Chapter 785
Thunderclap in the Foggy City on a Rainy Night, Episode 22: The Mountain City is Locked
The mountain city was shrouded in darkness at night.
The night shrouded the wartime capital, built against the mountain, in a hazy mist.
South bank, outside Huangshan Fort.
At the confluence of the Jialing River and the Yangtze River, the waves sob in the darkness, as if telling the story of the city's vicissitudes over the years.
The torrential rain pounded against the slippery flagstones, making a crackling sound.
In the pitch-black rainy night, a troop of soldiers, like ghosts, was rapidly moving along the winding mountain road.
They turned the flashlight beam down to its lowest setting.
If there were sentries nearby, they could clearly see the equipment of this unit by the occasional flashes of lightning that streaked across the sky.
All of them wore dark green American-style rubber ponchos, which completely covered their bodies.
On his head was a dark green M1 steel helmet, which shone brightly after being washed by the rain.
The boots I was wearing had deep anti-slip treads and rubber soles, so they landed steadily and silently.
This is the 1st Company of the Special Service Battalion of the 22nd Army Group of the National Revolutionary Army.
The Sichuan Army, once known as the "Double Gunners," has been transformed into an elite force that strikes fear into any adversary under the reorganization and supply of the North China Joint Command.
"Get your act together, all of you!"
Company Commander Cui Hao lowered his voice, his authentic Sichuan dialect revealing a ruthless edge: "We've received a death order from above. Tonight, we must take over the air defense positions without anyone noticing."
"If anything goes wrong and you disturb the big shots above, I'll kill you all!"
"Yes!"
The soldiers responded in hushed tones, their M3 submachine guns and Garand rifles barely visible beneath their raincoats, their muzzles slightly lowered.
In front.
This is the No. 3 anti-aircraft gun position responsible for protecting the airspace above the Huangshan official residence.
Four Soviet-made 76.2mm anti-aircraft guns are deployed here, making it an important node in the mountain city's air defense network.
However, the position was unusually quiet at this moment, and could even be described as relaxed.
Since the Japanese army shifted its strategic focus to the Pacific and North China battlefields, its large-scale bombing of the mountain city has ceased for more than a year.
The lack of warnings for a long time, coupled with the comfort of being deep in the rear, led to the situation.
This caused the air defense force, which originally belonged to the garrison command, to completely lower its guard.
Cui Hao led his men to the sentry post at the entrance of the position.
Inside the wooden sentry post, a dim kerosene lamp flickered.
Two sentries, their necks hunched, leaned their rifles against the corner of the wall and warmed themselves around a small brazier, each holding half a roasted sweet potato. They chatted about which hot pot restaurant in the city was the most authentic.
"This awful weather is freezing cold!"
One sentry complained, “I heard there’s a lot of fighting at the front, but we can’t see a soul here.”
"Isn't it better that you can't see it?"
"You want to go to the front lines and fight?" another sentry scoffed. "We're just enjoying a life of leisure here."
Before he could finish speaking, a bolt of lightning flashed across the sky.
The sentry suddenly realized that the area outside the sentry post had been filled with dark figures.
Beneath those rain-soaked helmets were pairs of eyes as cold as wolves.
"Who?!"
The sentry was so startled that he dropped the sweet potato in his hand and frantically tried to grab his gun.
"Don't move."
The cold barrel of the gun was instantly pressed against his forehead.
Cui Hao lifted a corner of his raincoat, revealing the rank insignia on his collar, his voice as cold as the rain in the night: "Behave yourself if you don't want to die."
"Which unit are you from?" The sentry looked at the sophisticated equipment he had never seen before, his voice trembling. "This is an air defense military restricted area, the territory of the garrison command."
"I'm here to take over the air defense positions!"
Cui Hao waved his hand: "Lower the gun!"
"Tie him up and gag him!"
Several special operations soldiers pounced on them like wolves, skillfully pinning the two sentries to the ground, disarming them, gaging them, and dragging them to a corner.
The whole process was smooth and seamless, without even a single unnecessary shout.
After dealing with the sentries, Zhao Tiezhu led his men straight into the barracks inside the position.
The barracks were brightly lit and filled with smoke.
"Bullshit!"
"All of one suit!"
"Give me the money! Give me the money!"
"Shut the fuck up!"
A dozen officers and veterans were playing mahjong and dominoes around two tables. The tables were piled high with legal tender and silver dollars, and even a few bottles of half-empty liquor.
As for those expensive anti-aircraft guns, they stood alone in the rain, their gun covers not even properly covering them, left to be washed away by the rain.
"Oh!"
The barracks door was kicked open.
A damp, cold wind, mixed with rain, blew in, causing the kerosene lamp to flicker.
"Who's so blind?"
"You dare kick down my door?!"
A company commander with a fierce face slammed the mahjong tiles on the table, turned around drunkenly, and was about to curse, but it was as if someone had grabbed his neck, and he dared not make a sound.
