Great Power Reclamation

After finishing a set of Bajiquan, Ye Yuze stood in the courtyard, looking at Yang Geyong's horse farm in the distance. The newly arrived foal was frolicking in the snow, its reddish-brown coat contrasting beautifully with the white snow, like a painting.

But today, he had something on his mind.

Yesterday's matter involving Yang Geyong has been temporarily resolved on the surface.

Wang Xiuying settled down, Yang Jun acknowledged her as his father, and although Zhao Ling'er was angry, at least she didn't cause a huge uproar.

But Ye Yuze knew that this was just the tip of the iceberg.

In their lifetime, the debts they owed were far more than just this one.
Just then, the courtyard gate was pushed open, and Yang Geyong walked in.

"Old Ye, come with me somewhere."

Ye Yuze glanced at him: "Where are you going?"

Yang Geyong was silent for a moment: "The cemetery."

Ye Yuze was stunned.

"Whose?"

"Chi Na'er".

Ye Yuze's heart sank.

Chi Na'er—Yang Geyong's first love, Ayijiang's biological mother, and Zhang Jianjiang's biological mother. She passed away last year and was buried in northern Xinjiang.

Why did you suddenly want to go there?

Yang Geyong lowered his head, his voice a little hoarse: "Yesterday's events made me think a lot. In this life, I owe too many people. Chi Na'er, Ayijiang's mother, and... and those people I don't even dare to think about."

Ye Yuze was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"Come on, I'll go with you."

The two drove off.

The journey from the military reclamation city to northern Xinjiang takes seven or eight hours. Throughout the trip, Yang Geyong rarely spoke, simply staring blankly out the window. Ye Yuze didn't ask any questions, focusing solely on driving.

They arrived at their destination at 3 p.m.

Chi Na'er's grave is on a hillside, backed by the Tianshan Mountains and facing the vast snowfield.

A simple stone tablet stands in front of the grave, inscribed with "Tomb of the Loving Mother Chi Na'er," with the names of Ayijiang and Zhang Jianjiang next to it.

Yang Geyong stood in front of the grave, silent for a long time.

Ye Yuze stood to the side without saying a word.

The wind blew by, carrying snowflakes that stung my face.

Yang Geyong suddenly spoke up: "Old Ye, do you know, the person I've wronged the most in my life is her."

Ye Yuze listened.

"When I got together with her, it was genuine."

Yang Geyong said, "I thought she was the one for me. But my family dragged me back to my hometown, and I was gone for two years. By the time I came back, she had already married someone else."

He paused, his voice a little hoarse.

"Later, her husband died, and she married Jianjiang's father. I've always wanted to bring her back, but she refused. She said, 'The children are all grown up, what's the point of all this trouble?' I said, 'Then I'll wait.' She said, 'Don't wait, you have your life, and I have mine.'"

Ye Yuze looked at him without saying anything.

Yang Geyong squatted down and reached out to touch the cold stone tablet.

“I missed her when she passed away. Ayijiang called and said her mother was dying. I rushed here overnight, but I encountered a blizzard on the way and was stranded for three days. By the time I arrived, she had already been buried.”

He looked up, his eyes red-rimmed.

"Old Ye, I can never repay her for what I owe her in this lifetime."

Ye Yuze squatted down and stood beside him.

“Old Yang,” he said, “do you know who I’ve wronged the most in my life?”

Yang Geyong turned to look at him.

"Yu'e."

Yang Geyong was stunned.

Ye Yuze looked at the distant Tianshan Mountains and slowly said, "When I married Yu'e, I still had someone else in my heart. You know that person too."

Yang Geyong was silent for a moment: "Yinhua?"

Ye Yuze nodded.

“During those years, I was physically by Yu’e’s side, but my heart was with Yinhua. Yu’e knew this, but she never asked or made a fuss. She just endured it and waited.”

He gave a bitter smile: "After all these years, I finally understand who is by my side. But I can never repay the grievances that Yu'e suffered all those years."

