HLnovel Chapter 20 Night Raid on Black Fox Stronghold
Chapter 20 Night Raid on Black Fox Stronghold
The next morning, Tang Dazhuang led the recruits off with great spirit, watched by Tang Weiguo. Accompanying them were the reconnaissance company soldiers led by Niu Dali.
Niu Dali had already planned the route to Black Fox Village, avoiding the main roads and taking only mountain paths. Thanks to their regular training, the recruits maintained a steady pace towards Black Fox Village despite the mountain trails.
"Dali, at our current marching speed, we should reach the vicinity of Black Mountain by dark today," Tang Dazhuang said to Niu Dali.
“Once we get to the vicinity of Black Mountain, we’ll rest here. The dense forest here makes it easy to hide troops, and the bandits from Black Fox Village rarely come to this area,” Niu Dali pointed to a spot on the map.
“Okay, we’ll split up and act according to plan then,” Niu Dali agreed.
"Dali, have you heard anything from the reconnaissance team ahead?" Niu Dali's soldiers were in charge of all the reconnaissance work.
"The team has not encountered any problems ahead," Niu Dali affirmed.
"It seems to be going smoothly so far," Niu Dali replied.
"Communications officer!" Niu Dali called out.
"Here you are, Battalion Commander."
"Notify everyone, the vanguard should speed up and try to reach Black Mountain before dark," Tang Dazhuang ordered.
Shortly after the order was issued, the recruit camp increased its speed even further.
As evening approached, before the sun had set, the recruits, who had been traveling all day, finally arrived at their rest area.
"Communicator, order the soldiers to rest immediately and all personnel to remain silent. Notify all company and platoon leaders to come to my office for a meeting in one hour," Tang Dazhuang ordered again.
"Yes, Battalion Commander." The communications officer took the order and went to deliver the message.
On the other side, Niu Dali had no time to rest and immediately directed the special operations company soldiers to begin a new reconnaissance of the bandit stronghold.
Before they knew it, the sun had set. In the pitch-black forest, the soldiers in the recruit camp awaited the order to attack.
At this moment, all the company and platoon leaders gathered at Tang Dazhuang's temporary command post.
"Now, Battalion Commander Niu Dali will inform you of the latest reconnaissance information," Tang Dazhuang said immediately.
"Company commanders and platoon leaders, a new situation has arisen offline. The bandits of Black Fox Stronghold have just returned from their robbery and are holding a victory banquet, drinking heavily. This is good news for us. Therefore, I suggest changing the original attack time from 12:00 AM to 2:00 AM," Niu Dali suggested.
"It's definitely a good situation. After they've had their drinks, it'll be easier for us to attack," the company commander affirmed.
“Alright, then we’ll launch the attack at 2 a.m.,” Tang Dazhuang decided.
I ordered, "The First Company and the Reconnaissance Company will follow me to the back mountain at 12 o'clock."
"The second, third, and fourth companies will lie in ambush at the bandit's main gate at 12 o'clock, waiting for my attack signal. The two artillery companies will only set up artillery positions this time and will not participate in actual combat."
"Battalion commander, our artillery also requests to participate in the battle," the two artillery company commanders said with dissatisfaction.
"What are you participating in? Why would you need artillery to fight a bunch of bandits? It's embarrassing to even talk about it. This is basically an artillery exercise for you. But my requirement for you is that everything should be based on actual combat." Tang Dazhuang said sternly.
"Yes, Commander, the artillery company guarantees that everything will be based on actual combat."
"Alright, everyone go back and rest. We'll move out promptly at 12 o'clock," Tang Dazhuang ordered.
"Yes, sir." After saying that, the company commanders and platoon leaders left the command post. This was Tang Dazhuang's first time independently commanding a battle, and he was still discussing the battle plan with Niu Dali.
In contrast to the quiet atmosphere of the recruit camp, Black Fox Village was bustling with activity.
"Boss, I admire you. You're amazing! You don't just stand around doing nothing, but when you do, you deliver 10 catties of grain!" the third leader of Black Fox Village praised.
"No, it's all thanks to the brothers." Han San, the leader of Black Fox Stronghold, reeked of alcohol.
"Brothers, Black Fox Village looted 10 catties of grain today. We won't lack food for the next six months. Everyone, eat your fill tonight!" Han San shouted as he jumped onto the table.
"Brothers, those bandits from Black Cloud Village in our neighboring county, they claim to have 1000 guns, what a load of bull! They can't even beat a local militia, they're a bunch of trash."
"Brothers, today, our Black Fox Stronghold gave the escorting militia a sound thrashing. So I've decided that from now on, our Black Fox Stronghold's influence will expand to the neighboring county. We'll grow bigger and stronger, and create new glories. Cheers, brothers!" Han San finished speaking and downed the wine in his bowl in one gulp.
"The leader is right, from now on Black Cloud Stronghold's trump card is ours," the third leader echoed.
"Hey, hey, hey, why are you drinking, Second Brother? Who's keeping watch at the stronghold tonight?" Han San said, seeing the Second Brother drinking.
"Don't worry, Boss. I've arranged all the brothers on night watch at the stronghold. I'll just have a sip. Besides, you know my drinking capacity. Come on, Boss, bottoms up!" The Second Boss downed his drink in one gulp to Han San.
"Come on, bottoms up." Han San didn't refuse and drank it down directly.
