Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 304 Fenxian Route 8

Fen County.

Chen Chengming secretly led a logistics unit to the Juma Mountain area near Fen County.

At this moment, at the entrance to the mountain, a hundred-strong force is hidden on both sides of the mountain road.

"Commander, I still don't understand why the higher-ups insist on having us cooperate with the Nationalist government forces in this operation."

"We've been tricked by the Nationalist army countless times," said Meng He, the battalion commander, with a look of complaint.

"I heard from my superiors that this Nationalist government unit is different from other Nationalist government troops; it is a real unit that fights the Japanese."

"Our superiors ordered us to cooperate fully with this unit in its operations."

"To be honest, I don't understand either, but we have to follow orders from our superiors."

"Don't you dare let me down. If anything goes wrong during the operation, I'll hold you responsible," Meng Hong said sternly.

"Yes, Commander, I understand," Meng He replied seriously, his attitude completely changed.

"After all, complaints are complaints, but the task still has to be carried out."

As they were talking, they saw a force of about 200 men carrying supplies heading towards them from a distance.

"Everyone, stay alert," Meng Hong ordered.

During this period, the Japanese intensified their encirclement and suppression efforts, so he had to become more cautious in his actions.

"Reconnaissance squad, go and verify the other party's identity."

"Yes."

After saying that, a 10-man squad walked towards the approaching troops.

"Who are you people?" the reconnaissance squad leader asked.

Seeing the Eighth Route Army suddenly appear, Chen Chengming breathed a sigh of relief and finally arrived.

"I am Chen Chengming, staff officer of the Independent Brigade Headquarters, responsible for coordinating combat matters with your unit," Chen Chengming replied.

According to Tang Weiguo's orders, they continued to be referred to as the Independent Brigade to the outside world.

"Chen Chengming of the Independent Brigade?"

After hearing the name mentioned by the regimental commander, the reconnaissance squad leader lowered his guard and spoke.

"You come with me, everyone else stay put."

"it is good."

After saying that, Chen Chengming followed the reconnaissance squad leader over.

"Commander, this is Chen Chengming from the Independent Brigade whom I brought."

"it is good."

"Hello, I am Meng Hong, the commander of the 186th Regiment of the Eighth Route Army."

"Hello, I am Chen Chengming, staff officer of the Independent Brigade. This is our identification." After saying this, Chen Chengming handed the letter of introduction to Meng Hong.

After Meng Hong received the letter and read it, his worried heart finally settled down.

Staff Officer Chen, I'm really sorry, but the Japanese intelligence network is incredibly pervasive, so I have to be extra careful.

"Commander Hong, don't worry about these things. Being cautious is a good thing."

"Meng He, go and bring the friendly forces over here," Meng Hong said to Meng He, who was standing beside him.

"Yes, Commander."

"Staff Officer Chen, let's go inside."

"it is good."

As they spoke, the group quickly headed into the mountains.

"I never imagined there was such a place in the mountains," Chen Chengming remarked as he looked at a village halfway up the mountain.

"This is Majiazhuang. Our ancestors fled here and established a village."

"It's all fate, really. One of our soldiers happened to be from a village, and then our whole regiment settled here."

“I think this place is surrounded by mountains, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. It’s a good place for troops to be stationed,” Chen Chengming said.

"Yes, it is precisely because of the advantages here that our group has been able to take root here," Meng Hong remarked with equal emotion.

"Staff Officer Chen, let me give you a brief introduction to our regiment."

"Currently, our regiment has more than 1500 people, but most of them are new recruits who have just joined, and our weapons and equipment are very poor, with a shortage of guns and ammunition."

"At this stage, we can only wage guerrilla warfare against small groups of Japanese troops."

"We still lack the ability to fight the Japanese head-on," Meng Hong said tactfully, afraid that the other party would make unreasonable demands.

"Commander Meng, we understand your situation. Therefore, our Independent Brigade will still be the main force in this operation. Your main task is to find a way to lure the Japanese out."

"Thank you for your understanding."

"Furthermore, in order to better coordinate the operation, our independent brigade has provided your unit with a batch of supplies."

"That's wonderful! Thank you so much." Meng Hongzhuang said with a happy expression.

Meng Hong didn't expect much in terms of the supplies they sent, after all, he had previously encountered so-called support supplies from the Nationalist army.

At most, a few dozen broken guns and a few boxes of grenades.

If it weren't for orders from his superiors, he would never have placed the other party at the regimental headquarters.

Before they finished speaking, the group arrived at the regimental headquarters.

"Company Commander Xu, bring over all the supplies we've provided," Staff Officer Chen said to Xu Chuan, who had just arrived with his troops.

"Yes, sir."

"Commander Meng, where should we put this batch of equipment?"

"Just put it in this yard," Meng Hong said casually.

After all, in his mind, the Independent Brigade wouldn't send much equipment at all.

After saying that, the soldiers of the logistics regiment neatly arranged the boxes one by one in the yard.

"One, two, three..." Meng Hong counted silently in his mind.

When he counted to the tenth box, Meng Hong could not hide his shock.

Why is this Nationalist government force acting so unpredictably? They're actually sending equipment!

When Meng Hong counted the last 40 boxes of supplies, he was completely shocked.

"Wait, we can't be too happy yet. What if they're all junk weapons?" Meng Hong'an couldn't contain his excitement.

Upon opening a box, 10 "Hanyang-made" rifles, which looked about 70-80% new, were neatly arranged inside.

Meng Hong casually took out one, tested it, and found no problems.

At this moment, Chen Chengming spoke up.

"Commander Meng, this batch includes 200 Hanyang rifles, 5000 rounds of ammunition, 5 boxes of landmines, and two boxes of medicine."

"Wait, Staff Officer Chen is talking about medicine?"

Upon hearing what Staff Officer Chen had mentioned about the supplies, Meng Hong felt that the Independent Brigade had given them a great gift.

To his utter surprise, there were also two boxes of medicine.

These days, medicine is as valuable as gold.

"You heard right. Our division commander also said that we cannot allow our brother units to be wounded without medicine to treat them."

"Not only that, but five medical staff members also accompanied me on this trip."

Hearing Chen Chengming say this, Meng Hong was completely moved.

"Staff Officer Chen, your Independent Brigade is practically a money-giving gift." Meng Hong said with a look of deep gratitude.

Looking at Meng Hong's expression, Chen Chengming secretly thanked his division commander for his support of the Eighth Route Army.

"Staff Officer Chen, rest assured, our regiment will definitely cooperate fully with your operation," Meng Hong promised, patting his chest.

Meng Hong had initially joined the operation under orders from his superiors, but after receiving the equipment they provided, he began to genuinely prepare to cooperate with them.

"Thank you for your trouble, Commander Meng."

"Officer Chen, you and your group have had a long journey, please go and rest first."

Director Zhang, arrange for Staff Officer Chen and his team to rest.

"Then I'll have to trouble Commander Meng."

"No trouble at all, no trouble at all." Meng Hong could not hide his joy.

After watching Director Zhang leave with Staff Officer Chen and his group, Meng He stepped forward and said something.

"Commander, are we dreaming? They really provided so many weapons?"

"I wasn't dreaming, this much is real."

"They want us to fight to the death."

"We have to fight tooth and nail for this batch of supplies."

"Commander, could you give this batch of equipment to our First Battalion first?"

"I need to gather all the battalion commanders together so we can discuss it."

"With this batch of equipment, our lives will be a little easier from now on," Meng Hong said with emotion.