Agents of the Republic of China

Regarding the arrival of Datou and the others, although Lin Xiaotang was a little helpless, he was more moved. Only Chang Huan, since he also held the position of the station master of the Beiping station, Lin Xiaotang couldn't help being a little worried about the work of the Beiping station after he left. .

Chang Huan didn't take it seriously. He told Lin Xiaotang that before deciding to come to Changde this time, Datou, Chang Huan, Huoyan, Qiang Yihu, Liu Baojia, including Shangzhi, gathered for a meeting, during which they had arranged everything complete.After contacting Shanghai Shang Zhensheng, Shang Zhensheng was not worried about Lin Xiaotang's safety, but Lin Xiaotang had already penetrated into the war zone, and it was still impossible to transport any supplies and equipment into the war zone at this time. Regarding the decision of Datou and others, he also I have to agree, after all, when several people are together, there is always a support for each other.

For Beiping, Chang Huan recommended Feng Yunxiu to preside over the overall situation temporarily. He is a rising star that Lin Xiaotang values, and his own ability has been greatly improved after more than a year of experience. It is most suitable for him to take care of the Beiping Station.

And Shangzhi stayed in Chongqing, assisting Yugong to continue to monitor the movement of the military commander and the government, including Pei Zhongyan and others, so as not to be taken advantage of by Lin Xiaotang during his absence.

After listening to Chang Huan's explanation, Lin Xiaotang finally felt a little at ease.

In view of the imminent attack of the Japanese army, Lin Xiaotang and Yu Chengwan had a brief discussion and decided to set off for Deshan immediately in order to avoid long nights and dreams.

Yu Chengwan allocated a guard company to Lin Xiaotang, and asked the adjutant, who was also his nephew, to lead a team to follow Lin Xiaotang and others to the Deshan line of defense as the law enforcement team in front of the army.

The 57th Division is a direct line unit of the Central Army, and the entire division has been equipped with American standard weapons. This guard company is also the most well-equipped and staffed by the 57th Division so far. Yu Chengwan also privately told his nephew that if Tokuyama is really If it was unsustainable, they escorted Lin Xiaotang and others to retreat into the jungle, waiting for rescue, in case something happened to these people.In addition, Yu Chengwan also recruited forty civilians to deliver a batch of ammunition and weapons to the Deshan defenders.

Lin Xiaotang looked at the seven carts of supplies slowly, and nodded with satisfaction. These things can at least ensure that the defenders can last for one or two days longer.A thought suddenly flashed in Lin Xiaotang's mind, "Master, do you have any Japanese military uniforms? For the military uniforms of the dispatched troops, it is best to have a military badge!"

Yu Chengwan chuckled, "Don't tell me, I really have these things here. We have fought so many battles with Little Japan, how can we not save some of their military uniforms, from soldiers to second lieutenants, captains, majors, lieutenants, We don’t have any uniforms except for the Commander and the General, and we can make up a dozen sets for you.”

Yu Chengwan's thoughts changed, and he vaguely guessed Lin Xiaotang's intentions, so he couldn't help giving a thumbs up.

Lin Xiaotang smiled embarrassedly, "I'm just in case!"

After a whole day and night, the preparations were finally completed. Lin Xiaotang looked at the time, and it was already four o'clock in the morning. There was already a faint sound of gunfire from the northeast. Lin Xiaotang and Yu Cheng looked at each other and realized that a fierce battle was coming.

Lin Xiaotang and the others hurriedly had some breakfast and received their military uniforms. Lin Xiaotang was wearing the military uniform with the rank of major general, and took the time to sleep for a while.

Yu Chengwan personally sent Lin Xiaotang's team out of Changde City, and then waved goodbye. In the cold wind, Yu Chengwan looked at the back of the small army and did not leave for a long time. He said in his heart: "Everything is entrusted to you!"

Deshan is just to the south of Changde, facing Changde City across the river. Its geographical location is dangerous, and it is tightly guarded on the main traffic road entering Changde from the south. In addition, it is condescending and overlooks the whole city of Changde. It is definitely a must for the Japanese army to capture Changde on the South Road land.

After crossing the Yuanjiang River, Lin Xiaotang and others set foot on the road, and supplies were distributed to everyone.Although the altitude of Deshan is not high, the mountain is steep, easy to defend and difficult to attack, and it also guards the mountain road leading to the Yuanjiang Ferry. Therefore, the defensive position of the 188th regiment is located on Gufengling, the highest point of Deshan.

But what surprised Lin Xiaotang and others was that no soldiers from the 188th regiment were found at the Yuanjiang Ferry.

