Chapter 1: National Chaos Seeking Survival Section 18: Eight Trigrams New Symbol

  Two days later, in the afternoon, at the drill ground of the battalion headquarters of Dongbalian Village, Linglong Tower Town. After Liu Mingjiu ran out of the team from the whole company and stood at attention with Kang Daxuan who brought grain rations, he saluted: "Report to the Chief of Staff, the 8th Company has assembled in full, with 115 people on duty and 115 people actually present, please review."

  "Ah, good, the military uniform is quite tidy." Kang Da Xuan looked at the 8th company which had only 37 people a few months ago. Now it not only restored its original formation but also looked more like an army than before. Looking at Liu Ming Jiu with a smile, he continued to say: "Everyone can disperse now. I won't say anything else, let the brothers continue their training."

  "Yes." After Kang Daxuan finished speaking, Liu Mingjiu saluted him again and turned to face Luo Xiliang in the front row of the team, giving orders: "Everyone is present, at ease, attention! Deputy Commander Luo, take the team back."

  Luoshi Liang immediately turned around and gave a series of orders to the company, and under the leadership of each squad leader, they left the drill ground in an orderly and uniform manner. This army finally had the appearance of a regular army under Liu Mingjiu's tireless efforts and personal leadership. Kang Daxuan also couldn't help but feel a sense of relief and admiration after watching.

  "Little Liu, you're really something. In less than half a year, you've turned the 8th company into an elite unit." After entering Liu Mingjiu's office, Kang Daxuan sat down on the wooden chair and continued to say: "This barracks is also renovated to be comparable to the regimental headquarters. You little brat still sends 'ghost runners' to my place to cry about being poor? Looking at your attitude, you don't seem to lack money either."

  Liu Mingjiu looked at Kang Daxuan, who was leaning lazily against the back of his chair, and his anger had already reached his throat. I just reformed the army's discipline, reformed the old system that relied on exploiting the people, and you all colluded to suppress me, cutting off my five months' worth of military rations. Fine, I'll rely on myself from now on, without relying on any of you. Now, looking at how I've led the company out of this place, seeing how I've turned the barracks around, what's wrong with that? Isn't it all right now?

  Although he was furious in his heart, Liu Mingjiu's face had a very humble smile: "This is all done by brothers together, and subordinates just played a leading role. The renovation of the camp didn't cost much money, it was all sent by the wealthy families and common people from the town."

  "Alright, stop hiding your true intentions from me. Among the five merchant teams that have left Changyang Prefecture, at least one of them must be flying your Flying Dragon flag on their banner. You little brat are richer than any of us, and it's gotten to the point where other brothers are coming to me to complain about you." Kang Da Xuan looked at Liu Ming Jiu's expression, after all, he had watched him grow up, and started out trying to keep a straight face and speak seriously, but by the end, he couldn't help but let a smile spread across his face.

  Liu Mingjiu saw from Kang Daxuan's expression, which changed from stern to smiling, and that fierce gaze that seemed put on, that he wasn't truly angry about the matter of sending troops as bodyguards. Kang Daxuan had always been in cahoots with Sun Congzhou, and everyone in the entire Yi Army knew the saying "Sun-Kang, Kang-Sun; Sun never leaves Kang, Kang only recognizes Sun." Since Kang Daxuan didn't really mind his own officers being used privately, naturally neither did Battalion Commander Sun.

  "You're giving me too much credit, the other brothers are all doing the same thing, I'm just a latecomer trying to catch up. As for those who hang the Flying Dragon flag, they're not necessarily my bodyguards, there must be many impostors." Liu Mingjiu lowered his head and stood in front of Kang Daxuan with a sly smile on his face.

  "Alright, stop taking advantage of me here. Later comers will surpass us, I think if you were a bit more generous, the entire Chaoyang Prefecture's merchant fleet would become your money bag. Give some leeway to other brothers, don't always make them come to me and Old Left and Team Leader to complain. Team Leader and I are covering for you, but the 18th Regiment can't rely on just one company like yours.

  Kang Da Xuan looked at Liu Mingjiu's expression, also couldn't help but smile while pretending to be very angry, finished speaking, took out a document from his breast pocket, and continued: "I won't argue with you anymore. This time I came to bring the five months' worth of wages that haven't been issued to your company, along with this month's together. Hope you don't blame me and Sun Shu, the higher-ups didn't give it to the regiment, even if the regiment wanted to give it to you, they couldn't."

  "Little nephew understands, hehe, little nephew represents all the brothers in the regiment to thank you and Uncle Sun, Uncle Zuo." Liu Mingjiu heard that it was not only the five months' worth of pay that had been withheld from him that were made up for, but also next month's pay was sent together in advance. Only then did he truly feel happy in his heart.

  Kang Daxuan looked at Liu Mingjiu with a childlike smile on his face and suddenly stood up: "Liu Mingjiu, listen to orders."

