Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 15 Wolong Mountain Military Camp

Early the next morning, the soldiers of the First Battalion and the new recruits' camp stationed in Wolong Mountain arrived at the gate of the Tang Family Compound.

At this moment, Tang Xiaohu and Tang Dazhuang were in the backyard directing the soldiers to orderly transfer weapons and equipment, loading supplies onto transport wagons. The guns and ammunition were easy enough; the problem was the two pieces of machinery Tang Weiguo had bought this time—they were heavy and difficult to move.

Since the militia lacked transportation equipment such as cars, and horse-drawn carriages couldn't bear the weight, Tang Xiaohu could only organize the soldiers to carry the loads to the military camp in Wolong Mountain by manpower.

Wang Qiang and his team were carefully watching the equipment to prevent further damage during transport. They were also giving instructions to the soldiers to secure it properly.

.......

"Is Miss Chu Yu here?" Tang Weiguo asked, knocking on the door of Chu Yu's room.

"Yes, Brother Tang, please wait a moment." Chu Yu had just finished washing up and changed into the militia uniforms that Tang Weiguo had prepared for them yesterday.

A moment later, Chu Yu opened the door and came out.

"Miss Chu Yu looks so dashing in this military uniform."

Tang Weiguo's eyes flashed with amazement when he saw Chu Yu in her military uniform.

"I didn't expect Brother Tang to have such a sweet tongue," Chu Yu teased.

"Haha, I'm speaking from the bottom of my heart," Tang Weiguo said with a smile.

"Is Brother Tang about to set off?" Chu Yu asked.

Yesterday, Tang Weiguo told her that she should go with him to the military camp on Wolong Mountain early tomorrow morning. He planned to build a military hospital there so that it would ensure safety and provide timely care for the soldiers.

"Yes, we'll be leaving in an hour. You'll have to make do with staying in the military camp for a while, as the accommodations aren't as good as they are now," Tang Weiguo said with concern.

"Brother Tang, I'm not some delicate girl, suffering a little is nothing to me." Chu Yu waved her hand dismissively.

"Please inform Miss Chu Xin that we will meet in the backyard in an hour and depart," Tang Weiguo continued.

"Okay, no problem, see you in an hour," Chu Yu said.

"Okay, see you later." Tang Weiguo turned and left to arrange other matters.

An hour later, the main force set off on time. Tang Weiguo and others rode in front on horseback, followed by horse-drawn carts carrying goods. At the rear of the procession were two companies of soldiers taking turns carrying two machines slowly towards the military camp at Wolong Mountain.

On the way, Tang Weiguo told Chu Yu and her sister about their previous battle with the bandits of Qinglong Village.

"Brother Tang, well done! Bandits are all bad; they only know how to harm ordinary people."

Chu Xin cursed indignantly. Recalling the robbery she had suffered at the hands of bandits, Chu Xin felt a lingering fear; thankfully, she had encountered Tang Weiguo.

"We've arrived," Tang Weiguo said, pointing to the mountain pass ahead. At the entrance, there were sentries from the local militia, as well as patrols coming and going. In places unseen by them, there were also hidden sentries monitoring the movements in front of the mountain.

Tang Weiguo attached great importance to the security of the military camp, often checking the sentries in the middle of the night, and many soldiers who were lazy were punished.

After two months of construction, the Wolong Mountain military camp has taken shape and no longer resembles the former bandit stronghold.

The only access road to Wolong Mountain was where Tang Weiguo built various firing points according to the terrain. These firing points were arranged in an orderly and interconnected manner, forming a network of fire to eliminate the invading enemy when they attacked.

In addition to the visible firing positions, Tang Weiguo also ordered his soldiers to dig tunnels and build hidden firing positions along the mountain roads. This combination of visible and hidden positions caught the enemy off guard.

"Brother Tang, this military camp looks very imposing, situated on high ground, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack," Chu Yu exclaimed.

“That’s right, otherwise it wouldn’t have become a bandit stronghold. However, it will belong to the militia from now on.” Tang Weiguo said with some excitement.

In chaotic times, nothing is more reassuring than a safe and stable base of operations.

At this moment, rows of neat military camps have already been built on the mountain, and a relatively flat area has been transformed into a training ground. The entrance to the innermost cave has also been enlarged to facilitate the movement of personnel.

