Chapter 55: Returning Home (Seeking Recommendations and Bookmarks)

  The recruitment was proceeding in an orderly manner under Wang Mingyu's arrangement, and the young man in brocade was just a small episode. However, it made everyone aware that the mighty Ningbo King Dashi had returned, but he had changed. He transformed into a dignified military officer of the national army, no longer a spoiled rich kid. The news injected new blood into the quiet city of Ningbo, and the Wang family was also brightly lit, with many people coming to congratulate them. However, everyone had their own motives, seeking an opportunity to build a better relationship with Wang Yuanshan.

  Wang Mingyu is now sitting in Wang Yuanshan's study, having a cup of tea with his father, chatting about something. Although this time Wang Mingyu wanted to keep a low profile, he didn't manage to do so. Upon seeing Wang Yuanshan, Wang Mingyu just gave his father a bow and then went into his father's study.

  "Father, this time I went to the Central Military Academy and was promoted by Director Zhang. Now I'm in the 318th Regiment as the regiment commander." Wang Mingyu suddenly understood the key point.

  Wang Yuanshan took a sip of tea, looking at his son with affection and said: "As for Zhang Jiaotong's side, it was I who made the arrangements. My intention was only to let you avoid trouble, but I didn't expect you would have such an opportunity. You haven't disappointed your father. Since you've already joined the military and are serving the country, you should go all out! Don't lose sight of the bigger picture because of minor matters."

  "Father, don't worry, I know what to do. This time I've come back with something important to discuss with you." Wang Mingyu looked at Wang Yuanshan with a serious expression and said, "Han Ning, what's so serious?" Wang Yuanshan was also startled by his serious expression, thinking that he had gotten into some kind of trouble again.

  "Father, I estimate that in one or two years, Japan's invasion of China will be fully launched. At that time, not only may the North China region fall into the hands of the Japanese army, but Shanghai will also be unlikely to escape. Father has many factories and shops in Shanghai, and there are countless industries in Ningbo. If we don't make preparations ahead of time, it will all be lost to others! I suggest that father move the factories inland. It would be best to relocate them to the Sichuan-Chongqing area. For a while, the Japanese army won't be able to reach there, and it will also serve as a way to preserve some strength for the country."

  Wang Mingyu expressed his concerns, and Wang Yuanshan stared at his son in a daze, not understanding him. Two years ago, he had suddenly seemed to come to a realization and spoken words that showed he understood the great righteousness of the nation, which made Wang Yuanshan feel both surprised and delighted. Later, he went to the Central Military Academy, which made Wang Yuanshan look at him in a new light, and his son did not disappoint him. On the contrary, he had underestimated his own son.

  After graduating from the Central Military Academy, he became a regimental commander with the rank of lieutenant colonel, which was unheard of. With Wang Yuanshan's astuteness, he could naturally see some of the underlying reasons for this appointment. Was it just because his son had performed exceptionally well and was a fellow townsman? Wang Yuanshan knew that it was likely that he himself, as the father, was the key person being wooed by Chiang Kai-shek. A small regimental commander could win over a group of Zhejiang merchants; what a profitable deal! How could Chiang Kai-shek have missed this opportunity?

  Wang Mingyu actually knew, but he didn't take his father as the main reason. Why? Because he only knew that his father had money. The information about Wang Mingyu in the past was just this, and he didn't understand Wang Mingyu's position in the whole Zhejiang province and in Chiang Kai-shek's heart. He simply regarded him as a rich man, without seeing deeply into his father Wang Yuanshan's social and political influence.

  Although Wang Mingyu is a traverser, his military theory is well-established, but many of them have not been put into practice. Now everything is for accumulation. However, political struggle is a novice for Wang Mingyu, whether in the previous life or this life. Having just started his military career, facing an era where military and politics are closely linked, Wang Mingyu still has much to learn.

  Wang Yuanshan thought for a moment and said, "Hanning, the suggestion you made, I'll consider it first. In the future, this family business will all be yours. Logically speaking, what you're saying now is not unreasonable. However, the current problem is whether Japan really has the ambition to invade our country. Secondly, our national defense strength is still very strong, and the National Government has also received assistance from the Soviet government, as well as mediation from the League of Nations. I think it won't come to a fight so quickly."

  Wang Yuanshan's analysis is correct. Given the current international situation, Japan will not attack, but Japan has already begun to brew their new plan, constantly importing large quantities of steel and oil. And the United States, a country rich in resources and far from war, naturally became Japan's logistics base. Japan was delighted, and Americans also made money that belonged to them. How could Americans have thought that Japan would use the imported steel and oil to build warships and planes to attack them? If they knew, they would rather die than sell to Japan.

