Volume One, Chapter 24: Preparing to Pay a Personal Visit—Chu Yunfei Can No Longer Sit Still!

(Page 1 of 3)

The headquarters of the 358th Regiment of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army.

Chu Yunfei stood in his office, brow furrowed, clutching a piece of intelligence as he paced back and forth. His adjutant, Sun Ming, stood to the side, not daring to draw a full breath.

The intelligence concerned the Eighth Route Army’s Independent Regiment at Eagle Sorrow Ravine, where they had annihilated the Japanese Yamamoto Special Forces unit with a staggering casualty ratio of 1:5. This news struck like a massive boulder cast into the calm lake of Chu Yunfei’s mind, stirring up a thousand ripples.

"Regimental Commander, is... is this news reliable?" Sun Ming couldn't help but ask in a hushed tone.

"Reliable," Chu Yunfei stopped pacing and slammed the report onto his desk, his voice heavy. "There is more than one source. The Military Statistics Bureau has sent the same report. It can be essentially confirmed. Yamamoto Ichiki has truly fallen into Li Yunlong's hands."

Sun Ming gasped. "My God! The Yamamoto Special Forces! Those are the Japanese army's ace troops! I heard they are brilliantly equipped and every one of them is an expert who can take on ten men. Li Yunlong’s Independent Regiment—aren't they just a bunch of ragtag peasants? How could they possibly..."

"Yes, how could they?" Chu Yunfei looked out the window, his gaze profound. "That is precisely what I cannot fathom."

He had dealt with Li Yunlong before and knew exactly what kind of man he was. Cunning as a fox, fierce as a tiger, and someone who never played by the rules—a natural tactical prodigy. Yet, Chu Yunfei also knew the details of the Independent Regiment: poor weaponry, uneven training, and a typical guerrilla style. That they could win an ambush, Chu Yunfei would believe. But that they could wipe out the well-equipped, highly trained Yamamoto Special Forces with minimal losses? To Chu Yunfei, that sounded like a fairy tale.

This could no longer be explained at a tactical level. There had to be a deeper reason behind it.

"Firepower..." The word flashed through Chu Yunfei’s mind. He recalled the destruction of the Yang Village blockhouse. The terrifying explosive power that could raze reinforced concrete fortifications to the ground was certainly not something the current equipment of the Eighth Route Army could achieve. This time was the same.

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To annihilate an elite unit like the Yamamoto Special Forces in such a short time, they must have encountered an irresistible, overwhelming barrage of firepower!

Where did Li Yunlong get this kind of firepower?

"That Lin Mo..." The image of the refined, scholarly young man appeared in Chu Yunfei’s mind. When he sent Sun Ming to "exchange pleasantries" last time, although they hadn't uncovered anything substantial, Sun Ming's report upon returning had made Chu Yunfei extremely interested in this "Consultant Lin."

Proficient in chemistry, knowledgeable about weaponry, holding an extraordinary position within the Independent Regiment... All clues pointed to this mysterious "fair-faced scholar."

"It seems I underestimated him," Chu Yunfei sighed, his eyes reflecting both astonishment and a trace of frustration. A top graduate of the fifth class of Whampoa, he considered himself a man of both culture and martial skill, a leader among the Nationalist forces. Yet now, a young man who had appeared out of nowhere was causing such a massive stir in the lands of Northwest Shanxi that even he felt a jolt of alarm.

"No!" Chu Yunfei slapped the table, his eyes sharpening. "I must go to Zhaojia Village in person!"

Sun Ming was shocked. "Commander, this... is this wise? The Japanese have suffered a major defeat and will surely launch a frenzied retaliation. If you go rashly, in case..."

Chu Yunfei waved his hand, his tone firm and deep. "I have two purposes for this trip."

"First, I want to see for myself what kind of rebirth the Independent Regiment has undergone."

"Second, and most importantly, I must meet this Lin Mo. I need to find out exactly who he is and what kind of power he holds in his hands!"

Chu Yunfei had a strong premonition. This Lin Mo, and the technical power behind him, would not only change the situation in Northwest Shanxi but might even influence the future trajectory of all of China. As an ambitious soldier, he could not turn a blind eye to this.

"Prepare the car! And prepare a generous gift!" Chu Yunfei ordered. "Tell them that I, Chu Yunfei, wish to congratulate Commander Li Yunlong on his great victory at Eagle Sorrow Ravine and am coming to pay a visit!"

...

Zhaojia Village, Independent Regiment headquarters. Li Yunlong was happily polishing the captured officer’s sword of Yamamoto, humming an off-key tune.

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A signalman ran in. "Report, Commander! The 358th Regiment’s Chu Yunfei has sent a letter saying... he wants to visit our regiment to congratulate us on our victory!"

"What the hell?" Li Yunlong paused, his eyes rolling. "Chu Yunfei is coming? Damn it, a weasel paying respects to a chicken—he’s got no good intentions!"

Zhao Gang, standing nearby, said calmly, "Old Li, you can't put it that way. While Chu Yunfei’s stance is different from ours, his determination to resist the Japanese is real. But coming at a time like this... I’m afraid his motives aren't pure."

"Nonsense! He’s definitely eyeing our good stuff!" Li Yunlong curled his lip. "Last time he swiped a crate of the high-explosive grenades Old Lin developed, and now he wants to come and fish for more? Not a chance!"

Lin Mo, listening from the side, felt a spark of inspiration. He spoke up: "Commander, Political Commissar, I think we should let him come."

Both Li Yunlong and Zhao Gang looked at him.

Lin Mo smiled and said, "Chu Yunfei isn't an outsider; he’s an allied force. We’ve won a victory and eaten the meat; it’s only right to let them smell the aroma, isn't it?"

"Besides, if our arsenal is to develop, relying solely on the resources of the base area isn't enough. The Shanxi-Suiyuan Army has vast wealth and deep connections. Some materials and equipment we can't get, they might be able to."

"Chu Yunfei’s visit this time is both a probe and an opportunity. We can show him our 'muscles' and let him know our value. That way, we will have more leverage in future cooperation."

Li Yunlong listened, stunned, then slapped his thigh. "Aha! Brother Lin, your brain is sharper than an abacus! Why didn't I think of that?"

"Exactly! Let Chu Yunfei open his eyes and realize our Independent Regiment isn't someone to be trifled with! If he wants to pull any tricks in our territory later, he'll have to think twice!"

Zhao Gang nodded in agreement. "Comrade Lin Mo makes sense. It serves as both a deterrent and a way to pave the road for future cooperation—killing two birds with one stone. In that case... shall we meet him?"

Li Yunlong laughed and shouted to the signalman, "Go! Reply to him! Tell him that I, Li Yunlong, will sweep the floor and wait in Zhaojia Village to welcome the arrival of the great Commander Chu!"

He was calculating in his mind. *Chu Yunfei, oh Chu Yunfei, you want to come and see my treasures? Fine! I’ll let you see! But once you've seen them, don't even think about leaving without bleeding a little!*