Chapter 2: Inviting Officer Yan to Await Good News!

Victory at the first strike!

Indeed, Chu Yunfei thought the same.

Fang Ligong, who had been secretly observing Chu Yunfei, noticed the slight upward curve at the corner of his mouth. Immediately, he shifted his tone and reminded him, “Commander, this battle will inevitably be a prolonged one. We must prepare early, especially regarding ammunition and supplies. We need your efforts in coordinating these.”

Fang Ligong was skilled in the art of communication.

During the two years he had spent with Chu Yunfei, he had picked up on some subtle details.

For instance, when Chu Yunfei was in good spirits, he was open to suggestions and opinions. Even if he didn’t adopt the advice, he would consider it seriously.

But if he was displeased or unwilling to listen, Chu Yunfei would selectively turn a deaf ear. At such times, he would wear a blank, puzzled expression, as if he truly heard nothing at all.

Now, hearing Fang Ligong’s suggestion, Chu Yunfei nodded promptly. “Brother Ligong, I understand that well. But the current situation is difficult. The Second War Zone can only provide limited resources. I’m sure Commander Yan has already done everything possible.”

“Even if we lack ammunition and shells, we must hold Ruyue Pass and thwart their attack.”

Chu Yunfei then turned to look at Qian Bojun not far away.

As the main force battalion, the First Battalion was naturally responsible for defending the front line.

“Qian Bojun!”

“Yes!”

Qian Bojun, the battalion commander standing just behind them, straightened his posture and stepped forward, looking spirited.

Chu Yunfei’s expression was serious. “Fight this battle well, and I will personally recommend you to Commander Yan for the position of commander of the newly formed First Regiment, directly under the War Zone!”

“Yes!”

Qian Bojun was naturally thrilled.

The newly formed First, Second, and Third Regiments were elite trial units established by Yan Laoxi under Chu Yunfei’s advice, funded generously.

Not only were the basic military officers well educated, but they were also equipped with a large number of automatic firearms.

In terms of light weapon firepower, these units were not only superior to the Central Army but even outmatched the Japanese forces.

Such troops could play an unimaginable role, whether in frontal positional warfare or in the tug-of-war of mobile battles.

If he could become commander of the First Newly Formed Regiment and perform well on the battlefield, there was every chance of rapid advancement.

A man must strive to achieve greatness and serve his country.

Qian Bojun’s face flushed red as he declared loudly, “Just watch, Commander! I, Qian Bojun, have fought alongside you for many years and am no mere bystander. As long as I stand on the front line, if we lose the position, you may come and take my head!”

“Good! There are no empty words in the army!”

“I, Qian Bojun, am willing to make a military pledge!”

Chu Yunfei was deeply “moved.”

At least, he showed a look of genuine emotion.

His gaze swept over the company commanders behind him. “You all heard that!”

“Yes, we did!”

Chu Yunfei raised his right fist and declared loudly, “This Anti-Japanese War is a national war; failure means becoming slaves of a fallen nation.”

“We are the War Zone’s direct units, the elite of the Second War Zone.”

“Our 358th Regiment fights at Ruyue Pass. We must embrace the belief of certain victory—success or death—fulfilling the duty of soldiers.”

“Brothers, are you confident?”

“Yes!”

Chu Yunfei raised his right fist higher and shouted fiercely, “Slay the enemy and serve the country! Today, the 358th Regiment is invincible with me!”

“Defeat the Japanese invaders and reclaim our mountains and rivers!”

“Defeat the Japanese invaders and reclaim our mountains and rivers!”

“Defeat the Japanese invaders and reclaim our mountains and rivers!”

Chu Yunfei was very satisfied and waved his hand.

The soldiers immediately fell silent, standing tall and proud, their demeanor solemn.

“Good, very spirited!”

Chu Yunfei laughed heartily, carrying a hint of anticipation for the impending battle.

At present, the 358th Regiment was the most elite force under Yan Laoxi of the Second War Zone.

Although nominally a regimental unit, it had more than six thousand combat personnel alone.

Including supporting units such as stretcher bearers, medical teams, field hospitals, and logistics, it numbered nearly ten thousand.

It was a decisive force throughout the entire Second War Zone.

At this time, the 358th Regiment comprised four infantry battalions, one mountain artillery battalion, one transport battalion, two motorized companies, one cavalry company, one heavy mortar company, and one anti-aircraft company.

Their main infantry rifles were Shanxi-manufactured Type 65s equipped with bayonets.

They also had a considerable number of Shanxi-made Czech-style light machine guns and Type 92 heavy machine guns.

