168: Someone's here, let's go and meet them.

Just as Lu Fan and his men evacuated, a shrill whistling sound pierced the sky.

The naval gunfire support from the Japanese Army's cruiser 'Izumo' had arrived!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Large-caliber naval shells rained down like hail on the empty streets and the area surrounding the Headquarters.

They kicked up pillars of dirt and smoke; the display was grand, but it hit nothing but air.

Sitting inside the tanks, they felt the earth-shaking explosions coming from the distance behind them.

Brigade Commander Huang and Deng Guang were once again deeply shaken.

Lu Fan's precise grasp of the battlefield's rhythm, his keen insight into enemy intelligence, and his decisive decision-making...

...made Brigade Commander Huang Meixin and Deng Guang feel heartfelt submission, admiring him to the point of prostrating themselves.

Furthermore, the combat power displayed by this unit, which exceeded their understanding, made the two of them bow their heads like humble students.

The retreating convoy drove along relatively safe roads, the engines emitting a low roar.

Lu Fan sat in the command vehicle and suddenly asked, "Brigade Commander Huang, do you know of a regimental Commander in the 88th Division named Xie Jinyuan?"

Hearing this, Brigade Commander Huang Meixin picked up the walkie-talkie and replied with certainty, "I do! Xie Jinyuan, Commander of the 524th Regiment, 262th Brigade.

He's a tough man, has a knack for fighting, and is strict with his troops. He's a tiger of a general."

He paused, somewhat puzzled. "Boss~~ why the sudden interest in him?"

"I've heard he's a hero and wanted to meet him," Lu Fan said in a flat tone.

Though Brigade Commander Huang Meixin didn't understand why, he didn't hesitate. "Alright! His defense zone is just ahead, I'll lead the way!"

The convoy immediately turned and soon arrived at a position that was temporarily constructed but had rigorous fortifications and highly alert soldiers.

With Brigade Commander Huang Meixin's introduction, the sentry quickly reported their arrival.

A tall, resolute-looking Lieutenant Colonel quickly came out to greet them; it was indeed Regimental Commander Xie Jinyuan.

The moment he saw Brigade Commander Huang Meixin, who was supposed to have "died for the country," he froze on the spot.

His face was filled with shock and disbelief; after all, the battle report he received clearly stated that Brigade Commander Huang Meixin had died in battle.

However, he quickly reacted, dismissed his subordinates, and invited them into the command post.

"Brigade Commander Huang?! You... weren't you..."

Brigade Commander Huang Meixin's expression turned solemn as he said frankly, "Jinyuan, it's a long story.

When the superior's order arrived, I happened to encounter a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to kill the enemy.

To kill the Japanese more satisfyingly and effectively, I chose to abandon certain titles.

I am now following Boss Lu, continuing to fight the Japanese in a different way."

Xie Jinyuan was a smart man and instantly understood the resolve and helplessness behind it.

He took a deep breath, and instead of contempt, a deep sense of respect welled up in his eyes.

Then, he solemnly gave Brigade Commander Huang Meixin a military salute. "Brigade Commander, your righteousness is great~~"

"By the way, Jinyuan, this is Boss Lu. He's the one who led me..."

Brigade Commander Huang Meixin opened up and briefly recounted how they had wiped out a Japanese tank company.

He also mentioned the shocking feat of shelling the Japanese Navy Headquarters.

As Xie Jinyuan listened, the shock on his face grew more intense.

He had heard rumors of the things Brigade Commander Huang Meixin was describing.

The matter had even alarmed the Corps Commander, and the entire army was currently verifying the details.

He never expected that such a massive achievement was actually accomplished by a civilian group.

"Boss Lu has achieved an unprecedented feat! I... admire you! I am in total awe!"

"It was just by relying on advanced weapons!" Lu Fan waved his hand dismissively and said, "By the way, I have a batch of arms on hand.

I can spare about two thousand Thompson submachine guns to gift to your unit as a token of support for the resistance,

If you don't mind, send someone to my place in a while to pick them up.

