Chapter 19: Seizing the Arsenal, Striking It Rich! An Ideal Stronghold
“Commander, the munitions factory has been secured, and we’ve discovered a hidden passage leading to the front of the mountain stronghold.”
Hearing this, Li Yunlong’s eyes widened slightly, a look of surprise crossing his face.
“There’s such a thing?”
“Quick, take me to see it.”
“Yes, sir!” The soldier responded immediately, explaining as they walked, “The battalion commander has already had the passage inspected; it’s safe.”
“Commander, this way please.”
Led by the soldier, Li Yunlong entered a room within the stronghold. A cabinet had been pushed aside, revealing a dim tunnel inside.
Voices of soldiers could be heard from within.
After a moment, lights were lit one by one.
The tunnel was narrow, just wide enough for a few people to pass through, and rather rudimentary in construction.
Li Yunlong looked at the passage with genuine satisfaction.
This was an excellent escape route.
He then switched on his flashlight and, together with the soldiers, began exploring further.
About ten minutes later, voices from outside reached them—Zhang Dabiao and Shen Quan were conversing.
“Captain Shen, your assault pace is impressive. The Second Battalion’s fighting strength is no joke!”
“Not at all,” Shen Quan replied modestly. “It’s quite rare that the First Battalion could resolve the battle at the front of the stronghold so quickly.”
“Captain Zhang, your capabilities have earned our respect. I take back my earlier words.”
“However, these are just bandits, nothing serious. We’ll see who’s stronger when we fight the Japanese.”
“Agreed!” Zhang Dabiao replied heartily.
“Good!” Shen Quan smiled. “Enough talk, let’s focus on our own tasks!”
“I’ll return to the front mountain first,” Zhang Dabiao said with a salute.
“Farewell!”
Listening to their exchange, Li Yunlong smiled knowingly and quickly exited the tunnel.
The exit was tucked away in a corner of the munitions factory.
Stepping out, he saw a pile of miscellaneous items and nearby, stacks of crates.
A soldier brought one out for inspection—it was clearly a storage for artillery shells.
A rough count showed more than ten crates, about seventy or eighty shells in total.
As Li Yunlong emerged from the tunnel, everyone greeted him.
He nodded slightly, glanced at the shells, then headed outside.
The factory’s equipment and workers were the real treasure.
This was a “hen that lays golden eggs.”
Outside the warehouse lay a variety of production equipment and partially finished shells.
The entire factory was built inside a cave, utilizing the natural shelter.
Truly, it was a splendid location.
After inspection, Li Yunlong noted that with some improvements, it could appear more organized and secure.
At that moment, plans for renovation were already forming in his mind.
---
Outside the munitions factory, Shen Quan was lecturing a group of men crouched with their heads down.
“You wretched bastards! With such weapons and equipment, you don’t think to fight the Japanese, but instead turn on your own people, oppress civilians, and abduct women…”
“I swear, I want to shoot you all dead!”
“…”
“Now, you have two choices: one, join the anti-Japanese forces, use your skills to contribute to the cause.”
“Two, manufacture shells for the resistance, redeem yourselves through good deeds, and if you do well, you may be allowed to stay or leave as you please.”
“Otherwise…” He pointed to Zhou Haoyue, who had been executed nearby, “this will be your fate!”
The crouching men exchanged glances, rendered speechless.
Was there really a choice here?
It was no choice at all.
They had to keep making shells for the resistance.
Under such circumstances, they all nodded in agreement.
Li Yunlong watched this scene and shook his head with a faint smile.
Shen Quan had indeed learned a few tactics and showed some of his own style.
He then stepped forward.
“Shen Quan, how’s the situation?”
Seeing Li Yunlong approach, Shen Quan changed his tone from stern to cheerful.
“Commander, everything is settled.”
“They’ve all agreed to join us and produce shells for the anti-Japanese effort.”
“The factory equipment seems undamaged, and we have full control.”
Li Yunlong nodded slightly in approval.
“Well done!”
Then his gaze swept over the men on the ground, conducting a loyalty assessment.
Most reached a trustworthy level; only one was rated as a “fence-sitter.”
Li Yunlong approached personally, helping the reliable workers up and introducing himself affably.
“I’m Li Yunlong, the new commander of the First Regiment. Welcome aboard.”
“Your previous treatment will remain for now. Perform well, and I won’t let anyone go unrewarded.”
The men were astonished and honored to be helped up by a regiment commander of the Eighth Route Army who was so approachable and respectful.
This melted much of their inner resistance.
“Thank you, sir. We made shells for the bandits only because Heilong threatened our families.”
“We never wanted to bear the bandits’ shame.”
“Now, making shells for the resistance is the best outcome.”
Others nodded in agreement.
Li Yunlong saw their loyalty rise considerably, which pleased him.
He understood their helplessness.
“Heilong has been eliminated. Your families will be safe.”
“The little devils run rampant, traitors abound. Every Chinese man must stand up to resist, protect our land and families…”
After some words of education, Li Yunlong assigned them to inspect the equipment.
After all, the recent battle, especially the clash involving Zhou Haoyue and the Second Battalion, had taken place inside the munitions factory.
---
The man rated as a “fence-sitter” was transferred out to bolster manpower in base construction.
Li Yunlong then issued orders.
“Shen Quan, keep a close watch here. Report any developments.”
“Also, increase search efforts at dawn to catch any stragglers.”
Shen Quan responded loudly, “Yes, sir!” and began patrolling the factory after seeing Li Yunlong off.
---
At the front mountain of the stronghold.
After a night of relentless clearing by the soldiers, all of Heilong’s bandit supplies had been inventoried.
Even Heilong’s hidden treasury was uncovered following a tip from others and dug up.
Upon seeing its contents, the others cursed Heilong’s greed in secret.
None had expected him to be so wealthy.
Now that it was confiscated, there was a faint sense of schadenfreude.
Such is human nature.
With the inventory complete and logged, Zhang Quan brought the ledger to Li Yunlong for report.
“Commander, here are the weapons, equipment, money, and supplies seized.”
Li Yunlong took the ledger and scanned through it, his smile growing broader.
Regarding equipment:
The captured arms were sufficient to outfit a thousand-man regiment, including light and heavy machine guns, several 60mm mortars, and a 75mm Liao-manufactured howitzer.
Seeing this, Li Yunlong thought internally: It’s time to form an artillery company!
As for supplies:
The rations were enough to sustain the First Regiment’s current strength for a month.
Unexpectedly, there was also a batch of puppet army uniforms, quite complete.
Enough to equip two companies.
What was going on?
Had Heilong planned to defect and serve the Japanese as a traitor?
This matter needed thorough investigation.
Flipping further through the ledger, the wealth seized brought a joyous smile to Li Yunlong’s face, but also deep anger.
How much had Heilong extorted from the people to amass such riches?
He truly deserved to die a miserable death.
But this was a boon for the First Regiment; now they had funds for the anti-Japanese effort.
This base had truly been chosen well!
Excellent!
As Li Yunlong reviewed the ledger, Zhang Dabiao approached with a report.
“Commander, the bandits have been reorganized. Here is the roster for your review.”