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

Erlong Mountain, the mountain stronghold was surrounded by government troops, leaving only the back mountain as a way to escape.

The bandit leader, Flying Dragon, sat upright in his armchair with a grim face. The third leader said in a flustered manner:

"The soldiers are serious this time. Let's run. As long as we're alive, we can always make a comeback."

The other underlings chimed in, but Fei Tianlong was still somewhat undecided. He turned to a young man who looked like a scholar and asked:

"What does the strategist think?"

The strategist was captured by Flying Dragon during a robbery. In order to survive, he voluntarily joined the bandits. He was literate and knew some tricks, so Flying Dragon appointed him as his strategist.

Previously, the Flying Dragon gang was all about killing and robbing. On the advice of their strategist, they started collecting "protection fees" from the surrounding towns and villages on a regular basis. As a result, they lived a stable life and there was much less fighting and killing.

The strategist was clearly more knowledgeable than these bandits. When the chief asked, he said:

"Boss, these soldiers are no ordinary people. They are the famous Tiger Legion. They defeated the Japanese in the provincial capital and made them flee in disarray. We can't fight them head-on. There's not even a handful of us to them."

The second-in-command disliked the strategist's indecisive manner and said resentfully:

"What are you afraid of? Do you think they have three heads and six arms? Even a mighty dragon can't suppress a local snake. Once they're in Erlong Mountain, the dragon has to coil up and the tiger has to lie down!"

Flying Dragon saw that the second-in-command had said a lot of nonsense. The other party had already come to their door, so why was he still talking about how a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake?

They usually bully ordinary people, and even regular government troops can't do anything about them. But this Tiger Legion is clearly up to no good, and they can't afford to mess with them.

That depends on the strategist. Thinking of this, he said:

"Strategist, don't listen to the second brother's nonsense. What do you suggest we do?"

After thinking for a moment, the strategist said:

"The middle strategy is to run away, escape into the mountains from the back, but that means abandoning the foundation built up over many years."

Everyone had thought of this, but Feitianlong just couldn't bear to part with it, which is why he was worried.

The second-in-command couldn't stand it any longer and urged:

"Quickly, tell me the best plan!"

The strategist had originally intended to keep them in suspense, but seeing that the bandits were already getting angry, he had no choice but to speak:

"The best course of action is to raise the banner of the Anti-Japanese Volunteer Army, negotiate with the Tiger Army, and seek amnesty."

The second-in-command immediately objected, saying menacingly:

"I knew you were spineless, wanting to defect to the government troops! Boss, this traitor can't be allowed to live. Drag him out and use him as a sacrifice to the flag!"

The strategist didn't seem intimidated; instead, he put on a very profound air.

Flying Dragon was used to the wild, and he didn't want to be recruited, but he couldn't think of a good way right now, so he could only say:

"Let's listen to the strategist and talk it over. We can accept the offer of amnesty, but we won't move out of the stronghold. We'll say we'll stay in Erlong Mountain and fight the Japanese."

The strategist quickly echoed:

"That's exactly what I mean. The Tiger Legion won't stay in Xinyang for long. As long as we can protect our stronghold, we can agree to all their conditions, including no longer collecting protection fees."

Flying Dragon immediately made the decision:

"Do as the strategist says. You will be in charge of the negotiations. You must persuade the government troops to withdraw."

The strategist accepted the order and left. He had long wanted to leave this dilapidated mountain stronghold. If he could facilitate the surrender of Erlong Village, he might even be able to become one of the officials.

He quickly reached the gate of the stockade, ordered a white flag to be unfurled, and then shouted at the top of his lungs:

"Sirs down the mountain, please don't fire. We are also righteous soldiers fighting against the Japanese. The flood washed away the Dragon King Temple. Just tell us what you want, and let's talk."

At the battalion headquarters of the 1st Battalion of the 647th Regiment, Battalion Commander Qin Feng was preparing for a strong attack on Erlongzhai when Company Commander Xiao Jin came to report:

"Battalion Commander, there's new information. The bandit leader is shouting that he wants to negotiate, saying that they are also a righteous army fighting the Japanese."

