Chapter 52

For any soldier, standing night watch is a tedious and monotonous task. Even the security regiment responsible for maintaining order in Xishui had repeatedly warned the night watchmen to be vigilant and not to be careless, lest the Red Army take advantage of any lapses.

However, the soldiers of the security regiment stationed here were well aware that if they encountered the main force of the Red Army, they would likely not last half an hour. Was this night patrol really necessary?

Though they knew it was best not to encounter the Red Army, if they did, they would be the most unfortunate. The night watchmen patrolling Xishui City with torches in hand would occasionally stroll through the city, fulfilling their duty of patrolling.

As for why no one dared to find a place to sleep, the most fundamental reason was that they feared dying without a clear cause. The Red Army's proficiency in night battles and ambushes was a widely acknowledged fact. To save their lives, they had to be more serious.

Moreover, they were also worried about officers conducting inspections. If they were found not on their posts, the consequences would be severe. To keep their jobs, they had to at least pretend to be doing their duty.

However, the local militia responsible for patrolling the city tonight had no idea what they were about to face. Under He Zhengdao's orders, the company commander Li Xiangdong led three platoon leaders and had already hidden on the inevitable paths of the four patrol teams.

Hiding in the alleys on both sides of the road, Li Xiangdong watched as the patrol team, holding torches, approached at a steady pace. He signaled the soldiers with crossbows to prepare. Once the shooting started, they had to end the battle as quickly as possible.

As the eight-man patrol team finally entered his range of attack, Li Xiangdong waved his hand decisively. The soldiers, following their assigned roles, each fired their crossbows.

The whistling of the arrows, accompanied by the shock and collapse of the local militia, Li Xiangdong rushed out. He was very dissatisfied with the scream of one of the local militia. Originally, he aimed for the throat, but it hit the chest, causing the scream.

Given this situation, Li Xiangdong decisively sprinted out and delivered a fatal slash to the throat.

"What's going on? Can't even hit the target! Quickly, move the bodies! Light the torches and continue on!"

Though somewhat annoyed that one of the soldiers had missed, Li Xiangdong knew that nothing could be 100% successful. Fortunately, the four patrol teams were far apart, and it was night, so it was unlikely anyone had heard.

Picking up a torch, Li Xiangdong timely said, "What's the fuss? It's just a dog, look at you!"

To avoid alerting the residents on the street, Li Xiangdong said this to reassure them. If anyone heard the scream, they would likely feel relieved and continue sleeping.

Li Xiangdong, already dressed in the uniform of the local militia, continued patrolling with the fake team. As for the bodies and their weapons, other personnel were responsible for handling them.

The same situation occurred with the other three teams that eliminated the sentries. Although there were some complications, all four patrol teams were eliminated without a single shot being fired.

As long as no shots were fired, the night attack would not be exposed. Li Xiangdong and his men, gradually converging, began advancing towards the military camp. To ensure the attack went smoothly, Li Xiangdong sent someone to notify the main force to enter the city.

Eliminating these sentries, the main force entering the city would also pose no problem. They came in to ensure against any unexpected situations. If their presence was exposed, they would immediately launch a strong attack to take Xishui City.

When Li Xiangdong saw the soldiers accompanying He Zhengdao, he was somewhat surprised and asked, "Why are you here? Where's the regiment commander?"

"The regiment commander is at the military camp, he sent me to lead you there!"

"But it's not time for the shift change yet, right?"

Hearing this order, Li Xiangdong asked, "What's the problem with the sentries at the military camp?"

"Commander, the sentries at the military camp are a bit tricky. The regiment commander wants you to draw their attention."

"Got it! I understand!"

While the guards were looking for Li Xiangdong and his men, He Zhengdao said to the guards beside him, "Remember, as soon as I appear, immediately shoot the two sentries at the gate. Don't be early or late, got it?"

"Yes, Commander! But are you going in?"

"No, how can I take out the two guys on the watchtower at the same time? Don't worry, I have a plan. Just remember, as soon as I appear, shoot the two sentries at the gate."

