Episode 45
OK.
I agree. We will act together.
That¡¯s right.
But, as you know,
it is not easy to get into the town now,
so you should always be prepared
before getting my notice.
OK. I¡¯ll be ready for action.
Master Zhu, I count on you.
I¡¯ll go.
Since a branch of railway
passes through the city,
Laiyang has become
a strategically important city.
Eitaro Uchiyama, 12th Army Commander
of Japanese Army in North China,
has sent two regiments to Laiyang.
Also, the intelligence says
Weiwen Jin has assembled 3 infantry regts,
1 cavalry detachment, 1 arty detachment.
and 3 garrison regts of puppet troops,
which are over 5000 troops in total,
to launch mop-up operations
against anti-Japan troops
on the plain of Taifeng and Laiyang.
Next, Weiguo Zhou
will assign combat tasks.
According to the Joint Session,
Independent Regt, in cooperation with
1st Bn, County Regt and other troops,
will resist the mop-up operations.
To intervene with enemy action on the plain,
under the command of Commissar Yuan Liu
and Chief of Staff Jie Zhao,
the main forces of the Regiment
and 1st Bn, County Regiment
will launch large-scale counterattacks
at puppet army by the two blockage lines.
Under the command of Weiguo and Hu,
1st Coy, Instruction Bn, Task Force,
3rd Coy, 1st Bn,
Arty Coy, 1st Bn and other elite troops
will get into the interior of plain
and direct the operations.
That¡¯s all. Get ready.
Third Brother, what¡¯s the matter?
I am wondering
if you have enough men for the action.
Why do you wanna know if I have enough men?
I never think I am short of troops,
but I can never have enough. -That¡¯s good.
-I have a request. -Say it.
Could you let my squad and me
quit this action?
Why?
To save Yi Chen, in Laiyang.
I don¡¯t agree.
Then please allow me
to leave Eighth Route Army.
Third Brother, I know how you feel.
After the capture of father and Yi,
I made the same request to Commander Qiu,
but then I understood
we cannot be affected by personal feelings.
I don¡¯t think it is personal feelings.
I agree to the Third Brother.
Me too.
Yi is our comrade.
If you think that way,
you are overwhelmed by personal feelings.
Also,
it is not your personal business to save Yi Chen.
I agree to Commissar.
I¡¯m wrong.
Third Brother, tell us your combat plan.
I have no plan now.
All I can do is to react to changing circumstances
and seize every chance.
Third Brother, request approved,
but you can¡¯t leave the main troop now.
When the time is ripe,
I¡¯ll let you act on your own.
OK.
Regt Commander, we are now
in the interior of Laiyang.
People in Village Xigou were transferred,
leaving only two men
responsible for the contact with militia.
These two people, together with our men,
are transporting the grains
left by the villagers.
Tell the troops to stay in Village Xihou tonight.
Start to build fortification right after supper.
Set mines in the rear, leaving a safety passage,
and then take time to have a rest.
The garrison will get into Laiyang in platoons.
The only task of this action
is to avoid any conflicts
with enemies.
After entering Laiyang,
all squad leaders should report to me.
Clear?
Clear.
-Yuzhong Guo. -Here.
Move to 10 li away from south gate with 1st Bn.
Yes.
-Remember to take cover. -Rest assured.
Set out.
at the entrance of the village.
Sir, Japanese cavalries and patrols appeared
OK. Ready for combat.
Ask 1st Squad, Task Force
to meet with me at the entrance. -Yes.
Except for the 30 men at the front,
all of the Japs are officers above Lieutenant,
and there is even a Colonel.
They are on their way to death.
Liangui Chu.
Here.
Tell the troops of Dali Yang
to attack fiercely.
Spare no bullets and spare no Japs.
Yes.
-Fire. -OK.
Fire.
Colonel. Colonel.
Fire.
Colonel.
Take back the corpse of the Colonel.
Attack.
Arty Squad Leader,
see the Jap in front of us?
If you can¡¯t hit him with less than 3 shells,
you'll no longer be Squad Leader.
Yes.
Withdraw.
Ready.
Fire.
Regt Commander, we've had a sweeping victory.
We killed over 210 Japs,
and we seized 6 light machine guns, 2 cannons,
over 100 rifles,
and 7 to 8 fucking box cannons.
Regt Commander, we killed 7 to 8 officers
at colonel level.
Damn the Japs in Laiyang.
Regt Commander, shall we withdraw now?
Now that the Japs suffered great losses,
they will revenge on us.
We can¡¯t withdraw now. Wait after sunset.
Fuck.
The Visiting Regt was attacked.
Fuck.
Ask for reinforcements
from 2nd and 3rd Regt.
Yes.
The Anti-Communist Visiting Regt
in Village Xiguo
was unexpectedly attacked by a troop
with numerous machine guns, cannons,
and even submachine guns and mortars,
which had high combat capacity
and excellent marksmanship.
Master, is it the troop of Weiguo Zhou?
