Bright Sword: Let my company hold off the Yamazaki Battalion

Chapter 11: First-class merit awarded! Honorary title: Hero Company of the First-line Sky Blockade B

"Boss, this is what I should do."

Chu Feng remained calm in the face of Zhang Wanhe's praise. He first waved his hand modestly, and then said seriously, "The duty of our arsenal guard company is to ensure the safety of the arsenal."

"Hehehe!"

Looking at the humble Chu Feng, Zhang Wanhe smiled even more broadly: "Not bad, kid, you're much better than that rascal Li Yunlong."

"Last time they took 200 sets of military uniforms from me, and this time they took 20 boxes of hand grenades from me."

"He never speaks modestly; he always acts aggressively."

As he spoke, Zhang Wanhe said with a mix of emotion and helplessness, "However, you were temporarily transferred here because of your injury. Soon, the higher-ups will arrange for you to study at the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University."

When Zhang Wanhe said this, Chu Feng didn't show any expression, because this had been decided long ago. However, Instructor Huang Zhenggong was a little reluctant.

"Sir, although I haven't served under you for many days, as long as I'm here, I'm still your soldier."

Chu Feng's expression was very solemn: "The guard company is a unit that usually keeps a low profile, but it can be very useful in critical moments."

"Don't worry, I'll try my best to show you what the guard company is like before I leave."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wanhe's expression became even more emotional. He patted Chu Feng's shoulder forcefully and said, "Alright, I like hearing that."

"This time, you can choose from the weapons and equipment you have captured, as well as the weapons and equipment temporarily requisitioned from the arsenal."

"Previously, we always felt that with a large number of main forces on the periphery, the arsenal, being the core of the base, was very safe."

"Therefore, we don't pay much attention to the development of units like the guard company, but the Yamazaki Battalion's surprise attack has served as a wake-up call for us."

"We cannot allow the General Logistics Department to lack a force capable of responding to emergencies and fighting tough battles just because our main forces are surrounded by them."

After Minister Zhang Wanhe finished speaking, he paused and said, "Here, you report the number of new recruits you need, and I will make the arrangements."

"At the same time, I will also allocate 5000 rounds of ammunition, 300 melon grenades and 50 mortar shells to your guard company for daily live-fire training."

"This is my reward as the minister and the head of headquarters for risking your lives to protect the assets of our Eighth Route Army."

Minister Zhang Wanhe came and went quickly.

After seeing Minister Zhang off, Chu Feng and Huang Zhenggong returned to the company headquarters.

"What's up, Lao Huang? You've been staring at me for the past few days, so just say what you want to say!"

Chu Feng sat down in the chair, poured himself a glass of water, and began to speak.

"Company Commander, when are you leaving?"

Huang Zhenggong felt a little embarrassed after his thoughts were exposed. He hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"I don't know!"

Upon hearing the question, Chu Feng shook his head: "The original reporting time was ten days ago, but it was postponed due to my injury."

"The specific time has not yet been notified from above."

As he spoke, Chu Feng understood Huang Zhenggong's thoughts and said with a smile, "Old Huang, our Eighth Route Army is short of cadres everywhere right now."

"Even if I didn't report to the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University, my superiors wouldn't have put me in the guard company. After all, I'm the chief of staff of the regiment."

After a pause, Chu Feng continued, "Also, you are perfectly capable of being the guard company commander, so don't keep thinking about keeping me here; you should be thinking about improving yourself!"

Huang Zhenggong felt both embarrassed by having his little thoughts exposed and excited by the praise and recognition.

"Alright, Lao Huang!"

Chu Feng waved his hand at Huang Zhenggong: "You over here, quickly send up the required number of new recruits."

"A staffing of 130 is unreasonable; send them according to a staffing of 180."

Chu Feng was not satisfied; a company of 130 men was too few.

Before leaving the guard company, he wanted to use it to find opportunities to fight a few battles and collect some more merit points.

