Chapter 36

Tiger Roar Mountain, a name that sounds fierce and majestic, is actually little known, a large mountain located on the border between Guizhou and Hunan. This mountain is not very high, and the vegetation is not particularly lush, but it is a main road connecting the two provinces.

Based on the intelligence provided by the reconnaissance company, it was learned that the main force of the Central Army, which set out from Jingzhou City, would enter Jinping via this road and join the encirclement and suppression forces reassembling in Guizhou. He Zhengdao chose this place as the ambush point.

Before the battle, He Zhengdao personally came to observe the area with the four main battalion commanders. Despite the unremarkable appearance and terrain of this mountain, he still provided his reasons for choosing it.

Holding a captured map, he said, "Although Tiger Roar Mountain is not the best ambush location, it is the most ideal and safest place for an ambush. Whether it's the Hunan Army or the Guizhou Army, they are both far from here. Before the battle begins, our reconnaissance company will clear out the nearest town's defense forces. This means that even if we use artillery, it will be difficult for the Guizhou and Hunan armies to provide immediate support."

"Commander, although the distance on the map suggests this place is suitable for an ambush, if they suffer heavy losses, they can still send a telegram for support! At that time, won't our combat intentions be exposed?"

As a direct subordinate of Chiang Kai-shek, the main force battalion is equipped with radios, which the Red Army soldiers are well aware of. Battalion Commander Jiang Shan, who raised this question, believed that He Zhengdao should also be aware of this situation.

Faced with Jiang Shan's and others' confusion, He Zhengdao pointed to the ridges on both sides of the road and said, "According to the ambush positions I have arranged for each battalion, the straight-line distance from the positions to the road is less than 100 meters. At such a distance, once we launch a surprise attack, with the firepower we currently have, how long do you think the enemy can hold out? Not to mention, we are launching a surprise ambush, and we have artillery support. Even though our artillery skills are not great, I have already adjusted the firing positions for each artillery piece. As soon as the enemy commander appears in the firing position, our attack will begin. With our current artillery firepower, after a few rounds of shells, do you think the enemy will have time to set up their artillery? Moreover, I have deliberately left a reconnaissance platoon with sharpshooters, not just to watch the show. As soon as the enemy enters the ambush circle, the artillery will start firing, and the sharpshooters in the guard platoon will provide additional fire. I can say that before the battle ends, the enemy will not even have time to set up their radios, let alone send a warning telegram."

Originally, I had been planning to engage the main force of the Central Army in a battle nearby. Now it seems that this opportunity will have to wait. With our current manpower and equipment, we are not inferior to the Central Army in terms of equipment and numbers. In a situation of equal strength, we have the advantage of time and place, and the element of surprise. Do you think the enemy has much chance of winning? As long as we eliminate their commander and main officers, will the remaining Central Army soldiers fight to the death?"

After a series of rhetorical questions, the battalion commanders thought about it and realized he was right. Their thinking about combat was still stuck in the past when the Red Army lacked ammunition. But now, the ammunition and weapons of the battalion are so abundant that it's a cause for concern.

According to He Zhengdao's pre-battle arrangements, he preferred to use more ammunition rather than see the so-called charge and kill. These battalion commanders also knew that each of the rescued Red Army soldiers was precious. If they could reduce casualties by consuming bullets, it was worth it in their eyes.

With these reasons, that night, the battalion, except for the logistics detachment left behind to guard, moved out from the temporary camp. Upon arriving at Tiger Roar Mountain, they began to construct hidden fortifications according to the pre-battle arrangements.

As the trenches were dug, the once quiet Tiger Roar Mountain seemed to come alive. However, He Zhengdao, who personally inspected the fortifications, made significant improvements to the work of the soldiers.

Holding a shovel, he said, "The trenches we are digging are not far from the road, so the soil dug up must not be thrown out carelessly, as it can easily be discovered. First, clear out a position for the trench, cut the grass and branches, and place them aside. Then start digging. All the soil should be piled in front of the trench, which can also serve as a cover. After the trench is dug, cover the soil with the cut branches and grass. This way, when people look up from the bottom of the mountain, they won't notice any difference."

