The Flames of Resistance Against Japan in Jiangnan

However, ever since the 7th Army Corps left the Central Soviet Area as the vanguard of the anti-Japanese war and embarked on the long march, the soldiers were like a group of orphans who had lost their parents. They were chased by the enemy, constantly on the defensive, traveling by day and night, traversing mountains and valleys, and were exhausted both physically and mentally. From eastern Fujian in Jiangxi to western Jiangxi, they broke through multiple blockades, only to fall deep into enemy hands again. After experiencing countless hardships, they remained confused, not knowing why they were leaving or where they were going.

After escaping the enemy's clutches, their troops won one victory after another. Now everyone knows that the 19th Division's mission is to hold back the enemy and cover the main force of the Red Army.

The faces of the commanders and soldiers of the 57th Regiment marching on the mountain road no longer showed the melancholy and confusion of the past. Their faces were filled with smiles and confidence, and they were full of vigor and fighting spirit. They no longer felt lost, and they hoped to recreate the glory of the Soviet area.

After a day of forced march, the 57th Regiment of the 19th Division arrived at Sunjiashan, 10 kilometers southwest of Taizhou, at sunset. As planned, they met up with the support personnel left behind by the 55th Regiment and learned that the main force of the 55th Regiment and the reconnaissance battalion had secretly advanced to Tangli Town on the outskirts of Taizhou.

Taizhou is located in the central coastal area of ​​Zhejiang Province. It borders the East China Sea to the east, Shaoxing and Ningbo to the north, Wenzhou to the south, and Jinhua and Lishui to the west.

Taizhou boasts a long history, with ancestors living and thriving here as early as 5000 years ago. The terrain slopes from west to east, with Yandang Mountain forming a natural barrier to the south. Major mountains include Kuocang Mountain, Dalei Mountain, and Tiantai Mountain, among which Kuocang Mountain's main peak, Mishailang, reaches 1382.4 meters, making it the highest peak in eastern Zhejiang. The people of Taizhou belong to the Wu ethnic group and speak Wu dialect.

Taizhou boasts a 651-kilometer-long coastline along its eastern coast, accounting for nearly one-third of Zhejiang Province's total coastline. Its nearshore waters comprise 12 island groups with 691 islands, primarily the Taizhou Islands and the Dongji Islands. The largest island, Yuhuan Island, is connected to the mainland. The city has a continental shelf area of ​​8 square kilometers and a total land area of ​​9411 square kilometers. Nestled between mountains and the sea, with alternating plains and hills, Taizhou's landscape is characterized by "seven parts mountains, one part water, and two parts farmland." Taizhou is most renowned for its five scenic features: Buddhism, mountains, sea, city, and caves. It possesses scenic areas such as Tiantai Mountain and Changyu Grottoes, and the famous coastal city of Linhai, and has been known as a "famous mountain by the sea" since ancient times.

At the entrance to Tangli Town, Ma Xianbing, the commander of the 55th Regiment, came out to greet the division commander. Xu Wenqing noticed that all the intersections in the town were guarded by fully armed soldiers of the 55th Regiment, and sentries were also set up outside the town. The whole town was quiet.

"Reporting to the division commander, the 55th Regiment of the 19th Division is currently resting. Please give instructions!"

Xu Wenqing returned the greeting and began to inquire about the preparations for the battle to capture Taizhou City:

How many enemy troops are there in Taizhou?

"There is a battalion of regular troops and a security regiment stationed in Taizhou. This afternoon, another battalion of soldiers escorted the supply convoy into the city."

"Your plan?"

"Our regiment's reconnaissance company and most of the special operations regiment's reconnaissance battalion have secretly infiltrated the city. Our plan is to wait until the enemy's supply transport unit leaves Taizhou before we disguise ourselves and launch a surprise attack into the city, coordinating from both inside and outside to take Taizhou. At the same time, we will send a company to follow the enemy's supply unit and establish a position at Nibaling to block their return reinforcements."

Regiment Commander Ma Xianbing of the 55th Regiment spread out a map, pointed to a place on the map, and began to report.

"Such a big piece of meat, are we just going to let it slip right through our fingers?"

Xu Wenqing looked at Ma Bingye with a half-smile.

Commander Ma scratched his head and said regretfully:

"If the supply train doesn't leave, the enemy forces inside the city are too strong and the casualties will be too great; if we attack the supply train first, we're afraid of alerting the Zhejiang army inside the city, so we have no choice but to let it pass and let the main force of the division deal with it."

"Can't we kill two birds with one stone?"

Xu Wenqing came up with a good idea and began to inspire Commander Ma.

"Killing two birds with one stone?"

Ma Bingye stroked his chin and began to think.

Do you know what it means to fish in troubled waters?

Regiment Commander Ma Xianbing laughed and said admiringly:

"Commander, you mean we should ambush the supply convoy first, and then...?"

"Defeat the supply train, but don't annihilate it completely. Drive them toward Taizhou City, let the soldiers infiltrate, and then together with the reconnaissance battalion, occupy the entire city."

Xu Wenqing affirmed Ma Xianbing's idea, and then asked:

"How are the troops doing?"

"Our division has won several battles in a row, with very few casualties but a lot of spoils. Morale is high. We are resting in the village and are ready to join the battle at any time."

Commander Ma Xianbing of the 55th Regiment answered confidently.

Xu Wenqing was very pleased to hear that morale was high, and turned to call out to Chen Hong:

"Chen Hong, you and Lao Ma will work together to develop the battle plan. You need to study it in detail and make the battle plan more meticulous."

At nine o'clock in the evening, Luo Jinsheng, the reconnaissance battalion commander, returned to Xiangtangli, bringing the latest intelligence:

The enemy supply train consists of six trucks, forty wagons, and one hundred and ten packhorses, with a battalion of soldiers responsible for escorting it. The train is transporting ammunition and food, and it will leave the city early tomorrow morning.

After hearing the report, Xu Wenqing immediately convened an emergency meeting to determine the time, location, and troop deployment for the ambush.

After careful consideration, the ambush site was finally chosen at Niba Ridge. It was less than ten li (approximately 5 kilometers) from Taizhou City, allowing for a surprise attack. The hills on both sides of the road provided excellent cover for troops, making it ideal terrain for close combat and surprise assaults. After some discussion, everyone unanimously decided to set up the ambush there. Xu Wenqing nodded in agreement and emphasized:

"The tactics employed in this ambush were, firstly, to have ulterior motives, and then to take advantage of the chaos!"

After the meeting, the officers and soldiers of the 19th Division, despite their fatigue, worked intensively on various pre-battle preparations. Xu Wenqing ordered Luo Jinsheng to quickly return to Taizhou City to prepare for the evacuation mission.

In the middle of the night, the 19th Red Army Division, in high spirits, set off under cover of darkness after careful preparation and mobilization. With the great battle imminent, Xu Wenqing felt both excited and nervous. To calm himself down, he walked among the troops and talked with the soldiers, encouraging them to build confidence.

The long column headed straight for Niba Ridge along the highway. According to the battle plan, the 3rd Company of the 1st Battalion of the 57th Regiment was responsible for guarding the area. In order to avoid exposing the target, the 3rd Company detained all the personnel found on the road and also set up sentries around the ambush position to strictly control the situation in the area.

The main force of the 57th Regiment strictly followed the battle plan and deployed in separate ambushes. The 3rd Battalion of the 57th Regiment changed back into Red Army attire and ambushed the enemy at the location closest to the road, facilitating an attack. The 1st Battalion of the 57th Regiment, disguised as Zhejiang Army soldiers, ambushed the enemy north of Niba Ridge, making it easier to pursue them.