Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Changjin Lake, a Hundred Battles, a Hundred Victories

Chapter 275 Appointment of the Artillery Brigade, a Super Strong Man
After receiving Chen Ming's permission, Li Yunlong arrived at the artillery detachment's base with a smile.

Information about the artillery detachment's location was top secret; officers of Li Yunlong's rank were not qualified to know its exact location.

The location of the artillery garrison was a core secret concerning survival, known only to the strategic decision-making level and the necessary support chain, Fujiwara.

Furthermore, it prevents leaks through dynamic transfer and information isolation.

The place Li Yunlong went to was not the actual artillery detachment's base, but a temporary office.

Upon arriving at the artillery detachment's location, Li Yunlong acted as if he were at home, without any formalities.

As soon as he entered the yard, he started shouting loudly.

"Old Zhao, Old Zhao!"

Inside the house, Zhao Gang heard a familiar voice and knew that his old partner had arrived.

Chen Ming had informed him over the phone, so he wasn't surprised that Li Yunlong would come.

"Old Li!"

Zhao Gang put down his work, quickly went out, and upon seeing Li Yunlong, ran over and hugged him.

"Haha, Lao Zhao, I've missed you so much."

"Come on, Lao Li, let's go inside and talk. It's cold outside."

After the two entered the house, they found a stove burning inside, with potatoes roasting.

Seeing the roasted potatoes in the oven, Li Yunlong didn't stand on ceremony and took one out directly.

Peel the skin while it's so hot you're breathing out steam, then take a bite and exhale a puff of hot air.

"After traveling for half a day, I finally got to eat something hot. This year's weather is really damn cold, it's making me shiver."

Li Yunlong said this while eating.

"Yes, it's cold outside this year. My hands turn red from the cold after standing outside for a short while."

"But things are different now. Our troops are stronger, and our soldiers no longer have to suffer from hunger and cold."

Zhao Gang spoke up.

After the Independent Detachment grew and expanded in northern Shanxi, Chen Ming organized the reclamation of wasteland and mining, achieving self-sufficiency in grain and resources.

Regarding food, although 42 was a year of great disaster, thanks to Chen Ming's early preparations, the impact on the base area was not significant.

The grain in the base area can meet its own needs and can even be transported to the rear to support its development.

In terms of mineral resources, Datong is surrounded by abundant mineral resources, including many coal mines.

With these high-quality mineral resources, the soldiers could burn coal for warmth in winter, and textile factories could continuously produce winter clothing.

We will never again suffer from hunger, cold, and shivering while fighting the Japanese invaders, as we did before.

These situations are felt most acutely by veteran cadres like Li Yunlong.

The army grew stronger and stronger, the Japanese became weaker and weaker, and the dawn of victory grew brighter and brighter.

This is why Li Yunlong admires Chen Ming from the bottom of his heart.

It wasn't just that Chen Ming was of a high rank, or that the independent detachment had powerful weapons.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Zhao Gang got down to business.

"The commander just told me on the phone that there's no problem with the cannon. I'll issue a note in a bit, and you can take the cannon to the commander for his signature."

Upon hearing this, Li Yunlong immediately laughed.

"Haha, I knew you, Lao Zhao, were a true friend."

"You, Old Zhao, have really made it big now. You now command three artillery battalions, including one heavy artillery battalion. You're incredibly powerful."

"From now on, Old Li will have to rely on you, Old Zhao, to protect him."

Li Yunlong smiled happily.

It wasn't just because they borrowed the artillery, but also because of Zhao Gang's current status.

For Li Yunlong, Zhao Gang had found a good place to go, and he was even happier than Zhao Gang himself.

The idea that Li Yunlong was afraid his brothers wouldn't live well, or that they would drive Land Rovers, didn't exist for him.

"Every position is for the sake of the revolution. This is approved by the leader. If the leader didn't agree, I wouldn't dare to give you the slip."

Zhao Gang said with a smile.

Zhao Gang is a man of principle, and his principles are very strong.

For heavy military equipment like artillery, things must be done according to regulations; no one can change that.

"You, Old Zhao, are much more enlightened. I, Old Li, am just a roughneck."

Li Yunlong said.

"We still need to study more, understand the policies better, and raise our awareness," Zhao Gang said with a smile.

"Sigh, I'm getting too old, I can't keep up with my studies anymore."

In front of Zhao Gang, Li Yunlong never said anything like "Study, what a load of crap."

"It's never too late to learn as long as you want to."

"After I came to the artillery detachment, I have been studying relevant knowledge."

