How Was It So Brilliant?

Gu Ruiyu's clear eyes held a hint of curiosity. She took a step forward, her voice gentle.

"Battalion Commander Zhang, you just said... you were sorry to Big Brother?"

Those casual words snapped Zhang Xueming back to his senses.

He looked at the lovely, refined face before him and lost himself for a moment.

That face bore a faint resemblance to one buried deep in his memories.

But he quickly reined in his emotions. A flicker of darkness passed through his eyes, and he returned to his usual polite distance.

"It's nothing."

He replied coolly.

"I was just thinking of an old friend."

Gu Ruiyu wanted to ask more, but Zhang Xueming's unapproachable air stopped her cold.

She could only lower her head and murmur, "Oh," though questions were already bubbling in her mind.

What kind of old friend could make a battle-hardened officer, so decisive and ruthless on the battlefield, show such a complicated expression?

The atmosphere grew awkward again.

Just then, Zhang Shoufang swayed in from outside, a smug smile on her face.

"Done!"

She clapped her hands, breaking the silence in the room.

"That old fox Yamada agreed."

"Tomorrow night at seven. Fushun Tower."

Zhang Xueming perked up and immediately stood.

"Thanks, Sis."

"What are you thanking me for?" Zhang Shoufang shot him a look. "Your adjutant, Dai Xiansheng, is still waiting outside, standing there like a gate guardian."

"Then I'll head out. I still have things to prepare." Zhang Xueming nodded, then gave Gu Ruiyu a polite nod. "Miss Gu, farewell."

With that, he turned and strode out of Liyuan.

Gu Ruiyu watched his tall, straight-backed figure disappear through the doorway, her gaze lingering long after he was gone. The tea in her hands had nearly gone cold.

"He's already long gone. Still watching?"

Zhang Shoufang came over and gently nudged her with an elbow, teasing her.

"My little brother's swept you clean off your feet, hasn't he?"

Gu Ruiyu's face instantly flared red, like a ripe apple.

"Sis Fang, you... what nonsense are you talking about!"

She stamped her foot and ran backstage, leaving Zhang Shoufang alone, giggling.

Fengtian, the Marshal's Mansion.

In the study, Marshal Zhang Yuting of the Feng Army held a telegram, his expression shifting between light and dark.

Standing opposite him was Zhang Zuoxiang, chief adviser to the Feng Army.

"You little bastard!"

Zhang Yuting slammed the telegram onto the desk with a dull thud.

"That brat's getting more lawless by the day!"

"A victory's a victory, but why did he recruit those bandits? And why break them up and plant them in his own troops? How dare he!"

"What if Japanese spies have slipped in among them? What's he going to do with his battalion then? This is sheer foolery!"

Zhang Yuting bristled with rage, glaring with his mustache quivering.

Zhang Zuoxiang, however, remained calm. He knew the Marshal inside and out: this was a classic case of saying one thing while feeling the opposite.

The harsher the scolding, the prouder he was probably feeling inside.

He leisurely picked up the telegram and read it carefully before smiling.

"Marshal, calm down first."

"If you ask me, Xue Ming's move wasn't foolish at all. It was quite brilliant."

"Oh?" Zhang Yuting glanced sideways at him. "Then tell me, just how was it brilliant?"

"Think about it, Marshal." Zhang Zuoxiang pointed to the telegram. "Xue Ming broke all the prisoners into groups of five and assigned one of our veterans as leader of each group. Isn't that like putting a watchful eye over every man?"

"Even if those bandits have treacherous intentions, they can't make waves under the noses of our veterans."

"Besides, these men are all desperate outlaws. They'll fight harder than ordinary recruits. Put them to good use, and they'll make a fine blade!"

"What do you call that? The ultimate evolution of 'using the barbarians' strengths to control the barbarians': using bandits to fight bandits!"

As Zhang Yuting listened, the anger gradually faded from his face, replaced by a smugness he could barely hide.

He lifted his teacup and took a sip, but still couldn't resist grumbling.

"Hmph, nothing but a pile of twisted logic!"

"But... the kid really does have a more flexible mind than his old man."

Seeing that the moment was right, Zhang Zuoxiang immediately pressed his advantage.

"Marshal, since Xue Ming has made a name for himself in Hunchun, we should build on that victory and make it count!"

"I say we publicize it far and wide!"

"Use the newspapers and radio. Tell everyone how our Feng Army's Young Marshal, Zhang Xueming, showed his brilliance in Hunchun, how much Japanese equipment he seized, and how he left the Japanese speechless!"

"That would deal the Japanese a hard blow and show them that Fengtian isn't to be trifled with. It would also lift the spirits of the people across the Three Eastern Provinces and let them know that with our Feng Army here, the sky won't fall!"

Zhang Yuting's eyes lit up.

That was a good idea!

That was exactly the effect he wanted!

Seeing that the Marshal was interested, Zhang Zuoxiang pressed further.

"Besides, Marshal, Xue Ming is only a battalion commander right now. His authority doesn't match his position."

"Bandit suppression needs a proper title."

"I say we might as well promote him to brigade commander! We can draw elite troops from the various units and establish an independent Guard Brigade, tasked specifically with clearing out bandits in Jilin and Heilongjiang!"

"Give him the rank of colonel and full autonomy. Let him do the job without holding back!"