Weiguo¡¯s troop
has been attacking the blockage lines these days,
how could they suddenly
show up in Village Xigou
and ambush the Visiting Regt?
Is it possible
that attacks on the blockage lines
are feint attacks?
Judging from
the number of troops
and combat capacity,
they doesn¡¯t seem like feint attacks.
In the past few days,
we've lost over 20 strongholds.
Can you explain how it happens?
Jesus.
Now, another enemy troop appears in Xiguo,
where do they come from?
How many troops do they have?
Sir,
over 500 men have been assembled.
Please pass the combat orders.
Listen.
Attack. Attack.
Hurry up.
Listen to my orders.
One.
Two.
Attack.
Japs, Grandpa Yang is waiting for you here.
Withdraw.
Mines with pottery shells
were found outside Village Xigou.
The attack of two detachments
met with strong resistance,
causing over 100 deaths. The enemy troops
had strong firepower and veteran skills.
Pottery-shelled mines.
Strong firepower.
Veteran skills.
The defending troops in Village Xiguo
don't seem like local troops.
Maybe, it's Weiguo¡¯s troop.
Order 1st Regt, Taifeng Garrison
and two battalions of cooperative army
to send reinforcements.
Also,
order strongholds within 20-li radius
around Village Xigou
to send reinforcements. -Yes.
Repeat it.
On the night of 5th,
our troop took a rest in Village Xigou.
On the morning of 6th, we encountered Japs.
Now, we are seiged by over 1000 puppet soldiers.
We plan to defend Village Xigou,
attracting more puppet troops
with the designation of Independent Regt
and look for chances to break out when dark.
It is a great opportunity for the main force
to attack strongholds in blockage lines.
P.S. Send a message to troops in the plain
that the strongholds near Village Xigou
occupied by puppet army lack manpower now,
and it's a good chance to seize them.
Regt Commander, is it all?
Add one last sentence.
If our troop fails to break out
after the dawn of the 7th,
Independent Regt
will be under the command of Commissar Liu.
Regt Commander.
Take the orders.
Yes.
Why didn¡¯t you capture Village Xigou?
We must seize it.
Brigadier,
radio wave is detected in Village Xigou.
Analysis by the monitor station
shows the radio wave is the same with
that of Hutoushan Independent Regt.
What?
It's the same with the radio wave
of Hutoushan Independent Regt.
Good.
Great.
It¡¯s Weiguo. We¡¯ve found him.
Order
Arty Detachment, 2nd Combined Army
to head for Village Xiguo immediately.
Order all strongholds within 50-li radius
around Xigou to send reinforcements at all costs.
Yes.
Weiguo, I¡¯ll see if you can escape this time.
Here.
Governor Chen is locked up in this yard.
Brother, please forgive my rudeness.
I really think you shouldn¡¯t get into the area
controlled by Takeshita with so few men.
Dejiu.
I wish Third Brother were here.
Brother, what do you mean?
Tell us what is in your mind.
Perhaps, my men
can¡¯t rival Third Brother,
but they are no cowards.
Regt Commander Liu, leave it to 4th Brother.
Let me do it.
OK.
Let¡¯s play the trick of a swan laying eggs.
Right, a swan laying eggs from the roof.
I heard the tile-roofed houses in Shandong
have a hole in the northwest
as a token of good luck.
When you find out the exact position,
I¡¯ll attack the barracks of commando
from the front, with Garrison Platoon.
Master Zhu,
get on the roof with Forth Brother
and take her out.
Brother, it is fine with us,
but what about you?
You will be faced with
Takeshita¡¯s commando.
Rest assured. I know how to deal with them.
Transfer troops form 3rd Pl, 1st Coy and Arty Pl
to guard the front in southeast.
Once Japanese gunfire stops,
order all troops to get to the front.
Yes.
Regt Commander, let the task force take action.
It's not the time yet.
I need a strong reserve force.
Attack.
Fire.
Attack.
Shuisheng.
Here.
Launch counterattack
at the puppet army in the southeast
with 1st and 2nd Squad, Task Force.
Yes.
How is it?
Everything is ready.
When you save her,
go out directly through the east gate.
Thanks, Regt Commander Li.
Regt Commander Liu, don't say so.
I¡¯m doing what I should do.
We'll take action an hour later.
OK.
Get out of town to inform Yuzhong Guo
to march on to 5 li away from the east gate
in order to meet us.
Yes.
Master Zhu.
Comrades.
Please.
Rest assured.
Takeshita, according to reliable intelligence,
the defending troops in Village Xigou
are Hutoushan Independent Regt.
Weiguo Zhou is in Village Xigou,
and his troops are armed
with reassembled automatic weapons.
All Japanese heroes attacking the village
passed away.
Now, only your troop
can defeat Weiguo Zhou
and destroy his troop.
The military police
will be under your command.
Please send reinforcements to Xigou.
I entreat you to set out with the troop.
