Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 317 Recruiting in Progress

A week later, with the help of the 186th Regiment, a dozen soldiers from the conscription office and the reconnaissance team passed through the Fenxian area, which was heavily blockaded by the Japanese, and arrived in the Lianglu Mountains.

"Squad Leader Zhou, slow down, I can't keep up with your pace." Wu An, who was recruiting, wiped the sweat from his face with his empty right sleeve.

Zhou Xing looked at Wu An, who was panting heavily, and said with some helplessness.

My dear Captain Wu, we've been delayed quite a bit along the way. If we don't hurry, we might not reach our destination before dark.

“Squad Leader Zhou, I’m not like you guys. This is my first time traveling such a long distance since I came back from the battlefield.”

"Sigh, you have to admit defeat. I'm not as brave as I used to be." Wu An sat down and took off his shoes with his left hand, carefully pressing them down.

Seeing this, Zhou Xing knew that Wu An's physical condition was indeed not as good as these people, so he stopped insisting that they continue their journey and arranged for everyone to rest as well.

"Xiao Zhang, Xiao Xia, you two are in charge of perimeter security."

"Yes, class monitor." After saying that, the two of them walked to the side.

Even during breaks, Zhou Xing didn't forget to arrange security around the area; it was an instinct ingrained in him.

"Here, Captain Wu, have some water." Zhou Xing said, handing his water bottle to Wu An.

"Wow, such a brand new canteen! Our Independent Division always says your reconnaissance regiment has the best equipment, and sure enough, even your canteen is top-notch," Wu An said with some envy.

"Sigh, I was so close to being selected for the reconnaissance team back then, but unfortunately I didn't meet the physical fitness requirement in the final round," Wu An sighed.

Zhou Xing, who was standing to the side, did not say anything. He also knew that it was not easy to join the reconnaissance team.

Because the reconnaissance regiment is part of the independent division, it is the division commander's sharpest weapon, enjoying the best equipment, the highest allowance, and the highest food standards of the independent division.

Then, in the last battle, the reconnaissance regiment did not perform well and was questioned by the other units. So this time, everyone was determined to prove to everyone that their reconnaissance regiment was the true ace of the independent division.

Thinking of this, Zhou Xing couldn't help but touch the German-made submachine gun beside him.

"However, I never expected to be able to work with your reconnaissance team this time; it's a great honor for me," Wu An said politely after finishing his water.

"Captain Wu, you're too kind. We're all working for our Independent Division."

"Thanks to everyone, we've recruited over 50 soldiers this time, less than halfway to our goal of 100," Zhou Xing continued.

"I lost my arm in the battle against the Japanese, so I can no longer fight them. I can only do recruitment work and continue to contribute to our division."

"I didn't expect you to do such a good job," Wu An said with a smile.

"We are heading to Lujia Town now. It was previously ravaged by the Japanese. We hope to recruit more soldiers from there, especially those who hate the Japanese devils."

"Those damned Japanese devils! One day we'll drive them all back to their homeland."

"Don't worry, as long as the division commander is here, we will definitely drive the Japanese devils out."

“Yes,” Zhou Xing agreed. Zhou Xing thought to himself that within the division commander’s troop range, no village would suffer further destruction at the hands of the Japanese.

After resting for a while, the group continued their journey.

Because of the long delay caused by resting on the road, the group only arrived near Lujia Town in the evening.

Looking at the dark village in the distance, no one had any intention of disturbing it, so they rested for a while at a dilapidated earth god temple near the village.

"Lord Earth God, I am staying at your temple today and have disturbed your peace. Please forgive me." After saying this, Wu An took out some incense that he didn't know where he found and lit it.

"Wow, I didn't expect you to believe in this stuff," Zhou Xing teased.

"I don't really believe it, but since we're on their territory, we should at least be polite."

Zhou Xing glanced at the Earth God above with some disdain.

"If we could really protect the peace of this area, why would we be bullied so badly by the Japanese devils? The only thing we can truly rely on is our own weapons." Zhou Xing showed Wu An the submachine gun he was carrying.

"This is the truth that our teachers always keep repeating."

"Alright, Squad Leader Zhou is right. Let's go, dinner's ready." Looking at Zhou Xing's expression, Wu An couldn't help but smile, then quickly urged them to eat.

"Squad Leader Zhou, is there any more jerky? You can't keep it to yourself." Wu An asked Zhou Xing as soon as he sat down.

"It's all gone. There was only enough for me, and you guys ate it all," Zhou Xing denied repeatedly.

"Sigh, then I can't have a treat." He said, picking up a steamed bun that had been heated by the fire and eating it dry.

After finishing his meal, Zhou Xing, as usual, set up the sentry posts and then rested.

Then, the entire earth god temple became quiet, except for the occasional snoring sound.

In the middle of the night, the soldiers on guard suddenly noticed some movement in the distance and quickly returned to the local temple to wake everyone up.

"Report to the captain, there's a situation! There's troop movement in the distance!" Xiao Zhang shouted.

"Let's go take a look." Hearing Xiao Zhang's words, Zhou Xing immediately woke up and quickly led everyone to see.

In the distance, lights could be faintly seen on the road, and a faint mechanical roar could be heard in the air.

"Oh no, it's the Japanese devils."

"Behind enemy lines, only the Japanese troops would be able to travel so openly," Zhou Xing immediately confirmed.

"Captain Zhou, it seems the Japanese are definitely targeting Lujia Town. We can't let them harm the villagers of Lujia Village again this time."

"Yes."

"Captain Wu, take your men and immediately notify the villagers of Lujia Town to move into the mountains."

"Soldiers of the second squad, follow me." After saying that, Zhou Xing immediately ran towards the main road that the Japanese soldiers were about to cross.

On the other side, Wu An ran incredibly fast. If Zhou Xing were here, he would be astonished. Was this really the Wu An he knew?

"Who goes there? Don't move!" Just as Wu An ran to the village entrance, two young men dressed in tattered clothes suddenly jumped out from behind a pile of stones.

One of them pointed a rifle at Wu An and the others and shouted loudly.

"The Japanese devils are coming! The Japanese devils are coming! Everyone run!" Wu An said breathlessly.

"What?" the other person exclaimed in surprise.

Today, the district squad happened to be having a meeting in Lujia Town, and now the Japanese have sneaked in. His first reaction was that there must be a traitor.

"Zhao Hu, quickly ring the bell and tell everyone that the Japanese are coming."

"Yes." The young man beside him hurriedly ran towards the village.

"Comrade, we are a squad from the Eighth Route Army Region of Qi County. Thank you for coming to inform us. I am Zhang Shan, the squad leader." The middle-aged man with the gun said gratefully.

After saying that, he walked towards Wu An's direction. When he got closer, he realized that the other party was actually wearing a Nationalist government military uniform.

"Comrade, who are you?" the middle-aged man asked, somewhat puzzled.

"I am Wu An, and I belong to the Wolongshan Independent Division. I just happened to run into the Japanese troops, so I quickly informed you."

"Thank you very much." Zhang Shan said, shaking Wu An's hands tightly.

At that moment, the village's alarm bells also rang.

"Clang, clang, clang."

The enormous sound of the bell resounded throughout the entire town of Lujia.