Newborn 1927

There were over forty people in total, seated at six tables. Each table had a large bowl of mutton and a large wooden bowl of steamed buns, which they immediately began to devour. Yang Jiefang, preoccupied with delivering the mutton to Miss Gao, let everyone eat first. He then served himself a large bowl of mutton, placed another large bowl on top, and wrapped it in a square cloth. Sun Zhiyong found a wine jug, filled it with the sorghum liquor Bai Lang had brought, and handed it to Yang Jiefang. Yang Jiefang didn't refuse; he carried the mutton in one hand and the wine jug in the other, and left the courtyard.

It wasn't completely dark yet, and it was almost dinnertime. The villagers were heading to the kitchen. As they walked, they heard someone calling, "Commander Yang... Commander Yang..." Yang Jiefang finally realized they were calling him. He turned around and saw Liu Yishou, whom he had only known for two days. He asked, "Isn't this Brother Liu? What's up?" Liu Yishou seemed pleased and smiled, "Commander Yang still recognizes me? An honor, an honor." He then pointed to what Yang Jiefang was carrying and asked, "Where is Commander Yang going?" Yang Jiefang replied, "Some wine and meat to thank a savior." Liu Yishou nodded, "It's my pleasure! Please! Please!" Seeing that he seemed to have nothing more to say, Yang Jiefang continued walking. Liu Yishou didn't leave but followed behind Yang Jiefang. Yang Jiefang turned back and asked, "Brother Liu, if you have something to say, please speak freely." Liu Yishou stroked his chin and replied, "Nothing, nothing." His eyes were fixed on the bowl Yang Jiefang was carrying. Yang Jiefang immediately understood what was going on, but ignored it and continued walking, letting Liu Yishou follow behind him.

Arriving at the gate of the Black Widow's residence, Yang Jiefang explained his purpose to the gatekeeper. The gatekeeper told Yang Jiefang to wait at the gate, and soon led Ugly Girl out. Ugly Girl looked at the things Yang Jiefang was carrying and praised, "You actually brought them? Hmm, that's thoughtful! Our young lady appreciates your kindness. Give me the things! You can go back now." Ugly Girl remained the same. Yang Jiefang didn't mind and handed over the things. Ugly Girl took the things, smelled them, and praised, "They smell quite fragrant. I wonder how they taste? If they're delicious, remember to send more next time!" Yang Jiefang smiled and agreed. Ugly Girl turned and went inside.

Seeing Liu Yishou still by his side, Yang Jiefang said, "Brother Liu, we're having a special meal today. If you don't mind, please join us!" Liu Yishou was overjoyed and said, "Commander Yang, you're too kind! Haha, I've been wanting to get closer to you." Yang Jiefang laughed and led Liu Yishou back. Arriving at their residence, Liu Yishou greeted some familiar faces with a smile. Someone joked, "Liu Yishou, did you come here following the aroma?" Liu Yishou laughed, "I came to congratulate Commander Yang, and I just happened to arrive, haha…just happened to arrive…" Everyone just laughed and didn't pursue the matter further. Yang Jiefang invited Liu Yishou to sit at his table and dine together.

That night, everyone ate happily. The next morning, Yang Jiefang called everyone to get up and go for a morning run. Hou Fei led the way again, with Yang Jiefang bringing up the rear. Just as they left the mountain stronghold, they saw Bai Lang and his Wolf Pack catching up. Yang Jiefang was quite pleased and slowed his pace. When Bai Lang caught up, the two greeted each other. Yang Jiefang then loudly explained the precautions for long-distance running to the Wolf Pack members. At this moment, the Wolf Pack members were only focused on catching up with and overtaking Yang Jiefang's team and ignored him. Yang Jiefang didn't mind and deliberately lagged behind.

Having learned their lesson yesterday, the Liberation Team members were much more obedient today, running at a leisurely pace just like Yang Jiefang. Soon, the Wolf Team caught up and overtook them. No one tried to stop them, secretly pleased and waiting to see them fail. Sure enough, the Wolf Team members quickly ran out of steam. After ten miles, except for Bai Lang and a few others, they were all far behind. Yang Jiefang, acting as the rear guard, caught up with the laggards, made them run again, and patiently explained the precautions for long-distance running once more.

