"Set fire!" With Zhang Haiyan's order, the engineer company, which had been prepared for a long time, quickly set fire to the reeds and other weeds on both sides of the road.

The commander of the engineer company, Huo Company, saw that the fire was burning all at once, smiled happily, and said, "Brothers, just do it, and burn all the devils into roast pigs for me!" ”

Call! From small to large, the fire swept a large area at once. The fire burned the stalks of the reeds, and from time to time there was a rattling sound. This made the fighters feel as if they were back in their childhood, when they roasted sweet potatoes with their friends.

However, this voice was not so beautiful in the ears of the remnants of the Japanese army. They fled in terror to a place where there was no fire, but there was not only fire but also a large amount of poisonous smoke, and they often fell to the ground after not being able to run a few steps. Screams and violent coughing were heard everywhere in the sea of fire......

The Japanese troops approaching the 36th Brigade found that there was no fire there, so they desperately fled westward. But I didn't run a few steps, and there was a sea of fire in front of me. It turned out that Zhang Haiyan was worried that Qi Sixian's side would not cooperate well, so he also informed the 36th Brigade of the plan to set fire.

Qi Sixian's method was even more vicious, he deliberately slowed down a step and waited for a large number of Japanese troops to run over before lighting the reeds. And it was directly ignited with a grenade, fast and fierce, and burned dozens of Japanese soldiers into burning men at once......

Zheng Weiguo was anxious that the remnants of the Japanese army had not been resolved, and suddenly saw that the front was on fire. He was taken aback and said, "What's the situation?" Could it be that the Japanese army is self-immolating? ”

Director Xiong smiled: "I'm afraid it's our people who are setting fire!" ”

Zheng Weiguo hurriedly said: "Quick, go and ask." What a mess! ”

Director Xiong was stunned for a moment and said, "Junzao, what's wrong with burning it?" Are you afraid of international repercussions? ”

Zheng Weiguo said angrily: "Lao Tzu has no international aid, I'm afraid of the impact of a fart!" I'm afraid that the devil's reinforcements won't be able to come when they see the fire, so how can the 33rd Brigade penetrate Taiwan? ”

Director Xiong suddenly realized and hurriedly ran to the radio station to ask questions. They brought a small radio station, but they didn't dare to put it too close because of the antenna, for fear of being discovered by the Japanese army.

It didn't take long for Director Xiong to run back panting and pouting, and said, "Army." Military seat. Our people did it. The 34th Brigade has made a start, and the 36th Brigade has also done the same! ”

Zheng Weiguo snorted angrily and said, "This Zhang Haiyan usually looks at him quite honestly. The first belt of troops will make such a play for me! ”

Director Xiong hurriedly persuaded: "Military seat." Don't be angry. Brigade Commander Zhang was also anxious, and he was reluctant to let the brothers fight hard to come up with such a crooked idea. ”

Zheng Weiguo was angry and said: "Say it lightly. Don't I want to reduce the number of casualties among the brethren? But if the battle is lost, the casualties will only be greater! For such a major action, he didn't report it in advance! ”

Director Xiong was a little embarrassed and said, "Junza, something has happened, no matter how angry you are, it's useless." Besides, Brigade Commander Zhang is a front-line commander and has a certain right to make decisions! ”

Zheng Weiguo's face softened slightly, and he said, "Forget it, it's too late to say anything." Ordered the 34th Brigade to send a part to immediately advance to the east, and hit me hard when it encountered the vanguard of the devil's reinforcements, but it was not allowed to fight, it was necessary to resist step by step, retreat in batches, and draw the enemy as close as possible! ”

Director Xiong hurriedly said: "Yes, military seat!" Don't worry, I'll arrange it! ”

After Zhang Haiyan and the others learned that Zheng Huzi was angry, they didn't dare to slack off, and hurriedly sent the most elite brigade reconnaissance company in their hands out. The company commander is Zhang Gensheng, the combat hero who fought Guan Jiayuan.

When their company was expanded, not only did it not dilute with new recruits, but on the contrary, it replenished many veterans with rich combat experience, and its weapons and equipment were also strengthened. In order to enhance the mobility of the troops, a cavalry platoon was also added, which could be used for reconnaissance, communications, and supplies in wartime.

