Chapter 119 He Yuzhu is the God of Artillery

The biting winter wind was like countless sharp knives, stinging people's faces. It howled across the bare hillsides, whipping up fine snowflakes that stung people's eyes.

On the mountaintop position, the soldiers' lips were purple from the cold, and they were shivering uncontrollably. They were only wearing thin autumn clothes, which were no match for the biting cold.

Many people huddled together, their hands tightly tucked into their chests, their teeth chattering, their hands holding guns so frozen they could barely pull the trigger.

He Yuzhu huddled at the edge of the trench, shivering from the cold. He had lost all feeling in his feet, and each breath he took was accompanied by white vapor. His chest ached from the cold wind.

He glanced around at his comrades, noticing their faces were purple from the cold, and then looked at the enemy corpses lying haphazardly not far away. The corpses were all wrapped in thick cotton-padded clothes, which made him envious.

He gritted his teeth, grabbed the row leader next to him who was rubbing his hands to warm them, and spoke urgently, his voice trembling noticeably:

"Platoon leader, why don't you go and talk to the company commander and tell the comrades to put on their cotton-padded coats? If we keep freezing like this, we'll freeze to death before the enemy even attacks!"

The platoon leader, shivering from the cold and barely able to speak, paused for a moment upon hearing this, then instinctively asked in return:

"Padded coats? Where are we going to find padded coats? We didn't bring enough winter clothes when we set off. Where are we going to find padded coats in this desolate wilderness?"

He Yuzhu raised his hand and pointed directly at the enemy's corpse not far away, his tone resolute:

"Look, there are plenty! The enemy's cotton-padded clothes are very thick; we can just take them off and wear them. Let's get through this cold first!"

The row of leaders looked in the direction he pointed, their eyes flickered, but then they frowned, their faces showing hesitation, and their voices trembled:

"Is this alright? Those are enemy clothes. It's against the rules for us to wear enemy clothes..."

"Rules should be based on whether people are freezing to death!" He Yuzhu said anxiously, reaching out to grab the arm of the platoon leader. His fingertips touched the icy skin, and he pointed at the platoon leader's shivering body, raising his voice.

"Look at you, you're frozen to death! We're all about to freeze to death! The soldiers can barely hold their guns. What will we use to fight when the enemy charges?"

The platoon leader was speechless. Looking at the soldiers beside him, who were almost frozen and unable to fight, he touched his own stiff limbs, gritted his teeth, and made up his mind:

"Okay! I'll go tell them right away! But the company commander's approval alone isn't enough; I need to consult the political instructor!"

After saying that, the platoon leader wrapped his thin autumn clothes tighter around himself, braved the cold wind, and ran quickly toward the location of the company commander and political instructor.

Before long, the company commander's order spread throughout the entire mountaintop position: all soldiers were to change into their own clothes and wear the enemy's cotton-padded uniforms underneath.

They still wore their own military uniforms to maintain the appearance of the troops; the enemy's helmets could be used, but the enemy markings had to be ground off to avoid being accidentally injured.

As soon as the order was given, a long-suppressed cheer erupted from the mountaintop. Hope ignited in the soldiers' eyes, and they disregarded everything else, rushing towards the enemy's corpses to search for suitable cotton-padded clothes.

It wasn't that no one thought of wearing the enemy's cotton-padded clothes to keep warm; it's just that in the army, without orders from superiors, no one dared to make decisions on their own, for fear of violating discipline. Now that there were clear instructions, everyone sprang into action.

The soldiers found suitable cotton-padded clothes, took off their thin autumn clothes, put on the thick enemy cotton-padded clothes underneath, and then put on their own military uniforms.

The original close-fitting autumn clothes were covered with a cotton coat, making everyone's body bulky and somewhat bloated. However, the cold was instantly kept out, and the frozen, stiff body gradually warmed up, and the hands and feet slowly regained feeling.

He Yuzhu followed the others, pretending to pluck a set of cotton clothes from the enemy's corpse, and then found a secluded corner of the trench where few people were around.

After quickly glancing around to make sure no one was paying attention, he had a thought, and the blood-stained, ill-fitting old cotton-padded coat he was holding instantly transformed into a brand-new, identical cotton-padded coat stored in his space.

It wasn't that he disliked the old clothes being dirty; it was just that the battlefield was littered with corpses, making it extremely difficult to find a perfectly fitting cotton-padded coat.