Dozens of heavily armed soldiers rushed in through the door, their submachine guns' dark muzzles already pointed at everyone inside.
"By order of the Supreme Command and the North China Joint Command!"
Cui Hao strode into the room, holding a warrant stamped with a bright red seal in his hand, his voice booming throughout the room:
"Effective immediately, the 22nd Army Group shall take over the defense of this area!"
"All personnel, assemble immediately!"
"Hand over your weapons! Submit for investigation!"
The company commander, half-sober, felt a chill run down his spine when he saw Cui Hao's gear.
He knew that the 22nd Army Group of the Sichuan Army had recently returned to defend the mountain city and taken over the work of the garrison command.
But now, all they can do is put on a brave face: "Brothers, we're all from the National Revolutionary Army, is this a case of the flood washing away the Dragon King's temple? We're from the Garrison Command."
"Defend my ass!"
Cui Hao sneered and pointed at the mahjong table: "Is this your garrison?"
"It's a rainy night, the Japanese wouldn't come."
Take them all!
"Those who resist will be punished on the spot!"
At Cui Hao's command, the special operations battalion soldiers rushed forward and subdued all the still bewildered soldiers.
Ten minutes later, the previously chaotic air defense position was completely transformed.
The Sichuan Army soldiers quickly cleared the barracks, re-covered the anti-aircraft guns, and set up machine gun positions at various high points.
The same scene unfolded at every key air defense point around the mountain city.
Overnight, the mountain city's air defense net transformed from a tattered fishing net into an impenetrable iron shield.
……
The next morning, in the suburbs of the mountain city.
Provisional Command of the 22nd Group Army.
Wang Mingzhang, dressed in military uniform, stood ramrod straight, examining the newly redeployed defense map.
Chief of Staff Zhao Weibin strode in, holding a newly compiled report in his hand.
"Sir, everything is taken care of."
Zhao Weibin's voice was filled with excitement: "Baishiyi Airport, Huangshan Fort, and all the air defense positions along the river have been taken over by our army."
"Those officers and soldiers from the garrison command were initially defiant, but our special operations battalion taught them a lesson, and now they're all behaving themselves."
"Ah."
Wang Mingzhang nodded slightly, his gaze never leaving the map: "Be clean-cut, don't give anyone a reason to criticize you."
"Those who have been detained will be handed over to the military police; we will only be responsible for defense."
"clear."
Zhao Weibin paused, then lowered his voice and asked, "Commander, this time the commotion is so big, even involving our most elite troops from the 22nd Division, just which important figure is coming?"
"It's not just about coming."
Wang Mingzhang turned around and pointed to the ceiling: "We're leaving." "Leaving?"
Zhao Weibin was taken aback.
"Top Secret Information"
Wang Mingzhang's expression turned unusually solemn: "The Commander-in-Chief and the Chairman will travel by special plane, stop in Chongqing for refueling, and then fly to Toungoo, Myanmar, before transiting through India."
"The final destination—over Africa, supposedly along the Nile River, but I don't know the specifics!"
"Hiss, I remember the promotion ceremony for War General was just held a few days ago. This is a grand strategy."
Wang Mingzhang nodded without replying, while Zhao Weibin gasped, "Could it be that they're going to meet the US President and the British Prime Minister?"
"Yes."
"This is a huge deal!"
Wang Mingzhang said in a deep voice: "This is the first time that China has stepped into the world in this manner."
"Therefore, the security here absolutely cannot be compromised in the slightest!"
"This is not only about protecting the leader, but also about protecting the face of the nation!"
Just then, the phone on the table suddenly rang.
Wang Mingzhang frowned slightly and answered the phone: "This is Wang Mingzhang."
On the other end of the phone came a slightly slick voice with a heavy Sichuan accent: "Is this General Manager Wang? This is Liu Xingshu!"
"I heard you went back to Sichuan in episode 22?"
"Your humble servant has already prepared a welcome banquet at 'Yi Garden'."
Liu Xingshu was originally a division commander in the Sichuan Army. Later, he held a nominal position in the mountain city and spent his days engaging in factional collusion and speculative business.
The forces behind it can be considered a combination of some warlords and the military and political bureaucrats of the mountain city.
Wang Mingzhang's face instantly turned cold.
"Commander Liu."
His voice was cold and hard as iron: "I appreciate the sentiment."
"But due to military duties, I will not receive any guests."
"Oh, forget about military affairs, we're all brothers here. It's Commander Deng and Commander Liu who are hosting this banquet."
"Commander Liu!"
Wang Mingzhang interrupted him, his tone resolute and unquestionable: "I am now the Commander-in-Chief of the 22nd Army Group of the National Revolutionary Army, under the command of the North China Joint Command."
"There are no brothers among us, only the national army."
"If you want to discuss official business, please go to the Joint Command Office in Chongqing."
"If it's a private matter, then please don't ask."
"Also, my defense zone is now at the highest alert level. Any unauthorized personnel approaching will be killed on sight!"
