A Journey Through the Flames of War in the Republican Era

After an unknown amount of time, Liang Wanyi said softly, "I want to ask you, since you have made so many world-shaking research achievements, why did you resolutely give them all up and join the military? Was it for the sake of your family?"

Song Hongfei was stumped by the question and didn't know how to answer it for a moment.

He pondered for a long time before saying, "Joining the army has always been my ideal, not just for the benefit of my family. Now that our country is in turmoil, and we were born into this chaotic world, a fine man of seven feet tall should do his best for the country and the nation. To be honest, Wanyi, my greatest ambition is to 'borrow three thousand brave warriors to restore our vast China.'"

Liang Wanyi's heart skipped a beat. Her beautiful eyes gazed intently at the handsome and resolute profile of her beloved, and she said firmly, "I believe you will definitely achieve your ambitions."

Song Hongfei sighed inwardly. He knew better than anyone what an incredibly difficult and unpredictable road lay ahead of him.

He slowly raised his head, gazing at the vast, distant horizon, and sighed softly, "War is merciless, but as long as I can survive..."

Before he could finish speaking, Liang Wanyi impatiently reached out and covered his mouth with her delicate hand, angrily saying, "I won't allow you to talk nonsense like that! You must come back alive and well, or else I will—"

You know my heart, there's no need for further words, a thousand words are understood without being spoken.

Song Hongfei held his beloved's warm, large hand even more firmly and powerfully. He had never felt such happiness and sweetness surging into his heart like this moment.

The world around them seemed to quiet down, with only two passionate hearts merging and colliding.

I don’t know how long it took.

Song Hongfei asked, "Wanyi, have all the family businesses been successfully relocated westward?"

Liang Wanyi said, "Some of them have already been transferred to Chengdu, Chongqing, Kunming, Jiangcheng and other places in the southwest and northwest. My father has been busy dealing with this matter, and I am also helping him. We have been traveling around together. This time I came from Jiangcheng to Nanjing."

Song Hongfei tightened his grip on her hand and said apologetically, "I'm so sorry to have troubled you so much by making this trip, Wanyi, such a long journey."

Liang Wanyi glanced at Song Hongfei with a look that was both reproachful and charming, her beautiful eyes seeming to say, "So you still have a conscience, I'll forgive you."

She added, "Some industries in Shanghai are difficult to relocate, and some are located within the concessions. Our family owns many businesses, which are widely distributed, including some in Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Southeast Asia, and Europe and America."

Song Hongfei's expression gradually became serious. He said, "The concessions, Hong Kong, Macau, and Southeast Asia are temporarily safe, but we still cannot let our guard down. We must plan ahead and make arrangements as soon as possible."

Liang Wanyi looked at him and said, "My father told me that the westward relocation plan was based on your situation analysis and strategic judgment. After the Battle of Shanghai, the families of the Southeast financial groups admired your foresight even more. However, those places are, after all, within the interests of Europe and America. Will this war escalate to such an extent? Will the Japanese directly clash with the European and American powers?"

"Industrial relocation is not something that can be accomplished overnight. The costs and consequences of relocating heavy assets are enormous, and there are also a series of major issues such as transportation, raw materials, upstream and downstream support, personnel, and land use."

Song Hongfei was genuinely surprised. He looked directly at her and exclaimed, "I never expected Wanyi to be such a powerful businesswoman."

Liang Wanyi smiled and said, "My family has many businesses, covering various industries. Besides my three older brothers, I am the eldest daughter and I also help manage them."

Song Hongfei said firmly and slowly, "This judgment was not made hastily, but after countless logical deductions and war simulations. The ambitions of the East to expand outward should not be underestimated. The resources of a small country cannot support the enormous consumption of war."

"Neither side achieved its strategic objectives in the Battle of Shanghai. The war was bound to continue to escalate, and it might even break out into a large-scale world war like World War I. Southeast Asia is a rich source of resources. When life and death are at stake, the Japanese will have no scruples."

"Of course, if our army could quickly shatter the Japanese army's delusions, then I would be worrying unnecessarily. But at present, our army's strength is far from enough. Even if our army fights bravely and sacrifices itself, it still cannot stop its offensive momentum. Wanyi should also know that the Japanese army has captured Suzhou and Wuxi in succession, and its troops are heading straight for Nanjing."

"The country has been lagging behind for a long time and has too much debt. Alas, if we had another three or five years, once our army's reorganization plan was completed, the Japanese would not dare to launch an attack! But they will not give you that opportunity. They have seized your lifeline and launched a sudden attack before you are ready, catching us off guard."

Liang Wanyi looked at him quietly with her bright eyes and said, "My father always tells me that you have a profound and unique strategic vision, keen insight, and accurate judgment. It gives people a contradictory feeling that your profound vision and depth of thought are seriously inconsistent with your age, but the results are undeniably convincing. I am also very curious. You are only two years older than me, just turned 26. What kind of person are you?"

“Wanyi will have plenty of time to get to know me in the future, and I couldn’t be happier. I’m absolutely honest with Wanyi,” Song Hongfei said with a faint smile, his demeanor relaxed and carefree. He had never been so open with himself before.

He added, “Actually, back in the time of the September 18 Incident, I came into contact with some American intelligence on Japan at West Point Military Academy, as well as the Soviet intelligence on Japan that it had obtained. I studied it in detail and learned about the intelligence analysis and strategic judgment of the great powers. I will not discuss the conclusions for now, but their working methods are indeed worth learning from.”

"Let's prepare for both possibilities. We should move as much as possible, and make plans for the rest as soon as possible. When war comes, steel, oil, rubber, coal, minerals, food, medicine, and cotton are all invaluable strategic resources and essential basic industries for economic and social development. We can make reasonable arrangements for them as early as possible."

"Another point is that weapons manufacturing and the arms trade are also a huge source of wealth during wartime."

“In recent years, your Song family has been making every effort to expand its business.” Liang Wanyi said with a faint smile, “My family’s businesses are also involved in a large part of these industries, including steel, machinery, coal, minerals, and textiles. We also have rubber, oil, and grain in Southeast Asia. My father often praises you highly.”

Song Hongfei said with some doubt, "Wanyi, please don't blame me for being abrupt. I've met your mother once, but I don't have any impression of your father. It seems that I don't know him?"

A faint smile played on Liang Wanyi's lips as she looked up at him and said, "My father and your father had a long-standing relationship. Since you came back last year, it has become even more sincere and deep. Now we are like old friends. He often mentions you to me, saying that you are a talented young man of the Song family and a rising star in the military."

Song Hongfei looked somewhat embarrassed, realizing that he hadn't looked into her situation before.

Liang Wanyi seemed to know what he was thinking and said softly, "I understand you. Just as you said, you are wholeheartedly devoted to something and have no time to think about anything else. It is precisely because of this single-mindedness that you have achieved so many amazing accomplishments."

A feeling of warmth and sweetness welled up in Song Hongfei's heart, and he couldn't help but think to himself, "What a beautiful and intelligent woman, so understanding and considerate."

Liang Wanyi looked at him quietly and asked softly, "If this war is over, what will you do?"

Song Hongfei smiled leisurely and said, "That goes without saying, of course I'll find a good girl to marry and have children with."

His intense gaze was fixed on Liang Wanyi, like a burning flame, as if he wanted to melt her completely into it.

Liang Wanyi's pretty face suddenly flushed red, making her extremely beautiful.