Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 35 Rescue En route

After the Nationalist army withdrew from the Xikou defense line, the Japanese continued their southward offensive. A portion of the Japanese forces immediately split into three routes to pursue and intercept them, moving towards Taiyuan.

Meanwhile, another Japanese division, after capturing Yangquan and Shouyang, continued its encirclement and outflanking maneuvers towards Taiyuan's rear, forming a pincer movement around the city.

The Battle of Taiyuan was about to begin.

........

During this period, Tang Weiguo led officers of all levels of the militia to keep a close eye on the movements of the Japanese based on the publicly available information they could gather.

"Commander, the Japanese are currently besieging Taiyuan. It seems Taiyuan is about to fall." Tang Xiaohu sighed as he saw the Japanese attacking Taiyuan.

"The Nationalist army's fighting strength is hard to match the Japanese, and Taiyuan has no natural defenses, so it's going to be difficult," Niu Dali added.

"The key issue is that the Jin-Sui Army has suffered such heavy losses in continuous battles. I'm afraid Commander Yan is starting to have thoughts of retreating and won't hold Taiyuan to the death," Zhao Zhu continued.

"After Taiyuan falls and the Japanese achieve their strategic objectives, I estimate that their next step will be to stop their offensive and instead consolidate the cities they have already occupied. Once they begin to consolidate their occupied areas, they will definitely launch a large-scale sweep of the defensive forces within those areas, which will greatly increase our chances of encountering the Japanese," Tang Weiguo analyzed.

"Great! It's finally our turn to fight the Japanese devils. We have to let those little devils know that we're not so easy to bully." Tang Dazhuang's face was full of fighting spirit.

"Commander, we've already replaced all our equipment with the Japanese soldiers' gear. Now let's see who has the higher combat power, us or the Japanese, with the same equipment. Our ancestors beat the Japanese pirates so badly they were running for their lives, and we, their descendants, can't disgrace them," Tang Xiaohu added.

"Commander, just tell me what to do," said Li Debao, the battalion commander of the Third Battalion, without saying much, but instead waiting for the commander's order.

"Since the Japanese have already reached our doorstep, it would be a breach of hospitality for us not to show some respect. Therefore, I order Niu Dali to lead the special reconnaissance battalion, carrying radios, to conduct reconnaissance of the Japanese movements within a 50-mile radius of Wolong Mountain. I will personally accompany you this time."

"Commander, please don't. You're still commanding the battle from the rear. I'll lead the special reconnaissance battalion there. The front lines are too dangerous." Niu Dali rejected Tang Weiguo's suggestion without even thinking.

"Since we're all going to fight the Japanese, including me, we all have to be prepared to sacrifice ourselves, so don't try to persuade me anymore. My mind is made up. Besides, if your battalion can't protect me, then you shouldn't be the battalion commander," Tang Weiguo said angrily.

"Yes, Commander! The reconnaissance battalion swears to protect the Commander's safety to the death!" Niu Dali suddenly stood up and shouted loudly.

"Alright, Bi Shoucai, prepare the weapons and ammunition needed for the reconnaissance battalion."

"Yes, Commander, I'll prepare immediately," Bi Shoucai replied.

"The remaining troops intensified their training, and Zhao Zhu continued to transfer the weapons that had been returned from the warehouse to the village protection team to increase the number of the team and prepare for the reserve soldiers of the militia."

"Yes, Commander, I guarantee the mission will be accomplished."

"Niu Dali, you have one day to prepare. Depart at 7 a.m. sharp the day after tomorrow. Meeting adjourned."

"Yes, Captain."

Time flew by, and the departure date for the reconnaissance battalion soon arrived. It was October, and the morning was still somewhat gloomy and a little chilly. Tang Weiguo led the reconnaissance battalion without hesitation to investigate the enemy's situation.

"Commander, we received a telegram from the rear that Taiyuan has fallen," Ma Dong said, his voice trembling.

"Understood, Niu Dali," Tang Weiguo called out.

"Commander, what are the instructions?" Niu Dali asked.

