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

Ji Jinchun put down his teacup: "Master Gu, there's something I'm not sure if I should say."

Gu Cheng raised his hand: "Uncle Ji, please speak freely."

Ji Jinchun and Liu Xiangjiu exchanged a glance before slowly speaking: "When we arrived in Jinzhou, we didn't rush to report to the brigade headquarters. We went to the main camp construction site first."

Gu Cheng's brow twitched slightly, but he did not interrupt.

"The brothers are certainly working with great enthusiasm, that's for sure." Ji Jinchun gave a thumbs up, then changed the subject, "But watching them, I don't feel quite at ease."

Liu Xiangjiu picked up the conversation: "Master Gu, I've been training soldiers for eight years, so I have a good eye for people and teams. Those brothers on the construction site work hard, but there's something wrong with their attitude."

"What's wrong with it?" Gu Cheng asked.

Liu Xiangjiu scratched his head: "They're afraid. Not afraid of the hard work, they're afraid of you."

Gu Cheng was taken aback: "Afraid of me?"

"Yes." Ji Jinchun continued, "Master Gu, you recently executed all of Tang Zongxi's criminal subordinates in one fell swoop. Your decisiveness was evident to the people and our brothers, and it certainly felt satisfying. But on the other hand—this sense of 'fear' has also taken root since then."

He leaned forward and said, "From now on, people will say that you are intolerant of any wrongdoing, and that even the slightest mistake could cost you your head. To put it bluntly, they are working hard now not because they admire you, but because they are afraid of losing their heads. They are afraid of the new broom sweeping clean, afraid of being purged as Tang Yulin's old subordinates, and afraid of losing their lives."

Gu Cheng remained silent.

Ji Jinchun continued, "Master Gu, I'm not saying those thugs shouldn't have been killed. They deserved to be killed! But think about it—among them, some were rapists, some were involved in the riots and looting, and some were forced to go by Tang Zongxi. They didn't have any blood on their hands."

You killed them all in one fell swoop, which served as a warning to others, but it also made the brothers feel that—working under you, one wrong step meant death.

Liu Xiangjiu nodded in agreement: "Brother Jin is right. This fear, if used well, is a whip; if used poorly, it's a powder keg. If someone stirs things up one day and says, 'Since we'll die anyway if we make a mistake, we might as well rebel,' then we'll be in big trouble."

Gu Cheng picked up the teacup, but didn't drink it; he just held it in his hand and twirled it halfway around.

The room was quiet for a moment.

He put down his teacup and slowly said, "I understand what Uncle Ji means. Killing someone to establish authority, but if that authority goes too far, it becomes fear."

Ji Jinchun quickly waved his hand: "Master Gu, I'm not blaming you. You've just arrived in Jinzhou and haven't even settled in yet. Tang Yulin's old subordinates are also eyeing you covetously. If you're not ruthless, you won't be able to keep things under control."

But now that the situation has stabilized, it's time to ease things up. The brothers need to know—following you, as long as you follow the rules and are willing to risk your lives, not only will you have a way to survive, but you'll also live a life of luxury. You must understand that leading troops isn't about fear alone; you can't win people's hearts.

Gu Cheng nodded: "Uncle Ji's words resonate with me. Reorganizing the army is not just about reorganizing the unit designations, but also about reorganizing the morale of the troops."

"That's exactly what I meant!" Ji Jinchun slapped his thigh. "I'm relieved that you think that way, Mr. Gu."

Liu Xiangjiu then returned to the main topic: "Also, those officers who are in charge of the construction site, I don't think they're very good either. While others are working, they just stand there; while others are carrying materials, they watch. They shout orders enthusiastically, but they don't lift a finger. The brothers are working themselves to the bone, while they act like supervisors, just missing a whip in their hand."

Gu Cheng's eyes darkened: "Did you recognize who it was?"

"They're unfamiliar faces, I don't recognize them all." Liu Xiangjiu shook her head. "But there's a tall, thin guy with a mole on his chin. I asked around, and his name is Zhou Demao. He's the chief of staff's... what's his name again, his brother-in-law."

Shen Yi.

Previously, Gao Tianqi was ambushed and killed, and it was he who, by a twist of fate, led a group of people to rescue him.

Gu Cheng remembered this contribution and did not pursue the matter of him going into the city to drink without permission; he even gave him a kind look.

But now it seems that this kind of friendly attitude was given a little too early.

Gu Cheng stood up: "You've just arrived, you must be tired from your journey. Let me have someone prepare the east wing and settle you in first."

Ji Jinchun quickly waved his hand: "Master Gu, no rush. Business is important. We two brothers are tough and can just find a place to take a nap."

Liu Xiangjiu grinned and said, "That's right. Back when we were fighting bandits in the mountains with the old leader, we slept under trees all the time. We didn't care about these things."

Gu Cheng shook his head: "When it comes to me, do you think I'd let the two of you sleep under a tree? If word gets out, my uncle will definitely scold me for being inconsiderate."

He turned and called out towards the door, "Yang Song!"

Yang Song entered in response: "Master Gu, what are your orders?"

"Go to the backyard and have Aunt Li clean up the open room in the east wing, and replace all the bedding with new ones. Also, boil two pots of water so Uncle Ji and Brother Liu can wash up after their journey."

"Alright!" Yang Song turned to leave.

"Wait—" Gu Cheng called him again, "Tell Aunt Li to add a few more good dishes tonight, I'm treating Uncle Ji and Brother Liu to a welcome dinner."

Yang Song agreed and quickly left.

Seeing this, Ji Jinchun could no longer refuse: "Master Gu, you are too kind. We brothers are unworthy of such hospitality."

Gu Cheng waved his hand: "You're being too polite... You were sent by my uncle to help me, so you're family. Family doesn't need formalities. From now on in Jinzhou, we'll weather the storm together... With me, Gu Cheng, here, we'll share the good times and the bad!"

These words were spoken so earnestly that Ji Jinchun and Liu Xiangjiu exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with emotion.

Liu Xiangjiu scratched his head and gave a simple, honest smile: "Master Gu, what you're saying... I've worked under the old master for eight years and heard a lot of insider advice, but this is the first time I've heard anything like this. Fine, because of what you said, I, Liu Xiangjiu, will entrust my life to Jinzhou from now on!"

Gu Cheng reached out and patted each of them on the shoulder, without saying anything more.

Some things are best left unsaid.

As they were talking, Yang Song turned back.

Seeing that he looked strange, Gu Cheng first settled Ji and Liu in the east wing, then asked, "What's wrong?"

Yang Song leaned closer: "Li Mao is here. He said he has something important to discuss with you."

Gu Cheng glanced at him, a hint of disdain in his eyes: "What, did you hear about the audit and come here to strike first?"

Yang Song also curled his lip: "Master Gu, I think you should just send him away. Why bother seeing him? That kind of person is a coward, with a mountain of problems. He'll only cause trouble if he comes. Seeing him will only make things worse!"

Gu Cheng looked up at him and smiled meaningfully: "Is that so? Then I have to go see him even more."

Yang Song was taken aback, not quite understanding the meaning behind those words.

Gu Cheng straightened his clothes, speaking slowly and deliberately: "Think about it, what kind of person is Li Mao? A coward, a complete mess, he usually avoids me like the plague. Why would someone like that suddenly come knocking on my door? What do you think he's here for?"