Bright Sword: I built Italian cannons for Li Yunlong

Li Yunlong let out a heavy sigh, walked up to Kong Jie, patted him hard on the shoulder, said nothing, but everything was understood without words.

"Right now, the most important thing is to do everything we can to treat the wounded."

"This time in Wanjia Town, we found a lot of medical supplies from the Japanese, which can be used by our wounded comrades."

"However... besides those medical supplies, I also found quite a few gas masks."

"Gas masks." Zhao Gang and Li Yunlong were both taken aback.

"Yes, those are gas masks. According to the prisoners, these things were transported from Qingchi City."

"I suspect the Japanese might have plans to use poison gas because they stockpile this stuff."

"However, all of this is just my speculation at the moment, and it may not be accurate."

"What wouldn't those beasts do?" Li Yunlong said.

"I'll report to the brigade headquarters first and see if we can get confirmation from the comrades who are infiltrating the enemy ranks," Zhao Gang said after thinking for a moment.

"I think it's a good idea."

After a simple memorial service for the fallen comrades, the Independent Regiment was revitalized by the tremendous gains they had made.

The selection and training of cavalrymen were carried out in full swing. Li Yunlong spent all his time at the temporary horse farm, watching the soldiers train on captured warhorses, and he couldn't stop smiling.

"Our old Li's army is strong and well-equipped now." Li Yunlong said with his hands behind his back, watching the soldiers training enthusiastically in the courtyard, his face full of a proud smile.

However, his good mood didn't last long.

When Li Yunlong answered the phone and heard the brigade commander's cheerful voice, a bad premonition immediately rose in his heart.

"Li Yunlong, congratulations on your fortune!"

Li Yunlong's heart skipped a beat, his eyes darted around, and he immediately started complaining into the microphone, his tone carrying a hint of feigned grievance.

"What kind of fortune are you trying to make, brigade commander? We're so poor we're practically begging for food..."

"Don't try that on me, kid." The brigade commander's laughter grew louder; even through the phone, you could imagine the "I see right through you" look on his face. "Tell me honestly, how much profit did you make in Wanjia Town this time?"

Knowing he couldn't hide it from him, Li Yunlong could only answer with a wronged tone, "Sigh! Not much, just enough equipment for one cavalry battalion. I'm planning to form a cavalry battalion."

"Look at you, so capable! You think you can make a cavalry battalion out of your regiment? I have a brigade, shouldn't I make a cavalry regiment too?!" The brigade commander's voice suddenly rose.

Li Yunlong immediately nodded and bowed, echoing his agreement repeatedly.

"Hehe, you should, you should. With your reputation as a brigade commander, you'd be more than qualified to be assigned a cavalry division."

"Stop talking nonsense." The brigade commander ignored Li Yunlong's flattery and said bluntly, "Leave one company's worth of horses and equipment, and send the rest to the brigade headquarters."

"What are you doing, brigade commander? Are you robbing me?"

Li Yunlong jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

"You might as well just shoot me."

"No, no, absolutely not."

"No, alright then, we'll have to have a talk." The brigade commander's voice came slowly from the microphone.

"You mobilized troops without authorization; that's a serious offense!"

Upon hearing this, Li Yunlong became visibly anxious and said rapidly, "Hey! Brigade Commander, you used to agree to me having a side business!"

"I agreed? Who can prove that to you?" the brigade commander asked in a calm and unhurried tone.

Li Yunlong could easily tell that his boss was here to act like a rogue.

"Brigadier, you can't deny it now that you've said it!"

"Stop talking nonsense. I'm giving you two choices now." The brigade commander had completely lost his patience and issued an ultimatum.

"Either you send me the horses and equipment, or I'll report this to headquarters and investigate your unauthorized troop movements."

"Li Yunlong, what are you planning to do?"

"Sigh! Rank really does give you an edge. Fine, fine, brigade commander, I give up." Li Yunlong could only say helplessly. "If you want to rob me, just say so. Why make up these excuses?"

"Hehe...haha..." The brigade commander's hearty laughter, tinged with the satisfaction of his successful scheme, came through the microphone. "I won't make excuses, can you give it to me?"

"Hey kid, why are you acting like a nouveau riche from Shanxi? All you have to offer is a pittance. Are you even acting like a man?"

"Sigh! We've been terrified of being poor before!"

"..."

After hanging up the phone, Li Yunlong sat down on the kang (a heated brick bed) like a wilted eggplant, remaining silent for a long time.

When Zhao Gang walked in and saw his expression, he understood about 70-80% of what was going on, but didn't say anything more.

Although only the horses and equipment of one cavalry company were left behind, it was still a huge boost to the combat effectiveness of the entire Independent Regiment. Therefore, during this period, Li Yunlong supervised the cavalry training almost every day.

After Zhou Zhen returned, he began working on experiments to improve the Molotov cocktail.

He is experimenting with adding shredded rubber to Molotov cocktails in different proportions.

The effects of smoke production during combustion were tested at different ratios.

As Molotov cocktails gradually became more widespread in the Eighth Route Army, the offensives of various brigades and regiments in North China became significantly more active.

Although the results of each battle may not be significant, they accumulate over time and become a major annoyance to the Japanese and puppet troops.

Japanese North China Area Army Headquarters.

Commander Yoshio Shinotsuka was listening to his subordinates' report.

"The Eighth Route Army has been unusually active recently, and multiple reports mention that they have used an incendiary weapon that poses a great threat to our bunkers and pillboxes." The staff officer pointed to several marked locations on the map, his tone heavy.

"Incendiary weapons?" Major General Miyano frowned. "Where did the Eighth Route Army get the chemical raw materials and technology? Investigate, we must find out their source."

With the rapid operation of Japanese intelligence agencies, in less than half a month, information about Zhou Zhen and the Molotov cocktails came into the hands of the Japanese commander.

However, the Eighth Route Army headquarters had taken this issue into consideration beforehand, so very few people within the Eighth Route Army knew Zhou Zhen's true identity and position. He was only referred to as Advisor Zhou within the Eighth Route Army.

"Molotov cocktails?"

"These aren't homemade weapons from World War I, but given the Eighth Route Army's style of doing things, it's quite normal."

"If it's this kind of weapon, then there's no need to worry too much."

"However, the Eighth Route Army has been too active lately, which may affect our future plans, so we can't just let it go."

"Miyano-kun is absolutely right. Yamamoto-kun, your special forces have been resting for a long time. It's time to get out and about."

"Hi!"

Yamamoto's special forces received another order to launch an attack.

Their target was no longer the Eighth Route Army's command headquarters, but rather the exposed arsenals and repair shops in the base areas.

The attack was sudden and precise.

These special agents operate covertly and are well-equipped. They often complete sabotage and escape before the garrison troops in the base can react.