Chapter 55: Unexpected Harvest! The Brigade Commander's Personal Handwriting Exposes Li Yunlong?

Li Yunlong took the interrogation report and glanced through it, his expression freezing slightly in surprise.

He hadn't expected an unexpected harvest.

The Japanese infiltration was merely an attempt to gather intelligence on the base area, and they had already managed to probe deep into the core regions.

However, before they could transmit any information back, the Special Operations Company had wiped them out.

Ever since learning about the enemy infiltration, Li Yunlong had used his virtual map to feed misleading clues to the operatives.

That was the only reason these infiltrators had been captured so quickly.

What surprised Li Yunlong the most was obtaining a piece of unexpected intelligence during the interrogation of the traitors.

The Japanese were about to transport a batch of steel materials through Liao County to Yucun County!

Weren't they just dozing off and someone handed them a pillow?

As the arsenal expanded production, steel was an absolute necessity for raw materials.

Still, Li Yunlong had some lingering concerns that this might be a trap.

Yet, facing meat delivered right to his mouth, there was no reason not to eat it.

Backed by the virtual map, he had plenty of room to maneuver.

"Have someone thoroughly investigate this matter first. As for these spies and traitors, keep them secure for now and deal with them only after the situation is verified."

"Understood!" Liu Yuan nodded slightly before turning to make the arrangements.

The brigade commander beside him asked out of curiosity, "You've captured the infiltrating special agents already?"

"Yes!" Li Yunlong nodded slightly.

"We owe this success entirely to the villagers who provided the clues."

"Hahaha... Your security measures are even tighter than the brigade headquarters!" the brigade commander remarked with emotion. "With that in mind, I can rest easy."

"It's getting late. I should head back to the brigade headquarters."

Li Yunlong didn't press him to stay. After having breakfast together, he saw the brigade commander off.

Afterward, Li Yunlong used the virtual map to inspect the condition of the base area once more, paying special attention to the vital sectors.

He went out on patrol, scanning the area using his loyalty-detection skill to ensure the absolute security of the base.

...

Meanwhile, at the Third Regiment Headquarters:

Following the New First Regiment's operations, the Japanese forces had completely lost contact with and track of their intelligence operatives.

This left the Japanese intelligence officer frowning deeply.

After all, it wasn't just a single unit going silent.

He understood that something must have gone wrong.

"Baka! Those damned Eighth Route bandits!"

"We must find out what on earth has happened!"

With that, the Japanese officer summoned puppet troops to investigate and monitor the missing units.

In the Japanese officer's view, the special operations squad must have been exposed due to language barriers.

Although puppet troops were untrustworthy, he had no one else to rely on at the moment.

To ensure the puppet troops wouldn't harbor rebellious thoughts, the military police placed their families under strict surveillance.

The message was crystal clear: if these puppet troops deserted or failed to gather accurate intelligence, their entire families would pay with their lives.

This left the puppet troops feeling both furious and helpless.

Consequently, they had no choice but to disguise themselves as new recruits and sneak out to gather information.

...

Meanwhile, at Black Wind Ridge, inside the New First Regiment Headquarters:

Just as Li Yunlong was putting the finishing touches on *A Friend of Military and Civilian Dual-Use Talents*, Liu Yuan walked in and reported, "Old Li, I've got the situation figured out."

"Judging from the information gathered, security in Liao County has tightened considerably, especially with increased troop presence at checkpoints along the route. Testing showed they have heavy firepower and ample ammunition."

"Perhaps the traitor wasn't lying; the Japanese are very likely transporting steel materials along this route, though we couldn't figure out the exact quantity or the transport schedule."

Li Yunlong nodded slightly. "Well, that's still good news."

"Post men at both ends of the highway. The moment the transport convoy plans to use this road, we'll know about it, and we'll still have plenty of time."

"Signalman, immediately order the First Battalion to enter a state of combat readiness and await further instructions."

"Yes!" The signalman acknowledged the order and rushed off to transmit it.

