Chapter 43: Old Li Gets a Promotion! Target: The 36th Division!

Chenjiayu.
Route 8 Army Headquarters.
"Report! The 386th Brigade's Independent Regiment just reported that they encountered a small detachment of Japanese soldiers last night. A total of 38 enemies were eliminated with zero casualties on our side," a staff officer reported.
The Deputy Commander nodded.
"Well done!"
And with that, there was nothing more.
In the past, wiping out thirty-eight enemies in a single engagement would have been enough for the Headquarters to issue a commendation circular.
Yet now, the Deputy Commander merely nodded faintly.
This was only because of the mention of zero casualties; otherwise, he might not have even bothered to acknowledge it.
In the center of the command room, the Chief of Staff, the Division Commander, and other senior generals were leaning over a massive sandbox model.
"Well, have you figured everything out?" the Deputy Commander asked as he walked over.
The Chief of Staff nodded: "Mostly!"
"The Japanese 36th Division, organized as a Class-A division, comprises eight regiments: four infantry regiments (Sakata, Yoshino, Sasaki, and Fujiwara), plus one regiment each of cavalry, artillery, engineers, and transport, with a total strength of over 28,000 men."
His finger moved, pointing at three small counties surrounding Zhicheng:
"Their deployment is as follows: the Division Headquarters, the Sakata Infantry Regiment, and the main forces of the five regiments—cavalry, artillery, engineers, and transport—are stationed in Zhicheng."
"The other three infantry regiments—the Yoshino Regiment stationed in Huxian, the Sasaki Regiment in Guanxian, and the Fujiwara Regiment in Luxian—form a mutually supporting triangle."
The Deputy Commander nodded and asked further:
"What about the locations of the barracks? Have they all been mapped out? How is the surveying and mapping progressing?"
The Division Commander immediately answered:
"The locations of the 36th Division's main barracks, warehouses, and command posts have all been repeatedly verified. The surveying and mapping are basically complete, and the parameters have been distributed to every platoon."
Barracks do not move, so as long as the distances are measured, the firing parameters can be calculated in advance.
When the time comes, the 100 platoons carrying the 107mm rocket launchers will reach their designated positions and fire directly according to the parameters.
In this Hundred-Platoon Offensive, deploying a force of just over 3,000 men to wipe out a Japanese Class-A division might sound like a fantasy, but in reality, it pooled the strength of the entire Route 8 Army.
It could be said that this was a meticulously planned ambush!
Of course, the most crucial element was still those terrifying 107mm rocket launchers!
"What about the firepower deployment?" the Deputy Commander asked, leaving no detail unchecked.
The Chief of Staff replied: "Around each of the three infantry regiments guarding the periphery of Zhicheng, I plan to deploy eight 107mm rocket launchers."
"For the 36th Division Headquarters stationed in Zhicheng, along with the Sakata Regiment and the cavalry, artillery, engineer, and transport regiments inside the city, I have scheduled the deployment of twenty-six 107mm rocket launchers!"
The Deputy Commander thought for a moment and nodded again.
The original plan was to arrange 100 platoons carrying 100 107mm rocket launchers.
Later calculations revealed that so many launchers were not needed at all.
Only 50 were required to blanket the little Japanese devils' barracks.
Compared to the number of rocket launchers, accurate shooting was actually much more important!
If the first round of fire was inaccurate, it would only waste a massive amount of firepower.
Consequently, the Headquarters revised the plan: 50 platoons would carry 50 107mm rocket launchers, while the remaining 50 platoons would be responsible for transporting ammunition.
Seeing that all matters had been arranged satisfactorily, the Deputy Commander waved his hand decisively:
"Send someone to the 386th Brigade to convey the order: the New 1st Regiment is reorganized into the Independent Detachment, with Li Yunlong serving as acting detachment commander!"
This was also a decision made by the Headquarters after careful consideration.
They had originally intended to use the 386th Brigade as the core of this Hundred-Platoon Offensive, but fearing the commotion would be too large, they simply arranged for Li Yunlong's New 1st Regiment to form the core.
Coupled with the county militia, district guerrillas, and reserve militias, they could easily muster over 3,000 men.
