Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 91 The Independent Regiment Surrenders (Part 2)

The brigade commander led his men toward the next room. After pushing open the door, they saw a square table in the middle of the room with seven or eight dishes on it. However, the oily plate of braised pork in the middle particularly caught Li Yunfei's eye.

"Wow, brigade commander, you really do have braised pork!" Li Yunfei exclaimed.

"I just heard you say you've made a fortune. Today, the brigade commander even took money out of his own pocket to buy half a pig from a fellow villager. Our brigade headquarters really benefited from your generosity this time. We haven't tasted meat for over a month."

"The brigade commander also said that if that bastard Li Yunfei dares to lie to him, he'll teach that bastard a lesson," the chief of staff joked.

"Brigade Commander, the spoils that Old Li sent over are well worth this plate of braised pork, Brigade Commander," Liu Yunfei said with a smile.

"It's such a great deal! I could afford to treat you to braised pork at my brigade headquarters for a whole month, let alone just one plate. Alright, everyone, let's get started and chat while we eat," the brigade commander said with a smile.

While they were talking, everyone sat down.

"Alright, Li Yunfei, stop being so formal. Eat up. This was specially prepared for you, my great hero." The brigade commander said as he took out his own wine and filled the bowl in front of Li Yunfei.

"Brigade Commander, do my soldiers have any meat to eat? I can't be the one eating meat while the soldiers of my Independent Regiment are left watching helplessly. We believe in equality between officers and soldiers." Li Yunfei asked instead of picking up his chopsticks.

"Haha, as expected, we didn't send the wrong political commissar. Li Yunfei's ideological awareness has improved a lot. He'll have to start educating me now," the brigade commander said to Zhao Xiaogang with a smile.

"I've already arranged it with the cooks, and had Zhao Erhei take care of it, to make sure that all these great heroes of the independent regiment have meat to eat."

"Brigade Commander, then I, Old Li, won't stand on ceremony." After saying that, Li Yunfei picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a large piece of braised pork, and ate it in one bite.

"It smells so good, it's fucking delicious." Li Yunfei's mouth was stuffed full, and he finally managed to say it.

"Come on, on behalf of the brigade headquarters, I congratulate Li Yunfei on such a great victory. Cheers!" After saying that, the brigade commander took the lead and downed the bowl of wine in front of him.

"Thank you, Brigade Commander." Li Yunfei also finished his drink in one gulp, then smacked his lips and said:

"As expected of the brigade commander's hidden wine, it tastes damn good."

"Tonight, we'll have good wine and good food, but we still can't drink too much. We have missions to do tomorrow," the chief of staff reminded him.

"Don't worry, there are only two bottles, you won't get drunk," the brigade commander said with a smile.

The drinking party quickly ended amidst toasts and laughter, and the group of people were now sitting at the table chatting.

"Hey Li Yunfei, besides this batch of gold, what other weapons did you capture? Knowing your nature, you must have a lot of good stuff on hand. Give me a quick report," the brigade commander asked.

"Brigadier, tonight's meat won't be so easy to eat," Li Yunfei said with a smile.

“旅长，我也不瞒你们，这次我们独立团一共缴获了1000多支三八大盖、11挺九二式重机枪、36挺歪把子、46具掷弹筒、5门迫击炮，2部电台、3个步话机，还有3门九二式步兵炮。”李云飞如数家珍的说道。

"My goodness! I knew you, Lao Li, had struck it rich, but I never imagined you'd made such a fortune! Your equipment is equivalent to that of almost half our brigade!" the chief of staff exclaimed in shock.

"Li Yunfei, we've already agreed that we'll split these weapons 50/50," the brigade commander said with a smile.

"Brigadier, are you robbing a rich man? You can't just take advantage of Old Li like this. Brigadier, I'll only give you 30% at most. My Independent Regiment suffered heavy losses this time, and we're still waiting for these weapons to develop and strengthen. 50%? No way, no way." Li Yunfei hurriedly shook his head upon hearing this.

