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

"Go to Kelan." Zhou Jindong pointed to a point on the map. "The Qiantian Joint Force is launching a large-scale attack on Ningwu at this time, definitely to leave a way out for the main force attacking the base."

Now that the Independent Regiment has arrived in Ningwu, the main force of the 120th Division should have returned to Northwest Shanxi. It's time to launch a counter-offensive against the Japanese.

I estimate the counterattack will most likely begin in Kelan. We can march there quickly and coordinate with the main force to wipe out the enemy forces that have penetrated too deep into enemy territory.

"Good lad, you've got guts! I never expected that Zhou Jindong, whom Minister Li described as 'a newborn calf not afraid of tigers,' would actually have such a broad perspective! I, a member of this clan, have truly found a treasure!"

Commander Li patted Zhou Jindong on the shoulder. "It's settled then! You have an hour and a half to prepare. We need to get to the outskirts of Kelan City before dark tomorrow."

Half an hour later, at the entrance to the valley behind Dongzhai Town.

Wang Yuan squatted on the rock, smoking reluctantly, watching Zhou Jindong organize the equipment.

Wang Quan was directing people to move ammunition boxes into the cave. His arm was wrapped in bandages, but he seemed to be in good spirits.

"Dongzi, just let me go with you. Wang Quan is going, why can't I go?" Wang Yuan threw down his cigarette butt and complained.

"Brother Yuan, I don't trust anyone else with these hundreds of people in the valley, as well as so many wounded and supplies." Zhou Jindong tightened his shoelaces, stood up, and said, "You're a veteran Party member and a steady person. Only you can keep things in order."

Although Wang Quan can be reckless at times, he's fearless in battle, and I need a fierce general like him. Furthermore, you need to train the new recruits well; when we return, we need to see a force capable of fighting tough battles.

Wang Yuan sighed, knowing Zhou Jindong was telling the truth: "Fine, I'll play the housekeeper. But listen to me, kid, don't be reckless in Kelan. That's conventional warfare, not guerrilla warfare like we do. If you lose a single hair, I won't forgive you when you get back!"

"Don't worry, I'm tough as nails." Zhou Jindong chuckled, then turned to the assembled ranks and shouted, "First platoon, second platoon, and those guys like Ogawa Kosuke, follow me! Third platoon, stay here and await Captain Wang's orders! Remember, we're the Dongzhai Guerrilla Force. No matter where we go, we can't let them down!"

"Yes!" More than two hundred soldiers responded in unison.

These people were all selected guerrilla leaders, and they were all in high spirits.

Zhou Jindong took one last look at the valley, then turned and waved his hand dismissively: "Let's go!"

The procession, like a long dragon, quickly disappeared down the mountain path.

The entire route from Ningwu to Kelan is a mountain road.

In order to save time, the team basically didn't get much rest.

The soldiers carried dozens of kilograms of equipment on their backs, their uniforms soaked with sweat, but no one complained of being tired.

They ran until noon the next day when the scouts returned to report: "We've reached Kelan County. We just received word that the Japanese army has occupied Kelan County. It's a battalion of the Chida Regiment, about a thousand men."

"More than a thousand men?" Zhou Jindong stopped, took out a map, and spread it on the ground. "Commander Li, how many men does the Independent Regiment have now?"

Commander Li observed the area ahead through binoculars: "At most, there are over eight hundred people, plus your guerrillas, that's just over a thousand. The enemy is relying on the city walls for defense, we have no chance."

"No need to attack the city." Zhou Jindong pointed to the west of the city on the map. "There is a high ground west of Kelan City called Huai Shu Po, which is the only way out of the city. As long as we block that place and cut off the enemy's retreat, our main force of the Eighth Route Army will be nearby. Then we can attack from both sides, and these Japanese devils will be trapped like turtles in a jar."

"Huai Shupo?" Commander Li looked at it. "I know that place. It's strategically important, but it's also easy to be surrounded. If the Japanese occupy it first, we'll be at a disadvantage."

"So we have to outrun them!" Zhou Jindong put away the map. "Commander Li, I'll lead the guerrillas to seize Huai Shu Po first, and your main force will follow behind. As soon as we start fighting, you'll flank them from behind."

"You're taking this small force to seize the high ground? That's too risky!" Commander Li frowned.

"Speed ​​is of the essence in war. The Japanese have just entered the city; they certainly won't expect us to arrive so quickly. By the time they realize what's happening, it'll be too late." Zhou Jindong's eyes were resolute. "Give me two heavy machine guns, and I guarantee I'll take Huai Shu Po down!"

Commander Li stared at Zhou Jindong for a few seconds, then gritted his teeth: "Fine! Xu Wei, allocate the two Maxim heavy machine guns from the First Battalion to Captain Zhou! Zhou Jindong, I'll give you one hour!"

"Mission accomplished!" Zhou Jindong saluted, turned, and shouted, "Attention, all men! Run! Destination: Locust Tree Slope!"

West of Kelan City, at Huai Shupo.

This is indeed a dangerous place, with a cliff on one side and a gentle slope on the other, and a dilapidated temple at the top of the slope.

Zhou Jindong led his men to the top of the slope in one go, and they were so exhausted that their lungs felt like they were going to explode.

"Quickly! Build fortifications!" Zhou Jindong, without taking a break, directed his soldiers, "Wang Quan, take your men over there, set up the light machine guns, and block the road down the slope!"

Erniu, take a few men to lay mines and block up the entire path leading to the top of the hill! The rest of you, dig trenches!

Fifteen minutes later.

The soldiers had just set up their machine gun positions and hadn't even had time to dig foxholes when they heard the sound of car engines coming from down the mountain.

"Captain, the Japanese are coming!" Zhao Laosi shouted from the bushes.

Zhou Jindong raised his binoculars and saw dust billowing on the road as three trucks, loaded with Japanese soldiers, drove toward Huai Shupo.

A troop of cavalry, numbering about a hundred, followed behind the truck.

"They've come fast!" Zhou Jindong sneered. "Pass down the order: no one is allowed to fire without my command. Wait until they get close before you fire!"

The truck rumbled down the slope.

The Japanese soldiers clearly hadn't expected an ambush, and their vehicles were moving quite fast. The driver of the lead vehicle was even chatting and laughing with the person next to him.

"Boom! Boom!"

Two loud explosions occurred as the lead and rear vehicles simultaneously triggered landmines.

The front of the vehicle was blown up, and the Japanese soldiers in the driver's cab were sent flying into the air.

The fuel tank of the last car exploded, bursting into flames and blocking the middle car from the road.

"Attack!" Zhou Jindong gave the order.

Two Maxim heavy machine guns roared at the same time, their thick bullets lashing out like whips around the truck.

The Japanese soldiers who had just jumped off the vehicle hadn't even had time to form ranks before they were mowed down by a hail of bullets. Blood mist exploded on the road, and severed limbs flew everywhere.

"Enemy attack! Take cover!" A Japanese officer brandished his sword, attempting to organize a counterattack.

The Type 98 sniper rifle in Zhou Jindong's hand fired.

The officer's head exploded like a watermelon, and his headless body fell into the ditch by the roadside.

"Baka! It's the Eighth Route Army! Charge! Take back the hill!" The remaining Japanese soldiers yelled and charged up the slope with their guns.