A group of people climbed up the winding mountain road, and they were out of breath after a while. On the contrary, the dozens of civilian husbands recruited, although they carried the most things on their backs, walked like flying, very relaxed and comfortable.

The soldiers clearing the way in front suddenly yelled loudly, and everyone became tense. Dozens of guns were aimed in the direction of the path on the mountain.Not long after, the guard in front ran over panting, and reported to Ergou and Lin Xiaotang that there was a large detachment on the mountain moving towards here.

Lin Xiaotang and the others took a closer look, and as expected, a hundred or so people ran quickly along the mountain road, wearing uniforms of the Central Army, and the leader was actually a colonel.

Everyone maintained a posture of vigilance, while Lin Xiaotang and Ergou walked through the crowd to meet them.

The head of the colonel seemed to have never expected to meet a large army here, and he was obviously taken aback, but he didn't stop, and led the people cautiously towards Lin Xiaotang and the others.

Seeing the military ranks on Lin Xiaotang and Ergou's uniforms, the colonel seemed relieved, stepped forward and said, "Brother, what part do you belong to?"

Company Commander Yu saluted, "Sir, we are from the 57th Division Guard Regiment, and we were ordered to come to reinforce the 188th Regiment on the Gufengling defense line."

The colonel's expression changed, "There's no need for that anymore. The Gufengling position has been lost. I'm the head of the 188th regiment. Now I'm ordered to lead the brothers to retreat."

Company Commander Yu was taken aback for a moment, "How is it possible? The Japanese frontal attack has not yet begun, so how could you have received an order to retreat? Besides, we have just arrived from the division headquarters, and the accompanying radio station has not received such an order."

The colonel straightened his face, "What do you know in Changde? The Japanese have already launched an attack on our department first. There are only so many people left in our regiment. What can we do if we don't retreat? Don't tell me we are surrounded by the Japanese? Are you happy?"

Lin Xiaotang on the side watched this small army silently. The morale of these more than 100 soldiers was obviously low, their mental state was loose, and they avoided looking at them intentionally or unintentionally.The most surprising thing is that their faces and military uniforms are a little abnormally clean, except for sporadic dirt and dirt all over their bodies, there is not even a single trace of fighting.Although the colonel tried his best to pretend to be a deputy official, he was obviously stern and indifferent. Lin Xiaotang judged that he was holding on. It is indeed very rare to lead his men to flee in a hurry before the battle begins.

Lin Xiaotang coughed, walked up to the regimental commander, "Report your name, position and military rank!"

When Deng Xianfeng saw Lin Xiaotang's military uniform, his expression became unnatural, and he hurriedly saluted, "The humble post is Deng Xianfeng, the commander of the 63th Regiment of the 188rd Division. May I ask the commander...?"

Company Commander Yu introduced: "This is the war supervisor commissioner stationed in the Changde theater of the headquarters, Major General Tang Lin!"

Deng Xianfeng's face immediately turned pale, and the soldiers behind him were also in confusion.

While they were talking, another team ran down the mountain road, probably dozens of people, and in a short while, they came before everyone.

The hundred or so soldiers from earlier froze, and immediately raised the weapons in their hands, pointed at the dozens of people who were chasing, and pulled the bolts one after another.

The dozens of people did not hesitate, and immediately raised their guns to aim. The officer in charge saw that his rank was a major, and ran up to Commander Deng with a distorted face, panting and asked: "Commander Deng, the enemy is coming!" , You actually ran down the mountain with someone without a word, what on earth are you trying to do?"

Lin Xiaotang gently tugged on Captain Yu's sleeve, and the two quietly took two steps back, watching with great interest the dispute between Deng Xianfeng and the major.

Deng Xianfeng jumped up immediately as if someone had stepped on his tail, "Zhang Yaoguo, you are just a battalion commander, what right do you have to criticize me, let me tell you, I have received an order from the summit, ordering me to retreat down the mountain immediately. "

Zhang Yaoguo was unmoved at all, straightened his neck and continued to ask loudly: "What about the order? Even if there is an order, it is an order for the whole regiment to retreat. What do you mean by leading these hundred or so people to retreat first? Besides, you You are the chief officer of the 188th regiment, you went down the mountain without even saying hello, the Japanese attack is imminent, how will Deshan defend? Where will these more than 1000 brothers go?"

After a few words came out, Deng Xianfeng was speechless.He had to lower his head, not daring to look at his subordinates and Lin Xiaotang.

