Bright Sword: From Border Region Manufacturing to Major National Heavy Industry

Chapter 101 Using brothers as pawns again!
Chu Yunfei followed Li Yunlong, and halfway there, Chu Yunfei felt more and more uneasy.

Chu Yunfei then asked Li Yunlong, "Brother Yunlong, it seems like your marching direction is heading towards my 358th Regiment's defense zone. What do you mean by that?"

"Brother Chu, let me ask you a question. You intercepted the Japanese mechanized forces and cavalry regiment last time and won. Did your superiors reward you?" Li Yunlong asked.

"Brother Yunlong, speaking of this, I still have to thank you..." Chu Yunfei said sincerely.

In this battle, Commander Yan praised Chu Yunfei and offered to allocate a batch of military pay and ammunition to Chu Yunfei as a reward.

The principal of Shancheng was a bit stingy, so he would just give Chu Yunfei a verbal commendation to encourage him to keep up the good work.

However, Chu Yunfei also understood that the principal had a tough job, and a verbal commendation was quite meaningful, more effective than any military medal.

Li Yunlong interrupted Chu Yunfei: "Brother Chu, would you be willing to fight his mechanized troops and cavalry regiment again?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Yunfei couldn't help but pause: "Brother Yunlong, you're not trying to use me as a pawn again, are you?"

Although Chu Yunfei won the last battle and earned merits,

But fundamentally, he was still being used as a tool by Li Yunlong.

"Brother Yunfei, if you speak like that, then I'm truly disappointed."

Li Yunlong looked disheartened. "Brother, I kindly wanted you to earn merit. Since you don't value this achievement, then just pretend I said nothing. The area ahead is the territory of the elite troops, so I'll give this credit to someone else."

"Brother Yunlong, I admit I misspoke earlier." Chu Yunfei apologized to Li Yunlong, then asked suspiciously, "How do you plan to get me credit again this time?"

“It’s very simple,” Li Yunlong said seriously. “I’ll seize the Japanese mines, and the Japanese will definitely send reinforcements. Brother Yunfei, you go back and hurry up and make the fortifications even stronger. I’ll lure the Japanese over, and then the two of us will take them down together.”

Upon hearing this, Chu Yunfei shook his head: "Brother Yunlong, aren't you overestimating the two of us?"

The Japanese army had three regiments, with a total strength of several thousand men.

The reason I, Chu Yunfei, was able to achieve merit last time was mainly because the Japanese infantry regiment was not present, and also because I was able to wait in comfort for the enemy to tire themselves out.

This time, the Japanese infantry coordinated their attacks, and the 358th Regiment's fortifications couldn't withstand them.

Li Yunlong said he wanted to work together, but even if he stabbed the enemy in the back, he still wouldn't be able to take down this group of Japanese devils.

If things go wrong, Chu Yunfei might even suspect that if Li Yunlong saw the situation was not good and turned to run away, the Japanese would put all the pressure on the 358th Regiment, and the 358th Regiment would definitely suffer a huge loss.

"Brother Yunfei, have you ever heard of the saying 'to throw a stone at a rat for fear of breaking the vase'?" Li Yunlong asked in return.

"Yunfei doesn't quite understand what Brother Yunlong means. I'd like to hear more details," Chu Yunfei asked.

"I took Ping'an County, and the Japanese couldn't find me. So they used a batch of equipment that can make bullets to lure me in. Have you heard about this?" The Japanese actively spread this information, and it wasn't just the Eighth Route Army that knew; many people knew about it.

Chu Yunfei nodded: "Of course I know this information."

When Chu Yunfei heard the news, he was also shocked. The Japanese were really willing to spend a lot of money this time.

The bait was also very targeted, knowing that the Eighth Route Army couldn't manufacture bullets.

Commander Yan has given strict orders; it's obvious this is a Japanese trap, and the Jin-Sui Army is not allowed to allow anyone to make contact.

“Brother, I just attacked Concentration Camp No. 9 and the Japanese mine. If you were a Japanese soldier, what would you do?” Li Yunlong asked rhetorically.

"We'll definitely send reinforcements to find you," Chu Yunfei said without hesitation.

The mine is so important, the Japanese can't possibly stand idly by; they'll definitely send reinforcements.

If the Japanese don't send reinforcements, and Li Yunlong continues to pursue other military objectives, the Japanese will suffer even greater losses.

Therefore, there is no doubt that the Japanese are sending reinforcements!
"So, should he also bring the bait that the Japanese made?" Li Yunlong asked.

"That's for sure," Chu Yunfei nodded.

The bait has been exposed, and the best course of action for the Japanese is to have their troops take the bait with them.

Otherwise, once the main force leaves, the other Eighth Route Army units will take their hell cannons and go and devour the bait.

"Look, when the Japanese fight you, they'll be carrying a pile of porcelain, right? They'll have to be careful during the battle," Li Yunlong laughed. "Then I'll strike at their vital point, targeting their supply equipment. What do you think of that...?"

Before Li Yunlong could finish speaking, Chu Yunfei said thoughtfully, "Now that you mention it, it seems to make some sense."

If you fight while holding a piece of porcelain in your hand, the Japanese won't be able to go all out, and you won't be under so much pressure.

If Li Yunlong manages to attack the Japanese supply train, even if the three Japanese regiments have sharp teeth, without supplies, how will they continue their attack on my 358th Regiment? They will have no choice but to retreat.

There's still a calculation to be made about this.

Chu Yunfei then said to Li Yunlong, "Brother Yunlong, when my troops withstand the pressure from the Japanese head-on, the losses will be considerable. You intercepted the Japanese supplies, how much do you plan to share with me?"

