Chapter 71: Republic of China: Starting from the First Class of Whampoa Chapter 71 The Situation is Settled

·

·

·

Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

"Put me down... put me down!"

Lv Muzhi and Chen Geng took turns carrying the Principal, and after walking twenty li, the Principal finally struggled to walk on his own.

"Principal?" Chen Geng asked.

"It should be fine now; the enemy troops couldn't possibly chase this far. Muzi, what's the situation?" The Principal asked about the current battle situation; having almost been captured by the Rebel Commanders, he was already in a state of panic.

"Commander He predicted that the Third Division might suffer a setback at Huiyang, and had already sent Commander Liu Zhi's First Regiment forward to provide support, forming a pincer attack on the enemy with the Third Division. I led the Special Service Company here to confirm the Principal's safety."

After hearing Lv Muzhi's explanation, the Principal let out a long sigh of relief.

Looking at Lv Muzhi and Chen Geng covered in sweat, his tense expression finally relaxed—he had finally escaped!

The Principal stood between Chen Geng and Lv Muzhi, patting Chen Geng's shoulder with his left hand and Lv Muzhi's shoulder with his right: "Today, if not for your two risking your lives to save me, I would have become a prisoner of the Rebel Commanders, or a ghost under their guns. Rest assured, this life-saving grace, I will surely repay generously."

Chen Geng hurriedly stood at attention and saluted: "Principal, your words are too heavy; the students dare not use such an opportunity to ask for official positions. Protecting the Principal's safety is naturally the students' duty!"

Lv Muzhi also said seriously: "The Principal's fate is tied to the future of the revolution; we will naturally do our utmost."

In the night, the Principal gazed deeply at the two, nodding with satisfaction, but suddenly said something astonishing: "Today you saved my life; this favor I keep in my heart. I am one who repays kindness. Even if you betray me in the future, I can spare you once."

Chen Geng and Lv Muzhi looked at each other, not knowing how to respond; it was obvious the Principal was joking.

The forest fell into an awkward silence, only distant sporadic gunfire faintly audible.

"Report to the Principal! Division Commander He has already commanded the First Division and Third Division to form a pincer attack on the enemy at Qinkou. Regiment Commander Liu leads the First Regiment in engaging the enemy on the eastern front of Qinkou; the battle is fierce!"

At this awkward moment, a messenger ran quickly from the forest path and immediately saluted upon seeing the Principal.

This messenger was the one Lv Muzhi had previously sent to contact Liu Zhi, so everyone could confirm the Principal's safety; at this time, this messenger had brought back the latest battle report from the frontline.

This news greatly lifted the Principal's spirits, and his previous gloom vanished: "How is the specific battle situation? Report in detail!"

"The Rebel Commanders deployed about two regiments' worth of forces at Qinkou, relying on the terrain to resist stubbornly. But our army advanced from east and west, already forming a pincer attack. Division Commander He judged that at the latest by noon tomorrow, they can completely annihilate that enemy."

Hearing this, the Principal nodded repeatedly, turned to Chen Geng and said: "Your foot injury needs timely treatment; first go down to rest with the health team." Then he looked at Lv Muzhi: "Muzi, don't stay with me either; the frontline needs you more. You immediately lead the Special Service Company to join with the Third Division's Seventh Regiment, and must take Longcun before dawn!"

Lv Muzhi stood at attention and accepted the order: "Yes! My troops will certainly coordinate with the Seventh Regiment to wipe out the enemy at Longcun."

The Principal added: "This 'Changshan Snake' of the Rebel Commanders—the Third Division and First Division advancing from east and west have struck the snake's seven inches. The Special Service Company coordinating with the Seventh Regiment to attack the Rebel Commanders at Longcun is to grab the snake's head. As for some Rebel Commanders in Anliu County, they are the snake's tail, thrown too far; a whip too short to reach poses no threat to us..."

The Principal was talking to himself, but Lv Muzhi had already led the Special Service Company to find the Seventh Regiment...

Lv Muzhi led the Special Service Company, taking advantage of the night to march toward Longcun. The sky was nearing dawn; the soldiers, having experienced two Eastern Expeditions and often marching in the hills of the Dongjiang Region, marched extremely fast.

Around six in the morning, the Special Service Company joined with the vanguard troops of the Seventh Regiment on the outer perimeter of Longcun.

The Seventh Regiment's Party Representative Jiang Xiangyun had already been waiting at the designated spot, and upon seeing Lv Muzhi, immediately went up to meet him.

"Muzi! I heard the Principal encountered danger at Huiyang; how is the situation?" Jiang Xiangyun asked with concern.

Lv Muzhi waved his hand: "He has already turned danger into safety. Now is not the time to talk about that. How is the enemy situation at Longcun?"

