Even if I'm a useless bum at Whampoa Military Academy, I'll be invincible in the War of Re

A generous reward will surely lead to a desperate fight.

Army colonel rank, 50,000 legal tender, 1,000 veterans to be added, replacements will be made when all are killed, and a promotion will be made after the war.

Chiang Kai-shek was indeed generous this time.

But Zhao Yunwen stood at the Luodian command post with only one thought in his mind: he wanted to set up a deadly trap here so that the Japanese would never return.

He tapped the unfolded military map lightly with his fingertips. He knew perfectly well that there was no such thing as a free lunch. All of this depended on holding Luodian for at least two more days.

It was called a reward, but in reality it was no different from buying his life, but he didn't care. Luodian was the meat grinder of the Shanghai-Nanjing area, a vital choke point. He guarded this place not for rewards or money, but only to fight the Japanese. As long as he could hold off the Japanese, he would risk his life, even if it was four or five days.

"Lupin".

Zhao Yunwen's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.

Chief of Staff Lu Ping immediately stood at attention: "Regimental Commander!"

"Tell the brothers, if the Japanese devils want Luodian, let them pay with their lives. If they don't pay, they won't get past."

"yes!"

After a pause, Zhao Yunwen added in a deep voice:

"Plant all the landmines and block all the passages that could be used for flanking maneuvers, so as not to give the Japanese any chance to sneak up on the flanks and launch a surprise attack."

The only way to get past Luodian is to ram it head-on.

"clear!"

Lu Ping turned and gave the order. Only Zhao Yunwen remained in the command post. He slowly gripped the pistol at his waist, his knuckles turning white. This battle was the security regiment's real hard battle, and also a battle in which he and his brothers would establish their prestige in front of the entire nation's military and civilians.

The security regiment's deployment had already been laid out: the Second Battalion was responsible for the main defense on the front, forming the first line of defense; the artillery battalion was concealed on the small earthen mound on the right rear, providing cover fire from a high vantage point; the First Battalion was responsible for the left flank, blocking the river ditch area where the Japanese were most likely to maneuver; and the Third Battalion remained in the town as the general reserve, ready to fill any gaps at any time.

The reconnaissance company he personally trained was equipped with three 60mm M2 mortars and eight bazookas. It was the spearhead of mobile operations, responsible for harassing supply lines and eliminating small groups of infiltrating Japanese troops.

The Japanese gave them little time to prepare. When news of the complete annihilation of Takagi's battalion reached them, Division Commander Munetake Yamamuro was furious and issued a death order to the 12th Infantry Regiment:

The order was to capture Luodian within three days and crush the security regiment. As soon as the order was given, the Japanese 12th Regiment pressed forward with murderous intent.

The first to arrive were dozens of enemy planes, which roared over Luodian and bombs poured down from their wings. The violent explosions continued, and dust and flames shot into the sky. Luodian was instantly engulfed in flames.

Houses collapsed, bomb craters littered the ground, and thick smoke blotted out the sun. Fortunately, Zhao Yunwen had ordered the civilians to evacuate before the battle; otherwise, the battlefield would have been littered with corpses.

On the position, the brothers had already taken refuge in the artillery shelters. After a round of heavy bombardment, the casualties were negligible.

Zhao Yunwen stood at the lookout point the entire time, staring expressionlessly at the sea of ​​fire. The thick smoke choked him so much that he couldn't open his eyes, but he didn't even flinch.

In the distance, inside a Japanese observation post, Regimental Commander Adachi Nūzō lowered his binoculars, a cruel contempt playing on his lips:

"Luodian is now in ruins; this is the price of resisting the Imperial Army. Order Yamaguchi Shuntaro to lead his troops to attack, capture Luodian, and slaughter all the Chinese."

Senior staff officer Toshikatsu Maeda couldn't help but remind him:

"Commander, the defending forces were able to annihilate the Takagi Battalion; they are no ordinary troops. Isn't sending only one battalion a bit too few?"

Adachi Natsumi's face darkened instantly. The annihilation of Takagi Battalion was a disgrace to the regiment, and Maeda's words were undoubtedly a slap in the face. He immediately shouted coldly:

"You overestimate the Chinese. Luodian only has one security regiment. That bastard Takagi was ambushed because he underestimated us. I won't repeat his mistake."

Maeda's heart tightened, and he quickly bowed to admit his mistake. Adachi Nyūzō impatiently waved him away.

Meanwhile, at the front line in Luodian, the brothers of the second platoon of the first company lay in ambush in the trenches. The position was so quiet that even a cough could not be heard.

The Second Battalion set up four lines of defense on the front. The outermost line only had one platoon, which was a bait to lure the Japanese and wear them down. The main position and the reserve force were all concentrated in the streets and alleys of the town, waiting to fight street battles.

