Shanzi rode his horse to a section of road about two kilometers west of Zhigou Town. He continued to run westward along this route.
After walking about another kilometer, I saw a dozen villagers wielding pickaxes and shovels. They cut the good road into two parts and dug a large pit ten meters long and five meters wide in the middle.
As I approached the pit, I saw a large wooden sign stuck on the edge. On the wooden sign, I used a brush to write a line of words...
A plague has broken out in the village ahead. Passersby, please avoid it.
According to the requirements of Company Commander Gao, after the depth of the pit reaches two meters, the villagers will then fill it with manure and garbage.
At the same time, about fifty meters to the west of the pit, another villager dug a ditch. The ditch crossed the road and was about thirty meters long. This was a trench used by the team to hide.
Looking at the east side of the pit, there is a simple straw shed built on the north side of the road. Zhuang Zhuang and Wangwang are wearing cotton clothes of local villagers. They are sitting under the straw shed, chatting and smoking.
Shanzi discovered that there was also a wooden sign hanging on the pillar of the thatched hut. There was also a line of words written on the wooden sign...
There is a toll for directions. One yuan per trip.
Upon seeing Shanzi and Yumeile, they dismounted. Captain Gao walked around the earthen bed and stumbled to Shanzi.
Company Commander Gao told Shanzi that there were three problem households in the five nearby villages. They were secretly monitored and they were strictly prohibited from leaving the cordon.
Return to Heiya Mountain from the west of Zhigou Town. The sky has turned dark.
At this time, soldiers from each company were digging trenches on the mountain tops on both sides of the road, using their own tools.
Because the surface of Heiya Mountain is hard, according to Shanzi's requirements, the ambush position is only to dig trenches for heavy machine guns, so that they can be concealed in advance when fighting starts during the day.
Walking into the campsite, Xiaoru and Xiaofeng rushed to the cooking class together. They brought reheated meals. A few people just sat on the floor and had dinner together.
Shanzi said while chewing rice. Based on his feeling, the Japs might stay overnight in Zhigou Town. It would be possible to start a war at ten to eleven o'clock the next morning.
As expected. Just a quarter after eight o'clock, a call from the second reconnaissance team came through the intercom.
The Japanese army camped about one kilometer east of Zhigou Town.
After listening to the report, Shanzi instructed the second reconnaissance team to abandon the tracking mission, get in touch with Communication Point No. 5, and quickly meet up with Black Duck Mountain.
8
After surviving a night in the freezing cold, it was already past eight o'clock.
The scouts stationed in Zhigou galloped on horseback to report the enemy's situation to Shanzi. The Japanese army had passed through Zhigou Town twenty minutes ago and was heading west.
Another half an hour later, Captain Gao's call came from the walkie-talkie.
The whereabouts of the Japanese troops have been discovered. They are less than 1,000 meters away from the small team.
After listening to Captain Gao's report, Shanzi was both nervous and excited. The reason why he was nervous was because of whether the ambush would be successful. The answer would be given within ten minutes.
To be precise, Shanzi was most worried about hearing the sound of gunfire from the squad. Once the squad opened fire, it meant that the Japanese army was determined to take the west route, and the squad had to take blocking action.
After walking for a while, the Japanese army was blocked by a smelly earth pit. The translator covered his mouth and nose with his hands. After reading the notice on the wooden sign, he went straight to the hay shed.
Sitting in the thatched hut are two young men in shabby clothes. One of them is Zhuangzhuang and the other is Wangwang.
Zhuang Zhuang stood up on his own initiative and called enthusiastically to the translator: "Taijun, do you need to lead the way?"
The translator first read the "Guide the Way" notice before turning his attention to Zhuang Zhuang.
Zhuang Zhuang introduced: "Taijun, there was a plague in the previous villages. Hundreds of people died overnight. The villages here were afraid of the infection, so they dug holes and cut off the roads. People from the other side were not allowed to go here. From here to there. They all took a detour."
The translator asked: What plague happened over there.
Wangwang said, "It's not cured. It's cholera."
Regarding cholera, the translator knew better than the tall boy. He thought for a moment, then hurried back to the commander, and babbled in Japanese.
