Bright Sword: Japs, times have changed

Director Zhang was delighted when he heard the first half of the boss's words, but he didn't expect the boss to say the second half, which made his expression change three times in just two breaths: "Just what?"

The boss scoffed inwardly, but his expression remained unchanged. "It's just that, since our Eighth Route Army is part of the Second War Zone's battle sequence, shouldn't Commander Yan release the pay, supplies, guns, and ammunition we're owed?"

"This……"

Director Zhang was suddenly speechless.

The boss pressed the issue, asking, "Why, am I wrong?"

Faced with the boss's aggressiveness, Director Zhang could only smile awkwardly: "Of course, there is no problem with what the boss said. The War Zone Logistics Department should indeed reissue the Eighth Route Army's military pay and supplies. However, as you know, I can't make the final decision on this matter. Everything still needs to be approved by Commander Yan."

Hearing this, the boss smiled faintly and said, "Then I'll trouble Director Zhang."

"Uh...Okay, I'll take my leave then."

Director Zhang said goodbye to the boss and the chief of staff, turned around and left the house, returning to the residence arranged for him.

He was accompanied by a communications soldier and communications equipment on this trip. He said goodbye to the boss in order to inform Yan Laoxi about this matter.

After watching Director Zhang leave, the Chief of Staff, who had been silent the entire time, asked, "Boss, are you really going to hand this flag over to Yan Laoxi? You know, this is the first complete Japanese flag since the beginning of the Anti-Japanese War."

The boss smiled faintly: "Of course I know that this is the first complete Japanese flag captured in the history of the War of Resistance, but what's the point of keeping it? The only use is to retaliate wildly by the Japanese special forces, and we have to be on guard against the Japanese trying every means to take it back."

"If that's the case, why don't we trade this hot potato for something more valuable? The flag was captured by the soldiers, and we should return it to them. Any meaningful spoils of war are not as good as having enough ammunition, warm clothes, and food to fill their stomachs."

"Besides, I believe in Lin Qiang. If he can capture one Japanese flag, he can also capture a second and a third. Not only that, I will also give him an order: in the future, if he fails to capture a complete Japanese flag in a battle, his merit will not be recorded."

The staff officer was unable to recover for a long time. He thought there was something wrong with his ideological awareness. When it came to the military flag, the first thing he thought of was honor and it would be a topic of conversation when he met the instructor.

But they never thought of using it to exchange for some practical supplies for the soldiers, nor did they think of using it to strengthen their own team.

"Boss, I..."

"No need to say anything more."

The boss smiled and said, "Do you think I don't want to give this plaster flag to the teacher as a gift next time we meet?"

The two looked at each other and smiled.

"This plan kills two birds with one stone, Boss. I really admire you!"

……

Second World War Command.

Old Yan was sitting on the sofa in the office, drinking afternoon tea leisurely.

At this moment, the guard's voice came from outside the door: "Boss."

Yan Laoxi blew on the tea leaves floating on the surface of the tea, took a sip and responded, "What's up? Come in."

"Yes!"

The guard, having been granted entry, quietly pushed the door open and respectfully stood at the entrance, saying, "General Manager, Director Zhang has just sent word that the Eighth Route Army has annihilated a Japanese brigade in northwest Shanxi. Furthermore, they killed the brigade commander, Kawashita Hide, and seized his epaulettes and the imperially bestowed command sword."

"Kawashita Hide?"

Yan Laoxi put down the teacup in his hand and recalled carefully: "I know this guy. When my 38th Army encountered him, it only took three days to defeat the 38th Army. He is a tough guy."

"You mean, Hide Kawashita was killed by the Eighth Route Army, and his troops were wiped out?"

"That's indeed the case, sir."

The guard replied, "Commander-in-Chief, these are not the most important things. Director Zhang called to say that the Eighth Route Army not only accomplished what was mentioned above, but also captured the flag of the Japanese 7th Brigade, led by Kawashita Hide, in northwest Shanxi."

After hearing the guard's words, Yan Laoxi could no longer sit still. He asked in disbelief, "What did you say? You said the Eighth Route Army not only wiped out the Seventh Brigade led by Kawashita Hide, but also captured the Japanese flag?"

"Director Zhang did say that."

The guard said, "According to Director Zhang, the Eighth Route Army captured a complete military flag."

Then the guard told Director Zhang his purpose.

After listening to this, Yan Laoxi nodded and said, "Meng Ting did a good job. The Eighth Route Army belongs to my Second War Zone. The military achievements they have made are naturally also the military achievements of my Second War Zone. It is only natural that the spoils of war should be handed over to me."

After Yan Laoxi finished speaking, he heard the guard's last words, "Just two words," and asked, "Just what?"

The guard replied, "That's right. Director Zhang said that the commander of the Eighth Route Army should do this. After all, they are under the battle sequence of the Second War Zone. However, since they are troops of the Second War Zone, I hope you, the commander-in-chief, will issue an order to pay them the wages and supplies owed to them."

Hearing this, Yan Laoxi's face no longer showed any smugness. Instead, his old face suddenly darkened: "Humph, he has a good plan!"

"Riming, what do you think?"

Guard Zhang Riming has followed Yan Laoxi since he was just 15 years old. After Yan Laoxi's death, he guarded his tomb for years, always insisting that he would be wherever Yan Laoxi was.

It can be said that Zhang Riming is Yan Laoxi's most trusted confidant, no doubt about it.

Having been with Yan Laoxi all the time, Zhang Riming has learned a lot, both in military and politics, and even his ability in using an abacus has improved a lot.

Over time, it became a question that Yan Laoxi would ask every time.

It’s true that Zhang Riming is a guard, but when the commanders and division commanders of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army see him, who wouldn’t greet him politely?

Without some solid skills, no matter how loyal the subordinates are, they cannot stay by Yan Laoxi's side forever.

Therefore, many times, Yan Laoxi likes to listen to Zhang Riming's opinions. Although he may not adopt them in the end, Zhang Riming will always stand in Yan Laoxi's position and think for him from his own perspective.

Zhang Riming thought about it carefully and said, "General Manager, I think if the Eighth Route Army's request is not excessive, we can agree to it."

Yan Laoxi said while drinking tea: "Go on."

Zhang Riming turned and closed the door, then took a few steps forward and said, "Ever since the Japanese invaded Shanxi Province in 37, our Second War Zone has been fighting tooth and nail, but the results have been unsatisfactory. This has not only caused the soldiers and civilians of the Second War Zone to lose some confidence in the headquarters, but the Chongqing government has also been quite critical of our Second War Zone, especially the Chairman, who has been using this as an excuse to suppress us, claiming that we are conserving our strength. We are all talk and no action, and we are not contributing to the war of resistance."

"Now, if we use this flag and this battle as propaganda, it will not only boost the morale of the soldiers in the Second War Zone, but also allow the people to see our achievements and know that they can win the battle by joining our team."

"General, we must take some action to inspire people. Whether it's Chongqing or the Eighth Route Army, they are stronger than us."

"Therefore, I believe that in the future we can use a small amount of supplies to exchange with the Eighth Route Army for some victories worth publicizing."

Yan Laoxi finished his cup of tea, and Zhang Riming had just finished speaking.

"You're right. I'll leave this matter to you. I believe you can measure it."