"Taiyuan has fallen. We'll change our reconnaissance direction and head towards Taiyuan City."

"Yes, Captain."

Meanwhile, Tang Weiguo and his group began to scout towards Taiyuan City.

Meanwhile, after the fall of Taiyuan, the remaining garrison broke out and retreated. A group of over a hundred Sichuan soldiers broke out of Taiyuan, accompanied by dozens of people dressed as students, led by an elderly man with glasses and gray hair.

Behind their ranks, a small Japanese squad was closely following them.

"Company commander, these Japanese devils are sticking too tight. We can't escape with these students," said Squad Leader Yang.

“Old Yang, I know, but we soldiers are here to defend our country and protect the people. If we run away alone, these students will definitely suffer at the hands of the Japanese devils,” Company Commander Zhou replied.

"Company Commander Zhou, you should take the students and go first. Don't take this old man with you. I'll only be a burden to you," said Professor Zhao, the student leader.

“No, Professor Zhao, we have to go together. If you don’t go, we won’t go either,” a group of students beside Professor Zhao said firmly.

"Alright, alright, stop talking. Don't worry, our Sichuan Army will definitely help you escape." Company Commander Zhou assured the students in front of him with great confidence.

Company Commander Zhou had attended school, and he knew that the students in front of him were the future of the country. With this in mind, Company Commander Zhou immediately made up his mind.

"Old Yang, you lead these students to retreat, I'll lead the rest of the men to hold off the Japanese," Company Commander Zhou ordered.

"Company Commander, I'll lead the men to hold them off. I'm old enough to have lived enough. You should lead them to retreat," Old Yang retorted to Company Commander Zhou.

"Obey orders. This is our regiment's roster. Make sure to keep it safe. Our regiment is down to just the few of us left since we left Sichuan. This roster must be kept safe so that our fellow countrymen in Sichuan will know that we sacrificed ourselves for the country."

"Company commander."

"Stop hesitating, the Japanese are catching up quickly, you guys need to retreat." After saying that, Company Commander Zhou stuffed the roster into Old Yang's arms and led the others to prepare to intercept the Japanese in the direction they were pursuing.

"Company commander, survive!" Old Yang said as he led his students to continue their escape.

.....

"Commander, we've spotted a Japanese squad. They're chasing a Nationalist army unit and there seems to be a group of civilians with them," Niu Dali reported.

"Okay, pass the word down and prepare for battle immediately."

The reconnaissance battalion soldiers immediately changed formation and prepared for battle. Niu Dali led his team directly towards the Japanese, while Wang Fugui's sniper company began to take up advantageous positions.

"Sun Wukong, how much ammunition do we have left?" Company Commander Zhou asked.

"Company commander, we have 200 bullets and eleven grenades left," Sun Wukong said.

"Fix bayonets, wait for the Japanese to get close before firing, and once we run out of bullets, immediately engage the Japanese in bayonet combat."

"Having you brothers in this life has been worthwhile. Let's be brothers again in the next life," Company Commander Zhou said to the remaining Sichuan soldiers with a look of grim determination.

"Company commander, if we fight the Japanese to the death, I've already made my money. Killing one more is a bonus," Sun Wukong said.

"Attention, the Japanese are coming soon, everyone prepare to fight," Company Commander Zhou said, looking at the approaching Japanese soldiers.

Just as Company Commander Zhou was about to fire, a dense barrage of gunfire suddenly erupted nearby, and the Japanese soldiers in front of him fell one after another. Immediately afterwards, a group of people dressed in strange clothes rushed out from the woods on both sides and skillfully slaughtered the Japanese soldiers.

"Company Commander, could it be heavenly soldiers descending to earth?" Sun Wukong was stunned upon seeing this scene, even though he had prepared himself to serve his country.

"I told you to listen to fewer stories, but you didn't listen. Someone must have come to our rescue." Company Commander Zhou patted Monkey's head.

"It feels so good to be rescued." The monkey suddenly lay limply on the ground, a wave of fatigue washing over it.