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

Mu Haisheng grinned, his two rows of teeth gleaming in the sunlight: "It's not hard work! The brothers are working with great enthusiasm. They don't rest when people are resting; two groups of brothers are taking turns working!"

Yang Hao, who was helping to count the materials, also ran up and chimed in: "Master Gu, Commander Mu and Commander Chang have discussed it and decided to personally lead the men to work. They said that the first batch of barracks must be occupied within two months."

Gu Cheng nodded and smiled: "That's really good! As long as we finish on time, I'll give each of the brothers a big bonus!"

The crowd cheered upon hearing this. Gu Cheng looked around at the men and announced loudly, "Brothers, you've worked hard these past few days... Tonight, after we finish work, I'll have someone slaughter a few pigs for you all to have a treat!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the construction site erupted in chaos.

The men who had been observing the scene cheered loudly, their voices so loud that the sparrows in the distant trees fluttered up and took flight.

"Braised pork with glass noodles!"

"Cabbage and pork bone soup!"

"It would be even better if you gave us some more wine!"

"Stop being so sarcastic, you should be grateful to have meat to eat!"

Mu Haisheng stood to the side, grinning from ear to ear, revealing a set of white teeth. He waved his arm and shouted to his men, "Did you all hear that? Boss Gu said, it's time to slaughter the pig! Anyone who slacks off tonight and doesn't finish the work won't get a single pig hair, let alone meat! Get your act together and get to work!"

"That's right, brothers, let's get to it!"

Hundreds of people responded in unison, and the chants became even louder than before.

The sound of the tamping stone rolling across the construction site like muffled thunder, the dull thud of wooden stakes being driven into the ground, the sounds of sawing wood, shavings, and shoveling all mingled together, echoing in the open field and making the ground beneath our feet tremble slightly.

"See? If you want the brothers to work hard, you have to really reward them."

Gu Cheng smiled and turned to walk out of the construction site.

Zhang Tingshu laughed beside him, "Jingchuan, you're really good at this. Killing a few pigs is more effective than any reward."

Gu Cheng walked ahead, continuing to inspect the construction site, and said softly, "They are not afraid of hardship or fatigue, but they are afraid that no one will treat them like human beings."

When Tang Yulin was around, the brothers couldn't even get a full meal. Now that they have hope, they naturally work harder.

Zhang Tingshu nodded thoughtfully, and just as he was about to speak, they both heard Yang Song shout at the same time: "Hey, what are you doing!"

They turned around abruptly and saw Yang Song blocking a veteran in his fifties. Although the man was wearing a new military uniform, he still looked disheveled.

He noticed that the two highest-ranking officials in Jinzhou were looking at him, but hesitated several times as if they wanted to say something but stopped, clearly having a lot to say.

Gu Cheng frowned and waved his hand at Yang Song.

Yang Song was slightly taken aback, but still stepped aside. The old soldier quickly stepped forward and saluted Gu Cheng: "Commander Gu, I'm not here to cause trouble. I just want to ask you one question—once this camp is repaired, are you going to kick us old folks out?"

Zhang Tingshu looked puzzled and couldn't help but ask, "Brother, you can't just say things like that! The brigade headquarters has long established rules that no brother will be abandoned. Who told you they're going to kick you out?"

The veteran looked up at Zhang Tingshu, his voice trembling: "Chief of Staff, please don't hide it from us anymore. It's all over Fengtian. The older ones, the wounded, and those who drink or smoke are all being driven away—I, I am..."

Just then, Mu Haisheng ran over from the construction site.

He first saluted Gu Cheng, then glared at the old soldier, his voice low but laced with anger: "Zhao Dehou, why aren't you doing your job properly? What are you doing here causing trouble? Master Gu is busy, go back now!"

Veteran Zhao Dehou shrank his neck but didn't move. He remained standing there, staring straight at Gu Cheng, as if waiting for an answer.

Gu Cheng glanced at Mu Haisheng: "Old Mu, don't be in such a hurry... I think Zhao Dehou has something to say, let him finish."

Mu Haisheng looked helpless and quickly said, "Mr. Gu, don't listen to these people's nonsense. If you ask me—"

He didn't finish the sentence, but he clearly noticed that Gu Cheng was getting impatient.

"Mr. Gu, I, I am..."

Noticing his growing nervousness, Gu Cheng first walked towards a large locust tree not far away, saying as he walked, "Come on, let's sit over there. It's cool under the tree, we can talk slowly."

Zhang Tingshu and Mu Haisheng exchanged a glance and quickly followed.

Under the big locust tree, there are several stone benches made of blue stones, which the workers sit on when they take a break.

Gu Cheng sat down on a stone stool and gestured for Zhao Dehou to sit down as well.

Zhao Dehou hesitated for a moment, then sat down with half of his buttocks touching the stone stool, his back still straight.

"Brother, what year did you join the army?" Gu Cheng took out a cigarette from his pocket, tossed one to him, and asked some casual questions. "I see you have some injuries, don't you?"

Zhao Dehou straightened his back: "Reporting to Commander Gu, my name is Zhao Dehou. I joined the army in 1915 and fought under Brigade Commander Tang for several years. I have two gunshot wounds and my left leg was grazed by shrapnel. I was originally in the 3rd Company of the 2nd Battalion, and now I am carrying bricks and mixing mud at the construction site of the main camp."

Gu Cheng nodded and exhaled a puff of smoke: "Zhao Dehou, I'm asking you, what's your purpose in joining the army?"

Zhao Dehou paused for a moment, scratched his head, and said, "Joining the army... isn't it just about getting a meal? My family is poor; farming can't support us. Being a soldier gives me a salary, not much, but at least I can make ends meet. After fighting so many wars, I don't know how to do anything else besides being a soldier."

Gu Cheng looked at him without saying a word.

Zhao Dehou felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze, lowered his head, and rubbed his rough hands on his knees: "Master Gu, it's not that I'm afraid of death. After fighting for so many years, I've seen at least eighty or a hundred brothers die before my eyes. I'm lucky to have this life."

I just... I just can't bear to part with this uniform. If you think I'm old and useless, you can do anything, just don't send me away. I... I really can't do anything else besides being a soldier."

As he finished speaking, his eyes reddened, and sunlight filtered through the gaps in the locust tree leaves, illuminating his hair and making the few graying strands stand out clearly.

Gu Cheng stubbed out his cigarette at his feet, then patted Zhao Dehou on the shoulder: "Zhao Dehou, who told you I was going to kick you out?"

Zhao Dehou raised his head, his gaze shifting again. "It's...it's what some of the older guys on the construction site told me. They said the higher-ups gave orders that the older ones and the injured ones would all be let go. I...I wasn't comfortable with that, so..."

Gu Cheng didn't press further. He stood up, straightened his clothes, and announced to Zhao Dehou, "Zhao Dehou, listen carefully. The military reorganization order is about clearing up the organization, not eliminating people. Those who can fight will stay, and those who can't will be transferred to the main camp construction site to watch the material yard, guard the warehouse, or handle logistics."

Your pay will continue, your benefits will remain the same, the work will be easier, and you won't have to risk your life carrying a gun. If you want to stay, go and sign up with Deputy Brigade Commander Cai. If he doesn't accept you, come find me.