Chapter 24: I, Li Yunlong, Do Not Do Things That Implicate Others

"Please inform Commander Li and Commander Zhong that the 772nd Regiment of the 386th Brigade of the Eighth Route Army has arrived at the ferry crossing. Your escort has arrived!"

The young soldier nodded and immediately ran toward the regimental headquarters to report this to the two men who were chatting.

"Look at this 'Blind' Cheng. According to the river-crossing plan, they should have arrived yesterday. Damn it, they’ve delayed us for so long."

Zhong Zhicheng laughed and teased, "I think you’re just complaining, Old Li, because you didn't get to be the commander of the 772nd Regiment yourself, aren't you?"

"What does that 'Blind' Cheng have that’s better than me? Back in the day, I was the one who taught him how to shoot, hand-in-hand. That kid doesn't compare to me at all!"

As he listened to Li Yunlong’s grumbling, Zhong Zhicheng ordered the signalman to blow the bugle for an emergency assembly.

The troops gathered.

It was only natural for Old Li to be resentful. He had originally had a chance to command that regiment, but his superiors had rejected his request citing his history of insubordination on several occasions. Instead, they had drawn fifty core personnel and over two hundred new recruits to form the New First Regiment. Although it was nominally a main force regiment, it was worlds apart from the 772nd in terms of both manpower and equipment.

As a main force regiment of the 386th Brigade, the 772nd not only had 2,800 men but was also the only one of the four regiments in the 129th Division equipped with mortars. For that time, it was a relatively well-stocked infantry regiment. Beyond the regimental headquarters units, each battalion had four infantry companies and one machine-gun company. Each infantry company was equipped with an average of three light machine guns, and the battalion-level machine-gun companies were equipped with three heavy machine guns.

Compared to the New First Regiment that Li Yunlong now led, they were practically rolling in wealth. Their entire New First Regiment had only two ZB vz. 26 light machine guns, and ammunition was scarce. If the 772nd Regiment’s combat strength could go toe-to-toe with a Japanese battalion, the New First Regiment’s opponents could only be Japanese squads, and in terms of combat effectiveness, they were often even inferior to them.

Seeing the smile on Zhong Zhicheng’s face, Li Yunlong stiffened his neck and continued to complain: "If you ask me, the Brigade Commander is just biased. That kid 'Blind' Cheng is just obedient, but does being obedient mean you can fight a good battle?"

"Ever since the E-Yu-Wan campaign, I’ve earned far more combat merits than that kid. When those white-dog bastards’ machine guns were rattling away, I dared to lead men with satchel charges to blow those sons of a bitches up. Can Cheng Shifa do that?"

Once this was said, Zhong Zhicheng quickly changed the subject: "Old Li, stop griping to me. If you’ve got the guts, go tell the Brigade Commander yourself."

"Also, a few days ago, Chu Yunfei said he wanted us to cross the river with friendly forces. He actually guessed right; today he sent people to notify us. We’ve been delayed here for two days, and we can finally leave the ferry!"

Mentioning Chu Yunfei, Li Yunlong’s expression was full of wariness.

He stopped complaining about not being the commander of the 772nd Regiment and instead whispered to Zhong Zhicheng: "This Chu Yunfei is truly not simple. He knows our Eighth Route Army’s situation too well."

"Tell me, Old Zhong, our entry into Northwest Shanxi is definitely not going to align with the time set by the brigade headquarters. If the Brigade Commander hasn't received any news from us... do you think..."

If the Brigade Commander couldn't find them, he would certainly report to his superiors immediately. It was likely he would inquire with the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army. The designation of the New First Regiment was problematic to begin with.

"What if they trace it back to Chu Yunfei? Wouldn't that cause trouble for him?"

Zhong Zhicheng furrowed his brows: "Hard to say... But you haven't liked the look of this kid for the past two days, so why are you starting to consider Chu Yunfei now?"