Exchanging clothes with comrades back and forth would take too much time, so it's better to just take out the new clothes prepared in the space. They fit well, are convenient, and won't arouse suspicion from others.

After changing into his cotton-padded coat, He Yuzhu deliberately shouted loudly, his voice carrying throughout the nearby trenches:

"Who hasn't received their down jacket yet? I have a brand new one here, come and get it!"

As soon as he finished speaking, several soldiers who hadn't found suitable cotton-padded clothes and whose faces were turning blue from the cold immediately ran over, thanked He Yuzhu repeatedly, and quickly put on the cotton-padded clothes.

As for the bald eagle military boots left behind by the enemy, the soldiers stepped forward to select them. Those that fit well and were the right size were quickly put on by everyone, since these military boots were more durable and warmer than the cloth shoes in the army.

However, most of the remaining sizes were too big to wear. Even if some soldiers tried to wear them, they were immediately stopped by their platoon leaders. The army often had to march quickly during battles, sometimes covering dozens of miles at a time. If the shoes didn't fit, they would get blisters after a short time. In that case, they wouldn't be able to fight or even walk, and would just be a burden.

He Yuzhu looked at the ill-fitting military boots on the ground, took a step back without making a sound, and, using the trench as cover, took out a pair of old Bald Eagle military boots that he had worn before and quickly put them on.

The new boots absolutely cannot be taken out; they're too conspicuous. Luckily, the warehouse we seized in Tianjin was full of identical Bald Eagle equipment, all of the same style. Taking them out would be perfect for blending in, and no one would notice anything amiss.

After changing into warm cotton clothes and comfortable military boots, He Yuzhu felt completely comfortable, the chill had completely dissipated, and he was full of energy.

Remembering the crucial nature of this operation, he dared not delay and immediately got up and ran towards the command post where the company commander was.

Their makeshift artillery squad only had two mortars, and what they lacked most right now was a professional observer; they needed someone to observe the enemy's movements from a high vantage point.

They need to accurately report the artillery coordinates, otherwise their mortars are just a pile of scrap metal and they can't accurately hit the enemy at all.

In addition to this, He Yuzhu had another problem: he didn't understand flag signals at all. On the battlefield, with artillery fire raging, shouts couldn't travel far. Commands were transmitted entirely by flag signals. Without the cooperation of comrades who understood flag signals, the artillery squad couldn't fight efficiently at all.

He Yuzhu ran to the company commander, stood at attention, and reported loudly:

"Company Commander, our makeshift artillery squad needs an observer to broadcast enemy coordinates in real time. We also need you to send a comrade who understands flag signals to assist us, otherwise we won't be able to fire the artillery smoothly!"

Upon hearing this, the company commander nodded, immediately turned to the political instructor beside him and gave him a few instructions, then said to He Yuzhu, "Don't worry, we'll send someone over to you right away. They'll be skilled in observation and flag signals!"

He Yuzhu quickly thanked him, but when the observer the company commander had mentioned walked up to him, he froze on the spot, his eyes wide with astonishment.

"Instructor, what brings you here?"

The instructor, dressed in a thick cotton-padded coat, looked calm and composed. Seeing He Yuzhu's surprised expression, he couldn't help but smile, raised his hand to pat him on the shoulder, and spoke with a hint of pride:

"Comrade He Yuzhu, why can't it be me? I've specially attended a training course for grassroots armed forces cadres. I've learned a bit about artillery observation and basic artillery firing. I'm perfectly capable of being your observer!"

As he spoke, the instructor raised his hand and pointed to the enemy ambush area at the front of the position. His eyes were sharp, and he accurately reported a series of coordinates. His movements were crisp and efficient, showing that he had received professional training.

He Yuzhu snapped out of his reverie, remembered the crucial question, and quickly spoke again:

"Instructor, do you know flag signals? The gunfire on the battlefield is too loud; shouting alone won't work. We rely entirely on flag signals to transmit orders. If we don't understand flag signals, we won't be able to coordinate!"

"I know some; I can handle simple flag signals without any problem."

The instructor spoke with certainty, and then pulled out two small flags with different colored cloth strips tied to them from his lower back. He flicked his wrist and immediately made a standard flag signal gesture for artillery fire.

