After the Lieyan Special Operations Brigade led by Yang Ling completed the task of putting out the fire in Yichang City, they rushed directly to the military headquarters of the 18th Army outside the city without taking any rest.
Peng Shan, commander of the 18th Army, was busy commanding his troops to pursue the Japanese. When he heard that Yang Ling asked to see him, he was also full of doubts.
However, because Yang Ling promptly provided them with information that the Japanese were about to retreat, they moved to the outside of Yichang in time, so that they could defeat Yichang in the shortest possible time.
Yang Ling was quickly taken to the headquarters of the 18th Army. As soon as he entered the door, he could feel the cheerful atmosphere in the military headquarters, and everyone's faces were filled with excitement.
They have not only retaken Yichang now, but various troops are pursuing the Japanese.
If they could defeat the Japs, or annihilate even one of them, they would be able to turn defeat into victory, and maybe they would be able to add a lot of glory to their list of achievements.
Compared to the excited staff, Yang Ling's expression was particularly solemn, because he knew that the Japanese's abandonment of Yichang was only temporary, and they would soon make a comeback.
Once these pursuing squadrons fail to take precautions, they are likely to suffer another disastrous defeat, and countless Chinese officers and soldiers will be killed or injured in the battle.
"Chief Peng, I request you to immediately order all units to stop the pursuit."
Yang Ling knew that the Japs would come back soon, so he did not beat around the bush and directly made suggestions to Army Commander Peng Shan.
"Captain Yang may not be aware of the current situation when he is fighting fires in the city. The Japanese are already retreating hastily to the east. This is a great opportunity for our army to pursue and annihilate the enemy. How can we stop the pursuit?" A combat staff officer smiled at the side.
explain.
Army Commander Peng Shan also looked at Yang Ling with confusion on his face, wondering why he asked him to give the order to stop the pursuit.
"We just captured a prisoner of the Japanese. According to the prisoner of the Japanese, this is just a fake retreat of the Japanese. The purpose is to lure our army to attack, so as to encircle and annihilate our army." Yang Ling casually made up a conspiracy.
Lies, trying to make Army Commander Peng Shan believe it.
"Is this really happening?"
Seeing that Yang Ling was speaking very seriously, Army Commander Peng Shan suppressed the joy on his face.
"It's absolutely true, I would never dare to deceive Chief Peng." Yang Ling replied.
If it is really a Japanese conspiracy, once the Japanese launch an all-out counterattack, the troops I have now scattered to pursue will be unable to resist the Japanese counterattack.
After all, their 18th Army had already suffered heavy losses in previous battles. It was okay to take advantage of the victory to pursue the enemy, but it was likely to collapse once it encountered a strong Japanese counterattack. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.
However, he did not listen to Yang Ling's side of the story. The Japs were very cunning. If the captured Japs told lies and they stopped the pursuit, wouldn't they have wasted a great opportunity to pursue and annihilate the enemy?
"Send out reconnaissance troops quickly to detect the movements of the Japanese! Report any situation immediately!"
"At the same time, the troops in pursuit were ordered to pay close attention to the Japanese's actions to prevent them from counterattacking."
After hearing the order issued by the commander of the 18th Army, Yang Ling knew that he had not paid enough attention to it and was still taking a chance.
But he also knew that based on his own words, it would be almost impossible for the 18th Army to give up the pursuit before receiving the reconnaissance report from the front.
Because now not only the 18th Army is pursuing eastward, but the 77th Army and the 85th Army are also pursuing and annihilating the Japanese from all directions.
But other troops attack the Japs from the flanks. Once things go wrong, they can immediately withdraw into the mountains and break away from the Japs' troops.
However, the 18th Army pursued directly from behind the Japs. Once the Japs bite back, with their current strength, they are no match for the Japs.
Yang Ling currently does not have enough evidence to convince the commander of the 18th Army. He will not give an actual order to stop the pursuit until the reconnaissance report from the front line comes back.
