Chapter 21: Overwhelming Firepower Deters Enemy Reinforcements

After finalizing the arrangements at the stronghold, Zhang Yun led the six machine gunners from the Third Squad and hurried toward the defensive position.

It was only 5:00 PM, barely an hour since they had captured the Xiaohuozhuang stronghold. Because the telephone lines had been cut before the battle, the Japanese in the county seat were unaware that the stronghold was under attack. Although the Japanese maintained a regular communication schedule, time was required to discover the outage and organize a rescue. Consequently, the enemy had not yet appeared before the defensive line.

In reality, the main force of Japanese troops in the county seat had only just departed. Upon losing contact with the Xiaohuozhuang stronghold, the Japanese had dispatched a motorcycle sidecar with three men and a light machine gun to inspect the line. When these scouts approached the Second Squad’s position on the Pingliao Highway, they spotted soldiers in Eighth Route Army uniforms constructing defenses. Being experienced veterans, the Japanese scouts were highly disciplined; they did not rush forward but observed from a distance with binoculars. Realizing they were facing a force prepared for an ambush and suspecting that Xiaohuozhuang was under attack, they immediately turned back to report to the county seat. Although the Second Squad leader and his men spotted the scouts, they were too far away, and lacking long-range weaponry like mortars at the time, they failed to eliminate them.

By the time Zhang Yun arrived at the defensive position, the First and Second Squads had already completed their preparations. Following their training, they had dug curved trenches along the ridges on both sides of the highway, configuring their troops and weapons with light firepower in front and heavy support in the rear. The apertures for the light and heavy machine guns were already set.

The artillery platoon had also established a position behind the slope to guard against enemy infantry gun fire. Wang Dachuan, Wang Chengzhu, and Li Tianduo each formed a mortar crew, with their three mortars aimed obliquely at the Pingliao Highway ahead.

Zhang Yun directed the machine gunners to their firing positions and summoned the squad leaders, the artillery crew leader, and Deputy Platoon Leader Liu Changqing.

Once they gathered, Old Hu, the Second Squad leader, smiled and said, "Platoon Leader, I truly admire you; your foresight is incredible! No sooner had we set up than the First Squad leader arrived with two mortars, then soldiers brought a heavy machine gun, and now three more light machine guns. With twelve light machine guns, one heavy machine gun, and three mortars, we are definitely going to give those devils a run for their money."

Artillery squad leader Wang Dachuan chimed in, "Indeed. I was shocked myself—the enemy stronghold was packed with such good gear. The Central Army and the Shanxi-Sui Army are no better, abandoning such fine cannons and so much ammunition to the Japanese."

Deputy Platoon Leader Liu Changqing asked eagerly, "I came over with Dabao to deliver the mortars and didn't get to ask about the haul. How much did we capture?"

Zhang Yun briefed them on the spoils and his tactical arrangements, drawing gasps of amazement.

Old Hu declared, "Platoon Leader, rest assured, even if we are wiped out, we will not let the Japanese cross this line. We will hold until Old Tang and the others have safely moved the supplies!"

"Second Squad leader, that’s a spirited sentiment, but it’s foolish," Zhang Yun replied. "Supplies are rare, but our excellent soldiers are even harder to replace. Our men are sons of mothers and fathers; we cannot talk about being 'wiped out' lightly. In war, you must use your head."

Hearing this, Old Hu’s eyes grew moist. "Platoon Leader, back in the Soviet areas, so many sacrificed themselves just for a few rifles, printing equipment, salt, or grain. If we take these supplies back, we can train more soldiers and kill more enemies. Isn't that right, Platoon Leader?"

Recalling those arduous years, everyone fell silent. Seeing the somber mood, Wang Dachuan wanted to say something, yet he was deeply moved by the tragic and heroic weight of their words. He felt the firm resolve of these "local Eighth Route Army" soldiers—a faith and strength that could not be conquered.

...

Soon, Zhang Yun shook off the heavy emotion and said, "Old Hu, don't talk like that again. Follow me, and our troops will never lack weapons, equipment, or food. We must never forget the spirit of 'daring to unsheathe the sword,' but we must also employ skill and strategy."

"The Japanese in Xiyang County are few, just over 150 in the city plus two or three hundred puppet troops; if half of them come to rescue, that would be a lot. In the Heshun direction, the Japanese have just occupied the county seat and are struggling with supplies; besides, our various guerrilla units are everywhere, and they won't venture out once night falls."

"I estimate that at most, a few dozen Japanese and a hundred or so puppet troops from the Xiyang county seat will arrive. Of course, they remain a strong force, especially if they bring heavy machine guns, infantry guns, or grenade launchers. If we aren't careful, we could capsize in the gutter."

"But won't the Japanese commander be skeptical? How much does he know about us? We are wearing uniform military fatigues, clearly a regular Eighth Route Army unit. But how many are there? A main force or a small detachment? The enemy commander doesn't know. Since he doesn't know, we must make them believe we are a large main force. We have superior numbers, heavy firepower, and plenty of shells. We intend to use this ambush to annihilate them."

