Kong Jie said with some confusion: "We have two regiments of troops coming, thousands of people, do we have so many vehicles?"
Wang Xiaohu smiled and said: "Captain, you will know it when you leave the town."
Under the guidance of Xu Dalong and others, the officers and soldiers of the Independent Regiment and the New Second Regiment passed through the town. After exiting the gate of the town, they saw a dozen cars parked at the door and a large number of cars parked on the country road in front. There are so many vehicles that you can’t even see them.
Seeing such a huge convoy, Li Yunlong, Kong Jie and others were a little shocked.
Li Yunlong smiled and said: "Xu Dalong, Sun Desheng, Wang Chengzhu, I heard that you are living a prosperous life, but I didn't expect that you would have such a grand ostentation."
Xu Dalong said modestly: "The Japs here are all garrison troops, and their combat effectiveness is too weak. It is easier to capture them."
Everyone knows that this is Xu Dalong's humility. What they fought was not just the Japanese garrison. The Japanese 108th Division and the 110th Division were genuine field troops, and they also suffered heavy losses at the hands of the Mawushan guerrillas.
In any case, it is not easy for people to seize so many vehicles and still be able to afford them.
At this time, all the cars drove over. Xu Dalong stepped forward and opened the door with his own hands, asking Li Yunlong, Zhao Gang, Kong Jie and others to get in the car.
Li Yunlong, Zhao Gang and Xu Dalong took one car, while Wang Chengzhu and Sun Desheng accompanied Zhao Gang, Kong Jie and others into another car respectively.
Under Wang Xiaohu's arrangement, the officers and soldiers of the Independent Regiment and the New Second Regiment got on the truck, and the convoy drove toward Guancheng County.
On the way, Li Yunlong said: "Dalong, your life is getting better and better. You go out and take a car every day, and your appearance is as good as that of our brigade commander."
Xu Dalong smiled and said: "Captain, if you like it, I will give you a few cars."
Li Yunlong said: "You should keep it for yourself. We don't even have a decent road there, so giving it to me is just a decoration."
After the two chatted for a while, Li Yunlong asked: "Is there any battle you can fight here?"
Xu Dalong smiled and said: "Captain, I know what you like, and I have prepared it for you a long time ago. After the batch of equipment is transported back from the World War II District Chief's Department, we can discuss it together and fight the Japanese happily. "
Li Yunlong smiled and said: "Dalong, you are a friend enough to know what I want. Laozi was really uncomfortable suffocating in the Taihang Mountains. He finally got the chance to come out, so he had to practice with the little devils. The mouth is suffocating."
Zhao Gang said: "Old Li, our main task is to escort the equipment. I'm afraid we have to ask the brigade commander for instructions on fighting matters."
Li Yunlong became anxious, raised his eyes and said: "What are you asking for? Haven't you heard of it? We will be threatened by the foreign troops. We finally got out, so we can't just go back empty-handed."
Zhao Gang said: "Old Li, you have such a bad temper, and you get impatient when you talk about it. I didn't say I wouldn't fight, I just said I asked the brigade commander for instructions, but you are so impatient, it's true."
Xu Dalong smiled and said: "Commissioner Zheng, you really don't need to ask the brigade commander for instructions on fighting matters. Think about it, in fact, when it comes to escorting weapons and ammunition, we have the Mawushan guerrillas and the independent brigade here. They have enough troops. There is no need for the Independent Group and the New Second Group to come over.
The reason why the brigade commander asked you to come here is because he knew that our regiment commander would not just escort the supplies. In fact, he tacitly allowed the independent regiment and the new second regiment to come out to fight. If this opportunity can be used to train the troops and capture something, this is of course what the brigade commander would like to see. "
Li Yunlong smiled and said: "Dalong, I like to hear this. It's the brigade commander who understands me. Old Zhao, you have nothing to say this time."
Zhao Gang thought for a while and said: "What Dalong said makes sense. I am also thinking about why the brigade commander sent us out to escort this batch of supplies. It seems that the brigade commander really wants us to fight to train the troops. So I will not worried."
After arriving in Guancheng County, the troops of the Independent Regiment and the New Second Regiment were welcomed by the officers and soldiers of the Mawushan guerrillas and the Independent Brigade.
