A courtyard house; Li Yunlong, a subordinate of the deputy director of Harbin Military Engineering I

As for Zhang Wanhe, he's been eating well these past few years. His face has gotten rounder, and when he smiles, his eyes squint, making him look like a Maitreya Buddha. But anyone who's dealt with him knows he's incredibly shrewd and meticulous in his logistical work.

When Li Yunlong made a mistake and was demoted to the clothing factory, it was under his management. That time, Lao Zhang was also punished.

But this guy is so loyal; he didn't tell anyone about these things, and he figured out how to cover up the losses.

This is Brother Zhang, who cared for Zhang Renfeng during the Long March in the Third Red Army Corps.

Minister Yang strode forward, grabbed Zhang Renfeng's hand and shook it vigorously twice: "Hey, you Zhang Explosive, Zhang Explosive! This time there are plenty of shells, so go ahead and make them, let those Japanese devils feel the power of your explosives."

"Let me tell you, those arsenals in North China have been operating non-stop for the past few months, all to build up the resources for your Third Army Corps."

Zhang Renfeng smiled wryly and gripped Minister Yang's hand tightly in return:

"Thank you for your support, Minister Yang."

In addition to the supplies needed by the Third Army Corps, they also had to take on some supplies for friendly forces, so their mission was quite heavy from the moment they entered Korea.

In addition to strategic materials, there were also waterproof tarpaulins prepared in advance, a certain amount of seamless steel pipes, and some equipment for on-site modification of military equipment.

These items were all compiled by Zhang Renfeng himself. He and Zhang Wanhe checked them several times, carefully verifying each item.

Zhang Renfeng was a weapons expert in his previous life, so he attached great importance to military equipment. He knew what was lacking and needed on the battlefield, and he had prepared these things in advance so that he wouldn't be caught off guard.

Then Zhang Renfeng turned around and shook hands with Zhang Wanhe. Minister Yang, standing beside him, added with a smile, "Renfeng, there's a reason why Zhang Wanhe didn't attend your wedding. To prepare supplies for your Third Army Corps, he spent months traveling to factories all over the country."

"Well, I was just getting ready when I heard I was coming to see you, and I came running over here like a puppy."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Renfeng looked Zhang Wanhe up and down in surprise: "Oh my, Zhang Wanhe, why are you so generous now?"

Zhang Wanhe chuckled, "Back then it was because we were poor, and of course we're still poor now. But at least we can allocate quite a bit more resources. This time, we have to make the Zhang family proud. The louder you, Zhang Baopo, blow up in Korea, the more confident I'll be in mobilizing supplies from the rear."

The group then discussed the specific details of the resource allocation for a while.

Zhang Renfeng checked the specifications of the seamless steel pipes, the amount of waterproof felt to be used, and the tool models needed for the modified equipment with Zhang Wanhe one by one.

Zhang Wanhe listened and nodded, then patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, most of these things were taken to Baoding by Li Yunlong."

It was already dark when I left the Nie family.

Brigade Commander Chen and Zhang Renfeng walked side by side in the alley, the winter north wind lashing their faces like knives.

Brigade Commander Chen walked slowly with his cane, so Zhang Renfeng slowed down to accompany him.

The two walked in silence for a while, then the old man suddenly turned around, his expression unusually serious: "I won't be by your side this time, so control your temper. Don't act like Zhang Fei, always beating and scolding your subordinates."

Especially Li Yunlong, he's not young anymore, it wouldn't be good if he suffered some internal injuries.

Zhang Renfeng was amused by his serious expression: "Oh my, you can even speak up for others?"

"Bullshit! I'll always speak up for others!"

Brigade Commander Chen glared at him, but there wasn't a trace of anger in his eyes. "You're good in every way, except you have too much of a temper. Before, I had your back, and if you hit or scolded me, someone would cover for you. This time, I'm not going to get over it right away, so you'd better think it over yourself."

Zhang Renfeng stopped smiling and nodded seriously: "I understand. And you? When will you be able to catch up?"

Commander Chen took a step forward, leaning on his cane, his steps heavier than usual: "You go ahead first. I'll catch up once my injuries have healed a bit!"

He spoke lightly, but Zhang Renfeng could tell that the old man was more anxious than anyone else.

His leg ailment had been recuperating in Beiping for several months, with its condition fluctuating. If he waited until it was fully healed before returning to the capital, it would be too late.

But these things can't be rushed, so Zhang Renfeng didn't urge him any further.

Actually, he didn't need to urge him; the formation of the Third Army Corps was entirely his own idea.

After walking for a while, Zhang Renfeng suddenly spoke up, "Old Chen, you have to promise me something."

Brigade Commander Chen was surprised, "???"

"From now on, when you write in your diary, don't be so explicit. It's not good. Our diaries might end up in a museum. If you write so explicitly, people will think I, Zhang Renfeng, am an immoral person, which will damage our image in the eyes of the people!"

Upon hearing this, Brigade Commander Chen was greatly alarmed!

"Damn it! Did you read my diary again?"

...

That afternoon, Zhang Renfeng had to lead the temporary command post northward.

Zhang Xiyue escorted him to the alley entrance, held his hand and stood there for a while, her lips moved, and finally she only said one sentence: "Take care of yourself when you get there."

