jdhmnovel Chapter 234 Encounter on a narrow road
Chapter 234 Encounter on a narrow road
After Fan Xiaoyu and several other young women successfully reunited with the young students escorted by the Eighth Route Army Task Force, the group continued to march towards the base without stopping.
Among the group of young students escorted by the Eighth Route Army task force, two men held special identities. One was Zhou Weiguo, a former regimental commander of the Central Army, and his bodyguard, Xu Hu. As the fierce Battle of Nanjing unfolded, Zhou Weiguo's troops were shattered in the raging flames of battle. Undeterred, he led a small team in thrilling guerrilla warfare against the Japanese in the deep mountains and forests. However, the Japanese army advanced with overwhelming force, surrounding them with heavy troops. The breakout was arduous, and Zhou Weiguo was tragically wounded by a stray bullet. Loyal and devoted, Xu Hu risked his life to protect Zhou Weiguo, helping him break free. After a fierce battle, only the two men remained.
By chance, they met Zhou Weiguo's brother, Liu Yuan. Knowing Zhou Weiguo was a Whampoa Military Academy graduate who had studied abroad at the Berlin Military Academy, Liu Yuan was a rare and formidable officer, and he sincerely invited him to join the Eighth Route Army. After much deliberation, Zhou Weiguo decided to join the troops as a passionate young student, gaining a deeper understanding of the Eighth Route Army before making his own plans. Thus, they embarked on their journey, escorted by an Eighth Route Army task force, along with the young students.
The team was moving steadily forward when suddenly, the forward reconnaissance member hurried back, his expression grave. He panted heavily and reported rapidly, "We've spotted a reinforced Japanese unit about a kilometer ahead. They're in skirmish formation, searching our direction carefully. They look like they're searching for someone!"
This news was like a bombshell, instantly sending shockwaves through everyone's hearts. An atmosphere of tension instantly filled the team, and everyone's expression became extremely solemn.
Xu Guangrong, captain of the Eighth Route Army task force, frowned and immediately began to think about a countermeasure. He knew that the combat effectiveness of a reinforced Japanese squadron should not be underestimated. If a head-on confrontation occurred, with many young students on his side, the situation would be extremely passive.
Although Zhou Weiguo was seriously injured, his sharp military instincts made him quickly aware of the danger. He held himself together and whispered to Xu Hu, "The situation is not good. We must prepare for the worst." Xu Hu gripped his gun tightly and nodded with a firm look in his eyes.
When Fan Xiaoyu and the other female students heard the news, their faces turned pale. But in this critical moment, they could only bury their fear deep in their hearts. They encouraged each other and huddled together, waiting for the next instruction.
The atmosphere in the team was so oppressive that it made people breathless. Everyone understood that a life-or-death test was about to come, and they had to go all out to find a glimmer of hope in this desperate situation.
A fierce ambush ensued. After the Japanese reinforcements entered the ambush, Xu Guangrong gave the order, and the Eighth Route Army soldiers sprang into action. Several grenades, like black meteors, whistled through the wind toward the Japanese search formation. With a few loud explosions, flames shot up into the sky, and smoke filled the air. The Japanese troops were instantly thrown into disarray, and screams of agony were heard.
While the Japanese were still recovering from the shock, the task force members immediately raised their guns and opened fire on the Japanese soldiers. The dense gunfire shattered the tranquility of the mountain forest, and the bullets swarmed towards the enemy like angry wasps.
The Japanese squad leader reacted quickly, shouting to reassure his troops while directing a counterattack. Instantly, Japanese bullets rained down on the Eighth Route Army task force and the students. Bullets struck the surrounding trees and rocks, sending up sawdust and sparks, and making sharp noises.
Undeterred, the task force members calmly fought back, leveraging the surrounding terrain. Some hid behind boulders, revealing only a small portion of their bodies, aiming and firing with precision; others used the cover of trees to flexibly shift positions, continuously striking at the Japanese.
Zhou Weiguo endured the excruciating pain from his wounds, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead, his face pale with agony. But his eyes remained firm, his hands firmly gripping the gun as he aimed at the Japanese with astonishing perseverance and precision. With each pull of the trigger, a Japanese soldier fell.
