Twelve kilometers outside Xitang Town.

The Japs from the 38th Regiment are moving towards Xitang Town.

The Japanese knew almost everything about Xitang Town.

Because before the all-out war between China and Japan broke out, the Japanese spies knew the mountains and rivers of North China very clearly.

Xitang Town is the transportation chokepoint from the Dabie Mountains to the North China Plain, and it is also a prosperous and wealthy place.

Commercial trade is very developed here, and mountain products from the Dabie Mountains and wheat from the North China Plain are traded here.

Because of this, a large number of wealthy merchants gathered in the small town of Xitang.

However, according to reliable information, the defense of Xitang Town at this time was empty. Except for the private armed forces organized voluntarily by the merchants, there was no decent regular army.

Facing the extremely wealthy Xitang Town, all the Japanese regiments, including the second-rate Matian regiment, all had a tacit understanding and wanted to capture Xitang Town first, and then burn, kill, and loot.

If the second-rate alliance wants to compete with the elite alliance, the 38th Alliance will naturally not agree.

So after the Ito brigade broke through the Qinglong River defense line, the 38th Regiment headed straight for Xitang Town without stopping.

At this time, Captain Aoki Ichiro of the 38th Regiment was riding an Oriental horse and commanding the troops to march.

Suddenly, a Japanese communications soldier rode towards Captain Aoki.

After reining in the horse's head, the Japanese communications soldier shouted: "Your Excellency, the regiment commander, the brigade headquarters has ordered us to return to the division in the direction of Yizi Valley to meet the 96th regiment!"

With his eyes widened, Captain Aoki yelled: "What? Why did the Asada Regiment run away to Yizi Valley? What if we were ambushed by the Chinese Army?"

The chief of staff on the side shouted: "Your Excellency, Wing Commander, haven't you seen it yet? The Matian Wing can get ahead of my 38th Wing and take over the prosperous Xitang Town by walking through the valley!"

Raising his eyebrows, Captain Aoki shouted: "Oh, I didn't expect that. Don't tell me, this Asada is quite competitive, but Asada is too self-righteous. How could the limelight of our 38th Regiment be lost to someone?"

The second-rate team snatches it!"

Frowning slightly, the Japanese chief of staff shouted: "Your Majesty, Wing Commander, what should we do now? Should we follow the orders of the Brigade Headquarters and respond to the 96th Wing?"

Shaking his head, Captain Qingmu said in a deep voice: "Response to the 96th Wing? Then can I still eat this piece of fat in Xitang Town?"

The Japanese chief of staff shouted: "But this is an order from the brigade headquarters. If anything goes wrong with the Matian Regiment, then my 38th Regiment will have to bear the responsibility!"

After glancing at the chief of staff, Captain Aoki shouted: "The 96th Regiment has not been ambushed by the Chinese Army now. We really don't need to return to Yizi Valley. This is purely a blind command and a waste of troops!"

The Japanese chief of staff shouted: "You are disobeying orders. If we continue to march, if there is a problem with the Ma Tian Regiment, how will we explain it in front of the brigade commander?"

With a slight smile, Captain Aoki shouted: "Don't worry, this is not easy. Let's just say that we have also encountered the Chinese army and cannot escape for a while. Don't worry, we can march towards Xitang Town. When Xitang Town is captured, we will return

It’s not too late, Master!”

The Japanese chief of staff shouted: "Your Excellency, Captain, I have a compromise. How about sending a brigade back to Yizi Valley, and the rest of the troops continue to march to Xitang Town?"

Waving his hand to the chief of staff, Captain Aoki shouted: "There's no need! Stop talking!"

The next moment, Captain Aoki brandished his riding crop and shouted: "38th Regiment! Speed ​​up the march and try to have dinner in Xitang Town before sunset!"

…

In front of the village gate in Xitang Town.

The mayor Li Wanwan and a dozen merchants were waiting for the Duqi Brigade outside the village gate.