"This is where the soldiers live, and this is where we officers live. Chu Yu, you'll be living with us officers. It'll be more convenient with fewer people around." Tang Weiguo pointed to several relatively exquisite houses nearby, which were originally stone houses built by bandits.

"Thank you so much, Brother Tang, for considering my sister's needs," Chu Yu said gratefully.

"Do you see the cave entrance in the distance?" Tang Weiguo pointed.

"Could this be a natural cave in the mountains?" Chu Yu asked uncertainly.

"That's right, this is a huge surprise that Wolong Mountain has brought us. There is a huge cave complex inside Wolong Mountain, with interconnected caves, which is very suitable for hiding troops."

"The houses we live in are directly connected to the caves in Wolong Mountain, so we can enter the caves directly through the houses if necessary," Tang Weiguo explained.

"This is a truly auspicious place! Congratulations, Brother Tang!" Chu Yu said with a smile.

"Luck, luck."

"Then I'll trouble you two ladies to see where the hospital would be suitable," Tang Weiguo said at the opportune moment.

"Communications officer," Tang Weiguo called out.

"Here." A communications officer ran over.

"You will accompany Miss Chu Yu and Miss Chu Xin to inspect the mountain stronghold today. Let me know immediately if there are any problems," Tang Weiguo ordered.

"Yes, Captain."

"Miss Chu, you should follow the messenger for a tour of the camp. I can't accompany you for now; I have some matters to attend to," Tang Weiguo said apologetically.

"It's alright, Brother Tang, you're busy. I'll go with Chu Xin to take a look. I'm really interested in your military camp right now," Chu Yu replied.

"Yes, yes, Brother Chu, you go ahead and do your work. Don't worry, my sister will definitely arrange everything at the hospital for you," Chu Xin said excitedly.

"Then I'll have to trouble you." After saying that, Tang Weiguo bid farewell to the two girls and went to check on how the tidying up was going.

When Tang Weiguo walked over, Bi Shoucai was leading his soldiers to sort and register the weapons in the logistics warehouse.

"You guys need to register carefully, I'll have to double-check later," Bi Youcai said to the people who were taking inventory of the warehouse supplies.

"You guys, move this batch of ammunition into the cave warehouse first." Bi Youcai was busy and flustered.

"Damn it, this job is inhuman! I've been completely fooled. Now I'll be working as a long-term laborer for the landlord's gang leader." Dongdao complained while giving instructions.

Tang Weiguo had just arrived when he heard Bi Shoucai complaining, so he said, "Bi Youcai, who are you going to work for long-term?"

Upon hearing the commander's voice, Bi Shouchai's heart skipped a beat. Oh no, the commander had heard him. Bi Shouchai said to Tang Weiguo with a fawning expression, "Ah, I know that too. I only know that I should work for the commander. I am full of energy right now."

"I heard someone saying this job is inhuman," Tang Weiguo said deliberately.

"Commander, that definitely wasn't me who said it. It must have been one of my soldiers. Don't worry, Commander, I will definitely educate my soldiers properly and let them know what a glorious thing it is to serve under you." Bi Shouchai said with admiration.

"Bi Shoucai, I knew you were good at being stingy, but I didn't expect you to be so good at flattery too." Tang Weiguo said with a look of surprise.

“I, Lao Cai, am speaking the truth. I’ve never known what flattery is,” Bi Shou Cai chuckled.

"Alright, enough of this nonsense. How's the warehouse situation going?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"Commander, you don't know how messy the warehouse is. It'll take a lot of work to clean it up. But don't worry, Commander, I have two logistics company soldiers under my command. I guarantee I'll get the warehouse organized perfectly," Bi Shoucai said, trying to take credit.

"Very good, then we'll see how you perform," Tang Weiguo said.

"Make sure to complete the mission."

"Alright, you go ahead with your work. I'll come back after I've finished organizing the warehouse," Tang Weiguo said before leaving.

Bi Shoucai breathed a deep sigh of relief after seeing Tang Weiguo leave.

"Luckily I reacted quickly, otherwise I would have been in big trouble today. I have to watch my mouth from now on and not say anything carelessly," Bi Youcai kept reminding himself.