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

"Old Chen, you've disappointed me so much!!"

Faced with Sister Fu's emotionally charged accusations, Old Chen was speechless.

Upon returning home, Commander Chen immediately handed over 400,000 yuan, but instead of the praise he expected, he was met with endless ridicule!

Brigade Commander Chen sat there with a look of grievance on his face!

She was heartbroken and even started ranting and raving about Zhang Renfeng's faults!

That bastard clearly accepted 500,000 yuan in bribes from my comrade Xiao Fu, yet he didn't utter a word. Doesn't that make me look like a complete fool?

He's practically a clown on stage...

Seeing that Commander Chen remained silent and looked aggrieved, Sister Fu, heavily pregnant, said angrily, "Oh, so you think you can rest at home now? It's all because Renfeng has taken care of everything for you outside."

"Think about it, the workload has been so heavy over the years. Without Renfeng's strong support, going all out and tirelessly sharing the burden for you, would you be able to be so carefree?"

"Oh, not going back to the distant past, after the Crossing the Yangtze River Campaign..."

"And then there was the pursuit and annihilation battle in western Guangdong!"

"A grand encirclement and outflanking maneuver in southern Yunnan!"

"Even in the suppression of bandits in Yunnan Province, the border battles... you shamelessly dragged them into it, making them your eternal second-in-command. Look at Renfeng, so hardworking and dedicated, and you're always calling him a beast of burden!! As if you're so capable!"

"Let me tell you, if it weren't for Renfeng wanting to take care of your health, do you think he would be willing to stay with you? If he were given a chance, I'm telling you, Renfeng would have already started his own army, and no one would care about you."

"Old Chen, you should have a conscience."

"Old Chen, you've really disappointed me..."

Sister Fu poked Commander Chen's chest hard with her finger, and Commander Chen almost cried from anger.

No?

Is Zhang Renfeng's status in your hearts higher than mine, Old Chen's?

Damn it, just how manipulative is Zhang Renfeng that he makes my beloved Xiao Fu so clueless?

Who is the person who loves you the most?

It's me!

Your old Chen!!

However, faced with Comrade Xiao Fu's accusations, Brigade Commander Chen was completely powerless to refute them.

In the restaurant, Zhang Xiyue was having dinner with her niece Zhang Yulin. Zhang Yulin asked curiously, "Second Aunt, what's going on? Uncle Chen seems to be completely defenseless against the scolding."

Zhang Xiyue chuckled. She was used to the couple's lifestyle; it was incredibly fun. Compared to Brother Chen's humor, Zhang Xiyue preferred Zhang Renfeng's sixth-person antics!

They secretly made Old Chen suffer terribly.

Moreover, the fact that such a superior-subordinate relationship could be maintained for so long is perhaps something to be admired.

Xiao Jian, who was diligently eating nearby, raised an eyebrow at Zhang Yulin: "Hey, don't worry about it. That's just how my dad is. In short, Uncle Renfeng is right, my dad is henpecked!"

"Just wait and see, they'll come out grinning like nothing happened."

Sure enough, as soon as Xiao Jian finished speaking, Brigade Commander Chen, leaning on his cane, had a bruise on his arm that was rather conspicuous, but he still stubbornly said, "Xi Yue, eat quickly, your eldest sister's cooking is excellent. After you finish eating, write me a letter."

"Oh, I've only been back for a few days, and I already miss him terribly. No, I miss him so much."

Zhang Xiyue asked, puzzled, "What kind of letter?"

"An apology letter, of course!"

"What apology letter? Who is it to apologize to?"

"Stop talking."

Brigade Commander Chen shook his head with a wry smile. "Well, I need to apologize to Xiao Zhang. What Sister Fu said wasn't unreasonable. I need to thank Zhang Renfeng properly!!!"

As he said this, his hands were clenched into fists, and he felt like tearing Zhang Xiaogui to pieces!

It's true that Zhang Renfeng was both their strength and their weakness.

At 10 p.m., Old Chen, who usually goes to bed late at night, miraculously went to bed early and didn't get up until 4 a.m. to write down a note.

[At the end of February, it rained heavily! After returning from Hebei Province, I accompanied my elder brother to report on the military equipment of the Third Army Corps in Hebei. The new Type 56 assault rifle and Type 107 rocket launcher once again received praise from the superiors. I took the opportunity to reapply for the position of Third Deputy Director of Harbin Military Engineering Institute, and the superiors and the Second Gentleman immediately approved it! This is truly a fortunate event for national defense.]

During the discussions, we encountered Minister Luo from the General Political Department. Zhang Renfeng mentioned that my fellow townsman had jokingly called him "Luo the Soldier-Buster," referring to his role in producing a million soldiers in the Northeast over three years. We were discussing promotions, and I strongly recommended Zhang Renfeng for a deputy position in a major military region. My aim was to use this as a pretext to force them to consider a full corps-level position. Those in higher positions saw through my scheme and accused me of protecting my own! Yes! I am protecting my own!! So what? You lowly scoundrels are just envious of having such a powerful deputy!

[Upon returning home, I excitedly and happily handed over the 400,000 yuan I had earned. As a result, Xiao Fu almost beat me up. Luckily, she was pregnant and her strength was much weaker than before; she only pinched the fat on my arm, and the bruises haven't faded to this day. It's like trying to win a chicken by sacrificing the rice! Zhang Renfeng! This guy is not worth dealing with. He knows all my weaknesses. This is the 36th time in three years that I've been strongly criticized by Xiao Fu for taking advantage of this little devil! Shameful! Utterly shameful!! I once commanded thousands of troops, studied under the Cheka, and possessed all-around talent in the Special Branch—how could I be controlled by Zhang Renfeng time and time again?]

