The War of Resistance Against Japan: Special Operations Battalion Traverses Shanghai and Slaughters

After seeing that Commander Liu and the others completely agreed with his opinion, Long Fei said something else.

"Now that we are united against external forces, my Dragon Flame Legion will naturally try its best to avoid conflicts with the National Army and the Jin-Sui Army."

"However, if they disregard the overall situation and provoke trouble on their own initiative, I certainly won't be lenient with them."

Commander Liu nodded in agreement, saying, "You're right. If the National Army and the Jin-Sui Army disregard national interests and the greater good of the nation, then of course we don't need to be polite to them."

"However, there is something I would like to ask. You wiped out the Japanese in Shanxi in one battle, which changed the entire situation of the War of Resistance Against Japan. What are your plans next?"

Long Fei picked up the wine bowl, downed it in one gulp, wiped his mouth, and spoke with unwavering determination and confidence.

"Next, I will send personnel to help the Eighth Route Army train its troops, and I will also temporarily make Shanxi the base of my Longyan Legion to continue to grow and expand."

"Besides, Shanxi merchants have always been good at doing business, so I also plan to do business with Yan Laoxi."

"Next spring, my Dragon Flame Legion will first take Hebei, and then advance into Shandong and the Northeast respectively."

Everyone listened attentively to what Long Fei had said so far, but his last sentence stunned everyone in the room.

Li Yunlong had just taken a sip of wine when he heard this and almost choked.

"Ahem... Brother, you think you can take over Hebei with just one legion, and then take over Shandong and the Northeast? Is that it...?"

"Brother Yunlong, are you trying to say that I'm overestimating myself?"

Li Yunlong did indeed have that intention, but he couldn't say it out loud, so he could only laugh awkwardly.

"This is not me being reckless, but rather a powerful attack. I want to open up China's access to the sea that has been blocked by the Japanese and reclaim the three northeastern provinces that have been occupied, managed, and plundered by the Japanese for many years."

Long Fei's powerful words drew admiring glances from everyone.

Commander Liu then solemnly said, "The Yunnan-Burma Highway took nine months to complete and has just been opened to traffic. If you can open up a sea outlet, then our China can obtain more international aid."

"If you can reclaim Hebei, Shandong, and the three northeastern provinces from the iron heel of the Japanese invaders, you will have made an unparalleled contribution to the Chinese War of Resistance against Japan."

Long Fei shook his head slightly: "Merit or no merit is not important. What is important is that those who offend China, no matter how far away, will be punished."

Commander Liu was clearly infected by Long Fei's heroic spirit, and took the initiative to raise his glass and speak loudly.

"Haha, well said! We must all drink three bowls for your words."

After finishing his drink, Li Yunlong winked at Kong Jie.

Kong Jie knew Li Yunlong better than anyone; he could tell what Li Yunlong was going to do just by looking at him.

However, he was currently under criminal charges, so how could he possibly speak up?

Seeing that Kong Jie was ignoring him with his head down, Li Yunlong had no choice but to bite the bullet and ask Brigade Commander Chen for instructions.

“Brigade Commander, although my new regiment is now strong and well-equipped, most of its soldiers are new recruits who have not been tempered in actual combat, so I think…”

Commander Chen smiled and pointed at him, saying, "Li Yunlong, I forgot to tell you, the division commander has decided to remove Kong Jie from his post as commander of the Independent Regiment and appoint him as the commander of the New Second Regiment, responsible for building up the New Second Regiment."

"You will succeed Kong Jie as commander of the Independent Regiment, and Ding Wei will become the new commander of the First Regiment."

This sudden news was like a thunderclap, exploding in Li Yunlong's mind.

Li Yunlong, stunned by the explosion, took a while to recover.

"Brigade Commander, this is robbery! Ding Wei is just trying to take advantage of us as soon as he arrives, picking up fallen peaches?"

Brigade Commander Chen's face darkened: "Li Yunlong, where did you get all this complaints from? Let me tell you, if you can't turn the Independent Regiment into a main force regiment in a short time, I'll send you to the brigade headquarters to take the blame."

At this moment, Li Yunlong was so angry that he dared not speak out. With several leaders present, how could he disobey orders or defy the heavens?