In neat formation, the soldiers of the 7th Independent Brigade were marching into the town.

At this time, surrounded by several brigade-level officers, brigade commander Han Sanhu also rode towards the village gate.

Li Wanwan led the merchants to greet them.

With a respectful look on his face, Li Baiwan shouted: "Welcome Brigadier Han to Xitang Town. Now the safety of Xitang Town is guaranteed!"

Other merchants echoed: "Welcome Brigadier Han to Xitang Town!!!"

Turning over and dismounting, Brigadier Han called out with a pleasant face: "Mayor Li, I, Han Sanhu, are not here to play in Xitang Town today. There is no need for such a battle. I am just here to fight the Japanese under the orders of Commander-in-Chief Sun!"

Mayor Li shouted: "In recent days, there has been news that the Japanese are about to overthrow our town of Xitang. Today, with Brigadier Han here, the people of our town of Xitang can finally rest assured! We also invite Brigadier Han and several officers to come.

The Eight Immortals Tower in the town catches the wind and washes away the dust!"

After waving his hand to Li Wanwan, Brigadier Han solemnly shouted: "Time is running out. Just take the wind and wash away the dust. Mayor Li, according to reliable information, the Japanese are likely to attack Xitang Town today or tomorrow, so we must seize the time to build defenses."

Fortifications!”

With a look in his eyes, Li Wanwan shouted: "You take what Brigadier Han said seriously, are the Japanese really...really coming to attack us in Xitang Town?"

The other dozen or so merchants also had pale faces.

You know, all the belongings of the merchants, including Li Wanwan, are here.

The Japanese soldiers are like wolves and tigers. If they come to Xitang Town, the merchants will be devoured and nothing will be left.

Brigadier Han shouted: "No need to worry, Mayor Li. I have ordered a regiment to build field fortifications outside the town. At the same time, I am also setting up a second line of defense in this town!"

Suddenly he breathed a long sigh of relief, and Li Wanwan shouted: "With Brigadier Han here, I will feel relieved! Brigadier Han, if the army needs anything, just ask, as long as I, Li Wanwan, can't do it, I will never do it."

Say a word no!"

With a smile on his face, Brigadier Han shouted: "Okay! Mayor Li is really a cheerful person! Since Mayor Li said so, I won't be polite! Mayor Li, the military and political department's military pay has been delayed.

For several months, except for some problems with the logistical supplies of our brothers, I wonder if Mayor Li and the merchants can lend a hand to support the Anti-Japanese War!"

Reaching out and patting his chest, Li Baiwan shouted: "Commander Han, this is all you have to do. You don't have any questions at all!"

Looking back, Li Wanwan shouted: "Zhao Family Food Store and Li Family Food Store, all the military rations of the Duqi Brigade have been handed over to you! There is no problem!"

The two merchants looked at each other and immediately shouted: "Mayor Li, we are running a small business. If we do this, our two grain stores will not go bankrupt!"

Li Wanwan said angrily: "There is no country without a country. If the brothers of the Duqi Brigade are starved, Xitang Town cannot be defended. If Xitang Town cannot be defended, then your food will be fed to the Japanese!"

"

After thinking for a while, the two merchants finally understood: "Mayor Li, we were wrong. The food and drinks for the Duqi Brigade are covered by our two food stores!"

Holding fists and bowing, Brigadier Han shouted: "On behalf of the brothers of the Independent 7th Brigade, I would like to thank you all!"

Mayor Li shouted: "Why are you so polite, Brigadier Han? The Japanese invaders invaded our country, so we should destroy our homes and rescue them. With a united will, the soldiers protect their homes and the country, and the businessmen donate money and food. It is only right! Brigadier Han, apart from food, we

You can also free up the ancestral hall of Lao Li's family for the use of the Duqi Brigade. If there are wounded soldiers in the battle, they can be sent to the ancestral hall!"
Chapter completed!