Early April in Jingzhou, just after Qingming Festival, it was drizzling.

  An army was making its way with difficulty along a muddy road that was almost impassable.

  A few horses stood by the roadside, stretching their mouths to eat the delicious wild flowers.

  A man stood with his hands behind him, gazing at the roadside full of yellow small flowers, breathing in the fresh air after the rain, listening to the gentle flow of water between the fields and the occasional nightingale's call from the mountain forest by the road.

  This man is Wang Zhenyu. Under the order of Wang Longzhong, the defender of Changde Prefecture, he has now become the commander of Jingzhou Prefecture's military preparedness office.

  After returning to Changsha from Nanjing, although Wang Zhenyu stirred up the Changsha soldiers' riot, annihilated the Fifth Division and executed Mei Xing, Tan Yankai had already established himself in the Hunan political arena through a series of means. His prestige as the "mother-in-law governor" had reached its peak.

  According to the agreement reached between Zhao Hengyu and Wang Zhenyu, the Fourth Division would also be transferred to Baoqing.

  Just then, the original Guizhou military governor Yang Kaiyuan led the Guizhou army that was originally planned to participate in the Northern Expedition from Nanjing back to their hometown in Guizhou. However, the Guizhou side had already been occupied by Yunnan military governor Cai E, and his appointed Guizhou military governor Liu Xiansheng did not allow Yang Kaiyuan's troops to enter the border, publicly declaring that they were bandits, entering the border would harm the people, and demanding that they disband on the spot.

  Tan Yanqian repeatedly sent people to negotiate with the Guizhou side, but failed to reach an agreement. He could only appoint Wang Longzhong as the garrison commander of Baojing, leading three brigades of the Fourth Army's infantry to the border to disarm Yang Guangchen's troops and disperse them on the spot.

  This errand was easy to handle, as the Guizhou army had no money or food, and lacked ammunition. The morale of the soldiers was also gone. In addition, the three sides of Changsha, Guizhou, and Yang Dacheng reached the "Hongjiang Agreement" in Hongjiang, so Wang Longzhong easily completed the task of disarming and dispersing the troops.

  Having accomplished his mission, Wang Longzhong, as the defender of Baojing Town, naturally had to return home in glory.

  Wang Zhenyu also got a fake leave to go home and visit his relatives. As soon as he thought of these unacquainted relatives, Wang Zhenyu felt conflicted and hesitated for half a day. In the end, his longing for kinship overcame the slight awkwardness in his heart, and he decided to leave the troops to Xu Yuanquan and Yang Wanguo, and then took Ma Xicheng, Zhao Dongsheng and a group of guards back home.

  Wang Long first heard from his younger brother Wang Longzhong, who had just returned to the village, that his youngest son, who was leading troops outside, would also be returning, only a few days later. Immediately, he mobilized the entire household, slaughtering chickens and ducks, and making a big fuss.

  Finally, I'm home. As Wang Zhenyu looked at these familiar yet strange family members, he took a deep breath. Then, those who should pay their respects did so, those who should ask about his well-being did so, and he even gave his brothers a warm hug, which shocked his father! Now it was Ma Xicheng's turn to appear, saying that his nephew had been injured and his personality had changed somewhat.

  This move was naturally effective, and no one doubted it anymore. His mother, Wang Chen, couldn't help but sigh repeatedly, lamenting that her son had suffered a lot. This heartfelt maternal love also moved Wang Zhenyu deeply.

  Wang Long was, strictly speaking, a very traditional and conservative person. Although he missed his son dearly in his heart, he still put on a stern fatherly face without revealing any emotions. In fact, he was secretly pleased that his own third child had become a general, thinking that the Wang family would also have a chance to rise again.

  Wang Zhenyu didn't care what his cheap dad thought, he was busy enjoying this rare family affection. In the future, he would be looked at by his relatives like a joke, and the more embarrassed he felt, the more embarrassing it was. But here, he felt that family affection was warm, and had nothing to do with the dog skin on his body.

  Big brother Wang Zhenkun is a down-to-earth farmer, but he has already started a family and has a son and a daughter. His eldest son Jing'an is already four years old, while his younger daughter is still in her mother's arms and can't even talk yet. When Wang Jing'an saw this uncle Wang Zhenyu, he seemed to be a bit shy and afraid, and hid behind his mother Wang Heshi.

  Wang Zhenyu really likes this little nephew, must hug him, to amuse the kid, even turned over his body, finally gave the binoculars to the little nephew to play. The child is indeed fun, seeing rare items, also forgets to be shy. Played for a while, and actually smiled at Wang Zhenyu.

  Several other younger sisters and brothers-in-law of Wang Zhenyu also recognized him, his second sister was already married, her husband's surname is Liu, named Wang, from Qi Yang, also a wealthy family, his father Liu Yunfu had passed the imperial examination as a Xiucai, usually didn't think much of his father-in-law's family who relied on being a follower to become prominent.

  However, just now it happens to be a big change, and our family has encountered trouble again. In the old house in Qiyang, we really can't stay there anymore. To survive, we had no choice but to flee with our whole family to our father-in-law's house in Wugang, which is considered hiding from the storm.

  Fourth brother Wang Zhenpeng, 19 years old this year, is reviewing at home and said to be preparing for the Baoding Military Academy; Fifth brother Wang Zhenbang, 17 years old this year, is studying at Changsha First Normal School. Sixth sister Wang Ziqi, 13 years old, Seventh brother Wang Zhencheng, 8 years old.

  The warm scene of a big family sitting around the fire kang in the kitchen, chatting and laughing together, made Wang Zhenyu, who was an only child, feel warmth in his heart.

