In the afternoon of the same day, the Japanese army continued its offensive.

However, to the great puzzlement of the officers and men of the Tiger Regiment, the intensity of the Japanese attack suddenly weakened a lot compared with the morning.

In particular, the attack on the northern flank of the First Line Gorge was more like a show.

Wang Dali, the deputy head of the regiment, found Yang Jing with a puzzled look on his face and said, "Tuanzuo, what kind of medicine is sold in this gourd of the little devil?"

Why did the intensity of its attack suddenly weaken so much, could it be that there was some conspiracy that could not be achieved? ”

Yang Jing said: "There must be demons in the impermanence of the world, but no matter what conspiracy the little devil makes, at most tomorrow night, we can evacuate." ”

After a pause, Yang Jing said again: "Order the cavalry company and the sharpshooter company to strengthen their precautions and expand the reconnaissance range.

If you find that a little devil is trying to outflank the wings, you must inform me as soon as possible! ”

"Yes!"

The king took the order and departed.

Yang Jing, on the other hand, continued to lower his head and began to study the sand table on the table to make sure that there was nothing missing in the arming of the First Line Gorge.

At this time, Inaba Shiro was leading his troops to advance at full speed in the direction of Huoqiu, and at nine o'clock in the evening of the same day, he successfully arrived 30 miles south of Huoqiu County.

In view of the fact that it was getting late at that time, Inaba Shiro ordered the troops to rest and recuperate, and then attack after dawn tomorrow.

……

Huoqiu County, the headquarters of the Independent Regiment of the New Fourth Army.

For the independent regiment, which has always developed in the mountains, it is not easy to have the opportunity to control a county town, and they will naturally not let it go.

It has to be said that having a county town as a base is extremely beneficial to the development of the independent regiment.

Since taking control of Huoqiu County, the Independent Regiment has never had to worry about material supplies.

It is precisely because of this that they are reluctant to give up this county town easily, even though they learned the news of the large-scale attack of the Japanese 11th Army.

So much so that today, we are facing an unprecedented crisis!

During the civil war, Lin Shuai also made such a mistake, and was defeated by Bai Jiansheng in Siping in Northeast China, and was almost wiped out by the whole army.

Of course, it can't be said that Lin Shuai was wrong, because he acted according to orders.

The above ordered him to stick to Siping, and he had no choice.

The weapons and equipment are far inferior to the other side, especially the other side has a large-scale artillery group, defending the city defense and fighting positional warfare with the other side, which is equivalent to digging one's own grave!

Lin Shuai is still like this, not to mention the Independent Regiment of the New Fourth Army.

At this time, in the face of the all-out attack of the Japanese 6th Division, the independent regiment was almost powerless.

In just one morning, all their field fortifications outside the city were captured by the Japanese army.

In the end, he had to temporarily retreat to the county seat, in a vain attempt to rely on the county town defense to make the last resistance.

12 noon.

In the interval when the Japanese 6th Division suspended its offensive, the regiment commander Yu Zongping convened a military meeting of officers above the battalion level.

The atmosphere in the entire command headquarters was a little depressing; The expressions on everyone's faces are hard to see.

After muttering for a long time, Zhou Zichen, the deputy head of the regiment, was the first to speak: "Regiment commander, political commissar, the combat effectiveness of the little devil is too strong, and in less than half a day, the casualties of our independent regiment exceeded one-third.

They have planes, artillery, and fortifications in the county, and they can't stop their attack.

So, we need to plan ahead. ”

Yu Zongping said sadly: "Now, we are surrounded by tens of thousands of little devils, if we hold on, we may be able to hold on for a day or two."

But if you choose to break through, I'm afraid that before you can rush out, you will be completely wiped out by the little devils. ”

"Hey!" Zhou Zichen sighed and said, "If we had known, we should have followed the advice of Head Yang and evacuated the county seat as soon as possible."

Unexpectedly, it was really a county seat, and a county seat was defeated! ”

Indeed, when the Japanese army was attacking on a large scale, Yang Jing reminded the independent regiment and asked them to leave the county as soon as possible, flee into the mountains of Dabie, and fight guerrilla warfare with the little devils.

Even if they are defeated, they will not be in danger of being completely annihilated.

However, they are willing to give up the country they have built with great difficulty, and many belongings are in the city, and it will take a lot of time to transfer.

This or two came and went, and as soon as it was delayed, it dragged on until now.

Hearing Zhou Zichen mention Yang Jing, political commissar Ye Yun's eyes suddenly lit up and said, "Huh? Can we ask Commander Yang to lead his troops to come to the rescue? With the Tiger Ben Regiment joining forces inside and outside, we will definitely be able to successfully fight our way out of the encirclement! ”

Yu Zongping said: "Political commissar, the little devils who came to sweep in western Anhui have 4 divisions and 100,000 troops!"

And those who besieged our Huoqiu, judging by the strength of the troops, there was only one division at most.

Don't think about it, the pressure that the Tiger Bentuan is facing now is definitely several times greater than ours, if not more!

