Chapter 89: Laying an Ambush in Twin Dragon Valley

"What's with those Japanese today? That's not their usual way," a villager said, perplexed, as he watched the Japanese soldiers disappear down the road. Normally, when the Japanese entered a village, if they didn't sweep through and cause havoc, they wouldn't be themselves! Yet this time, after arriving in town, they neither looted nor harmed anyone, leaving without so much as disturbing a blade of grass. It was peculiar.

"Who knows what trick they're playing!" another replied.

"As long as they don't come to torment us, we should count ourselves lucky. Why worry about anything else?" The villagers all chimed in with their opinions.

But among the crowd, a young man shook his head after hearing these words. He glanced toward the direction in which the Japanese troops had marched, frowned, and muttered, "Looks like they're headed for Dingyuan."

"The Japanese have changed their usual tactics, rushing toward Dingyuan like this—there must be some scheme at work! I must inform the commander." Resolving to act, the young man checked around to make sure no one was watching, then slipped into a house within the town.

Inside the courtyard, he closed the gate and bolted it from within, then hurried into the house, quickly scribbled a note, and stuffed it into a small bamboo tube. He fetched a pigeon from a nearby cage, carefully tied the tube to its leg, and gently patted the bird's head before tossing it into the air.

"Hopefully, the commander will make arrangements swiftly," he thought as he watched the pigeon disappear into the sky.

...

Dingyuan County

"Commander, I've just received some news!" Tiger strode into the command post, speaking urgently.

At that moment, Chen Qingzhi was discussing battle plans with Su Zuxin, commander of the 135th Division, and Zhang Zhishong, leader of the 566th Regiment, outside Dingyuan at the independent brigade's headquarters. Also present were Fang Xiaodong, Wang Yachuan, and Zhu Xiaocheng.

Upon seeing Su Zuxin, Tiger saluted smartly; to Zhang Zhishong and Fang Xiaodong, he nodded respectfully.

"What news?" Chen Qingzhi asked.

"A Japanese regiment just disembarked at the Qinglong Town train station and appears to be advancing toward us," Tiger reported.

Chen Qingzhi frowned. "Qinglong Town?"

"Qinglong Town lies east of Dingyuan, about ninety li away," Su Zuxin reminded them.

"Ninety li..." Chen Qingzhi hurried to the map, studied it intently, then turned to Tiger. "Do you know what the Japanese intend?"

"Not yet, but according to intelligence, after arriving at Qinglong Town, the Japanese regiment did not harass the villagers as usual; they hastened straight through, evidently with a plan," Tiger replied.

Chen Qingzhi nodded thoughtfully, glanced at the map, and mused aloud, "The Japanese disembarked at Qinglong Town and are marching so urgently—they must have a purpose!"

"Of all the areas near Qinglong Town, Dingyuan is closest. If their destination were elsewhere, getting off at Qinglong Town would be out of the way. So their arrival at the Qinglong Town station must mean they're headed here. Otherwise, they wouldn't have chosen Qinglong Town," he continued.

"Exactly," Su Zuxin agreed. "Though Qinglong Town is eighty li from us, it's the fastest route to Dingyuan. A regiment disembarking here and advancing rapidly must have something in mind."

A possibility struck Su Zuxin, and he quickly said, "I suspect this Japanese regiment wants to launch a surprise attack on Dingyuan before word of their assault spreads."

"That can't be ruled out," Chen Qingzhi replied.

He looked down at the map, frowning. "The main force of the Japanese Ninth Division is still advancing from Chuxian, far from us. If we don't have scouts in Qinglong Town and focus only on the main force, the Japanese vanguard might succeed in ambushing us."

"Indeed," Su Zuxin nodded.

Studying the map further, Chen Qingzhi's eyes suddenly brightened. He pointed to a spot between Qinglong Town and Dingyuan. "Commander Su, what is the terrain like at Shuanglong Valley?"

"Shuanglong Valley?" Su Zuxin's brow furrowed, as if recalling something. He replied, "Brigadier Chen, you're not thinking of..."

"Precisely! That is my intention," Chen Qingzhi declared.

"Shuanglong Valley, as its name suggests, is a narrow stretch with low ground in the center and slightly raised sides. Though called a valley, it's really just two slopes," Su Zuxin explained. "If you wish to set an ambush there, it will be quite difficult."

"The terrain is far from ideal. Without strong firepower, an ambush might fail—not only would we be unable to strike the Japanese, but they could counterattack, leading to unnecessary losses," he continued. "To be candid, before arriving, I carefully surveyed Dingyuan's surroundings and considered setting an ambush at Shuanglong Valley. But its narrowness limits the number of troops, and since my 135th Division lacks sufficient firepower, a small force there would be ineffective. So I abandoned the idea."

"If you wish to set an ambush there, it may not be the best choice," Su Zuxin shook his head.

Chen Qingzhi burst into hearty laughter. "Commander Su, firepower is not our problem—the real issue is finding the right opportunity!"

Su Zuxin was momentarily taken aback, but soon smiled ruefully. Indeed, for the 135th Division, firepower was a concern, but not for the Independent Brigade. Su Zuxin had seen their equipment himself and was astonished; with such armaments, they could rival a top-notch German-trained division.

Yet, as a division commander, Su Zuxin quickly dispelled such thoughts and said, "If you lay an ambush, that would be ideal!"

"Shuanglong Valley is about thirteen li from here. If elite troops are sent to set an ambush, they could catch the Japanese off guard," he added.

"Excellent!" Chen Qingzhi exclaimed, clapping his hands. He turned to Tiger, "Tiger, send two battalions from your Second Regiment ahead of the Japanese to Shuanglong Valley. Each battalion will set an ambush on either side and strike the Japanese by surprise!"

"Yes, sir!" Tiger responded, exhilarated, preparing to relay the orders. But as he turned to leave, Chen Qingzhi called him back.

"Wait, Tiger! I'll assign you an artillery battalion as well—take them with you."