Chapter 128: A Small Lathe Might Not Be Obtainable
Zhang Wanhe saw this and couldn’t help but speak up: “I’m telling you, Li Yunlong, aren’t you going back to talk to your Division Commander in advance?”
“What is there to say? You guys just communicate with him here.” Li Yunlong laughed, then said seriously, “Since I’ve introduced this business to your logistics side, shouldn’t you give me a little thank-you gift?”
“Li Yunlong, you’re asking us to communicate with your Division Commander, which means all the risk and pressure falls on our logistics, and you still have the nerve to ask for benefits?” Zhang Wanhe glared, “You don’t need to bear anything, yet you want a thank-you gift—isn’t that a bit inappropriate?”
“Old Zhang, that’s not right what you’re saying!” Li Yunlong said seriously, “Me introducing business to you is like being a matchmaker. If the matchmaker succeeds, don’t you have to give the matchmaker a thank-you gift?”
“It hasn’t succeeded yet…” Zhang Wanhe didn’t finish his words.
Li Muzhi smiled and interrupted: “Regimental Commander Li, just say it straight—what do you want?”
“I heard your Arsenal made new grenades. Kong Er Lengzi used them and said they’re good. I don’t want much—just give me fifty cases of these grenades!” Li Yunlong said with a grin.
Don’t think Old Li is just thriving on the frontline fighting wars.
The goings-on at the Arsenal in the rear can’t escape Old Li’s eyes.
Zhang Wanhe, upon hearing this, immediately started cursing: “Li Datou, your mouth is too big. Fifty cases of grenades—you’ve got some nerve asking for that. Why not just ask for five hundred cases?”
“If you, Old Zhang, give me five hundred cases, that works too.” Li Yunlong said shamelessly.
“Get lost. I’ll give you five cases—no more.” Zhang Wanhe waved his hand.
“Younger Brother Li, what do you think?” Li Yunlong turned to look at Li Muzhi.
“I’ll add five more cases to make it an even ten.” Li Muzhi said.
“Fine, I’ll take a little loss—ten cases it is.” Li Yunlong nodded.
Having the Division Commander sell the Hell Cannon in his hands— the Division Commander would definitely curse.
Division Commander curses the Brigade Commander, and the Brigade Commander has to curse us.
These ten cases of grenades can count as our mental compensation.
Although it’s a bit few.
But no matter.
We’ve grabbed the locomotive. While the Arsenal side is happy, we can ask for more—no problem.
“You two, give me these grenades now along with the cannonballs, and I’ll take them all back together.” After bragging a few rounds here at logistics, Comrade Old Li was about to head back.
“Regimental Commander Li, make sure to count the quantity. If you’re gone and the count is off, I’m not responsible.” Having given the grenades and cannonballs to Li Yunlong, Zhang Wanhe said solemnly.
Li Yunlong had his men count three times, confirmed no issues, and said to Zhang Wanhe: “If Younger Brother Li gave me the stuff, I wouldn’t count—I trust him. But if you give me the stuff, I have to count three times!”
“Get lost.” Zhang Wanhe waved his hand, “Go on your way. I’m not seeing you off.”
“I don’t need you to see me off.” Li Yunlong tossed that line to Zhang Wanhe, then looked at Li Muzhi, “Younger Brother Li, wait for good news from Elder Brother. The locomotive will be sent to you soon.”
“Good, Regimental Commander Li, I’ll be waiting.” Li Muzhi smiled as he saw Li Yunlong off.
As soon as Li Yunlong left, Zhang Wanhe immediately turned to ask Li Muzhi: “These few small lathes—Officer Yan might not agree to trade with us, right?”
If the Taiyuan Arsenal was still in Officer Yan’s hands, no need to say anything.
With his vast estate, trading a few small lathes meant nothing to Officer Yan.
But with the Taiyuan Arsenal lost, Officer Yan’s huge estate reduced to scraps, the man got stingy.
“I’ll draft the report first, and you submit it to Headquarters.” Li Muzhi said, “I believe when the Hell Cannon roars on the battlefield again, Officer Yan will consider it carefully.”
Li Yunlong and them grabbing the Japanese locomotive with the Hell Cannon must have greatly stimulated Officer Yan.
“Mm, then write it quickly.”
“Okay.”
……
386 Brigade Headquarters
“Brigade Commander, there’s good news and bad news now—which do you want to hear first?” The Deputy Brigade Commander walked up to the Brigade Commander, looking somewhat pleased but also helpless.
“Good news first.” The Brigade Commander said.
“The good news is we’ve caught Kameda Jouoku, and our old comrade has successfully taken his identity and infiltrated.” The Deputy Brigade Commander replied.
“So smoothly?” The Brigade Commander was surprised—this was indeed good news.
Our old comrade planted at the Japanese station can control intelligence on Japanese military train supplies transportation—this meaning is too significant.
“This Kameda Jouoku has a very bad reputation among the Japanese, no friends, mainly spends days thinking how to plunder money. Those puppet soldiers and puppet army all try to curry favor.” The Deputy Brigade Commander laughed, “So the infiltration is going smoothly now. As long as we quickly get his personal details from Kameda Jouoku, our old comrade’s long-term infiltration should have no problem.”
Fortunately, this Kameda Jouoku has a bad reputation among the Japanese and no friends.
Otherwise, if Kameda Jouoku had constant visitors coming to drink and chat, our old comrade would easily give himself away.
“Mm, if this old comrade successfully stays infiltrated long-term, it’ll also be a source of funds for us.” The Brigade Commander acknowledged.
We need this Japanese military train transportation intelligence.
But funds can’t be neglected either.
Later, the old comrade can use Kameda Jouoku’s identity to get money from Japanese invaders and traitors—this will all be our precious funds.
