Yu Chenglong felt in his heart that such a big action was still a bit risky, but Commander Yang, General Political Commissar Qin Gang and the headquarters had already made a decision. He could not oppose it and must obey the order.
However, suggestions and ideas still had to be put forward. He hoped that after the team captured Sanyuan County, they would quickly seize the strategic materials of the Japs and then retreat immediately, because the Manbei Corps did not yet have the conditions to occupy the county seat.
"We will seriously consider your suggestion. However, the combat plan cannot be changed. This is approved by superiors and is also an instruction from superiors. We must resolutely implement it.
After the battle begins, the reinforcement teams on both sides must keep in contact with the general headquarters and are not allowed to retreat without receiving orders. Let’s prepare separately now, and wish us a successful rendezvous! "
General Political Commissar Qin Gang did not directly answer Yu Chenglong's suggestion, but directly asked the commanders present to go back to the team to execute the order immediately, which made everyone stand up and salute.
"Obey the command, obey the orders, and fight this battle resolutely!"
After the meeting adjourned, Yu Chenglong immediately returned to the team, conveyed the headquarters' orders, conducted pre-war mobilization, and then led the team towards Sifangtai.
When we approached Sifangtai, it was almost dark. Yu Chenglong ordered the team to rest and eat in hiding. He and Deputy Captain Li and others went to Sifangtai to reconnoiter the terrain.
This Sifang Terrace is a large mound that suddenly appears on the plain. The southern slope is steeper and the northern slope is gentler. It is an irregular square shape with a flat top and is covered with artificially planted trees and wormwood, hence the name Sifang. tower.
Close to the south side of Sifangtai, there is a main road running east-west. To the west under the road is a larger village, five or six miles away from Sifangtai.
Sifangtai is surrounded by dense crop fields, which are now completely covered, making it easy to hide and retreat. If used well, it can inflict heavy damage on the enemy's reinforcements.
After Yu Chenglong reconnoitred the terrain, he ordered Deputy Captain Li to lead 40 people to build fortifications on Sifangtai, preparing to block the enemy from the front.
Send Director Xunyang to take 20 people to hide in the crop fields on the south side of the road. Once the frontal blockade is broken, lead the team to rush onto the road and intercept the enemy.
Captain Fang was ordered to take 20 people to hide in the crop fields east of Sifangtai as a reserve team to support Deputy Captain Li and others at any time.
Yu Chenglong himself led 20 people to hide in the crop fields to the west of Sifangtai, preparing to attack the enemy from behind and completely defeat the Japanese team that came to reinforce Sanyuan County.
With the arrangements in place, Yu Chenglong ordered the team to set off in the dark. In the northeast corner four miles away from Sifangtai, the horses were gathered in a depression to graze.
Then he ordered the brothers to board the Sifangtai and build fortifications with Captain Li and others. After midnight, he asked his brothers to finish the dry food they had brought with them, and then each led people into pre-arranged positions.
The sun has risen and there is no sound on the road. The signal corps from the headquarters came to report that the battle to seize the city of Sanyuan County had started as planned and had gone smoothly from the beginning.
The teams surrounding and attacking from all sides have basically entered the city and are advancing towards the city, and they encounter little resistance. It is estimated that they can capture Sanyuan County as planned.
The commander-in-chief ordered the two brigades responsible for blocking the enemy to closely monitor the enemy's situation and be ready to repel the Japanese reinforcements at any time.
Before the retreat order is issued from the headquarters, no one is allowed to retreat and must hold on at all costs. Even if you encounter trouble, you must overcome the difficulties and persist until the headquarters orders are issued.
Near noon, the sentry sent out ran back and reported that the Japs had indeed sent reinforcements and were about to arrive in front of our position.
Yu Chenglong ordered all hidden teams to immediately prepare for battle to meet the Japanese who came for reinforcements. We must do whatever it takes, never let go of a single soldier, and block the Japanese reinforcements to the west of the position.
In front were three cars, fully loaded with about fifty or sixty Japanese soldiers. The cars were equipped with machine guns and small cannons. Behind them were Manchurian troops, following on horseback. Along the avenue south of Sifangtai, from west to east to support Sanyuan County.
Seeing that Sifangtai was getting closer and closer, the Japanese car slowed down. Firstly, it was waiting for the Manchurian Army behind, and secondly, it was also wary of the terrain of Sifangtai.
After all, Sifangtai is an ideal hiding place for encirclement and reinforcements along the way. It is normal for little devils with military qualities to be wary of this place.
When approaching Sifangtai, the Japanese fired machine guns at the Sifangtai for a while. Seeing that there was no movement or anything unusual, the Manchurian Army behind them also followed, so they walked forward with confidence.
With the explosion of grenades, the three Japanese vehicles were paralyzed in place, unable to move. Several Japs died on the spot, and the rest jumped out of the car.
Unexpectedly, there was an ambush. The commander of the little devils immediately ordered the personnel to jump out of the car and quickly organized a counterattack. Most of the little devils used the cover of the car to shoot at the Sifangtai.
The Manchurian troops who came from behind also dismounted and hid beside the avenue on the south side of the road and shot at Sifangtai. There was another fierce explosion of grenades, and the Japanese hiding under the car suffered more casualties.
Seeing that the firepower was very fierce, the Japanese in front immediately retreated to a certain distance, set up steel cannons, fired at the Sifangtai position, and forced the Manchurian Army behind to charge forward.
The Sifangtai position was ablaze with artillery fire, and a brother died in the artillery fire! After repelling an attack by the Manchurian Army, the Japs' second round of artillery fire came fiercely.
The gunshots on the Sifang platform were obviously weaker, and even the grenades that had been relatively effective before were now sparse, and at this time the Manchurian Army's attack began again crazily.
When Yu Chenglong saw that the opportunity had come, he shouted and rushed out of the crop field with twenty brothers. Two machine guns opened the way and rushed straight towards the little Japanese and the attacking Manchurian army.
The Japanese were unable to withstand this sudden attack and immediately withdrew towards the village in Lunan. The Manchurian Army also withdrew and ran towards the village together.
However, Yu Chenglong did not lead his men to pursue him. Instead, he blew up the cannon abandoned by the Japanese and led his men back to the crop fields, but he also killed and injured six or seven brothers.
After careful observation for a while, there was still no movement from the little devil. Yu Chenglong took the team back to Sifangtai and met with Deputy Captain Li and others.
After counting the number of people, a total of more than ten people were injured and more than ten people were killed in the two teams. Yu Chenglong asked the injured brother to retreat to the place where the horses were, waiting to retreat together.
He and Deputy Captain Li led less than forty people and continued to hold on to the Sifangtai position. Yu Chenglong knew that the Japs would not give up and would definitely organize a more violent attack again.
