Guan Yunkai told Zhou Di about his meeting with Chen Qing and his son and then said:
"Mr. Zhou, my wife has nowhere to go now. I wonder if she can stay here with me. Don't worry, we will pay you for the accommodation."
"It's not about the money. You have been paying me 50 yuan every month, which it isn't an issue. For me it is no problem for your wife to live here. However, Hu Zhenghan also lives here so I need to discuss it with him first. I'll go and talk with him now. Let Mrs. Guan take a rest for the time being."
After Zhou Di left, Guan Yunkai turned to his wife and asked:
"What's going on with the kids?"
Mrs. Guan explained:
"Since you left, Chen Qing and his son have been harassing us, constantly asking about Dad's things. I don't know anything about them, and Zhengjie told them that all of Dad's belongings had been smashed. But Chen Qing insisted that there were more things hidden by Dad. How are we supposed to know this? You know, Zhengjie confronted them aggressively and got into a fight with them. What surprised me was that Zhengtao had changed his quiet personality and stood up for Zhengjie to confront Chen Qing and Chen Geng. Later, they brought the Wasoku soldiers to our house. I was so scared as to let our children leave Yichun as quickly as possible. Now, I just hope they can find a safe place."
"I hope they can head west, to the Yang family's territory, where they'll be safe. As long as they are safe, I don't have anything else to worry about."
"Yunkai, I am with you."
Mrs Guan held her husband tightly, looking at him affectionately. While Mrs Guan was taking a rest, Zhou Di told Guan Yunkai that it was no problem for Mrs Guan to stay with him in the shop.
It had been over a year since the Wasoku troops attacked the Midlands. Yang Chen led his army of around 10,000 soldiers in a slow retreat westward. They continued to engage the Wasoku army in battle, aiming to secure a safe passage to one of the Yang family's main barracks in the southern territory. This strategic move would not only provide them much-needed supplies but also eliminate the need for dispersal and hiding.
In addition, Yang Chen had already established contact with the Liao family and reached an agreement with their navy to prevent the Wasoku's warships from approaching any part in the Midlands. From now on, the Liao family's navy, in coordination with Wang Lei's Yang family fleet, adjusted their tactics at sea. Rather than engaging in direct combat, they focused on sinking enemy ships. They even targeted docked warships, effectively trapping the Wasoku forces on land.
After one and half a year, Yang Chen finally managed to speak to his father over the phone. Yang Tianhu spoke in a nasal voice on the phone but he struggled to finish his words:
"Chen, I'm really happy to hear your voice again. There is...there is..."
Yang Chen, with tears welling up in his eyes, asked:
"Dad, is everything okay at home? Is mom all right? And what about two ladies and my siblings?"
"Chen, my boy, Zheng... Zheng has... has gone."
Hearing his father's voice crack with emotion on the other end of the line, Yang Chen was taken aback, his own tears streaming down his face. He managed to ask, holding back his own emotion:
"What happened? When did it happen? And how ... how did he..."
"Eldest brother, it is me, Sanhua."
It was evidence that Yang Tianhu couldn't continue the conversation as he was sobbing uncontrollably. Yang Sanhua's tearful voice came through the phone:
"Third brother sacrificed himself half a month ago. He was shot in the heart by a bullet, and... he passed away on the spot. His coffin was brought back home the day before yesterday. Upon hearing this news, Mom and little mom fainted on the spot. They've been in bed ever since. Fortunately Mom Liu is taking care of them and Second sister-in-law is there to help Mom Liu though she has to take care of her baby, Zizhan. Dad is trying to hold on, but I'm worried he is overexerting himself. I've come to help him with various affairs with his staffs because he is so heartbroken and exhausted. Once Sihua finishes with recruitment matters, she will come over to take care of Dad. Yang Yang is also on the front lines. Second brother has been tied up in various military factories for so long that he has no time to come back, even when Second sister-in-law gave birth their baby and during her confinement." Her voice paused briefly, still sobbing, then continued, "And, Eldest brother, Dad and Mom feel guilty for you that they had no ability to let Hu Suqiao and Zichun stay in Qudu before the war. We don't have any news about them for over a year. They have disappeared. I don't think..... Sorry, Eldest brother, please try to bear with it. If there is something happened to you, what would we do? How could Dad and Mom live without you?" She paused again, her voice chocked with tears. After a moment, she steadied herself and continued, "Eldest brother, don't worry about us and we can take care of Dad and Mom. But you must cheer up and fight against those Wasoku bastards. Drive them out of our Midlands. Don't spare them and take revenge not only for Zheng but also for all the people who have died in the Midlands."
