The Mysterious Soldier of the Anti-Japanese War

Just as Lei Tao and the Li brothers infiltrated the Japanese rear like ghosts in the night, the Japanese artillery positions once again unleashed their might, firing shell after shell at the positions held by the Sichuan Army in Tengxian County. In an instant, the positions were engulfed in flames and smoke, and the powerful impact threw earth and rocks high into the air and then smashed them down.

At the same time, Colonel Yaezō Akashiba, commander of the 10th Regiment, with a ferocious expression on his face, ordered his elite, well-trained infantry squadrons to split into three groups and launch a ferocious attack on the county town like hungry wolves. With bayonets fixed on their Type 38 rifles, they hysterically chanted slogans filled with militaristic fanaticism as they advanced towards Fujin County with murderous intent.

On the walls of Tengxian, despite enduring the brutal baptism of fire from mustard gas and fierce Japanese artillery fire, the Sichuan Army soldiers gritted their teeth and stood firm at their posts, showing no sign of retreat. Enduring extreme discomfort, they clung to the wall's sole shelter, their eyes wide open, bloodshot, as they stared intently at the approaching Japanese troops. The moment the enemy entered effective range, the commander acted decisively. With a single command, rifles and machine guns roared in unison, raining down bullets on the Japanese troops like a torrential downpour. However, the Japanese, relying on their significant numerical advantage and an almost insane fearlessness, continued to advance arduously, despite the hail of bullets.

Inside the city, Fang Tianyi was terribly anxious. While exhausting himself organizing the remaining forces to build a defensive system, he anxiously awaited news from Lei Tao and his men. He knew full well that if he couldn't successfully destroy the Japanese artillery positions in the shortest possible time, the fall of Teng County was likely only a matter of time. He tirelessly personally traveled between the various defensive strongholds, shouting at the top of his lungs to boost morale: "Brothers, behind us are the fathers and villagers who raised us, the homes where our ancestors have lived for generations! Even if we fight to the last man, we must not retreat even a single step!" Upon hearing this, the soldiers responded in unison, their eyes gleaming with the resolute determination to face death.

Meanwhile, Lei Tao and his two companions were also facing numerous dangers and difficulties behind the Japanese lines. They treaded on a knife's edge, cautiously weaving their way around the edge of the Japanese camp, never slacking off, ever wary of being spotted. While secretly reconnoitering the location of a Japanese artillery position, they suddenly heard the roar of an engine approaching. Lei Tao quickly gestured for silence, and the three of them quickly took cover behind a dense bush.

A short while later, a Japanese truck carrying artillery shells slowly approached. Its headlights illuminated the road ahead, and the truck's body swayed along the bumpy road, its cargo box filled with dangerous boxes of ammunition. Lei Tao peered through the bushes, carefully observing the truck's path and the surrounding security. He noticed four Japanese soldiers escorting the truck, their eyes scanning the surroundings with vigilance.

When the truck got closer, Lei Tao whispered to the Li brothers, "Don't act rashly. Wait until they get closer, and then we'll find a chance to get rid of the escorting enemies, and then see if we can use this truck to sneak into the artillery position." Li Shuiniu and Li Shuyang nodded slightly to show that they understood.

When the truck was just a few meters from their hiding place, Lei Tao seized the opportunity and leaped out like a cheetah. The dagger in his hand flashed a cold light in the air and accurately stabbed a Japanese soldier next to the truck cab. Almost at the same time, Li Shuiniu and Li Shuyang also sprang into action. They each pounced on the two Japanese soldiers in the back of the truck, covered their mouths with their powerful arms, and mercilessly stabbed their vital points with their sharp blades.

The entire process was quick and efficient, with virtually no noise. Lei Tao quickly opened the truck's cab door and took out the terrified driver. The three then dragged the Japanese soldier's body into the brush by the roadside and hid it.

Lei Tao jumped onto the truck and quickly scanned the car, spotting several Japanese army backpacks in the corner. With a thought, he hurried forward to search, and sure enough, he found clean spare Japanese army uniforms in the backpacks. Lei Tao's eyes lit up, and an idea came to him. He turned to the Li brothers and said, "Buffalo, Water Sheep, there are Japanese army uniforms here. Let's put them on. Maybe we can get away with it and drive the car directly into the artillery position."

Li Shuiniu frowned and said hesitantly, "Brother Lei, is this possible? It would be terrible if we were found out." Lei Tao patted him on the shoulder and comforted him, "We don't have much choice now. We can only take a risk. As long as we stay calm and act naturally, maybe we can succeed." Li Shuiyang nodded and said, "Brother Lei is right. It's better than forcing it."

So, the three of them quickly changed into Japanese military uniforms. While tidying up their clothes, Lei Tao instructed them, "When we get to the artillery position, don't panic no matter what happens. "Shui Niu, mess up your hair a little more to hide your face. Shui Yang, tone down your look a little." Following Lei Tao's instructions, the Li brothers carefully adjusted their outfits.

Lei Tao got in the driver's seat, took a deep breath, started the truck, and slowly drove towards the Japanese artillery position. Along the way, Li Shuiniu and Li Shuyang were nervously watching the surrounding situation in the car, their palms full of sweat and their hearts in their throats.

When the truck reached a Japanese checkpoint, two Japanese soldiers on guard gestured for it to stop. Lei Tao remained calm as he slowly parked the truck, rolled down the window, and said in Japanese, "I've been ordered to deliver artillery shells to the artillery position." A Japanese soldier approached, peered warily into the truck, and began questioning Lei Tao.

At this moment, Li Shuiniu was so nervous that his body was shaking slightly, and he accidentally bumped into a box of shells in the carriage, making a slight noise. The Japanese soldier's ears twitched, his eyes immediately became sharp, and he reached for the pistol at his waist, shouting, "What's that noise in the carriage?"

Lei Tao's heart tightened, but his expression instantly turned extremely angry. He shouted angrily: "In addition to ammunition, there are two brave warriors from our transport team who are responsible for carrying artillery shells. What's wrong? I want to ask you, which military regulation of the Imperial Japanese Army stipulates that soldiers cannot ride in the carriages of trucks transporting artillery shells? If you delay the artillery shells that are urgently needed, I will use you as a shell and let them shoot you out!" The Japanese soldier was shocked by Lei Tao's momentum. His hands froze at his waist, and a trace of hesitation and panic appeared on his face. He knew that the "chief" in front of him seemed to have a great background. If it was really as he said, he could not bear the consequences. In the end, he had no choice but to give up and let him go...

Lei Taohe didn't bother to talk to them. He stepped on the accelerator and the truck rushed out quickly, leaving a group of Japanese soldiers at the inspection station in a mess in the dust raised by the truck...