The New Second Regiment's post was filled with an unprecedented vitality.
On the training grounds, the new recruits shouted to the sky, training with great fervor.
Not far away, at the entrance to the field hospital, several young female nurses, who had just changed into Eighth Route Army uniforms.
Were tidying up medicine while chatting in low voices.
"Hey, you guys, how old do you think our Commander Li is?"
A little nurse with braided pigtails.
Secretly glanced at Li Yang, who was directing the new recruits' training not far away, her face showing a trace of curiosity.
"He looks to be in his early twenties? He's so young! To be a regimental commander of a main force at such a young age, it's incredible!"
"I heard before I came, our commander is a legendary figure."
Another slightly older nurse lowered her voice and said mysteriously.
"I heard the little devils are so furious that they've put a bounty of fifty thousand silver dollars on his head!"
"More than that!"
Someone nearby added.
"I heard from those old soldiers that when they captured that tank from the devils before, it had 'Exclusively for the Independent Battalion' written on it in oil paint."
"A couple of days ago, it was changed to 'Exclusively for the New Second Regiment'! The little devils really hate our commander to death!"
As soon as this was said, several female comrades couldn't help but cover their mouths and laugh.
"But, life in our regiment is really good."
The pigtail nurse sighed.
"Before I came, I thought I'd be eating steamed corn buns every day."
"I never expected to have steamed white flour buns and rice every meal, and canned meat every few days!"
"It's better than living at home."
"Isn't that the truth!"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Look at those new recruits, now that we're here, they're training even harder, like they've been injected with chicken blood."
The nurses followed their gaze and indeed saw the new recruits on the training ground with their chests puffed out and heads held high.
Their shouts were even louder than before, and their eyes kept darting in this direction.
This made their cheeks blush slightly, but their hearts felt sweet.
As evening approached, the afterglow of the sunset dyed the entire camp golden.
Li Yang rubbed his somewhat sore shoulders, ending a day of new recruit training.
These new recruits had good potential; with a little polish, they would be formidable soldiers.
As soon as he walked into the command post, before he could even take a sip of water.
A long-awaited voice sounded in his mind.
[Ding!]
[Side quest issued: Ironclad Might!]
[Quest Description: According to reliable intelligence.]
[Tonight, an armored vanguard of a devil cavalry regiment will pass through the Yumu Ridge area.]
[Mission Objective: Ambush and annihilate this enemy force, acquiring as many intact armored vehicles as possible.]
[Mission Reward: Awarded based on mission completion.]
[Special Tip: For every Type 92 Armored Car captured intact, a tenfold material reward will be given!]
Tenfold reward!
Li Yang's eyes lit up instantly.
When did this system become so generous?
This wasn't a mission, it was practically a freebie delivered to his doorstep!
Let's do it!
We have to make a big score!
"Liú Jiànfēng!"
Li Yang shouted without thinking, his voice booming.
"Here!"
Communicator Liú Jiànfēng rushed in like a gust of wind.
"Immediately send a telegram to the First Battalion! Order Battalion Commander Wáng Tiězhù to lead the entire battalion back immediately! Now!"
"Yes!"
Liú Jiànfēng took the order and left.
"And go call Assault Company Commander Sūn Shǒutián here! Quickly!"
Less than two minutes later, Sūn Shǒutián rushed in energetically.
As soon as he entered, he saw Li Yang poring over a map.
Drawing something with a pencil, his eyes glinting with excitement.
Sūn Shǒutián's Combat Radar "buzzed" and activated.
He rubbed his hands, his eyes shining, and leaned closer.
"Commander, hehe... are we going to fight another big one?"
Li Yang looked up, grinned, and heavily tapped a spot on the map with his pencil.
"Yumu Ridge."
"I received intelligence that tonight."
"An armored vanguard of a devil cavalry regiment will pass through here."
Armored troops!
Sūn Shǒutián's breathing quickened, and he almost drooled.
"Good heavens! Commander, is this... is this intelligence accurate? We must take them down!"
"My intelligence, when have you ever seen it wrong?"
Li Yang retorted.
Sūn Shǒutián thought about it, and it was true.
His commander's intelligence capabilities were divine, more accurate than the devils' own intelligence agencies.
"Then what are we waiting for, Commander! Give the order!"
"I guarantee we'll bring back those devil's iron turtles intact for you!"
Sūn Shǒutián patted his chest and shouted excitedly.
"Don't rush."
Li Yang waved his hand and shouted towards the door.
"Wáng Yúntíng!"
First Platoon Leader Wáng Yúntíng of the Logistics Company jogged in and saluted.
"Here!"
"I ask you, I heard you've driven tanks before?"
Li Yang stared at him and asked.
Wáng Yúntíng paused for a moment, then straightened his chest and replied loudly.
"Report, Commander! I drove them when I was in the Northeast Army!"
"I've driven the devils' Type 94s and Vickers! I've even fiddled with the Soviets' T-26s!"
"Good! You're a treasure!"
Li Yang slapped his thigh.
"Go do something for me right now!"
"Find all the drivers in the regiment, those who can drive cars, those who can drive tanks."
"Even those who can drive tractors!"
"Gather at the command post in half an hour! Every single one!"
"Yes!"
Wáng Yúntíng, though confused, accepted the order crisply and left.
Only then did Li Yang turn to Sūn Shǒutián and give his order.
"You, immediately assemble the Assault Company!"
"Leave one platoon behind, send the rest by truck, and depart at once."
"Go to the designated location at Yumu Ridge to set up an ambush!"
"Yes!"
Sūn Shǒutián excitedly accepted the order and turned to leave.
Just then, hurried footsteps sounded from the entrance of the command post.
Newly appointed First Battalion Commander Wáng Tiězhù, sweating profusely, ran in.
"Report, Commander! The First Battalion has been ordered to return, please give your instructions!"
Li Yang nodded, walked to the entrance, and looked outside. His eyes twitched.
A vast expanse of people, stretching from the entrance of the village to the end, disappearing from sight.
"Wáng Tiězhù!"
Li Yang turned back and pointed outside.
"Didn't you report to me that your First Battalion had a full strength of eight hundred men?"
"Look outside! Where do these guys look like eight hundred? I'd believe you if you said fifteen hundred!"
Wáng Tiězhù's face turned red, and he scratched the back of his head, chuckling foolishly.
"Commander... well... on the way back, I saw many fine young men."
"So I... I happened to recruit them all... they're all good soldier material, can be trained for the battlefield!"
Li Yang was so amused he almost laughed.
This guy never forgot to expand his ranks wherever he went.
"You rascal... alright! We'll settle this account after the battle!"
Li Yang couldn't be bothered to argue with him now; it was a time of need.
"Order the troops to eat quickly!"
"After eating, rest for twenty minutes, then the entire battalion will assemble and prepare to depart!"
"Also!"
Li Yang added.
"Have Shen Quan's artillery battalion follow!"
"No need for many, just bring that 88mm anti-aircraft gun, tow it with a tractor!"
"Today, we're going to do something big!"