The War of Resistance Against Japan: Starting with a Calm View of Life and Death

"Alright." Zhou Jindong didn't waste any words and went straight to the deployment. "Now, split up and prepare immediately. Zhang Fang, your first squadron will be responsible for forward reconnaissance. As usual, choose the best soldiers and set off two hours in advance."

We will scout along the route we took towards Yuanping, and find out the strongholds and patrol patterns of the Japanese and puppet troops along the way, especially the terrain and features around Xiaowangzhuang.

If there are any changes, send someone back immediately to report.

"Yes!" Zhang Fang accepted the order.

"Wang Quan, your second and third companies, immediately check your weapons and equipment, and issue each person one hundred rounds of ammunition and four hand grenades."

Bring our two mortars, along with any usable heavy machine guns and grenade launchers! Prioritize stockpiling artillery shells and heavy machine gun ammunition. Carry plenty of explosives and landmines, especially pull-trigger and tripwire mines.

"Liu Heiqi, your fourth company is poorly equipped, but has more men. Come with me this time as a reserve force and for fire support. Have the soldiers prioritize equipping themselves with the newly captured Type 38 rifles, and bring plenty of ammunition. Also, prepare enough ropes, axes, and saws; we might need them to cross ditches and rivers."

"yes!"

Zhou Jindong looked at Wang Yuan one last time: "Brother Yuan, I'm leaving the family to you. Make sure you keep a close eye on the wounded and the spoils. Separate the prisoners for now, we'll interrogate them when we get back. Also, make sure the medic takes out the seized medicine and uses it; don't be stingy."

"Don't worry." Wang Yuan nodded steadily. "You focus on winning this battle. As long as I'm here, not a single blade of grass will be missing."

Once the arrangements were complete, the meeting adjourned immediately, and everyone went off to do their own thing.

Dongzhai Town immediately became busy.

The soldiers quickly wiped their guns and checked their ammunition. The ammunition handlers pushed carts and carried ammunition boxes around, distributing them to their respective companies.

The cooks worked hard to steam mixed flour cakes, baking them until they were golden brown, and filled everyone's food bags.

Zhou Jindong returned to his residence and carefully checked his equipment: he wiped the scope of his sniper rifle again and again, filled the magazine of his Mauser pistol with bullets, and inserted two hand grenades made in the border region into the belt at his waist.

He even found the neatest-looking Eighth Route Army uniform to change into; although it was old, it was very clean.

He knew in his heart that he couldn't dress too sloppily when he went to meet with the comrades of the main force, so as not to be looked down upon by others.

By the time it was completely dark, all the squadrons had assembled.

Zhang Fang led a squadron of over 240 elite soldiers and disappeared silently into the night outside the town.

Around 10 p.m., the main group set off on time.

Zhou Jindong led the main force, totaling more than 640 people, in two columns, leaving Dongzhai Town and proceeding quickly along the mountain path.

The column moved quietly, with only the rustling of footsteps and the occasional clanging of metal. The officers kept quiet and restrained each other, trying not to make any loud noise.

Zhou Jindong walked in the middle of the group, making plans in his mind as he went.

Their journey was to head east, penetrating into the area of ​​Yuanping County. The distance was not short, and they were marching at night, so they had to remain vigilant.

Around 2 or 3 a.m., the team arrived near the border between Ningwu County and Yuanping County.

This area has already left the base area and is surrounded by a mix of guerrilla zones and enemy-occupied areas.

The lead soldier made the agreed-upon bird call, and the group stopped.

Zhang Fang sent back a scout who quietly approached Zhou Jindong: "Captain, the official road to Yuanping is at the foot of the mountain ahead. The situation on the road is not normal. A Japanese patrol just passed by, only about ten people."

In addition, we stopped a villager from that village and asked him what had happened. He said he had seen a group of Japanese soldiers and a lot of puppet troops escorting a string of carts northwards along the official road during the day. It seemed they were heading towards Yuanping, and they hadn't gone far.

"Japanese soldiers and puppet troops escorting the truck together?" Zhou Jindong frowned. Could it be that they were transporting supplies to Yuanping?

He lowered his voice and asked, "How long ago was that patrol?"

"They headed north in about the time it takes to eat a meal. Judging from their patrol route, they're probably going back and forth. I estimate they'll be turning back in about half an hour," the scout reported quietly.

Zhou Jindong's mind raced.

Regular patrol teams typically don't mix with teams escorting supplies.

And it was at night... He looked at the sky; it was still early before dawn.

Should we go around it? Or should we find out for ourselves?

"Map," Zhou Jindong said softly.

Wang Quan immediately pulled out a map from his pocket and, by the moonlight, huddled together with Zhou Jindong to examine it.

"We're here now," Zhou Jindong pointed to a small valley near the county border on the map. "There are two routes to Yuanping to the east. One is to take the official road directly, which is fast but easy to be discovered. The other is to cross this Wild Wolf Ridge and take the mountain path, which is more concealed but takes a long detour and is difficult to travel. It will be even slower if you are carrying heavy weapons and ammunition."

