"Dad."
Yang Zichun cried out loudly, tears streaming down his face as he ran toward Yang Chen. Yang Chen looked down in astonishment at his approaching son. That one word, "Dad", carried such power that Officer Zhang dropped to his knees on the ground directly and Guan Zhengtao was stunned, speechless. Zhou Aichen jolted awake from his drowsiness. Yang Zaihua's eyes filled with tears and the officer in the tent was so scared that he snapped his pencil in half. and left Guan Zhengtao stunned. The officer in the tent was so scared that he broke his pencil. Yang Chen crouched down, his heart aching as he faced the dirty-streaked little face in front of him. Without hesitation, he pulled Yang Zichun into a tight embrace. Tears streamed down Yang Chen's face as he choked out:
"Chun'er, my baby, Chun'er, Dad thought..., Thank God! You are still alive. Oh, my God! You've saved me. Baby, let me look at you, really look at you."
He held his son at arm's length, his eyes scanning him from head to toe. In the nearly three years they had been apart, Zichun had grown taller. Though his face was dirty, he didn't have the ragged appearance of a wandering child. He was dressed in ordinary coarse clothing and his figure was neither heavy nor thin. There was even a mature air about him, like a little adult. Yang Chen's tears fell freely as he hugged his son tightly once more. Yang Zichun clung to his father's neck, crying uncontrollably. Yang Zaihua wiped his tears and turned to that officer:
"Quickly! Send an urgent telegram to Qudu and report that Master Zichun has been found."
The soldier finally reacted and immediately ran out to carry out the order. Yang Zaihua gestured to Officer Zhang and Guan Zhengtao to step outside and then turned to pick up Zhou Aichen. Zhou Aichen was so frightened that he ran toward Yang Zichun, clutching his clothes tightly and calling out in fear:
"Bro."
This startled both Yang Chen and Yang Zichun. Yang Zichun quickly comforted Zhou Aichen, holding him close and said:
"Chen'er, no, Aichen, this is Dad."
Zhou Aichen hesitated, then murmured timidly:
"Dad."
Yang Chen looked at the little boy clinging to his son. The child's features carried a distinct resemblance to Zhou Di. Yang Chen knelt down slightly, his voice steady but tinged with urgency. So he asked:
"His name is Zhou Aichen, right?" Looking at Yang Zichun nodding, he continued, his voice tight with emotion, "Did you have been with Zhou Di during these years? Where is he? How is he?"
Tears welled up in Yang Zichun's eyes as he answered, his voice trembling:
"It was Pa to save me and I have been with Pa all these years. But now he has been captured by the Wasoku people." His voice cracked as he pleaded, "Dad, please! Hurry to save Pa. Dad, send the troops quickly to rescue Pa, Mr. and Mrs. Guan. Pa has a lot of things to give you."
As he spoke, he hugged Zhou Aichen tightly, who was also crying. While wiping Tears steamed down his face as he hugged Zhou Aichen tightly. The boy sobbed in his arms. Yang Chen knelt down beside them, gently wiping Zhou Aichen's tears and comforted his son firmly:
"Don't worry. I have already sent the troop to fight Wasoku army."
Standing up, Yang Chen picked up Zhou Aichen in one arm and held Yang Zichun's hand with his other. Turning to Yang Zaihua, he asked:
"Is there any news from Zhao Dayou's troop about chasing An Yuanxi?"
Yang Zaihua replied:
"Not yet."
Yang Chen made decision:
"Let's go back to Yucheng now and our troops continue marching northwards. I will stay in Yucheng for a few days."
"Yes, Young Marshal."
"Also, instruct them to try to contact Qi Yue. I think he and his men are likely near Yichun or Cangwu."
"Yes, Young Marshal."
"Let's move toward Yucheng immediately. The remaining staff will set off for Yucheng tomorrow. Oh, tell Dayou to prepare lunch for us."
As Yang Chen gave his orders to Yang Zaihua, he, holding Zhou Aichen in his arms, walked out of the tent while Yang Zaihua dashed toward another tent to relay instructions. Officer Zhang and Guan Zhengtao were still standing at attention outside. Seeing Yang Chen come out, they immediately straighteded further. Yang Chen glanced at them and asked:
"Are you Zhao Dayou's men?"
"Yes, Zhang Jie, from the regimental headquarters."
"Private soldier Guan Zhengtao reporting."
"Good. Both of you follow me back to Yucheng."
"Yes, Young Marshal."
As they drove, Zhang Jie glanced at Guan Zhengtao and asked:
"Was it a dream?"
"Felt like a dream."
Yang Zaihua drove the car while Yang Chen sat in the back seat, holding Zhou Aichen asleep on his lap, cradled in one arm and Yang Zichun leaning against him, sleeping peacefully in the other. Yang Zaihua said:
"If the Grand Marshal and Madam Yang knew that Master Zichun had been found safely, they would be overjoyed. But until now there is still no news about Mrs. Junior Yang."