"Brother Chu, what are you saying? Since you've brought up the matter of dividing the spoils, then I can only be blunt and bring it up with you." Li Yunlong said to Chu Yunfei with a straight face, "Last time you intercepted the Japanese and made a meritorious contribution. Your superiors gave you a reward. Why don't you take it out and share it with me first?"

"Brother Yunlong, you're joking. This was won by my brothers from the 358th Regiment with their lives on the line," Chu Yunfei said seriously.

"Brother Yunfei, this is where you're wrong. It was clearly the credit I gave you, but you pocketed it all and didn't share with your brother. This time I intercepted the Japanese supplies, why can't I keep it all for myself? Didn't my brothers risk their lives for this?" Li Yunlong said seriously. "Furthermore, if we win this time together, you will definitely receive a reward. Will you share these rewards and credits? You certainly won't. Brother Yunfei, you want to keep all the credit for yourself, but you also want to share the supplies with me. Don't you think you're going a bit too far?" Chu Yunfei was speechless after Li Yunlong's words. It sounded like he had indeed gone too far.

But upon closer reflection, something felt off.

There was also a batch of bullet-making equipment in the Japanese army's baggage train.

Although our Jin-Sui Army also has this equipment, it is still a valuable item.

We can't let Li Yunlong take them all.

Taking advantage of Chu Yunfei's dazed state, Li Yunlong said, "Brother Yunfei, if you don't value this batch of credit, then you should speak up as soon as possible. I'll go and find the elite troops to cooperate with. I believe they will definitely be willing."

Chu Yunfei's interception of the Japanese mechanized forces and cavalry regiment was a meritorious act, which will definitely have an impact on these elite troops.

After all, they were the direct subordinates, while Chu Yunfei was from the 358th Regiment of the Jin-Sui Army, which belonged to a local force.

The fact that this local unit has performed meritorious service will definitely make the direct subordinate units that haven't performed meritorious service look bad.

To put it more bluntly.

The core group has taken the credit, which is a qualification for promotion.

After all, the core faction has suffered far too many defeats; if they could win, there would be plenty of people vying for them.

"Alright, alright, Brother Yunlong, let's not let these trivial matters cause us any unpleasantness." Chu Yunfei finally suppressed his thoughts.

If Li Yunlong were to actually seek cooperation with his own faction, wouldn't that be like letting a cooked duck fly away for the 358th Regiment?

Originally, those loyalists had been engaging in numerous underhanded tactics with local troops, so we absolutely cannot let them take the credit.

The greater the merit we achieve, the more infuriating they will be.
"Haha, Brother Yunfei, that's the right thing to do. How can we, brothers, quarrel over such a small matter?" Li Yunlong laughed heartily. "I'll take the supplies, and you can have the credit. Let's divide it equally."

"Brother Yunlong, I must make this clear beforehand," Chu Yunfei said, remembering something. "If you get surrounded by the Japanese while leading them on their way, I can't save you. Don't blame me for not helping you."

The Japanese reinforcements are now so eager to tear Li Yunlong apart that they want to crush his bones. For him to show himself at this time is even more dangerous than playing with fire!
If Li Yunlong is not careful, he could easily be surrounded by the Japanese.

At that time, let alone Chu Yunfei being ruthless, it would have been impossible for him, Li Yunlong, to even try to help him.

"Brother Chu, don't worry about that." Li Yunlong nodded quickly. "If I accidentally get surrounded by the Japanese, and you just stand by and do nothing, I won't blame you."

"Alright, Brother Yunlong, I'll go back right away and reinforce the fortifications, and borrow some more cannons from the higher-ups." Chu Yunfei nodded.

Although the Japanese won't go all out in the fight because they're holding porcelain, we'll still be under considerable pressure.

Not only must we exert all our strength, but we must also urge our superiors to put in even more effort to try and defeat these Japanese devils.

Chu Yunfei wasn't stupid either.

The 358th Regiment has been resented since the last time they fought this group of Japanese soldiers.

The reason they didn't immediately take down the 358th Regiment was because the Eighth Route Army was blocking their way.

If the Japanese can't get revenge on the Eighth Route Army, they'll definitely vent their anger on the 358th Regiment.

Therefore, if we can defeat this group of Japanese soldiers in advance, it will be equivalent to temporarily removing the sword hanging over the 358th Regiment.

"Brother Yunfei, if we have a good working relationship this time, I will definitely remember you when good things happen in the future," Li Yunlong said with a smile.

"Brother Yunlong, you're really cunning in your plan," Chu Yunfei complained. "This isn't cooperation, it's just you using me as a pawn again. I have no reason to refuse!"

"Haha, Brother Yunfei, I'm going to lure the Japanese away now. You go back and make preparations."

"Okay." Chu Yunfei led the guard company away quickly.

On the way back, Captain Sun Ming still said, "Regimental Commander, are you really planning to cooperate with Li Yunlong? If we can't win, our 358th Regiment will be in danger."

"This is at least a chance to severely damage the Japanese," Chu Yunfei analyzed. "Are we going to wait until these three Japanese regiments are fully prepared and then attack my 358th Regiment?"

“That’s true.” Captain Sun Ming fell silent.

That is absolutely true.

The last interception had already offended the Japanese too badly.

They couldn't get their revenge on the Eighth Route Army because they couldn't find any trace of them.

But our 358th Regiment is different; our defense zone is right there, it's as clear as day.

When the Japanese invaders attacked, there was nowhere to hide.

We had no choice but to either give up the territory or fight the Japanese head-on; neither was a good option.

(End of this chapter)