Chapter 38: The Vast Sea Allows the Fish to Leap

Hearing this, Chu Yunfei’s expression turned serious. "Is that true, Mr. Xu?"

Xu Gaoxiang held his head high, full of confidence. "A gentleman’s word is as good as his bond!"

Chu Yunfei beamed with delight. "Hahaha! Mr. Xu, you are truly generous. You have certainly made a friend in me!"

Xu Gaoxiang smiled modestly. "Hehe, it is my honor to be friends with a man like Colonel Chu."

The two exchanged smiles; everyone enjoys a bit of mutual flattery.

Recalling Lin Jiadu’s instructions, Xu Gaoxiang decided to test the waters. He feigned hesitation and said, "However..."

Seeing Xu Gaoxiang’s demeanor, Chu Yunfei thought he understood perfectly. Merchants, after all, were always driven by profit. He assumed Xu was worried about the price of the white sugar. As a soldier, Chu disliked such roundabout ways and stated plainly, "Does Mr. Xu have some difficulty? If you are worried about the price, there is no need!"

Chu Yunfei gestured respectfully toward the south. "I am fortunate to have the favor of the headquarters, so my funds are quite ample. Please, Mr. Xu, name your price!"

Xu Gaoxiang acted indignant. "Colonel Chu, you have misjudged me! I have the utmost respect for soldiers who fight the Japanese. For the sake of our country and national righteousness, I am fully committed to supporting the resistance!"

"Here is my final offer: two thousand silver dollars, Colonel, and I will supply you with one ton of white sugar every month!"

Chu Yunfei was truly moved. "Hahaha! It is my fault, Mr. Xu. You possess great righteousness! Please, allow me to apologize."

This gave Xu Gaoxiang the chance to state his condition. "However... I do have a small difficulty that requires Colonel Chu’s assistance."

Chu Yunfei waved his hand dismissively, acting with great decisiveness. "What difficulty? If it is within my power, I will certainly help!"

Xu Gaoxiang raised his hands, pleased. "It is not a difficult request for you, Colonel. As you know, I cooperate with the Hexingju trading house. Much of my cargo transport relies on their assistance, and several of their main routes pass through your regiment's defensive zone. For the convenience of my shipments, I humbly request that you provide a little protection."

Chu Yunfei did not hesitate to give his word. "That is simple. I will issue the order shortly. From now on, any cargo caravan flying Mr. Xu’s banner passing through the 358th Regiment’s zone will have clear passage; they will never be hindered!"

With their goals achieved, both sides got what they needed, and the two spent the rest of the time in pleasant conversation.

After politely declining Chu Yunfei’s invitation to dine, Xu Gaoxiang departed with Jushi and Arnold. He still needed to assess the situation with Li Yunlong to plan his next moves. After seeing Xu Gaoxiang off, Chu Yunfei returned to his command room.

***

Fang Ligong, the 358th Regiment’s operations officer, walked up to Chu Yunfei. "Colonel, how did it go?"

Chu Yunfei relayed the results, leaving Fang Ligong stunned. "That much? And at such a low price?!"

As for the condition regarding the passage through the defensive zone, he considered it a triviality. Fang felt a sense of doubt and cautiously reminded Chu, "Colonel, it is strange. I have investigated this Mr. Xu and found his past to be a complete blank. We only know that he arrived in Anping Town recently with two bodyguards."

Fang paused, then suddenly realized something. "Wait! They came from the direction of Cangyun Ridge, on the very day that Li Yunlong killed Sakata!"

"Could they be Eighth Route Army? But this..." Fang dismissed the thought as soon as he voiced it. Given the Eighth Route Army's standard of living, could they possibly have such a supply of white sugar? If not them, were they Japanese spies?

Chu Yunfei raised a hand to cut off Fang’s speculation. "Ligong, you are overthinking. He is even less likely to be one of the Japanese; the Japanese are even shorter on sugar than we are! Besides, even if he were a Japanese agent, wouldn't that be better? If they are weakened by one point, we are strengthened by one!"

