Because he was eager to find out whether the 11th Division had really gone deep into Baoqing and used Baoqing as a springboard to attack Jiamusi, Yang Zhen set off immediately after studying with Guo Bingxun. Fortunately, he was now riding a car, although it was a comfortable The Soviet-made car felt very bad, but it was still much more comfortable than riding a horse. Rushing to Jiamusi overnight, Yang Zhen could at least rest in the car, or even close his eyes and take a nap.
Perhaps knowing that Yang Zhen was very tired, the driver Lao Lin drove the car very steadily, although not slowly, and carefully controlled the speed. Although the shock absorption performance of Soviet-made cars was not comparable to that of cars produced in European and American countries, the car But the people inside the car he drove could hardly feel the bumps.
However, because Yang Zhen was in a hurry to get to the Fourth Division Headquarters in Baoqing County, he had to drive all night. In addition, although there was a highway, the road conditions were not very good. In order to avoid driving fatigued, the driver had to drive with someone who had already learned to drive. Xiao Huzi discussed it and the two of them changed shifts along the way.
It's just that Yang Zhen has no intention of resting now. Although he has his eyes closed, his mind has never calmed down. He closed his eyes and meditated for a long time without coming up with a clue. Yang Zhen opened his eyes and turned his head to look at the people on both sides of the road. The car lights illuminated the bright mountains and rivers, and I carefully considered the entire Baoqing terrain in my mind, wondering what the next move of the Japanese army would be.
To be honest, the move of the 11th Division was beyond Yang Zhen's expectations. Ushijima Mitsuru's move of attacking from the west to the east made Yang Zhen very passive in the overall strategy, and almost all the original battle plans were disrupted. , the troops who had already rounded back to their positions were suddenly left hanging there.
I really took it for granted this time. If the situation wasn't too unfavorable for the Japanese army, and the 11th Division, which took over the 8th Division's westward march, didn't show up for a long time, and I discovered something was wrong, I was almost really taken by him. After being fooled, once the Japanese army breaks through the Baoqing front line, Jiamusi, which has almost no defensive power, will be difficult to defend even if Liu Changshun can mobilize enough strength urgently.
Once Jiamusi is lost, all of his supply lines will be cut off. The most important thing is that once Jiamusi is lost, his entire previous combat plan will be disrupted. The initiative that he finally gained after nearly half a month of bloody battle will be given away. I want to save it, but I don’t know how much it will cost.
Looking at the undulating terrain outside the car window, Yang Zhen looked at the watch on his wrist that already pointed to two o'clock at midnight. He was silent for a while, then suddenly patted the driver in front of him on the shoulder and said, "Old Lin, if I remember correctly , we should be almost at the small town when we get here."
The driver turned around and said, "No. 1, you have such a good memory. There is a small town in front of you. After passing here, it is not far from Baoqing County. As long as you pass through Dongquan, Lihong, and Kaoshan, you will reach Baoqing County." Well, go north from the small town, which is the way we came, and go south through Taipinggou to reach Longtou."
"Originally, we could go directly from Boli County to Xiaochengzi via Fushan and Qianshan. That road was a war-prepared road built by the Japs. The road conditions are much better and the distance is much shorter. If we take that route, this We have arrived at Baoqing County.”
"The line we are taking now is the northern line. It is a dirt road built spontaneously by Zhang Dashuai's people to transport mountain goods. The road conditions are not good and it is very long. Most of them are in mountainous areas, but you have to look at the terrain, so We just took the northern route, which is much slower than taking the central route, but don’t worry, we will make sure you arrive at Baoqing on time before dawn on the 1st.”
Regarding the driver's answer, Yang Zhen nodded with satisfaction and said: "I took a look along the way and found that you can find your way regardless of the terrain. Judging from what you just said, you have a good understanding of the terrain here. Very familiar, but I remember you are not a native of Baoqing, are you a talented person?"
Hearing Yang Zhen's compliment, the driver Lao Lin smiled sheepishly and said: "No. 1, when I was transferred from the Northeast Bureau to drive for you, the commander-in-chief told me about your habits and knew that you like to run to the front line. , so while you were recuperating and going out, I asked No. 3 to get some gasoline, and traveled all over the base area. I became familiar with all the roads that can be driven by cars. You will save money when the time comes. If you go that way, you won't find the way, but you are a person who has important things to do, so you can't delay."
"And as a military vehicle driver, you must be familiar with the roads. Otherwise, if you get lost, things will be delayed. Especially for you, who have many things to do every day, and it will be a big waste of time. Knowing the roads in the war zone is responsible for your safety, and it is even more important. Take responsibility for your responsibilities."
"No. 1, it is your responsibility to lead the troops to win the battle, eliminate more Japanese soldiers, and rescue more compatriots from the Japanese army. How do you drive a good car, serve you well, and do what you do for the victory of the battle?" It is my duty to make my own contribution. Although I am just a driver, it is my honor to serve you and let you fight the Japanese with peace of mind."
"No. 1, you don't know that after I learned that I would be assigned to drive for you, I was so excited that I didn't sleep for two nights. I could serve you and lead the troops to eliminate so many Japanese and fight so many enemies. It is a great honor for me to drive the victorious leader."
