Chapter 17
"Yanshou County? It seemed that these Japanese were a little slow. The straight-line distance from Yanshou County to us is about 260 kilometers. However, they would naturally march more than two hundred and sixty kilometers. They would march more than four hundred kilometers.
Haha! 400 kilometers, and in such a world of ice and snow, it would be amazing if they could march 30 kilometers in a day. I think it's already pretty good if they can march 20 kilometers a day. In other words, it would take them 20 days to get here from Yanshou County.”
Zhao Wenbin's eyes had a hint of playfulness. It was the beginning of December. At this time, the northeast was completely covered in heavy snow. Even if the snow was shallow, it would be more than 30 centimeters. It was even possible for it to be 70 centimeters thick.
One could imagine the speed of marching in such an environment. Therefore, Zhao Wenbin only had a cold smile on his face when he heard that. He was not afraid of them.
........
In a snow-covered area of Yanshou County, a group of Japanese soldiers was marching in a long snake formation in the thick snow.
One of the Japanese officers, who had the rank of colonel pinned on his collar, had a brownish-yellow scarf around his neck. He was also wrapped tightly. From time to time, he would look up at the road in front of him, and his eyes would occasionally reveal a hint of melancholy.
He was the captain of the Japanese's 20th Regiment's 77th Regiment, Okano Chilie.
"Your Excellency, the division has sent a telegram saying that Jixi County has fallen. The Zhina Army had probably already taken over Jixi County. The division wants us to take down Jixi County first before attacking Jidong County.”
A radio operator who was carrying a radio station jogged over to Okano and whispered.
"Damn it! Those damn anti-Japanese guerrillas, if they hadn't blown up the railway, we could have taken the train to Jixi County. Send a message to the division. We have received the message and will arrive at Jixi County in 20 days.”
Okano Chiri cursed. It was very difficult to march in this world of ice and snow, especially in this thick snow.
If their regiment continued to march at this speed, it would be very good if they could march 20 kilometers a day. Sometimes, if they encountered a snowstorm, they would have to stop and find a place to rest, which would slow down their marching speed.
However, they had no choice but to take action when the anti-Japanese armed forces appeared in Jidong County. This year, they had just wiped out Ma Zhanshan's anti-Japanese forces. If another anti-Japanese armed force appeared at this time, but they did not take action, this would undoubtedly give many people who wanted to resist the Japanese again some ideas. At that time, the northeast that they had finally stabilized would once again become chaotic.
That was why Muto Shingi had ordered the attack on Jidong County in this snowy land. Even if it was difficult to march, they had to take it down.
.............
Twenty days. Twenty days was enough for Zhao Wenbin to do too many things.
For example, the 4,000 or so people he had recruited previously had completed their training. Previously, they had only trained for a little more than one and a half months. With these 20 days, they would not be able to completely complete their basic training, but they would be almost done.
In addition, they could recruit a large number of new soldiers at this time. They could also train new officers while training the new soldiers to prepare for the expansion of the army in the future. Zhao Wenbin also planned to start training the artillery.
Time slowly passed, and soon, it was December 21st.
Jidong County, Northeast Anti-Japanese Army Headquarters
"Sir, Company Commander Li Ergou sent a telegram. The Japanese have arrived outside Jixi County.”
"We're here? Haha! He told Li Ergou and the rest to immediately give up Jixi County and return to Jidong County. Give them Jixi County."
Zhao Wenbin's lips curled into a cold smile. So what if he temporarily gave Jixi County to the Japanese? This would only make the Japanese more tired.
"Yes, sir!"
The communicator sent a message. Li Ergou, who was in Jixi County, immediately withdrew from Jixi County after receiving Zhao Wenbin's telegram and moved closer to Jidong County.
.........
Okano Chiri led his troops into Jixi County, but he did not look too good.
"Reporting to Your Excellency, there are no Chinese soldiers in the city. They have all retreated in the direction of Jidong County!”
An officer walked up to Okano Chili and said loudly.
"I know! You may leave!"
Okano Chiri waved his hand and touched his face. After more than 20 days of traveling, the skin on his face was already hurting from the cold wind. It was not only him, but the soldiers were the same.
In such a world of ice and snow, one could imagine the outcome of forcing a march in the cold wind.
"Okano-kun, are we going to Jidong County?”
At this moment, the Chief of Staff of the 77th Regiment, Yamaki Nishiko, asked as she walked side by side with Okano Chili.
"Rest for two days before advancing. The warriors have not had a good rest in these twenty days. Now that they had finally entered the county town, they could rest for a while. From here to Jixi County, it was about 20 kilometers away.
If we need another day to march, we will be easily attacked by those Chinese people. Therefore, it was better to let the warriors rest for a while!”
Even though Okano Chiliu was arrogant and believed in the combat strength of his troops, they had been marching for more than 20 days. The soldiers were all very tired. He did not want his subordinates to die for nothing.
Yamaki Nishiko nodded after hearing that. She felt that what Okano Chiri said made sense.
However, Okano Chiri wanted to rest for two days before setting off. However, on the afternoon of the second day, the 20th Regiment Commander Nakajima sent a telegram urging them to take action as soon as possible and take down Jidong County.
There was no other way. On the third morning, Okano Chiri led his troops to Jidong County again. At this time, Okano Chiri's troops had only rested for a day.
At around 5:30 pm on the 24th of December 1932, Okano Chili finally led his troops to Jidong County and set up camp.
........
Jidong County, above the city gate.
Zhao Wenbin stood on the city gate tower with a pair of binoculars and looked at the Japanese camp in the distance.
After looking at it for a while, he put down the binoculars and sneered.
"Sir, why did we give Jixi County to those Japanese? Moreover, they were given a day of rest. If only we could fight them in Jixi County!”
Li Ergou looked at Zhao Wenbin and asked in confusion.
He didn't understand why Zhao Wenbin would give Jixi County to the Japanese.
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