About 6km northeast of Qilin Peak, there is a mountain called Mantou Mountain. It was named because the top of the mountain is round and resembles a mantou.
This peak is the shortest among the seven peaks with an altitude of over 3km in Mawu Mountain. This is probably the reason why the original bandit village was not chosen here.
But when Xu Dalong and others arrived at this mountain peak, they discovered the benefits of this mountain peak.
Although Mantou Peak is not the highest peak in Mawu Mountain, the peaks around it are very low compared to it. Standing on the top of Mantou Peak, you can have an unobstructed view of the surrounding mountains. You can control them with mortars. Even on those peaks Even if artillery is set up, it will hardly pose a threat to Mantou Peak.
Although Mantou Peak is a domed peak, it is very steep in the north-south direction. There are two mountain ridges connecting it in the east-west direction. The slope becomes steeper as it approaches the top of the mountain. Building fortifications on the top of the mountain can easily block these two mountain ridges.
This is not the best thing about Mantou Peak. Just above Mantou Peak, more than a hundred meters away from the top of the mountain, there is a cave. The width of the cave entrance is only 1 and a half meters, and the height is only two meters. However, after entering, there is a cave inside.
The cave becomes more spacious as you go inside. About ten meters inside, there is actually a spacious hall with an area of more than 5,000 square meters. The size can fully accommodate the existing guerrillas, not to mention other caves connected to the hall. , there is also a large volume inside, no matter how many people are there, it can be accommodated.
There are many cave entrances inside, and we don't know where they lead at the moment, but we can already see that one of them leads to a cliff in the south. The entrance is very secret, hidden behind a rock. It is about thirty meters from the cave entrance to the bottom, and there are dense bushes below.
This cave entrance is not visible from the outside. If necessary, the guerrillas can use ropes or ladders to leave the cave secretly. This is a good escape route.
The best thing is that there is no shortage of water here.
As the saying goes, as high as the mountains are, so are the waters.
Just above the entrance of the cave, a stream fell from the sky, forming a waterfall about twenty meters high. The waterfall is very close to the entrance of the cave. As long as it is connected to a wooden water tank, the stream water can be easily led into the cave.
Xu Dalong, Sun Desheng, Wang Chengzhu and others were all very satisfied after reading it. After discussion, it was decided that Wang Xiaohu would lead the newly recruited recruits and the masons from Qiligou Village to explore and repair the cave, and then put the guerrillas into the cave. Most of the team's supplies were moved here and used as a backup camp to prepare for a large-scale siege by the Japanese and puppet troops.
Xu Dalong knew that the guerrillas had recently wiped out an infantry brigade of the Japanese army and a regiment of the puppet army, and in addition had captured the county seat of Guancheng. The commotion had become too great. It was inevitable that the Japanese and puppet troops would mobilize a large army to besiege them. You must prepare for the worst now.
Xu Dalong decided to spend most of his energy on hoarding supplies during this period. To hold on to Mantou Peak, it was not enough just to have enough weapons, ammunition and food. He also had to have coal and firewood for cooking, which all took time. to prepare.
So Xu Dalong assigned tasks to the guerrillas and asked them to solve these problems.
Just as Xu Dalong had judged, the commotion Xu Dalong and others made in Guancheng County was a bit big and caused a lot of repercussions.
The Mawushan guerrillas annihilated a large number of Japanese and puppet troops and captured Guancheng County. The news spread like wildfire and caused a great sensation.
World War II District Chief's Department.
Due to the large-scale offensive by the Japanese and puppet troops in the previous stage, the World War II district chief's headquarters abandoned Qiulin Town, and the Shanxi-Sui Army also abandoned the vast area including Guancheng County. The morale of the military and civilians was very low.
The chief of staff knew that Xu Dalong's guerrillas were operating in Guancheng County. Hearing that they had annihilated so many Japanese and puppet troops with a small guerrilla force and captured a county town, he couldn't help but feel very emotional and even a little unhappy. Sorry.
You must know that the original area contained tens of thousands of troops from the 68th and 69th armies of the Fruit Army. However, they were not able to hold it and were all occupied by the Japanese army. It's really embarrassing that a small Eighth Route Army guerrilla force could make such a big noise there.
