Chapter 69: Expansion of the Second Battalion

  Expanded Second Regiment

  After the celebration banquet, Yun Xiang Tian gathered Huang Min and Qi Guo together. Yun Xiang Tian said: "Big brother, I want to ask you for a person. It's not that I'm afraid you won't give him to me, it's just that I'm afraid he won't come. Can you help me do some work?"

  Huang Min asked: "For a person, who is it? Who can make you take a liking to him, that's his good fortune, and he will be willing to follow you?"

  "Is Sanlian Chang Tianye, what do you think?" Yunxiang Tian smiled at Huang Min and said: "Tianye is quick-witted, has a plan, has the courage to take risks, and has extremely strong command ability. I want to give him Cui Dongsheng's first company and the newly recruited puppet army, reorganize the Ligei Big Team's new second battalion, and garrison Lingfeng with big brother, what do you think?"

  Huang Min furrowed his brow and said, "The idea is a good one, but Tian Ye has always been proud and self-important, looking down on most people. However, I think he does have some respect for you, so I'll give it a try."

  Qiguo curled his lip and said: "He looks down on the Eighth Route Army the most, saying that the Eighth Route Army is a bandit gang, just doing some petty theft, can't take to the big stage, can't fight in formation, only knows how to hide in the mountains and play hide-and-seek with the little devils, can't become a big shot. I think it's pointless to say anything."

  Yun Xiang Tian said: "Why not invite him over to try? I think he really has a passion for killing the enemy. Besides, you've all become the Eighth Route Army, how can you still look down on the Eighth Route Army? The Eighth Route Army penetrates deep into the enemy's rear to open up a base area, and the base area is not won by fighting, but was given by the little devils?"

  Qizhou touched his shoulder badge and said: "But we're still wearing National Army uniforms. We haven't joined the Eighth Route yet?"

  Huang Min said: "What's the big deal about wearing National Army uniforms? In the National Army's sequence, our 2nd battalion has already been eliminated. I think as long as we can kill the devils, and not let the common people scold us for being useless with guns, it doesn't matter who we follow, whether it's the National Army or the Communist Party. Besides, we've all boarded this 'pirate ship' of Yun Xiang Tian, can we still get off?" He shouted towards the door: "Orderly, ask the 3rd company commander to come over."

  Tian Ye stepped forward and saluted Yun Xiang Tian, saying: "Lieutenant Colonel Tian Ye of the newly formed First Battalion, Third Company of the Lethal Ghost Brigade has arrived under orders. Please instruct me, Commander Yun."

  Tian Ye's loud shout of the newly formed First Battalion of the Lethal Ghost Special Forces made Yun Xiang Tian's heart skip a beat. Yun Xiang Tian also returned a neat and tidy military salute, saying: "Captain Tian, please sit down and talk, there are some things I'd like to ask for your guidance on, is that okay?"

  Tian Ye still stood there and said: "I don't know what instructions Officer Yun has, but wherever there is a place that can be used by the subordinate, the subordinate will not refuse even if he dies."

  Qiguo leaned back and sighed, saying: "We are all brothers of the same family, why be so polite? It seems that we have been separated for a long time. Why don't we sit down and talk instead? Wouldn't it be better if we were more familiar with each other?"

  Tianye's face suddenly turned bright red, and he said awkwardly: "I don't dare, I don't dare, I..."

  Yun Xiang grabbed him and said, "Tian Lianchang, you look younger than me, from now on I'll be your big brother, and you can call me that, how about we address each other as brothers?"

  Tian Ye said hesitantly: "I, I, isn't this not right? You're a superior and I wouldn't dare to be presumptuous."

  Yun Xiangtian pressed him onto the stool, then smiled and said: "Tian brother, let's not be polite anymore. Big Brother really has something to ask you for guidance. If you're so polite, I'll feel embarrassed to ask."

  Tianye's face turned red as he smiled shyly and said: "Elder brother, is there something you want to say?"

  Next to him, Qi Guo said with a sarcastic tone: "Hey, is this right? Your own brother should be like this. If you were like this before, we wouldn't have ostracized you..." He suddenly thought of something and asked: "Wait, no way! You used to think highly of yourself, never hung out with us common soldiers, and looked down on the Eighth Route Army the most. Why are you being so polite to them today? Did you catch a cold last night?"

  Tianye's face turned red again, and he said elegantly: "I'm afraid I've made a fool of myself in front of Vice General Zhen. As a mere scholar, I don't dare to aspire to be on the same level as all of you heroes, so I can only admire from afar. As for Officer Yun, his refined and elegant demeanor is extraordinary, therefore..."