The Tiger Ben Regiment is still too busy to take care of itself, where is the strength to come to our rescue? ”

After a pause, Yu Zongping continued: "Commander Yang is a bright and upright person, and he will repay his kindness, if he learns that my independent regiment is in trouble, he will definitely do everything he can to come to the rescue!"

However, with Commander Yang's tactical guidance ability, in the face of the siege of several other divisions, there may be a possibility of escaping!

But once the troops are divided to rescue our independent regiment, it is difficult to say what the consequences will be.

As Communists, how can we, as Communists, do things that harm our robes? ”

Ye Yun fell silent.

After a while, Zhou Zichen thought for a while and said: "Regiment Commander, with Commander Yang's understanding of war and his tactical command ability far beyond ordinary people, he may be able to provide us with some tactical guidance to help us get out of danger smoothly."

Therefore, instead of asking for help from the Tiger Regiment, we asked Commander Yang to provide us with some tactical guidance, which is always okay, right? ”

Yu Zongping said: "Old Zhou, Commander Yang is a person, you should know very well that once you know that my independent regiment is in distress, you will definitely do your best to rescue it."

So, what is the difference between telling Commander Yang about our current predicament and letting him come to the rescue? ”

Zhou Zichen hurriedly said: "Regiment leader, it was not easy for my independent regiment to lay down this little family business, do you just watch these more than 2,000 comrades die in Huoqiu City?" ”

Yu Zongping frowned and was silent, and his heart was like a battle between heaven and man.

Naturally, he didn't want to watch the more than 2,000 soldiers of the Independent Regiment die here, but he was even more reluctant to trap the Tiger Regiment.

At this moment, a soldier of the reconnaissance company suddenly hurriedly ran in from outside and reported loudly: "Regiment commander, political commissar, the big thing is not good, the little devil has attacked again!" ”

Zhou Zichen said urgently: "Commander, you should make a decision quickly, I'm afraid it will be too late!" ”

Yu Zongping frowned, pondered for a long time, and finally agreed to the proposal of the deputy regiment commander Zhou Zichen, turned his head and shouted: "Communication soldier, immediately send a telegram to the Tiger Regiment, inform Commander Yang of the current situation, and ask him to provide tactical guidance to my independent regiment!"

Attention, you must tell Commander Yang that you don't have to come to the rescue, my independent regiment will break through and get out of danger! ”

"Yes!"

The Signal Soldier responded, put back on the headset, and began to operate.

Instead, Yu Zongping stood up violently, slammed his fist on the conference table in front of him, and said abruptly: "You guys immediately go back to their respective defense areas and fight with these little devils!"

If you want to destroy our independent regiment, then you must be prepared to withstand our crazy counterattack! ”

"Yes!"

Everyone got up one after another, and suddenly agreed, and then turned around and left quickly.

……

The picture pulls back to the first-line gorge, the headquarters of the Tiger Regiment.

Wang Dali, the deputy commander of the regiment, came to Yang Jing's side and reported: "Regiment seat, according to the reconnaissance of the cavalry company and the sharpshooter company, the Japanese army has not shown signs of outflanking from the left and right flanks. ”

Yang Jing said: "That's strange, could it be that these little devils suddenly showed mercy and deliberately let us go?" ”

Niu Da said aggressively: "Tuanza, maybe the little devil has seen our strength and has been instigated by us, right?" ”

"No!" Yang Jing shook his head and said: "The little devil has been brainwashed by the spirit of bushido and military ideology since he was a child, and he may be afraid of my tiger group, but he will definitely not be afraid of fighting for this reason!"

What's more, excluding the 13th Division of the Japanese Army that attacked Gushi and Mall, the 6th, 101st, and 106th divisions alone have nearly 80,000 troops, which is more than several times that of our Tiger Regiment!

In addition, the little devil has absolute air supremacy and occupies an absolute advantage in strength!

Don't look at the fact that we can temporarily withstand the attack of the little devil now, it is only because of the terrain that hinders the attack of the little devil.

Once the little devils are allowed to make a detour from both flanks, or cross the first-line gorge, with the existing strength of our Tiger Regiment, it is absolutely impossible to defeat the three main divisions of the Japanese army.

Not even qualified to fight them!

If we open up the formation, just one division can defeat us! ”

After a pause, Yang Jing continued: "The little devil suddenly weakened his attack, and there must be a bigger conspiracy brewing behind this, and we must not guard against it!"

However, you don't have to worry too much, order all battalions to strengthen their precautions, and when it gets dark, we will move to Huoshan and Yuexi, and go to meet the chief of staff! ”

As soon as Yang Jing's words fell, in the corner, a communications soldier suddenly took off his headset, stood up with a translated telegram, and reported to Yang Jing: "Report, the Independent Regiment of the New Fourth Army is in an emergency!" ”

Yang Jing turned his head to look for prestige and said, "Take it and I'll take a look." ”

Ma Tong immediately strode over, took the telegram in the hands of the signal soldier, returned to Yang Jing, handed over the telegram and said, "Tuanzao, give." ”

Yang Jing took the telegram and looked at it, and his face suddenly became gloomy.

