Chapter 24: The Fish Has Taken the Bait! (Please add to your bookshelf and vote)

Zhang Dabiao’s words were not without merit.

Most of the New First Regiment’s weapons and ammunition were provided by the system. Products from the system were guaranteed to be of the finest quality. Even a tiny bullet was crafted to the highest possible standard. Both the bullet heads and the casings were made of premium brass—a metal that remained a precious resource in any era. It was clear that the spent casings left behind by the New First Regiment on the battlefield were, in fact, a fortune in their own right.

"Dabiao, you can’t catch a wolf without risking a cub!" Li Yunlong lowered his binoculars and explained with a chuckle. "If even you understand this, don't you think those little devils do too? If I weren't afraid of scaring them off, I’d have left even more casings behind."

Just then, the radio handset at Li Yunlong’s side crackled with an excited voice. "Report to the Commander! That group of Japanese cavalry that came to reinforce is now heading our way! They should reach your position in about twenty minutes!"

The bait had been taken. A look of excitement appeared on Li Yunlong’s face. "Good! Tell the men to stay hidden and prepare to retreat by the detour!"

"Yes, sir!"

Turning back, Li Yunlong looked at the rows of Oerlikon 20mm cannons and M2 Browning heavy machine guns behind him and licked his lips. "Dabiao, whether we get to eat fresh Japanese horse meat tonight depends entirely on how well your First Battalion performs!"

Zhang Dabiao grinned. "Don't worry, Commander! Mission accomplished!"

Twenty minutes later, seven or eight hundred Japanese cavalrymen, riding tall horses and armed with Type 44 carbines and Type 32 cavalry swords, rushed over from the direction of Cangyun Ridge.

"Halt!"

Kuroshima Morita, the leader, suddenly raised a thick arm, clenching his fist to signal a stop. Following this gesture, the soldiers of the Kuroshima Cavalry Regiment instinctively tightened their reins. Their Japanese mounts let out a chorus of neighs as they immediately began to decelerate.

Simultaneously, every cavalryman remained in a state of high alert, gripping their weapons tightly and scanning their surroundings. They were prepared to engage in combat at the slightest provocation.

By the time Kuroshima Morita brought his horse to a complete stop, the entire regiment had formed a disciplined cavalry formation over a hundred meters wide and four ranks deep. The transition from a rapid gallop to a dead stop took only a few seconds—a testament to the immense strength and exceptional military discipline of the Kuroshima Cavalry Regiment.

Shen Quan, the Second Battalion Commander, hiding in the distance, narrowed his eyes. He had seen the cavalry of the Nationalist forces and the troops of Yan Xishan, and while those could be considered decent cavalry units, they were worlds apart from the Kuroshima regiment. He had to admit, this Kuroshima Morita was truly a formidable opponent.

Satisfied after seeing his men finish their preparations, Kuroshima Morita nodded and spoke. "Nakamura-kun, search the front for signs of the enemy and retrieve Inoue-kun and his men!"

"Hai!" A Japanese officer in a mustard-colored coat bowed and shouted, "Second Cavalry Platoon, move out with me!"

"Hai!"

Twenty-some cavalrymen followed the officer as they charged forward. Kuroshima Morita’s position as a regimental commander wasn't just due to his status as a member of the Japanese imperial family; his own abilities were remarkable. He was desperate to avenge his younger brother, but he was no fool. Throughout the pursuit, he had not pushed his men to the point of exhaustion. Instead, he allowed small scouting parties to probe ahead, which allowed the main force to recover their strength while ensuring the route ahead was secure. It was a strategy that maintained both combat readiness and speed.

Suddenly, a cavalryman returned, looking excited, and spoke rapidly to the officers. After listening, Kuroshima Morita sat stoically on his horse, his thoughts unreadable. His adjutant, emboldened by their close relationship, asked, "Commander, our scouts report that we have caught up with the rear of the Chinese force that defeated the Sakata Regiment. They are about three kilometers ahead, numbering over a thousand. Shall we charge and wipe them out?"

For cavalry, a three-kilometer distance could be covered in just two or three minutes at full gallop. The officer’s suggestion was logical.

"No," Kuroshima Morita waved his hand. "First, have Sato-kun send a cavalry squadron to probe their firepower! If it is confirmed that they are low on ammunition," he added with a bloodthirsty grin, "then we shall assemble and charge, beheading these Chinese before continuing our pursuit of the rest!"

"Hai!"

...

Hiding under a small hill, Li Yunlong watched the scene through his binoculars. "Heh! This Kuroshima Morita is quite cautious, isn't he? He actually knows to send a small force to test the First Battalion's ammunition supply! But Dabiao’s acting isn't bad either. He had the men put up a loose, disorganized resistance, and their retreat—along with the way they dropped their weapons—looks just like the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army!"

"They're coming! They're coming!" Li Yunlong whispered. "Huang Zhirong! Tell the Third Battalion to get ready!"

"Yes, sir!"

Watching the New First Regiment soldiers abandon even the precious automatic weapons on the ground, a faint smile finally appeared on Kuroshima Morita’s tense, stern face. He drew his saber with a sharp motion, raising it high and horizontal in front of him.

*Shing! Shing! Shing!*

Simultaneously, the men of the Kuroshima Cavalry Regiment drew their own blades without hesitation. The razor-sharp steel glinted under the sun, reflecting a chilling, lethal light.

Without another word, Kuroshima Morita swung his blade forward, his murderous intent filling the air.

"Charge!"

With that roar, hundreds of Japanese soldiers spurred their horses forward into the fray.