Chapter 13: Visitors from the Command Headquarters

The battle was over; the Shibuya Regiment and Suzuki Brigade fled north in disarray. The 203rd Brigade and the 358th Regiment had secured a great victory. It was estimated that they had wounded three to five hundred Japanese puppet troops and annihilated over fifteen hundred enemy soldiers—in total, inflicting casualties on more than two thousand Japanese invaders. This was arguably the largest achievement since the war began.

“Regimental Commander, Commander Liang is here!” Chu Yunfei turned to look.

At this moment, Commander Liang was covered in bloodstains but full of vigor. Through his smoke-streaked face, one could discern his roughly square features, which gave Chu Yunfei a good impression. He stepped forward and saluted respectfully. “Commander Liang!”

“Brother Yunfei!” Liang replied warmly.

Chu Yunfei, cautious not to be presumptuous, continued addressing him by rank. “Commander Liang, please.”

“Please!”

Inside the command post, Commander Liang expressed gratitude to the 358th Regiment. He admitted frankly that without their support, the position held by the 427th Regiment might have already been breached, and he himself could have been in grave danger.

As they chatted, the Second War Zone sent a telegram to the 358th Regiment’s headquarters.

“Report! Commander Yan has sent a message!”

“Bring it here,” Fang Ligong said, taking the telegram and scanning it quickly. His mouth parted slightly in surprise, and he instinctively raised his glasses.

“Regimental Commander, Commander Liang, the great victory at Pingxingguan… Lin’s Eighth Route Army and our Guo’s forces annihilated over a thousand Japanese invaders and captured more than fifty supply vehicles, all laden with military equipment.”

“What?”

Upon hearing Fang Ligong’s report, Commander Liang’s first reaction was disbelief. “Those ragtag units of the 115th Division, could they really have achieved such a victory?”

The 427th Regiment, together with a portion of the 358th Regiment, had engaged in fierce close combat, killing over seven hundred enemies but suffering nearly a thousand casualties themselves. The equipment of the 115th Division was even inferior to that of their own 203rd Brigade. The entire division had fewer than a dozen mortars, while the 358th Regiment alone had forty-eight.

This was why Yan Laoxi never doubted Chu Yunfei’s claim of having killed over a thousand enemies.

After the 115th Division’s victory was announced, not only did the command of the Second War Zone harbor doubts, but Chiang Kai-shek himself was skeptical. He feared that Yan Laoxi was covering up a defeat at Tuan Chengkou and using the Red Party’s propaganda to mask it.

Fang Ligong instinctively looked to his regimental commander. “Commander, what do you think?”

“The Japanese invaders are arrogant and reckless, advancing with wild confidence. It’s only natural they would suffer a setback. We must not underestimate the heroes of this land!” Chu Yunfei replied.

“Brother Ligong, think about our first battle at Ruyuekǒu. When our first battalion ambushed the enemy’s puppet Mongolian cavalry division, did they conduct any reconnaissance or take precautions?”

Fang Ligong frowned, pondering for a moment, then shook his head. “They didn’t even deploy vanguard troops. Once they saw our forces expose themselves, they charged straight in.”

“That first battle was how we won!” Chu Yunfei nodded. “We learned from our mistakes. It will be much harder to ambush those little devils like that again.”

“Brother Yunfei’s words make us hang our heads in shame. I suppose the Eighth Route Army’s decision to cross east and join the war effort was driven by a heartfelt desire to fight and serve the country. Their spirit is admirable, and I truly respect it!” Commander Liang continued discussing the battle with Chu Yunfei. “Brother Yunfei, regarding the defense of Ruyuekǒu, aside from strict vigilance and holding the line, do you have any other insights?”

“To be frank, our casualties are heavy, and we may not be able to hold the position any longer.” Chu Yunfei sighed, troubled. “Our frontline has already been devastated by enemy artillery and aerial bombardment, and the second line’s defenses are crumbling.”

“I plan to follow the original battle plan: retreat to the Jiaochang Village line, continue to resist the enemy there, utilize the favorable terrain, and buy time for the arrival of reinforcements.”

Commander Liang’s expression grew complicated as he quietly reminded him, “Brother Yunfei, the Second War Zone command has not dispatched reinforcements here…”

“Oh?” Chu Yunfei seemed surprised, turning to look at Fang Ligong.

Fang Ligong’s face darkened as he nodded. “Commander, it seems Commander Yan really cannot spare any troops to support us…”

“Our 358th Regiment’s casualties have already exceeded half our numbers. We can no longer fight. Without reinforcements, Ruyuekǒu will be lost!”

Commander Liang sighed. “Our 427th Regiment has fewer than two hundred men left… the entire brigade has lost half its strength!”

Chu Yunfei fell silent for a moment, then feigned deep thought. “If that’s the case, send a telegram to Commander Yan requesting reinforcements immediately.”

As they spoke, Sun Ming hurried over, looking anxious. After a quick glance at Commander Liang, he stepped beside Chu Yunfei.

“No need to ask, just say it. What’s the matter?”

Sun Ming hesitated, wanting to signal Chu Yunfei with his eyes, but Chu Yunfei didn’t even look up. Resigned, Sun Ming resorted to a trick. “Report, Commander. A fellow townsman of yours from the Second War Zone command, sent by the headquarters to verify the battle results…”

“Townsmate?”

“Commander, it’s Staff Officer Xie.”

Chu Yunfei suddenly understood. The operations staff officer from the Second War Zone command, holding the rank of Major General, was also a native of Wutai. He was one of Yan Laoxi’s trusted aides.

He had an unflattering nickname—“the hawk’s hound.” Naturally, he was also one of Chu Yunfei’s backers. Their group of Wutai natives didn’t have formal cliques, but subjectively they instinctively banded together, forming a considerable force within the Jin-Sui Army.

This faction existed due to Yan Laoxi’s leadership and each member was fiercely loyal to him. Yan treated each like a confidant and nurtured them accordingly.

The Second War Zone had many operations staff officers who could have been sent to verify the battle results. They chose one who had a good relationship with Chu Yunfei, likely not just to check the facts but to collect photos and publicize the great victory at Ruyuekǒu.

At this moment on the Shanxi front, the Jin-Sui Army was steadily retreating. Achieving such a victory was no small feat. Even if Chu Yunfei had exaggerated the victory, Staff Officer Xie could help substantiate it.

Yan Laoxi was stingy but focused all his cunning here! Circumstances outweighed human will.

At home, the country desperately needed a victory to prove that the little devils were not invincible. They could be defeated; they could lose. They were not unbeatable.

As long as the soldiers united wholeheartedly and risked their lives, they could seize a chance to survive! They could hold Shanxi, hold Shanghai, hold the line along the Jinpu Railway…

“Commander Liang, I’ll go meet him. And you?”

Commander Liang spread his hands slightly and smiled wryly, gesturing to his disheveled appearance. “I’ll wait here.”