bestfiction 139. Pre-war Deployment
139. Pre-war Deployment
"Brother Chen, first I need to figure out how much strength we can mobilize on our side, and compare it with the Japanese, before I can formulate a detailed plan."
Chen Gong hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice and said, "You know how few people we have here. Adding Li Boyang's men, we can make a total of fifty. But our brothers are all professionally trained, so we have a great advantage if we launch a surprise attack."
“Very good. Brother Chen, then you should try to mobilize as many people as possible, prepare weapons and ammunition in advance, and it would be best to equip them with a few more submachine guns, since we will be responsible for the frontal battle against the Japanese. But don’t worry, I will also arrange for other forces to assist from the side.”
"Are there other forces?" Chen Gong asked curiously.
"Yes, Brother Chen, Chief Liu of the Axe Gang has told me more than once that he wants to do something big. This is the perfect opportunity. They can send eighty to one hundred men. However, the Axe Gang is brave but poorly trained. They can't compare to our brothers from the Military Intelligence Bureau. Moreover, firearms are their weakness. Therefore, they can only be used as a surprise force to assist from the side."
"Liu Yaqiao of the Axe Gang? I've heard many rumors about him; he's a tough guy. But as far as we know, the Japanese have a company stationed here at the dock year-round, at least 180 men. And the area is well-equipped with everything, like watchtowers, sandbags, light and heavy machine guns. If we start fighting here, with the dock on one side and the Japanese camp on the other, enemy reinforcements will arrive very quickly, and we won't have enough manpower to defend against them."
Zhou Hongyi smiled mysteriously and said, "Brother Chen, don't worry. I've also contacted another anti-Japanese patriotic organization. They will step in and obstruct the Japanese reinforcements."
Chen Gong was about to ask Zhou Hongyi which unit he had found, but the latter changed the subject to the Japanese defensive forces.
"According to intelligence, the Japanese escort team this time consists of fifty elite soldiers in disguise, three motorized infantrymen, and fifty puppet troops. They have all received rigorous military training and have high tactical skills. Each of them is equipped with a Type 38 rifle, which has high shooting accuracy and an effective range of up to 600 meters. They are also equipped with Type 14 pistols as secondary weapons. It is estimated that each person carries about 100 rounds of ammunition."
Furthermore, the ten trucks used in this transport have all undergone reinforced modifications to their cargo compartments, possibly including steel armor plates, capable of withstanding fire from ordinary light weapons. The driver's cab is equipped with a radio communication device. Most importantly, each truck is also equipped with a Type 92 heavy machine gun mounted on its roof. Brother Chen is likely familiar with this type of machine gun; it has a rate of fire of 450 rounds per minute, possessing immense power and capable of creating a powerful suppressive fire network in the surrounding area.
Our primary task is to take down the heavy machine gunners on the rooftops. To this end, I've specially crafted some targeted grenades that can temporarily blind the enemy in the dark with their bright light. We can then seize the opportunity to suppress them with fire, aiming to shatter their morale from the very first encounter. Otherwise, if they react and we get bogged down in a war of attrition, it will be disadvantageous for us.
Chen Gong grinned as he listened, looking at Zhou Hongyi in disbelief. "Brother, where did you get all this information about the number of people and their weapons? This is data that only core personnel can access."
Zhou Hongyi smiled mysteriously again and said, "Heavenly secrets cannot be revealed. I have my own methods. Although we now know the enemy's true transport route and time, we still cannot underestimate them. I need you to prepare weapons and ammunition in advance, and have the brothers go in batches to familiarize themselves with the combat environment and conduct several simulation exercises on the sand table. In addition, to coordinate with our operation, I will also send people to create some disturbances at the dock and the enemy's stronghold to attract their attention."
A fierce fighting spirit gleamed in Chen Gong's eyes as he clenched his fists and said, "Good, brother! Why didn't I meet you sooner, my strategist? Your head alone is worth a hundred of our Military Intelligence Bureau's heads! No, all of us combined aren't as smart as you! Hahaha~~~ I'll go prepare the weapons right now!"