Next was a big banquet to reward the officers and soldiers of the Independent Regiment and the New Second Regiment who came from afar.
After the banquet, Wang Xiaohu arranged for the troops of the Independent Regiment and the New Second Regiment to rest.
Xu Dalong and others accompanied Li Yunlong, Zhao Gang, Kong Jie and others to the guest house of the Mawushan guerrillas.
The conditions in the guest house are very good, with sofas, telephones, clean beds, and polite waiters. Li Yunlong and others were very satisfied.
Zhang Dabiao sat on the bed covered with thick quilts and felt very comfortable. He said with some envy: "Brother Dalong, your life is so rich. This county is better than the mountains."
Li Yunlong said: "There is nothing to envy. Later, we will also build a county town and build a guest house like this."
Now the area from the Mawushan base to the World War II District Governor's Headquarters has been completely controlled by the Mawushan guerrillas and the troops of the 358th Brigade of the Shanxi-Sui Army, and transportation is also very convenient.
Xu Dalong did not ask the Independent Regiment and the New Second Regiment to go to the World War II District Chief's Headquarters to collect the equipment. Instead, he sent Sun Desheng to escort the transport unit of the Mawushan guerrillas and went directly to the World War II District Chief's Headquarters to collect the equipment and transported it back to Wanguan. City and county seat.
During this period, Xu Dalong, Li Yunlong, Kong Jie and others discussed combat operations together. After Xu Dalong's proposal, they prepared to invite Chu Yunfei's 358th Brigade to participate in the next combat operations.
Chu Yunfei likes to fight with Xu Dalong very much. Every time he fights, he will gain a lot.
Now that the 358th Brigade has independent combat rights, after receiving Xu Dalong's telegram, Chu Yunfei immediately drove to Guancheng County with Fang Ligong and others.
Chu Yunfei lived in the Independent Group for a period of time with a visiting group last time, and he had a certain friendship with Li Yunlong. After meeting, they were very cordial.
Li Yunlong saw the major general rank mark on Chu Yunfei's straight military uniform and said, "Brother Yunfei, you are so powerful now. You have become a major general brigade commander. Congratulations!"
Chu Yunfei said: "Brother Yunlong, it is not a problem to be a division commander with your qualifications. Brother, I am able to achieve my status today all because of the help of Brother Dalong and your underground party armed forces. Now we can fight side by side, brother I am very honored." In the war room of the Mawushan guerrillas, Xu Dalong, Sun Desheng, Wang Chengzhu, Li Yunlong, Zhao Gang, Kong Jie, as well as generals from the Independence Brigade and the Shanxi-Sui Army held a combat meeting.
After discussion, this time the main force of the Mawushan guerrillas, the New Second Regiment, the Independent Regiment, the main force of the 358th Brigade of the Shanxi-Sui Army, and the two regiments of the Independent Brigade will be dispatched to attack the southeastern part of Xinhe County and Guancheng County respectively. The four counties in the city will attack the Japanese reinforcements according to the situation of enemy reinforcements.
After the combat plan was formulated, Zheng Xirong introduced the relevant intelligence of the Japanese troops in the four counties, as well as the possible troop strength and marching route of the Japanese reinforcements.
Zheng Xirong's introduction was very detailed, including various combat objectives, the numbers of Japanese troops, troop strength and equipment, and the names of commanders. Not only that, there was also a detailed topographic map of the combat area, and the deployment of Japanese troops on the map. Very clearly marked.
The level of Ma Wushan's intelligence work won unanimous praise from the generals participating in the war.
Chu Yunfei had long known that the intelligence squadron under Xu Dalong had a huge intelligence network, and he had become accustomed to it.
Only then did Li Yunlong, Zhao Gang, Kong Jie and others discover that the reason why Xu Dalong and the others were always able to win battles was inseparable from their perfect intelligence system. Therefore, they have a deeper understanding of the true strength of the Mawushan guerrillas.
After the combat plan was formulated, since the troops participating in the war came from different organizations, in order to unify the command, it was still necessary to elect a temporary commander-in-chief.
Chu Yunfei and Fang Ligong expressed on the spot that the 358th Brigade was willing to obey Xu Dalong's command in this battle.
