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

In order to reach Qingpu before dark, the isolated battalion sped up its march, and the originally planned rest stop at Hongqiao was skipped.

The average marching speed was 4 kilometers per hour, which was manageable for the soldiers, who were all elite Nationalist troops.

Su Wanqing is different. When did she travel such a long distance?

Thankfully, she finished the can of luncheon meat at noon, otherwise she really would have needed to be carried around.

"Sister Su, Commander Xiao sent someone over to ask if you'd like a stretcher prepared for you as well?"

Su Wanqing's face flushed, and she wished she could disappear into the ground. She gritted her teeth and said:

"I thanked him—it wasn't necessary!"

Little Hubei felt that Commander Xiao's flattery had backfired, and Yang Guai sneered:

"That bastard is really cunning; I'll stay away from him from now on."

Sure enough, spurred on by Xiao Jianyun's sarcastic remarks, Su Wanqing quickened her pace noticeably and stopped holding back the group.

Yang Guai had indeed misunderstood Xiao Jianyun. It wasn't that he didn't know how to cherish women, but rather that he had received a warning from Zhao Yunwen that a large contingent of Japanese troops had surrounded them, and they needed to rejoin the main force as soon as possible.

At 4:45 PM, the vanguard finally encountered the Japanese soldiers, and a fierce battle ensued.

Liu Wei led his search squad to wipe out an entire Japanese platoon, but he also stirred up a hornet's nest. The Japanese soldiers who had been searching for them surrounded them like vicious wolves.

With their path blocked and surrounded by dangers, if they didn't break through the Qingpu blockade as soon as possible, the isolated battalion might be surrounded and wiped out by the Japanese.

Although the reconnaissance company was elite, it was too small in number, with only 35 men, and therefore not very effective in regular combat.

"Company Commander Xiao, this time we'll let our brothers from the isolated battalion lead the main force, while you guard the flanks."

In the moment of crisis, Xie Jinyuan stepped forward. He had also realized that the reconnaissance company was not meant for assault missions at all.

Company Commander Xiao didn't try to be brave, but instead said:

"Commander Xie, our Commander Zhao is leading a battalion commander on his way. They should arrive by 7 p.m. at the latest."

Japanese reinforcements were on their way, so I led the reconnaissance company to harass and hold them off.

The task of breaking through the Japanese blockade is now entrusted to the brothers of the isolated battalion!

Xie Jinyuan nodded and said:

"We now have more than 120 guns, 5 machine guns, and 3 grenade launchers, which gives us a fighting chance."

Don't forget, we are the 88th Division, skilled in attacking fortified positions. Rest assured, the Japanese can't stop us!

Xie Jinyuan had the confidence to do so. The official designation of the isolated battalion was the 3rd Battalion of the 524th Regiment of the 262nd Brigade. Although it had been replenished several times, the main force was still there.

They were among the first troops to join the war, achieving brilliant victories and being a top-tier elite force.

If it weren't for the sudden rise of Zhao Yunwen and the Jiangsu Provincial Security Regiment, the 88th Division would definitely be one of the best in terms of combat strength.

After Xiao Jianyun left with the reconnaissance company, Xie Jinyuan took over command and summoned the company commanders to deploy combat missions.

"Brothers, the situation is very serious. The Japanese are surrounding us from the east, south and west, and the Japanese from the north are blocking our way north."

This is the rhythm of them making us look like dumplings. Company Commander Xiao has already led the reconnaissance company to hold off the Japanese, and General Zhao of the Security Corps is personally leading a battalion to reinforce us.

The most urgent task is to break through the Japanese blocking lines on the northern front. Both sides are racing against time; in a close contest, the brave will prevail!

Shangguan Zhibiao volunteered for the battle, saying:

"Commander, the brothers are armed and well-equipped now, so let's fight the Japanese!"

Machine gun company commander Lei Xiong also stepped forward and said:

"That's right, we're the 88th Division, the principal's personal guard. How could we be afraid of the Japanese?"

"That's right. So far, it's been Senior Zhao's Security Corps that's been making a name for itself. It's time to let the Japanese devils see how powerful our 88th Division is."

Company Commander Deng Ying was in high spirits, and Company Commander Tang Di echoed him, their morale was high.

