The anti-Qing movement began with the looting of the Eight-Nation Alliance.

In Taigu Kaoshanbao, a brand-new five-room brick house has just been built. There are about ten tables set up in the courtyard, with a rich variety of dishes, including fish and meat.

The villagers drank and ate while constantly flattering Du Yu.

"Xiaoyu! It's really not easy for you to come back. But you should thank your wife even more. If it weren't for her holding things together all these years, your family would have fallen apart long ago!" The old clan chief said with emotion after taking a sip of wine.

"Yes, Third Master, I know!" Du Yu nodded.

Years ago, he left his newlywed wife and went to the grasslands with a caravan. More than ten years have passed, and he never expected that his wife would still be waiting for him when he returned home.

And he took very good care of his elderly parents, which moved Du Yu deeply.

After being rescued by Shen Zimeng, Du Yu did not leave to go home. He was unwilling to return empty-handed, so he joined the Imperial Army.

The troops needed guides, especially since Du Yu was familiar with the north. After Shen Zimeng reported this, he was recruited into the Military Intelligence Department.

Du Yu followed Shen Zimeng as they fought across the grasslands, and secretly organized and trained personnel in preparation for infiltrating Tsarist Russia. After several years of hard work, he finally had the opportunity to return home.

When he left, he was just a caravan worker. Years later, he returned as a major.

Fortunately, his parents and wife were still alive, which brought Du Yu great comfort.

The Du family was overjoyed to see their son, who had been out of contact for many years, return as an imperial officer.

Du Yu used the money given to him by the army to renovate his family's old house. Today it's finished, so he's treating everyone to a housewarming party.

In the evening, after seeing off the villagers, the Du family looked at their brand-new house and furniture, and all of them wore happy smiles.

"Father, Mother, Wife. All the important matters are settled! I should return to my unit tomorrow!" Du Yu said solemnly as he asked his family to sit down.

"Ah! So soon?" Mr. and Mrs. Du looked disappointed upon hearing this. Their son had been gone for over ten years, and he had only been home for less than a month before leaving again.

Du's wife, Cao Xiaoqin, remained silent, only shedding tears. She married into the Du family at the age of sixteen, and her husband left less than a month into their marriage. He was gone for fifteen years.

She has also gone from a young girl to a middle-aged peasant woman.

She gritted her teeth and persevered in taking care of her in-laws; thankfully, they still had five acres of land at home. They finally made it through.

She had been eagerly awaiting her husband's return, but she never expected him to leave after only a few days. She was filled with reluctance but couldn't express it.

"Yes! There are rules in the army, and my leave is up. I have to go back!" Du Yu nodded.

"Alright! Then you should get some rest and talk to Xiaoqin!" Mr. Du nodded. He knew his son was a military officer, and there was nothing he could do about it.

"Xiaoqin, I'm sorry, I..." Back in the room, Du Yu hugged his wife and said apologetically.

"Husband, stop talking! I understand!" Cao Xiaoqin reached out and covered her husband's mouth.

"Husband, please give me a child! My parents and I have been longing for it for so long," Cao Xiaoqin said softly, leaning against her husband's chest.

"Okay!" But what man could possibly agree to such a request?

. . . . . .

"Father, Mother! Go back now! Your son is leaving!" At dawn, Du Yu, dressed in his neat military uniform, kowtowed three times to his parents. Then he turned and got into the carriage.

The carriage disappeared around the village entrance, leaving only the tinkling of its bells. Cao Xiaoqin couldn't resist rushing out.

"Hey! Xiaoqin!..." Mother Du called out, but couldn't stop her.

"Sigh! Let her go!" Mr. Du shook his head and sighed.

Cao Xiaoqin climbed up the hillside at the edge of the village, panting, and saw a horse-drawn carriage traveling along the winding mountain road in the distance.

"Brother Du Yu, be careful! I'll be waiting for you to come back!"

Hearing shouts coming from afar, Du Yu turned around and saw a small figure. He knew it was his wife.

"Go back! I understand!" Du Yu turned around and waved.

The carriage gradually disappeared into the distance, until it was no longer visible, leaving only a small, thin figure standing on the hillside.

(The book has been discontinued and is probably finished! Oh well, enjoy it while you can!)