Yang Chen, though tears flowed endlessly, remained rational as he spoke:
"Sanhua, I entrust the family to you and Sihua. Spend more time with Mom Xu and comfort her. After all, Zheng was her only son, your own brother by blood. Of course, take care of yourself as well. Don't worry about me. I am fine. Actually I've given up any hope on your sister-in-law and Zichun."
His voice cracked as he spoke. Just then, Yang Tianhu's voice came through the receiver, and Yang Chen immediately suppressed his tears:
"Chen, there is something I need to tell you. It's about the Feng family. Feng Xiao hasn't changed his nature. Taking advantage of our situation which we were caught by the Wasoku and the Chen family, he actually sent troops to attack us. However, unexpected, Feng Quan'an forced Feng Xiao to come to Qudu and apologize to me. He told me that the Feng family would never make any trouble to us during this chaotic war. According to the original agreement, he will take orders from you for ten years if they attack us. So he is waiting for your command now."
When Yang Chen heard his father suddenly shift the topic to the Feng family, he was taken aback and asked quickly:
"Dad, hold on and please speak slowly. What's going on with the Feng family?"
Yang Tianhu wiped his tears and said:
"Just as I told you. Feng Xiao doesn't have changed his troublemaker nature. As soon as he saw us in a tight spot, he attempted to intervene. He sent his troops eastward but he was failure against the Wasoku army so he turned his muzzle to us immediately. Feng Quan'an was so furious with his father and compelled him to apologize to us. Feng Quan'an reminded me that you had made an agreement with him. If he violated this agreement, he would serve under you for ten years. Although you told me about this before, I had never taken it seriously. But now he's keeping his word. Considering that we're in need of manpower and strategy right now, having the Feng family join us would be excellent. However, I don't have given him any order yet so I want to know whether you need him on your end."
"I always need people here. Where is he stationed now?"
"He is still in his territory."
"It's too far from here. It is impossible for him to come here right now. Is Chen Shuyu still with us now?"
"Yes, he's up north with us, resisting the Wasoku scum."
"Dad, do you think Feng Quan'an and Chen Shuyu could take the northwest region together? I don't have more information about the situation there right now."
"There are not many Wasoku deployments there. After all, their frontline is spread out. So they don't have more strength to deploy everywhere. Now it is Chen Shubing's troops who are the main deployment in that area. I think Chen Shuyu could know more about the situation there. I will discuss this with him and ask him to work with Feng Quan'an to come up with a plan to take that region. Oh, by the way, your victory last time has greatly boosted morale. Many people have signed up to join the military, which is why Sihua has been so busy right now."
Yang Chen spoke through tears:
"Dad, let Yang Yang stay home. If there is something happened to him, I am afraid that Mom and you won't be able to bear it."
"Chen, I know it could cost your mom's life if one more of your siblings including you has gone. But now it isn't just our family's issue, for the entire nation. If I let Yang Yang come back now, of course, it is my wish but I don't think it is what he wants. And it would be unfair to those parents who have sent their children here to serve as soldiers. Right now, I have nothing to do but tell you: Protect yourselves well and come back alive for your mom, for me and for the whole family. That's expectation for each of you."
"Chen, my child, I know that if we lose another one of your siblings, including you, it could cost your mother's life. But this is no longer just our family's issue ----it's about the entire nation. If I were to call Yang Yang back now, it's what I would want, but first, he might not even be willing, and second, it wouldn't be fair to those parents who have sent their children to serve as soldiers. Right now, all I want to say is this: Protect yourselves well and come back alive for your Mom, for me and for the whole family. That's my hope for each one of you."
As he spoke, Yang Tianhu burst into tears again and Yang Sanhua held him tightly, her own tears falling in silence. After hanging up with Yang Chen, it took a while for Yang Tianhu to regain composure. He then turned to Yang Sanhua and said:
"Let Chief-of-Staff Sun come here."
As soon as Chief-of-Staff Sun arrived, Yang Tianhu pointed to the map and said straightforwardly:
"I need you to thoroughly assess the situation in this area. If you have any question, it would be best to involve Chen Shuyu as well since this area was under his control before. I want to help him take control of it again. Besides Chen Shuyu, Feng Quan'an is also under your command."
