Gao Jiu stayed in Chongqing for a day, met Lin Yanni and Ouyang Xue respectively, leaving Ouyang Xue with 1 million oceans, and asked her to replace Mi Jinhui with Xiao Yatong in the United States, and then asked Ouyang Xue to arrange a plane for him and fly to Nanyang Airport.

Accompanied by Wang Jindong, Gao Jiu met with Commander Liu of the 41st Army and agreed to the matter of the 41st Army sending troops to support the Japanese army when they launched a large-scale attack on southwestern Shandong. Their main task was to make feint attacks, deter the enemy, prevent the Japanese army from Shandong from joining the Japanese army in Henan to attack southwestern Shandong, and ensure the safety of the southwestern Shandong.

Then, Gao Jiu came to the base of the Independent Regiment of the Southwest Shandong Military Sub-district.

Gao Hong, commander of the Southwest Shandong Military Sub-district, and political commissar Chen Johan, had received notice in advance and rushed to the garrison of the Independent Regiment.

At the combat meeting, Gao Jiu said: "It is imperative for the Japanese army to launch a large-scale attack on southwestern Shandong. In order to prevent the anti-Japanese bases in southwestern Shandong from being destroyed, I plan to try to lure the Japanese army to first besiege Taohua Mountain and consume a large amount of Japanese troops in Taohua Mountain.

The Southwest Shandong Military Sub-district and the Southeast Shandong Military Sub-district will restrain and harass the Japanese army. If the Japanese army divides some forces to attack the anti-Japanese base areas of the Southwest Shandong Military Sub-district, if necessary, I will ask the 41st Army of the Guo Army to provide reinforcements."

Gao Jiu took all the main responsibilities of this battle to Taohua Mountain. Gao Hong, Chen Johan and others were all moved.

The work of the construction base of the southwestern Shandong military sub-district was carried out very smoothly. They had established democratic regimes in eight counties, each county had elite armed forces such as county brigades, district squadrons, and a large number of militia armed forces, with a total number of tens of thousands. However, they lack combat experience and weak combat power, and cannot withstand the large-scale attacks of the Japanese and puppet troops. They still need to undergo long-term training to gradually grow up.

Gao Jiu used Taohua Mountain to consume the main force of the Japanese and puppet army troops, which would greatly reduce the pressure on the military sub-district in southwestern Shandong and prevent serious damage from the base areas.

Gao Jiu suggested that Jiang Xiaomei's independent regiment should be expanded, with the number of people reaching more than 3,000 to form a fist force so that it can carry out large-scale combat.

Gao Jiu had already agreed with Wang Jindong that the newly-edition 187th Division would support the equipment of Jiang Xiaomei's independent regiment, and Gao Jiu would provide another 50,000 oceans to allow them to quickly complete the reorganization.

Gao Hong, Chen John and others of course hoped that they could have a powerful fist force under their command. Seeing Gao Jiu's strong support, they all expressed their gratitude.

Next, Gao Jiu tirelessly guided the Independent Regiment's subsequent combat operations.

Gao Jiu stayed in the Independence Group for one day, and the next morning, he was about to set off and return to Taohua Mountain.

Since Gao Jiu arrived at the Independent Group, he has been busy and busy. Jiang Xiaomei has basically no time to spend alone with him. Fortunately, before Gao Jiu left the Independent Group, she was left with an hour, and the two of them whispered together.

This time, Gao Jiu went to Shanghai and Hong Kong and bought a lot of jewelry, cosmetics, perfume and other things for Jiang Xiaomei. In his long-term combat career, Jiang Xiaomei has forgotten her identity as a woman. Only in front of Gao Jiu can she be a happy little woman.

She sprayed perfume on her body, sat on Gao Jiu's lap, and said coquettishly: "Brother Jiu, do you smell it, am I fragrant?"

Gao Jiu sniffed her snow-white face and neck, and said, "It smells so fragrant. Even if I don't use perfume, my body smells very good."

His beard made Jiang Xiaomei feel a little itchy, and she smiled sweetly.

Gao Jiu quietly hugged Jiang Xiaomei, and heard that Jiang Xiaomei was like a happy lark, constantly pouring out her longing for Gao Jiu.

Gao Jiu liked this straightforward and cute girl from the bottom of his heart. When his eyes flashed across Jiang Xiaomei's beautiful face, he felt a little sad when he saw the combat map hanging on the wall, as well as objects such as shell guns and telescopes.

The cruel war has made such an innocent and lovely girl grow into a famous general who has made the Japanese and puppet troops frightened, making him feel like he was a different life.

Seeing that time was running out, Gao Jiuqian advised Jiang Xiaomei to pay attention to safety and reminded her that she is now a middle- and senior commander and should not take risks, especially not wearing the iconic red dress.

Facing Gao Jiu's nagging, Jiang Xiaomei was very happy, but said, "You! Why is such a big man like an old woman, mother-in-law and mother-in-law, so troublesome?"

