Lei Jian saw that everyone was concentrating and waiting to accept the orders issued to the troops, he didn't know whether it was intentional or necessary, he coughed lightly and then ordered: "Order Commander Zhang Ting to lead the second battalion to hold the position on the west bank of the Qingshui Bridge, this is to prevent the enemy from breaking through the last line of defense of the only regiment, and we must stop the Matsumoto Wing on the east bank of the river at any cost." ”

At this time, seeing that the battalions fortified in the main position had received the task, Cui Hao, the commander of the first battalion with an impatient temperament, asked calmly: "Commander Lei, why did you miss our first battalion?" You know, the first battalion is the main attacker in both large and small battles, and it is placed in the most dangerous and arduous place, so why is there no combat mission for the first battalion this time? ”

"Battalion Commander Cui, don't worry, your first battalion has fought very bravely when attacking the three pillboxes held by the Ikeda squadron in Fuping City, and immediately withdrew from the position after destroying the enemy pillbox and marched all the way, not only did not delay the time but arrived at the Qingshui Bridge ten minutes ahead of schedule, the soldiers of the army are already very hard, I will use the first battalion as a reserve, waiting for the order to attack at any time."

"Commander Lei, when did our first battalion become a reserve? How can I explain this to the soldiers of the first battalion? ”

The third battalion commander, the fourth battalion commander and the second battalion commander heard Cui Hao shouting so fiercely, and they were dissatisfied and said almost at the same time: "Okay, Camp Commander Cui, this time I should also ask your first battalion to taste the taste of being a reserve. Hahaha. ”

Lei Jian was not swayed by the bickering of several main battalion commanders, he said sternly: "Don't argue, don't be happy with the battalions that received the task, if something goes wrong in this special operation, my Lei Jian will hit the board." ”

"Don't worry, Commander Lei, the main battalion of our few who have received the task will definitely fight this battle, and we will never ask you to fight the board."

Lei Jian nodded in the night and said: "Okay, I hope so, I will continue to give orders, order the third regiment to bite the rear of the Matsumoto Wing, once the enemy's main force concentrates its forces to encircle and suppress, it must retreat as quickly as possible, and must not be bitten by the enemy, there is no new combat order, the main task is to contain the enemy." ”

After issuing the main order, Lei Jian made some arrangements for Kong Xiang, the political commissar of Ma Mingshan and the director of the political office of the regiment, and finally looked at Lao Sun in the gray night before dawn and asked: "Comrade Lao Sun, I have already issued the combat orders of all troops in this Qingshui Bridge Battle, can you please add it?" ”

"Commander Lei is polite, I am very satisfied with the orders you have given, there is nothing to add." Lao Sun replied to Lei Jian's respectful question about him in an inexplicable tone, and the regiment and battalion cadres who attended the meeting not only frowned and looked at Lao Sun.

Lei Jian smiled indifferently and then asked: "Head Li, Political Commissar Ma, and the comrades attending the meeting, do you have any suggestions or additions to the order I just issued?" Is there any unclear combat mission for yourself? ”

Li Gang and Ma Mingshan stood up and solemnly reported: "Report to Regiment Commander Lei, there is nothing to add, the order you have given is already clear, please rest assured that Regiment Commander Lei will guarantee the completion of the task." ”

"This is not good, sit down, I am just temporarily commanding this Qingshui Bridge Battle on behalf of the head of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region, after the meeting, I am still an ordinary soldier of the Eighth Route Army, I hope that comrades will not carry any burden, but I Lei Jian please remember that we are the only regiment of soldiers, to complete the task assigned to us by the head of the military region, I think everyone will be able to do it."

"Guaranteed to get the job done." The regimental and battalion cadres of the only regiment replied firmly.

Lao Sun looked at the cadres of the only regiment and battalion who had received the task and left, and said to Lei Jian: "Commander Lei, don't look at your age, commanding the only regiment and the third regiment to fight is still very majestic."

In particular, the operational deployment of the Battle of Qingshuiqiao, which has been carefully formulated, the arrangement of each unit and the location of the defense, are really very thoughtful, and if the various units are executed effectively in the operation, they will not be able to destroy the Matsumoto Wing, and they will also be able to inflict heavy losses on the elite of the Japanese army. ”

Lei Jian listened to Lao Sun's tone very much like a superior leader, and when he was evaluating a subordinate commander's combat plan, he not only looked at Lao Sun more highly, but he didn't show it directly on the surface, let alone want to get to the bottom of it.

He said politely: "Comrade Lao Sun gave me such a high evaluation of Lei Jian, I really feel panicked, I hope that the enemy who can fight in the first battle of Qingshuiqiao will lose his armor and flee in the wilderness, and will not dare to invade my Beiyue District base in a short time." ”

Lao Sun laughed and said: "Commander Lei, you are a very clever young commander, although you have doubts about my identity, you only asked for the first time, and then did not get to the bottom of it.

