Volume 1: First Encounter with the Republic of China Chapter 3: First Encounter with the Republic of China

  May 8, 1914

  When Chen Shao woke up, it was already more than 8 o'clock on the second day morning.

  After washing up and walking out of the base, Chen Shaocai patted his belly and suddenly remembered that he hadn't eaten yet since arriving in the Republic of China. Just as he was about to ask Chen Hong if there was anything to eat, his stomach let out a protesting growl.

  "Chen Hong, did you have breakfast this morning?"

  "Report to the commander, these are for the commander to handle personally."

  Chen Shao shook his head in disappointment, and there was nothing to eat around him either. Was he supposed to starve? He felt a bit resentful, gazing at the mountain forest ahead. In the summer, the woods should have plenty of wild game, but he didn't even have a weapon on hand. If he ran into a wild boar, wouldn't that be dangerous for him too? Thinking about weapons, Chen Shao thought about how big the base was, and it was a military base at that - couldn't they spare a gun, or if not, then a knife or dagger would do! He immediately conveyed his thoughts to Chen Hong: "Chen Hong, is there a gun? If not, then give me a knife or something!"

  "Report to the commander, there are some of your belongings in the cabinet inside your rest room, please take a look yourself."

  There are also personal items, which seem to be gifts like the toothpaste and toothbrush in the bathroom. Chen Shao walked three steps as if he were walking two steps into the base, directly entering the rest room, standing in front of the cabinet, opening the door, revealing the true appearance inside, with rows of black suits hanging inside. What catches the eye is that there is an iron box under the cabinet.

  Chen Shao didn't care about the clothes and directly took out the box and placed it on the side table. Without thinking, he opened the box. What caught his eye was a very delicate handgun, which was completely unfamiliar to Chen Shao. He had seen this gun online more than once before. Chen Shao suppressed his excitement, grabbed the gun in his hand, inserted the fully loaded magazine into the gun, and there was another magazine under it, with a box of bullets next to it, at least several hundred rounds.

  He carefully examined the pistol in his hand, slowly recalling its performance: The Belgian FN 5.7x28mm pistol, although not the best, has a comprehensive performance that is among the top in all aspects. Main advantages:

  1. Steel-plastic composite structure, which reduces weight while ensuring strength requirements, with a gun weight of 618g and a capacity of 20 rounds;

  2. The SS190 bullet used has a small diameter and light weight, so the weight of the 20-round magazine is equivalent to that of a 9mm pistol's 10-round magazine. Although the bullet length is relatively long, the FN 5.7x28mm pistol's grip is easier to hold than other automatic pistols firing 9mm rounds;

  3. Despite its short barrel, the FN 5.7x28mm pistol has an initial velocity of 650m/s and excellent penetration power. Within its effective range, it can penetrate standard bulletproof vests, while 9mm Parabellum pistol bullets cannot at a distance of 10m. The SS190 bullet can also penetrate steel helmets at 150m, 48 layers of Kevlar plates beyond 58m, and NATO-standard steel plates (3.5mm thick) at 30m. The recoil is only 30% that of the 5.56x45mm rifle cartridge, and 60% less than that of the 9mm Parabellum pistol bullet.

  4. Excellent stopping power, with a rolling motion after hitting the target without breaking apart, and quickly releasing stored energy. The stopping power of this bullet is three times that of the 9mm Parabellum bullet, and a single shot to the torso can render a person unable to resist.

  The gun isn't very big and can be completely put into a pocket. Taking out another clip and putting it in the pocket, Chen Shao directly walked out of the gate. One clip with 20 rounds of ammunition plus the one in the gun made exactly 40 rounds, which was more than enough. It's just going out to hunt some wild game, not going to war.

  Chen Shao endured the protest from his stomach and lay on a tree, waiting for prey to arrive. Just as he was about to give up the ambush spot, a roe deer slowly walked under the tree. Seeing the prey arrive, Chen Shao mustered all his energy and shot at the deer's head when it reached the bottom of the tree. The bullet pierced through the deer's head, spewing out a stream of blood, and the deer fell to the ground dead. Chen Shao slowly climbed down the tree, looking at the 20-pound prey on the ground, and thought to himself: "There's no place to cook it, and roasting is not good either, besides I don't even have a knife to kill it." He thought about dragging it back to the village he found yesterday, which wasn't far away, and asking for their help, since he couldn't finish eating it by himself anyway.

  Whatever comes to mind, he directly grabs the sheep and retreats, heading straight down to the village at the foot of the mountain.

