Chapter 24: The Independent Regiment

Chapter 24 The Independent Regiment

“The regiment commander, the New First Regiment has been making quite a splash lately. They even got an Italian cannon, and Li Yunlong has captured both Xiao Wangzhuang and Xiao Lizhuang. I heard they seized three mortars. Even Cheng the Blind from the 772nd Regiment isn’t making a sound anymore,” said Shen Quan, the second battalion commander of the Independent Regiment, as he approached Regiment Commander Kong Jie.

“Damn it, that Li Yunlong fellow. His New First Regiment has suddenly risen up. After this, my Independent Regiment will be the bottom of the 386th Brigade,” Kong Jie said, taking a deep drag from his pipe with a heavy heart.

In the past, the New First Regiment was the weakest, so any pressure the brigade commander felt was always directed at Li Yunlong. Now that the New First Regiment has risen, the Independent Regiment has fallen to the bottom, and Kong Jie was beginning to worry that life wouldn’t be easy from here on out.

“That’s true, and Li Yunlong has become the number one in the 386th Brigade overnight. The brigade commander will surely use him as a model for us to learn from,” Shen Quan said. “But he’s different from the rest of us. We don’t have Li Yunlong’s brains or courage...”

Before Shen Quan could finish, someone rushed over quickly and reported, “Regiment Commander, Li Yunlong from the New First Regiment is coming here, and he’s brought a batch of supplies.”

“What? You said Li Yunlong is coming here with supplies?” Kong Jie was stunned.

In Kong Jie’s experience, Li Yunlong never came empty-handed, but he never brought anything with him either. This time, he actually brought food?

“Are you sure Li Yunlong brought supplies for our Independent Regiment? He’s not just passing through?” Shen Quan asked the messenger.

“Yes, Li Yunlong brought supplies for our Independent Regiment, not just passing by,” the messenger confirmed.

“This is damn strange. Let’s go see.” Kong Jie stubbed out his pipe. “I want to see what that weasel Li Yunlong is really up to, bringing us supplies out of the blue.”

Li Yunlong arrived at the Independent Regiment headquarters with Wu Ze. Seeing Kong Jie come out, Li Yunlong greeted him warmly, “Old Kong, old Kong, look what I brought you.”

Li Yunlong’s expression was as warm as brothers reunited after ten years.

Kong Jie looked at Li Yunlong’s cheeky grin and didn’t hold back.

“Shen Quan, take these supplies away and tell the cooks we’ll be eating dry meals for the next few days!” Kong Jie immediately instructed.

No matter what Li Yunlong’s intentions, since the food was here, it would be accepted for now.

The Independent Regiment had been struggling recently, barely managing one dry meal a day.

“Yes, get the men to move the supplies.” Shen Quan didn’t hesitate and quickly called for people to haul the food away.

The supplies were taken away smoothly, and Kong Jie blinked at Li Yunlong. “Li Yunlong, are you really giving me these supplies?”

Knowing Li Yunlong’s nature, Kong Jie was certain there was some trick behind this gift.

But with no resistance from Li Yunlong, Kong Jie’s suspicion grew even stronger.

Li Yunlong might just be hiding some grand scheme in his heart.

Over the years, Kong Jie had been fooled by him more than once.

“Old Kong, look at that face of yours. You really hurt your brother’s feelings,” Li Yunlong said unhappily. “I’m just trying to help by bringing you supplies, and you doubt me?”

“Cut it out. Don’t you know me by now? You’re even more stingy than Zhang Wanhe in logistics. You’d treasure a scrap of iron like it’s gold. You really think you’d bring me food out of the kindness of your heart?” Kong Jie glared.

“Oh, Old Kong, that’s a real injustice to me Li Yunlong,” Li Yunlong defended himself. “The old New First Regiment was so poor it was almost embarrassing. When a man is poor, his vision is short-sighted. I admit I used to treat you unfairly, Kong Jie. Today, I’m sincerely here to apologize, and my New First Regiment isn’t poor anymore, so my outlook has changed...”

Before Li Yunlong could finish, Kong Jie interrupted, “Alright, alright, Li Yunlong, I accept your apology. I’ll take the supplies. I’m busy now, no time to entertain you, so I’ll get going. Do as you please.”

With that, Kong Jie turned and headed back to the headquarters.

Seeing this, Li Yunlong sighed, “Alright, I’m leaving. Looks like this goodwill only benefits Cheng the Blind. Kong Jie, if your Independent Regiment never rises, don’t blame me Li Yunlong for not helping my struggling brother.”

With a sigh, Li Yunlong took Wu Ze’s hand and waved, “Let’s go.”

Then he turned and left without pausing for a moment.

Kong Jie watched him leave, sensing it was genuine, not an act.

He was momentarily confused—had he misunderstood Li Yunlong? Was he really here to apologize?

After all, the New First Regiment was now wealthy and prosperous.

Li Yunlong could afford to spare a little for the Independent Regiment.

More importantly, Li Yunlong had said this goodwill would only benefit Cheng the Blind.

Kong Jie could not sit still.

If there was really a benefit, it could not be handed over to Cheng the Blind.

Absolutely not!

So, Kong Jie hurried to catch up with Li Yunlong, changing his expression. “Li Yunlong, sorry, I shouldn’t still be judging you by the old standards. Please—”

“No need, Kong the Simpleton. You’re still judging people by old standards. I shouldn’t have brought you supplies today,” Li Yunlong cut him off, not stopping his steps.

“Li Yunlong, at least save me some face in front of my soldiers,” Kong Jie said firmly, grabbing Li Yunlong’s arm, trying to hold him back.

“Let go, Kong the Simpleton!” Li Yunlong glared.

Wu Ze, watching this, silently thought that Kong really was a simpleton.

He spoke up, finding a way out for both sides: “Regiment Commander, I’m thirsty.”

“Li Yunlong, your man is thirsty. You can have a drink before you leave,” Kong Jie took the opportunity to say.

“Kong the Simpleton, if it weren’t for Wu Ze being thirsty, I wouldn’t want your water,” Li Yunlong said with a grin.

“Alright, alright.” Kong Jie nodded eagerly and pulled Li Yunlong into the headquarters.

Only then did Kong Jie notice Wu Ze.

Li Yunlong had stayed close to him the whole time.

Li Yunlong was leaving, Wu Ze was thirsty, so Li Yunlong stayed.

It seemed this thin young man was very important to Li Yunlong.

“Say, Simpleton, your life’s pretty rough. No wine is one thing, but you don’t even have raw rice,” Li Yunlong said as he entered the headquarters. He first sat Wu Ze down, then took a seat himself.

“How can I compare to your New First Regiment, which just took two strongholds at once,” Kong Jie said, then asked, “Li Yunlong, you mentioned a benefit earlier. What benefit?”

Putting aside the relationship between Li Yunlong and Wu Ze, Kong Jie wanted to clarify this so-called benefit.

“Benefit? I never said there was a benefit,” Li Yunlong said deliberately. “I just brought Wu Ze in to get some water. After that, we’ll leave.”

“Li Yunlong, are you still mad at me?” Kong Jie put on a smile. “After all these years, we’re brothers. I was just joking.”

“I’m just afraid my goodwill will be taken for granted,” Li Yunlong said.

“Li Yunlong, I’m not that kind of man,” Kong Jie said stiffly.

Seeing how much trouble Li Yunlong was giving honest Kong Jie, Wu Ze felt sorry and interrupted, “Regiment Commander, our commander came looking for you. Actually, he wants to borrow some men to attack Qiujiazhuang.”

(End of chapter)