After giving Su Jindong a thorough explanation, Song Jingzhou left the unit with his belongings.
He first went to the black market and bought brown sugar, eggs, noodles and high-gluten flour for Li Yueniang before heading towards Liuxiang Port with bags and packages.
Seeing Song Jingzhou's happy face, Li Yueniang kept looking behind him.
"Where's the celadon? What happened to the celadon?"
Song Jingzhou remained expressionless. "Grandma, I'm the only one who came back this time. Qingci didn't come. Did the leader take a liking to her? He specially assigned her tasks during this period, so she hasn't had time to come."
As he spoke, Song Jingzhou held up the things he was carrying in both hands, "I didn't know I had time, so I was asked to come back to see you right away. Look, I brought you quite a lot of things! They are all my heartfelt wishes."
When Li Yueniang heard that Qingci hadn't returned, her eyes darkened, but then a glimmer of light flashed in them again.
"Really? My porcelain has been noticed by the boss?"
"Really! Would I lie to you, Grandma?"
Li Yueniang smiled brightly, "Oh my, that leader has such good taste! I knew my celadon was destined for greatness. It's like a pearl—it shines wherever it is, hahaha~"
"Come, come, sit down quickly. Would you like some boiled water or tea?"
Song Jingzhou didn't stand on ceremony with the old lady, "Grandma, give me some tea leaves."
"Good lad, hahaha, I like drinking tea too!"
"Wait, let me call you Grandma Guo, then we can team up for a game."
As she spoke, the old lady darted out of the yard, leaned over the wall, and yelled at the other side.
"Guo Xiaomao~, Mao Yapo~, hurry up, it's time for tea! My grandson-in-law brought me some good stuff, come quick~"
Soon, a response came from the other side of the wall, "Coming, coming! Pour it over me and let it cool down first!"
Listening to the two old ladies' powerful shouts, Song Jingzhou thought to himself that the two old ladies seemed to be recovering quite well.
After a round of tea, Grandma Guo became increasingly sour. Compared to Song Jingzhou, Su Jindong was nothing but a blockhead.
Seeing Li Yueniang's smug and boastful look, Guo Xiaomao wanted to break off their friendship. Indeed, you can't compare yourself to others; comparisons only make you angry and hurt your chest.
Song Jingzhou personally cooked a meal for the two elderly ladies. After they finished eating, he made an excuse to return to his unit and left.
West of Kyoto, in the old city's slums.
Song Jingzhou lowered his hat and entered a dirty and chaotic alley, soon stopping in front of a dilapidated gate.
He looked up and down warily before knocking on the door three times lightly, then twice more heavily, then three times lightly again, then twice more heavily.
When the knocking, which carried some kind of signal, stopped, the door creaked open.
The person who opened the door was even more vigilant than Song Jingzhou. Their sharp, eagle-like eyes scanned the surroundings. They quickly ushered Song Jingzhou inside, checked the outside again, and then closed the door with peace of mind.
What brings you here?
Inside the dimly lit house, the other person asked Song Jingzhou in a low voice.
Song Jingzhou slowly surveyed the room: the door frame was severely rotten, the walls were made of earth, and the sun shone through the cracks in the broken tiles overhead.
"Aren't you guys loaded? How come you're living in a place like this?"
Xu Sai was surprised that Song Jingzhou, who had always kept his distance from them, not only took the initiative to come to them but also showed concern for their accommodation. The wariness in his eyes slowly melted away.
"This area is a mixed bag, and although the environment is a bit poor, it is actually safer for us."
Song Jingzhou looked at the reserved young men before him. "Please sit down. Times have changed. There are no more generals or young marshals now, and I'm not your young master anymore. You don't need to be so formal in front of me..."
"yes!"
Xu Sai pulled out a chair and sat down in front of Song Jingzhou.
Song Jingzhou paused for a moment before asking, "How many people are there in total?"
Xu Sai looked at Song Jingzhou with a puzzled expression, wondering what he meant by asking that question, but after a moment, he immediately replied.
"There are seven people who came with me!"
“Tell me what you’ve found out. Now that I’ve returned to Kyoto as you requested and joined the General Armaments Department, I have the right to know everything.”
Song Jingzhou stared sharply at Xu Sai. "Furthermore, I want all your plans, as well as your organizer. Who is he?"
Under the sharp gaze of Xu Saizhou and Song Jingzhou, a thin layer of sweat appeared on their foreheads.
"Our organization's leader is named Xu Tieniu, nicknamed Iron Hammer."
Song Jingzhou's pupils dilated in surprise. "Uncle Iron Hammer?"
"He... he's still alive?"
Song Jingzhou carefully examined Xu Sai's features and asked, "What is your relationship with him?"
"He is my father!"
“Father?” Song Jingzhou shook his head. “Uncle Iron Hammer could not possibly have a son as big as you!”
A dark glint flashed in Xu Sai's eyes, "He is my stepfather!"
“My mother was a fisherwoman on the coast, and she was the one who pulled my father out of the sea.”
“My father had gunshot wounds to his leg and side at the time, but they avoided vital organs. My mother spent all of the family’s savings to save him.”
"My father recuperated at my home for six months, and gradually developed feelings for my mother..."
As Song Jingzhou listened to Xu Sai's words, a sense of anticipation rose in his heart.
He asked urgently, "You, your mother, did anyone else see other injured people in the sea back then?"
Xu Sai seemed to know what Song Jingzhou wanted to ask, "Young Master, not everyone is lucky!"
The light in Song Jingzhou's eyes slowly faded. "Yes, Uncle Iron Hammer is incredibly lucky..."
As he spoke, Song Jingzhou looked up again, "Has he returned?"
Xu Sai stared at Song Jingzhou for a while before slowly nodding.
Despite his efforts to suppress his complex emotions, Song Jingzhou still felt a lump in his throat.
The image of myself sitting on that bald uncle's shoulders, laughing heartily, involuntarily flashed into my mind.
The scene shifts to the other person carrying him in one hand, running away while firing back at him. The final shot freezes on the rocks of the fishing village, where he shouts "Young Marshal!" to his father, then leans forward to shield his father from a bullet before falling into the sea.
Song Jingzhou vaguely remembered that Uncle Tiechui's family had been Song family soldiers for generations.
Uncle Hammer's father's generation all followed the Song family, and Uncle Hammer even grew up with his father.
Song Jingzhou's voice trembled slightly as he asked, "Could I see him?"
Xu Sai felt a sense of relief. After two years, he finally saw a trace of nostalgia for the past on the other person's face.
Previously, the young master always had a distant and unapproachable attitude, and he thought...
On the other side, Wang Jingtao finally arrived at Peach Blossom Town after a long journey.
The unfamiliar surroundings before him held no recollection whatsoever in his mind.
After looking around, he stepped into the state-run restaurant not far away.
"Hello comrade, could you please give me a bowl of noodles? Also, could you tell me which direction to go to Gaotang Brigade?"
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