Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 162 Handover of Weapons

When Bi Shoucai received another report from the scouts that the enemy troops were less than a mile away from the ruined temple, he led Niu Dali out of the temple gate to greet them.

Before long, the scouts reported that the group had arrived in front of the dilapidated temple, and the leader was none other than Si Guoyi.

"Director Si, you must be tired from your journey." Seeing that Si Guoyi had stopped, Bi Shoucai hurriedly stepped forward to greet him.

"Director Bi, thank you for waiting. I've brought the weapons and equipment you requested. I wonder which batch of Japanese equipment it is?" Si Guoyi pointed to the equipment behind him, which looked somewhat like cannons and was tightly wrapped in black cloth.

“I’m all ready. Come in and take a look.” Bi Shoucai gestured for them to come in.

"it is good."

"The rest of you stay here and keep watch," Si Guoyi instructed his entourage before leaving.

"please."

"I wonder who this person next to Director Bi is? Aren't you going to introduce him to me?" Si Guoyi asked, looking at the burly man next to Bi Shoucai.

"I'm sorry, I forgot to introduce him to Director Bi. His name is Niu Dali, and he is the commander of our militia's reconnaissance battalion. He is in charge of transporting this batch of weapons."

"Oh, it's a pleasure to meet you, Battalion Commander Niu. You're quite capable to have led so many men out of enemy-occupied territory," Si Guoyi said admiringly.

"Director Si, you flatter me," Niu Dali replied.

After exchanging only a few words, Bi Shoucai led Si Guoyi into the courtyard.

"Director Si, please look at these weapons and equipment of the Japanese soldiers." Bi Shouchai pointed to the old, worn-out Japanese weapons displayed in the yard. This time, Bi Shouchai had emptied the entire warehouse of the logistics department.

"Oh." Si Guoyi's eyes lit up as he looked at the dilapidated weapons in front of him. The first thing that caught his eye was a Type 92 infantry gun that had been destroyed in an explosion.

"Director Bi, I didn't expect you could even get your hands on this. It's a Japanese Type 92 infantry gun!" Si Guoyi said with some surprise.

It should be noted that only battalion-level units of the Japanese army were equipped with the Type 92 infantry gun. Since this militia unit was able to bring out this gun, it means they had at least been involved in combat at the battalion level.

Si Guoyi found it hard to believe the strength of this militia. On the main battlefield, a single Japanese battalion was enough to rival at least a brigade of elite Nationalist troops.

"A regiment of soldiers can hold off a battalion of Japanese soldiers? That's absurd! Is this militia really that powerful?" Si Guoyi was filled with deep doubt.

"By sheer luck, by sheer luck, we stumbled upon a Japanese artillery position and managed to launch a surprise attack under cover of night. The Japanese battalion is incredibly fierce; we wouldn't dare mess with them," Bi Shouchai had already prepared an excuse regarding the origin of the artillery.

"Oh, I see." Si Guoyi still looked at Bi Shoucai with suspicion. Regardless of whether what Bi Shoucai said was true or false, Si Guoyi still valued this newly joined anti-Japanese independence militia a little more.

"Although it was a sneak attack, achieving such results is still commendable."

"It's nothing, nothing at all. Director Si, are you satisfied with this batch of weapons and equipment?" Bi Shoucai changed the subject.

"Satisfied, extremely satisfied. To be honest, I even feel like I've taken advantage of you a bit." Si Guoyi kept staring at the Japanese Type 92 infantry gun, a satisfied expression on his face.

"I'm glad you're satisfied. I look forward to working with Director Si again next time."

"Director Bi, I also look forward to the next collaboration."

“In that case, let’s begin the handover,” Bi Shoucai asked.

"it is good."

"Director Si, these are yellow croakers. Please take inventory." With that, Bi Shoucai took the box that Niu Dali brought and handed it to Si Guoyi.

"No need to count, I trust Director Bi's character." Si Guoyi waved his hand to indicate that it was unnecessary.

"Director Si is very magnanimous."

The two then went outside to arrange the handover. Less than half an hour later, the handover was complete. Upon receiving the Madsen 20mm autocannon, Bi Shoucai immediately...

