Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 154 Tang Ming's Arrangements

The day after arriving in the county town where the Second War Zone Command was located, Zhang Haoshan hurriedly went to visit Staff Officer Chu, only to be turned away that very day. Meanwhile, Bi Shoucai went to see Director Tang Ming as usual.

"Your name is Bi Shoucai?" Tang Ming asked.

"Yes, Director Tang, I am also in charge of logistics in the militia. This time, the commander specifically instructed me to make sure I pay a visit to you. This is a letter that our commander asked me to give you, as well as some local specialties from my hometown."

After Bi Shoucai finished speaking, he respectfully placed Tang Weiguo's handwritten letter and a small wooden box on Tang Ming's desk. Tang Ming took the letter, read it, and then spoke.

"I understand what your regimental commander told me. Where are those Japanese weapons and equipment mentioned in the letter?"

"Replying to Director Tang, we are all currently in a certain place outside the city, waiting to follow Director Tang's instructions."

"Okay, put it outside the city first, then wait for my news."

"Yes."

Where are you living now?

"We are staying at the Chunlai Inn."

"Okay, I'll send someone to let you know as soon as I have news."

"Yes."

"I've heard you guys have made quite a stir in the county town recently, and the Japanese have suffered another loss," Tang Ming said with a smile.

"Director Tang is indeed well-informed. We came here specifically to report this matter to the Second War Zone Command. Although we caused such a commotion, our regiment also suffered heavy casualties and needs to be replenished with a large number of personnel, weapons and ammunition."

"That's why the regimental commander sent us to the war zone headquarters this time, hoping that Commander Yan would provide more support to our anti-Japanese independent militia."

"The staff officer Chu Yunlong that you contacted?"

"Yes."

After receiving Bi Shoucai's reply, Tang Ming thought to himself that he had indeed found Chu Yunlong. Tang Weiguo had asked him to inquire about Chu Yunlong last time, so he had paid more attention to him.

"Everything has been prepared for him?"

"Everything is ready as the commander instructed." Bi Shoucai knew immediately that Tang Ming was referring to the gold bars.

"How was it? Did you see him?" Tang Ming asked.

"To be honest, Director Tang, I didn't see him today."

"Haha, Chief of Staff Chu isn't so easy to meet. Let me put in a good word for you, and you can go tomorrow afternoon," Tang Ming said with a smile.

"In that case, thank you very much, Director Tang," Bi Shoucai said gratefully.

"You are all under Uncle Tang's command, there's no need to be so polite."

"Knock, knock, knock." Tang Ming heard a knock on the door outside.

"Director Tang, please go ahead with your work. I'll take my leave now and visit you again when I have time," Bi Shoucai said upon hearing the knock on the door.

“I can’t stay idle all day. Okay, then you go back first and wait for my news.” Tang Ming stood up and said.

"Yes." Bi Shoucai then got up and left.

"What is it?" Tang Ming asked his trusted confidant, Xiao Wang.

"Chief, someone from the 43rd Army just came to me. They said the 68th Brigade introduced us and said we can get the Japanese equipment."

"Hehehe, those people are really well-informed. I didn't even need to look for them; they came to me instead," Tang Ming said with a laugh.

"Director, what should we do?"

"Why not take advantage of a business that's offered to you?" Tang Ming said with a smile.

"It just so happens that Tang Weiguo sent people over. They have acquired another batch of damaged Japanese equipment and want me to help them deal with it. This opportunity has come knocking on my door."

"Director, your nephew is truly a member of the Tang family. He's got a knack for fighting the Japanese. I just heard from the intelligence department that the Japanese suffered quite a loss at Wolong Mountain." Xiao Wang subtly flattered Tang Ming.

"According to the intelligence officer who was listening in, the Japanese soldiers at the Taiyuan headquarters cursed the Japanese battalion commander at Wolong Mountain like he was a grandson."

"This is a good thing! We can't keep being bullied by the Japanese. Look where they've chased us! If we retreat any further, we'll be south of the Yellow River!"

"Shame on you!"

"You're right, Director."

“Since my nephew is fighting so hard against the Japanese on the front lines, I, as his uncle, must do my best to help him.”

"Go back and contact them, ask them if they have any urgently needed supplies such as anti-aircraft machine guns, mountain guns, machine guns, and medicine. They certainly don't lack ordinary rifles."

“Tell them we have it, but they have to exchange it for these things,” Tang Ming said after a moment of thought.

"Yes, I'll do it right away."

"If they don't have connections, you can try contacting other military units. This is the real bargaining chip."

"Yes."

"Take care of this matter as soon as possible."

"Yes, is there anything else the section chief needs to handle?"

"By the way, could you please book a private room at Dingxianglou for me the night after tomorrow?"

"Yes." After saying that, Xiao Wang went out and carefully closed the door for Tang Ming.

"Let me think of what else my nephew needs," Tang Ming thought to himself.

"Okay, by the way, I should contact Chu Yunlong." After thinking for a moment, Tang Ming picked up the phone on the table and pressed the button.

"Hello, connect me to Staff Officer Chu Yunlong from the theater command."

A moment later, Chu Yunlong's voice came through the phone.

"Hello, this is Chu Yunlong."

"Brother Yunlong, long time no see! This is Tang Ming," Tang Ming said with a smile into the phone.

"So it's Brother Tang Ming. I've been so busy lately that I haven't had time to visit you. Please forgive me," Chu Yunlong said politely.

"I don't come here unless I need something, but I happen to have something to ask you."

"Haha, Brother Tang, you're too kind. Just tell me what you need, and I'll do whatever I can to help."

"It's nothing serious. My nephew sent someone to visit you, but he was turned away at your door."

"What! How could this happen? How come I didn't know! My guards must be blind. I'll give them a good talking to when I get back."

Chu Yunlong pretended not to know, but he actually knew all along that Zhang Haoshan had arrived at the Second War Zone Command headquarters.

"No, no, that's why I came over to ask in advance to schedule a time for them to visit you."

“My nephew has been talking about you a lot, thanking you for helping them get into the regular army.”

"Haha, it's nothing. I'm free tomorrow, so we can meet up."

"Okay, let's arrange it for tomorrow afternoon. I'll have them pay you a visit."

"no problem."

"By the way, my nephew from the Tang family brought some local specialties from home this time, as a special gift for you. Please be sure to accept them."

"We're all brothers, no need to be so polite. Since Brother Tang has said so, I'll accept it without hesitation."

"Brother Chu, you're too kind."

"Then I'll wait for their visit tomorrow afternoon."

"it is good."

"Brother Chu, I have booked a room at Dingxiang Restaurant for the night after tomorrow. I would be honored if you would do me the honor of joining me."

"Brother Tang, you're too kind."

"Okay." Tang Ming hung up the phone after saying that.