Although it was just a small improvement in trench digging, many Red Army officers felt they had learned something. After the trenches were completed, He Zhengdao personally inspected them again. For trenches that were not well camouflaged, he ordered the officers to make immediate corrections. In short, the trenches must be fully constructed and camouflaged before dawn.

According to the intelligence from the reconnaissance company, the main force of the Central Army would arrive around noon. Therefore, the battalion had to complete the fortifications before dawn.

After inspecting the fortifications of the main battalions, He Zhengdao ordered the soldiers to rest in the trenches, even allowing them to sleep. He then went to the artillery position set up halfway up the mountain to make more detailed adjustments to the artillery.

Looking at Zhu Dingyi and the other officers who were with him, He Zhengdao smiled and said, "This is the battle of our battalion's artillery company, and your task today is not easy. Whether the battle can end quickly depends on the results of your artillery company. Once the Central Army enters the firing position, you need to fire the shells as quickly as possible according to the firing positions I have designated. With more practice, I believe you will become qualified artillerymen."

"Yes, Commander! Rest assured! You have already adjusted the firing positions for us, so all we need to do is fire and reload. If we can't even do that, we would have no face to show!"

With Zhu Dingyi's assurance, He Zhengdao said no more. He ordered the artillerymen to rest and wait for the enemy to arrive the next day. Getting more sleep would help in the upcoming battle.

When dawn came, many Red Army soldiers, who had woken up, saw the merchant caravans passing on the road and felt that their hidden fortifications were well constructed. The armed guards escorting the caravans did not notice their presence.

This way, the Central Army, which would appear later, would not expect an ambush in such a place. After all, this place does not seem like an ideal ambush location.

Thinking differently is a combat strategy He Zhengdao is good at. In his view, one should not underestimate the enemy, but also not overestimate them. Compared to better ambush points, which might raise the enemy's suspicion and concern, a place like Tiger Roar Mountain seems safer. As long as the Central Army commander has this mindset, the upcoming battle will be easier to handle.

Watching the rising sun and receiving messages from the reconnaissance team, He Zhengdao ordered the soldiers to eat some dry rations to replenish their energy from the previous night, then quietly waited for the main force of the Central Army to appear.

As He Zhengdao guessed, the Central Army commander was indeed a cautious leader. Even though he knew that the main force of the Red Army existed in the border area between Hunan and Guizhou, he did not think it was likely.

If it were a small band of bandits or guerrillas, they would not dare to attack such a large force unless they were "drinking arsenic to seek death." This commander had some confidence in this.

As the Red Army soldiers ate and drank, and the lower-level commanders reported from time to time, all the Red Army soldiers hiding on both sides of the road looked toward the end of the road extending from Jingzhou, hoping to see the enemy soon.

While the soldiers were waiting, the cavalry of the main force's reconnaissance unit was also very cautious, carefully observing the surroundings. When they found no enemy, they quickly moved forward.

The Red Army soldiers who had planned to attack were restrained by more experienced soldiers, who said, "These are the enemy's vanguard. There's no need to engage them. Our target is the main force behind them. Even if these cavalry escape our ambush circle, they won't escape the ambush of the guard platoon. These horses will soon become ours. So, just wait for the commander's attack signal!"

With the explanations from the lower-level officers and the old Red Army soldiers, many soldiers eager to avenge their enemies calmed down and continued to watch the road. When a group of infantry marched in with整齐的步伐, the Red Army soldiers finally smiled.

Of course, some people were still very nervous. For those who looked nervous, He Zhengdao guessed that they probably hadn't participated in many battles. Otherwise, they wouldn't be so tense!

Seeing this, He Zhengdao became even more determined that he must first train the battalion to be a force that dares to fight and knows how to fight.

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