Even if I'm a useless bum at Whampoa Military Academy, I'll be invincible in the War of Re

Zhao Yunwen had already raised his hoe high, but this corner of the wall was really difficult to dig.

Yaoying is a formally established, politically reliable elite unit of the Civil Engineering Department, belonging to the 583rd Regiment of the 98th Division.

In the National Revolutionary Army's military order, a main force regiment was far superior to a security regiment, not to mention that the 98th Division was an elite unit of the Civil Engineering Corps.

Forcibly annexing it is definitely not an option, as it would be taboo, so we have to find another way.

Zhao Yunwen was exceptionally enthusiastic, personally accompanying Yao Zhiqing on a tour of the front lines, revealing all his secrets without holding back.

From individual soldier equipment and firepower configuration to logistical support, Yao Zhiqing's eyes were almost glued to the screen the whole time.

If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed that the unit in front of him was just a security regiment.

"Senior, forgive my bluntness, but even the main force of the adjustment masters might not have your kind of resources, right?!"

No wonder Battalion Commander Zhou was willing to blow up those eight Japanese howitzers in Baoshan. If it were me, I would have gotten them back even at the cost of lives.

Zhao Yunwen feigned annoyance and slapped his thigh:

"Don't even mention it, Zhou Tiancheng is a complete spendthrift!"

Zhiqing, to tell you the truth, these six mountain guns are all original French imports, each costing 60,000 silver dollars, which has cost the Zhao family most of their savings.

When the old man found out, he almost broke my legs!

Yao Zhiqing laughed out loud in a very unkind way, and the barrier between the two of them instantly faded a lot.

In Yao Zhiqing's heart, Zhao Yunwen was not only his senior from the Whampoa Military Academy, but also his and all his brothers' savior.

"This senior sacrificed his family for the country; his spirit should serve as a model for us soldiers."

Zhao Yunwen's expression turned serious, and his tone became solemn:

"Zhiqing, you flatter me. I am not that noble. I simply hate the Japanese pirates."

My greatest wish in this life is to one day lead my troops to conquer the East and trample Mount Fuji.

Yao Zhiqing's heart skipped a beat, and he subconsciously asked:

"Senior, is that really true? Can you really conquer Mount Fuji with a horse?"

In a time of national pessimism and extreme difficulty in even holding one's ground, these words sound like wild talk, but coming from Zhao Yunwen, they inexplicably seem believable.

"Of course it's true."

Zhao Yunwen's gaze was sharp as he stared directly at him:

"However, the strength of one division and one brigade is far from enough."

To accomplish this, we need a group of people who are willing to fight, unafraid of death, and able to work together as one.

He softened his tone slightly and casually tossed out a sentence:

"Zhiqing, you've been with the 98th Division for so long, have you ever thought about who you should follow in the future so that you can truly fight the Japanese to your heart's content, instead of being constrained at every turn and having your hands tied in every battle?"

Yao Zhiqing fell silent instantly.

How could he not have thought of that?

The 98th Division was an elite force, well-equipped and renowned, but it had a strict hierarchy and numerous rules. How to fight a battle, when to withdraw, and who would get the credit were often not up to the front-line battalion commanders.

Moreover, during this breakout from Baoshan, he led his troops out without waiting for orders from his superiors. If he had obediently returned to his post, he would have been punished at best, and at worst, dismissed from his post, leaving his future bleak.

Seeing the changes in his expression, Zhao Yunwen knew that his words had hit the nail on the head, so he didn't urge him and waited quietly.

After a moment, Yao Zhiqing smiled wryly and said:

"Senior, some things are not as I wish to do as I want them to be."

The Third Battalion was under the 98th Division. I was under Division Commander Xia's command. To lead my men to defect without authorization is treason under military law and ingratitude morally. I cannot bear this infamy.

This is a concern, but also a bottom line.

Zhao Yunwen nodded, his tone calm yet his words clear and insightful:

"I understand. I won't force you to do anything against your conscience."

You're worried about how to explain things to your superiors? I'll take care of it for you.

You worry that the brothers have no future following you, so I'll give them a tangible way to make a living.

Yao Zhiqing looked up abruptly, his eyes filled with surprise.

