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

Chapter 37 Li Yunlong Attacks the County Town

Faced with Li Yunlong's kindness, Ding Wei thanked him first: "Old Li, thank you."

"No need to thank me, brother. When I was demoted from the commander of the new regiment and sent to the clothing factory to do embroidery, didn't you give me a cavalry battalion? You're such a good friend, as your brother, I'll definitely lend you a hand when it matters."

Li Yunlong said sincerely, "You've only been in our 386th Brigade for a short time, and you're not familiar with the environment yet. I have to take good care of you, brother. The 772nd and 771st Regiments are like our own mothers, while we're like stepmothers. We, the stepmothers, have to unite and make those real mothers furious. They dare to compete with us for the Hell Cannon, they've gone too far."

Ding Wei remained cautious: "I still need to consult with the brigade commander."

Ding Wei was very grateful, but he knew Li Yunlong's temperament all too well. This guy liked to move troops around without permission and liked to cause trouble everywhere.

He said he was there to help me, but who knows if this kid is behind the brigade commander's back and causing trouble.

I can't just blindly follow his lead.

You have to understand, this kid is so audacious that he even dared to steal the hellish cannons from the logistics department. He's a wild horse that won't stop even if he manages to tear the sky apart.

It wasn't that Ding Wei didn't trust him, but it was genuinely necessary to consult with his superiors and verify the information.

"Look at how cautious you are, making it seem like I, Li Yunlong, am here to harm you." Li Yunlong pursed his lips and said, "Alright, alright, you should communicate with the brigade commander right away."

"Old Li, wait a moment." Ding Wei immediately went to make a phone call.

Soon, Ding Wei returned, looking excited: "Old Li, what's our plan?"

Ding Wei figured it out: it wasn't that Li Yunlong was causing trouble behind the brigade commander's back, but rather that the brigade commander had deliberately released Li Yunlong from his inner circle to cause trouble for the Japanese. The brigade commander had also agreed to let him lead the New First Regiment to follow Li Yunlong and cause trouble.

Of course, Ding Wei also had to record the shell data of the Hell Cannon and give it to the brigade commander later.

"What do you say, let's go and attack Heyuan County?" Li Yunlong said, surprising everyone.

"Attack Heyuan County?" Ding Wei couldn't help but glare at him. "Old Li, are you crazy? Our two regiments combined only have a little over a thousand men, and your Hellfire cannon only has five shells. If we attack this county, the Japanese will send reinforcements from all directions. It's easy for us to be surrounded and cut off before we even take the county."

“Old Ding, the brigade commander said that the bigger the commotion, the better. If we don’t attack the county town, how can we call it a big commotion!” Li Yunlong said to Ding Wei with a smug look on his face. “You know I never suffer losses in battle. If you follow me, I guarantee you’ll get your hands on the Hell Cannon. Your troops should assemble first and come with me. I’ll tell you the follow-up plans on the way.”

"Alright, I'll see what you're really up to!" Ding Wei was suspicious, but Li Yunlong's words were true.

Although this kid is a troublemaker, he's definitely a tough fighter and never suffers a loss.

Listen to his follow-up plans on the way. If it doesn't work out, we're not stupid.

The new regiment was quickly mobilized by Ding Wei. Those who stayed behind to guard the house were left behind, while the rest of the men followed Ding Wei and Li Yunlong and set off immediately.

……

As evening fell, the sky was filled with fiery red clouds, like burning fire!
Turning his gaze away from the sky, Hirata Ichiro picked up the telephone receiver on the table: "Get Zheng Qianyi on my end."

The call connected, and Zheng Qianyi's voice came through: "Sir, this is Zheng Qianyi."

"The bounty has been posted. Have you found any leads?" Hirata Ichiro asked.

"I'm sorry, sir, there isn't any yet," Zheng Qianyi replied. "Tell the puppet troops that anyone who can provide clues about the Eighth Route Army's heavy artillery will receive a reward of a large sum of money and a promotion of one rank!" Hirata Ichiro ordered.

"Yes, Taijun."

The call ended, and Hirata Ichiro put the receiver back on the shelf, muttering to himself, "Relying on bounties is probably not a solution. We still need to organize troops as soon as possible to encircle and annihilate the Eighth Route Army..."

Hirata Ichiro didn't finish his sentence!
The ground beneath my feet suddenly shook violently, and the water in the teacup on the table rippled rapidly.

The experienced Hirata Ichiro immediately realized that it was the sound of a heavy artillery shell exploding!
as predicted!

Hirata Ichiro soon heard a huge explosion coming from the north gate.

Even though they were three kilometers away from Hirata Ichiro, he could still feel the terrifying, heart-pounding power emanating from the air!
Hirata Ichiro jumped up from his chair and rushed to the window to look outside.

Smoke rose from the north gate, obscuring the outlines of the battle.

The sounds of gunfire rang out rapidly and fiercely.

Someone rushed over and reported nervously to Hirata Ichiro: "Captain, something bad has happened! The Eighth Route Army has launched a strong attack on the county town with heavy artillery. The north gate has already been blasted open by a single shot."

"What's the panic!" Hirata Ichiro said calmly. "I was just looking for the Eighth Route Army and their heavy artillery, and now the Eighth Route Army has brought their heavy artillery right in front of us. Isn't that a good thing!"

"Captain, the Eighth Route Army's offensive is fierce; they'll probably break through soon," the man said nervously. "It's getting dark, and we're not good at night fighting, while night fighting is the Eighth Route Army's specialty..."

Hirata Ichiro interrupted the other party: "If the Eighth Route Army dares to come in, I'll trap them like turtles in a jar! Go and pass on my orders immediately. The surrounding strongholds must send troops to reinforce us and form an encirclement around the county town. Don't let the Eighth Route Army escape! Hmph, with just one heavy cannon, the Eighth Route Army has gained a little advantage. Now they're even daring to dream of taking my county town. I'll let them wake up."

"Captain, why don't you step aside for a bit?" the man said.

"The Imperial Army has never been one where soldiers die in battle, but rather one where soldiers are scared to death!" Hirata Ichiro declared righteously.

"Yes, Captain." The man nodded and quickly went to relay the order.

Hirata Ichiro was still shocked as he listened to the sounds of gunfire coming from the north gate.

Because the Eighth Route Army's firepower was very strong, although the heavy cannon was no longer roaring, the Eighth Route Army still had a lot of grenade launchers, mortars, and machine guns, so the North Gate area probably couldn't hold out for long.

The Eighth Route Army is quite powerful, and even if we mobilize troops from the strongholds near the county town, it might not be enough.

Hirata Ichiro immediately ran to the communications room and ordered the communications soldier: "Send a telegram to the 4th Brigade and the 9th Brigade immediately, telling them that the Eighth Route Army is attacking Heyuan County with heavy artillery, and to send troops to reinforce us as soon as possible!"

"Yes, sir." Upon hearing this, the communications soldier quickly sent a signal.

As the sun set on the horizon and night fell, Hirata Ichiro still felt a little regretful: "It's a pity it's dark now, otherwise we could have sent planes over to suppress the Eighth Route Army."

boom!
A loud bang came from the south gate, and Hirata Ichiro's expression froze.

Someone rushed over in a panic and reported to Hirata Ichiro: "Captain, something bad has happened! The Eighth Route Army has broken in through the south gate."

(End of this chapter)