Chapter 81

In order to ensure that the independent regiment could merge with the main force while maintaining its current strength, He Zhengdao thought of a "cattle-herding tactic" that many commanders in later generations had used, making Zhou Hunyuan's column, which intended to block the independent regiment, run around in circles. ☆→

The "cattle-herding tactic" is, as the name suggests, a tactic of leading the enemy by the nose. This tactic is often used when the troops are in an unfavorable terrain or situation, by luring the enemy with bait.

By making the enemy act according to our intentions, we can turn a difficult enemy into an easy one, lure an enemy in a favorable position into an unfavorable one, and divide a powerful enemy into several weaker segments. Then, we can concentrate our elite forces to annihilate the enemy.

This time, He Zhengdao, who led the reconnaissance battalion out, played the role of the one leading the enemy by the nose. As long as Zhou Hunyuan's column moved, He Zhengdao could find the right opportunity to take a big bite out of them.

Choosing Longyin, a town with a concentration of ethnic minorities, was also because he knew that there were not many Han people here. Even the Central Army soldiers stationed here dared not provoke the tens of thousands of Miao people living nearby.

Compared to other county towns with city walls, such towns mostly had earthen walls. To monitor the surrounding area for any possible appearance of the Red Army, the town office soldiers had to patrol every day.

In other places, such patrol duties would be a good job, occasionally bringing some benefits. But here, these town office people were very clear: don't easily provoke the Miao people, or the consequences would be severe.

This time, He Zhengdao also selected a few soldiers from the ethnic minority battalion, who were originally hunters, to accompany him. Even when trading with the ethnic minorities, He Zhengdao specially had some ethnic minority clothes bought.

After figuring out the patrol routes of the town office guards and seeing the reconnaissance battalion soldiers dressed up, He Zhengdao smiled and said, "Gao Lin, am I wearing this right? Do I look like a young Miao man?"

Gao Lin, a Miao hunter who joined the independent regiment in Shuangbao Town, had very excellent marksmanship and archery skills during his training in the new recruit camp. This time, when selecting personnel for the mission, He Zhengdao also chose him to join the expanded reconnaissance battalion.

In the new recruit camp, Gao Lin also served as a squad leader. For Gao Lin, a common hunter, this was a great trust from He Zhengdao. He also knew that following He Zhengdao would allow him to earn merit.

The greatest benefit of earning merit was that he might become a platoon leader or even a higher-ranking officer in the future, commanding more subordinates. For any Miao youth who aspired to rise, this was a significant temptation.

Although he had his own Miao surname, when translated into Chinese, it was simply "Gao." In the end, the name he registered in the independent regiment became the sinicized name "Gao Lin."

Hearing He Zhengdao's inquiry, Gao Lin looked at his attire and smiled, "Commander, you're wearing it right. If you can speak a few words of Miao, you definitely won't arouse suspicion."

"I can speak a few words too, don't believe me? Listen!"

As an elite guard instructor from the future, He Zhengdao, besides knowing several foreign languages, also knew some ethnic dialects. Although he didn't speak much, the few sentences he said were understandable to Gao Lin.

In the end, Gao Lin could only say, "Commander, you're really amazing!"

"Alright! Later, you'll act with us. If we need to take action, just protect yourself. You haven't been in close combat before, so be extra careful, understand?"

"Yes, Commander! I will be careful!"

"Good, everyone, pay attention. We're about to set out. To the east, after we succeed, we'll immediately change into their clothes. We aim to eliminate all the outer patrol teams before nightfall."

"Yes, Commander!"

Although Li Xiangdong was not at ease with He Zhengdao leading the team to deal with the patrol teams, he also knew that in terms of individual combat skills, no one in the entire independent regiment was better than He Zhengdao.

Moreover, those who knew He Zhengdao well knew that his throwing knife skills were sometimes more effective than a gun!

After everything was prepared, He Zhengdao and his team, equipped with bows, arrows, and machetes, all carried short guns. The reason they didn't carry long guns was that He Zhengdao knew that gun-carrying hunters were rare among the Miao.

