Chapter 81: That Stubborn Donkey Has Some Guts
Li Muzhi was halfway through his meal when he said to Brigade Commander Chen, “Brigade Commander Chen, Regimental Commander Li said that this time we captured copper wire, copper billets, and industrial acid. He risked attacking Ping’an County Town, and you were very angry?”
“Not angry, how could I be angry?” Brigade Commander Chen, who had indeed done intelligence work, had outstanding mental composure and wouldn’t change color even if Mount Tai collapsed on him.
Facing Li Muzhi’s question, Brigade Commander Chen’s tone was natural, without any flaws. He smiled and said, “He fished back a lot of things from Ping’an County Town. I’m so happy I can hardly stand it—how could I be angry?”
Li Muzhi smiled and said, “Although the Wild Horse has a temper that’s hard to control, it can often run faster and farther. Don’t you think so?”
Of course Li Muzhi could tell that Brigade Commander Chen was nowhere near not angry.
If he wasn’t angry, when Li Yunlong brought him food and dishes earlier, he wouldn’t have publicly slapped Li Yunlong in the face.
It was obvious that Li Yunlong’s action of attacking Ping’an County Town had truly infuriated Brigade Commander Chen.
Upon hearing Li Muzhi speak like this, Brigade Commander Chen also understood what was going on.
He turned back and glared at Li Yunlong’s back with a cold gaze: You sneaky Li Yunlong, you’ve even learned to find a backer!
Li Mouren, who was eating, suddenly felt a chill on his back. He didn’t dare breathe, lowered his head, and ate desperately to cover up his inner tension and fear.
Kong Jie and Ding Wei beside him, although Brigade Commander Chen’s glare wasn’t aimed at them, also felt their emotions tighten a bit.
Although Brigade Commander Chen wasn’t glaring at them, when Brigade Commander Chen was in a bad mood, the regimental commanders below also felt pressure.
However, Kong Jie quickly adjusted his emotions: “Fortunately, I’m now in logistics coal mining. Brigade Commander Chen’s emotions won’t affect me.”
So, Kong Jie ate heartily, with a natural expression.
Brigade Commander Chen withdrew his gaze from Li Yunlong’s back and smiled at Li Muzhi, saying, “Exactly, you’re right. A Wild Horse that can run farther and faster is naturally not that easy to control.”
Brigade Commander Chen’s words were, on one hand, a positive and affirmative response to Li Muzhi.
Brigade Commander Chen could tell that Li Yunlong had already won Li Muzhi’s favor. How to handle this matter would definitely need to be considered carefully.
On the other hand, this was also Brigade Commander Chen’s heartfelt thought.
Li Yunlong was different from regimental commanders like Cheng Xiazi and Kong Jie.
Cheng Xiazi and Kong Jie executed Brigade Commander Chen’s orders without hesitation or discount, without any extraneous actions.
Cheng Xiazi and Kong Jie were like obedient children.
While Li Yunlong was completely the troublesome child type.
This kid often disobeyed his own orders, and even dared to disobey the headquarters leader’s orders. That was indeed infuriating!
But from the battlefield effects, the meaning was different.
Obedient children like Cheng Xiazi and Kong Jie were compliant, but when facing elite Japanese Invaders troops like the Sakada Regiment, they could only evade and withdraw. If they engaged, they would be defeated miserably.
In contrast, Li Yunlong was different.
This kid not only dared to confront the Sakada Regiment head-on, but even took them down, killing Regimental Commander Sakata.
This time was the same.
If Li Yunlong hadn’t taken it upon himself to attack Ping’an County Town, the arsenal wouldn’t have captured copper billets, copper wire, and industrial acid.
Everything always has its trade-offs!
Wanting a child to be obedient and also accomplished—how could it be perfect in both ways?
Seeing Brigade Commander Chen’s expression, Li Muzhi knew he had it figured out. He still said, “The main thing is that the arsenal’s power issue needs to be resolved next. I want Regimental Commander Li to help me complete this task.”
“What task?” Brigade Commander Chen asked.
“I plan to modify a Japanese locomotive into power for the arsenal, so I need Regimental Commander Li to help me grab a Japanese locomotive.” Li Muzhi replied.
