Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 117 The battle begins

The next day was Lunar New Year's Eve.

At 3 p.m., Tang Weiguo looked at the neatly lined militia soldiers in front of him. He had a thousand words in his heart, but when he spoke, they came out as just a few simple sentences.

"Set off, I'll be waiting for your safe return and a peaceful New Year."

"Yes, Captain."

Under Tang Weiguo's watchful eye, the various units of the militia advanced in their respective directions according to their pre-arranged tasks.

As evening approached, Niu Dali led the first company of the reconnaissance battalion to the back mountain.

"Qin Yang, it's all up to you tonight," Niu Dali said, looking at Qin Yang who was covered in ropes.

"Battalion Commander, keep a close eye on things." After saying that, Qin Yang led his team along the steep mountain path trodden by the herb gatherers toward the Xiaoqingshan Mine.

Along the way, to avoid being discovered by the Japanese, Niu Dali did not have the soldiers light torches, but instead climbed the mountain path little by little by relying on the faint moonlight.

"Everyone keep up, watch your step, and be careful," Niu Dali kept reminding the soldiers of the reconnaissance battalion.

Meanwhile, Staff Officer Long led the 2nd and 3rd Reconnaissance Companies to infiltrate the Xiaoqingshan Coal Mine. The mortar company and the mountain artillery company had already arrived at the pre-selected location on time to begin constructing artillery positions.

The 3rd and 4th companies of the 1st Battalion, along with the mortar company, have already laid siege to the Xiaoqing River area and are constructing blocking positions. Meanwhile, the mortar company's guns are already aimed at a bridge spanning the Xiaoqing River leading to the Xiaoqingshan Mine, ready to fire at any moment.

Time ticked by as everyone waited. One by one, the lights in the buildings of the Xiaoqingshan coal mine went out, leaving only a few searchlights shining brightly at the entrances. A Japanese patrol was about to arrive.

Tang Weiguo checked the time; it was midnight. He decisively issued the attack order, and the mountain artillery company, which had been prepared in advance, adjusted its firing angles according to the predetermined targets and began shelling.

"Fire one shot immediately," the mountain artillery company commander ordered.

Suddenly, a loud explosion rang out from the quiet Xiaoqingshan Mine.

"Adjust firing angle, fire two rounds simultaneously." The mountain artillery company commander saw that the first corrective shell had deviated from its intended location and hurriedly ordered the soldiers to adjust the firing angle.

"Bang, bang." With the sound of the Type 92 infantry gun firing again, one of the bunkers built by the Xiaoqingshan Coal Mine at the mountain pass was instantly destroyed.

"Report to the company commander, Bunker No. 1 has been destroyed."

"Okay, continue with the targeted sweeping of the remaining targets."

"Yes."

As the explosion rang out, alarms sounded in the Xiaoqingshan coal mine. The Japanese soldiers, who had just been sleeping, hurriedly ran out of their rooms, grabbed their weapons, and began defensive operations.

But Long Wenying wouldn't give the Japanese a chance to escape. She ordered the mortar company, which was already prepared, to bombard the Japanese barracks. In an instant, the Japanese were blown to pieces, suffering terribly.

The Japanese company commander stationed at Xiaoqingshan spent a great deal of effort organizing the remaining Japanese soldiers to begin defense. The searchlights that were originally responsible for lighting the entrance had already been destroyed in the first round of artillery fire, and now the outside was pitch black in the Japanese soldiers' sight.

"Baka yarou! Fire flares now!" Upon seeing this, the Japanese company commander hurriedly ordered the remaining Japanese artillerymen to fire flares.

"In an instant, the outside of the mountain was brightly lit, and the militia soldiers who were lying in ambush at the mountain pass were exposed to the Japanese soldiers' sight."

"Retreat!" Upon seeing this, Long Wenying immediately ordered the militia soldiers to retreat to avoid being exposed to the Japanese.

