A Journey Through the Flames of War in the Republican Era

Song Hongfei was somewhat caught off guard. He had just returned to Shanghai, China, and arrived at his accommodation with several other members of the inspection team who had returned with him. As soon as he got off the bus, he was approached by many people vying to recruit him.

What Song Hongfei didn't expect was that even before he returned to China, when he had just received his PhD from MIT, many well-informed people were already subtly and overtly trying to influence the Military Commission and the Song family. Those days were filled with visitors and lobbyists.

The Ordnance Department, the Transportation and Logistics School, the Armored Corps, the Training Corps, the Tax Police Corps, the Civil Engineering Department, the Central Military Academy, the Army University, and several other prestigious universities in China all extended olive branches. He Jingzhi of the Ministry of Military Affairs also expressed his favor and desire to recruit them. The offers were higher and higher, leaving the Song family somewhat overwhelmed yet extremely proud. As one of the most outstanding members of the younger generation in the Song family, Song Hongfei's growth and achievements over the years have greatly pleased the elders of the family.

Song Hongfei put everything aside and went home to reunite with his family. The Song family's old residence, located on Seymour Road in Shanghai, is a grand English country-style garden house, covering an area of ​​over two acres, with a pleasant landscape. Since the 18th year of the Chinese calendar, Song Ziyu, the eldest son of the Song family, had accompanied his mother to live here.

After Madam Song passed away, the visits between the several families who had married into the family decreased, and the once bustling Song residence became much quieter. Unexpectedly, after several years, it is now once again filled with guests.

Looking at the magnificent mansion before him, a unique feeling slowly welled up in Song Hongfei's heart. His inexplicable circumstances and two lifetimes had sometimes left him wondering if he, "Song Hongfei," had any real blood relation to the Song family. But at this moment, he felt something within him resonating strongly, and a deep sense of kinship welled up in his heart.

As Song Hongfei entered the quaint courtyard, before he even reached the door, he heard a series of footsteps. A girl's figure rushed out, her voice preceding her: "Brother!" Her voice was as clear and melodious as a nightingale's song. The girl immediately threw herself at Song Hongfei, hugging his neck and pouting: "Brother—you're finally back!"

"Oh my, my little sister has grown up so beautifully!" Song Hongfei pinched his sister Song Siqi's pretty face. His sister, who used to follow him around like a shadow, had grown up and blossomed into a graceful and charming young woman. Song Siqi was now studying at Central University. Although they hadn't seen each other for several years, she didn't feel distant at all. She was still as girlish as ever, and as soon as Song Hongfei got home, she would cling to him and act spoiled.

The father's hearty, laughing voice came from inside the house: "This crazy girl, she's in college now, but she's still like a little kid."

His parents were already waiting at home. As soon as Song Hongfei entered the house, his mother, Shen Jinying, came to greet him. The usually elegant and composed mother had tears in her eyes. She hugged him tightly and stroked his face, murmuring, "Hongfei, my son, you've suffered so much. I've missed you so much. Let me see if you've lost weight!"

With tears welling up in his eyes, Song Hongfei opened his arms and embraced his mother, crying out emotionally, "Mother, Father, your son is back!"

Father Song Ziyu stepped forward, patting Song Hongfei's shoulder with his warm and strong hand, and said, "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back! These past few days have made your mother miss you so much! Now that you're back, it's all good!"

He opened his arms wide and hugged his wife and son tightly.

This was a rare and heartwarming family reunion in many years. Song Hongfei felt a sense of finally being fully integrated into the world. It felt so good to be home!

Song Hongfei was deeply moved by his parents' profound love and the long-lost warmth of family affection. He felt a lump in his throat and then thought of his other two parents, whom he might never see again. His eyes reddened and tears streamed down his face.

The parents quickly pulled Song Hongfei to sit down and carefully examined their son, whom they hadn't seen in a long time.

Several years had passed, but Song Hongfei's appearance remained unchanged; he was still handsome and dashing, with a face like jade and a refined air. His eyes were bright and piercing, like stars in the sky, and his deep pupils, like the dawn and the moon, were full of spirit.

He seemed to have grown a little taller, tall and upright, with broad shoulders and a long back, long arms and legs. Surprisingly, his majestic body had a slender waist, which made his agile figure appear full of surging tension.

Years spent studying in the United States have tempered his youthful arrogance and impetuosity, giving him a more composed and steady demeanor. His calm and unflappable bearing makes him even more dignified. Seeing their son grow into such a man, combining strength and gentleness, strength and grace, fills his parents with immense joy and pride.

After many years apart, Song Hongfei's parents had endless things to talk about. They recounted his experiences at West Point, MIT, and his participation in a European study tour where he met with Hitler, the leader of the Han Dynasty. His parents were filled with pride and joy. His quick and steady speech, his composed and appropriate demeanor—the son who had traveled overseas to study before turning 18 had indeed grown up, matured, and achieved accomplishments worthy of family honor and making their ancestors proud!

Song Hongfei gave his younger sister, Song Siqi, a beautiful crystal music box. It was exquisite and could produce clear and melodious sounds like crystal when wound up. The soundbox contained dozens of songs and the soundbox itself was replaceable.

Song Siqi was overjoyed and exclaimed sweetly, "Wow, it's so beautiful! Thank you, brother!"

