Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 311 Taking Down the Armory

Wang Suo wiped the sweat from his brow as he stood at attention and saluted, his voice betraying a mixture of exhaustion and excitement. The air around him still smelled of gunpowder, and the firelight illuminated his face, which was covered in dust and blood.

"The rest of you must remain vigilant and not let your guard down!"

He turned around and shouted instructions to the team members behind him.

Several soldiers immediately dispersed, disappearing into the ruins and warily watching their surroundings.

Wang Suo took a deep breath and strode quickly toward the command post. The ground was littered with spent shell casings and bloodstains, and faint flames still burned in the distance.

Hearing footsteps, He Kun looked up and saw Wang Suo.

"Reporting, Captain, we have eliminated a group of Japanese soldiers who broke through from the Japanese county headquarters," Wang Suo reported.

"Has your identity been verified?" He Kun asked in return, his voice deep and steady.

"Reporting to the captain, these Japanese soldiers are all wearing the same military uniform and are not carrying any items that can prove their identity."

Wang Suo paused briefly and added, "However, there was one older man who, judging from the knife and pistol he was carrying, should be a senior officer of this unit."

"However, we still cannot confirm the true identity of the Japanese soldiers."

He Kun frowned, pondered for a moment, and said, "I haven't found any trace of the Japanese commander here either. If he didn't escape, he's probably the one who was killed by your side."

Wang Su grinned, his face full of confidence: "That's right, I'd stake my life on it, I absolutely didn't let a single Japanese soldier escape!"

"I believe you."

He Kun nodded, reached out and patted his shoulder, his tone filled with trust and affirmation.

"You all continue to hold your ground and make sure that not a single Japanese soldier survives inside the headquarters."

He Kun's tone suddenly turned serious.

"Yes, I guarantee I will complete the mission!" Wang Suo immediately straightened up.

"Also, I'm transferring those sharpshooters in your team. Our next step is to attack the Japanese armory, and their support firepower will be indispensable."

"Understood, I'll go and inform them to prepare right away."

"Hmm." He Kun nodded, his eyes as calm as ever.

Watching Wang Suo's hurried departure, He Kun turned to the communications officer beside him and said:

"Send a telegram to the commander-in-chief—reporting that the intelligence department's action team has annihilated the entire Japanese headquarters, with no one escaping, but the body of the Japanese commander, Kenichi Matsuyama, cannot be identified yet."

"Yes, send the message immediately!" the communications officer responded, skillfully operating the radio and beginning to send the message.

"Furthermore, order the rest of you to come with me to the armory," He Kun ordered in a deep voice.

"Yes!" Everyone responded in unison.

After saying that, He Kun immediately led everyone to the arms depot.

-

At the same time, Tang Xiaohu in the command post received a telegram from He Kun.

"Commander, intelligence reports—the Japanese county headquarters has been annihilated, but Matsuyama Kenichi's body has not yet been found." Shen Lei quickly reported, holding the telegram in his hand.

"However, judging from the situation at the scene, it is highly likely that Kenichi Matsuyama died in the melee."

Tang Xiaohu frowned and said in a low voice, "Have a team from the intelligence department leave behind to continue inspecting the headquarters. Make sure to confirm that no enemy has faked their death and escaped. This is very important. We cannot let Matsuyama Kenichi make it to the armory alive."

"If Kenichi Matsuyama returns to the armory alive, then things will get complicated."

"Yes, I'll send the message right away." Seeing Tang Xiaohu's serious expression, Shen Lei left immediately.

The radio waves soon echoed in the dimly lit command tent.

Shortly after, Shen Lei returned and stood beside Tang Xiaohu.

"Commander, the telegram has been sent."

“Okay,” Tang Xiaohu nodded.

"Notify all units to make every effort to eliminate the remaining enemy forces."

"What about the armory?" Shen Lei asked, his tone tinged with worry.

Tang Xiaohu looked at the map and said, "According to the intelligence department's surveillance report, the armory is currently guarded by less than a small squad. The intelligence department's action team is enough to take it down."

He paused for a moment, then added, "Moreover, they are all professionals in this field, and they are better at infiltration and raids than our regular troops."

“Furthermore,” Tang Xiaohu raised his head, his eyes sharp, “the Japanese have a very strong sense of hierarchy. As long as Matsuyama Kenichi is dead, the Japanese garrison will not dare to detonate the armory without orders.”

"I see." Shen Lei looked enlightened.

"Don't be too happy yet," Tang Xiaohu interrupted him coldly. "The end of the battle doesn't mean victory. Only when the military supplies in these armories are safely transported back can it be considered a true victory."

Shen Lei straightened up and immediately nodded: "Understood, Commander."

"Where is the transport team?" Tang Xiaohu asked.

"They have entered the city with the main force and can begin transferring supplies at any time."

"Okay." Tang Xiaohu nodded.

"Intelligence indicates that in addition to ammunition, the armory also contains a batch of grain. We can't take it with us, so should we burn it?" Shen Lei continued.

"No, let's hand it over to the Eighth Route Army," Tang Xiaohu said decisively. "They can mobilize more manpower to transport the grain away, so we don't need to waste it."

"As the Eighth Route Army grew stronger, its ability to fight the Japanese devils increased."

“I understand.” Shen Lei nodded.

“There’s one more thing,” Tang Xiaohu’s tone shifted, “order the artillery regiment and the artillery battalions of each brigade to withdraw immediately. These artillery pieces are the lifeblood of our division and must be safely moved.”

"Yes, I'll arrange it immediately." Shen Lei accepted the order and turned to leave.

-

Half an hour later, just as Tang Xiaohu had predicted, the Japanese troops left behind at the armory did not receive orders from their superiors and dared not make any rash moves.

This presented the intelligence team with an excellent opportunity.

With several deafening explosions, the assault team forcefully broke through the outer defenses of the armory. Several sharpshooters precisely picked off targets, providing cover for the assault team's rapid advance. In less than ten minutes, the Japanese armory's defenders collapsed completely.

He Kun led the intelligence department to successfully occupy the arms depot.

"Report to the commander! The intelligence team has successfully captured the Japanese armory!" Shen Lei shouted excitedly, his face full of excitement and admiration.

"Good! Report to the division headquarters immediately and request commendation for the action team." For the first time, a smile appeared on Tang Xiaohu's face.

"Order: Except for the reconnaissance regiment, all troops shall assist the logistics regiment in immediately transporting supplies from the ammunition depot."

"Everyone must evacuate Fenxian County before dawn!"

"Yes!"

Once the order was given, all the soldiers in the city, except for the reconnaissance regiment, sprang into action.

The First and Second Regiments, which had just returned, also joined the effort to transfer supplies.

Under the cover of night, the soldiers carried boxes of ammunition and weapons, their faces covered in sweat and dust, but not one of them complained.

Tang Xiaohu and his group, who had come from outside the city, were also busy and joined the army of transporting supplies.