Chapter 214: The Arsenal Can’t Drag Its Feet
“Alright, no problem, I can go find Younger Brother Li right now.” Li Yunlong stepped forward to leave.
“Hold on.” The Brigade Commander stopped Li Yunlong, “What are you in such a hurry for, boy? I still have things to say.”
“Brigade Commander, you speak.” Li Yunlong stopped in his tracks.
“The Factory Director of Cuicun Arsenal spoke up. The location of the Japanese Invaders’ next large arsenal is in Yan Town south of the Twenty-first Brigade’s defense zone.” The Brigade Commander said solemnly, “This time during the Japanese Invaders’ raid, the Twenty-first Brigade will also mobilize. Once he comes out, the defense zone will inevitably be vulnerable, so you must seize the opportunity to take down this large Japanese Invaders arsenal.”
Immediately after, the Brigade Commander said: “Of course, this large arsenal has plenty of equipment, and you still have the important task of disrupting behind enemy lines, so there’s no need to carry the equipment. Find a place in advance outside, and when the time comes, hide these supplies first. Once the Japanese Invaders’ raid is over, find an opportunity to retrieve them.”
Normally, after succeeding, they should bring it back immediately.
If there is equipment that Li Muzhi needs, then the new type rocket can start production right away.
But no!
The Japanese Invaders’ encirclement troops of sixty to seventy thousand are watching closely, so they can only hide it first.
“Twenty-first Brigade?” Li Yunlong said upon hearing this, “The original brigade commander of that Japanese Invaders brigade seems to be called Hattori Naotsumi, right?”
“Yes, that’s right. The original brigade commander of this brigade was Hattori Naotsumi, the commander of the observer group, that Japanese Invaders major general you took down, boy.” The Brigade Commander nodded, “Now the new brigade commander of this Twenty-first Brigade is called Muto Juichi.”
“Yes, Brigade Commander, I guarantee to complete the mission.” Li Yunlong promised.
The Brigade Commander’s tone was still very solemn as he said to Li Yunlong: “Comrade Li Yunlong, this mission of yours is extremely arduous. If things go wrong, you might face total annihilation. You’d better prepare yourself mentally in advance.”
If it weren’t for the production of the Border Region Arsenal, if it weren’t for avoiding transfer as much as possible, how could the Brigade Commander agree to let Li Yunlong play with fire.
Not to mention the danger of Li Yunlong penetrating deep into enemy territory, even if he disrupts behind enemy lines, when the sixty to seventy thousand encirclement enemies charge at him later, escaping would still be very difficult.
“Brigade Commander, can’t you say something nice to me!” Li Yunlong joked with a smile, “Maybe I can bring back Shinozuka’s head as a chamber pot for you.”
“Alright, I’ll wait for you.” The Brigade Commander nodded and said, “Then go straight to the Border Region Arsenal now and find Xiao Li. Have him give you all the weapons and ammunition he’s produced.”
“Brigade Commander, aren’t you coming along?” Li Yunlong said.
“You can go by yourself.” The Brigade Commander waved his hand; he still had work to discuss with Zhao Gang.
“Yes, Brigade Commander, then I’ll go…” Before Li Yunlong could finish speaking, the voice of the Logistics Transport Team captain came from outside: “Regimental Commander Li, come out for a moment. Minister Zhang sent the horse feed for you.”
Li Yunlong came out and saw that the horse feed was really only for three days. He immediately cursed: “This stingy Old Zhang, with a big battle imminent, he only gives this much horse feed. He’s really stingy to the core.”
The Brigade Commander said: “Li Yunlong, what’s with the complaining? When you go to the Twenty-first Brigade to take the arsenal, won’t you pass by Heidao Morita’s base? Just snatch Heidao Morita’s horse feed on the way, and that’ll do it.”
Although the Brigade Commander also inwardly complained about Old Zhang’s stinginess—troops were about to go into battle, yet the horse feed was given so stingily.
But if Zhang Wanhe gave enough horse feed, carrying it would be a burden for Li Yunlong and affect the troops’ speed.
Better to snatch Heidao Morita’s horse feed on the way.
“When I get to the Border Region Arsenal, I still need to tell Younger Brother Li to get Old Zhang to give more horse feed. Damn it, he wants the horses to run but doesn’t feed them properly. Old Zhang’s calculations are pretty shrewd.” Li Yunlong grumbled as he led the guard troops toward the arsenal.