The chief of staff said to Li Kun: "This Xu Dalong is really capable. He can always do some unexpected things. You have a good relationship with him, so you should try to keep in touch with him."
Headquarters.
The news that Xu Dalong and others had captured Guancheng County excited the heads of the headquarters. The large-scale raids launched by the Japanese army caused the Eighth Route Army to lose many bases and the troops suffered serious losses. Under such circumstances, Xu Dalong and others were able to capture an enemy county behind enemy lines. This is undoubtedly an exciting event. good news.
The boss said happily: "This little guy Xu Dalong always brings surprises to us. I think we should reward him well."
The chief of staff smiled and said: "Boss, this Xu Dalong has achieved great merit countless times. He has even received special merit three times. I don't know how to reward him again."
The boss said: "If our grassroots commanders could be like Xu Dalong, the little devils wouldn't be so rampant."
The division commander said with some worry: "Xu Dalong and the others are alone behind the enemy lines. The enemy situation there is very serious. Now they have inflicted heavy losses on the Japanese and puppet troops. It is inevitable that the Japanese and puppet troops will retaliate against them on a large scale. I am really worried about them. ah."
The boss said: "We must try to get in touch with them. If necessary, send out the main force to reinforce them."
Daliushu Village, Liao County.
After continuous marches, the independent regiment settled in Daliushu Village.
During the breakout battle, the Independence Regiment was severely damaged. Not only did it lose nearly a thousand soldiers, but it also suffered serious losses in weapons and ammunition, especially ammunition. Now each soldier has less than five rounds of ammunition on average.
As the dispersed soldiers gradually returned to the group, and now there were more than 800 people in the independent group, the mood of the group leaders became slightly better.
That day, while Li Yunlong was drinking, the brigade commander called. After Li Yunlong answered the phone, a smile finally appeared on his face.
He summoned Zhao Gang and Zhang Dabiao and said to them: "The brigade commander just called. That boy Xu Dalong made trouble again. He actually captured the county seat of Guancheng. He must have made another fortune."
Zhao Gang and Zhang Dabiao were also very happy after hearing this. They felt somewhat relieved from their disappointment these days.
Zhang Dabiao said: "Captain, our regiment has suffered such serious losses in weapons and equipment, why not send someone to contact Xu Dalong and the others and find a way to replenish some from them."
Li Yunlong shook his head and said: "We can't do this. They are behind enemy lines and face more difficulties than we do. It's not a big deal that we lack weapons and ammunition now. We can just find a way to get them back from the Japanese and puppet troops."
Zhao Gang said: "Old Li, Chief of Staff, I think we can also learn from Xu Dalong's approach. Can we also organize it, with companies and platoons as units, and let them find opportunities to enter enemy-occupied areas on the edge of the base area to attack the Japanese?" Puppet troops, raising supplies.”
Li Yunlong said happily: "Old Zhao, you and I have come together. Xu Dalong and the others are capable, and our independent regiment soldiers are still capable. I don't believe that our cadres can't take weapons, ammunition and weapons from the hands of the Japanese and traitors." Grab the supplies."
Zhao Gang smiled and said: "Old Li, there is something wrong with what you said. Xu Dalong is also a soldier of our independent regiment."
Li Yunlong laughed loudly and said: "Old Zhao, you are right. I was a little confused by the little devils. Xu Dalong is a soldier of our independent regiment, and he is also the best soldier. He really makes me look good, hahahaha." "
358th Regiment Headquarters.
Chu Yunfei received the report from the World War II District Chief and said with emotion: "Brother Xu, they are really capable. We were forced to abandon Qingfeng Town. I think we should fight a war to show the little devils what our 358th Regiment has done." sharp."
Fang Ligong is a very cautious person. He believes that the enemy situation is very serious now and does not want the 358th Regiment to suffer serious losses fighting the Japanese army.
He asked with some worry: "Regiment leader, without the order to go to the peak, I'm afraid it's not good to send troops without permission."
Chu Yunfei said unhappily: "The general will be out here, and you will not accept your orders. We are not sending out the whole regiment, and sending out a battalion to fight. There is no need to ask for instructions from the superiors."
Fang Ligong asked: "Tuanzuo, where do you plan to start?"
