The Mysterious Soldier of the Anti-Japanese War

Mustard gas shells fell into Tengxian County like the devil's claws, the unexploded shells emitting plumes of acrid yellow-green smoke. The soldiers watched the spreading gas, a flash of fear in their eyes, but no one fled in panic. A veteran who had survived a chemical weapons attack shouted hoarsely, "Brothers, don't panic! Cover your mouths with wet towels, lean against the city wall, and don't breathe!"

The soldiers hurriedly covered their mouths and noses with wet towels, but the pungent odor continued to penetrate their nostrils, making them dizzy and nauseous, and their bodies trembled slightly. But they held their weapons tightly, stood firm in their positions, and stared firmly at the Japanese troops outside the city. One soldier, coughing violently from the poisonous gas, staggered, but his comrades quickly supported him and encouraged him, saying, "Hold on, brothers! We will never let the Japanese succeed!"

On the city's streets, Sichuan Army detachments urgently organized the evacuation of civilians to cellars and basements. A Sichuan Army platoon leader commanded confidently, "Get the elderly, children, and women inside first! Quickly!" Though the poison gas inhaled tears and caused breathing difficulties, the soldiers remained steadfast, carrying and supporting civilians as they moved swiftly. The civilians, visibly terrified, cooperated, knowing full well that the soldiers were risking their lives to protect them.

On the city wall, the commander of the First Special Battalion, Fang Tianyi, and Lei Tao, led a number of soldiers in a fierce battle. Fang Tianyi roared, "Brothers, even if we die, we must take a few more Japanese with us! As soon as the poison gas dissipates, they will surely attack. Let them know that Teng County is no easy task!" The soldiers shouted in unison, their voices muffled by their towels, but filled with strength and determination, rumbling like thunder over Teng County...

Lei Tao's brow furrowed, his heart burning with anxiety. He found Fang Tianyi and said resolutely, "Captain, this is absolutely not a good idea. The mustard gas is too vicious. We can't just sit there and wait for death. I will lead the Li brothers to attack secretly and take out the Japanese artillery position! Only in this way can we eliminate the danger of the gas and buy a glimmer of hope for our brothers."

Fang Tianyi showed hesitation and worry on his face: "Lei Tao, this move is too dangerous. The Japanese army's defense must be very strict. You may not be able to return if you go there."

Lei Tao patted his chest and assured, "Captain, I know it's dangerous, but it's better than waiting to die. The Li brothers and I are quite skilled and have a way to deal with it. We will sneak quietly through the small road behind the city and use the cover of darkness to launch a surprise attack."

Fang Tianyi pondered for a long time, then gritted his teeth and replied, "Since you are determined, I will not stop you. But be careful. I will be waiting for you to return victorious. Bring plenty of weapons and ammunition, and fire flares to warn people if necessary."

Lei Tao nodded: "Don't worry, Captain, I will return soon and fulfill my mission." After that, he turned around and went to find the Li brothers.

At this time, Li Shuiniu and Li Shuyang were busy polishing their weapons in a corner of the city. Seeing Lei Tao approach, Li Shuiniu asked in a gruff voice, "Brother Lei, do you have any new missions?"

Lei Tao's expression was solemn. "Water buffalo, water sheep, the mission is extremely difficult. The Japanese artillery positions are attacking us with mustard gas shells. We need to destroy them and save the people and brothers of Teng County."

Li Shuiyang's eyes were gleaming: "Brother Lei, I'm looking forward to this battle. I'm willing to fight the devils to the death!"

Lei Tao frowned slightly. "Don't take this mission lightly. The Japanese defenses will be extremely tight. Sneak through the small path behind the city, using the cover of darkness. Don't alert the enemy, otherwise you will be trapped."

Li Shuiniu patted his chest and swore, "Brother Lei, we know the importance of this matter and will follow your orders. We will never act rashly."

Lei Tao nodded in satisfaction. "Alright, get ready to go immediately. Bring plenty of ammunition, and also the semi-automatic drum crossbow, which might be useful in a critical moment."

The three men gathered their gear and, taking advantage of the night, stole like ghosts toward the narrow path behind the city. They carefully avoided Japanese patrols along the way. Lei Tao led the way, his movements nimble and light as a cheetah in the night. The Li brothers followed closely behind, their eyes scanning the surroundings warily.

Near the artillery position of the nearby army, Lei Tao made a silent gesture, and the three of them hid in the grass. Lei Tao lowered his voice and said, "First, observe the enemy's situation, understand the troop deployment and artillery position."

The three men lay in the grass, staring intently at the artillery position ahead. They watched as Japanese artillerymen busily moved ammunition, and surrounding soldiers patrolled and stood guard, their defenses high. Lei Tao secretly plotted his attack, wondering how to destroy this infernal position with minimal effort and save Teng County from disaster.

Along the way, Lei Tao taught the Li brothers how to use various firearms. He looked focused and said as he walked, "Buffalo, Sheep, this Scorpion submachine gun may not have a very large magazine capacity, but it has a high rate of fire. In close-range encounters, you must quickly aim and shoot at the center of the enemy's body, using its rapid fire performance to suppress the opponent." Lei Tao picked up a Scorpion submachine gun and skillfully demonstrated the action of quickly changing the magazine. "Don't panic when changing the magazine. Keep your hands steady and move quickly. Practice more often to form muscle memory."

Li Shuiniu stared intently, his eyes wide open, occasionally imitating Lei Tao's movements. Lei Tao continued, "Look at this Thompson submachine gun. It's powerful, and its drum-fed magazine provides sustained firepower. However, it also has considerable recoil. When firing, you need to firmly press your shoulder against the buttstock and stand with your feet apart to better control the direction of the shot." He handed the Thompson to Li Shuiniu, asking him to feel its weight and center of gravity. "Try holding it up and aiming at a distant target to get a feel for it."

Li Shuiyang asked curiously, "Brother Lei, what should we do if we encounter an enemy at a distance?" Lei Tao smiled slightly and took a rifle from his back. "This rifle is suitable for long-range attacks. When aiming, pay attention to adjusting your breathing, keep the three points in a straight line, so that the crosshairs, the notch and the target are in a straight line. Gently pull the trigger at the end of exhalation to reduce shaking." Lei Tao explained patiently, his eyes always focused on the reactions of the Li brothers to make sure they understood.

As they walked, Lei Tao thought of something and said, "Also, no matter what kind of gun you use, you must always pay attention to your surroundings and seek cover during combat. You can't just expose yourself and rush in and attack. You must flexibly use the terrain and objects to protect yourself so that you can eliminate more enemies." The Li brothers nodded continuously, keeping Lei Tao's words in mind. They knew very well that these experiences might become their key reliance to save their lives and kill the enemy in the upcoming dangerous mission.