Before leaving, Zhang Haiyan patted the company commander on the shoulder and said, "Gensheng, I won't say much else." Just now, our brigade didn't fight well and stabbed Lou Zi again, you must behave well this time, successfully complete the task, and earn back face for our brigade! ”

Zhang Gensheng hurriedly said: "Don't worry, Lvza!" We don't even have a bad seed, and no matter how many devils come, we are not afraid! ”

Zhang Haiyan smiled and said, "Courage is a must, but it's not enough to be brave, you have to move here more!" He pointed to his head. He also emphasized: "Remember, your task is to lure the devils over, not to fight and block, let alone fight hard!" ”

"Got it, Brigade!" Zhang Gensheng blinked, eager to set off immediately.

Zhang Haiyan waved his hand and said, "Go ahead!" ”

Zhang Gensheng quickly headed east with his troops. The cavalry platoon secretly advanced from the deserted beaches on both sides of the road, and the hooves of the horses were covered with cloth, so that the speed was much slower, but more concealed. If you take the main road, you can hear it from a long distance ahead, but I am afraid that you will be ambushed by the Japanese army.

The infantry honestly walked the main road, but it was not a company, and it was a platoon, echoing back and forth. Each platoon was divided into squads, and the soldiers were spread out from each other so as not to be caught off guard by the Japanese army. In addition, each combat group had a machine gunner to take cover in the back so that support could be kept at all times.

Zhang Haiyan looked at it with a telescope and said with satisfaction: "If every company commander in our brigade has such a level, and every soldier has the quality of a reconnaissance company, how can there be such hard work, one brigade is enough to wipe out those 2,000 Japanese troops!" ”

The chief of staff smiled and said, "It is still possible for soldiers to practice more, but it is rare for a good seedling like Zhang Gensheng to practice." Last time, I wanted to transfer to the direct team! ”

Li Dazhuang exploded when he heard it and said, "What? Transfer Zhang Gensheng away, this is not good! Whoever tunes me is in a hurry! ”

The chief of staff joked: "The military seat is coming to ask for someone, and you are also blocking it!" ”

Li Dazhuang was stunned when he heard this, and muttered in his mouth: "That's not good, I finally pulled out such a connection!" ”

Zhang Haiyan said with a smile: "Then let's fight this battle well, so as not to use the military seat to play and dig our corners." ”

As he spoke, he looked at the battlefield and saw that the reeds on both sides of the road had been burned to the ground. It was pitch black between the fire belts that the soldiers had set up in advance. Of course, not all of them are blackened. A lot of places are just smoky.

This reed is not burned, so the fire comes and goes quickly, but there is still a little spark in some of the denser grass roots. The soldiers took up their bayonets to clean up the battlefield, and when they found the corpse of the devil, they mended it, so that no dead guy would burst out and hurt people. This is not a joke, it is all an experience that has been exchanged for life.

It is a pity that many weapons have been burned out, and many weapons have been smashed by the Japanese army before they die. Everyone searched all the way, and if they found a good rifle, they cheered loudly with joy. Of course, it's even happier if you find a machine gun or a grenadier or something.

Li Dazhuang suddenly rushed over with the guards, and shouted as he walked: "Brothers, hurry up. There's another bunch of devils on the way! ”

The 36 Brigade on the opposite side is also stepping up its cleanup. Brigadier Qi Sixian even went into battle in person. Brigade Commander Qi was actually a little cautious, that is, he wanted to complete the task in advance, and then grab the main attack of the next round of the big battle.

However, this idea was destined not to come true, because Zheng Weiguo decided not to rush to eat the reinforcements first. Rather, it keeps moving backwards. Lead the enemy farther west. The reason for this was to facilitate the 33rd Brigade to take Guantai. It is also convenient for the 35 Brigade to rush to reinforcements from Xinxiang.

