Chapter 4: The New First Regiment

Li Fulin ordered the others to quickly gather the spoils of war, then gestured to Changchun with a meaningful look. “Let’s go, see what kind of background this young master has!”

The two moved forward, Li Fulin carrying his rifle at the front, while Changchun held his rifle a few paces behind, standing cautiously just behind the squad leader, watching Xu Gaoxiang as he emerged from behind the large rock.

Xu Gaoxiang, now slightly relaxed, was immediately overwhelmed by pain. “Hiss... ugh! It hurts like hell!” He grimaced, especially feeling the pain in his leg, but was thankful it had hit the lighter instead of something worse. “Thank goodness it hit the lighter, or I’d be done for this time!”

He longed for a bottle of soda to calm his nerves, but seeing the others approaching, he forced himself to endure the pain, seizing the chance to gather some intelligence.

Slipping the pistol back into its holster, Xu Gaoxiang limped around the rock, muttering to himself, “I need to come up with a plausible story.” As he took a few steps, he began organizing his words in his mind.

“Thank you, officers, for your timely help. I am forever grateful for your lifesaving kindness.”

He was truly thankful for their rescue and sincerely expressed his gratitude.

Li Fulin smiled kindly. “No need to thank us. Fighting the enemy is our duty,” he said, then shifted the conversation, taking the initiative to ask, “Young man, where are you from? How did those devils manage to catch you?”

Xu Gaoxiang instinctively licked his lips upon hearing the question about his background and then began his prepared response.

“My family name is Xu, given name Gaoxiang. We have long resided in the South Seas. When I heard the country was in peril, and since my family deals in arms, I wished to contribute my bit. Unfortunately, the Nationalist forces… sigh, better not say.”

When Xu Gaoxiang mentioned trying to do business with the Nationalist Army, Changchun nearly burst out laughing.

Li Fulin understood the implication but knew some things were better left unsaid. “Changchun, mind your discipline!” he warned.

“It’s my own fault for showing off my wealth. That’s why the devils targeted me, and in panic, I got separated from my companions.”

As Xu Gaoxiang spoke with a hint of shame about his ordeal, Li Fulin’s attention was drawn to the mention of his family’s arms business, especially the fact that he hadn’t yet found a buyer. This immediately piqued his interest.

The Eighth Route Army had it tough, especially in sourcing guns and ammunition. There was virtually no supply from the Nationalist forces, and the local Shanxi landlord Yan was notoriously stingy—even during the defense of Taiyuan, he grudgingly provided supplies.

Their own border production was unreliable for now, and there was no one to buy from, so they had to rely on capturing supplies. As the saying went, “No guns or artillery? The enemy builds them for us!”

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Their regiment had gradually built up its resources this way, growing from a basic regiment to a main force regiment—all thanks to their regimental commander.

However, this was unique to their regiment. Their commander never engaged in unprofitable deals, while in other units, captured supplies often came at the cost of heavy casualties.

“Mr. Xu, we are the New First Regiment of the Eighth Route Army. Nearby is Cangyun Ridge, but lately, the devils have been active in the area; it’s no longer safe.”

At first, Xu Gaoxiang hadn’t caught on. “Oh, the New First Regiment, Cangyun Ridge…”

Then his eyes widened in astonishment. “The New First Regiment?! Cangyun Ridge?! Isn’t this ‘Bright Sword’? Does that mean...!”

Indeed, it seemed fate had brought him right into the world of “Bright Sword.” Xu Gaoxiang’s heart pounded. “Although Old Li is a pauper, he’s quite capable. Surely he can at least survive for a while.”

Moreover, with his arms deal, Li Yunlong might just stand tall again!

Acting surprised, Xu Gaoxiang asked, “Oh? Is this the New First Regiment of the 129th Division, 386th Brigade? Is the commander Li Yunlong?”

Li Fulin was momentarily puzzled. Was their commander’s fame really so widespread that even someone from the South Seas had heard of him? Then suspicion crept in. Was this young master up to something?

Before Li Fulin could voice his doubts, Changchun blurted out, “Our commander is indeed Li Yunlong. You’ve heard of him too! Uh…”

Li Fulin shot Changchun a sharp glare. “Mind your discipline!”

Seeing Changchun’s proud expression and Li Fulin’s approving look, Xu Gaoxiang felt moved. These were Li Yunlong’s men, clearly revering their commander as a formidable and renowned figure.

“It’s not this comrade’s fault; I was being forward. But I have indeed heard of Commander Li and have admired him from afar. I wonder if I might have the honor of meeting him?”

Xu Gaoxiang lowered his tone, lavishing praise upon Li Yunlong with genuine reverence.

Hearing Xu’s request to meet their commander, Changchun could barely contain his excitement. “Squad leader!”

Li Fulin, though anxious, maintained his firm stance and gave Changchun a stern look. “What’s gotten into you?”

Turning back, Li Fulin’s stern expression suddenly broke into a smile, making Xu Gaoxiang shiver slightly.

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“Ahem, Young Master Xu, this place isn’t safe. Not far from here is one of our temporary bases. Why don’t you come with us? I’ll go find the regimental commander for you right away!”

“What are you waiting for? Didn’t you see Young Master Xu has trouble walking? Come help him!”

Li Fulin’s sudden shift in attitude left the other soldiers dumbfounded, whispering among themselves, wondering what was going on.

However, upon learning that Xu Gaoxiang’s ‘meeting gift’ was a mortar, they eagerly gathered around, fussing over him with concern.

Xu was genuinely surprised. “I can walk on my own, no need, no need! Hey, no stretcher needed!” Seeing some prepare to cut branches for a stretcher, he finally grasped just how important a single mortar was to these soldiers.

After some commotion, and at Xu’s repeated insistence, only one soldier helped him, and the group finally set off.

Along the way, watching the soldiers’ barely contained excitement, as if they wanted to carry him all the way back, Xu Gaoxiang’s pain over spending a full hundred points on the mortar instantly vanished.

The mountain path twisted sharply, making travel difficult. Xu’s pistol was now slung on Li Fulin’s back.

As the sun dipped westward and they crossed a mountain ridge, a village came into view, with patrolling soldiers occasionally glimpsed.

Before long, they reached the first checkpoint. After verification, Xu Gaoxiang followed the group curiously along a designated path into the village.

“Young Master Xu, rest here for a while. If you need anything, just call for Changchun. I’ll leave him here to look after you.”

In a courtyard, Li Fulin settled Xu Gaoxiang and reminded Changchun to take good care of him.

Watching Li Fulin stride away with the pistol over his shoulder, Xu Gaoxiang breathed a quiet sigh of relief. “I never expected I’d be right. I hope everything goes smoothly from here on. What a thrilling day!”

Exhausted, he sank onto the bed and slowly fell asleep.

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