Newborn 1927

When Mu Yanshu returned to the living room, she was carrying an account book. She said, "The water is boiling, but the food will have to wait a while. Eldest sister, this is the account book for the household's expenses over the past few months. Please take a look!" Then she handed the account book to Gao Huilan. Gao Huilan took the account book blankly, flipped through a few pages, and put it down, saying, "I won't look at it in detail. Just give me a summary! How much money is left in the account?" Mu Yanshu replied, "The head of the household has never given any money to the household. I paid for all the renovations and furniture myself. But it's alright, we're all family, so let's forget about the past accounts. As for the future arrangements, please let eldest sister decide."

Yang Jiefang blushed slightly. In a true sense, he hadn't received a salary yet. He had no personal expenses; everything he needed was provided by the government, and he had no need to spend money. Now that he was about to get married, he couldn't continue living off the government, could he? Seeing Gao Huilan looking at him, he said, "My salary has always been stored in the logistics department. Xiaolan, go find Tiesuanpan tomorrow and calculate for me how much salary I should receive, and get it all at once. It's time to take out my savings for my wife."

Gao Huilan nodded and turned to say, "Sister Yanshu, your accounts are well-remembered. I'll give you all his salary to manage tomorrow. You can continue to keep the household accounts from now on! Just report to me every month." This was clearly an attempt to use Mu Yanshu as a laborer, but she wasn't having any of it. She replied, "I used to be idle at home, so keeping accounts wasn't a problem. But I'll have work to do in the future, and I might have to travel around a lot, not stay home all the time. If you're too busy, elder sister, you might as well hire a trustworthy steward to manage things." Since she refused, Gao Huilan couldn't force her, and a headache began to creep in. Managing this household was truly difficult.

Gao Huilan then thought of another issue and continued, "Although the head of the household's salary isn't low, supporting such a large family isn't easy. Both of your younger sisters are quite wealthy and also receive salaries. Shouldn't you also contribute some of your salary to help with household expenses in the future?"

Yang Jiefang spoke first, saying, "That's not necessary. With my salary, it's not difficult to support a family, but I can't afford a luxurious lifestyle. You can keep your own money! If you want to buy anything for yourselves, pay for it yourselves." The implication was that he could only guarantee everyone's basic needs, and if they wanted to buy luxury goods, they would have to pay for it themselves.

Gao Huilan nodded and said, "That's good. Have both of you understood?" Mu Yanshu naturally had no objections, and Jiang Xiaojun didn't care either. With the matter settled, the family could be considered to have begun to integrate.

That evening, Gao Huilan sneaked into Yang Jiefang's bedroom again, but he wasn't there. It was obvious he'd gone to Jiang Xiaojun's room.

The next day, Gao Huilan went to Kong Zongru to settle Yang Jiefang's salary. Due to the expansion of the army and the introduction of division-level units, the salary structure was adjusted again. Yang Jiefang set his division-level salary at 300 silver dollars per month. He set his own salary at the division-level level, but raised Xie Baozhang and Qu Tongfeng's salaries to 500 silver dollars per month, which was already at the army-level level. The two felt respected by Yang Jiefang and worked very diligently. Xie Baozhang even resigned from other positions to focus on managing the naval academy.

Yang Jiefang, however, sought out Master Kong, asking him to help him plan his wedding. Master Kong was flattered and assured him, "Young Commander, please rest assured! I will definitely make this wedding a grand affair." Yang Jiefang shook his head, saying, "It can't be too extravagant. I have the accounts at the Logistics Department. Just use whatever amount of money I have." Master Kong shook his head again, saying, "That won't do! Last year you used public funds to plan the weddings of your men. This year it's your turn, so naturally you can't pay for it yourself. I know you don't want to be too extravagant. But you're the leader! Your wedding should also be funded by the public, and it should be a grand affair. This concerns everyone's reputation; it can't be taken lightly." Yang Jiefang frowned, "Is it really necessary?" Master Kong said seriously, "Just look at how Commander-in-Chief Chiang Kai-shek planned his wedding, and you'll know whether it's necessary or not!"

Yang Jiefang was speechless again. These guys all liked to compare themselves to Chiang Kai-shek. It was as if he could now rival Chiang Kai-shek for power; they only learned the bad things and not the good. Yang Jiefang knew that Master Kong's words definitely represented the opinion of the majority within the group, and most likely had the support of Black Widow. So he couldn't insist any further and told Master Kong to handle it at his discretion.

Master Kong continued, "There's something I've been thinking about for a long time, and since I'm here today, I'll just mention it." Yang Jiefang said, "Just tell me what it is!" Master Kong said, "Before, when our operations were smaller, the logistics department managed everything, including money, supplies, and weapons, which was fine. Now that we've grown bigger, it's not good to keep everything under one department. My idea is to establish a separate finance department to manage finances. The logistics department can then focus on providing logistical support for the army."

