Chapter 34

Zhang Xianyang had never heard his father reminisce before. Now that Zhang Linmo was suddenly droning on about the past, he found it rather novel.

Zhang Linmo looked at his three sons standing side by side before the desk. Clear-eyed and fair-skinned, each of them looked like a docile little lamb. He sighed with a headache, tilted his neck, and continued, "I had a hard life as a child, and your second uncle didn't have it easy either. So after I got married, I swore I'd treat my sons well. I'd never handle you the way your grandfather handled wolf cubs. That's why I raised every last one of you to be innocent and soft, with enough spare sympathy to worry about whether the enemy's families are living well."

Zhang Linmo raised a hand and patted his own cheek, muttering, "It's my fault. Born in a wolf's den, and you still insist on pretending to be sheep! Keep pretending, and one day you'll really become sheep. Then someone will swallow you whole, and you won't even know what happened!"

As Zhang Linmo went on talking to himself, Zhang Muyang and Zhang Xiyang felt a chill slowly creep up from their tailbones, spreading through their bodies in an instant and making their hair stand on end.

Zhang Linmo opened a drawer, took out a letter, and handed it to Zhang Xiyang. "I had someone get this letter of recommendation from the United States. You'll be taking the college entrance exams soon anyway. It doesn't matter whether you attend a domestic university or not. I'll find a way to send you straight to West Point Military Academy."

Zhang Xiyang stared at the letter in Zhang Linmo's hand in surprise. "Dad, you know people in the United States government?"

"American arms dealers generally have pretty good connections with the government. I just asked one of our allies for a recommendation letter from the commander of the Blue Leopard Special Forces—"

Zhang Xiyang carefully interrupted him. "Shouldn't it be the Blue Leopard Special Forces?"

"More or less the same." Zhang Linmo shrugged indifferently. "Take that recommendation letter and sit for the West Point Military Academy entrance exam. After you graduate, I'll arrange for you to spend two years with a mercenary unit. Getting some blood on your hands will do you boys good."

After saying that, he sighed as though moved by his own kindness. "I'm still much softer-hearted than your grandfather. I can't bear to just throw you out there! I really am a kind and loving father."

The three Zhang brothers had black lines running down their faces. He was practically forcing his sons onto the battlefield to kill enemies, yet he called himself a loving father. The old man's standards for kindness were definitely different from ordinary people's.

"As for you..." Zhang Linmo turned his gaze to Zhang Muyang and frowned slightly. "From now on, you'll stay by my side at all times. During the day, watch how I deal with those old foxes. At night, I'll send you into the Dark Dragon Guard to carry out missions. You don't need to train in the basement anymore. No matter how hard your fists are, they're useless if you can't throw them."

Zhang Muyang silently nodded. Zhang Xianyang cautiously raised his hand. "Dad, um... I faint at the sight of blood..."

Zhang Linmo glanced at Zhang Xianyang and said with a smile, "Yangyang, don't worry. Just stay home and have fun. Don't you like business? I'll have your second uncle take you into business. You won't have to fight and kill like your two brothers."

After all, one had to treat a "daughter" differently. (Wait, Boss Zhang, weren't you getting something wrong here?)

But when Zhang Xianyang heard that his father was going to send him to his perverted second uncle, his face went pale. Trembling all over, he cried, "Dad, you can't be this cruel."

Zhang Linmo stood, walked around the massive, heavy desk, and came to Zhang Xianyang's side. He stroked Zhang Xianyang's head and said softly, "Be good, Yangyang. It's better for me to be a little cruel to you now than for you to be cruel to yourself later. Your second uncle is actually very easy to get along with. You'll understand after spending some time with him. Besides, your second aunt will soon be back from teaching in the western regions. With her keeping an eye on your second uncle, your life won't be in danger."

No... danger to his life?!

Zhang Xianyang's face turned even paler. He looked at Zhang Linmo with a despairing expression, as though he wanted to cry but had no tears left.

Zhang Muyang cast a pitying glance at his soft, fair little brother. Imagining him soon falling into the clutches of their fox-like second uncle, he silently mourned for him.

"As for those twenty million..." With a single sentence, Zhang Linmo drew the attention of all three sons.

