Chapter 419: Don't be a human when you can be a dog

A group of Puppet Army soldiers patrolling in Japanese Army uniforms—this matter is becoming increasingly interesting, and Zhou Weiguo also wants to see what the little devils are up to.

About twenty Puppet Army soldiers walked around the foot of the mountain, and just as they were about to leave the mountain pass, gunfire suddenly rang out.

"Da-da-da!! —"

Gunfire erupted, and the Puppet Army soldiers at the foot of the mountain had eight or nine men taken out in the first exchange; just as the remaining soldiers took their rifles off their shoulders and prepared to fight back—

A burst of fire from a Czech Light Machine Gun suppressed the remaining Puppet Army soldiers so they couldn't even lift their heads, and soon Zhou Weiguo saw that after the Puppet Army soldiers at the foot of the mountain were wiped out—

On the mountain path opposite, about thirty people suddenly appeared and charged toward the ground; from their attire, Zhou Weiguo clearly saw they were all in gray military uniforms.

Yang Degui curled his lip: "You go if you want, I'm still going forward to give the little devils another go."

"Second Boss, you are a military man, aren't you?"

In the Shandong Province region, only the Sichuan Army, the Yunnan Army, and the Eighteenth Group Army wore such uniforms.

Wang Zhangsheng spoke first, briefly explaining his situation to Zhou Weiguo and the others.

Yang Degui, Wang Zhangsheng, and the others cursed the Japanese Army, and the Sichuan Army soldiers were not afraid in the slightest, saying that they would be fine men again eighteen years later, so bring it on, little devils!

At this moment, Yang Degui and Wang Zhangsheng were hiding behind a large rock, and Wang Zhangsheng panted heavily: "Degui, we've fallen into a trap this time; these devils clearly came prepared."

A gunshot rang out, and the head of the Japanese squad leader Yamada was pierced through; at the same time, one of the devils' three machine gunners on the hillside was also hit, slumped over, and rolled down the mountain.

"We died in battle, yet we still earned a good reputation as an anti-Japanese force; we are martyrs, unlike you lot who act as dogs for the devils—no one will even collect your bodies when you die."

Wang Zhangsheng still respected someone like Zhou Weiguo, who had fought bloody battles in Songhu and Jinling as part of the Central Army, because he often heard Adjutant Yu speak of them.

For this ambush, Zhu Ziming gave Zhou Weiguo full authority, and all the men of Qingfeng Stronghold were placed under Zhou Weiguo's command.

"We must lend a hand to the unit at the foot of the mountain and let them suffer a little less."

Zhou Weiguo saw the battlefield situation clearly: although the Japanese Army had occupied Xuzhou, the Chinese forces had jumped out of the devils' encirclement of a pincer attack from the north and south, preserving their strength for a protracted war of resistance.

"Sister!"

With squad leader Yamada killed in action, the remaining Japanese Detachment Leaders suddenly began fighting on their own; the Puppet Army was performing poorly in the battle, and the Japanese Army was at a disadvantage, so the Detachment Leaders simply chose to break out from the nearest mountain pass.

Hearing the Puppet Army's call, Yang Degui responded angrily: "Bullshit! You want me to surrender? Not a chance! Bring it on, your grandfather is waiting right here."

"Huzi, arrange for a few men to stand guard immediately."

Zhou Weiguo had Li Wu and Huzi handle the clearing of the battlefield, while he and Zhu Ziming went to meet the Sichuan Army.

The other side had two Czech Light Machine Guns, plus dozens of rifles; their weaponry was relatively uniform, and Zhou Weiguo estimated they might be the Sichuan Army troops who hadn't managed to retreat during the Teng County Battle.

When Xiao Ya mentioned Atu, her eyes were visibly moist; ever since the failure of the Lanfeng Battle, she had lost contact with Atu for a long time.

Especially with the Puppet Army soldier Zhao Lin acting as an interpreter for the Japanese, this was very likely a trap designed by the Sichuan Army; the enemy's firepower was so strong that they had to break out as soon as possible.

After Zhao Lin called out, Wang Zhangsheng and Yang Degui cursed loudly: "What are you shouting about? If you want to fight, then fight; your grandfather here simply won't surrender."

"I didn't expect that so many things would happen after I was wounded; strategically speaking, we won this Xuzhou Battle."