Li Yunlong, Kong Jie and others also believed that Xu Dalong was familiar with the local situation, and they had great trust in Xu Dalong's combat command ability, so they recommended Xu Dalong to serve as the battle commander.
Several leaders of the independent brigade had no objections, so Xu Dalong served as the temporary commander-in-chief of this offensive campaign.
Xu Dalong has independent combat rights granted by his superiors, and he can freely formulate combat plans.
But this time, after all, troops from the Independent Regiment and the New Second Regiment participated in the battle, so he discussed with Li Yunlong, Zhao Gang, Kong Jie and others and reported to the brigade commander.
The brigade commander had long known that Li Yunlong and Kong Jie would not just transport weapons and ammunition honestly, and he had already been mentally prepared for this.
He immediately responded to the telegram, which contained only two words: Agree.
Zhao Gang said with emotion: "Brothers Lao Li and Dalong, you better know the brigade commander better."
Li Yunlong smiled proudly and said: "That's the brigade commander who looks down on those submissive wimps the most. As long as you dare to fight and win the battle, if anything goes wrong, he will take care of it for you."
Seeing Li Yunlong's proud face, Zhao Gang couldn't help but said: "Old Li, don't be too proud. During the attack on Cangyunling, weren't you dismissed and became the director of the quilt factory?"
Li Yunlong knew that Zhao Gang was joking with him, so he was not angry and said with a smile: "Old Zhao, you are just a guy who refuses to open or lift any pot. That time it was the brigade commander who dismissed me from my post. It was the head of the headquarters who personally commanded me at that time. , our old Li was unlucky, he was hit by a gun, and he only worked as the director of a quilt factory for a few days. In order to make me the regimental commander again, the brigade commander said a lot of good things for me behind my back. "
Zhao Gang smiled and said: "The brigade commander knows people well and is considerate. I admire this very much."
The offensive campaign launched by a joint force composed of the underground party's anti-Japanese armed forces and the Shanxi-Sui Army officially began two days later.
The Independent Regiment, the New Second Regiment, the 358th Brigade, and the Independent Brigade attacked four county towns respectively, annihilated the Japanese and puppet troops in the city within the scheduled time, and occupied the four county towns.
The Mawushan guerrillas concentrated their main force in Gaoyang Town, southeast of Xinhe County, ready to attack Japanese reinforcements at any time.
The anti-Japanese armed forces of the underground party and the Shanxi-Sui Army jointly fought and captured the four counties, all of which were the defense areas of the 32nd Division of the Japanese Army. After receiving the report, Qianye Xunyi immediately frowned.
The 32nd Garrison Division has now replenished its troops, but he did not dare to disperse the troops as before, and the main force was basically concentrated near Lingao City. The defense area of the 32nd Division originally included more than 20 counties. Five county towns, namely Guancheng, Xinhe, Juma, Dongxiang and Yinping, had previously been captured by the Mawushan guerrillas and the 358th Brigade of the Shanxi-Sui Army. Now they have been captured again. After visiting four counties, he wanted to send troops to take back these places, but unfortunately he did not have the courage.
Chiba Xunyi received a report that a large number of anti-Japanese armed forces had captured four county towns, but there were no Mawushan guerrillas among them, which worried him even more. He guessed that Xu Dalong's Mawushan Rangers must be staring at the 32nd garrison division, waiting for them to go for reinforcements, and then ambush them halfway.
Qianye Xunyi was in a dilemma. There was a problem in the occupied area he controlled. If he didn't go to the rescue, he would definitely not be able to explain it to his superiors. If he went there, he would be afraid of being ambushed on the way.
He thought twice and decided to kick the ball to the commander of the First Army, Yoshio Shinozuka, and let him make the decision.
Chiba drafted a telegram and reported what happened in the defense area guarding the 32nd Division and his judgment of the situation to Yoshio Shinozuka.
After receiving the report, Yoshio Shinozuka also felt a headache.
He found that many recent incidents were related to the Mawushan guerrillas. Taiyuan Airport was destroyed for the third time. The newspapers and periodicals affiliated with the District Governor's Department during World War II have already reported on it, including a special report on the Mawushan guerrillas. The Japanese military intelligence agency is not a vegetarian, and they can easily obtain such information. .
