Chapter 8: True Brothers

"Report, Commander, the incense burner is here!"

The commander of the Fourth Company ran back clutching a bronze incense burner. While he didn't know why his commander needed such a thing, he was certain it had something to do with that young gentleman visitor. With a quick thought, the company commander stood before Li Yunlong, shouting his report loudly. Yet, he held onto the burner firmly, showing no intention of putting it down, standing there with a thick-skinned, stubborn persistence.

Li Yunlong’s nose crinkled in annoyance. The little rascal was trying to play games with him. "Hey! You shameful little brat!"

Xu Gaoxiang found it amusing; the soldiers raised by Li Yunlong truly mirrored his own style.

Li Yunlong waved his hand dismissively. "Go on, get out of here. Don't just stand there like a wooden post; you’re an eyesore!" He added, "Do you really think I’d forget you when there’s something good to be had? Put it down and get lost!"

Hearing this, the Fourth Company commander’s face blossomed into a smile. "Yes, Commander!" He quickly set the burner down and tactfully retreated from the room.

"Haha, excuse me, Brother Xu! We’re just unrefined country folk; we don't know much about those fancy etiquette rules. Please, forgive us!" Li Yunlong turned back, his expression of annoyance instantly replaced by a beaming, jovial smile, as if the previous scene had never happened. He nudged the incense burner toward Xu Gaoxiang. "Brother, take a look at this. What’s it worth? How many silver dollars could I trade it for?"

This seamless transition made Xu Gaoxiang chuckle. He couldn't help it; the corners of his mouth curled up, and his eyes crinkled with mirth. He barely managed to suppress his laughter, coughing twice to regain his composure.

"Ahem... well, let me see."

Li Yunlong didn't mind at all, chiming in cheerfully, "Yes, yes, take a look."

Xu Gaoxiang picked up the incense burner and examined it carefully. A trade request immediately appeared on his platform interface: *Han Dynasty tripod incense burner with beast-head motif. Quality: Good. Craftsmanship: Ordinary. Historical value added. Exchangeable for 10,000 trade points. Please confirm!*

Xu Gaoxiang put on a show of professional appraisal. Li Yunlong leaned in close, his face full of eager expectation. "Brother, how is it? How many silver dollars can I get for it?"

Xu Gaoxiang nodded solemnly, playing the role of an expert. "Just like the oil lamp, this incense burner is also from the Han Dynasty. I reckon it’s worth about 500 silver dollars!"

Li Yunlong was overjoyed. He straightened his back and began pacing excitedly in front of Xu Gaoxiang. "Ha! I’ve struck it rich today! Haha!"

Li Yunlong’s mind was racing, calculating furiously. He was already pondering what kind of weapons he should buy from Brother Xu and how many he could afford. *Hey! With 1,500 silver dollars, I could buy a hundred of those M1 rifles, pair them with the mortars Brother Xu gave me, add a few light and heavy machine guns, and build a reinforced firepower company!* Li Yunlong slapped his thigh hard. A company like that would be worth an entire battalion!

Excitement made him restless. He scurried over to Xu Gaoxiang like he had ants in his pants. "Brother, do you have machine guns? What’s the price? And what about ammunition? You have to take good care of your Brother Li!"

Xu Gaoxiang frowned, feigning offense as if his expertise had been doubted. "Old Li, you don't trust me? Asking if I have machine guns!" He slapped Li Yunlong on the shoulder with the bravado of an impulsive youth. "You underestimate me. I can get you light and heavy machine guns from any country you name."

"From 60mm mortars to 283mm railway guns—if you can afford it, I can get it!"

Li Yunlong grinned, baring his teeth as he stared at Xu Gaoxiang. On the surface, he looked like he was just humoring his brother’s tall tales, but deep down, he was like a fox that had just stolen a chick, laughing uncontrollably.

Sure enough, Xu Gaoxiang waved his hand, looking quite fired up. "Damn my temper! Regardless of the country, old model or new, regardless of caliber—light machine guns are 50 silver dollars each, and heavy machine guns are 100 silver dollars each. And for every gun or cannon, I’ll throw in a basic load of ammunition for free!"

Li Yunlong’s eyes lit up. He trembled with excitement. He didn't know exactly what a "basic load" meant, but it was free! Besides, this brother was the real deal; based on what he knew, these machine guns were ten times cheaper than the market price!

Li Yunlong pinched his thigh hard to keep his composure. He swallowed hard, his voice raspy and trembling slightly. "What about... what about cannons?"

Xu Gaoxiang noticed the reaction and felt a surge of triumph. Even the cunning old fox couldn't resist the bait of such a massive, well-stocked hunt.

"Cannons? That’s simple, too. We’ll calculate by caliber. It doesn't matter if it’s a mortar, a mountain gun, a field gun, or a howitzer. Under 100mm, it’s 500 silver dollars each. Under 200mm, it’s 1,000 silver dollars. Anything above 200mm is a flat 10,000 silver dollars!"

Xu Gaoxiang lifted his chin. "How about that? I’m being generous, aren't I?"

"Hahaha! The ancestors of the Li family must be blessing me! I’ve met a living god of wealth! You’re like a blood brother to me, Li Yunlong..." Li Yunlong’s mouth stretched from ear to ear. He hugged Xu Gaoxiang tightly, terrified that his brother-turned-god-of-wealth might fly away.

"Huzi? Huzi! Go, go find the Fourth Company commander and get some canned food. Don't think I don't know they’ve been hiding a stash!"

Turning back, Li Yunlong apologized to Xu Gaoxiang with a serious expression. "Our regiment’s conditions are tough, special times, you know. I’ve let you suffer, brother."

Xu Gaoxiang was very understanding. "Old Li, don't be a stranger. Besides, what’s the use of fine wine and food at Chiang’s place? It’s just a waste of the country and the people’s wealth, and I haven't seen him win any glorious battles!"

Li Yunlong patted his chest firmly. "Next time, we’ll have a proper drink together!"

After that, Li Yunlong leaned in closer, his face beaming. This "blood brother" was not only capable but clearly well-educated. "Brother, you have to enlighten me. Let this unrefined country bumpkin see the world. What exactly is that 283mm railway gun? Aren't such large calibers usually for naval ships? I’ve heard one shot can leave a crater a hundred meters wide!"

"And what does a 'basic load' of ammunition mean? And those machine guns and cannons... tell me more about them!"

Li Yunlong’s attitude was humble and eager to learn. This inflated Xu Gaoxiang’s desire to lecture. With the platform’s weapon data at his fingertips, he was an expert. Xu Gaoxiang cleared his throat, pulled up the data on the railway gun, and began to speak eloquently.

"Ahem... Let’s start with the railway gun. It’s a German weapon, and it..."