Chapter 78

For many troops entering Guizhou to fight, the mountainous terrain of Qianxi is a common sight. It is precisely because of this geographical environment, with its many mountains and little arable land, that life for the people living here is extremely difficult.

Moreover, most of the people living here are ethnic minorities who are accustomed to living in tribal groups. As a result, throughout history, the management and rule of Qianxi have often been unsatisfactory, leading to a lack of commercial development.

Compared to other bustling places like Guiyang and Daguxinchang, which have very convenient transportation, once troops enter Qianxi, although there are official roads, many of these roads are built along the mountains.

Such terrain makes military commanders particularly cautious when leading their troops. After all, such terrain is very suitable for ambushes. Therefore, the 99th Division, which was in pursuit, was also very cautious.

The 99th Division sent out three reconnaissance teams at once, hoping that these teams, organized at the platoon, company, and battalion levels, could discover any potential ambushes on the way for the main force that would follow.

If the enemy saw a platoon of reconnaissance soldiers, they might think of letting them pass. But what about a company and a battalion? Perhaps this would make the enemy open fire early, ensuring the safety of the main force and avoiding being surrounded by the enemy.

By the time it was close to evening, as the 99th Division's reconnaissance teams appeared in the ambush area, He Zhengdao and the ambushing troops knew that this reconnaissance platoon was likely from the 99th Division and decided to let them pass.

However, when a reconnaissance company appeared next, He Zhengdao was somewhat surprised and ordered, "It seems the commander of the 99th Division is a cautious man. Order the troops to continue lying in wait and not to alarm this reconnaissance company. Let them pass!"

Knowing that this valley could accommodate an entire division, He Zhengdao was not worried that letting this company pass would affect the upcoming ambush.

But when the 99th Division's reconnaissance battalion appeared, He Zhengdao thought the main force had finally arrived. However, upon observing through binoculars, he found that no more troops followed this unit.

Wang Tianlin, who also saw this, asked with some concern, "Commander, did the enemy smell something?"

He Zhengdao, frowning at Wang Tianlin's question, shook his head and said, "I don't think so! Order the 1st Regiment not to attack. If the battle starts, have them send a battalion to prevent this enemy battalion from reinforcing."

"Understood!"

After quickly passing on the order, as the first reconnaissance platoon successfully left the ambush area, He Zhengdao finally saw the Nationalist troops marching on foot appear at the entrance of the ambush area.

Seeing that many of the incoming troops were carrying mortars, He Zhengdao finally smiled and said, "Chief of Staff, it seems our day and night of waiting haven't been in vain! Order all regiments and battalions to prepare for battle."

Seeing the mortar units, it was clear that this was the main force of the 99th Division. He Zhengdao, who had been closely watching this force, saw the long line of troops on the mountain road and knew that this was the long-awaited main force of the 99th Division.

As the 99th Division's logistics units also entered the ambush area, He Zhengdao breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Chief of Staff, let's begin!"

With a gunshot, a signal flare shot into the sky. Seeing the signal flare, Zhu Dingyi immediately shouted, "All gun positions, fire!"

As the signal flare rose, the whistling of the shells followed. The commander of the 99th Division, who had been feeling uneasy, finally exclaimed in fear, "Enemy attack! Scatter, take cover from the artillery!"

Similar cries of alarm were heard from many Nationalist junior officers. The intense gunfire that followed made the troops of the 99th Division realize that their worst fears had come true.

The commander of the 99th Division, protected by the headquarters guard battalion, looked at the soldiers being knocked down and killed and said angrily, "Are the intelligence officers blind? This is definitely the main force of the Independent Division!"

According to the information received earlier, the Red Army's Independent Division should still be at least a day's march away. But the question was, if the Red Army's main force was in front of them, who was ambushing them?

Anyone could tell that the intelligence provided by their intelligence department was completely irresponsible. Such intelligence was often very deadly. This time, his 99th Division was in serious trouble.

After looking around, the commander decisively ordered, "Guard Battalion, seize the small high ground in the valley. Order the other regiments to quickly establish defensive positions centered on the small high ground.

Also, send a message to the 86th Division to come to our aid as quickly as possible. If they are late, my 99th Division will be completely annihilated. When that happens, they won't have a good outcome either."

