Li Yunlong was having the time of his life.
"Zhuzi! Twenty meters forward, ten meters to the left—there’s a bunch of Japs. Wipe them out for me!"
"You call two people a 'bunch'?"
Wang Chengzhu stood to the side, his face twisted in anguish. Who could understand the agony of an artilleryman? How many times had they faced the enemy’s heavy machine guns with guns but no shells? Watching his comrades fall one by one, helpless—who could possibly understand that pain? Even now that they had a few shells, he couldn't just waste them like this.
"I actually have an immature idea we could try. It might take out one enemy with a single bullet. Could you lend me a pistol?"
"Why didn't you say so sooner? That’s no problem. I fully support you."
"Zhang Dabiao, lend him your Mauser."
At these words, Zhang Dabiao unholstered his broomhandle Mauser and presented it with both hands.
A Mauser military pistol! Wang Diren’s eyes lit up. As a seasoned military enthusiast, he knew this weapon all too well. It was a rapid-fire powerhouse that had emerged during the age of semi-automatic pistols. Attached to its wooden holster, it could serve as a submachine gun. Since its debut, the pistol had won widespread acclaim from users all over the world for its unique design and exceptional performance.
Wang Diren didn't stand on ceremony. He fastened the Mauser to the drone’s mounting bracket, adjusted it to an oblique downward angle, and fixed the trigger spring in place. The extra weight was nothing to the drone.
He piloted the drone into the air himself, signaling Li Yunlong to look at the screen displaying the battlefield situation. The entire scene was laid out before them. Their soldiers were scouring the mountains, chasing down the Sakata Regiment. Victory was certain, but a group of a dozen or so Japanese soldiers were running too fast and had already slipped out of range. The soldiers had almost given up on them.
Li Yunlong groaned in frustration. "What a shame. Killing that group would mean a total annihilation. If we let them go, it’s just a rout. Such a pity."
"Watch me."
Wang Diren maneuvered the drone, flanking the Japanese from behind. The soldiers were too panicked to think of looking up; they had no idea the scythe of death was already swinging.
Wang Diren hit the firing button and made the drone spin. A fan-shaped spray of bullets swept across the ground. The group of Japanese soldiers fell instantly, save for one. That soldier had a stroke of luck and was only slightly wounded. He scrambled toward a piece of cloth and struck a match—it was the regimental flag. Wang Diren finally realized these were the flag-guard squad. Every other squad had been sacrificing themselves to ensure its safety.
"To the Japanese army, the regimental flag is something special. They hold them in the highest regard; every unit must live and die with their colors. If a force is about to be defeated, they are expected to burn the flag. If it falls into enemy hands, the regimental commander and the battalion commanders are expected to commit seppuku. But as long as the flag survives, rebuilding the unit is just a matter of a few stamps."
Wang Diren hurriedly fired one more shot. The Japanese soldier collapsed, frustrated, his outstretched hand inches from the flag and the fire. He finally went off to meet his Sun Goddess.
Wang Diren dropped the pistol, and the drone snatched up the regimental flag before ascending. Zhang Dabiao flinched in pain. "Hey, hey! My Mauser!"
"What are you whining about? I’ll get you ten more later. A drone plus a Mauser—that’s a battlefield combo you can’t trade for gold."
Li Yunlong was feeling unusually generous and was in high spirits. Wang Diren smiled. "So, you know quality when you see it."
"With this regimental flag, even Principal Chang will have to treat me to a drink. Since the war started, no one in all of China has managed this, have they? This is one of a kind—a total rarity."
"Just keep dreaming. You’d be lucky if he gave you some fapi currency. And let’s get this straight: I don't want your fapi. It’s too stiff to use as toilet paper."
"Then I'll have the Deputy Commander treat me to a drink."
"Hold your horses. Don't get cocky. Enter the village quietly, don't fire your guns. You need to consider whether you can handle the Japanese fury and retaliation."
"I guess my life is more important, then." Li Yunlong hunched his shoulders.
"Now, throw the whole army in. Any Japanese who know about this must be wiped out." Wang Diren knew the terrifying consequences of a leak and spoke with cold resolve.
"Zhang Dabiao! Why are you just standing there? From now on, Brother Wang’s words are my words. Take the troops and press the attack—wipe out every last one of those Japs!"
"Comrades, follow me!" Zhang Dabiao waved his hand, then remembered he had no gun and slammed his hat onto the ground in frustration.
The Japanese were soon annihilated. The spoils of war piled up like a mountain. However, given the Japanese tradition of destroying their weapons, there were only about 1,800 usable Type 38 rifles, over fifty heavy machine guns, and over a hundred light machine guns, along with various grenade launchers. The ammunition hadn't even been tallied yet.
Thinking about how he could only deliver supplies through the supermarket—which meant he was essentially limited to civilian goods—Li Yunlong would have to rely on his own captures for weapons and equipment. The problem was, he had defied orders. That habit couldn't be encouraged; no one could save him from that. In the end, his whole unit would likely be taken over by Ding Wei, but he couldn't say that outright.
He offered a subtle warning: "The haul this time is abundant. Given the nature of the Japanese, they will definitely mount a massive retaliation. You can't keep all your eggs in one basket. Store them in different places in case of emergency."
He changed the subject. "Also, this was a breakout battle. You’re a special case, but the other units suffered heavy losses. Do you have the heart to keep all this for yourself?"
"But the Brigade Commander promised me! When the army was built, he didn't give me a single bullet or gun. He said whatever I captured, he wouldn't manage or ask about."
"Is that in black and white? Besides, him not asking is his business; you not handing it over is yours. You should understand that it’s wise not to flaunt your wealth."
Li Yunlong fell into deep thought.
"Alright, I don't want to be the bad guy. The situation here is settled, and I want to go back and see if I can get some more drones."
"Don't go yet! We have plenty of business left to discuss."
"No need. What don't you lack? What don't I have cheap? Just keep your gold ready. Don't let me arrive with the goods and have you tell me you're broke."
Wang Diren looked at him with disdain.
"That won't happen. I might be short on anything else, but never money. That’s my lifeline," Li Yunlong guaranteed.
***
Northwest Shanxi, Eighth Route Army Headquarters.
The Deputy Commander was flying into a rage. "It’s this Li Yunlong again! Defying orders on the battlefield—has he completely lost his mind?"
Staff Officer Zhao stood before the Commander, his face filled with anxiety. He knew the Commander’s anger wasn't without cause; Li Yunlong’s defiance of orders was a serious breach of military discipline. Yet, his battlefield achievements were truly unparalleled.