Done.
Wang Mingzhang slammed down the phone.
Watching from the side, Zhao Weibin couldn't help but give a thumbs up: "Chief, you've got guts!"
"These old warlords, when we were poor, who even gave us a second glance?"
"Now that we have equipment and merits, they're all swarming around us like flies."
Wang Mingzhang snorted coldly and straightened his military uniform: "Ignore them."
"Now that we have completed the reorganization and are going to become the nation's armed force and the country's armed forces, there is no reason for us to turn back."
"Let's go to the airport and get ready."
"If I'm not mistaken, that important person's private jet is almost here."
……
3 PM, Baishiyi Airport.
The drizzle finally stopped, but the sky remained overcast.
There are guards every three steps and sentries every five steps around the airport runway.
The Sichuan soldiers, dressed in American-style raincoats, stood like javelins, vigilantly watching all the movements around them.
Several black cars were parked at the end of the runway, where Wang Mingzhang, Zhao Weibin, and others waited quietly.
"Buzzing—"
The muffled roar of engines echoed in the sky.
As the clouds parted, a C-47 transport plane painted with the emblem of the Republic of China (ROC) slowly descended, escorted by two P-51 Mustang fighter planes.
The massive wheels rubbed against the slightly damp runway, kicking up a cloud of water mist.
The plane came to a smooth stop, and the gangway was lowered.
The hatch opened, and a gaunt figure wearing a black cloak and holding a cane appeared in everyone's sight.
Chang Ruiyuan!
Half a step behind him, a war general in a crisp officer's uniform, exuding an imposing aura, followed closely behind.
"stand at attention!"
"salute!"
At Wang Mingzhang's command, all the Sichuan soldiers on the airport raised their right hands in unison, their movements perfectly synchronized, the sound of their feet echoing like thunder.
Chang Ruiyuan stepped down the gangway, his gaze sweeping over the spirited and well-equipped troops, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.
He recalled the tragic scene a few years ago when these Sichuan soldiers, wearing straw sandals and carrying broadswords, left Sichuan to fight against the Japanese. Looking at the current situation, he couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions.
"Commander Wang, you've worked hard."
Chang Ruiyuan quickly stepped forward, took Wang Mingzhang's hand, and spoke to him with the same warmth he would show to a close nephew: "You've worked hard!"
"The defenses deployed during this rainy night were completely watertight."
"I flew all the way here and saw that the positions below were well-organized, which made me very happy!"
"You flatter me, Chairman!"
Wang Mingzhang was flattered and puffed out his chest, saying, "Protecting the leader is the duty of the department!"
"it is good!"
"What a noble calling!"
"Look, this is our country's elite force, this is the real national defense force!"
"Compared to those old warlords who are still engaged in factional struggles and only want to preserve their strength, episode 22 is a complete transformation!"
Zhan Shuai smiled slightly and saluted Wang Mingzhang: "Commander Wang is a master of military administration, Yunfei admires him."
"I entrust the safety of the rear and the stability of this wartime capital to you during this visit."
Wang Mingzhang looked at the young "war commander" in front of him with admiration in his eyes.
He was well aware that without Chu Yunfei's material support and reorganization suggestions, episode 22 would never have been possible today.
"Please rest assured, Chairman and Chief Advisor!"
Wang Mingzhang answered loudly, "As long as I, Wang Mingzhang, have a breath left, Shancheng will not fall into chaos!"
"Anyone who dares to make a move at this critical juncture, whether they are Japanese or those with ulterior motives, should first ask the gun in my hand if it will allow it!"
Upon hearing this, Chang Ruiyuan laughed heartily: "Great!"
"With your words, we can go to Cairo with peace of mind and argue with those foreigners about the principles of China!"
The refueling truck has already driven up to the plane.
The ground staff are working busily.
Chang Ruiyuan did not go into the rest room, but instead chatted amiably with Wang Mingzhang by the runway, inquiring about the troops' training and living conditions.
This scene was captured by the accompanying reporters.
In the picture, Chang Ruiyuan is all smiles, Wang Mingzhang is resolute and loyal, and in the background is a special plane about to take off for the world and a modern Sichuan army lined up in neat formation.
This photo.
Later named "The Instructions Before Takeoff," it became an important historical footnote to the National Revolutionary Army's path toward unification and modernization.
Half an hour later.
The fully fueled special plane roared to life again and taxied to the end of the runway.
Wang Mingzhang stood in the wind, watching the plane soar into the sky until it disappeared into the vast sea of clouds.
Zhao Weibin said softly, "Chief, let's go back."
Wang Mingzhang withdrew his gaze, glanced at the soldiers behind him who remained motionless, and a proud smile appeared on his lips.
"Back!"
"Pass down the order: maintain Level 1 alert!"
"Until the Chairman and the Chief Advisor return in triumph, not even a fly in this mountain city will be able to escape!" (End of Chapter)