Bright Sword: From Soldier to Brigade Commander

The Japanese army had already known the situation in Baijia Town clearly.

According to Okamura Yasuji's conciliatory policy, the Japanese infantry and cavalry quickly entered the empty area after the main forces such as Su Fei Cavalry Regiment and Kong Jiexin's Second Infantry Regiment left, and also launched garrison, spying and inducement to surrender in Baijia Town, the county seat, Wanjia Town and other places.

The county town was taken after fierce fighting, bribing traitors and using both soft and hard tactics.

The militia guerrillas of the county brigade used the underground tunnel network in the county town and fought bravely, inflicting severe damage to the Japanese army. More than 200 Japanese soldiers were killed or wounded, and more than 500 puppet soldiers were killed or wounded.

Unfortunately, the traitor led the Japanese army to attack and repeatedly threatened and lured them to subvert the county brigade.

Wanjia Town also experienced fierce fighting, with the Japanese and puppet troops suffering hundreds of casualties.

Now, Baijia Town has not been captured yet, not because the Japanese army lacks strength or their strategy is not sinister enough, but because they use it as bait, waiting to encircle and attack the reinforcements, and destroy Su Fei's Cavalry Regiment and Li Yunlong's Independent Regiment.

The Japanese army had a clear plan thanks to the information they had bribed, including some villagers in Baijia Town, some relatives of the villagers, and information they had heard from people in the surrounding villages.

Although the underground network tunnels in Baijia Town are powerful, they also have fatal weaknesses.

Without the cooperation of external troops, they can only be trapped and cannot withstand long-term consumption.

As long as the surface buildings are destroyed by artillery fire, the escape routes of these people can be completely blocked, even the breathing holes in the tunnels.

The Japanese army had driven out a large number of civilians and dug a large number of trenches around the town, cutting off the underground tunnels leading from Baijia Town to other villages and towns.

The Japanese army also had more brutal methods, such as flooding the tunnels with river water, spraying poison gas into the tunnels, or forcing villagers from other villages to dig the tunnels bit by bit, gradually destroying the tunnels...

Colonel Iwakami, commander of the 2nd Regiment of the 4th Cavalry Brigade, followed the order of the Army Vice Chief of Staff Gao Wuxun and immediately launched the second plan.

A big net is set up in Baijia Town to lure you into the trap!

He led the cavalry regiment to retreat to the east and west, and quickly disappeared from the vicinity of Baijia Town. He also used the tails of the cavalry horses to drag branches to erase any traces of the march.

However, some reconnaissance cavalry were deliberately deployed around the perimeter.

Otherwise, the silence and the absence of people would seem too fake!

Under the supervision of the Japanese advisor, the commander of the Imperial Army launched a fierce attack on Baijia Town from four surrounding directions.

The key to an attack is momentum, not specific results, and to capture villages and towns immediately.

To this end, Colonel Iwagami specifically ordered the cavalry artillery squadron to leave some mortars and artillery shells, grenade launchers, grenades, etc. to the Imperial Army to strengthen firepower and bombard Baijia Town.

The whistling shells tore through the air, making sharp sounds, and drew long, rapid curves in the air before accurately hitting the inside of the wall of Baijia Town, raising clouds of smoke and dust on the houses and streets, and also collapsing many houses.

They also fired incendiary bombs, setting many houses in Baijia Town on fire and sending up huge columns of black smoke.

Some of the Imperial Army also launched a charge, shouting deliberately and approaching the town wall.

Japanese Lieutenant Kojiro Iino raised the corners of his mouth, revealing a smug smile as if his conspiracy had succeeded.

Waving his saber, he commanded the Imperial Army to attack in an arrogant manner.

Huang, the commander of the Imperial Army, while groveling before Lieutenant Iino, arrogantly issued orders to his men: "Brothers, work hard and show the lady what we can do! Lady Iino said that once we capture Baijia Town, all the men will be killed, and each of you brothers will take one of the beautiful young women!"

