Chapter 5: Joining the Army?

  Qin Guangcheng took a sip of tea and said calmly:

  "Since Yuan Shikai's small station practiced soldiers, Zhang Xun's revolutionary military government was reformed. All places followed suit, and Sichuan was no exception. After the former governor Xi Liang was transferred to Yunnan and Guizhou as governor, he took the newly trained troops and 1.5 million silver coins to rush to Yunnan. Acting Governor Zhong Rong succeeded as the commander of the Sichuan Army, organizing the 33rd Mixed Brigade. Japanese Military Academy graduates Zhou Daogang and Liu Hongkui were appointed as commanders of the 65th and 66th Battalions. Now they have formed four infantry battalions and two artillery teams."

  Wang Hengyue heard in his ears, Qin Guangcheng's meaning, is it that he wants himself to join the army?

  As expected, Qin Guangcheng continued to say slowly: "Recently, Zhong Yu wants to reorganize the land army again. My intention is to get you into the new army as a hiding place. There are many people in the new army who sympathize with the revolutionary party. Even if you accidentally expose your identity or have a chance to save yourself, what do you think?"

  Go to the army? Wang Hengyue was very willing. In his own era, whenever he had free time, he would read historical and military books, always imagining what it would be like to join the army one day, but never thought that this wish could be realized in this era.

  He hesitated for a moment: "Qin Ge, it's good to be good, but how to get in is a big problem? I've cut my braid and have the suspicion of being a revolutionary party member, I'm afraid there will be many difficulties?"

  "No problem, as long as my brother is willing, I naturally have a way!" Qin Guangcheng smiled and said: "Zhong Yu has a capable assistant named Ye Xuanbiao, who is a leader. All the big and small things in the new army are handled by him. This person is most afraid of foreigners, but also most superstitious about foreign things. As long as it's related to foreigners, Ye thinks it's good. Just now, Du Charles and he were particularly close friends, because Du Charles runs a foreign firm and often gives him benefits. Ye Xuanbiao listens to his words and follows his plans. Whatever Du Charles says, Ye will not refuse."

  "Oh? There's still such a person?" Wang Hengyue was very curious.

  Qin Guangcheng burst out laughing: "This Ye Duolei has a story on him, let me tell you. It's said that one day, Ye Duolei was in high spirits and took his guards to go undercover for a private visit. As they walked through the countryside, they suddenly heard from afar 'Foreigners are coming! Foreigners are coming!' Ye Duolei was shocked and hastily led his guards to stand respectfully by the side of the road to welcome the foreigners. But when they got closer, their noses almost went crooked. Guess what? It turned out that children were shouting 'Sheep are coming! Sheep are coming!' Ye Duolei had poor hearing and didn't hear clearly, thinking it was 'Foreigners are coming', but instead welcomed a flock of sheep."

  Wang Hengyue was taken aback at first, then burst out laughing.

  The ugly appearance of these Manchu officials was truly revealed on this Yedu leader.

  Qin Guangcheng also smiled and said, "It's hard to get Du Charlie to take out the money, but such a favor, he is most happy to do. Soon Du Charlie will bring the silver, and I'll naturally talk to him."

  "Then thank you, Qin Ge," Wang Hengyue said seriously, suppressing his smile.

  As they chatted idly, Du Chali and Luo Fu's angry curses suddenly came from outside, followed by a pleading voice.

  Qin Guangcheng listened for a moment, sighed and shook his head: "That shameless scholar has come again."

  "Shameless scholar? Who is it?" Wang Hengyue was somewhat surprised.

  Qin Guangcheng sighed: "This man's name is Yu Lei, his courtesy name is De Guang, he's about thirty years old now. He has a xiucai degree and is from Guanghan. He has only one younger sister in his family. Normally, he doesn't do anything decent all day long, wandering around the streets of Chengdu, deceiving people with his tricks, without batting an eye. In the end, he didn't have a single friend left. Once, by chance, we got to know him and from then on, he stuck to us every day. At first, we still helped him out a bit, but later...".

  As they spoke, Wang Hengyue walked out with him and saw Du Chali and Luo Fuzhi rushing towards a man in his thirties, scolding him. It seemed that this person was Yu Lei.

  But this Yu Lei, a xiucai, no matter how the other party scolded him, he just wouldn't leave with a thick face, begging bitterly for a few coins to eat, and no matter what unpleasant words the other party said, he always smiled.

  "Mr. Qin's servant has come to pay his respects." As soon as Qin Guangcheng came out, Yu Lei surprisingly knelt down on the ground, knocked a few heads before standing up.

  Qin Guangcheng shook his head repeatedly: "De Guang, you are a man of great achievements and reputation, how can you do things so shamelessly?"

  Yu Lei smiled and said, "Qin shopkeeper, I have no choice, my stomach is really hungry, I haven't eaten for several days. Please take pity on me and give me two cents, I won't dare to disturb you again."

  "Go to hell!" Even the usually composed Du Zhānglǐ couldn't help but explode in anger: "You cheat today, you'll cheat tomorrow! For a few cents, what shameless thing won't you do?! Who in all of Chengdu doesn't know?!"

  "Go on, go on, I won't pity you anymore." Qin Guangcheng waved his hand and said.

  Who would have thought that Yu Lei refused to leave, making a bow and begging pitifully.

  As the crowd gathered around, Wang Hengyue thought about his own military career and didn't want to get entangled with him here. He asked Qin Guangcheng for a dozen or so coins and stuffed them into Yu Lei's sleeve.

  "Go, go! The world is big, there's always a place for you to stand. Why bother staying here and being laughed at? Go back with your sister and live a good life."

  Yu Lei's expression changed, and his eyes twitched slightly at the corners, before he began to thank him profusely.

  "Brother, don't be pitiful to such a person. I was also pitiful to him at first, and as a result, I don't know how many times he cheated me." Qin Guangcheng grumbled a few times, and led several people back to the mansion.

  Upon arriving in the living room, after handing over the gold watch and silver ticket, Qin Guangcheng shared his thoughts with Du Charlie. Du Charlie listened intently, nodded thoughtfully, and agreed without hesitation. However, he couldn't help but feel a sense of loss - having finally found an overseas customer's son, who could have brought in a lot of business in the future, only to have him decide to join the army instead. What was the point of joining the army?

  Du Charles didn't know that Wang Heng's ancestors had no connection with overseas at all, what a merchant family, it was actually Qin Guangcheng helping to blow the law horn.

  After chatting for a while, Du Charlie and Luo Fuqi stood up to bid farewell, agreeing to come again the next day to go to Ye Xuanbiao's place. Qin Guangcheng wanted to keep them for dinner, but they didn't respond.

  After sending the two out of the door, Qin Guangcheng grabbed Wang Hengyue's hand and said in a low voice: "Come on, brother, I'll give you something that will be very useful for your future military career."

  Qin Guangcheng's mysterious appearance made Wang Hengyue very curious, and he didn't know what it was that was worth keeping so secret. He didn't dare ask more questions and followed Qin into his bedroom.