Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 148 Planning for Supplies

"You two, come to my office to talk." After saying that, Tang Weiguo turned and left. Bi Shoucai and Zhang Haoshan followed behind Tang Weiguo toward the office. After a few steps, they arrived at the office.

"Please sit down. There's water on the table. Help yourself if you want some."

"Commander, what's the matter? Is there another mission for us to carry out?" Zhang Haoshan asked. He knew that Tang Weiguo wouldn't leave him behind for no reason; there must be another mission for him.

"Sit down first, don't just stand there. There aren't so many rules in my office," Tang Weiguo gestured for Zhang Haoshan to sit down. Bi Shoucai, on the other hand, found a comfortable place to sit as soon as he came in, and thoughtfully brought Tang Weiguo a glass of water.

So Zhang Haoshan sat down, and Bi Shoucai also brought him a glass of water.

"There's nothing else this time, it's mainly about your trip to the Second War Zone Command. I need to explain a few things to you," Tang Weiguo said after taking a sip of water.

"Commander, please speak." Zhang Haotian sat up straight and listened attentively.

"Do you know Staff Officer Chu from the theater command?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"I know, Staff Officer Chu, his full name is Chu Yunlong. I had contact with him before when I was at the Taiyuan headquarters, but we didn't have much of a relationship."

"However, he orchestrated this recruitment of our militia, and he personally arranged for us to join him. I feel that he is very resourceful."

“He’s about my age, but he’s shrewd and calculating, and he’s very shrewd in his work. He often gives advice to Commander Yan and is highly regarded by him. He’s someone who can speak for himself in the war zone. However, there are rumors that he has some moral shortcomings and is a bit greedy.” Zhang Haoshan told him what he knew.

"It's good that you love money; it means you can solve problems with money," Tang Weiguo said with a smile. Tang Weiguo had already sent Li Qukou to investigate Chu Yunlong's situation, and the information was basically the same as what Zhang Haoshan had said.

"Deputy Regiment Commander Zhang, there's something you didn't mention: Chu Yunlong can interfere in the logistics management of the Jin-Sui Army." Tang Weiguo had obtained this information through Tang Ming. After all, Tang Ming was very knowledgeable about military supplies.

"Oh, I didn't know that. Then this person's role must be very important. Logistics is a lucrative position." Zhang Haoshan was quite surprised to hear this news from Tang Weiguo. Even he didn't know this, which showed that Tang Weiguo had been investigating Chu Yunlong's whereabouts for a long time.

"So, the main reason I asked you to stay here this time is to give you an important task. When you go to the theater command this time, try to get in touch with Staff Officer Chu. Our regiment's supplies depend on his efforts."

"Commander, I'll try my best, but I can't guarantee success. After all, I used to be in the Sichuan Army, not one of their own." Zhang Haoshan hesitated for a moment, but still agreed. After all, he used to be in the Sichuan Army, and they didn't treat him well.

"You don't need to worry about that. I've already thought it through for you. This time, as the deputy commander, you'll mainly be responsible for 'knocking on doors,' and the rest will be handled by Director Bi," Tang Weiguo said with a smile.

"With Director Bi around, there's definitely no problem." Hearing Tang Weiguo say this, Zhang Haoshan relaxed. Bi Shoucai was a very shrewd and capable person in the militia.

"I'm leaving the matter of dealing with them to you, Bi Shoucai. This time, you'd better show me your abilities."

"Yes."

"If you two go this time, bring back everything they can provide: any supplies, weapons, ammunition, medicine, personnel, etc."

"Yes, Captain."

"Bi Shoucai, when you go to the war zone headquarters this time, please take me to visit Director Tang Ming of the 30th Army's Quartermaster Department. Keep this letter safe. When you see him, give him the letter and then just follow his instructions."

After Tang Weiguo finished speaking, he got up and went to his desk. He took out a sealed letter from the drawer and handed it to Bi Shoucai.

"Yes, I guarantee I will complete the mission." Bi Shoucai took the letter from Tang Weiguo and carefully put it in his pocket.

"By the way, Bi Shoucai, after you go back this time, sort out all the damaged weapons and command swords that we recently captured from the Japanese, and have the reconnaissance battalion take them with them when you go to the war zone headquarters this time."

"Yes, Commander, but what should we do with these old weapons and equipment?" Bi Shoucai asked.

"After you meet Tang Ming, he will tell you how to handle it. These old Japanese equipment represent military merits. They are things that money can't buy, but these things can."

"Remember, these things cannot be sold cheaply. Don't use these military merits to exchange for ordinary guns. You need to find a way to exchange them for anti-aircraft machine guns, mountain guns, medicines, and other supplies that are hard for us to obtain."

"Yes, I noted it down."

"By the way, Bi Shoucai, when you go to visit Chu Yunlong this time, please bring him the command sword that we captured from the Japanese officer."

"Yes, Captain."

"Okay, that's all I have to say. Is there anything else you need to ask?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"Commander, there's a problem we need to consider: how to transport the supplies we've harvested," Bi Shoucai asked.

"Don't worry about that. The reconnaissance battalion is going with you this time. One reason is to protect your safety, and the other reason is to find out the Japanese defenses along the way and open up a safe transport route from Wolong Mountain to the rear. In this way, we can ensure a continuous supply of materials from the rear in the future," Tang Weiguo explained.

“That’s great!”

Bi Shoucai said with a smile. Recently, due to the Japanese army's further strengthening of control over the occupied areas, it has become increasingly difficult for Bi Shoucai to procure supplies from outside. If a safe transportation route to the rear could be opened up, it would greatly ensure the logistical supply of the militia.

"These next few days, you two should focus on what you're doing and set off as soon as possible. Also, Bi Shoucai, come to me before you leave, and I'll give you the funds needed for this event."

"Yes," Bi Shoucai replied.

"Alright, it's getting late. If there's nothing else, you should go back and get some rest."

"That's all, Commander. We'll take our leave now." With that, Shoucai and his companion departed.

"Sigh, I wonder if it'll be easy to fleece the Second War Zone." Tang Weiguo thought to himself as he watched the two leave.