Chapter 162: What To Do When The Brigade Commander Congratulates You On Getting Rich Again?
Li Yunlong came alone to see Chu Yunfei. Ding Wei and Kong Jie had already taken the troops to circle behind the Japanese invaders to make preparations.
Li Yunlong saw Chu Yunfei come out looking haggard and immediately said admiringly, “Brother Chu, you’re really something. The Japanese invaders have a cavalry regiment, a mechanized regiment, and two infantry battalions all attacking you together for days, yet you held the position.”
“Brother Yunlong, don’t make fun of me.” Chu Yunfei looked ashamed. “You saw it yourself. The Japanese invaders have taken half of my defense zone. I’m worried if I can hold on any longer.”
“Hehe.” Li Yunlong chuckled. “Brother Chu, even now you’re still holding on. You must have figured out that the Japanese invaders are running low on ammunition and supplies. You’re competing with them to see who lasts longer. I think in the end, Brother Chu, you’ll be the one laughing last.”
“I hope so.” Chu Yunfei nodded, looking at Li Yunlong. “Brother Yunlong, you came to my side to talk about the Hell Cannon, right? Brother, you didn’t play fair on this. The Hell Cannon itself isn’t valuable. The real value is in the shells. Did you come to send shells to my side?”
“Brother Yunfei, that’s not reasonable.” Li Yunlong said seriously. “Back then, your side wanted to buy the Hell Cannon and didn’t mention buying shells. Our logistics sold you genuine Hell Cannons, and you said, is this Hell Cannon fake?”
“The Hell Cannon is real, but we still need to buy shells now.” Chu Yunfei said.
“You negotiated that business with our logistics back then. If you want to buy shells, go talk to our logistics.” Li Yunlong threw the responsibility to Zhang Wanhe. “I wouldn’t dare sell even one shell from my stock. The brigade commander strictly ordered that selling arms privately means facing a military court. Brother Yunfei, don’t put me in a tough spot. If you want to pressure someone, pressure our logistics.”
“Brother Yunlong, forget it. Let’s not talk about the business for now.” Chu Yunfei knew it was probably impossible to buy Hell Cannon shells, so he dropped the topic and looked at Li Yunlong. “Brother Yunlong, you didn’t come here today just to see me make a fool of myself, did you?”
“No, no, how could I dare come to laugh at Brother Chu?” Li Yunlong denied quickly, then said seriously, “I saw that you’re having a tough fight with the Japanese invaders and wanted to come help you out.”
“Brother Yunlong, that’s great. Then hurry up…” Chu Yunfei was overjoyed, but before he could finish, Li Yunlong interrupted: “Brother Yunfei, don’t get too excited yet. Back in the countryside during busy farming seasons, when I did odd jobs at the landlord’s house, the pay was settled daily. Brother, after I help you repel the Japanese invaders’ attack, what pay are you prepared to give me?”
“Brother Yunlong, just say it. What do you want?” Chu Yunfei knew what kind of person Li Yunlong was—he never helped for free.
“Since you keep saying that the Hell Cannon you bought from our logistics is a scrap iron lump with no value, then give me that Hell Cannon…” Li Yunlong didn’t finish.
Chu Yunfei rejected sternly: “Brother Yunlong, I can’t do that. That Hell Cannon is now in our superior’s hands.”
Even if the Hell Cannon was in Chu Yunfei’s hands right now, he wouldn’t easily give it to Li Yunlong.
Once he found a chance to get shells from the Eighth Route Army side, he couldn’t afford to lose this Hell Cannon.
Li Yunlong saw Chu Yunfei’s attitude and knew it was impossible to get the Hell Cannon so quickly. He wasn’t in a hurry—there would be plenty of time.
Li Yunlong continued: “Earlier, Brother Chu, when you fought Black Island Morita’s cavalry regiment at the Third Regiment side, you snatched several hundred warhorses from Black Island Morita. Brother Chu, how about giving me those warhorses?”
Chu Yunfei darkened at that: “Brother Yunlong, your appetite is really big. I only snatched several hundred warhorses total from Black Island Morita, and you want them all. Don’t you think that’s a bit too ruthless?”
Chu Yunfei had snatched these several hundred warhorses, but hadn’t even formed the cavalry battalion yet.
Now, Li Yunlong wanted to take all the warhorses—that was like cutting flesh from his heart!
Li Yunlong looked troubled:
“Brother Chu, it’s not that my appetite is big. Look at how tough this task is. The Japanese invaders have a cavalry regiment, a mechanized regiment, and two more infantry battalions. That’s such a hard job—no one without the skills can take it on. My reward is just several hundred warhorses from you. That’s already very low.”
“If you offered this job outside with just several hundred warhorses, see who would take it!”
“I also checked. Whether it’s the Jin Sui Army or the direct line army, your side has the most Japanese invaders. Why do they single you out to hammer so hard? Whoever helps you will easily draw the Japanese invaders’ rage onto themselves. That’s playing with fire.”
“Doing this job for you, I might even have to pay with my own underpants.”
“Brother Chu, of course, if you think my price is too high and can’t accept it, then I’ll leave. We’ll see who lasts longer between you and the Japanese invaders. Good luck.”
