Chapter Fifteen: Escaping from Predicaments

  Finally managed to rush out, just a bit late, barely counted as not breaking my promise.

  Chiang Kai-shek didn't necessarily want Zhuang Jihua to reveal his intentions today, he just wanted Zhuang Jihua to understand who truly cared for him and was truly beneficial to him. As long as Chiang Kai-shek could make Zhuang Jihua understand this, he was certain that Zhuang Jihua would definitely follow him.

  "You've been doing pretty well lately, without writing articles to distinguish and explain, this is the best way, after a while those people will naturally quiet down."

  "Yes, the principal is right. It's just that the students don't know how to express themselves, not that they don't want to distinguish between right and wrong. The students still don't think they were wrong." Zhuang Jihua said cautiously, trying to test Chiang Kai-shek's attitude.

  "Moreover, they didn't grasp the students' central point of view, it can be said that one person resisted and the other half ran away, each taking what they needed." Zhuang Jihua smiled.

  "Heh heh, each takes what they need, a bit figurative." Chiang Kai-shek couldn't help but chuckle, yet also felt that Zhuang Jihua's words were quite vivid: "With this attitude of yours, I'm not reassured. These people are just waiting for you to quarrel with them; as long as you do, they'll have succeeded halfway. So you absolutely mustn't argue with them, it's completely useless." Chiang Kai-shek sincerely advised Zhuang Jihua.

  "The principal said that students must remember." Zhuang Jihua understood that Chiang Kai-shek was right, in the past there were more people like this, but not for theoretical beliefs, but for their own click-through rate.

  "Just remember, you stay home and study well for the next two days. Don't run around randomly, don't worry about other things, I'll take care of them. The principal won't just watch his own students being bullied and do nothing." Chiang Kai-shek said this as he glanced at Zhuang Jihua's reaction.

  Zhuang Jihua's performance was just right, with no overly excited expression on his face, but gratitude in his eyes. In his heart, he regretted not becoming an actor in his past life: "The student has caused trouble for the principal. The student not only implicated the principal but also made the principal worry about the student..., thank you, principal."

  "Don't talk like that, you're my student. I won't protect anyone else if not you. As for the rest, I can't guarantee anything. A company commander position is still reserved for you." Chiang Kai-shek felt that his efforts today had not been in vain, so he brought out the promotion he had prepared for a long time, which was the greatest benefit he could offer at present. It's worth noting that among the first batch of Whampoa Military Academy graduates, no one has become a company commander yet, excluding party representatives who don't lead troops: "However, you must learn from your mistakes. Politics is still not something you should get involved in. You're all too young. Just take care of your troops and that's enough, understand?"

  "Yes, students understand." However, Zhuang Jihua felt that Chiang Kai-shek seemed to be telling the truth today.

  After Zhuang Jihua left, Chen Jiuru brought a cup of tea to Chiang Kai-shek, which was his habit, and then stood quietly behind Chiang Kai-shek, pinching his shoulders and saying: "This student is very interesting."

  "Oh, it's interesting there." Chiang Kai-shek leaned his head comfortably against her bosom.

  "Hmm, I don't know how to put it, but I just feel that he's different from the other students." Chen Jieyu felt that for a moment she couldn't find the right words to describe him.

  "Oh, something is different."

  "Just look at how he eats and you'll know, who else would dare to be like that."

  "Heh heh, this is a great invention, judging from the food." Chiang Kai-shek said with a smile.

  "Hmm, don't laugh," Chen Jieyu said with a bit of coquetry. Chiang Kai-shek was much older than her and doted on her. When they were alone together, he always gave in to her. But outside, Chen Jieyu never made things difficult for Chiang Kai-shek, which was also why he always kept her by his side.

  "It's nothing new, like that Hu Zongnan who came last time, he could hardly stand still, let alone eat."

  "This is also true, in terms of courage, the Cultural Revolution was stronger than Hu Zongnan." Chiang Kai-shek said.

  "It's not just Hu Zongnan, what about He Long? I talk to him and he can't even answer clearly."

  "Hehe, that's the charm of my Ji'er, it scared them off." Chiang Kai-shek said with a smile.

  "Are you talking about your wife like that? And in front of the principal!" Chen Jieyu gently pinched Chiang Kai-shek's ear.

  "I have a beautiful wife, it's no secret." Chiang Kai-shek was delighted today and playfully teased Chen Jieru.

  "I won't tell you, okay? Jie Shi, in the past when you entertained students, it was never this cautious. What's so special about Zhuang Ji Hua?"

  "Of course, you're also saying he's different from others, right?"

