Chapter 36

Gao Yang and Zheng Xiujing walked downstairs side by side, laughing and chatting. Gao Yang turned to look at Zheng Xiujing and said, "Thank you for your hospitality today. In our country, when we receive a gift from someone, we must return a gift."

After saying this, he took out an exquisite jewelry box from his pants pocket and handed it to Zheng Xiujing. "I had a great time today. This is my return gift. Next time I come to Korea, I'll treat you to a meal again." Gao Yang made a gesture of making a phone call, then watched as Zheng Xiujing went upstairs before turning to leave.

Zheng Xiujing returned home and saw her sister, Zheng Xiuyan, sitting on the sofa reading a magazine.

"Big sister, you're home so early today?"

"You're home so early today?" the two sisters asked simultaneously.

Zheng Xiuyan put down the magazine and walked over to her sister. A faint smell of alcohol wafted from Zheng Xiujing.

"Mom is sleeping. Let's talk in your room," Zheng Xiuyan said, frowning slightly.

"Okay," Zheng Xiujing replied softly.

The two sisters went to Zheng Xiujing's room. "What did you do today? Why did you drink?" Zheng Xiuyan asked directly.

"That oppa who helped me and Sister Xu Xian at the party, I invited him to dinner tonight. I only had a little red wine," Zheng Xiujing said, pouting slightly.

Zheng Xiuyan frowned and was about to say something when she noticed the jewelry box in her sister's hand. "What's this?"

"Oh, just now, Gao Yang oppa said that in their country, when you receive a gift, you must return one. So he gave me this as a return gift. I haven't even looked at it yet." She then started to unwrap the box and opened it.

"Oh, my God." The two sisters exclaimed in unison.

The jewelry box opened to reveal a crystal-clear diamond necklace lying inside!

Zheng Xiujing carefully picked up the diamond necklace. Under the light, it sparkled brilliantly! The sisters' eyes widened, shining like cat's eyes at night, even glowing faintly! It was a woman's instinct. The necklace before them, set with a small, clear diamond the size of a fingernail, was surrounded by a cluster of tiny, transparent diamonds!

The sisters felt their mouths go dry and stared at the diamond in a daze. After a while, Zheng Xiuyan's face tightened as she said to her sister, "What's going on? Why would he give you such an expensive gift!"

"I don't know either," Zheng Xiujing said, puzzled. She really hadn't expected such an expensive gift! If she had known, she wouldn't have accepted it! She picked up her phone and called Gao Yang.

The call was quickly answered. "Xiaoshuijing, are you home?" Zheng Xiuyan's lips twitched as she listened. Just a meal, and he's already calling her so affectionately!

"Oppa, the gift you gave me is too expensive! I can't accept it," Zheng Xiujing said softly, biting her lip.

"Oh, the gift? Since you call me oppa, giving you a gift is nothing. It's not expensive at all, just a matter of plucking a hair for me. Thanks for your hospitality today. When I come to Korea next time, I'll treat you to a meal. Rest well, good night." Gao Yang laughed and hung up before Zheng Xiujing could say anything else.

Zheng Xiujing stared blankly at her phone. Zheng Xiuyan sighed and pulled her sister's hand, sitting on the bed and said seriously, "Tell me everything, from the first time you met."

Gao Yang went directly to the airport and returned to Beidu. In the following days, Gao Yang mainly handled some company affairs. The employees of SC Trade also went to Korea with the steel needed for the Yangtze River Bridge. After ordering many goods online, he arranged for the recruited executives to complete the follow-up work. Gao Yang then set off for Africa.

On June 6, 1925, summer had already begun. On this gradually hot day, 2,291 candidates from all over the country and 197 military-recommended candidates were taking the entrance exam at the newly built Army Officer Command Academy by Xuanwu Lake in Nanjing.

The former German military academy instructors recruited by Gao Yang had already arrived in Nanjing with the mercenaries. They were all experienced professional soldiers who had worked in military academies for many years.

Gao Yang was nominally the principal, and Colonel Willy Brandt, the former principal of the Dresden Infantry School, was appointed as the education director, responsible for the overall operation of the academy.

The academy offered subjects such as infantry, artillery, engineering, logistics, military police, politics, logistics support, communications, intelligence, staff, mechanics, and surveying. Students were required to major in two subjects and choose two electives, though they could choose more if they felt capable. There were 129 German instructors at the academy.

The academy, located by Xuanwu Lake, covered more than 200 acres! The main gate was simple and unadorned, with only a signboard reading "Army Officer Academy." Inside the campus, directly opposite the main gate, was a large cement playground. Near the teaching building was a flagpole for the national flag, and the entire playground covered more than 7,000 square meters, the size of a standard football field.

