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

Chapter 88 Surprise! Brass Ore!

After learning that Lynx had stolen supplies from the Eighth Route Army and killed people, the third leader of the bandits knew that the stronghold could no longer be maintained.

The Eighth Route Army was poor, but the poorer they were, the more they dared to fight. They robbed wealthy families, and others might have reservations about doing so.

After all, compared to bandits, they were wearing shoes, so there was no need for them to fight to the death with a group of desperate men.

But the Eighth Route Army soldiers were even barefoot than them.

Barefoot people aren't afraid of those wearing shoes, especially since there are plenty of Eighth Route Army members.

If we don't run away soon, we won't be able to escape when the Eighth Route Army retaliates.

The third leader considered himself a cultured man and didn't believe in any nonsense about loyalty, so he had no qualms about running away alone.

"Anyway, I've saved up a lot of money over the years. With this money, I can be a big shot anywhere I go."

The third bandit leader ran while touching the heavy bundle.

It was filled with gold and oceans.

With this money, you could go to a place where no one knows you and maybe even buy your way into an official position.

The gold and silver dollars gave the third leader of the bandits a sense of security.

About half an hour later, the third bandit leader ran down the mountain.

He turned back for one last look in the direction of the bandit camp, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He squeezed the hard object inside, then gritted his teeth and left without looking back.

"do not move!"

Suddenly, a loud shout startled the third bandit leader so much that he almost lost his mind.

He looked over with difficulty and saw more than thirty soldiers in gray uniforms, holding guns, pointing their weapons at him.

He'd never experienced anything like this before!
His legs immediately gave way, and his body collapsed uncontrollably to the ground.

A cry of despair filled my heart! It's all over!
The Eighth Route Army's retaliation has arrived.

With over thirty guns aimed at him, the third-in-command of the bandits dared not resist at all, allowing the soldiers to grab him and tie him up.

"Platoon leader, it looks like we've caught a big fish."

A soldier, beaming with joy, discovered a large amount of gold and silver in the third bandit leader's bundle.

The gold alone weighs at least ten kilograms.

He looks like an important figure in the bandit stronghold.

"Haha, it wasn't for nothing that the soldiers of my third platoon almost ran their legs off. We finally got to make a name for ourselves!" The third platoon leader was very happy.

They captured an important mission from the bandit stronghold, and most importantly, they seized so much money; this was a significant achievement.

They could at least add a five-pointed star to the three ranks of battle flags, and the entire rank would receive at least a collective second-class merit.

As the platoon leader of the third platoon, he might also be awarded a first-class merit.

In this atmosphere where honor is more important than life, how could the platoon leader of the third platoon not be happy?
Who knows, when I get back, I might even get to have the battalion commander personally wash my feet.

"Sir, spare my life! I'm not a bandit. I was just passing by and have nothing to do with Black Cloud Village."

"Take this money, consider it a gift for the soldiers to have some tea. I just hope the soldiers will ignore me."

The third leader of the bandits still wanted to make a final stand.

When the third platoon leader heard the bandit leader's third leader still trying to argue, using such a clumsy excuse, he immediately felt that the other party was treating him like a fool.

"Damn it, what kind of good guy would show up in the middle of nowhere with so much money and a gun on him?"

"The key point is that I saw you come down the mountain with my own eyes. Did you have to pass by a bandit's den on your way?"

"Wang Yousheng, go and slap him twice to make him behave."

"Yes."

Upon receiving the order, one of the soldiers stepped out of the ranks and delivered two resounding slaps to the bandit leader's face.

After two slaps, the third-in-command of the bandits, who was not exactly a tough guy to begin with, immediately confessed.

"Take an immediate inventory, then send five men to escort this pale-faced scholar and the money to the detachment leader," the third platoon leader ordered immediately.

The money was counted on the spot to prevent the escorting soldiers from making mistakes, even though the third platoon leader trusted his soldiers.

However, it's best to avoid doing things that test human nature.

"Yes."

The soldiers were overjoyed. The third platoon had made a meritorious contribution, and as members of the collective, they were very proud.

After counting the money and combining it with the confession of the third bandit leader, it was found that a total of thirteen catties of gold and eight hundred and thirteen silver dollars had been seized.

"Damn it, this bandit looks like a refined scholar, yet he carried over fifty pounds of money all the way up the mountain. He's really something," the third platoon leader couldn't help but complain.

More than 800 silver dollars, weighing at least 40 kilograms, this bandit doesn't look like someone who does manual labor regularly, yet he was able to carry it for such a long distance.

"Alright, hurry up and get the men and money to the detachment leader. We'll keep watch and see if we can catch a few more fish," the third platoon leader ordered.

"Platoon leader, this bandit's legs are shaking like a leaf, it's difficult for the soldiers to escort him."

One of the soldiers asked.

Knowing he was doomed, the third-in-command of the bandits was completely disoriented, his legs trembling uncontrollably. If you looked closely, you would notice that the color of his trousers had darkened.

"Are you stupid? Haven't you ever seen how a pig is carried?" the third platoon leader said.

"Understood, Platoon Leader." After understanding, the soldier cut a fairly sturdy wooden stick and tied the third bandit leader to it like a pig.

Then the two soldiers each carried one side of the bandit leader and ran towards Chen Ming.

