Bright Sword: Japs, times have changed

In a blink of an eye, a month has passed since the battle of Xiaowangzhuang.

The cold winter arrived as expected, and the successive mountains covered the desolate mountains with a layer of snow-white quilt, which was particularly dazzling under the sunlight.

The days have been exceptionally peaceful during this period, so peaceful that it makes people feel a little uneasy.

Ever since the Japanese sent a brigade of troops to fill the vacant troops in the two counties, they have not launched any action.

In recent times, we have been strengthening the defense of the occupied areas. Artillery towers and strongholds have all been rebuilt, and the defensive forces have been increased.

The biggest change was in the Japanese's Huting stronghold, the area of which more than doubled, and the number of troops also doubled.

In addition, the Japanese also strengthened the interception of major traffic arteries, and anyone passing by was subject to inspection.

This led to problems in the supply and transportation of some troops, with the 358th Regiment of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army being the first to be affected.

Winter is a season when all supplies are in short supply. Chu Yunfei did not dare to take the risk of letting the transport team pass through the Eighth Route Army's defense zone in a brazen manner. All the supplies were transported along the edges of each unit's defense zone.

However, he did not expect that the area around Dagu Mountain had already been blocked tightly by the Japanese, and if supplies wanted to be transported in, they had to take small roads in batches.

There was no problem with transportation, but this made Chu Yunfei very angry.

The situation was alleviated by sending two battalions to attack the Japanese blockade line in the Dagushan area.

As the beneficiary of the war, several regiments of the 386th Brigade also developed very rapidly.

Especially the New 1st Regiment, the New 2nd Regiment and the Independent Regiment. With the help of captured combat power, these three regiments more than doubled the number of troops in the team.

There is no need to worry about food, as it can definitely keep up with consumption.

There was no war in winter, and the Japanese were unwilling to fight in the cold winter, which gave the Eighth Route Army time to train new recruits.

During this period, all troops were carrying out extensive training, and the overall combat effectiveness of the team was significantly improved.

Under Lin Qiang's command, the independent battalion's base has undergone significant changes compared to a month ago, with several more hidden bunkers on the mountain.

The materials for building the bunker were all purchased by Lin Qiang from the system mall. There is no doubt that it is very strong. If you want to destroy it from the outside, you need a shell with a caliber of at least 150 mm to destroy it.

Lin Qiang also plans to build more bunkers like this. His original plan to make the base semi-permanent was not just talk.

The most outstanding feature of the bunker is not its sturdiness, but its secrecy and powerful fire support.

There are four firing holes in total, which are equipped with a DShK anti-aircraft machine gun, a Maxim heavy machine gun and two light machine guns.

With such firepower configuration, no matter how many ground troops come, Lin Qiang is confident that the base will not be breached.

In terms of air defense, the entire base currently has fifteen anti-aircraft guns, and the defense range covers the entire base.

With the assistance of twenty DShK anti-aircraft machine guns, even in the face of intensive aerial bombardment by the Japanese, it can ensure that the base will not be greatly affected.

The changes in the independent camp did not end there. As the news of the successive victories spread quickly and with the arrival of winter, refugees arrived almost every day.

Lin Qiang accepted everyone who came to him, and it was impossible for him to close the door and not accept anyone.

By the way, there is one more thing worth mentioning. Duan Peng successfully recovered with the help of advanced medical technology and some medicines purchased by Lin Qiang, and did not leave any sequelae. The only thing was the scar that could not be removed.

And the spy received the punishment he deserved.

The reason why Lin Qiang didn't touch this spy was to leave it to Duan Peng to deal with personally.

Duan Peng's way of handling the situation was also very special. He deliberately set a trap for the opponent and before the heavy snow came, he once again destroyed the training base that Yamamoto Ikki had built with great difficulty.

Not only did they inflict heavy losses on Yamamoto Ikki, but they also rescued hundreds of prisoners who were being used by the Japanese to train in hand-to-hand combat.

So far, the independent battalion's teams that went out for development have returned one after another, and the number of troops each team brought back varies.