Chu Yunfei said: "There is a prisoner of war camp in Xinhe County, where many prisoners of war are being held, including brothers from our regiment. I think we will attack the prisoner of war camp."
Fang Ligong wanted to say something else, but Chu Yunfei ordered: "Immediately formulate a battle plan to attack the prisoner of war camp."
Fang Ligong couldn't say anything else, so he went to prepare.
After Fang Ligong left, Adjutant Sun Ming remembered it and said, "Commander, I heard Xu Dalong said that he also has the idea of attacking the prisoner-of-war camp in Xinhe County. Why don't we contact him."
Chu Yunfei is a man who cares about face. Hearing this, he said unhappily: "Although Brother Dalong and others can fight, our 358th Regiment is not a vegetarian. Fighting a small prisoner of war camp does not require a lot of trouble." Brother Long and the others.”
Chu Yunfei said this with great confidence. What he told Fang Ligong was to dispatch a battalion to attack the Japanese prisoner-of-war camp. His battalion was not the usual three to five hundred people, but a full two thousand well-equipped people. . He doesn't believe it anymore, he can't take down a Japanese prisoner of war camp.
Chu Yunfei did what he said and called Qian Bojun, the commander of the first battalion.
Qian Bojun is Chu Yunfei's capable general, and he is still a brother. Chu Yunfei told Qian Bojun his combat intentions.
Qian Bojun vowed: "Brother, don't worry, brother, I will definitely give you face."
Chu Yunfei said: "When the chief of staff formulates the battle plan, you will lead the brothers and start taking action."
Qiligou Village.
In the peach grove outside the village, the masons and militiamen of Qiligou Village were banging stones, making stone mines.
Practice has proven that Shi Lei is extremely powerful. Especially in this battle, the militiamen of Qiligou Village made great contributions.
Xu Dalong rewarded them with a light machine gun, ten rifles and two hundred oceans, and now they were more confident.
"Brother Jin Zhu." Li Jinzhu was busy when he heard someone calling him. He straightened up and saw that the person coming was Li Ergou, a militiaman from the village and ran over happily.
He said to Li Jinzhu: "Brother Jinzhu, the captain calls you over."
When Li Jinzhu heard Xu Dalong calling him, he quickly put down his work and ran towards the brigade headquarters.
Li Jinzhu came to the conference room of the brigade headquarters and saw not only Xu Dalong but also deputy captains Sun Desheng and Wang Chengzhu inside.
Li Jinzhu imitated the manner of the Eighth Route Army soldiers, saluted the three leaders, and said: "Reporting to the captain, Li Jinzhu, captain of the Qiligou Village Army Corps, has been ordered to report."
Xu Dalong smiled and said: "Yes, Brother Jin Zhu looks a bit like a soldier. There is something I want to discuss with you. Are you willing to join the Eighth Route Army?"
Li Jinzhu had long wanted to join the Eighth Route Army, but Xu Dalong considered that the militia in Qigou Village should have a capable person in charge, so he never agreed.
Hearing Xu Dalong's words, Li Jinzhu was very excited. He hurriedly said: "Yes, I have been willing for a long time."
Xu Dalong said: "I plan to set up a demolition detachment in the guerrilla army, directly under the brigade headquarters. This detachment will have 30 people and a platoon-level establishment. You will be the captain. From now on, you will be the platoon-level detachment leader of the Eighth Route Army. "
"Ah, really?" Li Jinzhu was overjoyed. He was already very satisfied if he could be an ordinary Eighth Route Army soldier. He didn't expect that he would suddenly become a cadre of the Eighth Route Army.
Sun Desheng smiled and said: "Of course it's true. You went from being a militia captain to a cadre of our Eighth Route Army. You have to set up a banquet. Please invite our captain."
Li Jinzhu rubbed his hands with joy and said: "Please, you must invite, not only the captain but also the two deputy captains to participate."
Xu Dalong asked Li Jinzhu to sit down and told him that in the future he would not only make stone mines, but also find ways to make iron mines. He said that the guerrillas would grant a fund to the demolition team and let them hire iron-making masters and some blacksmiths. , also considered a guerrilla formation, to produce iron mines.
Li Jinzhu was very happy and said he would find ways to solve these problems.
The big commotion caused by Xu Dalong and others in Guancheng County also attracted the attention of the Japanese army.
