"Division commander, now that everything has been prepared, just wait for the arrival of the little devil, and I don't know if there will be any accidents in Wang Nanhu," the chief of staff said, looking at the map spread out on the shell box.

"Wang Nanhu is also a veteran of the battlefield, I think this problem should not be difficult for him Chief of Staff, you can rest assured, let's wait here for the devil to take the bait." Liu Hua replied confidently.

"I hope so, there will be no accidents, you know, in this battle, we didn't even have reserves left, and all the troops were sent to the front line. If there really is some accident, I can't imagine what the outcome will be? The chief of staff said worriedly.

At this time, Wang Nanhu, who had been worried by Chief of Staff Li Qing, was not as relaxed as Liu Hua said, and he also frowned tightly and did not say a word. Because just now, he discovered an important problem that a commander overlooked. That is, if Shunping is attacked, not only Baoding will send strong reinforcements, but Tang County, which is not far from Shunping, and Wangdu County may also send reinforcements. Just now, according to the preliminary statistics of the General Staff, if the two county towns send troops to reinforce at the same time, then there will be at least one brigade of the Yue Army and about one regiment of puppet troops behind them

Thinking of the problem he suddenly discovered, Wang Nanhu was afraid for a while. You must know that so many moving enemies, if they suddenly appear behind you, then you can't compete with them with the strength in your own hands.

At this time, Wang Nanhu was rushing to the trouble for this matter. Reflecting this situation to the commander, it is obvious that the commander has no more soldiers in his hands, and in the end, he may give up this perfect plan for his own sake. You must know that the headquarters finally sent troops to help him open up the anti-war situation in the three-division area, and Wang Nanhu didn't want to waste such a good opportunity. After thinking about it, Wang Nanhu believed that the best way was to solve the enemy in front of him and continue to act according to the original plan.

Wang Nanhu, who made the decision, spread out the map in front of him, marked all the strongholds of the army that could be reinforced to Shunping County, and clearly marked the various strongholds of the army and the garrison of the county seat.

"Staff Officer Wang, immediately calculate the maximum number of troops that may be dispatched from each stronghold of the Yue Army according to the marks on the map, be fast," Wang Nanhu pushed the map in front of him to an operational staff officer and ordered.

"Yes, Commander" Staff Officer Wang took the map, glanced at the numbers on the map, and immediately began to calculate.

"Staff Officer Li, immediately count all the troops in our hands, including all the guard troops, logistics troops, artillery, as long as they can hold guns, count them for me" Wang Nanhu arranged to another staff officer.

"Yes, Commander, I'll do it right away" Immediately, Staff Officer Li, who was ordered by Wang Nanhu, picked up a folder and walked out of the temporary headquarters.

It didn't take long for Staff Officer Wang, who had calculated the maximum number of troops that the army could dispatch, to let out a sigh of relief and raised his head.

"Commander, we have already calculated that if we attack the county seat of Shunping, all the county towns you marked the stronghold of the army have received a request for help. The army can dispatch a total of two brigades, and there is at least one puppet legion. In addition, there is also the possibility of touching some auxiliary troops, these troops, we can't calculate" As he spoke, Staff Officer Wang handed over the specific report in his hand to Wang Nanhu.

"Well, I know" Listening to Counselor Wang's words, although Wang Nanhu was prepared, his face was still full of surprise. After receiving the report, Wang Nanhu stared at the report in his hand and thought seriously.

However, not long after Wang Nanhu pondered, Staff Officer Li, who had been sent out to count the strength of the troops, ran back. "Report to the commander, the number of troops that can participate in the battle has been counted"

"After the statistics, you can report to me in detail" Wang Nanhu raised his head and replied, his face was full of expectation, hoping that Staff Officer Li in front of him could bring him a glimmer of hope, although he already knew the approximate strength in his hand, but he still expected

"Commander, according to statistics, we have a total of 1,843 people in the Reading Regiment, 360 people in the mountain artillery battalion of the artillery regiment of the headquarters, 124 people in the guard company of the headquarters, 60 people in the communications company, 180 logistics personnel in the headquarters, and a total of 2,583 troops, which are all the troops that we can use now," Staff Officer Li reported in front of him.

