Devil's Army

Just as the merchant was stunned by Captain Zhang's laughter, Captain Zhang returned the pass to the merchant and said to Captain Hu next to him:

"It seems that the boss is well-informed. They wanted to rob these two trucks of food and supplies, but we got there first and it was us who were robbed.

The bandit leader next to him also complained inwardly, "Why am I so unlucky? I wanted to rob two trucks of food and supplies, but I ended up robbing the military commander instead!"

Captain Zhang handed the pass back to the merchant and consoled him:

"Don't worry, we are from the First Anti-Japanese Army. We were just robbed by bandits. We have subdued some of them. You can follow us. We are also going to Ji County."

The businessman was overjoyed when he heard this. He saw the soldiers behind him wearing puppet army uniforms. He had been complaining to himself, "I didn't check the almanac before going out today. How could I be so unlucky? I met puppet soldiers." Who knew they were also members of the First Anti-Japanese Army?

Moreover, this section of road was often plagued by bandits during this period, so it was safer with the escort of the First Anti-Japanese Army.

The businessman quickly thanked Captain Zhang and Captain Hu, and then they set off together.

More than 30 bandits were also kidnapped by Captain Zhang and his men and taken back to Ji County.

On the way, Captain Zhang invited the businessman to ride in the same car with him.

In the car, Captain Zhang asked the businessman:

"Who knew about your delivery of these two truckloads of food supplies this time?"

"There have been bandits along this stretch of road for a while now. For safety reasons, only the owner and clerk of Zhangji Grain Store know about this. Oh, and the porters who load the goods also know about it."

"The bandits just now said they wanted to rob two trucks of food supplies, which means they have gotten your information. Their spies are the owner or the clerk of Zhangji Food Store, or the porters."

"I was wondering why we have been so unlucky in the past two months. We have been frequently targeted by bandits. Last time we lost a truckload of food, and the time before that was also in this area, two truckloads of food supplies were stopped by bandits. Fortunately, the First Anti-Japanese Army of Xingcheng County arrived in time, repelled the bandits, and helped us get our food back."

At around five o'clock in the afternoon, the convoy arrived in Ji County smoothly.

The businessman wanted to invite Captain Zhang and Captain Hu to dinner, but they declined.

Captain Hu rushed to the recruit training base in Ji County. His second brother's guard team was still in training.

Captain Guo hugged Captain Hu tightly. He had been worried that the two brothers would become enemies from then on, but he didn't expect that they could fight against the Japanese together.

At dinner, Gray Wolf ate with Captain Guo, Captain Hu, and Company Commander Zhang.

During the meal, Captain Guo and Captain Hu requested to launch a battle to resolve Suizhong County as soon as possible.

Gray Wolf smiled and said:

"Your Second Guard Battalion had such a fierce conflict with the Japanese and puppet troops in Xinjing this time. How could they not inform the Japanese and puppet troops in Suizhong County? It is unlikely that you can sneak in and cooperate with the outside forces. Since it is unlikely to sneak in, it doesn't matter if you deal with Suizhong County in a few days. Let's train for a few days first."

Captain Guo and Captain Hu expressed different opinions on Commander Tan's views.

Captain Guo and his companions believed that the Japanese major in Xinjing was very concerned about his reputation, and that it would be extremely humiliating for him to be betrayed by his subordinates.

When the major didn't know that they were planning to attack Suizhou County, he probably wouldn't tell the Japanese and puppet troops in Suizhou County that their First Guard Battalion and Second Guard Battalion had joined the First Anti-Japanese Army.

He also advocated concentrating the main forces of the two escort teams to capture Suizhong County.

"Okay, you know the character of the Japanese major in Xinjing very well, so we'll do as you say. Tomorrow I'll ask the commander of the Fifth Brigade to send troops to cooperate with you." Gray Wolf agreed with their suggestions.

"I have dealt with a battalion commander before. It would be sufficient to ask the First Battalion of the First Regiment of the Fifth Brigade to come and cooperate with us," Captain Guo suggested.

"Okay, I'll call the Fifth Brigade Commander tonight."

Seeing that Captain Hu and his team had finalized their plans, Captain Zhang also reported something to Gray Wolf:

"This time, when we came from Huludao, we were robbed by a group of bandits outside Xingcheng County. They mistook us for a convoy transporting food and supplies to Xingcheng County."

"Interesting, the fight for food has hit the army." Gray Wolf said with a smile.

"According to the information provided by the merchants transporting grain, the person who leaked the news might be the owner or clerk of Zhangji Grain Store, or the porters."

"I sent a telegram to the commander of the Fourth Brigade, asking him to send someone to investigate. I have also heard that there is a group of bandits outside Xingcheng County who often rob supplies. It is said that they are made up of lumberjacks from Suizhong County. Ask the commander of the Fourth Brigade to reorganize them into an anti-Japanese team."