Chapter 290: Ambush of the Japanese Army Reinforcements, 232nd Regiment, at Zhi River

The setting sun sank in the west, its afterglow like blood.

Azi Mountain had already become a scene of grim slaughter.

The Azi Mountain position was defended by over three hundred villagers of Baiyang Town, who, under Zhang Liang's mobilization, men, women, and children all pitched in: the strong youths felled trees to reinforce the walls, women and children carried stones to fill holes, and even a seventy‑year‑old old man hobbled in hot ginger soup.

In less than three hours, a simple Defensive Line made of logs, Sandbag, thorns and Barbed Wire suddenly took shape.

Company Commander Zhang Liang of the second company crouched in the observation post on the east side of the main peak, squinting toward the position below the mountain.

"Quick! Pull the villagers back!" Zhang Liang ordered urgently. "Move everyone behind the ferry! Not a single one may stay!"

Just half an hour earlier, he had just moved the last batch of Baiyang Town's villagers behind the ferry.

The elders hobbled, children bore provisions, women shouldered Iron Shovel, turning back every few steps: "Zhang, Company Commander, you must come back alive…"

Zhang Liang gave no reply, merely waved his hand, urging everyone to retreat quickly.

Where Zhang Liang stood, the slope was steep and the forest dense; ahead lay a place called Wuzi Village, a few households of which were also moved together—survival was more important than anything.

When encountering those unwilling to leave, Zhang Liang coaxed and deceived them, claiming the Little Devil (Japanese soldier) were coming to slaughter the civilians; indeed, that worked far better than appealing to their feelings.

Azi Mountain had a Small Path at the front and a narrow goat‑trail on the left‑hand mountain hollow, both passable—exactly a "one man holds the pass" spot.

Zhang Liang deployed two squads on both sides of the mountain hollow, forming a crossfire point.

The key remained his front position, facing a river—not wide, merely a tributary of the Yangtze River, only four or five meters across.

Crossing here was not easy; the river had only a stone bridge, passable by foot and carriage, but a tank could not cross easily.

The Japanese Army would either come through the river or cross over the bridge.

Zhang Liang's position lay a hundred meters west of the river, a safe distance, within the range of the Mauser Sniper Rifle, let alone the MG42.

Just like the Zai An Defensive Line at the time, when constructing the first Defensive Line, Zhang Liang also built multiple Trench behind him and dug a communication Trench.

In fact, this position was less than two kilometers from the landing site behind it.

Just now, a scouting soldier reported: the Japanese Army had about twenty‑some vehicles, now less than five kilometers from Azi Mountain! The trucks were stuck in mud, so they abandoned them and pressed the assault on foot!

It was Lieutenant Colonel Jiman Yixiong, commander of the 232nd Regiment's 1st Battalion, who personally led over four hundred infantry, carrying Grenade Launcher and Type 92 heavy machine gun, marching on foot to support Xiaoting.

Zhang Liang was just about to descend the hillside.

Boom! Boom!

Two Grenade Launcher shells slammed into the forward warning post, killing a warrior on the spot.

The Japanese Army also discovered the position across the river, evidently the Huaxia Army was waiting for their attack.

Immediately, the Japanese Army surged out from the woods and Baiyang Town like black ants, steel helmets flashing coldly in the dawn, bayonets angled, the leading officer shouting, "Board!"

"Fire!" Zhang Liang ordered. A platoon of four MG42 machine guns roared, bullets streaking like lightning toward the enemy mass.

Clack! Clack! Clack!

The Little Devil (Japanese soldier) still thought the Huaxia troops ahead were a ragtag unit, unaware they faced an elite force.

At this frontmost position, Zhang Liang had deployed only a platoon of warriors, a total of just over forty men.

The arrangement of the four machine guns was meticulous; they were not placed on a single line but formed crossfire, with one gun on each side, and about twenty meters behind, two more guns were positioned.

In fact, Zhang Liang had also set up a Machine Gun Position on the left‑hand slope, but he needed to test the enemy's tactics and could not yet reveal his objective.

"Mortar, prepare!" Zhang Liang raised his right hand and shouted loudly.

"Fire."

As Zhang Liang's right hand lowered.

Thud!

Thud!

Thud!

Three muffled sounds rang out from the rear position.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Three 60mm mortar shells fell into Baiyang Town.

"Ah!" Several unlucky Little Devil (Japanese soldier) were blown into the air, mortar fragments scattering, many Japanese soldiers were hit by shrapnel, screaming in horror.

The houses of Baiyang Town were also destroyed by the blast.

The officer leading the attack was Lieutenant Xichuan Long of the 1st Squadron; he stared in disbelief at the silver chainsaw in the night—was this the firepower of the China army?

Nevertheless, the battalion commander issued a death order: capture the opposite position within two hours.

"Squadron Commander." The junior squad leader, retreating from the front line, reported to Xichuan Long.

His face was smeared with blood, and when he looked closely, he saw that half of Xichuan Long's head had been sliced off.

He died on the spot.

"Take cover, take cover!"

It must be said, the Little Devil (Japanese soldier)'s reaction was quick; even after Lieutenant Xichuan Long was killed on the spot, they immediately sought cover.

On a hill 500 meters from Baiyang Town, sniper Xing Xi promptly put away his Mauser Sniper Rifle, picked up the fallen shells, and drew a line on the ammunition box.

He had not fired at those Japanese soldiers from the start; he was waiting for a big fish, and indeed it came, wind speed normal.

Only this Japanese soldier had a brighter flash of fire nearby, surely a big fish.

Xing Xi decisively pulled the trigger, killing him with a single shot.

At this point his record had reached 23.

Since the Japanese Army seized the Yangtze River, the Huaxia Army had occasional raids, but only scattered cold‑gun skirmishes and small guerrilla bands that fled after striking, never daring to set up a proper position.

Lieutenant Colonel Jiman Yixiong of the Japanese 232nd Regiment even thought that those so‑called "Nationalist Army" had long been cowed by the Imperial Japanese Army's reputation, only daring to hide in Reed Swamp to fire a few empty shots to boost morale, then scattering like startled birds.

Yet this town called Baiyang, in less than ten minutes, caused Jiman Yixiong to lose a squadron commander.

"Baka! China sniper! Counterattack! Give me a counterattack!" Jiman Yixiong roared, his voice trembling with fear.

Obviously, in the darkness, the Little Devil (Japanese soldier)'s proud shooting skills were of little use.

At this moment, it's just like a blind cat running into a dead mouse!

He jerked his head back, a splinter of flying brick debris brushed his steel helmet, and with a crisp "clang" sound, it chilled his spine.

He dared not show his head.

In fact, it wasn't shot by a sniper, and it's unclear which soldier; their aim was a bit off—had it been more accurate, Jiman Yixiong would have gone to meet the Emperor.

Jiman Yixiong sensed something was wrong; the defending troops opposite didn't act like guerrillas—such fierce firepower clearly came from a well‑trained regular army! Moreover, the enemy seemed to have set an ambush here long ago, waiting specifically for them to step in.

A Messenger with a dust‑covered face rushed to his side, voice urgent: "Regimental Commander, this place is not suitable for lingering!"

A flash of ruthlessness flickered in Jiman Yixiong's eyes, but it was quickly crushed by reality.

He glanced at the dozen‑plus direct guards remaining beside him; this place was too dangerous, and these people might not be able to protect him.

"Retreat! Withdraw from Baiyang Town immediately!" he finally ordered.

The Japanese Army guards protected Jiman Yixiong as he withdrew from Baiyang Town.