This is a very educated and very good at analyzing and dealing with unclear things, and among the young commanders who can do this, you are the first one my grandson has met, and in the future, I may not meet such a talented person as you. ”

Lei Jian was not proud of what Lao Sun said, nor did he show deliberate compliments and embarrassment, and said calmly: "Comrade Lao Sun, Lei Jian is still just a very young child, and with a big brother like you by his side to give guidance often, I believe I will progress faster." ”

"Hahaha, well, don't be tempted by good words, don't get carried away by other people's affirmations, and keep a light heart in flattery, it's difficult for me to do this, you Lei Jian did it, my grandson doesn't know where your Lei Jian's cultivation that is not understood by people comes from."

Just when Lei Jian and Lao Sun were admiring each other, Zhang Ping ran over and reported: "Report to Regiment Commander Lei, the combat mission has been issued to the Third Regiment, and the Commander of the Third Regiment Wu Yude reports that the Japanese Army's 364th Matsumoto Wing has begun to move, and the tail team has about a brigade to block our Third Regiment on the north high ground of the 1,000-meter road east of Sangtou Town, and the main force of the Japanese army took advantage of the night before dawn to move quickly to the area of Qingshui Bridge." ”

Lei Jian stood up and resolutely ordered: "Director Zhang Ping, immediately issue the latest order to the ambush troops, order the troops to enter the position, prepare for battle, once the enemy is found to be approaching, according to the advance deployment to give the enemy the most fierce firepower, hit the little devils marching to Qingshui Bridge dizzy, destroy the arrogance of the soldiers of the Japanese troops, and then fight these enemies who have lost their will." ”

Time passed little by little, at 5:40 before dawn, Matsumoto Daisa, who was standing outside the highland military tent with a command knife in his hand, looked at the gradually brightening sky, he looked at the direction of Fuping Castle from afar, and couldn't help but sigh: "I don't know what is the situation of the Ikeda squadron that is stuck in Fuping Castle and surrounded by the only regiment of the Eighth Route Army in the bunker, since it lost contact at 17 o'clock yesterday, and has not been contacted until now, why is this?" Is it ......? ”

Captain Matsumoto didn't dare to think any further, and said to Chief of Staff Jun Takada beside him: "Takada-kun, have the troops sent to the front line of Qingshui Bridge to reconnoiter come back?" What is the current situation with Squadron Ikeda? ”

Takada replied respectfully: "Report to Matsumoto Daisa, the team sent out to reconnoiter has not returned, and there is no news from the Ikeda squadron in Fuhei Castle so far, I suspect that the Ikeda squadron should have been completely shattered in the battle with the Tsuchihachi Road, otherwise it would not have lost contact." ”

Captain Matsumoto was most afraid of such a tragic situation in the Ikeda squadron, and when he heard Chief of Staff Takada make it clear, he couldn't help but shiver all over, and he ordered in a fierce tone: "Send a telegram to the Ikeda squadron again, ordering my 364th Wing to immediately advance to the Shimizu Bridge according to the previous deployment." ”

The 364th Wing of the Japanese Army received an order from Matsumoto Daisa, and the troops immediately assembled and quickly attacked in the direction of Shimizu Qiao.

Captain Matsumoto ordered the captain of the 3rd Regiment of the 8th Route Army who stayed on the high ground to block it: "Captain Kubu Ichiro, order your brigade to leave two squadrons and take this high ground occupied by our Japanese army on the eastern slope of Sangtou Town as a position, once the 3rd Regiment of the 8th Soil Road continues to bite our Wing, your two squadrons will rely on the high ground to wipe out the 8th Army that has caught up at the front of the high ground, and ensure that the main force of our Matsumoto Wing will quickly pass through Qingshui Qiao and reinforce the Ikeda squadron in Fuping City, do you understand?" ”

"Hay, Hay."

At this time, the captain of the Japanese squad that sent reconnaissance rushed to the high ground at a trot, raised his hand and saluted and reported: "Report to Your Excellency Matsumoto Daisa, our squad was ordered to reconnoiter in the area of Qingshui Bridge, and no troops were found on the Tuba Road. ”

When Captain Matsumoto heard the Devil Squad Leader's report, he frowned and grabbed the Squad Leader and shouted, "You bastard, the Tu Eighth Route Cavalry Battalion carried out a sudden sneak attack on our Wing at night, how could it suddenly disappear?" My question is you, have you ever scouted in Sangtou Town? Is there an ambush on the West Mountain of Sangtou Town? And the woods west of Sangtou Town, have your team scouted them? Say it quickly. ”