Chapter 26: The Show Is About to Begin

Chapter 26: The Show is About to Begin

"I picked him up along the way," Li Yunlong said casually. "He has already joined the New First Regiment."

"Even if he’s joined the New First Regiment, I can see that your attitude toward him is different from that toward an ordinary soldier," Kong Jie observed.

Li Yunlong said solemnly, "The New First Regiment owes its current scale to Wu Ze. And the fact that we now have a chance to take down Qiujiazhuang is also thanks to this young man."

Since the Brigade Commander had already stated he wouldn’t poach Li Yunlong’s people, Li Yunlong had nothing to fear. Even if "Kong the Stubborn" had ten brains, he wouldn't have the means to steal his men.

"Is that so? Li Yunlong, you’re not joking, are you? Is this young man really that capable?" Kong Jie asked.

"Naturally. If it weren't for the fact that the boy wanted to get to know more of our troops and familiarize himself with their faces, I wouldn't have even shown him off." As Li Yunlong spoke, he recounted how Wu Ze had provided the intelligence to secure the Italian mountain gun and capture Xiaowangzhuang and Xiaolizhuang without a single casualty.

Of course, as for how Wu Ze intended to help lure Qiu Daba out, this was not yet the time to speak of it.

"My god, Li Yunlong, you really have struck gold." Kong Jie was full of envy as he looked at Wu Ze. "Wu Ze, if my Independent Regiment has any difficult problems in the future, you must not hold back your guidance."

"Haha, Regiment Commander Kong, you are too kind. We are all one family," Wu Ze replied, nodding.

"What one family? Kong the Stubborn, stop dreaming, you damn fool," Li Yunlong interrupted. "Don't you go setting your sights on Wu Ze again. He’s my man!"

"Yes, yes, of course, Wu Ze is your man. How would I, Kong Jie, dare to poach talent from your New First Regiment?" Kong Jie appeased him, thinking to himself: You might be able to keep me away, Li Yunlong, but can you keep the Brigade Commander away?

...

After the drinks, Li Yunlong prepared to leave, and Kong Jie saw him off.

"Oh, Old Kong, if I didn't have to go back to make preparations, I would truly love to stay here for a few days and nights and drink until we both drop," Li Yunlong said, reeking of alcohol. He held Kong Jie's hand as if he were reluctant to leave. "Old Kong, once we take down Qiujiazhuang and finish off Qiu Daba, I'll come back for a proper drink with you."

"Old Li, no problem. Once Qiujiazhuang is taken, we’ll have a real feast." Kong Jie also feigned a sense of mutual appreciation.

"A thousand-mile journey must come to an end. Regiment Commander Kong, please head back," Wu Ze said to Kong Jie.

"This boy is quite well-spoken," Kong Jie praised, nodding. "Very well, Li Yunlong, I won't see you off any further."

"Good, Old Kong, we'll see each other again." Li Yunlong pulled Wu Ze away.

As soon as Li Yunlong left, the Deputy Commander of the Independent Regiment, Xing Zhiguo, said to Kong Jie, "Regiment Commander, do you really think Li Yunlong will give us the weapons from Qiujiazhuang?"

"That kid Li Yunlong is full of tricks. Over the years, how many times have I been fooled by him?" Kong Jie remarked. "However, I'm not worried this time."

"Is it because of the IOU?" Xing Zhiguo asked.

"It's because of the Brigade Commander," Kong Jie said.

"The Brigade Commander?" Xing Zhiguo was puzzled.

"Li Yunlong is a shrewd one. He knows that if he takes Qiujiazhuang, the Brigade Commander will surely 'congratulate him on getting rich' and take the weapons, especially since his New First Regiment isn't short on supplies anymore. Since he can't keep the weapons and doesn't want to be robbed by the Brigade Commander, he’s using the opportunity to 'lend' them to me. This way, my Independent Regiment gets armed, and the flanks of his New First Regiment are better protected."

