The Flames of Resistance Against Japan in Jiangnan

Regiment Commander Ma Xianbing glanced furtively at Division Commander Xu Wenqing, only to find that Xu was also looking at him. Startled, Regiment Commander Ma quickly lowered his head.

Xu Wenqing wasn't going to let him off the hook, so he called on him to speak:

"The brilliant and mighty Commander Ma, you've achieved such a glorious victory with very few casualties this time. Aren't you very proud of yourself? Tell us about it!"

Ma Xianbing dared not speak, his head lowered lower and lower, looking like an ostrich, as if he wished there was a hole in the ground he could hide in.

"Do you know why the enemy's artillery battery in the replenishment regiment failed to perform its function?"

Xu Wenqing stared intently at the leaders of the 58th Regiment and spoke slowly and softly:

"That was because the enemy was arrogant and underestimated us. The enemy's artillery company actually rushed to the front of the column when they were marching. As soon as the battle started, they were suppressed by fire. When the battle ended, the cannons were still tied to the dead packhorses and hadn't been fired."

"Commander, we were wrong. We shouldn't have underestimated the enemy and almost caused a disaster. Please punish us!"

Xu Wenqing spoke, initially speaking softly and gently to Yan Yue, but the more he spoke, the sterner his voice became and the louder it grew:

"Since no serious consequences have occurred, we'll hold off on the punishment for now. Consider this mission as an opportunity to atone for your crime. If you complete the mission, your merits and demerits will cancel each other out; if you fail, you'll be punished for both crimes!"

"Please rest assured, sir. I guarantee the mission will be accomplished!"

Ma Xianbing and several cadres from the 58th Regiment answered together.

Xu Wenqing continued to reprimand them:

"In carrying out revolutionary work, one must always remember to be humble and cautious; caution prevents major mistakes. The enemy was careless this time, but will they be careless next time? They are also seasoned veterans, not all of them are incompetent fools!"

The group nodded repeatedly, indicating that they would be careful and attentive in future battles.

When Commander Ma finished accepting his mission and left, Xu Wenqing told them some good news:

This time we can bring a mortar company to strengthen the firepower of the 58th Regiment.

While the main force of the 19th Division of the Red Army was secretly withdrawing from Taizhou, the 58th Regiment (Special Service Regiment), after a short rest, set off in the dark of night. Not far from Yezhu Ridge, many small arrows split off from the main force advancing rapidly and silently headed towards the mountain paths, diagonally moving towards the important towns and villages of Dinghai County.

This is the Four-Sided Strike Detachment of the Special Service Regiment of the 19th Division of the Red Army. It is led by scouts and composed of elite personnel. While occupying Dinghai County, it eliminates reactionary local tyrants and bureaucrats in various places, creating the impression that the Red Army is everywhere.

However, they weren't at the forefront. The first to set off was a disguised reconnaissance team from the reconnaissance battalion of the 19th Division's Special Service Regiment, personally led by Battalion Commander Luo Jinsheng. This was the first time the entire reconnaissance team had enjoyed mechanized treatment while on a mission. The whole team rode in one car.

The driver was a man who had volunteered to join the Red Army. Their first destination was Shizi Town in Dinghai County, where a company of security regiments was stationed. They had massacred more than a dozen wounded guerrillas. This time, they were going to avenge their comrades at the request of Captain Song of the guerrillas. In order not to delay the reconnaissance work, the division commander gave special permission for everyone to travel by car.

So, as soon as the battle of Wild Boar Ridge ended, they climbed into their cars and sped forward along the highway leading to Dinghai.

The scouts were all dressed in Zhejiang Army uniforms, all sporting elaborate headgear. All wore helmets. Battalion Commander Luo Jinsheng, now playing the role of the adjutant to the 73rd Division headquarters, was dressed as a major. A veteran scout, experienced, bold, and meticulous, he constantly observed the road ahead using the car's headlights. He knew they were behind enemy lines; getting lost and encountering the enemy was no joke. Personal sacrifice was a minor matter; failing the mission would be unforgivable.

As he walked, Luo Jinsheng vaguely noticed people waving on the road ahead. Upon closer inspection, there were quite a few people, about seven or eight, all dressed as Zhejiang soldiers.

He tensed up immediately, quietly gripping the pistol in his hand, his mind racing with anxious thoughts:

"Huh, what's going on? Why is the enemy setting up sentry posts in the wilderness at night? Have they discovered our movements?"

However, after thinking it over carefully, Luo Jinsheng felt relieved. The news of just annihilating the enemy's reinforcement regiment wouldn't get out; it was probably just an enemy sentry post. He leaned close to the driver's ear and whispered a few words, instructing him to point the headlights directly at the Zhejiang soldiers. Since it was nighttime anyway, he figured he could keep them from seeing clearly for now. Luo Jinsheng planned to engage the enemy blocking the road in a ruse, and if that didn't work, they could launch a surprise attack.

After making up his mind, Captain Luo walked up to the enemy at the front and waved the captured flashlight around, making it impossible for the enemy, who was out of the light, to see his face clearly.

"Which unit are you from? What are you trying to do in the middle of the night?"

Luo Jinsheng preemptively asked in a fierce tone.

He could vaguely make out Luo Jinsheng's officer's uniform, and the young man began to fawn over him:

"Sir, we are from the 73rd Division's Supplementary Regiment. We got separated from the group during the forced march and would like to ask for your mercy to give us a ride!"

Upon hearing this, Luo Jinsheng felt relieved and seized an opportunity. He grabbed the man's rifle and took it into his own hands.

"Sir, why are you grabbing my gun?"

The guy got anxious and was eager to try, looking like he wanted to snatch it back.

Captain Luo reprimanded him seriously:

"Your grandson is kidding me! The reinforcement regiment is heading towards Taizhou, while I'm going to Dinghai County. You're definitely a deserter!"

The man was still unconvinced and kept explaining himself, but Captain Luo didn't have time to waste words with him. He turned around and ordered the scouts who had disembarked and were positioned nearby to continue their work.

"Arrest these deserters and send them to court-martial tomorrow!"

The well-prepared scouts swiftly and efficiently captured several enemies.

It was only after interrogation that they learned that they really were a group of deserters. These few old soldiers had been lazily following behind the troops, but as soon as the battle started, they hid in the roadside bushes and secretly slipped away. They had been running all the way and were exhausted. When they saw a car coming, they didn't care about anything else and tried to stop it to get a ride. As a result, they became the first prey of the scouts.

Luo Jinsheng knew that these deserters were of little intelligence value, and interrogating them would be a waste of time. He turned around and ordered the captured guns to be put away, the prisoners to be tied up, their mouths stuffed with their smelly socks, and then thrown into the ditch by the roadside.

The car got back on the road and arrived outside Shizi Town in less than an hour.

"Attention everyone, I will give a speech in a moment. All personnel must prepare for battle and not be careless!"

Captain Luo gave the order in a low voice.

"Yes!"

One of the sentries, still half asleep, was startled awake by the sound of a car. He quickly woke up the others, who, guns at the ready, leaned over the wall and asked:

"What do you do?"

"One of our own, from the 73rd Division headquarters, what are you doing here?"

Luo Jinsheng said loudly.

"I am a sentry."

This guy is definitely a greenhorn; he hasn't learned how to mess around yet, he just reacts instinctively and answers every question.

Seeing that the other party was easy to bully, Captain Luo became even more aggressive and shouted:

"Damn it, you dare to sleep while on guard duty? That's outrageous! Where's your superior?!"