Chapter 6: Senior from Whampoa: Su Changqing, I congratulate you on your fortune!-Guerra de Resistência: Estrela de Huangpu, Subjugando Li Yunlong no Início(As coisas mudaram, e as pessoas também não são mais as mesmas.)

Li Yunlong squatted on the grass, gulping down beef soup while stealing glances in the direction of Su Changqing.

"Smile! Why isn't Commander Su smiling? He looked so happy just a moment ago!"

Li Yunlong, currently hunkered down in the grass, felt a sense of schadenfreude. Although he hailed from the Fourth Front Army and was not personally acquainted with the bespectacled officer, who hadn't heard of such a legendary figure? This "all-rounder" was a treasure to any side he served on. At that time, Li Yunlong couldn't even afford a Zhongzheng rifle; he cherished his Hanyang-made rifle like a precious heirloom. He wouldn't trade it for a Japanese woman, yet that man had been carrying a genuine Zhongzheng rifle for years.

"Deputy Commander, it looks like Commander Su has finally met his match," Shen Quan chuckled. "It’s like the saying goes: everything has its counter. The Division Commander of the First Division is above Commander Su, and you are above him, and..."

"Smack!" Li Yunlong slapped Shen Quan across the forehead.

"You’ve got beef soup in your mouth, can’t you keep it shut? Stop spouting such nonsense... hurry up and finish your meal so you have the strength to keep moving," Li Yunlong scolded in a low voice.

Shen Quan rubbed his forehead, feeling aggrieved. He hadn't said anything wrong, had he? Why couldn't he speak the truth?

On the other side, Su Changqing rubbed his nose. He had been dreading the arrival of the First Division Commander.

"Senior, what kind of wind blew a big shot like you over here?"

"It was that beef soup of yours, you rascal, that lured me over. I was wondering why you turned down the positions of Chief of Staff or Deputy Division Commander of the First Division just to come here and be a regimental commander. So, this is where you’ve been hiding to cook up your own feasts! Damn it, the food really isn't bad."

The bespectacled officer was known for his blunt and heroic nature, and he was famous in the army for being able to get along with anyone. Even the top brass couldn't do much about his personality, let alone Su Changqing. Having served as his deputy in the early years, their relationship was deep. Seeing Su Changqing remain motionless, the officer laughed, pulled out his own bowl and chopsticks, and dug right in.

Su Changqing was stunned. This man’s boldness was truly something else. Not only did he show up uninvited and empty-handed, but he even brought his own utensils. It was clear he was here to scavenge.

***

In no time, the Division Commander finished the beef soup. He grabbed a handful of cooked highland barley flour and chewed it heartily.

"Beef soup with barley flour—this is the life of an immortal. Even if you offered me my division commander position back, I wouldn't want it. No wonder you didn't want to join me; if I were you, I wouldn't want to either. Changqing, should I file a report to have you and the 24th Regiment incorporated into the First Division?"

Su Changqing’s hair stood on end. He waved his hands frantically. "Senior, don't say that. The 24th Regiment only has about a thousand men and isn't even a main-force unit; how could we be worthy of your status? The First Division is the core of our main forces. If I were to drag you down, I’d be a sinner."

Su Changqing knew full well that if he were absorbed into the First Division, he would be stripped of everything. The Division Commander, seeing right through his little schemes, smirked. *You want to muddy the waters and slip away? I came here with a mandate and the authority to act.*

The Division Commander coughed and patted Su Changqing’s shoulder solemnly. "Changqing, congratulations, you’ve struck it rich!"

*Damn it!* Hearing those familiar words, Su Changqing bristled like a frightened cat, nearly jumping up. A sense of impending doom washed over him.

"No, no! It was just luck. With over a thousand mouths to feed in this regiment, the burden is all on me. It’s stressful! Look, I’m almost going bald from the worry." Su Changqing took off his cap to reveal a thick head of hair.

The bespectacled officer’s cheek twitched. He wanted to slap the man. Who on earth thought to transfer this rascal to the 24th Regiment? It was like letting a fish back into the water! His shamelessness was growing by the day.

"Enough nonsense. Leave behind enough rations for your regiment to cross the grasslands, and I’m taking the rest." The Division Commander gave him no room to maneuver.

"What is this, Senior? Are you robbing me? No way! You might as well just shoot me."

"No?" The Division Commander laughed, as if waiting for this exact response. "Attacking the wealthy families in the Aba region without authorization... the superiors are well aware of this. You really are bold, aren't you?"

Su Changqing offered a bitter smile. "Senior, you know that when a general is away from the capital, he must act on his own judgment."

"Forget your 'independent judgment.' Changqing, here is a letter from above. Read it carefully."

Su Changqing took the letter solemnly.

***

"Wait, don't read it just yet," the Division Commander said. "They asked me to see if you had anything you wanted me to bring back. You know they value your opinions."

Su Changqing patted his head, remembering the letter he had prepared. "Senior, you know there are some things I don't want to get involved in. I am just a soldier, and I only know how to lead men into battle. But there is one thing I want to convey: there is a place that is very suitable for us... Also, I believe the Japanese will launch a full-scale invasion of Greater China within two years at the latest. I have some suggestions here as well. I hope you can deliver this letter to the top."

Su Changqing had hesitated for a long time about whether to offer his advice, as some things were difficult to explain. But now, with the support of his system, if he could persuade the leadership to establish a base in the Jin-Cha-Ji region, it would be a massive surprise for the organization in the future.

"Very well, I will take care of this," the Division Commander said, pocketing the letter. "Now, read your letter and study it well."

"Yes, sir." Su Changqing saluted.

By the time he opened the envelope and began to study it, the Division Commander had vanished without a trace. It wasn't until Li Yunlong’s voice rang out that Su Changqing snapped back to reality.

"Commander! Commander! Our home has been raided!"

"What do you mean our home has been raided?"

A confused Su Changqing followed Li Yunlong’s pointing finger, only to see his senior leading a large group of Red Army soldiers away, fully laden with supplies. As the senior noticed Su Changqing looking, he picked up his pace.

"Damn, caught red-handed!" the senior shouted. "Comrades! The wind is howling, retreat!" With a roar, he bolted. Su Changqing was left standing there in a daze, offering a wry smile.

***

Elsewhere, by the dim light of a kerosene lamp, the letter was read over and over again before being held to the flame until it turned to ash.

"So this boy also knows about the north, and the seeds of fire... He is well-informed and thinks deeply; he has provided us with some useful inspiration. Jin-Cha-Ji, Fengbei, the Japanese... What a grand game of chess. If we play it right, we can break out of this desperate situation... The Japanese have not given up on destroying us; we must make preparations early. It seems the Chief of General Staff was right—if this boy is cultivated properly, he will surely become a great strategist..."