Additionally, their weapons were mostly standard issue rifles commonly used in the military. If the patrol team members were more alert, they might suspect that they were pretending to be Miao hunters based on the guns they carried.

Details determine success or failure, a principle He Zhengdao instilled in the reconnaissance battalion soldiers. At any time, one should not underestimate the enemy's intelligence. Especially in such matters, one must be extra cautious.

After securing a few prey animals they had hunted in advance, under Gao Lin's direction, Wang Zhe followed behind him, and the eight of them headed towards the nearby mountain paths. At some of these mountain path intersections, there were patrol guards.

Intentionally letting the two Miao soldiers in the team act, they chatted casually as they would when returning from hunting. The other reconnaissance soldiers, under He Zhengdao's emphasis, also managed to force a few smiles.

From a distance, seeing the patrol guards at the intersection, these guards didn't seem to suspect He Zhengdao and his team, who were chatting and laughing as they approached. After all, in many Miao villages, there were specialized hunters.

These hunters sometimes brought prey to the market to exchange for supplies they needed. The patrol guards, who often moved around in the mountains, knew not to provoke them easily.

As the group slowly approached, He Zhengdao, using a local dialect, notified the reconnaissance team members to prepare for battle. Once he made his move, they were to quickly eliminate the patrol team.

Just as He Zhengdao's team approached, one of the patrol guards, who seemed to have some authority, suddenly said, "Wait, which village are you from? Why haven't I seen you at the market before?"

Hearing this, He Zhengdao saw the two Miao soldiers seem a bit stunned. He stepped forward and spoke in the Miao dialect, loudly and angrily, which scared the other patrol guards a bit.

At this moment, the patrol guard who raised the question said again, "I don't understand the Miao you're speaking."

Just as He Zhengdao felt this guy was really troublesome, seeing the reconnaissance team members who had already found their targets, he quickly pulled out a Borchardt pistol and said, "Red Army Independent Regiment, anyone who wants to live, stay still!"

Hearing He Zhengdao's words and the gun barrel pressed against their foreheads, the patrol squad leader immediately trembled and said, "I surrender! Please spare our lives! We were just following orders, we didn't mean to oppose you!"

The squad leader's plea for mercy undoubtedly made the other town office guards quickly follow suit. For them, if it weren't for the Nationalist Army camp occupying the city, who would want to patrol and set up checkpoints in such a place?

With this patrol team of over ten people smoothly captured by He Zhengdao, many of the patrol guards felt very lucky as they saw the reconnaissance battalion soldiers emerging from the forest one by one.

If they had chosen to resist just now, under the attack of so many Red Army soldiers, none of them would have survived!

"Xiangdong, keep an eye on these people and hand them over to the logistics platoon. The rest, follow me. Before entering the Nationalist Army camp, try to avoid any leaks. Alright, let's continue moving forward!"

Successfully passing the first checkpoint, He Zhengdao had to admit that the clothes were very effective. The soldiers responsible for setting up the checkpoints also felt quite fortunate. As long as they surrendered, their lives were safe.

Thus, the patrol teams deployed in Longyin, under the cover of He Zhengdao's "Miao" hunter team, smoothly reached the vicinity of the Nationalist Army camp. The reconnaissance team members who had entered the city earlier also explained the camp's troop deployment.

Based on the layout of the enemy camp, He Zhengdao understood that stationing a battalion in such a small town was indeed an overkill. If it weren't for orders from their superiors, they probably wouldn't have wanted to garrison here.

Learning that the defensive fortifications in the city's camp were very simple, He Zhengdao thought for a moment and ultimately decided to act at night. If possible, he didn't want to cause a bloodbath.

Most importantly, in the night raid on the camp, it was necessary to let some of the informed people go. Otherwise, how would he make Zhou Hunyuan anxious and send nearby troops to reinforce?

Unaware of this, the town office soldiers who had gone out on patrol were all waiting in the logistics platoon. As for what would happen to them next, it depended on He Zhengdao's mood.

Killing them all, He Zhengdao felt, was too cruel, especially since they had surrendered. If he didn't kill them, in such a situation, He Zhengdao couldn't take them along. How to handle them would depend on the progress of the battle!

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