After arranging the tasks for the Military Intelligence Bureau, Zhou Hongyi secretly met with Liu Yaqiao, the leader of the Axe Gang, at the dock area.
Just as Liu Yaqiao had said, he sent out a hundred brothers in one go, and brought out all the guns from their warehouse. Although most of the Axe Gang's guns were obtained from the black market, and the models varied from new to old, there was no unified standard. But no matter what, having guns was better than having axes. This was a fight against the elite Japanese troops, unlike their usual street brawls.
The Axe Gang's mission was relatively simple. They would travel light and lie in ambush nearby. Once the Kuomintang's military intelligence and the Japanese engaged in combat, the Axe Gang members would throw homemade guns, grenades, and other weapons into the middle. In addition, they would deliberately sabotage the enemy's trucks and motorcycles, preventing them from moving. Ideally, they would cut the Japanese convoy in half, preventing them from supporting each other and completely disrupting their formation and morale.
A cold glint flashed in Liu Yaqiao's eyes. He waved his hand and shouted, "All Axe Gang brothers, listen up! This mission must succeed, failure is not an option! Let all the men of Shanghai see that our Axe Gang brothers are tough as nails, and we swear to make those Japanese devils bleed on the spot!"
"Roar!"
Finally, Zhou Hongyi met Comrade Bodhi in the safe house, and this time Bodhi brought another person with him. This person had dark skin, a resolute face, and piercing eyes. Although he was dressed like an ordinary worker, the fierce aura he exuded made Zhou Hongyi dare not underestimate him.
“Comrade Four-Faced Buddha, this is Captain Qiu of the Eighth Guerrilla Team of the Anti-Japanese United Army. He learned that we were going to take action this time and insisted on coming with me to meet him. You provided them with weapons, ammunition and supplies several times before,” Bodhi said.
Zhou Hongyi paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "So it's Captain Qiu. You and your brothers are fighting the Japanese on the front lines, while I'm behind enemy lines and can't offer much help. All I can do is try to collect some equipment or clothing to transport out for you."
Captain Qiu warmly shook Zhou Hongyi's hand and said, "So you are Comrade Simianfo! Truly, heroes emerge from among the young! This time, the task of blocking the Japanese reinforcements will be entrusted to our Eighth Anti-Japanese Allied Forces. Everyone remembers Comrade Simianfo's kindness; the clothes, food, medicine, and ammunition you brought us are like sending charcoal in snowy weather."
Especially during the last time the Japanese army surrounded and attacked us, we received advance warning from you, which not only caused the Japanese to miss their target but also led to a counter-encirclement, resulting in the capture of a considerable amount of weapons and a significant boost to morale. Therefore, this time, everyone strongly suggested that I represent them to meet Comrade Four-Faced Buddha and express our gratitude to you in person.”
"Captain Qiu, if we can thwart the Japanese plot and thwart their sinister intentions this time, that would be the best way to thank me, Zhou Hongyi. I have already discovered that the Japanese secret laboratory is located in the prison northeast of Wujiaochang, but that prison is adjacent to the Japanese military camp and is heavily guarded. With our strength, we cannot take it down in one fell swoop. The best way is to wear down their soldiers to a limited extent."
So here, here, and here, we need to set up positions in advance, lay more landmines, and focus on blocking the only routes the Japanese reinforcements can take and open areas. The gunmen should be dispersed and concealed, specifically targeting the Japanese officers, but we must not engage them in prolonged battles. Once they are within firing range, we'll use grenades; if they charge forward, we'll retreat. The key is to stall. Of course, Captain Qiu is a professional in this area; I'm just showing off my limited skills.”
Captain Qiu's eyes lit up, and he quickly said, "How could this be considered showing off one's limited skills before an expert? Comrade Four-Faced Buddha is brave and resourceful, skilled in both literature and martial arts. I have already heard from Comrade Bodhi how you safely sent out the weapons experts under the Japanese encirclement and suppression. I am truly impressed! With Comrade Four-Faced Buddha in full command this time, the Japanese devils' conspiracy will surely fail!"