Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 235 Attention from all parties

Chapter 235 Attention from All Sides

In the Second War Zone Command headquarters, located in a county town on the banks of the Yellow River, Chu Yunlong held a telegram tightly in his hand and walked quickly toward Yan Laoxi's office.

With a hint of undisguised surprise on his face, Chu Yunlong pushed open the office door and walked straight to Yan Laoxi's desk, saying in a still somewhat incredulous tone:

"Commander, the militia has sent a battle report; they actually held their ground!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Laoxi raised his head, his brows furrowing slightly, his tone tinged with doubt: "Really? They weren't exaggerating their achievements, were they? Many of our troops have done this kind of thing quite often."

He paused, then continued, "Last night, the Eighth Route Army occupied Qingshan County. Could it be that they took credit for the Eighth Route Army's victory?"

Chu Yunlong shook his head and continued...

"Commander, the intelligence is accurate. I have verified it with the intelligence personnel who have infiltrated the Japanese headquarters in Taiyuan. The Japanese have indeed suffered a defeat in the battle to attack Wolong Mountain."

Upon hearing this, Yan Laoxi's eyes flashed with surprise, then he nodded: "Oh? Then quickly read out the militia's battle report."

"Yes."

Chu Yunlong unfolded the telegram and began to read:

"Our unit was attacked by the Japanese sweeping forces recently. The entire regiment relied on the favorable terrain and engaged in fierce fighting with the Japanese, puppet troops and traitors. According to statistics, our unit killed or wounded more than 3000 Japanese soldiers and more than 2000 traitors in this battle, which effectively dealt a blow to the arrogance of the invading Japanese invaders and boosted the anti-Japanese enthusiasm of the people in the Wolong Mountain area."

"However, our unit has suffered heavy casualties, with more than 6000 people killed or wounded in action. Currently, there are only less than 1000 survivors remaining, huddled on Wolong Mountain. Therefore, we urgently need to replenish a large number of personnel and equipment. We request the theater command to provide strong support."

After listening to the battle report, Yan Laoxi said with some emotion, "I didn't expect that this militia would develop its strength so quickly in such a short period of time, with its forces approaching three regiments. No wonder it was able to defend Wolongshan County."

He paused, then said with a hint of sarcasm, "If their regimental commander weren't a genuine Shanxi landlord, I would have suspected he might be a Communist. Their rate of development is terrifying."

Chu Yunlong nodded, then asked, "Commander, should we provide the supplies the militia requested?"

Yan Laoxi pondered for a moment, then shook his head: "We can provide personnel, but not weapons and equipment."

“I received a report this morning that Wolongshan County has been occupied by the Chinese army, and that all the supplies stored by the Japanese in the county, which amount to nearly a regiment’s worth, have been taken away. I was wondering if it was the Eighth Route Army that did it, but after what you said, I now suspect that it was the local militia.”

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Chu Yunlong's eyes: "Does the commander mean that this militia is still hiding its strength?"

Yan Laoxi sneered, "It's probably true."

Chu Yunlong's eyebrows furrowed with worry: "Commander, if that's really the case, this militia isn't one of ours, so we have to be careful."

Yan Laoxi waved his hand, his tone carrying a deeper meaning: "I'm not afraid of ambitious people now, I'm afraid of incompetent people. Judging from this incident, their ambitions are quite large. It's perfect that they're in Japanese-occupied territory, let them fight the Japanese fiercely and buy us time to recover our strength."

The thought of his hometown, Taiyuan, being occupied by the Japanese invaders filled Yan Laoxi with heartache.

Chu Yunlong nodded, but was still somewhat uneasy: "Commander, I'm still worried..."

Yan Laoxi smiled and interrupted him:

“I understand, you’re afraid they’ll be recruited by the Eighth Route Army, right? If that happens, once they join the Eighth Route Army, the entire northern part of Shanxi Province will be under their control.”

Chu Yunlong gave a wry smile: "As expected, nothing can be kept from the Commander."

Yan Laoxi waved his hand, his tone brimming with confidence: "Worrying is unnecessary. Since they are so ambitious, they won't easily join the Eighth Route Army. More importantly, don't forget, their regimental commander is a genuine landlord."

Chu Yunlong said thoughtfully, "Commander, I understand."

Old Yan nodded and continued, "We can give them personnel, but not supplies. The supplies they seized are enough to make even an old man like me envious. They actually have their eyes on my supplies? Don't even think about it."

Chu Yunlong smiled and then asked, "Commander, should we add more of our own people to the army this time?"