Qin Feng snorted coldly:

"I don't believe a damn Japanese devil! They're just a bunch of bandits wreaking havoc in the countryside. Forget about talking, just wipe them out!"

The deputy battalion commander quickly stopped him, saying:

"Battalion Commander, why don't we go and hear what they have to say first? We can ask the bandits to open the mountain stronghold, saving us from the casualties of a direct assault."

Qin Feng suppressed his anger and said to Xiao Jin:

"Let's go, let's go and meet these bandits!"

Soon, they arrived at the mountain stronghold. Qin Feng snorted coldly:

"Let them send someone with influence down to talk, and I'll guarantee their safety."

No one in the stronghold was willing to take the risk, so in the end, only the strategist could go himself. After he left, the second-in-command ordered the stronghold gate to be closed and gave instructions:

"From now on, do not let anyone in."

The henchman quickly said:

"What about the strategist?"

The second-in-command glared at him:

"If the strategist is so capable, he should persuade the officers and soldiers to withdraw. Otherwise, who knows if he has defected to the government forces and betrayed us?"

The underlings dared not say another word, lest they anger the second-in-command and get themselves dealt with too.

Upon seeing Qin Feng, the strategist took the initiative to say:

"Is your commander from the Tiger Legion?"

Qin Feng simply nodded. He hadn't expected there to be such a bold person in the mountain stronghold, dressed in a student uniform, who didn't look like a bandit at all.

"My name is Qi Hua, and I am the strategist of this mountain stronghold. I have long admired the Tiger Army, especially your anti-Japanese war deeds in Zheng County, which have greatly inspired us."

Qin Feng said impatiently:

Get to the point.

Qi Hua stopped with the banter and said directly:

"We were originally an anti-Japanese volunteer army, and we are willing to accept the Tiger Army's incorporation."

Qin Feng's expression softened, and he said:

"Then open the village gates, let everyone come down the mountain, and accept the reorganization."

"Sir, the chief means that Erlong Mountain is strategically important. We accept the Tiger Legion's appointment to defend Erlong Mountain and never let the Japanese cross the line."

Qin Feng finally understood what the bandits were planning. If it were any other Nationalist army, they might actually have been offered a battalion commander or regimental commander position.

Although they were nominally incorporated, the bandits continued to enjoy themselves in their mountain stronghold.

They might surrender to the Japanese when they come; they've really got a good plan.

Qin Feng had no time to play these games with them, and said coldly:

"Stop talking nonsense with the old man. I'll give you another hour to think it over. Go back and tell your boss."

"If he doesn't leave his stronghold and accepts reorganization, I'll give him an official position; otherwise, I'll wipe out his stronghold!"

Qi Hua was dumbfounded. He hadn't expected the Tiger Legion to be so powerful. Knowing that the stronghold was doomed, he steeled himself and took the initiative to say:

"Sir, the bandits in the mountain stronghold won't agree. They're used to being wild. If all else fails, they can escape through the back of the mountain."

The younger ones were forcibly recruited by the bandits. I am willing to surrender to the Tiger Legion, and I know a path leading to the back mountain. I will cut off their retreat first and then wipe out this group of robbing bandits in one fell swoop.

Qin Feng sneered:

"Do you think our elite Tiger Army would leave them a way out when we're suppressing bandits?"

"Company Commander Xiao, since these bandits are refusing to listen to reason, then there's no need to be polite. Open fire!"

Xiao Jin excitedly accepted the order and left. Not long after, the sound of artillery fire rang out, and several shells from the battalion's artillery company headed straight for the village gate.

Qi Hua was shocked by the Tiger Army's domineering presence and secretly rejoiced that he had taken the opportunity to go down the mountain during the negotiations. With so many cannons, how could a bandit stronghold withstand them?

After just a few rounds of artillery fire, the stronghold was thrown into chaos. The second-in-command, who had been quite tough before, ran away faster than anyone else after being bombed.

Seeing that things were not going well, Feitianlong hurriedly packed a box of gold bars and valuables from the treasure vault and headed straight for the back mountain.

Seeing that the bandits were in complete chaos, Xiao Jin loudly gave the order:

"Sound the bugle call, charge up the mountain, and wipe out the bandits' den!"