After He Yuzhu finished the exercise, the instructor looked at him and saw a strange, hesitant expression on his face. The instructor immediately felt a pang of anxiety and asked anxiously, "What's wrong? Did I do it wrong? Or did I make a mistake somewhere?"

He Yuzhu scratched his head, hesitated for a moment, then steeled himself and looked at the company commander and political instructor, cautiously speaking:

"Um, Company Commander, Political Instructor, how about... you find a comrade who is completely proficient in semaphore to be my ammunition handler?"

Upon hearing this, the company commander and political instructor were taken aback at first, then exchanged a glance and couldn't help but burst into laughter.

They had always thought He Yuzhu was a brave and capable fighter who could cook and find supplies—a true all-around warrior. They never expected that this kid would also have things he didn't know. For a moment, both of them showed a relieved and amused expression, and the tense battlefield atmosphere eased a bit.

The instructor smiled and shook his head, saying, "Don't worry, I have enough flag signals. If all else fails, we have other methods. By the way, your deputy squad leader, Zheng Shuanzi, is an expert in flag signals. If the artillery squad didn't need him as the main gunner, he would be the best observer, and I wouldn't need to go into battle myself."

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu's eyes darted around, then he looked at the instructor and asked again, "Instructor, do you know how to use a mortar?"

"I know how, but I'm not very skilled at operating it. Why are you suddenly asking this?" the instructor asked, looking puzzled.

He Yuzhu immediately said, "Why don't you switch with our deputy squad leader Zheng Shuanzi? You can be the gunner, and the deputy squad leader can be the observer from the high ground. He understands artillery coordination better than me, and he'll be more efficient!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than the instructor's expression changed drastically. His gentle demeanor vanished, replaced by extreme seriousness, and his tone became heavy as he solemnly criticized, "Comrade He Yuzhu, I must seriously criticize you! This kind of thinking is unacceptable! I know what you're thinking. You think artillery observers are high up, highly visible targets, and in the most danger, and you don't want me, the instructor, to take that risk, right?"

The instructor paused, his gaze firm, his tone resounding:

"We are all revolutionary comrades, all fighting to defend our country. There is no distinction between high and low, noble and lowly. We cannot push dangerous positions onto other comrades while hiding in safe places! The more dangerous the post, the more we cadres should be at the forefront!"

The company commander, who was standing nearby, also noticed something amiss. His face darkened, and he immediately gave He Yuzhu a light kick, saying sternly, "Did you hear what the political instructor said? Your thoughts have gone astray! Quickly apologize to the political instructor!"

He Yuzhu's cheeks flushed, realizing that his good intentions had backfired. He quickly stood at attention and respectfully saluted the instructor: "Yes, Instructor! I know I was wrong!"

"Where did you go wrong?" the instructor pressed on, his tone serious, determined to make him recognize his mistake.

He Yuzhu opened his mouth, preparing to seriously reflect on his mistakes, when suddenly the sentry on guard at the very top of the position shouted urgently:

"Company commander! The enemy is coming! A large number of enemy soldiers are charging towards the mountaintop!"

This shout instantly shattered the atmosphere, and everyone's expression turned serious. The company commander immediately turned around, picked up his binoculars, and looked down the mountain. The political instructor also instantly put away his serious expression, turned his head to look at the front line of the position, and prepared for battle.

"The situation is urgent, there's no time to say more. Comrade He Yuzhu, I'll talk to you about your ideological issues after the battle. Now, return to your gun position immediately and prepare for battle!" The instructor ordered He Yuzhu in a stern voice.

"Yes, Instructor!" He Yuzhu didn't dare to delay and immediately responded loudly.

"Alright, hurry up and get to your gun position. Have Zheng Shuanzi keep a close eye on my flag signals and execute the artillery orders precisely! If the shells are not fired accurately and the opportunity is missed, I will still criticize you after the battle!" The instructor reiterated, his tone carrying an unquestionable command.

"Yes, sir! Mission accomplished!"

He Yuzhu responded without daring to say anything more, and turned to run towards the artillery position, looking somewhat like he was fleeing in panic.

He hurried to the artillery position, where the deputy squad leader, Zheng Shuanzi, was squatting beside the mortar, inspecting the shells and the gun barrel. Seeing He Yuzhu rushing over in a panic, he couldn't help but laugh and tease him:

"Pillar, what's the panic? You look like you've lost your soul, did someone step on your tail?"