Yang Jiefang understood all this perfectly well. The Ministry of Finance was bound to be established sooner or later, and they had even chosen a candidate: Jiang Tingxuan. But Jiang Tingxuan was currently in the United States, and there was no more suitable candidate, so the matter was delayed. Kong Zongru was in charge of the logistics department and also oversaw military industry construction; he was handling everything, managing everything, and was extremely busy every day.

Yang Jiefang said, "Your suggestion is excellent, but what are your thoughts on the manpower aspect?" Master Kong replied, "Money is no small matter! Finding someone who is both capable and absolutely reliable is indeed difficult. Your appointment of Madam Mou to establish the Food Security Department reminds me of someone else. Her mother, Jiang Zhenguo, is quite skilled in financial management; perhaps we could let her handle this matter." Yang Jiefang was somewhat surprised, having expected Master Kong to recommend one of his own people. He said, "I'll consider it first; I don't know if she'll be willing." Master Kong didn't say anything more and rose to take his leave.

Yang Jiefang thought for a moment and then drafted a telegram to Yantai to ask for Jiang Zhenguo's opinion. If she was willing and capable, it wouldn't hurt to let her do the job. Yantai quickly replied with a telegram; Jiang Zhenguo surprisingly agreed and said she would come to Jinan as soon as possible. Her only daughter was in Jinan, and she had always wanted to come.

Master Kong announced Yang Jiefang's upcoming wedding, causing a minor sensation. Yang Jiefang entrusted the wedding preparations to Master Kong, focusing solely on official business.

In the afternoon, Yang Jiefang met with Gao Yao again. Gao Yao had brought along a grain merchant from Guanzhong, also surnamed Gao and named Gao Luan. Yang Jiefang initially thought the name was a woman, but upon meeting him, he found him to be a rugged man from Suide.

After exchanging greetings, Yang Jiefang asked directly, "Brother Gao, I heard there's been a drought in the Guanzhong Plain this year. How serious is it?" Gao Luan replied, "Yes. Let me put it this way, a 20% harvest of autumn grain this year would be considered good. Now, winter grain can't be planted either, so there's definitely going to be a famine next year. Grain prices in Xi'an are rising three times a day. I want to transport a batch of grain there before winter, I'm sure I can sell it for a good price." Yang Jiefang asked, "Why did you come all the way to Shandong to buy grain? Isn't it more convenient to buy it nearby?" Gao Luan replied, "If I could buy grain nearby, I wouldn't have come here. In Shanxi, Yan Xishan has sent troops to guard all the ferry crossings, strictly controlling the outflow of grain, so I can't count on them. The harvest in Henan isn't much better either. Although the grain reduction isn't as severe as in Guanzhong, it's been affected by war, and there's not much surplus grain. I heard that the young commander's territory has had a bumper harvest, so I came to try my luck."

Yang Jiefang asked, "I wonder how the government is handling this matter? The newly appointed Shaanxi Provincial Chairman, Song Zheyuan, is a decent person; he shouldn't ignore it." Gao Luan replied, "Chairman Song is indeed considerate of the people's plight, but unfortunately, he doesn't have any grain himself! I heard he has already reported to the Nationalist government, requesting some grain aid. But the Nationalist government hasn't responded yet." In this chaotic era of war, warlords everywhere wanted to hoard grain. It's estimated that Song Zheyuan didn't have many options.

Yang Jiefang then asked, "If you have grain, how do you plan to transport it?" Gao Luan glanced back at Gao Yao and said, "Brother Gao Yao and I have discussed it. We'll transport the grain to Lingbao by train first. It's only about 400 li from Lingbao to Xi'an, not too far. Although the transportation cost is a bit high, compared to the grain price in Xi'an, it's still very profitable." True to his businessman nature, every word revolved around making money. Although the Longhai Railway had been planned for some time, due to the turbulent situation, its westernmost point had only reached Lingbao County.

Yang Jiefang nodded and looked at Gao Yao, saying, "You can handle this. Why did you come here? Did you encounter some difficulties?" Gao Yao replied, "I really did encounter a problem! Commander, Minister Mu just issued an order to strictly control the outflow of grain from the jurisdiction and prioritize the food security within the jurisdiction. She wants to buy all the grain that our cooperative has purchased at the agreed price."

