Chapter Twenty I am called Long Jianming

  After sending off the big and small leaders, Mao Si still had to fulfill his duty of telling stories to the beauty. Such a beautiful errand is what any man would yearn for. Moreover, it was in a room with only one oil lamp on a quiet night; moreover, within tens of meters around, there were only two people, a man and a woman; moreover, this was on the Devil's Island in the southern part of the South China Sea, surrounded by vast oceans...

  But this story is not told lightly, and the atmosphere in the room is not very romantic either.

  ……

  A young military officer appeared on a dilapidated fishing pier in Taizhou Bay, Zhejiang Province. He wore a brand-new uniform that fit him perfectly, with a military backpack on his back and a green beret cocked rakishly yet solemnly on his head, which set off the youthful soldier's heroic air. The heroic temperament was also confirmed by the shoulder badges and arm badges on his uniform - an officer of the X Army's Tiger Regiment. Two years ago, in the battle of the Taiwan Strait, the Tiger Regiment had made great achievements as the absolute main force. Everyone knew that the People's Liberation Army had a Tiger Regiment, and the emblem of the Tiger Regiment was a golden tiger head; the Tiger Regiment was an old Red Army unit, not just any elite troops could wear that glorious arm badge!

  The officer walked and looked at the few fishing boats parked on the small dock, finally stopping in front of Zhejiang Fishing Boat 0107.

  "Uncle, can I rent your boat to go out to sea?"

  The boat owner, Rong Fa, was a man in his 40s with skin bronzed by the sun and sea wind. He replied gruffly while sorting out the fishing net: "Not going out to sea, went out for night fishing last night and just got back this morning, several partners are not around, not going out to sea!" Rong Fa refused the visitor's request, but suddenly felt that refusing like this was a bit impolite, so he put down the fishing net in his hand and turned around.

  "Sorry, you'd better ask someone else... Ugh..." Suddenly, Xiang Rongfa saw the young officer's arm badge and shoulder badge, which was a hard-won "prickly" thing that made his eyes ache. Young people from coastal areas all wanted to wear this badge, including his own useless son at home. But when he saw the golden tiger head on the badge, Xiang Rongfa changed his mind. "Hey, you're from the Ferocious Tiger Brigade? You're a good kid, anyone who can get into the Ferocious Tiger Brigade is a hero. Where are you headed? If it's not too far, I'll give you a ride."

  "Uncle, I'm going to Wuzhizhou Island, 40 nautical miles away. This is my officer's certificate, take a look." The young officer saw the sudden change of heart from the old boat owner and quickly reported the location, handing over his officer's certificate to Xiang Rongfa to put him at ease, after all, it was just the two of them going out to sea, in case...

  "Really, you're a young man from the X Army's Tiger Regiment! You look even more handsome and majestic than in your photo! Like a tiger, come on up!" Xiang Rongfa handed his ID back to the officer and, with a flourish, extended his hand to pull the officer aboard, but the young officer didn't let him. Instead, he pushed off against the side of the boat and leapt aboard in one bound.

  "Not bad! This kid should join the Muye Travel, Lieutenant Long Jianming, right? Help me untie the rope!" Xiang Rongfa didn't think much of it, a young guy should have some spirit, huh! If that little brat at my house could be as promising as Long Jianming, that would be great.

  Lieutenant Long Jianming helped Rong Fang to steer the boat out of the harbor, and amidst the "rumbling" sound of the engine, the two chatted idly, not feeling the time was hard to bear.

  " Lieutenant, few people go to Aohuan Island. More than 20 years ago, there was an explosion that killed people. Those who were doing some kind of research on the island seem to have all returned. What are you going there for?"

  "I'm going home! To my uncle, that's where my home is, and my grandfather lives on the island. This time I'm taking a break to go back home and accompany a few elderly people." Long Jianming said, his heart inexplicably excited.

  While boat No. 0107 was heading towards the island of Australia, an old man in a white house on the island was lost in thought while holding a photo in his hand.

  It's been over 60 years, and the Dragon God Plan has consumed the heart and soul of several generations of the Long family, even costing them their lives! The Long, Yang, and Wang families have been working on this plan since 1967, hoping to break through the constraints of time and achieve free time travel. The entire plan dates back to 1934, when Old Man Long's father, Long Huai Chuan, was born...

  Long Huai-Chuan was born in Iowa, USA to a Chinese-American family. His father, Long Ting-Hui, had previously been involved in the textile industry in Shanghai and had accumulated some assets. In 1937, he moved his family to the United States to avoid war. As a devoted father, Long Ting-Hui spared no effort in nurturing his son, providing him with the best care and education. His son's growth was deeply influenced by his patriotic thoughts and strong nationalist sentiments.

  After graduating from Princeton University's business school, Long Huai-Chuan took over the family business and gradually expanded it into a powerful commercial conglomerate. In 1967, he met Yang Zhenghe and Wang Guangqian, two Chinese students pursuing their Ph.D.s at MIT, and became close friends with them. At that time, the electronic collider had just been invented, confirming Einstein's theory of relativity and promoting great progress in physics.

  The three men were deeply inspired and decided to conduct in-depth research on relativity and the feasibility of space-time travel. Yang and Wang were responsible for academic research and talent recruitment, while Long Huai-Chuan focused on business, providing financial support for their research. The young entrepreneur and scientists, filled with patriotic sentiments and a grand vision for space-time travel and changing history, drew up a detailed plan - the Dragon God Plan.

