The War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression Begins in Songhu

Chapter 498 Tactics and Request for Battle (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
"Tell me, how should we fight this battle?"

After taking out the last pack of Shazi cigarettes he had on him, Hu Biao opened it and handed one to each of the transmigrators who were smoking. Then, he asked a crucial question.

Faced with Hu Biao's question, everyone either took a cigarette, lit it, and then frowned deeply, smoking like a chimney.

They either lower their heads, holding a small twig in their hand, swatting away ants on the ground.

Oh! And there's Old Car, that unfortunate fellow who got deaf from the explosion. Since he can't hear anything, he's currently staring blankly ahead, along with Grass whose eyes are ruined by the smoke.

And then there's Xinhuo, nicknamed "Butt-Gap Hero," who's currently lying on the ground having a meeting with everyone.

All I can say is that when we set off this morning, this newbie was quite determined and didn't want anyone to help him. He used a Type 38 rifle as a crutch and followed the group forward.

Under the golden morning sun, he straightened his chest, looking quite self-reliant and tough.

Unfortunately, after walking less than two or three hundred meters, the wound on his buttocks started bleeding again, staining the thick gauze covering the wound red, and he could no longer walk.

What to do? Let the four people in better physical condition, Hei Xing, Hu Biao, Van Gogh, and Lao Yu, take turns carrying them on a simple stretcher.

Otherwise, could we just throw it anywhere like we did with the AT before? This thing was only injured, it can still fight even while lying down.

Even after arriving at Zijing Pass, Xinhuo tried his best not to stand or lie down; he could only lie prone like this.

In short, no one spoke for a moment when faced with Hu Biao's question, and they all seemed quite embarrassed.

The reason for all this is that after continuous attrition, Hu Biao and his men are now far inferior to when they first arrived in terms of personnel, equipment, and firepower.

To be more specific, they took stock of the team before setting off in the morning, and this is the current situation of the team.

In terms of personnel, the surviving individuals are currently 12 time travelers, including Hu Biao, Annie, Hei Xing, Uncle Bo, Lao Yu, Mo Shuiyan, Mr. Nan Ze, Van Gogh, Lao Che, Xin Huo, the contractor, and Shizi.

In addition, there is a female student named Song Jie, and nine children.

After adding them all together, there are a total of 22 people.

Compared to when the team was first formed, the number of members in the team of 43 does not seem to have decreased too much, and at least half of the members are still left.

The key issue is that most of those who were killed were key combat personnel of the team.

Of the 22 people in the team today, female students and children make up almost half.

During continuous combat, Hu Biao and other combat personnel even tumbled down cliffs. Not only were they all injured, but Mo Shuiyan and Mr. Nan Ze also broke their legs, severely reducing their individual combat effectiveness.

Regarding weaponry and equipment, the team currently only has these items remaining:

One MG34 general-purpose machine gun, along with 327 rounds of 7.92mm Mauser ammunition, were pre-loaded using belts of 50 rounds each.

Two MP28 submachine guns were used, but unfortunately, the 7.63*25mm pistol ammunition was severely insufficient, with each gun having only two magazines on average.

One Mauser M1918 anti-tank rifle, 30 rounds of ammunition.

Given the special circumstance that a normal person can only fire three shots with this thing before being basically rendered useless, these 30 bullets are definitely enough.

One Mauser sniper rifle and 50 rounds of ammunition.

One Czech light machine gun was provided, but unfortunately, after all the limited ammunition was supplied to the MG34 general-purpose machine gun, there are currently only three 20-round magazines equipped with armor-piercing rounds.

It can only be used for anti-armor purposes in critical moments; forget about using it for fire suppression.

One Type 91 light machine gun and 13 Type 38 rifles.

These Japanese weapons had a fairly large supply of their own 6.5×50mm Arisaka rifle ammunition, but even their light machine guns had a rather limited firepower density due to their poor feeding system.

Browning pistols, Mauser C96 pistols, and Mauser C96 pistols were so common that each person owned at least one, and there was also a considerable amount of ammunition.

