Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 59 Shameless Old Li

"In that case, Commander Li, how should we arrange our two units, and what are our respective tasks?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"Commander Tang, the Japanese on one side of the bridge will be yours, and the Japanese on the other side of the small station will be ours. We will each send a company to take charge of the Japanese ghost trains," Li Yunfei instructed.

Upon hearing this, Tang Weiguo did not nod but pondered for a moment before saying:

"Commander Li, here's what we'll do. You'll only be responsible for the feint attack on the Japanese at the small station. The Japanese on the bridge side and the reinforcements at the small station will be handled by my militia. As for attacking the Japanese military train, we'll follow Commander Li's suggestion and each side will send a company."

Tang Weiguo had his reasons for making this arrangement. According to Tang Xiaohu's report, the Eighth Route Army's weaponry was too poor. Although Tang Xiaohu had previously provided them with over a hundred guns, it was still difficult to reverse their inferior firepower.

It would be too much to ask the Independent Regiment to deal with a company of Japanese soldiers; it would require sacrificing the lives of its soldiers, something Tang Weiguo absolutely did not want to see.

Another reason is that once the Japanese break through the Eighth Route Army's blocking line, it will pose a fatal danger to the troops attacking the train. At that time, Tang Weiguo and his men will also be vulnerable to being attacked from both sides by the Japanese.

The local militia can't defeat two companies of Japanese soldiers right now.

Seeing Tang Weiguo's words, Li Yunfei understood that Tang Weiguo didn't believe in their combat capabilities, but the situation was indeed as described, and Li Yunfei couldn't refute it. It was indeed too difficult for his independent regiment to deal with a single company of Japanese soldiers. Thinking of this, Li Yunfei spoke up:

"Alright, Commander Tang, we'll proceed as you suggested."

"Commander Li, how will we divide the spoils of war? As the saying goes, even close brothers should keep clear accounts. We should clarify things before the battle to avoid disputes over spoils afterward, which could damage the harmony between our two sides," Tang Weiguo said.

"Commander Tang, you've done a lot of work, how about we split the spoils 30/70?" Li Yunlong asked.

"Commander Li is a kind man. Alright, we'll divide it as you said." Tang Weiguo looked at Li Yunfei with slight surprise. He had only asked for 30% of the spoils. Tang Weiguo was prepared to bargain with them, but he didn't have to.

In truth, Li Yunfei had his own ulterior motives in distributing the troops this way. On one hand, although they provided the intelligence, the main force of the attack was still Tang Weiguo's militia. More work meant more pay—it was only fair, and no one could find fault with it. On the other hand, Li Yunfei planned to establish a long-term cooperative relationship with Tang Weiguo. He saw that the Japanese were currently too preoccupied to deal with them, but once they recovered and launched a sweep of the base area, they would be in danger. As the saying goes, "a hero needs three helpers." With Tang Weiguo's militia in the county town area, they could support each other, and their situation wouldn't be too bad.

"By the way, Commander Li, to make it easier for everyone to communicate, would it be appropriate for me to send a telegraph operator to your side?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"That's definitely suitable, Commander Tang. You guys are rolling in money! You've even got radios. Unlike my Independent Regiment, where we basically have to run to communicate," Li Yunfei said with a hint of envy. At that time, only brigades in their Eighth Route Army were equipped with radios; communication between regiments relied on messengers who either rode horses or ran.

“Now that Commander Tang has provided us with radios, communication between us will be much easier,” Li Yunfei said with a smile.

"It's all for this joint operation. We can't afford any communication problems. If the troops miscoordinate, it could lead to serious issues," Tang Weiguo replied. The militia's communications have always been a key focus for Tang Weiguo, ensuring timely information delivery and improving battlefield survivability.

"By the way, Commander Tang, there's one more thing. Although I, Old Li, am thick-skinned, there's something I'm still embarrassed to say," Li Yunfei suddenly said, somewhat embarrassed.

Old Li's expression stunned Zhou Zheng Biao, who was standing to the side.

"So you, Old Li, can make this face too? It's like a young woman getting married for the first time."