The two squatted in front of the grave, neither of them speaking.

The wind blew across the hillside, and the snowflakes swirled around.

After a long while, Yang Geyong asked, "Do you still want Yinhua now?"

Ye Yuze nodded and then shook his head, pointing to a tombstone not far away:
"That's a memory we can't forget, but it's enough to keep it in our hearts. We can't let our partner down any further."

Yang Geyong nodded.

"That's good."

The two stood up and bowed deeply to Chi Na'er's grave.

On the way back, Yang Geyong suddenly said, "Old Ye, I want to go see Ayijiang."

Ye Yuze nodded.

"Then let's go."

The office of Ayijiang at the Northern Xinjiang Provincial Party Committee.

She was in a meeting when she heard that Yang Geyong had arrived. She paused for a moment, then hurriedly ended the meeting and rushed over.

She pushed open the door and saw Yang Geyong and Ye Yuze sitting in the reception room. She stood there, not knowing what to say for a moment.

Yang Geyong stood up and looked at her.

After several years, Ayijiang has aged. Her hair has turned quite a bit white, and wrinkles have appeared at the corners of her eyes. But her eyes are still so bright, just like her mother's when she was young.

“Ayijiang,” Yang Geyong said, his voice trembling slightly, “Dad has come to see you.”

Ayijiang's eyes immediately reddened.

She walked over, sat down opposite him, lowered her head, and remained silent.

Ye Yuze stood up: "You guys chat, I'm going out for a walk."

After the door closed, the office remained quiet for a long time.

Ayijiang finally raised her head and looked at Yang Geyong.

"Dad, what brings you here?"

Yang Geyong looked at her, a thousand words welling up in his heart, but when it came to his lips, only one sentence came out.

"Dad is sorry."

Ayijiang was stunned.

“I missed your mother when she passed away,” Yang Geyong said. “You’ve been supporting her all by yourself these past few years, and I haven’t been able to help. I’m a terrible father to you.”

Ayijiang's eyes reddened again.

"Dad, why are you saying all this..."

“I have to say it,” Yang Geyong interrupted her. “In this lifetime, I owe your mother and I owe you so much that I can never repay you. But I want you to know that I care about you both.”

Ayijiang lowered her head, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Yang Geyong reached out, wanting to pat her shoulder, but then withdrew his hand mid-air.

Ayijiang suddenly raised her head and looked at him.

"Dad, I've never blamed you."

Yang Geyong was stunned.

“My mom never blamed you either,” Ayijiang said. “Before she left, I asked her if she wanted me to call you. She said no. I asked her if she still hated him. She said no. She never hated him from the beginning.”

Yang Geyong's eyes reddened.

Ayijiang continued, "She said that what happened back then wasn't your fault. It was your family's disapproval. She said that you are a hero, an eagle of the grassland, and she is not good enough for you. Knowing you in this life is worthwhile."

Yang Geyong's tears finally fell.

He had lived his entire life braving gunfire and bullets, being hacked and hunted, without ever shedding a tear. But now, hearing his daughter relay these words, he couldn't hold back.

Ayijiang stood up, walked to his side, reached out, and gently hugged him.

"Dad, don't cry. Mom's watching."

Yang Geyong hugged her, just like when they were children.

After returning from northern Xinjiang, Yang Geyong seemed like a completely different person.

He no longer just raised horses and played chess; he started traveling around. First, he went to Yili to find some old friends he had met there years ago and inquire about the favors he owed them.

There was a brother who had once shielded him from a knife attack, but later lost money in business and was struggling to make ends meet. Without hesitation, Yang Geyong took out his own money to pay off his debts and found him a job.

There was a worker who used to work for him, but he was later disabled due to a work injury, and no one took care of him after the company went bankrupt.

Yang Geyong found him, processed his disability allowance, and arranged for his son to work in the military reclamation city.

