Bright Sword: I built Italian cannons for Li Yunlong

Zhou Zhen clearly remembered that it was during Li Yunlong's time at the clothing factory that the fierce Japanese Yamamoto Special Forces attacked Kong Jie's Independent Regiment.

Because this unit was far superior to the Chinese soldiers of that era in both combat theory and equipment, the surprise attack caused heavy casualties to the Independent Regiment.

He knew this information, but he didn't know how to make it public.

He couldn't very well tell Li Yunlong that he was a time traveler and that he knew the Japanese special forces would soon attack Kong Jie's Independent Regiment.

Such behavior will not only fail to gain the organization's trust, but will also make the organization feel that he has ulterior motives, increasing suspicion about his identity.

But if he were to disregard the lives of revolutionary fighters out of fear of revealing his identity, how could he live with himself?

For several days in a row, he was somewhat absent-minded.

Li Yunlong noticed this and, taking advantage of a break, came over: "Old Zhou, what's wrong? You've seemed distracted these past few days. Is something on your mind?"

Zhou Zhen's heart skipped a beat; he realized this was an opportunity.

He feigned a sigh, his brow furrowed: "Old Li, to be honest, I've been feeling uneasy these past few days. I can't sleep well at night, and I keep having nightmares. I keep feeling like... something terrible is about to happen."

Upon hearing this, Li Yunlong didn't take it to heart. Instead, he said in a teasing tone, "You scholars are just too scheming. I, Old Li, have killed at least eight or ten thousand Japanese soldiers on the battlefield, but I've never seen anything supernatural or ghostly."

Seeing that Li Yunlong did not believe his explanation, he had no choice but to change his strategy.

He looked at Li Yunlong with a serious and earnest gaze and said, "Old Li, we've been making quite a commotion lately, with boric acid and improved cotton-padded clothes."

Li Yunlong didn't care: "So what if there's a commotion? It's a good thing! I'm afraid the Japanese won't know we're doing well."

"That's not what I meant." Zhou Zhen lowered his voice. "Old Li, think about it. Our base is so big and our personnel are so diverse. There's no guarantee that some Japanese spies won't infiltrate."

While these improvements are not as sensitive as those for weapons and ammunition, they can still enhance the troops' sustained combat capability.

"What if the Japanese find out? Won't they take the opportunity to cause sabotage and demoralize us?"

"Moreover, the brigade headquarters has recently made such a big commotion. Given the Japanese style, they will definitely find a way to retaliate."

Upon hearing this, Li Yunlong instantly abandoned his nonchalant attitude and frowned slightly.

He didn't believe in any supernatural or ghostly omens, but Zhou Zhen's logic that "there might be spies, which could lead to retaliatory attacks" struck a nerve with him as a military commander.

He stubbed out his cigarette, his expression solemn.

"What you're saying... isn't impossible. Those Japanese are despicable; they're capable of such low-down acts!"

"That's right!" Zhou Zhen pressed on, "That's why I was worried."

"However, such unfounded speculation, without any evidence, probably cannot be formally reported to the higher authorities."

Li Yunlong nodded and said, "If this is reported, the commander will surely give me a good scolding for disrupting morale."

At this moment, Li Yunlong suddenly smiled slyly.

"But this won't stump me, Lao Li. If the normal way doesn't work, then I'll take the unconventional way."

"I, Lao Li, can privately give a heads-up to a few of my old buddies, like Lao Ding and Lao Kong, and tell them to be more vigilant during this time, especially with nighttime sentries and patrols. It can't hurt."

Moreover, he also wanted to show off his recent achievements to his old comrades, so this was a suitable excuse.

Old Li was as decisive as ever. No sooner had he finished speaking than he excitedly headed for the communications room.

As Zhou Zhen watched Li Yunlong's departing figure, he couldn't help but sigh.

"Old Li is a really good comrade. I only started it, and he took care of everything himself."

As soon as the call connected to the New First Regiment, Li Yunlong's loud voice rang out: "Old Ding! It's me, Li Yunlong."