Zhao Yunwen continued:

"What does Commander Chu lack? He lacks equipment, heavy weapons, and fresh troops who can step up."

What am I lacking? I lack backbone personnel capable of fighting tough battles, and I lack trustworthy officers.

You brought these hundred-plus brothers here. It's not considered defection or surrender. It's considered a temporary transfer, reorganization, and joint operation.

I traded equipment with the 98th Division; it saved face for both sides, neither lost out, and neither suffered any infamy.

In short, Yao Zhiqing's biggest concern was completely shattered.

Zhao Yunwen then slowly revealed his conditions:

"Let me be frank from the start, I really can't give you the position of main force battalion commander right now."

However, the position of battalion commander of the supplementary battalion has been vacant, and with your more than one hundred brothers, the number has reached over a thousand.

下辖三个步兵连、一个机炮连，装备6门82毫米迫击炮、9门60毫米迫击炮、8具火箭筒、9挺白朗宁中型机枪，外加一部电台，轻机枪装备到班。」

He paused, then emphasized:

"The military pay is 50% higher than what you received in the 98th Division."

Compensation for injuries or fatalities will be doubled.

Yao Zhiqing's Adam's apple bobbed violently.

It wasn't that he wasn't tempted; it was that he was too tempted.

On one hand, there's the old path of going back, where one might be blamed and have a bleak future;

On one side is a new student invited by his benefactor, well-equipped, and holding real power.

Zhao Yunwen looked at him and added one last sentence:

"I'm keeping you here not because I need a battalion commander, but because I need a brother who dares to fight alongside me to the Japanese."

Yao Zhiqing took a deep breath, and all his struggles, hesitations, and concerns vanished in that instant.

He suddenly straightened his back, his voice firm and resolute:

"Commander! Since you think so highly of me, I'll take the position of supplementary battalion commander! From this day forward, Yao Zhiqing's life belongs to the Second Security Regiment!"

Zhao Yunwen reached out and firmly grasped his hand, his expression excited:

"Zhiqing, welcome to the Second Security Regiment! From now on, we are brothers in arms, guarding our homeland together and killing Japanese pirates together."

As long as the Japanese pirates are not eliminated, this war will not stop!

Yao Zhiqing nodded emphatically, his mind made up and there was no turning back.

"The replenishment battalion is temporarily assigned to the general reserve force and is under your full responsibility."

I'm giving you seven days for intensive training. After seven days, I want the replenishment battalion to have the combat capability to take on an entire Japanese infantry battalion head-on. Do you have the confidence?

"Rest assured, Commander, we guarantee the mission will be completed!"

Yao Zhiqing turned and strode away. Time was of the essence; he needed to gather his men, check their equipment, and get the training underway immediately.

The replenishment battalion was better equipped than a regular Japanese field battalion, with a strength of over a thousand men. This prospect was far better than returning to the 98th Division.

After dealing with Yao Zhiqing, Zhao Yunwen immediately picked up his pen and reported the details of the Battle of Baoshan to the 18th Army headquarters:

In this battle, nearly a thousand Japanese soldiers were killed or wounded, the 68th Regiment's artillery battalion was completely annihilated, the regimental headquarters was severely damaged, and dozens of surviving officers and soldiers from Baoshan were successfully rescued.

A battle in which the enemy lost ground was turned into a major victory, in which the enemy broke out and inflicted heavy losses on them.

After reading the battle report, Army Commander Luo Youqing was greatly encouraged. He immediately set the tone for the battle and then reported the victory to Chen Cixiu and the Military Commission. He also approved the addition of the remnants of the Baoshan breakout to the Second Security Regiment.

In exchange, the credit for the Battle of Baoshan was attributed to the 98th Division, a win-win situation for both sides.

The Military Commission immediately publicized the Baoshan victory to boost morale across the country.

The 98th Division's rebuilt 3rd Battalion was even awarded the honorary title of "Baoshan Battalion," enjoying unparalleled prestige for a time.

Opinions from all sides have been swirling back and forth, each claiming their own merits.

The true heroes who fought to the death in Baoshan have already quietly integrated into the Second Security Regiment, leaving behind their past and finding new life here, awaiting the next bloody battle.