A Journey Through the Flames of War in the Republican Era

Lin Shuyao slowly walked towards Gao Muyu, who had caught up from a distance. Seeing his tense demeanor just now, she couldn't help but say, "Captain Gao is very vigilant."

Gao Muyu said, "I quickly processed the prey and rushed up the mountain. Just now I heard a loud shout and thought something had happened."

Lin Shuyao said, "Company Commander Gao is truly dedicated and responsible, never leaving your brigade commander's side."

Gao Muyu remained calm, his gaze still sharp, and said, "Miss Lin, you may not know this, but not only our Commander Gui, the Military Commission also has strict requirements for the security and guard of Brigade Commander Song."

Lin Shuyao glanced at Song Hongfei and Liang Wanyi, who were embracing and kissing tightly, and a complex feeling welled up in her heart that she couldn't quite explain.

Lin Shuyao said, "There are plenty of army commanders and generals in the National Revolutionary Army. Is he that important to you?"

Gao Muyu said solemnly, "The National Army has many outstanding generals, and there are naturally many famous generals who can fight well, but those who have become heroes in the hearts of soldiers like the brigade commander are extremely rare. We all firmly believe that the brigade commander can lead us to victory!"

"He's a hero in the hearts of the soldiers, and he has immense prestige among the officers and soldiers," Lin Shuyao thought to herself.

She looked at Gao Muyu again and couldn't help but smile, saying, "It seems you also want to become someone like him?"

Gao Muyu smiled, then solemnly said, "It's not just me; we all want to be like the brigade commander, winning battles and achieving great feats. If all the generals of the National Revolutionary Army were like the brigade commander, how could the Japanese invaders dare to be so rampant!"

Lin Shuyao was secretly shocked upon hearing this, then laughed and said, "I think it would be a little bad if everyone became like him."

Gao Muyu asked, puzzled, "Oh? What's wrong with it?"

Lin Shuyao laughed and said, "If everyone were like him, what would Wanyi do?"

Gao Muyu was taken aback, then burst into laughter.

Liang Wanyi and Song Hongfei walked over hand in hand, and she said with a smile, "I saw you two chatting and laughing from afar. What's making you so happy?"

Liang Wanyi's heart was filled with sweetness, radiating the unique happiness of a young woman, and her face glowed with a radiant smile.

Lin Shuyao looked at Liang Wanyi, then at Song Hongfei, and said, "Just now, I heard this captain's ambitious aspirations, they're quite something."

Liang Wanyi blinked and laughed, "Oh, have you poured your hearts out to each other?"

Song Hongfei couldn't help but laugh: "Shuyao, you don't know yet, this Captain Gao gave up his enviable valet office and insisted on coming to the field army. He's really something. Uh, Captain Gao is a graduate of the ninth class of the Whampoa Military Academy. He has also carried out missions in the United States and many European countries. He has a broad perspective, is knowledgeable, comes from a wealthy family, and is still unmarried."

Liang Wanyi chuckled.

Gao Muyu looked embarrassed: "Brigade Commander, please don't joke with me."

“You’re quite considerate of your subordinates,” Lin Shuyao said quietly, looking at Song Hongfei. “He looks younger than me.”

Her eyes then turned to Gao Muyu, and she asked, "What year were you born?"

Gao Muyu was extremely embarrassed and could only honestly reply, "The third year of the Republic of China."

Lin Shuyao said, "Call me 'elder sister'."

The quick-witted Liang Wanyi had already seen through Lin Shuyao's thoughts. She came up and took her hand, laughing, "You're carrying half a gold brick! Okay, okay, I'm not kidding you anymore."

Then she turned to Gao Muyu and said playfully, "Little Gao, quickly call us 'sister'!"

Gao Muyu was extremely embarrassed and said, "No, it's better to call you Miss. Or, I'll call you Sister-in-law."

This time, it was Liang Wanyi's turn to feel a little embarrassed.

Song Hongfei laughed loudly: "Let's go, let's try some delicious food!"

Gao Muyu gathered firewood, and the campfire roared to life. He rubbed oil and salt inside the pheasant, wrapped it in mud and grass, and threw it directly into the fire to roast.

Liang Wanyi and Lin Shuyao exclaimed in surprise, "They won't even pluck the hairs?"

Song Hongfei said, "This is the most original way of making beggar's chicken. After it's roasted, you can crack it open and even the feathers will come off! Of course, it would be even better if you had lotus leaves or banana leaves."

They also made barbecued wild rabbit and roasted wild rabbit on a stone slab.

In no time, the rabbit legs were sizzling and golden brown, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with an irresistible aroma.

An alluring fragrance permeates the mountains and forests.

Liang Wanyi and Lin Shuyao had never experienced a picnic before, and they were both very interested. They rarely ate greasy food, but they had a big appetite and kept praising it.

The group enjoyed their meal immensely and were extremely satisfied.

While happily munching on a rabbit leg, Song Hongfei recounted with great enthusiasm how, a few years ago, he and several other Chinese students had "improved their meals" at West Point, making the American students and instructors incredibly envious. The others couldn't help but chuckle as they listened.

On the way back, Gao Muyu went to check the traps he had made on the way there. He had caught two wild rabbits and said excitedly, "Let's make wild rabbit hot pot tonight."

They returned to Yanziji with lingering enjoyment, and Song Hongfei and Gao Muyu were immediately stunned.

"Why is the commander-in-chief here?" They saw from afar that the commander-in-chief Gui Shuaizhen's car was parked in the open space outside the command and observation post.

Unexpectedly, Commander-in-Chief Gui and Chief of Staff Qiu Yu'an graced the training ground with their presence today, and I wonder how long they have been here.

