As soon as Yang Chen issued his statement in public, it immediately caused an uproar in society. Various media outlets began scrutinizing the ethics within the military, especially the question whether Yang Chen had abused his power to mistreat the soldiers. These media outlets sought evidence within the military to support these claims. However, without exception, they came back empty-handed and faced harsh criticism from the military, especially from the common officers and soldiers. Moreover, these media outlets seemed to overlook the second clause in Yang Chen's statement. Of course, they were quickly reminded when Yang Chen's lawyers sent them public letters demanding evidence for their allegations. If they failed to provide proof, they had to face the legal action. Thus, they had no choice but to publish apologies to avoid lawsuits.
However, the general public remained largely indifferent to Yang Chen's statement. The private gossip about the Young Marshal Yang Chen and his boyfriend continued to spread, especially in Yucheng. Initially there had been widespread discontent regarding the construction of the museum, which fueled the people's suspicions and complaints. Many people questioned why a museum was being built before the houses was provided for the residents? Although Sanhua had repeatedly stated that the museum was funded entirely by private donations rather than public funds designated for housing but the rumor emerged that the private donations came from Yang Chen and a man named Zhou Di, who was also implicated in the previous scandal in Yucheng. This revelation, coupled with the news of Yang Chen publicly kissing a man in Yucheng, pushed Zhou Di into the spotlight once again. Zhang Zhen tried to comfort Zhou Di:
"Zhou Di, don't let this get to you. It isn't your fault and it is all because of the Young Marshal."
Zhou Di replied:
"Leader Zhang, I don't care about this as long as we can finish the museum quickly and protect those antiques. That's all that matters to me."
"The grandeur of the Yucheng City Museum is entirely thanks to you. The Young Marshal entrusted me to take charge of the Cultural Relics Bureau but, honestly, I feel embarrassed accepting this position which should rightfully belong to you. You've preserved so many antiques during the war but your contributions have been overshadowed by the Young Marshal's personal affairs. It's unfair to you."
Zhou Di smiled and said:
"Leader Zhang, please don't say this. All his affairs are what I am willing. As you know I don't concern myself with these things. Besides I have no intention of returning to work at the bureau anymore but if you need any help, I will gladly lend a hand."
Zhang Zhen replied:
"Your words mean a lot to me. Your restoration skills are indeed excellent. I visited the hotel to see those antiques, which were really repaired beautifully. Of course, I'll indeed need your help more in the future. Seeing those destroyed antiques truly breaks my heart."
Zhou Di sighed and said:
"Yeah, I also felt sorry for them. No one knows how many items An Yuanxi destroyed or smuggled back to Wasoku. Fortunately some of the antiques were intercepted by Yang Chen."
Zhang Zhen said:
"Chen Qing and his son also had a few in their organization as well, which were confiscated by the Yichun Museum. Although Chen Qing and his son tried to escape, they failed. I heard Chen Qing died in prison and his son went insane. Guan Zhengtao wanted to auction off a few antiques to rebuild his house. Of course, the Yichun Museum stopped him and promised to help him build his house. In return, he donated a few pieces to the Yichun Museum."
Zhou Di added:
"He called me recently. He wants to continue learning carving and restoration from me. I agreed, and he'll be coming over in a few days."
Zhou Zhen said with a laugh:
"Really? Are you still taking apprentices? I hope my grandson can learn from you."
Zhou Di smiled and replied:
"Leader Zhang, you flatter me a lot. Actually I want to learn from you about appraisal antiques."
Zheng Zhen chuckled and said:
"Okay, I'll teach you the appraisal and you teach my grandson the carving. Do you accept our deal?"
"As long as you trust me."
