Bright Sword: Japs, times have changed

The battle of Xiaowangzhuang shocked the entire anti-Japanese armed forces in northwest Shanxi.

The strength displayed by Lin Qiang was beyond their understanding of war.

The most shocking person was Chu Yunfei, the commander of the 358th Regiment of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army.

As a top student from the Whampoa Military Academy, he has been fighting for wealth since he joined the army.

No matter how many Japanese soldiers are on the opposite side, the artillery battalion will bombard the enemy indiscriminately, and then let the cavalry and infantry rush into the battlefield to reap the rewards.

It was not until he saw Lin Qiang finish the battle with his own eyes that he clearly realized that his vision and thinking were still too limited.

This is what is called a truly prosperous war. Howitzer shells are bombarding the battlefield as if they are free. Crops can be planted directly on the battlefield.

Lin Qiang's strength made Chu Yunfei half happy and half worried.

The reason for their joy was that they saw that their country's national defense was strong and that the Japanese pirates would be driven out in no time.

The reason for worry is that a country can only have one government, and there will inevitably be disputes between the two sides.

Li Yunlong, Lin Qiang and others will sooner or later become a major concern for the Party and the country.

Especially Lin Qiang, Chu Yunfei clearly remembered that when they first met, he refused in every possible way because of the equipment for a battalion.

After many days, the soldiers and horses are now strong and powerful, and they use howitzers that even Chu Yunfei's ace troops have not used.

What if we give him some more time?

How far will Lin Qiang develop?

Chu Yunfei was looking forward to it but also a little worried. He was truly a combination of contradictions.

"Brother Ligong, do you think we still have a chance to win over Lin Qiang after this battle?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Ligong replied with certainty: "I believe it has always been the case. Although Lin Qiang has demonstrated strong combat capabilities and excellent weapons and equipment, his artillery strike capability far exceeds that of our artillery battalion."

"But, Commander, have you ever considered this question? How many such units does the Eighth Route Army have?"

"They don't have a single one. Let alone howitzers, even mountain cannons, the Eighth Route Army may not have many. And Lin Qiang is undoubtedly digging his own grave by showing off all his wealth this time."

These four words made Chu Yunfei frown and asked, "What do you mean?"

Fang Ligong continued, "Captain, think about it. The combined firepower of all the Eighth Route Army units is no match for Lin Qiang's single platoon. To ensure that each regiment possesses a strong combat capability, the Eighth Route Army's top leadership will certainly require Lin Qiang to surrender his weapons and equipment."

"If we hand it over, the overall combat effectiveness of Lin Qiang's team will be severely reduced. However, if we don't, the consequences will be very serious. We may even be sent to a military court."

"If we find him now and promise him to join our Shanxi-Suiyuan Army, he can keep all the supplies of his original unit and even obey your command alone."

"It's just a delaying tactic. As long as Lin Qiang joins us, everything will be easily resolved!"

Sometimes people get stuck on a very simple problem and still can't get the answer no matter how much they think about it.

Just at this moment, someone reminds you, and it will suddenly become clear to you that this problem or this matter is so simple and can be solved so easily.

Chu Yunfei was in this mood at the moment. After listening to Fang Ligong's words, he immediately had a plan in his mind.

If he wasn't still on the battlefield, he would have wanted to find Lin Qiang immediately.

"Notify the team to intensify the attack, end the battle as quickly as possible, and rush back to the regiment headquarters for dinner!"

The Eighth Route Army was equally shocked.

The call was made from the front line to the headquarters, then from the headquarters to the division headquarters, from the division headquarters to the brigade headquarters, and from the brigade headquarters to the regiment headquarters.

"Li Yunlong, you son of a bitch, how dare you hide this from me!"

Independent regiment headquarters.

Li Yunlong was standing there with his young wife at the moment, looking aggrieved and being scolded.

"I was wondering why you've been so honest lately. Turns out you've been making a fortune without telling me!"

Li Yunlong was so aggrieved that he responded, "Brigade Commander, I'm not lying to you. It was only after the fight that I realized Lin Qiang had a hidden trick up his sleeve!"