After Li Yunlong finished, he turned to leave, but Chu Yunfei grabbed him: “Brother Yunlong, don’t go.”
Although Chu Yunfei expected the Japanese invaders’ ammunition to be low, who knew how many more days they could hold.
The 358th Regiment’s casualties were already considerable.
Continuing to fight hard would hurt the 358th Regiment’s foundation.
If they could repel the Japanese invaders, the troops could reduce casualties and conserve ammunition and supplies.
Trading several hundred warhorses for that wasn’t really a loss.
It was just hard to accept psychologically.
He’d finally had a chance to form a cavalry battalion, but before even starting, the warhorses were gone…
“What, Brother Chu, changed your mind?” Li Yunlong knew Chu Yunfei wouldn’t let him leave.
Though the remaining half-position’s fortifications of the 358th Regiment looked solid, continuing to hold would mean heavy casualties ahead for the 358th Regiment.
Even if Chu Yunfei lasted to the end laughing, the 358th Regiment would likely be badly depleted.
Taking these several hundred warhorses would mean more foot power for transporting arsenal supplies later, and faster travel.
After all, though he planned to snatch warhorses from Black Island Morita, he couldn’t guarantee how many.
If he got few, having several hundred warhorses from Chu Yunfei’s side would be better safe than sorry.
Plus, bringing back these warhorses would let him expand the cavalry company into a cavalry battalion… wait, what if the brigade commander congratulates him on getting rich then?
No way, he wouldn’t give them even if beaten to death.
Bringing back the arsenal—that huge merit—and the brigade commander still eyeing his warhorses? That wouldn’t be right.
“How do you plan to help me repel the Japanese invaders?” Chu Yunfei asked. “Your Independent Regiment only has over a thousand troops. Isn’t that not enough manpower?”
“Brother Chu, the way you say it—since I’m here to help, I wouldn’t just bring my Independent Regiment. I also brought two other brother regiments. We’ll work together with three regiments.” Li Yunlong said seriously, then deliberately added: “Brother Chu, three regiments working for you, but the reward is just several hundred warhorses. We three brothers won’t even have enough to split. Brother Chu, how about adding a bit more…”
“Brother Yunlong, it’s settled. I’ll give you these several hundred warhorses. Start acting on your side right away.” Chu Yunfei heard Li Yunlong had brought two more brother regiments, and his last bit of hesitation vanished. He agreed immediately.
Hearing Chu Yunfei agree, Li Yunlong reached out: “Brother Chu, then send someone now to bring me these several hundred warhorses.”
“Brother Yunlong, you haven’t done the job yet and want pay first? That’s not right.” Chu Yunfei glared. “Even in the countryside during busy seasons, when you do odd jobs at the landlord’s house, you finish the work first, then get paid.”
“Brother Chu, we’re helping you fight two regiments and two infantry battalions of Japanese invaders. That’s risking our lives. How can that be the same as odd jobs at the landlord’s house!” Li Yunlong glared back. “Such high risk, taking reward first—got a problem?”
“Fine, then. I’ll give you the warhorses first.” Chu Yunfei thought it over and agreed.
Soon, over four hundred warhorses were brought over. Li Mouren led people to take them away, grinning brightly: “Haha, Brother Chu, watch how I teach these little Japanese invaders a lesson. Get ready for counterattack right away. Brother, I’ll show you—these several hundred warhorses you gave are absolutely worth it.”
Watching Li Yunlong’s back, someone came to Chu Yunfei: “Regimental Commander, aren’t you worried that Li Yunlong will take the warhorses and not do the work?”
“He’ll do it.” Chu Yunfei said confidently.
Li Yunlong had brought out all three regiments, clearly coming for these Japanese invaders.
So, Chu Yunfei judged they would definitely act.
Li Yunlong coming for warhorses was just seizing the chance for extra benefits.
The reason Chu Yunfei still gave the warhorses to Li Yunlong was he didn’t want to delay anymore. The troops’ pressure was already huge, and he hoped Li Yunlong’s side would act soon.
Otherwise, without the warhorses, Li Yunlong could wait until victory was decided between him and the Japanese invaders, then come out to profit.
By then, Li Yunlong would take all battlefield gains, his troops depleted, and compared to several hundred warhorses, that would be not worth it.
Another thing.
Black Island Morita bringing Ueno no Mura and two Japanese brigades to attack madly for revenge was partly settling new and old scores.
Partly, Black Island Morita wanted to snatch back these several hundred warhorses—that was his shame.
Giving the horses to the Eighth Route Army, if Black Island Morita wanted to redeem his honor, he’d go after the Eighth Route Army next, not Chu Yunfei anymore, since the horses weren’t with him.
This also diverted Black Island Morita’s rage.
“Regiment Commander…” The man nearby wanted to say more.
Chu Yunfei said sternly: “Pass the order down. Troops prepare for counterattack immediately. Once the Eighth Route Army heavily damages the Japanese invaders on their side, we charge through right away.”
The Japanese invaders’ ammunition was definitely low. With the Eighth Route Army’s heavy blow, cooperating with front and rear pincer attack from our side would basically turn the tables.
“Yes, Regimental Commander.”
…