Yang Chen's voice was slow, tinged with restrained emotion:
"I have no chance to ask Chun'er more about what happened to them at that time but I doubt he could explain everything clearly. So right now, the most important thing is to find Zhou Di. Once we find him, everything will become clear."
Yang Chen's voice was low, tinged with restrained emotion. "I didn't get the chance to ask Chun'er more about what happened to them back then. But I doubt he could explain it all clearly. The key now is to find Zhou Di. Once we locate him, everything will become clear."
As he spoke, Yang Chen's voice trembled with suppressed emotion. Yang Zaihua could hear the faint sniffles from his tears, knowing that Yang Chen had been crying quietly, and it weighted heavily on him. Inwardly, Yang Zaihua thought to himself: This war has changed the Young Marshal profoundly. He used to be calm in any situation no matter the situation is now almost unrecognizable when it comes to his emotions. Of course, on the battlefield, he still remains composed and decisive, but whenever he encounters those closest people to him, he's become much more sensitive and vulnerable, for example, Yang Zheng's death, Master Zichun's disappearance and the lingering sorrow of his missing lover. Perhaps he has always been like this way but there was never given him the chance to show it. This war became an opportunity for his emotions to surface.
When thinking of this, Yang Zaihua sighed deeply and prayed in his heart: Mr. Zhou, please, you must be alive and safe. If not, my Young Marshal might go mad.
Zhao Dayou arranged a relatively intact hotel for Yang Chen and the two children. Yang Chen didn't want to bother Zhao Dayou further so let him handle his own duties, but only pointed to Zhang Jie and GuanZhengtao, saying:
"I need these two."
Yang Chen personally bathed the two children, ensuring they were clean and comfortable. Afterward, they had lunch together. Meanwhile, Yang Zaihua found a fabric shop and bought two sets of children's clothing. Since Yang Zichun insisted on wearing military uniforms, Yang Zaihua had to find a tailor to modify two sets of children's military uniforms. After these matters were settled, Yang Zaihua finally had time to deal with Zhang Jie and Guan Zhengtao.
Looking at Zhang Jie, he read his resume:
"Zhang Jie, 23 years old, from Xin'an. Your father is Zhang Depei, a Chinese teacher at Xin'an High School and your mother, Liu Ailan, is a housewife. Your elder brother Zhang Chu, previously worked as a clerk at Xin'an Bank. He joined the Yang family's army after the outbreak of war. He is currently serving as a platoon leader in one of the regiments. Your younger sister, Zhang Ting, is currently volunteering with the Xin'an Student Union. You studied at Qudu University before the war and enlisted after the war started. Now you are working as a clerk under Zhao Dayou."
Zhang Jie stood at attention and replied:
"Yes, sir. Captain Zhao noticed my good handwriting and that I had studied in the university before so he kept me at the regimental headquarters."
"Alright, from now on you will work with me at the Young Marshal's headquarters. Now you go back for the relevant transfer procedures. Then come and report to me here. This is your transfer order."
Yang Zaihua handed Zhang Jie the transfer order and Zhang Jie left promptly. Then Yang Zaihua turned to Guan Zhengtao, studying his profile and asked:
"What's your relation to Guan Qin?"
"He's my grandfather."
"And what about Guan Zhengjie?"
"He's my elder brother."
Yang Zaihua sighed deeply before speaking:
"I have some unfortunate news for you. Your brother died in battle."
Upon hearing this, Guan Zhengtao remained standing at attention but his tears welled up in his eyes. He tried his best to control himself. Noticing his struggle, Yang Zaihua patted him on the shoulder, then pushed him into a nearby room and said:
"If you need to cry, do it here. Let's talk later."
Yang Zaihua closed the door and, almost immediately, heard a heart-wrenching cry of "Bro." followed by loud, uncontrollable sobs from inside. Yang Zaihua sighed deeply, feeling a pang of sorrow for this young boy. He picked up the phone and dialed the Grand Marshal's number. Then he walked out of the room, knocked on another door, opened it and said:
"Young Marshal, the Grand Marshal is on the line."
Yang Zichun hurriedly rushed over to the phone, his voice filled with excitement as
he called out:
"Grandpa, it is me, Zichun."
When Yang Zaihua entered his room again, he saw Guan Zhengtao standing there with swollen eyes, waiting for him. Guan Zhengtao stood at attention as soon as he saw Yang Zaihua. Yang Zaihua said:
"The Young Marshal and your grandfather have always been close friends for many years, and your uncle is the Young Marshal's best friend."
"Uncle Lin?"
