Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 57 Eight Groups of Visitors

Tang Weiguo was completely unaware that the militia had been exposed to the Japanese. At that moment, he was at the regimental headquarters discussing with Li Qukou how to organize the militia's intelligence capabilities. Just then, a communications soldier ran in and reported to Tang Weiguo:

"Commander, Commander, the old steward sent someone to say that several Eighth Route Army soldiers have come to the house and specifically want to see you. The old steward wants us to ask how to respond to them?"

"By the way, one of them said he knew Battalion Commander Tang Xiaohu, and that he was Zhou Zhengbiao, the battalion commander of the Eighth Route Army's Independent Regiment. They had worked together when they attacked Zhao Jiahe last time."

"Oh, I understand. You can go now. Oh, and call Tang Xiaohu over here," Tang Weiguo ordered.

"Yes, Captain."

"Oh, is this the Eighth Route Army team that Xiao Hu mentioned encountering last time?" Li Qukou said.

"Their battalion commander introduced himself as Tang Zheng Biao, so there's no mistake. Speaking of which, Tang Xiao Hu even gave them over 100 guns," Tang Weiguo said with a smile.

“It is said that the Eighth Route Army’s weapons and equipment are too poor, but they are genuinely fighting the Japanese. I support Xiao Hu’s actions,” Li Qukou said in agreement.

"Haha, Xiaohu did this on my instructions. He wouldn't dare to do it without my permission."

"Haha, that's right, Tang Xiaohu is your staunch follower."

"You make me sound like a bad guy." Tang Weiguo rolled his eyes at Li Qukou. Just as the two were talking, Tang Xiaohu walked in.

"Commander, you called me? Oh, you need to be here to drive out the enemy!"

"I happen to have something to ask you. I mean, could you keep a few of those guys in our camp for me? I really cherish them," Tang Xiaohu said to Li Qukou.

“Those young men are clever and have the makings of intelligence work. They can be of greater use to me. Besides, you’re an old man, so you don’t need a few more.”

"Look at my intelligence unit, it's just been set up, and there aren't many people here. Have pity on me, brother, and give my intelligence unit a few more people."

"Good heavens, not only did I fail to protect one person, but I also lost several more. This is unacceptable." Tang Xiaohu shook his head as he listened.

“Then I’ll compromise and take the ones I’ve chosen,” Li Qukou said with a smile.

"So all my words to you were wasted because I failed to protect one of them?"

"Alright, Xiao Hu, it's all for fighting the Japanese. They're all militia soldiers. Besides, we used your soldiers to drive out the invaders, so we still have to owe you a favor." Tang Weiguo chuckled from the side.

"By the way, what did you want to see me about, Commander?" Tang Xiaohu asked.

"Was it the Eighth Route Army unit you encountered when you attacked Zhao Jiahe last time?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"I know, that Eighth Route Army team was poorly equipped, yet they still dared to launch a night raid on the Japanese garrison. Their courage is commendable. If we hadn't also attacked the Japanese, that Eighth Route Army team would have been in grave danger. The Japanese fighting power is no joke."

"By the way, Commander, as you instructed, I also gave the puppet troops their weapons. I've already told you about this."

"By the way, Captain, why did you suddenly bring this up?" Tang Xiaohu asked with a puzzled look.

"Uncle Tang just sent a message saying that several Eighth Route Army soldiers came to our house looking for us. One of them said his name was Zhou Zheng Biao."

"Oh, so it's them who came. I told them our location. Is the commander and his men here on business?"

"As the saying goes, no one visits the temple without a reason. You must have something to discuss with us. Let's go down the mountain together and meet you," Tang Weiguo said.

"okay."

"Messenger, prepare three horses."

"Yes, Captain."

Before long, Tang Weiguo and his two companions rode their horses at full speed toward Tangjia Town.

At that moment, the old butler was entertaining these people in the living room.

"Commander Li, please wait a moment. I have already sent someone to inform Wei Guo and the others."

"Steward Tang, you're too kind. I was afraid that we roughnecks would disturb your peaceful place."

"Not at all, not at all. We're all guests here. Besides, you're all part of the anti-Japanese force. We're too busy welcoming you. Commander Li, please have some hot tea to warm yourself up in this cold weather."

"Thank you, old housekeeper."

While the old steward was having tea with the group, Tang Weiguo arrived at the Tang residence in Tangjia Town.

"Uncle Tang, I'm back. Where are the guests?" Tang Weiguo called out from the doorway.

"Dad, I'm back too." After Tang Xiaohu tied up the horse, the three of them walked towards the living room.

As soon as Tang Weiguo entered the living room, he saw three men in worn military uniforms. The one in the middle was older, weathered but still spirited, clearly a veteran of many battles. It was obvious he was the commander of the Independent Regiment. The two men beside him were slightly younger, equally energetic. The older one was likely Zhou Zheng-biao, the battalion commander Tang Xiaohu had mentioned.

Sure enough, Tang Xiaohu walked over to him and said, "Battalion Commander Zhou, we meet again."

Just as Tang Weiguo was sizing them up, Li Yunfei was also observing them. Li Yunfei's first impression of them was their youth; they looked to be only in their early twenties, but there was a hint of ruthlessness in their eyes, suggesting they had all been on the battlefield.

"It feels like three autumns have passed since we last met, Battalion Commander Tang," Zhou Zhengbiao replied.

"Let me introduce you. This is Li Yunfei, the commander of our Independent Regiment, and next to him is his bodyguard, Li Dapeng," Zhou Zhengbiao said.

"The name Li Yunfei sounds familiar." Tang Weiguo recalled a series of images flashing through his mind after hearing the name.

"Commander Li, hello. Let me introduce you. Next to me is Tang Weiguo, the commander of our militia, and next to him is Li Qukou." When introducing Li Qukou, Tang Xiaohu did not state his position, after all, the intelligence department was still very sensitive.

"Commander Tang, what a young hero! If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would have thought he was some old landlord. I never imagined Commander Tang was so young." Li Yunfei said with a look of surprise.

"Thank you for your kind words, Commander Li. Please have a seat, everyone, and let's chat while we drink." Aunt Tang served tea to Tang Weiguo and the other two, then left with the old housekeeper.

"I wonder what brings Commander Li here today?" Tang Weiguo asked bluntly. He didn't believe that the commander of an independent regiment was only here to have tea with him.

"Since Commander Tang has spoken, I, Old Li, will not hide anything like a young woman. The first thing I want to do is thank you for the weapons and equipment you provided to our First Battalion," Li Yunfei said.

"Commander Li, you're too kind. This was originally something that Battalion Commander Zhou and the others should have accepted. They've been a great help to us."

"We still need to thank Commander Tang a lot. Our Independent Regiment will take this favor into consideration," Li Yunfei said with a smile.

"The main reason for my visit is the second matter, Commander Tang. Are you interested in the Japanese military train that's transporting weapons?" After saying that, Li Yunfei picked up his tea and took a sip.