Chapter 38: Tiger Might Shakes the Natural Stronghold, Thunderbolts Shatter Frostmouth Pass

Chapter 38: Tiger Might Shakes the Perilous Pass, Thunder Shatters the Lazikou Gate

The momentum of the great victory at Baozuo still lingered, and the Independent Regiment, buoyed by the spirit of triumph, pressed rapidly northward. Although they were effectively an "affluent" reinforced regiment within the Red Army ranks, Wang Lin dared not slacken for a moment. He strictly ordered the troops to maintain a combat-ready march formation and to remain vigilant in all directions.

In mid-September 1935, the troops reached an area not far from Lazikou. Suddenly, they heard intense and persistent gunfire from the front—a stark contrast to the quick skirmishes they were accustomed to. Wang Lin immediately ordered the troops to halt and dispatched the reconnaissance company to assess the situation.

Before long, Zhang Hongtu returned with definitive news: the 4th Regiment of the 2nd Division of the Red 1st Army Corps was launching a fierce assault on the perilous Lazikou. However, the enemy was putting up a stubborn resistance, leveraging the treacherous terrain and fortified positions. The attack had stalled, and casualties were mounting. The Chairman, Corps Commander Lin, and other senior leaders were personally on the front lines directing the battle, which had reached a stalemate.

Upon hearing this, Wang Lin’s brow furrowed. He knew well that Lazikou was the critical gateway to the north; if it could not be taken, the entire army would be in grave danger. He immediately gathered his battalion commanders, spread out his maps, and, combining the reconnaissance report with his own system map, quickly analyzed the situation.

Just then, a rider arrived at full gallop, bringing an urgent telegram and follow-up orders from General Peng, Commander of the 3rd Army Corps, to the Military Commission: "...The enemy at Lazikou is holding fast to the terrain, and the 4th Regiment’s repeated attacks have failed. I suggest immediately ordering the 5th Army Corps' Independent Regiment under Wang Lin to reinforce with all speed. This unit possesses strong assault capabilities and excellent equipment; they may be able to break the deadlock... Order from the Military Commission: Wang Lin’s Independent Regiment is to reach the Lazikou battlefield as quickly as possible, engage in combat, and secure the pass without fail!"

"The orders are here!" Wang Lin stood up abruptly, his gaze sweeping over his officers. "The entire regiment, assemble! Travel light and march at double time! Target: Lazikou! Li Yunlong!"

"Present!" Li Yunlong sprang up, his eyes gleaming.

"Your 4th Battalion is the vanguard! Clear the way! Do not get entangled with small groups of enemies; head straight for the main battlefield!"

"Understood! I guarantee we’ll be the first to arrive!" Li Yunlong roared and turned to rally his men.

"Chen Ahai, Huang Musheng, Zhou Zhiming, keep your battalions in close pursuit and maintain combat formation!"

"Yes!"

"Liu Gensheng, keep the artillery company close and be ready to fire at any moment!"

"Yes, Regiment Commander!"

"Zhong Guangbang, you are responsible for the logistics battalion and the wounded; follow up and ensure the ammunition supply!"

"Understood!"

With the orders issued, the Independent Regiment—a massive war machine—began to function with high efficiency. Shedding all unnecessary weight, they surged toward Lazikou in a combat-ready posture.

The route forced them through areas where the Central Column and some rear-echelon agencies were resting. As the four thousand soldiers of the Independent Regiment passed by at a forced march, the disciplined ranks, the superior equipment, and, above all, the sharp, battle-hardened aura of the soldiers caused an instant sensation.

Though their uniforms were worn, their weapons were polished to a shine, and their strides were firm and powerful. Each infantry battalion was equipped with a machine-gun company (far exceeding the numbers of ordinary units), and the soldiers carrying or mule-packing the Czech light machine guns and Maxim heavy machine guns drew many glances. Even more eye-catching were the regimental and battalion artillery companies, with well-maintained 82mm and 60mm mortars being carried or hauled by the men. Most astonishing of all were the thick, long iron pipes carried by the artillery teams—the "Iron Pipe Thunder" launchers, dubbed "Heartless Cannons" by the soldiers, which had performed miracles at Baozuo. These plain yet terrifying tubes made the officers and staff of the fraternal units along the way stop to watch and whisper in amazement.

"Wow! Which unit is this? They’re so well-equipped!"

