Chapter 14: Kong Jie and Ding Wei: Could Lao Li Really Have Sacrificed Himself? Let the Battle Begin!

Eighth Route Army, 129th Division, 386th Brigade, Independent Regiment Headquarters.

At this moment, Kong Jie was still the regiment commander of the Independent Regiment.

Ding Wei set aside his current work and came to meet with Kong Jie and the Independent Regiment.

Naturally, when two comrades reunited, drinking was inevitable.

However, the atmosphere around the table was somewhat heavy.

Ding Wei and Kong Jie drank glass after glass of their sorrow, initially silent, yet both well aware of the other's thoughts.

Finally, Kong Jie broke the silence first, his voice low and somber: “What do you think happened to Old Li? How did he suddenly lose contact?”

“Lately, there have been rumors that Old Li and the New First Regiment were completely wiped out, all sacrificed on the battlefield of Cangyun Ridge.”

“But Cangyun Ridge is now inside the encirclement of the little devils; we have no way to reconnoiter.”

“We really have no idea what the exact situation is, and it’s maddening… Could it be that Old Li really died?”

Sighing, Ding Wei spoke up, “The rumors outside don’t add up.”

“I can understand why everyone thinks that way.”

“After all, the Sakata Regiment is an elite unit of the Japanese army, formidable in both manpower and equipment!”

“Any of our Eighth Route Army regiments would stand no chance against the Sakata Regiment; the gap in forces and weaponry is simply too great.”

“So naturally, everyone assumes Li Yunlong and the New First Regiment were wiped out.”

“Sakata Regiment!” Kong Jie ground his teeth and said fiercely, “I have old grudges with them, and now new ones to add.”

“Our Independent Regiment has clashed with the Sakata Regiment before; their combat power is truly extraordinary.”

“Our political commissar, Li Wenying, died at the hands of the Sakata Regiment.”

“I once swore, no matter what, I’d avenge Li Wenying!”

“Unexpectedly, Old Li’s New First Regiment also met the Sakata Regiment, and in the end, lost contact!”

“That whole damn Sakata Regiment deserves to die; I’ll kill them all sooner or later!”

With that, Kong Jie raised his cup and downed it in one go, then shifted his tone: “But, although our Independent Regiment isn’t a match for the Sakata Regiment, Old Li and the New First Regiment might be different.”

“Under Old Li’s leadership, the New First Regiment has grown stronger, becoming the main force of our division.”

“I believe that even if Old Li and the New First Regiment can’t defeat the Sakata Regiment, they definitely wouldn’t be completely wiped out.”

“They’ve probably just lost contact temporarily; he must still be alive!”

Hearing this, Ding Wei nodded repeatedly: “We’re thinking alike.”

“As the saying goes, trouble lives a thousand years.”

“Li Yunlong is exactly that kind of troublemaker, always causing chaos. He’s bound to live a long life.”

“He’s just temporarily out of touch. No matter what others think, we can’t give up hope.”

“Although our two regiments have limited manpower, we must do everything we can to find Old Li.”

“When we find him, I’ll mock him for losing contact because of the Sakata Regiment!”

“That’s right!” Kong Jie agreed eagerly. “Once we find him, we must have a proper talk.”

Kong Jie and Ding Wei had long been comrades of Li Yunlong.

At this moment, their brotherhood was vividly displayed.

None of them wished any harm to come to Li Yunlong.

...

Outside Jin Sui Town.

Zhang Dabiao returned to the main force with several soldiers.

“Regiment Commander, we’re back,” Zhang Dabiao said, swallowing nervously before reporting to Li Yunlong, “We’ve investigated the situation in Jin Sui Town.”

“There is a battalion of puppet troops inside the town: the 8th Battalion of the 7th Regiment of the Imperial Collaboration Army.”

“Besides that, there are no other Japanese or puppet troops active nearby.”

“This battalion is the only puppet force on the Jin Sui border, causing trouble here like local tyrants.”

“The nearby civilians have suffered a lot under their oppression!”

After hearing Zhang Dabiao’s report, Li Yunlong narrowed his eyes slightly: “Since that’s the case, we’ll take down this puppet battalion.”

Zhou Weiguo had been listening to the conversation between Li Yunlong and Zhang Dabiao.

Seeing that Li Yunlong was about to strike at the puppet battalion, Zhou Weiguo immediately volunteered, “Regiment Commander, leave the puppet checkpoint outside this town to us.”

“We will quickly deal with the puppet soldiers at the checkpoint and seize control.”

“You lead the main force to storm into Jin Sui Town and eliminate the puppets there.”

“If any puppet soldiers try to escape, we will surely cut off their retreat!”

Hearing Zhou Weiguo’s plan, Li Yunlong fell into thought.

After a moment, he nodded: “Alright, we’ll act according to your plan.”

With Li Yunlong’s approval, a smile appeared on Zhou Weiguo’s face: “Regiment Commander, just watch us!”

Then Zhou Weiguo, along with Xu Hu, Zhu Ziming, and others, headed toward the puppet checkpoint.

...

At the entrance of Jin Sui Town.

The puppets had set up defensive works here, including simple defensive positions, bunkers, and a checkpoint.

There were about a dozen puppet soldiers on duty, inspecting everyone entering and leaving Jin Sui Town.

This rule was set by the puppet battalion commander Zhang Defa.

Zhang Defa was a petty man who preyed on the weak, helping the little devils oppress the people but fearing retaliation from the resistance, so he established this checkpoint.

The puppet soldiers at the checkpoint not only searched people to eliminate suspects but often extorted money from civilians.

This checkpoint had nearly become a money-making scheme for the puppet guards.

Zhou Weiguo, Xu Hu, Zhu Ziming, and three others arrived at the checkpoint.

At this time, not many civilians were entering Jin Sui Town, but they still had to queue.

Zhou Weiguo and his men obediently lined up behind three civilians.

Soon, the puppet soldiers extorted a satisfactory amount of money from the three civilians and let them pass.

One puppet guard looked at Zhou Weiguo, raising an eyebrow: “Where are you from? What’s your business in Jin Sui Town?”

“I advise you to be honest; my eyes are sharp, don’t try to fool me.”

After speaking, the puppet soldier rubbed his hands, implying he wanted money.

“Is that so?” Zhou Weiguo snorted coldly, “Grandpa’s here to kill you!”

With that, Zhou Weiguo suddenly drew a pistol from his waist, aimed at the puppet soldier, and pulled the trigger.

Bang...

The puppet soldier was shot in the head on the spot.

Seeing this, Xu Hu, Zhu Ziming, and the others quickly drew their hidden pistols and opened fire on the surrounding puppet soldiers.

Bang bang bang bang bang...

The sudden gunfire startled the nearby civilians.

However, the civilians scattered immediately, knowing such commotion was dangerous—one misstep could cost their lives...

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