Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 315 PY Transaction
"That can't be right, can such a small number of people be reorganized?"

Chen Chengxing looked at the list of armed personnel from various regions compiled by Luo Ping and was somewhat skeptical.

Based on this number of personnel, the new Second Brigade, in addition to its three main regiments and the Independent Regiment, can only form two more independent regiments.

This was different from what Chen Chengxing had expected.

“There are many militias in various places, but it’s not really suitable to reorganize them into regiments, as weapons are still in short supply,” Luo Ping explained.

If we only consider the number of people, the militia and guerrillas in the base area of ​​the New Second Brigade could number forty to fifty thousand.

However, fighting a war cannot be based solely on manpower. The headquarters specifically pointed out that we should not engage in the kind of blind expansion that occurred in the early stages of the War of Resistance.

If development proceeds too quickly, the quality of combat personnel will decline.

Coupled with a lack of equipment, it's no wonder they suffered losses.

Moreover, many militia members did not leave their jobs.

They usually farm during the day and go out to fight guerrilla warfare and lay landmines at night.

"Missing guns? Didn't they issue guns to the county brigade? I heard that the county brigade also distributed surplus weapons to the militia and guerrillas, so why are they still short?" Chen Chengxing said.

"Yes, they were sent out, but they went through layers of screening," Luo Ping said helplessly.

"The weapons in the hands of the lowest-ranking militia members were either missing limbs or were just broken handles or homemade guns."

"A Hanyang rifle with rifling almost worn down is considered a good gun."

"We can't form a whole regiment and have everyone using these kinds of weapons, can we?"

"However, those main regiments are equipped with either Japanese weapons or the Type 24 rifles, and the Hanyang rifles are all about 70-80% new."

As Luo Ping spoke, he glanced at Chen Chengxing.

The equipment of the three main regiments is now incredibly luxurious, from head to toe.

But things were different down there; even the Independent Regiment had a mix of all sorts of weapons.

"Damn it, who did he learn all this from?" Chen Chengxing said irritably.

Luo Ping, who was standing next to Chen Chengxing, just looked at him without saying a word.

"Since we're preparing to expand, the Zhang Family Association can't just be left there."

“Eat them up first, then start the reorganization!” Chen Chengxing said.

Because the Second New Brigade had not been fooled and the days were too difficult to endure, the Japanese troops in Zhangjiahui had withdrawn.

However, the Japanese did not completely give up the idea of ​​luring the New Second Brigade into action.

Therefore, the Japanese transferred the entire 8th Mixed Brigade, which numbered more than 2,000.

If we can defeat them, we can raise one or two more groups.

"When do you plan to make your move?" Luo Ping asked.

He had long disliked the Zhang family for being there.

"No rush. The Zhang family's matter is easy to handle. I need to go to the 212th Regiment's jurisdiction in a couple of days first," Chen Chengxing said.

Chen Chengxing had been planning the Zhang family's affairs for a long time and could take them over whenever he wanted.

"212th Regiment? Wuyi County?" Luo Ping asked.

"You knew everything?" Chen Chengxing asked with a smile.

"Nonsense, my eyes aren't blind. Staff Officer Zhou has been nowhere to be seen lately; he must be busy with this matter."

Chen Chengxing and Zhou Weiguo did things without anyone hiding them, so naturally he could see it.

"Hehe. I never intended to hide it from you."

“I’m eyeing the Fourth Division,” Chen Chengxing said.

"Hey Lao Chen, don't do anything reckless!" Luo Ping said sternly.

The Fourth Division is relatively well-behaved and has not conducted many sweeps. It's best to avoid causing trouble if possible.

"What are you thinking? I'm not stupid!" Chen Chengxing said irritably.

"I plan to trade some equipment with the Japanese by taking those traitors from the Zhang family."

"Keeping those people around is just a waste of food."

Given the traitor's nature, attacking Zhangjiahui would certainly result in a large number of prisoners.

At this point, the traitors were basically worthless.

After the screening is complete, there will definitely be a lot of residue.

Are we going to have to support them then?

"Trading equipment for traitors? Is that even possible? The Japanese probably won't accept that." Luo Ping was a little skeptical.

The Japanese didn't treat their puppet troops like human beings either. Why would they spend money to get them back?

"We have to talk about this!" Chen Chengxing didn't go into the details.

"Alright, it's up to you then." Luo Ping nodded.

Earning more is always a good thing.

Two days later, on the hilltop outside the Sanhe Town stronghold.

"Brigade Commander, Japanese soldiers have come out. Judging from their numbers, it should be a small squad," Zhou Weiguo reported.

"Take the first platoon of guards and go to provide backup," Chen Chengxing said, sitting at the table.

"yes!".
A few minutes later, Li Chishui returned with a Japanese soldier.

"Mori Tomoro, deputy commander of the 4th Division, greets Your Excellency!" Mori Tomoro said, standing at attention.

The combat effectiveness of the New Second Brigade is quite well-known within the First Army.

"Deputy Division Commander Mao Li, please have a seat!" Chen Chengqi stood up and gestured.

"Thank you!"

After Mori Tomoro sat down, Chen Chengxing poured him a cup of tea.

"Please!" Chen Chengxing gestured.

