Chapter 21: The Victory Banquet

After receiving two thousand silver dollars from He Xing Ju, Xu Gaoxiang rented a courtyard in the town, located at a distance from Li Yunlong’s encampment that could be easily traversed in a round trip within a single day.

On a beautiful, sunny day, Xu Gaoxiang, accompanied by Jushi and Arnold, rode on horseback, pulling a donkey cart loaded with pork, as they leisurely made their way toward Gushui Town.

"Tuition fees well spent! I'm now a man with a 'BMW' of my own!" Xu Gaoxiang couldn't help but sigh. Back in college, in order to impress the campus goddess, he and his buddies had cooked up all sorts of schemes. Once, as volunteers for an equestrian show, they’d spent time drinking and scrubbing backs for the stable master just to get a chance to learn how to ride.

"Sigh! (๑•́ ㉨ •̀๑)" Unfortunately, it didn't help. It turned out that the goddess preferred sitting in a real BMW far more than riding a horse.

Around noon, the three arrived in Gushui Town, where they rented two additional donkey carts and picked up a feast of fine dishes in food boxes for Old Li.

Xu Gaoxiang rode his horse while Jushi and Arnold drove the three donkey carts, winding along the rugged mountain paths and deep into the towering peaks.

After a while, having crossed a dirt ridge, Xu Gaoxiang asked Jushi, "How is it? Anyone around?"

Once it was confirmed that no one else was nearby, Xu Gaoxiang began to manifest the weapons. Soon, amidst the startled braying of the donkeys, a blue light flashed, and weapons and ammunition were neatly stacked on the carts.

At the entrance to Xingjia Village, Li Yunlong paced back and forth, ignoring Zhang Dabiao’s hesitant expressions, occasionally casting anxious glances toward the end of the path.

Zhang Dabiao finally asked, "Commander? Is someone from Headquarters coming? Surely it isn't the Brigade Commander, is it?!"

Li Yunlong shot him a sharp look. "Go on, get out of here! Always assuming the worst for me!" Everyone knew that if the Brigade Commander came knocking, it never meant anything good for Li Yunlong.

Zhang Dabiao curled his lip, teasing, "Could it be a sweetheart of yours, Commander?"

Li Yunlong burst into laughter. "Hahaha! The person coming is my brother—the kind of brother I wouldn't trade even for a wife!"

"Oh? Your brother? Is he coming to visit family?" Zhang Dabiao was confused, having never heard of the Commander having any relatives.

"This brother of mine is a god of wealth. You all better watch your manners; he is the guarantee of the New First Regiment's future strength!"

Hearing this, Zhang Dabiao immediately caught on and didn't hesitate to ask for favors. "Commander, the First Battalion suffered heavy casualties this time. You must allocate more equipment to us!"

Li Yunlong chuckled, making Zhang Dabiao think he had succeeded, and he began to smile as well.

But the twist came quickly. Li Yunlong’s face hardened. "Are you a bandit? Trying to squeeze the rich? I know your First Battalion fought well; I’m already planning to report it to the Brigade Headquarters to request a commendation for you and Zhuzi!"

"Don't you be eyeing this batch of supplies; I’ve already got plans for them."

"Commander, this is..." Zhang Dabiao tried to argue, but was silenced by a glare from Li Yunlong.

However, Li Yunlong softened the blow with a carrot after the stick. "Dabiao, don't be impatient. Next time—next time, we’ll prioritize the First Battalion for any good gear."

Zhang Dabiao was quick on his feet, instantly putting on a serious expression. "You said it, Commander! I’m an honest man, I’m taking your word for it!"

Li Yunlong raised an eyebrow, eyes widening. "Hey! So you little brat were just waiting for me to say that?!"

Just as Li Yunlong was pointing a finger at Zhang Dabiao, ready to scold him, Huzi, who had been sent to meet the guest, came running over. "Commander! They’re here! They’re here!"

Li Yunlong laughed heartily. "Hahaha, the god of wealth has arrived!"

Sure enough, a moment later, Xu Gaoxiang appeared on horseback at the end of the path. Li Yunlong immediately went to greet him with great excitement, followed closely by Zhang Dabiao and Huzi.

Li Yunlong’s raspy voice could be heard from two miles away. "Brother Xu, I’ve missed you dearly!"

Xu Gaoxiang dismounted and greeted him with a smile. "Hahaha, Old Li, do you truly miss me?"

Li Yunlong leaned back theatrically as he approached. "What kind of talk is that, brother? Everyone knows I’m the most sentimental man around! Everything else is as fleeting as clouds to me!"

Xu Gaoxiang watched Li Yunlong, who kept glancing behind him. *If I didn't know you, I might have actually believed that!*

"Oh, by the way, brother, what are you carrying on the last cart? Why do these little brats of mine keep looking back there?" Li Yunlong deflected, his eyes fixed on the last donkey cart, ignoring the patrol soldiers.

Clearly, the weapon crates on the first two carts should have been more eye-catching. If he didn't believe it, he only had to look at Zhang Dabiao, who was craning his neck, dying to jump onto the cart to take a look.

Huzi swallowed hard and blurted out, "Commander, it's pork! A whole cart of pork!"

Xu Gaoxiang took over. "That's right. Besides the weapons, I brought a thousand pounds of pork for our New First Regiment! Joy is better when shared. Taking down Sakata was the soldiers' hard work. We may not have celebratory wine, but a celebratory feast is a must!"

Li Yunlong was overjoyed. "Now that's my good brother! You’re generous! I thank you on behalf of all the men in the regiment, Brother Xu! Hahaha!"

Turning back, Li Yunlong glared. "You bunch of blockheads, don't just stand there staring! Get it to the mess hall! Today, our regiment is going to eat well!"

"Huzi, send half to Headquarters and the field hospital. And don't forget the Brigade Commander's share!"

*Smack!* Li Yunlong slapped Huzi on the back of the head as the boy’s eyes remained glued to the meat. "Did you hear me? Get going! I’ll save you some!"

Watching the soldiers excitedly lead the carts toward the mess hall, Xu Gaoxiang smiled knowingly.

More than the pork, it was the weapons that held the greatest appeal for Zhang Dabiao. "Commander, shouldn't we let our guest into the village first..."

Li Yunlong slapped his thigh. "Look at me... it's all my fault, being so neglectful to my brother. Come, let's head into the village!"

Xu Gaoxiang waved his hand. "No rush. Let's look at the weapons first; I know you’ve been dying to see them!"

"Hahaha, my brother knows me best! Let's go to the south end of the village. There’s an open field there where we train the recruits. We’ll check the guns there!" Li Yunlong grabbed Xu Gaoxiang’s arm, chatting eagerly as they walked.

Zhang Dabiao took off ahead to clear the area.

Soon, the news spread that there would be gunfire at the training ground. Before Zhang Dabiao could chase everyone away to go eat pork, the commanders of the Second and Third Battalions had gathered there as well.

Just as the two were cornering Zhang Dabiao to get the scoop, Li Yunlong and Xu Gaoxiang arrived.

"Good day, Commander!"

"Good day, Commander!"

Li Yunlong glared. "You all have noses like bloodhounds! Even the smell of pork couldn't keep you away. Go on, don't you have work to do? Get moving!"

Under Li Yunlong's command, the soldiers were thick-skinned; they just offered sheepish smiles and refused to leave!