With the arrival of the Japanese garrisons from all walks of life who were ordered to rush to Zaozhuang, looking at the houses in the city with closed doors and padlocks, the little devils who came to reinforce also felt a little painful. Zaozhuang, which was originally bustling and lively, turned into an empty city overnight.

Through the anti-Japanese war slogans posted on the walls of the streets in the city, the little devils who rushed to reinforce almost without exception felt that the anti-Japanese war forces that attacked Zaozhuang should be the Eighth Route Army, which has developed rapidly in Qilu recently.

The problem is that, according to the intelligence controlled by the Japanese army, the guerrilla force formed by the Eighth Route Army behind enemy lines in Qilu does not seem to have such artillery strength. The results of the on-site investigation made the members of the Special High School in charge of the investigation feel somewhat familiar with the methods.

Thinking of the attack on the military column that occurred in the Jinling section earlier, the high-level senior of the special high school who was concerned about this matter quickly made a judgment: "With the strength of the Eighth Route Army alone, if you want to organize this attack, I am afraid that the strength will not be enough. This must have something to do with the Jinling Dead Soldier Camp! ”

The mention of the Jinling Dead Soldiers Battalion has always been a thorn in the heart of the Central China Front. In addition, the previous Itagaki Division and the 10th Division were all attacked by unknown forces, and the special high school finally realized that Hu Biao was very likely to be in Zaozhuang.

The Japanese army's special high class, which came to this conclusion, immediately instructed the Japanese army in Jinan to transfer more troops and set up a layer upon layer of interception networks around Zaozhuang. The Japanese troops who arrived in Zaozhuang quickly launched reconnaissance and encirclement of the attacking team.

On the first day of the capture of Zaozhuang, Hu Biao continued to collect intelligence on the Japanese army through the reconnaissance team sent to the periphery. Knowing that Zaozhuang City alone had gathered thousands of troops in one day, Hu Biao also felt a little surprised.

Looking at the map on the table, Hu Biao was also very vigilant: "It seems that this time, we really hurt the little devil!" In one day, the little devil actually gathered so many troops. Looks like they're going to be going to do a big sweep soon! ”

"Captain, what should we do then?"

"No hurry! Let me think about it! The place we are staying in is generally relatively safe. As long as the base is not exposed, the little devil will not be able to find us for a while. Is there any intelligence coming over from the Fifth War Zone? ”

"Report to the captain, not yet! According to your instructions, the information on the destruction of the railroad to interrupt the supply has been sent to the Fifth War Zone. But as far as the current situation is concerned, the troops of the Fifth Theater of Operations should be retreating on all fronts! ”

"Okay! I know! When I had lunch, let Company Commander Xu report to me! ”

"Yes, Captain!"

Considering that the task of connecting the spies was not light, Hu Biao still let all the spies who returned to the mountain go to rest. In addition to the troops on combat readiness duty, the detachment camp is quiet today. Most of the combat companies had already returned to the barracks to rest.

Looking at the Japanese reconnaissance plane that appeared in the sky overhead again, Hu Biao continued: "Xiao Wu, send a telegram to the guerrilla detachment and ask them about the information on their side. Forward the information we have detected to them! ”

"Yes, Captain!"

Although the Japanese troops assembled in Zaozhuang have not yet taken any action, in Hu Biao's view, in order to ensure stability in Zaozhuang, the Japanese army is bound to launch a sweep in the later period. Even some armed bandits hiding in the mountains will become the target of purge.

In this case, Hu Biao made some preparations in advance to preserve the strength of the detachment. If you want to break up the Japanese army's sweeping offensive, the only way to pull the battlefield out of Zaozhuang is to let the Japanese army take care of one thing and lose the other. This also means that some plans have to be brought forward.

While everyone else was resting, Hu Biao began to think about his next move. The time to come to the north is not short, and Hu Biao also plans to leave for the south. Over there in the Snow Shame Camp, it's not good for him to leave for too long!

Thinking of the few cadres trained by his subordinates, Hu Biao decided to leave a team of men and horses in Zaozhuang and continue to engage in guerrilla warfare behind enemy lines. In a short period of time, there is definitely no way to transfer the batch of materials seized by Hu Biao, and someone must be left to guard them.

When it was time for lunch, Hu Biao called Xu Sandao, Qian Zhong and others to discuss the next step of the battle plan. After listening to Hu Biao's plan, Qian Zhong said with a slight hesitation: "Captain, will there be too much movement when you go out of the mountain at this time?" ”

"Gotta leave as soon as possible! While the little devils transferred all the troops around Zaozhuang to Zaozhuang's side, it would be easier for us to jump out. If we delay any longer, we will want to jump out of the encirclement of devils, but I am afraid that it will be very troublesome.

The important thing is that we pull the main force to the periphery of Zaozhuang, which will inevitably disrupt the encirclement and suppression plan of the little devils. As long as we divert the attention of the little devils, we will be much safer when we turn back! At this time, Zaozhuang is in crisis! ”

Listening to what Hu Biao said, Xu Sandao thought for a while and said, "Captain, didn't the Eighth Route Army say that it would send an additional unit of the main force over?" In this case, they should have a lot of troops here! ”

"That being said! The base area of the Keqilu column is currently concentrated in the Yimeng Mountains. Although the main force regiment they sent could relieve the pressure on the Lunan guerrilla detachment, it was still unable to withstand the all-out counterattack of the Japanese army.

