Yang Chen held Zhou Di tightly in his arms, tears streaming down his face. He could feel the dampness of tears soaking into his shirt as well. It had been over a month since they last saw each other, and both yearned for the other's presence. They didn't exchange any words, just embraced each other tightly as if trying to meld into one another. Eventually, Yang Chen pushed Zhou Di onto the bed, seeking solace from their month-long separation through kisses and passion. They spent the entire day indoors, not venturing outside. Nestled in Yang Chen's embrace, Zhou Di said :
"I have read the report about your mother's birthday celebration. They said it was quite grand, with all four warlords personally attending to offer their congratulations."
Yang Chen replied:
"In truth, this event was merely a pretext to gather them all together and issue a brief statement, reassuring the public of our commitment to maintaining peace and safeguarding the people's livelihoods."
Zhou Di inquired:
"But why did they issue such a statement? Is something going to happen?"
"It's hard to explain to you. Last time we went to the northern region. What did you think?"
Zhou Di replied:
"You know I have no knowledge about this but I noticed that you focused more on Wasoku last time."
"Yes. I hope my judgment is wrong. The people in Wasoku are ruthless and seem inclined towards conflict with us."
Zhou Di trailed off, unable to comprehend:
"What? Conflict? Or war?"
"Maybe it is war. If it happens, I have a feeling that we are the most likely target of their aggression, especially from the sea. Our navy is no match for theirs. If war breaks out, we'll have to fight tooth and nail. Right now, I will focus on the eastern sea so I don't want to more troubles to bother me."
Zhou Di puzzled, asked:
"More troubles?"
"Yes, maybe it is from the western. That is why I went to the western and signed the contract with them for their guarantee."
Zhou Di murmured in disbelief:
"Goodness! War!"
Yang Chen gently caressed his exposed body and said:
"Don't worry. I'm here. Although our navy is not strong enough, I will do my best to improve it at a short time. There are a long coastline in our territory and many young people have been dealing with water since children. They are skilled at handling the water so it is easy for them to overcome seasickness at sea and to adapt to naval warfare as soon as possible. In this aspect they are much better than the soldiers from the interior. It allows these soldiers to master the ability of warship combat as soon as possible. I refuse to believe they are inferior to Wasoku. Actually the Liao family's navy is better than ours. We have even sought assistance from Liao Feng, who will send the experienced naval officers to train our soldiers. However, my concern lies with our warships because our tonnage pales in comparison to Wasoku's."
Zhou Di asked:
"Then what can we do?"
"I just hope that our judgement is wrong. Wasoku isn't bent on war so we will have more time to bolster our navy. But if Wasoku truly attacks us, we've also taken contingency measures, preparing to ally with the Liao family and improving our naval strength. I also worry about the trouble lying with the Chen family. Chen Yutian appeared no different this time in Qudu, but according to our information, he recently took a woman, who happens to be from Wasoku. It is said that many officials and officers have concubines from Wasoku in the northern region. This is one of the problems I worry about. Additionally, there is discord within the Chen family. Chen Yutian's eldest son, Chen Shuyu, is stationed at our northwest border supposedly to defend against us and the Feng family. However, most of this land is desert and gobi in this district where the Feng family and the Chen family is connected. Feng Quan'an and I could easily defeat him, who has no more experience on the battlefield. However, we are not interested in this land. So the only one who wants to occupy there is the Feng family. From my opinion, it seems Chen Yutian has essentially exiled his eldest son, focusing on grooming his second son, Chen Shubing. However, Chen Shubing isn't in the military and resides in Shengjing. My father thought that this was the way for Chen Yutian to protect this son. Only his third son, Chen Shuzhang, remains by his side. These three sons are from three different mothers. Chen Shuyu's mother is Chen Yutian's wife, a frail old lady who came to Qudu this time. It was said that she wanted to live with her own son but Chen Yutian refused her request. Chen Shubing's mother was once Chen Yutian's favourite concubine, but she isn't younger anymore. Chen Shuzhang's mother passed away early, which is why Chen Yutian keeps him close, out of love for his deceased concubine and concern for his son's well-being. None of the three sons actually control the army, which is basically controlled by Chen Yutian and Chen Yufeng. "
"Then does Chen Shuzhang know how to command on the battlefield?"
"I have never fought with him. Normally, I have fought with Chen Yufeng a few times. He is about the same age as you. Chen Yutian also has two other sons and two married daughters. Now he has another woman from Wasoku. Of course I don't care about how many concubines he has, but what I care about is this woman from Wasoku. You have never known what might happen in the future."
"What about Chen Yufeng's family?"
