Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 62 Political Commissar of the Independent Regiment

Li Yunfei rushed back to the regimental headquarters. As soon as he stepped through the gate, he shouted, "Li Dapeng, quickly bring the telegraph operator you brought from the militia over here. I have something important to discuss with Regimental Commander Tang."

Upon hearing Li Yunfei's words, Li Dapeng, who was on duty inside the house, hurriedly came out of the house and said.

"Yes, Commander, I'll go right away."

"Oh right, tell the cooks to prepare some food for me. I haven't eaten on the way here, and I'm starving." Li Yunfei said as he walked into the house.

Li Yunfei casually sat down, picked up his water glass, and started drinking. After finishing, he turned to Staff Officer Zhang beside him and said something, completely unaware that a strange face had appeared next to Zhang:

"Old Zhang, let me tell you, we made a big deal this time. Let me tell you all about it." Li Yunfei turned to look at Staff Officer Zhang with a smug look on his face.

At this moment, Li Yunfei suddenly noticed a stranger next to Staff Officer Zhang. The man had a refined and scholarly appearance, which immediately displeased Li Yunfei.

It's important to know that Li Yunfei came from a poor family and fought his way up from the battlefield. To be honest, he looked down on people who looked like scholars. In his own words, "They're like women, trying to fight the Japanese." For this, Li Yunfei received no shortage of criticism from his superiors.

"Hey, I've been away for a few days, and our regiment has gained another person. Staff Officer Zhang, why don't you introduce him to Old Li?" Li Yunfei knew at a glance that this must be a staff officer assigned by the brigade, otherwise he wouldn't be staying in this room with Staff Officer Zhang, but he pretended not to know.

"Commander, let me introduce you. This is Zhao Xiaogang, the new political commissar sent to us by the brigade," Staff Officer Zhang said to Li Yunfei.

"Political Commissar Zhao, this is Li Yunfei, the regimental commander of our Independent Regiment."

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard of Commander Li's great reputation since the brigade headquarters. Seeing you in person is truly an honor," Zhao Xiaogang said admiringly.

"Political Commissar Zhao looks like a scholar, that's a really nice thing to say. Political Commissar Zhao, I'm just a rough guy, please forgive me if my words offend you in any way," Li Yunfei replied.

"Commander, you're too kind. Now that I, Zhao Xiaogang, have joined the Independent Regiment, I'm a member of this big family. Let's work together more in the future."

"Since Political Commissar Zhao has said so, then on behalf of all the officers and soldiers of the Independent Regiment, I welcome Political Commissar Zhao to join the Independent Regiment. Welcome!" Li Yunfei extended his hand.

"It's an honor to join you." Zhao Xiaogang also reached out and shook Li Yunfei's right hand.

"Commander, you have a really strong grip," Zhao Xiaogang said without changing his expression.

When they shook hands just now, Li Yunfei subtly increased the pressure on his hand. Seeing that Zhao Xiaogang's expression did not change, he felt a little more appreciative.

“Political Commissar Zhao is no less impressive. Come, come, please sit down and let’s talk.” Li Yunfei invited Zhao Xiaogang to sit down.

"Commander, I just heard you say you had a big deal. What is it?" Zhao Xiaogang asked curiously.

"Now that Political Commissar Zhao is the political commissar of our Independent Regiment, I, Old Li, will not hide anything from you," Li Yunfei said frankly.

“We had received information that the Japanese would be sending a military train along the Zhengtai Railway to Taiyuan next week, so this time I contacted another anti-Japanese armed force in the county town—the local militia in Tangjia Town.”

"By the way, is the new telegraph operator in our regiment one of their militia members? I thought our Independent Regiment was equipped with radios," Zhao Xiaogang asked.

"Haha, that's right. This telegraph operator was personally sent by their regimental commander to be in charge of communication with us. Political Commissar Zhao, let me tell you, these guys are rolling in money. But their Regimental Commander Tang is a very honest man; he agreed to lend us the equipment of one battalion for this operation." Li Yunfei said with a happy expression.

