Republic of China: Guandong Ginseng King

Chapter 440 Xiao Zhi wants to join the army

In winter, the days are short and the nights are long, and the days go by quickly.

On the twenty-seventh day of the winter month, Zheng Tiezhu and his party returned to Maoer Mountain first and reported to Qu Shaoyang that all the bandits on the river had been wiped out.

Zheng Tiezhu and others seized a lot of silver and other things from the bandits floating on the river.

According to Qu Shaoyang's instructions, half of it was sent to the Lin family compound and left for the girl from the Yang family to use.

Five days later, He Yuanzhi and the other people also returned.

"Sir, the girl from the Yang family is missing." As soon as he came back, He Yuanzhi immediately reported to Qu Shaoyang.

Qu Shaoyang was stunned for a moment, "She's gone? Isn't she still injured? How could she be gone? Have you looked everywhere around her?"

“Yes, the Lin family’s master has gathered a lot of young and strong men to help us look for it.

I searched everywhere nearby, but couldn't find any trace of Miss Yang. Oh, by the way, this is a letter she left for you."

He Yuanzhi took out a letter and handed it to Qu Shaoyang.

Qu Shaoyang took the letter and opened it. In the letter, Yang Jia's fourth daughter said that she was going to Jilin City to seek revenge on Qin Zhigao.

She also thanked Qu Shaoyang for helping her. If she could take revenge and still be alive, she would definitely find a way to repay him for saving her life in the future.

"Qin Zhigao is in Jilin City? How did she know?" Qu Shaoyang asked curiously after reading the letter.

“Oh, that’s what Lord Zheng and the others said.

Lord Zheng and his men wiped out the bandits on the river and captured several prisoners for interrogation.

From their confessions, we learned that Qin Zhigao ran to Jilin City and never dared to return to the Qin family.

Moreover, Qin Zhigao had made an agreement with Jiang Shangpiaoluanzi to take the token to the Linjiang Gate of Jilin City and pick up the balance at Qinji Mountain Goods Tobacco and Hemp Store."

“We didn’t find anyone near the Lin family, and we even went to Jilin City to look for her, but we didn’t see any trace of Miss Yang.

We also sent people to inquire at Qinji Tobacco and Hemp Store, but no one has seen Miss Yang, and Qin Zhigao does not live in the Tobacco and Hemp Store."

He Yuanzhi did not dare to hide anything and told the whole story in detail.

"What about Lishugou? Have you been to Lishugou?" Qu Shaoyang thought about it and suddenly remembered a place.

Could it be that the girl went home first to collect the bodies of her family members?
"Oh, I didn't expect that. We didn't go."

He Yuanzhi slapped his forehead and realized that they indeed did not go to look for him at the other end of Lishu Valley.

“Well, then it’s possible that we’ll go back to Lishugou first.

Forget it. We have done the best we can to help her to this extent. What happens next will depend on her luck.

You have worked hard during this period, go back and have a good rest. "

Qu Shaoyang waved his hands and did not blame He Yuanzhi and others. No one could have imagined that the fourth girl of the Yang family was so wild that she wanted to seek revenge before her injury had even healed.

He Yuanzhi and others left in response, leaving Qu Shaoyang to continue struggling with the pile of documents.

As we entered the twelfth lunar month, I felt that the time passed very quickly. It seemed like nothing happened and it was already the middle of the twelfth lunar month.

Every household began to prepare for the New Year, not to mention the Qu family, who started preparing early.

On the eighteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, the people sent to Phoenix City returned, bringing back a reply letter from Zhang Xiulan and many gifts.

Among them were gifts in return from Zhang Xiulan, as well as New Year gifts from Chen Yunzhe and Chen Yunhan to their sister and nephew.

In the letter, Zhang Xiulan first praised the content of Qu Shaoyang's memorial.

His opinion was similar to Liu Dongshan's. He also felt that Qu Shaoyang was young and energetic, so he should be patient, keep a low profile, and not show off too much.

Zhang Xiulan has submitted Qu Shaoyang's memorial to Shengjing General Yiktang'a. It is not clear what specific arrangements the court will make.

However, Zhang Xiulan stated in the letter that he would help promote the establishment of a county seat in Maoershan, which in itself would be a good thing for the people.

At the same time, Zhang Xiluan also said that he really liked the BMW and sword that Qu Shaoyang gave him.

Especially the knife. Zhang Xiulan could tell at a glance that it was a sword that only people of extremely noble status during the Liao and Jin dynasties could own. It was extremely rare and it was no exaggeration to say that it was priceless.

How could Zhang Xiulan not be happy when his godson gave him such good things as a filial gift?
At the end of the letter, Zhang Xiulan also invited Qu Shaoyang to meet in Phoenix after the New Year.

Let Qu Shaoyang take care of his wife and children. As a godfather, he has never seen these grandchildren.

After reading the letter, Qu Shaoyang felt relieved.

Zhang Xiulan is currently the strongest supporter that Qu Shaoyang can cling to. No matter what the cost, he has to maintain a good relationship with her.

