Chapter 418 Difficult Mission
Niu Yuanxiang explained to Chang Yongxiang with a smile.

Listen to orders, not announcements.

We in Xiaohuangshan recognize the leadership of your Guo Party, but in actual actions, we still only listen to ourselves.

The Communist Party can give us orders, but whether to do them or not and how to do them is our own business in Xiaohuangshan.

The Guo Party wanted to recruit them by offering supplies, and Xiao Huangshan didn’t mind just putting a figurehead on the list, as long as the Guo Party wasn’t afraid of them rebelling.

Why not take something that’s given for free? We’ll take all the supplies and ignore any orders.

Seeing that Chang Yongxiang understood, Niu Yuanxiang said, “I will send a telegram to ask for the organization’s opinion. If nothing unexpected happens, the organization will agree with us doing this.”

Xiao Huangshan has not formally joined the organization, so he has much more freedom accordingly. Moreover, now is a period of cooperation between the two parties, and the organization also uses the name of Guo Army.

Near Xiaohuangshan Mountain.

He Rongtang and his men temporarily stayed in a civilian’s home and waited.

They gave money and were outnumbered, so the common people naturally didn’t want to get into trouble and gave up their houses.

He Rongtang brought three men with him, but no guns.

The main purpose was to run errands. Even if He Rongtang brought more people, he could never be a match for the Xiaohuangshan bandits.

The task assigned by his superiors was too difficult, and they asked him to come over to discuss it in person. Boss Dai wanted to show his sincerity, but it ended up making life difficult for He Rongtang.

He Rongtang came here this time specifically to give it a try.

Niu Yuanxiang has been developing in Xiaohuangshan for such a long time, and countless people on the mountain have been won over by the Red Party. It is not so easy to suddenly recruit them.

He Rongtang was completely confused.

In this matter, He Rongtang must ensure his own safety first.

He prepared secret sentries on the mountain road and planned his retreat route. When he found out that people on Xiaohuang Mountain wanted to capture him, he retreated immediately.

He Rongtang was sitting in the house worrying. Half a day had passed and there was no movement on the mountain.

There was no reply, and no one from Xiaohuangshan came down to look for him.

He Rongtang even suspected that the sentry at Xiaohuangshan had embezzled the gold bar and the letter was never delivered to Chang Yongxiang.

After all, they are bandits, so this possibility is not impossible.

“Dong dong dong.”

The men outside knocked on the door and reported, “Stationmaster, someone from Xiaohuangshan came down with a message.”

He Rongtang let him in, took the reply letter and opened it to read.

What caught He Rongtang’s eyes was the signature, which made him smile bitterly.

“Niu Yuanxiang wrote this for me.”

Niu Yuanxiang is the second in command of Xiaohuangshan and Chang Yongxiang’s military advisor, so there is naturally no problem for him to write for him.

But this means that Niu Yuanxiang has also read the letter.

The only possibility that He Rongtang had in mind for successful recruitment was that Chang Yongxiang was attracted by the large number of chips he offered.

After being moved, she agreed without telling Niu Yuanxiang.

After all, Niu Yuanxiang is an outsider and has such a great reputation in Xiaohuangshan, Chang Yongxiang may not be willing to accept it.

In that case, Chang Yongxiang would read the letter alone, and He Rongtang would have a greater chance of persuading him.

But Niu Yuanxiang’s ghostwriting directly eliminated this possibility.

The relationship between the two could not be bad. It is even possible that Niu Yuanxiang has already come to power and the letter was sent directly to Niu Yuanxiang.

Although He Rongtang felt that there was no hope, he still patiently watched on.

“We are honored to receive a letter from Stationmaster He in person. However, the people on our mountain are used to being free and undisciplined, so it is difficult for us to agree directly. We would like to invite Stationmaster He to come up the mountain to discuss the details.”

He Rongtang was filled with alarm. Although the letter was polite, it also contained a request, and he had no choice but to do so.