Grab a Japanese locomotive?
Brigade Commander Chen’s eyes widened—this was a tough task.
Soon, Brigade Commander Chen relaxed again. He understood Li Muzhi’s meaning.
Why did Li Muzhi not find someone else but specifically Li Yunlong? Because he valued this kid’s boldness and daring.
Brigade Commander Chen was also pleased and said, “Rest assured, leave this task to our brigade. We’ll guarantee it’s done well for you.”
Capturing the locomotive would be no small merit—we could ask for more cannonballs again.
“Brigade Commander Chen, you should prepare in advance on your side. Once my arsenal produces the Hell Cannon shells, I’ll send them to you right away.” Li Muzhi said, “I’ve already promised Regimental Commander Li in advance that for the locomotive capture operation, I’ll supply you with thirty cannonballs.”
“Really?” Brigade Commander Chen’s expression lit up with great joy upon hearing this.
Li Yunlong had finally done something reliable.
Thirty cannonballs plus forty-eight cannonballs made a total of seventy-eight cannonballs. Our brigade had never been this wealthy—we could finally eat our fill and play the landlord for once.
Let the Japanese Invaders eat their fill of our cannonballs.
“Capturing a train is no small matter for the Japanese Invaders. Of course we have to supply you with some cannonballs.” Li Muzhi nodded emphatically.
“Alright, alright, rest assured. We’ll guarantee the task is done well for you.” Brigade Commander Chen guaranteed again, in greatly improved spirits, with much of his anger toward Li Yunlong dissipated.
“Brigade Commander Chen, I generally don’t misjudge people.” Li Muzhi continued, “That Regimental Commander Ding seems very capable too. Relying on Regimental Commander Li alone wouldn’t be good for this tough task, right?”
Brigade Commander Chen was extremely sharp. Hearing Li Muzhi’s words, how could he not understand the meaning?
Just relying on Li Yunlong’s one Hell Cannon wouldn’t provide enough firepower.
So, Brigade Commander Chen had to use the Hell Cannon he had on hand as well.
Brigade Commander Chen could give it to the 772nd Regiment or the 771st Regiment, or of course, consider the New First Regiment.
But Li Muzhi’s words were equivalent to nailing it down in advance—this cannon for the New First Regiment.
Brigade Commander Chen’s gaze fiercely fixed on Li Yunlong’s back again: You stubborn donkey, you sure have guts— even eyeing the Hell Cannon in my hands!
Li Mouren felt an even colder chill on his back this time. He chuckled at Ding Wei, “Haha, Old Ding, it’s not even autumn yet—why do I suddenly feel cold?”
Ding Wei kept his head down eating, ignoring Li Yunlong.
Kong Jie also kept his head down eating, minding his own business!
Brigade Commander Chen withdrew his gaze and said to Li Muzhi, “For such an important operation, I’ll definitely treat it seriously. Thanks for your reminder.”
Although Brigade Commander Chen was angry inside, his mind was calm.
Ding Wei had just come over from the 28th Regiment not long ago, so he didn’t fully know Ding Wei’s abilities yet.
However, in Li Yunlong’s operation attacking Heyuan County Town to capture sugar, and this time Li Yunlong’s unauthorized attack on Ping’an County Town, Ding Wei had cooperated well with Li Yunlong, which showed that Ding Wei had superior battlefield vision and decisive, correct on-the-spot handling.
If it had been Kong Jie, he probably would have ruined Li Yunlong’s action outright.
In other words, for the train capture operation, Ding Wei was the best choice to cooperate with Li Yunlong.
As for the 772nd Regiment and 771st Regiment, they fell a bit short.
Besides, the relationships between those two regimental commanders and Li Yunlong… well, they just fell short anyway.
“Brigade Commander Chen, you won’t blame me for being nosy and interfering in your combat troops’ internal matters, right?”
“No, your reminder is very important. I’ll consider it carefully.” Brigade Commander Chen nodded.
It’s hard to change one’s nature. Li Yunlong acted like a wild horse without rules—changing him was unlikely.
Ding Wei’s battlefield vision was excellent. With him keeping an eye on Li Yunlong, he could correct this stubborn donkey’s direction at key moments and prevent him from running wild.
“That’s good.”
……