There was a guy who had been in jail with him back then, but after he got out, he never amounted to anything. His wife ran away, and his kids didn't recognize him.

Yang Geyong took him to the military reclamation city, arranged a job for him at his horse farm, provided him with food and lodging, and paid him a monthly salary.

The man couldn't believe it at first and asked Yang Geyong, "Old Yang, what are you after?"

Yang Geyong said, "I don't want anything in return. I remember you taking the beating for me back then."

The man's eyes reddened. Ye Yuze watched him run around, sometimes following him along.

Once, when the two returned from outside and were sitting in the car, Ye Yuze asked, "Old Yang, are you going to pay off all your debts for the rest of your life?"

Yang Geyong thought for a moment and said, "I can't pay it back completely. But I'll pay back whatever little I can."

Ye Yuze nodded.

"Me too."

Yang Geyong looked at him: "What debts do you have?"

Ye Yuze was silent for a moment, then said, "Some of the people who worked with me back then weren't properly taken care of. I was thinking of giving them another hand."

Yang Geyong nodded.

"Then let's go together."

In the days that followed, the two old men were extremely busy.

Yang Geyong went to work outside the area, while Ye Yuze stayed in the local area. He dug out all his old brothers who had started the business with him back then.

He helped those in need and treated those without to meals. He used his own money to get medical insurance for several of his old comrades who were struggling financially, and he also arranged jobs for several of their children who were unemployed.

Yu'e sometimes said to him, "You're already this old, what are you still doing?"

Ye Yuze said, "It's not about causing trouble. It's about paying off debts."

Yu'e looked at him and sighed.

"Fine, you can pay it back if you want. Anyway, you'll spend your money somewhere else if not here."

Ye Yuze smiled.

The 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month is the Little New Year.

Yang Geyong called Yang Jun over.

"Xiaojun, it's almost Chinese New Year, what gift do you want?"

Yang Jun looked at him, thought for a moment, and said, "I want to learn to ride a horse."

Yang Geyong paused for a moment, then smiled.

"Okay. I'll start teaching you tomorrow."

The next morning, Yang Jun went to the horse farm with Yang Geyong.

Yang Geyong picked out a docile old horse and let Yang Jun try riding it.

When Yang Jun first mounted a horse, he was so nervous that he didn't know what to do with his hands and feet. Yang Geyong patiently taught him from the side, again and again, without rushing or getting impatient.

Yang Jun learned very quickly, and three days later he was able to run on his own in the horse farm.

That evening, he rode his horse, circling the riding arena again and again. The setting sun shone on him, turning his curly hair golden.

Yang Geyong stood by and watched, feeling indescribably happy.

That evening, Yang Jun suddenly asked, "Dad, were you particularly capable when you were young?"

Yang Geyong was stunned.

That was the first time Yang Jun called him "Dad".

His eyes welled up with tears, and he nodded.

"It's alright."

Yang Jun looked at him with admiration in his eyes.

"Can you teach me?"

Yang Geyong reached out and ruffled his curly hair.

"Yes. We can teach you slowly, for a lifetime."

On New Year's Eve, at Ye Yuze's home.

The whole family sat together, enjoying a lively New Year's Eve dinner.

Although Ye Yuze, Yu'e, and Ye Feng were abroad and hadn't returned, they were still connected via video call, which could be considered a reunion.

Yang Geyong's family also came: Zhao Ling'er, Yang Wei (who came back from northern Xinjiang for the New Year), Yang Chenglong (who also came back from England), Lin Wanwan, and newly joined Yang Mei and Yang Jun.

Wang Xiuying sat to one side, looking much better than when she first arrived. Liu Xiangdong's chemotherapy regimen had worked; her condition had stabilized, and the doctor said she could at least hold on for a few more years.

Yang Mei and Yang Jun gradually integrated into the family. Yang Mei enrolled in a middle school in Junken Town to review for the college entrance examination and did well. She plans to take the college entrance examination next year.