After six months of construction, a medium-sized museum was finally completed. Zhou Di, seated in a wheelchair, arrived at Xishan's villa accompanied by some soldiers and military vehicles. The ruined villa had been thoroughly cleaned. With the help of soldiers, Zhou Di entered the wine cellar, instructed them to remove the wall covering with a shovel and opened the door of the secret room. All the soldiers stared in awe at the various boxes of different sizes stored inside, wondering what they contained. Zhou Di wheeled himself into the room, placed a hand on the largest box and spoke softly to himself:
"Zhou Chuyu, Nie Huanzhang, how are you? I promised to protect you and I have kept that promise. But without Chen Ge's help, I could not have done it. I told you about what kind of relationship between Chen Ge and I. Yes, our relationship is just like yours. He is precious to me. Unfortunately, for reasons that no one will never know, you both passed away so young. We were fortunate to stay together all the time. Despite the negative public opinion surrounding us, it doesn't bother me but it weighs heavily on Chen Ge. This makes me very sad and feel sorry for him. I can't predict the future, but currently, he remains the commander leading the battle against the Wasoku people, achieving victory after victory, especially his successful rescue of his friend, General Chen Yufeng. However, despite his accomplishments, the rumors and negative opinions against him in public have persisted without cessation, leaving him burdened and disheartened. It is a source of great pain for me and I truly feel sorry for him." He sighed deeply and continued, "But let me dwell on these unhappiness. Let me share some good news with you, that is, you will be displayed to the public again. This time there is a bigger and more beautiful museum for you and other antiques. I'm sure there are more people who will definitely come to visit you, marveling at your thousand-year embrace. It fills me with joy that you have been preserved so perfectly."
Then Zhou Di instructed the soldiers to carefully remove some of the boxes and items from the secret room, ensuring they were handed over to the Culture Relic Burea. From one box, he took out a necklace, put it around his neck, and murmured:
"Chen Ge, since you're not here, I wear the necklace myself once again."
Then he instructed the soldiers to seal the secret room again and told the team stationed at the ruined villa:
"The remaining boxes inside belong to your Young Marshal. So, please make sure to protect them well."
Zhang Zhen checked carefully every box with pleasure, ensuring that the antiques inside were kept intact. Meanwhile, Zhou Di moved his personal belongings to the new building ---- Yucheng Jade Carving Company, which also became the home for war widows and orphans whom he took in as his apprentices. They lived and worked at the company under Zhou Di's guidance.
On the opening day of the museum, Zhang Zhen and Zhou Di held a large public auction. Among the items up for auction were three small sculptures carved by Zhou Di, five sets of jewelry and the porcelain items from Northern Jin Dynasty that Yang Chen had given to Zhou Di. As Zhou Di had told Yang Tianhu that he didn't have touched anything belonging to Yang Chen, he only wanted Yang Chen to deal with his own belongings in the secret room, even if Yang Chen intended to donate them. Zhou Di wanted Yang Chen to receive the recognition he deserved for those contributions.
Zhang Zhen sent some invitation to all museums and private collectors across the country to participate in the auction. Zhou Di, however, didn't attend this auction. Instead, Zhang Zhen and Zhang Tianming took charge of managing the whole auction while Zhou Di stayed at his company, teaching his apprentices.
When the people in Yucheng city heard that all proceeds from the auction would go toward the reconstruction of Yucheng, and when they saw the priceless antiques on display in the museum, especially the mummy of ZhouNie displayed in the center of the museum, the people were shocked and realized the importance of the museum construction. To further cement this understanding, Yang Sanhua also secretly revealed to the media how Yang Chen and Zhou Di had protected these antiques during the war. This instantly transformed Yang Chen and Zhou Di from despised "homosexuals" into heroes who had protected the ancient culture in the Midland. This newfound admiration for Yang Chen and Zhou Di amplified by reports of Yang Chen's ongoing battlefield victories. The entire nation erupted in support and admiration, which brought great joy to Yang Tianhu. In recognition of Yang Chen's achievements and rising popularity, Yang Tianhu officially designated him as his future successor.
