Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 314 Returning Victoriously

The sun was just about to rise, and a sliver of dawn appeared on the distant horizon. A gentle mountain breeze carried a hint of coolness.

"Reporting to the commander, Regiment Commander Zhou of the logistics regiment reports that all munitions have been moved out of Fenxian County."

Tang Xiaohu stood at the entrance of Fenxian County, listening to Staff Officer Shen Lei's report.

"Good, very good. Immediately notify all troops to retreat in an orderly manner."

"Yes," Shen Lei nodded.

Following Tang Xiaohu's order, the Independent Division's troops in the Fen County area moved in an orderly fashion towards the nearby mountains. Thanks to the cooperation of the Eighth Route Army stationed locally, the Independent Division advanced towards Wolong Mountain along a concealed and easily traversed mountain path.

At the border of Fen County, Meng Hong held Chen Chengming's hand with a grateful expression and said.

"Chief of Staff Chen, thank you for the Independent Division's help. You have helped us so much."

Meng Hong couldn't contain his joy when he thought of the mountains of grain and ammunition piled up in the regiment's warehouse.

Chen Chengming suppressed the urge to tell Meng Hong that he had also been a member of the Eighth Route Army and said with a smile.

"Commander Meng, you're too kind. Our Independent Division's operation was so successful thanks to the help of our Eighth Route Army."

"Besides, we all share the same goal: to fight the Japanese devils."

"Staff Officer Chen, thank you again, esteemed division. The weapons, ammunition, food, and military supplies you left behind have been a great help to our regiment."

"Staff Officer Chen, I dare to make such bold claims, but if the Independent Division ever needs our 186th Regiment again, be sure to let us know, and I will definitely help."

"Thank you very much, Commander Meng."

"Speaking of which, there is indeed a favor I need your help with." At this moment, Chen Chengming remembered a telegram that Tang Weiguo had sent him.

"Staff Officer Chen, please speak. Our 186th Regiment will definitely help."

"Commander Meng, after this battle, the Japanese have less control over the Fen County area than before. Therefore, we hope that you can open up a safe passage between us and Lianglu Mountain through this opportunity."

"Through this secure passage, we can increase the channels for transporting resources from the outside world and ensure the security of the troops' logistics."

“No problem, Chief of Staff Chen, this is also something our 186th Regiment wants to do.” Before Chen Chengming could finish speaking, Meng Hong eagerly spoke up.

"To be honest, Staff Officer Chen, our 186th Brigade has long wanted to open up a passage to Lianglushan, but because the Japanese troops stationed in Fenxian are too strong, we have no way to open up the passage."

"Now, thanks to your help, we've weakened the Japanese forces here. Plus, with the supplies we've seized from them, it's hard to say who will be in charge of Fen County in the future."

Thinking again of the mountains of supplies piled up in the warehouse, Meng Hong said with renewed fighting spirit.

"Then I'll leave it to Commander Meng. If you need any help, don't hesitate to ask our Independent Division. We'll help you as soon as possible."

"Good, with Staff Officer Chen's words, I feel much more at ease!"

Their hands clasped tightly together, their eyes filled with trust.

"Commander Meng, we've come a long way, but we must part ways eventually. We'll say goodbye here, and I hope we'll have the opportunity to fight side by side again in the future."

"I also hope to see Staff Officer Chen again."

After saying that, Staff Officer Chen led his squad to chase after the main force.

After watching the Independent Division troops gradually disappear into the mountains, Meng Hong turned to Meng He beside him and said.

"Let's retreat. It's time for us to get down to business."

"Yes, Captain."

After finishing their conversation, the 186th Regiment of the Eighth Route Army headed towards their garrison in Majiazhuang.

Thanks to the well-planned retreat route, Tang Xiaohu's troops did not encounter any danger.

Occasionally, Japanese planes would circle overhead, searching for traces of Tang Xiaohu's troops.

"Commander, what are those Japanese planes doing, hovering around like that? We're right below them, but they just can't spot us," Tang Dazhuang said with a grin.

"Besides, our area is naturally mountainous and densely forested, making it easy to spot, not to mention the Japanese planes are flying so high." Through the gaps in the leaves, Shen Lei looked at the silhouettes of the Japanese planes in the sky.

"They're still scared of us. Looks like even the Japanese are afraid of dying," Tang Dazhuang said with a chuckle.

"It's a pity the air defense regiment didn't give us one this time, otherwise we would have shot one down no matter what," Tang Dazhuang said with some regret.

"The air defense regiment is our division commander's precious asset, and it cannot be mobilized casually, especially since we are now deep behind enemy lines."

"Let alone the division commander, even I wouldn't allow the air defense regiment to participate in the operation."

"Don't worry, we'll have our chance to take down those Japanese planes eventually."

"Everyone, take a good rest. Once the Japanese planes have flown away, we'll continue our march."

After saying that, Tang Xiaohu stopped talking and lay down on his cot to sleep.

After a long night, I can finally get some rest.

Seeing this, the others also rested to conserve their energy and prepare for the next leg of the march.

The Japanese planes in the sky were like headless flies, crashing around aimlessly.

Even when the Japanese occasionally discovered something unusual, they dared not lower their flight altitude to conduct low-altitude reconnaissance.

They were truly broken by the Independent Division's air defense forces.

After circling in the air for a long time without finding any target, the Japanese soldiers slunk away.

To be on the safe side, Tang Xiaohu waited a while longer, and seeing that the Japanese planes did not come again, he gave the order.

"Continue, let's set off, destination: Wolong Mountain."

"Yes."

In the mountains and forests, the Independent Division set off again.

. . . .

"Commander, Tang Xiaohu just reported that he has led his troops to the Wolong Mountain area," Zhang Haoshan said.

"Okay, great!"

"With the main force returning safely, our operation can be considered a great success."

"Yes, Commander, we didn't expect this operation to go so smoothly."

"This time we were out of the loop; the Japanese didn't know the true number of our troops."

"The next operation won't go so smoothly, but this time we captured a large amount of weapons and equipment, which will enhance the combat effectiveness of our Independent Division."

"The Japanese won't easily launch an attack against us, after all, their main battleground is still the southern battlefield."

After speaking, Tang Weiguo looked towards the southern region, as if his gaze had traversed thousands of mountains and rivers, watching the great battles taking place one after another in the south.

"After the troops return this time, we must seize the time to recuperate and strengthen our capabilities, because we don't have much time left."

Tang Weiguo couldn't help but think of the Japanese invasion of North China that was about to begin.

With its own independent division, Tang Weiguo predicted that the scale of the Japanese counterinsurgency campaign in North China would not be small.

What he needs to do now is to continuously increase his strength.

"Commander, have you received any news?" Zhang Haoshan asked, puzzled.

"Intuition," Tang Weiguo said without further explanation.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Haoshan became serious. Sometimes, a soldier's intuition far surpasses the accuracy of intelligence.

"I understand, Commander."

"When will Tang Xiaohu arrive at the base?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"Tang Xiaohu and his team are expected to arrive with the logistics regiment around midnight tonight, while the other troops will return to their posts."

"Alright, let's welcome our great hero together then."

"Yes!"