However, this thing is a self-defense weapon, and its effective range is only 50 meters at most. By the time they can be used, the Japanese have already rushed to a very close distance, and the situation is already quite bad.

One Type 4 grenade launcher and four dedicated fragmentation grenades.

In addition, there are 76 small melon grenades that can be launched from a grenade launcher, and 6 wooden-handled grenades that can only be thrown by swinging one's arm.

The types and quantities of weapons listed above seem quite numerous at first glance.

Even on the Eastern battlefield, it could be described as a luxurious force for both the Chinese and Japanese troops.

However, compared to when Hu Biao and his group first arrived, the availability of automatic weapons had been severely reduced, resulting in a significant decrease in firepower density.

In short, Hu Biao and his men's overall combat effectiveness is now only about 30% of what it was at its peak.

However, the situation displayed by the Japanese garrison at Zijing Pass indicates that a high-ranking Japanese figure will appear soon.

Such an important figure would have at least a company of two hundred Japanese guards by his side.

Once the fighting begins, the more than one hundred Japanese soldiers stationed at Zijing Pass will likely rush over to provide support at the very first moment.

So here's the crucial question: with their severely diminished fighting strength, taking down one of the key figures under these circumstances would be quite difficult.

Without proper planning, there's really no chance of success...

If there are difficulties, we must overcome them; if there are no difficulties, we must create them.

No! It should be that even if there are difficulties, we must overcome them to complete the mission. This is a fine tradition of our Party and our army, and Hu Biao and his men certainly dare not forget it.

After a moment of silence, everyone took the initiative and spoke up, contributing their wisdom on how to complete the task.

Annie, as expected, is still universally recognized as Chief of Staff by her subordinates in the Pingxi base area even after two years.

He completely overshadowed Zhao Zheng, a highly talented student.

After she spoke first, she made a suggestion that, at first glance, seemed a bit presumptuous, but upon closer examination, was quite constructive.

Holding a small twig, she quickly sketched out a winding mountain road in front of Zijing Pass.

It did not point to the most dangerous and narrow section near the pass.

Instead, he pointed to a relatively gentle and wide mountain valley two or three miles away from the pass and said, "My opinion is that we should place the ambush here."

Although the terrain here is a bit less favorable, the Japanese soldiers climbed uphill all the way to get here.

Suddenly seeing the improved terrain, and the Zijing Pass that they could see with just a glance up, along with the local garrison lined up to welcome them, their initial vigilance would surely be completely relaxed.

We'll take advantage of this opportunity to strike, catch them off guard, and give them a good beating.

He pondered seriously for a minute or two, and even picked up his binoculars to look at the actual area Anne had designated for a while.

As he put down the binoculars, Hu Biao nodded in agreement with Annie's suggestion, but said aloud, "Okay! But this alone isn't enough. Does anyone have any other ideas?"

This time, it was Old Yu, usually so taciturn, who spoke up, perhaps recounting his past triumphs, becoming unusually talkative:

"I'm very familiar with ambushing high-ranking Japanese soldiers!"
When we attacked Pingding County, didn't I just dig a hole by the roadside and hide there? At the crucial moment, I suddenly launched an attack and killed a big shot.

Fortunately, the hillside on the right side of that ravine blocked the Japanese soldiers' view from Zijing Pass, giving us room to prepare our operations in advance.

So why don't we do the same this time? I'll dig a hole and hide in it.

Then we agreed on a signal, and I would take action once the signal was given.

Presumably, as long as we act quickly enough, by the time the Japanese soldiers at Zijing Pass react and rush to the ambush site to provide support, we will have already succeeded.

"But you need to give me a submachine gun and all the spare magazines, otherwise my firepower will be insufficient."

"Okay!" Hu Biao nodded again in agreement.

Then, Hu Biao instructed Uncle Bo: "For the operation of the 'silent gourd' (a metaphor for someone who is not very discreet), I think we should add an extra layer of insurance. Old Cucumber, you also take the Mauser M1918 anti-tank rifle and find a place to hide it."

