Chapter 95 Return to Linyuan County
"Ugh……"
At the independent regiment's headquarters, Zhao Gang couldn't help but sighing at Li Yunlong.
"No, Li Yunlong, why are you crazy?
You called me here just to let me listen to you sigh, right?
I'm not saying anything about you.
Isn’t it just that all the equipment in the armory was taken away by the brigade commander?
Are you really that serious?"
Li Yunlong listened to what Zhao Gang said and drank a sip of wine in silence.
"Old Zhao, it's easy for you to say it, a 105mm howitzer!
I, Lao Li, have never used such a large-caliber cannon in my life."
“I’m not afraid of you laughing at me, my mouth was watering when I saw that howitzer.
The results of it?
I didn’t even touch it before the brigade commander had people dismantle it and take it away.”
"And there's that blessing anti-aircraft gun the brigade commander mentioned.
If we had that thing, why would we be afraid of the Japanese planes? "
Zhao Gang couldn't help but smile when he saw Li Yunlong's resentful expression, and drank the wine on the table in one gulp.
"Alright, alright, that's all.
What would happen if you kept such a big howitzer?
It is simply not suitable for our independent group to use right now."
“Besides, didn’t the brigade commander leave behind three Type 41s?
Your artillery company can be reorganized. Together with the artillery of Xiao Qin's vanguard battalion, it will be enough to form an artillery battalion.
How many regiments in our Eighth Route Army can have their own mountain artillery battalion?
Be content. The brigade commander has allocated 1,200 horses to our independent regiment this time.
There are more than 400 horses that can serve as war horses, which is enough for you to form a cavalry battalion.
The weapons and equipment seized from Qinghe County were all given to our Independent Regiment and the New 1st Regiment. They are enough to equip 4,000 people."
"And the headquarters has also given us two thousand new recruits who have completed basic training. Now our independent regiment has more than six thousand people."
"Well, forget it. If the old doesn't go, the new won't come. I believe that as long as Xiao Qin is here, he can definitely get those cannons with his luck.
Lao Zhao, the headquarters has issued an order for us to return to the Jinzhong area. Our independent regiment is going back to Linyuan County. Let everyone get ready. "
After Li Yunlong finished complaining, he started to get down to business.
Zhao Gang was somewhat confused as he listened to what Li Yunlong said.
"Old Li, we are going to Linyuan County, so where should the New 1st Regiment go?"
"The New 1st Regiment is also heading to Linyuan County, and our target is Shiquan County next to Linyuan County.
It’s just that I’m more familiar with Linyuan County, so let’s go to Linyuan first.”
“When I led the New 1st Regiment to Linyuan County, I left a large number of tunnels in various strongholds, towns, and even in the county town.
With the help of these authentic people, it will be easy to retake Linyuan County."
"This time, we have to defend Linyuan County. The brigade commander wants our two regiments to develop a base with Linyuan County as the center and keep Linyuan County firmly under the control of our Eighth Route Army."
Zhao Gang listened to Li Yunlong's words and nodded.
"Yeah, no problem, when do we leave?"
"It will only take a few days. Once Qi Tao has prepared all the equipment for the cavalry company, we will set off as soon as he gives the order."
"Cavalry Company?
Lao Li, you just formed a cavalry company?"
"Don't mention it. Qin Yangming brought up the arsenal, saying that he had worked hard to find the arsenal, but I gave it all away with just one sentence. I could only give him 700 horses, including 220 war horses."
"So I could only get a cavalry company, and the company commander was a Mongolian who the brigade commander asked me to get from the 120th Division."
Zhao Gang listened to what Li Yunlong said, thinking of the incredible organization of Qin Yangming's vanguard camp, and asked Li Yunlong curiously.
"Hey, Lao Li, how did the brigade commander agree to Xiao Qin's vanguard battalion's organization? That organization is too exaggerated.
His battalion is stronger than some basic regiments, and can even rival half of the Japanese army."
Li Yunlong explained: "The commander of Xiao Qin's brigade did not agree at first because there were too many equipments and the troops were too bloated. But Xiao Qin was so good at equipment, so the commander agreed reluctantly.
The brigade commander also mentioned the matter of the vanguard battalion. Xiao Qin's vanguard battalion will be expanded into a vanguard regiment sooner or later. Now I just want Qin Yangming to follow me and learn how to command battles so that he can become the regiment commander. "
"I estimate that after one more battle, or after we take over Linyuan County, Xiao Qin will be promoted to the head of the group."
"I finally understand. This guy Xiao Qin is the so-called dragon."
