Newborn 1927

After Yang Jiefang finished drawing the blueprints, everyone returned after completing the tasks he had assigned. Sun Zhiyong and Yan Donglai brought back 100 jin of flour and seasonings such as oil and salt; Hou Fei and Ma Shangfei brought back 15 goats; Lu Ziqi and the Tie brothers brought back some tables, stools, wooden basins, bowls, and chopsticks; and the person in charge of gathering firewood brought back some corn stalks and sorghum stalks that had been left in the wild.

Yang Jiefang then gathered everyone together and explained the newly drafted training plan and competition rules. Although the group was somewhat prepared, they were still astonished, staring at Yang Jiefang and exclaiming, "Young Yang, how do you know so much! Are all scholars this capable?" Yang Jiefang shook his head and said, "Not all scholars know these things; I'm an exception. As I've said before, I basically know everything that military schools can teach. From now on, everyone must establish a mindset: don't see yourselves as bandits or lowly soldiers; see yourselves as future generals. Therefore, we must not only consciously persist in training ourselves, but also find ways to encourage more people to participate and train with us. So, starting tomorrow, we will eat only refined grains for all three meals a day; and every few days, we will slaughter a sheep to supplement our nutrition. Moreover, anyone willing to train with us can eat and drink with us. The expenses will be on me."

Hou Fei immediately became anxious and advised, "Xiao Yang, don't think you're so rich now. If everyone eats and drinks like crazy, it won't last long. Do you really think it's necessary to do this?" Yang Jiefang said firmly, "I just want everyone to understand that following me means we can eat well and drink well, and there's hope for the future! As for the money, don't worry! I already have a preliminary idea that will allow us to continuously earn money. Providing food and drink for everyone participating in the training shouldn't be a problem. Okay, let's not talk about that now. Tonight we're having a special meal, something to celebrate. I'd like to slaughter a sheep for dinner, do you have any objections?" What objections could anyone have? Naturally, they were overjoyed. They all volunteered, some slaughtering sheep, others kneading dough, and they were about to get started.

Yang Jiefang suddenly changed the subject, saying, "Don't rush, there's still plenty of time. For the first phase of physical training, we only completed one item today: a 10-mile light cross-country run; we still haven't done push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups. How about this, since it's the first day, let's do less. Do 100 push-ups and 100 sit-ups each; 20 pull-ups. You don't have to finish them all at once; the number can accumulate, but you must complete this many today." The crowd's excitement abruptly ceased. Sun Zhiyong asked, "How exactly do you do push-ups and sit-ups?" Everyone looked at Yang Jiefang with puzzled expressions. Clearly, they hadn't heard of these technical terms. Yang Jiefang smiled and said, "It's simple, I'll demonstrate for you." He took off his shoes, got on the bed, and demonstrated the key points of push-ups and sit-ups, doing a few himself. Everyone exclaimed, "That's so easy!" Yang Jiefang stood up and said, "Everyone should do a hundred first, and we'll gradually increase the number later." As everyone tried to take off their shoes and get into bed, Yang Jiefang stopped them, saying, "And pull-ups, I'll demonstrate those for you too!"

After speaking, Yang Jiefang got out of bed, put on his shoes, and went to the main room. Two thick hemp ropes hung from the roof beams, with a bamboo pole lying across them. This pole was usually used for hanging things; it could easily support the weight of one or two people, and its height was just right. Yang Jiefang stood under the bamboo pole and said, "For pull-ups, grab the horizontal bar with both hands, either overhand or underhand, with your hands shoulder-width apart. Then, tuck in your abs, straighten and bring your legs together, and pull your body up until your shoulders are level with the bar." He then demonstrated a few. The others didn't seem to find it particularly difficult and were somewhat unimpressed. Yang Jiefang didn't say much more, only asking everyone to supervise each other and complete today's training conscientiously. Everyone found a suitable spot and began training on their own.

Yang Jiefang ignored them, inquired about Li the carpenter from Lu Ziqi, and then took the completed blueprints for the training ground construction and went out. Since the village needed Li the carpenter for construction, Yang Jiefang went straight to his house. Li the carpenter was in his fifties, and like Lu Ziqi, he was originally a carpenter; he had participated in the Boxer Rebellion with the old leader and was considered an elder of the village. Yang Jiefang explained his purpose and handed him the blueprints. Li the carpenter took the blueprints and said while looking at them, "There are indeed many unemployed laborers now, but this is private work, so you have to pay them. Have you thought it through?" Yang Jiefang said, "Manager Li, the payment is easy to discuss, we'll follow the rules and withdraw it from my account. I'll also trouble you to arrange more manpower so that construction can begin as soon as possible." Li the carpenter nodded and said, "That makes things easier. However, I don't quite understand these blueprints." Yang Jiefang knew that although he was skilled, he was illiterate and it was normal for him not to understand the blueprints. So, he explained it to Carpenter Li in detail until Li fully understood.

Finally, Yang Jiefang said, "Manager Li, I heard you have a son, about twelve or thirteen years old, right? I wonder what he's learning?" Carpenter Li replied, "What else could he be learning? He's learning carpentry from me, of course. Our craft needs a successor!" Yang Jiefang smiled, "Learning carpentry is good! I wonder if he's interested in reading and writing?" Carpenter Li paused, staring at Yang Jiefang, momentarily confused. Yang Jiefang quickly explained, "Now that I have free time, I teach everyone to read in the canteen. If you want him to learn, let him come to the canteen to listen to the lessons! It shouldn't interfere with his carpentry studies." Carpenter Li shook his head, saying, "If he learns my carpentry skills well, he won't go hungry in the future. What good will knowing a few words do?" Yang Jiefang wasn't surprised by Carpenter Li's words; one couldn't expect to change someone of his age and rigid thinking. Yang Jiefang was more interested in young people who were open to new ideas, so he asked, "Is this your idea? I wonder what he himself thinks?" Carpenter Li said, "What could a little kid like him possibly think?"