The bandits drank until after 10 p.m., and those with low alcohol tolerance passed out under the table early on. Han San was helped back to his room to rest by his men. For a while, the bandits' stronghold became quiet, with only the figures of the bandits on night watch walking back and forth.
At the back of the mountain, a dozen or so bandits were patrolling back and forth.
"Damn it, I'm on duty tonight, so I won't get to drink any more alcohol," the bandit leader complained.
"Boss, this is some wine that another brother smuggled from the table. Please have a taste," a senior bandit said to the bandit leader.
"I'm telling you, Gou Shengzi, you've got some nerve. Getting caught drinking on patrol by the boss is a capital offense," the bandit leader said sternly.
"Boss, what kind of fool would dare to attack our Black Fox Stronghold? Besides, those guys on the front mountain are all drinking and gambling." Gou Shengzi said nonchalantly.
"Alright, since you're so kind, let's have a drink to perk ourselves up." The bandit leader thought about how he'd seen the people on night watch on the front mountain drinking and gambling a few days ago, while he was stuck on his miserable watch, and he felt a pang of resentment. So, the bandit leader relented and let everyone have some drinks to warm themselves up, since it was windy on the mountain.
Time flew by, and around 1 a.m., Tang Dazhuang led his company and the special forces company to the back of the mountain. Niu Dali ordered the special forces soldiers, skilled in infiltration and reconnaissance, to ambush them.
The special operations platoon soldiers, dressed in camouflage uniforms, stealthily made their way to the outpost on the back mountain under the cover of night.
Now, the bandits, having drunk their fill, were starting to stagger. Little did they know that death was about to appear and take their lives.
At this moment, the soldiers of the reconnaissance company, who had been hiding nearby, leaped up and easily dispatched the bandits patrolling the back mountain with swift, swift strokes of their knives. After finishing, the special forces soldiers signaled to Tang Dazhuang and his group below the mountain with their flashlights.
Tang Dazhuang, who was at the foot of the mountain, received a signal from the soldiers of the special forces company on the mountain and led his company to charge up.
"Company Commander, quickly take control of the front gate of the bandit stronghold and provide support for the Second Company," Tang Dazhuang ordered.
"Yes, battalion commander."
"First platoon, second platoon, follow me!" The company commander led his soldiers toward the gate of the mountain stronghold.
"Dali, you and your special forces will be in charge of the back mountain next year. Don't let the bandits escape," Niu Dali entrusted.
"No problem, I guarantee not a single mosquito will get out."
"Okay." After saying that, Tang Dazhuang led a row of guards to stand at the entrance of the bandit stronghold.
"Who goes there?" The bandits on patrol suddenly noticed a large group of people surrounding them.
"Damn it." The company commander finished speaking and immediately shot down the enemy who was speaking.
"Where are you shooting?" The bandits who were playing with guns inside the house rushed out when they heard the gunshots, only to be met with bullets from a light machine gun.
"Rat-a-tat-tat!" With the roar of the machine gun, the bandits who rushed out fell one by one.
The company commander successfully captured the main gate of the bandit stronghold and immediately ordered the messenger to sound the horn.
"The attack signal has arrived! Soldiers, charge!" Upon hearing the bugle call, the first and second company commanders immediately led their soldiers forward.
"Soldiers, give it your all!"
Tang Weiguo's new recruits immediately attacked the stronghold, shouting, "Lay down your weapons and surrender or you will not be killed!"
"What's going on?" Han San, who was asleep, heard the intense gunfire outside and quickly put on his clothes, grabbed his gun, and went out.
Han San saw flames everywhere in the mountain stronghold, and the drunken bandits, unable to resist, surrendered one after another. Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Han San quickly called his trusted men and ran towards the back of the mountain.
"Bang, bang, bang." Several gunshots rang out, and Han San's closest confidants who were running at the front fell to the ground.
"Surrender and you will not be killed!" shouted the special operations company soldiers.
Seeing the people surrounding him, Han San had no choice but to put down his gun and surrender.
"Who are you?" Niu Dali asked.
"Gentlemen, I'm just a bandit. Please let me go, and I'll give you money." He then pulled out several gold bars from his pocket, intending to bribe Niu Dali.
“You little bandit don’t have that much money, do you? Confess honestly, and I’ll give you one more chance. If you don’t, I’ll shoot you dead.” Niu Dali didn’t even look at the gold bars.
Looking at the cold muzzle of the gun pressed against his forehead, Han San sobered up.
“I’ll talk, I’ll talk, hero, don’t shoot! I’m the leader of Black Fox Village.”
"Oh, I didn't expect to catch such a big fish. Brothers, take him down!" Niu Dali ordered.
"Who are you people?" Han San asked in return.
"We, the Tangjia Town militia, are the ones who conquered Qinglong Village," Niu Dali said with pride.
"What? You're the militia that attacked Qinglong Village?" Han San exclaimed in horror.
Han San's boastful words at the dinner table have now turned into his own prisoner; the slap in the face came so quickly.
"What are you waiting for? Take him away and keep an eye on him!" Niu Dali said to the soldier.
The battle at Black Fox Stronghold was easier than Tang Dazhuang had imagined. Most of the bandits were drunk, and the few who resisted were easily defeated.
At this moment, Tang Dazhuang was busy directing his soldiers to guard the bandits and sending messengers to inform Tang Weiguo of the victory. The soldiers of the replenishment battalion that had set off later had just arrived at the battlefield and were preparing to clean up the battlefield.