  Lao Si Wang Zhenpeng's reading skills are far superior to his third brother, and he has been recognized as the most promising one in the Wang family since childhood. However, now that his third brother has become a general, while he is still a nobody, his heart has become very complicated, simply put, it's a mix of envy, jealousy, and hatred. Sitting next to Wang Zhenyu, speaking up isn't an option, nor is staying silent.

  At this time, the nephew held a telescope and shook it in front of his mother Wang He's wife. Wang He's wife teased him: "Anwaizi, have you thanked Third Uncle?"

  Wang Zhenyu looked at his little nephew and asked with great fatherly love: "An'er, have you studied arithmetic?"

  Wang He hastily added: "I've already taught him arithmetic rhymes, and this child is quite clever."

  "Third Uncle wants to ask you a question, okay?"

  Wang Jing An's little brain turned around and nodded: "I answered correctly, this one you have to give me, Third Uncle!"

  As Wang Jing'an raised his binoculars, everyone burst out laughing at this little devil.

  Wang Zhenyu smiled: "Third Uncle heard that you learned arithmetic, so I'll ask you, is it three or four?"

  "The Four Greats" Wang Jingan replied without hesitation.

  Wang Zhenyu stroked his little head: "That's right, is it Third Uncle or Fourth Uncle who is older?"

  "Fourth Uncle is great!"

  The whole family was amused, and Wang Zhenyu couldn't help but laugh loudly. This kid is too adorable!

  Although he only stayed at home for three days, the warmth of family made Wang Zhenyu feel like it had been a long time since he felt that way, and he has already accepted his family in this era.

  In these three days, Wang Zhenyu also helped his second sister with something. It turned out that her husband's family had moved here because of a problem with his older brother Liu Xing. The specific situation was not clear to the second sister, but she said that during the revolution, this person returned to Hunan from elsewhere and was appointed as the head of the Qiyang Military Affairs Office by the then Governor of Hunan, Jiao Dafeng, because he was familiar with military affairs. This should have been a good thing, but who would have thought that the situation in Hunan suddenly changed? In just over ten days, Governor Jiao was killed, and many of his subordinates were suppressed. Liu Xing's position as head of the office had not even warmed up before he was dismissed and wanted by the authorities in Changsha, and his family was also implicated, forcing them to flee to Wugang. Now that his third brother had become a general, it should not be too difficult to resolve this matter. However, he could not bring himself to ask for help personally, so he asked his wife Liu Wangshi to come and find his third brother Wang Zhenyu to discuss the matter.

  The second brother-in-law's intention is also very clear, hoping that the younger brother-in-law who is now in power can come forward and persuade King Lung-chung to cancel the arrest warrant, and it would be best if he could let his older brother Liu Hsing-kuan return to his original position.

  When Wang Zhenyu heard this, he couldn't help but feel a bitter smile in his heart, but he couldn't show it on his face. He and Wang Longzhong were both former subordinates of Jiao Doucheng, and if they hadn't held military power, Tan Yanqing would have already gotten rid of them. It was impossible to get Wang Longzhong to help with this matter.

  Fortunately, Zhao Hengyu, who had just been promoted to the first division commander under Tan Yankai's command, was in a good relationship with him. He was one of Tan's trusted men, and it would be easy for him to help withdraw the arrest warrant against Liu Xing. However, letting his second sister's family return to Qiyang was not a big problem, but reinstating them to their original positions was out of the question. After all, this personnel matter was too complicated, so it was a bit tricky.

  Finally, Wang Zhenyu asked Er Jie to arrange something and met Liu Xing, the brother of Er Jie's husband, to see how things could be arranged.

  Liu Xing's first impression of Wang Zhenyu was that he had a very calm and peaceful appearance, to be precise, he was not outstanding, the kind of person who would get lost in a crowd, and at the same time, he didn't talk much, giving people a sense of stability.

  "Big brother, take a seat, we're all family here, don't be too formal. I heard from Second Sister that you also knew Director Jiao back in the day?" This was Wang Zhenyu's first sentence upon seeing Liu Xing.

  Liu Xing nodded and said: "A fleeting acquaintance."

  Then there was no more, Wang Zhenyu was stunned for a moment, knowing that it was not necessary to make any more detours, and said directly: "I won't say anything else, Big Brother is well-versed in military affairs, my Ninth Brigade also needs talents in the military field. You know that it's difficult to arrange you back to Qi Yang for duty, so I don't know if you're willing to take a position in my team?"

  Liu Xing took a close look at Wang Zhenyu and felt that his younger brother's nephew was a relatively sincere person. After a moment of thought, he replied: "Okay."

  "After a while, he said: 'I also have a sworn brother from Qi Yang, who is a military genius and good at strategy. He is now in hiding with me, can we use him too?'"

  Wang Zhenyu was shocked that this gentleman had said so many words in one breath, and immediately nodded conditionally like a conditioned reflex, then asked: "Who is this person?"

  Liu Xing spat out two words: "Zhou Dang".

  Wang Zhenyu nodded, although he didn't know how capable this person was, but he still had to give him some face.

  Liu Xing agreed to join Wang Zhenyu's 9th Brigade, and Wang Zhenyu also sent a letter to Zhao Hengti in Changsha, thus the matter was satisfactorily resolved.

  His brother-in-law was naturally very satisfied with this, in his opinion, Wang Zhenyu this younger brother-in-law is not bad, knows the taste, and also gives himself a face.

  Apart from Er Jie Fu, Wang Zhenyu's father Wang Longxian was also very satisfied, because in this way, his own daughter's status in the Liu family would naturally be much higher.

  Tiger out of the box...