The Nineteenth National Soul

  As soon as Hua Jianfeng entered the Xiyuan Garden of the Yuan Shoufu, he felt a solemn and majestic atmosphere.

  Like him, more than a dozen other servicemen wearing the uniforms of the army, navy and air force were also extremely cautious, taking each step with great care, as if afraid of disturbing the master of this place.

  When he received the message, Huajianfeng was in a submarine base participating in the maintenance of "Gun Octopus". As a result, he didn't even have time to change his clothes and was taken away by helicopter and then sent to a naval aviation special plane. Fortunately, the person who came to pick him up was considerate and brought him a brand new naval uniform, otherwise he would have had to attend the head of state's reception banquet in his work uniform covered in oil stains.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, please go to the living room first and sit for a while. I'll come to invite you to dinner later."

  Under Wang Yuanqing's lead, a group of people filed into the living room.

  "Lao Hua, you've come too?"

  Upon hearing the familiar voice, Hua Jianfeng finally recognized Lu Chengwen. The Lu Chengwen in military uniform and the one in combat uniform were like two different people, with great differences in both physique and temperament.

  "Yes, I suddenly received an invitation."

  "Isn't this the Huabo's captain?" At this time, a second person walked over.

  "Right, let me introduce you all." Lu Chengwen immediately stepped aside and looked at the approaching colonel officer, "This is Xiang Tonghui, our Colonel Regiment Commander. This is..."

  "I've known you for a long time." Xiang Tonghui extended his hand proactively.

  "Lao Xiang, you've changed so much that I almost can't recognize you!" Hua Jianfeng finally recognized Xiang Xiong. They indeed knew each other and had even collaborated during last year's tri-service joint exercise.

  Soon, under Lu Chengwen's introduction, Hua Jianfeng got acquainted with these military officers.

  That tall and sturdy one is obviously a martial artist, Kang Xiaoting; the tall and thin one who doesn't look like a soldier but more like a scholar is Su Mingjian; the one who was clearly injured and leaning on crutches is Kong Zhihao; standing next to Kong Zhihao is another naval aviation pilot, Yan Yunxiang; wearing a navy uniform without shoulder badges and talking loudly is Cao Xuehua; lively and outgoing, actively introducing himself is Di Boqing from the naval shore-based aviation troops; among the two pilots introduced by Di Boqing, the introverted one is Liang Guoxiang and the calm one is Hong Xueliang.

  Gradually, all the officers found that they were connected together because of a particular action.

  After getting to know each other and becoming familiar with one another, the atmosphere in the living room gradually became more lively.

  At this time, Ji Youguo was on his way back to the Yuan Shoufu.

  The sudden arrival of US Secretary of State Lynch disrupted Ji Youguo's plans. If Foreign Minister Huang Guohua hadn't temporarily gone to Islamabad, and if Pang Xinglong was busy with government work, and the Premier was bedridden with illness, Ji Youguo really wanted to dump this representative of the American President, who had come from afar as a "distinguished guest", on the State Department's Protocol Office.

  After receiving a hotline call from Jia Pei'er, Ji Youguo knew that the United States had already become suspicious.

  If in the past, Ji Youguo would still have some worries, after all, the current Republic has not yet had the capital to call the shots with the United States. This time, however, it was completely different, especially after receiving Peng Maobang's report, Ji Youguo's confidence became even more sufficient. In the brief two-hour meeting, Ji Youguo kept emphasizing the Republic's sovereignty and dignity, and expressed strong dissatisfaction with Japan. Of course, Ji Youguo did not shut the door on negotiations, but only raised the price. As for how to handle things afterwards, Ji Youguo was not concerned, it should be Jia Peier and Masa's headache.

  All the way, Ji Youguo was recalling his conversation with Lin Qi.

  No signs of weakness or pretence. If too soft, it would seem cautious. If too hard, it would give the other party a feeling of covering up and being fearless. Only by grasping it properly can Jia Pei continue to suspect and not come to an immediate conclusion.

  Ji Youguo knew that this matter could not be hidden from the United States for long.

  Now, all the Republic needs is a little time, perhaps two years, perhaps three, at most five.

  Five years later, even if the United States knew that the goods had fallen into the hands of the Republic, they could only swallow their anger and silently swallow the bitter fruit.

  At this thought, Ji Youguo revealed a faint smile.

  Ji Youguo returned to the Presidential Palace when Wang Yuanqing was already waiting by the gate.

  "Is everyone here?"

  "General Peng hasn't arrived yet, everyone else is here, I had them rest in the living room."

  "Lao Peng has never been late, let's get the kitchen to prepare dinner." Ji Youguo quickened his pace. "By the way, are those two bottles of Maotai that Qin Yi's student sent last time still around?"

  "It seems like it's still there, I'll go take a look."

  "Also, send someone to buy a few more bottles back. Those soldiers, especially the officers from the special forces, are all masters of 'alcohol tests'. If I let them drink without satisfaction, they'll say that I'm treating guests poorly and being too stingy."

  "Boss, two bottles should be enough, right?"

  "Haha, you're afraid I'll drink too much, right?" Ji Youguo immediately laughed and said, "Don't worry, I'm just watching them drink. General Peng has been boasting that soldiers can drink a lot, so I want to see just how capable they are."