Li Yunlong had visited a row of bases before, and except for the matter of the howitzer regiment, Lin Qiang had nothing to hide.

In order to help you expand your team, Li Yunlong also truthfully reported the specific situation of the first row.

The brigade commander knew the situation of the first row, but neither of them knew that Lin Qiang also had the firepower of a howitzer regiment!

"Tell me, what benefits did that kid Lin Qiang promise you?"

"Oh my goodness, I really don't know! Please forgive me!"

"Stop talking such nonsense! If the division headquarters hadn't called, I wouldn't even know about this!"

The brigade commander said happily, "Putting aside other things, Lin Qiang fought a really beautiful battle. In just one day, he wiped out thousands of enemies. This not only greatly depleted the Japanese pirates' forces entrenched in northwest Shanxi, but also greatly boosted the morale of our soldiers!"

"I called you this time mainly for two things. I've already discussed the first one. Now let's talk about the second one."

Li Yunlong probably guessed what it was and said excitedly, "Commander, tell me what you are talking about. I am listening!"

"After careful consideration by headquarters, the plan to expand Lin Qiang's platoon into a regimental-level combat unit has been rejected and will be retained for the time being."

Hearing this, Li Yunlong immediately became dissatisfied and grumbled, "Why was it rejected? Lin Qiang's platoon's combat effectiveness is obvious to all of us, especially this time, you praised Lin Qiang for his excellent fighting skills..."

"Li Yunlong, stop complaining to me!"

The brigade commander's voice calmed Li Yunlong down, and his eyes became much clearer.

"If you have any complaints, wait until I finish what I'm saying before you post them!"

Li Yunlong didn't dare to breathe and replied, "Yes!"

The brigade commander continued, "However, in light of the 386st Platoon's outstanding performance in this battle, headquarters has, after discussion, unanimously decided to expand the st Platoon into the th Brigade Independent Battalion, directly under the command and jurisdiction of the brigade headquarters!"

When this order was issued, Li Yunlong didn't know whether he should be happy or unhappy.

Thanks to his efforts, Lin Qiang's team was indeed reorganized, but it bypassed him and was directly under the command of the brigade headquarters.

Li Yunlong asked with some anticipation: "Brigade Commander, did you remember it wrongly?"

"correct!"

The brigade commander smiled and said, "Li Yunlong, Li Yunlong, don't I know your little tricks? Are you thinking that now that Lin Qiang is no longer under your control, you won't be able to reap any benefits in the future?"

Li Yunlong chuckled and opened his mouth to say, "Brigade Commander, you are really a worm in my stomach," but he didn't dare to say it when the words came to his lips.

"Commander, look at what you're saying. Don't you know who our Lao Li is?"

However, Li Yunlong still wanted to fight for it and said, "But Brigade Commander, Lin Qiang's team doesn't even have a number or anything. In my opinion, we shouldn't waste our time and just merge it into the Fourth Battalion of the Independent Regiment!"

All he got in return was a scolding from the brigade commander: "Stop daydreaming, kid! If we merge into your independent regiment, what role will I, the brigade commander, play in that?"

"Enough of the small talk. The order was given by the boss himself. If you have any complaints, go talk to him instead of bothering me here."

"After the battle is over, you, Li Yunlong, will personally go and convey this order to Lin Qiang. In addition, you must assist Lin Qiang in establishing contact with the brigade headquarters as quickly as possible."

Li Yunlong said seriously: "Yes, I will complete the task!"

After the phone call was hung up, Li Yunlong's face became gloomy.

Political Commissar Zhao Gang listened to the entire conversation between the two men and looked at his partner's worried face. He said, "The general trend is that Lin Qiang's ability will surpass ours sooner or later. I guess the headquarters is doing this to facilitate the future."

"I feel like the times have changed a bit since Lin Qiang showed up. Conventional methods of warfare are a thing of the past. Take our independent regiment, for example. We'll have plenty of guns to fight the Japanese from now on!"

"Times are changing, and we must learn to accept them!"

Unexpectedly, Li Yunlong suddenly said, "Old Zhao, I feel sorry for the howitzer in that kid's hand!"