To counter the Japanese poison gas warfare, Yan Laoxi had spent heavily to purchase a batch of gas masks from France.

In short, the 358th Regiment was armed to the teeth from head to toe!

The First Battalion, as the reinforced battalion with over 2,300 men, was led by Qian Bojun, who had followed Chu Yunfei for many years.

As a battalion commander of the reinforced battalion, Qian Bojun was well-qualified.

He had received complete military education and was fearless and daring—a fully competent battalion commander.

He had no thoughts of betraying the country for personal gain.

The First Battalion was Chu Yunfei’s fist unit, the absolute main force.

It was naturally equipped with the best gear.

It directly commanded a mortar reinforced company, equipped with thirty-six 60mm mortars.

In essence, it was six mortar platoons.

These were usually concentrated for support but divided into six platoons during battle to maximize firepower continuity.

This arrangement was also to avoid Japanese fire strikes.

There were eighteen infantry companies.

Each company was equipped with a certain number of light and heavy machine guns.

The entire battalion had seventy-eight Shanxi-made Czech-style light machine guns and sixteen Type 92 heavy machine guns.

There were also over a hundred Shanxi-made Thompson submachine guns.

It was currently the only unit under Chu Yunfei’s command capable of independently sustaining light and heavy machine gun fire.

The remaining Second, Third, and Fourth Battalions were core infantry battalions.

Each had at least eight hundred men.

These three infantry battalions lacked mortar or similar support weapons.

Instead, each battalion was equipped with a heavy gun company.

Standard equipment included four heavy machine guns and twelve light machine guns.

The three battalions together had twelve heavy machine guns and thirty-six light machine guns.

While their firepower was somewhat inferior to the elite Central Army units, compared to local militias at the time, Chu Yunfei’s core infantry battalions had already left a significant gap.

Just unifying the weapon calibers was something only the Central Army’s elite German-equipped adjustment divisions could achieve domestically.

Therefore, Chu Yunfei had absolute confidence for this battle.

Let alone that the attacking Suzuki Brigade’s vanguard was only about two thousand men.

Even if it were an entire brigade of over six thousand troops attacking Ruyue Pass, Chu Yunfei dared to wrestle with those damned little devils.

A signalman stood at attention before Chu Yunfei.

“Report, Commander!”

“Speak!”

“According to reconnaissance posts, a Japanese and puppet force of over a thousand, unit unknown, is marching toward our positions.”

“Order given, prepare for battle!”

“Yes!”

Fang Ligong hurriedly reminded, “Commander, this force might be the independently mixed Eleventh Brigade sent south on orders.”

“According to pre-battle intelligence, the Japanese units invading Shanxi—whether the First Mixed Brigade, the independently mixed Eleventh Brigade, or the Fifteenth Brigade—are all elite units of the Kwantung Army.”

Chu Yunfei nodded. “I know. Intelligence shows the Japanese are likely experimenting with so-called mechanized brigade units, internally called small divisions...”

He paused, then his tone was filled with contempt for the Japanese: “Their strength is no more than six thousand men but structured with a two-battalion infantry regiment.

The brigade commands two tank battalions equipped with Type 89 tanks and Type 94 armored cars.

In such narrow mountainous terrain, their armor can only serve as fixed gun emplacements.

Even if it’s an entire brigade, fewer than 4,500 infantry won’t pose a real threat to us...”

Seeing Fang Ligong’s confused expression, Chu Yunfei teased with a smile, “The greatest threat from these devils is actually the brigade’s artillery — those twelve mountain guns.

Their performance is actually somewhat better than our Shanxi-made ones.

I don’t know if the vanguard of this attack is equipped with a large number of artillery pieces.

If we get the chance to eliminate their artillery, this battle will be much easier!”

Fang Ligong was astonished but soon regained composure and nodded. “Yes, Commander.”

“Report, Commander, Deputy Commander, Commander Yan of the Second War Zone is calling, inquiring whether our troops are fully deployed for battle.”

Chu Yunfei rubbed his white gloves and smiled. “Send a reply to Commander Yan, telling him to await good news.

I, Chu Yunfei, will repay his trust and care for me and the 358th Regiment with a brilliant victory.”

“Yes!”

Fang Ligong’s eyes shone brightly as he asked, “Commander, do you already have a plan to defeat the enemy?”

Chu Yunfei, as if holding a precious gem, said calmly, “Brother Ligong, the terrain at Ruyue Pass is easy to defend but hard to attack, especially since we have constructed comprehensive fortifications.

Not to mention the vanguard of the Suzuki Brigade, even the main force of the brigade won’t gain the slightest advantage here!”