Chapter 30: The Brigade Commander Calls

"Report, Battalion Commander, the Japanese telephone lines have all been cut!"

"Good. Pass the order: each company is to move to its designated position. First Company will launch a frontal assault from the south, while Second and Third Companies provide cover from the flanks!"

After briefing the runner, Zhang Dabiao turned to the militia captain leading the local contingent. "Captain Hao, I must trouble you to bypass Xiaowang Village and keep a close watch on the direction of the county seat. The moment you spot any sign of the Japanese, notify my unit immediately! Do not engage them head-on under any circumstances!"

"Also, if any Japanese soldiers try to break out of here to call for reinforcements, do not stop them. Let them pass!"

Captain Hao nodded. "Rest assured, Battalion Commander Zhang. We will complete the mission!"

Watching Captain Hao’s men cross the dirt road, climb the ridge, and circle behind Xiaowang Village, Zhang Dabiao turned and shouted, "First Company, prepare to attack!"

The First Battalion made no attempt to conceal its movements from the Japanese. The Japanese platoon, already on high alert, quickly scrambled into their defensive positions under the shouts of their leader, Second Lieutenant Yamada.

"Hayaku! Hayaku!"

"Machine gun team and grenade launcher team, deploy quickly!"

"Baka! Lin Fenghua! Get your men into position at once, or you'll all be dead!"

"Yes, yes, I understand! My Lord!" replied the puppet army company commander, Lin Fenghua, bowing and scraping.

Turning back to his men, he drew his pistol and cursed, "What are you dawdling for? Get to your positions! If I go down, you'll be the first ones I shoot!"

Driven by Lin Fenghua, the puppet soldiers begrudgingly took their places in the trenches, stealing quick glances over the parapets before ducking back down.

The companies of the First Battalion had reached their positions, and the men of the First Company deployed into a skirmish line.

"Commence attack!" At Zhang Dabiao's command, the light machine guns and a single Type 92 heavy machine gun opened fire to provide cover.

Under the cover of the machine guns, the First Company soldiers began a slow, probing advance, even pushing forward several "earth tanks" made of wood and covered in thick, wet quilts.

Combined with the machine gun fire, Zhang Dabiao had also assigned all twelve of his Garand semi-automatic rifles to the First Company. The intensity of the initial barrage sent the puppet soldiers into a panic.

"They're too fierce!"

"It's the main force! It must be the main force of the Eighth Route Army!"

"Company Commander, tell the Japanese officer to call for reinforcements!"

Lin Fenghua, being a man who knew when to listen, hurried to find Second Lieutenant Yamada. "My Lord, call for reinforcements! This is the main force of the Eighth Route Army!"

In truth, the firepower was far beyond what Yamada had expected. Initially, he had been very confident in his platoon, but after fighting for a while, he realized the Eighth Route Army’s gunfire showed no signs of letting up, and they were steadily pushing forward.

The telephone lines were cut. If he waited for other strongholds to notice the situation and send help, his platoon likely wouldn't last that long.

Second Lieutenant Yamada made his decision. "Company Commander Lin, you must hold the position! Reinforcements will arrive soon!"

Knowing the officer had taken his advice, Lin Fenghua nodded repeatedly. "Rest assured, My Lord! Rest assured!"

Once Lin Fenghua was out of earshot, Yamada immediately arranged for messengers to seek aid.

Zhang Dabiao, who had been closely monitoring the Japanese movements through his binoculars, clearly saw two Japanese soldiers mount their horses and dash into Xiaowang Village, heading north along the dirt road.

"Heh, the regimental commander's bait has been taken!" Lowering his binoculars, Zhang Dabiao calculated the time. Once the Japanese received the call for help, it would take about half an hour for the reinforcements from Xin Town to fall into the regimental commander's ambush.

As for the reinforcements from the county seat, it would take at least an hour and a half to reach the vicinity of Xiaowang Village.

"Wait another half hour. Once the regimental commander starts his move, hmph!" Zhang Dabiao glared at the Japanese soldiers opposite him. He was confident he could finish the battle within thirty minutes, leaving them another half hour to sweep the battlefield and withdraw in good order.

However, an unexpected situation arose. Just as the regimental commander, Li, was waiting for the big fish to bite, a group of people arrived at Xingjia Village, where the New First Regiment was stationed.

The guards of the New First Regiment let them pass, then exchanged uneasy glances. They knew exactly what their commander was up to and hoped he wouldn't be court-martialed for it!

Leading the group was a man in black leather with glasses—the Brigade Commander himself, accompanied by his guard platoon. He had come to deliver a commendation to the New First Regiment, and incidentally, to relay the headquarters' disciplinary decision regarding Li Yunlong.

But when the Brigade Commander arrived at the regimental headquarters and learned that Li Yunlong was absent, he was absolutely livid.

"Where the hell has Li Yunlong gone?! It’s only been a few days, and he's back to his old tricks! Has he lost his mind?!"

"Find your regimental commander and bring him to me! I don't care what he's doing—even if he's attacking Taiyuan! Make him crawl back here this instant! I’ll wait for him right here at headquarters!"

*Crack!* The Brigade Commander slammed his riding crop onto the table.

The acting Second Battalion Commander had no choice but to send someone to notify the regimental commander.

As the fuming Brigade Commander prepared to sit, his peripheral vision caught something unexpected.

"This is..." The Brigade Commander narrowed his eyes as he looked at the ammunition crates stacked in the corner.

Having studied in the Soviet Union, the Brigade Commander could read both English and German. It was clear that these crates contained supplies from the United States and Germany.

Without a word, the Brigade Commander opened two of the crates, picked up an eight-round clip to examine it closely, and then looked at the belt of Mauser rifle ammunition.

"Well, well, Li Yunlong. You've got quite the connections! I've never even seen weapons of this caliber before!" The Brigade Commander was immediately intrigued. These were all new rounds. Setting aside whether anyone would even sell them to him, Li Yunlong was a penniless soldier—where did he get the money to buy such high-quality gear?

Since Li Yunlong had chosen these weapons, given his nature of never taking a loss, their performance must be excellent.

"Unless someone is backing him! And giving him a generous deal!" At this moment, the Brigade Commander thought of the wealthy young man Li Yunlong had saved, who had later sent over pork.

The Brigade Commander put down the clip and raised an eyebrow. "I thought as much. That’s Li Yunlong for you—always hiding whatever good fortune comes his way!"

The Brigade Commander immediately made up his mind. He wouldn't feel right if he didn't squeeze this "wealthy" Li Yunlong for all he was worth.

Moreover, thinking about the disciplinary action from headquarters, the Brigade Commander had an idea.

Given Li Yunlong's recent contribution, a harsh punishment wouldn't be appropriate, but he still needed to be taught a lesson. They would strike a balance: he would receive a verbal commendation, but would then be transferred to the brigade headquarters to serve as a staff officer for a few days.

And a basic requirement for being a staff officer was, of course, being literate!

The Brigade Commander's original plan had been to have Li Yunlong study under the Chief of Staff to learn to read and temper his temperament. But now, he changed his mind. "Since Li Yunlong has such wide-reaching connections, wouldn't it be a waste not to make good use of them?"

If Li Yunlong was so good at building up his unit and strengthening its combat power, then the Brigade Commander wouldn't stand in his way—this time, he would let him off the leash.

If he was so capable, then let him show it—if he had the guts, he could go capture Taiyuan himself!