He Yuzhu caught his breath, and without bothering to joke with him, quickly said:

"Stop joking! The enemy is coming up! Sergeant, the political instructor said you're an expert in flag signals. You need to keep a close eye on the flag signals from the hilltop and accurately report the artillery coordinates—no mistakes allowed!"

Zheng Shuanzi's smile vanished instantly, his expression turning serious. He frowned and asked, "Who's the observer? That position is dangerous. Are their observation skills up to par? Can they pinpoint the coordinates? If not, I'd be safer to go up and be the observer myself!"

"The instructor himself was observing from up there," He Yuzhu said helplessly, shrugging.

"I don't know if it's accurate or not, but I do know that if you dare to go up there, the instructor will definitely yell at you on the spot!"

Zheng Shuanzi was taken aback at first, then suddenly realized what was going on. Looking at He Yuzhu's slightly disheveled appearance, he couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"So you got a lecture from the instructor earlier, huh? No wonder you were running around in such a panic! You weren't this flustered when we were facing the enemy head-on!"

"Alright, alright, stop teasing me. Hurry up and keep your eyes on the mountaintop, don't delay the battle!"

He Yuzhu waved his hand dismissively, said no more, and turned to inspect the mortar.

"Don't worry! I guarantee there won't be any problems!"

Zheng Shuanzi immediately stopped smiling, stood up, and stared intently at the observation point where the instructor was located on the mountaintop, not daring to be careless in the slightest.

Just as the two were ready, a sentry's heart-wrenching shout suddenly rang out from the mountaintop: "Attention! Defence! Enemy artillery fire!"

Before the sentry's shout had even faded, a sharp whooshing sound filled the air as countless enemy shells rained down on the hilltop position.

"Boom boom boom! Boom boom boom!"

Deafening explosions rang out one after another, and the mountaintop was instantly filled with flying earth and rocks, thick smoke, and the trenches were mostly destroyed. Many soldiers who did not have time to take cover were directly engulfed by the artillery fire, which was heartbreaking to see.

The enemy's artillery bombardment continued in waves, lasting for five rounds. The ear-piercing explosions and the soldiers' shouts mingled together, and the entire mountaintop trembled in the artillery fire.

After five rounds of shelling, the artillery fire gradually subsided, and sporadic gunfire rang out from the mountaintop. The sounds of Type 38 rifles and machine guns, including the "rat-a-tat-tat" of the machine guns, were clearly heard coming down the mountain.

It wasn't that the company commander didn't want to equip the soldiers with the newly captured M1 rifles and enemy machine guns; it was simply that the soldiers had never been in contact with these new weapons before, were completely unfamiliar with their performance, and couldn't aim accurately when they held them, thus wasting ammunition. The enemy didn't give them any time to familiarize themselves with the weapons.

The sparse gunfire from the mountaintop meant that the soldiers on guard duty there had suffered heavy casualties. The second platoon leader, lying prone in the trench, listened to the gunfire from the summit. His eyes instantly turned bloodshot, the veins on his hand gripping his gun bulged, and he roared at the top of his lungs:

"Second platoon, follow me! Let's retake the hilltop!"

There were a total of 9 guards on the mountaintop, but after the shelling, there were only 4 sporadic gunshots on the mountaintop.

This means that the other five comrades, even if they did not die on the spot, had lost their fighting ability and were in danger of being annihilated by the enemy at any time.

At the second platoon leader's command, more than ten soldiers from the second platoon on the north slope, their eyes red with fury, roared and charged towards the mountaintop. Instantly, the gunfire on the mountaintop intensified, and the sounds of gunfire and shouts of battle echoed through the valley.

He Yuzhu lay prone on the gun emplacement, his eyes fixed on the mountaintop. Suddenly, he saw a familiar figure carrying a small signal flag. Ignoring the danger, the figure rushed up the mountaintop. It was the instructor who was personally overseeing the observation!

"The instructor has gone up! Deputy squad leader, keep a close eye on the flag signals and prepare for artillery fire!" He Yuzhu immediately shouted in a deep voice.

Zheng Shuanzi's gaze hadn't left the instructor for a moment since the artillery fire ceased. Upon hearing this, he immediately nodded, his eyes sharp.

"Understood! Ready to launch at any time!"

"Yes!" He Yuzhu placed his hands on the mortar, ready to fire.

