Chapter 004: Master Ma

Is this the "200 Plan"? The Japanese have long harbored ambitions for the Northeast; God knows what conspiracy this is.

"Young man, what do you think of our Chun Ni?" Sun Bo's words suddenly interrupted Zheng Yong's train of thought

Then Ma Bingshan wondered where he could discern the true identity of the young man before him. Given his fierce demeanor and the papers in his hand inscribed with Eastern characters, it was likely that he had some significant background. Reluctantly casting a glance at him, he hurriedly left with his family.

That was his savior; how could Zheng Yong dare to blame him? He glanced at the few pages, which had long been soaked and tattered, with most of the characters no longer legible. The remaining ones that could be read were all in Japanese, of which he recognized not a single character.

Chun Ni lowered her voice: "This is the richest landlord in our area, Young Master Ma Bingshan from the Ma family, who is just as despicable as his father"

Chun Ni could only smile with pursed lips, while Zheng Yong felt quite awkward, fidgeting in his seat. These days, he had truly consumed and used what belonged to the other party. He also wanted to repay them, but after searching through all his belongings, he found nothing of equal value.

Master Ma, this is a distant nephew of ours who came from the city. He encountered a wolf on the way and injured his arm while running. He will stay here for a few days to recuperate, and as soon as he recovers, he will return to the city.

"Is there none? Why did you buy so many injury medications? Did your Chun Ni get hurt? I must take a look; if she is injured, it has nothing to do with you. If anything happens to our Chun Ni, I would be very distressed." Ma Bing Shan said with a smile as he intended to enter Zheng Yong's room.

"Bastard, is this something you can look at?" Zheng Yong bluntly shouted, his eyes wide open. He snatched the few sheets of paper from Ma Bingshan's hands and pointed outside: "You, get out immediately!"

Speaking as if the anger had not yet subsided, he squatted down on the ground and muttered: "The year has been bad enough as it is, and now it's even worse, with another mouth to feed at home. We are not wealthy landlords like the Ma family, who can afford to support an extra ten or eight people without a care..."

However, Sun Bo did not notice Zheng Yong's unusual behavior and continued with great enthusiasm: "Chun Ni is sixteen now, and it is time for her to find someone. But in this world, sigh... I can see that you are not an ordinary person. When I was young, my superior was skilled in physiognomy, and I learned a bit from him. Over the past few days, I have observed your facial features, and you are someone destined for great achievements. If Chun Ni were to follow you..."

"You, are you from the East?" After Ma Bingshan left, Chun Ni's expression changed instantly, her face reflecting an indescribable disappointment, and even carrying a hint of disdain and disgust

This is clearly just an excuse. Sun Bo's gaze dimmed slightly, but he soon smiled again: "Well, well, to be honest, our Chun Ni is not worthy of you..."

Zheng Yong dared not stay any longer and quickly dashed back into the room. Chun Ni followed him in and handed him a few sheets of paper, saying: "Brother Zheng Yong, this is your stuff. Please don't be angry; my father is like this, he speaks without thinking, saying whatever comes to mind."

As they were speaking, they saw Ma Dashan and Chun Ni approaching from a distance, seemingly just returning from the fields. Ma Dashan had never shown Zheng Yong a good face; upon seeing him chatting with Chun Ni's great-grandfather, he threw a medicine bag in front of Zheng Yong and grumbled, "Great-grandfather, this is all the money left, I spent it all in the city to buy medicine..."

Zheng Yong was momentarily taken aback, then nodded and exchanged a few polite compliments. Unexpectedly, Sun Bo, with a look of delight, said: "That's good, that's good. How about marrying Chun Ni to you?"

Marry me? Zheng Yong, caught completely off guard, nearly spat it out. There’s no need to put it this way, even if you have saved my life... My brother is only eighteen this year, and although people marry early in this era...

As he was speaking, a voice suddenly came from outside. It was a somewhat sharp tone, clearly from a person who sounded quite young, sarcastically saying: "I heard, Old Ma, that you have a mustached pet at home"

"Injured? I think it's a gunshot wound, isn't it? Someone, take off his clothes!" Ma Bingshan fixed his gaze on Zheng Yong, and with a wave of his hand, two family members rushed forward, each grabbing Zheng Yong by an arm.

In the case of Da Shan, one should not only focus on the present when engaging in any task. Sun Bo waved his hand at Zheng Yong, signaling him to enter the house, and advised Ma Da Shan, saying: "As for people, no one knows how they will change in the future. It is often said that good people will be rewarded..."

Fearing that he would continue speaking, Zheng Yong quickly said: "Sun Bo, it's not that I am unwilling, it is just... it is just that I have some urgent matters to attend to. If I wait for another couple of days until my injury heals a bit more, I will have to leave. I am afraid of delaying Chun Ni..."

This is ultimately someone else's territory, and with the "200 Plan" hidden in his own hands, Zheng Yong dared not express his anger. He then heard Sun Bo speak slowly and unhurriedly:

After chatting with Sun Bo for a while, I learned that it is now the 17th year of the Republic. Zheng Yong calculated in his mind for quite some time and roughly deduced that it might be around 1927 or 1928. At this time, the War of Resistance had indeed not yet broken out

Listening to his words, it is evident that he still harbors an infinite nostalgia for Yuan Shikai and the Beiyang Army. This is understandable, as ever since the emergence of Yuan Shikai, the subsequent warlord conflicts have primarily been battles among those Beiyang generals

"Master Ma, where did you hear that? The Ma family is just a simple farming family, how could we possibly collude with the library and the bearded man..." Ma Dashan clearly felt very afraid of this person and spoke respectfully.

Ma Bingshan took a step forward and tore open Zheng Yong's clothes, but did not see any injuries. However, the document labeled "200 Plan" fell to the ground. Ma Bingshan picked it up and saw that it was filled with characters from the East, causing his expression to change dramatically. Seeing the young master like this, the two family members holding Zheng Yong could not help but release their grip.

Disaster is unavoidable. Zheng Yong simply stepped out and happened to run into Master Ma Bing Shan. This young master Ma, with his slicked-back hair and made-up face, was just like every villain Zheng Yong had seen in movies and television; it was clear at a glance that he was not a good person

Upon seeing Zheng Yong, Ma Bingshan was clearly taken aback for a moment, then pointed at him: "Who is this person? Is he Chun Ni's suitor? I say, Old Ma, you are really lacking in integrity. I've had several proposals made on my behalf. And you, on the other hand, secretly found a suitor for Chun Ni? What does this little brat have that my Young Master Ma does not?"

Zheng Yong scratched his head; he always felt that something seemed to have happened in China over the past year. However, he truly could not recall what exactly had occurred. After thinking for a while, he simply set it aside for the time being