Just then, a boy of about twelve or thirteen ran out from the inner room, walked up to Carpenter Li, and said, "Dad, I want to study, I want to learn to read, I don't want to be a carpenter my whole life!" He was naturally Carpenter Li's son, who didn't even have a proper name and had been called Little Carpenter since he was little. Yang Jiefang smiled and said, "Then would you like to learn to read with me?" Little Carpenter asked, "Then do I have to become your apprentice?" Yang Jiefang shook his head and said, "I'm a few years older than you, just call me Brother Yang! An older brother teaching a younger brother to read doesn't require an apprenticeship."

Carpenter Li frowned and scolded, "What do you know, you little brat? Go inside!" The young carpenter trembled in fright and immediately lowered his head. Yang Jiefang was taken aback and interjected, "Manager Li, this is where you're wrong. It's a good thing the child wants to learn to read! You should support him. Do you know how many parents go to great lengths to send their children to school? Now there's a free opportunity for him to learn, yet you're obstructing it. I really doubt if this is your own son." Carpenter Li glared angrily and shouted, "Of course he's my son! I'm doing this entirely for his own good. To tell you the truth, if anyone else could teach my son to read, I would be more than happy to do so; but you can't." Yang Jiefang asked in surprise, "Why is that? Am I not qualified to teach him a few words?" Carpenter Li gritted his teeth and said, "You have ideas, you want to do something big, and the boss doesn't say anything, let you make a fuss! But I had this son late in life, he's my only child, and I don't want him to follow you into all this mess."

Yang Jiefang paused slightly, seemingly understanding something, and said, "The tide of the world is vast and unstoppable; those who follow it prosper, and those who oppose it perish. Some things you can't avoid just because you want to. He's still young now, and you can control him; but when he grows up, you'll be old. If he wants to fly, will you still be able to hold him back? By then, if he wants to learn, he won't be able to find a teacher like me anymore." Not expecting to persuade Li the carpenter, he turned and patted the young carpenter's head, then turned back and said, "Please, Manager Li, get my business done as soon as possible! That's how the world is; if you don't want to do something, someone else has to do it." Then he turned and left. Li the carpenter watched Yang Jiefang's retreating figure, then looked down at his son, his expression complex.

Yang Jiefang seemed to sense that Qinglong Village wasn't as peaceful as it appeared. He took a deep breath and strode towards the dining hall. There were more people in the dining hall than in the morning, and everyone seemed happy to see Yang Jiefang. Yang Jiefang greeted them with a smile and then continued explaining the topic from the morning. He lectured for over two hours, until his throat was dry, and only stopped after explaining the remaining words of the lyrics to "The Song of Heroes." Actually, there were only about forty Chinese characters in total; how many one could learn depended entirely on their ability.

Yang Jiefang announced that everyone should practice on their own, then ran to the kitchen and gulped down several mouthfuls of cold water. As he came out of the kitchen, he ran into Bai Lang. Bai Lang said, "I just told them to have the kitchen prepare a cup of tea for you next time you give a lecture." Yang Jiefang smiled and said, "Thank you so much, Brother Bai." Bai Lang replied, "It's my pleasure." Yang Jiefang continued, "I ate your eggs last time, but I haven't had a chance to reciprocate. We're planning to have a special meal tonight, so please come over with your brothers!" Bai Lang hesitated for a moment, saying, "This… is that appropriate? That would be too much trouble!" Yang Jiefang smiled and said, "Actually, there's nothing special to offer, I just want to get closer to my brothers." Bai Lang nodded and said, "Alright then! I'll bring my brothers over after sunset." Yang Jiefang was naturally pleased and replied, "Then it's settled." The two then said their goodbyes.

Yang Jiefang didn't immediately return to his residence, but instead went to the courtyard where the Black Widow lived. This time, the two widows guarding the gate wouldn't let him in, stopping him outside. Yang Jiefang quickly said, "Please, ladies, inform her that I wish to see Miss Gao." The two women exchanged a glance and said, "Wait here for now." Then one of them went inside to inform her. A short while later, the incredibly fit but disfigured ugly girl came out and asked, "What business do you have seeing Miss Gao?" Her demeanor was completely aloof. Yang Jiefang was speechless for a moment, then replied, "I chatted with Miss Gao yesterday and learned that she's quite interested in food. We're having a special meal tonight, slaughtering a sheep, and would like to invite Miss Gao to come and try it!" Ugly Girl said, "You're quite thoughtful, knowing how to cater to her tastes! But... if you really care, just cook the mutton and bring it over! Our young lady doesn't like being crammed with a bunch of smelly men; with their stench, she can't eat even the best food." Yang Jiefang felt dizzy and said apologetically, "It was my oversight. Please tell Miss Gao that I'll personally bring the mutton over later, what do you think?" Ugly Girl nodded and said, "That's more like it! Remember to bring it over early; if it's late, and our young lady has already had dinner, she won't be able to eat even the best food." Yang Jiefang quickly replied, "Okay, okay, I'll definitely bring it over on time." Ugly Girl said again, "Then hurry up and prepare!" Then she turned and went inside, leaving Yang Jiefang alone, bewildered in the wind.