In addition, among the fleeing refugees there were young and middle-aged men who were willing to join the army, as well as soldiers from other troops who came here after the defeat in Jinzhong area.

Over the past month, the educated soldiers in the independent battalion have been helping Zhang Yuntian write the roster.

That day, Lin Qiang gathered with several company commanders to roast sweet potatoes and chat about topics that had nothing to do with the war.

As we all know, a group of men can make a lot of noise, while a woman can chat for a whole day.

The relationship between Lin Qiang and several company commanders is more like that of good brothers of many years. They can chat with each other without any reservations.

Hu Zi, in particular, was the first to tease Lin Qiang: "Captain, haven't you noticed something recently?"

"whats the matter?"

Lin Qiang was concentrating on turning the sweet potatoes over so that they were heated evenly, to avoid being half-cooked and causing flatulence.

Hu Zi chuckled and said, "Of course it's the eldest daughter of the Zhao family. Haven't you noticed that she has changed a lot during this period? She used to be shy to talk to you, but now she comes to you whenever she has something to do."

When it comes to courage, Qiangzi is second to none. After hearing what Huzi said, he ate a sweet potato and said, "Battalion Commander, don't play dumb. Everyone can see that Miss Zhao is interested in you, but you keep pretending not to know. I'm starting to doubt whether what Aunt Zhang said is true."

Lin Qiang looked up at Qiangzi and asked with a smile, "Tell me, what did Aunt Zhang say about me?"

Qiangzi was also a sincere man, and he muttered, "That's not okay with you."

"..."

Just as everyone was looking forward to what would happen to Qiangzi next, a clear and pleasant voice rang out: "Captain, you are here."

Everyone knew who was coming without even looking. Zhang Yuntian was the first to speak: "I'll go see if those guys have finished their work."

"I am coming too!"

"I'm going to check on the team's training."

"Oh no, I think I forgot to send hay to the stable. I have to go check it out."

"I...I...I'll go check...Commander, I have something to do, so I'll leave first."

Everyone stood up and left, except Qiangzi who was still squatting and eating sweet potatoes.

Hu Zi couldn't bear to watch it any longer, so he kicked him and said, "Qiang Zi, do you have anything else to do? Go and do it."

"Nothing!"

"If I say you have it, then I have it. Come with me now."

Hu Zi didn't care about him and dragged Qiang Zi away.

As soon as Zhao Yulin arrived at the fire, several company commanders left, leaving Lin Qiang alone still roasting sweet potatoes.

"Ah, it's Miss Zhao."

Lin Qiang was, after all, a bee floating among a thousand flowers, and could face the current situation calmly: "Now that you're done with the hospital, why don't you take a break?"

"Captain Lin, didn't we agree to call me Ling'er from now on? How come you forgot so quickly?"

Zhao Yuling pouted and said, "Or maybe you don't want to call me that."

Lin Qiang was stunned for a moment.

Zhao Yuling has changed a lot now. She no longer looks timid, and she has cut her long hair short.

Her whole person had changed drastically, but the only thing that remained unchanged was her beautiful face.

"Um, Ling... Ling'er."

The first time Lin Qiang shouted these two words, he still felt a little awkward.

"Then I won't call you Captain Lin anymore. How about just calling you Brother Lin?"

Zhao Yuling smiled sweetly, just like a little girl who received a favorite gift.

"of course can."

Lin Qiang took the initiative to find a topic of conversation, put the roasted sweet potato in front of the other person, and said, "Are you still adapting to the work in the hospital?"

"Ah."

Zhao Yuling hummed, lowered her head, and asked softly, "Brother Lin, do you like me?"

However, her voice was too soft, and at that moment the monk hurriedly ran over and shouted, "Battalion Commander, the brigade commander is calling and wants you to answer it in person."

Lin Qiang quickly stood up and said to Zhao Yuling, "Sorry, Ling'er, I have something to take care of."

Zhao Yuling had no choice but to nod, then looked angrily at the monk who was running towards her.