"Look at those heavy machine guns! And the mortars! They have more than an entire division of ours, don't they?"

"What are those big iron pipes? A new type of weapon?"

"That’s the 5th Army Corps' Independent Regiment! The 'Iron-Blooded Tiger Guard'! Those are the things they used to blow up the White ghosts' bunkers during the Lubanchang battle. I heard one blast takes them out every time."

"No wonder... with this spirit and this equipment, they truly are the elite of the elites!"

Several senior leaders of the Central Column were also stirred by the momentum of the passing unit. Observing the mighty ranks, the superior gear, and especially the hunger for battle and supreme confidence in the soldiers' eyes, one leader remarked with emotion, "This Wang Lin has turned the Independent Regiment into a true force of tigers and wolves! General Peng was right to recommend them; he chose the right blade!"

The column did not stop. Wang Lin merely saluted the Central leaders by the road as he led his troops toward the direction of the most intense gunfire.

Upon arriving at the 1st Army Corps command post at the front of Lazikou, Wang Lin promptly reported to leaders including Lin and Nie, briefly detailing the status and equipment of the Independent Regiment.

Looking at the map, Commander Lin spoke in a tone that was urgent yet clear: "Comrade Wang Lin, the situation is critical. The frontal assault has caused too many casualties. The enemy’s main firepower is concentrated in the bunker complex on the eastern cliff and the bridgehead, creating a crossfire that seals off the bridge and the path. The 4th Regiment has attempted to flank and climb, but the difficulty is extreme, and progress is slow. What solution does your regiment have?"

Wang Lin, having already memorized the terrain through his system map and reconnaissance reports, replied without hesitation, "Reporting to the Corps Commander! A frontal assault is indeed difficult. I suggest: concentrate all of our regiment’s artillery, including battalion mortars and regimental guns, for a barrage to suppress and destroy the bunkers and fire points clearly marked on the eastern slope! At the same time, we will use our 'Iron Pipe Cannons' to conduct precision demolition on the bridgehead and core enemy fortifications! Once the bombardment is prepared, the infantry will launch the assault!"

"How long do you need to prepare?" Nie Rongzhen asked.

"Within half an hour, the artillery can be in position! The 'Iron Pipe Cannons' need to be set up at close range under infantry cover. I expect we can launch the general offensive within an hour!" Wang Lin answered firmly.

"Good! Proceed according to your plan! The 4th Regiment will continue to provide supporting fire to create conditions for you! The signal for the general offensive will be three red flares!" Lin Biao decided immediately.

Wang Lin returned to his regimental headquarters and deployed his forces:

"Liu Gensheng! All the regiment's mortars are under your unified command! Aim for the enemy bunker complex and heavy machine-gun positions on the eastern slope and blast them to pieces! Do not hold back on shells!"

"Yes!"

"Li Yunlong!"

"Present! Regiment Commander, it’s time for my 4th Battalion to lead the attack, right?" Li Yunlong had been waiting impatiently.

"That's right! It’s you! Select your finest men from the 4th Battalion to form an assault team! After the artillery barrage, charge across the bridge and strike deep into the enemy’s rear! Remember, move fast, and don't block the brothers behind you!"

"Don't worry, Commander! If I don't take Lazikou, you can take my head!" Li Yunlong pounded his chest.

"Chen Ahai, Huang Musheng, Zhou Zhiming, organize your battalion firepower to provide full cover for the 4th Battalion’s assault! And be ready for the second wave of the attack!"

"Yes!"

"Engineer platoon! Come with me to bring the 'Iron Pipes' and explosive satchels! Find a suitable position and blow that turtle shell at the bridgehead and the nearby fortifications to pieces!"

"Yes!"

The Independent Regiment mobilized rapidly. Liu Gensheng directed over thirty mortars (including those from the battalions) to quickly set up positions and calculate firing data. Li Yunlong’s 4th Battalion prepared their weapons, ready for the assault.

Wang Lin personally led the engineer platoon and the "Iron Pipe Cannon" team. Under the cover of the 4th Regiment’s fire, they moved to a stone ridge just over a hundred meters from the enemy bridgehead.

"Right here! Quickly! Dig the pits! Fix them!" Wang Lin growled.

The soldiers, braving the hail of bullets, frantically used entrenching tools to dig firing pits, burying and securing the reinforced thick iron pipes at a specific angle.

"Load the charge!"

