Everyone listened to Li Yunlong's words and burst into laughter.
After everyone was distributed some more supplies like uniforms, they all dispersed.
The battle had just ended, and their respective units still had a pile of matters to handle.
Moreover, with the troops about to be expanded, there were even more things to do,
naturally leaving no time for idle chat at the regimental headquarters.
After everyone had left, Qin Yangming handed Li Yunlong the training plan he had prepared.
"Regiment Commander, this is the training plan I've put together.
It's specifically for training new recruits,
if you're going to the brigade headquarters, could you please hand it over to the Brigade Commander for me?"
Li Yunlong's eyes lit up upon hearing Qin Yangming's words.
"Good lad, so this is how you trained the new recruits in your squad.
"Good heavens, those new recruits have better combat effectiveness than some veterans."
During the assault on the stronghold, Li Yunlong was greatly surprised by the combat effectiveness of the new recruits he had assigned from Qin Yangming's unit.
Twelve new recruits, led by three veterans, were able to engage in bayonet fighting with over a dozen Japanese devils without being at a disadvantage.
In the close-quarters combat during this battle, many new recruits in other battalions and companies were fighting one Japanese devil with two or three men.
Even then, quite a few were injured or even sacrificed.
In Qin Yangming's squad, only one unlucky fellow had his arm pierced by a stray bullet.
This clearly shows the strength of these soldiers' combat effectiveness.
Qin Yangming nodded as Li Yunlong inquired.
"Yes, this is a training plan I devised while I was recovering from my injuries at Duanjia'ao.
"Regiment Commander, you've already witnessed the combat effectiveness of my squad of new recruits, haven't you?"
"Of course I've witnessed it.
A single squad is equipped with a light machine gun and a grenade launcher.
It's the first time I've seen a squad so well-equipped."
Li Yunlong's tone was tinged with a hint of envy.
When his New First Regiment was first formed, it didn't even have a single light machine gun.
Yet, Qin Yangming's squad alone was equipped with a light machine gun.
How could he not be envious?
"Wait a minute, you said you came up with this training syllabus while you were injured?
When were you injured?"
"It was during the last large-scale sweep, of course.
Don't you know, Regiment Commander?
My soldiers were trained according to this plan for a month."
As if fearing Li Yunlong wouldn't take it seriously, Qin Yangming quickly reminded him.
"The complete training period is three months.
Of course, if there are sufficient supplies, two months isn't impossible either."
Li Yunlong wasn't focused on the training plan; he was thinking about something else.
"Little rascal, didn't you come directly from the 772nd Regiment?"
"Why wouldn't I have come directly from the 772nd Regiment?
Regiment Commander, what exactly are you trying to ask?"
"No, I mean, did you come from the 772nd Regiment's base area, or...?"
"Please, Regiment Commander, I was injured during the last large-scale sweep.
I've been recuperating at a fellow villager's house."
"Then what about that reinforced platoon you brought with you?"
"I assembled it myself.
It includes over twenty veterans who, like me, were recovering at fellow villagers' homes.
The rest are new recruits, and the equipment was taken from the Japanese devils by my men.
Regiment Commander, what's wrong? Is there a problem with someone?
Regiment Commander, I assure you, there are absolutely no issues with the new recruits I've enlisted."
"No, no, no, I didn't say that.
I just wanted to confirm the training duration of your soldiers."
Seeing that Qin Yangming had steered the conversation elsewhere,
Li Yunlong quickly interrupted and waved his hand.
"Alright, take your weapons and equipment and leave.
I also need to report to the Brigade Commander."
After Qin Yangming, who was completely bewildered, left the regimental headquarters, Li Yunlong burst into laughter.
Zhong Zhicheng, who had just finished distributing supplies to everyone, also chuckled upon seeing Li Yunlong so happy.
"Regiment Commander, what happened to make you so happy?"
"Hahaha, why wouldn't I be happy?
Blind Cheng, that clueless fellow, gave me a big gift."
He then explained Qin Yangming's true situation to Zhong Zhicheng.
"I'm afraid Regimental Commander Cheng himself never imagined that there would be such a formidable individual among the wounded soldiers he sent over."
"Hmph, I doubt he even wanted to send anyone over.
He probably only sent some wounded soldiers to me under orders from the brigade headquarters!"
"The ten repaired Old Barrel rifles he sent yesterday were probably because of that phone call I made."
