Bright Sword: Leading the Special Operations Squadron to Fight the Japs

Chapter 289 Braised Beef Noodles

The Japanese barricades in Xiangning City were smashed by the company and platoon mortars of the 3rd Infantry Division that joined the battle later. Finally, after half a day of fighting, the Japanese and puppet troops were completely wiped out.

"Old Cheng, Xiangning is now in your hands. We will continue to advance towards Linfen. By the way, according to intelligence, the surrounding counties are basically undefended. You decide whether to take them down. If you need artillery, I will support you with a company of 105mm howitzers!"

In fact, all of this was Li Yunlong's idea.

After all, this area was originally the territory of the 386th Brigade. If they were to take it down while fighting in Linfen, it might really be used and provoked by people with ulterior motives.

It would be better to support the 772nd Regiment with an artillery company and let them fight on their own.

Anyway, there are no enemies in the remaining counties and towns. If Blind Cheng can't even take them, he would really be sorry for Li Yunlong who taught him how to shoot.

Although Blind Cheng had some complaints about Li Yunlong's "rescue" behavior, he still accepted it.

Attacking the Japanese county town without siege weapons is a definite act of seeking death. He will not let the soldiers die in vain because of his "arrogance".

"Okay, Old Xing, thank Li Yunlong for me. I'll borrow this artillery battery for a while. Don't worry, I'll return both the guns and the men after use!"

Xing Zhiguo touched his nose again. This should be said to Li Yunlong, because what he loved most was borrowing things and not returning them.

It was already late and the 3rd Infantry Division was stationed outside the city. According to the plan, they should be ready before 6 o'clock the next evening, and then complete the encirclement of Linfen with the 1st and 2nd Infantry Divisions.

As night fell, the fragrant smell of cooking instant noodles wafted from the 3rd Infantry Division’s base outside the city.

The soldiers gathered in platoons around the campfire, on which they placed a large iron pot, cooking several boxes of instant noodles and adding dozens of eggs.

"Sir, what flavor is it? Braised beef or spicy beef?"

"What? You picked it! Spicy beef! I was worried that you would be cold in the middle of the night, so I made something spicy for you. Let the brothers prepare the meal!"

"okay!"

Each soldier had a big bowl of instant noodles and some big white steamed buns distributed by the kitchen staff. You can’t even describe how happy their life was.

Xing Zhiguo also ate instant noodles in the division headquarters tent, but the conditions in the 772nd Regiment, which was one mile away from them, were not as good.

The 772nd Regiment had been operating behind enemy lines for a long time, and they couldn't bear to exploit the civilians, so they ate steamed buns with wild vegetables to fill their stomachs. And not all personnel could eat them, only the front-line combat troops had such treatment.

At this time, Blind Cheng was inspecting the garrison outside the city. Seeing the soldiers smelling the spicy beef noodles in the air, he swallowed his saliva and looked towards the independent column.

"Captain, what's that smell? It smells so good! It smells even better than spicy oil!"

"Of course you know what this is. Come here, gather around!"

Dozens of soldiers immediately gathered around with steamed buns in their hands, ready for the company commander to open their eyes.

"Do you know what this is? Instant noodles! Do you know why it's called instant noodles?"

The soldiers shook their heads like rattles.

"Because this thing is just a dry noodle. Just tear off the outer wrapping paper, add the seasoning packet, and then soak it in water. It can be eaten in two minutes. There is no need to cook it. It is very convenient, so it is called instant noodles!"

The company commander took two bites of the steamed bun with a proud look on his face. He was probably the only one in the company who had eaten instant noodles.

"Captain, is that delicious?"

"How can it not taste good? The soup is red, fragrant and spicy. Let me tell you, this is the first time I've eaten spicy beef flavored instant noodles. I even ate four big steamed buns! It was delicious!"

The soldiers all showed envious expressions, and seeing the intoxicated expression of the company commander, they felt like being scratched by a cat in their hearts. They didn't feel hungry at all during the daytime fighting, and now that they were free and starting to rest, their stomachs were empty and they felt sluggish.

"Captain, how many times have you eaten this?"

The company commander scratched his head embarrassedly.

"Just once, I went to visit my old comrade in the Independent Column and took a pack from him. Oh, you wait!"

The company commander seemed to remember something at this time and quickly searched in his small backpack.

The soldiers looked at the company commander eagerly, expecting him to pull out a packet of instant noodles from his bag like a magic trick and let everyone have a taste, even if it was just a sip of the hot red soup.

"Found it!"

The company commander took out seven or eight packets of instant noodles containing oil and flour.

"My old comrade sometimes likes to eat them dry, so these oil and flour packets are left, so I took them back. I was planning to soak them in water and eat them as steamed bread, but now I'll give them to you! I'll use them to make a pot of soup and let you brothers have a taste!"

After saying that, a soldier named Lao Niu ran to borrow a big pot, then started putting it on the fire and pouring water.

"Lao Niu, add more water so that the brothers can have a taste!"

At this time, Blind Cheng had been listening to the soldiers chatting for a while and slowly walked over.

"Comrades, are you hungry?"

The company commander and the soldiers stood up embarrassedly.

"Captain, the soldiers smelled the instant noodles and came to ask about it, so I just chatted with them."

Blind Cheng waved his hands and felt unhappy when he saw the soup which was as thin as pot water.

In the past, the 772nd Regiment was a full-fledged regular army, and its food and supplies were among the best in the 386th Brigade, but now it has been left far behind by the Independent Column.

"Comrades, I'll give you extra food after we capture a few other counties!"

When the soldiers heard the news of the "extra meal", they were still very happy even though they knew in their hearts that it was just a big bowl of steamed buns and cabbage.

"Thank you, leader!"

Seeing that these soldiers who fought so hard to kill the Japanese could not even have a bowl of instant noodles, Blind Cheng's eyes became sore.

Just when Blind Cheng was about to wipe away his tears secretly, several trucks from the independent column drove up to the 772nd Regiment’s base outside the city.

A soldier from an independent column jumped off the first truck.

"Where is Captain Cheng? Or any other officer in charge?"

Blind Cheng walked over quickly.

"I am. Are you comrades of the Independent Column?"

"Captain Cheng, I'm from the transport battalion of the independent column. I'm here to deliver some supplies to you on the orders of Division Commander Xing Zhiguo. Please sign for them!"

After saying that, he took out a piece of paper and handed it to Blind Cheng.

200 boxes of instant noodles of various flavors.

1000 pounds of flour.

200 kilograms of eggs.

200 boxes of compressed biscuits.

Blind Cheng looked at Li Yunlong and Xing Zhiguo with his eyes wide open like cow eggs, and he wanted to kowtow to them twice.

"Thank you, brother. Thank you to Commander Xing Zhiguo and... Commander Li Yunlong!"

"Yes! Captain Cheng, please arrange for the comrades to unload the goods. We really can't move them!"

"Good good!"