bookrandom Chapter 165 Crisis lurks
Chapter 165 Crisis lurks
As Lei Tao and a few others explored the path ahead, their steps were light and cautious, making every sound as quiet as possible. Lei Tao walked in front, his eyes sharp, constantly monitoring his surroundings. Suddenly, his keen vision caught sight of several figures swaying ahead. His body tensed instantly, and he immediately raised his hand, fingers spread wide. This gesture was like a silent command.
Everyone had already been well-trained and immediately dispersed and hid. Huang Guangyang crouched down, swiftly and quietly walked to Lei Tao's side and squatted down, asking softly, "Brother Huanying, are there any Japanese?" Lei Tao did not answer immediately. He quickly took out the telescope and calmly replied while operating it, "I don't know, I'll observe first..."
He raised the telescope to his eyes and peered in the direction of the figures. As the lens focused, he identified them as Li Shuiniu and Li Shuyang, along with several Eighth Route Army scouts, who were also out to investigate the Japanese army's movements. Lei Tao was about to breathe a sigh of relief, concluding it was a false alarm, but as his gaze habitually scanned the surroundings, he suddenly noticed something unusual a few hundred meters ahead of them. There was an unusual quietness in the area, as if some danger was lurking.
Lei Tao tried hard to adjust the focus of the telescope, trying to see what was going on. However, due to the distance and the obstructions, he could not tell who those hidden people were. His brows furrowed slightly, and a hint of worry appeared in his eyes. At this moment, a breeze blew, gently ruffling the grass and trees around the ambushed people in front. Lei Tao's eyes suddenly lit up, and he saw the barrel of the Type 99 light machine gun, a favorite of the Japanese army, exposed at the place where the other party was ambushed. Lei Tao's heart tightened, and he whispered quickly: "It's our people, but there are Japanese ambushes ahead of them..."
Lei Tao acted decisively, ordering the Military Control Commission to take cover while he himself rushed towards the danger zone like an arrow, ready to sound the alarm. He darted through the jungle, using the dense undergrowth as cover to cleverly avoid potential eyes and quickly reached a hillside high ground with a wide view.
His eyes were calm and resolute, and without hesitation, he pulled out an 80mm mortar from the mysterious Bagua gyroscope. His hands expertly manipulated it, first firmly placing the barrel on the mount and quickly securing the connections to ensure the gun's stability. Then, he crouched down, carefully checking the level of the mount and slightly adjusting the height of the legs, muttering to himself as he rapidly calculated various figures.
He then picked up his binoculars, his expression so focused that it seemed as if the only thing in the world was him and the Japanese ambush position. He meticulously observed the approximate location of the Japanese ambush position, his eyes fixed on every detail of the target area, estimating the distance. Based on his observations, he began to adjust the mortar's firing angle with swift and precise movements. He first gently turned the steering gear, slowly bringing the muzzle in the direction of the target, pausing to check with the binoculars with each movement. He then adjusted the elevation angle with a firm crank of the elevation lever, adjusting the barrel to the appropriate angle based on the estimated distance and the terrain elevation, keeping his eye on the scale on the barrel to ensure the angle was accurate. After adjusting the angle, he quickly picked up a shell and expertly loaded it into the barrel. Then, based on the target distance and the characteristics of the shell, he quickly determined the number one charge.
Everything was ready. His expression was serious and solemn, as if he were performing a sacred ritual. He took a deep breath, then decisively pulled the trigger. With a loud bang, the shell streaked across the sky like an angry meteor, whistling towards the Japanese ambush position.
The shells landed precisely on the edge of the Japanese ambush position. With a loud explosion, flames shot up into the sky, and dirt and grass were blown everywhere. The Japanese were startled by the sudden bombardment and their carefully arranged ambush formation was instantly thrown into disarray.
After firing the first round, Lei Tao didn't pause. He pulled out another incendiary bomb from the Bagua gyroscope, reloaded it, and adjusted the firing angle again. His eyes were cold and resolute, and his hands worked methodically, steadily loading the incendiary bomb into the barrel. Then, based on factors such as the Japanese army's formation and wind direction, he adjusted the firing angle even more precisely. He knew that once the incendiary bomb landed, it would cause even greater chaos and casualties in the Japanese ambush position.
With a dull boom, an incendiary bomb, trailing orange-red flames, streaked across the sky, landing precisely in the center of the Japanese concentration area. Instantly, a sea of fire erupted within the Japanese lines, rapidly spreading. The scorching heat scorched the surrounding vegetation. The Japanese soldiers, terrified by the sudden onslaught, screamed and fled in all directions. Many were instantly engulfed in flames, writhing on the ground in agony, trying to extinguish the flames, but to no avail.
Seeing the Japanese lines in disarray, Li Shuiniu and his men seized the opportunity. Li Shuiniu whispered, "Brothers, now! Follow me!" He wielded his rifle and leaped from his hiding place, pouncing like a tiger descending a mountain toward the Japanese flank. The Eighth Route Army scouts followed closely behind, spreading out in tactical formation. They ran at full speed, taking advantage of the cover of trees and terrain, firing alternately and accurately at those Japanese troops still attempting to resist, untouched by the fire.
Huang Guangyang also led his troopers in a rapid, outflanking attack from another direction. They crept silently through the woods, their steps light yet swift. As they neared the Japanese rear, Huang Guangyang gestured for the troopers to halt and find suitable firing positions. At his command, the troopers opened fire simultaneously, showering the Japanese with bullets like raindrops, catching them unawares.
From the hillside, Lei Tao continued to provide long-range fire support for his comrades with his sniper rifle. Through his scope, he locked onto the Japanese commanders and machine gunners. As soon as they showed their heads, Lei Tao decisively pulled the trigger. "Bang! Bang!" A few crisp gunshots rang out, and one by one, the Japanese leaders fell, weakening the Japanese resistance.
With the coordinated efforts of the three forces, the Japanese ambush position was completely cornered. The fires intensified, reducing vast areas to scorched earth, and Japanese casualties continued to mount. The remaining Japanese soldiers scattered in despair, gradually losing their will to fight. Lei Tao and his men, however, seized upon their victory and launched a final campaign of encirclement and suppression, ensuring the complete annihilation of this enemy force, leaving no further danger. After the battle, on the smoke-filled battlefield, Lei Tao, Li Shuiniu, Huang Guangyang, and their companions slowly reunited, their faces etched with the exhaustion and relief of victory.