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

Upon hearing this, Shen Yi assumed that he was just inquiring about his work and immediately put on a fawning smile: "Master Gu, there are a total of 114 people here to take the exam today."

All the papers have been collected and neatly arranged. I've taken a quick look at them; quite a few have a good foundation, and some answered quite well, as if they've received some education—"

As he spoke, he added, "Don't worry, Mr. Gu, I personally set the questions for this first round, and I also set the standards. There's absolutely no room for ambiguity."

Those who pass this stage must at least be literate, able to read and count, understand maps, and do basic accounting. I'll keep an eye on the physical fitness test later; I guarantee they won't embarrass the team.

Gu Cheng did not interrupt him, but listened to his report with a calm face, though his eyes seemed to be looking at something interesting.

After Shen Yi finished speaking, he smiled smugly, clearly quite satisfied with his work.

He was waiting for Gu Cheng to express some affirmation, even if it was just a nod or a "thank you for your hard work."

But what he received in return was Gu Cheng's leisurely question: "Chief of Staff Shen, among these people with good foundations, isn't there one named Zhou Demao?"

Shen Yi's expression froze instantly, and the smug smile on his lips was forced onto his face before he could even take it off.

He glanced at Gao Tianqi beside him subconsciously, then quickly looked away, clearly nervous: "Master Gu, who did you hear gossip from? This Zhou Demao... is indeed my nephew, but it's also true that he is talented."

Gu Cheng didn't say a word, just stared at him coldly.

Shen Yi became increasingly uncomfortable under his gaze: "Master Gu, I know what you're worried about. My relationship with Zhou Demao is indeed sensitive, but I can guarantee with my life that he earned it through his own abilities, not through any back channels I opened for him."

After he finished speaking, he added, "Or, I could have someone bring his paper separately so you can take a look at it yourself? You'll know immediately."

Gu Cheng remained silent, while Gao Tianqi said, "Staff Officer Shen, the brigade commander didn't say there was a problem with Zhou Demao's exam paper. We investigated, and Zhou Demao had repeatedly beaten and verbally abused his men at the construction site; later, when the site caught fire, he was dismissed as the person directly responsible."

Gu Cheng then said, "That's exactly what I'm talking about. How did someone who was dismissed manage to get registered?"

These words were like a stone thrown into calm water, and the smile on Shen Yi's face vanished completely.

Having his secret exposed, he was filled with embarrassment and panic, causing his face to turn pale and then red, then pale again.

He subconsciously rubbed his hands together, then wiped them on his trouser seams, as if trying to cover something up: "What makes you say that? Demao... he was indeed a bit strict with the troops on the construction site, but that was just to make the brothers work efficiently, nothing more..."

"Strict?" Gu Cheng glared at him. "When the military regulations were issued, it was already stated that it was strictly forbidden to lay a hand on any brother. And he was directly responsible for the fire at the construction site and was dismissed from his post. That's a fact, isn't it?"

Shen Yi lowered his head, not daring to look Gu Cheng in the eye: "Master Gu, about that matter... De Mao is indeed responsible. But he was young and impetuous, and didn't know any better. He admitted his mistake later. I thought he genuinely wanted to change and was indeed talented, so... I enrolled him."

Gu Cheng leaned back in his chair and asked slowly, "So, you're the one who registered him for this job?"

Shen Yi's voice lowered even further: "It was...it was my subordinate who reported it to him."

"Under what identity did you register?"

"In the name of...recommendation by the Second Battalion."

Gu Cheng seemed thoughtful, then looked at him and said slowly and deliberately, "Hey, Staff Officer Shen, you weren't in the exam room today, were you? Tianqi and I took a look around... The order in these three exam rooms was pretty good, but I noticed that your nephew started writing as soon as he picked up his pen, as if he knew the questions very well!"

Shen Yi quickly replied, "Really? Chief of Staff Zhang organized a meeting for everyone today... so I didn't go."

Gao Tianqi bluntly stated, "What are you pretending to be stupid for? The brigade commander means, did you leak the exam questions to Zhou Demao? He picked up his pen and started writing, clearly he's extremely familiar with those questions. It couldn't have been something he dreamed about, could it?"

Shen Yi looked completely innocent: "Master Gu, you're wronging me if you say that! De Mao answered quickly because he has a good foundation, he used to—"

Listening to this bastard rambling on and on, Gu Cheng finally lost his patience.

He slammed his hand on the armrest, making a sharp "smack" that made the teacup on the table jump.

"You bastard!" Gu Cheng's voice suddenly rose, like a muffled thunderclap in the side hall, "You're still not going to tell the truth, are you?"

Shen Yi, do you think I, Gu Jingchuan, am easy to fool, or do you think your nephew is a literary genius who can answer your questions with a single stroke of a pen?

Shen Yi was so shocked by the roar that he trembled all over, instinctively took half a step back, his lips trembling, and his face as white as paper.

Gu Cheng stood up, walked around the desk to him, and looked down at him: "Fine, you won't talk, huh? Then I'll call Zhou Demao over right now and question him point by point in front of you! Let's see how he's so 'well-prepared' that he can finish an entire exam paper in one go!"

He made a move to call for help, and Shen Yi finally couldn't take it anymore.

"Master Gu!" He looked up abruptly. "Master Gu, I'll talk, I'll talk! It was me... I gave Demao a sample question in advance so he could practice on it."

The side hall fell silent.

Gu Cheng stopped and turned to look at him, his gaze as deep as a still pool.

Shen Yi lowered his head, his voice so hoarse it was almost inaudible: "De Mao came to me, saying he was afraid of failing the exam and embarrassing his uncle. I took pity on him for a moment, so... I gave him a sample exam paper. I thought it was just for him to practice, not cheating..."

"Not considered cheating?" Gu Cheng stared at him. "Chief of Staff Shen, you set the questions, and you gave them to your nephew beforehand. You call this 'practice'?"

Shen Yi didn't argue; he lowered his head even further.

Gu Cheng looked at him for a while, then softened his tone: "Staff Officer Shen, you're confused."

Shen Yi raised his head, looking guilty: "Master Gu, I know I was wrong."

"You admit your mistake?" Gu Cheng glared at him. "You're the staff officer of my 11th Mixed Brigade, and the chief examiner for this selection. You showed favoritism and leaked the questions. What do you think those who relied on their own abilities think? What do you think those who didn't pass think?"

Shen Yi remained silent for a long time, his voice hoarse: "Master Gu, this subordinate... is willing to accept punishment."

Seeing his submissive appearance, Gu Cheng looked at him and said, "Officer Shen, now you have two options: First, I will give you two months' salary and then you will work as a cook in the kitchen at the camp construction site for a month."

Your nephew is disqualified from this exam. If he wants to take it again in the future, he'll have to start from the bottom and work his way up.

Shen Yi opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something more, but in the end he closed it.