Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 241 Armory

"Very good." Tang Weiguo nodded in satisfaction, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

"Finally, there's one more thing I'd like to report to everyone regarding something provided by the intelligence department." Tang Weiguo's expression turned serious.

"According to the latest report from the intelligence department, a large number of suspicious individuals have recently been active near Wolong Mountain. It is currently impossible to determine which of these individuals were sent by the Nationalist government and which were sent by the Japanese."

The atmosphere in the meeting room immediately became tense. Tang Weiguo continued, "Therefore, everyone must pay special attention to confidentiality when you return. If any suspicious persons are discovered, you must immediately contact the Intelligence Department for unified handling. No one is allowed to act on their own, so as not to alert the enemy."

"Yes, brigade commander," the crowd replied in unison.

"According to reliable intelligence from the war zone intelligence office, the Japanese army may be planning an assassination attempt against our brigade. My primary target is myself, but we cannot rule out the possibility that they will target other department heads."

These words immediately sparked a murmur of discussion in the conference room. Zhang Haoshan frowned and said, "It seems the Japanese can't defeat us head-on, so they're resorting to underhanded tactics."

"Therefore, after this meeting, especially the commanders of each unit, you should send some people from the guard units to the intelligence department for training to raise awareness of guarding against Japanese and puppet spies."

He turned to the head of the intelligence department and said, "The specific training work will be handled by Comrade Li Qukou." "The specific training work will be personally planned by Li Qukou."

"Yes, Brigade Commander," Li Qukou replied, standing up.

"Brigade Commander, you must be extra careful." Chu Yu couldn't help but worry when she heard that there were spies trying to assassinate Tang Weiguo.

Tang Weiguo gave a reassuring smile: "Thank you for your concern, Dean Chu. The intelligence department has made thorough arrangements for my security."

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes. "I'm not afraid of the Japanese coming; I'm afraid they won't come."

"Then I'm relieved." Chu Yu's tightly furrowed brows finally relaxed.

Tang Weiguo glanced at his watch: "It's getting late, almost eleven o'clock. Everyone should go back and rest early. Tomorrow we'll officially begin the new reorganization plan!"

"Yes."

Everyone stood up and went back to their rooms to rest.

Silent all night.

The next morning, at exactly six o'clock, the reveille pierced the morning mist, instantly waking the silent military camp. The shouts of the various units beginning their morning exercises rose and fell, and the mess halls began preparing breakfast for everyone.

After breakfast, Tang Dazhuang and his two companions bid farewell to Tang Weiguo, as they were returning to their military base to oversee operations there.

"Dazhuang, Debao, Liansheng," Tang Weiguo patted the three men on the shoulders, "You have a very important mission going back this time. You need to reorganize the troops and guard against Japanese and puppet troops' attacks. You must proceed steadily and surely."

"Don't worry, Brigade Commander. This time, we've gone from battalion commanders to regimental commanders, and we're all full of energy now!" Tang Dazhuang said with a smile.

"Yes, Brigade Commander, we'll definitely restore the troops' combat effectiveness as soon as we get back. The three of us have decided to have a competition to see who can develop their troops to the planned size first," Zhou Liansheng chimed in.

"Brigade Commander, just wait for our good news."

"Great, I love your drive," Tang Weiguo said with a smile.

"Brigade Commander, we'll be going now."

"Well, have a nice trip."

After saying that, Tang Dazhuang and the other two led their guards toward their respective posts. Tang Weiguo stood at the entrance of the military camp, quietly watching the three leave in the distance.

After the three men disappeared from sight, Tang Weiguo returned to the military camp to begin his work.

On his way back to the office, Tang Weiguo stopped by the logistics department. As soon as he arrived at the warehouse, he saw the soldiers busy at work. The soldiers of the logistics transport regiment were moving batches of weapons and ammunition to the munitions storage warehouse, with shouts and the sounds of moving things filling the air.

"Brigade Commander, what brings you here?" Bi Shoucai, who was directing from a distance, rushed over when he saw Tang Weiguo approaching, beads of sweat glistening on his forehead in the sunlight.

"I just happened to be passing by, so I thought I'd stop by and see how the transport of the weapons we captured is going?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"Brigade Commander, by tomorrow we'll be able to organize and store all the weapons and ammunition."

"It's faster than I expected!" Tang Weiguo exclaimed in surprise.

"Brigade Commander, this is all thanks to the Eighth Route Army Independent Regiment. Should we ask them to send someone to assist with the transportation? This batch of ammunition will take another three or four days to be transported."

"Brigade Commander, the supplies we captured this time are not enough for our four ammunition depots. I contacted the engineering regiment and had two temporary ammunition depots built for them in an emergency." Bi Shoucai's eyes lit up as he said this.

"Commander, you haven't seen it yet, have you? Come on, I'll show you."

"That's exactly what I was thinking," Tang Weiguo said with a smile. "I also want to see our spoils of war with my own eyes."

After saying that, Tang Weiguo followed Bi Shoucai toward the storage depot that was already full of weapons.

The arms depot was located in a karst cave inside the Wolong Mountain military camp. Bi Shoucai led Tang Weiguo through three lines of defense to reach the arms depot.

Then, Bi Shouchai took out the key and opened the gate. After entering, Bi Shouchai turned on the light switch next to the gate, and the light came on. The previously dark armory was instantly illuminated.

The original huge underground cavern has been transformed into a neat array of three-story, one-person-high ammunition storage racks, densely packed with military crates, creating a spectacular sight.

"Brigade Commander, the supplies here are enough to support the ammunition needs of an entire brigade for a week of continuous combat."

Tang Weiguo touched the wooden ammunition crate on top of the sign with satisfaction. Then he casually opened it, and the smell of gun oil wafted out. Inside, five brand-new Type 38 rifles were neatly arranged.

"We won't panic if we have a gun and bullets in our hands." Tang Weiguo fiddled with the rifle in his hand.

“Yes, brigade commander, in chaotic times, nothing can bring people a greater sense of security than these.” Bi Shoucai nodded in agreement.

"Very good, I'm very relieved to have you in charge of the logistics department." Tang Weiguo clapped his hands and said after putting the gun in the wooden box.

"Thank you for your trust, Brigade Commander. I will definitely continue to work hard and safeguard the logistics department for you."

After the inspection, the two walked out of the warehouse. The bright sunlight shone on their faces, and Tang Weiguo suddenly remembered something:

"By the way, how's the handover of your work going?"

"The handover with the deputy director is basically complete. Tomorrow, Deputy Brigade Commander Zhang and I will depart for the Second War Zone Headquarters."

"Good, your troops are swift, the sooner the better."

"Yes."

"By the way, there's one more thing I need to ask you. When will we receive the batch of equipment that we commissioned Tang Ming to purchase last time?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"Brigade Commander, that batch of equipment has reached the vicinity of Wolong Mountain, but due to the impact of the Japanese attack, it is hidden in a village near Wolong Mountain. After the battle, I sent a company of men to meet them."

"I just received their message this morning that this batch of equipment will be transported to the regimental headquarters the day after tomorrow."

"Yes, you can take over this task. It needs to be handed over to the arsenal as soon as possible. With this batch of equipment, our arsenal's output will double."

"Yes, brigade commander, I will definitely give the instructions."