“What’s the bad news?” The Brigade Commander turned to look at the Deputy Brigade Commander, “It can’t be that this bastard Kameda Jouoku isn’t behaving, right?”
“No, quite the opposite!” The Deputy Brigade Commander shook his head and said, “This Kameda Jouoku is cowardly and afraid of death. I caught him back, and before I even interrogated him, he confessed everything himself—very cooperative, answering whatever asked.”
“That’s also bad news?” The Brigade Commander was suspicious—this seemed like good news too.
“Mainly, from the intelligence spat out by Kameda Jouoku, the recent Japanese military train transports are all conventional supplies—nothing we particularly want.” The Deputy Brigade Commander explained.
What we want most now is military industrial supplies!
Machine tools, equipment, large caliber steel pipes!
Even refined steel and copper ingots, industrial acid, or fuel from you Japanese invaders would do.
But none of these.
Just grain, clothing, cotton clothes, and other living supplies.
“This is indeed bad news.” The Brigade Commander, upon hearing, couldn’t help but smash his fist on the table.
Originally thought we could use robbing a military train to make another fortune—looks like our expectations were too high.
Pausing, the Brigade Commander turned to the Deputy Brigade Commander: “Since luck isn’t on our side this time, pick the most suitable military train for us. Minister Zhang said they’re short on fine grain.”
Although Kong Jie is coal mining for the Arsenal, arranged by Li Muzhi.
But Li Muzhi provides very generous food to the New Second Regiment, which is essentially Zhang Wanhe helping raise the New Second Regiment.
Zhang Wanhe has greeted the Brigade Commander several times—the New Second Regiment eats too much; get some fine grain, or we can’t afford to raise them.
Looks like we should rob the Japanese fine grain.
Grain is of immense importance in war.
Ancient saying: The army doesn’t move without grain and supplies going first!
That’s the importance of grain!
His Japanese invaders have stretched their lines too long, and grain supply is tight now.
Intercepting one of his military trains of grain still has meaning.
If done well, it might delay his Japanese invaders’ large-scale sweep, giving us more time to deal with the raid.
“Around which day?” The Deputy Brigade Commander asked.
“Monitor all the military trains transporting grain these next few days.” The Brigade Commander said, “Once the Arsenal sends over the cannonballs, we’ll then…”
Well!
Before the Brigade Commander finished, someone ran up to report to him: “Report to Brigade Commander, Independent Regiment’s Regimental Commander Li is here—he brought back cannonballs for the Hell Cannon from the Arsenal.”
The Brigade Commander, upon hearing, couldn’t help but be surprised: “Cannonballs delivered so fast—the Arsenal’s production efficiency seems much improved.”
The Deputy Brigade Commander laughed on the side: “We’ve prepared for battle, Division Headquarters has prepared to strike Japanese reinforcements—everything ready, just waiting for the east wind. Now the east wind is here, so let’s pick that train at seven tonight. Hit the Jingtai Line right on time, it’ll be dark, Japanese airplanes can’t come, and we’ll have a whole night.”
“Let’s go see.” The Brigade Commander was very pleased and immediately strode out of Brigade Headquarters.
Seeing the Brigade Commander come out, Li Yunlong quickly saluted: “Greetings, Brigade Commander!”
“Li Yunlong, didn’t you go ghost around with Jin Sui Army’s 358 Regiment? How’d you slip to the Arsenal?” The Brigade Commander asked Li Yunlong while eyeing the cannonballs Li Yunlong brought back.
Good grief, the Arsenal really delivered all our cannonballs— this production efficiency is no joke.
“Heh heh.” Li Yunlong chuckled and said, “I went to Chu Yunfei’s side for a feast, and with good stuff, how could I forget our Arsenal Factory Director? So I packed some food for him. Brigade Commander, you’ve got some too.”
With that, Li Yunlong had his men bring out the packed portion for the Brigade Commander.
“Mm, rare indeed—you, Li Yunlong, showing such filial piety for once.” The Brigade Commander praised Li Yunlong.
That’s right!
Any good stuff, first thing—don’t forget the Arsenal’s Li Muzhi.
Of course, you didn’t forget me either— all those times I covered your ass weren’t wasted.
“Haha, of course. I, Li Yunlong, would never forget…” Li Yunlong laughed heartily.
The Brigade Commander interrupted, pointing at the ten cases of grenades Li Yunlong brought back, suspiciously: “How come there are ten extra cases of grenades? When did old Zhang at the Arsenal get so generous?”
The Brigade Commander could foresee that with so many cannonballs distributed, old Zhang must have been on site.
With old Zhang’s stingy temper, how could he give ten extra cases of grenades? There must be a reason.
“Brigade Commander, Younger Brother Li saw I brought him food, was happy, and gave these to me for free.” Li Yunlong wouldn’t dare say these were mental compensation earned from selling the Division Commander’s Hell Cannon.
“Really?” The Brigade Commander was half-believing.
These grenades in front of him looked the same style and appearance as previous ones.
But the Brigade Commander weighed two and still noticed some differences.
Very likely, these are the new grenades made at the Arsenal.
Kong Jie had already reported to the Brigade Commander that the Arsenal’s new grenades had more power than the Japanese invaders’ melon grenades.
The Brigade Commander had been thinking of getting some new grenades to check out after taking the Japanese locomotive.
Now Li Yunlong brought ten cases of grenades, saying Li Muzhi was in a good mood and gave them.
The Brigade Commander still didn’t quite believe it.
Li Muzhi might really be that generous and willing to give ten cases of grenades—the Brigade Commander would believe that.
But old Zhang was there—that iron rooster being generous?
He’d definitely stop it.
These are new style grenades—not so easy to get.
Meaning, there must be another reason.