"I'll handle this matter for now. Watch and learn."

He was speaking to Zhang Muyang. Zhang Muyang blinked in confusion, but he was also looking forward to seeing what Zhang Linmo would do.

It did not take long for the three Zhang brothers to understand Zhang Linmo's method. More precisely, they understood what he intended to do when they saw the Guandong Morning News the next morning.

In huge bold print, the headline read: "Do Not Let Heroes Bleed and Shed Tears Again—Who Will Protect the Welfare of the Soldiers Who Defend Our Homes and Nation, Those Most Admirable and Beloved People?"

Below the headline was a black-and-white photograph that took up nearly half the page. It showed the lives of groups of soldiers after retirement. Some, with all their limbs intact, worked as security guards in malls and hotels, only to be cursed at by drunken customers pointing at their noses. Some had lost arms or legs and could only lie in bed at home, staring up at the blue sky outside, while their families, deprived of able-bodied labor, survived on meager pensions. There were also soldiers who had died heroically, leaving their families in severe hardship...

The reporter wrote emotionally in the article, "They once gave their lives and shed their blood for their country. They once fought bravely on the battlefield for the people, without hesitation. They made tremendous contributions to our peaceful lives. Yet behind the glorious songs of praise, those veterans who have stepped down from the stage of history have their dignity trampled upon where the public cannot see, their character insulted, and even their very existence questioned. But what, exactly, did they do wrong?"

"They gave everything to the nation and the people. When soldiers are no longer young, when the military no longer needs them, when heroes grow old and warriors fall into hardship, when even their most basic livelihood cannot be guaranteed—must my most admirable and beloved soldiers, after bleeding and sweating, still shed tears because they have been abandoned by their faith?"

At the bottom of the article was a name everyone knew well. It belonged to the young reporter who had previously written, "Whom Do Public Servants Serve? Whom Do the People's Soldiers Fight For?" Without a doubt, this reporter, known for taking an unconventional path, had written another article that would provoke an enormous public reaction.

Sure enough, the very next day after the report was published, Zhang Linmo, head of the Old District Zhang Family, stepped forward and said, "As descendants of militia members established during the war of invasion, we may understand the circumstances of soldiers better than most. We cannot let heroes bleed, sweat, and shed tears. Therefore, Zhang Corporation has decided to donate twenty million yuan to establish a charitable foundation, to resettle and improve the lives of retired soldiers who once fought for the Old District, as well as the families of soldiers who have died in the Old District over the years. At the same time, Zhang Corporation will establish a security company next year, and retired soldiers are welcome to apply. We guarantee the best compensation in the entire industry."

As for retired soldiers disabled by injuries, Zhang Linmo stated, "My third son's clothing factory is currently hiring a large number of sewing workers due to business expansion. Though these retired soldiers may not possess extensive experience or skilled techniques, I believe in their integrity and sense of responsibility. I believe that after training, they will become the finest workers."

Zhang Linmo's actions immediately earned praise and acclaim from society. The other prominent families of the Old District had always followed the Zhang Family's lead. Moreover, this was a rare opportunity to improve the public's impression of the Old District Gang, so they too contributed funds in support of Zhang Linmo's initiative.

At the same time, Zhang Linmo, in his capacity as the Zhang Family's leading figure, formally arranged a meeting with Jiang Peize and Fang Zhixin, who had come from Yanjing. At the dinner table, Zhang Linmo took out a credit card loaded with one million and handed it to Jiang Peize. Smiling, he said, "I, Zhang Linmo, express my heartfelt regret and relief over the seven soldiers who unfortunately died in the Zhang Family Secret Passage. I believe that, for the sake of maintaining public stability, your side will not provide any compensation for those seven soldiers. But after all, they died in our Old District. Though we disdain their actions, we respect their identities. I believe this was a misunderstanding caused by petty villains, so I will demonstrate my utmost sincerity."

Zhang Linmo's exceptionally sharp words left Jiang Peize and Fang Zhixin both ashamed and moved. They were all shrewd people. Without Zhang Linmo explaining, Jiang Peize understood what he regretted and felt relieved about. A good blade had not been used where it should have been; it was certainly fortunate that it broke, but from the victim's perspective, it was fortunate that you had failed. Otherwise, the losses I suffered would not be repayable with merely one life.