I hope they help the brothers kill a few more Japanese."

"Two... two thousand Thompson submachine guns?!"

Hearing this, Xie Jinyuan was once again enveloped in massive shock.

The Thompson submachine gun was the representative of fierce firepower, an absolute weapon on the battlefield.

This gift was not only a priceless treasure for their regiment but also a supreme sign of trust.

"For such a generous gift, I thank Boss Lu on behalf of all the officers and soldiers of the regiment! This kindness shall be repaid with the blood of the Japanese invaders!"

He gave Lu Fan a solemn military salute.

True to his word, Lu Fan led Xie Jinyuan to the base where the wounded were resting.

After using some tricks to hide the source, he handed over the supplies and saw Xie Jinyuan off.

Afterward, Lu Fan called Bai Jinbiao over to ask about the team members' injuries.

Bai Jinbiao spoke as he handed over a list, his tone steady but carrying a trace of gravity. "It's been tallied. No brothers were killed, but... but 137 are seriously injured and cannot fight in the short term;

155 have moderate injuries and need rest, which will affect their combat effectiveness;

The rest have light injuries and can return to combat after a short rest."

Although there were no fatalities, the nearly fifty percent casualty rate still made Lu Fan frown slightly.

However, before he could speak, the surrounding Security Team Members who were lightly injured or uninjured crowded around.

Especially after hearing their returning comrades excitedly describe the feat of the tank squad slaughtering the enemy and shelling the Japanese Headquarters.

Each of them listened with boiling blood and high morale, their eyes filled with envy, jealousy, and a competitive fire.

"Boss, you guys are too amazing! Take us brothers out for a round of killing too! You can't favor one over the other!"

One team member almost pleaded with his request, which immediately received a response from the other members.

"That's right, Boss! Take us for a round too!"

"Yeah! Besides, we can't give the Japanese a chance to catch their breath!"

"Boss, we've rested enough. Let Captain Li and the others rest, and take us back to kill them!"

"We know how to drive tanks too! We definitely won't embarrass you!"

"Whether we drive tanks or not isn't important, we just want to kill the Japanese!"

Listening to everyone's discussion, Li Zhenshan leaned in toward Lu Fan. "Boss, that Japanese 5th Tank Battalion is just for show.

With our tanks leading the way and the infantry brothers following to clear up, it's the perfect time for a surprise counterattack.

If we do it right, we can take them all out in one go!"

Brigade Commander Huang Meixin and Deng Guang, who had changed into full Security Team gear, also stepped forward to suggest, "Boss Lu, Captain Li is absolutely right.

The enemy has just been defeated, and their command system is damaged. This is the perfect time to expand our gains and deal them a fatal blow.

Our army's morale is high; we should strike while the iron is hot!"

Lu Fan closed his eyes and thought quickly. Just as they said, now was indeed the perfect time for a surprise counterattack.

While they were heatedly discussing the counterattack inside the building...

...outside the warehouse, several military jeeps drove into the base under the cover of night.

The car door opened, and a middle-aged general wearing a woolen military overcoat, with a refined yet majestic face, stepped down.

It was General Zhang Zhizhong, the Garrison Commander of Beijing-Shanghai and the Commander-in-Chief of the 9th Group Army.

Having received Xie Jinyuan's report, Zhang Zhizhong had rushed over, surrounded by adjutants, guards, and several staff officers.

After the sentry at the door reported Zhang Zhizhong's arrival, the atmosphere on the scene instantly became a bit subtle and tense.

Even though the visitor was a theater Commander and a famous general of the resistance...

...out of safety concerns, Lu Fan gave a look signaling the entire Security Team to be on high alert.

He wasn't afraid of what Zhang Zhizhong might do, but rather that the Jinling authorities might have ill intentions toward a wealthy figure like himself.

"Old Huang, Old Li, since someone's here, let's go meet them!" Lu Fan pulled up his mask, hiding his face, and went out to greet them.