Chapter 31: Li Yunlong, Bring Out Your Liquor

Chapter 31: Li Yunlong, Bring Out Your Wine

The 386th Brigade had organized a transport detachment. As the Brigade Commander left the headquarters and passed by the detachment's station, he noticed that the unit was already gone.

The Brigade Commander was momentarily stunned. Why did the transport detachment leave without reporting to him beforehand? However, his heart soon filled with excitement. Since the detachment was gone, they must have gone to coordinate with Li Yunlong's New First Regiment.

The Brigade Commander picked up his pace and caught up with the transport detachment halfway.

"Brigade Commander," the detachment leader saluted.

"Tell me, did Li Yunlong's New First Regiment ask you to transport potatoes?" the Brigade Commander asked.

"Yes, Brigade Commander. Yesterday, the New First Regiment called and instructed me to receive the potatoes from Qiujiazhuang, so I set off early." The detachment leader nodded, his tone filled with excitement. "I truly can't believe it; the New First Regiment is incredible. To take Qiujiazhuang so quickly..."

Before the detachment leader could finish, the Brigade Commander interrupted, "What? Li Yunlong called you yesterday? Why didn't you report this to me?"

"Brigade Commander, you didn't know about this?" the detachment leader asked, astonished. "I assumed the New First Regiment had already reported it to you. Besides, your order to me was to be prepared for the potato collection. When the New First Regiment asked me to come, I simply..."

"Forget it, forget it. Speed up; I'll head ahead," the Brigade Commander said, cutting him off. He was in such an excellent mood that he wasn't about to quibble over minor details.

By the time the Brigade Commander galloped to the New First Regiment headquarters, it was already piled high with the 300,000 catties of potatoes that had been transported back. Local villagers were still arriving in an endless stream, delivering more. Zhong Zhicheng was busy directing the effort, but there was no sign of that rascal, Li Yunlong.

Seeing the Brigade Commander arrive, Zhong Zhicheng hurriedly saluted. "Brigade Commander."

"Not bad, your New First Regiment has done well. Taking Qiujiazhuang so quickly!" The Brigade Commander beamed at Zhong Zhicheng. "Where is Li Yunlong? Tell that rascal to come out. I want him to report to me on how he took Qiujiazhuang. Did he use up all twenty-seven Italian artillery shells? I hope he didn't fire them all at once."

Though he said this, the Brigade Commander wouldn't have minded even if Li Yunlong had used every shell. After all, in his own estimation, if Li Yunlong hadn't taken the village, the Brigade Commander would have led the 386th Brigade to do it himself, and he would have used those twenty-seven shells regardless.

"Yes, sir!" Zhong Zhicheng replied and immediately sent someone to fetch Li Yunlong.

"Forget it, forget it. Where is he? I'll go find him myself," the Brigade Commander suddenly changed his mind.

"The Regiment Commander is drinking at the headquarters," Zhong Zhicheng answered.

"What? That kid is drinking at the headquarters?" The Brigade Commander’s expression instantly turned stern. "Hirata Ichiro is mobilizing troops to encircle the New First Regiment, and Li Yunlong dares to drink? Zhong Zhicheng, how are you running things as deputy commander? Why didn't you stop him?"

"Brigade Commander, I tried to stop him, but..." Zhong Zhicheng shook his head helplessly.

"Fine, I know now. I'll go deal with him myself," the Brigade Commander said, striding toward the regiment headquarters.

Inside the New First Regiment headquarters:

"Wu Ze, come, finish this bowl of sweet potato liquor!" Li Yunlong poured a drink for Wu Ze himself.

"Regiment Commander, my health isn't great. It's not advisable for me to drink," Wu Ze said tactfully. He didn't want to refuse Li Yunlong's kindness, but his current body was truly in poor condition.

"One bowl won't hurt," Li Yunlong insisted, sliding the drink in front of Wu Ze. "A real man, a hero, how can he not drink? Come on, finish it."

"Regiment Commander! Regiment Commander! The Brigade Commander is here!" At that moment, his guard, Huzi, dashed in to warn Li Yunlong.

"What? The Brigade Commander is here? Already?" Li Yunlong was startled. "Quick, quick! Hide the wine immediately! Don't let the Brigade Commander find it, or else..."

Li Yunlong had just frantically hidden the alcohol when the Brigade Commander entered, his face grim. "Li Yunlong!"

"Oh! Brigade Commander, you’re here! Please, have a seat, have a seat!" Li Yunlong greeted him with forced enthusiasm.

"Where is your wine? Bring it out!" The Brigade Commander held out his hand.

"What wine?" Li Yunlong feigned ignorance, staring at him. "Brigade Commander, what wine are you talking about? I don't understand."

"Cut the crap! You reek of alcohol—do you think you can fool me?" The Brigade Commander’s eyes flashed, and he reached for his belt as if to whip him.

Seeing this, Li Yunlong dared not play dumb any longer and quickly brought out the hidden bottle. "Brigade Commander, listen to me. I’d only just taken one sip—just one—when you arrived."

"You drank more than half a bottle in one sip? Do you take me for a fool?" the Brigade Commander retorted, pointing at the nearly empty bottle.

"I took a massive gulp straight from the bottle, and it just happened to be half the bottle," Li Yunlong babbled.

"Damn it, of all the regiment commanders under my command, you're the craftiest," the Brigade Commander cursed. "Caught red-handed and you're still playing the fool."

After scolding him, the Brigade Commander poured himself a bowl and held it up. "Li Yunlong, pick up your bowl."

"Brigade Commander, so you’re here to drink with me! You should have said so sooner—you gave me quite a scare!" Seeing this, Li Yunlong finally breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly raised his bowl.

The Brigade Commander clinked his bowl against Li Yunlong's. "Li Yunlong, I congratulate you on taking Qiujiazhuang. You’ve brought glory to the 386th Brigade once again. Come, drink up."

"Brigade Commander, that’s not quite right," Li Yunlong corrected him. "The New First Regiment was able to take Qiujiazhuang largely thanks to Wu Ze. If it weren't for him..."

"Is that so? So it was Wu Ze’s credit again?" The Brigade Commander paused and turned to look at Wu Ze.

"Brigade Commander, I simply did what I had to do," Wu Ze replied.

"Li Yunlong, look at that! Look at young Wu here," the Brigade Commander scolded. "See how humble he is? And look at you—you accomplish something the size of a sesame seed and your tail is already wagging in the clouds."

"Yes, yes, Brigade Commander, you're absolutely right. I’ll change, I’ll definitely change," Li Yunlong said, not bothering to argue. After all, when the superior officer speaks, you listen. Rank has its privileges.

"Wu Ze, can you handle a drink?" The Brigade Commander noticed Wu Ze's poor health.

"If the Brigade Commander is offering, I must drink even if I can't," Wu Ze replied.

"Well done, Wu Ze," Li Yunlong chimed in. "I offer you a drink and you say your health is poor, but when the Brigade Commander offers, you'll drink regardless? That’s not giving me any face!"

Saying this, Li Yunlong snatched Wu Ze's bowl and told the Brigade Commander, "Brigade Commander, Wu Ze is a bit unwell. I’ll drink his share for him."

"You crafty devil, Li Yunlong, there's no limit to your greed for alcohol," the Brigade Commander cursed, then looked at Wu Ze. "Wu Ze, you just use water instead. Once your health recovers, we’ll have a proper drink together."

"Thank you, Brigade Commander," Wu Ze replied.