  In the countryside during the Republic of China era, there were very few things to plant, just a few simple things, and it had a strong feeling of being a educated youth going up to the mountains and down to the countryside.

  In the southwest of Sichuan and northwest of Yunnan, Chen Shao is very familiar with the local customs. Before crossing over, he was a native of Sichuan. The local customs here seem to be rough, but that depends on who you are. If it's an ordinary person, someone in need of help, or a good person, the villagers are extremely enthusiastic and can be described as true men, for southwest China has always been known to produce real men.

  When Chen Shaonan heard the dogs barking, he knew he had arrived at the village. The sparse dog sounds were unlike those of later generations where every household in rural areas had dogs; people didn't eat their fill, and having one or two dogs in the entire village was already impressive.

  When I walked to the entrance of the village, people from the village came.

  "Little brother, in broad daylight, you're dragging a dead rabbit, where are you going?" An old man with some scholarly air asked, looking at Chen Shao who was still dragging the dead rabbit behind him.

  Two village guards with machetes followed behind him, apparently the village's defense force.

  "I'm a student who studied in the US and just returned a few days ago. I originally planned to visit a relative in Huashi County, but things didn't go as expected. Now I live on a mountain not far from here. I just caught a rabbit and don't know how to cook it myself, so I came to the village to ask for help from fellow villagers. At the same time, I'd like to invite you all to try some together."

  His sigh actually explained the situation in the southwest at that time, bandits were rampant, warlords were fighting each other, and it was strange for a returned student to find his relatives.

  "Huh? So you're a student who reads foreign books." The old man had a knack for observing people, and seeing that Chen Shao was harmless and had the demeanor of a scholar, he cupped his hands together and said: "I am Kong Hong, the village head of this village. May I ask your name, young brother?"

  "The old gentleman was being polite, it's Chen Shao speaking."

  Kong Hong stroked his mustache and said: "Since Brother Chen is so enthusiastic, why don't we enter the village first?"

  Chen Shao was hard to come by, chatted for a while and agreed.

  Looking back at the distant mountains outside the village, Chen Shao knew that from last night on, he had bid farewell to an old past and entered a truly great era.

  Kong Hong was the village head and had two or three earthen houses. His daughter-in-law occupied one room, he lived in another, and gave the rabbit to his daughter-in-law to deal with. Before entering the house, Chen Shao's stomach couldn't help but make a rumbling sound again. Hearing the noise from his own stomach, Chen Shao couldn't help but blush and dryly laughed: "Sorry, I haven't eaten breakfast yet."

  "There's nothing much to eat in the village, little brother should go into the house and fill his belly first."

  A bowl of boiled red potatoes as thick as two fingers, a sea bowl of mountain tea water, but in an earthenware bowl that had not been seen for a long time. Chen Shao was very grateful and ate it clean, the taste was really good, although the potatoes were small, they were delicious. After wiping his mouth, he prepared to talk with this somewhat knowledgeable old man.

  "Thank you, Mr. Kong, for your hospitality. I am truly grateful."

  "It's nothing, nothing. It's just that our Qinghe Village is a bit poor, and you students who have been educated abroad are the ones who are suffering." Kong Hong pinched his tobacco pipe, which was already empty, and sighed, saying: "It's all because of this world we live in."

  “……”

  Chen Shao's knowledge of history was passable, although he knew it was currently 1914, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't quite grasp what this year represented. He had some vague impressions, but they were unclear. At this moment, he envied those who had traveled through time, each one possessing incredible abilities and being able to recite major historical events with ease. All he could remember was the general outline of things, so for the time being, he could only reply: "Yes, the north is in a state of turmoil, some people only think about gaining power and wealth, but they completely disregard the lives of ordinary people."

  "The common people? When has the government ever treated us as human beings? Not to mention the big things, but even in small matters, warlords are fighting each other, bandits are rampant... Alas..."

  Perhaps due to being the village chief, although living in a small village, Kong Hong had more worries than others of this era. On a large scale, he worried about the country and its people; on a small scale, he cared about his own livelihood. As someone with insight who didn't just talk empty words, he was considered half a celebrity. Hearing this returned student's sighs, it stirred up the few remaining sparks of his original nature that hadn't been completely ground down.

