Zhang Cheng returned to his station three days later.
Although not a single gun was captured, more than twenty Japanese and puppet troops were killed through a fire attack.
"Company Commander, I have calculated the results of the battle. We have won this battle completely."
"Including the results we just achieved yesterday afternoon, we killed at least 150 Japanese and puppet troops, including 63 prisoners."
"A total of 5,000 kilograms of grain were seized. Together with other supplies, it is enough for the entire company to last for half a month."
"In addition, we also harvested three machine guns, 96 rifles, a grenade launcher, and nearly a thousand rounds of various ammunition."
""Where's the loss?" This was the question that Zhang Cheng was most concerned about, and he asked immediately.
"58 people were sacrificed, 13 people were seriously injured and lost combat effectiveness, and there were no statistics on minor injuries." The instructor's tone of voice was obviously lower.
Zhang Cheng's face suddenly darkened: "We almost wiped out two infantry platoons."
The instructor consoled him: "Company Commander, you are already fine."
"Since the Japs built the blockade ditch and wall, the battle has obviously become much more difficult, especially the ambush that the Japs hid in the ditch. Although there are not many people, they are hard to guard against."
"Every time it appears, it catches us off guard and causes us a lot of casualties. Even if we are eaten in the end, we can't make up for the casualties we suffered at the beginning."
"But company commander, don't worry too much. We captured more than sixty puppet soldiers in this battle, and we will definitely be able to mobilize many people to join us."
"They are all trained by little devils. Their combat effectiveness is not bad. The key is who they work for."
"As long as they are added to the troops and ideological work is done well, combat effectiveness will be formed immediately."
Zhang Cheng nodded and replied: "Yes, but I can only give you two days. The troops will have new operations in two days."
The instructor quickly guessed Zhang Cheng's thoughts: "Company commander, do you want to attack the Japanese baggage team that transports supplies to the Zhongcun stronghold?"
Zhang Cheng did not hide anything: "Although the five thousand kilograms of grain just harvested can sustain us for a long time, there will always be a time when we run out. We must prepare for a rainy day."
"Those grains are fat meat brought to our mouths by the little devils. If we don't eat them, we will eat them for free."
The instructor was not so optimistic. He was worried and reminded: "Would our actions be too intensive?"
"The Japanese have just suffered a loss from the baggage train, so they will definitely be on guard."
"Maybe they will use the baggage train as bait, prepare a pocket formation for us to drill into, and wait for us to fall into the trap."
The instructor’s reminder makes sense.
Not only were the Japanese commanders not stupid, they were also very smart and would never make the same mistake twice.
Zhang Cheng fell silent, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper.
Just when the instructor thought Zhang Cheng was about to relent and give up the action, a determined look appeared on his face.
"Fight, no matter how difficult this battle is, we will fight it."
"If you can seize the grain, seize it; if you can't seize it, try to destroy it."
"We can't get it, and even the little devils can't get it. Cut off the supply line to the Zhongcun stronghold."
"In addition, regardless of whether the operation is successful or not, the Japanese and puppet troops will more or less be able to eliminate several of them."
"As long as we can kill the Japanese, this battle is worth fighting."
"Just now, we created opportunities for ourselves by attacking in the east and attacking in the west, and destroyed the Japs's trains. This time I decided to do the opposite and give the Japs an attack in the east."
"If the Japanese and puppet troops are fooled, we will cut off food. If they are not fooled, we will fight the Japanese."
In the Japanese and puppet army stronghold of Guanshan Town, Captain Yoshida is trying to think of ways to change the unfavorable situation in front of him.
The last time the grain was cut off, the two strongholds lost more than 100 people.
After making up for the losses, the mobile force in the blockade area was reduced sharply to 200 people.
If there are any more serious losses to the troops, the mobile troops will be gone, and the blockade area will turn from offense to defense due to insufficient troops, and it will be a passive defense.
In order to avoid this happening, the situation in the blockade area worsened, and Captain Yoshida was very cautious no matter what decision he made.
Never send the remaining mobile troops out without certainty to prevent an accident.
"Sir, there is an urgent report from the Zhongcun stronghold: there is an appearance of the Eighth Route Army in their control area, two maintenance groups have been intercepted, and an ambush hiding in the blockade ditch has been attacked, with more than half of the casualties."
"Also, the Eighth Route Army also used mortars during the battle."
The second lieutenant in charge of communications rushed in and reported anxiously.
The deputy captain also followed in: "Sir, could it be that the Eighth Route Army wants to attack the east and attack the west again, repeating its old tricks?"
Captain Yoshida did not answer, but ordered with a stern face: "Ignore these sneak attacks, the troops will stay still."
"Tell the Zhongcun stronghold that the troops will be on heightened alert. No troops can take the initiative to attack without my order."
In a forest three kilometers away from the Gezhong Village stronghold, more than 200 soldiers were hiding inside and on standby.
In order to increase the chance of success of the mission, Zhang Cheng brought all the active soldiers from the company and guarded the edge of the mountain every day, waiting for the reconnaissance squad to bring him good news.
"Company commander, the reconnaissance squad has sent people back." The instructor came over with a soldier.
"Report to the company commander: The squad leader asked me to come back and report that the Japanese and puppet troops in Guanshan Town were not fooled. The mobile troops have remained at the stronghold and have not moved." The soldier behind the instructor reported.
"The baggage train transporting food to the Zhongcun stronghold set off more than half an hour ago, and the escort force has doubled."
The instructor already knew the news on the way, frowned and said: "Commander, not only were the Japanese troops not fooled, but they have also strengthened the escort troops and are heavily guarded. I suggest giving up the operation."
Zhang Cheng frowned and said nothing.
Unless the Japanese are fooled, the instructor's suggestion is definitely the most sensible one.
But the fat that was brought to his mouth just slipped away, and Zhang Cheng was unwilling to accept it, racking his brains to think of a solution.
"Yes!" Zhang Cheng suddenly had an idea and a bold idea came to his mind.
"With a normal style of play, we are definitely no match for the Japs. We might even lose our wives and lose our troops. But we can take the wrong approach and give the Japs a hard time."
Second Lieutenant Hua Mu was the commander of the baggage train. He was expecting the Eighth Route Army to sneak attack him along the way.
He has nearly ninety men under his command, and including the two recent ambush troops, the total strength exceeds one hundred and twenty.
Even if most of them were puppet troops, he was confident that he could hold off a company of the Eighth Route Army for at least half an hour.
Once the reinforcements are in place, he can cooperate with them to attack from inside and outside and kill the Eighth Route Army attacking him.
When the time comes, the first victory in annihilating the Eighth Route Army will definitely belong to you.
Disappointingly, I walked more than ten kilometers without seeing any trace of the Eighth Route Army.
At ten o'clock in the morning, Second Lieutenant Hua Mu no longer had any hope that he would encounter the Eighth Route Army.
This place is too close to Zhongcun, and reinforcements can be rushed over in twenty minutes of urgent march. Unless the commander of the Eighth Route Army is confused, he will definitely not choose this place to launch an attack.
When we were still three kilometers away from Zhongcun, Second Lieutenant Hua Mu's last bit of vigilance was gone.