Commander Liu then comforted him, saying, "Li Yunlong, the reason I transferred you to the Independent Regiment as its commander is because you're a fucking genius."

"Do your job well, or don't blame me for firing you. Also, the Independent Regiment and the New First Regiment haven't appointed political commissars yet. The fourth class of the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University is about to graduate, and at that time, suitable candidates will be selected from the personnel sent to the Eighth Route Army to serve as your political commissars."

After Li Yunlong's battalion was expanded into the new First Regiment, he was used to doing things his own way without a political commissar in charge. Now that he heard that a political commissar was going to be sent, he felt very uncomfortable.

"Commander, there's really no need to send a political commissar. I can handle the roles of regimental commander and political commissar myself."

Before Division Commander Liu could reply, Brigade Commander Chen reprimanded him directly.

"If the regimental commander and political commissar let you do everything by yourself, wouldn't you be causing chaos in the Independent Regiment?"

Political Commissar Deng then sternly criticized, "Our ideology is that the Party commands the gun, so the position of political commissar is very important. Li Yunlong, you are not allowed to resist. You must cooperate well with the political commissar when the time comes."

Now, what could Li Yunlong say, what did he dare to say? He could only stand at attention and salute.

"Yes, I will obey orders without question."

As soon as he put his hand down, Li Yunlong grinned again and continued the previous topic.

"Division Commander, Political Commissar, Brigade Commander, I was just about to ask if my Independent Regiment can cooperate with the Dragon Flame Legion in combat?"

After exchanging a glance, Commander Liu and Political Commissar Deng made a decisive statement.

"Not only your Independent Regiment, but my 129th Division will also cooperate with the Dragon Flame Legion in combat."

"I will also report to headquarters and suggest that the Eighth Route Army should cooperate with the Dragon Flame Legion in combat if necessary."

Upon hearing Commander Liu's statement, Li Yunlong was overjoyed.

He smiled at Long Fei and said, "Brother Long Fei, if you need my Independent Regiment's help, just let me know."

Long Fei didn't actually need Li Yunlong's assistance, but seeing how eager the other party was, he didn't want to dampen his enthusiasm.

Long Fei thought for a moment and then spoke to Commander Liu.

"Commander Liu, your 129th Division's current base is in eastern Shanxi, and the cities in this area are the first ones our army has liberated."

"Or you could send some troops to cooperate with me in the battle, and all the spoils will be yours."

Upon hearing this, Commander Liu knew that Long Fei was sending a generous gift, only that the other party had phrased it rather euphemistically.

So Commander Liu readily agreed, saying, "No problem. Just let me know how you need to cooperate, and I'll give you the orders."

The celebratory drinks lasted until dawn, when Xie Qiang walked in with a telegram in hand and a sullen face.

"Report to the corps commander: The troops at the front have reported that all areas except Taiyuan and Yangquan have been occupied by our army."

Long Fei was puzzled after hearing Xie Qiang's report and pressed for an answer.

"There weren't many Japanese soldiers left to garrison Taiyuan and Yangquan, so how could they not have taken them?"

At this moment, Xie Qiang, filled with grief and indignation, continued speaking.

"Because the Japanese devils were so ruthless, they forced all the civilians in the city onto the city walls in order to stop our army from attacking the city."

"Snapped"

Enraged, Long Fei smashed the wine bowl on the ground and cursed.

"These sons of bitches are pulling this tactic again. Do they think they can force me to retreat? Do they think I can't do anything to them?"

After saying that, Long Fei immediately stood up and bid farewell to Commander Liu and the others.

"Commander Liu, Political Commissar Deng, Brigade Commander Chen, it's time for us to say goodbye."

Faced with the Japanese army's actions, Commander Liu had no immediate countermeasures and could only express his opinion.

"Alright, Commander Dragon, please don't hesitate to ask if you need any help."

Seeing that Long Fei was about to leave, Li Yunlong asked anxiously.

"Commander, Ding Wei hasn't taken office yet. How about I take the New First Regiment and the Independent Regiment to assist Commander Long?"

Division Commander Liu glanced at Brigade Commander Chen and nodded emphatically.

Brigade Commander Chen immediately ordered, "Li Yunlong, your request has been approved by the division commander and me. Give it your all!"

"Yes, I promise to complete the mission."