Bright Sword: Starting from Obtaining the Equipment Slot

Wang Xiao was stunned for a moment, then his face turned red.

"Battalion Commander! You...I..."

Wei Dayong laughed heartily and patted him on the shoulder.

"Just kidding, look how anxious you are. Our assault battalion doesn't do that kind of arranged marriage. Marriage is entirely voluntary, and no one can force anyone."

Wang Xiao breathed a sigh of relief, but still looked somewhat uncomfortable.

Wei Dayong's smile faded, and he said seriously, "However, these women need someone to take care of them. Send someone to invite Zhou Wenxu's wife, Su Wanqing, over. She is literate and steady in her work. Let her take charge of the women in the village for the time being."

Wang Xiao responded and turned to leave.

Two hours later, Su Wanqing followed Wang Xiao into the main hall of Zhongzhai.

Her daughter, Zhou Nian, held her hand tightly and followed closely behind.

"Battalion Commander Wei." Su Wanqing bowed slightly in greeting.

Wei Dayong waved his hand: "Sister-in-law, you're too kind. I've come all this way to ask you for a favor."

He pointed to the women in the courtyard.

"These women were all kidnapped by the bandits of Qingfeng Village. Some have been able to find their families, while others have nowhere to go. I would like to ask you, sister-in-law, to temporarily organize them. Those who are willing to go home will be given travel expenses to return. Those who are unwilling to go home can stay with the army."

Su Wanqing followed Wei Dayong's gaze and looked towards the courtyard.

"Those damned beasts!" Su Wanqing cursed through gritted teeth, then turned to Wei Dayong, "Battalion Commander Wei, don't worry, leave this to me. I'll make sure they're settled."

Wei Dayong nodded: "In addition, our unit is newly established and lacks medical supplies, especially medical personnel. I want to organize these women who are willing to stay and form a medical team so that they can learn some first aid and bandaging skills. They can also help in future battles."

Su Wanqing's eyes lit up: "That's a great idea! I learned some nursing knowledge when I was in teachers' college, so I can teach them. If the women have something to do, they can gradually get out of their shells."

Zhou Nian peeked out from behind her mother and asked timidly, "Mom, will these aunties be living with us from now on?"

Su Wanqing squatted down and touched her daughter's face.

"Yes. From now on, they will be our family. Niannian must call them 'Auntie' and not be rude."

Zhou Nian nodded vigorously.

Watching the interaction between the mother and daughter, Wei Dayong felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

He turned to Wang Xiao and instructed, "Clean up the best courtyard in the village and give it to the women. Allocate some cloth and grain from the captured supplies so that they all have clothes to wear and food to eat."

Wang Xiao responded loudly, "Yes, Battalion Commander!"

Su Wanqing led Zhou Nian into the courtyard.

She walked up to the group of women and spoke gently.

"Sisters, I'm Su Wanqing. The past is the past. From today onwards, this is your home. If you want to go home, just tell me, and we'll give you travel expenses to go back. If you don't want to go back, stay. We'll learn skills together and become medics for the soldiers. No one will be able to bully you anymore."

The women looked at each other, and their eyes gradually brightened.

A woman in her thirties asked in a trembling voice, "Can we really stay? You won't kick us out?"

Su Wanqing stepped forward and took her hand: "Of course it's true. From now on, we're family. As long as we have food to eat, you won't go hungry."

The woman burst into tears.

When he cried, all the women in the courtyard started to cry too.

Su Wanqing comforted them one by one and led them into the prepared courtyard.

As night deepened, Qingfeng Village was brightly lit.

The soldiers were busy cleaning up the battlefield, clearing away the corpses, repairing the stockade walls, and taking inventory of supplies.

Old Wu ran around with the account book, his face beaming with joy.

Zhou Quanheng and Sun Dequan led the craftsmen to inspect and repair the mechanical fortifications overnight, and the sound of hammering and banging echoed all night.

The gate was fitted with a new iron bolt, a solid cast iron bar, about as thick as a baby's arm.

The machine guns on the watchtower were disassembled and re-maintained, with all the rusty parts replaced.

The winch of the crossbow was coated with tung oil, and the bowstring was replaced with a new one.

The bunker's firing positions were rearranged, and the angles of the firing ports were adjusted to be more cunning.

The cracks in the wall were filled with glutinous rice mortar, and the drainage ditch at the base of the wall was thoroughly cleared.

The entire village remained busy until dawn before gradually quieting down.

Wei Dayong set up a simple command room in the main hall of Zhongzhai and spread out a map to study the surrounding terrain.

Before I knew it, I was busy until the wee hours of the morning, and only then did I lie down on the chair fully clothed and close my eyes for a while.

The next morning, as dawn was breaking.

Wei Dayong suddenly opened his eyes.

It turned out to be the "Autumn Cicada's First Awareness" skill issuing a warning.