He moved his finger along the official road: "The Japanese patrol takes this route. There's a place called Laoniubei at the fork in the road ahead. The terrain is complicated, with narrow and winding roads. It's a good place to ambush. The Japanese will definitely pass through there on their way to Yuanping."

Wang Quan's eyes lit up: "Dongzi, you mean...?"

"Since we've run into them, it wouldn't be right not to fight." Zhou Jindong's voice carried a hint of ruthlessness. "We're about to penetrate deep behind enemy lines, so it's best not to expose our identities too early. This team isn't large; we can take them down and even replenish our supplies."

"Damn it!" Liu Rengui rubbed his hands together, eager to fight. "The Japanese patrol only has about ten men. Even if the puppet troops have a company, given our morale after just one battle, we can swallow them whole."

"Don't underestimate the enemy," Zhou Jindong warned. "This is enemy-occupied territory, so we must act quickly and not let the gunfire travel too far. We'll ambush at Laoniubei."

Wang Quan, take a few men and scout ahead again to find out when that patrol will return. Zhang Fang, your men continue reconnaissance and see where the Japanese and puppet troops escorting the supplies are, and how far they are from Laoniubei. Go now!

"Yes!" Wang Quan and Zhang Fang immediately took action.

Zhou Jindong, along with Liu Rengui and Liu Heiqi, led the team quickly toward Laoniubei.

The place called Laoniubei is a narrow pass on a mountain road.

The road cuts through the valley, with steep rock walls on both sides. The narrowest part of the road is only wide enough for one large vehicle to pass through, making it a typical "gourd-shaped" road.

The team arrived at the designated location before the Japanese patrol turned back.

Zhou Jindong immediately ordered his men to ambush the enemy:

Wang Quan's second company, consisting of three platoons and a Type 92 heavy machine gun, seized the high ground on the left side of the cliff.

Liu Rengui's third squadron and the two platoons that Zhang Fang sent back to their original units were lying in ambush behind the bushes and rocks on the right hillside;

Liu Heiqi's fourth squadron, armed with two mortars and grenade launchers, stood guard a little behind the pass to prevent the enemy from rushing in.

The remaining platoon of the second company and some of the more resourceful soldiers, led by Zhou Jindong himself, lay in ambush in the ditch below the road closest to the pass, preparing for the first round of grenade attacks.

Not long after the deployment was completed, the scouts that Wang Quan had sent out ran back crouching low and said in a low voice, "Captain, we've found out! That group of Japanese soldiers and puppet troops is still on the road. They're not traveling at night; they've set up camp and rested outside a village called Lizhuang."

The Japanese soldiers escorting the truck consisted of a small squad, about fifty or sixty men.

The puppet army had a reinforced company of over a hundred men.

There were more than thirty mule-drawn carts, covered with tarpaulins; it was unclear what they were carrying.

Zhou Jindong nodded, indicating he understood, and then asked, "Where's the patrol team?"

"The patrol team has been here for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. If they turn back the way they came, they should be here in about half an incense stick's time."

"Alright, go tell Zhang Fang and Liu Heiqi to wait for my shot before making any moves. Take care of the patrol first, then deal with the camp."

As soon as the scouts crouched and ran away, the sound of footsteps and the mumbling of Japanese soldiers could be faintly heard in the silent valley.

"Damn it, Yamada left his water bottle at the barracks again..."

"Let's finish this trip quickly and go back to catch up on some sleep."

The sound came from afar and approached.

Zhou Jindong held his breath and quietly peeked out from the edge of the ditch, observing by the faint moonlight.

A group of Japanese soldiers in yellow uniforms, marching in a loose column, were strolling leisurely along the official road.

There were about twelve or thirteen people, with a sergeant leading the way, and the other soldiers carrying rifles or grenade launchers.

The patrol team was clearly exhausted, walking slowly and not very alert, probably because they felt safe in their own territory.

Zhou Jindong lay motionless in the ditch, gently drawing his pistol with his right hand and placing his index finger on the trigger guard.

The soldiers held their breath, their fingers on the triggers or hooked on the pins of the grenades.

The patrol team reached the narrowest point, the "gourd-shaped waist," where the pass was just ahead. They only needed to turn through it to descend the slope and escape this dangerous area. Just as the sergeant leading the team reached the edge of the pass...

"Bang!"

Zhou Jindong fired his Mauser pistol.

The sound was exceptionally clear in the silent valley.

He wasn't aiming at the sergeant, but at the Japanese soldier in the middle of the column carrying a grenade launcher.

At such close range, the Mauser pistol bullet accurately struck the Japanese soldier in the chest, and the soldier fell forward without uttering a sound.

Gunshots are the signal!

"Fire!" Dozens of voices erupted simultaneously from both sides of the hillside.

"Rat-a-tat-tat-tat—!" The Type 92 heavy machine gun on the left cliff top spewed fire down, sweeping directly at the few Japanese soldiers at the back of the column.

They didn't even have time to react before a large number of them were knocked down.

