Wang Haitao was still very happy to see Wei Hai, and after returning to the military salute, Wang Haitao said: "Wei Hai, you have worked hard. Wei Hai hurriedly replied: "We don't work hard, the military seat is really hard." It's not been a few days since the military seat returned to Longzhou, so it's really hard to go to the front line to inspect again. Wang Haitao quipped: "I haven't seen you for a few months, Wei Hai, you have become more able to speak." Wang Haitao's words drew a burst of laughter from everyone.

Wei Hai also smiled embarrassedly, and then introduced several people to Wang Haitao, two officers of the independent division, one is Wei Xiaoyu, the head of the division guard regiment, this is Wei Hai's cousin. The other is Tang Geng, director of the logistics department of the independent division and head of the baggage regiment. Wang Haitao knew both of them, and there was an old man in a robe and a horse coat, Wei Hai introduced that the mayor of this town was named Wei Baoliang.

The old man hugged his fist at Wang Haitao with a smile on his face and said: "The old man didn't know that Chief Wang was coming, and he missed the distance, and he hoped that Chief Wang would forgive his sins." Wang Haitao glanced at the old man, and saw that the old man was about sixty years old, with a silver thread combed without any mess, a thoughtful face, and a moderate demeanor, giving people a very good first impression. After returning the salute, Wang Haitao said: "In order to fight against Little Japan, my troops will disturb your land, and I ask Mayor Wei to bear with me." ”

The old man replied: "What did Chief Wang say, Chief Wang's army was to fight against the Japanese and keep the people safe, and besides, Chief Wang's army not only did not commit any offence against the people, but also acted benevolently and righteously, and was really a teacher of benevolence and righteousness. The old man responded calmly and spoke appropriately, not like a small landlord in the countryside, which also made Wang Haitao a little more curious about this person.

Entering this town, Wang Haitao saw that the town was clean and tidy, although most of them were grass houses, but the people stood at the door of the house, calmly looking at Wang Haitao and his party, and there was no panic, and there were children running curiously next to Wang Haitao's team. I didn't go far, in the middle of the town, a blue brick house was surrounded by a courtyard wall, and under the imprint of the surrounding grass houses, this blue brick house showed its magnificence.

The courtyard door is wide open, and there is a horizontal plaque of "Wei House" on the door, and there is a wooden plaque hanging next to it, which reads the words "Independent Division of the 90th Army of the National Revolutionary Army". Wei Hai said: "Military seat, this is the temporary division headquarters of our independent division, please in the military seat." Wang Haitao was a little unhappy when he saw Wei Hai occupying the house, but it was inconvenient to say more at this time, so he walked into the courtyard gate.

Coming to the living room of the big house, after Wang Haitao and his party sat down, Wei Hai said: "Military seat, this Wei town mayor is the uncle of the lowly family, and after the lowly independent division came to this place, he didn't want to disturb the clan uncle, but the clan uncle came to the barracks, and he must enter the town to station, and let the front of this house go out to the lowly office, and the lowly position is not easy to shirk, so he led the troops into the town and used this place as a temporary division headquarters. However, the lowly subordinates camped in the open space alone, and did not live in private houses. ”

Hearing Wei Hai's explanation, Wang Haitao's unhappiness dissipated and said: "Wei Hai, military discipline is like a mountain, and you are also familiar with it. This time, it was your clan uncle who took the initiative to invite you to station, and I won't ask, but the compensation is also indispensable, understand?" After Wei Hai responded again and again, Wei Baoliang opened his mouth and said: "Chief Wang, the old decrepit ancestor is also from a human background, and he also let go of a governor, from the Qing Dynasty to the present, it is rare for a benevolent and righteous teacher like Chief Wang to have strict military discipline and neat military appearance, and the nephew of the old decrepit clan can use his life under the command of Chief Wang, it is really his creation, and I am really grateful to Chief Wang!"

Wang Haitao replied: "Elder Wei has won the award, the army is to protect the family and defend the country, and my troops will never allow harm to the people! If the black sheep of the herd do something that violates discipline, Elder Wei can only come to sue him, and he will make the decision for the people." Wei Baoliang hugged his fists and said: "The old man thanked Chief Wang for his righteousness, these days the old man can see clearly, Chief Wang's subordinates can be self-disciplined, and no one disturbs the people, but it is very helpful to the people, it is really a strong army, so strong army is invincible, for the benefit of the people." Sir Wang sat down for a while, and the old man ordered his subordinates to prepare wine and food, and asked the chief Wang to reward the old man with a thin noodle, how about resting here?"

Wang Haitao saw that it was evening, and he wanted to talk to Wei Hai about defense again, and he could only be stationed here at night, so he smiled and said: "I should be stationed here tonight, there is Lao Wei Lao to worry about." Wei Baoliang said a few polite words, said goodbye and left, and went to arrange. As soon as Wei Lao left, Wang Haitao said to Tang Geng: "Director Tang, you are responsible for arranging the camping for the troops that came with me." Tang Geng replied after standing upright: "Don't worry, I have already ordered it to go down." ”

At this time, Wang Haitao began to get down to business, and asked Wei Hai: "Wei Hai, where is your defensive position, and how are the troops arranged?" Wei Hai asked Wei Xiaoyu to take out a map and spread it on the table, and said to Wang Haitao: "Please look at the military seat, the main defensive position of our division is located on the Lei Mountain, which is five kilometers away from this town, this mountain is 846 meters high, the terrain is dangerous, and it is just right to cut off the road from Pingxiang to Longzhou. On the main position, I arranged for a single brigade to be stationed. The 2nd Brigade was an auxiliary position arranged on the hills on the left and right sides of the mountain. Several positions relied on each other and supported each other, forming an overall defense system. ”

