Chapter 33: The Deputy Regiment Commander Arrives! While Others Scrape by on Bran and Vegetables, Li Yunlong Feasts on Fish and Meat?

"Notify Comrade Liu Yuan to come to the brigade headquarters!"

Liu Yuan?

The deputy brigade commander was slightly taken aback.

Liu Yuan was on the list of personnel returning to the troops. He was a staunch revolutionary who had attended the Central Military Academy as a secret operative for the underground party. He was well-educated, possessed a magnanimous character, was sincere in his dealings with others, and had excellent self-control.

Given that Li Yunlong lacked formal education, Liu Yuan would perfectly complement his shortcomings. The brigade commander had certainly thought this through thoroughly for Li Yunlong!

"Brigade commander, are you planning to have Comrade Liu Yuan serve as the deputy regimental commander of the New First Regiment?"

"Would that be appropriate?"

The brigade commander waved his hand and explained, "There is nothing inappropriate about it. The New First Regiment is developing so rapidly that it is precisely in need of such talent to assist. Besides, Li Yunlong’s personality is impulsive, while Liu Yuan is the opposite; they can complement each other. Let him give it a try."

"I hope he can get along with Li Yunlong."

The deputy brigade commander nodded slightly. "Very well, I will make the arrangements."

The reason Brigade Commander Chen arranged for Liu Yuan—who had studied at the Whampoa Military Academy—to serve as the deputy commander was to compensate for Li Yunlong's lack of formal education. He valued Li Yunlong highly, so he was doing everything in his power to enhance his capabilities. Of course, it would also depend on whether Li Yunlong was willing to change; otherwise, it would all be for nothing.

...

Heifeng Ridge.

The New First Regiment base, regimental headquarters. Conference room.

In order to expand the organizational structure and reorganize the New First Regiment, Li Yunlong convened a meeting after conducting his assessments. At this moment, Zhang Dabiao, Shen Quan, the various company commanders, and the heads of other departments such as Zhang Quan were all gathered together.

"Quiet down, everyone. I have a few things to announce."

"First, with the expansion of our troop strength, I have decided to establish a Third Battalion. I will concurrently serve as the battalion commander for the time being."

"Second, the list of commanders at various levels for the Third Battalion is as follows: Deputy Battalion Commander Wang Huaibao, First Company Commander Wang Xikui, Li..."

"Third, each battalion must strengthen troop training to improve combat effectiveness."

"Fourth, the logistics department must enhance transport capacity, for instance, by increasing our truck transport capabilities..."

"Fifth, Comrade Ding Ling, our medical services need to be strengthened. We must set up relevant medical facilities..."

As Li Yunlong finished speaking, the group responded in unison: "Understood!"

Immediately afterward, under the discussion of those present, the relevant details were refined, such as how to train the troops, the improvement of logistics and transport capabilities, and the enhancement of medical services, among other things.

...

Li Yunlong personally labored over the establishment of the Third Battalion, and the setup was completed smoothly. To preserve the combat strength of the New First Regiment, the Third Battalion was composed mainly of new recruits. After all, the main force had to be preserved to avoid excessive casualties in combat. This was a lesson learned in blood.

To rapidly improve the Third Battalion's combat effectiveness, Li Yunlong kept them at the regimental base, personally overseeing their training with the assistance of Wang Huaibao.

Just as Li Yunlong was directing the soldiers in training, a soldier walked over, saluted, and reported: "Report, Commander! Someone from the brigade headquarters is here. They say they are here to take the position of deputy regimental commander and are currently waiting at the headquarters."

Upon hearing this, Li Yunlong was slightly surprised.

The brigade commander sent someone to be the deputy regimental commander? Who could it be?

Li Yunlong handed the training matters over to Wang Huaibao and returned to the headquarters. He was curious about who the brigade commander had sent and whether they could help him manage the affairs of the New First Regiment. After all, as the troop strength grew, the workload increased; if someone could help him share the burden, he would have more time for other things.

He walked briskly back to the headquarters.

...

Regimental headquarters hall.

Liu Yuan had been led to the hall by a guard to wait, and he began to carefully observe the situation of the New First Regiment. Along the way, he had to admit that the spirit of the New First Regiment was quite impressive; the soldiers were sharp and alert. The defensive fortifications of the base were well-executed, and the local people held the regiment in high regard and supported them.

Initially, he had not held high expectations. After all, the brigade commander had explained the situation: the New First Regiment had been established for less than three months and consisted mostly of new recruits, so he should prepare himself. But from what he observed, the regiment did not seem so bad; in fact, it was quite good.

He wondered if the regimental commander, Li Yunlong, was truly as difficult to get along with as the brigade commander had described. If he was, then it would be hard to carry out his work.

Just as Liu Yuan was observing the hall and reflecting on how clean and tidy the headquarters was, Li Yunlong strode in. He was momentarily stunned when he saw who it was.

It was Liu Yuan from *Snow Leopard*.

This was truly beyond Li Yunlong's expectations. He was an underground party agent who had studied at the Whampoa Military Academy—to have such a talent sent to be his subordinate, honestly, Li Yunlong was very surprised.

"Hello, I am Li Yunlong of the New First Regiment!"

Liu Yuan quickly returned a military salute and said in a clear voice, "Commander Li, my name is Liu Yuan!"

"I am here under the orders of the brigade commander to assist you in managing the New First Regiment. This is my letter of appointment."

"I heard many legends about you, Commander Li, back at the brigade headquarters. I am finally meeting you in person today. Please provide me with your guidance in the future."

Li Yunlong took the letter of appointment and checked it; it was indeed the brigade commander's handwriting.

"Comrade Liu Yuan, you are too polite. You are from the Whampoa Military Academy; I barely know a few characters, so what qualifications do I have to instruct you?"

"Commander Li, you are joking," Liu Yuan said sincerely. "You have been on the battlefield for many years and possess rich combat experience, which is exactly what I lack. We can learn from each other and make up for our respective shortcomings. I hope you can offer some guidance."

Liu Yuan’s humble attitude made it difficult for Li Yunlong to refuse. He laughed, "Comrade Liu Yuan, you are too modest."

"Since you’ve come to the New First Regiment, we are all our own people. I am a bit older, so I’ll take the liberty of calling you Old Liu. You can just call me Old Li from now on."

Seeing that Li Yunlong was so easy to talk to, Liu Yuan quickly responded with a smile, "That is my honor!"

"Commander Li..." Liu Yuan hadn't adjusted yet, then corrected himself, "Old Li, could you introduce me to the situation of the New First Regiment?"

"No problem at all!" Li Yunlong readily agreed.

He first ordered a guard to notify the cook to prepare a meal to welcome Liu Yuan. After making the arrangements, he began to tell Liu Yuan about the regiment's situation.

Nearly 2,000 men in the whole regiment?

This was quite different from what he had expected! Three infantry battalions, one artillery company, as well as a communications squad, logistics department, medical team, and other relevant departments. It could be said that although the sparrow was small, it had all the vital organs. Was this really a regiment established less than three months ago?

As the two talked, the meal was ready. To welcome Liu Yuan, the cooking squad brought out canned beef they had captured and prepared several good dishes. There was a table full of food, including peanuts, braised fish, and spiced meat.

Li Yunlong took a bottle of Fenjiu from a crate and said, "This is Fenjiu I captured when I took Xijing Town last time. Let’s have a little taste today as a welcome. Don't look down on it."

Looking at the sumptuous table of food, Liu Yuan couldn't help but be stunned.

Others were eating chaff and vegetables, yet Li Yunlong was eating big bowls of meat?