Chapter 24: Unexpected Gains

Thinking about this, Xu Gaoxiang felt a bit troubled. If his memory served him right, Li Yunlong had been punished by the Deputy Commander-in-Chief and sent to a clothing factory to do embroidery for a month or two.

Although, including this latest commander's saber, Xu Gaoxiang had already accumulated quite a few trading points, these were survival time! Who would ever complain about having too much time? During the period before Li Yunlong was reinstated, he would simply be burning through his reserves. It was a pity that he had absolutely no influence over the decisions of the Eighth Route Army headquarters; he couldn't exactly reveal his true identity, could he?

However, on second thought, Xu Gaoxiang found some amusement in the situation. While Ding Wei had taken advantage of the deal, he would be at a loss once the ammunition ran out, and he would inevitably have to come crawling back to Li Yunlong.

"Letting old Li play the middleman like this—that’s a viable path!"

Li Yunlong was the type who wouldn't get up early unless there was a profit to be made. Would he ever engage in a losing business? He would probably double the price and make Ding Wei trade goods for it! Xu Gaoxiang’s eyes flickered as he discovered the key point: "Isn't this just developing downline agents? This business seems to have great potential!" These old comrades-in-arms of Li Yunlong were all potential downlines with massive prospects!

While Xu Gaoxiang was lost in thought, Li Yunlong finally quieted down and eagerly pushed the remaining three sabers forward. "Brother Xu, what are these extras worth?"

Coming back to his senses, Xu Gaoxiang examined the three sabers one by one, and the platform provided the prices.

"Two Lieutenant Colonel’s sabers, two thousand silver dollars each; one Major’s saber, one thousand silver dollars!"

"Hahaha, this is wonderful! I, old Li, am finally living like a rich man! Fifteen thousand silver dollars! I wouldn't have dared to dream of this! Brother Xu, drink up, drink up!" Li Yunlong lifted his wine bowl, repeatedly offering toasts. He was already pondering what weapons he could buy with fifteen thousand silver dollars, now that Brother Xu had made the prices clear.

Just then, as Xu Gaoxiang was gathering the four sabers together, he picked up the tattered cloth he had used to wrap them. Taking a casual glance at it, he froze. "What... what Third... Regiment?"

A possibility dawned on him. Xu Gaoxiang carefully unfolded the rag, gently brushed away the dust and ash, and widened his eyes to examine it closely. A third of the flag had been burned away, and what remained was riddled with holes, but the red radiating stripes were still clearly visible. In the bottom left corner, there were a few remaining Japanese characters. After careful scrutiny, Xu Gaoxiang was certain: it read "Third Regiment, Personally Bestowed by the Emperor."

Xu Gaoxiang’s breathing quickened. If he remembered correctly, there had never been a precedent for a Japanese regimental flag being captured! Was Li Yunlong still afraid of punishment? With this flag in hand, it would be hard for him not to become famous! Such a monumental achievement was the best proof of the Eighth Route Army’s combat effectiveness and a massive boost to the morale of the war effort.

Xu Gaoxiang shouted in excitement, "Old Li! Congratulations! You’ve performed a great service!"

Li Yunlong was stunned. "What? What is it? A service? What do you mean, brother?"

Once he understood the situation from Xu Gaoxiang, Li Yunlong was as happy as if he’d found a pot of gold. "Hahahaha... I’ve had a double dose of good fortune today!"

"Hey! This is pure luck! Do you know what this is? This is a 'get-out-of-jail-free' card!"

"With this flag, the Brigade Commander won't dare execute me!" Li Yunlong boasted, feeling emboldened. He had the truth on his side! Unless the Brigade Commander was completely unreasonable!

Thanks to the fact that he had shared the pork with the headquarters and the Brigade Commander, he had delayed the disciplinary process, allowing his request for merit to arrive before the official punishment order.

At the Eighth Route Army headquarters, the Deputy Chief of Staff held a bowl of millet topped with thick slices of pork, laughing heartily. "Haha, Li Yunlong, you’ve got some conscience after all! It wasn't in vain that I put in a good word for you!"

After saying this, he took the bowl to the Deputy Commander-in-Chief. "Commander, come and taste this; there’s something good to eat!"

The Deputy Commander-in-Chief, who was busy studying a map, looked up in surprise at the bowl offered to him, filled with glistening, thick slices of meat. "Where did this come from? I haven't tasted this in ages!"

The Deputy Chief of Staff smiled. "Haha, this is pork that Li Yunlong sent to headquarters!"

The Deputy Commander-in-Chief’s hand paused as he took the bowl. "Li Yunlong? Where did he get pork? Isn't the unit supposed to be in training?" He joked, "And it's not a holiday, either. That rascal usually likes to eat alone! Haha, you didn't tell Li Yunlong I was going to punish him, did you? And you said you didn't favor him! But if he thinks he can bribe me with food, he's dreaming!"

The Deputy Chief of Staff laughed. "Commander, you’re wronging me. According to the report, a patriotic merchant whose life was saved by Li Yunlong during the battle with the Sakata Regiment sent this as a token of appreciation! Li Yunlong sent four hundred catties of pork to headquarters and a hundred catties to the Brigade Commander!"

The Deputy Commander-in-Chief nodded, understanding. "Did you send some to the field hospital? The wounded are in urgent need of nutrition!"

"It’s all been allocated—the field hospital, the party school, and the various headquarters departments," the Deputy Chief of Staff replied, having already made the arrangements.

The Deputy Commander-in-Chief felt relieved and picked up his chopsticks. "By the way, have you eaten?"

The Deputy Chief of Staff nodded. "I ate earlier; this is for you, Commander!"

Before digging in, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief asked again, "Did that rascal Li Yunlong try to make any demands?"

"No, he had his guard send it over, and they left immediately after."

The Deputy Commander-in-Chief raised an eyebrow. "That's rare! Did the sun rise in the west today?" He shrugged. "Fine, I'll eat his pork. Besides, isn't there no suitable replacement yet? Let him stay in the New First Regiment for a few more days!"

A deviation had occurred again. Even Xu Gaoxiang had not expected that a single bowl of pork and rice would change the trajectory of Li Yunlong’s life.

Moreover, the Brigade Commander, who knew Li Yunlong well, guessed from the subtle clues that Li Yunlong must have gained some incredible advantage! Eating cabbage stewed with pork, he pushed up his glasses and laughed. "Would Li Yunlong be this generous? This rascal must have gotten some huge benefit and is trying to shut my mouth! He's afraid I'll show up to confront him!"

"I don't think this so-called patriotic merchant simply sent a bit of pork!"

The Chief of Staff nodded in agreement, then said with a smile, "Hahaha, you’re not wrong. Li Yunlong sometimes has a bit of unexpected financial luck!"

"By the way, has the punishment for Li Yunlong been issued by headquarters? What are the plans for the New First Regiment?"

The Brigade Commander took a mouthful of rice and lifted his chopsticks. "I think we need to temper that rascal properly. Mutiny on the battlefield—and he still thinks he's in the right!"

"As for the New First Regiment, I expect headquarters will choose someone from Li Yunlong’s old comrades from the Fourth Front Army to replace him. That way, at least the pork didn't go to waste! It will make Li Yunlong’s resistance smaller, and the New First Regiment can accept their new commander sooner."