With the situation in North China completely under the hands of the Japanese army, the Eighth Division had a unique advantage, which made Captain Shi and the Independent Regiment famous among the Eighth Route Army. Especially after providing such a large number of emergency supplies in the base area, other friendly forces sincerely admired and admired them.

Of course, some people laugh and some people cry.

Tsukata, the highest commander of the Japanese army stationed in Laiyuan, was in dire straits.

First, the Shidaogou watchtower was silently taken away. Not long after, the Yangzhuang stronghold, which had nearly a squadron and an Imperial Army squadron, was actually captured by the Eighth Route Army. This made him feel incredible. With the strength of the Eighth Route Army, it could actually take down the stronghold with two watchtowers and two fortresses. This was too terrible. If their strength really made such a big progress, Laiyuan would probably be safe. If it could penetrate the Yangzhuang stronghold, it would not be difficult for them to capture the county town.

After Commander Miyamoto was besieging Shiraishi Mountain, Tsukada was worried that the Eighth Route Army would be unable to control it for one day, so he built a double watchtower and a double watchtower in Yangzhuang, the closest to Shiraishi Mountain. Not only did he make this targeted arrangement, Tsukada also ordered all departments, including the Qian Erbao Department of the Imperial Army, to be not allowed to disturb the people at will, and he was not allowed to leave the base before he received his order. Therefore, the surrounding townships around Laiyuan were full of golden flowers, and the harvest he saw was not harassed at all. This was the most restrained time in the years that the Japanese army occupied Laiyuan.

Tsukada's temperament was tolerant. He waited for Commander Miyamoto and the Japanese field division or brigade in North China to collect other riots of Eighth Route Army, and then concentrated his forces to conduct a thorough clearance and mobilization of Laiyuan. He thought that as long as his troops did not provoke the Eighth Route Army, they could get along with each other safely. It was the day he was waiting for. But he never expected that the Eighth Route Army had developed very rapidly in taking advantage of this rare period of cultivation and rest, and could effortlessly take down the Yangzhuang stronghold with strong fortifications guarded by heavy troops. Even the only officer, Captain Yamashita, who was considered his confidant, was killed here.

When he led his troops to Yangzhuang, it had already turned into ruins. Apart from the bodies of some stripped soldiers, there was only the occasional blue smoke that was coming out to tell him the tragic and bloody battle.

After cremating nearly 100 Imperial Army soldiers, Tsukata brought the troops back to the county town. He decided to give up the Yangzhuang stronghold, a place where the three Laiyuan Japanese brigade captains had been occupied. Without enough troops, they could never be rebuilt or stationed.

Qian Erbao really wanted to scold Tsukada's mother. After this guy took office, he had lost almost two squadrons. Although Commander Lou replenished his troops with all his affection, if he continued to lose like this, he would know if he would spend his life on this Japanese devil.

Tsukata originally thought that after he could bear it, the Eighth Route Army would restrain themselves a little, and Laiyuan would not make any changes, but unexpectedly, the translator Zhao Si suddenly came to report that the Eighth Route Army asked his family to inform him, saying that Tsukata wanted to take out weapons, ammunition and food to exchange for the nine Japanese soldiers and three bodies captured.

When the soldiers' bodies were burned in Yangzhuang, Tsukatian knew that more than ten people were missing. Unexpectedly, they were buried. The Eighth Route Army would never take the corpse away. Now the three bodies except the 9 soldiers who were sold should have been removed. They should not be rescued after being injured.

Tsukada is a samurai and it is impossible for him to forgive the soldiers who betrayed the Emperor and became a prisoner, but he is even more a commander. Although he is very unwilling, he has to agree to exchange prisoners. The reason is very simple. If he still wants to continue his military career, if he does not want to be betrayed by his subordinates, does not want to be attacked by his officers of the same level, and does not want to be ignored by his superiors, this exchange is imperative. Even if the Eighth Route Army puts forward the excessive conditions, he has to bite the bullet and agree.

The exchange went smoothly. After the guns, ammunition and grain prepared by Tsukada were delivered to the designated place, nine captured Japanese soldiers carried three stretchers and appeared around the Shangzhuang watchtower, which was almost the farthest from Baishi Mountain. If Tsukada believed the suggestions of the soldiers below and set up an ambush to deal with the people and the Eighth Route Army who came to get the supplies exchanged, I am afraid that only the twelve soldiers' bodies would appear in Shangzhuang.

Tsukada rarely keeps his promise once, but in return the Eighth Route Army kept its promises the same. Both sides took what they needed, and they did not act like a life-and-death enemy.

He used two heavy machine guns, four light machine guns, thirty 38 rifles, tens of thousands of bullets, and two mule carts of food to exchange for the safety of nine soldiers. For Tsukada, it was not a very disadvantaged deal. At least he conquered the hearts of the officers and soldiers below. Not every commander had the courage to use so many supplies to exchange prisoners of war. As a lower-level officer or soldier, although he might not be a prisoner, who could guarantee that he would not? If there was a commander who was willing to exchange himself for a return, of course, would be better than those who could only order attack and charge.

More than twenty days passed like this, and suddenly one day, the translator Zhao Si suddenly reported to Tsukata again and informed him of the Eighth Route Army Independent Regiment in Laiyuan. A high-ranking official from the Eighth Route Army came here.

Before receiving the main support and mobilization, Tsukada did not intend to provoke the Independent Corps. Even though he knew that a senior Eighth Route Army officer came to Laiyuan, he could not raise his interest. It was not that he was discouraged and lost his enterprising spirit, but that he knew very well that if he failed again, it would be a small matter if the army lost his troops and generals. If the more than the Lu Army took the opportunity to capture Laiyuan County, then he might not be able to gain a foothold in the army even if he was lucky enough to die.

Two days later, Zhao Si came to report to Tsukata again that the Independent Regiment had collected tens of thousands of kilograms of grain, which seemed to be transported elsewhere, and it was very likely to be supplies to support the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army of Shanxi, Chahar and Hebei.

Tsukada was moved this time. If he could intercept this batch of supplies and capture or kill high-ranking officials of the Eighth Route Army, it would be a magical achievement. When the officers were mobilized to be held for a meeting, suddenly, various watchtowers reported the attack. Although they did not ask for help from him, they sounded a wake-up call for Tsukada. He immediately realized that this magical achievement did not belong to him.

After informing the news to the nearby Japanese garrison troops and field brigades, Tsukata disbanded the meeting. When Zhao Si was about to go out, he suddenly remembered a very important thing, that is, how could Zhao Si know so clearly about the internal situation of the Eighth Route Army.
Chapter completed!