  "I'm talking about serious business. I'm just a housewife, and I don't know how to judge people, so you tell me. In the future, I can also help you." Chen Jieru said.

  "Ah, let's put it this way. Others can be my Guan Zhong or Zhao Kuo, but this person can be my Han Xin." Chiang Kai-shek said seriously after some thought.

  "Oh." After being with Chiang Kai-shek for a long time, I also understand the difference between Guan, Zhang, Zhao and Han Xin. The former is a general who charges into battle, while the latter is a guarantee of sitting on the throne.

  Zhuang Jihua returned and continued to indulge in leisure activities. He kept his promise to Chiang Kai-shek, staying within the military academy to read books and not participating in any activities, such as lectures, performances, debates, etc. Li Zilong came to find him several times, asking him to take a look at their new play, but he didn't go.

  He Zhonghan had also been approached by Deng Wenyi, who complained to him that the Political Department was dominated by the Communist Party. They wrote articles that Yang Qigang refused to publish in "Soldier's Friend". Now whenever Deng Wenyi mentioned Yang Qigang, he became angry. He Zhonghan didn't get as worked up, but it was clear he wasn't comfortable either. However, he controlled himself with his usual composure. Zhuang Jihua finally lost patience and irritably said that if they weren't allowed to publish, then they should just tolerate it or start their own publication themselves - who could stop them? As soon as these words were spoken, He Zhonghan's face lit up with joy. Zhuang Jihua knew he had made a mistake and quickly backtracked.

  "The principal often says that we need to unite sincerely, so you should still get along with other classmates and don't start a new faction."

  "Unity is not one-sided, it's mutual." He Yinchuan replied unequivocally.

  "There's actually a better way," Zhuang Jihua said temptingly, He Zhenhan and Zeng Kuixin showed concerned expressions: "Negotiate with Yang Qigang, if he doesn't agree, just go straight to Director Zhou and ask for the reorganization of the 'Soldier's Friend' editorial board. It can be done this way, hmm, for example," Zhuang Jihua replied while thinking about some methods from his past life: "For example, hmm, form an editorial board with members from both the Nationalist and Communist parties, with four members in total, as long as two agree, the article can be published."

  "It's better to start a new publication." Deng Wenyi replied.

  "Doesn't starting a new publication require money? Although the school's finances are not as tight as they were when we first entered, we still need to operate in a spirit of thriftiness. Moreover, the principal just said that we should unite with the Communist Party members, aren't you guys going against what the principal said? Zhuang Jihua used Chiang Kai-shek to intimidate them, he didn't want the Nationalists and Communists to be opposed, and in the end, he himself would become a 'black hand'."

  "I agree." Zeng Kuochang expressed his support, saying that Zhuang Jihua was right and Chiang Kai-shek did not want to see the rise of KMT-CPC confrontational sentiment in military schools for now.

  "But... there are many articles and limited space." It seems that Deng Wenyi has received such treatment.

  "Hmm, that's also a problem." Zhuang Jihua was thinking about how to solve it, but He Zonghan on the side said: "This is easy to handle, we can issue a supplementary edition or put it in the next issue for priority publication."

  "But still, I hope you can come out and do something during the Cultural Revolution. It's not a solution to just hide like this every day." He Zonghan said to Zhuang Jihua with some dissatisfaction.

  "It's not that I don't want to do anything, but... you know the trouble I've gotten myself into this time, it seems to be quite big. Let's talk about it after this blows over." Zong Jihua brushed it off.

  "How much longer do we have to wait?" asked Deng Wenyi.

  "It won't be long, I've been reading the news all day just to understand the situation. Those people have already started taking matters into their own hands, and soon they will forget about me."

  "By the way, about the Cultural Revolution, Xie Chi is coming to school next week to give a lecture, are you going?" Deng Wenyi asked foolishly, Zeng Kuoxin pulled his clothes from the side, and He Zhanchan almost spat it out. Isn't Zhuang Jihua like this today thanks to Xie Chi's credit? You still want him to go, aren't you brainless.

  "What am I going for? To be scolded?" Zhuang Jihua replied irritably.

  He Zonghan had just left, and Li Zhilong came again. As soon as Zhuang Jihua saw him, he covered his head and said: "Old brother, spare me, let me have a quiet moment, okay?"

  "You're still not quiet, this big house is just for you to live in, it's luxurious enough. Next month, three classmates will be moving in, I think we'll squeeze a few into your room, then you'll be quiet." Li Zhilong said with a smile.

  "Cut it out, just enjoy your days as they come. As long as you don't bother me, that's fine." Zhuang Jihua said gruffly.