The Mawushan Guerrillas have attracted more and more attention from Yoshio Shinozuka. He no longer treats the Mawushan Guerrillas as an ordinary guerrilla, but as a main force of the underground party's anti-Japanese armed forces. .
After receiving Chiba Xunichi's report, Shinozuka Yoshio carefully analyzed the situation in the Mawushan area. He believed that it was impossible to eliminate the Mawushan guerrillas just by relying on the strength of the 32nd garrison division, let alone this capture. The anti-Japanese armed forces in the four counties also included other units such as the Shanxi-Sui Army. If the 32nd garrison division rushes to reinforce, it will suffer greater losses.
As for dispatching troops from the Japanese 110th Division in Yangquan and the 108th Division in Yucheng for reinforcements, it is not a wise move to hastily send troops and go far away for reinforcements when the enemy's situation is not very clear.
After careful consideration, Yoshio Shinozuka decided to ignore the anti-Japanese armed actions that occurred in the defense zone of the 32nd Division and let them do whatever they wanted.
He decided to hold a joint meeting of the 108th Division, the 110th Division and the 32nd Garrison Division in the near future to discuss the operational deployment of the Mawushan guerrillas.
Southeast of Xinhe County, Lijiazhuang.
Xu Dalong led the main force of the Mawushan guerrillas to temporarily station in the Lijiazhuang area, waiting for the intelligence squadron to deliver news of Japanese reinforcements.
Since the Japanese troops that could come for reinforcements were mainly the 108th Division in Yucheng, the 32nd Division in Lingao City, and the 110th Division in Yangquan, the intelligence squadron set up surveillance posts near these three cities. , they carried radios. Once they discovered that Japanese reinforcements were leaving the city, they would immediately report to Zheng Xirong, who would then report to Xu Dalong. However, Xu Dalong never received news of the dispatch of enemy reinforcements.
In this joint operation, Xu Dalong and others assembled the main force of the Mawushan guerrillas, the Independent Brigade, Li Yunlong's Independent Regiment, Kong Jie's New Second Regiment, and Chu Yunfei's 358th Brigade, with a total strength of nearly 30,000. The combat plan formulated was mainly to annihilate the Japanese reinforcements.
Unexpectedly, the Japanese army allowed four counties to be captured by the coalition forces without sending reinforcements. This was indeed beyond Li Dalong's expectation, because the Japanese army has always had a tradition, that is, no matter where the Japanese troops are surrounded, nearby Japanese troops will be surrounded. The Japanese troops will fight to the death to rescue them.
It seems that Xu Dalong and others miscalculated this time. They assembled such a large force in vain. As a result, they could not catch the big fish of Japanese reinforcements, which really felt like a waste of people and money.
Xu Dalong thought twice and sent telegrams to Li Yunlong, Kong Jie, Chu Yunfei and the Independent Brigade respectively to solicit their opinions.
Li Yunlong, Zhao Gang and Zhang Dabiao captured a county town and made a fortune in the county town, and were very happy. Although they felt a little regretful when they heard that the Japanese reinforcements were not coming, Zhao Gang and Zhang Dabiao were still very satisfied with the weapons, ammunition and supplies they captured.
Li Yunlong was a little unwilling to win a big battle. He telegraphed back to Xu Dalong, saying that while the Japanese reinforcements were afraid to send out reinforcements, the Independent Regiment and the New Second Regiment would continue to fight eastward and then occupy a Japanese county. Even if the Japanese could not defeat the large army, they could make a fool of themselves. Wealth is also good.
Kong Jie was straightforward and telegraphed back saying that following the advice of the Allied Provisional Command, Xu Dalong said that whatever happens next would be done.
The reason why Kong Jie made such a decision was because he did not understand the terrain in this area, and he was satisfied with being able to conquer a county and make a fortune.
The Independent Brigade did not express any opinion in the telegram back, saying that it was following Xu Dalong's order.
Chu Yunfei knew the local enemy situation. He believed that since the Japanese reinforcements were not dispatched and the original battle plan could not be carried out, it was best for the various units participating in the war to withdraw as soon as possible, shrink their forces back to their original defense areas, and observe the Japanese army. action before making a decision.