Xie Jinyuan praised:

"Excellent! I've decided to organize all the weapons into two assault companies, with two people sharing one gun. If one falls, the other will immediately take their place."

Under the command of Shangguan Zhibiao and Deng Ying, the remaining brothers were organized into the Third and Fourth Companies, under the command of Tang Di and Lei Xiong.

Although you are unarmed, you can serve as substitutes. Each of you will be given a grenade and five bullets, and be ready to engage in battle at any time.

The Fourth Company has dispatched a platoon to protect the wounded, equipped with ten rifles, especially for the safety of Battalion Commander Yang and Doctor Su. Do you understand?

"Understood!"

Xie Jinyuan said with a firm gaze:

"Very good. You have fifteen minutes to organize your troops and distribute weapons. Once completed, launch an attack on the Japanese!"

Everyone readily accepted the order and set off. In this urgent situation, they quickly organized two assault companies in less than ten minutes. Most of the men were from the original isolated battalion, supplemented by dozens of defeated soldiers.

Subsequently, the first and second companies launched an attack on the Japanese positions, while the third and fourth companies continued to reorganize and then went to guard the flanks.

On the Japanese position, Lieutenant Chiba, the squad leader, eagerly volunteered for battle:

"Sir, the Chinese are a rabble. They've been imprisoned by the British and are now skin and bones. Most of them don't even have guns."

"Chiba's squad could easily defeat them; such an easy victory shouldn't be allowed to fall into the wrong hands."

The isolated battalion was worried that Japanese reinforcements would arrive, and the Japanese soldiers in Inoue's company felt the same way.

The isolated battalion was a unit that the Japanese high command specifically wanted to eliminate; they wanted to find them alive or dead, and use their heads to appease the British.

Captain Inoue was very tempted after hearing this, but he held back and shook his head, saying:

"Chiba-kun, if we launch a counterattack now, we can only crush the isolated camp. Once they are scattered, it will be difficult to eliminate them all."

Hunting requires patience; you must appear weak and never scare your prey away!

Lieutenant Chiba suddenly realized what was going on and immediately began to flatter him:

"The company commander is truly brilliant. He held them off for now, and when reinforcements arrive, the Chinese will surely be in a panic. Then we can launch a counterattack. The credit will go to Company Commander Inoue."

Captain Inoue patted Lieutenant Chiba on the shoulder and said smugly:

"Hey, looks like you're not so stupid after all. You really need to use your brain more when fighting a war."

Five kilometers away on the northern front, hundreds of people were running with their feet up. Zhao Yunwen, dressed in a general's uniform, was running at the front. Rescue was urgent, and it was really difficult for him.

Gunfire erupted from the direction of Qingpu, like popping beans, signaling the start of the battle. Gunfire could also be faintly heard on the eastern front, where the reconnaissance company had engaged in combat with the vanguard of the Japanese forces.

time is life!

Zhao Yunwen, leading the 1st Battalion of the 2nd Security Regiment, had already run more than ten kilometers in full gear. His physical strength was almost at its limit, and he relied entirely on willpower to sustain the last five kilometers.

He encouraged the troops as he ran:

"Brothers, give it your all! The fast runners get the meat, and those who fall behind won't even get a sip of soup."

Independent Battalion Commander Qin Haitao looked at Zhao Yunwen as if he were looking at a monster.

His body was almost falling apart from running, but the commander-in-chief was still acting like nothing was wrong. Is he even human?

They carried a lot of equipment, but had discarded the bulky supplies and only kept the guns and ammunition. Even so, it would take at least another half hour for them to arrive.

The battlefield is ever-changing; half an hour is enough to change a lot. Moreover, the Japanese are also reinforcing, and everyone is racing against time. Zhao Yunwen, who rarely takes a break, is also fighting desperately.

Twenty minutes later, they finally arrived and appeared on the side and rear of the Japanese troops.

Zhao Yunwen ordered a five-minute rest, and the artillery company set up the mortars, with everyone ready for an assault.

This is necessary; sharpening your axe won't delay your woodcutting.

Five minutes later, Qin Haitao asked Zhao Yunwen for instructions:

"Commander-in-Chief, the troops are ready. Please give instructions!"

Zhao Yunwen raised his arm and shouted:

"Fire! Attack! Kill all the Japanese devils!!!"