Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 250 The Independent Regiment's Visit

Since the last time the Japanese spies infiltrated Qin Shou's house, there has been no movement from Qin Shou's family for the next few weeks.

Apart from the Japanese spy discovered during surveillance of Qin Shou's house last time (which was also revised in the previous chapter), the intelligence department did not discover any other Japanese spies.

"Director, has our surveillance operation been discovered?" Sun Qiang asked uncertainly.

“I don’t think so. If the Japanese found out he had been exposed, they would definitely try to escape in order not to affect the operations of other personnel, instead of remaining safely hidden in Tangjia Town as they are now, without any signs of withdrawal,” Li Qukou said, shaking his head.

"Chief, it seems these Japanese spies have really gone deep into hiding."

“This time, we’ve truly met our match.” Li Qukou’s eyes gleamed with fighting spirit.

"Director, what should we do next?"

"Relax surveillance on them. The longer we monitor them, the easier it is for us to be exposed. Now, we should focus on investigating the people who go to Tangjia Town to work from the side."

“Director, what if we send the brigade commander to Tangjia Town again?” Sun Qiang suggested.

"We've used this trick before, but it won't work this time. Last time, when we sent the brigade commander to Tangjia Town, the Japanese didn't fall for it. But if we use it again this time, it will only alert them."

"Director, what if we use real information?" Sun Qiang asked tentatively.

“No, that’s too dangerous. We don’t even know the number of Japanese soldiers who have infiltrated, or their weapons. If we use reliable information, and something happens to the brigade commander in Tangjia Town, our intelligence department will be the culprits of our independent brigade.” Li Qukou immediately rejected Sun Qiang’s suggestion.

“Right now, we’re playing a cat-and-mouse game with the Japanese. To catch them, we need patience,” Li Qukou said earnestly.

"Yes, Director, I understand."

"Remember, you must relax surveillance appropriately, but you can't miss any key intelligence. I believe you can grasp the right balance," Li Qukou emphasized again.

"Yes, Director, I know what to do."

"Ah."

After saying that, Sun Qiang left the office to prepare for the next steps.

June arrived quietly, the sun blazing and the weather growing increasingly hot and dry.

In the sweltering heat, Tang Weiguo, carrying all the secrets of the brigade headquarters, arrived at the Xiaoqingshan troop's garrison.

After two months of development, the Xiaoqingshan Coal Mine site has been built to a considerable scale, with rows of wooden houses built along the flat ground in front of the mountain, and a huge training ground built in front of the houses.

On the training field, the new recruits trained hard under the command of the veterans, sweating profusely.

The mining operations at the Xiaoqingshan Coal Mine next to the military camp have officially begun. Thanks to the mining equipment captured from the Japanese and the enthusiasm of the miners, the coal production at the Xiaoqingshan Coal Mine continues to grow.

Horse-drawn carts constantly transported coal from the coal mines, selling the mined coal to other places and providing a steady stream of funds for the Independent Brigade's military expenses.

Seeing how rapidly the Xiaoqingshan outpost was developing, Tang Weiguo said with satisfaction to Tang Xiaohu, Niu Dali, and Liu Hao beside him.

"You three have really worked hard."

"Brigade Commander, the three of us dare not take credit. It is all thanks to the efforts of all our soldiers that we were able to develop the Xiaoqingshan garrison in such a short time," Tang Xiaohu said modestly.

"Haha, Xiao Hu is right. I was being presumptuous. It's all thanks to the hard work of everyone here." Tang Weiguo looked at Tang Xiao Hu with even greater satisfaction.

At that moment, the messenger ran in and reported:

"Reporting to Regiment Commander Tang, the commander and political commissar of the Independent Regiment have arrived at the camp gate."

"Oh, Commander Li, you're here so fast! I thought they wouldn't arrive until the afternoon. Let's go see our old friends." With that, Tang Weiguo led everyone to the entrance of the military camp.

"Long time no see, Commander Li, Political Commissar Zhao," Tang Weiguo greeted Li Yunfei and Zhao Xiaogang warmly.

"It really has been a long time. We haven't seen each other since the ambush on the Japanese train," Li Yunfei said with a smile.

"I never expected to see you again, Brother Tang, and you've already become a major general and brigade commander." Li Yunfei sighed with emotion when he thought about how Tang Weiguo had become a major general and brigade commander in just half a year.

"I must congratulate Brother Tang on your promotion! Remember to take care of me in the future."

"Haha. Brother Li, you're joking. You guys are doing quite well too. Xiao Hu just told me that you've expanded to six battalions, with a total strength of over 6000."

"It seems I should start calling you Brigade Commander Li now, Commander Li too," Tang Weiguo said while playing mahjong.

"I'm just trying to make a living off your Independent Brigade, occupying such a big county town. If I can't develop anything here, I might as well just crash into a tree and die," Li Yunfei said.

"Commander, don't just talk, don't forget the gifts we brought," Political Commissar Zhao reminded him from the side.

"The political commissar is right. Look at my brain." With that, Li Yunfei took a long box from the guard and handed it to Tang Weiguo.

"Since you're already here, don't bring anything. You're too kind." Although he said that, Tang Weiguo's hands didn't stop moving, and he smoothly took the long box.

Getting anything from Li Yunfei is harder than fighting the Japanese.

"Commander Li, it looks like you've gone to a lot of trouble. I guess the box doesn't contain any writing or drawings," Tang Wei said, taking the box and examining it.

"As expected of Brother Tang, you guessed right away. But this isn't some valuable calligraphy or painting. Our Independent Regiment isn't as wealthy and powerful as your Independent Brigade," Li Yunfei said with a smile.

"This is a poem that our Regiment Commander Li specially asked our superior to write for you. Please don't find it offensive, Brigade Commander Tang," Political Commissar Zhao said.

“Since it was written by your department’s leader, how could I, Tang Weiguo, not like it?”

"Cheng Shanshan, quickly open it and let everyone see." After saying that, Tang Weiguo handed the box to Cheng Shanshan.

Tang Weiguo guessed that it was either their brigade commander or their division commander who wrote it. If it was their division commander, then they would have really struck gold.

After Cheng Shanshan opened the box, she showed everyone a framed calligraphy piece inside.

It says above:

The flames of war urge me on my youthful journey.

I dare to carry a long sword, brighter than the moon.

Every inch of our land was bought with blood.

We will not allow the Japanese invaders to trample our land!

The final inscription reads: "Presented to the Anti-Japanese Independent Journey to Tangweiguo."

When Tang Weiguo saw the signature, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he was overjoyed. He never expected that it was written by that great man himself.

"What a wonderful poem and calligraphy! Commander Li, this gift of yours is far too precious. I love it so much!"

"Cheng Shanshan, quickly put this away carefully." Tang Weiguo was already planning to pass it down as a family heirloom.

"Haha, I'm glad Brigade Commander Tang likes it. I'm so jealous right now." Li Yunfei's tone was full of sourness.

"Alright, alright, everyone, please don't stand at the entrance of the military camp, please come in."

"Commander Li, Political Commissar Zhao, please."

"Brigade Commander Tang, please."

After they finished speaking, the group walked together toward the conference room in the military camp.