"Chen Yufeng also likes women but he never brings them home nor does he have any illegitimate children. He handles it well, and there is only one wife at home. He has two sons and one daughter. In fact Chen Yufeng's position in the army is rather awkward. Yes, he is truly in charge of a part of the Chen family's military strength now, but he spends more time in Tongliao so as to keep away from the power centres of the Chen family's. But avoid Chen Yutian suspicion, Chen Yufeng doesn't dare to cultivate his own power too much and even none of his sons serve in the military. But I know that many officers in Chen's army voluntarily stand by his side, for example Pang Dehai, whom you have met last time. As for his sons, the eldest son, Chen Shuyun, is a professor at a university and the other, Chen Shulong, is doing business successfully. Actually I plan to find time to talk with him about the business."
"Do you want to go into business?"
"My baby, let me tell you that it costs a lot to maintain an army. It's incredibly expensive! Even with the taxes we collect, we have to take care of the people's livelihoods and maintain good relations with the other three families. How can it be enough to manage everything in our territory? So, typically, we have to earn more money to fund our own armies. Apart from me, my second younger brother, Yang Jing, is involved in the military industry. The third, Yang Zheng, is studying economics and the fourth, Yang Yang, is studying finance."
Zhou Di smiled and remarked:
"All of your brothers are really united, with such a clear division of responsibilities, firmly grasping the lifeline of a country."
"It's not that we are united. It's actually what I told them to do, especially the third and the fourth. Yang Jing chose mechanic because he liked it. Yang Zheng wanted to be like me so I told him that if he wanted to stay in the army, he had to lead the entire troops effectively, then I would study economics. As a result, he said he wanted to be my subordinate in the army. If I left, he wouldn't have the confidence to lead the troops himself, so he surrendered and chose to study at the university. Yang Yang is most afraid of me. After knowing Yang Zheng's result, he asked me directly what to study and my answer was just one word: finance."
"How domineering you are! I heard your sisters are also studying in middle school and at the university. Do you also tell them what to study?"
"No, I don't interfere with what they do or don't do. Even if they choose not to marry, I will support them at any time."
"You are indeed a good eldest brother."
"Why do I feel a bit jealous hearing this from you? Don't worry, you are always my baby no matter what you're like. You are mine and I am also yours."
Zhou Di's heart sank and said:
"I know. But I also know you're not just mine alone. You are a Young Marshal, a son, an eldest brother, a husband and a father. I am just your sexual partner so I dare not to ask for too much but I just want to see you more often. I really miss you so much."
Yang Chen gently tapped Zhou Di on the buttocks and said:
"What nonsense are you talking about? Just a sexual partner? Is this how you think about our relationship? I would hit you on your buttocks heavily, not like this because your words are really hurtful. If I wanted to find a sexual partner, I could find one everywhere and not come to Yucheng just for a sexual partner." Then he tightened his embrace around Zhou Di and continued, "Don't you think I miss you? Zhou Di, listen to me. I'm not with you just to find a sexual partner. I like you, no, I love you. Do you understand? I love you. Don't say such hurtful things like this, okay?"
With tears in his eyes, Zhou Di kissed Yang Chen and said:
"Sorry, it is not my meaning. You know I miss you so much that I've been having some negative thoughts, feeling a bit insecure. Please don't be mad at me."
"My baby, I miss you too. That's why I rushed over here. But don't worry anymore. I might have more time to come over in the future. I told you about Wasoku's navy which is stronger than ours so I will focus on our eastern coastline for a long time. It's only two-hours drive from Yucheng so we can meet each other often. But I wonder whether you have time or not."
Zhou Di lowered his head and said:
"Of course I have time. My wife has already been pregnant for two months, so it isn't convenient for us to engage in intimacy frequently. My grandparents don't have moved to the city. Of course they came to see the house, but they don't want to leave Zhouzhuang village. You know, most of the inhabitants there are from my family's clan. Their normal life is to drink tea, play chess, have a chat and practice Qi Gong together and so on. Actually it is a comfortable and happy life there for the old people. So my grandparents are unwilling to move out. But if they move to the city, I don't think they would feel pleasure and comfortable without friends and relatives in the city. So, since they don't come, my wife stayed at home to take care of them and I go home on weekends. Now I'm the only one living in that house. To be honest, I feel like I've let your kindness down."
Yang Chen says jokingly:
Yang Chen joked:
"So what do you do when you are alone there? With your wife and me not around you, no one can control you so you can find some concubine or lover?"
"What? Do you think I am a person like this? Don't mention the concubine or lover, I don't even have a cat or a dog here. After work, I spend most of my time carving and then missing you."
"How is the carving going? Actually I have something to discuss with you."
"What's the matter?"
"I want you to be in charge of a jade company. It doesn't need to be big, but it must be good. Quality over quantity. As for the stone materials, don't worry. I've already signed the contract with other three warlords, who will provide the stone materials. You can do what you want. What I want is for you to make money for me, I mean, a large amount of money."
"Do you think I have this ability to do this? If you just let me carve some items, I can promise I will do my best. But as for running a company, I don't have this confidence because I don't have much experience in running a company."
"Don't worry. I will find someone to help you, someone trustworthy, definitely."