When Yang Jiefang finished his run and returned to the courtyard, he smelled a delicious aroma. Bai Lang's mother, along with two robust women, were there preparing breakfast for everyone. The leftover steamed buns from yesterday were being steamed again; the mutton was finished, and the remaining half-pot of mutton soup was boiled, then a few chopped cabbages were added and cooked, resulting in a fresh pot of mutton soup with cabbage. Bai's mother came over and said, "This place is indeed a bit small, so please make do this morning! We'll eat in the kitchen for lunch. There's still some sheep's head and offal left from yesterday that we haven't processed. Once we get it ready, we'll cook noodles for you all for lunch." Yang Jiefang smiled and said, "Then thank you so much, Bai's mother!" Bai's mother replied, "You child, why are you always so polite? Just for teaching this little wolf cub to read, I should remember your kindness. If you need anything in the future, just let me know!" Yang Jiefang smiled and agreed, then told everyone to wash up first, rest for a bit, and then have breakfast.

The group of over forty people sat down at six tables as usual, about to begin their meal, when Liu Yishou strode in, grinning from ear to ear. Everyone knew he was there to freeload again, so they merely glanced at him and ignored him. Liu Yishou, still all smiles, greeted acquaintances as he approached Yang Jiefang, saying with a laugh, "Brother Yang, eating so early? Hehe..." Yang Jiefang replied seriously, "Brother Liu, don't even think about it, there's no breakfast for you today!" Liu Yishou, still smiling, said, "Brother Yang, the way you talk makes it sound like I'm the kind of person who freeloads. Hey, this weather is so cold! I was just thinking you guys had a fire lit, so I came to see if I could get some hot water..." Yang Jiefang didn't want to waste time with his banter and went straight to the point: "This breakfast this morning is a reward for the brothers' morning run. If you want some, you can run ten miles first, and you'll get some too." Liu Yishou was overjoyed and said, "Brother Yang, you're not lying in front of everyone!"

Sun Zhiyong interjected, "Didn't you see all the brothers are covered in sweat? If you finish the run, you'll definitely get to eat, all you can eat. If you don't want to run, forget about breakfast, you won't even get a sip of hot water." Liu Yishou, certain that the story was true, didn't waste any more words and said, "I'm going to run now, remember to leave me some food." He turned and walked out. Sun Zhiyong reminded him, "Don't even think about cheating. If you don't finish the ten li (about 5 kilometers), don't even think about coming back into this courtyard!" Liu Yishou felt even more reassured and took off running.

Everyone quickly finished breakfast, and Yang Jiefang told them to continue their morning physical training later. A row of horizontal bars had already been erected along the edge of the training ground, arranged by Carpenter Li the day before. Pull-ups now had a designated area, while push-ups and sit-ups didn't require a specific location. Yang Jiefang planned to train these exercises first, and then gradually add more later.

Bai Lang directly ordered the Wolf Team members that anyone who failed to complete the training exercises would not be allowed lunch. He then summoned the Wolf Team to the training grounds. The Liberation Army members, unwilling to lag behind, rushed to the training grounds without needing Yang Jiefang's orders.

After everyone left, Liu Yishou came running in, panting heavily. Yang Jiefang had actually been waiting for him and said, "Brother Liu, your legs aren't doing well! You're too slow." Liu Yishou leaned on a long bench, panting heavily, but couldn't speak. Yang Jiefang went over and said, "Tired from running? Running looks simple, but if you don't master the correct technique, few people can run straight without collapsing from exhaustion." He then explained the precautions again. Liu Yishou finally caught his breath and said with a wry smile, "Brother Yang, why didn't you say this earlier?" Yang Jiefang laughed, "If I had said these things beforehand, would you have listened?" Liu Yishou shook his head with a wry smile and said, "Anyway, I've finally finished running. Brother Yang, I'm really hungry now, is there anything left to eat?" Yang Jiefang replied, "I've saved some for you." He walked to the stove, lifted the lid of the pot, and inside was a bowl of cabbage and a bowl of steamed buns. Liu Yishou was overjoyed and quickly took them out and placed them on the table next to him. Yang Jiefang said, "Take a break before you eat, no one will take it from you. After you finish eating, go to the training ground and train with the brothers. After you finish the morning's training, we'll have mutton soup and offal noodles together for lunch." Liu Yishou laughed, "Brother Yang, you're so kind! Maybe I should follow you from now on." Yang Jiefang shook his head and said, "I'm not doing this to poach your members. As I said yesterday, in three months, our Jiefang team will accept the challenge from the entire mountain stronghold. So, we'll intensify our training for these three months, and of course, we'll also strengthen our nutrition. We'll eat white flour every day, three meals a day, and meat every three to five days. To be fair, I'll provide the same for everyone who participates in the training, regardless of which team they're from. That way, no one will say that our Jiefang team won unfairly!" Liu Yishou's heart stirred, and he asked, "So, it's okay for all the members of our Leopard team to participate in the training?" Yang Jiefang said confidently, "That's right, look at the Wolf team now, they're all participating in the training, aren't they?" Liu Yishou nodded, eating breakfast while secretly making plans.