  Wang Yuanqing didn't say much more; as soon as they arrived at Xiyuan Garden, he had two guards go buy wine.

  Peng Maobang was the last to arrive, and the banquet officially began.

  To be honest, the "state banquet" hosted by the head of state was not that great. Thirteen people, thirteen dishes, and each dish was made quite delicately, which didn't quite suit the taste buds of those military men. What really turned off many people was that most of the dishes were mainly vegetarian, without even a few drops of oil. It wasn't until the guards brought in two boxes containing twelve bottles of Maotai, plus two bottles of twenty-year-old vintage Maotai, that the eyes of over ten guests lit up and they became slightly interested.

  "Let's raise our glasses together first." As he spoke, Ji Youguo stood up first, and the other twelve people immediately got up in unison. "Everyone relax, this is just an ordinary family dinner, not a formal occasion. Otherwise, I'd think you soldiers are ganging up to bully me, an old man."

  "The boss loves to joke around, everyone just goes along with it."

  After Peng Maobang said this, the eleven officers couldn't help but burst out laughing.

  "First of all, I would like to thank everyone present here, representing the Republic and all compatriots of the Chinese nation. Thank you!" As soon as Ji Youguo's words came out, the room immediately fell silent, and the atmosphere also became very solemn. "Here, I can only express my gratitude to you with this cup of wine. I cannot award you medals, nor can I write your achievements into your files. The reason is clear to everyone, so I won't explain it further. Thank you!"

  Twelve soldiers were moved at the same time, a simple "thank you" was more precious than any medal.

  "Perhaps history will not remember today. Nor will anyone in the future regard today as a day worth commemorating. But I believe that under your selfless dedication and hard struggle, from today on, the history of the Republic will change, and the Chinese nation will embark on a new path of development. The Republic's military personnel who participated in this action, especially those seated here, are all worthy national heroes, all worthy national heroes. Comrades, you have worked hard!"

  "For the country, for the people!" Twelve soldiers raised their glasses simultaneously.

  "Don't be in a hurry, let's drink to our hearts' content later." Ji Youguo smiled faintly and said, "Under your efforts, the Republic and the Chinese nation have gained an opportunity that is hard to come by in a thousand years, or even ten thousand years. However, the real fight has just begun, and the road ahead will still be extremely arduous, full of thorns. When we raise our glasses to celebrate victory, let's not forget the humiliation and decline of the Chinese nation over the past century, nor the difficulties and dangers on the road to revival. Let's also remember the historical mission entrusted to us by the country and the nation. To quote an old saying, 'The revolution has not yet succeeded, comrades still need to work hard.' This cup of wine is not only used to celebrate our victory, but also to encourage you all to remember the oath we once made, to dedicate ourselves to the country and the nation in the days and nights ahead."

  "Dedicate oneself to the country and the nation!"

  Wang Yuanqing hadn't even had time to stop him when Ji Youguo downed the strong liquor in his cup in one gulp.

  "Lao Ji, your stomach problem..." Peng Maobang was also startled. Ji Youguo had a history of stomach problems for over 20 years and could no longer drink alcohol.

  "It's okay, just a small cup!" Ji Youguo chuckled and sat down first. "Twenty-three years have passed, and this is my first time drinking wine. The taste is really not bad. Everyone, don't be polite, let's all have fun. Old Peng, you're in charge of the wine today, help me entertain our guests. If anyone doesn't get drunk happily, I'll deduct your allowance next month."

  The eleven officers present were excited and felt that the leader was not as strict as they had imagined, but rather very kind.

  Halfway through the banquet, Ji Youguo slipped out under the pretext of going to the bathroom. Wang Yuanqing had been wanting to get rid of Ji Youguo for a while and quickly followed him out.

  "Xiao Wang, you must keep a secret for me." Ji Youguo stopped in his tracks at the pavilion in the garden. "You absolutely cannot tell Qin Niang about my drinking, or I'll be in trouble."

  "Director, you're not in good health and shouldn't be drinking alcohol."

  "Delighted, delighted!" Ji Youguo sat down on the stone bench, "For over a hundred years, countless martyrs have given their lives one after another to gain an opportunity for national rebirth. Now, we've finally got this chance, can you say I'm not thrilled, not excited?"

  "But also can't mess up one's body."

  "A small matter, nothing serious." Ji Youguo let Wang Yuanqing sit down on the stone bench beside him. "Little Wang, how's that thing going?"

  "What's going on?" Wang Yuanqing felt a chill in his heart.

  Need I say more? How is it that you're not quite satisfied with the match Qin's aunt introduced?

  "Director, we've discussed this before, I..."

  "Alright, alright, I won't mention it again. As long as you don't tell on me, I'll never bring this up again."

  "Director, you..." Wang Yuanqing suddenly stuttered, "You're so cunning, actually..."

  "Haha......" Ji Youguo burst out laughing.

  Looking at the bright moon in the night sky, listening to the sound of wine orders coming from the dining hall, Ji Youguo's thoughts gradually flew into the sky, flying towards a distant future.

  He saw that in the near future, the world situation would undergo a drastic change.

  He saw that in the near future, the Chinese nation would once again stand at the summit of the world!