The night clouds grew deeper every moment, and the clouds covered the moon, making everything hazy, as if it was covered with a layer of mist.

Arai stood on the roof of the artillery tower and looked into the distance with a telescope, but could not see anything clearly. It turned out that the flashing explosion of fire was gone, and the gunshots gradually became silent.

Did he defeat the enemy's obstacles or ambushed by the enemy? Arai was in a hurry and tried to prevent himself from thinking in the worst direction. But he began to regret sending troops when the situation was not clear. Now there are only more than one hundred defenders in the stronghold. If - he shook his head vigorously and put aside this ominous idea. That's right, even if the number of people is small and there is a solid fortification, the enemy will not be able to capture this place.

The gunshots and explosions sounded again, and Arai hurriedly raised his telescope again. The flashing fire could be seen again, and along the road, he was getting closer and closer to the stronghold.

As we got closer, we got closer; as we became clearer, we could see clearly. Arai held the telescope, his hands trembling a little. In the telescope's field of view, fifty or sixty people emerged from the night sky and fled to the stronghold in panic, with gunfire and figures chasing behind him.

Yes, it was the men he sent out who escaped from his arms and armor. Arai was a little surprised, surprised that his men were defeated so badly; but he was also very angry. Looking at those guys, they were like prisoners in prison in a short time, covered in dust and blood, and their clothes were torn. Some were lame and some were supported, but they were so embarrassed that they were no longer as soldiers.

"Baga!" Arai cursed angrily, no matter how he cursed. He was not going to send troops out, and of course he would not ignore the fleeing troops.

There is a Chinese saying: only one loss is lost and deceived. But sometimes, one time is enough. Not everything will give people the opportunity to learn lessons and increase experience. Sometimes the loss is at the cost of life, and there is no other result except to die of hatred.

For Arai, this way of disguising and mixing in was unheard of. In the way he imagined that the enemy seized the stronghold, if this was not included, he would naturally not be wary of it.

Cry. Cry. Cry. The suspension bridge was put down, and the defeated soldiers outside the trench entered the stronghold in panic. Their faces were either dirt or blood, and they could not see their original appearance.

Several Imperial Army troops walked crookedly towards the bunkers on both sides of the suspension bridge, while others accelerated their pace and approached the main artillery tower. After a while, a few muffled groans sounded from the bunker, and a gunshot suddenly came out.

"What's going on?" The Japanese officer who led the team to pick up the defeated soldiers raised the flashlight and asked in surprise.

No one responded in the bunker, and the answer to the Japanese officer was the sudden black hole of the gun.

The Japanese officer widened his eyes and had not had time to speak. "Dadada..." The machine gun suddenly opened fire, and the flames swept across the enemy next to the suspension bridge like a sickle of the god of death. The machine gun in another bunker also fired violently. Dozens of enemies were instantly shot into "sieves" by the machine gun.

The defeated soldiers pretended to be Feng Zhi and others accelerated their pace. He had a sudden inspiration and shouted, "Run quickly, the enemy has entered, run away!"

"Dadada..." The machine guns in the bunker fired violently at the main artillery tower, and the searchlight was turned off. The enemy in the artillery tower didn't know what had happened and panicked.

Twenty or thirty seconds were very short. But it was very long for Feng Zhi and others. They ran desperately and finally rushed into the bottom floor of the main artillery tower before the enemy woke up.

The gunshots were heard, and the machine guns of the bunkers were fired at the same time, blocking the roads between the enemy's dormitory and the artillery tower, dividing the enemy into two large pieces. The follow-up troops also rushed up, suppressing the artillery tower with firepower, while snatching the suspension bridge in the rain of bullets.

Fires flashed everywhere on the ground, on the room, on the cannon, behind the trees, gunshots mixed with shouts and scolding, bullets were scrambling and flying in the air. Some people kept falling down, both sides of the enemy and us. Near the suspension bridge, the bodies of both sides were sleeping with each other, the ground was covered with blood, surrounded by sharp shouts, suppressed moans, and the tragic battle was pushed towards ** step by step.

