“Cannons, where are the cannons?”
Zhang Ji Xian, the artillery company commander, who was leading his artillery company from their previously constructed artillery positions to the battlefield to report the situation to Xiao Yun, immediately became excited.
He quickly reported to Xiao Yun, suppressing his inner excitement, then rushed towards the Japanese truck with a face full of eagerness.
He didn't look like a leader at all, not much different from a newly enlisted recruit.
There was no other way, the Eighth Route Army was too poor, any artillery piece was a precious treasure for them.
Especially Zhang Ji Xian, the artillery company commander, dreamed of capturing more cannons and expanding his company.
Watching Zhang Ji Xian rush away, Xiao Yun shook his head with a smile and turned to Huang Yun, the guard company commander, who was equally excited.
“Let's go, we’ll go take a look!”
Even though he already knew what those cannons were, Xiao Yun still put on a look of anticipation.
..........................
“Commander, Lao Huang, we've struck it rich this time!”
“Six 80-millimeter mortars, along with 300 rounds of ammunition!”
On the Japanese truck, Zhang Ji Xian was touching the barrel of the 80-millimeter mortar, which was a whole circle thicker than the 60-millimeter mortar, his mouth stretching into a wide grin.
His eyes glinted at the crates of shells in the truck bed, his mood was fantastic.
After all, their entire artillery company only had four 60-millimeter mortars and two 80-millimeter mortars.
Even adding the two 60-millimeter mortars Li Yun Long sent over, it was only eight.
Now they had six more, and they were the larger caliber 80-millimeter mortars.
Doubling their arsenal wasn't an exaggeration, it was even a bit conservative.
Although six was two fewer than eight, caliber was king!
Moreover, this time it wasn't just six mortars, but 300 rounds of ammunition as well.
At least for a short time, they wouldn't have to worry about the artillery company's equipment turning into firewood.
“Commander, we've captured so many cannons, the Japanese must be heartbroken!”
Huang Yun, the guard company commander, was also grinning from ear to ear.
Xiao Yun, who already knew the outcome, simply nodded with a smile, then ordered.
“Huang Yun, Zhang Ji Xian, order the soldiers to prioritize sending these mortars back to the base, the other spoils can wait!”
“Yes, Commander!” x2
Both replied in unison, looking at Xiao Yun who appeared much calmer than their wide-eyed, unworldly selves.
They secretly admired him, thinking that he was worthy of being the commander, someone who had seen the world, unlike them, who were like bumpkins who got giddy at the sight of these mortars.
.............................
Soon, the soldiers cleaned the battlefield, taking everything they could carry, even removing a lot of the iron sheets from the trucks.
These raw materials could be collected and sent to the rear factory in exchange for bullets, grenades, and other supplies.
The remaining trucks weren't left for the Japanese, they were blown up with explosives.
When the closest Japanese troops received the news and arrived, all they found were the bodies of Japanese soldiers wearing loincloths scattered across the ground.
And six trucks, blown up and burning fiercely.
“Baka!”
The leading Japanese lieutenant, enraged, drew his sword and slashed at the innocent roadside weeds.
He then led his men towards the nearby Xiao Wang Zhuang village, intending to burn, kill, and loot in retaliation.
However, Xiao Yun, who knew the Japanese beasts' tactics, had already arranged for the soldiers to persuade the villagers of Xiao Wang Zhuang to evacuate the village with their food and valuables, and take shelter in the nearby mountains.
The Japanese, finding themselves empty-handed, ransacked Xiao Wang Zhuang village before setting it ablaze and leaving angrily.
Upon learning of the Japanese departure, the villagers of Xiao Wang Zhuang, with the help of the Eighth Route Army soldiers, extinguished the fire and began rebuilding their homes.
Their hatred for the Japanese grew even stronger, and many young men declared their willingness to join the Eighth Route Army to fight against the Japanese.
................................
“Lao Xiao, this time our 399th Brigade has struck it rich!”
In the command room of the 399th Brigade headquarters in Yan Ao village, Wang Yan, the political commissar, who was in charge of inventorying the captured materials that Xiao Yun brought back, walked in with a smile that wouldn't quit.
“Oh? Tell me about it!”
Xiao Yun sipped his tea, intrigued.
For the sake of quickly clearing the battlefield, many of the spoils were not inventoried until they were brought back to the base.
Besides the six 80-millimeter mortars and 300 rounds of ammunition he personally placed, along with the standard weapons and equipment of the Japanese transport squad, he didn't know exactly how much loot he had brought back.