  So the question arises, is it possible for Japan to invade China? The three northeastern provinces have fallen, and North China is in danger. However, domestically, people generally believe that Japan is just a small island country, and they can't even digest the three northeastern provinces, let alone conquer all of China. Wang Mingyu knows the direction of history, but no one else in this world except for him would know, not even Japan itself, which also has plans, but hasn't set a specific date yet. If Japan were to launch a full-scale invasion of China, and Wang Mingyu were to say that Japan is going to sneak attack the US, would the Americans believe it? They wouldn't, everyone has a lucky mentality, and with one reasonable-sounding explanation, they can comfort themselves, and even comfort the masses.

  Wang Mingyu said excitedly: "Father, you must consider carefully. Once Japan invades China, what will you do with these industries? If you give them up, you'll regret it for the rest of your life. If you don't give them up, then you can only serve Japan. Either way, it's not acceptable to us. I suggest that Father withdraw half of the industries first and observe the situation. If something unexpected happens later, we can also be familiar with the process and won't panic."

  Wang Yuanshan looked at Wang Mingyu's determined eyes, and for some reason, he had a strange feeling. This confident gaze was very unlike the son he used to know. However, the feeling of being connected by blood would not be wrong. He couldn't have imagined that this Wang Mingyu came from decades later, no matter how hard he thought about it. Wang Yuanshan changed the subject and said: "The money I gave you last time, has there been any progress?"

  Wang Mingyu was taken aback, then said: "Didn't Wang Jie tell you? Hmm, it seems he doesn't have time to come back yet. Hehe, has your father heard of Zhongsheng Pharmaceutical?"

  Wang Yuanshan's eyebrows slightly furrowed, as if thinking about something, and suddenly a sharp light flashed in his eyes: "That penicillin?"

  Wang Mingyu smiled and said: "Yes!"

  Wang Yuanshan burst out laughing: "Alright, Han Ning, you've changed! I'll trust you this once. In a month's time, I'll start making comprehensive arrangements for the relocation of the factory, but we'll leave behind some of our industries and shops."

  "Wang Mingyu asked in surprise: 'Why?'"

  Wang Yuanshan smiled and said, "Han Ning, when doing things, don't do them to the death. Leaving a thread of purpose is for meeting again in the future! We leave some assets, first, we can come and go freely, second, we can gather information, third, we prepare for our return."

  Wang Mingyu smiled and said: "Father, I understand now, thank you for your teachings."

  Wang Yuanshan looked at Wang Mingyu with a kind gaze and said, "The principle of leaving a way out for others is easy to understand when spoken, but it's not that easy to put into practice. Although the Chairman has great talents and abilities, he indeed lacks the magnanimity to tolerate the Communist Party. A true leader needs to gather strength from all sides, rather than simply cutting down and eliminating."

  Wang Mingyu didn't know how Wang Yuanshan suddenly brought up the Communist Party out of nowhere and asked, "Father, what do you mean?"

  Wang Yuanshan smiled and said, "I'm just telling you a principle, hoping you can understand. Moreover, your current troops are the front-line troops for suppressing communism. As for internal strife, Father is already fed up with it. If it's for internal strife, our merchants' donations would be used to have our own people fight each other. Wouldn't we also bear some guilt in killing them?"

  Wang Mingyu deeply admired Wang Yuanshan's broad-mindedness and insight, and had a profound understanding of his father's doctrine of the mean. As a qualified businessman, Wang Yuanshan not only dominated the business world but also had an extremely keen sense of smell for politics. He had already seen through the National Government's mistakes in suppressing the Communist Party. If there were no foreign enemies invading, all this would be meaningless, and who fought whom would be the same. After all, it was still our own people's regime. However, with the external enemy invading and the Chinese nation in danger, fighting a civil war at this time was truly heartbreaking. Although Chiang Kai-shek was afraid of Zhu Mao's Red Army, such behavior was really chilling. It was extremely rare for a businessman to see this point, as most people were blindly following the crowd and echoing each other's opinions.

  Wang Mingyu said to Wang Yuanshan: "Father's vision, Han Ning admires. The child will definitely not disappoint Father's expectations."

  Wang Yuanshan smiled slightly, nodded, and looked at Wang Mingyu with satisfaction. In fact, Wang Yuanshan had just casually expressed his own feelings earlier. As a businessman, he actually didn't like war, although some businessmen liked to profit from national difficulties. Generally, however, businessmen hoped for peace, as only a stable environment could allow them to thrive. Just like now, Wang Yuanshan's relocation would result in losses not just of money, but also resources and connections.

  Wang Mingyu stayed at the Wang estate for a day before hastily returning to the 318 Brigade's base the next morning, as there were many things waiting for him to do. Although one person's power was hard to change the entire battlefield situation, Wang Mingyu had to keep striving not to bring regret upon himself. Even if it meant death, he would die a heroic death and never live a life of ignominy.