Soon, the small flag on the mountaintop began to wave. Zheng Shuanzi watched intently, accurately interpreting the flag signals and immediately reporting the coordinates:

"Zhu! 10 meters to the right of center of Red Zone 3, 800 meters away, launch a precision strike!"

"receive!"

He Yuzhu moved swiftly, quickly adjusting the angle and position of the mortar, supporting the gun with one hand and rapidly loading shells with the other, before decisively firing.

"Whoosh!"

The shells flew precisely toward Red Zone 3 with a whooshing sound, and soon after, an explosion was heard in the distance, hitting the area where the enemy troops were gathered.

"Pillar! Central area of ​​Red Zone 2, 750 meters away, launch a precision strike!"

Zheng Shuanzi's voice rang out again, his tone urgent.

He Yuzhu's hands and feet moved swiftly, adjusting the cannon's position, loading, and firing with fluid, effortless movements: "Whoosh!"

The shell hit the target accurately once again, and the instructor on the mountaintop waved his flag, giving a positive instruction.

"Pillar! Red 10, 600 meters away, two mortars, three rapid fires!" Zheng Shuanzi shouted.

After saying that, he quickly ran to another mortar, adjusted its position, and fired in coordination with He Yuzhu.

"Whoosh whoosh!"

"Whoosh whoosh!"

Six shells were fired in succession, exploding among the enemy troops and instantly suppressing their offensive momentum.

"Zhu Zi! The political instructor sent a signal, praising our artillery for its accuracy and intensity, saying we've thoroughly suppressed the enemy!"

Zheng Shuanzi saw the flag signal again and excitedly shouted to He Yuzhu.

A hint of joy appeared on He Yuzhu's face, but he didn't get distracted. He shouted in a deep voice, "Don't let your guard down! Next coordinates! Keep fighting!"

"Wait! The instructor has given orders to conserve our ammunition and temporarily halt the shelling!"

Zheng Shuanzi quickly replied, his tone full of helplessness.

The artillery crew didn't carry much to begin with, and the first two rounds of firing had already used up nearly half of it. If they continued firing blindly, they would have no firepower to support the subsequent battle.

"Sigh, if we had enough shells, we could just blast the enemy down the mountain to smithereens!"

Upon hearing this, the soldier responsible for transporting the shells couldn't help but sigh in frustration.

"That's right, these shells are too precious, it's only right to use them sparingly!" another soldier chimed in.

He Yuzhu looked at the soldiers beside him, then glanced at the captured enemy weapons piled up on the battlefield, and immediately spoke:

"Don't sit still, and don't be discouraged! I'll teach you how to use the M1 Garand rifle now. There are too many enemies, and our own ammunition isn't enough. Sooner or later we'll have to use these captured weapons! Deputy squad leader, you keep a close eye on the political instructor's flag signals!"

"Huh? Comrade He Yuzhu, you even know how to use one of those big-nosed guns?"

A soldier named Wang Erniu spoke with a face full of doubt. In his eyes, this foreign gun had a complex structure and was not easy to learn.

He Yuzhu didn't offer much explanation, his tone resolute:

"Watch closely, don't question it! The enemy is about to launch a new attack, and our ammunition will soon run out. Learn to use the enemy's weapons to survive on the battlefield!"

As he spoke, he picked up an M1 Garand rifle that had been prepared in advance and whose magazine was empty. He skillfully pulled the bolt with both hands to demonstrate the loading action. His movements were smooth and natural, showing that he was extremely familiar with the process.

"Did you all see clearly?" He Yuzhu looked up at the crowd.

"This doesn't look difficult at all!" Wang Erniu said, pursing his lips with a dismissive expression.

"Don't talk nonsense! Didn't you see how powerful this gun's bolt is? If you don't operate it properly, it can crush your fingers!"

The veteran next to him immediately reprimanded him sternly, fearing that he might get hurt due to carelessness.

Wang Erniu stuck out his tongue, watching He Yuzhu's skillful movements, and no longer dared to underestimate him. He quickly said, "Comrade He Yuzhu, I was wrong! I'll learn, I'll learn carefully, could you teach me again?"

He Yuzhu didn't mind. He looked around to make sure everyone was listening attentively, then picked up an M1 rifle and demonstrated the loading process again, explaining as he went:

"This gun has a magazine that holds eight rounds, and its rate of fire is faster than our Type 38 rifle, and its firepower is also sufficient. However, it has a critical flaw—it cannot be reloaded mid-fire. You must wait until all eight rounds in the magazine are fired before you can reload. You must remember this!"