And now, as the victim, the Zhang Family could still generously offer a settlement payment. This showed that although the Zhang Family was angered by the Li Family's little schemes, they bore no grudge against the nation or the military itself. The Zhang Family was willing to engage with the state and military with the friendliest attitude, but would also strike back most fiercely against those with malicious intentions. Whether it would be war or peace, Zhang Linmo had, through a tactful yet forceful approach, pushed the military into a position with no other choice.

If the Zhang Muyang they had dealt with earlier had relied on cleverness to throw people into confusion, using four ounces to move a thousand pounds, then Zhang Linmo, who now stepped forward, used sheer force to overwhelm others. A heavy sword had no edge; great skill appeared simple. Faced with Zhang Linmo's imposing, direct, and expansive manner, Jiang Peize might have been unwilling, but he no longer had the strength to scheme behind the scenes. Faintly, he even developed a measure of respect for Zhang Linmo's forthright, generous, and principled conduct.

Compared with the Li Family, who had caused trouble yet were busy cleaning up their own mess and plotting futures for their descendants, the Old Zhang Family's actions undoubtedly won more hearts. Throughout the meal, Zhang Linmo rarely commented on the seven soldiers who had died unjustly. Even when he did, his words were sharp, harsh, and utterly merciless. Yet his open-handed actions still brought Jiang Peize immense comfort. No matter what, those seven men had been good soldiers he had personally trained. Though their deaths had been dishonorable, and he could not even confidently ask Zhang Linmo not to ridicule or curse them, Jiang Peize, who treated soldiers like his own children, still hoped their families could live better lives.

Though this one million was not much, it showed that the victims of the incident no longer bore resentment toward the dead soldiers. His lovable yet foolish soldiers had not, even after death, carried the hatred and contempt of the people. That made Jiang Peize feel somewhat better. Even when he had to face those soldiers' families again, he would have a little more confidence.

That feeling of shame mixed with relief loosened Jiang Peize's tightly furrowed brows slightly. Even Fang Zhixin, who appeared cheerful and talkative on the surface, spoke with a subtly lighter, more upbeat tone.

Watching Jiang Peize and Fang Zhixin take away the one-million credit card with immense gratitude, Zhang Linmo turned to his three sons and said, "What people call magnanimity and kindness are merely charity from the victor to the loser. In the way we conduct ourselves and handle matters, we must understand that leaving a line open today makes it easier to meet again tomorrow. But remember well that this 'line' must never cross our bottom line or threaten our normal operations. As for the peaceful coexistence spoken of in official circles, it merely means that two people's fists are about the same size. Since neither can defeat the other, they have no choice but to sit down, line up, and divide the fruit. So the outward appearance of everyone getting along is merely the threshold created by balanced strength. It is good if it remains unbroken, but if it truly is broken, we must ensure that we have the strength to strike back."

The three Zhang brothers obediently nodded, looking at their old fox of a father with admiration.

Damn it, when an old general took the field, he was worth three men!

Author's note: Thanks to Demeter for tossing a landmine ╭(╯3╰)╮

Nanke Yimeng tossed a landmine ╭(╯3╰)╮

Chapter 34

Chapter 34

After the charitable foundation was established, the Old District suddenly saw a wave of charitable activity aimed at helping poor families and aiding disadvantaged groups. This was not the first time such things had happened in the Old District. Perhaps because of the nature of their work, many older bosses who had accumulated bad karma often held a butcher's knife in one hand and did charity with the other, donating part of their ill-gotten money to impoverished people desperately in need of funds, seeking both merit and peace of mind. But ever since the nation began promoting atheism, the younger generation, who did not much believe in karma, had gradually stopped doing such things. This time, perhaps because appearing on television and in newspapers seemed glamorous, and being praised to one's face for kindness felt more gratifying than being cursed behind one's back, the younger bosses had unanimously begun promoting charitable efforts under the slogan that when one side was in trouble, support came from all directions. In an instant, the Old District's reputation improved considerably.