Chapter 16: Scouting and gathering information
After learning the identity of this group of puppet cavalry, Yang Lin was delighted and said, "Old Li, I'm sorry, your cavalry battalion belongs to me now."
Then, Yang Lin asked again: "How many people are there in your cavalry battalion? Besides you, what other troops are stationed around Wanjia Town?"
"Sir, our cavalry battalion has less than 300 men and more than 330 horses."
"In addition, a new railway station was built in Qinghe Town, 7 or 8 miles north of Wanjia Town. A reinforced squadron of Japanese soldiers and a battalion of puppet troops were stationed there."
In order to survive, the puppet soldiers told everything they knew.
After getting the information he wanted, Yang Lin first detained these puppet soldiers, and then summoned his key subordinates to a meeting at the headquarters.
In addition to the two platoon leaders Ma Gan and Niu Dadan, there are 6 squad leaders. They were all the former leaders of Hongyunling and are currently Yang Lin’s most trustworthy subordinates.
After everyone was present, Yang Lin looked around and said, "Brothers, there is a puppet cavalry battalion in Wanjia Town, and there are also a large number of supplies.
This is some fat meat, I decided to eat it, what do you think? "
Niu Dadan spoke first: "Captain, the puppet cavalry battalion has nearly 300 people, and we only have 70 brothers now. I'm afraid it won't be easy to eat this piece of fat meat.
If you get yourself involved, the result will be more trouble than gain."
Niu Dadan has always been afraid of death. Yang Lin did not express his opinion immediately. He turned his head and looked at the platoon leader Ma Gan, wanting to hear his opinion.
Ma Gan thought for a moment and said, "We have seen the combat effectiveness of the puppet cavalry at noon, so there is no need to worry.
But once the gunshots are heard, the Japanese and puppet troops stationed in Qinghe Town will definitely come to support immediately. This is the most difficult part at the moment. "
Ma Gan was more careful. After a pause, he continued, "Also, we can't trust everything these puppet soldiers say."
"For safety reasons , I think it's necessary to check out the location first and find out the enemy's situation before taking action."
Yang Lin nodded: "Ma Gan, what you said makes sense. Sharpening the knife does not delay the chopping of wood. It would be better to go and check it out first."
Ma Gan said: "In that case, let me take care of the scouting."
Yang Lin waved his hand and said, "No, I will go in person this time, and you will be responsible for staying behind."
As he spoke, Yang Lin turned his head and looked at Niu Dadan who was standing beside him, and said, "2nd Platoon Leader, come with me."
"yes!"
Niu nodded boldly in agreement.
…
The next morning, just after daybreak, Yang Lin and Niu Dabing changed into casual clothes, disguised themselves simply, and left Luotuo Ridge on horseback.
Wanjia Town is named Wanjia Town, but it is actually a county town with a city wall.
About three hours later, Yang Lin and his companions, who had been riding at full speed, arrived outside the city. Two or three miles further they reached Wanjia Town. As their horses galloped, they could vaguely see the city gate tower.
"Ah!——"
Yang Lin pulled the reins and jumped off the horse nimbly. Then he and Niu Dadan led the warhorse into a small woods on the side of the road and tied it up, and then walked towards Wanjia Town on foot.
At this time, the city gate had just opened and a group of people were queuing up to enter the city.
Several new notices were posted on the city wall at the entrance, and the people entering the city would occasionally peek over.
Some literate people briefly explained the contents of the notice, and everyone immediately started chatting one after another.
Niu Dadan whispered in a voice that only Yang Lin could hear: "Brother, they seem to be talking about you."
Of course, Yang Lin also heard the conversations of the people around him. Wasn’t he the protagonist of the bounty notice?
But, is the portrait next to the reward notice meant to be funny?
The artist hired by the Japanese has such poor skills, it doesn't look like the real thing at all.
Of course, this cannot be blamed on the Japanese and the painter. His identity as the captain of the Imperial Army was completely fabricated by the commander of the 4th Brigade of the Japanese Army. No one knew him at all. It would be incredible if they could draw his appearance.
Yang Lin signaled Niu Dadan to shut up, then followed the group of people entering the city, waiting to be questioned.
"Don't waste time, there's a queue behind you. Get out of here as soon as you're done checking!"
"If you don't have a good citizen certificate, you can get one on the spot. It costs two dollars per person. If you don't have money, go to the mines to dig coal!"
Several puppet soldiers stood at the city gate, yelling and kicking at the people entering the city.
"Next one, hurry up!"
Yang Lin walked forward slowly and was interrogated by the puppet army.
"Good citizen certificate!" A puppet soldier immediately stepped forward to check.
Yang Lin touched his pocket, then took out a few dollars and stuffed them into the other person's hand, saying flatteringly: "Boss, this is our good citizen certificate."
The puppet soldier quickly stuffed the money into his pocket, then glanced at Yang Lin and Niu Dadan, symbolically compared them with the portraits on the city wall, and waved his hand, saying, "Get out, get out now!"
"Thank you, Boss! Thank you, Boss!"
Yang Lin thanked him and took Niu Dadan into Wanjia Town.
Wanjia Town was not a strategic military town that was fought over by military strategists, so it did not suffer devastating damage during the Battle of Taiyuan. Many people came here to escape the war.
At this time, a kind of abnormal prosperity was presented.
The streets of the city are lined with restaurants, various street vendors are hawking their wares along the streets, and pedestrians are bustling about.
…
City center.
The door of Qiuyuelou opened, and several soldiers of the Imperial Army walked out while tidying up their clothes.
The madam shook the flowered handkerchief in her hand and said with a charming smile, "Goodbye, bosses. Welcome to come again next time!"
"sure!"
The puppet soldier who was in the lead responded with a smile, and before leaving, he did not forget to take advantage of the other party.
Although this old madam is a bit old, she is still charming and graceful.
The hot body looks even more magnificent against the cheongsam.
Niu Dadan was so exhausted that he could not walk anymore and almost drooled: "Brother, I don't want to go to Yihonglou anymore, and I don't want Chunlan either. You take me there..."
Before he could finish his words, Yang Lin slammed him on the head: "Damn it, have you forgotten what we are here for? Also, who have you seen visiting a brothel so early in the morning?"
Then, Yang Lin saw these puppet soldiers walking towards a teahouse diagonally opposite Qiuyue Building, and immediately followed them with Niu Dadan.