He paused, his tone becoming more serious, his expression grave:

"This is no joke; these are things that could save your lives on the battlefield. Remember them all!"

"Yes, Deputy Squad Leader Zheng! We've got it!"

The soldiers responded in unison. Zheng Shuanzi kept a close eye on the flag signals on the mountaintop while also paying attention to the teaching on this side, occasionally offering reminders to ensure that everyone absorbed the information.

He Yuzhu continued pointing to the rifle parts, explaining in detail:

"This is the front sight, this is the rear sight. The aiming method is similar to our Type 38 rifle, the operating logic is the same. And this is the safety. Keep it closed normally to prevent accidental discharge. Open it only during combat. Remember all of that!"

"Have you all memorized it? Why don't you explain it again in detail, Zhu Zi, to make sure everyone has learned it!" Zheng Shuanzi said from the side.

"Okay, I'll say it again!"

He Yuzhu patiently explained the operating procedures and precautions again to ensure that every soldier understood and learned them.

After teaching the M1 rifle, He Yuzhu picked up an M1911A1 pistol and continued to explain to the soldiers how to use it, the reloading process, and precautions.

The soldier next to him looked puzzled and couldn't help but ask, "Comrade He Yuzhu, we infantrymen don't use pistols, so why are we being taught this?"

He Yuzhu spoke earnestly:

"Pistols are the standard secondary weapon for enemy artillery. We're an artillery squad, so in close combat, pistols are our second weapon. They can save our lives in critical moments, so we must learn to use them!"

"Yes!" This time, without Zheng Shuanzi's prompting, the soldiers all responded in unison, their eyes focused.

No one would be unwilling to learn another skill to save their life, and He Yuzhu's actions gradually earned him prestige in the artillery squad, and the people looked at him with more respect.

Just then, Zheng Shuanzi suddenly turned to He Yuzhu and asked, "Yuzhu, do you know how to use the enemy's light and heavy machine guns?"

He Yuzhu pondered for a moment, then spoke confidently:

"It shouldn't be a problem. The operating principles of firearms are all the same; you can get the hang of them after a little study. We're currently lacking heavy firepower, and these machine guns will come in handy!"

Zheng Shuanzi's eyes lit up, and he immediately turned to Wang Erniu and gave the order:

"Wang Erniu, go and call the platoon leader and squad leader here immediately, and also bring over all the machine gunners in the platoon, and move all the captured enemy light and heavy machine guns over here!"

"Yes!" Wang Erniu didn't dare to delay and ran towards a row of positions.

Before long, the platoon leader led nearly ten soldiers, carrying two captured enemy light and heavy machine guns, and ran over quickly. Behind them were the machine gunners of the third platoon. It turned out that the company commander had heard that He Yuzhu knew how to operate enemy machine guns, so he immediately ordered the machine gunners of the third platoon to come and learn as well, so as to make the most of the captured weapons.

Once everyone had arrived, He Yuzhu took the M1918A2 Browning automatic rifle and the M1919A4 heavy machine gun, fiddled with them briefly to familiarize himself with their structure, and then began on-site instruction.

He explained everything from how to load ammunition quickly, how to replace an overheated barrel, and how to cool it down with water, to safety switches, bracket adjustments, and fire suppression techniques, in great detail and with clear logic.

The artillerymen had already witnessed He Yuzhu's skills and were not surprised; but the machine gunners of the first and third platoons stared wide-eyed at He Yuzhu with shock, as if they were looking at a monster—they had never even touched these foreign machine guns before, yet He Yuzhu could operate them skillfully and teach them accurately, which was simply unbelievable.

Even though they were shocked, no one asked why. On the battlefield, learning survival skills and improving the unit's firepower were more important than anything else. No one would be foolish enough to spoil the fun.

After He Yuzhu finished explaining all the operational techniques, the platoon leader stepped forward, patted him hard on the shoulder, and said loudly with admiration, "Good lad! You've done another great service! You've taught our machine gunners how to use the enemy's heavy firepower, which greatly increases our chances of winning this battle!"

He Yuzhu stood at attention, his tone sincere:

"Platoon leader, this is what I should do. It's all for winning the battle and to reduce the bloodshed of our comrades!"

