A courtyard house; Li Yunlong, a subordinate of the deputy director of Harbin Military Engineering I

In early December, Beiping was so cold it felt like a knife scraping your face.

Zhang Renfeng got off the train, his military overcoat wrapped tightly around him, a layer of frost clinging to the brim of his hat.

Brigade Commander Chen walked beside him, swinging his arms with great force. But Zhang Renfeng noticed that when he got out of the car, he held onto the door handle before standing up. The movement was so subtle that only someone like him, who had followed the old brigade commander for many years, could see it.

"Old man, is your leg hurting again?" Zhang Renfeng leaned closer and whispered.

"Bullshit! My back and legs are great, I can work for another twenty years without a problem!" Brigade Commander Chen glared at him, but then grinned.

"What do you know? Your head's just numb from standing for so long. Stop talking nonsense, the report is important. The higher-ups are waiting to hear about our experiences in Vietnam."

The two entered the Military Commission compound, an office building converted from an old government office, where the corridors were filled with the smell of coal stoves and ink mixed together.

Looking at the battle maps and slogans hanging on the corridor wall, Zhang Renfeng felt the weight in his heart sink even further.

He knew this report was not just a formality. Although the border battle had been won, Vietnam's foundation was too weak, and how to determine the follow-up aid plan involved more than just military issues.

As they reached the conference room door, Commander Chen stopped, turned around, patted Zhang Renfeng on the shoulder, and said in a low voice, "Kid, don't be nervous when you go in to report."

Zhang Renfeng was taken aback for a moment: "Why would I be nervous?"

Brigade Commander Chen snorted and pointed to the door in front of him with his finger: "You'll know when you go in. Alright, I'm going to see my superiors first. You keep working on your lines and don't embarrass me." After he finished speaking, he strode towards the other end of the corridor, his back straight, but his steps were a little faster than usual.

Zhang Renfeng stood at the door, watching Brigade Commander Chen's figure disappear around the corner of the corridor, and shook his head inexplicably.

He pushed open the door and went inside. The room was heated, and a warm, cozy feeling washed over his face.

Sitting in the center was a burly soldier, none other than Director Nie.

Zhang Renfeng snapped to attention and saluted: "Chief Nie!"

Director Nie looked up, and Zhang Renfeng noticed that his gaze was strange, as if he were examining a piece of porcelain that had just come out of the kiln, carefully and slowly scanning it from top to bottom, his expression neither satisfied nor critical, but carrying an indescribable meaning.

Then he coughed lightly and said, "Um, little... uh, that Deputy Zhang... Zhang..."

Zhang Renfeng stood there, watching him open and close his mouth repeatedly, unable to utter a single coherent address.

Zhang Renfeng was utterly speechless.

Back when they held meetings in the Jin-Cha-Ji Border Region, Director Nie would call him "Little Devil Zhang" and "Explosive Zhang" more fluently than anyone else.

He knew about the Baise Uprising, and they met several times during the War of Resistance against Japan in the Taihang Mountains. Not to mention the cooperation between the North China Field Army and the Central Plains Field Army during the Liberation War, they had met before.

Now, things are really messed up; they're stuck on how to address someone.

Zhang Renfeng picked up the cup of hot tea that had been poured for him on the table and took a sip. To be honest, he was a little reserved himself.

Before the old political commissar proposed marriage to Director Nie, everyone was in a superior-subordinate relationship, and things were handled very easily, whether it was fighting or holding meetings.

But ever since the old political commissar told him about the marriage last night in Feidong, the unspoken truth has been revealed, and seeing Director Nie again is no longer just a matter of superior and subordinate.

On the way back, Commander Chen talked all the way in the jeep about how he would have Sister Fu arrange things when he got to Beijing, how he would visit the Nie family, and how he would create some space and time to be alone with them so that he could quickly win over Director Nie's niece, Zhang Xiyue.

As it turned out, as soon as he returned, he was made to face Director Nie directly.

Is this fucking reasonable?

Zhang Renfeng rolled his eyes inwardly, but kept a straight face.

He put down his teacup, sat up straight, and cleared his throat: "Chief Nie, then let me report on the specific situation of the border battle."