The cunning Li Yunlong, combining his own actions with his understanding of Blind Cheng,
immediately realized that Blind Cheng likely had no idea how powerful Qin Yangming was.
After all, Blind Cheng's 772nd Regiment was a genuine main force regiment,
and they couldn't be deployed arbitrarily without orders.
Blind Cheng didn't have the guts to secretly deploy troops for personal gain.
He even thought yesterday that Blind Cheng had a change of heart and had learned to secretly make extra money.
With that said, he handed over the security of the regimental headquarters to Zhang Dabiao.
Li Yunlong, along with his guard Huzi and the prepared equipment, headed towards the brigade headquarters.
Meanwhile, at the brigade headquarters, the Brigade Commander, wearing a single-layer shirt and leather boots, was looking at the combat intelligence report on the New First Regiment submitted by his subordinates.
"This Li Yunlong kid is quite capable.
In just a few days, he's made the New First Regiment roar like wolf cubs."
The brigade political commissar standing nearby chimed in.
"Indeed, Li Yunlong is quite skilled at fighting.
He's also good at acquiring equipment, but his personality is a bit hard to describe."
The Brigade Commander put down the report and smiled.
"This kid is like a donkey that needs to be stroked the right way.
If you go along with his temper, it's fine.
But if you cross him, he'll immediately kick up a fuss."
"Hahaha, this guy is just like before.
Still a blockhead, can't think things through."
"Yes, calculating the time, it should be about right.
Someone, have the cookhouse squad prepare some good food for me.
I bet Li Yunlong will ask me to treat him to a drink later."
"Brigade Commander, judging by your words, Li Yunlong will be coming to the brigade headquarters?"
"He definitely will!"
The Brigade Commander's tone was extremely confident.
"With such significant actions by his New First Regiment,
he'll definitely come to the brigade headquarters to make a report and claim credit.
And he'll also bring us a batch of spoils of war."
The Political Commissar listened to the Brigade Commander and spoke with some disbelief.
"Brigade Commander, I believe you when you say Li Yunlong will come to claim credit,
but with his Pixiu-like nature, him bringing spoils of war.
That sounds like Arabian Nights."
"Hmph, you think he's willing to hand them over."
"This kid has more tricks up his sleeve than anyone else.
Look at this."
The Brigade Commander handed the intelligence report to the Political Commissar, gesturing for him to look.
"Good heavens, three Type 92 Infantry Guns, and a mountain gun!"
The Political Commissar was shocked by the intelligence report stating that Li Yunlong's New First Regiment used infantry guns and mountain guns during the assault on the stronghold,
as well as the captured spoils of war.
"Where did Li Yunlong get these weapons and equipment?
Good heavens, Li Yunlong has struck it rich this time!"
"Hmph, he definitely won't hand over these cannons.
Later, he'll definitely send a substantial amount of spoils of war to shut me up.
I need to think of a way to make this guy willingly hand over the cannons.
"He wants to establish an artillery company with just one regiment.
My entire brigade doesn't even have a decent piece of artillery."
"That might be difficult."
The Brigade Commander's eyes also gleamed at the sight of the artillery in the report. With direct-fire artillery like the Type 92 Infantry Gun and mountain guns,
troops would no longer have to sacrifice lives to assault blockhouses and strongholds.
Currently, the Eighth Route Army's method for attacking blockhouses usually involved organizing assault teams to rush to the outside of the blockhouse and then using explosives for demolition, which was not only difficult but also resulted in heavy casualties.
"Brigade Commander, Brigade Commander, your Old Li is here to bring you a gift."
Before the Brigade Commander could devise a good plan, he heard Li Yunlong's booming voice calling out from outside the brigade headquarters.
The Brigade Commander and the Political Commissar exchanged glances, and a subtle smile appeared on both their lips.
As long-time partners, the Political Commissar naturally knew what the Brigade Commander intended to do.
"What are you shouting about? I'm not deaf.
Get in here, damn it!"
Li Yunlong, grinning widely, entered the brigade headquarters' command room holding a Japanese sword.
Upon entering, he found both the Brigade Commander and the Political Commissar looking at him with smiles.
Li Yunlong suddenly felt a sense of unease.
The Brigade Commander spoke first, smiling and congratulating Li Yunlong.
"Li Yunlong, I congratulate you on striking it rich."
This statement was genuinely meant.