  "This world, with little income and high expenses, can't even support a family of three or five. The world is so cruel." As soon as Kong Hongyi finished speaking, Chen Shaocai remembered that next year was the anniversary of a major event in the early years of the Republic of China. On December 13, 1915, Yuan Shikai, who was then the President of the Republic of China, announced the abolition of the republican system and the establishment of an imperial system, changing the national title to the Chinese Empire, with the era name Hongxian, and proclaiming himself emperor. On March 22, 1916, he announced the abolition of the imperial system and the restoration of the republic, a total of 83 days. On June 6 of the same year, Yuan Shikai died of illness.

  Kong Hong knocked on the dry smoke pot, picked up the dry smoke bag and carefully added some tobacco, asking: "Little brother, what did you study before?"

  "Mr. Kong called me Chen Shao, that's all." Chen Shao thought to himself, "Someone has come to ask for my hand in marriage, it seems there is something going on. If I say I'm a tech person, I guess there's no chance. It looks like I need to say something else: 'I studied abroad for several years and have some understanding of arithmetic, biology, natural sciences, etc.'"

  "Arithmetic?" Kong Hong obviously didn't quite understand those dazzling subject names, but had some understanding of arithmetic, and his heart was also filled with a few parts joy, "Brother Chen seems to be very knowledgeable indeed."

  "It's nothing." Chen Shaixin said, of course he would know arithmetic, after all, he was a graduate of a specialized subject, and even if he lost 80% he could still pick up a few points.

  Kong Hong sank into deep thought for a long time, puffing on his dry pipe and blowing out rings of smoke before finally saying: "I wonder what plans Brother Chen has for the future?"

  Finally getting to the point, Chen Shao said nonchalantly: "This world is really chaotic. I've been through a lot of hardships on my way here to Qinghe Village. With the troubles in the south and bandits everywhere, it's not safe to go anywhere. This time, I came to Qinghe Village because I heard that the local customs are simple and honest, and I plan to set up a factory here, which will also bring benefits to this place."

  "What kind of factory is it, is it open in the mountains? And Brother Chen, since you live nearby, I have an unreasonable request!" Kong Hong said excitedly.

  "What does Mr. Kong mean?"

  Kong Hong: "I see that all the children in the city have new school supplies, and I was thinking of asking you to give them a lesson."

  "This kid is probably not up to the task. Moreover, this new curriculum is complex, and I'm afraid it's difficult for me to handle everything alone. Fortunately, one of my friends will come over in two days, and I'll let him help teach for a while." Chen Shao said, he wanted to stay, but didn't want to be tied down as a teacher or doctor in the future, and besides, his first bio-chemical person would be coming out in two days, he believed that having a spy come to teach those children was more than enough.

  It turns out that Kong Hong seemed to have thought of it earlier and said, "This is natural. Just take some time every day to talk to the children, as for what to say, you are the teacher, just follow your arrangement."

  Chen Shaosheng nodded secretly, wanting to develop China, military is one aspect, but education is also indispensable, solely relying on the military to save the Chinese nation is only a temporary salvation, if you want the Chinese nation to stand forever at the top of the world, education is essential.

  "It is better to obey than to show respect."

  They clicked immediately and it was settled between them.

  Kong Hong went out to see if the rabbits were ready, and if they were, he would prepare some for each family to send over, which was also Chen Shao's request, although each family only got a little, it was still a kind intention.

  He patted the pistol in his pocket and sat down on the chair with an unusually heavy heart.

  What's the concept of 1914? In the early days of the Republic of China, if one wanted to make a fortune, with their later identity and vision, plus the Red Guard base, there were plenty of opportunities in the south. Even if it wasn't easy, putting some thought into it could achieve the goal.

  Take a step back, drill into some promising warlord's camp, manage carefully, and wait for him to die before picking the fruit, seems like another way.

  If it doesn't work out, the thick accumulation will be thin, and taking advantage of the fact that World War I has just begun, even speculating on some materials can make a fortune.

  But these all seem not what I want.

  "Let's take a look first, maybe none of these are things I want to do."

  A person sits idly, gets up and walks outside the kitchen door. He, who has not lived in the countryside for many years, hears the familiar sound of pots and pans, feeling so intimate.

  Saw the son of Kong's family and Kong Hong dealing with the raccoon dog, the daughter-in-law was cooking, after greeting Chen Shao, the three people continued to busy themselves. Glancing at the watch, only then did I realize it was already 11 o'clock.

  "Wen Hong, what does your wife do?" Kong Hong's son was called Kong Wen Hong. Chen Shao saw that they were busy for a while and felt a bit uneasy, thinking of helping them.

  "Brother Chen, this is cornmeal mush, a country folk's food," said Kong Wenhong.

