Chapter 213: The Surprise Force in the Woods

Yang Xiuqing received the news and immediately gathered everyone for a meeting.

"Zhuzi, you were right, this group of people really has come for revenge," Yang Xiuqing said with a grave expression.

"Our reinforcements won't arrive until at least tomorrow noon; today, we have to rely on ourselves," He Yuzhu said.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Dashan said in a dilemma: "Zhuzi, although we've scraped together over five hundred people, we only have a little over a hundred guns in total, and each gun has less than forty or fifty rounds of ammunition. There's simply no way to fight this battle!"

"The enemy is likely carrying infantry guns and Mortars. Even if they don't charge up, we won't be able to hold out for long if they just bombard us from the foot of the Shanzhai," Jin Yi said.

"If it really comes to it, we'll retreat to the back mountain, destroy the drawbridge, and defend the bridgehead to the death. Let's see how they get across!" Yang Xiuqing suggested with a frown.

He Yuzhu stood up and said: "There is only one way now."

"Do you really have a way?" Zhao Dashan grabbed He Yuzhu and asked.

"I will take fifty veteran soldiers who can ride horses to harass the enemy troops and try our best to keep them from getting close to the Shanzhai before tomorrow noon."

Zhao Dashan's eyes lit up instantly after hearing this, but worry soon welled up: "That's a good idea, but it's too dangerous."

"There's no other way; we have to take the risk," He Yuzhu said with a firm gaze.

"There's no time to lose, I know who has the ability!" Zhao Dashan quickly picked out 50 men who met He Yuzhu's requirements.

"I want Li Datou, Sun Yang, Zhu Laosi, Niu Sanjin, and Ma Yu," He Yuzhu said.

"Fine, I'll give them all to you," Zhao Dashan said.

He Yuzhu had these five men act as team leaders and had them each pick 10 men to form five small teams.

"How many guns are you bringing?"

"I'm not bringing any, there are more on the truck," He Yuzhu said.

Zhao Dashan looked at him with a suspicious gaze.

He Yuzhu smiled, leaned into Zhao Dashan's ear, and gave instructions for a long while before taking his men and leaving.

The 55 men each had a horse, while He Yuzhu drove the truck behind the group.

After traveling about seven or eight li, the scouts in front suddenly galloped over, pulled on their reins to stop abruptly in front of the truck, and said urgently: "Zhuzi, they are only three li away from here!"

He Yuzhu immediately stopped the truck and moved fifty brand-new Submachine Guns out of the cargo bed—in truth, he had taken these guns from his space.

Everyone was stunned at the sight; no one had expected He Yuzhu to be hiding so many fine weapons.

Li Datou couldn't help but exclaim: "Brother Zhuzi, I really didn't expect you to be hiding such good things!"

"These were originally promised to be prepared for my father, now they're your gain."

These veterans who had served in the army all knew that this type of Submachine Gun was high-end gear. At this moment, being able to hold such a good gun in their own hands, everyone was beaming with joy.

"Do you all know how to use this kind of gun?" He Yuzhu asked.

"Yes!"

"It seems most of you do; those who don't, learn quickly!" He Yuzhu said.

He Yuzhu directed everyone to hide in a patch of woods on the hillside, while he himself took Li Datou's group to plant Landmines and Explosive along the road.

At this moment, the one leading over a thousand men was none other than the late Regimental Commander Zhai's own younger brother, Deputy Regimental Commander Zhai Tao.

Four days ago, when a dozen remnants fled back to the station and tearfully reported the encounter to Zhai Tao, he felt as if he had been struck by lightning. His older brother had treated him well; he had to avenge him.

He immediately went to find the Deputy Commander of the Security Regiment, Wang Hua, to request troops. After hearing the ins and outs of the matter, Wang Hua slammed the table and scolded: "Zhai Tao, do you really think the Security Regiment is run by your family? This is an armed force for maintaining local public order. If you dare to send troops without authorization, I'll execute you myself!"

Zhai Tao was filled with suppressed anger and forced himself to endure it for an entire day.

By the next day, he gritted his teeth, took out all his family assets, and went to find the Security Regiment Commander, Zhou Ping.