  "Go, go, go! You're still a bookworm, aren't you? On the battlefield, wielding a big knife and more ferocious than a wolf, as if you could swallow those little devils alive. Still a bookworm? Looking down on us rough men, do you think you can look down on us? Your cleverness is boundless, always able to seize opportunities and achieve great merits. What's the point of looking down on us? I just don't understand why you show such respect to this scoundrel from the Eighth Route Army?"

  Huang Min smiled and said, "Alright, alright, don't think too much about it. He Yunxiang will recite incantations to confuse Tian Lianchang's mind. Aren't you also willing to be manipulated by him?"

  Yun Xiang Tian smiled bitterly and shook his head, saying: "Deputy Commander Qi, don't listen to Huang's nonsense. It's not me who can recite incantations, it's our conscience that can recite incantations. Our conscience has given us the incantation of 'Expel the Japanese invaders, return my rivers and mountains'. Think about it, isn't that so?"

  Tian Ye looked at Yun Xiang Tian with an excited expression on his face. Yun Xiang Tian's calm words had a profound impact on his heart, and he blocked Qi Guo's confused and questioning look, saying: "Big Brother Yun, what did you call me here for?"

  Yun Xiang Tian Ji said seriously, "Tian younger brother, this time in the battle we captured a batch of fake soldiers, they are free and disorderly, unable to form effective combat power. I'm afraid that in the battle they will not be able to play a role, and may even flee in fear, affecting other soldiers. Hearing Huang camp commander's introduction, you have a good way with troops, I'd like to hear your opinion."

  Tian Ye thought for a moment and said: "Yun Ge, you're definitely better at leading troops than I am. Why bother letting me be in charge? Isn't this just making fun of me?"

  Yun Xiang Tian said seriously: "Tian Lao Di, I'm being serious, sincerely asking for your advice, hoping you won't decline."

  The fields looked at the heavy face of Yun Xiangtian and also became serious. He said: "In the puppet army, there are some people who were captured by the little devils, some were armed forces that were trapped and surrendered when they ran out of food, and some were mixed in to make a living. It is not excluded that there are also some die-hard traitors inside. In other words, there are only a few people who really want to sell their lives for the devils. When they don't fight, they bully the common people with their might, but when they really fight, they think of saving their own lives first. If you really want to recruit them, you must let them know the law of survival on the battlefield, let them know how the little devils trained Chinese soldiers in bayonet fighting, and how they killed my compatriots, insulted my sisters, occupied our rivers and mountains, and looted our mineral resources. Then, incorporate them into regular training, let them unite and gather strength, only when everyone is united can we defeat the stubborn enemy."

  "Marvelous, truly marvelous! Your words have hit the nail on the head. You're indeed a scholar, and your insight is impressive. I, old Qi, am thoroughly convinced. It's not that you look down on us, but rather, you've got substance inside. I must say, I'm impressed!"

  Yun Xiang Tian nodded in admiration and said: "Not bad, that's really the case. Tian Lao Di, I want to ask for your help, how about taking on a heavy responsibility?"

  Tian Ye raised an eyebrow and said: "Big brother wants me to train these captives? I'm afraid little brother's words are light and he can't bear the heavy trust."

  Yun Xiang Tian stood up solemnly and said: "Lieutenant Colonel Tian Ye of the newly formed 1st Battalion, 3rd Company of the Lethal Ghost Brigade, listen to orders. Comrade Tian Ye is appointed as the acting commander of the newly formed 2nd Battalion of the Lethal Ghost Brigade, effective immediately, taking over the command of the newly formed 1st Company under Cui Dongsheng and the captured pseudo-military personnel, strengthening military training, and coordinating with the newly formed 1st Battalion to defend Lingfeng.

  Tian Ye hesitated for a moment, took a deep breath and said: "Yes, thank you, Officer Yun, for your cultivation. Tian will definitely do his best and die without regret."

  Yun Xiang Tian smiled and said, "Director Tian, you still maintain the style of the National Army, but now that you've joined the Eighth Route Army, let's dispense with the formalities. Brothers who have been through life and death on the battlefield don't need to be polite. The appointment of Director Huang will come down soon. I'll report your situation to the military sub-district immediately, and I believe your official appointment won't take too long either."

  Qiguo chuckled and said: "Alas, we weren't careful, and now we've all fallen into this kid's trap. We're all 'thieves' now, and there's no getting out of it."

  Huang Min let out a sigh of relief and said: "Yes, we've finally taken the right path. The common people will no longer scold us as 'fleeing troops'."

  Since Tianye took over as the commander of the Second Regiment of the Lügui Brigade, in just a few days, he turned the scattered and disorganized training of the Second Regiment into an orderly and meticulous one. He also set up a new recruit reception station to encourage young people with passion to join the army and defend their homes and country.

  Yun Xiang Tian saw all of this and knew that he had found the right person. Just as he was feeling pleased with himself, a terrible piece of news arrived: the little devils had massacred Peach Blossom Ridge.