  In April 1992, the research work of the Longshen Plan made a breakthrough, and in small-scale experiments, particles could be accelerated to the speed of light. In order to fully implement the Longshen Plan, the three people hid this great achievement in physics and continued to study secretly. Long Huai-chuan also increased the intensity of funding for the plan. At the same time as the scientific achievements were made, the second generation of the "Longshen Xiaozu" composed of Long, Yang, and Wang also matured. Three young people, Long Zheng, Yang Fangyuan, and Wang Jianhua, joined the group and gradually replaced the positions of the previous generation, becoming the main force behind the plan.

  In March 1998, when Long Teng's son, Long Yuanfan, was 15 years old, the mainland began to allow private rental of uninhabited islands along the coast. The "Dragon God Squad" then moved back to the country and established a research base on Aohuan Island, starting the construction of time-space shuttles and energy supply systems (small nuclear power plants).

  In September 2008, when the whole nation was celebrating the Olympic Games, the time-space shuttle was finally completed and tested. 25-year-old Long Yuanfan became the first human to travel through time and space. The plan was to shuttle back to China before 1840, using advanced technology to revive the Chinese nation and avoid a century of humiliation. Unfortunately, due to an unexpected accident, energy leaked out, causing the experiment to fail. Long Yuanfan also died as a result. This accident was caused by an explosion at the nuclear power plant's substation, resulting in the deaths of several research personnel...

  The huge loss, sense of defeat and grief almost knocked down the three men, Long, Yang and Wang, because: Yang and Wang had not married or had children due to their dedication to research, and Long Zhen only had one son - Long Yuanfan (the father of Long Jianming, who was then only 4 years old).

  In 2013, the "Dragon God Plan" was restarted. After all, three generations of people have invested their efforts in it, and even if the risk is great, it's worth trying! At the same time as more detailed and in-depth research and construction, Long Jianming, the only member of the fourth generation of Dragon Gods, also became an excellent soldier under the cultivation of Long Zhong and others. Because he will undertake the sacred mission entrusted by three families for four generations!

  Thinking of Sunzi, looking at the photo of a majestic young soldier in his hand, Long Ting's heart surged with pride and warmth. Sunzi and his son looked very alike, tall and agile, handsome and resolute... Looking at the photo, Long Ting remembered the few happy moments of the little boy who lost his father at 4 years old and whose mother was far away, remembered the days and nights when Long Jianming was by his side.

  Long Jianming graduated from the Shijiazhuang Army Command College with excellent grades this year and was awarded the rank of lieutenant, becoming a combat staff officer in the highly demanding Tiger Brigade headquarters...

  Young officer Xie bid farewell to the old captain of the ship, Rongfa. This simple man did not ask for a single penny for the fare, and after sending the young man ashore, he drove the boat back without looking back. The 2022 Strait War left an indelible mark on the respect for soldiers (especially elite soldiers) in the hearts of coastal Chinese people. How could a journey of just 40 nautical miles make Lieutenant Colonel Hu of the Tiger Regiment pay up?!

  Long Jianming stepped on the soft white sand, and the delicate and familiar feeling made him quickly transform from a majestic and serious military officer to a young child who had been away from home for a long time. The small white house on the rock top was already in sight!

  "Grandpa, I'm back!!"

  A loud and affectionate shout interrupted Longzheng's reminiscence. The old man was surprised and delighted to see Yang and Wang, who had come out to greet him, with a mix of joy, excitement, and hidden worry and reluctance. They were clear about the real purpose of this visit! The young man running towards them like a monkey, was the common and only descendant of the three families! The three old men had invested too much heart and love in this young military officer, carrying the future of the three families... Now, regardless of whether the Dragon God plan succeeds or not, they will lose this only hope!

  Long Jianming, who was running with all his might, also understood the psychology of the elderly. He had been preparing for this day for 22 years, and this great plan could not be delayed by any emotional factors! The suffering of the Chinese nation for a hundred years far outweighed personal emotions. His mission, given to him at birth, was to travel through time and space, complete the great cause of revitalizing China! As for him, Long Jianming, all he could do now was to alleviate the sorrow of parting before saying goodbye, give the three elderly people the greatest comfort, because: his time with the three relatives would soon be over!

  I'm home, home is always the best place in the world!

  Mao Si's voice trembled and choked as he spoke up to this point, his eyes also became somewhat moist...

  He Ningfeng woke up from the story, and now she understood: this man was not really called Mao Si, perhaps he was Long Jianming. Whatever his name was, he was him! Wasn't he?!

  "Long Jianming, what a nice name." The woman apparently noticed that the man beside her was in low spirits.

  "I just remembered, I am Long Jianming, but I'm also Mao Si. Mao San will always be my brother, and you, He Ningfeng, will always be mine! No matter where I come from or what I'll do in the future, these are unchangeable facts!" Mao Si, now should be called Long Jianming, clearly understood the intention behind the woman's deliberate praise of his name. He immediately adjusted his mood, freeing himself from the faint nostalgia and melancholy. What needs to be faced will always need to be faced! The person sitting across from him was none other than the woman he deeply loved.

  "Jianming, may I call you that?" He Ningfeng saw his affirmative expression. "Can you tell me what is spacetime?"

  It's imaginable how perplexed He Ningfeng was, she couldn't understand why a man from over 100 years later would suddenly appear on Devil Island in 1901. However, the fact is that she believed it and was convinced of it because this man was right beside her. Time-space, what a magical term!

  "This explanation would be too troublesome, and... let's put it this way, after we take our brothers to the United States, I'll send you to school to study, and when you have some basic knowledge of physics, I'll give you a detailed explanation, okay?" Long Jianming gently lifted the woman's small, smooth chin. "You can understand it this way for now: I was sent by a god, the best god! He sent me here and I met you..."

  The woman was entranced by the man's sweet words, but not completely. Her mind was still thinking about those unimaginable things.

  "So go on, what happened after you got home? How did you end up here?"