"Alright, I know your Independent Regiment has suffered heavy losses this time, so we'll do as you said, 30%. But you still need to send over those three Type 92 infantry guns," the brigade commander said.

"No, brigade commander, I'm planning to set up an artillery battalion. How can we do without a cannon?"

"If you can form an artillery battalion with just one regiment, then wouldn't I need to form an artillery regiment to be worthy of it with just one brigade?"

“Brigade Commander, look at what you’re saying. With your rank, you’d need at least two artillery regiments.”

"Alright, there's no room for discussion on this. Your entire regiment can't afford these few cannons. They'll all be under the management of the brigade headquarters. When you need support, the brigade headquarters will naturally send it. This is called concentrating resources to accomplish great things," the brigade commander said.

"Alright, alright, a higher rank puts more pressure on you. I can only do as the brigade commander says," Li Yunfei said, feigning a sigh. But inwardly, he was overjoyed. He hadn't expected the brigade commander to leave him 7% of the equipment. With this equipment, Li Yunfei was confident he could develop the Independent Regiment into a top-tier main force regiment.

"Now that we've covered the weapons and equipment, let's talk about the next steps for your independent regiment's development," the brigade commander asked.

"Brigade Commander, the Independent Regiment was able to achieve such great results this time mainly due to the cooperation of the Tangjia Town militia. Therefore, the political commissar and I both believe that we should continue to cooperate with the militia in the future."

“Yes, Brigade Commander. Their militia commander, Tang Weiguo, is skilled in commanding operations, and the militia is very strong in combat. They can engage the Japanese head-on without suffering too many losses. Therefore, our Independent Regiment cooperates with them in combat to continuously consolidate the base area,” Zhao Xiaogang added.

"This strategy is fine. We must unite all forces that can be united to fight against Japan. However, I just received some intelligence today that the militia in Tangjia Town has been incorporated into the Second War Zone and appointed as an independent anti-Japanese militia, with Tang Weiguo as the colonel commander."

"Damn it, that bastard Yan Xishan really knows how to steal the credit," Li Yunfei cursed out.

"But there's a way. Within the Second War Zone, all troops are nominally under Yan Xishan's command. Such a big event as the last militia attack on the Japanese military train couldn't be kept secret from their intelligence department."

"Sigh, I should have recruited him into our team," Li Yunfei said with a look of regret.

“We definitely can’t do this. Even though we are facing a formidable enemy, the Nationalist government is still very wary of us. If you really bring the Tangjia Town militia into our ranks, it will give the Nationalist government an excuse to criticize us, and then we will be in trouble,” the brigade commander said with a sigh.

“That damn Yan Laoxi, Brigade Commander, what’s our next step?” Li Yunfei asked.

"Based on your reports, I believe Tang Weiguo is still quite friendly towards us, and there is no problem with continuing to maintain contact. However, since they are now part of the Nationalist government's forces, you cannot make contact as openly as before; all contact must be done privately. Tang Weiguo has been helping you so much, you must not let him arouse suspicion from above."

"When you go back, maintain open vigilance with them, but keep in close contact. I think Tang Weiguo understands this principle and wants to avoid suspicion," the brigade commander analyzed.

"Okay, brigade commander, I know what to do."

"Okay, good. You captured two radios this time. I'll keep one for you and assign you an operator. You'll stay in contact with the brigade headquarters at all times."

"That's great! Requesting permission to launch an operation is just in time!" Li Yunfei exclaimed, slapping his thigh in delight.

"I have very high expectations for your Independent Regiment."

"Don't worry, Brigade Commander, I guarantee that I will make the Independent Regiment the strongest unit in the brigade."

"Good, that's exactly what I was waiting for," the brigade commander said with a smile.

"Alright, get some rest. We have to go to headquarters tomorrow," the brigade commander said.

"Can the brigade commander see the instructor?"

"What do you say?"

"That's fucking great."

"Alright, let's set off first thing tomorrow morning."

"Yes, Brigade Commander." Li Yunfei replied excitedly, like a child.