Chapter 209: Brigade Commander Pulls A Long Face Again
386 Brigade Headquarters
“Brigade Commander, 771 Regiment reports that the blocked Japanese Army troops have all given up reinforcing 120 Division.”
A staff officer came before the brigade commander and reported to him: “771 Regiment is asking for instructions: can they withdraw now?”
The brigade commander looked up at the sky and said: “It’s dawn. The Japanese aircraft will come out again, right?”
“Border Region Arsenal sent a message that five carriages of tungsten ore have been secured.” The staff officer nodded and said: “Losing five carriages of tungsten ore, the Japanese aircraft will definitely come out searching frantically. The reason they haven’t appeared over our heads yet is surely because they’re searching elsewhere.”
The brigade commander continued: “If these Japanese aircraft can’t find the lost tungsten ore, they’ll definitely vent their rage on the ground troops, so…”
The brigade commander paused and said: “So still let 771 Regiment withdraw, along with the district squad, county brigade, and others—all withdraw.”
“Brigade Commander, withdrawing like this is still a bit of a pity.” The staff officer said, “If we can hold back these Japanese reinforcements, when Li Yunlong and the others return, we can take the opportunity to remove the strongholds.”
With these reinforcements out, the strongholds are as good as defenseless—it’s the perfect chance to remove them.
“No problem.” The brigade commander was very calm. “These reinforcement troops have suffered heavy losses. Even if they return to the strongholds, the garrison strength there will be greatly reduced. Tonight, just let Li Yunlong and the others go do the task.”
At night, these Japanese aircraft can’t come out, and we’ll still let Li Yunlong go do the task.
With the Hell Cannon and Type 92 Infantry Gun, the defenses of those strongholds are just for show.
Besides, Li Yunlong and the others were busy all night and need to sleep and rest during the day.
“That’s true.” The staff officer nodded and went to relay the brigade commander’s orders.
The brigade commander yawned and looked up at the horizon again.
The little Japanese aircraft still hadn’t appeared.
“The Japanese frontline is stretched too thin. The warfare in other sectors is in full swing, urgently needing air support. Even if the aircraft come out, their numbers will definitely be very few.” The brigade commander muttered to himself.
The brigade commander thought the Japanese didn’t come because they didn’t have enough aircraft.
In reality, not a single Japanese aircraft had come out.
The Japanese small squad was now leading military dogs to track by scent.
“Report to the brigade commander, Regiment Commander Li and Regimental Commander Ding have returned.” At this moment, someone came to report to the brigade commander.
“This bastard Li Yunlong has finally returned.” The brigade commander’s face quickly darkened. “Tell him to roll over here right away.”
“Yes.”
Soon, Li Yunlong and Ding Wei quickly stood before the brigade commander and saluted him:
“Brigade Commander.”
“Brigade Commander.”
The brigade commander glared at Li Yunlong right away: “I sent you three out earlier—why have only you two come back? Where’s 772 Regiment? No sign of them?”
Li Yunlong smiled and explained: “Brigade Commander, Cheng Xiazi went with Gao Liujin to Yuehua Station to loot things. He’s behind us.”
Immediately after, Li Yunlong grinned cheekily and said: “Brigade Commander, you’ve heard, right? Gao Liujin looted another Japanese military train. This guy’s luck is really too good—that military train had five carriages full of tungsten ore. Old Ding, Cheng Xiazi, and I went to help Gao Liujin snatch all five carriages of tungsten ore back. Factory Director Li at the arsenal said this tungsten ore is more valuable than sugar. Brigade Commander, this time we’ve really brought you great honor. Just wait for commendation from headquarters leaders.”
“Yeah, you son of a bitch have indeed brought honor to me!” The brigade commander also knew the significance of the five carriages of tungsten ore. With Li Yunlong’s successful action, headquarters’ commendation would surely come soon. The brigade commander first smiled, then his expression turned stern as he cursed: “Li Yunlong, such important intelligence about five carriages of tungsten ore, and you didn’t send someone to report to me in advance? Believe it or not, I’ll tear you apart right now!”
Immediately after, the brigade commander roared at Ding Wei too: “And you, Ding Wei—I sent you with Li Yunlong to keep an eye on him. For something as important as five carriages of tungsten ore, this son of a bitch Li Yunlong doesn’t report it, and you don’t either?”
Ding Wei explained: “Brigade Commander, when I learned that Gao Liujin and Li Yunlong had informed logistics about this, I judged that logistics would immediately report to headquarters, and headquarters would notify you right away. So I didn’t send anyone back to brigade headquarters then, because my people definitely wouldn’t be as efficient as headquarters.”
“Mm, your judgment like that is fine.” The brigade commander acknowledged.
Ding Wei had considered the matter so thoroughly—indeed no need to send anyone.
Because logistics notifying headquarters, then headquarters notifying the brigade commander, was more efficient.
Ding Wei said seriously: “Brigade Commander, Li Yunlong and I fought to Heyuan County Town but didn’t take out that bastard Sato Jino. Do you know this little Japanese’s whereabouts now? If you do, I won’t sleep—even risking Japanese aircraft bombing, I’ll go take him out first.”
Li Yunlong chimed in: “Brigade Commander, this little Japanese Sato Jino is really too dangerous. We must take him out at top speed.”
Hearing this, the brigade commander sensed something in their words and asked suspiciously: “What’s going on? What has this little Japanese Sato Jino done now?”
Li Yunlong immediately cursed: “This little Japanese had people sprinkle special powder in the tungsten ore, then planned to track our arsenal using military dogs by scent. Luckily Old Ding spotted this conspiracy in time, or else our Border Region Arsenal would have been found by the Japanese.”