The bandits of Qingfeng Stronghold and the Sichuan Army unit conducted a rapid march together on the mountain road; after withdrawing for a distance, Zhou Weiguo checked the environment and felt it was safe enough.

Wang Zhangsheng and Yang Degui at the foot of the mountain saw that the unit clearing the battlefield was dressed like commoners, and Yang Degui said: "Zhangsheng, could this group be the Eighteenth Group Army?"

Seeing so many Japanese soldiers and Puppet Army troops suddenly appear, Zhu Ziming's eyes widened: "Brother Zhou, these devils are fishing!"

"Xiao Ya, you're here!" Xiao Ningxin stepped forward, and the two women walked together hand in hand.

The Japanese side prepared to counterattack with firepower, but Zhou Weiguo and Huzi, along with Wang Zhangsheng, launched fire strikes every time they used their light machine guns and grenade launchers.

Qingfeng Stronghold had many machine guns, and in terms of firepower, they already surpassed the Japanese and Puppet forces; the combat effectiveness of the Puppet Army was not even worth mentioning, and soon the men of Qingfeng Stronghold broke through the defensive line.

Yang Degui's expression was also somewhat grim: "Zhangsheng, this is my fault; if we can break out, I, Yang Degui, am willing to accept punishment."

"If your ancestors of eight generations knew you were acting as a dog for the devils, would they crawl out of the ground?"

The elite of the Central Army—any soldier who dared to fight and had spirit—had basically been exhausted in the first few battles.

Subsequently, Zhou Weiguo also learned from Wang Zhangsheng that three divisions of the Sichuan Army had remained in the Shandong Province region to conduct guerrilla warfare, and Sun Tongxuan's Third Group Army also had over twenty thousand men left behind.

Zhou Weiguo intended to save the Sichuan Army at the foot of the mountain this time; the Japanese force opposite was a complete squad, plus the Puppet Army, and Qingfeng Stronghold had about a hundred men.

"This place is just weird anyway; let's return to the base area early—the sooner we leave, the better."

Currently, in the enemy-occupied area of Shandong Province, besides the Sichuan Army, the Lu Army, there was only the Eighteenth Group Army, Wang Zhangsheng observed carefully.

Squad leader Yamada frowned slightly: "Give them five minutes to consider."

Seeing Zhou Weiguo's arrangements, Wang Zhangsheng, who saw this was entirely a military method, glanced at Zhou Weiguo.

Li Wu was happily clearing the battlefield; he was very familiar with this, and besides, Qingfeng Stronghold had gained quite a lot from this ambush.

The original ten minutes of consideration time were shortened by five minutes by squad leader Yamada; the Puppet Army officer Zhao Lin nodded, shouted a sentence to the Sichuan Army at the foot of the mountain, and then said nothing more.

Seeing this scene, Zhou Weiguo also shouted that it was a good shot; there was actually such a marksman in this Sichuan Army unit, who had the full potential of a sniper.

Relieving the Sichuan Army this time was entirely feasible; wiping out all the devils was impossible, but they could temporarily rout this group of devils.

As for the remaining Central Army, some of the officers were basically a bunch of good-for-nothings and cowards who thought about running away the moment a battle started; their combat effectiveness could not be compared to the early Central Army at all.

After the Japanese Army appeared, they raised their guns and aimed at the Sichuan Army at the foot of the mountain; at the same time, a group of Puppet Army soldiers acted alongside the Japanese.

"Degui, I know you haven't let go of Cui'er's death; fighting the devils is one thing, but this place is a bit eerie, so it's better to return early."

On the hillside, Zhou Weiguo watched the Japanese Army firing, and his sense of unease now vanished; judging from the Japanese firepower, the enemy was a squad, and with the cooperation of the Puppet Army, their numbers were around two hundred.

Zhou Weiguo did not hide it either, nodding and saying: "That's right, I was wounded when my unit was scattered by the Japanese Army during the breakout from the Lanfeng Battle."

Upon hearing that Zhou Weiguo was a Regimental Commander of the Central Army and had been part of the Class A Adjusted German-equipped Division that fought bloody battles in Songhu and Jinling, Wang Zhangsheng saluted Zhou Weiguo.

Zhou Weiguo had been wounded in the Lanfeng Battle and had lost contact with his unit; after learning this information, he was also very happy.