When the person was carried to Chen Ming, Chen Ming couldn't help but chuckle as he watched the soldiers' actions.

The third platoon instructor immediately told Chen Ming the whole story.

"Are you the third leader of the bandits?" Chen Ming asked.

"No, I'm not anymore. I severed ties with those bandits from Black Cloud Village yesterday. The one who robbed your Eighth Route Army's supplies was the second-in-command, Mountain Cat, and the person who gave him the order was the first-in-command, Xie Baoqing. I was just in charge of logistics, and I really didn't participate."

Before Chen Ming could even begin asking questions, the bandit leader's third-in-command confessed everything.

“Since you’re in charge of logistics and are also the third-in-command of the bandits, you must be very familiar with the mountain stronghold. Tell me everything you know, and you might be able to reduce your sentence if you perform meritorious service,” Chen Ming said.

Upon hearing this, the third-in-command of the bandits looked up at Chen Ming and asked, "Sir, can you really guarantee that?"

"I am the commander of the Independent Detachment and the Fourth Division. Do you think I can guarantee that?" Chen Ming asked rhetorically.

Upon hearing Chen Ming's words, the third leader of the bandits was greatly alarmed.

Chen Ming's reputation is impressive!
They were just bandits; when did they manage to alarm the Eighth Route Army's detachment commander?
No wonder everyone says, never rob the Eighth Route Army. They only managed to steal more than thirty guns and kill ten people, which even alarmed the Eighth Route Army's detachment leader!

What merit or ability does Black Cloud Village possess to have alarmed such a great figure?

"Reporting to the commander, there are a total of 156 bandits in Black Cloud Stronghold. The leader is Xie Baoqing, and the second leader is Shanmao. It was Shanmao who robbed your army's supplies this time."

"In addition, there were two hundred female relatives, more than one hundred and twenty rifles, three light machine guns, one heavy machine gun, and a 60mm mortar made in Shanxi."

The third leader of the bandits told Chen Ming about the situation in the stronghold in detail.

"You bandit den have over a hundred guns, including light and heavy machine guns and mortars?" Chen Ming asked in confusion.

When did bandits become so rich? Their weapons and equipment were better than most of the Eighth Route Army's troops.

Back when they were still in the district squad, Dafei led his team to wipe out a group of bandits, capturing two light machine guns and a mortar. Chen Ming thought it was an isolated incident.

I never expected to encounter such a wealthy bandit today. This is no ordinary person!

"Reporting to the commander, there is a small brass mine in Black Cloud Stronghold. The chief is secretly mining it and selling it to the Jin-Sui Army. The weapons and equipment are all bought from the Jin-Sui Army," the third bandit leader replied.

"Black Cloud Village has a chalcopyrite mine?!"

Chen Ming immediately pressed for an answer.

"It really is hidden in a cave behind the stronghold," the bandit leader replied.

"Great, great!" Chen Ming agreed repeatedly.

Chalcopyrite, with the chemical formula CuFeS2, is exactly what Chen Ming needs right now, just by looking at its elemental composition.

Iron needs no introduction; it has a wide range of uses, and it can be said that iron is needed for any weapon.

Copper is also a good thing; it's good for making bullets.

As for sulfur, that's even better.

The arsenal in the Fourth Division is currently in dire need of gunpowder.

With chalcopyrite, one could replace the costly purchase of sulfur, mass-produce sulfuric acid, handle nitric acid, and then manufacture large quantities of explosives.

With sufficient raw materials, the arsenal could produce more weapons to fight the Japanese invaders.

It can be said that the chalcopyrite mine at Black Cloud Village solved the biggest problem for the Fourth Division in one fell swoop.

The bandit gave Chen Ming a big surprise, which improved his mood.

“That’s right. If a copper mine is indeed discovered, and it’s proven that you didn’t participate in looting our army’s supplies, your life is safe,” Chen Ming said.

"Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir!" The third bandit leader was overwhelmed with emotion.

Having received a promise from such a powerful figure as Chen Ming, his head should, barring any unforeseen circumstances, remain on his shoulders.

After learning about the situation, Chen Ming immediately ordered his troops to attack the bandit stronghold.

Black Cloud Village is easy to defend but difficult to attack; it depends on the type of troops involved.

The special operations brigade, formed based on the sharpshooter company, has no tough opponents in front of them.

With the addition of elite grenade launcher throwers, they are virtually invincible in small-scale battles!

After Chen Ming gave the order, a squad from the special operations brigade began to sneak up along the path that the third bandit leader had taken down the mountain.

Meanwhile, the main force began to advance towards Black Cloud Village. Once they were within firing range, Chen Ming ordered the two mortars he had brought to be loaded and the firing parameters set.

As the troops advanced, the bandits on lookout duty also discovered them.

He rubbed his eyes in disbelief, and under the influence of alcohol, he saw that the area below the mountain was densely packed with people.

"Oh my god, the government troops have come knocking on our door."

The bandits immediately fired a warning shot and then left their post.

There were only a few of them, how could they possibly deal with so many government troops!

"Who the hell fired again? They ruined my plans."

Inside the mountain stronghold, Xie Baoqing was holding a woman, just about to get intimate, when the gunshot interrupted him, completely ruining his mood.

"Boss, it's not an accident, the Eighth Route Army has come to attack!" A bandit ran in, panting heavily, and shouted anxiously.

(End of this chapter)