"Alas, the troops are still not enough" After listening to Staff Officer Li's words, Wang Nanhu had no last expectation, and shook his head helplessly.

"Commander, in fact, we still have a force in our hands that is useless," Hearing the commander say that the troops were insufficient, Staff Officer Li, who reported the strength in front of him, replied in a low voice.

"What, there are still troops, say it quickly" Listening to Staff Officer Li's words in front of him, Wang Nanhu's face was full of incredulity, because he knew that what Staff Officer Li had just reported was already all his existing troops. However, after listening to Staff Officer Li's words, the hope in Wang Nanhu's heart surged again, hoping that Staff Officer Li in front of him could give him a little miracle.

"Yes, commander, it's just that this unit doesn't have much actual combat experience, and the equipment is not particularly good," Staff Officer Li replied.

Listening to Staff Officer Li's words, Wang Nanhu vaguely thought of something, but at this time, he was so anxious that he couldn't calm down and think about this question at all, and then asked: "Tell me quickly, what kind of army is it?"

"Commander, the guerrilla unit we originally sent over has now developed into three county brigades and several district squadrons, and the preliminary estimate is that their number exceeds 1,500 people. It's just that their equipment is not particularly neat, although they have a rifle in their hands, but they are extremely short of ammunition, and they have no heavy weapons," replied Staff Officer Li.

"Oops! Why didn't I think that there was such a force in my hands that was useless, not only the county brigade, the district squad, but also the militia, why am I so confused. Staff Officer Lee. Immediately convey the order to the various district teams and county brigades," Wang Nanhu, who came to his senses, ordered excitedly.

"Yes, Commander"

"Order, Shunping County, Wangdu County, Tang County, the county brigades of the three counties secretly assembled around their respective county seats, and transferred one battalion, two or two companies from the Reading Regiment, each carrying three heavy machine guns and three mortars, to advance to Tang County and Wangdu County respectively, and to meet with the county brigades hidden in the outskirts of the county seat, and make a posture of encircling and attacking the county seat. In addition, in order to give the army the illusion that we have sufficient troops, the two county brigades can also mobilize the surrounding militia for reinforcements. Ordered, each district squad immediately moved to the nearest stronghold of the Japanese army, and carried out tactics such as shooting cold guns and besieging the stronghold, so as to trap the Japanese army in the stronghold. Ordered the Shunping County Brigade to immediately mobilize militia in the surrounding area to create momentum for the siege of the Reading Regiment Commander: Wang Nanhu. Immediately let the communications company send the order to the hands of all troops, as soon as possible," Wang Nanhu ordered loudly.

"Yes, Commander," after receiving the order, Staff Officer Li turned and left the headquarters and ran towards the camp of the communications company. In less than a few minutes, dozens of communicators rode out of the hidden woods on their horses and rushed towards their respective targets. And Wang Nanhu, who was standing at the door of the temporary headquarters, looked at the back of the correspondent who slowly disappeared, and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Because the districts and county brigades of the Eighth Route Army are hidden in various villages, it can be said that they are far and close to the temporary headquarters where Wang Nanhu is located. Some of the correspondents had not yet arrived at their destination, but some of them had already led the comrades of the district squad to feel that the command headquarters had assembled, and by the morning of the 15th, Wang Nanhu's temporary command had assembled six district squadrons with more than 300 troops. Although it is very shabby in terms of weapons, it is better than the number of people.

"Staff Officer Wang, you go to the logistics office and take out all the ammunition we have in reserve, and go back to our headquarters, bring all the weapons and ammunition stored in the headquarters, and change the clothes of the comrades in the district squad and county brigade. By the way, try to bring some military uniforms with you. Wang Nanhu looked at the soldiers of the more and more district squads and ordered with a smile.

