Others show their swords, I show my missiles!

The sun sank into the horizon with a hint of reluctance. Li Yunlong and Zhao Gang came to the tent. The electric light had not been connected yet. Zhao Gang lit a kerosene lamp and hung it up.

The two men sat side by side, their shadows elongated and projected on the crude war room map, appearing particularly resolute.

Their eyes are filled with a deep understanding of war and a desire for victory, but behind this concentration, there is also a kind of helplessness that seems a little unfamiliar outside of war.

"Old Li, I'm confident that we can do a good job in fighting, but when it comes to understanding people's hearts and governing the local area, it's really not our strong point.

If you ask me, we should make a career plan for our old age. When we are old and the war is over, what will we do then? " Zhao Gang sighed softly, with a bit of self-mockery in his tone.

Hearing this, Li Yunlong raised a bitter smile and nodded, looking quite carefree: "Yeah, let's not bother thinking about things that we can't figure out. Let's get back to the point and figure out how to fight this battle."

Changing the topic, the two once again focused on the upcoming offensive mission.

Li Yunlong frowned and carefully analyzed every detail of the battle: "Although the soldiers of the regiment are tired, their fighting power should not be underestimated. It may not be difficult for us to sweep across the counties along the way, but the lack of troops is a big problem.

Once the county town was captured, it was impossible for a regiment to garrison it, so it had to be handed over to local troops, who were incapable of facing the enemy's counterattack.

Once these counties are lost again, the people living there may face even more severe oppression or even massacre.”

Zhao Gang nodded in agreement, with a hint of worry in his eyes: "Indeed, we can't just focus on conquering cities and territories while ignoring the safety of the people.

If the county is lost, the people will be plunged into dire straits, and the Japanese will certainly intensify their efforts to kill the people who are friendly to us, which will be a huge blow to our popular support."

Li Yunlong pondered for a moment, his eyes flashing with determination: "Besides, the Japs stationed in the county town are at most two squads, it is not difficult to fight, and Shimen can probably accommodate a division.

A regiment would be even more exhausted after a long-distance raid and would be running low on ammunition and supplies after fighting continuously along the way.

Not to mention that after taking Shimen, we would have to attack Beiping.

Did the Anti-Japanese Command overestimate the combat effectiveness of the First Regiment?

Moreover, once we enter the city, do we have to let a regiment of soldiers get out of armored vehicles and fight in street battles?

Besides, speed is of the essence in war, and liberating various counties along the way will inevitably lead to the enemy making full preparations at Shimen, waiting for us to take the bait.

So, I have a bold idea.

We might as well change our strategy and stop liberating each county town step by step. Instead, we should concentrate our forces and go straight to Shimen.

When the Japanese withdraw their troops from northeastern Shanxi to reinforce Shimen, we will then attack Yangquan from Shimen and return to Shanxi Province from Yangquan.

This will not only reduce the risk of dispersing our forces, but also catch the enemy off guard."

However, Zhao Gang immediately raised an objection: "But in this way, aren't we disobeying the orders of our superiors? We can't bear this responsibility!" His words were full of caution and worry.

Li Yunlong waved his hand and explained, "Old Zhao, you and I are both thinking about the overall situation. Our liberated areas have limited manpower and we really can't spare any extra troops to guard those county towns.

The 4th Brigade that followed had only one regiment, a small regiment of only people. It was already very difficult for them to defend the Beast Killing Valley area, and they simply could not spare any extra troops to defend the various county towns.

If we cannot defend the city after taking it, it is the same as not fighting at all. We might as well concentrate our strength and deal a fatal blow to the enemy. As for disobeying orders, it is not like we have disobeyed orders before, so why should we care about doing it again?"

Zhao Gang laughed when he heard this: "Old Li, I think you are trying to impress your superiors by disobeying orders, right? But I have to remind you that the communication in our liberated areas is very smooth now. If you continue to disobey orders on the grounds that the communication is not smooth and you are afraid of missing the opportunity to fight, I am afraid it will not be justified!"

Li Yunlong smiled bitterly and said, "Well, General Shi is in the regiment, so let's ask him for instructions. We are fighting this battle with our hands tied."

As the signalman quickly sent the telegram, the two fell silent again.

