Devil's Army

On January 23rd, the scouts reported: the Japanese troops in Hujia Village had withdrawn.

"Do the Japanese want to retreat back to the county town to celebrate the Spring Festival?" said a team member.

"Impossible, the Japanese don't have the custom of celebrating the Spring Festival." Red Wolf said. "They should go back to plan the attack on Rehe."

"Should we go to Hujia Village now?" Honglang asked Wang Zhuangfei.

"Now that the Japanese have withdrawn, wouldn't it be better for us to go directly back to Hejiazhao Village? Let's go to the Second Battalion to find out the situation in Hejiazhao Village." After saying that, Wang Zhuangfei and Jackal went to Hujia Village together.

When they arrived at the place where Mao Lang had hidden the Samadhi, Jackal pushed the Samadhi out, started the engine, and drove quickly towards Hujia Village with Wang Zhuangfei.

Arriving at Hujia Village, Wang Zhuangfei rubbed his butt and said:

"Your driving skills are pretty good. You can drive so fast on such a bumpy road."

"It's okay. I've already taught Tian Xiuli and the others how to treat the wounded. Go back and ask Tian Xiuli to check your butt to see if it's broken."

Wang Zhuangfei stared at Red Wolf, who burst into laughter. The Japanese had withdrawn, and he felt relieved.

When Wulang heard the report from the sentry, he hurried to the entrance of the cave to greet Wang Zhuangfei and Honglang.

Seeing them coming, Wulang stepped forward, holding Wang Zhuangfei in his left hand and Red Wolf in his right hand, and shouted:

"Where have you been during this time? The captain has been looking for you for many days, but there is no news from you."

"After we broke out of the enemy's encirclement, Red Wolf took us to the underground warehouse. We wanted to come and meet you the next day. But when we got to Hujia Village, we found that it was surrounded by the enemy. We had no choice but to retreat and temporarily live in a small village in the path ahead."

"What are the casualties of the troops?"

"There were nearly 200 people in my first squadron and a squad led by Mao Lang, but only less than one squad member managed to break through." Wang Zhuangfei lowered his head and said in a low voice. It was obvious that he was still feeling very uncomfortable.

"It's okay. As long as we have people here, the team can be reunited quickly." Wu Lang patted Wang Zhuangfei on the shoulder and said.

"It hurts here. Many people in the First Squadron have followed me through many battles." Wang Zhuangfei said, pointing to his chest.

"If you lead the new recruits into a few more battles, won't they become veterans?" Wu Lang comforted them.

Wang Zhuangfei lowered his head and said nothing.

"What are your plans next?" Wu Lang saw that Wang Zhuangfei was in a bad mood and quickly changed the subject.

"We want to go back to Hejiazhao Village."

"The Japanese in Hejiazhai Village have not yet withdrawn, and they have built some new fortifications. You won't be able to go back in a short time."

"Have the Japanese troops outside the forest of the Oroqen tribe withdrawn?" Wang Zhuangfei asked hurriedly.

"The captain said the Japanese there withdrew last night. Do you want to go to the Oroqen tribe?"

"Well, my second and third squadrons are still in the Oroqen tribe."

"Oh, that's good. The conditions there are better than here. Let's go there to rest for a while. By the way, the captain hasn't heard from you yet, so call him quickly." After saying that, Wu Lang pulled Wang Zhuangfei and Hong Lang down the cave.

When they arrived at the operations room in the cave, Wu Lang dialed the number and immediately handed the receiver to Wang Zhuangfei.

The phone rang again and a familiar voice "Hello" came from the other end.

Wang Zhuangfei immediately stood at attention and called out, "Captain, I'm Wang Zhuangfei."

"Wang Zhuangfei, where are you?" Leng Feng's happy voice came from the phone. There was also the voice of Gray Wolf next to him.

"I am now in the Second Brigade of Hujia Village."

"How is the situation of the troops this time?"

"Captain, I failed to live up to your trust. I only managed to get more than 30 people out of the army."

The man on the other side paused for a moment, then continued, "It's okay. Wen Lang went to Rehe and brought back a guerrilla force of nearly 200 people, with the foundation of the Northeast Army. When you come back, I will give you priority to assign the first squadron."

"Thank you Captain."

"When will you come back? You have worked hard during this period. I will ask Baron to send someone to hunt some game as a reward for you."

"Then let's rush back today. I miss you guys."

"Okay," Leng Feng said and hung up the phone.

After Wang Zhuangfei hung up the phone, he said to Wulang who was talking to Honglang:

"Wulang, the captain wants us to go back to the Oroqen tribe. He has just recruited a group of guerrillas with Northeast Army background, and he will give priority to our first squadron."

"That's a good thing. When are you leaving? Do you want to have lunch first?"

"No, let's go now." Wang Zhuangfei's mood became cheerful again when he heard that there would be an old soldier to share with him.

On the way back, Honglang hid Samadhi and walked back to the small village with Wang Zhuangfei.

Mao Lang was training his troops. Wang Zhuangfei asked everyone to gather in front of him. Then he said:

"The Japanese troops outside the forest of the Oroqen tribe withdrew last night. I decided to go to the Oroqen tribe at 1 pm. Now the new recruits should go back to prepare, say goodbye to their families, and gather here at 1 pm."

"Yes" and the recruits left one after another.

During lunch, Wang Zhuangfei suggested that Uncle Lao Gen go to the Oroqen tribe together.

Unable to resist the two children's constant nagging, Uncle Lao Gen finally agreed to go with them.

Tian Xiuli clapped her hands in joy, not knowing whether it was because her father agreed to go with her, or because she could join the troupe. Or maybe both.

But Uncle Lao Gen was worried that it would be inconvenient for him to walk and would affect the troops' march.

Red Wolf said, "It's okay. I'll leave early and park the Sanmo at the intersection. Guo Liang can't walk for a long time either, so you and Guo Liang can take the car together."

"I never thought that my old bones could still sit back in the car." Uncle Lao Gen joked with a smile.

At one o'clock in the afternoon, the families of the new recruits bid farewell to their families nearby.

The troops then turned right and headed towards the Oroqen tribe.