"Boom! Boom!"

Hand grenades were thrown down the hillsides and ditches like raindrops, and the flames and shockwaves from the explosions instantly engulfed the narrow road.

"Kill them!"

The soldiers of the Third Company, with their rifles fixed with bayonets, charged down the hillside on the right.

The Japanese soldiers were stunned by the sudden ambush, and seven or eight of them fell in just over ten seconds.

The sergeant leading the team was shot in the left arm, but he still wanted to command the remaining soldiers to resist by relying on the wreckage of the cart. Wang Quan had already led two platoons of soldiers from the second company down from the top of the cliff.

The bayonets gleamed coldly in the moonlight.

The soldiers didn't give them a chance to fire and create distance; they charged straight in for hand-to-hand combat.

The sounds of fighting, roars, short screams, and breaking bones were mixed together.

Several quick-reacting Japanese soldiers tried to fire, but were shot down.

The remaining three or four Japanese soldiers stood back to back in a circle, holding bayonets and howling like cornered beasts.

But the struggle lasted less than a minute.

The experienced veterans from several county detachments gave a signal, coordinated their efforts, and feinted a shot to deceive the Japanese soldiers before simultaneously stabbing several bayonets into their bodies.

The battle was completely over in five minutes, and not a single Japanese soldier escaped.

"Inspect the battlefield, and move quickly!" Zhou Jindong jumped out of the ditch and ordered, "Strip the Japanese soldiers of their clothes and weapons, drag the corpses to the roadside bushes and hide them, and cover the bloodstains on the ground with soil."

The soldiers immediately sprang into action, skillfully clearing the battlefield. The Japanese soldiers' guns and ammunition were quickly gathered together.

Liu Heiqi, carrying a Type 38 rifle with a bayonet, walked up to Zhou Jindong: "Dongzi, the patrol team has been cleaned up. All twelve Japanese soldiers are wiped out. We had two wounded, but they were minor injuries and won't affect our operations."

"Alright." Zhou Jindong turned his gaze south. "Immediately proceed with the original plan and prepare to ambush the enemy escorting the vehicle. Did they hear the explosion over here?"

Just then, the scout sent to monitor the south ran back, panting: "Report, Captain! The enemy camp has been alerted! The lights are on, the puppet troops are assembling, and it seems the Japanese have come out too! But they're being very cautious; they haven't dared to charge directly, they seem to be observing!"

Zhou Jindong quickly assessed the situation: "They didn't dare retreat overnight, nor did they charge directly, which means they were unsure and afraid of an ambush. Very good, then let's go in another direction, lie in ambush, and wait for them to come to us. They'd never guess that after we finish our battle here, we'll be waiting for them in another place!"

He ordered several company commanders: "Wang Quan, two platoons from your second company go up to the left side of the cliff top at the target location, and take position with the heavy machine guns."

Liu Rengui, you lead the Third Company to the right hillside and take up a favorable firing position.

Liu Heiqi, your fourth squadron is to hide on both sides of the valley exit. Once the enemy enters, cut off their retreat.

Zhang Fang, your men continue to keep watch in the direction of the camp. Report any activity immediately. The rest of you, follow me and lie in ambush.

The group moved quickly and silently once again, blending into the night and the surrounding mountains and trees.

They quickly moved to the opposite side of the battlefield, to another pre-arranged ambush location.

About half an hour later, voices and footsteps came from the south side of the official road, along with the snorting of mules and horses and the creaking of cart axles.

A group of dark figures moved hurriedly through the darkest night before dawn.

Sure enough, the Japanese soldiers and their collaborators didn't dare wait until dawn and planned to quietly withdraw under the cover of darkness before daybreak.

They sent out several scouts to explore ahead, using flashlights to vigilantly watch the roadside.

Zhou Jindong's heart skipped a beat. The flashlight beam could easily illuminate their concealed location.

Fortunately, the few puppet soldiers were probably scared. They only waved their flashlights briefly into the roadside bushes a few times and didn't dare to get close. They urged the people behind them to hurry up.

As the column moved forward, Zhou Jindong could see clearly: at the very front was a small squad of Japanese soldiers, about forty men, divided into three groups, cautiously searching and advancing.

Behind them were more than a hundred puppet soldiers, also carefully holding their guns, surrounding more than thirty large carts pulled by mules.

The truck was fully loaded with goods, covered with a tarpaulin, causing the wheels to sink deep into the dirt road.

There were too many large vehicles, so the queue stretched out very long, and they slowly made their way towards the pass.

The Japanese squad leader was a short, stocky sergeant. He waved for his troops to stop and then used his binoculars to observe the pass ahead and the cliffs on both sides.

Under the moonlight, the pass was quiet, with only the sound of the wind blowing through the cracks in the rocks.

He hesitated for a moment, then whispered something to his deputy beside him.

The deputy nodded, then turned and yelled at the puppet army company commander.

The puppet army company commander was pale, but he still forced himself to wave to his soldiers: "Forward! Keep quiet! Get through quickly!"