"I heard you, I heard you, I could hear you from ten miles away. Why aren't you busy embroidering at the clothing factory? What are you looking for?" Ding Wei's voice, tinged with laughter, came from the other end of the phone.

"Pah! My embroidery skills are top-notch too. Let me tell you, I'm a rising star at headquarters now. When I'm in a good mood, I'll embroider a quilt with mandarin ducks playing in the water for you."

Ding Wei laughed loudly on the other end of the phone: "You? Li Yunlong? Embroidering mandarin ducks? Your hands are rougher than bear paws, embroidering? I think you're more suited to taking apart flowers."

"You think you're some rich young lady? Are you still Li Yunlong then?"

"But seriously, Lao Li, I saw the sample of the new cotton-padded jacket you got, it's really good! I thank you on behalf of the soldiers."

"Hehe, that's right, you don't even know who did it." Li Yunlong said smugly, then lowered his voice, "By the way, Lao Ding, there's something you should listen to. I've got some information over here, I can't guarantee it, but you guys should be careful over there lately, tighten up the patrols at the sentry posts, to prevent the Japanese from launching a sneak attack."

"Oh? Is that so? Okay, I understand, I'll be careful." Ding Wei's tone became more serious.

At this moment, Ding Wei said again, "Since you, Lao Li, always think of your brothers, I, Ding Wei, am not a stingy person. How about I give you a gift?"

"You—a poor kid like you, what kind of gift could you possibly have?" Li Yunlong replied on the other end of the phone with a skeptical tone.

"Don't be ungrateful, kid. This is a very generous gift. If it weren't for the fact that you, Old Li, gave such a big gift to the entire army, I wouldn't have been willing to give it to you."

"Don't keep me in suspense, tell me what good stuff it is."

"Listen to me, you little brat, I'm sending you an entire cavalry battalion."

"The cavalry battalion? Where is it?" At this moment, Li Yunlong was no longer as nonchalant as before.

After the two finished talking, Li Yunlong was also filled with emotion. Although he already knew the location of the cavalry battalion, he did not have a military rank and few soldiers under his command, so he could only suppress his burning desire for the time being.

Then, Li Yunlong called Kong Jie's Independent Regiment.

Li Yunlong: "Old Kong! It's me, Li Yunlong."

"I heard you. You're a very busy man these days, Lao Li. You're not involved in production at the clothing factory anymore. How come you have time to call me?" Kong Jie's tone was calm, with a hint of teasing between old friends.

Li Yunlong: "Old Kong, I'm here today to give you a heads-up. We've got some information here... well, we don't have any concrete evidence yet, but you'd better be careful lately. Send out extra shifts at night to guard against a surprise attack by the Japanese."

Kong Jie chuckled lightly, seemingly thinking that Li Yunlong was making a mountain out of a molehill.

"Hehe, I thought it was something serious. Old Li, since you went to the clothing factory, why have you become so paranoid?"

"This isn't the first time my independent regiment has been stationed here. If the Japanese had that kind of capability, they would have come long ago. Don't worry, everything is normal in the regiment."

Seeing that Kong Erlengzi didn't seem to care much about his reminder, Li Yunlong emphasized it again.

"Old Kong, don't take this lightly! It can't hurt to pay more attention to it."

Upon hearing this, Kong Jie was unwilling to offend his old comrade-in-arms.

"Alright, alright, I got it, Director Li. I'll have the men keep a closer eye out and add two more sentries. You've been worrying about the cotton-padded clothes, and now you're worrying about the defense of our Independent Regiment."

"Hey Director Li, you should worry more about your clothing factory. My brothers in the Independent Regiment are counting on your winter coats!"

"Old Kong, put your heart into it. Your Independent Regiment will definitely receive cotton-padded clothes."

After finishing the call, Li Yunlong frowned. He could tell that Kong Jie didn't take his words too seriously, but he had already given the necessary reminders.

"That Kong Erlengzi, he's always like this!"