Volume One, Chapter 16: Top Secret Order—The Independent Regiment Assigned as Lin Mo's Bodyguards!

The brigade commander acted decisively and immediately relayed Lin Mo’s suggestions and the urgent situation in full detail to the division headquarters, requesting that it be forwarded to the general headquarters.

This telegram caused a tremendous stir among the senior leaders of the Eighth Route Army.

Amid the immense sorrow and shadow cast by the destruction of the Red Cliff Cave, Lin Mo and his research institute became like the sole bright beacon in the dark night, illuminating hope for everyone.

Within just half a day, the highest-level secret order from headquarters was sent back to the brigade in the form of an expedited telegram.

The content of the secret order was simple and clear, yet carried the weight of Mount Tai.

First, approval was granted for the strategic relocation plan of the 386th Brigade’s Independent Regiment and its Ordnance Research Institute. The site selection for the new base would be fully entrusted to Comrade Lin Mo, with full support from the brigade and the 129th Division.

Second, the immediate establishment of the “Sparks Armament Factory Preparatory Committee” was ordered, appointing Comrade Lin Mo as chief engineer and Comrade Zhao Gang as political commissar. They were tasked with gathering dispersed technical personnel and rebuilding the arms factory at the new location.

Third, the Independent Regiment’s core combat mission was to be changed from active offensive operations and seeking battle opportunities to ensuring the absolute safety of Comrade Lin Mo and the new arms factory. The regiment would serve as the dedicated guard force for the new factory.

Fourth, this matter was classified as the highest-level secret of the Eighth Route Army, codenamed the “Sword Forging Project.” All personnel involved must keep strict confidentiality, and anyone leaking information would be prosecuted for treason.

When the brigade commander conveyed this secret order to Li Yunlong, he was utterly stunned.

“What the hell?” His eyes widened in disbelief. “Commander, you’re not joking, right? You want our proud Independent Regiment to... to be bodyguards for an arms factory?”

“What kind of nonsense is this? We’re a frontline unit! A fighting force! Not some security detail!”

Li Yunlong was completely unwilling.

He wouldn’t even frown if sent to fight the enemy with real guns.

But being stuck guarding a place like a security chief was worse than death.

“You don’t know a damn thing!” The commander kicked him again. “This is a strict order from headquarters! You still dare to complain?”

“Do you know how important this ‘bodyguard’ role is?” The commander pointed at Li Yunlong’s nose and scolded, “You’re not guarding just any arms factory; you’re protecting the lifeblood of our entire Eighth Route Army! The very guns and cannons of our future!”

“Comrade Lin Mo is now our precious treasure! If anything happens to him—don’t think only of you, Li Yunlong—I, the brigade commander, will have to answer to headquarters!”

“I’m telling you, Li Yunlong! From today on, if a single hair on Comrade Lin Mo’s head is harmed, I’ll skin you alive! Got it?!”

The commander’s words were resolute and beyond doubt.

Li Yunlong shrank his neck and dared not argue further.

Though still reluctant inside, he understood the extreme importance of the mission.

To be Lin Mo’s bodyguard...

Damn it, it sounded humiliating, but upon reflection, it also seemed pretty thrilling.

From now on, all the army’s weapons would be dispatched from our Independent Regiment’s territory, turning us into the army’s own “arsenal.”

Thinking this, Li Yunlong’s earlier displeasure vanished like smoke, replaced by a sense of pride.

“Yes, commander! I guarantee to complete the mission!” Li Yunlong snapped to attention, pounding his chest loudly. “As long as I, Li Yunlong, have a breath left, I won’t let my brother Lin suffer a single grievance!”

The order was soon conveyed to the entire Independent Regiment.

Everyone received instructions to prepare for the strategic relocation.

Though the soldiers did not know the specific reasons, military orders were like mountains. All began to pack their belongings and organize their gear with tense but orderly efficiency.

Meanwhile, Lin Mo and Zhao Gang spread out a military map of northwest Shanxi and began selecting the new base.

“The new site must satisfy three conditions,” Lin Mo said as his finger slowly traced the map.

“First, it must be sufficiently concealed. Preferably surrounded by mountains, with only one or two treacherous paths in and out—easy to defend, hard to attack.”

“Second, it must have a reliable water source. The arms factory’s production cannot do without water.”

“Third, and most importantly, the underground must have relatively rich coal and iron ore resources. We can no longer live off scavenged scrap metal like before. We need to establish our own raw material base.”

Zhao Gang frowned as he studied the map.

Meeting all three conditions simultaneously was exceedingly difficult.

This land in northwest Shanxi was barren—either towering mountains or arid, waterless loess plateaus.

They studied the map for a day and a night, filtering through more than a dozen candidate sites, only to reject them one by one.

Until, at dawn the next day, Lin Mo’s gaze suddenly fixed on the northwest corner of the map, on a nearly forgotten region.

There, the map bore only three characters: Zhaojiayu.

“Zhaojiayu?” Zhao Gang leaned in for a closer look. “I’ve heard of that place. It’s a poor, harsh land. The mountain roads are so rugged that even sheep can’t climb. Many call it a death trap.”

“A death trap sometimes means a chance for life!” Lin Mo’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

He pointed to the contour lines on the map. “Look, it’s surrounded on three sides by mountains, forming a natural pocket-shaped valley. There’s only one entrance, narrow as a slit in the sky. If we build a fortification here, a platoon could hold off an entire enemy regiment!”

He also pointed to special symbols on the map—decoded from captured Japanese geological exploration charts.

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