Zhang Renfeng nodded and patted the back of her hand: "Take good care of yourself at home and wait for me to come back."

That evening, Zhang Renfeng's temporary command post arrived in Baoding.

Li Yunlong's military headquarters was stationed in an old barracks on the outskirts of Baoding. The courtyard was small, and several brick walls had crumbled, but the order inside was impeccable—the sentries stood ramrod straight, vehicles entering and leaving were registered meticulously, and orderly commands could be heard from inside the barracks.

Zhang Renfeng got out of the jeep and had just reached the entrance of the military compound when he saw his bodyguard, Sun Bing, leading a group of people on patrol.

The young man was wearing his newly issued cotton military uniform, with a belt around his waist and the cuffs rolled up twice to reveal his strong forearms. The tan on his face hadn't completely faded, but he was much more energetic than he was back in Beiping.

He saw the convoy parked at the gate, paused for a moment, then strode forward and snapped to attention with a crisp military salute:

"commander!"

After getting out of the car, Zhang Renfeng sized him up a few times. The kid was dark-skinned and looked like he had trained hard.

"How's your training going?" he asked casually.

Sun Bing grinned, his back ramrod straight:

"Commander, don't worry, once we get there, I promise I won't let you down! First to storm the enemy base, then I'll blow up the enemy's strongpoints!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Renfeng turned to look at Zhao Gang, the director of the Political Department who had come with him from Beiping, and couldn't help but laugh: "Old Zhao, look at me, my bodyguard is pretty awesome too, even more hot-tempered than Wei Dayong."

Zhao Gang jokingly added, "You, Sun Bing, I'm waiting to see when you'll bring me back a first-class merit."

Sun Bing snapped to attention and saluted again, his voice booming:

"yes!"

As the group was talking, a large group of people suddenly poured out of the military headquarters.

Leading the way was Li Yunlong, his steps were powerful and vigorous, and his smile stretched from the corners of his mouth to the roots of his ears. Behind him followed closely Political Commissar Sun Tai'an, Deputy Army Commander Xing Zhiguo, and Chief of Staff Zhang Dabiao, each of them with an irrepressible enthusiasm on their faces.

Li Yunlong strode up to Zhang Renfeng, arms outstretched as if to pounce, shouting, "Oh, old commander! You... damn it... you really move me! I never imagined you'd come all the way here after leaving Beiping!"

Zhang Renfeng stepped to the side, and Li Yunlong missed his target, nearly losing his balance.

Looking at him like this, Zhang Renfeng mocked, "Look at him, when did Li Datou learn to be so obsequious like a woman? Oh dear, with your attitude, you're making me look like some kind of monster. I don't have a son as big as you."

I brought you here not to be my sons, but to send you to North Korea to fight my grandsons! It took me a tremendous amount of effort to get you here!

Li Yunlong regained his footing, not annoyed at all. He chuckled and scratched the back of his head: "Old Commander, what are you saying? I'm just excited! You personally came all the way to Baoding; that's a great honor for our army! Don't worry, this time in Korea, I'll give it my all!"

Li Yunlong now practically treats Zhang Renfeng like a father, even though Zhang was originally stationed in the Fujian Military Region of East China. He wouldn't even be considered for a role in a war like the Korean War.

He was so jealous when he heard that Kong Jie had entered the court that his teeth ached and he felt like he was going to die while lying in his hospital bed.

Fortunately...

The old commander, perhaps in order to secure a spot for himself to be transferred north, actually sacrificed his virtue by marrying Chief of Staff Nie's adopted daughter. Relying on Chief of Staff's name, he forcibly pulled him into the Third Army Corps.

What the hell is this if not his biological father? Damn it, Old Li, you better stay strong!!

Zhang Renfeng's smile faded, his gaze sweeping across the man's face, his tone becoming more serious: "This time in Korea, you must bring out the fighting spirit of your army. Always draw your sword when facing the enemy!"

Li Yunlong's playful expression vanished, replaced by a solemn look. He snapped to attention and saluted, "Yes, sir!"

Sun Tai'an, Xing Zhiguo, and Zhang Dabiao behind him also saluted at the same time, their eyes all falling on Zhang Renfeng, their eyes filled with an undisguised determination.

Several officers in the military headquarters were extremely excited. They were all equally excited. Originally, there was no chance of going to Korea at all, but several months ago they received orders to be transferred and incorporated into the Third Army Corps. They were going to Korea with their old commanders.

Old Li has been analyzing lately, saying that Commander Zhang sacrificed his looks and slept with the Chief of Staff's daughter in order to get them the opportunity to go on this expedition.

How could they not be moved?

In that instant, Zhang Dabiao almost couldn't hold back any longer and pulled his hat off, kneeling down to say: "I want to thank you, my Father Zhang!!" From a certain perspective, Commander Zhang indirectly saved his and Xing Zhiguo's lives.

Now... in order to get his old unit back to its original location, he actually broke his 30-plus years of being single and married Chief of Staff Nie's daughter, who must be an extremely ugly woman, right?

Seeing these grown men with red eyes, Zhang Renfeng was puzzled. "Wait, I'm telling you, you're all seasoned generals, what's wrong with you? Why are you crying?"