"Oh," Zhao Xiaogang said with a look of surprise:

"I never expected the commander to have such influence. I'm truly impressed."

"Hahaha, how could our old Li have such a big face? Their regimental commander is only doing this because of our brigade commander's influence. Look what this is." Li Yunlong carefully took out the IOU written by the brigade commander from his pocket.

Zhao Xiaogang took it and saw that it contained an excuse written by the brigade commander himself, and not only that, the division commander's name was also attached.

"Commander, that's impressive. The division commander even signed his name."

"When I went to see the brigade commander, the division commander was also there. What a coincidence! With the division commander's signature, the equipment loan is a done deal," Li Yunfei said with a smile.

At that moment, Li Dapeng's voice came: "Regimental Commander, I've brought Comrade Ma Dong over."

"Come in quickly," Li Yunfei hurriedly invited.

"Commander Li, what can I do for you?" Ma Dong asked.

"Comrade Ma Dong, please inform your regimental commander that we've received Lao Li's IOU and ask him when he's going to collect the equipment," Li Yunfei said.

"Yes, Commander Li." Then Ma Dong took the radio off his back. Before leaving, Li Qin told him that the radio must not be out of his sight.

Then Ma Dong went to the conference table next to him, put down the radio, skillfully installed it, and after testing and preparing it, he began to send a message to the regimental headquarters.

"Political Commissar Zhao, it would be great if our regiment could also be equipped with a radio. It would make it easier for us to contact the brigade headquarters." Li Yunfei, who was standing to the side, kept saying enviously.

"Commander, we've built this up step by step from scratch. Don't worry, we'll have it all in the future." Zhao Xiaogang said confidently.

"Report, Commander Li, I've sent the message to the regimental headquarters. We're now waiting for their response." Ma Dong had sent the message while Li Yunfei was chatting.

"Thank you very much, Comrade Ma Dong."

On the other side, Li Qin immediately reported to Tang Weiguo after receiving the news.

"During the team battle, Ma Dong sent a message saying that Commander Li of the Independent Regiment has received the IOU. Commander Li asked the commander when they will receive the equipment?"

"Oh, so fast. I thought they would need a few more days. Commander Li's execution is quite strong. Here's what we'll do: you inform them that the equipment will be handed over in Tangjia Town the day after tomorrow afternoon."

"Yes, Commander." Li Qin accepted the order and turned to leave.

"Communications officer, notify Bi Shoucai to come over," Tang Weiguo ordered.

"Yes, Captain."

Tang Weiguo didn't wait long before Bi Shoucai ran over.

"Commander, you wanted to see me about something?"

"Did you finish organizing the equipment of a battalion that I asked you to do last time, including the two extra mortars?"

"It's all sorted out and packed."

"Okay, arrange for someone to transport this batch of equipment to Tangjia Town tomorrow night," Tang Weiguo said.

"Commander, do we really have to borrow this batch of equipment? This is all we have left," Bi Shoucai said with a reluctant expression.

“Out with the old, in with the new. Besides, they’re just borrowing, not refusing to return it,” Tang Weiguo explained.

"Commander, alright, I'll go arrange for people to prepare then." Bi Shoucai said reluctantly, but the commander's orders were still paramount.

Ma Dong received a reply from the militia shortly after receiving the message. After analyzing the information, Ma Dong stood up and reported to Li Yunfei:

"Commander Li, our commander said that you will go to Tangjia Town the day after tomorrow to receive weapons and equipment."

"That's wonderful!" Li Yunfei exclaimed excitedly, slapping his thigh.

"Commander, I'll go with you the day after tomorrow. I want to see what kind of person their militia commander is."

"Okay, let's go together the day after tomorrow."

"Commander, dinner is ready." Li Dapeng brought over the food.

"Political Commissar Zhao, I won't stand on ceremony with you. Old Li is starving." Li Yunfei picked up his food and started eating heartily.

"This smells damn good."