This is not an order of the Brigadier,
but an earnest appeal of a soldier.
Takeshita,
go to Xiguo
with the reinforcements, please.
OK.
Orderly.
Yes.
Set the alarm and assemble the commando.
Head for Xigou. -Yes.
Miyamoto, you'll guard here.
Yes.
I can only leave you with one squad.
Rest assured.
Master Zhu.
Let's start.
OK. Comrade.
Take care.
What¡¯s the matter?
Are they prepared for our attack?
It¡¯s impossible.
Brother,
take cover with your men.
I¡¯ll stay here
to see what¡¯s happening.
Let me stay here.
I know this place better. I'll do it.
-Master Zhu. -Go.
Hurry up.
Be careful.
-Fine. -Go.
Brother,
is there going to be a war?
Yes. Rest assured, you¡¯ll be safe here.
Are you leaving here?
I¡¯ll mention you to Weiguo, if I see him.
Thanks.
I¡¯m sorry for troubling you.
Please be aware I have my reasons for doing so,
and please understand I respect you.
Your reasons.
You should be telling them to your Emperor.
Ms. Chen, calm down, please.
He has no other choices.
Women shouldn't be involved in war.
Nobody would like to be involved in war.
I don't want to.
Neither does Weiguo
and 400 million Chinese people.
We won¡¯t want to fight, either. Trust me.
I am a soldier.
A soldier has no choice but to obey the orders.
I am also a soldier,
but I only follow my own faith,
which is
to drive the Japanese out of China.
I respect you as a woman
for you are the woman of my friend.
Protecting you in the war
is the only thing I can do for my friend.
Please take care.
Commander,
I think you forbid
the commando to wear ranks and collar badges
in the action, right?
This action is an exception. Finally,
it¡¯s time for a decisive battle with Weiguo.
It is a special day.
Set out.
[Jade Room Restaurant]
Go.
From now on,
Task Force will break out of the encirclement
in both the west and the east sides.
In the west,
I¡¯ll break out with Squad 2, 4, and 5.
In the east,
Shuisheng and Stone
will break out with Squad 1 and 3.
In both directions, one squad
will act as the vanguard and rear guard.
Action.
Attack.
Charge. Charge. Hurry up.
Order the troops not to chase.
Be alert.
Only two small units have escaped,
and the main force of Eighth Route Army
is still in our encirclement.
Yes.
Reporting to duty.
The commando and two detachments
of military police have arrived.
Let¡¯s go.
Colonel, welcome. Please.
How is the situation?
Our troops suffered great losses.
I think
it must be the main force of Eighth Route Army.
It is more than the main force
for it is Weiguo¡¯s troops.
Yes. A moment ago,
two squads of enemies broke out
respectively from the east and the west sides.
Show us where they broke out the encirclement.
Yes.
Colonel, this area
is the place where they broke out.
-Search the village. -Yes.
Sir, nobody is in the village.
Okawa,
please select an elite troop
and wait for further orders.
When we discover the escaped enemies,
we'll inform you
and you should know what to do next.
Yes.
and follow the tracks of hooves. Chase.
Take the transceiver
Follow me.
Charge after 10 minutes.
Master Zhu.
We count on you.
Rest assured.
Let¡¯s go.
Stop it.
Stop it. He's my friend.
Please let us go.
Thank you.
We¡¯ve got to go.
I won¡¯t stop you,
but I have to accompany you.
I promised Takeshita to protect you.
Please let me fulfill my promise.
OK. Come with us.
-Password. -No password.
Hello. Hello.
Brigadier, we are in siege.
Please send reinforcements immediately.
Rest assured, Miyamoto.
Yes.
Reinforcements will be here soon.
Yes.
Long live the Emperor of Japan.
Regt Commander, we've made it.
-Cipher Officer. -Here.
Telegraph Commissar
that our unit has broken out of encirclement.
Yes.
Regt Commander.
The rear guard reports
that we are followed by pursuers,
with 30 to 50 men and a transceiver.
-Are our traces wiped off? -Yes.
-Stone. -Here. -Withdraw with the spearhead.
-Task Force will follow me. -Yes.
Come with me.
-Third Brother. -Here.
It¡¯s time for you to act alone.
-Take care of Yi. -Rest assured.
Other people, follow me.
Zhihui.
Master Zhu.
Sister-in-law, are you fine?
Zhihui, thank you.
Not at all.
Master Zhu, we should withdraw quickly.
OK. Go.
Take cover.
Master Zhu, take care of Yi.
Withdraw with her now.
What are you talking about? Go.
Master, I beg you to withdraw.
Weiguo calls me the Grand Master,
if I should run away,
how can I be the Grand Master?
Master Zhu.
OK. Let¡¯s go together.
Yi. Withdraw.
Go. Go. Withdraw.
Regt Commander, withdraw.
Master, go-o-o-o.
Go.
Brother.
Go. Go.
Go.
Grand Master.
Take cover.