Chapter 54: The Twenty-Li Vulnerable Zone

Chapter 54: The Twenty-Li Vulnerable Zone

(Part One)

“It must be so. They even brought in many mule carts loaded with sand, gravel, shovels, and picks. It’s probably the same spot where we set up the ambush last time. They’ve already pitched tents there,” Tian Daqing reported.

Everyone nodded repeatedly. In truth, this development was not unexpected. After the devastating loss at the Hutingshan ambush, the Japanese would certainly be sharpening their weapons and preparing for retaliation. Especially along that vulnerable stretch of mountain road spanning over twenty li, it was inevitable they would assemble a construction team made up of captured Nationalist soldiers and conscripts to establish a new stronghold.

“This time, the little devils reacted so fast!”

“Yeah! We had anticipated they’d reinforce, and were hoping to strike before they did... What are we going to do now? Hope we don’t mess this up!”

Voices buzzed in discussion.

“Report!” The cheerful voice of the communications soldier Wang Huanxi came from outside the door.

“Come in!”

Wang Huanxi stepped inside holding a sheet of paper.

Zhao Gang reached out; Wang handed it to him. Zhao glanced over the contents, then told Wang, “Alright, you can head back to the telephone unit. Report immediately if anything happens.”

After Wang left, Zhao lowered his voice. “The Japanese at the Hutingshan stronghold received an armored patrol vehicle this evening. It has already set out toward Hutingshan.”

“The little devils are planning something big!”

“Yes! They’re reinforcing Baicun and transporting supplies, setting up a base at the vulnerable point along the Hutingshan mountain road, and even added an armored vehicle for patrol!” Zhang Dabiao looked at Li Yunlong and asked, “Looks like they’re anticipating our move against Baicun!”

Li Yunlong chuckled, “Keep talking, keep talking!”

Seeing Li Yunlong’s excitement rather than anxiety, the others relaxed considerably.

“Guanshan,” Li Yunlong asked, “can our explosives take out an armored car?”

“Absolutely!” Guanshan answered casually, then quickly corrected himself, “I mean, our explosives can blow through half-meter-thick brick walls. The Japanese armored car is tiny by comparison. It’ll be blown sky-high with one boom!”

“Enough bragging! You’ve only been practicing with explosives for a few days. Let’s see what you can really do!” Li Yunlong narrowed his eyes. “Go, go see Old Zhang. Tell him to prepare more explosive packs and demolition charges. We need some heavy artillery, Iron Turtle!”

“Got it! I’m on it!” Guanshan replied, hopping off the bed to put on his shoes.

“Damn! Heh heh heh!” Li Yunlong slapped the table laughing. “Whoever commands those little devils deserves a medal! He knows it’s not easy for our Eighth Route Army to make a move. So he stocks up on supplies—how polite of him! Ha ha ha, this is too much…”

Li Yunlong’s hearty laughter wiped away the tension that had gripped the company and battalion commanders.

“Commander, I want to come along too!” Chu Lianzhang, commander of 1st Battalion, 2nd Company, requested. That was the same company Guanshan and Wang Gensheng had served in before. The 4th ambush position was assigned to their company this time.

(Part Two)

Iron Turtle, Iron Turtle...

On the run to the Ordnance Research Institute, Guanshan pondered deeply.

Though a novice in military knowledge, not as obsessed as a hardcore military enthusiast, Guanshan—once a mid-level developer for military-themed video games at a major company—knew a fair bit about the tanks, planes, and weaponry of the Second World War.

Just like the flimsy earthen and brick fortifications that couldn’t withstand artillery fire, the Japanese armored cars were similarly pathetic—mere trash at war, only good for bullying lightly armed guerrillas.

Of course, the tactically rigid Nationalist irregular troops weren’t even worth mentioning; they were just plain terrible.

Driving armored vehicles into the complex mountainous terrain was reckless—no wonder Li Yunlong wanted to award that Japanese commander a medal.

Wouldn’t it be even better if they could capture one?

Stop, stop! Don’t get carried away! Guanshan abruptly checked himself.

Still, after a few days of training under seasoned veterans, Guanshan felt his courage grow.

Strategically underestimate the enemy, tactically respect them!

He reminded himself not to be overly optimistic. Take one bite at a time, one step at a time. If you step too far too fast, snap! You might just lose your nuts!

But all things considered, blowing up an armored car in mountainous terrain seemed less dangerous than charging a bunker under machine-gun fire.

“Guanshan! Wait up!”

“Commander!” Guanshan turned around to see Chu Lianzhang calling from behind and quickly stopped.

“Now that the 4th ambush position has been assigned to our company, as soon as they mentioned the plan change, I saw the 1st Company Commander itching to grab the mission! You’re from the 2nd Company too, so don’t get selfish! Give me some ideas!”

“All right, all right. Our company? That’s great! I actually have some ideas…”

(Part Three)

“Report, Sir! Our entire regiment’s officers and soldiers are resolute! We unanimously agree to proceed with the battle as scheduled. Delaying will only make it harder to fight!” Li Yunlong spoke firmly over the phone.

“Good attitude. What about countermeasures? Be specific!” the Deputy Chief of Staff asked.

Li Yunlong replied, “Sir, the details are being drafted. Currently, the adjustment direction is…”

The Deputy Chief of Staff listened closely, repeating key words occasionally.

Chen Bo personally led the staff in marking the maps. The commander stood with hands behind his back, studying and contemplating.

Colonel Luo was also called in. He was still preparing plans for the Special Operations Regiment, but since the Independent Regiment’s combat plan had been approved, theirs was now merely a contingency.

After this battle at Baicun stronghold, Chen Bo would officially become chief of staff of the Independent Regiment.

Though deeply regretful, Old Luo accepted it calmly.

“The 4th ambush position, originally tasked with ambushing reinforcements, will now target the Japanese transport convoy carrying construction materials. This will be the starting point of the entire battle…”

The commander stared at the map’s 4th ambush position, located at the southern mountain pass of Hutingshan. The nearest Japanese watchtower was just over two kilometers away—practically under their noses.

“This is no minor adjustment…” Colonel Luo muttered softly, “It’s almost completely changed!”

He could see how extremely risky this tactic was.

The 4th ambush position sat halfway up the mountain. If following traditional Eighth Route Army tactics—throw grenades, charge downhill for close combat, then quickly sweep the battlefield and retreat—it would take at least an hour from the battle’s start to crossing the mountain ridge and withdrawing. If the enemy pursued closely, the route over the ridge would be fully exposed to enemy fire!

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(End of Chapter)