Seeing the enemy retreat, the Japanese soldiers hurriedly organized themselves to build defensive positions at the mountain pass to prevent a counterattack. Just as the Japanese were being drawn to the front by the militia's attacking force, Niu Dali had already led his men up the mountain.

"Wang Fugui, take out the sentry for me," Niu Dali whispered.

"Yes, battalion commander."

After speaking, Wang Fugui took out his ancestral bow from behind him, aimed at the patrolling sentry, raised his hand, and fired an arrow, killing the Japanese soldier instantly in the throat. To be on the safe side, Wang Fugui quickly fired two more arrows. The Japanese soldier hit by the arrows fell silently, without alerting the other Japanese soldiers.

"Quickly eliminate the remaining Japanese soldiers."

"Yes, Battalion Commander." With that, several men sneaked past and easily took care of the Japanese soldiers at the other outposts. Thus, Niu Dali's company successfully entered the small mine from the back mountain.

"Qin Yang, we'll split into two groups. You take some men to defend the place where the Japanese have stored their fuel, to prevent them from detonating the fuel depot in desperation. I'll take some men to raid their rear." Niu Dali immediately assigned the tasks.

"Yes, battalion commander."

"Also, make sure to protect all the Japanese cars; they're our precious vehicles," Niu Dali added.

"Be careful, Battalion Commander, I guarantee the safety of our vehicle."

"Okay." After saying that, Niu Dali and Qin Yang led their teams in two separate groups and attacked their respective targets.

In the county town, Tanaka Itsuki was once again awakened by a series of urgent knocks on the door. This time, Tanaka Itsuki was instantly startled awake. His first thought was:

"Oh no, could it be that place that's been attacked again?"

Tanaka Itsuki, without even bothering to put on his clothes, hurriedly pushed open the door and rushed out, urgently asking the staff officer at the door:

"What happened?"

"The Xiaoqingshan Coal Mine was attacked by an unidentified enemy force."

Tanaka Itsuki's face turned deathly pale; the thing he had imagined had indeed come true.

"Damn it! Unknown army! What are you doing at the intelligence department? You can't even handle this simple problem!" Tanaka Shu suddenly felt a surge of anger.

"Smith Marseille, Commander, according to intelligence, the troops attacking Xiaoqingshan Mine are not using the Eighth Route Army's fighting style. The intelligence department is verifying this."

"Bagaya Road."

"Commander, what should we do?" the duty officer asked.

"What else can we do? Immediately gather the troops and prepare for support," Tanaka Shu said irritably.

"Commander, what if we are ambushed by the enemy again?" the duty officer asked hesitantly.

"On the road to Xiaoqingshan Coal Mine, only Xiaoqinghe is a suitable place for an ambush. If I were the enemy, I would most likely be here."

"Commander, what about us?"

"We're locked in a standoff with the enemy right there. If we don't go to their aid, the conglomerates behind the Xiaoqingshan Coal Mine won't let us off easily," Tanaka Shu said helplessly.

Last time, his troops were ambushed by the Eighth Route Army and lost a small portion of their strength. Now, he cannot spare enough troops to support the Xiaoqingshan Coal Mine.

"Yes, Commander, I understand what to do. I will assemble the troops immediately," the duty officer said.

"Go."

After watching the duty officer leave, Tanaka Shu returned to his room and put on his military uniform. This time, he planned to personally lead the team.

"Company commander, why aren't the Japanese devils here yet? Are they scared?" The platoon leader of the first platoon of the third company, who was carrying out a blocking mission at Xiaoqing River, complained to his company commander.

"What's the rush? Just wait patiently, it will come sooner or later."

"Company commander, the gunfire behind us is getting quieter and quieter. If the Japanese don't come soon, we'll have taken over the Xiaoqingshan mine, and we'll still be here without seeing a thing. All the credit will go to their reconnaissance battalion."

"We can't go back this time and be told by everyone that we didn't do anything," the platoon leader muttered.

"Alright, obey orders and keep watch."

"Yes, Company Commander," the platoon leader said reluctantly.