At 7:40 AM on October 10th, Colonel Shimizu led his regiment sprinting along the road. Ahead lay his destination, a small highland known as Songgu Peak. Controlling this point would secure the division's retreat route.

However, Colonel Shimizu found it hard to accept that they needed to secure a retreat route so soon. The Northeast Army's southward invasion of Korea was well-prepared, with a large number of artillery pieces. But the division had constructed positions on high ground, so how could they be defeated so quickly?

So Shimizu urged his troops to march faster. Once they reached Songgu Peak and established positions, he could lead at least half his troops back to the front line.

With about 3 kilometers remaining to Songgu Peak, a scout hurriedly ran up to the Colonel. "Report, Colonel! We've spotted a Northeast Army unit emerging from the mountain col."

In fact, Colonel Shimizu, on horseback, had already seen them without the scout's report. The Northeast Army's service uniforms were truly handsome. Shimizu had never said it aloud, but he harbored some envy in his heart.

However, the Northeast Army was willing to spend heavily on military construction. For combat training and operations, they were equipped with field uniforms. These uniforms were made of sturdy fabric, but their appearance was less than flattering. They looked somewhat like flour sacks.

The 'flour sack' unit in the distance appeared to be about a battalion in strength. Seeing the Japanese troops about a kilometer away, they paused briefly before immediately advancing towards Songgu Peak. With so many 'flour sacks' moving together, it was impossible to distinguish officers from soldiers.

Shimizu immediately understood: the enemy's target was also Songgu Peak. If the Northeast Army occupied this spot, the Japanese Army's rear route would be completely cut off.

Slapping his horse, Shimizu shouted, "All units, double time! We must occupy Songgu Peak before the Northeast Army!"

Two forces, one objective.

Japanese soldiers wearing cloth shoes and puttees, and Japanese officers in leather boots, ran with all their might.

The Northeast Army troops, uniformly wearing rubber-soled cowhide half-boots, were also running at full speed.

There was an elevation difference between the two armies. The Japanese were on a road situated higher up, while the Northeast Army was on a lower path that also led directly to Songgu Peak.

Even so, Colonel Shimizu discovered that the Northeast Army's movement speed actually exceeded that of the Japanese. Those Northeast Army soldiers, far taller than the Japanese, had long legs and ample strength. They ran as if flying along the uneven path, displaying incredible endurance. The Japanese had run a kilometer, but the Northeast Army seemed to have covered 1.2 kilometers.

"Cavalry unit, advance!" Shimizu ordered.

The dozens of cavalrymen in the regiment accelerated, intending to reach Songgu Peak first to establish a position and buy time for the Shimizu Regiment.

Two kilometers passed, and the Northeast Army had outpaced the Japanese even further. The Northeast Army's vanguard was already charging up the Songgu Peak highland, only a few hundred meters away.

Gunfire erupted; the cavalry must have engaged the Northeast Army. But before long, the surviving Japanese cavalry retreated amidst the intense gunfire. Regimental Commander Shimizu had no desire to blame the cavalry at this moment; against such dense gunfire, even infantry couldn't have held.

Since the Northeast Army had already seized Songgu Peak, the Shimizu Regiment immediately prepared for an attack. Although called Songgu Peak, the Northeast Army had occupied a small highland by the roadside; the true peak was over a kilometer away from the road.

Arriving here was the 1st Battalion, 3rd Regiment, 1st Division of the 33rd Army. Battalion Commander Li Hongxin led his troops to arrive first, repelled the Japanese cavalry, and immediately began assigning tasks.

If a regiment-sized force had arrived, they could have constructed very complete positions in this area, but Li Hongxin only had one battalion. "1st Company Commander, go to the highland by the road and deploy," ordered Li Hongxin.

The 1st Company Commander left to execute the order. Li Hongxin realized that his unit, whether in terms of manpower or carried ammunition, was insufficient to build complete defensive works. They could only deploy on two highlands that could support each other.

In the distance, a full Northeast Army infantry battalion would number around 600 men. As a penetrating force this time, only about 300 combat troops were present, and they only had one mortar platoon. The opposing Japanese force numbered at least over a thousand, perhaps even two thousand.

*Am I going to die here?* The thought arose involuntarily.

Li Hongxin quickly shook his head, casting the thought aside. Li Hongxin was from Shanxi. He had fled to the Northeast during a famine six years ago. Back then, his name was still Li Ergou. The name Li Ergou was neither rare in the countryside nor intended as an insult. For children of poor families, a humble name was thought to make them easier to raise.

When he first joined the Northeast Army, it was when Li Hongxin's family underwent household registration after working on a farm. The administrator told the Li family of seven, "Those in your family without formal names need to choose one, men and women alike. 'Ergou' cannot serve as a formal name; it's disrespectful to the person."

That day, Li Hongxin learned for the first time that a name represents respect. And this respect was a blessing from parents to their newborn child.

Later, during cultural classes, the teacher spoke about the blessings contained in Chinese names. Only then did Li Hongxin realize that 'Li Ergou' was also a blessing—a humble blessing from the poor, hoping for survival.

In his six years in the Northeast, Li Hongxin's view of life had changed completely. In the Northeast, ordinary people, even the formerly poor, could live with dignity, and live increasingly better lives. So Li Hongxin worked very enthusiastically on the farm, became a militiaman, then a militia captain. When the recruitment office asked if Li Hongxin was willing to join the army to protect the current fruits of the revolution, Li Hongxin agreed without hesitation.

What surprised Li Hongxin was that the Northeast Army wasn't just about "being a soldier to eat grain." The recruitment staff clearly explained the domestic and foreign hostile forces facing the Northeast Government and solemnly told Li Hongxin, "If you join the army, it is very likely you will have to fight these domestic and foreign enemies. Do you understand?"

That was the first time Li Hongxin knew that becoming a Northeast Army soldier wasn't about selling his life to Chairman He, but to protect the fruits of the revolution and fight against foreign armies that might attack the Northeast Government and bully the Chinese people. He still agreed.

This understanding wasn't just made clear during recruitment. After Li Hongxin joined the army, the situation analyses in political classes, national condition classes, and military classes all discussed these things.

The Northeast Army was an armed force led by the Civilization Party, the sons and brothers of the Northeast people and the Chinese people. The purpose of war was to protect the people, and the objects of war were those real, existing armies.

From soldier to NCO, from NCO to officer, a few years passed in a flash.

Now, just as taught in those classes over the years, Li Hongxin had finally encountered one of those real enemies head-on: the Japanese Army.

"Quick, contact the rear units, bring the mortars up as soon as possible!" Li Hongxin ordered the troops to dig fortifications while telling the communicator to urge the supply units lagging behind.

Turning his head, Li Hongxin ordered the telegraph operator: "Send a message. 1st Battalion, 3rd Regiment, 1st Division reports to Division HQ. My battalion has reached the foot of Songgu Peak and encountered a Japanese force of at least a battalion or more in strength. My unit will defend the Songgu Peak position to the death and will absolutely not let the Japanese occupy it!"

The telegraph operator had already warmed up the machine and immediately sent the telegram.

Opposite them, Regimental Commander Shimizu watched the Northeast Army's actions, feeling a strong sense of unease.

From just a brief observation, Commander Shimizu understood that the enemy was a well-trained unit with high morale and firm combat will.

Facing a Japanese force with absolute numerical superiority, this opposing unit of about three hundred men did not choose safe harassment attacks from the flank, but bravely seized the strategic point. If he wanted to annihilate the Northeast Army opposite him, a fierce battle would undoubtedly erupt. Commander Shimizu realized that the opponent had already decided to fight.