"Unless the situation becomes extremely dire, you must not make a move. Because once the Japanese troops panic, that high-ranking Japanese officer might reveal his exact location. At that point, you can fire a single shot and wipe him out along with the vehicle."

"No problem, just watch me." Uncle Bo gave an 'OK' sign and readily agreed.

The words spoken by these individuals opened up new avenues of thought for other transmigrators.

They all volunteered to take on a task that they were good at.

Van Gogh: "Then I'll be the sniper. Although my marksmanship isn't as good as Old Cucumber's or Warehouse Keeper's, I should be able to take out some important targets like Japanese machine gunners and officers without much trouble."

Mr. Nanze: "Give me that Czech light machine gun, and I guarantee I'll take out the Japanese lead vehicle immediately."

The foreman said, "I'll use the Type 96 light machine gun. I'll use it to take out the last truck; that way, the Japanese convoy will be blocked from both the front and the back, and they won't be able to escape."

However, the ammunition feeding system is a bit of a pain. I had the butt-wielding guy act as my assistant gunner, loading and oiling the ammunition—anyway, he's just lying there, it doesn't matter.

Forced into the assignment, Xin Huo remained silent, but gave the foreman a deep look, the meaning in his eyes quite clear:

"Don't get cocky yet. Let's see what kind of nickname you'll get in the future. Then I'll show you what it means to hurt each other."

Mo Shuiyan: "In addition to the grenade launcher and 4 special grenades, give me 25 small melon grenades as well."

I promise to create as much chaos as possible among the Japanese troops before we run out of ammunition.

Black Star: "In addition to the 6 wooden-handled grenades, give me another 15 melon grenades; you cripple, when the fighting starts, I'll handle the targets within 80 meters, and you handle the targets beyond 80 meters."

Anne: "I'll handle the MG34 general-purpose machine gun. I'm actually pretty good with machine guns too."

After speaking, he glanced at the crowd on one side. Although he felt a little reluctant, he considered that it was necessary to ensure the continuity of machine gun fire.

Still facing the female student with a severed arm in a sling, he cruelly ordered, "Song Jie, you'll be my assistant gunner. I'll teach you how to change the ammunition belt and barrel later."

That's right! Annie chose Song Jie from the remaining players to be the secondary marksman.

Otherwise? There are only so many combat personnel. The other transmigrators, including Hu Biao, will also be a very important fighting force once the battle starts.

Only when the fighting is fierce will that big shot from the Japanese show his face.

It's fair to say that there's a specific role for everyone, and we can't expect the children to be the secondary shooters, right? So, weighing the lesser of two evils, we had no choice but to select Song Jie.

Upon hearing this, the novice, Shizi, instinctively wanted to object.

The main reason was that he remembered the thug's dying wish; he had made up his mind to make sure Song Jie lived.

If Song Jie really becomes the secondary marksman, then anything can happen.

Before he could even speak, Hu Biao greeted him: "You and Wolong, don't you know each other? You're Old Che."

Two of you will be with me in charge of mobile support; we'll go wherever there's a situation. And you, later, take a stick and write on the ground, clearly explaining our plan and the old car's instructions—he can't hear you if you say it like that.”

More importantly, Song Jie spoke up at Annie's urging.

Although her tone was as gentle as ever, her voice was undeniably firm: "Okay! Sister An, I will definitely learn from you diligently."

Seeing this, Shizi, a young man who had just graduated from university, sighed silently.

Besides a huge sense of powerlessness rising in my heart, I also had an unprecedented desire to become stronger.

This guy believes that if he is strong enough, he won't feel so powerless and helpless when faced with his companions' dying entrustment.

At this point, Hu Biao and his team had not only finalized their next tactics.

Even the tasks assigned to each person were clearly defined.

With such tactics and allocation, what is their actual success rate? Everyone believes that with careful planning and unpreparedness, the success rate should be at least 50%.

A 50% success rate is enough for them to take a gamble.

Just as Hu Biao was thinking about how everyone should quickly drink some cold boiled water and eat some smoked wolf meat to replenish their strength before the Japanese came, and then get to work quickly.