Seeing the five thousand Big Ocean on the table, a flash of surprise crossed Zhou Ping's eyes: "Deputy Regimental Commander Zhai, what is the meaning of this?"

Zhai Tao did not hide anything and told the truth of the matter from beginning to end.

Zhou Ping pondered for a long time, then lowered his voice and said: "Write a written report stating that your brother was intercepted and killed by bandits while transporting military rations for the Security Regiment. Your troop deployment this time is to recover the military rations and suppress the bandits to pacify the people..."

"Yes!" Zhai Tao hurriedly replied, his hanging heart finally put at ease.

On the march, Zhai Tao was still complaining to his confidant Houzi: "That old fox Zhou Ping took my five thousand Big Ocean; sooner or later, I'll make him spit the money back out!"

"Does Second Brother have a brilliant plan? Tell me quickly!" Houzi leaned in, his face full of flattery.

"I heard that this old guy has a daughter studying in Si Jiu Cheng. Once we wipe out this bunch of bandits, you take a few reliable brothers and kidnap his daughter..."

"Second Brother, I love doing this kind of thing!" Houzi said happily.

When the troop reached a three-way intersection, Zhai Tao pulled on his reins and raised his hand to signal the entire army to stop advancing.

He had once been a bandit in this area in his early years and knew the surrounding terrain like the back of his hand.

"Houzi, come here!" Zhai Tao shouted.

"Second Brother, what are your orders?" Houzi stepped forward and asked.

"You also spent time on the mountain before, tell me, is it possible to climb up from the back mountain of the Shanzhai?"

Houzi looked troubled: "I, I can barely climb up, but to take the brothers up with me..."

Zhai Tao's eyes turned fierce, and he said in a determined tone: "You pick ten brothers with good skills and find a way to sneak up and wipe out their nest!"

Although Houzi felt this task was very difficult, seeing Zhai Tao's tough attitude, he dared not argue and had to accept the order and leave.

Zhai Tao then ordered: "Liu Baoli of the First Battalion, Second Company, you are responsible for forward reconnaissance, especially where there are woods, you must scout it out clearly."

"Yes!" After Second Company Commander Liu Baoli replied, he immediately led his team to run forward.

He Yuzhu led his team in ambush in the woods, quietly waiting for the arrival of the Security Regiment.

Not long after, a team of Security Regiment soldiers entered the valley in a loose formation; some were climbing the hillside to check the bushes, while others were clearing stones from the side of the road.

He Yuzhu observed carefully through the Telescope, and his heart sank instantly. High Explosive was not very cost-effective against scattered soldiers.

Li Datou, who was lying beside him, lowered his voice and said: "Zhuzi, these people are too cunning."

He Yuzhu suddenly had a flash of inspiration: "Since there's no chance to blow them up, then we'll create the opportunity ourselves."

He called Ma Defa to his side and instructed: "Brother Ma, Datou and I will go out to lure the enemy. Once they chase us into the woods, you concentrate your firepower and wipe them out!"

"With these fifty Submachine Guns, no problem," Ma Defa replied.

After speaking, He Yuzhu led Li Datou and quickly rushed out of the woods.

He Yuzhu raised his rifle to aim at a soldier who was moving stones and pulled the trigger—the man fell to the ground in response.

Li Datou also fired a shot, but failed to hit the target.

After firing, the two turned and ran back into the woods.

Seeing their companion killed, the Security Regiment soldiers swarmed in pursuit.

Seeing this, Liu Baoli hurriedly shouted, "Stop! First Platoon, go into the woods to investigate; Second Platoon and Third Platoon, continue searching forward."

Before he had even finished speaking, "Boom! Boom!" two explosions rang out.

The men of Second Platoon and Third Platoon stepped on Landmines one after another, and several were blown to death on the spot.

Liu Baoli panicked and hurriedly shouted, "Second Platoon, Third Platoon, retreat back to me quickly!"

The sixty-plus soldiers did not go to save their wounded companions, but hurriedly retreated along the original path and gathered together.

Before long, all the Security Regiment soldiers had entered the woods.