The artillery company commander of the reconnaissance battalion led his men to uncover the black cloth and take a look.

When the black cloth covering the cannon was removed, a brand-new cannon appeared in front of Bi Shoucai.

The cannon resembles an enlarged machine gun, with a significantly thicker muzzle and an exceptionally long barrel, topped with a large sight. For ease of transport, it also features two wheels on either side. The entire cannon is painted glossy black, and inscribed with unreadable characters.

"Is Director Bi satisfied?" Si Guoyi, who was standing to the side, asked.

"Haha, I'm extremely satisfied."

"Director Bi, let's inspect the goods and fire a few shots to test them out."

“Alright, that’s exactly what I was thinking.” Bi Shoucai agreed without hesitation.

"I'll have my men demonstrate how to use this machine gun."

"Okay, thank you very much, Director Si."

"Company Commander Liu, take some men and get them to operate it," Si Guoyi shouted to the people behind him.

"Company Commander Wu, learn from them!" Niu Dali then shouted to the artillery company commander.

"Yes, battalion commander."

As he spoke, Company Commander Wu stepped forward and began to learn from Company Commander Liu of the Siguoyi unit. To ensure that he would not forget what he learned, Company Commander Wu took out paper and pen from his pocket and took notes as he learned.

"The machine guns are ready. Please give instructions when to fire," Company Commander Liu reported to Si Guoyi as he ran over.

"permit."

"Yes."

Under Company Commander Liu's control, the machine gun fired ten shells from its magazine into the sky with a series of loud bangs. Immediately afterward, an explosion echoed through the air.

"Good." Seeing Company Commander Liu demonstrate the power of the cannon, Bi Shoucai couldn't help but clap and cheer.

"Company Commander Wu, have you got it?" Niu Dali asked.

"Reporting to the battalion commander, everything is fine."

"Okay, you practice it once too, and see."

"Yes!"

Upon receiving the order, Company Commander Wu slowly began operating the machine following the steps taken by Company Commander Liu. After loading the magazine, he waited for Niu Dali's instruction to fire.

"Okay, fire!" Niu Dali nodded to him.

"Bang, bang, bang..." Another series of familiar shots rang out as the newly loaded magazine was emptied once again.

"Director Bi, this Madsen machine gun has an effective range of 500 meters, a maximum range of 2 kilometers, and a rate of fire of 400 rounds per minute. We just demonstrated it with a 10-round magazine. I have 60-round magazines in my ammunition supply for you," Si Guoyi explained from the side.

"Okay, I've got it. Thank you, Director Si."

"Director Bi, since there are no further questions, I shall take my leave now."

"Okay, Director Si, take care. I look forward to our next collaboration."

“Okay, I’m looking forward to it too.” Director Si even shook the box he was holding.

"Farewell." With that, Si Guoyi led his troops away.

"Old Bi, this time we really got some good stuff. The power of the shells and the rate of fire of the machine guns are worth it."

"Sigh, there are just too few. It would be great if there were more," Niu Dali said, touching the machine gun.

"I'd like to buy more, but they won't sell," Bi Shoucai said with a helpless expression.

"I'll return to the county town first to meet up with Deputy Regiment Commander Zhang. Tomorrow afternoon, I'll bring the newly recruited soldiers and supplies to meet you, and then we'll return to Wolong Mountain."

"Okay, see you tomorrow." Bi Shoucai said and left as well.

"Company Commander Wu, you take your men and train them properly on how to use this machine gun. After you get back, hand it over to the air defense company and give them some pointers on how to use it."

"I say, Battalion Commander, this cannon is so powerful, let's talk to the regimental commander and leave it with our battalion." Company Commander Wu looked reluctant to part with it; this thing was much more fun than firing a mortar.

"I'd like to, but this was handpicked by the regimental commander to be transferred to the air defense company, so there's nothing I can do. But don't worry, once we have more artillery, I'll get you a few more."

"Yes!"

"Alright, now you'd better figure out how to use this cannon properly."

"Yes, sir! Mission accomplished." After saying that, Company Commander Wu excitedly fiddled with the machine gun.