Even if I can’t carry extra horse feed now, I can leave it at regimental headquarters or hide it.
Once the Japanese Invaders’ encirclement is over, the horse feed can be dug up to continue supplying the warhorses.
Li Yunlong went to the Border Region Arsenal. The Brigade Commander said to Zhao Gang: “Comrade Zhao Gang, I have several important instructions. Take out your notebook and jot them down.”
“Yes, Brigade Commander.” Zhao Gang took out his notebook and immediately listened attentively while taking notes.
“The first is the bait issue on Sato Jino’s side. I know you’re also handling it, but this is very likely Sato Jino’s conspiracy. His target is our arsenal.” The Brigade Commander said seriously, “Do what needs to be done on your end, but don’t alert the enemy.”
“Yes, Brigade Commander.” Zhao Gang noted it down.
“Second, Li Yunlong has taken his troops and left. He probably won’t be back for a while, so on your end…”
……
Border Region Arsenal
Regarding the news of the Japanese Invaders preparing an anti-encirclement campaign outside, even as Li Muzhi hurried to produce flashbangs, he sensed the heaviness in the air.
When Old Zhang appeared before Li Muzhi again, he was no longer filled with the intense excitement and anticipation from before; instead, he was full of worry.
Li Muzhi asked directly: “Minister Zhang, the Japanese Invaders are about to launch a large-scale sweep, right?”
“Yes.” Zhang Wanhe nodded and said: “Shinozuka this little Japanese Invader mobilized three Japanese Invaders brigades, Gangcun mobilized one division, plus puppet army troops, totaling encirclement troops of sixty to seventy thousand. Headquarters leaders have already issued orders for all units to quickly prepare for transfer. You say, with our Border Region Arsenal being so large-scale, how can we transfer just like that.”
Immediately after, Zhang Wanhe added: “Fortunately, you, Xiao Li, transported some machinery and equipment to Huangyadong Arsenal in advance. It’s outside the encirclement, but the equipment you transported ahead is still just a drop in the bucket. If the Border Region Arsenal stops production, the impact on the combat troops would be too great.”
“Minister Zhang, don’t lose confidence too much.” Li Muzhi said, “It’s not like before. In the past, when facing the Japanese Invaders’ raids, we had to transfer because our troops lacked proper weapons and ammunition. But now our troops have weapons and ammunition. Though the quantity isn’t huge, it’s enough to cause trouble for the Japanese Invaders and buy production time for the Border Region Arsenal, right?”
Fighting wars relies on logistics. As long as our Border Region Arsenal can continuously provide ammunition to the troops, we can hold on.
“That’s true in theory, but our strength is still vastly inferior to the Japanese Invaders…” Zhang Wanhe didn’t finish his words.
Li Yunlong arrived on a fast horse and shouted at Zhang Wanhe: “The strength gap isn’t that big anymore. Don’t talk nonsense, Old Zhang.”
Li Yunlong arrived at the open space at the arsenal doorway, reined in his warhorse, dismounted, and his guard Wei Dayong hurriedly took the reins of Li Yunlong’s warhorse.
Li Yunlong said seriously to Zhang Wanhe: “In every encirclement and suppression, the most hated are the Japanese Invaders’ mechanized troops. Their wheels run too fast, with encirclement mobility, and our two legs are at too much of a disadvantage. Now we have Hell Cannon and rocket launchers, which can curb the Japanese Invaders’ mechanized troops. As long as we don’t clash head-on with the Japanese Invaders and leverage our advantage in guerrilla warfare, why worry about breaking this raid!”
Immediately after, Li Yunlong cursed at Zhang Wanhe: “You, Old Zhang, with war about to start, you really only gave three days’ horse feed. Do you really want to starve our warhorses to death!”
“Regimental Commander Li, aren’t you going to Heidao Morita’s base to snatch some?” Zhang Wanhe said, “Even if I give you more horse feed, you can’t use it.”
“If I can break this anti-encirclement campaign, give me all the horse feed you have, deal or no deal!” Li Yunlong didn’t want to argue with Zhang Wanhe.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Wanhe immediately stated seriously: “No problem, Regimental Commander Li. If you can really break the Japanese Invaders’ raid this time, no question—I won’t just give you all the horse feed; I can give you extra bullets too.”