***

Meanwhile, while Xu Gaoxiang and Chu Yunfei were unexpectedly forging ties, Li Yunlong arrived at the Division Headquarters with Huzhu to report for duty. Upon entering, he saw the Division Commander and the Brigade Commander waiting.

"Reporting! Li Yunlong has arrived!"

The Division Commander gestured to Li’s face and smiled at the Brigade Commander. "Ha! Look at that face—it’s longer than a donkey’s! It seems Comrade Li Yunlong has quite a lot of grievances against us!"

The Brigade Commander stared at Li with a menacing glint in his eye. "Oh? Is that so? Is that what you think, Li Yunlong? Hmm?"

Hearing the harsh nasal tone from the Brigade Commander and seeing the Division Commander looking on with amusement, Li Yunlong wisely backed down. "Hehehe, how could I dare? If you tell me to go east, I would never dare to go west!"

The Brigade Commander glared. "Hmph! You talk better than you sing!"

The Division Commander chuckled. "Alright, Old Chen, are you going to explain, or should I?"

Seeing their reaction, Li Yunlong’s mind raced. He realized there might be a turn of fortune for him.

The Division Commander took the lead. "Li Yunlong, here is the situation. Given the severity of the current resistance efforts, the organization has decided..."

Before the Division Commander could finish, Li Yunlong cheered and thanked them in advance. "Oh! Thank you, Division Commander! Thank you, Brigade Commander! From now on, I will definitely follow orders!"

"Hehehe, when do I report back to the New First Regiment? Though I do feel bad for Old Ding!"

The Division Commander shook his head with a smile. "You, you, Li Yunlong..."

The Brigade Commander poured a bucket of cold water on him. "Thanking us for what? Have you lost your mind, Li Yunlong?"

Li Yunlong blinked. "Aren't you sending me back to the New First Regiment?"

"Who said we were sending you back to the New First Regiment? Did you stuff donkey hair in your ears? Listen closely!" the Brigade Commander scolded.

The Division Commander grew serious. "We are appointing Comrade Li Yunlong to the Independent Third Regiment of the Taiyue Military District. You are to take command of the Provisional Seventh Company. The 386th Brigade will provide the core personnel and equipment for one company! You are to recruit new soldiers, build your force, and expand the base area when the time is right."

"For the next six months, unless there are special orders, your unit will have full operational freedom. Furthermore, you will have sole authority over internal appointments; you only need to report them after the fact."

"During this period, you do not need to hand over any captured supplies. Your unit must be self-sufficient!"

As the Division Commander listed the terms, Li Yunlong’s eyes grew brighter and brighter, and his face blossomed into a wide grin.

Watching Li Yunlong get carried away, the Brigade Commander warned him sternly, "Li Yunlong, don't get too happy too soon. Let me state the ugly truth upfront: The Division Commander and I have given our word to the Commander-in-Chief. If you can't deliver results, don't blame me for turning heartless. If you fail, you can bring your head to me!"

Li Yunlong straightened his posture and gave his assurance. "Division Commander, Brigade Commander, rest assured! I, Li Yunlong, guarantee I will complete the mission! If I don't, you can twist my head off and use it as a chamber pot!"

The Division Commander took the bait. "Good! That’s a promise, Li Yunlong!"

"Finally, I’ll give you one more guarantee: if you can build up an entire division, I’ll let you be a Division Commander!"

Li Yunlong was overjoyed. "Division Commander, I am an honest man—I’m taking you at your word!"

The Brigade Commander grew annoyed at the look on Li’s face. "What is that? You’re already thinking about becoming my superior? Li Yunlong, have you forgotten that I am also the Commander of the Taiyue Military District?!"

Li Yunlong shook his head frantically. "Haven't forgotten, haven't forgotten! The Brigade Commander is always the Brigade Commander, hehehe..."