When the Yang family's army had successfully expelled all the Wasoku people from the entire Midlands, Yang Chen didn't stop his momentum. He was determined to completely drive out the Wasoku people from the whole continent, including the Kawa Dynasty. However, achieving this goal would require cooperation from Kawa Dynasty. At the same time, the specific matters discussed at the meeting in Yichun began to be put into action. This included selecting a truly meaningful president, whose the presidential residence would be in Yichun. In addition, a parliament would be established to oversee the president's work, discuss various issues, formulate plans for future development in various aspects and enact laws and regulations. The president and the various departments under the president's authority would focus on implementing how to govern the entire country in accordance with the national laws and regulations. The parliament would consist of 100 members from every territory, elected through successive elections by the people rather than a single general election. Each of the four major warlords could send five representatives to form a committee that would supervise the parliament, working in conjunction with the president's office to ensure the effective implementation of various plans in their territories.
Although the army would still be governed by the individual warlords, a commander-in-chief would be appointed to control the entire army and coordinate military affairs with the four major warlords. The president and the commander-in-chief would be elected by the members in the parliament. Now the process of electing the parliament members would begin step by step. The election of the president and the commander-in-chief would be elected after the war had ended.
When Yang Chen pushed Zhou Di to stand in front of ZhouNie's glass vacuum coffin in the museum, he said:
"Every time I see them, I always feel that we are so lucky. Now that the war has ended, I must fulfil my promise."
Zhou Di couldn't help but feel sorry so he said:
"Can you just stop mentioning this issue anymore? If you don't bring it up, I don't think anyone else wants to talk about this."
Yang Chen said firmly:
"No, I must bring it up. I made a promise in my statement and I must keep it. Dizi, I have my own plans. My mother's health isn't good. When I went to see her last time, she didn't even recognize me. Mom Xu's funeral was quite grand. The main family members from other three warlords took part in her funeral to express their condolences, almost as grand as Liao Feng's funeral. Apart from Chen Shuzhang from the Chen family, Feng Xiao from the Feng family, Erhua and her husband from the Liao family, many dignitaries and social figures attended the funeral, but unfortunately you weren't there."
"Didn't you convey your condolences to me? Even Chun'er personally helped me make a small wreath and placed it there."
Yang Chen smiled and said:
"Did he tell you about it? It was indeed a small wreath, placed right beside me and him. He's also been very attentive in taking care of Aichen, always protecting him, so Aichen didn't feel any strangeness in Qudu."
"Chen Ge, I will never let Aichen visit your house again. I am sorry, maybe you think I don't understand your situation, but I also recognize that Aichen isn't welcome in your home. Chun'er wanted me to praise him so he shared many stories about how he protected Aichen in Qudu. Besides the typical squabbles and fights among children, your youngest sister openly showed her dislike for Aichen. I don't want to dwell on this because I understand her but it is unfair to Aichen."
窗体底端
"Sorry, Dizi. I apologize to you on behalf of my youngest sister."
"No, Chen Ge, there is no need to apologize. If we do, it might create some awkwardness between us and we are not as closer as we used to be, right? This isn't what I want and I can't bear it. No, Chen Ge, I am not complaining about anything. I just want you to understand the importance of protecting my child as a father. Let's not let such things affect our relationship."
After speaking, Zhou Di looked up at Yang Chen and Yang Chen took this opportunity to cup Zhou Di's face, gently kiss him on the lips, and said:
"I love you."
"I love you too."
Just as the parliament and the committee were deliberating on the appointment of the president and the commander-in-chief, a bombshell dropped. Yang Chen, acknowledging his past inappropriate behavior in public, fulfilled his promise and resigned from all official positions, providing an explanation to society. This not only caused turmoil within the Yang family and its army but also sparked an uproar throughout the entire country. A heated debate about homosexuality began to gain momentum, leaving the parliament and committee, who had been considering nominating him for the president, in a difficult position.
Yang Tianhu flew into a rage but cursed Zhou Di in Qudu. Yang Chen's siblings took turns trying to persuade him. When some individuals planned to use Zhou Di to threaten Yang Chen, they were suddenly stunned to discover that Yang Chen had already left the country, leaving behind only a blueprint for his adjutant Yang Zaihua, who was responsible for rebuilding the villa in Xishan Mountain. Yang Chen, accompanied by Zhou Di and his son, his own son and his younger brother Yang Yang, had departed for the Ferceland. The parliament and the committee had to consider other candidates for the presidency.