Chapter Twenty-Eight: It Was He Who Taught Me How to Shoot!

"What did you just say?" Cong Gui asked instinctively.

His mind had been entirely preoccupied with the fact that Ye Yuan's files had been taken away, so he hadn't heard what Ye Yuan said. During his earlier confrontation with Bai Meijian, he had learned many secrets he wasn't supposed to know—things about Zhao Ming, about Sun Weiguo. Especially after learning that Zhao Ming was the power behind Liu Dehai, he became even more sensitive to the fact that Zhao Ming had jumped the gun and seized Ye Yuan's files.

"It's nothing," Ye Yuan said, shaking his head slightly.

Although Cong Gui was a trusted subordinate, the matters involved here were far too significant for him to be dragged into. Ye Yuan did not want to pull such a young man into these murky waters.

"What are we going to do!" Cong Gui was frantic. "The honors ceremony requires your files and service record, but with them taken by... by Chief Zhao, he certainly won't compromise easily!"

"You should go," Ye Yuan said softly.

Knowing he couldn't be of any help, Cong Gui could only stand up helplessly and bid Ye Yuan farewell.

After seeing Cong Gui out, Ye Yuan returned to the sofa and sat down. He had always been indifferent to fame and fortune, never giving such empty titles a second thought. But... now that he had stepped out into the light, there was no reason to keep swallowing his pride while being bullied by others—especially when the person trying to bully him was the patron of the villain who had tried to harm his granddaughter!

"Could it be... that I have to make a trip to the capital?" Ye Yuan’s voice was hesitant.

The capital. The heart of the Dragon Kingdom and the center of power. Ye Yuan had once been destined to enjoy supreme glory there, but he had renounced it all.

"Let's wait and see; perhaps there will be a turn of events," Ye Yuan pushed the thought to the back of his mind and whispered, "If there’s truly no other way, then I’ll just have to make that trip to the capital."

As for the actions of "Cripple Zhao," he didn't actually take them to heart. The situation he currently faced was nothing more than a minor annoyance. He didn't want his peaceful life to be shattered. He preferred that the secrets he held would go with him to the grave.

***

Southern Military Region.

An elderly man sat in front of the television, which was playing the first episode of *Retracing the Red Path*. His aide, Xiao Li, was watching with great interest, completely failing to notice that the old commander beside him was tense, his fists clenched tight, his eyes already blurred with tears.

When the first episode finished, Xiao Li stood up, still feeling unfulfilled. "This Old Hero Ye is quite a character! To have been captured by the Japanese invaders and still escape, even managing to severely wound a Japanese officer!"

"By the way, Chief, didn't Old Hero Ye say he threw that Japanese officer's medal into a latrine? Do you think it could still be dug up? I'm so curious about which Japanese officer it was."

However, when he finished speaking, the old man remained silent, staring fixedly at the static on the screen.

"Commander, why aren't you saying anything?" Xiao Li was confused as he removed the tape from the VCD player. "Commander, do you know this Old Hero Ye? Is he a real veteran of the War of Resistance?"

The old man remained silent. Xiao Li finally sensed that something was wrong. He turned to look and saw that the iron-willed man was now streaming with tears!

"Com-Commander, what's wrong..." Xiao Li panicked and rushed to his side.

The old man... no, Da Zhuzi. Zhang Qun, nicknamed "Big Pillar," waved his hand, took a deep breath, and pointed to the tape in Xiao Li's hand. "This program, it was filmed in the Northeast Province, right?"

Xiao Li nodded subconsciously. "Yes, it was."

"Arrange the itinerary immediately. I am going to the Northeast Province to see him!" Zhang Qun’s voice carried an unquestionable firmness.

Xiao Li was even more bewildered. He had never seen his commander’s emotions so volatile. He nodded, then hesitated. "But your schedule for the next few days is quite full. There are many things that require your personal attention. The earliest you could be free is next Wednesday..."

Zhang Qun paused, then nodded. "Isn't the next episode next Thursday? Then Thursday it is. Go and contact the production team immediately. I need a spot to be present."

"Understood." Xiao Li agreed without hesitation, then asked softly, "Commander, do you really know this Old Hero Ye?" Aside from that, he couldn't think of any reason for the commander to be so agitated.

"Know him... 'know' doesn't even begin to cover it..." Zhang Qun wept, his voice trembling. "The first shot I ever fired... was taught to me by his own hands..."

Xiao Li was stunned. Zhang Qun was a veteran of the Red Army! Was this Old Hero Ye the person who taught Zhang Qun how to shoot? If that were the case, wouldn't Old Hero Ye be a generation older than Zhang Qun?

"Go, quickly!" Zhang Qun urged. Xiao Li finally snapped out of it and ran off.

Once Xiao Li left, Zhang Qun stood up, walked to the phone, and dialed a number he had long since committed to memory. The call was answered quickly, and Sun Weiguo's voice came through. "Hello? Da Zhuzi, what's wrong? Dreaming of the old regimental commander again?"

"Sun Weiguo, you bastard, you dared to lie to me!" Zhang Qun shouted directly. "Have you already met the old commander? He's still alive, and he's in your territory—why didn't you tell me!"

A stifled laugh came from the other end. "I knew you'd find out eventually. I didn't tell you because I wanted to give you a surprise."

"Surprise, my foot!" Zhang Qun gritted his teeth. "I'll remember this. I'm coming to the Northeast Province next Thursday. You figure out how to handle it!"

"You're coming? That's perfect." Sun Weiguo spoke without hesitation. "The documents regarding the old commander were forcibly taken by Cripple Zhao. Without official certification, it’s hard to prove the authenticity of his identity."

"I was just wondering what to do. It’s great that you're coming! With you there, it will surely be more convincing than any document."

"Cripple Zhao? Zhao Ming? He dares to give the old commander trouble?" Zhang Qun gnashed his teeth. "Is he tired of living? When I get there, watch me slap him to death!"

If Xiao Li were here, he would be shocked beyond words. He had never seen Zhang Qun like this. In all his years as his guard, he had never seen his commander lose his composure in such a way.

"Just get here as soon as you can," Sun Weiguo said. "We'll settle everything right there on the show. Otherwise, Cripple Zhao might just claim it’s all fake and refuse to acknowledge any of it."