Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 222 Occupying the Warehouse

At this moment, Qin Yang had already led his team to the last defensive point of the Japanese. Just as he was about to continue leading his team forward, they were intercepted by a firing point set up by the Japanese in a two-story building nearby.

"Communicator, notify the fourth platoon leader to take out the Japanese soldiers on the second floor over there." Qin Yang gave orders while fighting.

"Yes."

"The rest of you, provide suppressive fire!" Qin Yang shouted to the other units.

"Call me."

"Rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat." A company of machine gunners continued to suppress the Japanese firing positions with firepower.

Shortly afterward, an explosion rang out from the Japanese firing point, and then no more gunfire was heard from the two-story building.

"Attention all platoons, quickly clear out the remaining Japanese soldiers. Be fast and avoid any Japanese soldiers being missed that could detonate the supply depot."

"Yes."

"Communicator, quickly inform the battalion commander of the situation."

"Yes."

At this moment, Niu Dali is constantly marking the battlefield situation on the map based on intelligence.

"Battalion Commander, we have now captured four city gates and the county military police headquarters. The entire Wolongshan County is now under our control," the deputy battalion commander said.

"Now all that's missing is the Japanese supply depot. Once we completely capture the Japanese supply depot, we'll have completed half of our mission," Niu Dali continued.

"Battalion Commander, the gunfire is getting less and less. It seems that Company Commander Qin's attack is going very smoothly."

"Yes, but we must not relax until the very last moment!" Niu Dali remained cautious.

He was genuinely afraid that if undetected Japanese soldiers detonated the supply depot, the entire operation would end in failure.

"Battalion Commander, Company Commander Qin has captured the supply depot and is now searching for any remaining Japanese soldiers," the communications officer shouted as Niu Dali was pondering.

"Really? That's great!" Niu Dali's face lit up with joy.

"It's 10 minutes to 5 o'clock. Company Commander Qin really gave me a big surprise."

"Communications officer, quickly notify Director Bi to bring the troops over immediately to prepare for the transfer of military supplies."

"Yes."

Just as the messenger ran out to make the announcement, Li Yunfei arrived with a whole squad of people.

"Battalion Commander Niu, I heard the gunfire and the operation is over! You guys were quick enough. The troops I brought rushed over, and now it seems we're no longer needed," Li Yunfei said to Niu Dali.

"Commander Li, you guys are quick on your feet. I just captured the supply depot and you've already arrived. But you've come at the right time. Our commander sent intelligence that the Japanese are reinforcing the county town, and we need to quickly move their supplies."

"Our independent regiment is already prepared to have all its members serve as a transport team," Li Yunfei said with a smile.

"Battalion Commander Niu, we've arrived." Bi Shoucai rushed over with Zhao Xiaogang.

"The transfer of supplies depends on your coordination. We must be quick and move the supplies out as soon as possible. They are currently outside the guard posts, and all troops are under your command." Niu Dali said with a serious expression.

"Don't worry, we'll make sure to move the supplies in time," Bi Shoucai promised, patting his chest.

"Okay." After saying that, Shou Cai followed Zhao Xiaogang and led the troops into the logistics warehouse, directing the troops to move the weapons from the warehouse.

With nothing else to do, Niu Dali and Li Yunfei leisurely began their inspection of the Japanese army's supply depot.

"Battalion Commander Niu, the Japanese have really stockpiled plenty of bullets and shells," Li Yunfei said, casually opening a box full of bullets.

"Commander Li, all this ammunition is now ours," Niu Dali said with a smile.

"There are too few guns and grenade launchers. It would be great if we had a whole regiment's worth of guns," Li Yunfei said regretfully.

“That’s easy to solve. Our regimental commander said he’s seen it and all the guns captured during the attack on the county town will be given to you,” Niu Dali said with a smile.

"Commander Tang is still the most benevolent, but I, Old Li, am not one to take advantage of others. This time, our Independent Regiment will receive a smaller share of the ammunition."

"Commander Li, you're too kind."

While Tang Dazhuang and Niu Dali were chatting, Bi Shoucai was already shouting at the top of his lungs.

"Your troops, move this batch of ammunition first."

"You two will set off with the Independent Regiment."

"Battalion Commander, Battalion Commander!" The company commander of the Independent Logistics Battalion ran over and called out.

"what's up."

"We discovered a Japanese grain storage warehouse. There was too much grain; we couldn't move it."

"Come on, let me go take a look."

"Political Commissar Zhao, we've found a large grain warehouse. Let's go take a look," Bi Shoucai shouted to Political Commissar Zhao on the other side.

"Okay, let's go." The group hadn't walked far before they arrived at a large warehouse.

"Wow, so much grain! I estimate there must be two or three hundred thousand catties." Bi Shoucai was surprised to see the warehouse piled high with grain.

"It looks like there will be more than enough," Political Commissar Zhao remarked.

"Political Commissar Zhao, we can't move all of this grain, but no matter what, we can't leave this batch of grain to the Japanese. Otherwise, let's burn it in the end," Bi Shoucai said with a pained expression.

“Director Bi is right. We can’t leave it to the Japanese no matter what. But it would be a waste to burn it. I have a solution,” Political Commissar Zhao said.

"Oh, Political Commissar Zhao, what brilliant plan do you have?"

"It's not exactly a brilliant plan, it's just that we're carrying out the fine traditions of our Eighth Route Army to organize and mobilize the masses. We have fewer people, but the county town has more."

"We offered grain as payment and called on the people of the whole county to help us transport the grain," Zhao Xiaogang said.

“That’s a good idea. Let’s do as Political Commissar Zhao says. As for the specifics of how to organize it, we’ll have to trouble the Political Commissar,” Bi Shoucai said.

"Okay, I'll go organize it now." After saying that, Political Commissar Zhao said to the communications officer beside him.

"Have the propaganda team run all over the city, spreading the word that we'll help transport grain and we'll distribute grain to everyone. For every bag of grain transported, we'll give you a bag of grain."

"Yes." The communications officer took the order and ran out.

Before long, the voices of the Independent Regiment's propaganda team could be heard on the streets of the county town.

"Fellow villagers, the Eighth Route Army is now exchanging work for grain. For every bag of grain you transport, the Eighth Route Army will give you a bag of grain. We will be fair and honest. Anyone who wants to go, please report to the Japanese military supply depot."

The propaganda team was shouting at the top of their lungs through loudspeakers.

The residents of the county town had long been awakened by the earlier gunfire and were all cautiously hiding in their rooms. Some of the bolder villagers peeked through the cracks in their doors to see what was happening outside.

"Husband, what are you doing?" a woman in a house said to a middle-aged man dressed in tattered clothes.

"What else can we do? Help the Eighth Route Army transport grain. For every bag we transport, we get a bag of grain in return. The Eighth Route Army is a trustworthy army; they keep their word!"

"It's better if the leader doesn't go. What if the Japanese come back and find out that we helped the Eighth Route Army transport grain? They might come back to retaliate against us."

“What time is it to worry about this? We’re almost out of food. If I don’t get some food soon, our whole family will starve to death.”

"Here's what we'll do. I'll go transport the grain. You take the grain and the two children to your parents' house in the countryside to hide for a few days and avoid trouble. Come back when things have calmed down."

"Honey, that's fine. I'll pack my things first and leave at daybreak."

"Okay, I'll go first." After saying that, the middle-aged man pushed open the door and ran towards the location of the Japanese army's supply depot.

Many other families in the county shared the same idea, and soon residents from all directions of the county headed toward the Japanese military supply depot.