"Well said! Comrades, it's time we let the enemy taste the flavor of their own homemade weapons! Follow me!"

With a wave of his hand, the platoon leader led his newly trained machine gunners, carrying enemy light and heavy machine guns, to their respective combat posts, ready to deliver a crushing blow to the enemy.

Everyone else left, but Squad Leader Hu Sanxi deliberately slowed down, lagging behind. He walked to Zheng Shuanzi's side, lowered his voice, and spoke with utmost seriousness and unwavering determination:

"Shuanzi, you keep a close eye on this kid. Even if something happens to you, he can't be harmed! Our unit can't lose a good soldier like him!"

Zheng Shuanzi's expression hardened, and he nodded solemnly, replying in a deep voice, "Don't worry, squad leader! I'll protect Zhuzi with my life!"

The two exchanged a glance, and without saying a word, they both understood each other's feelings.

Just then, the gunfire on the mountaintop became sparse again, and the sound of shells whistling through the air came from the sky again. The enemy's second round of artillery bombardment was about to begin!

After the artillery fire subsided, the soldiers of the third platoon were ordered to rush up the mountain and take over the defense from the second platoon.

This time, the gunfire coming from the mountaintop had two distinct sounds—"rat-a-tat-tat" and "rat-a-tat-tat"—the Browning automatic rifle and M1 heavy machine gun that He Yuzhu had just taught the soldiers to use!

The company was already lacking in heavy firepower. The three machine guns on the mountaintop were transferred from the first platoon. The machine gunners of the first platoon were upset about this. It wasn't that they were reluctant to part with their guns, but soldiers have a duty to defend their territory. They felt frustrated because they didn't have the opportunity to rush to the front line to kill the enemy.

Now, the machine gunner was excitedly fiddling with his Browning automatic rifle, his face beaming with satisfaction.

Although veteran Feng Erkui did not change his rifle, his eyes were fixed on the M1 heavy machine gun. He secretly planned that after this battle, he would definitely switch to a powerful heavy machine gun and upgrade from a slingshot to a cannon!

At the same time, the artillery platoon also received flag signal instructions from the political instructor.

Artillery fire covered the 500-meter line on the south slope to block the enemy's advancing troops!

Zheng Shuanzi looked at the limited number of shells, gritted his teeth, and didn't dare let He Yuzhu fire more. He precisely controlled the number of shells fired, and only ten shells were fired in two rounds.

The entire artillery crew only had fifty shells, and nearly half of them were used up in two rounds. The rest had to be saved for the most critical moment to be of maximum use.

The enemy's second attack was met with fierce resistance from our light and heavy firepower, forcing them to retreat in disarray once again. However, only seven or eight soldiers remained on the mountaintop. Apart from the observation post that remained to hold the position, nearly half of the soldiers in the third platoon were left on the mountaintop forever.

The atmosphere on the position instantly became heavy, and everyone was immersed in grief over the loss of their comrades, but the enemy would not give them any time to grieve.

Soon, the third round of shelling came. He Yuzhu had been practicing martial arts for many years and had a keen ear. As soon as he heard the sound of shells cutting through the air, his expression changed drastically. This time, the sharp whistling sound of the shells cutting through the air was several times louder than before, and the power was far greater than before!

"It's heavy artillery! Everyone, take cover and be careful!" He Yuzhu shouted at the top of his lungs, warning his fellow artillerymen.

But his shouts were instantly drowned out by the deafening roar of explosions. Enemy heavy artillery shells rained down in droves, far more powerful than the ordinary shells that had been fired before.

When two heavy shells landed only twenty or thirty meters away from the artillery position, creating huge craters, He Yuzhu's heart sank. He instantly realized that their temporary artillery position had been targeted by the enemy's artillery!

Not only him, but Zheng Shuanzi also reacted instantly. The two exchanged a glance and almost simultaneously shouted at the top of their lungs, "Quick! Take the mortar and the remaining shells and retreat down the mountain immediately! It'll be too late if we wait any longer!"

Upon hearing this, the artillerymen didn't dare to delay. They hurriedly shouldered their rifles, picked up their ammunition boxes, and followed the two men down the mountain.

He Yuzhu was incredibly strong. He picked up a mortar in each hand, slung it over his shoulder, and turned to run down the mountain. Zheng Shuanzi followed closely behind, grabbing the guns that He Yuzhu hadn't had time to take with him.

