Republic of China, 1922: Rise from the Post-Zhili-Fengtian War

Wang Yongjiang pondered for a moment: "What do you plan to do?"

Gu Cheng pondered for a moment: "The commander-in-chief said that if the Japanese send us a leg of lamb, we should accept it. Why not eat it if there's meat?"

A slight smile played on his lips. "We've accepted the vase, the gift has been given, and we've saved face. As for what they want in return—that depends on what they offer."

Wang Yongjiang leaned back in his chair, turned his head to look at him, and smiled.

"I really can't control you, kid. You can eat meat, but remember this—you can eat the meat, but don't gnaw on the bones. Don't let the Japanese devils ambush you."

Gu Cheng nodded and smiled again: "Don't worry, Lord Min, I know what I'm doing."

He pushed open the car door, one foot already out, when Wang Yongjiang's voice suddenly came from behind him, not loud, but with a hint of lingering meaning: "Jingchuan."

Gu Cheng paused, then turned around.

At this moment, Wang Yongjiang straightened up slightly and stared at him in a daze: "All these things in Jinzhou are weighing on your shoulders... I, an old man recuperating, can't be of much help, I can only keep an eye on Fengtian for you."

He seemed to hesitate, his voice lowering slightly, "But there are some things you can't just rush forward with. You have to stop and think things through."

Gu Cheng sensed the hidden meaning in his words, so he didn't rush to reply but waited quietly for him to finish.

Looking at Gu Cheng's composed expression, Wang Yongjiang sighed again: "Yu'er lost her mother at a young age and followed me around, suffering a lot. She's like me; once she's made up her mind, nothing can change it."

Gu Cheng's fingers tightened slightly.

He suddenly realized that, in some way, he had completed another man's test.

And this man seemed to be handing over his most precious treasure to her completely.

Gu Cheng hesitated, then said, "Lord Min, you..."

Wang Yongjiang waved his hand, shifting his gaze from the man's face to the passing street scenes outside the car window.

Sunlight streamed through the half-open car window, casting flickering shadows on his pale profile.

He remained silent for a long time, so long that Gu Cheng thought he wouldn't speak again.

"You're a smart kid, you should understand what I mean." His voice was hoarse, clearly exhausted. "My health isn't good, it's getting worse every day. I keep thinking that while I can still move around, I should find someone to take care of her. Not just anyone, but someone I can trust."

Gu Cheng wanted to say something, but Wang Yongjiang raised his hand to stop him.

"Let me finish." Wang Yongjiang paused, then gently patted Gu Cheng's hand. This was the first time he had ever made such an intimate gesture towards Gu Cheng. "Jingchuan, I won't ask what your feelings are for Yu'er right now. Young people are busy with their careers and don't have time for romance, I understand. But you can't keep her waiting—girls can't afford to wait."

Gu Cheng straightened his back: "Min Gong, Yu'er is a good girl. I'm not being hypocritical, and I don't want to hide it from you, the patriarch: I truly have feelings for her. It's just that Jinzhou is still unstable, and I've been very busy with official duties, so I've neglected Yu'er lately—"

Furthermore, I grew up with my uncle since childhood, and to me he is no different from my own father… I also intend to inform my uncle first, and I believe he will not object. Rest assured, by Mid-Autumn Festival at the latest, I will definitely give you and Yu'er an explanation.”

Wang Yongjiang stared at him for a long time, the scrutiny in his eyes gradually fading, replaced by relief and a sense of calm.

"That's enough for me." He reached out and patted Gu Cheng on the shoulder. "I won't force you to do anything right now. But you have to promise me one thing."

Gu Cheng didn't hesitate: "Go ahead."

"No matter what the future holds, don't let her suffer." Wang Yongjiang's voice lowered, like a father speaking of something ordinary yet incredibly weighty. "I owe her so much in this life. Her mother passed away early, and I couldn't give her a complete family. From now on..."

He didn't continue, but simply waved his hand, as if leaving all the unfinished words to be left unsaid in that single thought.

Gu Cheng took a deep breath: "Min Gong, I promise you. As long as I, Gu Cheng, am alive, I will not let Yu You suffer the slightest grievance."

After speaking, his gaze couldn't help but turn to Wang Yuyou, who was talking to Zhang Tingshu in the distance. The bright midday sun shone through the trees, casting dappled light on her light-colored cheongsam, making her look both real and ethereal, beautiful and captivating.

"How could I... possibly bear to let her suffer?"

…………

Outside the window, the streets gradually became deserted, and the houses on both sides of the road changed from brick and tile houses to low mud houses. Further ahead was a vast wasteland.

In the distance, the sounds of pile driving, shouts, and sawing wood mingled together, like a rough symphony echoing across the open wilderness.

"Jingchuan, what did you talk about with Min Gong for so long?" Zhang Tingshu leaned over from the back seat, looking curious.

Gu Cheng didn't turn around, his tone indifferent: "Let's talk about Jinzhou."

"this one?"

"That's it."

Zhang Tingshu pursed his lips, wisely refrained from asking any further questions, leaned back in his seat, took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and slowly smoked it.

He knew Gu Cheng's temperament; if he didn't want to talk about something, asking a hundred times wouldn't help.

The car stopped outside the Daying construction site.

Gu Cheng pushed open the car door, stepping onto the gravel road, dust billowing up. He squinted at the barracks frame that was already taking shape, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

On the construction site, hundreds of soldiers, shirtless, carried timber, moved bricks and stones, and dug foundations, their sweat glistening in the sunlight.

The shouts of the pile drivers rose higher and higher as several soldiers worked together to carry a thick wooden stake and hammer it into the foundation, shouting "Hey!" with each strike, making everyone's ears ring.

Mu Haisheng took off his shirt, baring his chest, and hugged the wooden stake with his brothers. His muscles gleamed darkly in the sunlight, and beads of sweat streamed down his back.

As he drove the piles, he shouted work chants at the top of his lungs. His voice was hoarse but full of confidence, carrying the ruggedness and brute force of a man from western Liaoning.

"One, two, three—Hey!"

"One, two, three—Hey!"

Gu Cheng stood at the edge of the construction site, watching this scene with an even deeper smile.

Zhang Tingshu caught up and couldn't help but grin: "This old Mu is really something. As a regimental commander, he's not ashamed to be driving piles alongside his brothers."

Gu Cheng didn't reply and strode into the construction site.

The gravel road underfoot was full of potholes, and there were wood chips and scattered bricks everywhere.

He walked around piles of timber, through rows of scaffolding under construction, and toward the main barracks.

Mu Haisheng was holding the wooden stake when he suddenly caught a glimpse of a familiar figure out of the corner of his eye. He quickly let go, straightened up, wiped the sweat from his face, and ran to Gu Cheng, standing at attention and saluting: "Master Gu!"

Gu Cheng patted him on the shoulder, his gaze falling on the sweat and dust covering his body, and nodded: "You've worked hard."