Volume 1: Military Academy Chapter 22: Rumors

  After Hu Min'er and Xiao Lan sat down, Guo Songling made an excuse to go buy cigarettes with Xu Shao Wen, then pulled Xu Shao Wen to the empty space between the train cars. There were not many people here, Guo Songling gradually became serious and asked Xu Shao Wen: "Wen Yuan, what happened just now?"

  "Mo Chen, you're thinking too much. I just happened to meet Miss Hu Min'er and saw that she didn't have a seat, so I wanted to help her out of kindness." Xu Shao Wen forced a smile and said stiffly.

  Kuo Sung-ling shook his head, looking somewhat annoyed, and said: "Wen Yuan, little brother, it seems you still don't trust me. You'd better take a look in the mirror yourself, your mouth is swollen from being punched, and yet you're still pretending to be okay in front of your older brother Mao Chen."

  Xu Shaowen was taken aback for a moment, and at this time, the corners of his mouth also gradually felt painful. He let out a long sigh, and for a moment, he didn't know how to explain it. Now, he really didn't want to mention the conflict with Japanese player Miyazaki Motoichirō again. After all, because of this matter, it was very likely that the entire Army Academy's participating players had been implicated. This sense of guilt in his heart was extremely unbearable.

  Looking at Xu Shao Wen's self-reproaching expression, Guo Songling let out a sigh and his tone became unusually stern as he said: "Wen Yuan, your brother Ma Zhong is already over 30 years old, everything has its own measure. If you encounter any difficulties, just speak up, Brother Ma will definitely support you. But if you don't speak up, it's clear that you don't trust me, your brother Ma, and this makes me very sad."

  Xu Shaowen's expression became even more difficult to look at after hearing Gao Songling say this, but he thought that since Gao was younger than him, he would definitely be cautious in his words and actions, and was absolutely trustworthy. In the end, amidst repeated sighs, he told Gao everything that had happened from meeting Hu Min'er to going to the VIP compartment to rescue Xiao Lan. After finishing speaking, he also expressed his apologies, thinking that his impulsive actions this time would affect the match between the Army University and Baoding Military Academy.

  "Wen Yuan, I'm going to scold your ancestors," Guo Songling suddenly flew into a rage after hearing Xu Shao's explanation. "You've disappointed me too much. These Japanese have bullied our family to the point where you only beat up two of their military officers and didn't teach that Japanese ambassador's dog a lesson? Aren't you ruining the reputation of Chinese soldiers?"

  Xu Shaowen looked at Guo Songling with some shock, who was filled with righteous indignation. He now felt that Guo Songling seemed to be overreacting, as if the person being teased wasn't Xiaolan, but rather Guo Songling's own younger sister. However, Guo Songling's words still struck a chord in his heart, and he too regretted not teaching Miyano Benitaro a lesson.

  "Ma Zhen, this matter is neither big nor small. No matter if that little Japanese guy is the son of the Japanese ambassador or not, he's still the referee for this match." Xu Shao emphasized his inner concerns.

  "Damn this referee, this little Japanese dog, is he still a referee? I originally hated those who harassed good women, let alone this time it's a little Japanese. Guo Songling was furious and his face turned red, his chest heaving violently, as if he wanted to rush into the VIP carriage and continue beating Miyazaki Banzaburou right now. "You're still worried about the match? Who doesn't know that this so-called military competition is just a contest between two military schools? It's completely just a trip, I didn't take it seriously at all."

  Xu Shaowen saw Guo Songling's attitude, and his mood improved a bit. At the same time, he was deeply grateful for Guo Songling's support from the bottom of his heart. He sighed and said: "Imperialism has been manipulating my China for a long time. My China should be strong enough to truly expel the imperial powers and complete its national rights."

  Kuo Sung-ling calmed himself down and continued, "Actually, just now when you weren't here, Lin Wu-wen came to find me. He told me a piece of news that he had just learned from the instructor."

  Lin Wei was representing the Riding Department to participate in this competition, so he was also on the same train. Xu Shaowen heard Guo Songling say that and became slightly curious, asking: "What news did Brother Wei say?"

