Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 252 Exercise Preparation

"Commander Li is exaggerating. Our two teams will continue to cooperate and fight the Japanese together!"

"Besides, the training rounds are just sitting there anyway, so why not use them all this time to test the training progress of both teams during this period."

"Let's see which team is better trained, and boost our morale," Tang Weiguo said with a smile.

“Brother Tang is right, we’ll find out what it’s like once we take it out for a spin!” Li Yunfei continued.

"Brother Tang, let me tell you, this time our Independent Regiment has learned from the strengths of your training, and our Independent Brigade is on the defensive, which gives us a terrain advantage. It seems you already knew we were going to win this time," Li Yunfei said with a grin.

"Haha, we haven't even started yet, the outcome is still uncertain. Commander Li, you can't be too happy too soon. Remember Guan Yu's carelessness that led to the loss of Jingzhou?" Tang Weiguo looked at Li Yunfei with a teasing expression.

"Don't worry, Brigade Commander Tang, Old Li will definitely give you a big surprise."

"Brigade Commander Tang, when does the exercise begin?" Political Commissar Zhao asked from the side.

"The demonstration will begin on time one week later, on June 17th. During this week, all participating units will be given time to prepare," Tang Weiguo replied.

"Understood. This week, the troops will assemble at the designated location and deploy defensive positions," Political Commissar Zhao replied.

"Alright, regarding the exercise area, I will have Commander Tang Xiaohu personally lead you there. You will be responsible for the specific deployment of the positions."

"clear."

"Thank you for leading our team, Battalion Commander Tang," Political Commissar Zhao said, turning to Tang Xiaohu.

"Political Commissar Zhao, you're too kind. It's my duty. When are you departing? I'll make preparations in advance," Tang Xiaohu said politely.

"Commander, let's go inspect the position now, and then we'll assemble the troops and build the position. A week doesn't seem to be much left," Political Commissar Zhao said to Li Yunfei, who was standing beside him.

“Alright, we’ll listen to the political commissar. This time, we need to prepare well and show Brother Tang the results of our Independent Regiment’s training.” Li Yunfei’s eyes were full of fighting spirit.

"Brother Tang, we'll be going now. See you when the exercise begins," Li Yunfei said to Tang Weiguo in farewell.

"Okay, see you during the exercise. Tang Xiaohu, you keep Commander Li company for me."

"Yes."

After saying that, Tang Xiaohu led Li Yunfei and his group toward the exercise location.

The group set off from their base and headed west. The mountains on both sides of the road became lower and the terrain flatter. Li Yunfei felt increasingly uneasy as they walked, and turned to Political Commissar Zhao to say something.

"Huh, isn't this mountainous terrain? Why does the terrain become gentler as we go further?"

"That's exactly what I was thinking too. It seems our defensive mission this time won't be so easy," Political Commissar Zhao said quietly from the side.

After hearing this, Li Yunfei didn't say anything more and followed behind Tang Xiaohu, panting. At this moment, Li Yunfei also understood that the so-called mountainous area was nothing more than a few small hills.

Thinking about this, Li Yunfei couldn't help but feel a little regretful.

"Oh no, I overestimated myself!"

The group continued their journey for another 10 minutes.

"Commander Li, Hill 501 is just ahead." Tang Xiaohu pointed to a small, solitary hill in front of them, which appeared to be no more than 100 meters high. Moreover, the terrain of the hill was very flat.

"Ah, is this really Hill 501, Battalion Commander Tang?" Li Yunfei asked again, still uncertain.

"Is this all? You're telling me this is the high ground?" Li Yunfei had a million questions in his mind.

"That's right, Commander Li, it was Brigade Commander Tang who personally selected the exercise site. I'm 100% sure I'm not mistaken," Tang Xiaohu replied confidently.

Hearing Tang Xiaohu's answer, Li Yunfei felt a chill run down his spine.

"I was too quick to boast. I should have surveyed the terrain first before making such a big claim," Li Yunfei said, looking annoyed.

"Commander Tang, thank you for your hard work. We can handle the rest ourselves." Upon arriving at the location, Political Commissar Zhao said to Tang Xiaohu, in order to maintain secrecy during the operation.

Tang Xiaohu understood perfectly well what Political Commissar Zhao meant, so he politely replied:

"Commander Li, Political Commissar Zhao, I'll be leaving now. Please let me know if you need anything."

"Thank you, Commander Tang."

After saying goodbye, Tang Xiaohu left with his men.

After Tang Xiaohu and the others had walked away, Li Yunfei said in a sarcastic tone:

"I was careless, so careless. I didn't expect Tang Weiguo to be so cunning. He deliberately used the high ground to trick me. Political Commissar, look, this hill is not so easy to take over."

After Li Yunfei finished speaking, Tang Weiguo, who was still at the Xiaoqingshan camp, suddenly yawned a few times.

"Who's talking about me behind my back again?" Tang Weiguo wiped his mouth and continued working.

"Commander, we need to learn a lesson this time. In the future, we must personally inspect the battlefield. Fortunately, this was just an exercise. If it had been a real battlefield and we were responsible for defense, we would have been in serious trouble!" Political Commissar Zhao said with lingering fear.

"Yes, Political Commissar, you're right. If it were a fair fight, we'd suffer a huge loss. From now on, let's make this an ironclad rule for our regiment!"

"Hey, Lao Zhao, do you think Commander Tang deliberately used this method to remind us?" Li Yunfei asked doubtfully.

"If that's the case, then Brigade Commander Tang is a terrifying person. Fortunately, he's our comrade-in-arms. How terrible it would be if he became our enemy one day."

"Don't worry, Lao Zhao, Brigade Commander Tang is definitely our friend!"

"Sigh, who can predict the future?" After saying that, Political Commissar Zhao quietly looked into the distance.

"We'll talk about the future later. Come on, let's discuss how to defend."

"You guys, stop standing there like idiots, come forward and give it your all!" Li Yunfei shouted to Zhou Zhengbiao and the others behind him.

"Commander, although this mountain is relatively low, it is still considered a high point in the surrounding area, and there are two small hills on either side behind the 501 position."

"Moreover, as I just saw, the soil layer here is very thick. We can carry out large-scale earthwork operations and connect the three high grounds with trenches so that they can support each other."

"If we can hold the high ground for three days, we will achieve victory," Zhou Zheng-biao said after surveying the area for a while.

“Holding the pass without attacking is not Old Li’s style. Besides, it’s hard for us to hold these three high points for three days. Everyone should know that the Independent Brigade’s combat power is not to be underestimated. They are very experienced in attacking mountainous terrain.”

"I plan to send one battalion to guard the three high grounds, and another battalion to lie in ambush and launch an attack from the flank," Li Yunfei said as he drew.

"Offense is the best form of defense. It won't be easy to gain an early advantage against the enemy. I agree to the commander's plan."

"But I'd like to mention one thing: this time we'll use our old tricks – guerrilla warfare. We'll send small groups to continuously harass the Independent Brigade's attacking forces, delaying their advance."

"To us, time is life. As long as we can hold out for three days, we will achieve victory!" Political Commissar Zhao said firmly.

"Okay, let's do it this way." Li Yunfei made the decision on the spot.

"Zhou Zhengbiao".

"arrive."

"Send troops over immediately and begin constructing defensive positions now."

"Yes."

"Also, Chief of Staff, I'd like to ask you to work hard and plan the operation well."

"Yes."

Under Li Yunfei's orders, the Independent Regiment began to move out.