Chapter 42: Ghosting The Leader Again
“So if there’s no sugar in this box, then what is it?” Zhang Wanhe still asked.
Something that Brigade Commander Chen personally escorted must definitely not be ordinary goods either.
“Money.” The brigade commander was concise.
Money?
Zhang Wanhe, upon hearing this, couldn’t help but widen his eyes: “Brigade Commander Chen, don’t joke with me. Are all these boxes filled with money?”
Although Zhang Wanhe had someone go borrow at usurious interest from the traitor, the traitor wasn’t stupid either; they also sized people up before serving dishes, and the borrowed money wasn’t as much as imagined.
The Japanese invaders’ fertilizer was still plentiful; to buy it all up would require even more money.
And if these boxes from Brigade Commander Chen were all filled with money.
That would truly be a timely rain.
As we said, 386 Brigade has the ability; giving them two cannons is only right.
Headquarters leader scolding people—I don’t lose a single hair.
“Open it.” With Zhang Wanhe this middleman present, the brigade commander knew there was no way around it either way, so he had someone open the box.
The guards opened the box, revealing shiny silver dollars inside, along with colorful banknotes, which immediately made Zhang Wanhe so happy his mouth wouldn’t close: “Brigade Commander Chen, you guys really have the ability, too much ability. I knew giving you the cannons was my wisest decision; I really am too brilliant.”
Seeing Zhang Wanhe boasting about himself like this, the brigade commander truly scorned him.
I just said it earlier: Did you give the cannons? Not at all.
The cannons were clearly given to me by Li Muzhi.
Besides, I still don’t know what kind of person you, Old Zhang, are.
Behind my back, you’re definitely still saying it shouldn’t be two cannons to 386 Brigade, that one to brush them off would do.
However, the brigade commander still suppressed his scornful gaze.
No matter what, this middleman is the head of logistics; still need to leave him some face.
The brigade commander got straight to the point: “Old Zhang, your logistics has set the rules: apart from one thousand jin of sugar and the general’s sword, money can also be exchanged for Hell Cannons. I’ve delivered the money to you; you have to give me the cannons.”
Upon hearing the brigade commander say this, Zhang Wanhe’s happy expression immediately calmed down.
This was truly hitting the nail on the head!
Earlier, he had joked with Li Muzhi that worst case, this third cannon might be taken by 386 Brigade again, forcing him to stand up the headquarters leader once more.
He hadn’t expected this matter to really happen.
Although 386 Brigade brought money instead of sugar, money could indeed be exchanged for Hell Cannons according to logistics rules.
Zhang Wanhe had previously reported work at headquarters and guaranteed to the headquarters leader.
That the third cannon would definitely be delivered.
Now, was he really going to stand up the headquarters leader again?
Heavens, Zhang Wanhe felt that being this head of logistics was really too difficult.
Logistics rules couldn’t be broken, couldn’t stand up the headquarters leader, but there was only one cannon; he had to choose one or the other.
Seeing Zhang Wanhe not agree straightforwardly, the brigade commander’s expression turned serious: “Old Zhang, you wouldn’t have gone blind with greed for money, would you? I’ve delivered the money to you; where’s your cannon?”
“Brigade Commander Chen, let’s discuss something.” Zhang Wanhe put on a thick-skinned face, “The cannon will definitely be yours; can it wait a bit? You’ve seen it yourself—the third cannon hasn’t even been made yet.”
“No problem, the arsenal’s production progress is limited; I understand.” The brigade commander thought Zhang Wanhe meant the cannon wasn’t produced yet and couldn’t be given, and the brigade commander said he could accept it. “I can send someone to guard at the arsenal; I can wait. Isn’t Kong Jie right here? When the time comes, once this third cannon is made, hand it immediately to Kong Jie, and have Kong Jie send people to deliver the cannon to my brigade headquarters.”
“Brigade Commander Chen, let me be frank with you.” Zhang Wanhe brought out the headquarters leader and said to the brigade commander, “This third cannon has been reserved by the headquarters leader; if you want a cannon, you have to wait for the next one.”
“Old Zhang, don’t give me excuses.” The brigade commander, upon hearing this, wouldn’t accept it. “Don’t use the headquarters leader to pressure me. I’ve brought the money to your logistics; your logistics should follow the rules. If you, Old Zhang, can’t provide the goods, why set the rules?”
Li Muzhi, seeing his old leader arguing with Brigade Commander Chen, still stepped forward and said to Brigade Commander Chen: “Brigade Commander Chen, can I say something?”
“Of course, of course; don’t stand on ceremony with me. Say whatever you want.” When the brigade commander looked at Li Muzhi, his attitude immediately did a one-eighty, very polite, like a different person.
“Your 386 Brigade has scraped together the money and sent it to logistics at top speed; this shows your combat troops’ strong support for logistics. I thank you on behalf of logistics.”
Li Muzhi also politely said to Brigade Commander Chen, “Originally, for the second cannon, the headquarters leader wanted to take it to look at, but you brought equipment, so I directly gave you the cannon. Now you’ve sent money again; this third cannon should indeed be yours, but the headquarters leader already has some complaints about our logistics work. Brigade Commander Chen, how about this: you yield on this third cannon, give me some face, and when the fourth cannon is made, I’ll give it to you right away.”
Li Muzhi added: “Besides, cannonballs haven’t been made yet; even if you take the third cannon, there’s no place to use it for now, right? Once cannonballs are made later, I’ll give you an extra three; how’s that?”
“Hey, you should have said so earlier; you should have said the headquarters leader wanted the cannon earlier.” The brigade commander immediately nodded readily. “No problem, no problem; I’m not an unreasonable person. I’ll definitely give you face; I won’t take this third cannon for now.”
Now it was Zhang Wanhe’s turn to scorn the brigade commander.
What do you mean we didn’t say earlier the headquarters leader wanted the cannon? I just told you; did you forget so quickly?
Li Muzhi opens his mouth once, and you immediately agree—what kind of person is this?
The brigade commander ignored Zhang Wanhe’s gaze and grinned as he confirmed with Li Muzhi: “Li Muzhi, you said it yourself; when the time comes and the cannonballs are made, give me three extra!”
Three sounds like a bit few, but actually it’s not few.
These are heavy cannon cannonballs, not comparable to those few infantry gun cannonballs in the headquarters logistics warehouse.
Using infantry gun cannonballs requires headquarters leader approval for each one.
When the time comes, using these heavy cannon cannonballs will definitely need to go through headquarters too.
Li Muzhi being able to open the back door for three has real meaning.
“Of course, I keep my word.” Li Muzhi nodded.
The brigade commander immediately turned to Zhang Wanhe and said: “Old Zhang, you heard it too; this is Li Muzhi saying it himself. When the time comes, give me three extra cannonballs; don’t play dumb and deduct them then.”
Although Li Muzhi could open the back door, logistics procedures still had to be followed.
“Rest assured, absolutely not.” Zhang Wanhe suppressed his scornful emotions toward the brigade commander and nodded solemnly.
The brigade commander added: “I haven’t tallied the exact amount of this money yet; hurry and tally it while I’m watching. Any extra money, record it on the books; if it can continue to exchange for cannons, I’ll continue…”