Hearing this, the brigade commander’s expression immediately became extremely grave, and he glanced at Ding Wei again.
He thought to himself: Luckily I sent Ding Wei along.
Otherwise, this son of a bitch Li Yunlong and Gao Liujin would have made such a huge mistake.
Even with ten heads each, it wouldn’t be enough to execute them.
Sprinkling special powder, then leading military dogs to track by scent—this move sent chills down the spine.
Sato Jino, deputy minister of the Japanese gendarmerie, was indeed no ordinary man.
The brigade commander immediately said gravely to Li Yunlong: “From now on, no matter what you son of a bitch go out to do, take Ding Wei with you—got it!”
“No problem with that.” Li Yunlong didn’t mind at all. This scheming advisor Ding Wei partnering with us Old Li for tasks was perfect.
Besides, one more Ding Wei meant one more regiment.
More troops meant a bigger pot—when acting, we could cook more rice.
Li Yunlong then still asked: “Brigade Commander, have you grasped Sato Jino’s movements now?”
“Next, I’ll focus on collecting intelligence on Sato Jino.” The brigade commander nodded emphatically.
This meant the brigade commander still didn’t know where Sato Jino was.
Hearing this, Li Yunlong said: “Brigade Commander, actually I have a way?”
“What way?” The brigade commander looked at him.
“Since the little Japanese aircraft are out, I’ll rest during the day and specifically work at night.” Li Yunlong said, “I’ll blanket all their county towns, strongholds, and such with our operations. I don’t believe we can’t sift out this little Japanese Sato Jino.”
“I’m afraid the Japanese won’t give us that much time.” The brigade commander didn’t refuse but analyzed: “The Japanese lost five carriages of tungsten ore—not a small amount. If their aircraft can’t find it, they’ll quickly draw troops from elsewhere and launch a major encirclement and suppression against us. Our most important task now is actually to prepare for evacuation in advance.”
“Before, we prepared evacuation in advance because our equipment wasn’t up to it.” Li Yunlong said arrogantly, “Now our equipment is good—what evacuation? If the little Japanese dare approach our base area, watch me beat the shit out of them!”
The brigade commander said seriously: “Look at you, Li Yunlong, so capable. Your equipment is good, but what about other units? If you alone can beat a Japanese battalion, can you beat a regiment? Can you beat a brigade?”
The brigade commander continued: “If I’m not wrong, the Japanese troops for this encirclement and suppression might well number tens of thousands. You Li Yunlong are so tough—if you can eliminate tens of thousands of Japanese for me, no problem, you can take my position as brigade commander.”
“Heh, Brigade Commander, you’re just teasing me. How dare I sit in your seat?” Li Yunlong’s expression immediately became awkward.
Our Old Li’s equipment is tougher now, but we still have self-awareness—not arrogant enough to take on tens of thousands of Japanese.
“Weren’t you so tough, beating the shit out of little Japanese? Now you’re chickening out on me!” The brigade commander cursed again and said, “This little Japanese Sato Jino is indeed very insidious and dangerous. I’ll hurry to collect intelligence on him and won’t let him live long. As for you Li Yunlong and Ding Wei going out at night, still be careful—Sato Jino might sprinkle special powder on supplies in the strongholds and track with military dogs.”
“Easy to handle. When we capture supplies, I’ll hide them outside for two days—no problem—then bring them back.” Li Yunlong said smoothly.
Ding Wei was a bit regretful: “Too bad, the military dog pups we brought back are still too young. Logistics hasn’t started training them yet. Otherwise, with military dogs for scent tracking and identification, we wouldn’t have to go to such trouble.”
“Alright, you two have worked hard. Go back and rest quickly.” The brigade commander waved his hand, letting the two withdraw to rest.
Your tungsten ore looting delayed the horse feed looting and railway dismantling tasks.
Tonight, you’ll have to make it up.
As for the military dogs, no way around it—can’t rush it.
Li Yunlong and Ding Wei hadn’t stepped away when Li Yunlong continued: “Brigade Commander, we went to the Border Region Arsenal and talked with Younger Brother Li. He said he’s developing cannonballs that don’t need a cannon barrel to fire. From the Cuicun Arsenal management personnel’s mouths, if we can get the location of the Japanese next large arsenal, that large arsenal might have the equipment Younger Brother Li needs. Brigade Commander, it’s not me urging you—this is Younger Brother Li urging you. How’s it going on your end?”
“Aren’t I working on it? Rushing won’t help.” The brigade commander’s expression was grave. These Cuicun Arsenal management personnel had fallen into his hands, but headquarters intelligence department had already called.
If the brigade commander couldn’t make breakthrough progress, the people would be transferred to headquarters intelligence department.
The brigade commander was anxious too—we’re from intelligence background after all. No breakthrough in interrogation affects my reputation.
These Japanese management personnel are really stubborn—truly need some time.
Hearing this, Li Yunlong said directly: “Brigade Commander, I think we should still do it my way: drag these bastards out, put a large blade to their necks, and see if they still play dumb…”
Before Li Yunlong finished, the brigade commander interrupted: “Shut up! If interrogating intelligence were that simple, why set up an intelligence department!”
You really think all these captives fear death?
Japanese Bushido spirit brainwashing is no joke.
If we do it your way, we’d execute the management personnel without getting anything—that’s total failure.
“Old Li, better not throw out bad ideas.”
Ding Wei said this to Li Yunlong, then turned to the brigade commander: “Brigade Commander, you’re the professional on interrogation—we won’t say more. Factory Director Li has a new instruction.
