Courtyard Houses: Starting with Li Yunlong's Comrades-in-Arms

Liu Yuheng paused, his hand still holding the food, and looked up at Zhao Gang with a hint of surprise on his face: "Old Kong? Kong Jie? He got promoted? I really didn't know. When did this happen? Our department has been so busy these past few months, with documents, meetings, and project progress all the time. I haven't had time to find out anything outside."

Zhao Gang nodded, his tone conveying a knowing "I know you're busy": "Your Second Ministry of Machine Building has indeed been busy lately. I went to a meeting a few days ago and ran into someone from your department's general office. They said that several of your projects are rushing to meet deadlines. Kong Jie's promotion was last week; he's now the deputy commander of the military region. The order has been issued, and the official appointment letter has arrived."

After listening, Liu Yuheng put down his chopsticks, leaned back in his chair and thought for a moment, then nodded, his tone carrying a calm "it's about time for him" quality: "It's only right that Lao Kong is promoted to deputy commander. He was already a corps commander in 50, then fought abroad for more than a year, and after returning, he went to the military academy for further studies for several years. After graduating from the academy, he served for another four years. He has no shortage of seniority, military achievements, or academic qualifications. His promotion to deputy commander is a matter of course."

He paused, then suddenly chuckled, a hint of mockery in his voice: "If Old Li knew, he'd probably be cursing again. Old Kong got promoted, but he's still stuck in the same place, moved from the southeast to the southwest, and after all that, he's still a division commander."

Zhao Gang also gave a wry smile, picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and sighed as he put the glass down: "Old Li had no choice. He was wounded in the battle with Chu Yunfei back then and spent more than half a year in the hospital, missing several major battles afterward. Later, he was transferred to the Southeast, and then the Taiwan Strait was only firing artillery and not charging forward. Although his army was a main force, he never got to fight a real battle. One step behind means one step behind. And with his temper, he refuses to back down. He always sticks his neck out to everyone, and the higher-ups can't find a reason to help him out."

Liu Yuheng nodded, picked up a peanut, popped it into his mouth, chewed it twice, and swallowed. His tone carried the clear understanding between old comrades: "But then again, this might not be a bad thing for Li Yunlong. With his stubborn temper, being the top leader in the army is quite good. As a corps commander, the emperor is far away, he has the final say, he can train the troops however he wants, and he can do whatever he wants."

"If we really promote him to deputy commander, he'll have a commander above him and a chief of staff beside him. If we make him someone's deputy, with his personality, he'll definitely start fighting with someone within three months. That would cause even more trouble. It's better to keep him in the position of army commander; at least he can do the work."

After listening, Zhao Gang held his wine glass and thought for a moment, then nodded, his tone showing some agreement: "You're right. Old Li is a great leader, but a disaster as a deputy."

They both chuckled, clinked their glasses, and each took a sip.

Liu Yuheng put down his cup, as if remembering something, and asked again, "What about Li Wenying? Kong Jie has been promoted, surely Li Wenying isn't still stuck in the military? He worked with Kong Jie for so many years, he's no less experienced or capable."

Zhao Gang nodded: "Li Wenying also moved, but unlike Kong Jie. Kong Jie stayed in the military and was promoted to deputy commander of the military region. Li Wenying was transferred to local work, also in the Northeast. I haven't found out her specific position yet, but her rank has gone up, so she's been promoted."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yuheng paused for a moment, then a knowing look appeared on his face, and he nodded: "No wonder. There are so few battles now, and no major fighting on the border. It would be a waste of talent to keep a political officer like Li Wenying in the army. He's different from Kong Jie. Kong Jie is the kind of person who can stay in the army for life, while Li Wenying is quick-witted and can make a name for himself if he's transferred to a local position."

Zhao Gang nodded and didn't say anything more. The two drank a few more glasses, and most of the dishes on the table were gone. Before they knew it, the two bottles of liquor were empty. Zhao Gang's face was much redder than when he first came in, and he was slurring his words. He swayed noticeably when he stood up.