"No, it is your Uncle Zhou who was the only apprentice of Guan Jing, your granduncle. No matter which relationship you're from, your grandfather or your granduncle, Young Marshal will never let you go back to the battlefield anymore. You have met Young Marshal's son, Master Zichun. Actually he wants a soldier. How would you feel about becoming his adjutant now? I think you are young, only 19 years old. If you agree, you can begin working alongside Master Zichun and Master Aichen right away. Oh, Master Aichen is your Uncle Zhou's son, named Zhou Aichen."
"A babysitter?" Guan Zhengtao said firmly, "No, I want to avenge my grandfather and my elder brother by killing Wasoku people."
Yang Zaihua chuckled:
"Don't be so eager. Your Young Marshal is here to avenge them for you. Listen, boy, now no one knows where your parents are and you are the only surviving son of the Guan family. Stay you alive for your grandfather, for your elder brother and for your family's legacy. You are still young and there will be plenty of opportunities in the future to honour your family. Don't underestimate Master Zichun. He will lead the entire Yang family in the future."
Guan Zhengtao straightened up further and replied crisply:
"I'll follow the Yang Marshal's orders."
When Guan Zhengtao reappeared in front of everyone, he was dressed in the uniform with a superior private, following closely behind Yang Zichun and Zhou Aichen, who were both wearing the lieutenants uniforms. However, Lieutenant Zhou Aichen was being carried in the arms of the Young Marshal. Now they stood in front of the ruins of the house on Fanghong Street and Yang Zichun said:
"Uncle Yang, you and Guan Zhengtao wait here. Don't let anyone come over."
"Yes, sir."
Yang Zichun and Zhou Aichen led Yang Chen down into the hiding place, which surprised Yang Chen. He saw Yang Zichun pull out a candle and matches from somewhere. Under the flickering candlelight, he noticed that there were the quilts laid on the ground, indicating that this had been a hiding place for the two children. The realization dawned on him. This was the reason that Zhou Di had moved his family here. Following the boys, Yang Chen crawled along the narrow long passage until they reached a secret room. Inside, he was surprised to see several antiques neatly stored. Yang Zichun approached a corner, retrieved a cloth bag and handed it to Yang Chen. Curious, Yang Chen opened it. Inside, he recognized the bankbook given to Zhou Di by him, a watch which he had bought at an auction house as a wedding gift for Zhou Di and a bracelet. As Yang Chen examined the items, Yang Zichun began to explain:
"This bracelet was made by Pa for Aichen's mom and now it is the only thing left to Aichen from his mother."
Yang Chen vaguely inferred from Zichun's words that Zhou Di's wife might have passed away. He couldn't help but glance at Zhou Aichen and gently kissed Aichen on his forehead. Yang Chen put the cloth bag in his pocket and sighed deeply before asking:
"Where does this passage lead to?"
Yang Zichun replied
"I don't know but the first time we ran into here from this side. But I don't know where it leads to."
"I'll go check. You two stay here and wait for me."
After returning to the surface, Yang Chen turned to Yang Zaihua and said:
"Tell me where it is around 50 meters radius of this house, taking it as the center."
Yang Zaihua immediately retrieved a map of Yucheng from his bag, located Fanghong Street and said:
"Most of the area consists of residential houses and shops. Wait, there is the Cultural Relics Bureau nearby."
Yang Chen nodded and commanded:
"Inform Zhao Dayou to assign a team to guard this entire area for me. Don't let anyone build any houses here. I want to build Yucheng City Museum on this site. And you," he turned to Guan Zhengtao, "go to bring some larger boxes and fill them with more wooden shavings inside, ensuring they can hold antiques. I trust you should know how to do it."
Guan Zhengtao replied, saluting before running off to carry out the task:
"Yes, Young Marshal, I understand."
Yang Chen then turned to Yang Zaihua and said:
"I'll go back inside. You stay here with the two children."
Yang Chen began retrieving the antiques, carrying them out one by one. In total, there were 18 pieces of various sizes. Guan Zhengtao returned with three large boxes filled with wooden shavings and lined with silk. The antiques were ready to be packed. Upon seeing these antiques, Guan Zhengtao examined several antiques and exclaimed in surprise:
"Oh, my god, these three items belonged to my grandfather. I remember that they were smashed by him when Wasoku people raided my home. But who restored them? They look wonderful restored."
Yang Chen explained:
"Your Uncle Zhou repaired them. But now they don't belong to your family anymore. They are mine and will be part of the Yucheng City Museum's collection."
Guan Zhengtao nodded respectfully:
"I see, Young Marshal."
Yang Chen looked at these antiques thoughtfully and silently whispered in his heart: Dizi, where are you? I miss you a lot.
As the rain began to drizzle, it mirrored the sadness in Yang Chen's heart, like the rain, shedding tears for his beloved Zhou Di.