The Japanese wanted a slow attack, but he carried out a quick attack!

He wanted to immediately attack Baijia Town, kill all the male villagers, and take the women away to enjoy one by one, especially Su Fei's nominal wives and concubines, who must not be spared!

He was full of hatred towards the people of Baijia Town and Su Fei.

The commander of the Imperial Army Cavalry Battalion in Wanjia Town is his relative, his brother-in-law!

He wants to avenge his brother-in-law.

He was even more envious of Su Fei's seven wives and concubines, the wild and fiery Seventh Aunt, the innocent and cute Meng Zhiyuan, and many more fair and tender suns... Ahhhh, he was so looking forward to it!

He obtained the order to massacre the village after repeatedly asking Iino for permission.

Iino felt that whether it was to quickly capture the town or to hear the scenes and sounds of massacre and humiliation, it would be more effective in stimulating Su Fei's Cavalry Regiment and Li Yunlong's Independent Regiment in Hulu Valley to come to the rescue. He asked for instructions using a walkie-talkie and received permission from Colonel Iwakami.

"You're right, Captain Huang's words are excellent! The Imperial Army and you are as close as family. After defeating the enemy, you can enjoy the fruits of victory to your heart's content. We, the Imperial Army, will not interfere! Kill them!"

Iino said nonsense that he himself didn't believe and jumped onto his warhorse.

When the Imperial Army heard this, they immediately became energized as if they had been injected with chicken blood. The fire support team fired intensive gunfire, and the charging attacking troops howled like wild dogs.

The town's wall was breached by artillery fire, but the solid brick and stone structure also repelled more shells. When the Ergouzi rushed to a place fifty meters away in a ferocious manner, some bricks suddenly fell off from the wall more than one meter high, even close to the ground, and black gun barrels stretched out. Many machine guns and rifles fired a torrential rain of fire at the Ergouzi!

Dozens of idiots fell down, rolled, and struggled in an instant. Some were shot in the head and fell to the ground, alas.

Most of the dogs hurriedly lay down, shot forward, or rolled into some bumpy ditches to hide.

They were too close to the fortress, and Captain Huang and Iino did not dare to let the artillery bombard them at will and accidentally injure them. At the same time, the small-caliber light indirect fire artillery could not directly damage the Baijia Town militia hidden in the fortress wall, and could only extend the fire.

The Japanese machine gun group in charge of supervising the battle quickly organized one heavy machine gun and three light machine guns to suppress the enemy. However, the anti-Japanese militia inside the village wall immediately turned around and fired at the Japanese machine gun team, silencing two machine guns and killing the Japanese shooter and ammunition handler.

The Japanese and puppet troops attacked fiercely for 30 minutes without making any progress, and instead suffered more than 100 casualties.

Captain Huang was extremely anxious and asked Iino Taijun to use the Imperial Army's heavy weapons for bombing or poison gas bombs!

Iino rejected his request: "No, the key points of Commander Okamura Yasuji's policy are to treat the Chinese people well, establish the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, and build a paradise of kingly rule! We cannot do such barbaric things."

Iino calmed down and decided that the most important thing was to use the Imperial Army's offensive to lure the Eighth Route Army reinforcements into a trap.

You are just a small member of the Imperial Army. If you don't want to be a cannon fodder or a chess piece, what else can you do?

"Hurry, Taijun, the enemy, the Eighth Route Army, the Eighth Route Army is coming!"

Lieutenant Iino turned around and looked through his telescope. Amidst the villages, woods, hillocks, and gullies, a group of Eighth Route Army cavalrymen were galloping towards them, kicking up clouds of dust. His brows lit up immediately. "All Imperial Army and Imperial Auxiliary Army, turn your guns and prepare to engage the main force of the Eighth Route Army."

The Japanese and puppet troops immediately withdrew their positions, gathered together, and deployed defenses in the trenches they had dug.