  "Yes." Liu Mingjiu was taken aback by Kang Daxian's sudden exclamation, and suddenly stood up again with a serious expression.

  "Colonel Liu Mingjiu, acting commander of the 8th Company, 3rd Battalion, 18th Regiment, 2nd Division of the Yi Army, was ordered to reorganize the 8th Company in May. Since then, he has restored the company's organization, led his troops effectively, eliminated bandits, and brought peace to the local area, earning him recognition for his achievements. He is hereby formally appointed as the commander of the 8th Company and promoted to the rank of Army Captain, with full responsibility for the defense of the Linglong Tower area. I hope you will continue to work diligently and make even greater contributions to our Yi Army."

  Kang Daxuan finished reading the document aloud and looked at Liu Mingjiu: "This time, your 'acting' title is gone, and you've also been promoted one rank. You'll have to work even harder from now on! Damn it, for your sake, the regiment commander had to personally go see the division commander. You're really quite something!"

  Liu Mingjiu listened and saluted Kang Daxian: "Subordinate received the order, thank you, Captain and Chief of Staff for your support. Subordinate will work harder in the future. Please rest assured, Captain and Chief of Staff, subordinate will do his best to make the 8th Company truly achieve the goal of 'first battle use me, use me must win' as soon as possible."

  Kang Daxuan lifted his foot and kicked Liu Mingjiu's butt: "You damn well better stop messing with me, you deceitful little demon. Autumn is coming, and those beards will soon be 'harvested'. No matter how loudly you shout, Commander and we will judge your brigade based on actual performance."

  "General, rest assured. At least I can guarantee that no matter whose men enter the Linglong Tower, they will not leave. Even if those Mongolian bandits from the grasslands come, I have a way to make them come and go as I please." Liu Mingjiu dodged Kang Daxuan's flying kick and continued to speak in a serious tone: "I can control how many of them enter and how many are thrown out."

  "Haha, alright, your nickname as the God of Death wasn't earned for nothing. You're thinking of annihilating them just because you mentioned fighting. Your current personnel won't change, 'Mule' and 'Ghostly Escape' have also been formally appointed and promoted. You can give them the documents yourself later." Kang Da Xuan smiled and said, taking a cup of tea from Liu Mingjiu's communications officer Shen Fengyuan before sitting back down in his sandalwood chair.

  Liu Mingjiu saw Kang Daxuan finish speaking, and then gestured for himself to sit down. He walked to the front of Kang Daxuan and sat beside him; "Uncle Kang, I'm thanking you on behalf of my brothers, as well as Uncle Sun and Uncle Zuo. Hehe, there's a substitute character in front, it always feels awkward."

  "There are always some guys in the village who spread rumors, saying that our group of kids is just a temporary rescue team sent by the organization. Haha, this time brothers can rest assured and accompany them to do it well."

  Kang Da Xuan took a sip of tea and looked at Liu Ming Jiu, saying: "Are you satisfied now? The team leader and I have been arguing for your sake until our mouths are sore."

  "Hehe, little nephew knows. Those guys didn't go up there to tell me, spreading rumors I already know. You and Uncle Sun have been worried about little nephew a lot. But little nephew is the child of our 18th regiment, I've long believed that you and Uncle Sun, Left Uncle won't neglect little nephew."

  Liu Ming said as he took out a stack of silver tickets from his pocket and stuffed them into Kang Da Xuan's upper garment pocket: "Hehe, this is little nephew and the brothers of the 8th company showing respect to you and Uncle Sun, Left Uncle. In the future, we still need to ask each uncle to continue taking care of us."

  "Haha, you're not bad at all, yeah, you can get things done. You have a future ahead of you." Kang Da Xuan patted his pocket and smiled as he said to Liu Ming Jiu: "You little brat has also gained some prestige in the business world now, you've got some capital to do something for yourself. Don't just throw it all back into the army, if people's hearts and soldiers' hearts are satisfied, that's enough. You're 18 now, your dad and uncle didn't have time to arrange a marriage for you before they died, you should think about saving up money to find a wife to warm your bed."

  "Hehe, my young nephew is only eighteen, no rush, no rush." Liu Mingjiu's face flushed with embarrassment when Kang Daxuan mentioned his marriage, although he wasn't a shy person in either of his past or present lives.

  Kang Da Xuan's backhand was just a light punch, hitting Liu Mingjiu in the chest; "You damn it, eighteen and nine are done, why aren't you anxious? Your father wants to live, listening to your words will make him angry. The three unfilial things, no descendants are the biggest. Look at those underlings of yours, how many have gotten married? Those who haven't gotten married must have already engaged in damn it. You little bastard still don't hurry up, if you don't hurry up, beautiful women will all be taken by others, and you'll spend half your life with a plain-looking wife?"