Yang Jiefang ignored Liu Yishou and went straight to the training ground. There, a lively training scene unfolded. On the platform above the training ground, a crowd of onlookers stood, chatting, laughing, and pointing. Yang Jiefang ignored them, walking down the steps to the training ground, checking on individual trainees as he went. If he saw anyone's movements were incorrect, he would point it out and even demonstrate them himself.

As he approached Bai Lang, Yang Jiefang had just come down from the horizontal bar. He said, "Brother Yang, your physical training looks easy, but it's actually quite demanding!" Yang Jiefang replied, "Of course, each exercise is targeted: running trains leg strength, pull-ups train arm strength, push-ups train the arms and chest, and sit-ups train the lower back." Bai Lang nodded, "If you train like this for a few months, you'll have speed and strength. Hmm… no wonder you dared to challenge the entire mountain stronghold!" Yang Jiefang said, "I just had Liu Yishou pass on the message that everyone who trains with us, regardless of their team, will receive the same food." Bai Lang gazed at Yang Jiefang. "Put it aside," Bai Lang said, "Liu Yishou is the second-in-command of the Leopard Team. We're on good terms with him... But I must warn you, never gamble with him! His nickname 'Liu Yishou' isn't for nothing. Any brother in the stronghold with a little spare cash will lose it all if he sets his sights on them." Yang Jiefang asked, "Is gambling not prohibited on the mountain?" Bai Lang replied, "It's not prohibited! It's just that none of the brothers have any money, so they can't gamble even if they wanted to." Yang Jiefang then realized that Liu Yishou had approached him with a purpose, so he said, "I understand, Brother Bai. Could you please keep an eye on things here for me? I need to prepare materials for this afternoon's class, so I won't be training with the brothers." Bai Lang nodded in agreement.

Yang Jiefang left the training ground and went to the carpentry workshop. Lu Ziqi no longer worked there, but that didn't mean the workshop was deserted. Carpenter Li was smoking a pipe while instructing a young carpenter on how to plane a piece of wood with a small plane; it seemed he was determined to have the young carpenter follow in his footsteps. Yang Jiefang entered, and Carpenter Li only glanced at him before ignoring him. The young carpenter, however, called out, "Brother Yang," and then continued planen the wood. Yang Jiefang responded, saying, "Manager Li, you're teaching your apprentice! I happen to need to make a plank, the same size as the two planks that were hanging in the dining hall before. Why don't you let the young carpenter practice? Don't worry, I'll pay him." The young carpenter stopped and looked at Carpenter Li. Carpenter Li took two deep drags, finished his pipe, and turned around to say, "Alright, come and get it after lunch. Forget about the money, it's just practice anyway." Seeing that he still maintained his respectful but distant attitude, Yang Jiefang didn't linger, agreed, and left.

Yang Jiefang turned and went to the kitchen, where dozens of people were still studying the characters on the wall. Seeing Yang Jiefang enter, most of them were filled with anticipation. Yang Jiefang stepped forward and said, “Brothers, I need to explain that our schedule will need to be adjusted from now on. As you may have seen, there are people training in the training ground. Starting today, I will lead the brothers in training in the mornings, and I will come here in the afternoons to teach you to read and write. Brothers, if you are interested, you can also participate in the morning physical training. For everyone who participates in physical training, I will provide meals—three meals a day, all you can eat.”

The crowd immediately began to discuss the matter. Some of them had already heard some news from Liu Yishou, and now that Yang Jiefang had said this, they could confirm it. Someone immediately voiced their concern, asking, "Brother Yang, you're a scholar, teaching us to read and write is no problem for you. But this military training... is your method really going to work?" Someone else immediately retorted, "Brother Yang is a celestial being descended to earth, skilled in both literature and martial arts, isn't that enough?" Yang Jiefang smiled and said, "As the saying goes, 'practice makes perfect.' Whether it works or not, we'll find out by trying. Besides, I'm paying for all three meals a day." Soon, someone agreed with Yang Jiefang, saying, "Whether it works or not, at least we can have three full meals a day. Brother Yang, if we go out to participate in the training now, will it still count? Will lunch be provided?" Yang Jiefang affirmed, "Of course it will. From now until lunchtime, everyone who completes the training program will have lunch provided. However, breakfast time has already passed, so you'll have to find your own lunch." Everyone was overjoyed and, without lingering, rushed out, disappearing in an instant.