Chapter 10: Surrendering the Artifacts, Achievements Astonish the Brigade Commander

Could it be that this was the work of that rascal Li Yunlong?

The Brigade Commander thought this because the New First Regiment had only recently been formed, and Li Yunlong hadn't requested any support from the brigade headquarters. Having finally caught hold of a supply convoy, he would surely strip it bare.

However, the fact that Li Yunlong brought back so many items left the Commander somewhat bewildered.

Has Li Yunlong turned over a new leaf?

Impossible!

The Brigade Commander immediately dismissed his own speculation and walked outside.

"I’d like to see what kind of scheme this kid is up to!"

Just as he stepped out of the command post, he saw Li Yunlong greeting the comrades at the brigade headquarters with a beaming smile. Li Yunlong quickly walked over and offered a military salute.

"Brigade Commander, why trouble yourself to come out and welcome me?" Li Yunlong said, feigning flattery. "I’m truly overwhelmed!"

The Brigade Commander looked Li Yunlong up and down, then asked with a stern face, "What kind of game are you playing?"

"What are those things?"

Li Yunlong smiled and said, "Brigade Commander, don’t look so grim."

"I captured some fine goods and thought of you, old man, right away."

"Please, take a look."

Hm?

The Brigade Commander was taken aback. He followed Li Yunlong to the horse-drawn carts and looked at the wrapped crates, feeling even more suspicious.

Li Yunlong opened one of the crates and explained, "These are cultural relics I seized when attacking the Japanese supply convoy at Jingxing Ridge. To prevent these items from falling into the hands of the devils, I rushed here without pause to turn them over..."

So that was it!

Hearing this, the Brigade Commander immediately confirmed his suspicions.

"It really was you, you rascal!"

"I was wondering who could pull off such a stunt, almost stripping the enemy down to their underwear. You’re ruthless, kid!"

Hearing this, Li Yunlong paused slightly, but quickly deduced the reason. It seemed that the subsequent skirmish must have involved other units from the brigade encountering the enemy. He had no desire to delve deeper into that; after all, he was the one who had secured the supplies.

He put on a pitiful face and complained, "Brigade Commander, I didn't want to, but we are just so poor!"

"You have no idea. I’m so poor I’m practically coughing up blood. Look at me, I’ve even lost weight..."

"Enough, enough!" The Brigade Commander interrupted his whining and glared at him.

"Don't cry poor to me; I’m poor too!"

"You look quite energetic to me, your face is glowing. You’ve been living comfortably this past month, haven't you?"

He then picked up the artifacts to inspect them.

Li Yunlong was suddenly speechless.

A slip of the tongue!

He had forgotten to put on a disguise. After consuming the serum, his physical functions had improved, and he hadn't lacked for food or drink, which made him look much younger.

However, Li Yunlong quickly recovered. He leaned in toward the Brigade Commander and asked, "Brigade Commander, these things are quite good, right?"

The Brigade Commander glanced at him, knowing full well what Li Yunlong was after. He said directly, "The items are indeed good."

"But don't get any crooked ideas here."

"The brigade headquarters is very poor right now. Weapons and ammunition? None!"

Seeing the Brigade Commander’s firm attitude, Li Yunlong couldn't help but smile. "Brigade Commander, how can you say that? Am I that kind of person?"

"I don't need weapons or ammunition."

"This attack on the Japanese supply convoy has already triggered a search by the Japanese and the puppet troops. We can no longer stay at Weizhuang; the unit needs to relocate. I hope you can grant me the authority for six months of independent development."

"Don't worry, I guarantee I will abide by discipline."

"What do you think..."

Six months of independent development?

That was effectively granting him full autonomy.

The Brigade Commander carefully set down the bronze tripod in his hand, looked up at Li Yunlong, and stared at him for a long while.

Only then did he ask, "Tell me your specific plans."

Seeing a chance, Li Yunlong hurriedly analyzed, "Now that Taiyuan has fallen, the war in the Second War Zone is essentially decided. While the Japanese haven't consolidated their territory yet, this is the perfect opportunity for us to grow."

"I intend to find a suitable location for a base, build up the unit, and store strength for future strikes against the Japanese."

"I don't have a specific location yet, and communications are inconvenient, so I'm requesting this authority from you."

A trace of surprise appeared in the Brigade Commander's eyes.

Li Yunlong's insight into the situation caught him off guard. The New First Regiment had only just been formed and did need to accelerate its development; keeping them by his side wouldn't be very effective. Moreover, other units were gradually entering a phase of development...

After thinking for a moment, the Brigade Commander finally nodded.

"I approve your request!"

"However, I’ll say this first: if you dare to cause trouble out there and damage the image of our army, I will be the first one to never forgive you!"

"Please rest assured, Brigade Commander. I guarantee that won't happen," Li Yunlong said, straightening his back and promising loudly.

The Brigade Commander felt a bit more at ease. He then cautioned, "Also, if you can't build a respectable unit within six months, don't blame me for stripping you of your rank as regiment commander."

"Additionally, once the base is stabilized, send someone to inform the brigade headquarters."

"Understood!" Li Yunlong replied sonorously. "If I didn't have that much ability, I might as well go home and hold my wife and kids."

"As if you have a wife and kids," the Brigade Commander rolled his eyes at him.

Li Yunlong grinned, then touched his rumbling stomach and said, "Brigade Commander, since there are no weapons or equipment, you should at least treat me to a meal, right?"

"You really can't go without squeezing some benefit out of me, can you?" The Brigade Commander pointed at Li Yunlong, then ordered his guard to notify the mess squad to prepare food for them.

After making the arrangements, the Brigade Commander asked curiously, "Li Yunlong, according to the Independent Regiment's report, this Japanese supply convoy had a Japanese squad and a company of puppet troops. How did you manage to take them down so quickly?"

"The New First Regiment is developing quite well!"

Li Yunlong was slightly stunned.

The Independent Regiment's report?

So he had stolen the glory from Kong Jie.

He replied, "Development is average. There are only two or three hundred men, most of them new recruits. In this live-combat training, 19 men were sacrificed, 4 were seriously wounded, and over 40 were injured."

"In an ambush, such casualties can only be considered a pyrrhic victory. Our strength still needs improvement."

Hearing this, the Brigade Commander was shocked.

In Kong Jie's report, at least a hundred enemies were wiped out, including a Japanese squad. He knew the Japanese combat capability very well. For Li Yunlong to achieve such a great victory with such low casualties using mostly new recruits—that was no small feat!

This made the Brigade Commander hold higher expectations for Li Yunlong.

"You’ve become quite humble, haven't you?"

"However, the Japanese strength should not be underestimated. As the unit develops, training must keep up."

"Also, you need to strengthen your ideological awareness. Do not deviate from the organization's instructions."

"Yes!" Li Yunlong replied with a serious expression. "Please rest assured, Brigade Commander, I know what to do."

"Good, that's good." The Brigade Commander nodded slightly.

Afterward, the two chatted for a while. Li Yunlong went to rest and have a meal before leaving the brigade headquarters' base.

...

Just as Li Yunlong was leading his troops back to their base, a scene caught his and his men's attention.

Hm?

The person currently entangled with the puppet troops made Li Yunlong pause.

It was actually Sun...