Song Hongfei quickly got out of the car, stepped forward to salute, and said, "Commander-in-Chief, Chief of Staff, what brings you here today?"

"I've come to check on the Mufu Mountain position and the training situation," Gui Shuzhen said seriously. He saw that Gao Muyu was still holding two wild rabbits and said, "Looks like you've had a good harvest today, bringing back two wild rabbits."

As he spoke, he kept looking around, saying, "Everyone said your wife, Brigade Commander Song, is here. Where is she?"

Qiu Yu'an stood to the side, trying very hard not to laugh.

Upon seeing this, Song Hongfei was taken aback and felt a little embarrassed. Could it be that Chief Gui came for this reason?

He never imagined it was true!

In the morning, the news that "Brigade Commander Song's wife has arrived" spread like wildfire throughout the Yanziji training ground. Before long, the nosy officers relayed the news back to the Xiaolingwei camp. Through word of mouth, it quickly spread throughout the entire camp, and Commander Gui also learned of it.

Women are always the most enduring topic of conversation for men, especially in the closed and monotonous military camp, particularly beautiful women, let alone two beautiful women!

Romantic affairs are the hottest topic.

Upon learning this, Gui Shuaizhen couldn't resist any longer. Under the pretext of inspecting the positions and training, he traveled from the Xiaolingwei headquarters to Yanziji to find out what was going on.

Song Hongfei looked embarrassed.

Gui Shuaizhen laughed heartily. At this moment, he saw Liang Wanyi and Lin Shuyao getting out of the car and walking behind them. He then left the command and observation post and walked forward.

After walking a few steps, Gui Shuaizhen froze, exclaiming in utter shock, "It's you! Aren't you the two I saw a few days ago!"

He looked back at Song Hongfei in disbelief.

Song Hongfei smiled and nodded, saying, "Let me introduce you first. This is our Captain Gui, and these two are Miss Liang and Miss Lin."

At this moment, Gui Shuaizhen noticed the unique pistol hanging on Liang Wanyi's waist. He looked at the two of them, stunned and speechless, his mouth agape. He asked a question that even he himself found idiotic: "Is this your blind date?"

Song Hongfei nodded again.

Gui Shuaizhen was overwhelmed with shock, exclaiming repeatedly, "My God! Am I dreaming?! Oh my god, I've learned something new! I've truly learned something new! If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would never have believed it! A match made in heaven! A match made in heaven!"

Gui Shuaizhen laughed heartily and punched Song Hongfei in the chest: "Oh my, not bad, not bad! Hero and beauty! Good lad, always so unbelievable!"

Qiu Yu'an, who followed Gui Shuaizhen out, was confused. He had never seen Captain Gui so surprised before and was completely bewildered: What's going on?

Seeing Qiu Yu'an's puzzled look, Gui Shuaizhen laughed and said, "I'll tell you when we get back. It's unbelievable, I guarantee you won't believe it!"

Song Hongfei then said to Liang Wanyi and Lin Shuyao, "This is Chief of Staff Qiu of the General Corps."

Gui Shuaizhen smiled and said to Liang Wanyi, "It's a great joy that you've come today, sister-in-law! The troops are highly motivated in their training and their combat effectiveness has greatly increased. You must come often in the future!"

The moment Liang Wanyi heard the word "sister-in-law," her ears started to burn.

Song Hongfei quickly came to the rescue, saying, "You can't call it the wrong way. It's not time yet. It's not time yet."

Gui Shuaizhen said, "Hey, what's wrong or right? It's just a matter of time! Don't be so ungrateful after getting the benefit."

Song Hongfei could only chuckle.

Gui Shuaizhen smiled again and said, "I hope you will forgive me, sister-in-law. The troops' combat readiness training cannot be separated from Hongfei. He is the chief training officer and has not been able to spend much time with you. I am very sorry. I promise that after this battle is over, I will make him make it up to you doubly!"

After recovering, Liang Wanyi said frankly, "Commander Gui, you flatter me. Did our visit interfere with the troops' training today?"

Gui Shuaizhen laughed and said, "No, no! Not only did it not cause any delay, but the presence of the two ladies today has been a great help to us. The soldiers are training with great enthusiasm! Hongfei is mainly here to oversee things. As the brigade commander, he doesn't need to personally guide the troops."

Gui Shuaizhen added, "You must come often in the future! We would be more than happy to have you here! Hongfei, don't you think you would be more than happy to have you here? You have to be on duty during the day for training, but I've granted you leave at night to spend time with your younger siblings. You don't need to go back to camp! Just come back during the daytime tactical training!"

Liang Wanyi's ears turned red, and Song Hongfei's ears also felt a little hot from his actions.

"Oh right, I was so excited I almost forgot, it's past lunchtime. Have you all had lunch yet? If not, have the kitchen prepare a few more dishes," Gui Shuaizhen added.

Song Hongfei said, "We hunted a few wild rabbits and pheasants in the mountains and had a picnic."

Gui Shuai nodded and then said to Liang Wanyi, "How was it, sister-in-law? Wasn't the hunting and picnic in the mountains fun? Not only did you have a picnic, but you also brought back two game animals. They said your marksmanship is quite good. Come and practice shooting often. Hongfei's marksmanship is really impressive. Let him accompany you hunting!"

Liang Wanyi smiled and said, "I think everything here is quite interesting."

Gui Shuaizhen laughed again and said, "That's great! It's settled then. You and Miss Lin must come often in the future."

Liang Wanyi and Lin Shuyao both felt that Captain Gui was truly shrewd and had excellent interpersonal skills.