Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 81 Drug Plan

"Tang Xiaolong".

"arrive."

"Including the two captured guns and the remaining four, they will all be under the management of your mountain artillery battalion. Your mountain artillery battalion needs to quickly achieve combat capability. Regarding the training of artillerymen, you should consult Zhao Zhu; he has a lot of experience."

"Yes, Commander." Tang Xiaohu said, slightly nervous as it was his first time attending a meeting.

"Li drives out the bandits."

"Here, Commander."

"Your intelligence department is closely monitoring the movements of the Japanese troops around Wolong Mountain to prevent them from gathering troops to launch an attack on Tangjia Town. Based on the current situation, we speculate that the Japanese are unaware of the existence of Wolong Mountain."

"Yes, Captain."

"Zhao Zhu, notify the village guard teams to be on 24-hour alert. If any Japanese soldiers are spotted, immediately organize the villagers to hide. We cannot let the Japanese devils harm the people."

"Yes, Captain."

"I don't know how long we can rest and recuperate peacefully after this battle, so from now on, the entire regiment must do everything possible to improve our regiment's combat effectiveness."

"Yes, do everything you can to improve combat effectiveness."

"Alright, that concludes today's meeting. Niu Dali and Li Qukou," Tang Weiguo said.

"Commander, what mission do you need me for?" Niu Dali asked as he walked over.

"Let's talk in my office." Tang Weiguo led two people into his office.

"Dali, your reconnaissance battalion currently has the most complete personnel and the strongest combat force in our regiment, so I'm assigning you a mission."

"Commander, we have a mission! That's great!" Niu Dali said excitedly.

“You all get incredibly excited at the mere mention of war,” Tang Weiguo said with a smile.

"Everyone is excited to fight the Japanese devils. Eliminating one Japanese devil brings us one step closer to driving them out of our Shanxi region." Niu Dali simply dreamed of the day when the Japanese devils would be driven out.

"You heard what Dean Chu said at the meeting just now, right? Our regiment is running out of medical supplies. If we were fighting a war, our wounded soldiers would have no medicine to use. So, we can't let our soldiers fall in the hospital."

"Commander, just give the order. I'll risk my life to bring the wounded soldiers' medicine back," Niu Dali said firmly.

"Everything is based on the safety of the troops. As long as we are alive, anything is possible, so we must protect our lives no matter what." Tang Weiguo patted Niu Dali on the shoulder.

“We fought the Japanese last time, and I reckon there aren’t many Japanese left in the county town. Take the elite troops from the reconnaissance battalion and sneak in to find the Japanese hospital. Try to bring back their medicine.”

"Alright, Commander, I'll get ready." With that, Niu Dali turned and left.

"Wait a minute, you're all so impatient. Do you even know where the Japanese hospital is? Do you know how to safely infiltrate the county town?"

"I don't know, but I'll figure something out. Commander, didn't you say that as long as you don't give up, there's always a way? I'm sure I can complete the mission," Niu Dali patted his chest and assured them.

"Now everyone uses my words to refute me, but why didn't you remember my other advice to always be cautious?"

"The commander forgot," Niu Dali chuckled.

“Seriously. This kind of attitude is unacceptable. You are not only responsible for your own life, but you, as the battalion commander, are also responsible for your reconnaissance battalion.”

"Yes, Commander, maintain a serious and cautious attitude," Niu Dali replied solemnly.

"Your mission this time is to cooperate; the main operation will be carried out by the intelligence department." Tang Weiguo turned to look at Li Qukou, who was watching the commotion from the side.

"Alright, let's get down to business."

"Expel the enemy. This operation to seize the Japanese medicine is being led by your intelligence department. By the way, how is the training going for the squads assigned to you by the reconnaissance battalion?"

"There are basically no problems now. These soldiers have a good foundation, and with a little training, they can meet my requirements. Now we just need to wait for the actual combat test."

"Alright, this mission will be led by your intelligence team, with Niu Dali's reconnaissance battalion providing support," Tang Weiguo ordered.

