Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 336, exactly eight regiments
A few days later, Chen Chengxing was at the regimental headquarters reviewing the battle against Ping'an County with Luo Ping, Xu Wu, and the others.

This was, after all, one of the few siege battles fought by the Eighth Route Army, and it will play a significant role in future operations.

Therefore, Commander Chen ordered the Second New Regiment to write a detailed and clear combat report this morning.

Just then, Chen Chengxing suddenly heard a loud shouting coming from outside.

"Old Chen! Old Chen!"

"Haha, old comrade-in-arms, I've come to see you."

“Li Yunlong? What’s this guy doing here?” Chen Chengxing stood up.

Li Yunlong's loud voice was so loud that Chen Chengxing could hear it from two miles away.

When they went outside, they found that not only Li Yunlong, but also Kong Jie and Ding Wei had come.

"Hey, what brings you all here today?"

"Old Kong and I happened to be passing through Ping'an County when we heard that you had moved your command post nearby, so we made a detour to see you."

"As for Old Li, he begged and pleaded to come," Ding Wei said with a smile.

"Welcome, welcome!" Chen Chengxing said with a smile.

"Xu Wu, tell the cooks to fry an egg and give my old comrade a little treat."

"Hey Lao Chen, just two eggs? Are you trying to fetch a beggar?" Li Yunlong interjected.

"I've heard that Da Sijin ate the dried rabbit from the Second Regiment and has been thinking about it ever since."

"We should at least get one today, one for each of us."

"Are you trying to rob a rich person? One per person? One is enough for a taste," Chen Chengxing said irritably.

The new Second Regiment does have quite a few rabbits now, but there are just too many people to handle them all.

"Xu Wu, let the cooks handle the arrangements."

"And bring over the Fenjiu liquor you seized while you're at it."

"Commander, I know this place, I'll go!"

Wei Dayong's head suddenly poked in from outside the door.

Wei Dayong had seen Li Yunlong and his men enter the village earlier.

He knew that the regimental commander's old comrade-in-arms had arrived, and he definitely had to greet him.

Therefore, they had been lingering at the door for quite some time.

"Go on, you son of a bitch." Chen Chengxing waved his hand.

Sending Wei Dayong will definitely result in two fewer bottles of seized liquor, if nothing else is mentioned.

He also has to cuddle one of the dried rabbits from the logistics department.

However, this kid probably won't hog all the food. The special forces team made a great contribution this time, so he deserves a good meal.

"Hey!" Wei Dayong grinned, revealing his back teeth.

Half an hour later, Chen Chengxing and the others gathered around the table.

"I must say, this dried rabbit tastes really good." Li Yunlong nodded repeatedly as he ate.

"This wine is good too!"

"Damn, this is life!" Li Yunlong exclaimed.

Fenjiu and shaojiu don't taste the same.

"You can eat here; you can't take it away."

Chen Chengxing didn't give Li Yunlong any reason to complain.

Having his path blocked by Chen Chengxing, Li Yunlong could only channel his grief and anger into his appetite, intending to eat his fill here.

Ding Wei, his eyes darting around, spoke up:

"Old Kong, what's the meaning of the Grand Master summoning us this time? Do you have any information?"

"How would I know? But it's probably some kind of mission again." Kong Jie didn't react for a moment.

"I do have a clue." Seeing that Kong Jie's cooperation hadn't gone well, Ding Wei could only try to smooth things over himself.

"I heard that the Hebei-Rehe-Liaoning region may be redeveloped, and headquarters is currently selecting generals."

"Old Ding, do you mean that one of us might become the person in charge?" Kong Jie asked excitedly.

"What are you thinking? Don't you know your own limitations?"

"A mere member of the Third Regiment thinks he can become the head of the military region?" Li Yunlong said from the side.

"Old Kong, don't even think about becoming the head of the military region. But I think the higher-ups might transfer our two regiments there."

Ding Wei said as he ate, "If I don't eat now, Li Yunlong will take all my food."

“There used to be a military region in the Jirecha area,” Li Yunlong said.

"However, being caught between the elite forces of the Kwantung Army and the North China Expeditionary Army, development will likely be difficult."

“Old Li, that’s all ancient history.” Ding Wei had a different opinion.

"In the past, the Japanese were dominant, but now it is obvious to the naked eye that the Japanese are on the decline."

"What do you think would happen if the Japanese surrendered?"

"There will inevitably be a momentous battle between us and the Kuomintang," Ding Wei said resolutely.

"What does that have to do with you going to Jirecha?" Li Yunlong didn't understand.

"Old Chen, what do you think?" Ding Wei didn't answer, but instead looked at Chen Chengxing.

Of the group, Chen Chengxing held the highest position, and Ding Wei wanted to hear Chen Chengxing's thoughts.

"The leader has a long-term vision; he can see the future even now."

"This is like Xiang Zhuang performing a sword dance, his aim is to kill Liu Bang," Chen Chengxing said.

"The importance of Northeast China is paramount."

Chen Chengxing was able to see this because he had a forward-looking perspective.

However, the higher-ups are already making arrangements now.