Xu Dalong didn't know what conspiracy the Japanese were playing. Maybe reinforcements mobilized by the Japanese army from other places were coming here.
If the Japanese army has new reinforcements, plus the strength of the 110th Division, the 108th Division and the 32nd Garrison Division, the coalition forces will still be overwhelmed.
So he agreed with Chu Yunfei's opinion and decided not to take risks and end the battle early. So he gave the order to retreat.
The New Second Regiment, the Independent Brigade and the 358th Brigade all implemented Xu Dalong's order and began to withdraw their troops.
Only Li Yunlong had an opinion. He believed that since the Japanese did not dare to send reinforcements, they should take the opportunity to expand the results of the war. At least one more Japanese county could be captured to make more foreign wealth.
I have to say that Li Yunlong does have a good feel for the battlefield. In fact, his judgment was correct. If the coalition forces take advantage of the opportunity that Japanese reinforcements dare not dispatch this time and continue to launch an attack, they will indeed be able to achieve greater results.
Li Yunlong asked Zhang Dabiao to send a telegram back to Xu Dalong, hoping that he would change his order to end the campaign early and continue to attack the Japanese and puppet troops.
Zhao Gang firmly disagreed. He believed that Xu Dalong, Chu Yunfei and others were familiar with the enemy situation and terrain in this area. Since Xu Dalong made such a decision, he naturally had his reasons. Since the independent regiment received the order to retreat, it should resolutely Excuting an order.
Zhao Gang now had a way to deal with Li Yunlong. He did not forcibly dissuade him, but said: "Old Li, when the coalition forces met together, our independent regiment promised in person that we would obey Xu Dalong's command. If we don't give Xu Dalong's face is a bit dishonest, which will make Xu Dalong lose face with the Independent Brigade and the 358th Brigade.
What does Xu Dalong think of our independent group? I don't need to say it. We can't do anything that would prevent Xu Dalong from coming to Taiwan. "
Zhang Dabiao also felt that disobeying Xu Dalong's order was really unjustifiable in terms of face, so he also said: "Captain, Commissioner Zheng is right, we can't let Brother Dalong stand down in front of Chu Yunfei and the others. I suggest that we still Execute the order and retreat!"
Li Yunlong is a loyal person. Although he thinks Xu Dalong's orders are a bit hasty, he really cares about Xu Dalong's face.
So he resisted the urge to continue the attack and said: "Old Zhao, Da Biao, you are right. We, Old Li, are not unjust people, and we must never let brother Da Long be in trouble. Pass my order and take the captured supplies, retreat immediately!”
After returning to Guancheng County, Li Yunlong came to see Xu Dalong. He asked, "Dalong, what are your plans next?"
Xu Dalong said that the original combat plan could no longer be implemented. The Independent Regiment and the New Second Regiment should escort the equipment back to the Taihang Mountain base area.
Li Yunlong didn't want to just go back. He finally took the independent group out to have fun, and after returning, he had to stay in the Taihang Mountain base area. He is absolutely unwilling to do so.
He said: "Brother Dalong, we have finally gathered the Independent Regiment, the New Second Regiment, your Mawushan guerrillas, the Independent Brigade, and Chu Yunfei's 358th Brigade here. With so many troops, it is really difficult not to fight a big battle. What a pity. I suggest that we don’t break up now, and while the heat is on, we can choose a target and fight him.”
Regarding what to do next, Xu Dalong hadn't figured it out yet.
Li Yunlong said: "Dalong, think about it, this time we captured four of the Japs' counties, why didn't the Japs send out reinforcements?"
Xu Dalong asked: "Captain, I just want to hear your opinion."
Li Yunlong said: "With the character of the Japs, as long as one Japs were attacked in the past, other Japs would rush to reinforce them. We captured four counties in a row, but the Japs didn't come. This can only mean that one The problem is, they don’t have enough troops.”
Xu Dalong nodded and said: "Captain, what you said makes sense."
Li Yunlong said: "Since the Japs don't have enough troops to confront us head-on, if we don't take this opportunity to bully the Japs, wouldn't such a good fighter opportunity be wasted?"