Wei Dayong immediately sat up and activated his "See in All Directions" skill.

Information about the terrain and people within a five-kilometer radius clearly appeared in his mind.

On the mountain road northeast of Qingfeng Village, a Japanese army unit was advancing towards the village.

He counted carefully and found that the enemy numbered around 180, which was equivalent to a company.

They formed two columns and trudged along the mountain path with great difficulty.

The mountain road was rugged and steep, with many sections only wide enough for one person to pass sideways. Therefore, this unit did not carry infantry guns or heavy machine guns. Each soldier carried only a rifle and a light machine gun, with their ammunition boxes bulging.

A Japanese officer walked in the middle of the column, with a sword at his waist and a Nambu pistol in his hand.

His military boots slipped on the gravel, causing him to nearly fall several times, all the while cursing under his breath.

Wei Dayong immediately stood up and shouted, "Ma Feng! Zheng Dali!"

The two men rushed in from outside: "Battalion Commander!"

"The sentries outside just returned and reported that a Japanese force of about a company is heading this way. They have no heavy weapons, only lightly armed infantry. They are expected to arrive at the gate in about an hour."

Without blinking, Wei Dayong revealed the intelligence under the pretext of a report from a hidden sentry.

Anyway, he was the one who set up the hidden sentries, so nobody knows exactly how many sentries there are or where they are located.

"Quickly! Tell everyone to pack their things! Prepare for battle!"

Ma Feng and Zheng Dali's expressions hardened, and they turned around to relay the order.

Immediately, hurried footsteps and shouts echoed through the village.

Soldiers rushed out of the various courtyards, grabbed their weapons, and ran to their designated battle positions.

Wang Xiao strode up the stockade wall and stood beside Wei Dayong.

"Battalion Commander, everything is arranged. The first company is guarding the front wall, and the second company is in the arrow towers and bunkers on both sides. All three machine guns are set up and have ample ammunition."

Wei Dayong nodded: "Tell the brothers to change out of their military uniforms and dress like bandits. We are now the bandits of Qingfeng Village, not a regular army."

Wang Xiao chuckled: "Understood! Let the Japanese think we're a rabble, then catch them off guard when they get close!"

He turned and ran down the stockade wall to deliver the order.

The soldiers took off their military jackets and put on the bandit clothes they had captured.

Zhou Quanheng ran up to Wei Dayong and asked in a low voice, "Battalion Commander, the headquarters and fortifications are all ready. When can we use them?"

"No rush," Wei Dayong said. "When the Japanese devils get close, we'll deal with them with our weapons first. When they think we're easy to bully and rush to the foot of the stockade wall, we'll teach them a lesson."

Zhou Quanheng responded and ran back to the control room.

Time passed little by little.

The sun peeked over the mountain ridge, and the mist in the valley began to dissipate.

The footsteps of the Japanese platoon were getting closer and closer.

They finally appeared on the mountain road in front of the village gate, in a scattered formation.

The Japanese company commander was a short, stocky man in his forties with a dark red face, a small mustache, and sinister, fierce eyes.

His surname was Yamaguchi, and his given name was Masao Yamaguchi. He was known in the Japanese army for his fierce fighting skills.

Masao Yamaguchi, panting heavily, looked up at the walls of Qingfeng Village.

The tall bluestone stockade was deserted, with only a few tattered flags fluttering lazily in the wind.

The village gate was tightly closed, and it was quiet.

Masao Yamaguchi snorted coldly: "This place really is a godforsaken mountain village."

A squad leader beside him leaned in and said, "Squad leader, should we send someone to scout ahead?"

Masao Yamaguchi waved his hand: "No need. What decent defenses could a bandit's den have?"

He straightened his uniform, drew his command sword, pointed at the gate of the stronghold, and roared, "Everyone, prepare for battle! We'll wipe out all the bandits!"

The Japanese soldiers scattered in a flash, seeking cover on the spot and aiming their guns at the stockade wall.

More than 180 rifles and three light machine guns were simultaneously aimed at the gate.

Yamaguchi Masao seemed to remember something again, and somewhat reluctantly summoned a translator, pointing to the gate of the stockade and saying, "Go, bring that man surnamed Chen up here. Let him go in first to persuade them to surrender. If these bandits know what's good for them and surrender obediently, the Locust Army might spare their lives."

The translator bowed and scraped as he ran to the back of the line.

A short while later, a man dressed in a bandit's short jacket was brought over by two Japanese soldiers.

This man is Chen Er.

He was a minor leader in Qingfeng Village. A few days ago, he led a few men down the mountain to rob something, but they encountered a Japanese patrol on the way. Some of the bandits died, and others fled, but he was captured alive.

When the Japanese army interrogated him, they learned that he was from Qingfeng Village, so they forced him to lead the way to attack the village.

Chen Er's face was ashen, and his legs were trembling.

"Tai...Taijun..."