"But, Commander, we've used up all the ammunition we have in reserve, and we'll go later," Staff Officer Wang stopped talking.

"Hehe, Counselor Wang, you are confused. As long as we play this one well, will we still worry about ammunition? Don't forget the materials stored in Baoding City, which are all the materials for the army to go south, when the time comes, you just don't have too much. Go and execute it immediately," Wang Nanhu decisively ordered.

"Yes, Commander, I'll take someone back to get the weapons and ammunition right away." With that, he turned and left the command.

And so it was not long before four o'clock in the afternoon of the fifteenth. More than 800 people from the district team, comrades from the county brigade, and more than 1,000 people from the surrounding villages have gathered in the woods where the headquarters is located. Seeing the soldiers of the district squad with broken weapons in front of him, the only thing Wang Nanhu was anxious about now was Staff Officer Wang, who was back to the headquarters to carry weapons and ammunition. Because the troops gathered at the entrance of the headquarters are waiting to change their outfits.

Wang Nanhu stood at the highest point of the woods, constantly raising his telescope to look at the highway in the direction of the headquarters. Finally, a convoy appeared in Wang Nanhu's field of vision, and the convoy was slowly moving towards the woods where his headquarters was located, getting closer and closer. Finally, the figure of Staff Officer Wang at the front of the team appeared in Wang Nanhu's telescope.

"Guard Company. Guard company, gather quickly, follow me to meet our baggage troops" Wang Nanhu excitedly ran down from the commanding heights and ran in the direction of the convoy, giving orders to the guard company behind him as he ran.

Soon, Wang Nanhu, who was with the guard company, joined the convoy, and with the help of the soldiers of the guard company, everyone quickly transported more than a dozen truckloads of weapons and ammunition to the temporary headquarters.

"Commander. According to your orders, I have emptied our family funds. A total of 500 rifles, 20 light machine guns, and a batch of ammunition were brought. In addition, the political commissar asked me to bring four heavy machine guns damaged by the logistics department, and he said that it would be better for us to fill up the façade. Counselor Wang replied.

"Well, good job, is there anything else? If nothing happens, send these weapons and ammunition immediately, it's getting dark, and we should act. Wang Nanhu said happily.

"Commander, after I went back, the political commissar asked us about the situation here, and I really had no choice, so I told the political commissar about the situation we were facing. The political commissar was worried that our troops were insufficient, so he asked the guard company of the headquarters to come to reinforce tonight, and in addition, he also sent a battalion of local troops" Staff Officer Wang replied in a low voice, afraid that the commander in front of him would scold himself for this matter.

"Hehe, it's okay, the commissar understands me, you go down. Send all our weapons and ammunition, but first to the personnel of the logistics department, then the wrong place, and the militia last. Let's go now, and when the weapons are distributed, we will eat immediately, and at eight o'clock in the evening, we will leave on time. Wang Nanhu ordered.

"Yes, Commander"

In the evening, after dinner, the local comrades and militiamen had not yet woken up from the excitement of receiving weapons and ammunition. Those local comrades in brand-new military uniforms touched the blue rifle in their hands, smelled the strong smell of gun oil on the gun's body, pinched the bullets bulging in the bullet belt, and laughed when eating.

However, due to the brand new equipment. Under the command of their respective commanders, they have the momentum of a regular army. Looking at the nearly two thousand extra soldiers in front of him, Wang Nanhu was full of confidence in tomorrow's soldiers.

"Order, the guard company of the Reading Regiment is the vanguard, the Reading Regiment, the artillery battalion will follow, and the local troops will set off at the end, the target, the county seat of Shunping ten miles away," Wang Nanhu ordered loudly to the soldiers in front of him. As the order was issued, the soldiers of a company quickly walked out of the queue, formed a battle formation, and quickly advanced in the direction of the county seat. Immediately afterwards, according to Wang Nanhu's order, the various troops slowly opened a temporary camp.