Although Yang Jun is still not very talkative, he has already started playing games with Yang Chenglong.

At the dinner table, Yang Geyong raised his glass.

"This year has been tough. But we've made it through. Cheers!"

Let's all raise our glasses.

After finishing his drink, Yang Geyong looked at Ye Yuze and suddenly said, "Old Ye, thank you."

Ye Yuze was taken aback: "What are you thanking me for?"

Yang Geyong said earnestly, "Having a brother like you in this life is worthwhile."

Ye Yuze looked at him intently as well.

"Me too."

The two clinked glasses and drank it all in one gulp.

Outside the window, firecrackers went off. The night sky over the military reclamation city was illuminated by fireworks.

The children ran outside to watch the fireworks, while the adults sat inside, drinking tea and chatting.

Yu'e held Wang Xiuying's hand, whispering intimate words. Zhao Ling'er and Yang Wei talked about things in northern Xinjiang. Lin Wanwan leaned on Yang Chenglong's shoulder, watching the fireworks outside the window.

Ye Yuze and Yang Geyong sat in the corner, neither of them speaking, just looking at the people in the room.

After a long while, Yang Geyong suddenly said, "Old Ye, you're saying these people are all ours?"

Ye Yuze smiled.

"if not?"

Yang Geyong smiled too.

Outside the window, fireworks burst one after another.

Inside, it was warm and cozy.

On the third day of the Lunar New Year, Ye Yuze and Yang Geyong went to the sanatorium again.

Ye Wancheng, Meihua, Yang Yulin, and Zhou Guihua's mother, Grandma Lin, are all elderly people living here. Although they are old, they are all still in good health.

Ye Wancheng was playing chess with Liu Xiangdong when he saw Ye Yuze come in, but he didn't even look up.

"You're here?"

Ye Yuze nodded: "Dad, Happy New Year."

Ye Wancheng hummed in agreement and continued playing chess.

Meihua laughed from the side, "That's just how your dad is, don't pay him any mind."

Yang Geyong went to see Yang Yulin. Yang Yulin was watching TV, and his eyes lit up when he saw Yang Geyong come in.

"Xiao Yong is here!"

Yang Geyong walked over and sat down next to him.

"Dad, Happy Chinese New Year."

Yang Yulin nodded, took his hand, and began to talk incessantly about the horse farm. Although he was old, he was still in good spirits, except that he was a little hard of hearing and spoke loudly.

Yang Geyong listened patiently, nodding occasionally.

Over there, Liu Xiangdong finished his game of chess and called Ye Yuze aside.

"Yuze, I've seen your patients. They're recovering well."

Ye Yuze nodded: "Thank you, teacher."

Liu Xiangdong waved his hand: "No need to thank me. You've done more in your life than I have."

Ye Yuze was stunned.

Liu Xiangdong looked at him and said earnestly, "I could tell when you studied medicine. You weren't doing it for money; you wanted to help people. I felt sorry for you when you went into business. I never expected you to come back now that you're old."

He patted Ye Yuze on the shoulder.

"Good."

After leaving the sanatorium, Ye Yuze and Yang Geyong slowly walked back.

As the sun sets, it turns the snow-covered ground golden.

Yang Geyong suddenly said, "Old Ye, do you think our lives were worth it?"

Ye Yuze thought for a moment and said, "I asked you yesterday, and you said it was worth it. I'm asking you today, do you still say it's worth it?"

Yang Geyong smiled.

"It's worth it. How could it not be worth it? When we were young, we built up the military reclamation city. Now that we're old, we can still help so many people. And we have such a large family, all together in a lively atmosphere. What could be not worth it?"

Ye Yuze nodded.

Yes, what else is not worth it?
The two walked slowly, their shadows stretched long by the setting sun.

In the distance, the lights of the military reclamation city began to illuminate one by one.

That was their home.

This is also their final destination. (End of Chapter)