Seeing that he had taken the initiative to get to the point, Director Nie also became serious and nodded: "Yes, go ahead and speak, young man, don't be shy..."

Zhang Renfeng almost choked on his words. "Aren't you the one being reserved?"

He noticed that Director Nie's expression was still strange when he looked at him. His gaze was just like when he was shopping at the market in his previous life, and the older women were picking out watermelons. They would look at the shape first, then the color, and then tap the watermelon a couple of times to hear the sound.

Zhang Renfeng was puzzled. This old commander was usually decisive and ruthless when he was in the military control committee. How come he became like this when it came to family matters?

However, he also knew that Director Nie was an extremely meticulous old-fashioned soldier at heart. He was good at fighting and politics, but when it came to family matters, he was clumsy and tongue-tied, just like most of the old revolutionaries of that era.

"Okay, first I need to talk about the quality of the Vietnamese soldiers, and then I'll talk about the French army."

Zhang Renfeng opened the materials he had brought and began his systematic report.

From the training level of the Vietnamese army's rank-and-file soldiers to the decision-making model of the command, from the deployment characteristics of the French army to the comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of both sides, and then to the tactical application of several key battles in the border campaign, every link is explained clearly.

He spoke at a moderate pace, elaborating where necessary and omitting unnecessary details, occasionally throwing in a witty remark with a southern accent to lighten the mood.

As Director Nie listened, the slight embarrassment on his face gradually faded, replaced by a serious and discerning expression.

The presentation lasted a full hour.

Zhang Renfeng closed the materials and gave a summary, starting with Vietnam's geographical location, then discussing the historical grievances between the two countries, and the necessity for China to provide assistance while remaining vigilant in the current international situation. He concluded that while assistance was necessary and courting Vietnam was also required, vigilance must not be relaxed.

Director Nie's eyes lit up after hearing this.

He leaned back in his chair, tapped his fingers lightly on the table twice, remained silent for a long time, and finally nodded: "Hmm, not bad. Your idea coincides with my own judgment."

He stood up, paced around the room a couple of times with his hands behind his back, then turned back to look at Zhang Renfeng. The judgment in his eyes had faded, replaced by appreciation.

"Hey, this young man is quite capable. He's done a pretty good job in suppressing bandits in Yunnan Province, at least better than the comrades in Guangxi Province."

Your analytical framework is top-notch even within the entire Central and Southern Military Region.

Just as Zhang Renfeng was about to exchange a few polite words, a hearty laugh suddenly came from the doorway. The door was then pushed open a crack, and a head peeked in—it was Commander Chen's grinning face: "I think you're like a father-in-law looking at his son-in-law, growing more and more fond of him the more you look at him, aren't you?"

The two people inside the room turned their heads at the same time.

Director Nie quickly stood up straight, but the smile on his face was already showing: "Oh! You've been promoted!"

Following Director Nie's gaze, Zhang Renfeng looked towards the door and saw the person in the upper position standing behind Brigade Commander Chen, wearing a worn gray cotton-padded jacket, with a gentle smile, waving at him.

Brigade Commander Chen stepped aside, took his place, and strode in, looking Zhang Renfeng up and down:

"You little Red Guard, you did a great job on the Vietnam side. I read your report. Oh, right, I almost forgot, you're not married yet, are you?"

Zhang Renfeng was taken aback and was about to reply when Brigade Commander Chen chimed in faster than anyone else: "Reporting, sir! Not married! Doesn't even have a partner!"

The officer in charge chuckled at this remark and pointed at Brigade Commander Chen with his finger: "Did I ask you?"

Then she turned to Zhang Renfeng, her tone softening, "Here's what we'll do: you should settle your marriage first. Our team can't just make the horses run without feeding them. You've never been lax in leading troops into battle, so you should also pay attention to your personal life. Only after you're married can we assign you more important tasks."

Zhang Renfeng's lips moved, but before he could speak, Brigade Commander Chen interrupted, "Aren't you going to say thank you?"

Zhang Renfeng had no choice but to stand at attention: "Thank you for your concern, sir!"

Brigade Commander Chen turned to his superior and asked, "So, how many days of leave should we give him?"

