"Father, Mother, I want to join the army."
"What?"
Just after the Spring Festival, Gu Qingxiu became pregnant, which made Ning's parents very happy. Ning Zhen was so happy that he would smile foolishly whenever he saw someone. However, he never expected that his eldest son would say such a thing.
"I won't allow it." Before Ning's father could speak, Ning's mother slammed her hand on the table and stood up. "I absolutely won't allow this kind of thing."
"mother--"
"Don't call me mother. If you dare to go, then don't acknowledge me as your mother."
"What time is it now? Everything is in chaos. The Civil War is about to break out. The situation is getting more and more dangerous. How dare you?"
Ning's father also disagreed.
This is no peaceful time. War is about to break out. Ning Hong is going to fight. Shells don't discriminate. Life and death are uncertain on the battlefield. How could they bear to do that?
“Son, why did you suddenly have this idea? Our family is doing just fine, why would we risk our lives?” The Ning family has plenty of money, there is absolutely no need for them to do such a thing. Ning’s mother’s voice trembled with emotion.
Ning Hongze has always been the head of the Ning family, and the two elders have basically listened to him. Whatever he says goes, and they have never contradicted him. However, at this moment, they must stand up for themselves.
"Listen to your father on this matter. Your father forbids you from going."
"Father, Mother, I have to go."
Ning Hong knelt down, pursing her lips, refusing to back down in the slightest.
"From your perspective, the country is currently in turmoil and on the verge of collapse. It's not just the war between the northern and southern warlords, but also the covetous eyes of many foreign invaders. Don't be fooled by Shanghai's current prosperity and tranquility; in reality, it's nothing but a mirage. Once these people reach Shanghai, we will not escape our fate."
"Then—you can't go to war either. We can leave here and go somewhere else."
Ning's mother said angrily, and couldn't help but step forward and punch Ning Hongze's shoulder twice. Seeing her like this, she wished she could tie Ning Hongze up and lock him in the room so that he would never go out again. "I don't care, I don't care what other people do. I am your mother. I only care about you. I just want you to be well. I just want you to be well."
“Mother, I know you love me, and I would never want to leave you. But if everyone is afraid of this and that, who will protect our country when invaders come?”
Ning Hong then took her mother's hand and said, "The rise and fall of a nation is the responsibility of every citizen."
Although this is just a fictional world, since he lives in this place, he is a person of this world. He is willing to fight for his country, and besides, in this era, he must have power to protect his family. Otherwise, the vast Ning family will eventually fall into the hands of those warlords.
"In short, in short, you can't go." As she spoke, Ning's mother couldn't help but shed tears again. She was just an ordinary woman, and she didn't want to see her son take risks and go to his death.
"alright."
Ning's father stared at Ning Hongze for a long while, and seeing his resolute expression, he couldn't help but grind his teeth, "Have you made up your mind?"
"yes."
“In fact, serving the country does not necessarily mean joining the army; we can donate supplies.”
"father--"
Ning Hong looked at her father with a serious expression and said, "You should understand me."
"That's precisely why I don't want to see you take risks."
Ning's father's eyes also welled up with tears. "I can sell everything in the Ning family."
“They won’t believe it. Once they’ve done it once, they’ll want it again. Even if we give them our entire fortune, they’ll still suspect we’re hiding something.” Those people’s desires are insatiable.
"But--"
“Father, I am the eldest son of the Ning family, and I should shoulder everything for the Ning family. I want to protect you, and the only way is to join the army and obtain military power so that I can protect the Ning family.”
"Big brother, why don't I go? I—" Ning Zhen also knelt down.
When Ning Zhen heard that his older brother was going to join the army, his face turned pale. He originally wanted to persuade his brother not to go, but when he heard his brother say that everyone has a duty to serve the country, he couldn't bring himself to say anything to advise him.
Yes, once those warlords reach Shanghai, or if those invaders reach this place, the Ning family, with their large and powerful family, will become the target of everyone's hatred.
No matter how rich their family is, they can't withstand those swords, guns, and cannons.
The only solution is to have military power.
“You can’t do it. You’re just a weak, artsy young man. Going there would only be suicide. Besides, Qingxiu is pregnant. As her husband, you should be with her.” Ning Hong patted Ning Zhen’s shoulder with relief. “Honestly, I’m really relieved. We have many patriots here. Of course, there are also many who claim to be patriotic and say they want to resist feudal customs, but what they do is disgusting and despicable. I’ve always been afraid you would become like that. Luckily, you pulled back from the brink and changed your mind in time, otherwise—”
"Or what?"
"Don't ask, you don't want to know." Ning Hong smiled at him and patted his head.
Ning Zhen subconsciously shrank her neck and took two steps back while still kneeling.
His retreat eased the tense atmosphere considerably.
Even Ning's mother had tears on her face, threatening to fall.
"Father, Mother, let me go."
The two elderly people sighed heavily, and finally couldn't help but nod.
Gu Qingxiu touched her belly, and her gaze towards Ning Hongze held a newfound respect.
Her eldest brother always surprised her, whether it was about Ning Zhen, the Ning family, or national affairs; he always made decisions that she admired.
"Do what you want to do, but remember, there are people at home waiting for you."
"After you leave, we will sell most of the Ning family's assets, live a secluded life, and avoid trouble. You can rest assured," Ning's father said with tears in his eyes.
"Father, Mother, don't worry, I will definitely return safely."
Not long after, Ning Hong left home. Before he left, he had someone bring Zhang Ke'er's sister and nephew to his home.
"This is--"
Just as Ning's parents' faces lit up with joy, they asked, "Is this... your child?"
“No.” Ning Hong directly shattered their illusions. “This is a pitiful child. His father was killed shortly after he was born.”
"I saw that they were all alone and helpless, so I brought them back."
Zhang Ke'er: "..."
Sister Zhang: "..."
"I see. I'm so sorry to have reminded you of these sad things."
"Not at all. His death is a relief for me."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com