Li Yunlong let out a scoff and explained with a touch of disdain: "Although this kid is arrogant, he’s been decent enough to our New First Regiment. No matter what, Old Li still has a conscience; I won't do things that implicate others. Come, come, let's establish contact with the brigade headquarters as soon as possible and report the situation."

As they spoke, the two walked quickly toward the ferry crossing.

At the ferry, Chu Yunfei and Cheng Shifa were chatting happily. Commander Cheng was, relatively speaking, much easier to communicate with than Li Yunlong. At the very least, Commander Cheng didn't keep saying "I" this and "I" that, which made Chu Yunfei feel much more comfortable.

Moreover, Cheng Shifa seemed to have learned of their 358th Regiment’s recent battle at Ruyue Pass. His words were filled with flattery and admiration. Whether it was sincere or just polite conversation, one does not hit a smiling face. After all, the 772nd Regiment was a force genuinely committed to the war of resistance. Chu Yunfei naturally extended a warm welcome.

When he learned that Commander Cheng liked to drink, he arranged for Sun Ming to bring two crates of 42-degree Shanxi Old Fenjiu from the regimental headquarters, along with some captured Japanese canned beef. For a time, Commander Cheng’s favor for Chu Yunfei increased significantly.

Although he was a subordinate of Yan Xishan, Chu Yunfei and his 358th Regiment had never fought the Red Army, so there was no bad blood between the two sides. After chatting for a while, both sides got down to business.

"Brother Chu, you mentioned earlier that our brigade’s New First Regiment is resting at your station?"

"That is correct. The New First Regiment under your brigade is not in the Nationalist Army’s order of battle; I can only regard it as a local armed force, and the order I received from the Second War Zone Headquarters is that I cannot allow non-combat sequence units to cross the Yellow River..."

Chu Yunfei’s words were full of sincerity, and as he spoke, he placed the telegram from the Second War Zone Headquarters on the table and passed it over.

Commander Cheng didn't even look at it. After a brief encounter, Commander Cheng realized that Chu Yunfei was an extremely arrogant man. Such a person would not stoop to deceiving them with words. If Chu Yunfei said there was an order, there was certainly an order.

"In this case, since the two of you are leaving together, it will be easier for me to report to my superiors."

Commander Cheng hurriedly prepared to express his gratitude.

Chu Yunfei raised his hand to stop him, saying earnestly: "After all, you and I belong to the same combat sequence of the Second War Zone. You are crossing the Yellow River to fight the Japanese devils, which makes us friendly forces, brother units. There is no need to thank me for such a small favor."

"Hahaha!"

"Brother Chu is indeed a straightforward man. No wonder our Brigade Commander has praised you several times."

Chu Yunfei laughed heartily: "Then I must trouble Commander Cheng to convey my regards to our senior!"

Outside the ferry, Zhong Zhicheng and Li Yunlong heard the laughter of Chu Yunfei and Cheng Shifa and slowed their pace.

Li Yunlong looked suspicious and turned his head to ask: "This isn't right. Chu Yunfei didn't give him a hard time?"

Zhong Zhicheng chuckled: "The 772nd Regiment’s designation is verifiable and has been filed with the Ministry of Military Affairs..."

Upon hearing the word "designation," Li Yunlong immediately cursed: "Damn it!"

The two walked quickly toward the direction of the laughter. The soldiers on both sides spontaneously cleared a path. Seeing Li Yunlong and Zhong Zhicheng approaching, Chu Yunfei and the others naturally turned their attention to them.

Cheng Shifa cupped his hands: "Brother Chu, I have official business to attend to, so I won't stay any longer. Since we are leaving together, we shall head to the Northwest Shanxi region to execute our combat mission."

Chu Yunfei nodded: "Then I wish your army a successful first battle in Northwest Shanxi, just like the 115th Division, and show the might of the Eighth Route Army!"

"Then I shall take your kind words, Commander Chu!"