"Wife, please settle all the household affairs before the New Year.

Around the fifth or sixth day after the New Year, I will take you and the kids to Phoenix to stay for a few days.

My parents are both in Phoenix now, and my second brother will probably go there to celebrate the New Year, so it's a good opportunity for us to go and join in the fun."

Qu Shaoyang left the yamen and returned home and said to Chen Xiuyun.

"Really? Oh, that's great. I'll prepare in advance." Chen Xiuyun was very happy when she heard it.

"By the way, Xiaozhi is back from Fengtian School, and he seems to have something to ask you."

Chen Xiuyun suddenly remembered this and hurriedly reminded Qu Shaoyang.

"Xiao Zhi is back? He came back quite early this year.

OK, I'll go to the East Courtyard and take a look. I may not be back for dinner."

During the Chinese New Year last year, Qu Shaoyang was still fighting outside, and Xiaozhi was unable to come back for the New Year because of the war.

By this calculation, the two brothers haven't seen each other for nearly two years.

Qu Shaoyang gave some instructions, then got up and went to the East Courtyard.

In the east courtyard, the two little ones, Liu Xinyuan and Liu Wanyu, learned that their brother Xiaozhi had returned, and specially asked for leave from their teacher. At this time, they were circling around their brother, chattering non-stop.

"I heard you two making noises outside. What's the matter? Are you leaving school so early today?"

When Qu Shaoyang came to the Liu family, he treated it as his own home. He did not need to inform anyone and went straight into the main hall in the backyard.

"Big brother."

When Xiao Zhi saw Qu Shaoyang coming in, he stood up from his chair and rushed to Qu Shaoyang in two steps.

Seventeen-year-old Xiao Zhi is almost as tall as Qu Shaoyang.

I haven't seen this boy for two years, and he has changed a lot. He seems much more mature than before, his voice has become deeper, and fine black hairs have grown on his chin and lips.

The little boy who was bullied has grown up.

"Xiaozhi, I haven't seen you for two years. You have grown up. Look at this boy. He is really rare."

Qu Shaoyang patted Xiaozhi on the shoulder and said with a smile.

"How is it in Fengtian? Are you doing well in school? Have you taken the examination for the title of Tongsheng?" Qu Shaoyang was also very concerned about Xiaozhi's situation and asked questions one after another.

Xiao Zhi looked at his brother, smiled and scratched his head, "I was doing okay in Fengtian, it has always been like that, my academic performance was okay, but I didn't take the Tongsheng exam.

Brother, I just have something to discuss with you." At this point, Xiao Zhi hesitated and scratched his head awkwardly.

Qu Shaoyang raised his eyebrows slightly, looked at Xiao Zhi, then looked at Liu Dongshan and Lin Ruolan.

Seeing that the two of them also looked puzzled, he guessed that Xiaozhi had not discussed it with his parents.

At this time, Lin Ruolan spoke first, "Shaoyang, come and sit down first. No matter what you want to talk about, sit down and talk."

"Hey." Qu Shaoyang responded and sat down in front of his master and mistress. Xiaozhi sat opposite Qu Shaoyang. "Brother, Dad and Mom, I don't want to take the imperial examination anymore. I want to join the army and serve as a soldier."

Xiao Zhi mustered up his courage and said in a resolute tone.

"What the hell? Tell me again? What are you going to do if you don't study?"

Liu Dongshan was the first to react. He slapped the coffee table and stood up, glaring at Xiaozhi, almost rolling up his sleeves to beat him up.

"Dad, I don't want to study anymore. I want to join the army. If any country dares to attack me in the future, I will go to the battlefield and fight them."

Xiao Zhi was not afraid, but gritted his teeth and said hatefully.

"Dad, you haven't seen what those places in southern Liaoning are like. My classmates and I have been there, and the people there live a miserable life.

If I join the army, if there is such a situation in the future, at least I can fight in the battlefield, just like my elder brother, and defend my country."

As soon as Xiao Zhi said this, Liu Dongshan and Qu Shaoyang were stunned. No one expected that Xiao Zhi would have this idea.

"That won't work either. Good iron doesn't need to be made into nails, and good men don't need to be soldiers. Why do you want to be a soldier if you don't study hard and take the imperial examinations?"

Liu Dongshan was so angry that he spoke without thinking. As soon as he said it, he realized that something was wrong.

"Shaoyang, Master is not talking about you. Don't take it to heart. You are different from those soldiers."

Qu Shaoyang was originally quite angry, but was amused by Liu Dongshan's words.

"Master, you don't have to care about me. I know what you mean." Qu Shaoyang naturally didn't care about these.

"Xiaozhi, I understand what you mean.

You feel that studying is not a way to save the country, so you want to join the army, fight the enemy, serve the country, and protect the people.

What can I say? Your idea is good, but you have studied for so many years and you are about to achieve something, but you want to join the army. Isn't it a pity?"

Qu Shaoyang gave Liu Dongshan a look, telling him to be patient, then turned around and chatted slowly with Xiao Zhi.

“You don’t have to be a soldier to serve your country.

