Chapter Fifty-One The First Meeting

  When Tang Qiuli led the team into the base along the secret path, what surprised him was that the members of the command system who had returned to the base earlier were waiting for them at the entrance of the secret path. Liu Tienan and Feng Jiwu stood at attention with a "slap", "Commander!" The standard military demeanor, the people behind also followed suit, but not as standardized as they did.

  Seeing his surprised eyes, Qiū Shēng told him that actually, when they just arrived at the foot of the mountain, they had already been discovered by the lookout sentry and reported to the leader on duty. After careful observation, everyone recognized that it was Táng Qiū, so there was a welcoming scene at the entrance of the cave; otherwise, even if they had reached the entrance of the cave, they wouldn't have been allowed in.

  In just ten short days, the base's defense is already so formal?

  It's all thanks to Liu Tiehan. After arriving at the base, he didn't hesitate to put in hard work, thoroughly scouting out every hill and cave entrance. After discussing with Qiu Sheng and Feng Ji Wu, they set up observation posts in corresponding locations, each equipped with a pair of binoculars. If there was any movement at the foot of the mountain, it would be impossible to escape their notice. To put it simply, even if a rabbit ran by, they'd be able to see what color its fur was! After all, he's a graduate of a military academy, and his military training isn't just for show!

  Tang Qiuli deeply thanked him, holding Liu Tiehan's hand. "Chief of Staff, you've worked hard!" He also shook hands with Feng Jiwu, Wang Xu, Zhang Quan and Qiuquan, this was the team's leadership, it felt like welcoming leaders to inspect the troops in his previous life, but this time the leader was himself, he had a dazed feeling.

  When he got to Xiaoling, it was no longer a handshake, but a grab, and with both hands, almost pulling Xiaoling into his arms. Fortunately, he restrained himself due to the occasion. How could he not be excited?

  Everyone burst out laughing at the sight of Tang Qiuli's anxious appearance, and it seems that our commander has some skills! Little Ling was made to blush with a pink face, feeling a bit embarrassed.

  Back at the base, I immediately felt the change in climate. Outside was icy and snowy, with biting winds, while inside it was warm like early summer, with green trees and lush grass. What a stark contrast between indoors and outdoors!

  As soon as they entered the base, it was even more incredible. On the playground, 610 team members were lined up in formation. As soon as they saw them coming in, a thunderous applause erupted, and the scene was extremely enthusiastic.

  Tang Qiuli is still okay, but Shan Hu and the others have never seen such an array before, they don't know how to take a step forward, touching the back of their heads, they just know "heh heh" foolishly smiling, not looking like triumphant returning warriors at all.

  It wasn't easy for the applause to stop, and Shan Hu and the others had beads of sweat on their faces. On one hand, it was hot in the base, and they were still wearing winter clothes. On the other hand, this scene was so intense that it made them nervous and excited, adding to the heat, it would be strange if they didn't sweat.

  Liu Tiehan ran up to Tang Qiuli in a standard military posture, "Commander, please review the troops!" "Huh! There's still this program, it seems that Liu Tiehan, Feng Jiwu and Autumn Brother have put in a lot of effort!" Tang Qiuli secretly praised.

  He reviewed the troops with Liu Tienan, Feng Jiwu and Qiusheng. In just ten days of training, the appearance of the team members was greatly different, especially the new recruits. Good nutrition and a warm climate had transformed them from their pale and thin state in the gold mine to being full of energy and spirit. Most of these team members had experienced the baptism of war, and over 600 people stood in unison, exuding an aura that sent shivers down Tang Qiudan's spine, leaving him deeply invigorated.

  He walked from the head of the team to the end, and then from the end to the head, carefully observing each soldier, using his eyes to communicate silently with them. Every time his eyes met those of a team member, that member would straighten their already upright body even further. He was very satisfied with the performance and morale of the soldiers.

  What made him feel not quite satisfied was that the warriors' uniforms were not uniform, varied and diverse, it seemed that they had to solve the problem of the troops' uniforms, also there were not many members with weapons, which was also a problem.

  After the team disbanded, Tang Qiuli had a meal and didn't have time to rest. He immediately convened a meeting with attendees including Qiu Sheng, Liu Tiehan, Qiu Quan, Feng Ji Wu, Shan Hu, Wang Xu, Zhang Quan, Xiao Ling, and all the leaders of the Blood Hand Gang.

  Upon closer inspection, it's quite interesting. In terms of age, there is a clear distinction, ranging from 16 years old to over 40 years old, forming a command team that combines the middle-aged, young and juvenile.

  This was also the first plenary meeting of the Blood Hand Gang. At the meeting, Tang Qiuli reported on the battle situation at Frozen Dead Mountain. Except for Shān Hǔ and Qiū Quán, everyone else who heard it was shocked, especially Liú Tiěhàn and Féng Jìwǔ, who simply couldn't believe that these twenty-one people had completely annihilated a Japanese reinforced battalion of over 700 men.

  Both of them have personally experienced the "September 18th Incident", let alone a strong enemy battalion, even an enemy company with over a hundred men can defeat a Northeast Army brigade and make it flee in disarray.

  So, they were shocked and had a deep respect for him. Although the commander was only 16 years old, he wasn't a simple person, but rather someone with great military talent. Originally, they had a slight sense of superiority in their hearts, being from a regular army background and military school, but now compared to the commander, they fell far short. Not to mention other things, just his boldness and courage surpassed theirs by a lot. Putting themselves in his shoes, if this combat mission were placed on them, they wouldn't dare fight. The only way out would be to avoid it from afar and try to shake off the enemy.