"Commander Li, we're comrades-in-arms now, what can't we talk about?" Tang Weiguo said with a smile.

"In that case, let me ask you, Commander Tang, could you lend me the equipment for a battalion?"

Tang Weiguo fell silent after hearing this.

"What's most important in this era? First, food; second, guns. This old Li just casually mentions the equipment of a whole battalion. This is more than just thick-skinned; it's downright shameless, utterly shameless."

Zhou Zhengbiao and Li Dapeng, who were standing next to Li Yunfei, were also shocked by their regimental commander's shameless spirit.

"Commander Tang, if a battalion's equipment is too much, you can lend me a company's worth. After the battle, I, Lao Li, will return it all to you." Seeing that Tang Weiguo didn't speak, Lao Li quickly continued.

Zhou Zheng-biao, who was standing to the side, rolled his eyes upon hearing this:

"Once something is in the hands of its own commander, it never comes back. It's a sad story."

"Haha, I can lend you the equipment of a whole battalion, but I have one condition: you have to get your brigade commander to write me an IOU first," Tang Weiguo said.

They happened to have a batch of old weapons that had been replaced in their own warehouse, but they were still much better than the equipment of the Eighth Route Army.

"Really?" Li Yunfei asked in shock.

He had only intended to give it a try; he thought he'd be lucky to borrow even a company's worth of equipment. He never expected they'd agree to lend him a whole battalion's worth—it was like his ancestors were emitting auspicious smoke! All it took was for Old Li to get the brigade commander's signature; that was a piece of cake. If the brigade commander knew he could borrow a battalion's worth of equipment with his signature, he'd be overjoyed.

"A gentleman's word is as good as his bond." Tang Weiguo nodded.

"Straightforward, I like dealing with straightforward people." Li Yunfei grinned from ear to ear.

"Hahaha, a whole battalion's worth of equipment, Old Li is truly a genius." Li Yunfei was overjoyed.

"Alright, Commander Li, I wish us a pleasant cooperation." Tang Weiguo extended his hand.

"The cooperation went smoothly." Li Yunfei extended his hand, and the two shook hands firmly.

"Ouch, that hurts! Commander Li's hands are damn strong." Tang Weiguo, though defeated, remained composed, his expression unchanged.

"Commander Li, it's getting late. I'll have the kitchen prepare dinner. How about we eat and chat?" Tang Weiguo suggested.

"Commander Tang, you're too kind. Let's eat after we win the battle. I'll head back now." Li Yunfei prepared to leave with Tang Weiguo.

"Xiao Hu, have you notified Ma Dong that he's here?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"We've already notified them, they should be arriving soon."

"it is good."

"Please wait a moment, Commander Li. The radio operator will be here shortly."

"it is good."

A short while later, Ma Dong rode his horse to the Tang residence and walked in.

"Ma Dong, this is Regiment Commander Li. You will be working with Regiment Commander Li for the time being and will be responsible for liaising with our regimental headquarters. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Captain, I promise to complete the mission."

"Commander Li, hello, I'm Ma Dong, the militia's radio operator." Ma Dong saluted Li Yunfei.

"Comrade Ma Dong, you'll have to work hard these days." Li Yunfei looked at Ma Dong as if he were a treasure.

"Commander Tang, in that case, I'll take my leave now," Li Yunfei said to Tang Weiguo.

“Alright, then I won’t stop you. Have a safe journey. Oh, by the way, Commander Li, leave this map with me for now. I need to study it carefully.” Tang Weiguo said, pointing to the battle map left on the table.

"no problem."

After saying that, Li Yunfei led Ma Dong and his group away from Tangjia Town.

"Zhou Zhengbiao, Li Dapeng, you two take Ma Dong back to the regimental headquarters first. I'm going to the brigade headquarters to find the brigade commander," Li Yunfei ordered.

"Commander, are you safe?" Li Dapeng asked worriedly.

"The Japanese devils who can catch me, Li Yunfei, haven't come out yet." After saying that, Li Yunfei spurred his horse and rode away.

"The regimental commander has such a stubborn temper, Dapeng, let's go too."

"Walk."