In any case, the primary mission this time was to shell the enemy from outside the city, without engaging in direct frontal combat.
The Deputy Commander added: "Tell Li Yunlong to hit them hard! Smash those goddamn 36th Division bastards!"
"Understood! Smash those goddamn 36th Division bastards!"
...
New 1st Regiment Headquarters.
The Brigade Commander walked with his hands behind his back, looking at Li Yunlong, who was grinning foolishly, and said irritably:
"Commander Li, did you hear the orders?"
"Heard them, heard them," Li Yunlong nodded repeatedly.
Over the past few days, he had long since secretly completed the incorporation of the county militia and district guerrillas.
In the past, lacking both guns and grain, even if Li Yunlong wanted to expand his forces, he could not produce so many weapons and equipment.
Ever since he gained the support of the wealthy benefactor Lin, however, this old fox had been secretly stuffing men into his ranks.
The New 1st Regiment now boasted a full eight battalions, plus the regimental headquarters, pushing its total strength past 3,000!
The Brigade Commander snorted coldly: "Don't you fucking just stand there grinning like an idiot! I haven't settled accounts with you yet for secretly expanding your forces!"
"If you fight brilliantly this time, I'll let bygones be bygones. But if you mess up..."
Li Yunlong immediately snapped to attention: "You can twist my head off and use it as a chamber pot!"
The Brigade Commander nodded with satisfaction: "Get lost!"
"Yes!"
Li Yunlong saluted, turned on his heel, and went off to issue commands.
Watching Li Yunlong's retreating figure, the Brigade Commander finally could not help but laugh.
After planning for days, the action was finally about to begin.
If it succeeded, the entire military situation between the enemy and ourselves in Shanxi Province would be completely transformed!
Immediately afterward, the Brigade Commander dispatched communication runners to the 771st Regiment, 772nd Regiment, Independent Regiment, and 28th Regiment with orders to rapidly assemble their troops and await further instructions.
Meanwhile, the New 1st Regiment—or rather, Li Yunlong's Independent Detachment—rapidly decentralized.
Operating in units of platoons and squads, they advanced toward Zhicheng and the surrounding counties of Huxian, Guanxian, and Luxian.
...
Zhicheng.
Nestled between the Taihang and Taiyue Mountains.
Like a driven nail, it firmly planted itself between the two mountain ranges, severely restricting the activities and development of the Route 8 Army in the region.
Lieutenant General and Division Commander Wuyun Nan was currently standing in the command headquarters, gazing at the huge detailed map hanging on the wall.
At that moment, a communication staff officer walked in.
"Hie!"
"Your Excellency, Division Commander, we have received intelligence that the Route 8 Army's 386th Brigade is massing its troops."
Wuyun Nan turned around and asked, "Only the 386th Brigade?"
"Yes!" the communication staff officer replied.
Wuyun Nan asked again, "And what about those twenty 105mm howitzers? Any movement?"
"Report, none!"
Wuyun Nan nodded. As long as the heavy artillery remained stationary, no one could touch his 36th Division.
Ever since the Sato Brigade had been shelled into oblivion, those twenty howitzers had been under constant surveillance by the little Japanese devils.
Those twenty heavy guns were currently hidden by the Headquarters deep within the mountains.
The little Japanese aircraft could not bomb them, but by the same token, the Headquarters could not easily drag them out either.
Key transport routes along the way were dotted with checkpoints manned by the little Japanese devils; the moment any howitzers were spotted, it would be reported immediately.
Unless they abandoned the main roads and bypassed them via mountain trails.
Yet how could that be possible? Hauling cannons weighing over two tons across rugged mountains?
"Understood. Dismissed. Report if there is any further news," Wuyun Nan waved his hand.
Merely a brigade; there was no need to make a fuss.
"Do they actually expect to attack Zhicheng?" Wuyun Nan smiled with utter contempt.
Let alone a single brigade, not even a whole division could dream of breaking into his Zhicheng.
...
Night gradually fell.
Li Yunlong raised his binoculars, dimly discerning two large characters in the distance.
Zhicheng...