Wang Dali hurriedly asked, "Tuanzao, what's wrong?" ”

Yang Jing said: "I said why did the little devil suddenly reduce the intensity of the attack, it turned out that he turned around and ran to Huoqiu County to deal with the independent regiment!" ”

Wang Dali said again: "These little devils are really insidious enough, so what should we do now?" ”

Yang Jing said awe-inspiringly: "Not to mention that the Independent Regiment has a great favor to us, even if it is replaced by any other Chinese national defense force, it is impossible for our Tiger Regiment to die without saving!" ”

As he spoke, Yang Jing turned his head to look at Ma Tong and said, "You go and call the commanders of all battalions back, just say that I am going to hold an emergency military meeting at the regiment headquarters!" ”

"Yes!"

Ma Tong straightened up, suddenly agreed, and immediately picked up the telephone next to him and dialed it quickly.

Yang Jing turned his head to look at the signal soldier in the corner again, and ordered: "Immediately send a telegram to the cavalry company and the sharpshooter company, and tell them to continue to closely monitor the movements of the Japanese army in the first-line gorge!"

At the same time, immediately divide a part of the people, take the first step, and open the way in the direction of Huoqiu!

To ensure the safety of the march of the follow-up main forces! ”

"Yes!"

The communications soldier suddenly agreed, turned to a headset, and began to skillfully operate the telegraph.

……

10 minutes later.

Since the defense area of the 2nd Battalion was closest to the regimental headquarters, Fan Tietou was the first to return.

As soon as he entered the door, he couldn't wait to ask, "Tuanza, did you call us back to discuss the evacuation tonight?" ”

Yang Jing slowly spit out a smoke ring, motioned for Fan Tietou to sit down first, and said, "Let's talk about it when everyone is here." ”

Fan Tietou obviously felt that the atmosphere was wrong, but seeing that Yang Jing didn't say anything, he didn't ask any further.

After another 10 minutes, everyone came back one after another.

Yang Jing saw that everyone had arrived, and after taking a deep look around, he briefly told the news of the transfer of the Japanese 6th Division to the Huoqiu Independent Regiment.

After everyone roughly digested the news, Yang Jing said again: "The independent regiment can't help it, before you come, I have already asked the cavalry company and the sharpshooter company to take the first step and explore the way."

Next, I plan to have the 1st Battalion and the Guard Company rush to Huoqiu with me!

The 2nd Battalion Escort Baggage Battalion and the Artillery Battalion followed.

The 3rd and 4th battalions stayed to contain the Japanese troops in the first line of the gorge, and after dark, they marched to come over!

Does anyone have other dissenting opinions? ”

Everyone said in unison: "No! ”

Yang Jing said again: "Very good! Saving lives is like fighting fire, act now! ”

"Yes!"

……

With Yang Jing's order, all departments of the Tiger Ben Regiment immediately became busy.

At 10 o'clock in the evening of the same day, Yang Jing led the 1st Battalion and nearly 1,800 people from the guard company to rush all the way, and finally successfully arrived at a mountain forest 20 miles west of Huoqiu County.

As soon as they entered the mountain forest, a small group of people and horses came out of the dense forest on both sides of the road, and stood up and saluted Yang Jing: "Tuanza!" ”

Yang Jing nodded and asked, "What about your company commander?" ”

The second lieutenant at the head said: "Our company commander is over there, and the inferior post has been sent to inform him." ”

Yang Jing motioned for the army to stop, take a short rest, and eat and river water to replenish his strength.

A few minutes later, the monkey turned back and made a brief report to Yang Jing about the current situation.

Yang Jing was surprised: "You say, the little devil deliberately opened a hole in the west of the city?" ”

The monkey nodded: "Yes, Tuanza!" ”

Yang Jing took a puff of cigarette, slammed the cigarette butt to the ground, and frowned while stepping on it: "What the hell is this little devil?" ”

The commander of the 1st battalion, Bi Yuntao, asked: "Tuanzao, what should we do now?" Do you want to go straight into the city through this opening? ”

"No!" Yang Jing said: "We rushed here to assist the independent regiment in breaking out of the encirclement of the little devils.

Since the little devil deliberately let go of an opening, Ma Tong, you immediately get in touch with the Independent Regiment through the radio, tell them about the situation, and let them try to break through.

Let's just say that we are ready to respond outside. ”

"Yes!"

Ma Tong agreed with a bang.

……

After Yu Zongping received the telegram sent by Yang Jing, he immediately organized his troops and launched a breakthrough from the West Gate.

The Japanese reconnaissance post outside the city quickly transmitted the news back to the division headquarters.

After listening to the report of the communications staff officer, Shiro Inaba, the current commander of the 6th Division, suddenly had a sneer on the corner of his mouth: "These Chinese troops in the city are bait for the Tiger Ben Regiment, and it is really wishful thinking to take the opportunity to break through."

Order the 11th Infantry Brigade to only enter, not out!

Also, where are the friendly troops of the 101st and 106th Divisions of the Imperial Army? ”

"Haya!"

A young officer next to him paused heavily, and after noting them down one by one, he turned around and hurried towards the confidential department next to him.

…………