"Fill the satchel!" (Specially made heavy explosive satchels were stuffed into the tubes.)

"Target—the bridgehead directly ahead!"

"Ready—ignite!"

Following Wang Lin’s command, the engineers yanked the fuses.

"BOOM!!!" "BOOM!!!"

Muffled, thunderous roars erupted again! Several massive explosive satchels trailed sparks, tracing low arcs as they plummeted precisely onto the enemy bunkers and fortifications at the Lazikou bridgehead!

"RUMBLE—!!!"

Earth-shaking explosions followed one after another! The sturdy earth-and-wood fortifications were torn apart and blown away like paper under the terrifying shockwaves! The bridgehead was hit directly and collapsed instantly; the defenders inside were either killed or wounded. The smoke and dust from the explosions instantly engulfed the bridge area.

At almost the same moment, Liu Gensheng’s artillery group let out a roar! Dense shells rained down like hail onto the enemy positions on the eastern slope, creating a sea of fire that ruthlessly suppressed the enemy's bunkers and fire points!

"Signal flares!" Seeing the three red flares ascend, Wang Lin shouted, "Blow the charge bugle! Old Li, go!"

"Doo-doo-da-doo-doo-doo—!" The stirring sound of the charge echoed through the valley!

"4th Battalion! Charge with me!" Li Yunlong leaped up, brandishing his Czech light machine gun, and led the way toward the smoke-filled bridgehead! The soldiers of the 4th Battalion behind him surged forward like a broken dam, letting out earth-shaking shouts as they rushed toward the enemy.

The artillery fire shifted toward the enemy’s rear at just the right time. The soldiers of the 4th Battalion stepped over the remnants of the explosions, crossed the trembling wooden bridge, and passed through the area of the enemy’s heaviest fire with almost no casualties, instantly breaking into the enemy’s forward positions, which had been dazed by the "Iron Pipe Thunder" and the artillery barrage!

"Fire! Open fire with everything you've got!" Li Yunlong shouted while firing, directing his troops to expand to the flanks and mop up the remaining enemy.

The defenders were stunned by this sudden, unprecedentedly fierce artillery bombardment and such a rapid assault! Their command system paralyzed, their core fortifications destroyed, their morale collapsed instantly.

Seeing the 4th Battalion successfully open a breakthrough, Wang Lin immediately ordered, "Whole regiment! Charge!"

Chen Ahai, Huang Musheng, and Zhou Zhiming led their main battalions forward like three sharp blades, quickly crossing the wooden bridge and joining the battle, launching fierce attacks on the enemy positions on the cliffs on both sides of Lazikou.

The Independent Regiment’s powerful firepower and high morale were on full display. The squads and platoons skillfully utilized "three-three" tactics, providing alternating cover as they cleared out the cornered enemy. The battle quickly spread from the bridgehead to the entire Lazikou pass.

The perilous pass, which had long resisted capture, crumbled under the Independent Regiment’s combination of "heavy artillery clearing the way, special forces demolition, elite assault, and total force pressure." In less than an hour, the main positions of Lazikou were captured by the Independent Regiment, and the remnants of the enemy fled toward Min County.

At dawn on September 17, a Red flag flew over the perilous Lazikou.

Wang Lin stood at the bridgehead, where the smoke had yet to disperse, watching his soldiers clearing the battlefield. He saluted the arriving Commanders Lin, Nie, and the others: "Reporting to the Corps Commander and Political Commissar! The Independent Regiment has completed its mission and secured Lazikou!"

Political Commissar Nie looked at this well-equipped, high-spirited unit, especially the strangely shaped yet immensely powerful "Iron Pipe Cannons" being collected, and exclaimed, "Well fought! Fierce firepower, vicious assault! Your Independent Regiment is truly an invincible blade!"

Corps Commander Lin also nodded for once. His gaze swept over the Independent Regiment’s equipment, and he said simply, "Not bad."

When the news reached the rear, the Central leadership was greatly gratified. The Chairman laughed, "This Wang Lin, the Independent Regiment he leads can not only hold the rear but also crack the hardest targets! They have the numbers, the equipment, high morale, and their tactics are fierce! I think we can call it the 'Fierce Tiger Regiment,' specifically for smashing hard nuts!"

From then on, the "Iron-Blooded Tiger Guard" gained another resounding nickname—the "Fierce Tiger Regiment."