Yamaguchi Masao patted him on the shoulder and said with a forced smile, "Chen-san, you go in and persuade them to surrender. Get your chieftain to lay down his weapons and open the gates. The Locust Army will reward you handsomely."

Chen Er nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, yes! I'll go! I'll go!"

He staggered toward the village gate, his heart pounding.

The soldiers on the stockade saw him and raised their guns.

Wang Xiao lowered his voice and ordered, "Don't fire! Let him come closer! The battalion commander said we should lure the Japanese devils to the foot of the stockade wall before we attack!"

The soldiers released the triggers, but the muzzles of their guns remained firmly locked on Chen Er.

When Chen Er reached the gate of the village, his legs were shaking so badly he could barely stand.

He shouted at the top of his lungs toward the stockade wall, "Brothers! Brothers! It's me! Chen Er! Open the gate! I have important military intelligence!"

A voice responded from the stockade wall: "Chen Er? Didn't you go down the mountain to rob things? Why are you back alone?"

Chen Er swallowed hard, his voice weak: "Something's happened! Something terrible has happened! Open the door and let me in!"

There was silence on the stockade wall for a moment, then the small gate of the stockade gate opened.

Chen Er plunged inside.

He was stunned as soon as he entered the village gate.

The courtyard was full of people, all holding guns, with the muzzles pointed at him.

Chen Er's heart skipped a beat, and cold sweat poured down his forehead.

He didn't know any of these people.

No, there are a few familiar faces, but they are not from Qingfeng Village, they are from Heiyun Village!

He glanced around and saw Zhao Liugen sitting on a stone stool next to him, looking at him with a grin.

"You...you all..." Chen Er stammered, unable to speak.

Zhao Liugen stood up, limped over to him, and grinned.

"Chen Er, you've gotten thinner in just a few days. Did the Japanese devils not feed you?"

Chen Er's face turned deathly pale: "Zhao Liugen! What are you doing here! Isn't this Qingfeng Village? Where's the leader? Where's the second leader? Where's the third leader?"

Zhao Liugen gestured towards the Hall of Gathering Righteousness: "They're all inside, they've been cold for several hours."

Chen Er's legs went weak, and he almost collapsed to the ground.

Two soldiers grabbed him and dragged him into the Hall of Righteousness.

Inside the Hall of Righteousness, Wei Dayong sat on a tiger-skin chair, legs crossed, a blade of grass dangling from his mouth, looking every bit the carefree bandit.

Wang Xiao and Zhou Huaiyuan stood on either side of him, arms crossed, staring coldly at Chen Er.

Chen Er was thrown to the ground. He looked up and saw Wei Dayong, and was stunned.

“Who…who are you?”

Wei Dayong spat out the grass stems and sat up straight.

"Me? My nickname is Mountain Eagle, and I am the third leader of Black Cloud Stronghold. Entrusted by Chief Liu Bao, from today onwards, Qingfeng Stronghold is under my control."

Chen Er's eyes widened in disbelief: "The chief will hand over the stronghold to you? Are you kidding me!"

Zhao Liugen kicked him from behind: "Liu Bao took Zhao Wanhe and Qian Gui to the Western Paradise to obtain the scriptures. They left in a hurry and didn't have time to inform you."

Chen Er was completely dumbfounded.

His lips trembled, and it took him a long time to squeeze out a sentence: "Black Cloud Stronghold...Black Cloud Stronghold swallowed up Qingfeng Stronghold?"

"This isn't called swallowing up, it's called a powerful alliance, growing bigger and stronger, and creating new glories!" Wei Dayong said calmly. "Alright, you know the situation in the village. Now tell me, was it you who led the Japanese devils here?"

Chen Er's eyes darted around, and suddenly he straightened his back.

He cleared his throat and raised his voice.

"Zuo Shandiao! The Locust Army asked me to pass on a message to you!"

Chen Er tried hard to imitate Yamaguchi Masao's tone, but his voice trembled and he lacked confidence.

"If you surrender to the Locust Army, I guarantee you wealth and honor! You'll be rolling in gold! If you dare to resist, the Locust Army will break through the stronghold and leave no one alive!"

After hearing this, Wei Dayong burst into laughter.

The people around him laughed along, and the laughter echoed in the Hall of Righteousness.

Chen Er was stunned by the laughter.

Wei Dayong stopped laughing and stared at Chen Er with a cold gaze.

"Chen Er, Chen Er, you're a Chinese man, acting as a mouthpiece for the Japanese devils, and you even say it with such righteous indignation. Have you lost your conscience?"

Chen Er's face flushed red: "Zuo Shandiao, don't be ungrateful! There are over 180 Locust Army soldiers outside. Your small force can't possibly hold them off! If you know what's good for you, surrender now, or else when the Locust Army attacks—"

He felt offended. Before the Locust Army came, you looked down on me. After the Locust Army came, you still looked down on me. Did the Locust Army come for nothing?