At the end of the horizon of the highway, several Japanese scouts appeared furtively with rifles in hand.
After the third company and the engineer platoon took turns in mine warfare and sparrow warfare, the Japanese had turned into frightened birds. The pheasants flying from the grass could even scare the Japanese scouts.
The crow of a crow could be heard from a nearby dead tree. The crow of a crow has been regarded as ominous since ancient times. The elders in the village said that the crow of a crow means that someone is about to die.
Four Japanese scouts carefully climbed up Guaizi Mountain with rifles in hand.
After checking repeatedly and finding no abnormalities, he used a small flag to send a safety signal to the rear.
In the rear, squadron leader Toyoshi Arai ran quickly to Ichiro Okazaki.
He gave a military salute, paused and said: "Report to the squadron leader, the scouts reported that no abnormalities were found ahead!"
Okazaki Ichiro was sitting in the co-pilot of the truck, with a cold and determined expression typical of a Japanese military officer on his face.
"Yoshi!" Okazaki Ichiro breathed a sigh of relief, "Order the scouts not to advance for the time being, and the engineers continue to clear mines!"
Okazaki Ichiro knew that the terrain of Kuaizi Mountain was very dangerous. A few months ago he went to inspect the Huting stronghold and passed by this place in a truck.
They were often ambushed by Eighth Route Army soldiers, and the Japanese became more sophisticated and would not easily enter dangerous terrain suitable for ambushes.
Even if we have to pass through such terrain, we will send scouts to conduct repeated reconnaissance in advance to confirm that it is safe before passing through.
However, the Eighth Route Army also has a countermeasure, which is to wait for your scouts to pass before I enter the ambush position.
It's nothing more than a battle of wits and courage to see who can have the last laugh.
Toyoshi Arai said:
"Captain, as long as you cross Guaizi Mountain, there is only half the journey to Huting Stronghold."
"Since daybreak, the mine warfare and sparrow warfare on the Eighth Route Army have stopped. I estimate that the Eighth Route Army must have escaped. There are probably no mines ahead."
"I suggest rushing to the Huting stronghold at full speed!"
Okazaki Ichiro said coldly: "Arai-kun, you know nothing about the cunning of the Eighth Route Army. They are no match for the imperial army, but they often appear when you least expect them and give you a fatal blow. Wait for you to react.
By the time it is too late, you must not be careless and order the scouts in front to occupy the commanding heights of Guaizi Mountain to guard against an eight-pronged attack!"
"Captain, what do you mean?" Arai Toyoyoshi said in shock, "the Eighth Route Army is likely to attack us in Guaizi Mountain?"
"It's unlikely." Okazaki Ichiro said, "But, Arai-kun, you have to remember, be careful and sail the ten thousand year ship. Who can guarantee that this is not a plan by the Eighth Route Army to encircle the point and bring reinforcements?"
Arai Yuki suddenly said: "Hi!"
Immediately, Toyoyoshi Arai whispered a few words to the flag soldiers, and the flag soldiers issued a signal command to stay alert in the direction of the top of the mountain.
The minesweepers took detectors and began to sweep up the mines, but the speed was much faster than at night.
Toyoyoshi Arai got on his horse and said worriedly to Ichiro Okazaki who was sitting in the co-pilot: "But captain, our speed is so slow, has the Huting stronghold been lost? After all, there is a brigade coming from the Eighth Route Army.
The strength is equivalent to a regiment of the imperial army."
"No way!"
Okazaki Ichiro said firmly: "The defense and firepower of the Huting stronghold are very strong. Even if the Eighth Route Army dispatches a division, it will be impossible to capture the Huting stronghold in a short time."
Arai Yuki suddenly said: "Hi!"
…
On Guaizi Mountain, after receiving orders from the rear, the Japanese scouts stood directly at the commanding heights.
There is a canyon above and below, and the road leading to Huting stronghold passes right through the canyon.
The entire canyon of Guaizi Mountain is curved, or U-shaped.
The mountains on both sides of the canyon are densely covered with withered vegetation.
The ambush troops of the New Regiment were located behind a slope 300 meters away from the top of the mountain. They were well hidden and could not be seen by the Japanese scouts.
Li Yunlong's location was very good, it was concealed enough and he could see the commanding heights of the mountain and where the Japanese were coming from.
Seeing the Japanese scouts standing so upright on the commanding heights of Guaizi Mountain, Li Yunlong secretly thought, "Oh no!"
I was really afraid of what would come. Just now I was worried that the Japanese scouts would not leave, but now I was standing directly on the mountain.
The Japanese scouts obviously wanted to wait for the large army to pass before retreating from the mountain.
The Japs' scouts occupy a very good position. From a high position, they can not only overlook the canyon, but also see any disturbance behind the mountain.
Li Yunlong's brows frowned slightly, and his mind was spinning rapidly.
There are only two options to choose from now, either lie here and let the Japanese pass by.
Or change the ambush battle to an encounter, wait for the Japs to enter the canyon, kill the Japs' scouts, and quickly occupy the commanding heights. You will definitely have a chance of winning from a high position.
It was not Li Yunlong's character to refuse to eat the fat that was on his lips. After thinking for a moment, Li Yunlong was determined to kill these devils.
The key to winning this battle is whether he can seize the commanding heights. If he cannot seize the commanding heights, then Li Yunlong can only choose to retreat.
Although the troop strength is twice that of the Japs, the Japs are currently very powerful in combat. The Eighth Route Army usually suffers a casualty ratio of 3:1 in a head-on battle with the Japs, so there is no benefit to be gained from the front.
At that moment, Li Yunlong bowed and found Zhang Dabiao in the crowd.
He didn't pay attention at night, but at dawn, Li Yunlong saw Zhang Dabiao's head was bald.
Li Yunlong then asked: "Da Biao, where is the military cap on your head?"
Zhang Dabiao looked embarrassed: "Report to the leader, I threw it away when we attacked the Huting stronghold last night."
"You are such a waste of money." Li Yunlong said angrily, "Every time you charge, you waste a military hat. If you are like you, then everyone will fight with bare heads."
Zhang Dabiao said with a slightly apologetic smile: "Captain, there's nothing we can do about it. If I don't throw a military hat to boost morale every time I charge, I always feel like something is missing."
Li Yunlong said: "Find two skilled soldiers and touch them to kill the Japs' scouts. Remember, it's best not to use guns. It's best to kill them quietly!"
Zhang Dabiao stuck out half of his head and glanced at the top of the mountain with sharp eyes: "Understood!"
Immediately, Zhang Dabiao touched the side of the assault company commander, the first company commander Xu Yonghai.
He whispered: "First company commander, please find two scouts in your company who are good at touching and quietly killing the Japanese."
"Count me in."
With his sharp ears, Wei Dayong heard the conversation between Zhang Dabiao and Xu Yonghai. He bowed to the two of them, curled his lips slightly and whispered.
Company Commander Xu glanced at Wei Dayong and said: "Batalion Commander, I will go with the monk."
"Okay!" Zhang Dabiao patted Wei Dayong and Xu Yonghai on the shoulders, nodded and said, "Pay attention to safety."
Later, Zhang Dabiao returned to Li Yunlong and said: "Captain, the manpower has been arranged. Company Commander Xu and Monk Wei are going."
"Okay." Li Yunlong nodded, then stuck his head out and looked at the hilltop opposite.