Bright Sword: Japs, times have changed

On the way to the division headquarters, Director Zhang "happened" to meet the 358th Regiment of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army. After several negotiations, Director Zhang followed Chu Yunfei's troops back to Dagushan and did not go to the 129th Division headquarters.

When the news reached headquarters, the boss sneered, "It's true that the people lead the troops like the people. What a coincidence! This is clearly a premeditated plan."

The Chief of Staff laughed and said, "Isn't that perfect? We're sending him away. As long as he's not staying at headquarters, it doesn't matter where he goes."

"Well, forget about him."

The general said to the chief of staff, "Please inform Lao Chen to come to the headquarters and take back the weapons and equipment that Yan Laoxi sent over."

"Okay, I'll make a call right now."

After the chief of staff left, the boss stood alone in front of the window smoking a cigarette. Director Zhang must have sent a telegram to the 358th Regiment while on the way. It didn't matter where he went. What the boss cared about was what this guy's purpose was.

Just as the boss guessed, Director Zhang sent a telegram to the 358th Regiment as soon as he left the headquarters, and informed them of the detailed route, creating the illusion of an accidental encounter.

When they returned to the headquarters of the 358th Regiment, the regiment commander Chu Yunfei, the chief of staff Fang Ligong, and the adjutant Sun Ming and his party were already waiting outside the door.

"Sir, we didn't expect it would be two years before we met again."

Chu Yunfei bowed and said, "It's been many years since we last met. You're still as energetic as ever, sir!"

Director Zhang dismounted and bowed in response, "Brother Yunfei, we've been friends for many years. Why are you so reserved this time? This isn't like you before!"

"Haha."

Chu Yunfei didn't respond and gestured to invite him in. "Sir, please come in. The food and wine are ready to welcome you."

"please!"

The group followed Director Zhang into the headquarters of the 358th Regiment. There was a table of delicious food in the reception room, and the fragrance could be smelled from a long distance away.

"Sir, please take a seat!"

Chu Yunfei spoke first, "I know that you, Commander, must have important matters to discuss this time, but let's discuss everything after we welcome you."

"it is good!"

……

After three rounds of wine, five flavors of food.

After eating and drinking his fill, Director Zhang leaned back in his chair and said contentedly, "This doesn't taste like Shanxi cuisine."

Upon hearing this, Chu Yunfei's face showed a hint of pride, and he said modestly, "Shanxi cuisine is not up to par. Even I, a Shanxi native, don't think it's up to par. The only northern cuisine that counts is Shandong cuisine. Coincidentally, I have a Shandong chef here whose cooking skills are just passable. Now that the country is in crisis, conditions are poor. I hope you will forgive me if I haven't been able to provide a good service."

Director Zhang did not respond. He picked up the chopsticks again, picked up a piece of braised beef in soy sauce and put it into his mouth, chewing it carefully.

Any dish on this table would be considered a delicacy if it were served at the Eighth Route Army headquarters. During the time he lived at the Eighth Route Army headquarters, Director Zhang couldn't stand eating dry food every day.

Listening to Chu Yunfei's humble words, Director Zhang actually wanted to complain a few words, but after swallowing the beef in his mouth, he didn't feel embarrassed to say it out loud.

"Let's not talk too much nonsense."

Director Zhang took a sip of tea and rinsed his mouth. He said, "This time I came mainly to convey an order from Commander Yan."

"Oh?"

Chu Yunfei was a little surprised: "Sir, please speak clearly."

The 358th Regiment is the ace force under Yan Laoxi's command. It has always been in a state of recuperation. In theory, any intelligence should be issued by Yan Laoxi himself.

This time, Director Zhang was asked to come to convey the message. Could it be that he encountered some trouble?

Director Zhang said, "Some things are better discussed face to face. Commander Yan orders you to find a way to recruit Lin Qiang, the commander of the Independent Battalion of the 386th Brigade of the Eighth Route Army. If he doesn't cooperate, then there's no need to keep him."

"These troops, belonging to the Second War Zone, are unable to obey the orders of their superiors and cannot be used by our Party. Keeping them will only bring disaster sooner or later."

"As for the Eighth Route Army, don't worry too much. Commander Yan has his own way of dealing with it."

This order was given to him by Yan Laoxi halfway. He was not clear about the combat effectiveness of the independent battalion before. When he learned the detailed combat effectiveness, Yan Laoxi gave this order.

Upon hearing this, Chu Yunfei's expression became a little unnatural, and he was unable to respond to Director Zhang for a long time.

"What, are you having trouble?"

Chu Yunfei shook his head and said, "It's not difficult at all. I've tried to recruit Lin Qiang before, but he's rejected me many times."

"The conditions of the independent battalion are far superior to ours. It may not be easy to recruit them now."

Hearing Chu Yunfei's words that it wasn't that easy, Director Zhang raised his eyebrows and asked, "From what you're saying, is there still hope for this matter?"

Without waiting for Chu Yunfei to answer, Director Zhang asked with a smile, "Captain Chu, I heard that Lin Qiang has developed the team to its current state in just a few months. I'm quite curious."

"You're a top graduate of the Whampoa Military Academy. Your strategic vision and tactical guidance are second to none in the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army. I'm wondering if you think Lin Qiang can be compared to you?"

Can you compare with me?

Facing Director Zhang's question, Chu Yunfei replied calmly, "Each of them has their own unique style."

"Hahaha!"

Director Zhang laughed unrestrainedly, very satisfied: "What a great show of each taking the lead!"

"I never thought that you, Chu Yunfei, would one day be able to evaluate someone like this. It seems that this Lin Qiang is really extraordinary!"

"Therefore, Commander Yan's orders must be carried out even more strictly. As I said before, if I can't use them, keeping them will only bring disaster to me sooner or later."

Chu Yunfei was very clear about Lin Qiang's abilities. It could be said that he had witnessed Lin Qiang develop the team to its current size bit by bit.

After several battles, even Chu Yunfei, a high-achieving student, had to admire him.

After coming to this battlefield, Chu Yunfei has only admired two people.

And these two people happened to be from the Eighth Route Army, and they were in the same team.

The commander of the independent regiment is Li Yunlong, and the commander of the independent battalion is Lin Qiang.

Director Zhang still found this somewhat unbelievable and asked again, "Captain Chu, is Lin Qiang really as formidable as you say?"

"To be honest, when it comes to leading troops in battle, Chu is not as strong as Lin."

Upon hearing Chu Yunfei's words, Director Zhang widened his eyes even more.

Who is Chu Yunfei?

When I first came to the team, I looked down on everyone and didn't take anyone seriously.

The only ones who could attract his extra glances were the generals of various troops.

The fact that Lin Qiang can be given such a high evaluation now shows how terrifying this guy is.

After a moment of shock, Director Zhang said sternly, "In that case, I'd like to trouble you, Captain Chu, to make the trip. Would you be willing to do so?"

In the face of national crisis, Chu Yunfei was unwilling to engage in battle with the brother troops. He admired generals like Lin Qiang very much.

But first of all, he is a soldier. A soldier's duty is to obey orders. In the face of the overall situation, personal feelings are nothing.

Chu Yunfei nodded and said, "Yunfei is willing to try again."