Holding the original shares, they fought all the way to the Korean War!

more importantly.

There is a group of veterans who retired from the Battle of Shanghai on Yingchou Ridge.

Moreover, it was the 88th Division, the most elite unit of the Central Army.

A battalion commander with over three hundred men—if they could be incorporated into the new Second Regiment…

Zhou Tianyang closed his eyes, not wanting to think any further.

It's too early to think about these things now. We'll see how things go when we get to the vicinity of Yingchou Ridge tomorrow.

He lay down on his side, resting his head on his arm.

Walking dozens of miles of mountain roads in a day, it would be a lie to say I wasn't tired.

He closed his eyes and quickly fell asleep.

……

Early the next morning.

Zhou Tianyang woke up as soon as it was light.

When he stepped out of the house, there was already some commotion in the valley.

The guerrillas lit a fire in the open space and set up an iron pot to cook porridge.

Ma Yong had already led the guards to line up at the edge of the open space.

Everyone's equipment has been checked and we are ready to depart at any time.

Zhao Zhuzi walked over with a bowl of hot porridge and handed it to Zhou Tianyang.

"Commander Zhou, eat something while it's hot, you'll need energy for the journey."

Zhou Tianyang took the bowl, lowered his head and drank two mouthfuls.

A few pieces of sweet potato were mixed into the porridge, which was cooked until soft and sweet. In this day and age, it was considered a very good breakfast.

He finished drinking in a few gulps, handed the bowl back to Zhao Zhuzi, and wiped his mouth with his sleeve.

"Captain Zhao, it's time for us to set off."

Zhao Zhuzi took the bowl and nodded.

He waved behind him, and a guerrilla fighter stepped out from the crowd.

He had a Type 38 rifle slung over his shoulder, and he looked sharp and energetic.

"This is Xiao Liu. He grew up in this area and knows the roads around Yingchou Ridge best."

"Have him lead you a part of the way, take you to a safe place, and then come back."

Zhou Tianyang nodded to the young man.

The man grinned at him, revealing a set of white teeth, then turned and walked to the front of the line, waiting to depart.

"Walk."

Zhou Tianyang waved his hand behind him.

The guards moved silently, forming two columns.

We followed the guide named Xiao Liu out of the ravine.

Zhao Zhuzi stood at the mouth of the valley, watching those figures gradually disappear along the path at the foot of the mountain.

He didn't say any goodbye, he just stood there silently.

I watched until the last figure disappeared around the bend in the mountain road.

He then turned around and walked back into the ravine.

The group walked west along the path at the foot of the mountain.

The road ahead became narrower and narrower, and the vegetation on both sides became denser, with shrubs and weeds almost covering the road surface.

Xiao Liu walked at the front, his steps light and alert.

We walked for about an hour and a half.

A range of mountains could be vaguely seen ahead.

The mountain is not high, but its slope is extremely steep, like a natural barrier stretching across the junction of heaven and earth.

The area below the mountainside is covered with dense shrubs and miscellaneous trees, while the area above the mountainside is bare rock.

Xiao Liu slowed down and, after Zhou Tianyang caught up, turned his head and said:

"Commander Zhou, the territory of Eagle Sorrow Ridge is just beyond that ridge ahead."

"I'm not going any further now. If I go any further, they'll probably spot me."

Zhou Tianyang nodded, his gaze falling on the mountain shadow as he carefully examined it.

He walked along the edge of the foot of the mountain for a while.

He climbed up a low earthen embankment and gazed into the distance for a long while.

This location was chosen with extreme cunning; it's a place only someone who truly understands warfare would pick.

This battalion commander from the 88th Division is indeed quite capable.

Zhou Tianyang watched for a while longer, then turned around and walked back to the front of the line.

"Comrade Liu, thank you for your hard work. That's all for now."

Xiao Liu nodded, then added a final word of advice, still feeling a little uneasy.

"Commander Zhou, it's not impossible for you to go around, but it will be an extra thirty or forty miles, and the road there is much more difficult to travel."

"But with your skills, nothing should happen."

"Then I'll head back now."

He saluted Zhou Tianyang, then turned and quickly walked back the way he came.

They quickly disappeared into the depths of the bushes.

Zhou Tianyang stood on the earthen embankment and glanced again in the direction of Eagle Sorrow Ridge.

His gaze was calm, but his mind was racing.

More than 300 veterans of the Central Army stayed on this mountain for almost a year, fighting the Japanese but not coming down to harm the local people.

Such a person shouldn't stay on the mountain forever.

However, now is not the time to make a visit.

With thirty-one people, venturing onto someone else's territory without warning could easily lead to trouble if the other party misunderstands their intentions.

He needs to find out the other party's background before he can decide what to do next.

Zhou Tianyang jumped down from the earthen embankment and walked to the front of the group.

He glanced back in that direction, then looked away and strode forward.

"Keep walking forward and find a place to rest."

The team continued to advance along the foot of the mountain.

The mountain shadow grew closer to their left. The vegetation on the cliff was sparse, but there was a dense thicket at the foot of the mountain.

They crossed a dry ditch and climbed over a low embankment, and suddenly the view ahead opened up.

It was a wide valley nestled between the mountains.

Across the valley is another mountain ridge, lower than Eagle's Sorrow Ridge, but with denser vegetation.

Zhou Tianyang stopped at the edge of the valley.

He quickly scanned the surrounding terrain with his eyes, then waved to the team behind him.

"Let's rest here for a while."

The soldiers gradually dispersed at the edge of the valley.

As usual, Ma Yong set up sentry posts at both ends of the valley, and only sat down next to Zhou Tianyang after confirming that it was safe.

Zhou Tianyang sat on a flat rock, his gaze still fixed on the direction of Eagle Sorrow Ridge.

He remained silent for a while before speaking, his voice neither loud nor soft, as if he were talking to himself, or perhaps to Ma Yong.

"More than 300 veterans, who fought all the way from the Battle of Shanghai, are all elite soldiers who have survived countless battles."

"The 88th Division has a German-equipped foundation. Although they have been forced into exile, they will not lose their core values."

"What they lack is a supply route and an opportunity to rejoin the team."

Ma Yong didn't interrupt, but listened quietly.

"I need to find a way to get in touch with that Deng Chen."

"No matter what method we use, we have to let him know that this mountain is not the only way out."

After Zhou Tianyang finished speaking, he did not rush to get up.

He remained seated on that flat stone.

His gaze was fixed on the direction of Eagle's Sorrow Ridge in the distance, as if he were waiting for something.

The soldiers of the guard platoon had already found their places to rest. Some leaned against tree trunks and closed their eyes to rest, while others squatted by the stream and scooped water with their hands to wash their faces.

Everything appeared calm and orderly.

Ma Yong sat on the rock next to Zhou Tianyang and remained silent for a long time.

His gaze also fell in the direction of Eagle's Sorrow Ridge.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he turned his head and looked at Zhou Tianyang.

"Commander."

Ma Yong's voice was not loud, but his tone carried a kind of confidence that came from careful consideration.

"How about I take two people up with me?"