"I don't know why, but I seem to be particularly interested in this kind of knowledge, and I learn it very quickly."

"It felt like my mind had returned to my student days."

Zhao Gang spoke up.

This is his true feeling. After arriving at the Independent Detachment, he felt that his mind became particularly sharp and he could learn everything quickly.

It felt like I was back to when I was seventeen or eighteen, and I had energy for everything!
Even my body has become much stronger, the training is more effective, and my muscles are more defined.

Despite being a political officer, Zhao Gang has a muscular physique that rivals Li Yunlong's when he takes off his clothes.

This discovery puzzled Zhao Gang greatly, but he couldn't find the reason.

After all, knowledge is acquired through learning, and physical strength is built through exercise.

Ultimately, Zhao Gang could only attribute it to the influence of the environment.

In the environment of an independent detachment, people can develop better.

What Zhao Gang was unaware of was that these changes all stemmed from Chen Ming's badge set bonus.

With each victory, Chen Ming earned a steady stream of badges.

There were so many badges, big and small, that even Chen Ming himself had almost lost count.

After all, the independent detachment is now very large and its base area is also very wide.

Although there were few battles, small-scale skirmishes involving dozens or hundreds of people never stopped.

For each battle he fights, Chen Ming can obtain a badge and receive a badge bonus.

Even a single level 1 badge provides a 20% bonus to that area, and the cumulative effect is terrifying.

The officers and soldiers of the original independent detachment may not have noticed these gradually acquired bonuses and changes.

But for someone like Zhao Gang, who was transferred midway through his career, the impact of such a powerful boost was very noticeable.

Under Chen Ming's leadership, he might not be able to turn ordinary people into great scientists, but he could easily turn ordinary cadres into cadres who were somewhat inferior to the former Zhao Gang.

This is one of the reasons why graduates from the four district schools are so popular.

Even if you are no longer receiving the badge set bonus after being transferred, the growth you gained during the bonus period will not disappear.

It can be said that the badge set is the greatest wealth Chen Ming has gained since his transmigration.

Any cheats like 3D combat maps are no match for the Badge Group.

The three-dimensional combat map only provides a field of vision advantage, which can be compensated for by a powerful reconnaissance system and an intelligence system composed of civilians.

Our army's intelligence system was not much different during the Liberation War.

It may not be as detailed as a 3D map, but it can still provide a basic understanding of the general situation.

With a three-dimensional combat map, Chen Ming can become an excellent frontline commander.

With the added bonuses from the badge set, Chen Ming can become a true commander, leading the development of a region or even a higher level. Without a three-dimensional combat map, Chen Ming certainly couldn't have achieved the multifaceted development he has today in military industry, development, education, warfare, and people's livelihood.

At best, he could become a capable general on the front lines.

Let's return our attention to the headquarters of the Independent Detachment.

While Chen Ming was handling his affairs, a strategic-level encrypted telegram was delivered to him.

Chen Ming put down his work and smiled after reading the telegram.

This telegram was an appointment telegram for the Chief of Staff to concurrently serve as the Artillery Brigade Commander.

The artillery detachment is now almost fully trained.

Although Soviet-style artillery differed significantly from Japanese artillery, it was somewhat unfamiliar to the Independent Detachment.

However, Soviet artillery was also known for its ease of operation, and training was not difficult.

The training over the past two months has primarily focused on the coordination of artillery groups.

After all, although the original independent detachment had many artillery battalions, they were mostly equipped with small-caliber mortars, infantry guns, and the like.

There were only a dozen or so mountain guns; it couldn't be considered a large artillery cluster.

Now, it has an entire artillery detachment, hundreds of field guns, and rocket artillery units.

Artillery units of this scale, capable of operating at the campaign level, cannot be used in the same unorthodox ways as before.

For two months, the artillery detachment focused on training the use of artillery clusters.

While training, we also absorbed the techniques from the senior personnel sent by the artillery detachment to provide guidance.

Big Brother's tactics may seem crude, but the fact that he was able to suppress the German army on the battlefield, especially in terms of artillery, speaks volumes.

In artillery tactics, the German army was no match for the Soviet army; that is a fact.

Chen Ming was not so arrogant as to think that the Soviet artillery tactics were weak just because he had a cheat code.

The artillery detachment has now achieved initial success, and has basically gained a certain understanding and application of the tactics used in artillery clusters.

In this situation, it would be necessary to send an officer who is equally skilled in this area to serve as the commander of the artillery detachment.