  As for annihilating an entire Japanese reinforced battalion without suffering a single casualty, that is indeed a superb command art, precise judgment of the battlefield situation and proper grasp of the timing of battle, in order to achieve such results, I wouldn't even dare think about it!

  Wang Xu and Zhang Quan had a different feeling, Wang Xu was tortured inhumanely in the Japanese prison, making him feel that his personality and dignity were greatly insulted. He had a deep hatred for the devils, and from the perspective of an intellectual, he felt that this war of annihilation was to take back the dignity for the Chinese people.

  Zhang Quan felt a sense of relief, the Japanese had killed his own son right in front of him, and he personally felt powerless to avenge his son. Today, hearing that the commander-in-chief had eliminated so many Japanese, he felt that the pent-up anger that had been suppressed in his heart for so long was finally alleviated.

  Through this battle, Tang Qiuli firmly established his prestige in the hearts of the four men. Later, during Tang Qiuli's years of conquest, Liu Tiehan and Feng Jiwei followed him with loyalty and learned new things from him, eventually becoming a powerful and bloodthirsty general. Wang Xu and Zhang Quan tied their fate to the Anti-Japanese Blood Hand Team, playing to their strengths and abilities, and became Tang Qiuli's most trusted assistants.

  Qiu Sheng, Qiu Quan and Shan Hu didn't have any thoughts about it, thinking that this was how things should be, Xiao Qiu had such skills, winning the battle was a matter of course.

  Xiao Ling felt another kind of feeling, the person she loved had gained everyone's respect and admiration, making her small heart feel extremely proud. Every time Tang Qiuli, that little rascal, was able to give people a different surprise, so her eyes were filled with happy little stars, gazing at Tang Qiuli's eyes, the warmth could melt people.

  Everyone's feelings are different, and they are all sorting out their own thoughts. For a moment, the venue is quiet.

  Tang Qiu broke the silence in the meeting room, "Don't worship me, I'm just a legend." In a good mood, he made a joke and didn't care if the leaders understood it or not. He continued to study how to obtain equipment.

  Everyone looks at me, I look at you, the conductor is really powerful, and the words are shocking. However, what does this sentence mean? A brain full of mush, don't understand. Later when no one is around, secretly ask, it's said that after this sentence became a popular phrase among the Blood Hand Gang.

  It was finally decided that Tang Qiuli, Liu Tiehan and Shan Hu would lead 400 troops to rush to the frozen mountain to pick up equipment as soon as possible. They would set out early tomorrow morning. Feng Ji Wu and Qiu Sheng would stay at the base to continue training the troops.

  Then Wang Xu talked about the problem of ordnance production, now the most important thing is the lack of equipment and skilled technicians. First, we can set up an ammunition factory, which is urgently needed at present. It seems that he has a good grasp of military industrial production and lists out a detailed list of required equipment. Tang Qiuli specifically instructed Wang Xu to focus on studying the bullets needed for the crossbow, requiring the bullet volume to be suitable for crossbow launch and the explosive force to be as large as possible. Wang Xu scratched his head, looking somewhat difficult, but under Tang Qiuli's inspiration, he seemed to have some confidence.

  Zhang Quan mentioned the logistics problem, he had already handed over to Qiu Sheng, Tang Qiu is now a wealthy man with a lot of money. However, when it comes to the logistics supply issue, Zhang Quan was somewhat worried, more than 600 people, daily food and oil salt are not a small amount, the supplies transported in advance still have about 20 days of inventory, I'm afraid it won't last long.

  Tang Qiuli reassured Zhang Quan not to worry about this matter, he would take care of it. Everyone looked at him suspiciously, wondering if he had another bad idea again?

  Tang Qiu gave a deep and mysterious smile, but didn't explain. He asked Zhang Quan again, "There's still so much wasteland in the base, why not make use of it?"

  After he said that, Zhang Quan suddenly enlightened, yes, this place is spring all year round, and crops can be planted one after another. There are 300 or 400 mu of wasteland in the mountain valley that can be reclaimed, planting high-yielding crops, and vegetables can also be planted. Raising pigs and chickens can also be started, isn't it self-sufficient? Thinking of this, he stood up excitedly, wanting to arrange, but suddenly remembered that the meeting was not over yet, and sat down again, feeling a little embarrassed, being over 40 years old, why still like a child.

  Qiu Quan took the reconnaissance team members, tomorrow also followed the main force to set out, they are going to investigate the situation in San Cha River and Songzhou City, focusing on the enemy's strength and defense deployment in San Cha River and the situation of the Japanese pine joint team in Songzhou City, and try to collect as much intelligence as possible from all aspects.

  Xiao Ling led the female members of the direct team, focusing on learning how to rescue and treat wounded soldiers on the battlefield. In future battles, it was inevitable that there would be casualties among the soldiers, so Xiao Ling's responsibilities were also very heavy.

  After arranging specific things, it was already late, and everyone went to rest early after finishing dinner. There were still arduous tasks waiting for them tomorrow.

  Tang Qiuluo dragged his tired body, and Liu Tienan finished checking the post together, returned to their living quarters, which was a cave. Xiao Ling had been waiting for him inside. Since entering the base, Xiao Ling had been sleeping with him, but nothing had happened so far! Mainly because there hadn't been an opportunity!

  He exchanged greetings with Xiaoling, then dived into bed, really too tired. In a daze, he felt a fiery, soft body slipping into his arms. Subconsciously, he knew it was Xiaoling and held her tightly. In the elegant fragrance of the girl's body, his body and nerves completely relaxed, and soon fell into a deep sleep.

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