"this!"

Huang Zhenggong hesitated for a moment: "Will the higher-ups agree?"

Chu Feng didn't seem to care much: "What do you think Minister Zhang is doing here? Was all those things he said just for show?"

"You really think you're giving us a choice, that we don't have to hand over weapons and equipment to the Japanese, and that we don't have to return the borrowed weapons?"

"With so many bullets and shells approved, can a single company really use that many for live-fire training?"

"Report it with confidence."

"Minister Zhang and the higher-ups want to use our guard company as a demonstration site for reform, or perhaps they have other plans."

Huang Zhenggong didn't think much of it, but now that Chu Feng had pointed it out, he immediately realized what was going on.

"Yes, platoon leader, I'll go right away!"

Huang Zhenggong, looking excited, responded and was about to leave, but after taking only two steps, he remembered something and turned back: "Company Commander, what should we do with the extra weapons and equipment?"

"Even if we expand to 180 people, we won't need that many!"

Looking at the cheerful Huang Zhenggong, Chu Feng immediately understood why he was just an instructor, not a company commander.

He made it so clear, almost explicitly, yet he still couldn't let go, displaying great restraint and hesitation.

A political instructor can be meticulous, attentive to every detail, and able to fill in any gaps, but a company commander, a military commander, must be decisive.

"Don't worry about it, I'll take care of it!"

Chu Feng left behind six words and gestured for Instructor Huang to get back to work.

After Huang Zhenggong left, Chu Feng returned to the battle map: "Although I don't know when my admission notice will come down."

"However, it doesn't stop me from planning ahead for this Japanese North China battlefield observation group."

As for whether this counts as stealing credit from Li Yunlong?

Chu Feng didn't seem to care: "What Li Yunlong? The enemy is right there. Whoever kills them is responsible, right?"

"The only problem is that this Huting outpost is a bit far from here, more than 30 kilometers away."

one day!

Chu Feng divided the veteran soldiers in the guard company who were still able to fight into four groups of 40 men each, forming one platoon. The remaining soldiers formed the second and third platoons and the artillery platoon.

Of course, the 1st Platoon was fully staffed, while the other platoons only had weapons and equipment and the airs of officers.

The reason for this assignment is that the next rank is responsible for daily patrols and belongs to the regular guard unit.

The other platoons focused entirely on training, striving to achieve combat readiness as soon as possible.

Two days, three days!

On the morning of the fourth day, the new recruits assigned by the higher command arrived.

"Company Commander, you guessed right! The leaders really did give us the numbers we reported!" Huang Zhenggong said excitedly.

Chu Feng didn't say much upon hearing this, but smiled and assigned the new recruits to their positions.

Ran goose!

As the saying goes, good things come in pairs.

Around noon, Minister Zhang Wanhe and a headquarters leader came over.

Accompanying the two leaders was a commendation from headquarters for the guard company.

When the leaders unfurled the red flag in front of all the officers and soldiers of the guard company, everyone saw with their own eyes the large characters on it: "Heroic Company of the Narrow Pass Blocking Battle!"

The next moment, everyone instinctively held their breath.

Even Chu Feng's eyes widened in disbelief; they had actually received the honorary title of Hero Company.

However, the surprises were not over yet.

When the leader began reading out the list of those who had performed meritorious service, the first one to be mentioned was Chu Feng, the company commander.

"Upon a report from the General Logistics Department and approval from the headquarters leadership, Chu Feng, the company commander of the Huangyadong Arsenal's guard company, and seven other comrades are hereby awarded the title of First-Class Combat Hero!"

"The Guard Company and its First Platoon are hereby awarded a collective First-Class Merit!"

"..."

In an instant, everyone whose name was called stepped forward to receive their award and commendation with their chests held high.

The new recruits were greeted with this moment of great honor right after enlisting, and they were so excited that they didn't even realize their hands were red from clapping.