Chapter 33: Li Yunlong, you certainly have a way with things.-Brilhando a Espada: No Início, Ajudo Li Yunlong a Conseguir um Canhão Italiano(Iniciar jogo)

Chapter 33: Li Yunlong, You Really Have a Way

"However, the weapons and ammunition seized from the puppet troops at Qiujiazhuang must be turned over by your New First Regiment," the Brigade Commander stated.

"Brigade Commander, my New First Regiment cannot turn over the weapons and ammunition from Qiujiazhuang..." Li Yunlong began, but he was cut off.

The Brigade Commander glared at him. "Li Yunlong, you son of a bitch, say that to me one more time! Your New First Regiment already has enough weapons and ammunition. Do you want to keep those Qiujiazhuang spoils in the warehouse to gather dust?"

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare," Li Yunlong replied.

"Then why are you telling me you can't turn them over?" the Brigade Commander asked sternly. "You already have the inventory list, don't you? Give it to me."

Li Yunlong didn't speak; instead, he signaled to Wu Ze with his eyes.

Seeing Li Yunlong's expression, Wu Ze understood immediately. Li Yunlong was still afraid of the Brigade Commander and wanted Wu Ze to speak on his behalf.

Wu Ze stepped forward. "Brigade Commander, it’s like this: Hirata Ichiro is already mobilizing troops to encircle and suppress the New First Regiment. It is said that the puppet force is already two thousand strong. Given the current state of the New First Regiment, a head-on collision would inevitably lead to heavy casualties. When the fighting starts, the New First Regiment will surely have to ask the Independent Regiment for support, but the Independent Regiment currently lacks sufficient weapons and ammunition, and their combat effectiveness is..."

Before Wu Ze could finish, the Brigade Commander realized what was happening. So, this bastard Li Yunlong had handed the weapons and ammunition over to the Independent Regiment?

The Brigade Commander snapped at Li Yunlong, "Li Yunlong, what right do you have to transfer the Qiujiazhuang weapons and ammunition to the Independent Regiment?"

"Brigade Commander, I didn't transfer them to the Independent Regiment. I didn't!" Li Yunlong defended himself. "I just lent them to the Independent Regiment on your behalf, Brigade Commander. It's a loan; the Independent Regiment will have to return them eventually."

*Slap!*

Upon hearing this, the Brigade Commander was so angry he slammed his hand onto the table. "You, Li Yunlong! You really have a way!"

"Brigade Commander, calm down, calm down. I did this for the sake of your 386th Brigade," Li Yunlong said, putting on a brazen face. "Think about it: if this batch of weapons reached you, wouldn't the higher-ups make you turn them over anyway? By keeping them with the Independent Regiment, which is still under the 386th Brigade's command, this way..."

"Fine, Li Yunlong, you go ahead and call the Division Headquarters or the General Headquarters right now. If you can convince the Division Commander or the Deputy Commander-in-Chief, then I won't say another word about the Qiujiazhuang weapons," the Brigade Commander interrupted. "But if they don't agree and I get disciplined, your Italian artillery piece is being handed over to the Brigade Headquarters immediately."

"What for, Brigade Commander? I was clearly thinking of you; how can you set your sights on my New First Regiment's Italian artillery?" Li Yunlong asked anxiously. "Besides, you already promised that the Italian gun belongs to my New First Regiment. How can you go back on your word?"

"If you hadn't given the Qiujiazhuang weapons to the Independent Regiment, I could have used the merit from the Qiujiazhuang operation to argue with the higher-ups and kept the artillery. But if those weapons aren't turned in, the higher-ups..." The Brigade Commander spoke with grave seriousness. "Li Yunlong, you should know what heavy weapons like mountain guns mean to the Headquarters. There has already been fierce debate over that Italian gun. Do you know how many units want it? The Division Commander and I are arguing our case before the Deputy Commander-in-Chief, and here you are, causing trouble behind my back. If that Italian gun can't be kept, don't blame me for coming down on you."

"Brigade Commander, I really was thinking of the 386th Brigade. If I had known earlier, I definitely wouldn't have lent the Qiujiazhuang weapons to 'Kong the Blockhead'..." Li Yunlong said, feigning regret.

"Li Yunlong, either you go get those weapons back for me right now," the Brigade Commander interrupted, "or I will take away your Italian artillery immediately."

"Brigade Commander, Hirata Ichiro is about to encircle the New First Regiment. Why don't you speak to the Division or the Headquarters?" Wu Ze suggested. "Let the Independent Regiment use these weapons to support the New First Regiment for now. Once the crisis is resolved, we can discuss the weapons and ammunition again."

"Exactly, exactly! Brigade Commander, Wu Ze makes a lot of sense. We can't just leave the Independent Regiment at their previous strength, leaving them powerless when the New First Regiment is being hunted down by the enemy," Li Yunlong immediately added. "Once the crisis is over, I will personally retrieve the weapons and turn them all over. I won't keep a single bullet."

"Once the crisis is over... you certainly have a lot of confidence, you brat," the Brigade Commander said. "This time, the puppet force has two thousand men and four cannons. How do you and Kong the Blockhead plan to handle that?"

"Brigade Commander, if I can handle them, do the weapons captured from these puppet troops belong to my New First Regiment?" Li Yunlong asked, aiming high.

This was the source of Li Yunlong's confidence in offering to turn over the Qiujiazhuang spoils. Once they took out those two thousand puppets, they could capture four cannons. The Qiujiazhuang weapons were mere pocket change; Li Yunlong wouldn't even want them.

"Li Yunlong, aren't you afraid of blowing your own horn until it bursts!" the Brigade Commander scolded.

If it were merely two thousand puppet soldiers, the Brigade Commander wouldn't be worried. Puppet troops alone weren't very strong, and the New First Regiment could engage in guerrilla warfare to stall for time. Now that they were well-supplied with food and ammunition, they could afford to drag it out. But Hirata Ichiro would certainly dispatch his own Japanese troops.

Once Japanese troops were involved, they would apply immense pressure on the puppet soldiers, and their combat effectiveness would be significantly bolstered. Even if the Independent Regiment and the New First Regiment joined forces, it would be a tough battle.

"Brigade Commander, in the past, when we lacked guns, ammo, and food, we struggled against the Japanese and traitor encirclements. But things are different now," Li Yunlong said, filled with confidence. "Besides, we have Wu Ze as our grand strategist. Dealing with two thousand puppets will definitely be possible."

"If you're so capable, then why don't you just go without the Independent Regiment's support?" the Brigade Commander glared at him.

As the commander of the 386th Brigade, he could not simply stand by and watch Li Yunlong's New First Regiment be wiped out by Hirata Ichiro. On the contrary, he had to do everything in his power to help the New First Regiment survive the crisis.

In truth, leaving the Qiujiazhuang weapons with the Independent Regiment was a decent plan. With the two regiments supporting each other, their chances of surviving the crisis were high. The only problem was that as long as those weapons weren't turned over, too many people would still be eyeing the Italian artillery.

At this juncture, the 386th Brigade couldn't afford any mistakes. If they slipped up, the higher-ups might just force them to surrender the gun. The Brigade Commander didn't want to give it up. Even if it stayed with the New First Regiment, it was still part of the 386th Brigade. If he had to hand it over, it would break his heart.