"How can a golden unicorn stay in a pond? Once it encounters wind and clouds, it will turn into a dragon."
"Yes, yes, that's right. Otherwise, you'd be dreaming that Political Commissar Zhao is a top student. Come on, let's drink. Once the troops are transferred, we won't have a chance to drink anymore."
……
At the Vanguard Camp headquarters, listening to Zhangye's report, Qin Yangming nodded with satisfaction.
"Captain, our vanguard battalion is now fully staffed, and we have an additional rocket launcher platoon as you mentioned. Captain, should we go and find some trouble with the Japanese and train some new recruits?"
Zhangye looked extremely happy as he looked at the roster in his hand.
In just two months, the vanguard battalion, which originally had only one-third left, has now been replenished with troops and various equipment.
Qin Yangming listened to Zhangye's report and shook his head: "No, let's have a good rest these few days, our independent regiment will be transferred soon.
By the way, is the list of fallen soldiers ready?"
"We are going back to Linyuan County this time to send the ashes of the fallen soldiers back to their hometown."
"Don't worry, Battalion Commander. I have already discussed this matter with the Political Commissar."
……
Following the order from the Eighth Route Army Headquarters, the Independent Regiment and the New 1st Regiment moved along the Luliang Mountains towards the Jinzhong area, preparing to return to Linyuan County.
Because there were no Japanese enemies chasing or blocking them along the way, the New 1st Regiment and the Independent Regiment moved very quickly and returned to the Eighth Route Army base outside Linyuan County in just four days.
After returning to Linyuan County, Qin Yangming unceremoniously sent troops to capture the Lizhuang stronghold that the Japanese had rebuilt.
Li Yunlong and Ding Wei also began to discuss how to retake Linyuan County.
Otherwise, with their current base, they would not be able to support the New 1st Regiment and the Independent Regiment with a total of more than 10,000 troops, not to mention more than 2,000 horses.
"If we want to retake Linyuan County, we must first take over Baihu Ridge. Only with Baihu Ridge can we stop the Japanese from reinforcing Linyuan from Shiquan County."
In the joint combat command room of the New 1st Regiment and the Independent Regiment, Li Yunlong pointed at the terrain sand table of Linyuan County and spoke to Ding Wei and other battalion commanders.
"Baihu Ridge is not only the eastern exit of Linyuan County. If we want to attack Shiquan County, then Baihu Ridge must be in our hands."
Qin Yangming heard Li Yunlong pointing at Baihu Ridge and stood up directly: "Captain, Baihu Ridge is handed over to me. I can take it back in one day, at most one day."
Ding Wei listened to Qin Yangming's words and quickly said, "Captain Qin, you know how difficult it is to attack Baihu Ridge. All the fortifications you built on Baihu Ridge have now been reused by the Japanese."
"According to the intelligence provided by the brigade, there are 400 Japanese soldiers on Baihu Ridge, almost two squadrons."
“Besides, there are no puppet troops there, so even if we wanted to instigate a rebellion, we couldn’t.
One day, is that enough?"
"Hehehe, Captain Ding, Baihu Ridge is the base of our Vanguard Battalion. No one knows the situation in Baihu Ridge better than me."
"No problem, I believe you, Xiao Qin. I'll let Zhang Dabiao lead a battalion to help you. You take Baihu Ridge first, and then stop the Japanese from Shiquan. Then we can free up our hands to attack Linyuan."
"Don't worry, Captain. Leave it to me and I guarantee there will be no problem."
It was very difficult for the Japanese to capture Baihu Ridge because Baihu Ridge was the territory of the Vanguard Battalion.
But if the vanguard battalion wants to recapture Baihu Ridge, it will be easy.
Because Baihu Ridge has been in Qin Yangming's hands for more than half a year.
It was only three months since it fell into the hands of the Japanese.
On the surface, Baihu Ridge is indeed easy to defend but difficult to attack. If you attack from the front, relying on the terrain advantage of Baihu Ridge, it is basically impossible to take Baihu Ridge without absolute firepower suppression.
Just like the Japanese, nearly 10,000 old Japanese soldiers, assisted by planes and tanks, failed to take Baihu Ridge, and in the end Qin Yangming retreated on his own.
Li Yunlong and Ding Wei were responsible for one direction each, and then everyone began to prepare for action with their troops.
After Qin Yangming captured the Lizhuang stronghold in a swift manner, the new Japanese commander in Linyuan County also learned that the main force of the Eighth Route Army had returned. He reported the matter to his superiors and requested support.
(End of this chapter)