"Understood, Commander!"

With the guards' confirmation, He Zhengdao, without carrying a long gun, found a single crossbow and headed towards the edge of the military camp's wall. He chose a place without any light.

Watching He Zhengdao climb into the military camp, the other guards felt very tense. Any mistake could lead to the failure of the night attack. If they launched a strong attack, it would expose their intentions.

If the enemy sent a distress signal, it would be very detrimental to the subsequent transfer of the main force. Moreover, He Zhengdao was guessing that the main force would begin secretly transferring and crossing the Chishui River tonight.

This meant that if they could smoothly take Xishui City and prevent the Central Army from knowing it had been reoccupied, it would play a crucial role in the subsequent transfer of the Red Army's main force.

Entering the military camp, He Zhengdong was also very cautious. Although there were visible sentries at the gate, He Zhengdao was still worried about hidden sentries inside the camp. After a thorough reconnaissance, he felt slightly relieved.

Continuously crawling forward, He Zhengdao used the shadow of the watchtower to successfully conceal himself. In this era, without electric lights, the area illuminated by torches was limited.

At this moment, the sentries on the watchtower saw the patrol team appearing in front of the military camp and seemed puzzled. It wasn't time for the shift change yet, so why were they back?

This strange phenomenon immediately caught the attention of the two sentries on the watchtower, who both looked out towards the camp. At this moment, He Zhengdao emerged from the shadows, aimed his crossbow at the sentry in front, and pulled the trigger.

As the arrow flew out, He Zhengdao casually discarded the crossbow and simultaneously drew two throwing knives with both hands, hurling them at the sentry on the other watchtower. This series of actions was completed in a flash.

At the same time, the guards who saw He Zhengdao boldly standing between the two watchtowers were also taken aback. However, they did not forget He Zhengdao's instructions and quickly fired their crossbows at the two sentries at the gate.

As the two sentries on the watchtower realized the danger, before they could react, a sharp pain overtook them, robbing them of their last bit of strength. The sentries at the gate were shot like porcupines.

Looking at the two sentries lying on the watchtower, He Zhengdao let out a sigh of relief. The two sentries on the watchtower had been moving around, making it difficult for him to act.

Calling back the disguised patrol team was to draw the attention of the two sentries on the watchtower. As long as they looked in the same direction, it was his chance to act. He was confident he could kill them in one strike.

Watching the guards smoothly enter the military camp, He Zhengdao coldly ordered, "First platoon, secure all the soldiers' dormitories. If there's any situation, immediately eliminate them silently.

Second platoon, head to the city gate for observation. If there's any situation, immediately launch an attack and take the guard company. Remember, if you don't hear gunfire from the military camp, don't act rashly.

The rest, follow me and secure every building in the camp. As for the security regiment's telegraph room, I will handle it personally. No matter what, we cannot let them send a distress signal, understood?"

With the soldiers' nods, He Zhengdao waved his hand, and the second platoon left the camp towards the city gate. The rest, lowering their steps, began to secure the area. He Zhengdao smoothly found the telegraph room, which still had an oil lamp lit.

He Zhengdao felt relieved to see that the on-duty telegraph operator seemed to be dozing off. Even after he entered, the operator showed no reaction.

When He Zhengdao tapped him, the operator, startled, immediately stood up and said, "Report, uh!"

"Report what? Do you think I'm here to inspect?"

He Zhengdao, smiling, said, "Xiangdong, send a few men to guard here. Also, have Sun Shicheng come over to take charge of the radio. Although it's night, we should still be prepared for any unexpected messages."

"Yes, Commander!"

After smoothly taking the telegraph room, He Zhengdao, in the next action, cornered the security regiment commander in his bed. Upon hearing He Zhengdao say, "We are the Red Army," the commander fainted in fear!

He Zhengdao also wondered when the words "Red Army" had become so terrifying. It seemed that the Red Army's presence in Guizhou had truly frightened the local militia to the core!