roccoschili Chapter 59 Eight Carts of Grain
Chapter 59 Eight Carts of Grain
Yang Zheng took a deep breath, suppressed his excitement, and stepped forward.
The process remains the same: screening, registration, and welcome.
These 100 new soldiers are more diverse than the last ones. In addition to experienced infantrymen, there are even a few engineers who know how to demolish and build bridges!
He didn't need to worry about the 20 blacksmiths; Li Dachui would lead them to the blacksmith shop.
As for the two technicians, there's no need to introduce them further; they can be handed over to Wang Wenhan later.
Seemingly sensing something, Wang Wenhan came out of his confidential workshop and then chatted with the two technicians.
Wang Wenhan's face also showed a smile. With the addition of these two people, his pressure was greatly reduced, and bullet production could be faster and in greater quantities.
Then he remembered a crucial issue and asked Yang Zheng to supply the raw materials as soon as possible, otherwise even the most skilled cook cannot make a meal without rice.
Yang Zheng thought of the deal he made with Li Yunlong, nodded, and said he would handle it as soon as possible.
With the addition of this new force, the number of combat personnel in their Eighth Company has exceeded three hundred. Once the reorganization is completed, it will be comparable to a main force battalion.
Just then, Sun Ming, who had gone out on reconnaissance, rode back and rushed to the company headquarters. As soon as he entered, he shouted impatiently, "Company Commander, we have news! Big news!"
Yang Zheng's face lit up with joy. He immediately called him in, poured him a glass of water, and then asked, "What kind of news?"
"Company Commander, we've found out that the Japanese have looted a batch of grain that's about to be transported to Shijiazhuang by train!" Sun Mingshui said immediately, not even bothering to drink.
"What??" Yang Zhengteng stood up abruptly, becoming quite agitated.
The biggest problem hindering the development of their Eighth Company was undoubtedly food.
If the goods are transported by train, the quantity will definitely be substantial, no wonder Yang Zheng got excited.
"Tell me quickly, how did you find out? How many are there? And when will they be passing by?" Yang Zheng tried to suppress his excitement and quickly asked for details.
At the same time, he was also wondering if it was a trap.
With a smile on his face, Sun Ming immediately replied, "It's quite a coincidence. Our railway detachment pried up a long section of the Japanese railway, and these past two days, the Japanese have been organizing repairs and have conscripted a lot of civilian laborers."
This news was inadvertently learned by one of them from a conversation with several puppet soldiers. Only today did that fellow villager find the opportunity to inform us.
After explaining, Sun Ming immediately added, "The exact amount of grain is still unclear. I have ordered people to keep an eye on the puppet troops building the railway, and prepare to capture a few prisoners."
As for the time that had passed, the villager had said that the puppet troops insisted on ensuring the railway would be passable in five days.
"Five days later..." Yang Zheng tapped the table, lost in thought.
Food is the Eighth Company's most vital lifeline. But this intelligence came at a rather opportune time; if it's a trap, the consequences would be unimaginable.
If this is true, this batch of grain is enough to sustain the Eighth Company and even the surrounding villagers for a long time, and can lay a solid foundation for further expansion of the army.
"Sun Ming, you did the right thing. The intelligence must be verified!"
Yang Zheng said in a deep voice, "You personally lead the most capable members of the reconnaissance squad, disguised, to approach the railway maintenance depot. Make sure to capture a key interrogator, preferably a puppet army officer who knows the inside story!"
Remember, make sure they're alive. Find out the exact time, number of carriages, escorting troops, and route details for the grain train!
"Yes, sir!" Sun Ming replied, chest puffed out. "I guarantee I'll complete the mission!"
After Sun Ming quickly left, Yang Zheng immediately called Liu Tiegang over and instructed them to postpone the operation of the railway detachment.
Then, he immediately summoned the several blasting experts who had come from engineering backgrounds and carefully inquired about the details of the railway blasting. After receiving satisfactory answers, he instructed them to make preparations quickly and also asked Li Dachui to cooperate with them.
After all the arrangements were completed, Yang Zheng sat back down in his chair, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
If the intelligence is accurate, this would be a larger operation than the previous ambush on the Japanese mopping-up troops, requiring more meticulous planning and greater strength.
Fortunately, the Eighth Company's strength has been increasing, and as long as there is accurate intelligence, he is still confident.
That evening, Yang Zheng convened a meeting to announce the new reorganization and orders:
1. The Type 1 heavy machine gun in the warehouse belongs to the fire support platoon, but another grenade launcher needs to be spared. The missing personnel should be selected from the new soldiers first.
2. All the remaining new soldiers were dispersed and assigned to the three main platoons. At the same time, two more grenade launchers and one light machine gun were added to form a fire support squad.
3. Each platoon is short of weapons; starting today, go to the warehouse to collect them.
4. Twelve new recruits who had previously served as reconnaissance soldiers were selected to join the reconnaissance squad. The squad leader was Mao Dashuan, and the deputy squad leader was Lin Xiaoye.
5. Sun Desheng officially took over as the cavalry squad leader, and transferred the cavalrymen and warhorses that originally belonged to the reconnaissance squad, equipping them with weapons such as sabers and rifles. The deputy squad leader was Sun Ming.
The latter two orders will be formally implemented after Sun Ming returns.
Under such reorganization, the fire support platoon had 2 Type 92 heavy machine guns, 20 Type 38 rifles, and 8 grenade launchers, with a personnel of 45.
Each of the first to third platoons was equipped with 4 Type 91 light machine guns, 2 grenade launchers, 50 Type 38 rifles, and a total of 70 personnel.
The cavalry squad consisted of 10 men and 10 horses, the reconnaissance squad consisted of 18 men, and the railway detachment consisted of 20 men; in addition, there were several engineers who knew demolition, who were separated and would later form an engineer squad.
For the next two days, the Eighth Company's garrison was busy yet orderly.
The newly arrived 100 soldiers were scattered and assigned to four main platoons. Under the leadership of veteran platoon leaders such as Zhao Dahu and Zeng Dahui, they quickly began training to integrate with each other.
Veteran soldiers mentored new recruits, imparting the Eighth Route Army's combat experience and familiarizing them with the Eighth Company's tactical style; the training ground was filled with the sounds of battle.
Li Dachui's blacksmith shop is now much larger, with twenty new blacksmiths who are all skilled, and together with the original team, it's bustling with activity.
Besides repairing weapons and forging swords and spears, the most important task now is to coordinate with bullet production.
Under the guidance of Wang Wenhan and two new technicians, they were able to produce 1500 bullets a day. Unfortunately, they only worked hard for two days before they had to stop because they ran out of materials.
Yang Zheng had no choice but to order Liu Tiegang to search for kitchen knives and farm tools made by blacksmiths in the nearby villages and exchange them with the villagers.
On the evening of the third day, Sun Ming returned with his reconnaissance squad, along with a fat man with a bruised and swollen face, wearing a puppet army platoon leader's uniform, who was trembling with fear.
"Company commander, we've caught the prisoner! He's a platoon leader from the puppet army's road protection unit. This kid knows a lot!"
Sun Ming was excited. "We've checked, and the intelligence is basically true! The Japanese have looted a large amount of grain, mainly millet and sorghum, and some wheat flour, filling eight train cars!"
The escort was a reinforced Japanese squad, plus a company of puppet troops, equipped with light machine guns and grenade launchers. The special train will pass through that section of railway near us in two days, on the 22nd!