  "It's about this competition," Guo Songling sighed, his expression somewhat helpless. "Actually, since our President Yuan wants to put on a show, we naturally have to be fully prepared. The umpire selected by the General Staff had already been contacted beforehand, which means that no matter what the competition is like, the Military Academy is sure to win this time."

  After listening to Guo Songling's words, Xu Shaowen couldn't help but burst out laughing, his face filled with helplessness. "Did Lin Weiwu come just to tell you this news? How sad! But never mind, let's just consider it a trip."

  Xu Shaowen couldn't help but think of the numerous sporting events in the 21st century, many of which also had predetermined outcomes or were simply fake matches. He didn't expect that such things would happen during the Republic of China era. However, perhaps as early as before the Republic of China, or rather, since humans appeared in this world, this kind of deceitful means has already existed.

  "I'm telling you this, but it doesn't really matter, you don't need to worry about what that little Japanese guy will do, the outcome of the match is already obvious," Guo Songling stretched out his hand and patted Xu Shaowen's shoulder.

  "Thank you," Xushaowen relaxed and smiled, saying, "However, since that's the case, I think the General Staff is going to have to spend a lot this time. They'll probably even award junior officer ranks and bonuses."

  "It's just a broken military rank, and there aren't many soldiers for you to command. It's an empty title, but the bonus is quite practical. When the time comes, I can even buy myself a few new sets of clothes." Guo Songling said with a smile, once again restoring his usual carefree and humorous demeanor.

  Two people talked about this matter, and then they returned to the carriage again. However, Guo Songling suddenly remembered that his seat had been given to others, and he felt a little regretful.

  Hu Min'er saw Xu Shaowen and Guo Songling return, immediately stood up, holding two big apples in her hand, and walked towards them. She looked at Xu Shaowen's face and found that his expression was much better now, so she smiled and said: "Looking at you, it seems like there's nothing to worry about anymore."

  "Yes, things have passed, what's there to worry about?" Xu Shao Wen smiled.

  Guo Songling didn't say a word, but kept staring at the apple in Hu Min'er's hand with an unscrupulous gaze. Hu Min'er naturally saw Guo Songling's attitude, but ignored him and continued to talk to Xu Shaowen: "These two apples are for you, first to thank you for saving Xiaolan, and second to thank you for giving us your seat."

  "Miss Hu, that leaves a seat for me too. How about giving me an apple as well?" Guo Songling said with a smile, and before Hu Min'er agreed, he reached out to take the apple from her hand.

  Hú Mǐn'ér hastily hid her small hands behind her back, blocking Guō Sōnglíng, and pouted: "I won't give you any, you're already so old, yet you're still acting like a child, don't you know shame?" After she finished speaking, she stuffed two apples into Xú Shàowén's hands, then stuck out her tongue at Guō Sōnglíng and made a face.

  Kuo Sung-ling looked at Hsu Shao-wen and sighed: "This world is indeed a young man's world."

  Xu Shaowen couldn't help but smile, and handed one of the two apples in his hand to Guo Songling, saying: "Brother Maochen didn't expect you to be a philosopher too, this apple is for you."

  "Goodness, I'll take it to wash first. This crazy girl gave me an apple and I'm afraid it's not clean. By the way, I still need to buy a pack of cigarettes, it's been half a day and I haven't bought any yet." Guo Songling said, taking the apple with a smile and leaving happily.

  Xu Shaowen suddenly asked Hu Min'er: "Miss Hu, you mentioned earlier that your cousin was at Baoding Military Academy. I wonder what is your cousin's full name?"

  His name is Bai Chongxi, and his courtesy name is Jiansheng," replied Hu Min'er.

  Xu Shaowen couldn't help but be taken aback, Hu Min'er's elder brother was actually the famous Bai Chongxi? Of course, Bai Chongxi wasn't famous at that time, but more than a decade later, this military general known as "Little Zhuge" would become one of the most important pillars of the Nationalist Party.

  Xu Shaowen still had some impression of Bai Chongxi, who was only 22 years old this year and happened to be a student in the second phase of Baoding Military Academy. He couldn't help but wonder that if this match against Baoding Military Academy was very serious, whether the students of the second phase of Baoding Military Academy represented by Bai Chongxi would easily win the victory?