Song Siqi had a pair of large, clear eyes, dark and bright. She darted around with her bright eyes, leaned close to Song Hongfei's ear, and whispered, "Brother, I have some news for you. These past few days, Mom has been talking about finding you a wife every day!" After saying that, she winked her bright eyes at Song Hongfei mischievously, wrinkled her cute little nose, giggled, and ran away.

Song Hongfei was taken aback, as he had never actually thought about this aspect.

The Song family's servants were overjoyed to hear that their eldest young master, whom they hadn't seen for many years, had returned. They had been busy cleaning the house inside and out for the past two days, and today they were already bustling about in the kitchen preparing dinner. The whole house felt much more festive. Several new maids even occasionally made excuses to sneak a peek at the young master, whom they had long heard was handsome and dashing.

Several uncles from Shanghai also came. They were overjoyed to see that the boy who looked so green and immature a few years ago had now grown into a handsome and dashing man with an extraordinary demeanor.

The two aunts, who live far away in Nanjing, were unable to come in person, but they called back to inquire about his well-being and to congratulate and greet Song Hongfei on his return from his studies. They repeatedly urged him to come to Nanjing to see him.

The Song family controls a vast business empire and is known as one of the "Five Great Families" of China, along with the Yu, Sheng, Shen, and Rong families of Shanghai. These five families are incredibly wealthy, with capital spread across important industries such as finance, industry, commerce, transportation, trade, and real estate. They are also known by various prestigious titles such as Banking King, Grain King, Textile King, Steel King, Flour King, Cement King, Mining King, Shipping King, and Real Estate King, and are considered the five major representatives of the Southeast Financial Group.

The eldest son, Song Ziyu, is a businessman, and the second son, Song Zicai, is a politician. The Song family boasts numerous elites in the business and political spheres, possessing wealth and power, yet none have joined the military. Although the Song family is now prominent, it always seems to lack something. In China, military strength is paramount; there's a saying, "A thousand acres of fertile land are not as valuable as a skilled commander." The Song family elders had long ago considered this and decided to fully cultivate and support Song Hongfei in making a name for himself in the military, a fact that Song Hongfei was well aware of.

As an elder, Song Zicai naturally cared about Song Hongfei's future and asked him what his plans were.

“Hongfei has achieved remarkable success over the years and is quite famous. I already knew about the ‘snatching up’ thing!” Song Zicai chuckled. “These past few days, Elder Huang Jie of the Tax Police Corps mentioned to me that he wanted me to recruit you to the Tax Police Corps. He kept assuring me that you would definitely not be treated unfairly. What do you think, Hongfei?”

The Tax Police Corps is well-equipped and offers generous benefits, so it's only natural that everyone would look at Song Hongfei with respect when he goes there.

Song Ziyu felt a surge of pride and said, "Hongfei has grown up. He should be able to make his own decisions about his future! We all respect your wishes!"

However, Song Hongfei had no intention of joining the Tax Police Corps; he had other considerations. Song Hongfei said, "Thank you for your concern, but I don't think it's appropriate for me to go to the Tax Police Corps."

Song Zicai was slightly taken aback, but he didn't seem surprised. He nodded and smiled, saying, "I knew you had your own plans. I was just doing this for someone else. Whatever you decide, I will support you!"

Song Hongfei's third and fourth uncles were 12 and 5 years older than him, respectively. When Song Hongfei was a child, he followed them around like a shadow and had a very good relationship with them, especially with his fourth uncle, who was only a few years older than him. They were very informal with each other.

The two men laughed and tried to smooth things over. Uncle San said, "Hongfei, come with me to Guangdong Province. I remember you used to go to the military academy to perform shooting every winter and summer vacation. Don't you love fishing by the Pearl River?"

My third uncle was just appointed as a member of the Guangdong Provincial Government in July and will soon take up his post.

Fourth Uncle said, "Why don't you come with me into finance? I guarantee you'll be incredibly wealthy, surrounded by beautiful women, with three wives and four concubines, so your mother won't be nagging you about finding a wife all the time!"

Suddenly, everyone was reminded of the happy, warm, and carefree days they spent playing together in their childhood.

"You're joking with me again!" Song Hongfei laughed happily, then said to his fourth uncle without any politeness, "According to you, I haven't seen you have three wives and four concubines yourself!"

Uncle Si was extremely embarrassed: "You little rascal, you've got no respect for your elders now!"

Everyone burst into laughter, and the atmosphere instantly became joyful.

Shen Jinying came out of the restaurant and said, "Let's eat first! Hongfei just got back, you should let him rest first, and think things through before we talk about anything else."

Seeing Song Hongfei's confident demeanor, clearly indicating that he had his own ideas, his father was also pleased and chuckled, "Come on, let's eat, let's eat first!"

The family enjoyed a happy dinner together. His mother kept putting food into his bowl, saying, "Eat this! Eat this! I made this myself! After so many years in America, I'm afraid you must miss home-cooked meals."

Song Hongfei had a sweet tongue and said, "I've gotten used to the food in America, but I miss my mother's cooking every single day."

"It's been years, and you've become so sweet-talking!" Shen Jinying pretended to scold her, but she was actually very happy, sweeter than honey, and couldn't stop smiling.

Song Hongfei then enthusiastically recounted how several Chinese cadets, while "improving their meals" at West Point, made the American cadets incredibly hungry, which made everyone laugh.

These past few days, a large group of relatives and friends have been visiting us one after another. The family has been busy welcoming and seeing off them all day long. My parents have been beaming with joy these past few days.