But this silence was not hesitation or worry, but rather full of anticipation and confidence for the coming battle.

Unlike in the past, communications between PLA units are now smooth, which provides a strong guarantee for them to adjust their strategies in a timely manner and strive for victory.

The golden pair of Li Yunlong and Zhao Gang will continue to work hand in hand and contribute their strength to the cause of liberation.

As the night deepened, Mr. Shi’s tent seemed exceptionally bright in the silence, but Mr. Shi’s heart seemed to be shrouded in dark clouds and was heavy.

Li Yunlong's telegram, which was filled with high hopes, seemed to be swallowed up by the endless darkness. It did not arouse any response, but only left a dead silence.

Mr. Shi stood in front of the window, staring at the hazy outline in the distance, his brows furrowed as if water could be squeezed out of them, and every wrinkle carried deep worry about the situation on the front line.

Recalling the glorious performance of the 1st Regiment some time ago, it was not only a military victory, but also a spiritual tonic. It inspired the soldiers and civilians in the liberated areas, but also quietly fostered a blind self-confidence and pride.

The bravery of a regiment was infinitely magnified, and some people even began to fantasize that they could sweep away thousands of enemies and unify the world with this power alone.

However, this optimism ignores the cruelty and complexity of war, and even more so the huge price paid for victory.

Mr. Shi knows very well that on the battlefield, there is no eternal winner and no unchanging tactics.

He knew the current situation of the regiment better than anyone else - the soldiers were exhausted physically and mentally due to continuous fighting, their equipment was severely damaged, and they were in urgent need of rest and replenishment.

No matter how strong an army is, if it ignores reality and advances blindly, it will eventually exhaust its last bit of strength and fall into an irretrievable situation.

Mr. Shi agreed with Li Yunlong's suggestions and felt the urgency and determination.

But the reality is cruel. Once the order is issued, it becomes the common will of the entire anti-Japanese headquarters and cannot be easily changed by one person.

Although he strongly expressed his views at the Anti-Japanese Army meeting, he ultimately voted against the resolution and even said such radical words as "Nonsense! Soldiers are human beings, they need to eat and sleep!" However, he was eventually forced to compromise due to the insistence of the majority.

This helplessness and responsibility made him feel more stressed.

"Prepare the car. I need to go back to the company." Mr. Shi's voice was low and firm, revealing his unquestionable determination.

He understood that it would be difficult to fully convey his concerns and opinions through words over the phone. Only face to face could he explain the actual situation, future risks and personal suggestions of the group one by one.

This is a battle concerning strategic judgment and the life and death of the troops. He must go into battle personally to win due support and understanding for the soldiers fighting on the front lines.

On the newly built roads in the liberated areas, vehicles sped past, without the bumps of the past, replaced by unprecedented stability and smoothness.

After passing the Beast-Exterminating Valley, the scene in front of us suddenly became clear, as if nature had deliberately paved a smooth road for this quick journey, indicating that although there are unknowns ahead, it is also full of hope.

Inside the car, Mr. Shi's expression remained solemn, but there was an eagerness in his eyes that could not be ignored.

He urged the driver to speed up, as if every second that passed was a waste of the soldiers on the front line.

As the wheels rolled forward, time passed quietly until the early morning of the next day, when finally, the outline of the anti-corrosion company gradually became clear in the light. In Mr. Shi's heart, there was both the warmth of returning home and the determination to face the challenges ahead.

He had no time to care about the fatigue from days of running around, let alone time to enjoy a moment of peace. He rushed straight to the residence of the chief executive of the Anti-Japanese Army.

There, perhaps, will be the key for him to turn the tide of the war and change his destiny.

However, fate always seems to play jokes on people.

When Mr. Shi arrived at the door full of hope, he was stopped politely but firmly by the guard.

It turned out that long-term high-intensity work and tremendous psychological pressure caused this leader, who shoulders heavy responsibilities, to suffer from severe insomnia.

On this night when he should have been sleeping soundly, he took advantage of the sleeping pills and fell asleep in the early morning. It was a rare peaceful time for him in a long time.

Upon hearing this, Mr. Shi couldn't help but feel a complicated emotion in his heart.

He was worried about the leader's health, but also felt helpless about his own urgent needs.