The person Chen Ming recommended to the rear was the chief of staff.

In fact, Chen Ming felt that the most suitable person to serve as the commander of the artillery detachment was another formidable individual.

That remarkable person is qualified for the position in terms of both experience and ability.

He was a true genius in our army's artillery; it's no exaggeration to call him a founder of the field.

However, that powerful figure currently holds an important position in Shandong Province and is temporarily unable to leave.

Chen Ming had tried to inquire about it, but was not allowed to.

Chen Ming was quite helpless about this. Since the most suitable candidate couldn't come for the time being, he had to choose someone else.

However, the leader did not completely reject Chen Ming, and revealed to Chen Ming that at most next year, that is, 43 years.

Once the work over there is finished, I can be transferred here.

Chen Ming was naturally very pleased with this, so he proposed to his superiors that the chief of staff of the independent detachment temporarily serve as the commander of the artillery detachment.

With the victory in the Battle of Baotou, the proposal was finally approved after several rounds of discussion.

After all, the chief of staff of the independent detachment had been here for some time and his abilities had been recognized by Chen Ming, the commander of the independent detachment.

He also proved himself in the battle of Baotou.

In terms of both ability and qualifications, he is perfectly capable of serving as the commander of an artillery detachment.

The only problem is that holding two positions at the same time might make it difficult to manage and affect the work.

However, artillery detachments usually operate alongside the headquarters of independent detachments, and Zhao Gang, as the political commissar of the artillery detachment, was also recognized for his abilities.

When necessary, Zhao Gang can also organize work and operations on the spot without consuming too much of the chief of staff's energy, and the impact will not be particularly large.

Special times call for special measures.

So in the end, Chen Ming still received the telegram appointing him as chief of staff.

"Da Biao, go and get the chief of staff. I have something good to tell him."

Chen Ming spoke to Wang Dabiao outside.

"Yes."

Upon receiving the order, Da Biao immediately carried it out.

Not long after, the chief of staff arrived.

"Old Chen, what good news is there? Is it a commendation telegram from headquarters?"

The chief of staff arrived and immediately asked with a smile.

People are in high spirits when they have good news.

He had just won a battle, though it was only on a scale of tens of thousands of people, but that was enough for him.

"It's not a commendation telegram, guess again."

Upon seeing the chief of staff arrive, Chen Ming found himself wanting to tease him.

"If it's not a commendation telegram, could it be that the troops have discovered another important Japanese warehouse?" the chief of staff continued to ask.

"No, keep guessing."

Chen Ming shook his head.

"Could it be that the Soviet army brought the equipment and tractor factory here?"

The chief of staff continued.

"Haha, this is getting more and more outrageous. In the dead of winter, none of us want to go out. How could the Soviet army possibly transport supplies from thousands of miles away?"

Chen Ming smiled and shook his head again.

"Then I can't guess."

In the chief of staff's view, these were the only good things that mattered to him.

Seeing that the chief of staff hadn't guessed it, Chen Ming stopped teasing him and said:

"It's an appointment letter."

"A letter of appointment?"

"Hmm." Chen Ming nodded and said seriously:
"By order of zyjw:
"Comrade Liu** is appointed as the commander of the artillery detachment of the Fourth Military Sub-district, and shall assume his post immediately."

This order.

***
***
December 28, 1942.

Chen Ming read the contents of the telegram aloud, word by word.

Upon hearing what Chen Ming read aloud, the chief of staff showed a look of surprise and delight.

For a military chief of staff, being appointed as the acting military commander across ranks is undoubtedly very good news.

This refers to promotions and special appointments.

It's important to understand that the chief of staff at this time did not hold the same high position and power as the chief of staff in later generations.

The chief of staff during this period was essentially "assisting in decision-making," therefore any authorization to exceed that limit was not permitted.

For example, notices regarding independent detachments, resource allocation, and promotions, even if they are "good things," are signs of escalating responsibilities.

Now, the chief of staff has been appointed by telegram to concurrently serve as the commander of the artillery detachment.

For the chief of staff, this is a very good thing, something to be happy about.

Because the chief of staff is two ranks lower than the military commander. For example, if Chen Ming is a regimental-level officer, then the chief of staff would be a battalion-level officer.

An artillery detachment, as an artillery unit, is of a higher rank.

Moreover, due to the special nature of the unit, this unit is ranked half a level higher than ordinary units, which can be considered a high-level configuration.

It can be said that this appointment telegram directly promoted the Chief of Staff to a higher rank, and to a more important one at that.

(End of this chapter)