Xu Hu was loading bullets for Zhou Weiguo, and his eyes were always vigilantly observing the movements around him. When he found that a Japanese soldier was trying to approach, he immediately raised his gun and shot the enemy dead, doing his best to protect Zhou Weiguo's safety.
After the Eighth Route Army task force wiped out the Japanese troops in front of them, they quickly retreated. Zhou Weiguo stopped the captain of the Eighth Route Army task force and said, "Captain Xu, give me a few grenades..." Xu Guangrong looked at Zhou Weiguo in surprise and asked, "Why do you want grenades? And who are you?"
Zhou Weiguo took a deep breath, enduring the burning pain from his wound, and said slowly, "Captain, you don't believe me, but you also don't believe my brother Liu Yuan. I, Zhou Weiguo, have never been vague. I am more determined than anyone else to fight the Japanese! At this moment, I don't want to think about anything else. I just want to do more to ensure that we can all survive this time and to get these students to the base safely."
Xu Guangrong stared intently at Zhou Weiguo, trying to discern his true intentions from his eyes and expression. A whirlwind of thoughts raced through his mind. On the one hand, a soldier had just mentioned that Zhou Weiguo's companion had called him "Regiment Commander." Could Zhou Weiguo be the regimental commander of the Guoan Army? Given how many comrades had been arrested and harmed by reactionary elements within the Guoan Army, he still harbored some resentment towards them, making it difficult to fully trust them. On the other hand, Zhou Weiguo's bravery and masterful marksmanship in the battle that had just concluded had left a lasting impression on him. On the battlefield, in the nick of time, every shot he had fired was impeccably accurate, every movement a testament to his courage and resolve.
As he hesitated, the captain subconsciously glanced at Liu Yuan. Liu Yuan had been standing not far away, silently observing everything. He caught the captain's pleading gaze and nodded slightly. This undoubtedly reassured Xu Guangrong.
With Liu Yuan's silent affirmation, the captain finally made up his mind, no longer hesitating. He quickly raised his hand and nodded to the soldier beside him to hand Zhou Weiguo a few grenades. The soldier quickly unhooked several grenades from his waist, strode forward, and solemnly handed them to Zhou Weiguo.
Zhou Weiguo took the grenade steadily, a hint of gratitude flashed in his eyes, and then he dragged his injured body and quickly walked towards the narrow mountain road on the side and began to concentrate on setting a trap.
Zhou Weiguo took the grenade and deftly set the trap. Dragging his injured body, he carefully searched for a suitable spot along the narrow mountain path. He attached the grenade's pull ring to trees on either side with a strong, thin wire, then covered it tightly with dead branches and leaves, leaving no trace. Xu Hu stood nearby, apprehensive but afraid to disturb Zhou Weiguo. He could only silently help pass the items and keep an eye on the surroundings.
The trap was set, and the team quickly withdrew. Zhou Weiguo and Xu Hu took it upon themselves to cover the rear, keeping a vigilant eye on the rear. Soon, the Japanese follow-up troops were in pursuit, aggressively pursuing them.
"Be careful, there's an ambush!" the Japanese squad leader shouted cautiously. But before he could finish his words, there was a loud "bang!" and the Japanese soldier in the front row stepped into a trap. The grenade exploded, instantly killing everyone. The Japanese squad leader was so angry that his face turned red. He waved his command knife and shouted at his soldiers to speed up and pursue.
Seeing the trap work, Zhou Weiguo's lips curled slightly, but the pain from his wounds quickly brought a frown to his face. He and Xu Hu, relying on roadside boulders and trees, coordinated with the task force members to launch a guerrilla-style attack on the Japanese. Any Japanese who came even slightly closer were met with precise fire.
As time passed, Zhou Weiguo's wounds worsened. Blood oozed continuously, soaking the bandages and dripping down his arm. His face grew paler, and his steps unsteadier. Xu Hu, watching with utter anxiety, repeatedly urged, "Captain, take a break. I'll take over!" Zhou Weiguo shook his head firmly, his eyes revealing an undeniable resolve.