  "Who is that, I wonder?" Chen Shao leisurely watched as Mrs. Kong poured out some of the sour water from a small jar of pickled vegetables and mixed it with sliced lotus root, adding a few chili peppers.

  "Yes, Brother Chen has good eyesight."

  Two people were talking, and the rabbit was also dealt with, cut into about 30 pieces of different sizes, each piece weighing about half a catty. After they finished cutting it up, Mrs. Kong took two bamboo baskets in and put the cut meat in them, then she and Kong Wenhong went out to distribute the meat door-to-door.

  Kong Wenhong brought his wife back and also brought some rare noodles at that time.

  The village head's family had guests, and they also brought a raccoon dog to share with everyone. The aroma of cooking attracted many children who gathered from afar, but due to the adults' orders, they didn't dare enter the house. One by one, they stretched their necks to smell the raccoon dog meat being stewed in the pot by Mrs. Kong, and they swallowed their saliva.

  Chen Shao didn't notice the children at the door either. They were called up to the table from time to time, and a very sumptuous lunch began.

  Kong's daughter-in-law didn't come to the table, just Chen Shao and Kong's father and son.

  "Come on, Brother Chen, have some more to eat. There's not much food in the countryside, so let's just make do with what we have. If you hadn't brought that rabbit, I wouldn't know how to treat you properly. We still have a long way to go before things get better." Since there was no wine at home, everyone drank tea instead. Kong Hong poured a small cup of tea and offered it to Chen Shao.

  "I also grew up in poverty, Brother Kong doesn't need to be polite." Chen Shao wasn't polite either, and the few of them started eating and drinking. Although cornmeal porridge wasn't as delicious as rice, it had a unique flavor. He hadn't eaten coarse grains for a long time, but he found it not bad after all.

  "Oh no......"

  Just as several people were eating and chatting, a shout suddenly came from outside the door. Chen Shao happened to be sitting near the gate, so he quickly got up to take a look.

  It turned out that Kong's daughter-in-law had knocked over the bowl, which didn't have any cornmeal mush or rabbit meat. Instead, it seemed to be some burnt cornmeal mush and two or three roots of boiled wild vegetables. Next to it was a bowl of boiling water, which was her lunch.

  "Kong Lao Ge, how can you be so heartless? I'm just an outsider, and yet you're willing to eat such a good lunch." It was as if a thunderbolt had struck, and Chen Shao suddenly realized what the old society was like, where people were starving to the point of eating tree bark. Even in the southwest region, which was slightly more self-sufficient, it was still just barely enough to keep from starving.

  Everything before his eyes told him that the most pressing problem this society needed to solve was none other than eating.

  In a society where people can't eat or dress warmly, since you've returned, shouldn't you do something about it? What's the point of achieving literary and military prowess, or gaining fame across the land, if it doesn't even ensure that your countrymen have enough to eat and warm clothes to wear?

  A deep sense of shame from the bottom of his heart made Chen Shao's face flush with anger. True, he was a modern man who had never suffered such hardships, but as a Chinese, seeing all this, shouldn't he do something?

  "Wen Hong, let Xiao Cui come to the table and eat." Kong Hong took a look at his daughter-in-law who was trembling with fear, sighed, and called everyone back to the table to continue eating.

  "Whatever it is, let's talk slowly after dinner."

  Under this sentence, Chen Shao almost choked down the sumptuous breakfast, he didn't think that a little cornmeal mush was the ultimate for the Kong family. The Kong family is the village head and it's like this, what about others?

  Lunch was soon over, and Chen Shao said nothing, only letting Kong Hong take him to see other people's homes while everyone was still eating lunch.

  The result was very disappointing. After visiting four or five households, only one had a decent meal to offer, while the others only had small plates of bland vegetables and extremely thin soup that you could almost see your reflection in. If it weren't for the rabbit meat we brought ourselves, I reckon they hadn't had a full meal in a long time either.

  "It's not that nothing grows in the land, but there's nothing to plant. The few vegetables that do grow take too long to mature, and you can't eat them for more than a few harvests before they're gone. As for grains, the annual yield is just that much, and then there's the rent to pay..."

  Under Kong Hong's explanation, Chen Shao understood. This era was not the one he was in, there were no various vegetables, no fertilizers, no high-yielding seeds, and no rural household contract system for land management, let alone hybrid rice.

  All this is because it's called the old society here!!

  "Thinking of the factory units in Red Alert, they can slowly expand. Letting people from old society have food to eat and clothes to wear is more important and realistic than any slogan about expelling the Tartars."

  That day, Chen Shao decided on his future development direction.