At the center of the campus was a hexagonal, six-story teaching building with snow-white walls and bright windows, giving a sense of beauty. Around the teaching building was a green belt, with many willow trees planted on the lawn, and the breeze from the lake made the willow branches dance beautifully.

To the left of the teaching building were the dormitories for students and instructors, built in the style of classic dormitory buildings from the future. The twelve rows of dormitories were also painted white, with bright glass, giving a direct sense of beauty.

To the right of the teaching building were the football field, basketball court, tennis court, table tennis tables, and other sports facilities, as well as the cafeteria and bathhouse. Further to the right, beyond the wall, was Xuanwu Lake.

Behind the teaching building was the military academy's training ground, equipped with various training facilities and a fully equipped shooting range. The artillery range was outside the campus. Further back was the military warehouse, where Gao Yang stored enough weapons to equip an entire division!

Gao Yang had to start the entrance exams hastily. Since he began posting the recruitment notice, young students had come to Nanjing to prepare for the exams, and the earliest batch had already been waiting for several months!

The recruitment notice clearly stated that students would enjoy the benefits of non-commissioned officers upon enrollment, which was at least 15 silver dollars per month!

Additionally, the tuition was free for two years, with room and board provided. Upon successful graduation, students would be granted the rank of second lieutenant, and those with excellent performance could be granted the rank of first lieutenant, and the top ten could be granted the rank of captain!

The generous benefits of Gao Yang's forces had already spread throughout the country, and they never withheld pay! Although the recruitment notice also included slogans like defending the country, restoring sovereignty, and reclaiming Mongolia, it was undeniable that the generous benefits were the main reason so many people applied.

Among the candidates were 197 military-recommended candidates, all young people who had performed excellently and stood out in the military. Gao Yang specially gave them a chance to further their education, and as long as they didn't perform too poorly, they would be admitted.

The most noticeable among the candidates was Zhang Xinghai, the commander of the 1st Battalion, 2nd Regiment, 6th Army. Gao Yang was surprised to see Zhang Xinghai's name on the recommendation list.

He called Zhang Xinghai to his office and asked, "Didn't you graduate from the Baoding Military Academy? Why are you applying? Besides, you're already 30 years old, and your children are old enough to buy soy sauce. What are you thinking, going to school with a bunch of teenagers?"

Gao Yang was a bit angry; this wasn't a matter to joke about.

Zhang Xinghai stood at attention and said seriously, "Commander, I did graduate from the Baoding Military Academy, but your recruitment notice didn't say that those who have attended a military academy can't apply. I may be a bit older, but as the saying goes, learning is endless. I just want to learn more." He then tightened his expression and said loudly, "Please give me a chance, Commander."

Gao Yang sat on the sofa, squinting at Zhang Xinghai, unable to understand his thoughts. His behavior was absolutely incomprehensible in this era, but he had really done it!

"Alright, since you insist, you can take the exam, considering your many achievements." Zhang Xinghai's face lit up, and he was about to speak when Gao Yang continued, "However, if you are admitted, all your current ranks and positions will be revoked, and you will have to start over as an ordinary military academy graduate. Do you understand?"

Zhang Xinghai bit his lip and said loudly, "Understood! Sir!" He then saluted and turned to leave. Gao Yang shook his head, not understanding his thoughts, but decided to let it be. Everyone makes their own path.

It was now 2:30 PM, and the math exam was in progress. The questions were set by Colonel Brandt, with some modifications and translations by Gao Yang.

To Gao Yang, the exam was quite simple, not even at the level of a high school entrance exam. The focus was on science, but in this era, more than 80% of students with a junior high school education or higher were in the humanities.

In Gao Yang's view, it didn't matter whether they were in the humanities or sciences; as long as they passed the entrance exam, they would be admitted.

The young people taking the exam were all focused, not paying attention to the beautiful scenery outside the window, but concentrating on the exam papers in front of them. The breeze outside gently rippled the lake, and the blooming lotus flowers swayed in the wind, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene.

In Room 207 on the second floor, Wang Dashan, sitting by the window, finally finished his exam. He took a deep breath and looked out at Xuanwu Lake beyond the wall. Water birds skimmed the surface of the lake, creating ripples. Wang Dashan sighed softly.

He had finished the exam, but he knew most of his answers were wrong! There was nothing he could do; his family was poor, and being able to study for two years was already the limit of what his family could afford! And he was the eldest!

Although he had been learning every night under the guidance of a life counselor since joining Commander Gao's forces, the time was too short. The few months he spent at the non-commissioned officer school, where he studied hard, was the reason he got the recommendation. But the gap couldn't be bridged in such a short time!

"Send money home, and make sure the younger brothers go to school!" Wang Dashan looked at the exam paper in front of him and thought to himself.

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