But why was Niu Yuanxiang’s reply like this?

Although it is a cooperation now, the real relationship is clear to both parties.

The Red Party has always hated the Guo Party, especially their spies, who have the worst reputation in the Red Party.

He Rongtang began to suspect that Niu Yuanxiang was trying to trick him into arresting him, but he could not give up even if there was even a slight possibility.

But it is impossible to go up the mountain. It is easy to go up but difficult to go down. Once he is on the mountain, he no longer has the final say.

He Rongtang hurriedly wrote another letter, saying that he had been having difficulty walking recently and asked if Niu Yuanxiang and Chang Yongxiang could come down the mountain to discuss the matter.

It was handed over to the messenger sent from Xiaohuangshan for delivery.

He Rongtang returned to the house, rubbed his temples, and analyzed the situation for a long time.

There was something very wrong with Niu Yuanxiang agreeing so easily. There must be something fishy going on.

In He Rongtang’s impression, the Red Party members were all tough guys who were unwilling to speak even when tortured in the interrogation room, let alone rebel.

It would be extremely difficult for the Guo Party to bribe a few soldiers in the Red Party to serve as spies.

Niu Yuanxiang took great pains to conquer Xiaohuangshan, so it is impossible for him to be loyal to the Guo Party.

This may be done in order to catch him, or it may be for some other purpose.

It depends on whether Niu Yuanxiang is willing to go down the mountain and how many people he will bring with him.

On the mountain, Niu Yuanxiang laughed out loud after reading He Rongtang’s letter. He naturally knew that He Rongtang could not come to the mountain.

Niu Yuanxiang was just using the opportunity of arguing with him to discuss things with the organization.

The higher-ups have agreed to his request and asked him to obtain as much supplies as possible.

In the future, we must maintain closer contact with the organization and report in real time.

Niu Yuanxiang pulled Chang Yongxiang and said, “Boss, that guy doesn’t dare to come up. Let’s go down and meet him.”

Niu Yuanxiang and his companion did not bring any of their men with them, implying that He Rongtang did not dare to go up the mountain.

In fact, there are secret sentries all over Xiaohuangshan, and even if He Rongtang suddenly attacks, he will not pose any threat to them.

Upon hearing his men report that Chang Yongxiang and He Rongtang had gone down the mountain, He Rongtang hurriedly asked his men to clean up the house.

It was impossible for the two of them to come down the mountain to capture him, but He Rongtang also understood that he was being underestimated.

“Come and sit inside, both of you.”

The two men came to the door of He Rongtang’s house, and He Rongtang greeted them.

Chang Yongxiang was the first to clasp his fists and say, “Stationmaster He, I am Chang Yongxiang, the boss of Xiaohuangshan, and I have admired you for a long time…”

Chang Yongxiang immediately returned the contents of He Rongtang’s letter to him.

“This is my military advisor Niu Yuanxiang from Xiao Huangshan. He is much more educated than a bandit like me. I ask the military advisor to help me discuss this. I hope Stationmaster He doesn’t mind.”

After saying this, he sat down and said no more.

The idea was all thought up by Niu Yuanxiang, he was just here for show.

How to request supplies specifically depends on Niu Yuanxiang, and he just listens from the side.

He Rongtang had a headache, so he waved his hand and invited Niu Yuanxiang to take a seat. He said, “I heard that General Niu led the Japanese army to defeat several times in Xiaohuangshan. I have admired him for a long time. General Niu, please take a seat.”

He Rongtang asked his men to take out what they had written in advance and hand it to Niu Yuanxiang.

“The Military Control Commission has always attached great importance to Xiaohuangshan. This time, Boss Dai personally ordered me to come and negotiate. This is the condition for joining. I hope the military advisor will review it.” He Rongtang added, “The Military Control Commission is willing to give Xiaohuangshan 400 rifles, 50,000 rounds of bullets, four light machine guns, two heavy machine guns, as well as food, cloth and cotton clothes according to the military standard for each person.”