Having learned from the experience of the Takagi Battalion, Yamaguchi Shuntaro was extremely cautious and first sent a search team to probe and advance.

Deputy Company Commander Gao Yuan lay prone at the edge of the trench, his eyes fixed on the yellow-skinned figures in the distance. Second Platoon Leader Wu Jinbao lowered his voice: "Deputy Company Commander, the Japanese are coming up. Should we engage?"

Gao Yuan shook his head and said:

"Let them get closer before you fire. A few dozen Japanese soldiers won't be able to cause any trouble. They can't even get through the minefield."

The security regiment's infantry platoon was well-organized, consisting of four infantry squads, each with thirteen men. Each platoon was equipped with Browning automatic rifles, submachine guns, sniper rifles, and M1919 medium machine guns, giving them firepower density comparable to a Japanese squad, and even superior automatic firepower.

The heavy machine guns of the platoon had already been marked with their firing ranges and were just waiting for the order.

As the Japanese skirmishers approached, their distinctive rear curtains swayed in the wind. A gunshot rang out, shattering the silence. The second platoon opened fire simultaneously, and a dense hail of bullets swept across the battlefield. The Japanese soldiers charging ahead fell one after another, instantly losing more than a dozen men.

Lieutenant Suzuki narrowly escaped, immediately lay down on the spot, and while returning fire, lured the defenders to open fire, exposing his firing position.

The Japanese soldiers were highly skilled in individual tactics. Even after being attacked, they were still able to advance and retreat with proper strategy. The grenade launcher quickly locked onto the second platoon's firing point and accurately launched grenades from four or five hundred meters away.

Zhao Yunwen had given a strict order: the snipers' primary target was the grenade launcher operators; they were to be shot as soon as they showed their heads. In a short time, four Japanese grenade launcher operators were shot in the head in succession. Suzuki was both angry and anxious, and he ordered the sharpshooters to exchange fire with the second platoon, barely managing to hold off the enemy's firepower, and the two sides were locked in a stalemate.

Impatient with what was happening from the rear, Yamaguchi Shuntaro ordered the infantry artillery to move forward and suppress the enemy. Once the Japanese artillery joined in, the situation instantly shifted.

Knowing that a direct confrontation would be disadvantageous, Gao Yuan immediately said to Wu Jinbao, "The Japanese artillery fire is too intense; we can't afford to waste it. Have the brothers retreat deep into the trenches, leaving only snipers and heavy machine gun teams to keep watch. We'll feign weakness and lure the Japanese into the minefield."

Wu Jinbao immediately gave the order, and the firepower on the front line quickly decreased, with gunfire becoming sparse and sporadic, giving the impression that the position was on the verge of collapse.

Lieutenant Suzuki fell for the trap as expected, and ordered an attack with a stern voice. Thirty or forty Japanese soldiers, with bayonets fixed to their rifles, crept forward stealthily.

Soon, the Japanese troops reached within eighty meters of the front line, straightening up in preparation for a hand-to-hand charge, but the defending position remained deathly silent. Suzuki's heart tightened, but the die was cast. He raised his sword and swung it fiercely: "Charge!"

The Japanese soldiers roared as they charged toward the trenches. The moment they stepped into the minefield, the chain of mines exploded with a deafening roar. Flames shot into the sky, shrapnel flew everywhere, and the Japanese soldiers in front were instantly engulfed, their screams echoing one after another.

"Attack!" Wu Jinbao ordered sternly.

The defending troops, who had been holding back their firepower, opened fire again. Machine guns roared, rifles fired in unison, and bullets reaped the chaotic Japanese soldiers.

Suzuki's squad had suffered over half its casualties. His face was deathly pale, and he gritted his teeth, roaring, "Retreat!"

The remaining Japanese soldiers fled in disarray. The Yamaguchi Battalion's first probing attack, which resulted in the loss of over thirty men, was a failure. Upon hearing the news, Yamaguchi Shuntaro's face turned ashen, and he immediately launched into a tirade of curses:

"Useless! Can't even take a single forward position!"

He waved his hand sharply, his voice almost roaring: "Artillery, prepare! Fire! Bomb their positions flat!"

Inside the rear command post, Zhao Yunwen listened to the battle report without any surprise. He picked up his binoculars, looked in the direction of the Japanese artillery fire, and said calmly:

"Tell the Second Battalion that the Japanese are going crazy. Tell them to be on their guard. We must not only hold Luodian Pass, but also show the Japanese what it means to be unable to move an inch."

The wind swirled the smoke and dust, brushing against his resolute profile.

The real battle has only just begun.