Wang Zhangsheng nodded and then ordered the unit to transfer quickly, fearing that the main force of the devils would pursue them.

"Degui, they saved us this time; regardless of anything else, they are friendly forces. As long as it's a unit fighting the devils, they are friendly forces. Adjutant Yu said that in operations behind enemy lines, one must unite all armed forces to fight the devils, regardless of which unit they belong to."

The Puppet Army officer told the shouting soldier to stop, and he said to the leading Japanese squad leader in Japanese: "Sir, these Sichuan Army soldiers are very stubborn; none of them will surrender, and instead, they mocked the Imperial Army."

He felt that this group of people did not look like the militia of the Eighteenth Group Army, but rather they had a bit of a martial arts world atmosphere about them.

"This is my partner, Yang Degui, Deputy Platoon Leader."

After getting off the vehicle, the woman wearing a cheongsam came to Xiao Ningxin's side.

Dozens of Mauser C96s, plus two Machine Guns, struck at the Japanese Army and Puppet Army; the powerful firepower forced the Japanese Army and Puppet Army to choose a new breakthrough point, finding a position with weak firepower to break out.

Huzi nodded, indicating he would go arrange it immediately. The few bandits named by Huzi felt some dissatisfaction in their hearts. Zhu Ziming saw this, his expression tightening, and the few bandits, seeing the Big Boss change his face, immediately expressed their agreement.

At this moment, the Puppet Army on the opposite mountain began to shout: "Listen up, Sichuan Army on the ground."

With so many troops remaining in Shandong Province, once they gathered, it would certainly attract encirclement and suppression by the Japanese Army; therefore, the Sichuan Army and Lu Army dispersed in the Yimeng Mountains region, each developing their own base areas.

After Zhou Weiguo observed the terrain, he had Zhu Ziming take a team of men to detour to the rear of the Japanese Army, while Li Wu took a team of men to occupy the high ground at the mountain pass, and Zhou Weiguo and Huzi remained at the original spot.

This group of Japanese Army set up a Machine Gun and fired a long burst at the Sichuan Army, taking out the lead soldiers; Yang Degui and the others hurriedly sought cover and shelter.

"You have been surrounded by the Imperial Army. Now put down your weapons, and the Imperial Army guarantees your personal safety. The Imperial Army gives you ten minutes to consider."

Although the Japanese Army had occupied Xuzhou, it was an empty city, and the common people had all left Xuzhou. At the same time, the Sichuan Army conducted a counterattack in the Songhu Region, annihilating a large number of Japanese Army and burning down Japanese Army docks, airports, and so on.

Zhu Ziming cupped his hands to Wang Zhangsheng and Yang Degui and said: "I am the Big Boss of Qingfeng Stronghold, Zhu Ziming, and this is my Second Boss of Qingfeng Stronghold... Zhou Weiguo."

The Puppet Army soldier shouting was suddenly so angry his face turned red: "You bunch of fellows, not knowing what's good for you; later, your grandfather will surely treat you well."

With a "Clang!" sound, Platoon Leader Yamada drew his Command Sword, just as he was preparing to shout to attack.

Zhao Lin translated the words of Wang Zhangsheng and the others to the little devils; Platoon Leader Yamada was so angry the fat on his face trembled: "Baka yaro!"

"Good, good, good..."

A tall woman wearing a cheongsam arrived in a small sedan and stopped in front of a house at Shanhu Residence.

Following that, Zhou Weiguo briefly spoke about his encounter today.

Zhou Weiguo could not annihilate this Japanese Army and Puppet Army force entirely, fearing the devils would fight like cornered beasts, so the ambush circle also left a spot with weak firepower to facilitate the Japanese Army's breakout.

"I am from the Sichuan Army 22nd Group Army, Wang Zhangsheng, I am a Platoon Leader."

Subsequently, Zhou Weiguo told Zhu Ziming his thoughts, and Zhu Ziming nodded to show his agreement.

Regarding the Sichuan Army troops, Zhou Weiguo had also briefly come into contact with the Sichuan Army while previously in the Seventh War Zone, and furthermore, this Triangular Ambush Formation was also learned from the Sichuan Army.

"After ten minutes, if you do not surrender, the Imperial Army will launch a strong attack and wipe you all out."