As if being chased, everyone ran desperately down the mountain. The downhill path was easier to walk, but many soldiers ran too fast and slipped, simply sitting down on the hillside and sliding down, just hoping to escape this death trap as quickly as possible.

They had only run about thirty meters when a deafening explosion came from behind them—the artillery position they had just been in had been hit by no less than five heavy shells, and the entire position was instantly blown to rubble, with earth and rocks flying everywhere, thick smoke billowing, and even the trenches were no longer visible.

Everyone broke out in a cold sweat. If they had run a second later, they would have been blown to pieces by now. It was only because they were running downhill and were fast that they managed to escape.

The company commander and political instructor on the mountaintop were terrified when they saw this scene. Looking at the artillery position with several large craters blown out, their faces turned pale and filled with sorrow.

This small artillery squad, with only two mortars, is the core firepower support of the entire company. He Yuzhu's artillery fire is both fast and accurate.

Without their artillery support, the enemy's second wave of attacks would have already reached the top of the mountain. The artillery platoon is the reason they can hold their ground!

When the artillery fire stopped and the smoke gradually dissipated, the company commander and political instructor saw through the smoke the artillery crew fleeing in disarray on the hillside, yet unharmed. Their hearts finally settled down, and everyone breathed a long sigh of relief, their faces showing smiles of relief after surviving a disaster.

These guys reacted too quickly and ran away too timely. If they had been hit by heavy artillery, they would have been dead for sure, and the company would have completely lost its firepower support!

He Yuzhu carried two mortars and ran all the way to a safe area before stopping, putting down the mortars, and panting heavily.

Zheng Shuanzi was also exhausted. Bent over, hands on his knees, panting heavily, he looked at He Yuzhu with admiration: "Huff huff huff... Zhuzi, you can really run! Carrying two such heavy cannons, you can still run so fast!"

He Yuzhu wiped the sweat from his brow and replied irritably, "If you want to stay put and get bombed, you can run slower next time. Nobody's stopping you!"

"Get lost! You're the one who wants to get bombed!"

Zheng Shuanzi straightened up, looked at He Yuzhu's relaxed appearance, and then at the mortar on the ground, and couldn't help but marvel.

"But you're really strong! Those two iron lumps must weigh at least a hundred pounds, but they're like nothing in your hands. That's terrifying!"

He Yuzhu chuckled, a hint of smugness in his voice: "Hehe, that's right, I've practiced martial arts since I was a child, my strength is much greater than the average person!"

"Really? What school of kung fu is it? Let's have a proper match after the battle!"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Shuanzi immediately became interested, and his eyes lit up.

He Yuzhu was taken aback upon hearing this, then smiled and waved his hand:

"Huh? What about schools? What era are we living in? It's a family tradition, Monkey Tongbei Fist, and I also know a bit of Bajiquan. What? Vice class monitor, you've practiced that too?"

"Of course! My hometown is Cangzhou. I learned a few skills from my elders when I was young, so I know a little bit!"

Zheng Shuanzi said with a smile that the two instantly closed the distance between them when they talked about martial arts, and the danger from before dissipated a lot.

He Yuzhu nodded, his smile fading as he looked around, his tone serious:

"We'll have another discussion after the battle is over! Right now, the most urgent task is to find new artillery positions. The enemy will launch a new offensive soon, and we can't afford to be without artillery support!"

Zheng Shuanzi immediately snapped out of his daze, his playful expression vanishing, and asked, "How's it going? Have you chosen a new place yet?"

"Yes, I've already spotted it! That spot is close to the eastern slope, well-hidden, and shielded by the hillside. It can withstand at least two rounds of heavy artillery bombardment from the enemy, making it an excellent artillery position!"

He Yuzhu raised his hand and pointed to the location of Dongpo not far away, his tone resolute.

"Alright! Don't delay any longer, the enemy will be here soon, let's move quickly!" Zheng Shuanzi straightened up and waved to the soldiers behind him who were catching their breath.

"Walk!"

He Yuzhu said no more, bent down and picked up the mortar again, took big strides and ran quickly toward the new artillery position.

Behind them, the artillerymen, carrying shells and weapons, followed closely behind, heading to a new battlefield, ready to deliver another fatal blow to the enemy!