Chapter 5: Surely Not?

Shells screamed through the air, one after another. Even though some of the shells landed several meters away from the enemy, the shrapnel from the explosions was still lethal enough to inflict heavy casualties. With the enemy in clear sight, the mortar’s accuracy was reliable. Most of the mortar rounds rained down directly onto the main force of the enemy troops.

Compared to the well-trained Japanese army, these puppet soldiers were far inferior. The relentless bombardment, the explosions, and the flying fragments mercilessly reaped their lives. They scattered in all directions, aimless and disorganized. In contrast, the Japanese soldiers swiftly retreated, evading the artillery’s range.

The mountain artillery battalion only fired one round. Once the enemy realized what was happening, Liang Guoping ceased all orders to fire. Under the cover of mortar fire, hundreds of assault troops surged toward the enemy at the foot of the mountain with great momentum!

“Bang!”

“Rat-a-tat-tat!”

In an instant, the already shattered morale of the puppet troops completely collapsed. Panicked, they turned and fled. Some even dropped to their knees, raising their rifles high above their heads in a posture of surrender.

“Brothers, keep charging with me!”

“Let’s wipe out these scoundrels!”

“Kill!”

Company One’s commander, Bian Fucheng, was a stalwart man from the Northeast Army’s reorganized ranks. Towering at nearly six feet one inch, he stood out among the soldiers. He preferred wielding a large curved saber over a bayonet. Now, with his saber raised high, his spirit blazed like a storm as he led the assault troops in a rapid charge against the retreating Japanese and puppet forces.

Though this was the 358th Regiment’s first encounter with the Japanese and puppet troops, no one had expected such a smooth victory in their initial battle. The enemy fled in disarray, boosting the morale of the soldiers.

Qian Bojun, commander of the frontline garrison’s First Battalion, decisively ordered all eighteen infantry companies under his command to join the attack. This counterstrike pushed the Japanese-puppet allied forces back over ten miles.

The valley was strewn with the corpses of Japanese and puppet soldiers. Rough estimates showed that the battle had killed or wounded over a thousand enemy troops. The attack also galvanized the adjacent 427th Regiment, which charged alongside and eliminated another two hundred enemy soldiers.

Hearing the continuous good news from the frontline, Chu Yunfei rubbed his right hand and smiled, saying, “Only a few thousand Japanese and puppet troops dare to attack my 358th Regiment. They must truly have hearts of bears and leopards!”

Fang Ligong grinned from ear to ear. “Commander, this was a major victory for us! Should we report the good news immediately to the Second War Zone headquarters?”

“Don’t be hasty, Ligong,” Chu Yunfei replied calmly. “It’s still early; the enemy might launch another attack.”

“Go to Battalion One’s headquarters and deliver one thousand silver dollars. This is a reward for the assault troops. Also, tell Qian Bojun that I have recorded a merit for him.”

“Yes, sir!” Fang Ligong took the order and left.

Chu Yunfei and Sun Ming then left the command post and headed toward the artillery battalion. The victory owed much to their precise artillery fire. Though only dozens of shells were fired, they perfectly disrupted the formation of the Suzuki Brigade, severed communications between the Japanese and puppet troops, and severely damaged their morale. This prevented the brigade from immediately reinforcing the puppet forces and greatly expanded the victory.

If Company One earned the initial credit, the majority of the glory belonged to the artillery battalion.

Liang Guoping was surprised to see Chu Yunfei arrive. He hurried forward. “Commander, why have you come?”

“Guoping, your artillery battalion performed excellently this time,” Chu Yunfei praised. “But I must remind you, Japanese artillery and aircraft are no joke. You must ensure proper concealment and timely relocation of your artillery positions.”

Liang Guoping smiled confidently. “Rest assured, Commander. I will remain vigilant, monitor enemy movements closely, and relocate at the first sign of danger.”

Chu Yunfei smiled back. “You graduated at the top of the Japanese Military Academy; you understand their artillery tactics well. I look forward to recommending you for a medal after the war, to be pinned proudly on your chest.”

Just a few years ago, Liang Guoping had returned to Shanxi. At that time, no one cared for him—no love from his grandmother, no support from his uncle. When Chu Yunfei heard of such a talent, he immediately extended an olive branch. Not only did he appoint Liang as the artillery battalion commander, but he also helped him gain a promotion to major.

Liang Guoping held Chu Yunfei in deep respect. Hearing such praise from Chu inspired him greatly. His face flushed with excitement, and he moved to stand at attention to salute.

“Yes, Commander!” he said eagerly.

Chu Yunfei gave him a sharp glance. “Lower your hand. Have you forgotten the rules on the battlefield again?”

“Yes, Commander!”

“Come.”

Chu Yunfei beckoned to Sun Ming nearby. Sun Ming brought several neatly arranged small plates covered with red cloth. Beneath were piles of silver dollars—one thousand in total, though it might not look like much.

“Before the battle, I said that I would never be stingy with rewards when merit is earned,” Chu Yunfei declared, waving his hand grandly. “Your artillery fire this round was excellent and deserves reward. You keep fifty silver dollars for yourself; the rest is to be distributed among the participating brothers.”

“Also, make sure to tell the men that Officer Yan has set aside one hundred thousand silver dollars as a reward for this battle. More rewards will come after the Battle of Ruyuekǒu!”

“Yes, Commander!”

Chu Yunfei stepped forward, signaling no need for the group to crowd around. He spoke loudly and clearly:

“Brothers, in our fight against the Japanese at Ruyuekǒu, we not only bring honor to our ancestors but also earn rewards. Everyone knows what kind of man I am—I will not take a single cent that belongs to you!”

“Now, at this critical moment for our nation, I hope all of you will continue to defend our Shanxi homeland with your sweat and even your lives!”

“Yes, Commander!”

...

Next door to the 358th Regiment was the headquarters of the 203rd Brigade.

“Brigade Commander, this is a report from the 427th Regiment. The Japanese allied forces attacking Ruyuekǒu have been crushed by the 358th Regiment, led by Chu Yunfei. Our forward observation posts report that the enemy may have suffered over a thousand casualties in this battle...”

Brigade Commander Liang listened to the chief of staff’s report with great surprise. As a top graduate of the Japanese Army Academy, he fully understood Japanese military capabilities. Compared to the current Republic of China, with its fully mobilized land, sea, and air forces, Japan was still superior. Not to mention that the Republic was only formally unified; local warlords often failed to cooperate.

He had approached the battle at Ruyuekǒu with a determination to fight to the death. Yet, this first engagement had yielded such remarkable results.

“I have heard of Chu Yunfei many times. Though his troops are the elite of the Second War Zone and loyal to Officer Yan, it’s hard to believe they could achieve such a brilliant victory,” he mused.