Wang Haitao listened to Wei Hai while looking at the map. The map should have just been drawn by the reconnaissance regiment of the independent division, and it was not only very clear, but also very detailed, so that people could see it at a glance. Judging from the map, the defensive position was well chosen, and it was easy to defend and difficult to attack, but Wang Haitao was still not very relieved when he didn't go to the field to take a look. So Wang Haitao said: "From the perspective of the terrain, the defensive position is well chosen. Tomorrow you take me to the position to have a look. ”

Wei Hai hurriedly agreed. Then Wang Haitao began to inquire about the preparation of military supplies, the reserve of ammunition, the morale of the soldiers, and what difficulties there were. More than an hour passed without realizing this. After Wang Haitao asked everything that should be asked, and after the conversation was over, Wei Baoliang walked in and said: "Sir Wang, the wine and food have been prepared, but it is just a rural place, only coarse tea and light rice, and I hope that Chief Wang will bear with me." ”

Wang Haitao also said politely: "There is Lao Wei who is old." "When I came to the living room next to me, I had set up two tables of wine banquets, and in addition to several officers from the independent division, there were also Zhou Sheng, the battalion commander who came with Wang Haitao, and several old men from Wei's family, all of whom were elders of the Wei Hai clan. Everyone sat down, Wei Lao picked up a glass of wine, got up and said: "Chief Wang is here in the Humble House today, my Wei family is really shining on the wall! There are many people in my Wei family who are competing under Chief Wang, especially the clan nephew Wei Hai. On behalf of the Wei family, the old man saluted the chief of the king for a cup to thank the chief of the king for his affection!"

Wang Haitao said a few polite words and took a sip of the wine in the glass. Then the atmosphere at the wine table became enthusiastic. During the conversation, Wang Haitao learned that this Wei Baoliang was the patriarch of the Wei clan in Chongzuo Prefecture, and he originally lived in Chongzuo City, but because the Japanese army landed in Qinzhou Bay, he was afraid of being affected by the disaster, so he returned to his old house, but he met Wei Hai's troops to garrison it.

Wei Hai is now also the commander of the major general division of the national army, and he is the highest official position in Wei's recent generations, Wei Baoliang also greatly increased Wei Di's face for Wei Hai to be such a high-ranking official, Wei Hai led the team to come, Wei Baoliang wanted to receive it with his heart, and he heard that Wei Hai's upper peak was going to come to inspect, and Wei Baoliang did not dare to slack off. Under Wei Baoliang's deliberate pandering, this banquet ended happily. At night, Wang Haitao stayed in the guest room that Wei Baoliang ordered to clean up.

The next morning, Wang Haitao led the team to set off after breakfast, and Wei Hai personally accompanied him to inspect the defensive position, and Wei Baoliang kept sending Wang Haitao out of town. The convoy did not travel long before it arrived at the position of the 2nd Independent Brigade, and the commander of the 2nd Independent Brigade, Shen Bing, was informed by the guards that the army commander Wang Haitao and the division commander Wei Hai had arrived, and they were busy with several subordinates from the command post.

When Shen Bing and the others met Wang Haitao, Wang Haitao was already patrolling the first line of defense halfway up the mountain. The first line of defense was garrisoned by the 2nd Brigade, 1st Regiment and 1st Battalion, and the defense line had been completed, and the battalion commander Fang Dazhi was telling Wang Haitao about the distribution of various firepower points. Shen Bing arrived closer, stood up and saluted and said: "Report to the military seat, Shen Bing, the commander of the second brigade of the independent division, has been ordered to garrison, welcome to inspect the military seat!"

Wang Haitao returned the military salute and said: "Brigadier Shen, your fortifications are not bad, but there are a few places that need to be reinforced. Also, the front firing range needs to be cleaned up again, so as not to leave little Japan with something that can be used as cover. After hearing this, Shen Bing replied immediately: "Yes, military seat, I will order someone to rectify it immediately." ”

Wang Haitao nodded and continued to look as he walked. The fortifications here are built according to the standards and according to the type of the ground, and the repairs are decent, and there are not many places to be picky. The 2nd Brigade and 1st Regiment, like the 1st Brigade and 1st Regiment, were one of the two regiments of the independent division equipped with new weapons, so the firepower on the positions of the 1st Battalion was also strong enough, which satisfied Wang Haitao.

In front of the headquarters at the top of the mountain, Wang Haitao used a telescope to observe the terrain of the entire position, and it was really good to choose this place as a blocking position, completely holding the road under the mountain, and the Japanese army must occupy these hills if they want to pass through the road under the mountain, otherwise it will be difficult for the Japanese army to move an inch with only artillery guns and heavy machine guns. This is one of several mountains in a row, Wei Hai introduced: "The military seat, the highest mountain next to it, is the Lei Mountain, which is also the main defensive position of the independent division, and is garrisoned by a brigade. From here, you can reach the main position along the mountain beam, which is convenient for the positions to support each other.

Wang Haitao used a telescope to observe the direction of the main position for a while, from here you can see some fortifications on the main position, but you can't see it very clearly, Wang Haitao put down the binoculars and said: "Let's go, go to the main position to see!" After speaking, let Wei Hai lead the way and walk from the main position of Shanliang Mountain. There is a mountain road between the position of the second brigade and the main position, Wang Haitao calculated, trotting in twenty minutes from one position to another, Wang Haitao said to Wei Hai: "This passage should be a little concealed to prevent the Japanese artillery from blocking. Wei Hai responded, turned his head and explained to Shen Bing, the commander of the Second Brigade who came with him.