Chapter Fifty-Seven: The Bandits Attack!

“Very well!” Chen Qingzhi declared. “We raise soldiers for a thousand days, and use them in a single moment! Since that’s the case, let’s muster our troops and have a proper fight with the bandits of Luoqing Stronghold. It’ll be a good opportunity to temper these new recruits as well!”

“Commander, I have no objection to attacking Luoqing Stronghold,” Wang Yachuan replied, frowning, “but for this operation, we can rely solely on our veterans. There’s no need to send the new recruits into battle.”

“These recruits have only just begun their training and haven’t yet formed any real combat strength. If we throw them into battle with the bandits now, I’m worried we’ll suffer significant losses.”

“I agree with Wang,” Zhu Xiaocheng chimed in.

Hearing their concerns, Chen Qingzhi shook his head and said, “You’re not wrong. They are still just new recruits. But don’t forget—no matter how well-trained they are, the first time they face the Japanese on the battlefield, the casualties will be heavy. Rather than thrust them straight into battle with the Japanese, wouldn’t it be better to let them gain some experience against these bandits first?”

“A soldier who hasn’t been tested by fire can never become truly qualified,” Chen Qingzhi said, glancing at Zhu and Wang.

“I understand your reasoning, Commander,” the two replied, nodding.

Though they still felt the commander was being a bit hasty, they couldn’t deny the sense in his words. The Japanese were formidable opponents; if raw recruits were to face them straight away, the losses would be severe, no matter how thoroughly they’d trained. Better, then, to let them cut their teeth against the bandits of Luoqing Stronghold and gain some combat experience. That way, when they finally faced the Japanese, they’d be better prepared.

Seeing no further objections, Chen Qingzhi said, “Alright, then. Let me outline the battle plan.”

At his words, the others immediately gathered around Chen Qingzhi, their eyes fixed on the map spread across the table.

“Luoqing Stronghold is more than thirty li from Qingyuan County, and forty-five li from our position. If the bandits of Luoqing Stronghold want to attack us, they have no choice but to pass by the outskirts of Qingyuan County. That gives us a chance to prepare,” Chen explained.

“What do you have in mind, Commander?” Fang Xiaodong asked, studying the map.

“If the men from Luoqing Stronghold try to come, they must pass the dirt road three li west of Kanzitun. Regiment Commander Wang, you’ll lead your third regiment to move out overnight, heading for the vicinity of Kanzitun north of Qingyuan County. Wait there for the bandits to pass. Once they do, have your regiment close in and cut off their retreat!”

“When our main force crushes the stronghold, you’ll be behind them to annihilate the rest—leave none alive!” As he spoke, Chen Qingzhi turned to Wang Yachuan. “Any questions?”

“Rest assured, Commander,” Wang replied with resolve. “With my regiment holding the rear, those bandits of Luoqing Stronghold won’t escape alive!”

“As for the first and second regiments, they’ll remain in place and go about their routines as usual, only secretly increasing their vigilance. All posts, both overt and hidden, must be properly manned. We’ll wait for the enemy to come to us.”

“Since Luoqing Stronghold means to attack our Independent Brigade, as the hosts, we must give them a fitting welcome!” A cold gleam flashed in Chen Qingzhi’s eyes as he spoke.

“Yes, sir!” the regiment commanders replied, their expressions steely.

With the orders given, a tense and killing aura filled the air. The regiment commanders left to carry out their duties. Wang Yachuan led his third regiment out of camp under cover of night toward Kanzitun, while the first and second regiments feigned ignorance, continuing their drills as if nothing were amiss and danger was nowhere in sight.

On the surface, all appeared routine, but privately, the entire Independent Brigade was on high alert.

The first battle since the brigade’s formation was about to begin.

...

On the night following Chen Qingzhi’s strategic briefing, after a day of training and supper, as the soldiers rested, several shadowy figures crept through a small grove outside the brigade’s base, moving stealthily toward the camp.

They were scouts sent by Luoqing Stronghold.

Big Fool was one of the lieutenants of the stronghold, an old hand who had followed Chief Biao in their rise to power. When Chief Biao first took to the hills of Luoqing, Big Fool had been with him, robbing and raiding. His nickname belied his true nature; he was far from foolish, and was in fact quite shrewd. If not, he wouldn’t be the ninth of the twelve lieutenants in Luoqing Stronghold.

Because of his cunning, Big Fool had always been responsible for scouting targets ahead of their raids, gathering intelligence for the stronghold. Thanks to his shrewdness, Luoqing Stronghold’s raids were rarely botched, and Chief Biao prized him all the more. There were even rumors that, after this job was done and the stronghold recruited new men, Big Fool would be put in charge of his own unit.

Though this rumor wasn’t fully confirmed, it thrilled Big Fool, and he was especially diligent in his scouting this time.

He crouched in the woods, watching the camp from a distance. The entire place was shrouded in darkness. Two guard towers flanked the entrance, powerful searchlights sweeping back and forth. Each tower had a sentry, but the sentries seemed to be dozing. Other than those two, not a single patrol was in sight!

Seeing this, Big Fool felt a surge of contempt. “So these so-called regulars are this slack in their vigilance? All the better for us—this job is as good as done!”

He recalled the reports from Heikui’s men about the wealth of the Independent Brigade, and his heart burned with excitement. If this raid went off, the stronghold would have enough to raise a force the size of a division! Maybe he, Big Fool, could even become a regimental commander, leading a thousand men.

Excited by the thought, he nonetheless kept his wits about him, taking one last careful look at the camp. Satisfied that all was as it seemed, he and his companions withdrew quietly.

What Big Fool didn’t know was that, as they left, two figures emerged from cover less than thirty meters away. They exchanged a glance, and one whispered, “The bandits are here. Go report to the commander!”

...

Less than five li from the brigade’s base, on a gently sloping patch of barren land, shadowy figures could be glimpsed in the pale moonlight.

At their head stood a one-eyed middle-aged man—one of the bandits of Luoqing Stronghold.

Chief Biao glanced up at the moon, frowned slightly, and murmured, “What’s taking Big Fool so long? Has something happened?”

“Chief, you know Big Fool’s abilities. Those regulars couldn’t possibly have gotten him without a sound. Don’t worry—he’ll be back soon,” one of the bandits beside him said, reassuringly.

No sooner had he spoken than a voice called from nearby, “Chief, the ninth lieutenant has returned!”