Chapter 2: Heaven Is Watching—It's My Turn to Prosper

Wu Ze's judgment had not been wrong—the owner of that gruff, cursing voice was none other than Li Yunlong, the new commander of the First Battalion, returning from brigade headquarters with his guard platoon.

The First Battalion was desperately short of guns and ammunition, its combat strength weak, and its soldiers lacking in real battle experience. Li Yunlong had repeatedly gone to brigade headquarters to request weapons from the brigade commander, but had always been sent away empty-handed. He wanted autonomy, but the brigade commander refused to grant it. He knew all too well what kind of person Li Yunlong was—give him an inch, and he’d stir up a storm. Yet, the brigade commander was also worn down by Li Yunlong’s persistence, and the battalion’s lack of progress weighed heavily on his mind. At last, he relented and granted Li Yunlong the autonomy he craved.

Armed with newfound independence, Li Yunlong strode cheerfully out of brigade headquarters, itching to get to work and quickly outfit his battalion with whatever was needed. That way, when the next fierce battle came, the First Battalion would no longer be left sitting on the sidelines, watching enviously as the 771st and 772nd Battalions got all the glory fighting the enemy.

At this very moment, Blind Cheng had lucked into a mortar and, lacking artillerymen, wanted to trade a few broken rifles for Li Yunlong’s prized artilleryman, Wang Chengzhu. Li Yunlong, though he had no mortar, understood the value of artillerymen and flatly refused. Thwarted, Blind Cheng mocked him, saying that keeping an artilleryman without artillery was a waste—like squatting on a latrine and not relieving oneself.

Li Yunlong fired back, suggesting that if Blind Cheng had a mortar but no one to operate it, he might as well give it to the First Battalion and earn himself a reputation for supporting friendly units. The two clashed, their barbs growing sharper, and nearly came to blows before the brigade commander intervened to stop the escalating quarrel.

While Blind Cheng remained at headquarters to report in, Li Yunlong set off back to the First Battalion, passing not far behind Wu Ze at just that moment.

A stranger like Wu Ze, alone in the wilderness, seeking to identify Li Yunlong was certainly conspicuous. Besides, he didn’t know whether the enemy truck had been repaired yet—time was of the essence.

So Wu Ze called out urgently in Li Yunlong’s direction, “Enemy soldiers! Enemy soldiers!”

Li Yunlong, marching with his guard platoon, instantly signaled for caution upon hearing the alarm. The guards scattered, each seeking cover and forming a defensive posture.

Though the First Battalion was weak, it still had over two hundred seasoned veterans. Li Yunlong’s guard platoon was handpicked from among these experienced soldiers.

Not only were they battle-hardened, but their weapons were also the best available: two light machine guns, each veteran armed with a rifle, ten rounds of ammunition, and two grenades apiece.

“Young man, where are the enemy soldiers?” Li Yunlong demanded.

“On the other side of the mountain,” Wu Ze replied. “A truck and two motorcycles.”

Upon hearing this, Li Yunlong’s nerves relaxed. The road ran behind the mountain, and if Wu Ze had spotted vehicles there, they had probably already disappeared.

Li Yunlong walked up to Wu Ze, taking in his frail, emaciated appearance. “Who are you? What’s your name? Where are you from?” he asked.

Wu Ze didn’t answer. Instead, he pressed on: “The enemy’s truck broke down on the road. They’re fixing it right now…”

“What? The enemy’s truck broke down on the road? Are you sure?” Li Yunlong’s demeanor turned serious at once.

He had failed to acquire weapons at brigade headquarters—even with his autonomy, he’d returned empty-handed, which didn’t suit his character in the least. Wu Ze’s mention of a truck and motorcycles had seemed like a missed opportunity—surely, the vehicles would be long gone by now. But if the truck had actually broken down on the road, that changed everything. This was a rabbit fallen into his lap.

“Yes, the truck broke down, and I saw that it was towing a cannon as well…” Wu Ze continued.

A slightly plump soldier beside Li Yunlong interrupted excitedly, “Are you sure the enemy’s truck was towing a cannon, young man?”

This was none other than Wang Chengzhu, Li Yunlong’s artilleryman. The First Battalion didn’t have so much as a grenade launcher, let alone an actual cannon, so Wang could only serve as an ordinary infantryman in the guard platoon. Blind Cheng had tried to trade him away for his mortar, and Wang had been tempted, but he chose to stay by Li Yunlong’s side—partly because Li treated him well, often sharing his sweet potato liquor, and partly because he believed in Li’s abilities. With autonomy granted, Wang trusted that Li Yunlong would soon manage to secure artillery for them.

And now, hearing that the enemy’s truck was towing a cannon, Wang could hardly contain his excitement. It was like a pillow arriving just when one needed to sleep.

Li Yunlong’s eyes shone even brighter at the thought of a cannon being towed by a truck. If it was truck-towed, it might very well be a mountain gun.

Elated, Li Yunlong shoved Wang aside and faced Wu Ze again: “Are you certain that the truck was towing a cannon?”

“Yes, absolutely. I got a good look,” Wu Ze assured him.

“Excellent! Heaven smiles on me—it’s finally my turn to strike it rich!” Li Yunlong exclaimed, rubbing his hands together in excitement, almost giddy with delight.

Blind Cheng had stumbled into a mortar by sheer luck, and he’d been strutting around with his nose in the air ever since, acting like he owed nothing to anyone. If Li Yunlong could secure a mountain gun here, Blind Cheng’s precious mortar would be a joke in comparison. Not only would Blind Cheng be humbled, but even the brigade commander would be envious.

Li Yunlong immediately ordered the squad leader of his guard platoon, “Sun Desheng, take your squad and scout out the situation immediately.”

Sun Desheng had once served under Shi Yousan, fighting battles east and west for over a decade, and was a master of cavalry tactics and reconnaissance. After Shi Yousan’s betrayal and defection, Sun Desheng had joined Li Yunlong.

Now, without horses, Sun Desheng served as an infantryman and was assigned as squad leader in Li Yunlong’s guard platoon.

As soon as Li gave the order, Wang Chengzhu spoke up, “Commander, let me go!”

Li Yunlong replied, “Put a sock in it, Wang! You’re an artilleryman, not a scout. Reconnaissance isn’t your specialty—don’t go and alert the enemy soldiers.”

“I promise I won’t, Commander…” Wang insisted earnestly.

But Li Yunlong ignored him, turning to Sun Desheng instead. “Go at once!”

“Yes, sir!” Sun Desheng replied, and quickly set out with his squad.

As Wu Ze watched Sun Desheng’s departing figure, a poignant scene played out in his mind—a memory from the future: Sun Desheng, covering Li Yunlong’s retreat, his cavalry company beset by a full regiment of enemy cavalry. Sun Desheng and his men fought to the very last, until only he remained, a single arm left, still wielding his saber and shouting, “Cavalry company—charge!”

That scene had moved countless viewers to tears, stirring hearts with its tragic heroism.

(End of chapter)