“That’s right, Northeast China!” Ding Wei nodded.

Once the Japanese surrender, the troops in the Hebei-Rehe-Chahar region can immediately advance eastward and seize the initiative.

After hearing Chen Chengxing and Ding Wei's analysis, Kong Jie completely gave up hope.

He doesn't deserve such an important position.

"But Lao Chen, in this battle in Northwest Shanxi, only you and Li Yunlong got to eat some meat."

"Old Kong and I are only losing money and not making any profit. How can you just watch us go to Yanshan with nothing to our name?"

“If word gets out, wouldn’t that be a disgrace to our old 386th Brigade?” Ding Wei said.

"We fought a stalemate for so long, shouldn't you and Lao Li offer some compensation?"

"Heh. I knew it, it couldn't be anything good," Chen Chengxing said dismissively.

"Why did you say you just stopped by? You must have come specifically for this."

"But let me make this clear from the start: this time when we attacked Ping'an, the enemy only had one battalion, and we only got a small amount of loot."

"If you want ten or eight guns, I can give you some, but if you want more, don't even ask."

Chen Chengxing made no mention of the bullets, shells, grenades seized from the arms depot, or the property confiscated from traitors.

Although all the gold was handed over to headquarters, there was still a considerable amount of money left.

Zhou Weiguo has already gone to the Fourth Division to collect the list.

"Ten or eight? Are you trying to fob me off like a beggar?"

"I don't want much, just four Type 92 rifles, eight Type 96 light machine guns, and give me four 60mm mortars as well."

"Is this wage fair? If you two split it, it won't be much," Ding Wei said.

"Hey! Fair and just!" Kong Jie immediately chimed in when he saw something good was happening.

"My wages are the same as Lao Ding's; I won't take a penny more, and I won't take a penny less."

Before Chen Chengxing could say anything after hearing Ding Wei and Kong Jie's words, Li Yunlong jumped up in anger.

"What are you doing?! Are you trying to rob a rich man?! Do you really think I'm a rich man?"

"On behalf of the Independent Regiment, I solemnly declare: We do not have a single gun!"

How much stuff does Anqiu have? If we do as Ding Wei says, then Li Yunlong's work will have been for nothing.

"Hey, aren't you a scoundrel?" Ding Wei laughed.

“I know this kid best; he’s always allowed in but not allowed out,” Kong Jie said.

"That guy would hide even a weight he found like a gold ingot."

"Don't even think about trying to get anything out of him." "As for Chen Chengxing, he's the same kind of scoundrel as Li Yunlong," Kong Jie laughed.

Kong Jie and Ding Wei hadn't really intended to ask for anything, so they didn't think much of it.

After everyone joked around for a while, Li Yunlong finally started to explain why he had come here.

"Originally, I was thinking that the four of us could do some small chores together."

"Now that you two are leaving, this matter is really going to be difficult."

"What do you need me to do?" Chen Chengxing asked.

His new Second Regiment has nearly 20,000 men. Is there anything in Northwest Shanxi that he can't handle?

“The 321st Regiment of the Jin-Sui Army has been stationed in Anhua County. This place poses a great threat to me,” Li Yunlong said.

"Hey Lao Li, don't do anything reckless." Ding Wei's expression immediately changed.

"We haven't had any conflicts with the Jin-Sui Army for a long time. You might cause trouble."

Everyone says that Li Yunlong will make a mistake as soon as he makes a contribution, but don't make such a big mistake.

Although a major battle between the Eighth Route Army and the Kuomintang is inevitable, it absolutely cannot happen now.

"Old Ding is right. After all, we are now in a period of unified resistance against Japan, and we must unite our guns against the enemy."

"Some things can only be left unseen; you can't confront them head-on," Kong Jie advised.

Kong Jie has always had a good overall perspective; when faced with Kuomintang troops, he sometimes prefers to suffer a loss himself.

However, Chen Chengxing didn't say anything. Li Yunlong wasn't stupid; he wouldn't cause trouble at this critical juncture.

"What are you thinking? Do you think I'm going to attack Anhua County?" Li Yunlong said irritably.

"Originally, I thought the four of us would set up a joint roadblock to cut off the supply route from the Jin-Sui Army to the 321st Regiment."

"However, if the new first and second regiments are transferred, I estimate that people will be transferred from northern Shanxi, and then there will be basically no chance."

When it comes to cooperating on setting up checkpoints, it's easier to negotiate with people you know well.

Li Yunlong, the commander of the regiment in northern Shanxi, knew him but wasn't close to him, and he probably wouldn't risk going with him.

"Old Li, you're oversimplifying things. Simply setting up roadblocks won't be very effective. To force the 321st Regiment to retreat, we need to encircle them with a large force."

"We need to give them a sense that they are in imminent danger," Ding Wei said.

"Otherwise, it wouldn't be difficult to find something to eat in the county town."

"Old Ding, you really are a cunning strategist," Li Yunlong laughed.

“I have deployed three main battalions and a cavalry company around Anhua County.”

"They even sound the reveille half an hour earlier than them."

