Chapter 98: Annihilate the Japanese Army Entirely and Win a Complete Victory!

In the clamor of killing echoing across the mountains, countless warriors charged down, rushing towards the Japanese troops.

The little devils, stunned by the series of previous tactics, had yet to react. With heavy losses, they were completely unable to withstand the warriors' assault.

As they saw them charging, these little devils panicked, trying to flee, but were swiftly pursued and shot down by the warriors.

Two battalions of warriors flanked from both sides, encircling the Japanese forces and slowly strangling them to death.

At this point, only fewer than one full regiment of Japanese troops remained standing, all on the brink of collapse, devoid of any fighting spirit. How could they oppose the warriors?

The little devils fled while the warriors chased them relentlessly, strangling them.

In no time, the Japanese troops were completely annihilated. Apart from over a hundred little devils who escaped in the chaos, the entire Seventh Regiment was wiped out right there!

Thus, the Seventh Regiment of the Japanese army was completely destroyed!

The regiment commander of the Seventh Regiment, Isawa Kazuo, was also hit by a stray bullet during the escape and perished on the spot.

When the battle concluded, all the warriors were cheering and rejoicing. No one had anticipated that merely with two infantry battalions and one artillery battalion's ambush, they could annihilate an entire Japanese regiment, with such minimal losses on their own side.

This outcome was utterly unexpected!

In fact, the battle left them somewhat bewildered.

Throughout the engagement, these warriors had been intently focused on the Japanese troops, obeying orders without a moment to spare for reflection.

But now, as the fighting ended, they could finally relax. Upon reviewing the previous operations in detail, everyone was left in awe and shock.

Two infantry battalions had held an entire Japanese regiment at bay, using a strategy of first luring them in, then launching a fierce assault backed by artillery barrages, followed by a decisive charge that sealed the victory—one tactic linking seamlessly to the next, leaving all of them dizzy with amazement.

No one could have foreseen such a perfect result!

This battle had been far too easy!

Was the force they faced truly that of the little devils?

Weren't the Japanese army said to be immensely powerful, with ferocious combat prowess? Why had they been suppressed here by just two infantry battalions?

When they learned that these two infantry battalions were deployed to intercept a Japanese regiment, some had prepared for a grueling battle, but no one imagined they would be annihilated so effortlessly.

This was simply inconceivable!

Though shocked by the outcome, since it was a favorable result, the warriors gradually calmed down.

They then enthusiastically discussed the previous battle, sharing with their comrades how many little devils each had slain.

Battalion Commander Long Zhi descended from the frontline position and saluted Battalion Commander Chen Da Biao. Standing together, they observed the warriors discussing the victory while clearing the battlefield. Both men wore expressions of elation on their faces.

"Commander Long, I truly didn't expect this! The strategy devised by our brigade commander is remarkably effective! I had assumed it would be a fierce fight, but with his method, we've easily exterminated the little devils! This is truly..." Battalion Commander Chen Da Biao exclaimed excitedly, struggling to find the right words to praise Chen Qing Zhi. With his limited education, after much thought, he couldn't articulate it.

"In short, I hold him in great admiration. This time, I've fully surrendered to his command!" After pondering, the 2nd Battalion Commander, in a bold move, directly patted his chest and declared his surrender.

Long Zhi nodded in agreement, saying, "Indeed, it's convincing! Our brigade commander, though not present on the battlefield, has the little devils in a death grip, leading them by the nose and unknowingly ensnaring them in our trap!"

"Not to mention anything else, fighting alongside our brigade commander is truly exhilarating!"

The 2nd Battalion Commander seized the opportunity, shouting loudly.

Chen Da Biao was a large, burly man with a thick beard and unkempt hair. Though uneducated, he was fierce in battle, often charging ahead.

Before enlisting, he had practiced martial arts and mastered a set of external strength techniques; in close combat, an entire squad couldn't approach him!

During the Nanjing Defense War, Chen Da Biao's unit was scattered by the Japanese onslaught. He was rallied along the route by Chen Qing Zhi and made his way to the Independent Brigade.

Thanks to his bravery and his prior experience as a platoon leader, after the Independent Brigade expanded its ranks, Chen Qing Zhi appointed him as commander of the 2nd Regiment's 2nd Battalion.

Long Zhi, on the other hand, hailed from a prominent merchant family locally, having attended a private school for a time. But after the little devils arrived, his business dealings drew their ire, resulting in the destruction of his family.

His entire household of twenty-three souls was exterminated by the Japanese!

Had he not been in the county town by chance that fateful day, escaping with his life, he too would have fallen victim to the Japanese!

Upon returning home to see the towering flames, Long Zhi was overcome with despair!

He knelt there for a full day and night, offering sacrifices to his parents, and then swore an oath to avenge the blood feud by exterminating every last Japanese in his lifetime!

Subsequently, to combat the devils, Long Zhi resolutely joined the army and fought in the Battle of Shanghai and the Nanjing Defense War.

After the Nanjing Defense War, his forces were dispersed, and he withdrew alone, only to be rescued by Chen Qing Zhi en route. Given his courage, Chen Qing Zhi promoted him to commander of the 1st Battalion of the 2nd Regiment after evaluating his capabilities.

Chen Da Biao excelled in bravery, and Long Zhi was bold and insightful; their synergy was perfect, which is why Chen Qing Zhi dispatched them to intercept the Japanese vanguard.

With the hope that they would act decisively and assess the situation on the field.

And they indeed lived up to expectations, annihilating the Japanese vanguard—the Seventh Regiment—in its entirety!

Ordering the troops to swiftly clear the battlefield, Long Zhi and Chen Da Biao inquired about the casualties.

An officer approached, reporting excitedly, "Commander Long, our two battalions suffered over five hundred casualties in total, while killing over three thousand eight hundred Japanese troops, with only over a hundred little devils escaping."

"We have captured more than three thousand five hundred rifles of various types, three hundred twenty pistols, thirty-six grenade launchers, and twenty-one heavy and light machine guns! The remaining equipment is still being tallied!"

Upon hearing this, Long Zhi and Chen Da Biao exchanged glances, both displaying sparks of excitement in their eyes.

Chen Da Biao said joyfully, "This is a magnificent victory! With only over five hundred casualties, we've wiped out an entire regiment of little devils. I really can't believe it!"

Long Zhi was equally exhilarated but remained composed, stating, "Indeed, a great victory. We must hurry back and inform our brigade commander of this joyous news!"

With that, observing the unit had completed the cleanup, Long Zhi raised his hand and shouted loudly, "Brothers, withdraw!"

The command was given, and all warriors roared with slogans, jubilantly marching towards Dingyuan City.