Chapter 3, Returning Home

With one ideology on the left and one agreement on the right, it all comes down to the same old trick of selling out the country by borrowing foreign debt

That is good. After the New Year, when the third son gets married, arrangements will be made for him to head north

I will definitely bring glory to the Dai family and honor our ancestors

That is fine

The old gentleman, having served as a local official, is not entirely ignorant of the Westernization movement; at the very least, he understands what his son's achievements are

Since learning that she was a top student returning from the Japanese Army and Ethics School, and after not actively aligning herself with the revolutionary camp upon her return to the country, Miss Xie began to take action

The second son, Dai Shuheng, is in charge of the Dai family's finances. Since the old master cares for the third son, he surely wouldn't openly oppose him. "Although our family's wealth cannot compare to those of the wealthy elite, we can still manage to come up with three to five thousand yuan."

Dai Jiliang nodded slightly, acknowledging that Wang Danping was correct. Due to the continuous emergence of revolutionaries among the non-commissioned officers, and owing to the completeness of their own educational system, the strongman from the north is now neither willing nor at ease to directly promote the non-commissioned officers who studied in Japan.

With the old man's final instructions, the first day of returning home has finally passed.

But staying in the south, following Sun Wen and the revolutionary party? Dai Jiliang felt a chill; Sun Dapao was merely a figure who was more of a hindrance than a help. The Tongmenghui would soon fail in the Second Revolution, and both the Chinese Revolutionary Party and the Kuomintang would not have the opportunity to rise for more than a decade.

The old gentleman has indeed been in office for a long time, and his speech carries an air of official authority.

Gazing at the tranquil surface of Gaoyou Lake and contemplating what would happen after entering his home, Dai Jiliang sighed. He had considered fleeing from the marriage; firstly, he still relied on his family's financial support, and secondly, he could no longer repay his parents from his previous life. It was unreasonable to stubbornly oppose his current parents in this life.

As the saying goes, good news does not travel far while bad news spreads like wildfire, this time it stirred up a hornet's nest. Before long, Dai Jiliang's classmate from the 20th Infantry Course in Japan, Jiang Zuobin, who was then the Deputy Minister of the Army of the Republic of China Nanjing Government, came knocking at the door.

Miss Li has never even met him, so how can there be any talk of feelings or a wedding night?

Wang Danping patted her chest

I have also sent someone to inform the second brother, and he will definitely be able to return from the city tonight

As for my brother-in-law Wang Danping, he was the last aide to the Governor of Anhui, Zhu Jiabao, and he recently returned to his hometown due to the Xinhai Revolution

Father, Mother, I have returned

It is said that he was awarded the rank of lieutenant by the Berlin Military Academy.

Dai Botang answered respectfully

Saying this, he turned to Dai Jiliang

Well done

"Old Third, even if you go to Beijing and the money is insufficient, we will support you by selling the shop or the land."

What should be done? The best strategy among the Thirty-Six Stratagems is to retreat. Seizing the favorable opportunity presented by the ceasefire between the North and South and the restoration of transportation, Dai Jiliang bid a reluctant farewell to Gu Changqing and boarded the Yangtze River steamer of the British-owned Swire Shipping Company bound for Yizheng. He then traveled overland through the Southern Army's control line to reach his hometown by Gaoyou Lake

Although Dai Jiliang felt disgusted in his heart, the old man had not yet expressed his opinion. He certainly would not quarrel with the second son over this matter, would he? Moreover, over the years, the family had spent so much money on him; it would be inappropriate for him to ask for more.

The German Army, that is indeed the strongest in the world

The old gentleman is summarizing

This group of people sat together with Dai Jiliang's father. After a hearty meal and drinks, the most important issue, which is Dai Jiliang's future, was brought to the table in the old gentleman's study.

Dai Jiliang's second brother, Dai Shuheng, also received a modern education, while the eldest brother studied traditional subjects and library science, the second brother pursued modern studies, and the third brother studied abroad. This reflects the general choices of gentry during that era. Currently, Dai Shuheng manages the Dai family's rice shops and tea houses in the areas of Yangzhou and Sizhou, and to some extent, he is also a Confucian businessman

"Lao San, do not be oblivious to your blessings. The young lady from the Li family is gentle, virtuous, and possesses beauty that is second to none in this region. If it were not for the fact that our Dai family is one of the most prominent official families in Gaoyou County, the old master of the Li family would certainly not agree to marry his daughter to you, a pretender to foreign ways."

No matter how difficult it is, we cannot rely on the Democratic Party.

Zhi Xiang, logically speaking, with your graduation from the Japanese Army and the title of Lieutenant in Germany, at the very least, you should have secured a standard position.

When it comes to physique, there is none; when it comes to looks, there are none either. Aside from lacking small feet, there is just a hint of cuteness, which is absolutely incomparable to the voluptuous figure of his girlfriend he met on the Tenzitania, who possesses ample bosom and curvaceous hips, exuding a full-bodied allure

He had no choice but to step through the door, carefully examining the decorations inside to avoid Daibotang's goodwill

Achieving success in the imperial examination and celebrating a wedding, Lao San, you are truly blessed with double happiness

It is a pity that since 1911, whenever China was about to take that crucial step, there were always internal or external forces interfering, and this situation continued for more than sixty years, leaving countless people to sigh in vain

The Qing Dynasty, often criticized by many, was actually on the brink of revival had it not been for the Manchu nobility's reluctance to relinquish power

In Dai Jiliang's view, this girl was merely average in appearance, dressed in a blue flannel school uniform, with a straight fringe resembling a doll's head, presenting a proper student image reminiscent of a young lady from early 20th century Shanghai

If I set aside my old pride and greet those few people in Beijing, I refuse to believe it.