"Thank you," said Tomoro Mori very politely.

Although Chen Chengxing was only a brigade commander, the situation described in the letter greatly appealed to Mouri Tomoro.

“Brigade Commander Chen, we are both soldiers, so I will speak frankly.”

"What's your plan?"

The entire 4th Division had long wanted to get rid of Yamashita Tomoyuki. Yamashita's position as division commander directly impacted their profits.

"I've heard that Yamashita Tomoyuki has quite a background?" Chen Chengxing asked.

People with connections and people without connections certainly cannot be treated the same way.

“He has some connections.” Mouri Tomoro nodded.

"He has powerful backers within the headquarters."

"Ordinary mistakes will not affect his position."

“Since mistakes won’t do, let’s give him some credit!” Chen Chengxing affirmed.

Not being able to be demoted does not mean that one cannot be transferred.

"Oh? I'd like to hear more!" Mouri Tomoro perked up.

"Deputy Division Commander Mori, if you have received intelligence and know the location of the New 2nd Brigade's command post..."

"What if Yamashita Tomotake personally led a surprise attack on the command post and won a great victory?"

"Red Mud Bay?" Mouri Tomoro asked, somewhat puzzled.
Hongniwan was the core location of the New Second Brigade, and the Japanese knew that.

"Of course not." Chen Chengxing shook his head.

"Don't worry about the exact location, it's definitely a place that's easy for you to raid, and there are a lot of people there."

"If that's the case, I can join forces with my colleagues in the 4th Division and use my connections to get him transferred away."

The Japanese soldiers of the 4th Division had been suffering under Yamashita Tomoyuki's thumb for far too long, but they just hadn't had the chance.

Now that we have the opportunity, we'll definitely spend money and effort to get rid of him.

“Alright! Since Deputy Division Commander Mori agrees, then we need to discuss the issue of expenses,” Chen Cheng said.

"Please speak." Mouri Tomoro understood the business world perfectly well.

"Five people, one gun, and 30 rounds of ammunition."

“No problem!” Mouri Tomoro said through gritted teeth.

Now he just wants to get rid of Yamashita Tomoyuki, and then maybe he can make a deal and take over.

"That's great!" Chen Chengxing laughed.

"This is Staff Officer Zhou. He will be your contact person from now on."

“Okay!” Mouri Tomoro nodded.

This matter certainly cannot be explained in one go; we will need to communicate multiple times in the future.

"Farewell!" Chen Chengqi said, rising to his feet.

Seeing that Chen Chengxing was about to leave, Mori Tomoro quickly said, "Please wait a moment, sir."

Chen Chengxing looked at Mouri Chiro with some curiosity, wondering what he meant.

Could it be that they've changed their minds again?

"Your troops are lacking weapons?" Mori Tomoro asked.

"I have an army of over 100,000 men, but I only have half of their weapons. What, you want to sell them to me?"

Chen Chengxing realized that the Japanese soldiers were acting out of professional habit.

"More than 100,000 people?" Mouri Tomoro's eyes practically lit up with excitement.

What a huge market this is!

"I'll have a batch of goods in a while. I wonder if you'd like them?" Mori Tomoro asked excitedly.

"What kind of goods? How much?" Chen Chengxing asked.

"It's not confirmed yet. If you wish, I will complete the statistics as soon as possible."

Mouri Tomoro is not yet a division commander, so he cannot secretly obtain too many supplies from Yamashita Tomoyuki.

However, transactions should become easier after a while.

"Of course I want it, but I'm afraid I don't have that much cash."

"If I could, I would trade cigarettes and liquor for it."

Thanks to the bumper harvest, the distillery's output is now quite substantial.

"Oh, and there are heads too," Chen Chengxing said.

"I welcome cigarettes and liquor, but not people."

Whether it's cigarettes or alcohol, Mouri Tomoro can make another fortune by reselling them, but he has no use for human heads.

"Maybe I didn't explain it clearly, just like this time."

“You and I can stage a fake battle. I will provide you with troops, and you can gain military merits while also reporting losses to balance the accounts.”

Every now and then, the subordinate units of the New Second Brigade would send over prisoners of war, but not all of them could be recruited or executed.

Keeping the rest is a waste; they probably won't refuse to exchange them for some supplies.

After all, it was returned to the Japanese. What the Japanese did to them was none of the New Second Brigade's business.

"Yoshi. Your suggestion is excellent!" Mori Tomoro nodded.

If someone were to claim military merit, the score could be easily settled.

"Happy cooperation!"

"Happy cooperation!"

Chen Chengxing and Mo Li Zhilang shook hands.

The deal between Chen Chengxing and Mori Tomoro only officially began after they took over the Zhang family association.

Using this intelligence and his military achievements, Mori Tomoro reached a secret deal with Yamashita Tomotake.

After all, Yamashita Tomoyuki and the Japanese soldiers of the 4th Division loathed each other.

With the combined efforts of their backers, both sides managed to transfer Yamashita Tomoyuki to the Pacific theater.

The position of division commander was taken over by Tomoro Mori.

With Yamashita Tomoyuki's departure, the entire Fourth Division was overjoyed.

The small business took off quickly.

(End of this chapter)