Unable to withstand the stench of feces in the pit, the Japanese commander became anxious and agitated after listening to the translator's epidemic report. He instructed the translator to ask for directions, and the troops took a detour.
The translator returned to the hut and asked Zhuang Zhuang for the detour route.
After giving careful instructions, Zhuangzhuang stretched out his dirty hands and asked the translator to give him some change to celebrate the New Year.
The translator sneered and turned around without saying a word and left.
Watching the Japanese troops turn around and leave, Zhuangzhuang and Wangwang coincidentally showed joyful smiles on their faces.
The continuous stream of Japanese troops was like a giant python. They entered Zhigou Town one after another. They turned right at the central intersection and headed south. Three Japanese commanders rode at the front.
In this queue, which is hundreds of meters long, there is a formation of horse-drawn carriages in the middle. There are more than thirty vehicles. Six of them carry six Type 92 infantry guns. The others are military supplies.
When all the Japanese troops entered the North-South Street, the two scouts ran back to the inn. After crossing the horses, they headed south along the East Road of Zhigou Town. It only took half an hour to reach Black Duck Mountain.
After receiving the scout's report, Shanzi sent an order through the walkie-talkie, instructing the three companies behind the ridge on the west side to enter the reserve position.
The so-called reserve position varies from 20 to 50 meters away from the forward position depending on the terrain. It is temporarily used for concealment before the battle. When the war begins, it can quickly enter the combat position.
Putting down the microphone, Shanzi took off his coat and issued pre-battle orders to three companies on the eastern front.
In order to prevent the enemy from using binoculars to observe road conditions, according to Shanzi's requirements, once the troops enter the preparation position, they are not allowed to get up and move under any circumstances. This includes urinating and defecating.
Before that, heavy machine guns entered the forward trenches in advance.
9
When Black Duck Mountain entered a battle-ready state, Company Commander Gao led his detachment, carrying ammunition on their shoulders, and ran all the way south, passing through two villages, and headed straight for the mountains on the west side of Black Duck Mountain.
The small team is still responsible for the blocking task. That is, after the battle begins, it is divided into two groups to insert in front of and behind the enemy. It cooperates with the mountaintop position to prevent the Japanese troops from escaping and retreating.
The Sixth Company's position is located at the southernmost tip of Black Duck Mountain. In addition to normal combat, it also undertakes another task. Together with the Three Company's position on the opposite side, it cooperates with the small team to block the enemy's breakout route.
The reason why Shanzi entrusted such an important task to Jinye shows that Jinye's commanding ability has been recognized and trusted by Shanzi.
For Jinye, Shanzi's arrangement just satisfies her strong ambition.
After receiving the order to enter the reserve position, Jin Ye left Yanni aside and led Chun'er and the correspondent to quietly ambush about 25 meters behind the front end position.
The forward end position is also called the heavy machine gun position. It is a key position to block the exit of the corridor. A total of two heavy machine guns are deployed. The distance is less than ten meters apart.
Once the battle begins, Jin Ye will personally take charge of the leading position.
Not only did he personally take charge, Jin Ye also ordered Chun'er and the correspondent to each resist a box of grenades. Jin Ye secretly bribed the transportation captain to hide the grenades through the back door.
As early as in the afternoon, during a meeting with the squad leader, Jin Ye issued a mobilization order.
This time it is best to fight an ambush. The mountains are high and the slopes are steep. It is best for throwing grenades. Once the enemy enters the tunnel, it will be like a group of pigs stuck in a pig pen. Throw a grenade and explode a big nest.
Jin Ye said that after the grenade exploded, thick smoke rose into the sky, making it impossible for the Japs to aim and shoot. This not only killed more Japs, but also protected themselves. The best of both worlds.
According to Jin Ye's request, after the battle started, everyone in the Sixth Company, except the machine gunner, would throw grenades. They would throw the grenades first before shooting.
And because Shanzi had said it first, when throwing grenades, you must avoid the enemy's arms and supplies. Whoever blows up the arms and supplies will be held accountable, including the leader of his company.
So Jin Ye emphasized that when you look back, keep your eyes open. The impact point should be at least five meters away from the ammunition and supplies. Anyone who violates the regulations should apologize to the regiment leader in person and bear full responsibility.