Dai Jiliang did not expect that his father had such a keen intuition

Dai Botang led Dai Jiliang out of the courtyard, and only then did he smile at his younger brother

During dinner, not only did Second Brother Dai Shuheng rush back from Gaoyou, but even Elder Sister Wang Daishi and Brother-in-law Wang Danping came over from Tianchang County, which is separated by a lake but belongs to a neighboring province.

This statement sounds appealing, yet the foundation is not as substantial as the facade. Living in the capital is no easy task, and one must navigate various connections. Three to five thousand is simply insufficient.

By the way, boss, how do you say the echo of the Li family

The reason is simple: on one hand, the New Year is approaching, and it is not appropriate to still be away from home in the twelfth month, disturbing others; on the other hand, I cannot endure the constant nagging of my cousin Gu Changqing and the disturbances from Xie Zhigeng's precious daughter, Xie Xinfeng.

Wang Danping has long been in the shogunate, so she is naturally well-informed about the dynamics in this regard

Clearly, in this era, the credibility of the strongmen in the north far surpasses that of the disorganized rabble in the Stone City who are merely dressed in finery.

Certainly, this is also a common ailment among Chinese women of this era. Dai Jiliang is aware that the appearance of his fiancée, who has not yet entered the household, may not be any better than that of Xie Xinfeng. Therefore, this is not the fundamental reason for his hasty departure

However, given the current situation, it seems somewhat difficult to seek a better path forward

Then tomorrow, you should bring the third one to our place, so that no one can say we lack courtesy

Gentle, virtuous, and possessing an outstanding appearance, Dai Jiliang was almost taken aback. How should he express his thoughts on the aesthetic standards and moral orientations of this era

It is sufficient to return, it is sufficient to return

Although Gu Changqing was reluctant to part, and although Xie Zhigeng continued to extend warm hospitality, Dai Jiliang still fled in disarray after staying for almost half a month with Tu Shu

Dai Jiliang did not mention the extent of the sacrifices he made; in this era of white supremacy, in the stronghold of racism, his achievements are incredibly hard-won

Rest assured, esteemed Lord Taishan, my matters are your matters. As your humble son-in-law has various connections in the capital, I will take care of everything shortly.

However, Miss Xie is indeed a bit too naive, and Dai Jiliang finally understands how Gu Changqing's half-baked revolutionary thoughts came about, probably influenced by this Miss Xie.

Father, the Li family would like to invite the third son to come over tomorrow

Mother Zhang wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes; among her four children, apart from her married eldest daughter, it was this youngest child, who was far away overseas, that she worried about the most

Take your younger brother down to wash up, and then go inform the Li family, just say that the third one has returned, and in a couple of days, we will go pay our respects to them

What should be done about this

"At worst, it will just cost some money. Over the years, I have never seen anyone who was wealthy unable to overcome difficulties."

Dai Jiliang awkwardly scratched his head, revealing his immature side only when he returned home

Have you finished reading the book

Dai Jiliang cannot, nor is it possible for him to wait until that time

A citizen should also lend a helping hand

Indeed, the self-proclaimed revolutionary Sun Yat-sen's party was naturally one of the reasons for the subsequent division and turmoil in China

The chaotic factions, the chaotic factions, China will eventually fall into ruin at their hands

It is important to note that the students who studied in Japan during the late Qing Dynasty constituted a significant and formidable group. Although Dai Jiliang was not particularly outstanding among them, as a minority who later studied in Germany, he undoubtedly attracted the attention of most of his classmates. Despite Dai Jiliang's rejection of Jiang Zuobin's invitation to join the Kuomintang, once he had made a name for himself, the stream of messengers seeking him out became incessant.

Having served as the head of the Ministry of Justice and as a prefect, the old gentleman ultimately retired to his hometown with the title of governor. Although his words remained rather bland and unremarkable, the trembling of the copper water pipe he held in his hands revealed that he was, in fact, warm-hearted despite his cold demeanor

Elder brother, why must you mock me

The elder brother Dai Botang, who was waiting nearby, was fifteen years older than Dai Jiliang. He had once passed the examinations for scholar and juren, but was ordered by an elder who had seen through the realities of the officialdom to cease his studies. Therefore, for these years, the family estate had been managed by him, naturally presenting the demeanor expected of the eldest son of the first branch.

This does not count, for some reason, Miss Xie has spread her own matters among her close friends

Thank you, Father, and thank you, Second Brother

Every day, there are discussions about the French Revolution, equality, fraternity, Sun Yat-sen's Three Principles of the People, and the centuries of oppression under the Qing Dynasty. Any revolutionary rhetoric that leans towards the Tongmenghui can be seen in those newspapers. This Xie Xinfeng seeks opportunities to present these ideas in front of her antiquated mindset, which is filled with feudal lord-vassal relationships and lacks any thought of serving the country.

Dai Botang led Dai Jiliang through several twists and turns to a courtyard, pushed open the door, and said, "This is the new house prepared for you by your parents. Go take a look and see if anything is missing; let the second brother make up for it."

A son-in-law is half a son, and the old man unceremoniously dispatched Wang Danping.

The sight of the two elderly individuals with their emaciated faces involuntarily brought tears to Dai Jiliang's eyes. He first rendered a formal military salute, and then knelt down on the ground to pay his respects to his parents.

The old man nodded; after much difficulty, the family was finally reunited, and some questions could naturally be asked more slowly.

Father, Mother, the third son has just returned, weary from the journey. Should we not allow him to rest for a while first? Any matters can be discussed after dinner.

The old gentleman stated with finality.

What father said is correct

Congratulations to you, Lao San