“Xiao Huangshan will be renamed the Loyal and Patriotic Army Independent Regiment. You will be the commander and deputy commander. In addition, someone from above will be assigned to be the chief of staff and one hundred officers to supervise the training.”

Niu Yuanxiang took a look and thought that the conditions were actually very good.

But Xiaohuangshan is different now. After defeating the Japanese twice, they have made a name for themselves, so naturally their reputation is rising.

These can no longer satisfy Niu Yuanxiang’s appetite.

As for them having to arrange more than a hundred people, that is even more impossible.

Niu Yuanxiang smiled, pushed the document back and shook his head, saying, “The Guo Party is extremely rich, but I am really disappointed after seeing you today. As for the Chief of Staff, Xiao Huangshan is not needed. If we can defeat the devils three times in a row, we can defeat them a fourth time.”

Chang Yongxiang also fanned the flames and said, “Stationmaster He, are you making fun of us?”

He Rongtang narrowed his eyes. Boss Dai gave him a little more indicators than these. He thought about lowering the price first, but he didn’t report too much less.

But it is necessary to station people in Xiaohuangshan, otherwise these weapons will be given away for nothing?
I didn’t expect the two of them to react so strongly.

He Rongtang explained, “Didn’t you two come down here to discuss this? These are just verbal decisions from above. If you are not satisfied, I can fight for it, but the adaptation must be done according to what we said.”

What’s the point of just wanting a title?

Even if they cannot completely pull Xiaohuangshan over, they must place their people there. This is He Rongtang’s bottom line.

Boss Dai said that if Xiao Huangshan was willing to join the Loyalty and Patriotic Army, he would be under the dual leadership of the Loyalty and Patriotic Army and the Wuhan Station in the future.

When the time comes, he will be able to give orders to Xiao Huangshan if he has any problems.

“I didn’t expect that Boss Dai only cared so much. Stationmaster He has been in Wuhan and knows the situation in our Little Huangshan very well. If that’s the case, there’s no need for us to talk.”

Niu Yuanxiang knew clearly what the Guo Party was going to do and did not mention the matter of a staff officer again.

Niu Yuanxiang stared at He Rongtang and continued, “We have never been short of supplies since we robbed the enemy’s transport team. Stationmaster He gave us less than what we won in a single battle, and you want to get rid of us?”

Chang Yongxiang then said, “Stationmaster He, if you are sincere, then let’s use the spoils we seized from the Japanese invaders as the standard.”

This was what Niu Yuanxiang told him. No matter how much He Rongtang said to give, just ask for more, preferably several times more.

He Rongtang suddenly felt a headache. Xiaohuangshan killed several thousand Japanese and puppet troops this time.

There must be at least two thousand guns, and there should not be many bullets and cannons, but overall, it is at least three or four times the standard he gave.

The higher-ups would definitely not agree to such an outrageous request.

This is not just a regiment, it’s almost a brigade. What does Xiao Huangshan want to do?

He Rongtang smiled bitterly and said, “You two think too highly of me. I know you want to get supplies for Xiaohuang Mountain, but what you want is too much and unrealistic. The higher-ups will not agree to it.”

He Rongtang took out another piece of paper and put it on the table, then said to the two men, “I came here with great sincerity. This is the highest target that Boss Dai has given me. If it doesn’t work, I can only report back to Boss Dai and ask him to send someone to negotiate with you.”

He Rongtang’s strategy of retreating in order to advance is indeed a good one.

There are less than a thousand people in Xiaohuangshan. If they had not defeated the Japanese and gained fame, Boss Dai would not have cared so much about these few people.

Niu Yuanxiang looked at the contents on the paper.

This was a telegram. He Rongtang had communicated with the headquarters in advance. They understood that it was impossible to incorporate Xiaohuangshan.

Some benefit must be given.

There are indeed many benefits, including 600 Zhongzheng rifles, 80,000 rounds of bullets, four light machine guns, two heavy machine guns, and two mortars.

