Chapter 18: Capturing the Stronghold—A Wave of Wealth for the New First Regiment
Black Dragon Society Mountain Stronghold.
As dusk fell, within the main hall of the stronghold, Zhou Haoyue, appointed by the Black Dragon to oversee the stronghold, glanced anxiously outside.
“Has the leader not returned yet?”
“Not yet, strategist,” a subordinate replied promptly, flattering him, “There are only ten from the Eighth Route Army. The leader brought so many; there won’t be any problems.”
“Probably lingering somewhere with the girls from Li Family Village and Chen Family Manor, causing the delay.”
“That’s right!” another chimed in. “Those two girls are beauties in these parts. The leader really has good fortune with women...”
Hearing this, Zhou Haoyue swallowed hard but quickly masked his unease.
“Inform me as soon as there’s news!”
“Also, prepare the meal to celebrate the leader’s return.”
“Yes, sir!”
At dusk.
A messenger hurried up to Zhou Haoyue. “Strategist, just now we heard movement coming from the foot of the mountain—it’s the brothers returning.”
“But the leader wasn’t with them.”
“Li Jie and the others said the leader is enjoying himself in Li Family Village and will return tomorrow morning. They brought back prisoners first—eight members of the Eighth Route Army—and have already climbed the mountain. They should arrive in about ten minutes.”
Hearing this, Zhou Haoyue frowned slightly, feeling something was off but unable to pinpoint what.
Knowing Black Dragon as he did, this kind of thing was entirely within his character.
After all, those two beauties could easily cloud his judgment.
Damn it, he thought bitterly, sooner or later he’d end up dead because of a woman.
Suppressing his frustration, Zhou Haoyue stepped outside.
To him, these Eighth Route Army soldiers were bargaining chips to curry favor with the Japanese envoy and his own token of loyalty.
He had spared no effort to coax Black Dragon into siding with the Japanese.
...
Meanwhile.
Using a battalion of surrendered bandits as cover, the troops smoothly passed through various outposts along the route.
They took control of these outposts, clearing the way for the main force.
On a hillside at Black Wind Ridge.
Li Yunlong led his troops, waiting for a signal from the mountain.
The Black Dragon Society stronghold’s terrain was easy to defend but difficult to assault; securing several key points was essential before the main force could ascend without major obstacles.
As time passed.
Li Yunlong finally received the signal and immediately gave the order.
“Comrades, follow me up!”
Under Li Yunlong’s command, the remaining soldiers of the battalion bent low and advanced swiftly up the mountain.
Having secured the outposts along the way, their march met little resistance.
To ensure the safety of Zhang Dabiao and the vanguard, no time was wasted.
Just as they were marching.
Gunfire erupted from the stronghold.
Li Yunlong was startled.
He then ceased hiding their movements and charged quickly toward the stronghold.
At this moment!
At the stronghold, Zhang Dabiao and his men were engaged in battle with Zhou Haoyue and his followers.
Zhou Haoyue had grown suspicious when the ‘brothers’ returning looked unfamiliar, and he noticed the uneasy expressions on Li Jie and the others, prompting him to prepare for confrontation.
Zhang Dabiao reacted swiftly, striking first to seize the advantage.
A fierce battle broke out.
“Those who don’t want to die, surrender now! Once the main force arrives, no one will escape!”
Li Jie and the others began urging surrender as well.
After all, some of these bandits were acquaintances.
“The leader is already dead. The Eighth Route Army treats prisoners well. Surrender now!”
“If you don’t surrender soon, you’ll lose your chance!”
“Stop being bandits and fight the devils with the Eighth Route Army!”
...
These words made many bandits waver.
After all, they had become bandits out of desperation, pressured and enticed by Black Dragon.
With the situation turning grim, surrender seemed a wise choice.
Deep down, they still held some passion.
The Japanese invasion was a wound in their hearts.
If not for the tiny devils’ invasion, they wouldn’t have fled their homes and fallen so low.
Thus, many bandits abandoned resistance and surrendered.
Seeing this, Zhou Haoyue immediately fled without hesitation.
Li Jie shouted, “Captain, Zhou Haoyue is escaping!”
Following Li Jie’s instructions, Zhang Dabiao and his men knew Zhou Haoyue was Black Dragon’s trusted aide left to guard the stronghold and the one who had summoned the Japanese envoy.
Such a scourge naturally became their prime target.
“Comrades, don’t let him escape!”
“Attack!”
“Rat-a-tat-tat... rat-a-tat...”
Zhang Dabiao manned a light machine gun, suppressing the resisting bandits while other soldiers pressed forward.
Li Jie and the other defectors understood this was their chance.
Braving a hail of bullets, they charged forward, pursuing Zhou Haoyue.
As Zhang Dabiao fought fiercely,
Li Yunlong and his forces arrived, turning the battle decisively in their favor.
“Bang!” Li Yunlong shot a bandit dead and shouted, “No mercy for resistors!”
“Surrender immediately!”
The intimidating, murderous cry crushed the bandits’ will to resist.
Faced with the fierce attack of the Eighth Route Army, many surrendered, others fled.
However, Li Yunlong had long planned for an escape and knew it was nearly impossible.
With the situation settled, Li Yunlong asked Zhang Dabiao, “Where’s the bandit strategist?”
“Captain, Zhou Haoyue fled up the mountain. Li Jie and the others are pursuing him,” Zhang Dabiao responded quickly. “I’ll take men to chase him immediately.”
Li Yunlong was still somewhat wary of Li Jie and the others, as they had only recently defected.
He nodded, cautioning, “Stay safe!”
“Yes!”
Zhang Dabiao acknowledged and promptly rallied a platoon to give chase.
Li Yunlong commanded the troops to clear out the remaining enemies.
Half an hour later.
All enemies in the stronghold had been killed or captured, and the battle concluded.
They began cleaning the battlefield, treating the wounded, and collecting spoils.
Li Yunlong observed the Black Dragon Society stronghold, noting its mountain-built structures were quite well-constructed.
This indeed was a fine base.
The new headquarters for the First Regiment was secured!
As Li Yunlong was inspecting the stronghold, a soldier approached excitedly.
“Captain, you have to see this! There’s so much weaponry and equipment—we’re going to make a fortune!”
Li Yunlong nodded slightly and followed.
He had already learned from the defectors roughly what the Black Dragon Society possessed, so he was not surprised.
A moment later.
Li Yunlong arrived at a cave-like warehouse where soldiers eagerly examined the weapons.
“My goodness, that cannon is quite large. Good thing the enemy didn’t use it earlier, or things would have been dangerous!”
“That’s a 75mm mountain gun...”
“There are plenty of machine guns here, and lots of ammunition as well...”
The soldiers enthusiastically explained as Li Yunlong arrived.
He scanned the weapons and ammunition in the warehouse, smiling broadly.
“This haul is really rich!”
“Not bad, not bad!”
“No need to worry about weapons for now!”
“Zhang Quan, inventory everything and report to me!”
“Yes, sir!”
Zhang Quan responded immediately.
Just as Li Yunlong was inspecting the weapons, a soldier from the Second Battalion approached.
“Captain, we’ve taken the arsenal, and we also discovered...”
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