Yan Laoxi shook his head: "No need. I don't know where they learned their counterintelligence techniques. All the people we arranged last time were dismissed for various reasons. Otherwise, our headquarters wouldn't be completely unaware of the development of this unit."

Upon hearing this, Chu Yunlong couldn't help but sigh, "It seems that a hero is about to emerge in our Jin Province."

Yan Laoxi smiled, his tone tinged with complexity: "Times create heroes. But it's also good; it's a good thing for China's resistance against Japan."

Chu Yunlong nodded in agreement: "Commander, you have the world in your heart, I, Chu Yunlong, admire you."

Yan Laoxi laughed heartily: "You're so sweet-talking."

He paused, then continued, "Oh, right, there's one more thing. This time, please publish the militia's victory in the newspaper and make a big fuss about it. Also, send a telegram to the old man in Chongqing on their behalf, asking for a reward of weapons. They've made such a great contribution; asking for a major general brigade commander and a brigade's worth of equipment isn't unreasonable, is it?"

Upon hearing this, a hint of doubt flashed in Chu Yunlong's eyes: "It's not excessive, but Commander, do we really have to ask the militia for supplies?"

Yan Laoxi chuckled: "Hehe, whether we want it or not, it's up to us to decide whether to give it to them or not. We'll figure out a way to get it into our hands later."

Chu Yunlong suddenly realized and laughed, "Commander, you have a brilliant insight."

Yan Laoxi nodded, his tone becoming serious: "You will personally lead the team to handle this matter. Don't give the militia any leverage to blackmail us."

Chu Yunlong nodded solemnly: "Understood."

Yan Laoxi waved his hand: "Okay, put everything else aside and prioritize this matter."

"Yes, Commander, I'll make the arrangements right away." After saying that, Chu Yunlong turned and left the office.

Under Chu Yunlong's command, the propaganda machine of the Second War Zone was quickly put into operation, and even the propaganda machine of the entire Nationalist government was mobilized.

In no time, the exploits of the Wolong Mountain Independent Anti-Japanese Militia spread throughout China. Major newspapers published the militia's heroic deeds, and Tang Weiguo's name became known throughout the country.

Meanwhile, far away in the old man's office in the mountain city, the intelligence chief was standing in front of him, a bead of cold sweat on his forehead.

"Damn it! How could I not know that Yan Laoxi had such capable subordinates! What were you doing with your intelligence?" The old man slammed his fist on the table, speaking angrily.

The intelligence chief quickly bowed his head and admitted his mistake: "President, please calm down. I will send someone to investigate immediately."

The old man snorted coldly, his tone tinged with urgency: "Also, send someone to contact this regimental commander named Tang Weiguo and see if we can recruit him. He's a formidable general."

The intelligence chief nodded quickly: "Yes, I'll arrange it right away."

"Secretary Lin, I've approved the supplies and military ranks that Old Yan requested for the militia. Process them as soon as possible," the old man said to the person beside him.

"Yes."

Meanwhile, in a simple cave dwelling in a mountain village in Shaanxi Province, the big boss was smoking a cigarette, holding a newspaper in his hand, and had a smile on his face.

He said to the person next to him, "Is this the Wolong Mountain militia they mentioned last time? This unit is truly a force that dares to fight the Japanese devils."

The man next to the leader smiled and said, "That's right, and the leader of this militia, Tang Weiguo, is a progressive young man. This unit has been a great help to our troops in the Wolong Mountain area."

"Since that's the case, I'm interested. Let them have more contact with this unit and cooperate more. If there's anything you can't decide, just let me know and I'll make the decision myself."

The person next to the big shot said with a smile, "It seems you've taken a liking to talent."

The bigwig lamented, "It's a pity to put such a capable and progressive young man under Yan Xishan's command."

"Okay, I'll make the arrangements right away. Also, I'll remind them to make sure they build a good relationship with this unit, and if necessary, we should back down if we can."

"it is good."

Meanwhile, in the Japanese North China Command, Terauchi Hisaichi was coldly looking at the intelligence in his hand, his face showing a hint of anger.

He looked up at the Special Higher Police chief standing before him, his tone icy:

"This young Chinese commander wiped out nearly 10,000 of our troops, and we had no idea of ​​the true strength of this force."

The head of the Special Higher Police lowered his head, a bead of cold sweat beading on his forehead: "The secret Marseille incident was a mistake by our intelligence department."

Terauchi Hisaichi snorted coldly: "Since that's the case, your Special Higher Police's chance to redeem yourself has come. Find a way to assassinate him."

"Hai!" The Special Higher Police chief nodded hurriedly and quickly left.

Thus, without Tang Weiguo's knowledge, his name and deeds had already caused quite a stir among the higher-ups of the three factions.