Chapter 36: This Soldier Has Some Wit

Chapter 36: This Soldier Has a Brain

(I)

Could this even be considered a successful defensive action?

Zhao Gang’s heart was filled with profound sorrow and rage. Fourteen soldiers had sacrificed their lives, and over thirty were wounded. Yet, the Japanese devils had left behind only a single corpse on the cliff top! And that very corpse—the devil had gripped a grenade before dying, pressing it beneath his own body, waiting for our soldiers to move him... What kind of soldier would turn his own corpse into a booby trap?

The Japanese soldier’s chest and back had been struck by no fewer than twenty bullets, but every single one had been blocked by the bulletproof vest beneath his uniform. Looking at the bullet heads lodged in the vest, Zhao Gang felt an indescribable emotion. Special operations—so this is what special operations are! Although Zhao Gang was well-traveled and had heard the term before, he was still deeply shocked when he saw the equipment with his own eyes.

The defensive troops remained on high alert, unsure if the enemy would return. What troubled Zhao Gang even more was the uncertainty: did the enemy have Plans B, C, or D? Would they choose to launch a surprise attack from another direction?

"Political Commissar, Battalion Commander Shen requests permission to send soldiers down to the valley floor for reconnaissance."

"Very well, proceed with the reconnaissance. Stay safe!"

Rushing to the field telephone behind the position, Zhao Gang dialed the temporary communication station immediately. "Assign a soldier to head to the 1st Battalion liaison point at once. Tell the Regimental Commander that this squad of Japanese soldiers is wearing vests with steel plates capable of stopping bullets! Tell them to aim for the legs!"

Hanging up, Zhao Gang called the Special Service Regiment to inform Chen Bo of the enemy’s equipment.

"Vests with steel plates that stop bullets?" Chen Bo was astonished.

"Yes! Also, Old Chen, you’re familiar with the terrain around Chenjiayu. See if there are any other weak points. This wave of Japanese soldiers is different from the usual ones—they are all expert marksmen! Our 2nd Battalion has suffered heavy losses. Yes, very heavy! It’s a disaster!" Zhao Gang set aside his pride; the most critical thing now was to warn all the brother units.

"What about the explosives? We had dozens of kilograms of explosives set; they shouldn't have been able to get out of the valley," Chen Bo asked, puzzled.

Zhao Gang sighed. "The Japanese found every single location where we buried explosives along the cliff walls and cut the wires... Old Chen, the ferocity of this group of devils has exceeded our imagination!"

Chen Bo gasped upon hearing this.

(II)

But at the same time, a fierce resolve stirred within Chen Bo. If that were the case, he could not let these devils escape. Even if it cost several lives to take one, he would bury this group in the valley. This was the mission the commanders had entrusted to him!

Hanging up the phone, Chen Bo began to think rapidly, multiple maps flashing through his mind.

(III)

Near the Huting stronghold, at the 1st Battalion’s ambush site, another night had passed. The early spring morning in the Jinzhong mountains was still freezing, and many soldiers rubbed their numb hands.

"They're coming, they're coming!" Zhang Dabiao spat out a blade of dry grass and said excitedly to Li Yunlong, "Commander, they're here! It's trucks!"

"Damn! They really are big ones!" Wei Heshang leaned in. "Look, look, the little devils are even saluting!"

Li Yunlong raised his binoculars and ordered, "Grenade teams, get close! Hit them while they're distracted!"

"Grenade teams, move out!"

Zhang Dabiao waved his hand, and over a dozen soldiers from two grenade teams, carrying baskets full of grenades, quickly moved to a position very close to the road.

"Once it starts, don't hold back on the light or heavy machine gun ammo! Give them everything you've got! The first volley must take out half the devils! For the rest, follow my orders: charge with bayonets, quick and decisive!" Li Yunlong said as he drew his Mauser pistol to check it.

"Everyone, fix bayonets! Prepare for combat!" Zhang Dabiao ordered in a low voice, reaching back to unsheathe his broadsword.

The soldiers pulled back their bolts, exchanging whispers as they aimed at the saluting Japanese on the hillside. Time ticked by second by second; everyone held their breath.

"Stop for a moment! Our Brigade Commander has something to say! Stop..."

"Stop your damn chattering! Don't you know I'm in a hurry!" Li Yunlong cursed, holding his machine gun and opening fire.

"Da-da-da-da! Da-da-da-da!"

Several Japanese officers fell backward.

"Tu-tu-tu! Tu-tu-tu!"

Chu Yunfei, standing beside Li Yunlong with his carbine, also unleashed a series of precise shots.

"Quick, quick, quick! Finish them off! Hurry up, don't dawdle!" Zhang Dabiao charged forward, brandishing his sword.

"Didn't you say we were going to use bayonets?" Wei Heshang stood beside Li Yunlong, clutching his red-tasseled spear, looking disappointed.

Li Yunlong looked at the sky and muttered, "Damn it, is Shanzu reliable or not? Why hasn't he arrived yet?"

"Commander! Commander!"

Li Yunlong turned to see Wang Huanxi, the messenger he had stationed at the liaison point.

"Good timing! Haha!" Li Yunlong beamed. "Zhang Dabiao! Half an hour to mop up, then assign two platoons to clear the battlefield. The rest of you, assemble! We’re moving to the next spot!"

"Yes!" Zhang Dabiao replied, running off to coordinate.

Wang Huanxi panted as he reached Li Yunlong and saluted. "Commander, here!"

Li Yunlong took the note—a map crudely sketched by Guan Shan. On the northernmost intersection, the note showed two trucks, with a dashed line indicating they had turned onto a mountain path.

"Where's Guan Shan? When did he get here?" Li Yunlong asked with a grin.

"Reporting, Commander. Shanzu arrived last night. He told me to wait here and give you the note only after the battle was over!" Wang Huanxi reported.

"Last night?" Li Yunlong frowned.

"The Japanese entered the mountain pass at 4:30 yesterday afternoon, right?" Chu Yunfei pointed to a clock marking on the note.

"Oh, that’s impressive! He made it there by the first half of the night—that’s seventy *li* of mountain roads!"

"Your soldier really has a brain," Chu Yunfei praised. "At that critical moment, even if he had brought the intel sooner, you wouldn't have been able to pull out in time!"

"Good grief!" Li Yunlong calculated. "Seventy *li* of mountain road in just over four hours!"

Chu Yunfei pondered silently for a moment before saying, "Brother Yunlong, at that distance, don't you think your battalion wouldn't have been able to make it in time at all?"

Li Yunlong thought for a moment. "If it were Mountain Pass No. 3, it would be fine. Mountain Pass No. 2... barely. Did this kid calculate that, too?"