But I'm afraid that by that time, the Japanese have already launched a counterattack on Yichang. At that time, it will not be a question of stopping the pursuit, but a question of retreat.
"Sir Peng, I suggest that we immediately send out troops to repair positions outside the city. Otherwise, when the Japanese counterattack comes back, we will have no danger of defending."
Because before the Japanese left, they had destroyed many military facilities, and now no position is intact.
"Okay, I will give you some civilians, and you will be responsible for repairing their positions outside the city. If the Japanese really fight back, then it will be up to you." Commander Peng Shan thought for a while and then ordered.
"Chief Peng, we need a large amount of explosives, can you allocate some to me?"
"Go directly to the Quartermaster for this and ask him to allocate it to you."
"yes!"
After Yang Ling saluted with a military salute, he immediately turned around and strode away.
When Yang Ling came out of the 18th Army Headquarters, the officers and soldiers of the Lieyan Special Warfare Brigade gathered around him.
"Sir, when will we launch pursuit?"
"Yeah, let's go quickly, otherwise we'll be late and we won't be able to drink the soup."
…
The officers and soldiers of the Lieyan Special Warfare Brigade were delayed in putting out the fire in the city. Now that the Japanese have retreated, they hope to pursue them and beat them severely.
"I have received news that the Japs are just pretending to retreat this time, and they will fight back soon. Therefore, our task now is not to pursue, but to immediately repair and strengthen our positions to prepare for the Japs' counterattack!"
"ah?"
After hearing what Yang Ling said, the excited officers and soldiers of the Lieyan Special Warfare Brigade became serious in their expressions.
"Damn, the Japs are so cunning, I almost fell into their trap!"
"Okay, everyone, don't be stunned, hurry up and lead people to repair the position."
"Zhang Tie!"
"have!"
"Go to the munitions office of the 18th Army and get as much explosives as you can. The more the better. Then make them all into explosive packets for me and bury them on the road outside the city."
"yes!"
Zhang Tie already understood Yang Ling's intention. Once the Japanese counterattack, these buried explosives will become their meeting gift.
The officers and soldiers of the Lieyan Special Warfare Brigade took action quickly, and some of them directed the civilians to repair the positions outside the city in case of emergency.
There were also some people who were busy making explosives. Five-pound and ten-pound explosive bags were made and buried on various roads leading to Yichang.
While the brothers were busy outside Yichang, the troops responsible for chasing the Japanese were also chasing eastward.
They were chasing along the road in excitement. Some of the Japanese baggage flying troops escorting the trophies were caught up and destroyed by them because they were too slow. Many of the trophies were taken back by them.
Just when they had not been happy for a few minutes, they suddenly heard the sound of the ground shaking and smoke and dust rising on the road.
In the billowing smoke, the blood-red Japanese flag loomed, and the sharp sabers were particularly dazzling in the sun. A large number of Japanese cavalry were rushing toward them along the road.
"It's the devil's cavalry!"
When they saw these Japanese cavalrymen riding tall horses, many Chinese officers and soldiers turned pale.
There was no obstruction on this road, and facing the charge of the Japanese cavalry, these infantrymen were no match for the cavalry.
"Seize advantageous terrain and prepare to fight!"
After all, the 18th Army is also a Central Military Army unit. Many grassroots officers graduated from military academies and experienced the baptism of combat, so they quickly responded.
These officers and soldiers immediately spread out on both sides of the road, occupying a favorable position, and started shooting at the Japanese cavalry that rushed over.
But soon they were shocked to discover that behind these Japanese cavalry, those Japanese chariots that looked like steel monsters were also rumbling over, and further behind, there were a large number of Japanese infantry.
"Hurry and report to the commander, the Japanese are back again!"
Seeing the large number of Japanese soldiers approaching in this direction, the pursuing officers of the squadron realized that something was wrong. While launching an attack on the spot, they immediately sent people to report to the rear.