Gao Jiu smiled and said, "How dare you say I am an old woman? Is this too vicious? I have to punish you." After that, he kissed her tender little mouth heavily.

Jiang Xiaomei snuggled intimately in Gao Jiu's arms, enjoying a rare warm moment.

Finally, Gao Jiu was leaving, and Li Chengwu, Shi Jianlong and others were already waiting outside the door.

The parting is sad. Jiang Xiaomei knew she would be sad, but she still insisted on sending Gao Jiu to see him off, and then she burst into tears as she looked at Gao Jiu's back as he left.

Under the escort of Li Chengwu, Shi Jianlong and others, Gao Jiu first came to Taoyuan Town.

Here, he met Liu Shengyu who had arrived in advance.

Gao Jiu gave Liu Shengyu a face-to-face message. Liu Shengyu said that he would definitely pass the message accurately.

Then Gao Jiu returned to Taohua Mountain.

Gao Jiu appeared in Hong Kong and once again dealt a major blow to the Japanese side. The Japanese were really anxious. They ignored it, and this time they were determined to eliminate Gao Jiu and his Taohua Mountain guerrillas.

The Japanese base camp issued a death order, and the 12th Japanese Army also issued a death order to the troops participating in the encirclement and suppression of Taohua Mountain, so that they could not delay the gathering of troops in the direction of Jinan with any excuses.

In order to prevent the slackness of the 12th Army, Lieutenant General Sakai, chief of staff of the Japanese North China Expeditionary Army, flew from Peking to Jinan to supervise the 12th Army to carry out this combat operation to sweep Taohua Mountain.

In order to eliminate the anti-Japanese armed forces in southwestern Shandong, the North China Expeditionary Force coordinated the 38th Division of the Japanese army attacked southwestern Shandong from the southwest direction to cooperate with the Japanese army's combat operations in the Shandong direction.

In order to eliminate the hateful Gao Jiu, General Matsuda gave a death order to Hamada Yoshiji, so that he must grasp the exact time when Gao Jiu returns to Taohua Mountain so that he can surround Gao Jiu in Taohua Mountain.

Hamada Yoshihiro personally brought Asano and several special agents from the Special High School Class to secretly arrive at Shoucheng County. He still trusted Liu Shengyu. After arriving at Shoucheng County, he called Liu Shengyu directly.

Liu Shengyu seemed very happy to see Himada Yoshihiro. In order to thank Himada Yoshihiro for his concern for him, he expressed his intention to hold a banquet to entertain Himada Yoshihiro and others.

Hamada Yoshihiro said that he was acting secretly and the banquet was spared. He asked Liu Shengyu about Gao Jiu's situation.

According to the strategy discussed with Gao Jiu, Liu Shengyu told Hamada Yoshihiro that he heard that Gao Jiu had returned to Taohua Mountain and was not sure yet, so he needed to send someone to learn about the situation in detail.

This news made Hamada Yoshiji very happy, and he urged Liu Shengyu to go and learn about it quickly.

At noon the next day, Liu Shengyu came over to report to Hamada Yoshihiro that he had heard the news that Gao Jiu would stay in Taohua Mountain recently because Feng Xiucai, the sixth leader of Taohua Mountain, was about to get married.

Hamada Yoshiji was a careful person. He went to meet the person who provided information to Liu Shengyu. The man said that the people from Taohua Mountain came down the mountain to purchase wedding items, and said that Gao Jiu must be in Taohua Mountain at this time.

Yoshiji Hamada was still a little worried. He sent someone to make up a merchant. Under the leadership of merchants who often go to Taohuashan Fortress Village, he sneaked into Xiwangzhuang, the closest to Taohuashan Mountain. The villagers there all heard that Taohuashan Sixth Headmaster was going to hold a wedding. When they attended the Taohuashan market, they also heard that Gao Jiu was going to hold a wedding for Feng Xiucai and Wang Sanniang in Taohuashan.

Hamada Yoshihiro received the accurate news and immediately sent a telegram to General Matsuda.

After receiving the telegram, General Matsuda immediately reported to the 12th Army Command. The 114th Division of the Japanese Army, Major General Akiyama, commanded the 45th Infantry Regiment and the 102nd Infantry Regiment, and formed a fast mobile unit. They all took a car and went to Taohua Mountain overnight to surround Gao Jiu in the mountains. The army then followed up and determined to take down Taohua Mountain and completely eliminate Gao Jiu bandit gang.

This time, the Japanese army's rapid mobile troops were progressing very smoothly and there was no obstacle on the road.

The reason why Gao Jiu did not destroy the Japanese offensive plan this time was because he knew that a great battle between Taohua Mountain and the Japanese army in Shandong would be inevitable sooner or later. This time, he would rely on Taohua Mountain to deal a major blow to the Japanese army, so that the Japanese army would not dare to invade Taohua Mountain with troops below the division in the future.

