Bright Sword: I don’t want to be the king!

For example, the origin of the Eighth Route Army.

For example, after he knew the details of the Eighth Route Army's battalion-level troops, could he take some action to retake Huaiyi County?

No.

The strategic value of Huaiyi County to the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army is extremely important.

If Huaiyi County fell into the hands of the Eighth Route Army.

Although it is slightly better than the previous situation when it was occupied by the Japanese.

But after all, the Eighth Route Army is not our own people.

Even if the Eighth Route Army is a friendly force.

But if you want to revive the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army.

The fate of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army could not be controlled by the Eighth Route Army.

"I haven't found out yet..." Fang Ligong answered truthfully.

Before Fang Ligong could finish, Chu Yunfei said decisively: "Investigate! We must find out as soon as possible who the Eighth Route Army that occupied Huaiyi County is from!"

Fang Ligong immediately understood the importance of this matter to Chu Yunfei, and he replied, "Yes!"

Then he left.

Just after Fang Ligong left, the messenger who had seen Cao Geng before passed by him and came in front of Chu Yunfei.

"Commander, the message you asked me to convey to Battalion Commander Cao Geng has been conveyed to him!" the messenger reported.

Chu Yunfei rubbed his eyebrows.

In fact, he was no longer so interested in Cao Geng's actions.

After all, Huaiyi County was already controlled by the Eighth Route Army.

If this matter is not dealt with quickly.

This was undoubtedly a headache for the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army.

Despite this, he still asked, "What was Cao Geng's reaction?"

The messenger replied: "Captain Cao Geng said he was grateful for the information we provided, and if anything happened to the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army, he would repay the favor tenfold."

"Repay tenfold..."

Chu Yunfei smiled silently when he heard this.

Cao Geng is only a battalion commander now.

Moreover, he only had about two hundred soldiers under his command.

Compared with himself, the commander of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army with 5,000 men, Cao Geng's importance was insignificant.

If it weren't for his personal bravery.

Chu Yunfei would not have gone to so much trouble to provide information to Cao Geng in order to examine him.

"Where did he choose to be stationed?" Chu Yunfei asked casually.

"Battalion Commander Cao Geng has not yet chosen a base. After leaving the New 1st Regiment's base, he first went to Wanjia Town, wiped out the puppet cavalry battalion in Wanjia Town, and then led his troops towards Huaiyi County..." the messenger replied.

"Huaiyi County?"

Suddenly, Chu Yunfei was stunned.

Wasn’t Huaiyi County captured by a battalion of the Eighth Route Army?

However, is this just a coincidence?

After all, although Cao Geng was brave, he only had two or three hundred soldiers. How could he possibly capture Huaiyi County, which was defended by the Japanese army?

If it was really done by Cao Geng, it would be incredible.

In Chu Yunfei's opinion, the Eighth Route Army camp that captured Huaiyi County must have been a reinforced battalion-level unit and should have nothing to do with Cao Geng.

He shook his head and stopped thinking about it. Anyway, the case had been handed over to Fang Ligong to investigate, so he just had to wait for the result.

Instead of continuing to pay attention to Cao Geng, he would rather focus on the developments in Huaiyi County.

......

After spending a night in Huaiyi County, Cao Geng led his soldiers into quick action the next day.

Of course, he did not intend to abandon Huaiyi County and find another place to stay.

Instead, he led his subordinates directly and called together the people of the entire county.

He wants to recruit soldiers!

Cao Geng always kept in mind the goal of the New 1st Regiment's dispersed combat.

After capturing Wanjia Town and Huaiyi County in one fell swoop the day before, the number of weapons and equipment in his hands had reached an astonishing level.

Enough to recruit more than five times the number of soldiers in the current three battalions!

Now that Cao Geng has sufficient military funds, his first priority is to recruit soldiers!

The people of Huaiyi County have long had enough of the oppression of the Japanese army!

After defeating the Japanese army in one day, it was easy for Cao Geng to recruit soldiers.

He gathered everyone together, stood in front of them and announced: "Fellow villagers, let me introduce myself first. I am Cao Geng, the battalion commander of the 359rd Battalion of the New st Regiment of the th Brigade of the Eighth Route Army!"

"Yesterday, our Eighth Route Army completely wiped out the Japanese troops occupying Huaiyi County!"

"From now on, Huaiyi will be at peace!"

"Now, our Eighth Route Army is recruiting new soldiers. If any villagers are willing to join the Eighth Route Army, please actively sign up!"

"The Japanese army has long bullied our people. Now, we, the Eighth Route Army, are providing you with an opportunity to avenge your grievances. You must seize it."

"Of course, if you don't plan to join the Eighth Route Army, we won't force you! After all, every family has elderly people who need care. We in the Eighth Route Army can understand!"

"However, for those brothers who are concerned about joining the army, I want to say..."

"Why don't men take Wu Gou and take over the fifty states of Guanshan?"

"Besides, Huaiyi is peaceful now, and the brothers who joined the army don't need to worry about their families. From now on, we, the Eighth Route Army, will protect them..."

"Fellow villagers, let's be honest. The time to defend our country has come. This is a rare opportunity. There are only three days left for registration. What are you still hesitating about?"

"Registration starts now..."

Although Cao Geng's mouth was dry, every word he said was full of sincere emotion.

Although he needed to recruit soldiers, Cao Geng knew that he could not force others. He knew that those villagers who were willing to fight the Japanese army with him would naturally come forward to sign up. However, for those who had doubts, even if he knelt down and begged, he could not change their decision. Unless they cut off all their retreat routes like Duan Peng, they would have no choice but to follow Li Yunlong. After saying this, Cao Geng quietly waited for everyone to sign up.

After Cao Geng finished speaking, the villagers present became excited.

"What? The Japanese were driven away? They will never be able to enter Huaiyi County again?"

"The Eighth Route Army soldiers are so brave!"

"I want to sign up too!"

"..."

Suddenly, various voices arose in the crowd. Some expressed gratitude to Cao Geng and his team, while others wanted to join Cao Geng's Eighth Route Army.

The people of Huaiyi County had been fed up with the oppression of the Japanese army for a long time. In their eyes, Cao Geng and his men were like the great masters of the sky! Then, many people in Huaiyi County, some of whom did not care about the military pay, just wanted to join Cao Geng's Third Battalion just to fight the devils! The enthusiasm of the people was high, and they all hoped to join the army.

In addition to young men, there were also women, children and the elderly. At this moment, seeing Cao Geng recruiting soldiers, they wanted to join the Eighth Route Army without hesitation! This surprised Cao Geng.