According to what we have learned, the guerrilla detachment raided Zhangzhuang last night and seized another batch of weapons, ammunition and supplies there. In addition, the exchange with us and the capture on the military column, the Qilu column must have attached great importance to it.

If the situation is not right, I believe they will choose to temporarily avoid the edge and temporarily withdraw from Zaozhuang to return to the Yimeng Mountains to recuperate. Zaozhuang is not too far from Yimeng Mountain, as long as the materials are transferred there, no matter how much things can be digested. What about us? ”

Hu Biao naturally knew well the guerrilla tactics of the enemy advancing and retreating, the enemy stationed in our own harassment, the enemy tired and we fighting, and the enemy retreating and we pursued. As far as the Eighth Route Army is concerned, the purpose of sending a guerrilla detachment to Zaozhuang this time has been accomplished, and its losses are equally small.

If the little devils encircled and suppressed too hard, then it is very possible for the guerrilla detachment to withdraw from Zaozhuang and go to the Yimeng Mountains to rest and recuperate. Knowing that he can't fight and still fight with the little devils, the Eighth Route Army, which is good at guerrilla warfare, rarely does.

Just when the two were silently thinking, Hu Biao continued: "Whether it is the National Army or the Eighth Route Army, we can cooperate with them. At the same time, we can't pin too much hope on them, but rely more on ourselves! ”

"Understood, Captain!"

"Good! Three knives, except for the sniper team, the rest of the combat units, led by you to establish the transfer channel. To get to this area of Tancheng, you must find out what is going on with the enemy. After lunch, you change your clothes and set off. ”

"Good!"

"Here in Zaozhuang, I plan to transfer a squad from the company, with Xu Cheng as the temporary team leader, and the company to stay behind. The rest of the company, as well as the recruit company, will be personally led by me and Lao Qian later, and prepare to leave Zaozhuang at night. ”

Regarding Hu Biao's arrangement, Xu Sandao thought for a while and said, "Will the strength of a company be too small?" ”

"They don't have any combat missions for a short time, just make sure that the little devils don't enter the mountains, and don't let the bandits resurgence in the mountains. In this way, a platoon was drawn from the artillery company and some artillery was left for them. ”

Considering that there were a lot of materials stored in the mountains, and it would take a little time to transfer the materials later, Hu Biao finally left an extra artillery platoon. All of them combined, there are more than 200 troops, and Hu Biao thinks it should be enough.

After giving Xu Sandao the task, Hu Biao continued: "Old Qian, you call the commanders of each company later, and we will have another meeting." Except for one company, I decided to pull out the rest of the companies and leave with another batch of supplies at that time.

Those wounded still stayed in the detachment camp to recuperate. As long as the camp is not exposed, they will not be safe. As long as we toss around outside, the attention of the little devil will also be diverted by us.

When I get to the new base, I will adjust it according to the situation. Trees are dead, people are alive, as long as their lives are saved, supplies and weapons can be seized and replenished from the little devils. Before leaving, we also left with a batch of supplies! ”

"Yes, detachment leader!"

Regarding Hu Biao's decision to leave, Qian Zhong felt a little reluctant. But as a battalion-level commander, Qian Zhong also knew that Hu Biao's worries were also very reasonable. If they don't hurry up and break out of the encirclement, they may really be in danger.

Even if the detachment has thousands of troops, there is no shortage of weapons, equipment and materials. But if you really want to be blocked in the mountains by the little devils, I'm afraid they won't be able to hold on for long. Only by protruding before the little devil completes the encirclement can they survive.

After lunch, Hu Biao brought Xu Cheng, who was in charge of logistics, and the rest of the company commanders. After giving them the task, everyone had no opinion. Only Xu Cheng seemed a little reluctant.

After the meeting, Hu Biao also said seriously: "Xu Cheng, leaving you behind, I also hope that you can stand alone as soon as possible." When the main force leaves, you and the first company commander must also cooperate well, and the training of the troops must also be stepped up.

If you can't make up your mind, send me a telegram. Later, I will select a few backbones for you from the special service company, and you can also select some fighters from the first company to supplement the guard squad at that time. Zaozhuang's side, you can't give up for the time being! ”

"Yes, Captain! I know I'm going to hold the base! ”

"Remember! As a last resort, blow up the entrances to those caves, and then lead the troops to break through. At all times, you have to remember that life is more important than materials. When we get a foothold on the periphery, I'll send someone back to strengthen you!" ”

"Thank you, Captain!"

understands that Hu Biao handed over the detachment headquarters and a large number of materials stored in the cave to him for safekeeping, which is also a kind of trust in him. Moreover, after the main force left, they had no combat mission, and they only needed to stay in the mountains and train in peace.

In contrast, Hu Biao and his entourage, who are ready to jump out of the encirclement, must also be psychologically prepared to face the encirclement and interception of little devils. Fortunately, Xu Cheng knew that with Hu Biao's command ability, he led the main force to successfully break through, and I believe there would be no problems.

And the place where the main force will move next is actually not too far from Zaozhuang. Most importantly, the place was close to the territory of Sioux Province. If the new base can be successfully established, it will be easier to communicate with the Snow Shame Camp in the future.

As Hu Biao accelerates the pace of expanding the base, the number of troops that can be commanded in the future will continue to increase. As Hu Biao's old subordinate, Xu Cheng also knew that he and other old comrades-in-arms would have to take on more responsibilities in the future and control the troops for Hu Biao!