Yang Zhen smiled and said: "There is nothing special about me. In terms of age, I am several years younger than you. In terms of age, you are truly my big brother. And there is nothing special about me." , In fact, I am just an ordinary person, nothing special, and I will not want you in the future. You, I am really not used to it."
"Old Lin, if you don't want to go to Baoqing County first, turn around from Xiaochengzi and drive south, go to Longtou via Taipinggou, take Hongshan, Erdaohezi, go to Jiaxinzi first, and then take the southern route to Baoqing County."
Xiao Huzi, who was sitting in the passenger seat, heard Yang Zhen's instructions and turned his head and said: "No. 1, I suggest you go directly to Baoqing County. It's not safe to transfer to the southern route at this time. That route The line is so close to Mishan that the Japanese army can almost reach it by raising their legs."
Yang Zhen smiled and pointed to the heavily guarded convoy with machine guns mounted on the front and rear roofs of his car and said: "I have a company beside me. What are you afraid of? There are two more companies that are rushing to Baobao at a rapid march." Qing, our communication equipment is strong, what do you have to worry about."
As soon as Yang Zhen insisted, not even Guo Bingxun could change his decision. Naturally, Xiao Huzi, who could not change his decision, could only use the walkie-talkie in his car to notify the convoys in front and behind to prepare for battle, and he also used the submachine gun in his hand. The safety was turned on, and the bullets were pressed in the speed switch on the back waist. The gun was attached to the holster and turned into a butt. It was placed flat on the leg and all the safety caps of the grenades on the body were unscrewed.
When Xiao Huzi was getting ready for the battle, the driver over there, Lao Lin, was also well prepared. Although he didn't have a gun, he asked for two grenades from Xiao Huzi, unscrewed the safety cover, and put them on top of the steering wheel. , seeing the two people acting too nervously, Yang Zhen smiled and did not stop.
Yang Zhen did not just watch the scenery in the car, but stopped from time to time, raised his binoculars to observe the terrain of the parking spot, and constantly thought about how to fight this probably very difficult blocking battle. , although he had taken Du Kaishan to see the terrain in this area as early as the end of last year, but according to Yang Zhen's habit, he had to see it again before the war in order to have a clear idea.
As we walked and looked all the way, time gradually slowed down. Just because we hadn't discovered the enemy situation yet, the whole journey was uneventful. It was only when the sky started to get slightly brighter that we just walked to the front line of the Red Mountain.
When the convoy had just crossed the Hongshan line and was driving towards Erdaohezi, the guard company commander's deliberately lowered voice suddenly came from the lead vehicle: "Huzi, we found Japanese soldiers ahead. They are resting on both sides of the road. Their strength is about It's a large group. Note that it is a mixed force of infantry and cavalry, and there is no less than one squadron of cavalry. Please immediately ask No. 1 for instructions to see if the convoy should turn around."
Hearing this, Xiao Huzi turned the muzzle of the submachine gun to the car window and quickly turned to the driver and said: "Old Lin, turn around and go back immediately. We found a mixed Japanese infantry and cavalry unit in front of us, about the strength of a brigade. We can't go on this road. Let’s turn around and take the northern route immediately.”
Yang Zhen heard that Xiao Huzi was going to take the northern route. He frowned and looked at the time on his watch. He raised his head and said to Xiao Huzi: "Huzi can't do it. There is no time. You inform the convoys in front and behind, load the bullets and prepare grenades." , increase the accelerator and rush directly over."
"This is just their vanguard. There will be no heavy weapons. Tell the troops that when they encounter Japanese troops, use machine guns from far away and blow up grenades from close by. They will rush over at once. Don't be afraid of a large group of Japanese soldiers. That’s all, it can’t change the world.”
Little Huzi, who was still frightened by the incident where Yang Zhen was attacked and injured last time, shook his head desperately without thinking: "No. 1 can't do it. It's too dangerous to rush over directly. There's a large group of Japanese troops, and the target of the car is huge, and there are Cavalry, once the engine is hit, the consequences will be disastrous. You have forgotten what you promised the Chief of Staff."
Yang Zhen shook his hand and said firmly: "No, it's too late. The Japanese army has already appeared at the Hongshan line, and is very close to Baoqing County. We can't get to Baoqing County before we go back and we can't catch the Japanese army. The battle situation It's urgent, we don't have much time to delay, Huzi, let's execute it."
Xiao Huzi looked at Yang Zhen's resolute face, gritted his teeth and picked up the walkie-talkie. After informing the vehicles ahead and behind him, he turned his head and said: "Okay, No. 1, I will listen to you. Anyway, even if you risk your life, I will take you safely." Send it to Baoqing County. Is Lao Lin's car okay? Give me your grenade. Don't worry about anything, just increase the accelerator."
When Lao Lin heard what Xiao Huzi said, he smiled and said: "You and No. 1 just put your hearts in your stomach. My driving skills were taught by No. 3 personally. I check the engine almost every day. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it." Question, don’t worry, I will get No. 1 safely to the place even if I risk my life."