In the bloody fire, hundreds of combatants fought desperately around the stronghold. The offensive and defensive sides, one was determined to win, the other was fighting for an inch of land; the other was aggressive, the person who came was not good, the other was fighting for the death, and the other was fighting for the tooth; the other was fighting forward at all costs, and the other was swearing to live and die with the position and not retreat...

There are the explosion of grenades everywhere, the shouts of killing the earth and the storm, and the screams of guns and bullets like storms... Only the battlefield can make such sounds, and only the sound of the battlefield can be so touching... Just like a huge band, the fighters manipulate different instruments, pluck different notes, gather on this open-air stage from different directions, playing the spectacular battlefield symphony together...

Accompanied by the heartbreaking music, hundreds of brilliant streams of lights shuttle back and forth, reflecting each other, setting off the night sky red. The huge waves of air rose into the sky and made the sky darken. The mist emitted by blood, sweat, mud and dust, the gorgeous, black and red, violently open, instantly extinguished flames, the human race fell down from the flames, the dignity of the nation, and the dead fighting spirit to resist aggression.

Undoubtedly, the main artillery tower is the top priority for capturing the stronghold. Although the attack was launched in advance when capturing the bunker beside the suspension bridge, Feng Zhi and more than a dozen people rushed into the iron gate of the artillery tower while the enemy was in chaos and could not handle it.

The fight was fierce outside and the fighting was fierce inside. Most of the Eighth Route Army soldiers who were infiltrated had short guns or had a circle of grenades wrapped around their waists, which were specially used for attacking. After entering the artillery tower, the dozen people suddenly attacked, wiped out the enemies at the bottom and attacked upward along the ladder.

Arai commanded his subordinates to shoot wildly, blocking the suspension bridge from a high point, hoping that the people in the dormitory would launch a counterattack and drive out the enemies entering the stronghold. However, the battle broke out inside the artillery tower and was shocked. He knew clearly that if the strong commanding heights of the artillery tower were lost, there would be no hope of turning the tables. Therefore, when Feng Zhi and others occupied the bottom and second artillery, Arai ordered the stairs to be blown up and threw grenades down.

Boom, boom, boom... A few loud noises made the earth tremble and the artillery tower shaking. The gunshots of the battle inside stopped, and smoke and dust sprayed out from the shooting hole. After a while, the machine guns from the third to fifth floors of the artillery tower sprayed out flames again, blocking the suspension bridge. The mortars on the roof of the artillery tower also began to bombard the wooden suspension bridge, and completely closed the route of the Eighth Route Army's attack.

"Hey!" Captain Chen slapped hard on the thigh. Could it be that the careful planning of the battle that was about to be successful was a failure, and it was ultimately a loss-making result?

"Old Chen." Political Commissar Zhao grabbed Battalion Commander Chen's arm and gritted his teeth and said, "Let the district squadron stay here. The Second Company will attack from the side. You can't give up at this time."

Battalion Commander Chen looked at the anxious and angry eyes of his old comrades and nodded with difficulty. Until he could not do so, they did not want the local troops to take on heavy responsibilities and suffer casualties. But now, it has reached a critical moment, either giving up halfway or taking a gamble.

Second, connect to the command and run and move forward immediately. Go around the side of the stronghold. This is a reserved move. No one wants to use it, but now he has to use it.

In the artillery tower, Feng Zhi slowly woke up. The fierce sound of gunfire made him realize the seriousness of the matter quickly. He also remembered the most critical task that their group performed. Smoke and dust filled, rubble and debris were everywhere. The stairs broke, which prevented Feng Zhi and others from continuing to attack.

What to do? Feng Zhi struggled to lift off the debris on his body and panted against the wall of the artillery tower. The artillery tower was very strong and could not be destroyed without a bag. In order to get into the artillery tower, he could not carry such obvious things on his back. He slowly collected all the grenades. Not to mention the time it took for a long time, it was not very clear whether the cluster grenade could blow up the artillery tower.

The air was dirty and the smoke was heavy. Feng Zhi reached out and pulled it randomly. Suddenly he touched a lantern. He suddenly opened his eyes wide and an idea came out.