Xu Guang, the commander of the 99th Division, who understood that the only option in this situation was to hold out and wait for reinforcements, made the wisest choice. His most elite guard battalion quickly seized the small high ground.

Observing the battlefield, He Zhengdao saw the small high ground in the valley being seized and immediately ordered, "Chief of Staff, order the 2nd Regiment to attack and split the 99th Division. Don't let them regroup."

"Understood, Commander!"

Wang Tianlin, who also knew that the battle could not be prolonged, immediately passed the order to the 2nd Regiment. The 2nd Regiment quickly dispatched its main force to begin the assault, cutting off the Nationalist troops trying to reinforce the headquarters.

When the 99th Division was split into two in the valley, He Zhengdao continued, "Order the 3rd and 4th Regiments to quickly attack the enemy's rear and logistics units. The 1st and 2nd Regiments will attack from both sides.

At the same time, order the artillery battalion to focus on the small high ground. There are many enemies there, so aim the shells there. Li Xiangdong, gather the remaining personnel of the reconnaissance battalion and join me in the battle."

"No, Commander! How can you personally go to the battlefield?"

"Nonsense! I am the commander, and I make the decisions. Don't waste time, pass the orders quickly. Every second we delay, we lose a comrade. This battle must end quickly."

Seeing the Nationalist troops on the small high ground begin to establish a relatively stable defensive line, He Zhengdao also saw many Red Army soldiers being knocked down. This made him feel the need to personally command the battle.

From the fact that most of the enemies on the small high ground were using machine guns, He Zhengdao guessed that this was the elite force of the 99th Division. Not defeating this elite force would result in significant casualties for the Independent Division.

Even if they eventually annihilated the 99th Division, He Zhengdao would still consider it a bad deal!

Faced with He Zhengdao's insistence, Wang Tianlin was helpless and could only tell Li Xiangdong, "Captain Li, if anything happens to the commander, you don't have to come back!"

"Understood, Chief of Staff!"

Although Li Xiangdong was also helpless about He Zhengdao's combativeness, he understood that as the commander of the division, He Zhengdao's presence on the front lines could boost the morale and courage of the troops.

When He Zhengdao arrived at the 2nd Regiment's attack position with the reconnaissance battalion, the regimental commander, Xu Renyi, was surprised to see him and asked, "Commander, why are you here?"

"Enough talk! Have the 1st Battalion withdraw first. The enemy's firepower is too strong; charging like this will only increase our casualties. By the way, where is your regiment's mortar company? Bring them up quickly and start shelling!"

"Commander, they have already been called and should be here soon!"

At this moment, the 2nd Regiment's artillery company commander also appeared. Seeing He Zhengdao, he was also surprised. He Zhengdao didn't say much and personally directed the setting up of the mortars.

He then ordered, "Commander Xu, gather your regiment's machine gunners. When the artillery starts shelling, you will charge. Remember, don't stop on the way; charge all the way up!"

"Understood, Commander!"

Although Xu Renyi was concerned that this might cause friendly fire, he believed that He Zhengdao had his reasons. In fact, this was just a tactic of coordinated infantry and artillery operations.

When the machine gunners were gathered, He Zhengdao also ordered Li Xiangdong to cooperate with them. He Zhengdao, who was personally at the artillery position, then ordered, "Five rapid shots, fire!"

As the artillerymen quickly loaded the shells, the dense mortar fire made the Nationalist troops on the small high ground scatter in fear. At this moment, the 2nd Regiment's machine gunners, with the support of the reconnaissance battalion, began their charge up the high ground.

Some Nationalist machine gunners tried to resist, but the sharpshooters of the reconnaissance battalion took them out with precise shots, ensuring the safety of the assault force.

When the five waves of shells were fired, before the Nationalist troops on the high ground could react, the reconnaissance battalion's soldiers charged forward. Equipped with machine guns, they used the dense firepower to successfully open a breach.

Seeing the reconnaissance battalion charge up, the 2nd Regiment's commander couldn't help but admire their performance and immediately sent the 1st Battalion, which had been held back, back into the attack. This marked the end of the ambush battle!