Chapter 36: One Good Turn Deserves Another

Could this be the surprise the Brigade Commander mentioned?

With his curiosity piqued, Ding Wei did not dawdle and headed straight for Li Yunlong.

At this moment, inside the regimental headquarters, Li Yunlong was drinking alone, nursing his grievances. He felt a deep sense of injustice—he had been commended, so why was he being demoted? With the support of Brother Xu, he had been ready to flex his muscles, only to be knocked back to square one!

Just then, Huzi ran in, hesitating as he reported, "Report, Regimental Commander! The... the person sent by Headquarters to take over has arrived!"

Li Yunlong slammed his wine bowl down, eyes bulging, and snarled, "Which blind fool is so eager to get themselves killed? What? Does he need me to go out and welcome him personally?!"

"Old Li, you’ve got quite a bit of resentment built up there!" Ding Wei’s voice suddenly rang out from outside the window.

Li Yunlong paused. "Who’s that? The voice sounds familiar."

Before Li Yunlong could even step off the kang, Ding Wei had already lifted the door curtain and walked in. Looking up, Li Yunlong was instantly overjoyed. Wasn't this Ding Wei?

The two men burst into hearty laughter, embracing each other and thumping each other’s backs with resounding slaps.

"Hahahaha!"

"Old Li!"

"Old Ding, it’s really you, you rascal!"

"It must have been years since we last met! Come, come, have a drink first," Li Yunlong said, pulling Ding Wei to sit on the kang and enthusiastically offering him the wine bowl.

Ding Wei reached out to block the bowl. "Oh, save the drink for later. Otherwise, you’ll turn around and refuse to acknowledge me in a moment!"

Li Yunlong tilted his head. "What’s that supposed to mean? Am I that kind of man?"

Ding Wei chuckled. "You? Forget it!"

With that, Ding Wei straightened his face and produced the official order from Headquarters. "Comrade Li Yunlong, please listen to the order!"

"By the decision of the organization and Headquarters, the position of Commander of the New First Regiment is hereby revoked from Comrade Li Yunlong and shall be assumed by Comrade Ding Wei!"

"Furthermore, Comrade Li Yunlong is reassigned to the leadership of the Taiyue Military Sub-district to recruit new soldiers, organize a unit, and expand the base area at an appropriate time!"

Since it was Ding Wei taking his place, Li Yunlong could accept it without much resistance, but when he heard the subsequent arrangements for himself, he immediately began to curse.

"Damn it! So not only are they stripping me of my position, but they want me to do the work of a training regiment? They’re pulling me off the front lines!"

It seemed the Brigade Commander hadn't told Ding Wei about the conditions prepared for Li Yunlong yet, perhaps wanting to keep a tight leash on him to prevent him from causing too much trouble in the future.

Ding Wei tried to console him. "Old Li, don't be so unhappy! The leaders have already been very lenient with you; it’s a blessing they didn't send you to the clothing factory to sew uniforms!"

Li Yunlong was full of complaints, pouring out his bitterness. "Where is the logic in this? Tell me, isn't it just because I didn't break out through Yujialing? A breakout is a breakout—what does it matter which direction we took? Besides, if our communication hadn't been so poor, I would have notified the Brigade Commander before taking on the Sakata Regiment! Could there even be talk of disobeying orders then?"

Ding Wei didn't want to hear these grievances; he still had his eye on Li Yunlong’s assets.

"Alright, Old Li, stop complaining. What’s wrong with a training regiment? Do you think you won't have to fight the devils anymore? Could you even sit still?"

"Anyway, let’s finish the handover as soon as possible. The Brigade Commander is still waiting for you to report at the Divisional Headquarters!"

Li Yunlong shot a sharp look at Ding Wei. "Don't talk big while standing on the sidelines. Once I'm under the Brigade Commander’s nose, what else will I be able to do?!"

Changing the subject, Ding Wei turned his attention to the weaponry he had noticed. "By the way, Old Li, your New First Regiment’s inventory is quite impressive! Also, on my way here, I saw a squad of soldiers with some very exotic weapons. Where did you get those?"

Speaking of his regiment’s assets, Li Yunlong felt a twinge of pain, followed immediately by pride. "That’s right, my New First Regiment’s inventory is one of a kind in the 129th Division!"

"Come, let me show you, Old Ding. Open your eyes!"

With that, Li Yunlong dragged Ding Wei to the training ground and had a squad from the reinforced company summoned.

Li Yunlong grabbed a Garand rifle and gestured with it pompously. "How about it? Never seen one, have you? Hahaha! A genuine American semi-automatic rifle!"

"Our soldiers like to call it the 'Big Eight-Pointer.' This thing has punch; it’s a beauty to use!"

Seeing Ding Wei admiring the Garand, Li Yunlong grinned. "Don't be so impatient, there’s something even fiercer!"

"See that!" Li Yunlong pointed to the MG-42 general-purpose machine gun carried on a soldier’s shoulder.

Ding Wei looked up and raised his chin. "Old Li, stop keeping me in suspense. Tell me about it!"

"This is a German general-purpose machine gun. It can be used as both a light and heavy machine gun. When it fires, the firepower is incredible! Because of its unique sound, our soldiers call it the 'Cloth Ripper'!"

Li Yunlong gave a thumbs-up. "The day before yesterday, I used one company to set an ambush, wiped out two squads of devils, and finished the battle in ten minutes!"

Ding Wei gasped in amazement, eyes wide as he looked at the smug Li Yunlong. "My god! You’ve become a wealthy landlord? You actually have a whole company equipped with these weapons!"

"Where did you get them? You didn't rob the Central Army, did you?"

Li Yunlong knew what Ding Wei was worried about. The Communist Party and the Nationalists were currently in a state of united resistance, and Headquarters strictly prohibited friction between them.

Li Yunlong waved his hand dismissively, acting mysterious. "Heh, don't you worry about that. I guarantee no one will come looking for you!"

"I say, Ding Wei, I’ve put so much effort into building up the New First Regiment. You’ve really gotten the better end of the deal this time—getting a ready-made meal!"

Ding Wei pondered for a moment, then reluctantly tore his gaze away from the MG-42 and spoke solemnly. "Old Li, I won't take advantage of you for nothing. I have a good business opportunity to offer you!"

Li Yunlong curled his lip, squinting at Ding Wei’s earnest expression. "You? A poor man like you! What kind of business could you have?!"

Li Yunlong then leaned in close to Ding Wei’s ear and whispered, "Old Ding, don't give me any empty talk. In exchange for this, if I ever need anything, you have to let me take a few of your men from the New First Regiment, deal?"

Ding Wei raised his head generously. "You underestimate me. We’re old comrades—if you want someone, just say the word, and I’ll let them go immediately! Besides, I really do have a good deal. If you don't want it, I’ll keep it for myself!"

Having received the answer he wanted, Li Yunlong felt relieved. "Hahaha, I want it, why wouldn't I! Even a mosquito’s leg is meat! Tell me, what’s this business that has you so interested?"

Ding Wei quietly held up one finger. "The horses and equipment for a cavalry battalion!"

Upon hearing this, Li Yunlong’s spirits soared. "A cavalry battalion? Where?"

Ding Wei smiled smugly. "Heh heh, right in Wanjia Town—a cavalry battalion belonging to the Eighth Brigade of the Puppet Collaborationist Army! How about it? I didn't take advantage of you for nothing, did I?"

A puppet cavalry battalion? That was easy pickings. Finally receiving some good news, Li Yunlong gave a thumbs-up, beaming. "Hahaha, you really are a good friend, Old Ding!"

"Alright! I’ll start clearing the place out for you right now!"