"Three battalions? Old Li, that's your entire main force," Ding Wei said, somewhat surprised.

"If you leave it on the outskirts of Anhua County, what about the other places? What if the Japanese launch a sweep?"

"All of my main force? Do you know how many men I have?" Li Yunlong said smugly.

"You'll be shocked when I tell you! Exactly eight battalions!"

"If we include the regimental directly subordinate companies, guard companies, cavalry companies, and reconnaissance companies, the total strength is six or seven thousand people."

"Now I'm a real landlord and rich man!" Li Yunlong patted his chest.

If there weren't so many men, Li Yunlong wouldn't have wanted to squeeze the 321st Regiment out.

After all, with more people, more space is needed.

With the 321st Regiment stuck there, he couldn't expand in that direction.

"Eight battalions? Everyone was saying you struck it rich this year, but I didn't expect you to become a nouveau riche!"

"You fucking want to be a division commander?!" Kong Jie exclaimed in surprise.

No wonder the Grand Commander sent an independent regiment to attack Anqiu, and they actually captured it.

So that's where it was all along.

With just one division, they could easily flatten Anqiu, not to mention the artillery support from the military region.

"Hahaha," Li Yunlong laughed triumphantly.

"Old Li, it seems you're about to get promoted," Chen Chengxing said with a smile.

Li Yunlong made no mistakes in the attack on Anqiu this time, and completed the mission very well. His superiors will probably have to reconsider.

It seems that the transfer of the New First Regiment and the New Third Regiment is also related to my and Li Yunlong's troop strength.

"I don't care about official positions at all," Li Yunlong said indifferently.

He's gotten used to everything, from top to bottom.

"Hehe...Let's not talk about that for now. I think we can do something about Anhua County," Chen Chengxing said.

"Now that Lao Li has a strong and well-equipped army, it is unlikely that he will transfer troops from northern Shanxi to take over the territory of the New First Regiment and the New Third Regiment."

"I think they'll probably split their forces from here, or from Old Li's place."

“That’s still not enough,” Ding Wei said.

"Do you still want Zhongyun Mountain? One regiment is already tight enough to defend it."

“If a regiment were transferred, the defense line would be breached. The Grand Commander would never make such a mistake.”

“If we transfer Lao Li’s troops, we will have no force to deter the 321st Regiment, and we will end up losing our balance.”

"Hehe. Old Ding, you underestimate me too much. Old Li already has eight battalions." Chen Chengxing straightened his back.

"So, you also have eight battalions?" Kong Jie asked, somewhat surprised.

“Who do you think you are? I already had eight battalions, you know,” Chen Chengxing said.

"I now have a total of 8 regiments, large and small, plus the regimental directly subordinate units, totaling nearly 20,000 men!"

Originally, Chen Chengxing didn't have that many people, but after absorbing the 358th Regiment, he managed to fill the quota.

Moreover, the key technical troops are finally in sufficient numbers.

"Twenty thousand?!" The three were stunned.

How the hell did this develop?
No wonder Daishin didn't react at all to the matter of being transferred.

It turns out it was overinflated.

"Old Li, let's discuss the 321st Regiment matter after it's settled."

"Let's not talk about those things today, let's just enjoy our drinks."

"Come on, bottoms up!" Chen Chengxing picked up his bowl.

"Great! Drink!"

Li Yunlong became excited when he heard that there was an opportunity in Anhua County.

If he could eliminate the 321st Regiment, his troops would be able to develop rapidly again.

Half a month after Chen Chengxing and his friends gathered, Ding Wei and Kong Jie received their transfer orders.

At the same time, Chen Chengxing also received a telegram.

The higher authorities transferred three regiments from the New Second Regiment to take over the jurisdiction of the original New First and New Third Regiments.

A few days later, Li Yunlong came to visit again.

"Oh, isn't this Brigade Commander Li? Please sit down, please sit down," Chen Chengxing teased.

Li Yunlong's Independent Regiment was upgraded to an Independent Brigade, which consisted of two main regiments.

"I don't care about brigade commanders at all."

Li Yunlong's smile revealed his back teeth.

"Old Chen, I'm here to ask you about setting up checkpoints in Anhua County," Li Yunlong said.

"Let's do it!" Chen Chengxing nodded.

After the 321st Regiment entered Anhua County, they were anything but well-behaved.

Not only did they drive out the local government of the Eighth Route Army, but they also continuously eliminated the Eighth Route Army regimes in the rural areas surrounding the county seat.

If it weren't for the need for a united front against the Japanese, the Grand Marshal would have dealt with them long ago.

Now that he and Li Yunlong are making things difficult for the 321st Regiment, Da Si Jin will definitely pretend not to see it.

"Alright! Then starting tomorrow, we'll shut them down completely!" Li Yunlong said decisively.

Chen Chengxing did not personally oversee the difficult situation of the 321st Regiment.

Instead, they entrusted the task to Li Chishui.

For this reason, he specifically placed the jurisdiction of the First Regiment next to Anhua County.

As for Chen Chengxing himself, he continued to focus his attention on the Japanese.

(End of this chapter)