice to give the order:

"The firepower platoon will strike first, disrupting the Japanese formation. The rest of you follow me in a charge, slaughter all the Japanese, and finish this quickly!"

Company Commander Gao Mingyuan nodded and left to carry out the order. There was still some time before the Japanese entered the ambush, so he had to hurry and make arrangements.

The cavalry regiment was also re-equipped, with carbines replaced by the "Big Eight" semi-automatic rifle, the M1918 automatic rifle being discontinued, and each squad equipped with three to four MP38 submachine guns, while each company was equipped with three 60mm mortars. Each battalion had a fire support platoon, equipped with six M1919 Browning heavy machine guns and four imported French-made 81mm mortars.

Six Browning machine guns were positioned on a small hill to the left front, arranged in a fan shape, about 500 meters from the main road, which was the optimal firing range.

Four 81mm mortars were deployed on the summit of an unnamed hill, which was also the highest point for miles around.

The battalion commander and the assault company hid in the grove. Gao Mingyuan used signal flags to transmit the instructions to the fire platoon and sent a communications soldier to relay them to the other companies, waiting for the prey to fall into the trap.

The Japanese troops' troop deployment was much simpler: two infantry squads led the way, followed by supply wagons and the company headquarters, and finally another infantry squad.

The company commander chose to ride a horse. Due to the hot weather, Captain Nakano was feeling drowsy on horseback. Lieutenant Maeda, the company's executive officer, reminded him:

"Nakano-kun, the terrain ahead is a bit unusual. There are many mixed forests on both sides. Should we send someone to search it out?"

Captain Nakano shook his head impatiently and said:

"Mr. Maeda, you're overthinking it. Although this place is a depression, it's surrounded by gentle hills on both sides, offering a wide view."

Those groves of trees were hundreds of meters apart, completely unsuitable for an ambush. The fighting at the front was intense; everyone was waiting for this batch of ammunition. There was no time to waste; get through quickly!

Lieutenant Maeda was merely fulfilling his duty to remind Nakano, and seeing that Nakano was not interested, he had no choice but to give up and let the vanguard drive into the depression.

Major Hu Ning's heart finally settled, a victorious smile spreading across his face. He coldly shouted:

"Fire! Everyone mount up, prepare to charge!"

The communications officer immediately went to give orders to the fire support platoon. Major Hu Ning gracefully mounted his chestnut warhorse, his gleaming saber already drawn and held at his chest. The others followed suit, ready to charge at any moment.

Each company's 60mm mortars were already set up on the hilltop, divided into three positions, to provide fire support for the cavalry.

The artillery platoon didn't keep Battalion Commander Hu waiting long. The first to roar were the four 20mm mortars, and the first volley of shells smashed into the vanguard of the Japanese troops, scattering them.

Almost simultaneously, six Browning machine guns unleashed long tongues of fire, throwing the Japanese soldiers into chaos with countless casualties. Lieutenant Maeda's worst fears came true, and he screamed in terror:

"Enemy attack!"

Boom boom boom!

A series of flames erupted on the highway.

The lead and rear supply wagons were blown up by mortars, blocking the road. The entire transport convoy was instantly unable to support each other and was completely trapped on the narrow road.

Splintered wood, box shells, and shell parts flew everywhere, and the Japanese guards screamed and fell to the ground, their flesh and blood covering the road.

After just a few rounds of rapid fire, the unsuspecting Japanese troops were thrown into chaos, and their command system was temporarily paralyzed.

Seeing that the best opportunity to strike had arrived, Hu Ning pointed his saber forward, mustered all his strength, and roared:

"Cavalry battalion—Attack!"

The gleaming sabers flashed coldly in the mountain wind as hundreds of riders suddenly charged out of the dense forest, their hooves thundering and shaking the ground.

The remaining Japanese soldiers, still in shock, hastily raised their guns, with no time to form ranks or load ammunition.

Captain Nakano was terrified, his triangular eyes filled with fear, and a chill ran down his spine.

"Baka yarou, it's a cavalryman!"

Before the Japanese officers could organize their troops to resist, a surging torrent swept in, the gleaming sabers making one's soul almost leave their body.

Slashing with sabers, trampling with horses' hooves, firing submachine guns, and strafing at close range with semi-automatic rifles.

The highway instantly transformed into a one-sided slaughterhouse.

The Japanese guard company was already weak, and after being disrupted by the artillery platoon, it suffered heavy casualties. Faced with the high-speed charging cavalry, it had no power to resist.