Immediately afterward, Li Yunlong instructed Liu Yuan, "I'm leaving the regimental headquarters in your hands. You must remain on high alert against a raid by the Third Regiment."

"Now that the little Japanese have lost contact with their agents, they will likely send more people to probe around. Perhaps we can use this opportunity to wipe out those agents as well."

Looking somewhat anxious, Liu Yuan asked, "Regimental Commander, do you intend to go personally?"

Li Yunlong nodded. "If the intelligence is correct, this batch of steel is exactly what the arsenal needs."

"I'll only feel at ease if I go myself. I leave the home front to you."

"Counter-espionage is your area of expertise. We'll each stick to our posts and cooperate."

Realizing that Li Yunlong had already made up his mind, Liu Yuan could only nod. "Very well!"

"However, for safety's sake, take the artillery company with you. They happen to need some real combat training anyway."

"Fair enough!" Li Yunlong agreed with a nod.

Shortly after, Li Yunlong settled a few final matters with Liu Yuan and set off for the artillery battalion's base area.

By then, Wang Chengzhu, having received advance notice, was already waiting there personally with an artillery company.

This entire company was equipped exclusively with mortars—twelve in total.

With these cannons, combined with the mortars and grenade launchers already belonging to the First Battalion, they wouldn't fear even a full Japanese infantry battalion!

Besides, there was no way the Japanese would dispatch an entire battalion merely to escort a transport convoy.

The only thing they needed to factor in was intercepting enemy reinforcements.

Seeing Li Yunlong approach, the entire artillery company snapped to attention. Wang Chengzhu stepped forward excitedly, saluted, and reported:

"Reporting to the Regimental Commander, the First Company of the Artillery Battalion is fully assembled, awaiting your orders!"

Li Yunlong returned the salute, swept his gaze over the artillerymen, and said in a ringing voice, "Company commander, step forward."

Upon the command, Wang Chengzhu and the First Company commander immediately stepped up.

Li Yunlong pulled out a map and said, "These are the marching routes for each platoon. This operation requires covert movement, departing in separate batches, with the First Battalion's base area as the destination."

"Is that clear?"

"Clear!" Wang Chengzhu and the company commander acknowledged in unison, then immediately turned away to carry out the orders.

Li Yunlong joined one of the platoons on the march toward the First Battalion's base area.

...

Meanwhile, at the 386th Brigade Headquarters:

Having departed from the New First Regiment's base, the brigade commander hurried straight back to the brigade command post.

Given how critical the current situation was, he couldn't help but worry.

Especially after learning that the Third Regiment had set its sights on the New First Regiment.

The brigade commander had no choice but to be extra cautious.

Upon returning to the brigade headquarters, the brigade commander immediately had someone copy *The Barefoot Doctor's Manual*, recognizing it as a divine manual for elevating the medical standards of their troops.

At the same time, the brigade commander drafted a report concerning Li Yunlong, handed it to a courier, and instructed, "Deliver this to the division headquarters as well."

"Yes!"

The signalman acknowledged the order and spurred his horse toward the division headquarters at top speed.

...

Meanwhile, at the 129th Division Headquarters:

Out of operational necessity, the Deputy Commander and Division Commander Liu were discussing the complex current situation.

"According to intelligence, the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army seems to be harboring ill intentions. Our new troops are likely to be targeted, and the Japanese are eyeing us like a tiger eyeing its prey. The situation is far from optimistic..."

"Yen Xishan is likely planning a major move to suppress our development, and we must be on guard."

"Fortunately, the Great Commander had the foresight to deploy us in advance. The arsenal has been safely relocated, giving us the confidence to continue our resistance."

"..."

Just as the two men were exchanging views, the signalman finally arrived at the division headquarters. Permitted to enter, he saluted the Deputy Commander and Division Commander Liu.

"Reporting to the Chief and the Division Commander, this is what the Brigade Commander asked me to deliver."

Division Commander Liu looked slightly startled, a puzzled expression crossing his face as he accepted a book and a letter.

"Why write a letter when we have a radio?"