  "Haha, let's not talk about this anymore. As long as one has good character and a bit of culture, can understand and communicate effectively, be dignified and virtuous, thrifty and manage the household well, physical appearance isn't that important to me. What matters in life is that the two people get along, can think together, even if the wife looks like an angel but doesn't take care of the family, it's not reassuring when one goes off to battle." Liu Mingjiu said with a smile as he stood up and lit a cigarette.

  Kang Daxuan listened to Liu Mingjiu and also stood up, taking a cigarette from Liu Mingjiu's hand: "What kind of thinking is this? What's wrong with being beautiful? My aunt was the number one beauty in their town back then, and I've been away for half a year at a time, but she didn't make me worry, did she?"

  "Heh heh, let's not talk about that anymore. Uncle Kang, I heard that Liang Shizhang's nephew led a group of people to smuggle goods and was killed by someone at Baima Mountain?" Liu Mingjiu changed the subject.

  Kang Daxuan didn't look at Liu Mingjiu, but instead stood by the window, watching the soldiers of the 8th Regiment still training on the playground: "Yes, the people in Baima Mountain are said to have very advanced weapons and fight like regular troops during battles. After Liang Shizhang's son died in Shanghai two years ago, he has been treating these two nephews as his successors. Now, he has dispatched an entire cavalry regiment to capture those people on Baima Mountain. However, those people are like ghosts, refusing to engage in direct combat with Liang Shizhang's troops. But they clashed twice, and our troops suffered heavy casualties, I heard that a regiment commander and two deputy commanders were killed."

  "Haha, those people are from Jilin, led by 'Zhen Sanjiang', who was also a military officer before. After his wife had an affair with his superior, he killed the superior and then fled with dozens of brothers." Liu Mingjiu smiled and walked back to his own desk, opened the drawer and took out a file bag, threw it on the table and continued: "Now they have over 300 people, each with a horse, and they use Japanese-made guns and ammunition. 'Zhen Sanjiang' was quite capable when he was in the Qing army, becoming a squad leader in just three years."

  Kang Da Xuan turned around, picked up the file bag on the table, opened it and took out a few documents to look at. Soon, he raised his head, staring at Liu Mingjiu with a surprised gaze, asking: "Where did you get all this from? You even got your hands on Hasbara's vote?"

  Liu Mingjiu threw on the table, is the past three months, taking advantage of the opportunity to help the merchant team transport, through various reconnaissance means obtained Chao Yang Fu, Jinxi and Yu Guan (Shanhai Pass) area thirty-six road bandit information. After Liu Mingjiu's training, even an ordinary soldier had undergone rigorous training, approaching the level of modern special forces. When sending people out to escort, Liu Mingjiu secretly let his subordinates continuously gather intelligence on various bandits. No one knew when a bandit would suddenly turn against the Eighth Company and rob their goods, and these bandits were highly mobile, they might appear in their own defense zone at any time. After more than three months of reconnaissance and sorting, this preliminary statistical data was formed.

  "Hehe, the brothers of the Eight Rows have investigated and come back. Liu Mingjiu looked at Kang Daxuan's surprised expression, smiled faintly, and continued: "The people from 'Zhen San Jiang' just came to our side to avoid the imperial army. The leader of the White Horse Mountain gang, 'Xiao Lin Hu', knew he couldn't beat him, so he took his men and fled to Sifang Cave."

  Kang Da Xuan laughed and stood up straight: "Damn it, okay, this soldier not only trained well but also formed a reconnaissance team. So what's your plan, what should we do?"

  "I think, let the battalion commander send the materials of 'Zhen Sanjiang' to Commander Liang, and we haven't entered our own territory. By giving intelligence to the commander, the battalion commander has also achieved another merit." Liu Mingjiu said with a sly smile, looking at Kang Daxuan.

  "Haha, you little kid, okay, this little brain is really not simple." Kang Da Xuan laughed and took over the documents, put them in his own bag, and smiled at Liu Mingjiu: "We only give him intelligence, don't let our brothers follow him to fight to the death. You little kid, are you trying to play tricks on your master? Haha."

  Liu Mingjiu still had a sly smile on his face: "If we don't enter Jianchang territory, it has nothing to do with our 18th Regiment. 'Zhen Sanjiang' is a tough bone, hehe, the commander wants to avenge his nephew, what does that have to do with us? Let them fight until they're almost done, then we'll send someone to clean up the mess."

  "Damn it, you little brat! You're not like your father and uncle at all. You're really bad enough to make me worry about you getting into trouble and bringing shame to our family." Kang Da Xuan looked at Liu Ming Jiu's mischievous face and felt like he didn't recognize the child he had watched grow up. In the past, his mischief was limited to causing minor troubles, but now it seemed like he was really thinking things through. The "Zhen San Jiang" occupied a strategic location on the main road, and the plan was for the cavalry regiment led by Shi Zhang to go with him to fight a battle of mutual destruction, while the 18th Regiment would take advantage of the situation to launch a surprise attack and clean up the remaining forces. This kind of strategy was something that any experienced military officer in this era would use.