Chapter 13: Complete Annihilation of the Japanese Squadron, Recruiting Zhou Weiguo and Zhu Ziming! Arrival at the Base!
Originally, under the relentless pursuit of the Japanese soldiers, Zhou Weiguo and Zhu Ziming, along with the bandits, kept retreating and breaking through. However, as the troops of the New First Regiment burst onto the scene, Zhou Weiguo and Zhu Ziming immediately changed their minds.
Before long, Zhou Weiguo and Zhu Ziming led the remaining bandits back to the battlefield, blocking the last escape route of the Japanese forces.
“Brothers, kill these damn dogs! Avenge our fallen comrades!” Zhou Weiguo shouted loudly.
The remaining bandits, as if injected with adrenaline, charged fiercely towards the Japanese soldiers on the battlefield.
A brutal battle erupted in full force.
Yamashita Hiroichi, witnessing this scene from the mountain, gritted his teeth in fury and cursed, “Where on earth did this ragtag bunch come from, daring to oppose our Imperial Army? They deserve to die!”
Because the soldiers of the New First Regiment wore various outfits, Yamashita Hiroichi naturally dismissed them as a disorderly mob.
These fighters had all been recruited by Li Yunlong along the way and naturally had no time to unify their uniforms.
After cursing, Yamashita Hiroichi immediately resumed commanding the battle.
But in such dire circumstances, even a genius like Yamashita Hiroichi was powerless.
The key point was that although the New First Regiment led by Li Yunlong appeared unremarkable, their combat effectiveness was outrageously strong.
Yamashita Hiroichi had firsthand experience of this.
“Where on earth did this unit come from? Their fighting strength is even greater than that of regular army troops!” Yamashita Hiroichi felt as if his mind was about to snap.
Under the fierce assault of the New First Regiment, the Japanese soldiers were trapped with no way out, falling one after another.
Even if they wanted to break through, it was already too late.
Seizing the perfect opportunity, Li Yunlong raised his 98K rifle, took aim at Yamashita Hiroichi, and decisively pulled the trigger.
Bang...
As expected, Yamashita Hiroichi was shot dead on the spot, collapsing into a pool of blood.
With the death of Yamashita Hiroichi, the Japanese soldiers lost all ability to fight back and were soon completely annihilated.
The battle was over.
Li Yunlong issued orders, “New First Regiment, swiftly clear the battlefield!”
Upon hearing this, the soldiers of the New First Regiment immediately sprang into action.
Zhou Weiguo and Zhu Ziming naturally noticed this and identified Li Yunlong as the commander of this unit.
Soon, Zhou Weiguo and Zhu Ziming approached Li Yunlong.
“Commander, thank you for coming to our aid!” Zhou Weiguo expressed sincere gratitude. “If it weren’t for your timely intervention, we all would have met our end here.”
“Friend, no need for thanks,” Zhu Ziming said more casually and generously. “I am Zhu Ziming, the head of Qingfeng Village. If you need anything, just say the word.”
“Unfortunately, Qingfeng Village was just wiped out by the Japanese, or I’d be throwing a grand feast with plenty of food and drink for you!”
“You’re too kind,” Li Yunlong smiled slightly. “We are all Chinese; the Japanese are our common enemy.”
“When such a thing crosses my path, I simply cannot stand by and do nothing.”
After some polite conversation, Zhou Weiguo asked curiously, “Which unit are you from?”
Li Yunlong did not conceal anything and answered directly, “We are the New First Regiment of the Eighth Route Army. I am the regiment commander, Li Yunlong.”
Upon hearing Li Yunlong’s introduction, both Zhou Weiguo and Zhu Ziming looked skeptical.
“This is already the northwestern border of Shanxi,” Zhou Weiguo remarked instinctively. “The Eighth Route Army rarely operates here. I never expected to meet an Eighth Route Army unit here; what a coincidence.”
“Indeed, quite a coincidence,” Zhu Ziming agreed. “If we had met the central army or the Jin-Sui army, we’d probably have been conscripted by now.”
“In any case, thank you again, Commander Li, for your chivalrous help!”
Zhou Weiguo did not dispute Zhu Ziming’s words and also expressed gratitude to Li Yunlong, “We’re grateful for your life-saving aid, Commander Li.”
“That favor is noted. I will repay it when the opportunity arises.”
Hearing this, Li Yunlong grinned broadly.
“Don’t wait until later,” Li Yunlong waved his hand and directly extended an invitation to the two. “I formally invite you to join our New First Regiment.”
“I saw your recent fight, especially you, Brother Zhou. You must have been in the regular army, right?”
“To be honest, wherever you fight the Japanese is still fighting the Japanese. Why not join us and keep going together?”
“I can assure you both, our New First Regiment is purely a force that fights the Japanese. We will not disappoint you.”
Truthfully, Li Yunlong had decided to intervene because he valued Zhou Weiguo.
Otherwise, he might have led his troops away, since the recently encountered Japanese company was strong, and it was better to avoid unnecessary trouble.
It wasn’t that Li Yunlong was afraid—he simply wanted to prevent needless losses to the New First Regiment.
Upon hearing Li Yunlong’s invitation, Zhou Weiguo and Zhu Ziming fell into deep thought.
After a moment, Zhou Weiguo looked at Zhu Ziming and said, “Brother Zhu, Qingfeng Village has already been destroyed. Joining the Eighth Route Army is indeed a good choice.”
“Though the Eighth Route Army is strict, it is truly a force dedicated to fighting the Japanese.”
“We’re thinking the same thing,” Zhu Ziming smiled faintly.
Hearing this, Zhou Weiguo threw his arm around Zhu Ziming’s shoulder and said to Li Yunlong, “We’re willing to join the New First Regiment of the Eighth Route Army.”
“As for the men under us, we will consult with them. Those who do not wish to join will be allowed to leave freely.”
“Good,” Li Yunlong was overjoyed and then warmly welcomed them, “Welcome to the New First Regiment. You won’t regret your decision today!”
...
After the New First Regiment’s soldiers finished clearing the battlefield, Zhou Weiguo and Zhu Ziming concluded their talks with their bandits.
These bandits were originally anti-Japanese volunteers and had followed Zhu Ziming for many years.
Unsurprisingly, all the remaining volunteers chose to join the New First Regiment.
The New First Regiment’s ranks swelled once again.
Li Yunlong stood at the forefront and commanded, “Everyone ready, march onward! Our destination is Jin-Sui Town!”
...
The next day.
The New First Regiment finally arrived outside Jin-Sui Town but did not rush inside.
Though the Japanese were no longer present in Jin-Sui Town, it was still the territory of the puppet army.
Li Yunlong looked at Jin-Sui Town before him and ordered Zhang Dabiao, “Zhang Dabiao, take a few men into Jin-Sui Town and scout the situation inside.”
“Remember, do not alert the enemy!”
“Understood!” Zhang Dabiao immediately acknowledged the order.
He then personally selected several scouts from the first battalion.
After changing into civilian clothes, Zhang Dabiao and his group strode confidently toward the interior of Jin-Sui Town.
...
Elsewhere.
Kong Jie and Ding Wei gathered together, concerned about the whereabouts of the missing Li Yunlong...
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