Chapter 29: Has the Stingy Li Yunlong Finally Become Generous? The Awakening of the New First Regiment's Soul
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Yellow Cliff Cave?
The Deputy Chief of Staff glanced toward the place on the map indicated by Li Yunlong and paused slightly.
He had always trusted Li Yunlong’s judgment. Since Li Yunlong had recommended it, he decided to inspect the place first. In any case, this was one of the areas he had intended to investigate.
Yellow Cliff Cave lay deep in the mountains, forty-five kilometers north of Licheng County, northwest of Lower Chiyu Village in East Cliff Bottom Township. It was named for the yellow cliffs and precipices surrounding it, as well as the natural stone cave halfway up the eastern cliff.
Its terrain was a formidable natural stronghold—an ideal pass where one man could hold off ten thousand.
The scenery of Yellow Cliff Cave combined grandeur and rugged beauty: sheer cliffs and peaks, tier upon tier of mountains, rock caverns, waterfalls, and mountain springs...
As Li Yunlong described the place, the Deputy Chief of Staff grew increasingly interested.
After all, a location with both mountains and water could solve the problem of drinking water while also meeting the requirements of concealment.
“It’s still early. I’ll go take a look at the place first.”
Hearing this, Li Yunlong was somewhat surprised. “Are you in such a hurry? We could have a simple meal before you leave.”
The Deputy Chief of Staff waved his hand. “No need.”
“Headquarters is waiting for my report. I’m off.”
Seeing this, Li Yunlong no longer tried to persuade him. He saluted and said, “In that case... safe travels, Chief.”
The Deputy Chief of Staff returned the salute. “Take care!”
He then turned and left.
Watching the Deputy Chief of Staff hurry away, Li Yunlong was filled with emotion.
The older generation had sacrificed far too much for New China. They deserved the deepest respect.
Li Yunlong then returned to the regimental headquarters.
Meanwhile, Captain Chen thanked the New First Regiment and quickly caught up with the Deputy Chief of Staff.
To ensure the Deputy Chief of Staff’s safety—and also to support their brother unit—Li Yunlong had ordered Zhang Quan to take out a supply of weapons and ammunition to arm the militia unit.
The Deputy Chief of Staff was slightly astonished when he saw the fully armed militia.
He had never expected Li Yunlong, that “miser,” to be so generous.
It was truly unexpected.
Had the boy’s political consciousness improved?
From their conversation just now, he had vaguely sensed that Li Yunlong seemed to have changed in some way.
However, the Deputy Chief of Staff did not dwell on it. After all, this was a change in a positive direction, and the most important task at present was to find a suitable site for an arsenal.
He soon set off for Yellow Cliff Cave to conduct his investigation.
...
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Black Wind Ridge.
New First Regiment Headquarters.
By this time, Zhang Dabiao and Shen Quan had returned to the regiment’s base and were preparing to report their work to Li Yunlong.
They had not expected to find that the regimental commander was absent.
After asking around, they learned that he was receiving a chief from headquarters, which surprised them.
Just as they were discussing the matter, Li Yunlong returned to headquarters. He immediately asked Shen Quan, “How did the Second Battalion’s delaying action go? What were the unit’s casualties?”
“Commander!”
Shen Quan and Zhang Dabiao both rose and greeted him.
“We wiped out roughly one hundred and twenty enemy reinforcements. Some puppet troops fled, and I did not continue the pursuit.”
Shen Quan spoke with a sorrowful expression. “The Second Battalion suffered seventy-two casualties in this battle. Twenty-three were killed, and twelve were seriously wounded.”
“That’s a heavy price.”
Li Yunlong nodded gravely.
“Yes.” Shen Quan nodded and analyzed the situation. “From what we’ve learned, the main causes were the new recruits’ lack of battlefield experience and their misjudgment of the Japanese troops’ fighting strength.”
“When faced with the Japanese launching a frenzied assault, they were frightened. I have to admit, the enemy’s marksmanship was no joke. Several new recruits were hit while they were still dazed, which increased our casualties.”
Zhang Dabiao nodded in agreement.
“That’s right.”
“Especially when the surrounded Japanese launched their suicidal attacks, quite a few of our soldiers were stunned.”
“Faced with such madness, the soldiers reacted much more slowly and lacked the ability to respond effectively.”
“Still, many of them adapted.”
“A considerable number of soldiers performed exceptionally well this time. They showed no fear in the face of the Japanese suicide attacks, responded calmly, and succeeded in annihilating the enemy.”
“Some even launched fierce counterattacks!”
“Although we paid a heavy price, it awakened the soldiers’ courage to resist the Japanese invaders...”
Listening to the two men’s account, Li Yunlong said, “When two warriors meet on a narrow road, the braver one wins!”
“If the Japanese are ruthless, then we’ll be even more ruthless!”
“Even if we are outmatched, we must still draw our swords. We must possess the resolve and courage to give our lives if necessary and take the enemy down with us!”
“Judging from the current situation, the soul of the unit has awakened!”
“This is a good beginning.”
“When you return, commend the outstanding soldiers. Have them share more of their battlefield experience so they can encourage the recruits...”
“Understood!”
Zhang Dabiao and Shen Quan answered together.
As the post-battle meeting continued, Li Yunlong gained a more comprehensive understanding of their results.
Across the entire regiment, forty-three had been killed, thirty seriously wounded, and forty-five lightly wounded.
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Approximately two hundred and thirty enemy troops had been eliminated, including roughly seventy Japanese. The number of enemy wounded was unknown.
Whether in Xijing Town or at Yellow Cliff Cave, the enemy’s control over this region had been weakened. It could even be said that they no longer controlled it at all.
This was precisely the right opportunity for our forces to expand.
Li Yunlong ordered the troops to extend their territory outward while also recruiting medical personnel.
After this battle, the New First Regiment’s medical shortcomings had become even more apparent.
Although medical supplies were plentiful, the shortage of medical personnel had left the entire regimental “hospital” extremely busy.
Ding Ling and the others simply could not treat everyone.
This was a serious problem and had to be solved. Otherwise, the consequences would be considerable.
After all, no one wanted to be wounded and then receive no treatment.
That would deal a heavy blow to the soldiers and undermine their determination to fight the enemy.
To solve the problem, Li Yunlong had no choice but to recruit doctors in large numbers while training personnel in the field as well.
The money, supplies, weapons, and ammunition captured this time were sufficient to support the New First Regiment for quite some time.
They also gave Li Yunlong the confidence to recruit medical personnel.
After all, money could resolve most problems.
Moreover, under Li Yunlong’s personal influence, the matter was soon settled satisfactorily.
...
Just as Li Yunlong was occupied with developing the New First Regiment—
Yellow Cliff Cave.
The Deputy Chief of Staff had followed the map to the area around Yellow Cliff Cave.
After inspecting the region, he discovered that it was practically an ideal location for an arsenal.
The only drawback was the poor condition of the roads.
Still, a cavern in the valley was simply the perfect site for an arsenal. It was not only easy to conceal but also convenient to defend.
With proper arrangements, it would possess the advantage of one man holding the pass against ten thousand enemies.
After repeatedly weighing the matter and observing the surrounding terrain, the Deputy Chief of Staff had already made up his mind.
The arsenal would be built here.
As he inspected the roads, the Deputy Chief of Staff arrived at a nearby village.
The topic of conversation among the villagers, however, caught his attention.
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