After Xiao Yun used the entire 8th Route Army as his shield, the Jin-Sui Army Colonel didn’t dare to gamble on whether Xiao Yun’s words were true or not.
After all, although the possibility of the 8th Route Army operating in the Shuizhou area was small, it was not impossible.
While occupying a big city made it easier to be attacked by the Japanese, if they could withstand the pressure and establish a foothold, the speed of development would be many times faster than being stuck in the mountains.
This was also why Yan Lao Xi was confident that after establishing a foothold in Shuizhou, he could quickly expand his 40,000 remaining troops to 100,000.
Faced with this event with a certain probability, the Jin-Sui Army Colonel dared not gamble, nor could he gamble.
Therefore, knowing that the situation was beyond the scope of the authorization given by Yan Lao Xi before departure, he immediately requested to use the 399th Brigade's radio to contact Yan Lao Xi.
This request was naturally agreed upon by Xiao Yun and Wang Yan, they were happy to throw this hot potato of Shuizhou to Yan Lao Xi, who was already blinded by the immediate benefits, in exchange for some other benefits.
Naturally, it’s necessary to communicate with the real boss and apply for greater authority, right?
..........................
Soon, the Jin-Sui Army Colonel used the 399th Brigade’s radio to contact Yan Lao Xi.
Of course, he used the Jin-Sui Army’s exclusive encrypted communication.
The Jin-Sui Army and the 8th Route Army were only nominally allied, who wasn’t secretly wary of the other?
Especially since he was currently using the 399th Brigade’s radio, he had to be extra cautious.
.....................
At the Second War Zone Commander’s Headquarters, Yan Lao Xi received the encrypted telegram from the Jin-Sui Army Colonel, and couldn’t help but jump up and curse at Xiao Yun’s audacity.
However, Yan Lao Xi, who desperately wanted to establish a foothold in the Shuizhou area, gain more territory and expand his forces, could only hold his nose and accept it.
Like the Jin-Sui Army Colonel, he dared not gamble on the possibility of the 8th Route Army not occupying Shuizhou City.
Rather than clinging to the seven counties he had left, it was better to go all-in.
To gamble on whether he could establish a foothold in Shuizhou and rebuild his army to 100,000.
With 100,000 troops at his disposal, even the Japanese would have to consider whether it was worth fighting him!
Yan Lao Xi, who had always been cautious and always thought three steps ahead, had lost most of his territory in a short period of time since the outbreak of the war, even surrendering most of the Taiyuan Arsenal to the Japanese.
Now, stimulated by the big piece of fat that was Shuizhou, Yan Lao Xi no longer wanted to hesitate.
All-in!
He followed!
It was just 300 skilled workers from the Taiyuan Arsenal, he, Yan Lao Xi, could afford it!
Yan Lao Xi, with a pained heart, sent a telegram.
He ordered the Jin-Sui Army Colonel, representing him, to agree to this condition as the price for the entire Shuizhou area.
Yan Lao Xi, who had realized the importance of building industry and promoting education during the Warlord Era, naturally understood the significance of the Arsenal’s skilled workers.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have brought most of the capable and skilled workers with him, even if it meant taking fewer mechanical equipment back then.
Over the years, he had spent real money to support them.
Only when he had no choice would he lay off a few, and even then, he would lay off the less skilled first.
Those who were still eating his rice bowl now were the real skilled backbone of the Taiyuan Arsenal.
Now, he had to hand over 300 of them to the 8th Route Army, who he had always been wary of, how could he not feel heartbroken?
..................................
In the 399th Brigade’s conference room, after receiving Yan Lao Xi’s telegram agreeing to the exchange, the Jin-Sui Army Colonel couldn’t help but sigh in relief.
Under the gaze of Xiao Yun and Wang Yan, he swallowed hard, “Two commanders, our Commander Yan has agreed to your request!”
Xiao Yun nodded, “Then after they are sent over, you can send your troops to garrison the Shuizhou area, remember to be quick, otherwise, I cannot guarantee that the Japanese will not re-occupy Shuizhou during this period!”
Although the possibility was small, Xiao Yun was worried that Yan Lao Xi would play some tricks, he said to the Jin-Sui Army Colonel with a hint of warning.
“Of course, Commander Yan said in his telegram that he is already urging his subordinates to handle this matter, please rest assured, two commanders!”
“Hmm, this is done generously, please convey my regards to your Commander Yan!”
Xiao Yun was not stingy with a slightly better attitude, since Yan Lao Xi was so cooperative.
If this cooperation went smoothly, there would be many more opportunities for cooperation in the future.
When their 399th Brigade became powerful, they would keep the best territories they captured.
The edges, corners, and insignificant places would be sold to Yan Lao Xi at a high price.
When Yan Lao Xi couldn’t hold them and the Japanese took them back, wouldn’t they become the 399th Brigade’s again?