"When the Eighth Route Army cavalry arrives, we will teach them a lesson!" Iino shouted loudly.

Outside the town, there is a circular trench area with a width of more than 30 meters. It was used by the Japanese army to destroy the external tunnels of Baijia Town. Now, it has become a very good fortification.

More than 200 men were assembled in the south, with a small number of troops monitoring the town and the rest on the east and west sides.

What made Iino excited, but also a little puzzled, was why no one from the cavalry squad ambushed from the east side of Hulu Valley had returned? Had they all been killed in battle?

Oh no! The Tubalu's equipment...

Su Fei personally led the cavalry regiment to attack!

They split into two groups, one going through Hulu Valley and the other taking a detour outside. Relying on the firepower of the machine gun company and artillery company of the cavalry battalion outside, they launched a blitzkrieg, covering the enemy with firepower, destroying the enemy's manpower and various firepower points. Then the cavalry company charged and pursued them.

Su Fei's cavalry rushed out of Hulu Valley and joined the pursuit team.

The Japanese infantry squad was quickly killed.

Su Fei's cavalry spread out their formation and advanced in a wide fan shape. The machine gun squad and the cavalry saber squad formed a combined team. When they found the enemy resisting stubbornly, they immediately opened fire. When the enemy fled, they immediately pounced on them and chopped them with their sabers!

The cavalry's momentum was so great and their charge was so fierce that the Japanese army lost their will and ran away.

Some puppet soldiers were smart enough to kneel down and surrender.

The difficulty lies in hunting down the remnants of the enemy cavalry squad, as the enemy runs very fast.

Then chase it.

About 30 Japanese cavalrymen have 30 excellent war horses, 30 lances, and 30 high-quality sabers.

The battle was fierce and the troops were in chaos. Su Fei couldn't stop the troops even if he wanted to.

He took a small number of cavalry and intercepted the second cavalry battalion that was making a detour outside.

Reorganize the troops and listen to the sound of gunfire from the direction of Baijia Town.

Political Commissar Zhao Gang led his men over and asked, "Comrade Su Fei, is the battle in the direction of Baijia Town?"

Su Fei nodded, his mind wandering. He was worried about the soldiers and civilians in Baijia Town, as well as his Seventh Aunt, Meng Zhiyuan and others. He was also reflecting on the events before and after the Battle of Hulu Valley, and was waiting for news.

"Brigade Commander, there's a sound!" A soldier urgently brought a walkie-talkie.

Su Fei listened. It was the scouts who had been sent out earlier. "Brigade Commander, the walkie-talkie just intercepted a conversation between the Japanese army. They asked their superiors if they could take over Baijia Town. The Japanese higher-ups agreed."

The Japanese army's walkie-talkies were of poor quality, and the communication range did not exceed 5 kilometers. Therefore, outside Hulu Valley, Su Fei's walkie-talkie could not receive information from the Japanese army in Baijia Town, 20 miles away. He could only send cavalry to approach that direction to serve as a transit station for monitoring.

Su Fei quickly confirmed: "Political Commissar, according to intelligence, the Japanese army is well prepared this time. When the ambush in Hulu Valley failed, they came up with another plan and went fishing in Baijia Town."

Political Commissar Zhao Gang nodded, asked about the use of the walkie-talkie, and praised Su Fei highly. He had never thought that by seizing this thing, he could directly eavesdrop on the Japanese battlefield conversations on the same frequency!

Now, the question is not whether to rescue Baijia Town, but how to rescue and break the enemy's ambush.

Su Fei estimated that there were more powerful Japanese main forces around!

Political Commissar Zhao Gang frowned, his face tense and serious. "So there's something wrong with our breakout direction? Is our team not pure? Is there a traitor?"