Feng Nan quickly stood up to support him, and smiled apologetically at Liu Yuheng and Yao Qingwan: "Old Liu, Qingwan, I'm so sorry to have bothered you today. Old Zhao can't hold his liquor, yet he insisted on drinking so much."

Liu Yuheng also stood up, helped Feng Nan put Zhao Gang's arm on her shoulder, and then bent down to pick up Zhao Gang's coat that he had left on the chair and handed it to him. He saw the two of them to the door and watched Feng Nan help Zhao Gang down the steps. Zhao Gang's steps were a little unsteady, and he mumbled something. Feng Nan, while supporting him, turned her head and nodded to Liu Yuheng.

Liu Yuheng stood at the door, not turning back immediately, but taking a step forward and lowering his voice to say to Feng Nan, "Sister-in-law, keep a close eye on Lao Zhao these days. If he's been drinking, don't let him go out, and don't let him say anything inappropriate. Some things, once said, can't be taken back. Walls have ears, it's always better to be careful."

Upon hearing this, Feng Nan's expression froze for a moment, then she immediately nodded solemnly, her voice low: "Old Liu, don't worry, I understand. Thank you."

Liu Yuheng nodded to her without saying anything more. Feng Nan helped Zhao Gang to the car, opened the door, put Zhao Gang in the back seat, and then walked around to the other side to get in. The car started, its taillights flashing briefly in the night, and slowly drove out of the yard, quickly disappearing around the corner.

Liu Yuheng stood at the door for a while, until the two taillights were completely out of sight, before turning back into the house. Yao Qingwan was clearing the dishes from the table into the kitchen when she heard the door open. She turned around, glanced at him, then looked at the night outside the window, her expression questioning.

She walked into the living room, sat down next to Liu Yuheng, and after a few seconds of silence, asked, "Did something happen? Brother Zhao has never drunk this much when he came to our house before. He didn't seem quite right."

Liu Yuheng leaned back on the sofa, rubbed his temples, and said calmly, "It's nothing. He was just upset and drank a little too much. It won't affect our family for now, don't worry."

He paused, as if going through something in his mind, then turned to look at Yao Qingwan, his tone becoming more serious: "Oh, right, there's one more thing. Take some time these next couple of days to go see your parents and tell them not to publish any articles recently, especially those related to current affairs. Writing academic works is fine, but don't submit them for publication or participate in any conferences. Just say it was my decision, and tell them to do as I say."

Yao Qingwan's expression changed slightly after hearing this. Looking at Liu Yuheng's expressionless face, she didn't press for an explanation, but simply nodded and readily agreed, "Okay, I'll go tomorrow."

After she answered, she seemed to remember something, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "What about Xiaolei? Should we remind him too?"

Liu Yuheng glanced at her and suddenly laughed: "Are you stupid? Xiao Lei is interning at the Second Ministry of Machine Building right now, working under me. He's learning from several professors every day. Those professors are all technical people; their heads are full of data, formulas, and blueprints. Who has time to care about anything else? He's working like a dog over there, collapsing into bed as soon as he gets home every day, too exhausted even to eat. What did you tell him? That he shouldn't talk about politics with people in the cafeteria?"

Liu Yuheng chuckled and shook his head, leaning back on the sofa. His gaze lingered on Yao Qingwan's abdomen for a moment, then suddenly a smirk appeared on his lips, his tone laced with a mischievous glint: "They say pregnancy makes you stupid for three years, are you pregnant again?"

Yao Qingwan was taken aback at first, then realized what he was talking about. She raised her hand and slapped him on the arm, her face instantly turning red. She laughed and scolded, "Get lost!"

Liu Yuheng wasn't annoyed by the slap; he just laughed twice, stood up from the sofa, and stretched. Yao Qingwan also got up from the sofa and walked towards the kitchen, muttering something like, "Always so irresponsible."