Looking at his increasingly presumptuous expression, the person in charge shook his head helplessly, but a smile played on his lips: "You... do you really want me to give you a specific time?"

"Okay, then I'll say it: we must get married within three months, and then you have to help me build the Three Armies."

Zhang Renfeng's heart skipped a beat when he heard this.

The Second Field Army's Third and Fourth Corps were disbanded last year. The "Third Corps" that Commander Chen mentioned refers to the Third Corps in the Volunteer Army.

It seems like going to North Korea is almost inevitable.

It wasn't that he was afraid of war, but he was more concerned—he knew better than anyone what it meant that a cadre of his rank was being transferred to North Korea when the situation was tense.

"Sigh, wait, wait," Brigade Commander Chen panicked again when he heard that the wedding was to take place in three months. "That won't do! Yunnan Province can do without me, but it can't do without Deputy Commander Zhang..."

The superior clearly already had a plan. He waved his hand, his tone leaving no room for negotiation: "The formation of the Third Army Corps is imperative. You will be the commander and political commissar, and Renfeng will be the deputy commander. As for which armies to be transferred, you go back and come up with a plan, then discuss it with the Southwest Military Region to decide. After Renfeng's wedding, he will go directly to the Northeast to report for duty in three months."

Brigade Commander Chen and Zhang Renfeng exchanged a glance, then simultaneously snapped to attention and saluted: "Yes, sir!"

Before leaving, Director Nie added, "You will come up with the plan. I will give you a general range of which armies will be involved, and you can discuss it with the Southwest Military Region."

As I stepped out of the Central Military Commission office, a cold wind blew in my face from the corridor.

Brigade Commander Chen put his arm around Zhang Renfeng's shoulder, walking with a limp, his steps noticeably heavier than when he went in.

Zhang Renfeng glanced at him sideways and frowned.

This old guy was always complaining of being tired when he was in Vietnam. He couldn't sleep at night, and during the day he was always trying to keep himself busy. He was like a tightly wound string.

Having just returned from Vietnam and only rested for two days before rushing to Beiping to report, coupled with having stood and spoken to his superiors for so long, his legs were definitely about to give out.

He could have easily stayed in the rear to work on construction and recuperate, given his qualifications and physical condition. But this guy just had to go wherever the toughest battles were.

"You're already wobbling as you walk, and you're still trying to hold on?" Zhang Renfeng said in a low voice.

Brigade Commander Chen glared at him, but his pace did indeed slow down.

The two walked down the steps side by side. Commander Chen's voice was a little lower: "You understand me. Those comrades who sacrificed their lives, if we do a little more, we can do our part to repay them. I came from the Seventh Red Army and fought my way to where I am today. How many brothers have fallen before me? I can't stop. If I stop, I'll feel like I owe them even more."

Zhang Renfeng didn't speak. His mind was in turmoil, and his Adam's apple bobbed.

Only those who have crawled out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood can understand the feeling of carrying such a heavy burden.

He didn't try to persuade him further, but he gently tightened his arm to make the old brigade commander lean more steadily.

The two men walked out of the military compound and got into the car.

Brigade Commander Chen sat in the back seat, leaned back for a while to recover a bit, and then resumed his usual joking manner: "Come on, let's go back to my house, I'll show you something good."

"What good stuff?"

You'll see when you get there.

Zhang Renfeng originally wanted to go back to Nanluoguxiang to see his elder brother, but he couldn't resist Commander Chen's enthusiasm, so he had to instruct the driver to drive to Lingjing Hutong.

The car drove through the gray, gloomy streets of Beiping in winter. Pedestrians on both sides hunched their shoulders and wrapped their cotton-padded coats tightly. A vendor selling roasted sweet potatoes pushed his cart and called out, his voice broken and intermittent by the cold wind.

Upon arriving at Lingjing Hutong, the car was parked in front of No. 41.

This is the private residence purchased by Commander Chen.

But after getting out of the car, Commander Chen did not walk towards number 41. Instead, he went straight to number 43 next door and stood in front of the door.

Zhang Renfeng followed behind, bewildered: "Didn't you say you were going home? Who lives at number 43?"