Jiang Xiangyun spread out the map with a grave expression: "The Rebel Commanders deployed a brigade at Longcun, equipped with four heavy machine guns, and built solid fortifications at the village entrance. Last night they came out in the dark and raided the Principal's command headquarters. Fortunately, you and Chen Geng were there!"

Regiment Commander Tu of the Seventh Regiment had been observing the map; at this moment he pondered and said: "Here's what we do: my Seventh Regiment's main force will attack from the front, Company Commander Lu leads the Special Service Company to strike the enemy's left side, and look for an opportunity."

Lv Muzhi nodded, then asked: "How are the Rebel Commanders at Qinkou?"

"The Rebel Commanders are being pincer-attacked by my Third Division's Eighth Regiment and the First Division's First Regiment from east and west; they can barely hold on anymore. We can cut the enemy in two right away," Regiment Commander Tu replied.

Lv Muzhi suggested: "Your Seventh Regiment is the main force of the Third Division, fighting for consecutive days, especially yesterday being fiercely attacked by the Rebel Commanders with considerable casualties. Since the enemy at Qinkou is almost finished, I think we can ask the First Regiment to detach a battalion to attack the enemy's right side."

"That way, our Seventh Regiment attacks from the front, the Special Service Company harasses from the left side, and the First Regiment detaches a battalion to attack from the right; the enemy at Longcun definitely won't be able to hold out!" Regiment Commander Tu was very excited after hearing Lv Muzhi's suggestion.

"However, it's better for you, Muzi, to go request the troops for assistance. After all, Regiment Commander Liu Zhi's primary target is to defeat the enemy at Qinkou; whether he is willing to detach a battalion to help depends on your face, Muzi," Jiang Xiangyun proposed.

Lv Muzhi didn't expect there were such connections here, but didn't think much of it, and immediately sent someone to contact Liu Zhi.

Liu Zhi, upon hearing that Lv Muzhi had saved the Principal, was then assigned to the Seventh Regiment for joint operations, and now came asking for aid; after thinking for a moment, he immediately sent a battalion to assist in the battle.

The offensive against the Rebel Commanders at Longcun was soon launched, on the morning of the twenty-eighth.

Taking advantage of the mist of an autumn morning, the various units launched a three-sided siege on Longcun.

Jiang Xiangyun led from the front, commanding the Seventh Regiment's main force to attack strongly from the front, with machine gun fire fully open, suppressing the Rebel Commanders' fortifications.

A battalion detached from the First Regiment outflanked from the right wing, quickly breaking through the enemy's outer perimeter defensive line.

Lv Muzhi's Special Service Company inserted from the left wing, constantly moving and opening fire to harass, making the enemy unable to discern direction and numbers.

"Damn it! Last night's raid in the dark failed, and this early morning, the Revolutionary Army has taken advantage of the mist to sneak up on us!" The small leader of the Rebel Commanders gritted his teeth and cursed.

"Commander, can't see clearly; it feels like there are people from all directions. The brothers can't hold on much longer!"

"There's no one behind our backs; let's withdraw. As long as the green mountains remain, we won't lack firewood to burn, Commander!"

Under the three-sided pincer attack, the Rebel Commanders at Longcun soon fell into chaos.

Seeing this at the front, Jiang Xiangyun personally led the commando in a charge.

Seeing the Party Representative leading from the front, the officers and men of the Seventh Regiment were greatly inspired, and in one go broke through the village entrance fortifications.

"Company Commander, the enemy's front is starting to waver!" Du Yuming shouted, pointing forward.

Receiving this information, Lv Muzhi immediately ordered to follow the main force and launch a general attack: "The whole company presses forward, attack toward the center of Longcun, and join with the friendlies!"

In less than two hours, Longcun was completely controlled by the Revolutionary Army.

Most of a brigade of the Rebel Commanders was annihilated, and the remnants fled in panic.

"This 'Changshan Snake' of the Rebel Commanders—Longcun, as the snake's head, has already been cut down by us!" When Jiang Xiangyun and Lv Muzhi met at the village center, Jiang Xiangyun said excitedly.

Good news also came from the Qinkou direction; the First Regiment and Eighth Regiment completely annihilated two regiments of the enemy. The Rebel Commanders' 'Changshan Snake' had only a tail left.

The mist cleared; the Principal stood on a hilltop, with Division Commander He Yingqin of the First Division beside him, and had regained his high-spirited state.

"The overall situation of the Second Eastern Expedition is settled. The main force of the Rebel Commanders is on this so-called 'Changshan Snake,' of which we have already annihilated over seventy percent. Guangdong Province can now be stabilized!"