He slammed the diary shut, leaned back in his chair, stared at the ceiling for a long time, tears streaming down his face...

At this point, he finally understood that his momentary cleverness had led to a lifetime of folly; he had let a wolf into the sheepfold, and this kid was using Fu to manipulate Chen...

The next morning, Zhang Xiyue picked up his pen and wrote a sincere apology letter on behalf of Commander Chen.

The letter was addressed to “My dear brother Renfeng”, followed by three long pages of text, from “My foolish brother has been acting recklessly recently” to “I am deeply grateful for your great help over the years”. It was signed “Your foolish brother Chen √￣ bows respectfully”.

Brigade Commander Chen watched from the side, muttering to himself, "Hey, isn't your writing a bit too cheesy? What 'deeply grateful'... When have I, Old Chen, ever said anything like that?"

"And this, this, this... what do you mean by 'I miss you, I think of you, I love you'? This is... no, this isn't you... oh well, never mind. You were clearly writing an apology letter, but it turns out you were writing a love letter." He said, a smirk playing on his lips. "Zhang Renfeng used to laugh at me for being a simp, for being separated from my husband, for not being able to go home. Now look what's happened..."

Zhang Xiyue didn't even raise her head in the face of the ridicule:

"Sister Fu said that apology letters must be sincere. If you find it cheesy, why don't you write it yourself?"

Commander Chen immediately shut up, sat obediently beside her and watched her finish writing, then personally folded the letter, put it in an envelope, sealed it with sealing wax, and handed it to the guard:

"Send this to the Third Army Corps Headquarters, and make sure it reaches Deputy Commander Zhang personally."

The letter was sent from Beiping, passed through the military postal system and went out of Shanhaiguan. In March, it arrived at the military postal station where the 15th Army was stationed, and then it took several more days to finally reach Zhang Renfeng.

Because after leaving Shanhaiguan, the location of the command post changed every day.

Zhang Renfeng was looking at maps in the operations room when he took the letter sealed with wax, opened it, and the first line made him laugh.

He held the letter, smacked his lips a couple of times, and waved it at Zhao Gang across from him:

"Old Zhao, look at this. Our old brigade commander apologized to someone, and it looks like a self-criticism."

Zhao Gang leaned over and read a few lines, then couldn't help but chuckle: "Tsk tsk, this writing style... it's obviously not what the old brigade commander wrote himself. But the signature is his handwriting."

"Comrade Zhao Gang, read this aloud. This was written by my wife at the request of Commander Chen. My wife's handwriting is so beautiful..."

Zhao Gang laughed heartily, looked at the chief of staff and his colleagues, cleared his throat, and said, "...Your humble brother Chen √￣ bows his head."

"Hahaha..." A burst of laughter erupted in the command post.

.....

"Hey He Daqing, cook me two dishes!"

After reading the letter, Zhang Renfeng prepared to reply and asked Daqing to cook! It must be said that He Daqing's cooking skills were absolutely superb. He couldn't understand why he would abandon his family when he had such a great honor as cooking for the committee member. It wasn't until Zhao Gang said that the white widow was very beautiful that he felt relieved.

After all, they're all men...

He Daqing replied, "Yes, Commander!"

Zhang Renfeng sat down at the table, spread out the letter paper, and began to write:

Dear Brother Chen: It is as if we are face to face to read this letter. I have received your letter and read it several times. I am deeply moved by your sincerity and understand your deep affection for me. However, there is one thing I do not understand. You mentioned in your letter that you have been "deserving of your great help over the years." I have thought about it and I really cannot remember when I helped you. I do remember that you instructed me to climb over the wall to "borrow" something in front of the General Logistics Department's clothing factory in the Taihang Mountains. Afterwards, you left without permission, leaving me to be chased and scolded by Zhang Wanhe for three hills. This scene is still vivid in my mind. Also, I am very pleased to hear that you have "handed over 400,000." However, I have already distributed all of the 100,000 I received to the engineers of the Engineering Division for extra meals. I presume that the 400,000 has all gone into Sister Fu's private treasury. This is a family matter for you, and I am not in a position to say more. I only hope that you take good care of yourself, brother, and that your leg ailment will heal soon. When we meet again on the battlefield, I will personally go to your army's front lines and greet you with artillery fire. Your brother, Renfeng, bows respectfully.

On another blank sheet of paper, write: [The Third Army Corps under Li Yunlong entered North Korea in Andong last night. This morning, the entire army assembled in Sinuiju. Three special operations teams were dispatched, equipped with radios, new weapons, and some rockets. The plan is to infiltrate the central line south of the 38th parallel to our designated defense zone. Tonight, Zeng's troops will begin crossing the river, while Qin's troops will follow.]

After finishing writing, Zhang Renfeng couldn't help but laugh. He handed the letter to his secretary, Pei Shiqiang, saying, "Send the letter back. As for the telegram, send it to Chen now."

Pei Shiqiang took the telegram and left first. At this moment, Zhao Gang leaned over, glanced at the letter, and his lips twitched:

"Sir, isn't your letter a little... well, perhaps? What if the old brigade commander gets a high blood pressure attack after reading it?"

"He has high blood pressure?" Zhang Renfeng waved his hand, a smile on his face, his tone very relaxed.

"The fact that he can still have high blood pressure even though he eats Sister Fu's cooking every day can only mean that he committed too many sins in his past life."

"Don't worry, that old guy's skin is thicker than the Great Wall. My words are nothing to him, barely even a tickle."

Old Chen's resilience is top-notch. He's a man who has endured whipping and electric shocks yet remains steadfast in his beliefs. The only thing that can defeat him is good health!

And I, Zhang Renfeng, am Hannibal, the one who gave him a comprehensive emotional massage.