  "Cut," Li Zhilong learned a phrase from Zhuang Jihua's mouth: "Don't be kind without good reward, I think you won't be quiet tomorrow."

  "What's this, Miss Pan plans to move in?" asked Zhuang Jihua with a smile.

  "Looking for a fight, aren't you? My eight characters are just one stroke away from being complete, and you still dare to have such a dream." Li Zhilong smiled as he stepped forward and grabbed Zhuang Jihua's neck. Miss Pan was a student at the Normal School named Pan Huiqin, who was the object of Li Zhilong's passionate pursuit.

  "Let go, let go, think about it, my intention is that if Miss Pan moves in, I'll move out and give you a new room. The school dormitory isn't tense, can't make you guys go to the playground to set up tents, this is good intentions." Zhuang Jihua said seriously.

  Li Zhi Long was initially satisfied, but upon hearing the tent being set up on the playground, he knew he was being teased again. He pretended to go forward and fight, but Zhuang Ji Hua quickly apologized. After they finished speaking and laughing, Li Zhi Long said seriously: "I came to inform you that you need to go to the principal's office immediately, Principal Zheng is waiting for you."

  "Why didn't you say so earlier? You're still joking around here. It seems like you need to go back to military school and relearn the rules." Zhuang Jihua complained.

  "Go away, it's all because of your teasing."

  Zhuang Jihua was familiar with the principal's office, but now there was a familiar face, Yu Jiti, sitting outside. Zhuang Jihua greeted him and was about to go in when Yu Jiti stopped him, gesturing for him to sit down in the chair beside him. In a low voice, he said, "The rules have changed, you wait for a moment, I'll go in and report." After that, he pushed open the door and went in.

  But he immediately came out and said to Zhuang Jihua: "The principal wants you to go in."

  Zhuang Jihua loudly reported, and Chiang Kai-shek shouted from inside: "Come in."

  Zhuang Jihua straightened his hat and smoothed out his clothes before pushing open the door and going in.

  After entering, Zhuang Jihua saw that Chiang Kai-shek was still sitting behind the large office desk, while Liao Zhongkai sat in a chair beside him. He took two steps forward and stood at attention: "Reporting to Principal Political Commissar, first-term student Zhuang Jihua has arrived for duty, awaiting orders."

  "Take a break, it's all right, how have you been these two days?" Chiang Kai-shek asked.

  "Report to the principal, it's all right." Zhuang Jihua was also straightforward.

  "Is that all right?" Chiang Kai-shek stared at him for a moment, then turned to Liao Zhongkai and said, "It seems we are busy."

  "Haha, he's quite open-minded, it's good this way, you go ahead. We'll continue with our own business, how about that?" Liao Zhongkai and Zhuang Jihua also joked about it.

  "Stop it, Comrade Zheng. To be honest, I'm feeling a bit suffocated." Zhuang Jihua's words were half-true and half-false. On the one hand, he wanted to leave, but on the other hand, he didn't want to leave either. To put it accurately, he himself wasn't even sure.

  "Hmm, it seems to be true. However, before I read out the order, I want to tell you that from now on, don't write any more articles recklessly. If not for the Premier speaking up, it would have been difficult for you to get through this time. Take a look first." Liao Zhongkai said as he handed Zhuang Jihua a telegram.

  Although the writing is poor, it's hard to find talented people. Education can fix this. - Sun Wen

  Zhuang Jihua was really surprised this time, and the matter had even reached Sun Yat-sen! Liao Zhongkai looked at him and said: "Now you know how much trouble you've caused. Fortunately, the Premier protected you, so take it as a lesson and be more careful in the future."

  Liao Zhongkai spoke, Zhuang Jihua's back was drenched in cold sweat. Such an article had actually been brought to the attention of the Premier, who was still in Japan at the time. These people must have put a lot of thought into it, and he had thought it would just be a debate in the newspapers. He hadn't expected the real killer blow to come from here. This situation was completely unexpected, and he had been so self-satisfied. For the first time, Zhuang Jihua felt foolish, for the first time, he felt the ferocity of Republican politicians.

  Seeing Zhuang Jihua's reaction, Liao Zhongkai and Chiang Kai-shek looked at each other, nodded, and Chiang Kai-shek took out a paper to read: "Order, Huangpu First Graduation Class Zhuang Jihua is appointed as the commander of the 1st Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Regiment of the Huangpu Military Academy, report for duty on that day. This order, Commander-in-Chief Chiang Zhongzheng, Political Commissar Liao Zhongkai."