At the headquarters of the 97th Army, Chief of Staff Zhou said: "Military seat, do you really plan to transfer the 35th Brigade over as well?" ”

Zheng Weiguo nodded. said: "Well, I'm worried that there will not be enough troops here, and one more brigade will give you one more guarantee of victory!" ”

Chief of Staff Zhou disagreed, and said: "Military seat, Xinxiang is our only way to retreat, if the Japanese army has reinforcements to suddenly go south to cut it off, and our side fails to take Guantai in time, then the situation will be dangerous!" ”

Zheng Weiguo wanted to say that it was impossible for the Japanese army to have reinforcements to Xinxiang, but it was not impossible to think about it carefully. Can't the infantry brigades of the Chinese garrison troops stationed in Beiping and Tianjin be withdrawn? Both cities had large numbers of Japanese expatriates, and they could be organized and then sent to the south with infantry brigades stationed in the garrison.

Even if it is impossible to transfer them all, it is not a problem to transfer one wing! At this juncture, one wing can kill the 97th Army!

Thinking of this, he nodded and said, "Well, the chief of staff has a point. But if the 35th Brigade doesn't move, what will we do next? Don't be silent, talk about your opinions! ”

A staff officer whispered: "Military seat, I think it's enough, we have enough people, why bother to transfer the 35th Brigade again?" ”

The 97th Army had more than 35,000 regular troops alone, and there were still more than 27,000 troops in Xinxiang and the base areas left behind, which was five times that of the Fourth Brigade of the Independent Mixed Brigade in Guantai. Oh no, now the Japanese army has lost almost a thousand more people, which has become six times more.

It stands to reason that such a strong strength is enough to wipe out the Japanese army, but Zheng Huzi is still a little worried. Because the 14th Division of Tufeiyuan is just across the river, it may be able to kill it at any time. Think about it, once the 105-mm cannon and 150-mm howitzer are put on the ground, who can afford to let them blow up if they stay on the Yellow River beach in this Ma Pingchuan.

In addition to these artillery, Japanese aircraft were also a very dangerous factor. Although the 97th Army already had twelve 20-mm anti-aircraft guns, it was far from enough to provide shelter for the entire battlefield.

Director Xiong knew a little about Zheng Huzi's thoughts, and said, "Junzao, why don't you draw three battalions over first?" ”

Unexpectedly, Chief of Staff Zhou categorically refused and said, "No! Xinxiang must not afford to lose, and the 35th Brigade must defend with all its might. ”

Deputy Commander Wang said: "How can you ask the Eighth Route Army to send a part to support?" ”

Chief of Staff Zhou said: "I discussed with Division Commander Liu of the 129th Division before, and Division Commander Liu has agreed. However, the place where they are active is still north of Xinxiang, and the main forces are scattered, and it will take time to assemble and go south. ”

Director Xiong smiled bitterly and said, "I'm afraid it's too late, what is most lacking now is time!" As he spoke, he suddenly thought of a way and said, "Junzao, can you let the national army delay the 14th Division for a while longer?" Even if it's two days south of the ferry! ”

In Director Xiong's opinion, two days would be enough to wipe out the Independent Mixed Fourth Brigade, and if not completely, it would destroy the supplies they were transporting. If the 14th Division is not supplied, it will become a toothless tiger, and there is nothing to fear.

Just when the 97th Army felt that it was tricky, the 14th Division was also very annoyed. Upon learning that the supply was threatened, the commander of the Tufeiyuan Division was furious and killed more than a dozen innocent Chinese villagers one after another.

Chief of Staff Sano Tadayoshi Osa hurriedly persuaded: "Your Excellency, Division Commander, you don't need to be angry. There are no big troops on the north bank of the Yellow River, and even if there are some minor troubles, Major General Kawamura Dong will solve them. The Chinese army only dares to hide in the city and tremble, and it will not pose a threat to our army! ”

Tu Feiyuan shook his fat head and said, "No! Sano-kun, I have an ominous premonition that there may be a big battle to be fought in Henan this time. If the supply is destroyed by the Chinese army, our artillery will become dumb! ”

Sano Tadayoshi was a little unconvinced, but he still followed the soil and said, "Then what are you going to do and attack the ferry overnight?" (To be continued......)