Lin Xiaotang applauded secretly in his heart, he already knew the situation in the army well. It is true that there are many soft bones in the army who are greedy for life and afraid of death, but most of them are like this major battalion commander named Zhang Yaoguo For a hot-blooded man, only when the sea is flowing can he show his true qualities as a hero. This sentence is absolutely true.

Deng Xianfeng was so overwhelmed by the disdainful gazes from all around him that he couldn't lift his head. He became furious and raised his pistol to point at Zhang Yaoguo in front of him, "You bastard, if you dare to yell at the officer in public, I'll shoot you dead."

Zhang Yaoguo showed no signs of fear, instead, he grabbed his wrist and put the muzzle of the gun directly on his forehead, "Come on, shoot! If you don't fucking shoot, you weren't born by your parents!"

Huoyan raised his hand, and with a gunshot, the gun in Deng Xianfeng's hand fell to the ground. Huoyan said coldly: "Commander Deng, Commissioner Tang hasn't spoken yet, don't be so impatient!"

Deng Xianfeng pressed the wound on his right wrist with his left hand, and then looked at Lin Xiaotang, the fear and pleading in his eyes were fully revealed.

Lin Xiaotang didn't look at him, and said to Gao Sheng, all the soldiers present: "Brothers, I was sent by the Chongqing headquarters, under the order of Chairman Jiang, to serve as a war supervisor in our Changde theater. My name is Tang Lin. Don't be afraid to tell everyone. , the chairman's order is very simple, stick to Changde, stand by and wait for help, my task is even simpler, those who delay the fighter, run away, and shoot on the spot. However, please rest assured that when I Tang Lin came, I had already informed the committee Commander Yu, Commander Yu of the 57th Theater and the [-]th Division issued a military order, and I will be the last one to retreat on the Deshan defense line. If I am greedy for life and afraid of death, anyone can shoot me in the back!"

Lin Xiaotang's tone was very slow, but his voice was very loud, and every word fell into the ears of the surrounding soldiers. Zhang Yaoguo's eyes lit up, and when he was about to speak, Lin Xiaotang waved his hand and stopped him.

Lin Xiaotang took another step forward, and stood face to face with Deng Xianfeng, the distance between them was less than a dozen centimeters, Deng Xianfeng subconsciously wanted to retreat, but Zhang Yaoguo took a step forward, tightly forcing his retreat, he hurriedly He looked at his subordinates not far behind him as if asking for help, but those soldiers had already rushed down with their guns, and their heads drooped.

Lin Xiaotang asked kindly: "Commander Deng, I heard that you have an order to evacuate from the top of the mountain. How about it? Let me show it to my brother. If it is true, I will let you go down the mountain without saying a word. Where do you want to go?" Where to go, if not, hum!"

Deng Xianfeng's face was extremely pale, and he replied in a low voice: "There is no written order, I, I received verbal notification. The orderly, the orderly has gone back."

Lin Xiaotang nodded, as if talking to himself, "It's not easy to handle, so I'll take some trouble, Company Commander Yu, please send a telegram to the Sixth Theater Command in the name of the 57th Division to inquire about the time. It's getting late, Captain Deng is still in a hurry to go down the mountain, don't delay!"

Company Commander Yu agreed, and ordered the communications soldiers behind him to do as Lin Xiaotang said.

But before the communications soldier took off the radio on his back, Deng Xianfeng knelt down in front of Lin Xiaotang with a "plop".

Note: During the defense of Changde, the 63th Regiment of the 188rd Division of the Communist Party of China was stationed on the Deshan line of defense.Wang Yaowu, the commander of the 74th Army, saw that Yu Chengwan's task of defending the city was arduous and his strength was weak, so he assigned the 63th Regiment of the 188rd Division to Yu Chengwan's command to take over the defense of Deshan and the south bank of the Yuan River.

But when the battle at Niubitan outside Changde was the most intense, and when the 188th regiment needed to fight to contain it, Deng Xianfeng, the head of the 188th regiment, fled quietly towards Huangtudian without the approval of his superiors, and the troops also fled in all directions. The barrier is about to fall into the enemy's hands easily.

At this moment, a deputy battalion commander surnamed Zhang stepped forward and fired into the sky to stop the fleeing soldiers and said: "We soldiers can violate the laws of the sky, but military laws cannot be violated. We are going to die here." I am willing to guard Deshan, and those who are willing to stay with me will not leave.” More than 188 soldiers from the 200th Regiment followed him and fought fiercely with the enemy on the Deshan defense line for four days and three nights. spared.But the deputy battalion commander surnamed Zhang and his more than 200 brothers did not even leave their names.

I would like to dedicate this chapter to the unknown martyrs who died in the defense of Changde!