"Once night falls, for the sake of their own safety and the security of the county seat, they will choose to retreat. Then, we can calmly clear the battlefield and transport our supplies. By the time more enemies arrive tomorrow, we will already be back at our base."

Zhang Yun meticulously analyzed the situation, concluding, "Therefore, the key to this battle lies in how much firepower we display."

The deputy platoon leader and the squad leaders listened intently, learning as they went. Although Zhang Yun himself was not a veteran of a hundred battles, he combined his predecessor's combat experience, his own modern knowledge of warfare, the current tactical situation, and the massive confidence provided by his "Looting Bonus System." He demonstrated command capabilities far beyond the platoon level. His record of four victories in the past two months had earned the complete trust and loyalty of his squad leaders.

After a moment of reflection, the squad leaders grasped his tactics and nodded in agreement.

"The Japanese are here!" a sentry reported.

The commanders quickly returned to the second line of defense on the ridge, peering through binoculars.

As dusk deepened, ten Japanese military trucks stopped one kilometer away. About seventy Japanese soldiers disembarked, unloaded three heavy machine guns, and began setting up a firing position. The infantry fanned out into a skirmish line, seeking cover. The trucks backed up a few hundred meters and stopped. Not far behind them, over a hundred puppet troops and a dozen Japanese gendarmes were running breathlessly, still some distance from the main Japanese force.

Zhang Yun and his commanders watched closely. Artillery leader Wang Dachuan asked, "Shall we fire? The Japanese are in range; if they get too close, the mortars won't be able to hit them."

"Not yet. They are waiting for the puppet troops. Dachuan, return to your post and range the targets. As soon as the puppet troops and the Japanese converge, open fire with everything you have. Target the heavy machine guns first, then the infantry. If they try to escape in their trucks, target the vehicles."

"Everyone else, open fire the moment the artillery starts. Unleash your full firepower—all light and heavy machine guns. Remember, do not pursue them; keep them guessing as to our true strength."

Meanwhile, the Japanese commander, Ichiro Sawada, captain of the Xiyang garrison, was observing the position through his binoculars, accompanied by his staff officer, Maru Matsushita.

"Captain, the enemy's defensive position is very professional. This is not the work of a mere guerrilla unit. I suspect Xiaohuozhuang has fallen," Matsushita warned calmly.

"Baka! Do you think I need you to tell me that? With so many enemies defending, there must be even more attacking the stronghold. Xiaohuozhuang had very few men. The Eighth Route Army has found a perfect opportunity," Sawada replied, his voice laced with frustration. As a garrison officer, the fall of a stronghold would be a black mark on his record—a catastrophe for a man of humble origins who sought to change his family's fate through military service.

Looking back at the struggling puppet troops, still a hundred meters from his Third Platoon and machine gun detachment, Sawada snapped, "It’s only a dozen kilometers away, yet these Chinese soldiers move so laboriously. These Imperial Auxiliary troops are truly useless."

Matsushita carefully observed Sawada’s expression. "Our Imperial Japanese Army is too small and must rely on these auxiliary troops to maintain order. I hear the North China Headquarters plans to expand these units significantly. Should we let them rest for a moment? Otherwise, they may have no strength left to attack."

"Baka, baka," Sawada muttered. Darkness was falling, and he was loath to fight the Eighth Route Army at night, unaware of how many enemies lay ahead. He had fewer than a hundred Imperial soldiers and a bunch of incompetent auxiliaries.

He was about to order his Third Platoon to drive the auxiliaries forward when the sky was suddenly filled with the whistle of mortar shells. Three black dots plummeted toward them, followed by many more.

"Baka! Artillery! Mortars!" Sawada shoved his staff officer aside, screaming, "Take cover!" Since 1937, his unit had clashed with the Eighth Route Army many times. They usually employed hit-and-run ambush tactics—sudden bursts of fire followed by close-quarters combat—rarely using artillery. That was why he had dared to approach within a kilometer of their position, hoping to rely on his heavy machine gun superiority to suppress them.

He never expected this unit to have three mortars!

Before he could even hit the ground, the first three shells slammed into the machine gun position, followed by another wave, and then another, obliterating the guns. The fire then extended toward the infantry. Exhausted from their ten-kilometer run, the puppet troops collapsed into chaos the moment the shells landed, most of them fleeing in terror and discarding their weapons.

Then, the Type 92 heavy machine gun, the twelve light machine guns, and over a hundred rifles opened fire in unison. The density of the gunfire caused Sawada and Matsushita’s faces to turn pale.

Cowering in a depression, Matsushita shouted, "Captain! At least ten machine guns and a Type 92 heavy machine gun! This must be a main force of the Eighth Route Army, perhaps the 129th Division's Special Service Regiment. I suggest we retreat! Retreat!"

Seeing his puppet troops broken and his own Third Platoon suffering heavy losses, Sawada accepted the advice. "Baka! Everyone, retreat to Xiyang city! Retreat at once!"