In the area of Hutou Mountain and Qingfeng Stronghold, the Sichuan Army left a Battalion here to develop; at the same time, Wang Zhangsheng also roughly introduced the situation in the Shandong Province territory after the Republic of China Army retreated.

The people from Qingfeng Stronghold attacked the Japanese Army, which made the little devils and Puppet Army immediately adjust their strategy; Wang Zhangsheng took advantage of this opportunity, fired two shots in succession, and took out the Japanese Army's machine gunner.

"Zhangsheng, your worry is completely unnecessary. Look... we killed these twenty or so devils, didn't we come out of it just fine?"

"Sister, I heard that the Sichuan Army 22nd Group Army left a group of men in Shandong Province to conduct operations behind enemy lines. Can you contact brother-in-law and have him get in touch with the Sichuan Army in Shandong Province to look for my Atu?"

The Sichuan Army that rushed to the foot of the mountain was cleaning up the battlefield and counting supplies; for some reason, a feeling of unease suddenly welled up in Zhou Weiguo's heart.

Zhou Weiguo ordered the troops to stop. When had the bandits ever experienced such a high-intensity Rapid March? Upon hearing the order, they sat on the ground one by one, panting.

"At worst, I'll perish together with you. I am not a spineless coward like you, acting as a dog for the little devils and wagging my tail at the little devils."

At this time, Zhou Weiguo and Zhu Ziming had already descended the mountain path and arrived in front of the Sichuan Army.

Seeing Yang Degui say this, Wang Zhangsheng's brows furrowed slightly: "Degui, my heart has always felt a bit uneasy."

Zhou Weiguo looked at Wang Zhangsheng and said: "Platoon Leader Wang, this is not a place for conversation; let's withdraw as soon as possible!"

"Bang bang bang!! ——"

Wang Zhangsheng and Yang Degui also did not expect that the ones who saved them were actually bandits, but the two still cupped their hands calmly and said: "Many thanks to the heroes of Qingfeng Stronghold."

After the Japanese Army agreed, Zhao Lin immediately led the troops to approach the mountain pass; Li Wu of Qingfeng Stronghold led a team of men to lie in ambush there, and what they held in their hands were all Mauser C96s.

Among the Sichuan Army at the foot of the mountain, there was a tall man with a sturdy build, but there was no hair on his head.

Xiao Ningxin looked at Xiao Ya; this was a distant relative, and furthermore, in Sichuan Province, this was also a sister she could get along with.

The Japanese Army on the hillside had their attention entirely focused on the Sichuan Army at the foot of the mountain and did not notice the movement on Zhou Weiguo's side at all.

The Sichuan Army at the foot of the slope, seeing this scene, also shouted happily: "Brothers, there are reinforcements! Everyone, keep your spirits up and fight the little devils."

When troops rest, standing guard and keeping watch is something that cannot be missing; if the Japanese Army were to surround them, that would be terrible.

After the Japanese Army and Puppet Army left, the people of Qingfeng Stronghold also let out cheers; at the same time, the Sichuan Army at the foot of the mountain also shouted loudly.

"Sir, the time is up!" Zhao Lin said with a fawning smile.

The remaining Sichuan Army also chimed in: "That's right... that's right... you kid have a soft spine, acting as a dog for the devils; you won't be a proper human, but insist on being a dog."

The Japanese Army and Puppet Army that escaped numbered about eighty or ninety; there were still about thirty Japanese Army, and the rest were all Puppet Army.

Just as Zhou Weiguo and Wang Zhangsheng were discussing, at Shanhu Residence in Sichuan Province.

"Call out to them, raise a white flag, put down your weapons, and the Imperial Army will spare their lives."

During the conversation between Yang Degui and Wang Zhangsheng, the two also took their teams up the hillside, but just at this moment, a team of Japanese Army suddenly appeared on the hillside.

The Japanese Army and Puppet Army opened fire on the Sichuan Army; Machine Guns and Rifles continuously suppressed the Sichuan Army.

She also learned from her father recently that Xiao Ya's family had a kinship relationship with her own family, and on top of that, Xiao Ya's fiancé was also a battle-hardened general in the Central Army, considered a fairly famous officer.

Xiao Ningxin decided to contact Yu Hua to help Xiao Ya.

(End of this chapter)