"Bang hook!" Meng Youtian lay on the edge of the trench and shot into the shooting hole of the artillery tower. The machine gun that was spitting out the flames paused for a moment, and then started to sound again.

The advantage of being condescending is indeed great, and the most threatening mortar is on the roof of the artillery tower, and he does not have the right shooting angle.

Boom, a mortar shell fell under the wooden suspension bridge, and wood chips flew across it, and a large hole appeared on the bridge. Although it was not completely broken, it was still in danger.

Meng Youtian's heart sank and his mind couldn't help but turn rapidly. If the suspension bridge is destroyed, how can he find another path? Of course, the condescending artillery tower is the real threat. No matter how good it is, it is useless if it is not taken down.

Fire? Meng Youtian observed carefully. Light was shining on the first floor of the shooting hole in the artillery building and thick smoke came out. Then, the shooting hole on the second floor also lit up.

That's right, Feng Zhi lit a fire in the artillery tower, and the tincture oil in the lantern accelerated the spread of the fire. Of course, it was not easy to burn the Japanese to death, but the rising smoke would kill their dogs.

The three, four, and five floors, the rising smoke was everywhere, constantly occupying the space in the artillery tower and emerging from the cracks. Screams, wails, and continuous coughs sounded in the artillery tower. Feng Zhi gritted his teeth and endured the pain, dragged several unconscious comrades out of the artillery tower and closed the iron gate.

In the artillery tower, the tongue of fire was curled upward, dancing upward like a whirlwind, as if there was life and consciousness. The thick smoke rolled, as if the thick clouds soaked in the smoke fell to the ground.

The crazy shooting became weaker and weaker, and the shooting holes became chimneys that spit thick smoke. The light of the flashing shooting gradually dimmed.

Boom! A loud bang sounded on the side of the stronghold. Although the underground tunnel blast could not be dug under the enemy's core fortifications due to time, it was enough to fill half of the blockade ditch. The Eighth Route Army soldiers of the Second Company jumped up from the ground, ran and jumped into the soft soil, climbed up along the blown slope, and shouted to attack the stronghold.

The main artillery tower has basically been scrapped. The enemy who lost his mind choked by the thick smoke was howling in despair and jumped down in groups of three or three. Scattered gunshots sounded in the artillery tower, not shooting outwards, but ending their own life.

It's over, the enemy is finished. Meng Youtian let out a long breath and turned the muzzle toward the firing flames flashing from the top of the enemy's dormitory.

…………………

The sun was exposed on the ground, and the blood-red morning glow and the thick purple clouds concealed the dawn of the east. The bright and gorgeous colors were changing constantly, and nature filled the birth of every new day with a magnificent solemn atmosphere. Although there was neither bronze horn nor drum music.

With a loud bang, the artillery tower burned like a black charcoal head collapsed. The dust had not completely dissipated, and the enthusiastic people had already rushed up. The sound of picks and shovels at the demolition of the buildings were clattered and the sound of picks and shovels in the demolition of the buildings was clattered.

The fatigue of a night is not as good as the joy and encouragement brought by victory. The stronghold was broken, sweeping away the haze that was pressed on people's hearts and causing them to burst out with amazing enthusiasm.

"The price is not small!" Battalion Commander Chen looked through the casualties just counted and sighed softly. He wiped out more than 200 enemies and pulled out the stronghold. The battle result was very large. But almost half of the casualties of a battalion were killed. Looking at those familiar names, it was inevitable to feel sad.

"But the results were huge." Political Commissar Zhao comforted: "More importantly, he made a successful attempt, accumulated valuable experience, and shattered the enemy's strategic attempt to divide the base."

Captain Chen smiled bitterly and said, "Yes, no one would have thought that he would achieve such a great result before the war, right? It's just that the Japanese were too stubborn and they seized a little."

The artillery tower was burned, and most of the machine guns, grenade launchers, mortars, and other guns and ammunition were naturally scrapped. This is of course a great pity for the Eighth Route Army, which was short of materials.