Kong Jie continued, "Intelligence suggests that Hirata Ichiro is already mobilizing troops to encircle Li Yunlong’s regiment. Li Yunlong will definitely have to ask our Independent Regiment for reinforcements later. The Brigade Commander surely understands that he cannot cripple the Independent Regiment at such a time, so the weapons won't be taken back. Of course, I'll have to haggle with the Brigade Commander later, but getting the weapons from Qiujiazhuang is worth it. This time, I owe Li Yunlong a favor."

"So that's how it is." Xing Zhiguo realized, looking at Kong Jie. "Then do we need to return these weapons later?"

"Remember this: you can owe anyone, but never owe Li Yunlong," Kong Jie said. "Assemble the Second and Third Battalions immediately. I have something to say to them."

"Yes."

—

Back at the New First Regiment, Zhong Zhicheng had not yet returned. Li Yunlong checked the progress of his orders, and the regiment was quickly prepared.

Early the next morning, the two battalions from the Independent Regiment arrived.

Battalion Commanders Shen Quan and Wang Huaibao saluted Li Yunlong: "Good day, Regiment Commander Li."

"Go on. Take your men and get something to eat. After noon, we're going to settle the score with Qiu Daba," Li Yunlong said.

"Yes." Shen Quan and Wang Huaibao didn't stand on ceremony and led their troops away immediately.

The food Li Yunlong had prepared was substantial—corn buns and white flour pancakes, all-you-can-eat. Shen Quan and Wang Huaibao's men ate with gusto.

"Damn, this is the most satisfying meal I've had in a long time," Shen Quan said.

"The New First Regiment's food is truly excellent," Wang Huaibao agreed.

...

"Regiment Commander, Deputy Commander Zhong hasn't returned yet. Should we wait for him?" It was nearly noon, and Zhong Zhicheng was still missing.

Li Yunlong waved his hand. "No need to wait. Proceed according to the original plan."

"Yes."

Thus, the New First Regiment and the two battalions of the Independent Regiment set out.

Three thousand villagers had been mobilized, and they were fully equipped with ox carts, flatbed carts, and baskets. The villagers were furious upon learning that Qiu Daba had moved his father's remains into the doctor's grave. Of course, many remained skeptical.

To Li Yunlong, this didn't matter. Once they started digging up the doctor's grave and Qiu Daba lost his temper, no one would doubt it anymore. To prevent accidental injuries, Li Yunlong had the villagers wait a few miles outside of Qiujiazhuang. Even from there, they could see the village, the graveyard, and the coming military conflict.

"Shen Quan, Wang Huaibao, follow Zhang Dabiao's orders and coordinate to set the trap," Li Yunlong instructed.

"Yes." They didn't hesitate; their commander, Kong Jie, had instructed them to follow Li Yunlong's tactical command as long as it didn't involve a forced frontal assault on the village.

The pincer trap was quickly set. Li Yunlong turned to Xiao Wuzi. "Go. It's time to let that dog Qiu Daba taste the feeling of true desperation."

"Yes." Xiao Wuzi led his men toward the graveyard.

"Regiment Commander, I'll go too," Wu Ze said.

"Alright, stay safe," Li Yunlong nodded.

Wu Ze followed Xiao Wuzi to the graveyard.

"Stay ready. As soon as that bastard Qiu Daba shows his face, I'll give the order to cut off his escape route and take him alive," Li Yunlong warned his troops. "Remember, no matter how angry you are, you are not allowed to kill Qiu Daba. Do you understand?"

"Understood, Regiment Commander! We'll use Qiu Daba to force the village to surrender, then finish him off, right?" the soldiers replied.

"Exactly," Li Yunlong nodded, bringing his binoculars to his eyes to scan the village.

Xiao Wuzi and his men arrived at the graveyard with digging tools. The puppet troops in Qiujiazhuang would surely report this to Qiu Daba. The show was about to begin.