Chapter 56: Bold in Spirit, But How Are Your Teeth?

Chapter 56: Lacking No Boldness, But How Are the Teeth?

(I)

"Brigade Commander, Li Yunlong is never short on boldness, but I just wonder if he has the teeth for this bite!" Chief of Staff Zhou said with a worried expression.

The Brigade Commander looked at the map without raising his head.

Deputy Brigade Commander Chen thought for a moment and said, "Old Zhou's concerns are valid, but we must also look at another aspect: engaging the Huting Stronghold system head-on carries the worst-case scenario of potentially wiping out the Independent Regiment. However, if we fail to rip open this gap, once the Japanese are fully prepared and pounce on us, our headquarters organs will be in extreme danger!"

"It's not that exaggerated! At least, we haven't reached the most dangerous moment yet!" The Brigade Commander raised his head, pushed up his glasses, and said, "Li Yunlong is as cunning as they come! That rascal making a fuss over the Baicun stronghold earlier might have looked reckless, but he actually has a fine mind beneath his rough exterior. Think about it: this time, regardless of the consequences, his insistence on attacking Baicun on the surface seems to stem from almost getting tricked by Baicun’s puppet militia leader last time. Even though he stumbled into picking a big peach in the end, he was still played for a fool, right?"

Chief of Staff Zhou smiled and said, "That's the point. Therefore, the Japanese probably haven't seen through our intention to launch a frontal, forceful breakthrough from this sector yet; otherwise, the reinforcement strength wouldn't be limited to this level."

On the map, the defensive posture of the Japanese had not fundamentally changed. Behind the Huting Stronghold lay the "Hanwang Ridge," which connected the Taiyue and Lüliang mountain ranges and served as the junction between the Taiyuan Basin to the north and the Linfen Basin to the south.

The Huting Stronghold system, the largest and strongest Japanese stronghold network in central Shanxi, together with the Xiachun stronghold cluster—the second strongest in the region—formed a gate, a threshold straddling the two basins, cutting off communications between the Eighth Route Army forces in central Shanxi and northwest Shanxi.

"Precisely!" The Brigade Commander pointed at the map with a pencil and said, "According to intelligence from the Headquarters' Information Department, the puppet company reinforced to Baicun was actually hired by the eldest son of the Bai family in Taiyuan through influential connections and a large sum of money. The stated reason was to guard against retaliation from Li Yunlong of the Independent Regiment. Haha, Li Yunlong this rascal, playing the fool is a game he plays quite well!"

"It's just playing the fool, haha," Deputy Brigade Commander Chen laughed. "I heard it's just a second-rate puppet company, yet the kid was acting all cocky, claiming it wasn't satisfying enough. If you hadn't cursed him into silence, Brigade Commander, Old Zhou and I really would have wanted to hear just how big of a brag he could spin!"

"An optimistic mindset and strategic disdain are both good things. But even if it's a second-rate puppet company, their equipment is still far better than many of our units!" Chief of Staff Zhou sighed emotionally. "That's why this massive relocation of ours involves so many machines, equipment, and jars—they're all treasures. The pressure on the Independent Regiment is not light!"

"This burden wouldn't be light on anyone's shoulders! But judging by the personalities of our military commanders, Li Yunlong is certainly more suitable than Old Luo to act as this 'shield.' Old Luo tends to be cautious and could never come up with such a radical plan!" Deputy Brigade Commander Chen paused and asked Chief of Staff Zhou, "By the way, Old Zhou, I heard that the breaching and demolition tactics Li Yunlong's plan relies on were actually thought up by that same young communications soldier who invented the landmine last time?"

(II)

"Guan Shan!" The Brigade Commander answered for Chief of Staff Zhou. "Both Old Luo and I received calls from Minister Yang. Old Yang was quite angry, saying we don't know how to cherish and protect talent... Ah, what can we do? Who told us the situation is so special! Old Chen, did you receive a call from someone too?"

Deputy Brigade Commander Chen nodded and said, "Nothing escapes you. On my end, it was a call from Deputy Secretary Zhong of the Northern Bureau, who said County Party Secretary Lü spoke to him. It was phrased rather tactfully, but I reckon the meaning was the same as the calls you received, so I won't repeat it."

"Indeed! There's no way to address those words! Little Guan is a good soldier, but every soldier was born and raised by parents, and moreover, they don't know our major strategic intentions. Under the current circumstances, they simply can't afford to consider that much!" Chief of Staff Zhou said.

"If that rascal Li Yunlong really can rely on his single regiment to tear open the Huting Stronghold defense line, our subsequent battles will be much more proactive! If his Independent Regiment is truly wiped out, I'll make him pick cadres from other regiments to rebuild it!" The Brigade Commander slammed his fist heavily onto the map.

(III)

"Alright, alright! No problem at all! Little Guan, Company Commander Chu, please convey to your regimental commander that he can rest easy. Tomorrow, before the troops set out, our comrades in the military industry system will surely have the required supplies fully prepared, and we will never hold our fighters back!" Zhang Wanhe stated on behalf of all the comrades in the logistics department.

Guan Shan and Company Commander Chu had engaged in a heated discussion with the comrades of the military industry system here for over an hour, churning out a whole batch of fresh inventions. All of them were designed comprehensively based on existing resources, leaving Zhang Wanhe exceptionally excited.

"Uhm, Little Guan..." Zhang Wanhe trailed off, hesitant.

"What is it? Any other instructions, Minister Zhang?" Guan Shan asked with a grin.

"Check your helmets and body armor thoroughly, and be extra careful!" Zhang Wanhe patted Guan Shan's shoulder firmly.

Guan Shan smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, Minister Zhang! Don't worry, even though I've only been training for a few days, my instructors are extremely skilled... Well, I won't delay your work any longer. Thank you, Minister Zhang. I'll treat you to a drink when I get back!"

"You said it yourself. Don't be like your regimental commander, all talk and no action, always saying he'll treat me to a drink and yet I haven't tasted a single drop of it to this day!" As if suddenly remembering something, Zhang Wanhe said, "Wait, wait, look at my memory! Stand right here and wait for me for a moment. I have something for you, just a few minutes!"

Guan Shan acknowledged and watched Old Zhang's hurried figure, wondering what on earth he was going to give him.

Company Commander Chu, who had been waiting aside for Guan Shan all along, walked over and tentatively asked, "Little Guan, must it really be you as the Number 1 demolition specialist for the Baicun battle's breaching team?"

Glancing at Company Commander Chu, Guan Shan roughly understood his intention. He thought for a moment and replied, "How about this, Company Commander Chu? Could you help me have a word with the regimental commander? What if I take a team over to coordinate with our operations at the No. 4 ambush site instead?"

"Great! As long as you're willing, I'll go with Battalion Commander Zhang to speak with the regimental commander!" Company Commander Chu was overjoyed.

Guan Shan said, "Oh, but we must be clear: I still have to be the Number 1 demolition specialist. This method was freshly baked and is still piping hot; I'm mainly worried the other soldiers aren't quite familiar with it yet."

"Is it really that complicated? Isn't it just pulling a tripwire from a dozen meters away? Does it really have to be you?"

"Well, if that's what you mean, I guess I don't need to go..."

"Hey, you rascal, trying to pull that trick on me! Don't think I've forgotten who the hell covered for you the first time you scared yourself pissing your pants!" Company Commander Chu raised his leg and gently kicked Guan Shan's backside.

Amidst the playful shoving and bantering, Minister Zhang trotted back, carrying a backpack.

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