"How long will it take to start the expulsion operation? I suggest we do it as soon as possible. Otherwise, once the Japanese reinforcements arrive, it will be impossible for us to do anything to the Japanese hospital."

"The intelligence department has already ascertained the location of the Japanese hospital, but give me a few days to figure out the defenses there."

"Alright, you will be in charge of the specific details of the operation. Niu Dali, you will follow Director Li's arrangements," Tang Weiguo said to Li Qukou.

"Good, with Battalion Commander Niu joining us, I'm confident about this mission."

"Alright, get moving as soon as possible, I'll be waiting for your good news."

"Make sure to complete the mission."

After the two left, Tang Weiguo had to start dealing with the affairs of the militia.

The next morning, the various units of the militia began their intensive reorganization.

Meanwhile, at the Second War Zone Headquarters, a young communications officer was reporting to Staff Officer Chu.

"Reporting to Staff Officer Chu, according to intelligence personnel at the front, a Japanese military train was attacked in the Yangquan area, and the Japanese troops supporting the nearby county were also attacked. According to intelligence, the Japanese seem to have suffered considerable losses."

“That’s enemy-occupied territory, and this time it’s the Eighth Route Army’s doing again. Can we find out which Eighth Route Army unit it is?” Staff Officer Chu asked.

"No, according to intelligence, it was a local militia group near the county seat who did it," the communications officer reported truthfully.

"What? A militia? Are you sure the intelligence from the front is accurate?" Staff Officer Chu asked skeptically. Right now, not only their Jin-Sui Army, but even the Central Army was being driven back by the Japanese. Staff Officer Chu simply couldn't believe that a militia could attack a Japanese military train.

"Reporting to Staff Officer Chu, the intelligence was leaked by an informant who has infiltrated the Japanese ranks. The information is accurate. According to the intelligence, this militia is located in Tangjia Town."

"Tangjia Town, that name sounds familiar. I remember someone contacting me and asking me to think of it. Tangjia Town, Tang." Suddenly, Staff Officer Chu thought of someone: Tang Ming from the Logistics Department of the 30th Army.

Previously, Tang Ming had asked him to help set up a militia for a distant landlord relative of his, and Tang Ming had even given him two gold bars for it, so he had a deep impression of this matter.

"It seems Tang Ming's expression in the distance is quite revealing," Tang Ming thought to himself.

"Okay, I understand. You may go now," Staff Officer Chu instructed.

"Yes, Staff Officer Chu."

"This militia in Tangjia Town is operating behind enemy lines and even has the capability to attack Japanese military trains. It seems we can make use of them. If not, I'll have to find Commander Yan." With that thought, Staff Officer Chu left the room and headed towards Commander Yan's office.

Before Staff Officer Chu even reached the office door, he heard Yan Laoxi's furious voice.

"A bunch of useless trash, a real bunch of useless trash. You sent several teams to enemy territory, and you're telling me they were all wiped out by the Japanese."

“Look at those Eighth Route Army soldiers you look down on, how well they survive behind enemy lines.”

"What a bunch of useless trash. The old man in the southwest has spoken. Now the enemy-occupied areas are full of Eighth Route Army traces. He wants us to go behind enemy lines and fight the Eighth Route Army for territory."

"Look at you all, one after another you're handing over to the Japanese. You're a bunch of damn useless trash."

“Commander, our regular army can’t handle guerrilla warfare. That’s the Eighth Route Army’s specialty. We can’t go behind enemy lines to operate,” a regimental commander retorted.

"Get back to your quarters and figure out a solution. You'd better learn from the Eighth Route Army. Now get out of here, or you'll make me angry." When people get angry, their self-control drops, and Yan Laoxi's hands started to tremble with rage.

"Yes, Commander." Upon hearing Yan Laoxi's order, several regimental commanders hurriedly went out, almost bumping into Staff Officer Chu.

"Be careful," Staff Officer Chu said irritably.

"Yes, Staff Officer Chu."

"Xiao Chu, what brings you here?" Old Yan, who was still angry, shouted loudly when he heard Staff Officer Chu's voice at the door.

"Commander, I have something to report."

"Come in and talk."

"Yes, Commander."