This Gold Brick, You Hold It For Him

"Brother! Save me!"

Zhang Xueliang pulled his younger brother behind him and repeatedly bowed to Zhang Yuting.

"Dad, please calm down, calm down! Xueming… he was just playing, he didn't mean it!"

"Didn't mean it? If he hadn't meant it, he would have burned down Fengtian City by now!"

Zhang Yuting was so angry he was blowing his beard and glaring, pointing at the wet spot on the sofa from Zhang Xueming's drool.

"I was wrestling with the Japs out front, my mouth drier than dust, and I almost pawned my pants! And you, you were sleeping sounder than anyone behind my back! And you have the nerve to talk back?"

He sidestepped Zhang Xueliang and grabbed Zhang Xueming by the ear.

"Speak! Where did you get those cannons that scared the Japs pants-less? How many more do you have? And the shells? Hand them all over!"

Zhang Xueming winced from the pain and quickly begged for mercy.

"Ouch! Dad, Dad! Easy! My ear is going to fall off!"

He explained with an innocent look, "That's it, it's really all gone! They were just a few samples I got from the Germans at a high price. There were only a few shells, and I shot them all! I originally wanted to find an opportunity to give you a surprise, but who knew… who knew the Japs would be so easily scared!"

Zhang Yuting let go and stared at him suspiciously.

He could tell that half of what the boy said was true and half was false.

But this wasn't the time to dwell on it. The moment he thought of the power of those cannons, his heart burned with excitement.

But then he remembered that the weapons were gone, and the anger he had just suppressed shifted its focus to his eldest son, Zhang Xueliang, who had been standing by silently.

"And you!"

Zhang Yuting's finger almost poked Zhang Xueliang's nose.

"Look at your brother! He's a scoundrel, but at least he brought me immense face! What about you? I told you to propose to the Yu Family, and you kept making excuses! Now, even the Japs know that my son Zhang Yuting is getting married, but the groom hasn't even been decided! Where does that leave my face?"

This matter had been weighing heavily on Zhang Yuting's mind lately.

This marriage, to him, was a union of powerful families.

But his eldest son, Zhang Xueliang, was stubbornly sticking to his guns, saying that arranged marriages were dregs of the old society and insisting on finding love himself.

Zhang Xueliang's face turned red with shame. He lowered his head and mumbled softly, "Dad, Miss Yu and I… we're not suitable."

"I think your brain isn't suitable!"

Having no other choice, Zhang Xueliang shot a pleading look at his younger brother behind him.

"Xueming, you… you say something for your big brother."

Zhang Xueming received the signal, emerged from behind his brother, cleared his throat, and stood solemnly in front of Zhang Yuting.

"Dad, I think you're right!"

Zhang Xueliang's eyes almost popped out of his head.

I asked you to save me, not to send me to my doom!

Zhang Xueming continued, "Brother, your ideological awareness isn't up to par. As the saying goes, a woman three years older is like a brick of gold. Miss Yu is three years older than you, she'll definitely bring you good fortune in the future! Besides, aren't mature older sisters more appealing? They know how to care for you, they know how to manage a household, and they're so much less trouble to marry! What more are you picky about?"

Zhang Yuting was stunned by his son's twisted logic for a moment, then his eyes lit up. He had found the perfect solution.

He looked Zhang Xueming up and down, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

"Alright, you little rascal, you speak so eloquently, you understand better than your older brother who studied abroad. Since you understand so well, you can embrace this 'brick of gold' for your older brother!"

"Huh?"

Zhang Xueming's eyes widened in shock, and he feigned a look of panic. "Dad, this… this isn't appropriate, is it? She's my future sister-in-law!"

Before he could finish, Zhang Xueliang, standing beside him, became anxious.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be free!

He pushed Zhang Xueming forward, his face beaming with a smile.

"It's appropriate! Why wouldn't it be! Dad, I think this is an excellent idea! Second brother is young and promising, dashing and suave, he and Miss Yu seem quite well-matched! This matter is settled!"

Zhang Yuting watched his two sons put on a show, and he knew exactly what was going on. He snorted coldly and looked at Zhang Xueming.

"Stop pretending. I'm talking to you. Are you getting married or not?"

Seeing that the moment was right, Zhang Xueming immediately put on a coy expression and rubbed his hands together. "Dad, you see, it's not impossible… but, son has a few small conditions."

"Speak!"

"First!" Zhang Xueming held up a finger. "I want to go to Anshan! I want to build a factory there, to make the kind of cannons that took down the Japs today! We can't always be controlled by others!"

Zhang Yuting raised an eyebrow.

This kid has big ambitions.

But this was a matter of great importance.

"Approved!"

"Second!" Zhang Xueming held up another finger. "When I go to Anshan, I can't be a commander without troops! You have to give me some official position, let me raise my own team, right? It doesn't have to be much, just a company commander!"

"Company commander?" Zhang Yuting scoffed. "Ambitious! My Guard Brigade needs a Major Battalion Commander, you can take that role! Recruit your own men, and figure out your own payroll!"

Zhang Xueming was overjoyed. A Major Battalion Commander was much more imposing than a company commander!

He chuckled and held up his third finger, his voice lowering.

"Third… Dad, you know my personality. I can get married, but in the future… you know, men, they always have their own hobbies. As for having a few affairs on the side, you have to… turn a blind eye…"