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

The last few days of May were already quite hot and dry.

At the Wayaocun camp, the soldiers had just finished their afternoon tactical drills and were washing themselves in twos and threes by the well. The camp was shrouded in a tired yet peaceful hustle and bustle.

The rapid sound of horses' hooves shattered the tranquility at that moment.

Two fast horses galloped straight toward the regimental headquarters, kicking up dust. The messenger on horseback was impeccably dressed and had a stern expression, which was out of place with the somewhat rugged atmosphere of the camp.

All the officers and soldiers who witnessed this scene felt a jolt of fear—people from the division headquarters had arrived, and they had arrived in a hurry.

The order was quickly relayed: an emergency officers' meeting, all officers of company rank and above were to assemble at the regimental headquarters immediately.

The adobe house at the regimental headquarters was packed with people. Zhao Dongliang stood in front of the map, his face so grave it looked like it could be wrung out.

Behind him stood a lieutenant colonel staff officer from the division headquarters, who was reading the order in a detached tone:

"...In view of the current enemy situation and operational needs, your regiment is hereby ordered to lift its original defensive duties effective immediately and complete its assembly and departure within five days."

You are to arrive in the Yutian County area of ​​eastern Hebei Province and return to your unit by June 5th. Your unit will be assigned to the right wing of the Eastward Advance Corps and participate in probing operations in the direction of Shijiazhuang.

The necessary food, fodder, and ammunition shall be replenished by the supply depot as needed. This order is issued by the Headquarters of the 35th Army of the National Revolutionary Army.

After the order was read, the regimental headquarters fell into a deathly silence.

The air seemed to freeze, with only heavy breathing and the desperate chirping of cicadas outside the window.

Eastern Hebei! Yutian! Shijiazhuang!

These place names were like a red-hot branding iron, searing into the hearts of every officer. Nobody was a fool. A probing attack? That's a nice way of putting it!

What kind of place is Shijiazhuang? It's the heartland of the North China Bureau and the North China People's Government!

What's the difference between going there to "test the waters" and sticking your head in a tiger's mouth?

Moreover, the five-day deadline for departure, with provisions to be "supplemented as needed"—this is clearly a death sentence coupled with an empty promise!

"Did you all hear that clearly?" Zhao Dongliang broke the silence, his voice hoarse.

"Return immediately to prepare: take inventory of personnel and equipment, and procure provisions for the march. Specific marching orders and supply points will be issued after this meeting. Meeting adjourned!"

The officers dispersed with varying expressions; some were worried, some were indifferent, and some had a barely perceptible fear flash in their eyes.

Wang Dashan walked to the door, glanced back at Zhao Dongliang, who was standing motionless in front of the map, and Zhao Ping'an, who was expressionless beside him, his lips moved, but in the end he said nothing, lowered his head and left quickly.

Night quickly engulfed the camp. The surface noise faded, and a deeper unease spread in the darkness.

Although the soldiers did not know the specific orders, the officers' solemn expressions and the news of the urgent departure were enough for them to guess that the road ahead would be fraught with danger.

The real secret meeting took place after the camp lights were turned off in Zhao Ping'an's earthen house, which also served as his office.

The oil lamp was dimmed to its lowest setting, and the windows were covered with thick cloth. There were only three people in the room: Zhao Dongliang, Zhao Ping'an, and Zhao Desheng, who had been urgently summoned.

Zhao Desheng had clearly guessed what was going on. His face was even more unpleasant than during the meeting earlier that day. He entered the room without saying a word, only looking at Zhao Dongliang and Zhao Ping'an with anxious eyes.

"Desheng, there are no outsiders here." Zhao Dongliang took a deep breath, pointed to the stool, and said, "Sit down. Ping'an, explain yourself clearly."

Zhao Ping'an nodded, his gaze sweeping over the two of them, his voice low but clear:

"Brother, Battalion Commander Desheng, this order is sending our regiment to our deaths. Going to Jidong to fight Shijiazhuang is a nine-out-of-ten chance of survival."

The best outcome is to cripple them, then throw them into an even worse place to continue serving as cannon fodder.

Zhao Desheng clenched his fists, his knuckles white: "Damn it! I knew it wouldn't be good! Commander, we..."

"We can't go and die." Zhao Dongliang interrupted him, his tone weary, but a resolute glint gradually forming in his eyes. "Ping An, what do you think we should do?"

Zhao Ping'an leaned forward slightly: "There's only one way—to revolt on the battlefield!"

"An uprising?!" Zhao Desheng nearly jumped up from his stool, then hurriedly lowered his voice, "To...towards them? Really?"

"Yes." Zhao Ping'an nodded. "Moreover, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

We didn't surrender when we were cornered; we came with a fully equipped and well-trained regiment.

To turn against them on a crucial battlefield! This is a tremendous achievement for the other side.

For all of us brothers, this is the only way to survive, and the only way out that is bright!

Zhao Dongliang stared intently at his younger brother: "Are you confident? Can they provide backup over there? Can so many of us get through safely?"

"I'm 70% confident." Zhao Ping'an didn't avoid his gaze.

"Brother, do you remember that I've always had 'business' dealings with them? There's a very urgent communication channel, which is prepared for times like this."

I can convey our intentions, scale, and route, and request them to meet us at the designated location.

As for the brothers…” He looked at Zhao Desheng, “Battalion Commander Desheng, who do you think the soldiers in our regiment trust the most right now? Whom do they listen to the most?”

Zhao Desheng paused for a moment, then slowly said, "Before, it was the regimental commander, now... the regimental commander and you, Battalion Commander Zhao."

Especially the company that implemented those new methods, and the soldiers who learned the techniques—their morale is different now.

"This is our capital," Zhao Ping'an said. "What we need to do is not to force everyone to rebel."

Instead, at crucial moments, he points out a clear path for his brothers—a path that allows them to survive and, more importantly, to live better.

Wang Dashan's company was a role model; they knew which kind of superior to follow for a promising future.

In other companies, we have provided them with sufficient food and pay over the past few months, conducted thorough training, and refrained from oppressing our soldiers, which has laid a solid foundation for our operations.

"In addition..." Zhao Ping'an paused, "We can tell the core members that this northward journey is fraught with peril, but the regimental commander has found a way for everyone to survive."

Those who are willing to trust the Commander and follow him will have no worries about food and clothing in the future, and their future will be promising!

Zhao Dongliang remained silent for a long time, the only sound in the room being the occasional crackling of the oil lamp wick. He seemed to be weighing the weight of his entire life.

Finally, he raised his head, the hesitation in his eyes replaced by a ruthless determination:

"Let's do it! For the brothers who follow me, Zhao Dongliang, and for ourselves, let's take this gamble! Ping An, go and contact Desheng immediately!"

"Commander!" Zhao Desheng straightened his back.

"You are the person I trust most." Zhao Dongliang stared at him.

"After we get back, we need to quickly spread the model from Company 1 to other companies as well. We don't need to copy everything, but we need to keep people's morale stable and pick out the most reliable people for me!"

"Pick out the nails too. We're about to start pulling them out, so be quick and discreet! Understand?"

"Understood! Commander, rest assured!" Zhao Desheng nodded emphatically.

"Alright, let's split up." Zhao Dongliang stood up. "I'll handle things with the higher-ups and arrange the miscellaneous tasks for the departure. Ping An, you're in charge of the communications."

Remember, once the message is sent, there's no turning back.

"I know, brother."

Zhao Desheng quietly left first. Zhao Ping'an immediately sat down at the table, spread out a very thin sheet of cotton paper, and began to write with a fine brush dipped in special ink.