The ten-mile distance was nothing for these peasant-born Eighth Route Army, and in less than 40 minutes, the commander of the guard company of the Reading Regiment, who was the avant-garde, ran in front of him.

"Report to the commander, one thousand meters ahead is Shunping County, according to the preliminary investigation of the guard company, the army is not on any alert, there should be no discovery of our plan of action, the guard company requests the next combat order." The commander of the guard company replied quickly.

"Okay, now order, the second battalion of the Reading Regiment, the place is not 500 people, unified under the command of the second battalion commander, to surround the south gate of Shunping County. Remember, you can't let go of a little devil, tomorrow at eight o'clock in the morning, when the main force attacks the north gate, you can send part of your forces to carry out an auxiliary attack. Wang Nanhu ordered to the second battalion commander in front of him.

: Yes, Commander, guarantee the completion of the task" After saying that, he turned around and broke away from the main force on the march with his troops.

"For the rest of the troops, the Reading Regiment will be used as an attack force, and the artillery battalion will immediately find a favorable hidden terrain and build artillery positions, and the local troops will spread out in battle formation, surround the north gate of Shunping County, and be on alert." Wang Nanhu ordered again.

"Yes, Commander, guarantee the completion of the task" all the cadres in front of him replied in unison.

Soon, the 2,000-strong troops following Wang Nanhu stopped about 500 meters away from the north gate of Shunping County, quickly dispersed, and began to build a position around the north gate. A very light and heavy machine gun was set up by the soldiers, one mortar after another, and the mountain artillery raised its high barrel, aiming directly at the city wall of Shunping County.

Of course, the hot formation outside the city did not evade the army holding on to the city wall, and soon, the news that "a large number of squadrons were found outside the city and were besieging the county seat" was reported to the supreme governor of Shunping, Matsudaira Daisa.

"Nani. Large-scale local forces were found to be building fortifications outside the city, and it must be our Eighth Route Army in the mountainous area to the north" After listening to the report of the staff officer on duty, Matsudaira Osa was not surprised.

Because, as the supreme commander of Shunping County, who is stuck in an important position in the base area of the Third Army of the Eighth Route Army, Matsudaira Dazuo and nearly 2,000 soldiers under him have been fighting with the Eighth Route Army in the third division for at least half a year. He knew the strength of the Eighth Route Army very clearly. Therefore, he didn't believe that the place outside the city could be harmful to his Shunping county at all.

"Order a squadron of imperial troops and a battalion of puppet troops to go up the city wall and stay on alert," Matsudaira Osa confidently ordered.

"Your Excellency, although there are a large number of Eighth Route Army armed outside the city, we say that this imperial army is invincible, whether to send troops to attack and wipe out the Eighth Route Army outside the city in one fell swoop." The staff officer on duty proposed.

"Baga bastard. It's dark now, don't you know that the night is very beneficial to the Eighth Route Army, and it is simply a killer for our excellent imperial army? Hurry up and convey the order, before dawn, all troops are forbidden to attack" Matsudaira Dazuo scolded loudly the staff officer on duty in front of him, and continued to return to his room, tossing his wife who had just come to his side.

"Hi, Your Excellency." Looking at the back of His Excellency Big Mouth entering the room, the staff officer on duty replied unhappily. However, if you are unhappy, you still have to convey the order, who will let the commander in front of you be your commander?

As a result, such a scene appeared in Shunping County. After sending reinforcements from a squadron and a battalion of puppet troops, they watched as the Eighth Route Army outside the city quickly dug trenches outside the range of their rifles. Watching the trench slowly take shape, little by little encircling the entire north gate, a very light and heavy machine gun was erected in front of him. Those puppet troops who came over could only do things in a hurry, but they couldn't take any action. Because this is a strict order from his own commander, Matsudaira Daisa.

(To be continued)