Chapter 31: Old Li Inspects the New Regiment! The Deputy Chief of Staff Returns, Stunning the Commander-in-Chief

The sight before him left Li Yunlong momentarily confused. Who exactly was the company commander here, Yang Zhihua or Wang Chengzhu?

He observed Yang Zhihua lecturing Wang Chengzhu and the others. Gone was their previous defiance; they listened as intently as schoolchildren. It seemed Yang Zhihua had truly won over the artillery company with his expertise. This was a promising development.

Li Yunlong felt a sense of gratification as he stood in the courtyard, quietly listening to the lesson. Yang Zhihua’s teaching style was far from rigid; he used plain, accessible language that made the concepts easy to grasp. Even Li Yunlong found the instruction highly beneficial.

Just then, Yang Zhihua noticed Li Yunlong standing by the courtyard entrance. He immediately concluded his lecture and snapped a military salute. "Commander!"

Hearing this, Wang Chengzhu and the others turned around and saluted the approaching Li Yunlong.

Li Yunlong returned the salute and praised, "Comrade Yang Zhihua, that was an excellent explanation!" He looked at the men, adding, "All of you must study hard. You need to apply what you learn to the battlefield. If the day comes when we have artillery but you don't know how to use it, I’ll be cursing a blue streak!"

"Yes, sir!" the men responded in unison.

"How is the progress of the company's training?" Li Yunlong asked, nodding slightly. "Can you handle the mountain guns and the Type 92 infantry guns?"

Wang Chengzhu replied, "Currently, the whole company can operate the mountain guns proficiently, but we haven't test-fired them yet, so the men are a bit nervous."

"Zhuzi, you aren't blowing smoke, are you?" Li Yunlong asked, skeptical.

"Commander, don't look down on us," Wang Chengzhu retorted, unfazed. "If you don't believe me, I'll demonstrate it for you."

"Good!" Li Yunlong readily agreed. "Action is the best proof!"

Wang Chengzhu led ten men to begin the operation. A 75mm mountain gun typically required a crew of ten or more, not including the logistical transport personnel. After all, transporting artillery and ammunition was no simple feat, especially in mountainous terrain. That was why mortars remained the primary weapon of the artillery company.

Li Yunlong pointed toward a large tree on a hill to the northeast. "That tree is the enemy position. Simulate blowing it up for me."

"Yes, sir!" Wang Chengzhu immediately directed his team.

Li Yunlong turned to Yang Zhihua and said, "You are the expert here. Tell me how far they’ve come."

"Yes, sir!" Yang Zhihua nodded.

A moment later, Wang Chengzhu reported, "Commander, the artillery is ready. We can fire at any time."

Li Yunlong nodded slightly, signaling Yang Zhihua to inspect their work.

Yang Zhihua reported, "Commander, their operation is flawless. There is a seventy percent chance of hitting the target. Given the many factors that influence artillery fire, seventy percent is a passing grade."

Li Yunlong understood this well. "Hmm. Zhuzi, it seems you weren't bragging. Good work!"

Wang Chengzhu grinned, his chest swelling with pride. "Commander, although the artillery company only has one mountain gun and our main training focus is on mortars, I haven't neglected this aspect either."

Li Yunlong nodded with satisfaction. "Keep up the training. You won't be short of artillery in the future! Furthermore, you must also help train artillerymen for the various battalions. In the future, those mortars will be handed over to them."

Wang Chengzhu's eyes lit up. "Yes, sir!" He trusted Li Yunlong implicitly. If the commander said so, perhaps the artillery company would indeed possess more guns before long.

After checking the progress of the other artillerymen, Li Yunlong went off to inspect the battalions. On one hand, he wanted to understand the actual situation; on the other, he used his "Loyalty Detection" skill to check for any enemy infiltrators. He was also preparing to establish a third battalion. After all, the total strength of the New First Regiment had reached 1,800 and was still slowly growing. The formation of a third battalion was imminent, though the candidate for battalion commander still required assessment.

***

Meanwhile, at the Eighth Route Army General Headquarters, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief was frowning as he read a report. As the enemy's "mopping-up" operations expanded and battles grew more frequent, the threat to their munitions factory increased. With the Deputy Chief of Staff still away searching for a suitable location for a new factory, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief couldn't help but feel anxious.

A sentry walked in and saluted. "Chief, the Deputy Chief of Staff has returned!"

The worry on the Deputy Commander-in-Chief’s face eased, and he hurried out of the headquarters. He saw the Deputy Chief of Staff arriving on horseback. After dismounting, the officer walked up, saluted, and smiled. "Sir, I'm back."

"You've worked hard," the Deputy Commander-in-Chief said, shaking the other man's hands warmly. "You kept me waiting!"

"How did it go?"

The Deputy Chief of Staff nodded with a look of joy. "Let’s go inside to talk."

The Deputy Commander-in-Chief nodded and instructed the sentry as they walked in, "Go prepare some food to welcome the Deputy Chief of Staff home."

"Yes, sir!"

The Deputy Chief of Staff smiled. "Thank you, sir."

Inside, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief poured a glass of water and handed it over. "You've been out a long time. It seems you've found something. Where caught your eye?"

The Deputy Chief of Staff took a drink, then walked to the map and pointed to Huangyadong. "This is the most suitable place I've identified. It has both mountains and water, which solves our water needs. There is also a cave with ample space that, with some development, can house the factory's production lines. Furthermore, it is well-hidden and boasts terrain where one man can hold off ten thousand; even if the enemy attacks, we can use a small force to delay them and buy time for evacuation."

He continued, "The nearest county seat is Licheng to the east, Wuxiang is to the west, and Liao County is to the north. No matter where the enemy attacks from, we can rely on the mountain terrain to defend... There are only a few roads into the mountains... I only need to establish a base in this area..."

The Deputy Commander-in-Chief studied the location of Huangyadong while listening to the analysis, deep in thought. He trusted the Deputy Chief of Staff's capabilities completely. Since he had spoken so highly of it, it was undoubtedly the optimal choice. With the relocation of the factory becoming a pressing matter, there was no time to wait.

"From what you've said, this is a prime piece of land! If it meets the approval of someone like you, who studied at the Frunze Military Academy, then it must be the right place." The Deputy Commander-in-Chief sighed. "Time waits for no one. We must complete the relocation as soon as possible."

The Deputy Chief of Staff asked, "Has the situation worsened?"

"Yes," the Deputy Commander-in-Chief replied with a grim expression. He briefly summarized the recent developments. Upon hearing the news, the Deputy Chief of Staff felt a surge of urgency. "Then it is indeed critical. I will set to work on the relocation immediately."

"Thank you for your hard work," the Deputy Commander-in-Chief said helplessly. "The situation won't wait. The Japanese are desperate to wipe us out!"

The Deputy Chief of Staff waved his hand, then recalled the poison gas shells Li Yunlong had captured. "Sir, there is one more thing I need to remind everyone of. The Japanese are secretly moving poison gas shells. It is highly likely they intend to use them against us."

"Poison gas shells?" the Deputy Commander-in-Chief repeated, his expression darkening. "What is going on?"