Chapter 4

The drinking culture of the country can quickly bring two people who have just met closer. In the private room on the second floor of Donglai Shun in the northern capital, the cups were clinking, and the atmosphere was lively.

In the cold winter, scooping a chopstick of hot lamb from the boiling hot pot and swallowing a cup of aged white spirit in one go was truly refreshing.

With his windbreaker buttons already undone to the third, Li Guangbiao raised his glass, "Brother Gaoyang, I'm so happy today. From the Army Elementary School to the Army Middle School and then to the Baoding Military Academy, I studied hard for two years. After entering the 13th Division, I thought I had finally made it." His eyes began to redden as he spoke.

"Old Li, you've had too much. Sit down and rest a bit." The steady Gao Youcai grabbed the swaying Li Guangbiao.

"I'm fine, really." Waving off Gao Youcai, Li Guangbiao bowed to Gaoyang and drank the glass in one go.

"I, Li Guangbiao, have been in the military for over ten years. I believe my talents are no less than those of the wine-bags and food-bags. After all these years, I'm still just a captain. There are even rumors that the army is planning to dismiss unqualified soldiers. Ha, ha, ha, I've even become unqualified." Was Li Guangbiao really drunk, or was he using the alcohol to express his true feelings to Gaoyang?

Gaoyang smiled, raised his glass, and drank it in one go. "Cheers." Before the alcohol even hit his stomach, Gaoyang had the Origin Point activate its filtering function to remove the alcohol. It wasn't that Gaoyang wasn't man enough, but this 65-degree aged white spirit was really too strong for him.

Gao Youcai pressed Li Guangbiao back into his seat and instructed Yang Dong and others to take care of him. Then he sat next to Gaoyang and continued the old routine of one glass at a time. Gaoyang also drank a glass without changing his expression.

"Brother Gaoyang, you know our situations. We're not doing well in the army, and there are rumors that we will be dismissed. Commander Cao has asked us to join you. Feng County is close to our hometowns, and we are willing to serve in the Feng County Security Regiment. We hope Brother Gaoyang will take good care of us."

Gao Youcai had also drunk a lot, but his windbreaker buttons were still tightly fastened, and his posture was as straight as a pine tree. Everyone was staring at Gaoyang, waiting for his answer. Even the noisy Li Guangbiao had fallen silent.

Gaoyang sat quietly, playing with the ring on his finger. This red face and white face act, it was hard to believe they had managed to stay in the Beiyang for so many years.

"Brothers, if you look up to me and are willing to join the Feng County Security Regiment, I thank you." He stood up and toasted them. "Since you have come to my regiment, you must abide by the laws and military regulations. If you violate them, I will not show any favoritism."

Gaoyang took out five 1000-pound sterling checks and handed them to the five men. "Since you are willing to join, you are now part of my family. Take this resettlement fee and go home to sort out your affairs. Come to the arsenal tomorrow morning."

The five men looked at each other, having never seen so much money. Gao Youcai hesitantly said to Gaoyang, "Actually, a few more brothers want to return to their hometown in Anhui." Indeed, money can make even the devil grind.

After returning to the original time, Gaoyang took a hot bath and had a good sleep. Although the Origin Point had filtered out the alcohol, he still felt a bit tipsy, which made sleeping even more comfortable.

In the morning, after eating breakfast in the restaurant and making a few phone calls, he returned to his room and traveled to 1924.

It wasn't that Gaoyang couldn't afford a house in the northern capital; he just had other plans and was only staying temporarily.

He went out and set off with Gao Youcai and others to the Army Department's arsenal. Commander Cao, smiling, greeted them, "Brother, the Army Department takes the bandit problem in Feng County very seriously and has specially approved a batch of weapons for the Feng County Security Regiment."

"Thank you, Commander." Gaoyang was also very happy. 100,000 pounds, the officers were just a bonus; the main goal was the weapons. Although they were only from 1924, they were sufficient for the early stages.

It wasn't that he couldn't afford modern weapons; it was just that without a solid foundation, who would use a batch of AK47s? Using energy points to manufacture them would be a waste, not to mention the cost of creating mecha.

Commander Cao handed Gaoyang the transfer order signed by the Army Chief and took a copy of Gaoyang's diploma from the German Army Officer School, then left with a smile, promising to drink again next time.

Gaoyang entered the warehouse and gave the warehouse manager a check, then went to the office to drink tea and chat. The selection work, of course, was left to the professionals.

According to Gaoyang's instructions, Gao Youcai and others selected new inventory according to the standard infantry battalion. 800 unopened Hanyang rifles, 4 Maxim machine guns (no artillery), but plenty of ammunition and 200 boxes of grenades. Other items like uniforms, shoes, caps, canteens, etc., were taken in triple quantities.

When Gaoyang and the warehouse manager came out, the selected items were already piled up.

After arranging the train cars for the southward journey to Bengbu, Gao Youcai and the escort team took the weapons to the train station warehouse, and Gaoyang accompanied the warehouse manager to drink.

After arranging the house in the northern capital, he left a message, locked the door, and boarded the southbound train in the evening.

Seven more Anhui-born Baoding Military Academy graduates, all officers who were not doing well in the army, joined the group. The escort team included an Army platoon.