The veteran suddenly raised his hand, and after everyone looked over.

He scratched the back of his head somewhat embarrassedly and said to Hu Biao:
"Commander Hu, we came to Zijing Pass last year to prepare for a battle with the Japanese. At that time, we even buried seven landmines on the hillside on the other side of the mountain."

They weren't used in the battle, but now that they've been dug up, they should still be usable. Since we're planning to ambush the Japanese, why don't we dig them up and bury them on the highway to blow up their trucks?

Upon hearing this, Hu Biao and his men were naturally overjoyed.

Although there were only seven landmines, probably the kind used by the Eighth Route Army, which had limited power, they still increased their success rate by a few percentage points.

Before they could even agree, the veteran had already stood up, chest out and stomach in, right hand touching the sling of his rifle behind him, his face full of a resolute look that didn't match his still-childish appearance.

As he saluted Hu Biao, he solemnly said:

"The veteran soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 9th Regiment of the Eighth Route Army's Pingxi Base request Commander Hu to issue the combat mission; this is the mission of the Eighth Route Army, and we have the obligation, responsibility, and must participate."

If I die here, it will be my glory and honor.

As soon as the sound subsided, the slender figures, none taller than a rifle, stood up one by one.

One after another, they uttered sounds and demands that, though childish, sent shivers down the spines of adults like Hu Biao who had experienced countless bloody battles and witnessed countless life-and-death situations.

"Soldier No. 15 of the 3rd Battalion, 9th Regiment of the Eighth Route Army Pingxi Base, please give me your combat mission, Commander Hu. I am not afraid to die. The day I joined the Eighth Route Army, I waited for the day of glory."

"The Eighth Route Army Pingxi Base Area Military Sub-district Hospital, Trainee Nurses Cultural Troupe, request Commander Hu to issue combat missions. Trainee nurses are also Eighth Route Army soldiers."

"Xie Liang, a member of the Eighth Route Army's Pingxi Base Area Direct Sub-district, requests Commander Hu to issue combat orders..."

"Ma Fei, a member of the Eighth Route Army's Pingxi Base Area Direct Sub-district, requests..."

Amidst these soul-stirring voices, the children stood up one by one, and even Cao'er, whose eyes had been damaged by the poisonous gas, stood up.

After giving a somewhat imperfect military salute, he spoke in a timid voice.

Even when she stood up to salute, she got the direction wrong because she couldn't see; she saluted an empty, deserted area and stated her request:

"Even if Cao'er is imprisoned, she is still an Eighth Route Army soldier; her mother said that the children of the Eighth Route Army are born to be Eighth Route Army soldiers. Please, Commander Hu, issue the combat mission!"

Even so, the scene of the grass bowing and pleading in the direction of the empty, deserted place is still remarkable.

For Hu Biao and his group, however, there was nothing funny about it.

There was only an urge to roar at the sky, to shout out the complex emotions in my heart, including immense anger, resentment, frustration, and emotion.

He was facing nine children who were standing at attention, their faces filled with determination.

After taking a deep breath, Hu Biao stood up, returned the salute, and began to seriously assign tasks: "Veteran, Fifteen, Xie Liang, Ma Fei, Zhu Xiu, follow us and shoot at the Japanese."

Attention! Without my order, you are absolutely not allowed to stand up from your cover, let alone charge with bayonets.

"Little Trumpet, from now on you're the bugler. In the cultural troupe, you'll be the field medic, and Ten-and-a-Half and Grass will be your assistants."

It should be noted that when Hu Biao stood up and spoke, based on Annie and the others' understanding of him, they knew that he was about to assign combat tasks to the children.

My instinct was to speak up and object to letting these children participate in the war, not wanting anything to happen to them.

However, just as I was about to speak, I remembered how these children, when they said they were Eighth Route Army soldiers, had expressions that, besides being incredibly serious and solemn, also showed obvious pride and determination.

They all shut their mouths and ultimately said nothing.

However, after Hu Biao assigned the tasks, each of them made up their minds: "As long as these people still have a breath left, they must protect these children..."

(End of this chapter)