Captain Nakano had just drawn his Nambu pistol when his neck was severed by a saber. His brains rolled to the ground, and blood gushed from the severed neck like a fountain.

Lieutenant Maeda raised his sword, attempting to engage the attacker in a bayonet fight, but was riddled with bullets by Hu Ning's submachine gun.

Within ten minutes, the entire guard squadron and supply platoon were wiped out, with no survivors.

Company Commander Gao Mingyuan excitedly came over to report:

"Commander, we've struck it rich! Lots of supplies—boxes full of shells, bullets, grenades, and medicine—dozens of truckloads!"

Now it was Hu Ning's turn to worry. His previous military orders were to blow up all the supplies, but after actually capturing them, he was reluctant to part with them.

They are cavalrymen. If they carry these supplies, their mobility will be completely lost. Moreover, they are currently behind enemy lines, and with dozens of carts of supplies, their safety cannot be guaranteed.

A difficult choice, a happy dilemma.

Gao Mingyuan seemed to realize this as well, and offered his advice:

"Commander, these are all good stuff. It would be a waste to blow them up. We should move them first and hide them in the mountains. I just checked, and there are still quite a few poison gas shells inside, like mortar shells, but the caliber is wrong."

Hu Ning recalled what Commander Zhao had said: the Japanese had already equipped themselves with 90mm mortars, which the Tiger Army had not yet captured. However, this batch of poison gas was very important, so he decided to stay. He said to Gao Mingyuan in a deep voice:

"We've made too much noise. This is the Japanese rear area, and their reinforcements are probably on their way. We won't be able to escape with these burdens."

"That way, we only need the poison gas and medicine; we'll blow up everything else!"

"Commander, what a pity, the brothers could have led—"

"Execute the command!"

Hu Ning gave a cold shout. This decision was not easy to make, but the safety of the cavalry battalion was the top priority. As the commander, he had to be responsible for the safety of his soldiers.

Gao Mingyuan said no more. Since the battalion commander had made up his mind, he could only reluctantly give up his beloved.

Although Gao Mingyuan was somewhat reluctant, he carried out the order without any compromise. Apart from leaving behind several truckloads of poison gas bombs and all the medicines, he destroyed everything else.

All the mules and horses were separated from the wagons and used to carry poison gas bombs and medicine. They were looked after by a cavalry company so that they could keep up with the main force.

The raging fire instantly engulfed the entire highway, and the supplies that the Japanese soldiers had been eagerly awaiting were set ablaze and exploded with loud crackling sounds.

Thick black smoke billowed into the sky, reaching straight up into the clouds, and could be seen from a great distance.

Seeing that the supplies had been destroyed, Hu Ning turned to Gao Mingyuan and said:

"The Japanese reinforcements will arrive soon. Hurry up and evacuate. You and your company will stay behind to cover the rear. If necessary, lure them away. We will meet at the agreed location."

Gao Mingyuan saluted solemnly and said loudly:

"Yes, mission accomplished!"

Hu Ning then organized a large force to withdraw from the highway to the northeast. Their harassment mission was not over yet, and they would still launch attacks whenever the opportunity arose.

Shortly after the main force of the cavalry battalion left, the scouts on guard outside came to report:

"Company commander, a group of Japanese soldiers, about two or three hundred strong, is rapidly approaching from the direction of Yejiaji. They are less than five miles away."

Gao Mingyuan glanced at the sky and said to the scouts:

"Continue to monitor the enemy and report their location at any time."

After giving the orders, Gao Mingyuan said to the platoon leaders:

"This should just be the vanguard; they're up to no good. Let's lure the Japanese in the opposite direction of our main force and find an opportunity to give them a good beating!"

Yejiaji, the field command post of the 13th Division.

Just as Ogizu Rikihei issued the order for a full-scale assault, day and night, before he could even sit down, the chief of staff rushed in.

"Division Commander! Something terrible has happened! The Liuye Highway supply line has been attacked by unidentified armed forces! Jiangkou Battalion has already sent men to provide support, including the supplies that the military urgently allocated."

Ogizu Rippei abruptly looked up, his eyes instantly turning sinister and ferocious, and he gritted his teeth and growled:

"The rear is too big. Let the entire Jiangkou Brigade attack, and the cavalry regiment send two companies to cooperate. We must find the Chinese even if we have to dig three feet into the ground."

Eliminate them at all costs and ensure the absolute security of the supply line!