At noon the next day, in Nanzhang County's government office, all the major landowners of Nanzhang County were summoned by the county head, Li Zhiwen.
"This Division Commander Li has just taken down Nanzhang County, and now he has gathered all of us together. Looks like we're going to bleed again!”
"Sigh, that's right. In the past, the Japanese army had the final say in Nanzhang. Now that the owner has changed, aren't we, the big merchants, the targets of Li Yan's plunder?”
"Everyone, Division Commander Li is leading the anti-Japanese army. As the gentry of Nanzhang, we should express our gratitude and show our patriotic heart. It's okay to bleed a little!”
In the county government, the rich and powerful people gathered here discussed one after another. They all knew very well that Li Yan's purpose in looking for them was nothing more than asking for money and food!
Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!
At this moment, orderly footsteps sounded.
Under the escort of two rows of soldiers, Li Yan, who was wearing a major general's uniform, a military cap, and long leather boots, appeared!
"Hello, Regiment Commander Li!"
"Have you met Division Commander Li?"
Seeing Li Yan appear, the gentry and wealthy families gathered here hurriedly greeted him.
Li Yan smiled as he listened to the endless compliments. He looked around and said,"I gathered everyone here for only one purpose, and that is to raise money and food to fight against the Japanese army.”
"Although the 108th Division is an official establishment of the Republic of Xia, the national team is in a difficult position. The higher-ups have ordered me to raise food and pay on my own, and you are all respected gentry in the Nanzhang area, so I need your help!”
"Of course, after the war is over, the national government will return all the money and food that you have contributed!”
As soon as these words were said, the scene immediately fell silent. All the gentry and wealthy families frowned. They had guessed correctly. This Li Yan was indeed here for money and food!
However, the gentry and wealthy families in Nanzhang County were helpless. Li Yan controlled the military power and had thousands of soldiers with guns under him. If they did not give it to him, Li Yan might label them as colluding with the enemy and forcefully snatch their money, food, and property!
"Division Commander Li, may I know how much money and rations the 108th Division needs? We will do our best!”A gentry braced himself and said.
"That's right, that's right, Division Commander Li, name a number. As long as we can afford it, we will do our best!”Another gentry spoke, and he also said that he would do his best.
The meaning of these two gentlemen was obvious. They could ask for money and food, but they couldn't be too black-hearted. If Li Yan asked for too much, they wouldn't be able to give it to him!
"Everyone, the 108th Division is stationed in Nanzhang County. This is an army that protects everyone from being exploited by the Japanese army. The 108th Division now has a total of 5520 people, and I still have to recruit 5,000 new recruits.”Li Yan briefly explained the requirements of the 108th division!
"What…10,000 catties of food per day?”The gentry of Nanzhang County were dumbfounded.
One had to know that the ordinary citizens of Nanzhang County could only eat at most six taels of grain a day. This was even for those who had land in their homes. If they did not have land, they could only eat at most four taels of grain a day!
However, Li Yan said that each of his soldiers had to eat one jin of grain a day. This was too much. Was he raising his soldiers or raising his son?
"Everyone, the 108th Division is fighting against the Japanese. We are going to fight the Japanese. Do you think my soldiers should fight on an empty stomach?”Li Yan's face was gloomy, and his gaze was extremely sharp, making these gentry not dare to look at him.
" This…" The gentry of Nanzhang County were speechless.
"Let's cut to the chase. I need a total of 500,000 jin of rations and 100,000 yuan of pay for the anti-Japanese army.”Li Yan stated his request, his words unquestionable.
"500,000 catties of grain and another 100,000 yuan! Division Commander Li, there are too many of them. We simply can't gather them!”A gentry said with a bitter face.
"Division Commander Li, our previous grain reserves have been plundered by the Japanese army. There is still half a year before the autumn harvest. Where are we going to gather so much food for you?”Another gentry followed closely behind, expressing that they could not raise so many.
Hearing this, Li Yan pulled out the gun at his waist and pulled the trigger.
With a bang, the deafening gunshot silenced the scene.
Li Yan waved the gun in his hand and said coldly,"I'm not discussing with you. This is an order. Everyone has a responsibility to fight and save the country. Within two days, I must see 500,000 catties of food and 100,000 dollars.”
"If you can't gather the food and ocean in two days, you will be disobeying the military order. According to the military law, the punishment for disobeying the military order is execution. I hope that everyone can consider clearly whether your life is more important or money and food!”
After saying this, Li Yan put his gun back into the holster and left the place.
He had already made his request very clear, and it was not very harsh. If these gentry still could not meet his requirements, then Li Yan would not be polite to them. In times of emergency, he had to use extreme methods!
After Li Yan left, a gentry pointed in the direction Li Yan had left and said in a trembling voice,"This is robbery, this is blatant extortion!”
"Elder Lin, people have to bow their heads under the eaves. Moreover, Mr. Li is indeed using this money to fight against the Japanese, not to take it from his own pocket.”A gentry sighed helplessly.
……………………………………
Two days later, Li Yan received the 500,000 jin of grain and 100,000 yuan of military pay that the Nanzhang gentry had collected.
As soon as he received the money and grain, Li Yan immediately sent people to transport the ocean to the warehouse.
Then, Li Yan stayed in the warehouse alone and called the system to ask him to collect the money.
"Respected host, you have received a total of 1,000,000 exchange points this time. Your exchange points balance is 3,450,000 points!”The system reported the results of the recovery.
"3,450,000 points, neither too much nor too little. It's barely enough!”Li Yan smiled knowingly.
With this batch of exchange points, Li Yan was not afraid of the 217th Brigade at all. He was even looking forward to it.
One had to know that if Li Yan could achieve the battle record of annihilating a full team of Japanese soldiers, he would become an influential figure in the Republic of China!
Moreover, Li Yan's 108th Division would only have a chance to take down Xiang City if they could destroy the 217th Brigade.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]