He Rongtang spoke again, but his tone was not so friendly. “You see, this is the arrangement from above. You should also know that Boss Dai doesn’t like bargaining. This is all I can give you.”

Niu Yuanxiang smiled. He naturally understood He Rongtang’s hint, but he didn’t take it to heart.

They are not afraid even if the Guo Party comes directly to encircle and suppress them. Anyway, the Japanese will not stop until they are wiped out. Xiao Huangshan does not mind having one more Guo Party.

“At least double the first time, otherwise these supplies will be meaningless to Xiaohuangshan now.”

“You can place additional personnel, but no more than ten people, and they can’t be useless people who just want to eat and wait for death. Otherwise, we have the right to drive them back. Xiao Huangshan has elite troops.”

After listening to this, He Rongtang looked directly at Niu Yuanxiang and took a deep breath.

“Okay, I’ll try my best. This is just one time. I can’t guarantee whether it will work or not.”

He Rongtang had no choice as he was under pressure from the mission. If Xiao Huangshan didn’t want to see him, that was fine.

Chang Yongxiang and Niu Yuanxiang met him, but if he couldn’t reach an agreement, he would have to take full responsibility.

As for Boss Dai, he will try to persuade him.

He knew best what Boss Dai wanted. Boss Dai wanted fame. Once he successfully took over Xiaohuangshan, the credit for the two previous defeats of the Japanese would belong to him.

To Boss Dai, these reputations are very important.

Secondly, if Xiaohuangshan can continue to make achievements against the Japanese in the future, it will all be thanks to Boss Dai.

It even makes Boss Dai feel confident among the top leaders of the Fruit Party.

If you persuade them well, there is great hope of success.

He Rongtang is very smart. Niu Yuanxiang is willing to come. It is obvious that they want to get benefits from Guo Jun.

One wants fame, the other wants benefits. Once the conditions are agreed upon, it is easy to succeed.

Of course, He Rongtang was very clear that incorporating the troops did not mean that they would completely control Xiaohuangshan.

They couldn’t even give any real orders to Xiao Huangshan.

But it doesn’t matter. Xiao Huangshan is fighting against the Japanese after all. As long as they fight against the Japanese, it’s fine. In terms of fighting against the Japanese, he believes that as long as he discusses it with Xiao Huangshan, they will definitely obey orders.

There is no need to doubt this, as many Red Party teams have already proven this.

They really want to resist Japan.

He Rongtang went back and reported it immediately.

There are 800 rifles, 100,000 rounds of bullets, 6 light machine guns, 4 heavy machine guns, and 4 mortars, but only 10 people can be assigned to them.

This request is not too high, just a little more than what was given before. With some persuasion, Boss Dai will agree.

In Chongqing, Secretary Qi knocked on the office door with a telegram from He Rongtang.

“Boss, there’s a call from Wuhan Station…”

“Too little?”

After reading the telegram, Boss Dai snorted coldly. Xiao Huangshan’s attitude really made him very dissatisfied.

He really gave a lot.

Apart from the regular army of Guo, many other troops were not as good as the ones he gave to Xiaohuangshan, and they didn’t even have a single cannon.

If Xiao Huangshan could really be recruited as one of his own and completely obey his orders, then let alone all this, there would be no problem in equipping them with equipment like regular troops.

But the problem is that even Boss Dai understands that it is impossible to completely recruit them unless all the Red Party members inside are arrested.

“Boss, in fact, as long as they use the name of the Loyal and Patriotic Army, you win. As long as our people go in, we can slowly seize power.”

Secretary Qi said with a smile. Boss Dai thought about it and nodded: “You are right. Infiltrate slowly.”

At Wuhan Station, He Rongtang received a call back from Boss Dai.

He first breathed a sigh of relief, then soon smiled bitterly again.

Boss Dai asked him to plant ten people from Wuhan Station to seize power in Xiaohuangshan. How could he have so many suitable people?
Another difficult task.

(End of this chapter)