Su Fei smiled and reassured him: "Political Commissar, I thought the enemy had predicted our prediction and judged that we were going to return east, so they were waiting for us here in advance. Who made our independent regiment so famous? It's true that people are afraid of fame, just like pigs are afraid of being fat! Haha."

Political Commissar Zhao Gang was amused, feeling much more relaxed. "What does this have to do with our independent regiment? Our troops were scattered, and we're lucky to have only one company left. Who allowed your Special Operations Brigade Cavalry Regiment to be so arrogant, wiping out three battalions in one go? If I were Shinozuka Yoshio, I'd mobilize a hundred thousand troops to surround you!"

Since the situation is complicated, we must be cautious.

Political Commissar Zhao Gang suggested sending a cavalry company to conduct fire reconnaissance to attract the enemy's attention. Our main force must be fully mobilized and reorganized so that all commanders and fighters understand the enemy situation and our army's tactics.

A cavalry company was quickly dispatched.

The rest of the troops gathered among the woods and hills east of Hulu Valley.

Soon, Li Yunlong arrived.

The three of them discussed the situation.

Li Yunlong's malaria wasn't known to have been scared away by the fighting, or cured by the quinine injection. Now, he was full of energy, his eyes shining. "Damn it! I've never commanded a cavalry regiment before! It looks like the Japs have at least one battalion, no, definitely at least a regiment! And, I'm sure since the Japs predicted we were coming here, they have a lot of warhorses and are very mobile, so they'll definitely send a large number of cavalry units, or maybe even tortoise shells and trucks!"

Su Fei admired Li Yunlong's judgment very much.

However, it is unlikely that the Japanese tanks will catch up with the cavalry because of their slow speed. So, he said, "What the regimental commander said is very good! I think the enemy will not use tanks. The enemy's tactics against our cavalry are either ambushes, pursuit by cavalry units, or encirclement and blockade. So, I estimate that the enemy has at least one cavalry battalion, or two cavalry battalions, and a lot of infantry. The enemy may have gathered a large number of troops around us, forming a tight blockade network!"

"Our army's battle is currently very difficult because the enemy situation is unclear and we cannot gather in large numbers, as this would lead to bombing and strafing by Japanese aircraft. Therefore, we must persist in guerrilla warfare as the main method. In the battle, we must not get stuck in a stalemate. If we do not fight, then there is no need to fight. Once we do fight, we must end it as quickly as possible. This is blitzkrieg!"

Political Commissar Zhao Gang suggested that the independent regiment and the civilians break up into smaller groups and continue guerrilla warfare, or break out separately. The cavalry regiment quickly broke out.

Li Yunlong advocated that the remnants of the cavalry regiment and the independent regiment, together with a large number of armed civilians, be divided into two groups and turned back to the west to launch a surprise attack. The independent regiment would be in the open, attracting the enemy's attention and encircling them, while the cavalry regiment would be in the dark, constantly harassing and ambushing the enemies besieging the independent regiment to achieve victory. This is called "beating the devils with two sticks."

Deputy Head Xing Zhiguo and others also put forward their opinions and suggestions.

Chief of Staff Zhang Dabiao has not yet joined us and is not here.

Sun Desheng arrived, jumped off his horse, and upon hearing the news, he stiffened his neck and said, "Retreat? Retreat for nothing! If we don't, we'll fight the Japs! With the support of the Special Operations Brigade Cavalry Regiment and Brigadier General Su, how can our independent regiment be afraid of the Japs?"

This one sentence made Li Yunlong blush.

Now, the independent regiment suffered a crushing defeat and really relied on Su Fei's special operations brigade for rescue.

"The Special Operations Brigade and Brigade Commander Xiao Su are indeed our saviors, but his daughter was married off to my Independent Regiment. I am the mother and he is the daughter. It is wrong for him to bring his son-in-law to serve me?" Li Yunlong glared at Sun Desheng fiercely.

The atmosphere was awkward, and Su Fei quickly changed the subject. "Everyone, I've decided to give the devils a hard time!"