When Yang Zaihua entered the tent, he saw Yang Chen leaning over a makeshift table, his shoulders shaking. His first thought wat that the Young Marshal was crying. He didn't know the reason. Maybe was there something happened at home? He didn't want to disturb Yang Chen, instead leaving quietly and returning with a basin after a while. After wringing out a wet towel, he walked over to Yang Chen and gently said:
"Young Marshal, please wipe your face first."
Seeing Yang Chen extend his hand, Yang Zaihua placed the towel in it. Yang Chen pressed it against his face, remaining silent for a moment. After a while, he lifted his head and asked:
"What's the matter?"
"Liao Yuanfang just called to inform us that the first batch of supplies has already been on the way here. It should arrive in about five or six days, which can resolve the problem of our supply shortage."
"Sanhua also mentioned earlier that she will send person to arrange the reconstruction here so we don't need to worry about it. Liao Feng is seriously injured and still lying in the hospital. Liao Yuanpeng has to focus on operations at sea now. We have also established the connection with the Yang family and continue moving forward. Our military supplies will be provided from our barracks. Tell Liao Yuanfang to focus on their own affairs from now on."
"Yes, Young Marshal. Is everything okay at home?"
"Zheng is gone. Chun'er and Hu Suqiao have been missing for one and half a year. Mom and Mom Xu are lying on the bed."
"What? How did Master Zheng pass away? Master Zichun and Madam Hu..."
"Did you have called Uncle Yang?"
"Not yet."
"You can make the call here. I want to go out for a walk and get some fresh air. It is mess in my mind right now. You don't need to follow me, and just let Fang Yu accompany me."
"Thank you, Master Chen."
Yang Zaihua was also in tears as his father recounted the sacrifices and dedication of the Yang family. Finally his father said:
"I have sent people to protect Master Yang. As for the Young Marshal, it is your duty and responsibility to safeguard him. I'm telling you that you must protect him with your own life. Don't let anything happen to him. If there is any accident happened to one of them, it would devastate Mrs. Yang, who has been bedridden and crying for half a month. Lady Xu is also in a daze, lying in bed and weeping every day when she wakes. We are powerless to help them. Thankfully, Lady Liu, your mom and your wife do their best to stay with them and comfort them every day. Otherwise, I don't know how they would endure. Of course, the glimmer of hope for the ladies has been that Madam Jiang gave birth to another younger master named Yang Zizhan. (Zhan means war in Chinese) The Grand Marshal said that everyone will never forget this war. Sometimes Lady Jiang comes to two madams' room with two younger masters, hoping to comfort them a little. The Grand Marshal's health is not what it used to be. The death of Master Zheng like a heavy blow has hit our Grand Marshal hard. But he is still struggling himself to hold on because there are so many responsibilities on his shoulders. Miss Sanhua has had to put aside her own work to assist the Grand Marshal, and Miss Sihua has been too busy to come home in time. As you know, our masters and mistresses used to focus solely on studying and academic pursuits before but now, they are all working tirelessly for this war and even Master Zheng gave his life for it. It's heartbreaking to witness. I can't help but feel sorrow for all they've gone through."
Yang Zaihua was deeply familiar with these young masters and mistresses of the Yang family. In their childhood, it was Miss Yihua who took care of Yang Chen and Yang Zaihua. Later Master Jing and Miss Erhua joined the family. Since Miss Yihua spent more time with her younger sister, Yang Zaihua began assisting Yang Chen in looking after Master Jing and, later, Master Zheng. Although Yang Zheng was six years younger than Yang Chen, Mrs. Yang made it clear to all her children at that time that, despite not being her biological son, Yang Zheng was still their father's son. She insisted that all her children must treat him as their blood brother. Therefore, Yang Chen, as the eldest son in the Yang family, dared not go against his mother's wishes and took care of Yang Zheng in every way possible. At that time, Yang Zaihua became Yang Chen's attache so he had also spent a lot of time with Yang Zheng. But now Yang Zheng was gone because of this war and it was evident that Yang Chen felt deeply saddened. Yang Zaihua, overwhelmed by emotion after the call with his father, left the tent with the tears streaming down his face. Just as Yang Chen walked back, he noticed Yang Zaihua's tearful expression. Silently, he patted Zaihua on the shoulder before walking into the tent. Yang Zaihua followed him behind and said:
"Master Chen!"
Yang Chen interrupted him, his tone steady yet firm,
"Don't say anything now. We have more things to do now. This war has been going on for over one and half a year. It's time for us to regain our lost territory. Let's pull ourselves together. We're going to fight back against the Wasoku's scum."