In the early morning of May 21, the 127th Brigade of the Japanese Army blocked all exits around Taohua Mountain. In the early morning, the Japanese army appeared in front of the outer positions of Taohua Mountain, and the battle officially began.

Major General Akiyama Shisaburo, the commander of the 127th Infantry Brigade, had never suffered from the trouble of dealing with the Taohua Mountain guerrillas. He wanted to seize the credit and directly commanded the 102nd Infantry Regiment to launch an attack on the outer positions of Taohua Mountain.

At this time, in addition to the original personnel, more than 900 capable militiamen from the 17 villages around Taohua Mountain also entered Taohua Mountain. Under the command of the members of the Taohua Mountain Special Forces, they adhered to various defensive fortifications.

The fortifications in Taohua Mountain were extremely strongly built. Not only did they use a large amount of steel and cement, but they also installed steel plates on the front and top of the bunker, which was enough to resist the direct attack of 105mm howitzers. The large Japanese artillery could not enter Taohua Mountain, and the largest caliber can carry can be carried, namely the Type 92 Infantry Cannon. The Type 92 Infantry Cannon directly hit the bunker, and at most it could blow up a piece of cement the size of a bowl. Unless they were as capable as Gao Jiu and could always hit a point, there would be no way to use these solid fortifications in Taohua Mountain.

The fortifications on the mountain were constructed very carefully, and it was very difficult for the Japanese army to hit the target directly. These fortifications not only include open blocks, but also secret castles, which were condescending and formed cross-fire. The entire hillside and valley were all within the control of the firepower, and the Japanese offensive troops had no blind spots to use.

After the battle started, the 102nd Regiment of the Japanese army soon suffered. They first started shelling according to the standard infantry offensive tactics, hoping to destroy the positions on Taohua Mountain. After a burst of shelling, they saw that the bunkers on the mountain were basically intact.

They had no choice but to dispatch infantry to attack the hill.

The Japanese vanguards climbed halfway up the mountain and were almost killed by fierce fire. The large Japanese troops began to attack, but were killed and injured by crossfire.

The attack ended in a while, and the Japanese army lost more than 100 people and did not even go up the mountain.

The captain of the Japanese 102nd Regiment was anxious and organized an attack again. This time, they rushed through the mountain and were bombarded by a large number of mortars.

The Japanese mortars could not see the target behind the mountain. The Taohua Mountain guerrillas arranged a large number of mortars on the back slope behind the mountain. Their observation posts were on the top of the mountain, and they could clearly see the movements of the Japanese army and accurately indicate the target. The mortar shells were like eyes, and they kept falling into the enemy group. The Japanese army lost nearly 200 people in the second attack, and they retreated helplessly.

The Taohua Mountain guerrillas hid in the solid fortifications, and no one was injured or killed.

On the other side of the valley, the 45th Japanese Regiment also launched an attack. Their ending was similar, with nearly 300 people losing two attacks, and the Taohuashan guerrillas were still unscathed.

Major General Akiyama Shizusaburo, the commander of the 127th Infantry Brigade, had never gnawed such a hard bone. The small Taohua Mountain, the strength of the fortifications and the intensity of the artillery fire were completely beyond his expectations. Before 10:00 in the morning, his troops had already lost nearly 600 people. Such a huge loss had already caught up with the losses they had captured Nanjing City.

The commander of Qiushan Brigade was a little afraid to fight any more, so he ordered the attack to stop, report the situation to the 114th Division, and request tactical guidance.

The commander of the 114th Division ordered the attack to stop and wait until all Japanese troops completely encircled Taohua Mountain, and then deployed an offensive operation.

In the afternoon of that day, the Japanese army did not launch an attack. The guerrillas hid in solid fortifications, ate delicious food, and chatted and laughed.

By noon the next day, most of the main forces of the Japanese army arrived. For a moment, Pingyue County, Shoucheng County and all villages and towns around Taohua Mountain were filled with Japanese troops, and tens of thousands of Japanese troops were like locusts, everywhere.

The commander of the 114th Division, as the front-line commander of this battle, placed the command center in Taoyuan Town.

They could not believe in the security forces stationed here, so they drove Li Chengwu and others out, and the command center was set up in their barracks.

That afternoon, the Japanese army held an operational meeting in Taoyuan Town. The meeting decided that the 114th Division, the 8th Division, the 167th Division, and the independent Mixed Ninth Brigade would attack Taohua Mountain from four directions, southeast, west and northeast. Starting from 8 am tomorrow morning, the general attack on the Taohua Mountain guerrillas will be launched.

This time, the Japanese army carried hundreds of Type 92 infantry cannons and hundreds of mortars. The commander of the 114th Division did not believe that such powerful troops and firepower would not be able to break Taohua Mountain.
Chapter completed!