Volume One, Chapter 22: Old Li Overjoyed! Lin Mo Gains the Army's Full Attention!

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Upon hearing this, the room fell silent. Lin Mo stepped forward to the map and picked up a stick.

“First, although our soldiers now have better weapons, their shooting accuracy and tactical coordination still need improvement. In this ambush, we wasted a large number of bullets. If the enemy had been twice as many, our ammunition reserves might have become a problem.”

“Second, while our firepower coverage is fierce, it lacks precision. The ‘Heartless Cannon’ packs a punch but is inaccurate; it relies more on overwhelming numbers for saturation attacks. If we face more fortified positions or more dispersed enemies in the future, its effectiveness will be greatly reduced.”

“Third, and most importantly,” Lin Mo’s gaze swept across everyone, “although Yamamoto Kazuki was defeated, he represents the Japanese army’s most advanced combat concepts. He lost this time, but next time they may bring planes or artillery. We cannot become complacent after one victory. Our opponents are far stronger and more cunning than we imagine!”

Lin Mo’s words were like a bucket of cold water poured over the heated spirits of the gathered men.

The once exuberant atmosphere instantly grew solemn.

Even Li Yunlong’s smile faded; he nodded firmly and said in a grave tone, “Lin, my brother, you’re right! We can’t afford to forget the pain after the wound heals. Winning battles is good, but we mustn’t lose our minds!”

He turned to the others and barked, “Listen up! Starting tomorrow, the entire regiment doubles our training! Anyone who dares slack off, I’ll skin alive! Especially marksmanship — practice until you’re dead tired! As for bullets, Lin will make sure you have enough! If you waste any more, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

Zhao Gang added, “Comrade Lin Mo’s points are crucial. They show that while our hardware has improved, our minds and awareness must keep pace. Tactical thinking and coordinated combat abilities are what we must focus on next. I propose Lin Mo lead a tactical research team to compile the lessons from this battle into teaching materials for the whole regiment.”

“I agree!” Li Yunlong immediately approved.

By the end of the meeting, the mood had shifted from simple joy to a spirited determination tinged with urgency.

Afterwards, Li Yunlong dragged Lin Mo aside, insisting on buying him a drink.

“Lin, don’t stop me today — we have to drink properly! You don’t know, your few words just now worked better than me yelling at them for three days straight!” Li Yunlong poured the wine, feeling moved.

“I used to think Commissar Zhao was the scholar type, all refined and eloquent. But now I realize, you’re the real scholar—killing without bloodshed! Ha ha ha!”

Lin Mo raised his cup and clinked it with Li Yunlong’s.

Deep down, he knew the victory at Eagle Sorrow Ravine was just the beginning.

A larger, more systematic plan was slowly taking shape in his mind.

Lin Mo’s mission was not merely to produce a few guns and cannons.

What he sought was to forge a brand-new spirit for this army in this era—

A powerful soul armed with technology and modern thinking, invincible in battle!

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386th Brigade Headquarters.

The brigade commander paced back and forth before the map for nearly half an hour, the floorboards creaking under his steps.

The chief of staff sat nearby, holding a telegram just received, his expression a mix of excitement and disbelief.

“Commander, stop pacing — you’re making my head spin,” the chief of staff said. “You’ve read the telegram three times already; how can it be false?”

The commander halted, snatched the telegram, and studied it carefully again. Then, with a sudden slam on the table, the tea cup jumped.

“Damn it! This Li Yunlong! He sure knows how to cause trouble, but he also makes me proud!”

The telegram was from Li Yunlong, simple in wording but earth-shattering in impact.

“Our regiment ambushed the Japanese Yamamoto Special Forces at Eagle Sorrow Ravine, annihilating 113 enemy soldiers. Our casualties were 23. We captured a number of weapons and equipment. Additionally, we have identified and captured the traitor Zhu Ziming; the spy network behind him is being deeply investigated…”

Nearly the entire Yamamoto Special Forces wiped out!

This telegram exploded like a bomb in the minds of the commander and chief of staff.

Who was Yamamoto Kazuki? The commander knew all too well.

He was the ace in the hand of Yoshio Shinozuka, a knife hanging over every Eighth Route Army base!

The destructive power and toughness of that unit had long been feared and tested.

Yet now, this knife had been broken by Li Yunlong!

And with an overwhelming casualty ratio — over a hundred enemy dead to twenty-three of their own.

“How… how is this possible?” the commander murmured, still in disbelief.

“When did Li Yunlong’s Independent Regiment develop such strong assault capabilities? And set an ambush? When did his mind evolve to such a level?”

The chief of staff smiled and said, “Commander, don’t forget, the Independent Regiment doesn’t just have Li Yunlong anymore. There are two scholars: Lin Mo and Zhao Gang.”

“Lin Mo…” The commander muttered the name, his eyes brightening.

He recalled the last time at headquarters, the young man who calmly and confidently spoke even in the face of his anger.

“I predict Yamamoto’s next target will be our research institute…”

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“I want to rebuild an arsenal to produce weapons more advanced than the enemy’s…”

At the time, the commander thought this young man was just recklessly brave, but now he saw it wasn’t bravado—it was genuine confidence and foresight.

“Quick! Connect me to headquarters! This is a matter of utmost importance; we must report immediately to the division commander and deputy chief commander!” the commander exclaimed excitedly.

...

Daxia Bay, Eighth Route Army Headquarters.

The deputy chief commander, deputy chief of staff, and the commander of the 129th Division were gathered around a fire, studying the next steps for anti-mop-up operations.

The atmosphere was heavy.

Just then, a confidential staff officer rushed in with a telegram.

“Commanders! An urgent telegram from the 386th Brigade!”

The deputy chief commander took the telegram, glanced over it, and his brows shot up sharply.

The division commander and deputy chief of staff leaned in as well.

After reading the telegram, the command post fell into a brief silence.

Then the deputy chief commander slapped his thigh and burst into hearty laughter.

“Good! Excellent! Well done!” His booming laughter dispelled the gloom that had hung over the command post for days. “That Li Yunlong always surprises us!”

The division commander grinned broadly. “I’ve long said Li Yunlong is a lucky general! Didn’t expect he’d break through the ceiling this time! The Yamamoto Special Forces wiped out just like that?”

The deputy chief of staff was more composed; he pushed up his glasses and pointed to a name in the telegram. “Li Yunlong’s success isn’t all his own doing. It says here that Lin Mo contributed many ideas. He’s no ordinary man.”

The deputy chief commander nodded thoughtfully. “Last time, Commander Chen reported that Lin Mo is a treasure, a talent who can change the tide of war. I thought that was exaggerated. Now I see—I underestimated this young man!”