Courtyard House: I Rely on Time-Space Trade to Build a Nation

"Dazhu," Zhao Ping'an took the bowl of lukewarm porridge and gulped it down in a few mouthfuls.

He forced himself to suppress the emptiness and chill in his stomach, and looked at the young soldier before him—in his memory, his name was Liu Dazhu.

"My brother... um, when the commander left, did he leave any message? Or did he say when he would be back?"

Liu Dazhu shook his head: "The regimental commander only told the brothers to hold on, and he will definitely find a way to get food and medicine back."

"Nothing else was mentioned... Platoon Leader, do you have an idea?" A faint glimmer of hope flickered in the boy's eyes.

Zhao Ping'an didn't answer directly, but rolled over and got out of bed.

He was a little weak, but still able to manage. He rummaged through his meager belongings for a while...

They found a rough little cloth bag, opened it, and inside lay five "Yuan Shikai silver dollars" with an old sheen.

This is all the belongings the original owner had saved up, intended as travel expenses in case things went wrong.

Now it seems there's a better use for it.

Concentrate and silently recite the system's name; a simple, semi-transparent interface appears before your eyes.

He found the exchange function and tentatively inserted a silver dollar into it using his mind. The silver dollar vanished instantly.

[Exchange successful. You have received 300 system currency points.]

Five silver dollars, all exchanged.

[Current system currency: 1500 yuan.]

Zhao Ping'an checked the prices in the system shop: pork belly was 15 yuan per jin (500g), and raw rice was 3 yuan per jin.

These 1500 system coins should be enough for the whole platoon to have a few decent meals.

However, as Zhao Ping'an saw more and more products in the online store, an idea gradually formed in his mind.

1500 yuan is not much, but it's enough to buy something "special" and put on a show to earn back a hundred or a thousand times the cost.

"Dazhu," Zhao Ping'an said, fastening the buttons of his worn-out military uniform, a different look in his eyes. "Take the brothers who can still move and come with me into the city."

"Go to town? Platoon leader, what are we going to town for? The regimental commander ordered us to guard the garrison..."

"Find the regimental commander," Zhao Ping'an interrupted him, his tone leaving no room for doubt, "and by the way, find a real way for our regiment to survive."

"Go, gather everyone. Those who can leave, leave. Leave two people behind to look after the seriously injured."

Although Liu Dazhu was puzzled, seeing the platoon leader's resolute tone and unusual expression, he instinctively stood at attention and replied, "Yes, sir!"

About half an hour later, Zhao Ping'an appeared near a city gate in Beiping City with about ten soldiers who were thin but reasonably well-organized.

The sky was overcast, with leaden clouds hanging low, as if they might unleash even more cold snowflakes at any moment.

The city walls were tall and dilapidated, exuding a sense of desolation in the end times.

Soldiers had set up checkpoints at the city gates, and few people were going in or out; they all looked hurried and distressed.

Zhao Ping'an immediately spotted a familiar figure standing not far inside the city gate, talking to a city guard officer—Zhao Baoguo.

His sworn brother, Zhao Dongliang's elder brother, was also from the deputy commander's inner circle and was now an acting regimental commander.

The troops guarding this city gate and the surrounding area are more reliable than those under Zhao Dongliang.

"Brother Baoguo!" Zhao Ping'an quickened his pace and walked over.

Zhao Baoguo turned around upon hearing the sound and saw Zhao Ping'an and a group of emaciated soldiers behind him. His brows immediately furrowed.

"Ping An? What brings you here? And with others? Where's Dong Liang?"

"Second brother, my eldest brother went into town to the headquarters to ask for food and medicine, and he hasn't returned yet." Zhao Ping'an's face showed just the right amount of anxiety and worry.

"Several men in the camp...regiment have been wounded, and more and more are getting fevers. If we don't get medicine soon, they might not make it."

I was really worried, so I brought a few brothers into the city to look for them, and also to see if we could... think of another way.

Zhao Baoguo sighed, his fleshy face twitching, and lowered his voice: "What about headquarters..."

"Alas, food and medicine are scarce everywhere now. If Dongliang goes, it will be difficult. You all go in like this..." He looked at the soldiers behind Zhao Ping'an.

"Second Brother, please do me a favor." Zhao Ping'an took a step closer, his voice even lower, "Have a few of your men follow me, and I promise I won't cause any trouble. The main thing is..."

I've heard that Mr. Lou Zhenhua, the man from Loubancheng in the city, is a kind and righteous person, perhaps...

"Could we try our luck and ask for some donations?" He deliberately paused on the word "donations".

Zhao Baoguo's eyes flickered.

He certainly knew Lou Bancheng's name; he was a famous wealthy merchant in Beiping, indeed known for his "philanthropy."

But he is also very shrewd and cunning, and has close ties with some superiors, so it's not easy for ordinary people to squeeze money out of him.

However, judging from Zhao Ping'an's posture, he didn't seem to be going to beg; rather, it seemed like...

Several thoughts raced through his mind. He glanced at the soldiers who were staring at him expectantly, but ultimately, remembering his friendship with Zhao Dongliang, he nodded.

"Alright. I'll send two people to guide you, so you won't wander around the city aimlessly."

"Remember," he stared at Zhao Ping'an, his tone serious, "this is a sensitive time. Don't cause trouble for me or your brother!"

Find Dongliang, or... finish your business and get out of the city quickly!

"Understood! Thank you, Second Brother!" Zhao Ping'an straightened his back and saluted.

Soon, two veterans under Zhao Baoguo were assigned to the city. Zhao Ping'an, along with his dozen or so soldiers, followed the two men into Beiping in early 1948.

The streets were wide, but desolate. Most of the shops on both sides were closed, and those that were open were almost deserted.

The pedestrians were ragged and their expressions were numb. Only the occasional passing military jeep kicked up dust, revealing a somewhat incongruous restlessness.

A repressive, expectant silence hung in the air.

As Zhao Ping'an walked, he quickly opened the system store in his mind.

1500 system coins can only buy a limited number of items.

His gaze quickly locked onto categories like "food" and "daily necessities," but his finger slid across the list, eventually stopping at a less noticeable category.

They chose something that wasn't expensive, but was definitely a "rare commodity" in this era.

With a slight movement in the system space, the goods were stored.

Zhao Ping'an's goal was very clear:

Lou Zhenhua, also known as Lou Bancheng. This wealthy businessman, who was already incredibly rich even after donating most of his fortune before the events of "Full House of Love" began,

He was the most suitable target for him to acquire his "first pot of gold" in this time and space using extraordinary means.

As for the reason for the visit? The elder brother, Zhao Dongliang, hadn't returned from "demanding" his rations and pay at headquarters, and the younger brother was extremely anxious, so he led his troops to find his brother.

I took the opportunity to visit Mr. Lou, who is known for his generosity, and told him about the hardships of the soldiers, hoping that he would lend a helping hand... How reasonable and justifiable!

As for how to get this shrewd businessman to "willingly" provide "aid" in hard currency,

Zhao Ping'an touched the little thing that had been transferred from his spatial storage to his backpack, a barely perceptible smile appearing on his lips.

"Treat others with courtesy first, then resort to force. This deal is highly profitable and in high demand. If Lou Bancheng doesn't even have this much foresight, then he's not without guns himself."