I told you before, if you want to take the imperial examination, then you should just concentrate on studying and seek fame, and in the future you will pass the exam and become a juren or jinshi.

When you become an official, you can still make decisions for the people.

If you don't want to take the imperial examination, then study abroad, whether it's Germany or the UK.

Go out and learn more, see more, and bring back the skills from foreigners, they will be just as useful.

I, your elder brother, am not very educated. At most, I can just recognize a few words, so I chose to join the military.

You are different from me, you have studied for nearly ten years, you are an educated person, if you join the army, won't your family have trained you in vain over these years?" Qu Shaoyang advised earnestly.

"Brother, I have already thought about what you said, and there is no hope.

Taking the imperial examination? Shaking my head and writing eight-part essays all day long, my brain has become stiff.

Even if one passes the imperial examination and becomes an official, the first thing one thinks about is how to make money and enjoy life.

It is nonsense to expect that eight-legged essay can save the country and the people.

Study abroad? The imperial court sent so many people abroad, saying that they wanted to learn from foreigners in order to defeat them. What was the point of the Westernization Movement, which was so grand in recent years?

Isn't it because a tiny country like Japan beat them to a pulp?"

Xiaozhi obviously did not agree with Qu Shaoyang's statement.

It should be said that the war between Qing and Japan awakened countless scholars. They truly realized that in this day and age, it was useless to just know how to study.

"Brother, parents, you don't need to persuade me, I have made up my mind to join the army.

Not only me, but many students in our school have the same idea.

Scholars are useless. When the country is in crisis, we are still in school talking about Confucius and Mencius all day long. That is a real waste. "

No matter how Qu Shaoyang tried to persuade him, Xiaozhi was determined. He just didn't want to study anymore and wanted to join the army.

Liu Dongshan and Lin Ruolan also advised that Xiaozhi was the only one left in the Zhang family, and it was too dangerous for him to join the army. If something bad happened to him in the future, the Zhang family would have no descendants.

If they let Xiaozhi join the army, they would be unfair to Zhang Pao.

But no matter how everyone tried to persuade him, Xiaozhi was determined not to study anymore and wanted to join the army.

This made Liu Dongshan very angry, and he just threw his sleeves and left.

When Qu Shaoyang saw it, he hurriedly chased after him.

Liu Dongshan was filled with anger and had no place to vent, so he just wandered around the fence.

"Shaoyang, how do you think we should deal with this? I can't control this bear anymore. It's really pissing me off."

When Liu Dongshan was young, his family had high hopes for him and invited great scholars to teach him, hoping that Liu Dongshan would pass the imperial examination and bring honor to the family in the future.

Let’s put it this way, passing the imperial examination and pursuing a career in officialdom was Liu Dongshan’s lifelong dream that would never be realized.

He has no hope in this life, so he hopes that one of his children or grandchildren will have a promising future and can help him fulfill his dream.

It is obvious that Xiaozhi is a good student and his teacher also praises him for his potential and hope.

Under such circumstances, how could Liu Dongshan be willing to let Xiaozhi stop studying and join the army?

“Master, Xiao Zhi has grown up and has his own ideas, so this matter is really difficult to handle.

He is not a child anymore. After studying in Fengtian for several years, he has already trained himself and can go anywhere.

You tell me, can we lock him up at home for the rest of his life and not let him go out?

What if he agrees to go back to Fengtian to study, but then turns around and looks for a place to join the army? Can we stop him?"

What can Qu Shaoyang do? He can only patiently open his tutor's door.

"Then what do you think we should do? Should we really let him go to the army and fight?

Oh, how am I going to face Zhang Pao's family when I go down there?"

Liu Dongshan finally came to his senses after being persuaded by his apprentice. Yes, his son is grown up and has his own ideas. How can he let him make all the arrangements?

"Master, do you think this is okay?

I will ask Lord Zhang later to see if I can use his connections to send Xiaozhi to the Beiyang Military Academy.

German instructors were hired there, and students had to learn various cultural courses and German. It was a place where military talents were trained through new teaching methods.

After graduation, those with excellent grades can be sent to study in Germany. Even if they do not study abroad, they can serve in the military camp and are not just ordinary soldiers.

If Xiaozhi is willing, he can return to Dingbian Army in the future and serve as an instructor for the army. What do you think?"

Qu Shaoyang thought about it and felt that this was more reliable.

Graduates of the Beiyang Military Academy are generally the treasures of various armies, so Xiaozhi will have a bright future.

We can't really let that brat be a soldier, can we? That would be a waste of his talent.

Liu Dongshan's eyes lit up when he heard this, "Oh, I really haven't thought about what you said.

Alas, this child is really too worrying. You can arrange this matter. If it can be successful, that’s the best. If not, we can think of other ways. "

Liu Dongshan really had no idea what to do. Although he treated Xiaozhi as his own son, he was his adopted son after all and could not hit or scold him.

If this was his biological son, Liu Dongshan would have kicked him twice. Let's see if that bastard still dares to show off.

(End of this chapter)