After reserving six private compartments in the passenger car and saying goodnight to each other, they all went to rest. Locking the doors and setting the beacon, Gaoyang returned to the original time. He showed his face in the hall, got into the car, and went to Qiao Jiangnan.

Through a mediator, he arranged a dinner with the ambassador of a certain African country on the equator. He waited in the private room for less than half an hour before the mediator and the ambassador couple arrived.

After mutual flattery, they sat down. Gaoyang was inwardly cursing, "Why speak English? 10 points per hour, I need to earn energy points quickly. Just talking has already cost me a lot."

After a few rounds of drinks and dishes, Gaoyang got straight to the point, "Mr. Ambassador, I have learned from the news that your country is suffering from a drought, and many refugees are without food. I, a kind person, feel very sad about this." He touched his eye and continued, "I want to establish a charitable foundation in your country and donate 2 million euros to help your people."

The ambassador, expressionless, took the check from Gaoyang, glanced at it, and put it in his pocket. "Mr. Gao, I represent the entire nation in thanking you. You are a true philanthropist." He sipped his tea and continued, "To thank you for your kindness, is there anything I can do for you?"

The main event began. Gaoyang, smiling, said, "Your country has a simple and honest people, rich resources, and a good environment. I am very optimistic about your country's economic prospects and would like to invest in your country. Could I have the honor of contributing to your country's economic development?"

The mediator, sitting beside him, drank his tea expressionlessly but was inwardly cursing, "A country where people fight with AK47s is simple and honest, a country with only rocks and trees is rich in resources, and a country with three months of rain and nine months of drought has a good environment. You must have too much money to burn. If you go there, you'll be swallowed whole."

"Mr. Gao, you are always welcome to visit. Our country will provide you with all the necessary conveniences." The ambassador did not mention the foundation, and Gaoyang seemed to have forgotten about it. They drank and chatted, and both sides were very happy.

After returning to the hotel, Gaoyang activated the time travel to 1924. Over the next two days, he chatted in the train car during the day and slept in the northern capital at night.

After crossing the Huai River, they got off in Bengbu, and the weapons were unloaded. The convoy escorted the weapons to Feng County. Gaoyang did not go with them but visited the commanders, who were happy to drink and promised to help with any issues. Feng County was under the jurisdiction of Bengbu.

He exchanged a large sum of silver dollars at a money shop in Bengbu.

The next morning, Gaoyang took a car to Feng County and caught up with the convoy halfway. The long line of people stretched for half a mile. Gao Youcai reported that many people of unknown origin had been circling the area since the night before.

Gaoyang smiled but said nothing. They arrived in Feng County before dark and first went to the county office to hand over the official documents. Accompanied by the county magistrate, they went to the security regiment's base.

Looking at the security regiment's base, Gaoyang was speechless. The low, dark, and dilapidated houses mostly had no roofs. The soldiers, with their hats tilted, barefoot, and dressed in rags, were short, thin, and black, mostly drug addicts or old men, with the rest being ruffians.

With a wave of his hand, he led the troops back to the county and booked the only inn. After arranging the personnel and supplies, he accompanied the county magistrate to the welcome banquet prepared by the local gentry for Gaoyang.

After mutual flattery, the conversation turned to the main topic.

"Zi Hou (Gaoyang's courtesy name), the safety of this county will depend entirely on you." The county magistrate began to flatter him.

"County Magistrate, elders, I am not talented, but I will do my best to protect the people and the land." Gaoyang finished his speech and drank the glass of wine in one go.

"Zi Hou is a highly talented person who has studied abroad. With you leading the security regiment, this county will be safe and sound." The speaker was the owner of the Jinbao Pawnshop in the city. Gaoyang had been paying attention to him for a while, as he was overly eager, and there was something fishy about it.

After just two glasses, he revealed his true intentions, which surprised Gaoyang. This man was the fence for the largest bandit in Feng County, Liu Sandao. He was offering a gift to the new security regiment commander and passing a message: Liu Sandao's business could continue, and Gaoyang could take a 20% cut, as long as they didn't interfere with each other.

This was not all. More shockingly, Liu Sandao sent a message: "Can you sell me some of the weapons you have? The price is negotiable."

Gaoyang coughed and sipped his tea to cover up, "We can discuss it later."

Back at the inn, he arranged for the soldiers to be on high alert and thought about how to deal with these small issues. For Gaoyang, with his advanced technology, these were minor problems, though he currently lacked the ability to manufacture most items.

The next morning, he gave each member of the escort platoon a sum of money to stay and help. Then he led everyone and the supplies to the security regiment's base, gathered everyone, and confiscated all weapons and documents. Each soldier received 15 silver dollars, and each higher rank received an additional 50 silver dollars. Everyone was dismissed on the spot.

The dismissal process was not smooth. There were veterans who caused trouble, those who begged, and those who tried to incite resistance. All of this was resolved smoothly after five ruffians who resisted with guns were hung on poles at the gate.

Yang Dong led the team to post notices in each village, recruiting new soldiers. They carried a chest full of silver dollars and offered 50 silver dollars as a resettlement fee to anyone willing to join the security regiment, with a monthly salary of 10 silver dollars, the same as the Beiyang regular army.

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