Yang Jiefang immediately understood. Since food security had been entrusted to Mu Yanshu, it was inappropriate to interfere. So he said, "Then let's buy from other places. Brother Gao Yao, take advantage of the fact that the autumn harvest has just ended, go to the wealthy provinces in the south to purchase grain. Transport some to Shandong for storage in case of famine, and transport some to Lingbao, where Brother Gao Luan will transfer it to Xi'an. If we can't buy enough grain in the south, then we'll buy from abroad. We'll go to those foreign grain merchants, and it doesn't matter if it costs more. The most important thing is to ensure food security."

Gao Yao turned around and said, "That's fine then, Brother Gao Luan. I'll be responsible for transporting the grain to Lingbao. We'll trade in Lingbao, and you can handle the rest yourself. Is that alright?" Gao Luan nodded and said, "That's fine. But there's another problem. Even if we transport enough grain to Guanzhong, what will happen to the people who don't have money to buy it? I know this isn't my responsibility to bring this up, but since we've already come this far, I'll say a few words. Shaanxi is a poor province, and with all the war and chaos these past few years, the people really have neither grain nor money!"

Yang Jiefang frowned and asked, "Brother Gao Luan, what's your plan?" Gao Luan smiled and said, "Could we switch from selling grain to lending it out? We can lend the grain to the people first, and then collect the principal and interest next year when the harvest is plentiful." Before he finished speaking, Gao Yao interrupted, "Brother Gao Luan, this is not what you originally said! We agreed that payment would be made upon receipt of the grain, cash on delivery. How did it turn into lending? Shaanxi is very likely to experience a famine next year. How will you collect the grain you've lent out?" Gao Luan said, "What about the year after next? The longer the loan is extended, the more interest will be charged." Gao Yao sneered, "Are you joking?" Gao Luan smiled bitterly and did not reply, turning to look at Yang Jiefang.

Yang Jiefang chuckled with interest, "Brother Gao Luan, are you really just a grain merchant?" Gao Luan sighed and replied, "To be honest, I was entrusted by Chairman Song to procure grain in Shandong." Gao Yao immediately jumped up and said, "I almost fell for your trick. It's all thanks to Minister Mou's sudden ban on grain leaving the country. Otherwise, this whole trainload of grain I transported would have been wasted." Gao Luan quickly apologized, saying, "Brother Gao Yao, I'm so sorry, I had no choice." Gao Yao coldly said, "Don't call me brother, I don't have a brother like you. I bet you're not even surnamed Gao, are you?" Gao Luan replied, "I really am surnamed Gao, from Suide, Shaanxi."

Yang Jiefang, not wanting to dwell on these matters, spoke up, "Brother Gao Luan, I've never met Chairman Song before, and we have no connection whatsoever. Why would he send you to ask me for grain?" Gao Luan replied, "It wasn't specifically for the young commander. Chairman Song has been trying to raise funds in Shaanxi, but he only managed to collect 300,000 silver dollars. Commander Feng also raised 300,000 silver dollars in Henan, which has already been taken to Hankou to buy grain. Although the money is considerable, the amount of grain that can be bought is limited, a drop in the ocean for Shaanxi right now. I came to Shandong originally intending to ask Chairman Sun for funds to buy grain. I heard that the young commander has had a bumper harvest and has grain on hand, so I came to try my luck. Young commander, nearly ten million people in Shaanxi will face famine next year. Please extend a helping hand! May I borrow grain from you on behalf of Chairman Song?"

Gao Yao, still angry, replied, "That sounds nice, but I'm afraid you'll never pay it back." Gao Luan knew he had deceived him by concealing his identity, and it would be difficult to regain Gao Yao's trust. He looked at Yang Jiefang, hoping that this young commander would relent.

Yang Jiefang weighed his options for a moment and said, "I do have grain and money. But why should I give them to you?" Gao Luan breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, which meant there was still room for negotiation. So she said, "Young Commander, please state your conditions directly!"

Yang Jiefang said, “Two conditions: First, Sun Liangcheng must lead his troops out of Shandong. However, I will provide 100,000 silver dollars as a departure fee, and for the next year, I will supply his Third Army’s pay and provisions. I will take over Shandong entirely, and no troops from your Second Army Group can be stationed in Shandong. Second, I will not lend money or provide grain. You will exchange work for grain.”

Gao Luan said, "I understand the first point, but I can't make the decision. Not even Chairman Song or Chairman Sun can. We'll have to consult Commander Feng. The second point, I don't quite understand—what does 'exchanging labor for food' mean?" Yang Jiefang replied, "I'd like to fund the construction of the Lingbao-Xi'an railway, recruiting laborers from Shaanxi. We'll implement a labor-for-food disaster relief program. What do you think?" Gao Luan didn't immediately agree, saying, "I'll return to Tai'an now and report your conditions. Please wait a few days, Commander!"