If the Japanese Invaders’ raid can be broken, the Border Region Arsenal won’t need to transfer, and Old Zhang Comrade isn’t bad at math.
This is a huge profit.
As for extra bullets.
That’s because the Border Region Arsenal can now produce bullets, war is about to start, and bullets are being rapidly distributed to the lower troops.
Of course.
Due to Li Mouren’s troops having more than enough ammunition, no bullets were distributed to the Independent Regiment.
“You, Old Zhang, are really stingy to the core!” Li Yunlong cursed again, “Once I break the Japanese Invaders’ raid, who cares about your measly bullets? Keep them for your own breeding.”
With that, Li Yunlong turned to Li Muzhi: “Little brother, this time the Japanese Invaders are coming fiercely. To break the raid, I need your support.”
What do we need bullets for? We need hard stuff from Xiao Li.
“No problem. All the produced grenades, jumping mines, rocket launchers, and Hell Cannons are yours.” Li Muzhi nodded directly, “If you need bullets too, I can give those as well.”
If Li Yunlong can break the Japanese Invaders’ raid, giving him these weapons and ammunition now is nothing.
“No need for grenades and bullets. Just give me the rocket launchers, jumping mines, and Hell Cannons.” Li Yunlong nodded and continued, “But my troops are still a bit short. Little brother, can you report to headquarters and have Gao Liujin and Gao Xigang’s troops come along?”
Remembering something, Li Yunlong added: “Also, the scholar’s troops should be dispatched together.”
Although Li Yunlong and the scholar Liu Weidong don’t get along.
But he has to admit, this scholar who read more books really has some skills.
When stirring things up behind enemy lines, more manpower and more brains are always good.
“Minister Zhang, report this to headquarters right away.” Li Muzhi immediately turned to Zhang Wanhe.
Li Muzhi still needed to hurry and produce the flashbangs.
Zhang Wanhe looked solemnly at Li Yunlong: “Li Yunlong, with so many troops, how confident are you in breaking the Japanese Invaders’ raid?”
So many troops might seem like a lot.
But in front of the Japanese Invaders’ total force of sixty to seventy thousand, it’s still not enough.
“Old Zhang, you don’t understand fighting wars, so don’t ask so many questions. Hurry to headquarters.” Li Yunlong urged, “Before the Japanese Invaders’ encirclement is complete, I need to get out quickly.”
“Alright, alright, I’ll go right now.” Zhang Wanhe didn’t dawdle and left immediately.
“Little brother, just focus on your production at the arsenal.” Li Yunlong said solemnly to Li Muzhi, “It’s just a minor raid, nothing at all.”
“Regimental Commander Li, truly a great hero!” Li Muzhi praised.
With the Japanese Army pressing in, many were very nervous, but Li Yunlong’s face showed no fear at all—only confidence and assurance. Worthy of the Li Yunlong who dares to shine his sword.
“Little brother, don’t praise me. In front of you, how dare old Li claim to be a hero? You’re the real hero.” Facing Li Muzhi’s praise, the fearless Li Yunlong was still very humble.
“Go, bring out all the jumping mines, rocket launchers, Hell Cannons, and corresponding cannonballs from the arsenal for Regimental Commander Li.” Li Muzhi instructed his assistant.
“Yes, Factory Director.” The assistant quickly went to carry out Li Muzhi’s orders.
“Little brother, our Brigade Commander said the Factory Director of Cuicun Arsenal already confessed. The Japanese Invaders’ next large arsenal is in the Twenty-first Brigade’s defense zone.” Li Yunlong laughed, “Once we break the Japanese Invaders’ encirclement, elder brother will bring the equipment back for you. Then, hurry and produce this new type rocket.”
“Good.” Li Muzhi was expectant.
The jumping mines, rocket launchers, Hell Cannons, and cannonballs were brought out, and Li Yunlong had his men take the weapons and ammunition and leave quickly.
Watching Li Yunlong’s back, someone couldn’t help saying to Li Muzhi: “Factory Director, can Regimental Commander Li break the Japanese Invaders’ raid?”
Every raid, we were forced to transfer.
This time, can we break the precedent?
“Have faith in the combat troops.” Li Muzhi said solemnly, “They are buying us time with their lives and blood, so the arsenal’s production and output must not hold back the combat troops!”
“Yes, Factory Director.”