"It's not the first time we have encountered the Japanese destroying weapons in despair." Political Commissar Zhao shook his head gently and pointed to the artillery tower that had turned into a pile of rubble and ruins in the distance. "If we don't have fire attacks, it's not certain whether we can take down the stronghold! Moreover, huge casualties are not something we can bear."

A fast horse galloped from a distance, and the rider strangled the horse's head under the mound, turned over and jumped down, and ran up.

"Report!" The correspondent stood attentively and reported loudly: "The enemy reinforcements have arrived at the Xiaozhangzhuang stronghold and are advancing along the highway. Due to the thorough damage of the road and the threat of mines, the enemy's walking speed is very slow."

Battalion Commander Chen thought for a while, turned to Political Commissar Zhao and asked, "I think we can withdraw our troops?"

Political Commissar Zhao nodded and said, "The stronghold has been basically destroyed, and it is not so easy for the enemy to rebuild it. We must ensure the safety of the people and maintain their enthusiasm for anti-Japanese resistance. Moreover, in order to prevent the enemy from retaliating, we must also step up arrangements."

"Then let's stop when we get better." Battalion Commander Chen waved his arm and gave an order to the correspondent.

…………………

On the road from Xiao Zhangzhuang to the stronghold, the sound of mine explosions sounded from time to time. A small team of Japanese troops and a squadron of puppet troops were rushing together to advance slowly.

Overnight, the road had changed, with trenches and trenches passing by like mountain torrents. Longping Daman rode his horse and followed the team pounding, looking at the watch from time to time, urging the troops to speed up the road. The Eastern Horse walked deep and shallow on the bumpy road, making Longping feel very uncomfortable. He looked up at the long road that had been completely destroyed, and then looked at the staggering soldiers. The expression on his originally deformed and ferocious face was even more ugly.

The large-scale attack was shocked. Where did the Eighth Route Army get so much manpower? He frowned and thought for a long time before sighing helplessly. It seems that Lord Kimura and Lord Kono, including himself, underestimated the ability of the Eighth Route Army to organize and mobilize the people and underestimated the Chinese people's tenacious national consciousness. Conquering this ancient and tenacious nation is a long-term task and cannot be completed in an urgent manner.

The Japanese and puppet troops followed the highway and searched forward. The scorching sun was rising higher and higher on their heads, and the ditches and pits under their feet. They also had to be wary of fearful landmines. The advance speed was extremely slow. After walking for nearly two hours, they advanced more than ten miles.

The more I walked forward, the more ominous Longping Daman felt in his heart. According to the situation sent by the county, he lost radio contact with the stronghold at around 12 o'clock last night, and Longping Daman still didn't hear guns and cannons. Could it be another mistake in planning that not only underestimated the mobilization ability of the Eighth Route Army, but also underestimated the attack ability of the Eighth Route Army?

No, no. Longping Daman tried hard to dispel this idea. He personally inspected the solidity of this stronghold and had quite strong confidence. Moreover, the biggest heavy weapon possessed by the Eighth Route Army was nothing more than a mortar. Mortars could not pose a threat to the artillery tower. Longping Daman knew this very well.

Amidst the anxiety and thoughts, Longping Daman felt that he was not far from the stronghold, but he could never see the shadow of the five-story artillery tower standing on the high ground in his sight. The further he walked forward, Longping Daman's face became more gloomy and terrifying. The high ground had entered his sight, and his heart sank to the bottom of the valley.

It was over, it was all over. Longping Daman stood blankly, the towering artillery tower was gone, leaving only a piece of charred rubble. Most of the bunkers were demolished, showing their embarrassment with their teeth exposed. The original dormitory area was also destroyed, leaving only ruins. On the open space, corpses were arranged in several rows, neatly arranged.

How did the enemy do it? Longping's mind was full of this question. The unexpected heavy blow made him almost numb. He said nothing, his brows frowned, and the flesh on his face was twitching unconsciously.

The Japanese and puppet troops led by Longping also stood blankly, not only physically exhausted, but also psychologically hit, losing the confidence and sharpness when they set off. The hot sunlight did not bring them warmth, but instead made them feel a sense of coldness and solemnity.

…………………(To be continued...)

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