The guerrilla fighters dispatched by Tang Zhangshan to rescue Zhao Fugui’s mother raced toward the county town without a moment’s rest. Throughout the journey, they remained cautious, keeping a vigilant watch on their surroundings. As they neared the town, they spotted sandbag machine-gun nests at the city gates from a distance, where Japanese Army gunners stood ready. In the open ground before the gate lay the bodies of civilians, scattered and lifeless, while a few crows flapped their wings and took flight from the ramparts.
Witnessing this horrific scene, the team members felt a surge of rage ignite within them. Their eyes instantly turned bloodshot, and their hands clenched their weapons so tightly that their knuckles whitened. Zhang Ping, their captain, gritted his teeth and growled in a low voice, "Those devils are truly brutal; we must make them pay this blood debt! But rescuing the hostage comes first. Everyone, stay calm!" The team members took deep breaths, forcing their anger down.
Zhang Ping narrowed his eyes, studying the situation near the gate, his brow furrowed in concentration. After a moment, he gathered his men and whispered, "A direct assault is out of the question; the enemy’s firepower is too strong. We will do this..." As he spoke, he used a branch to sketch out the tactical plan on the ground.
Chapter 416