Chapter 501: Mother's Hope

Of course, when we mention Mao Tai now, it's not because it's especially tasty, but because it's pricey, hard currency, and can get things done.

It's often used to entertain foreign guests; the version sold abroad is called Sunflower, and the one sold domestically is called Three Great Revolutions.

If we talk about reputation and the heritage of old brands, Fenjiu is the big brother; when it comes to good liquor for ordinary people, Luzhou Laojiao Tequ is more respectable.

As for the regional champions, they differ from place to place.

In the Capital City, cheap baijiu is recognized—just over a yuan, a drink for real men.

Shaanxi people lose their vigor without Xi Feng; that earthy flavor is rooted in the Huangtu Plateau.

The yellow wine from Jiang Zhe Hu is sipped hot in winter.

Shaoxing wine and rice, Yuanhong rice, aren't expensive, but without them, fennel beans lose their flavor.

So it's best that there is no standard answer.

But in terms of price, difficulty to obtain, and usefulness, Mao Tai is unparalleled.

Eight yuan a bottle, and you still need a liquor ticket, relying on connections.

These days, if a household has a bottle of Mao Tai on the cabinet top, even without drinking it, neighbors passing by will know the family has connections.

And Mao Tai's future appreciation potential is huge; isn't there a Du Yuan Siheyuan over there, perfect for storing liquor?

Lu Cheng finished the cup, pretended he hadn't drunk before, smacked his lips and said.

"Wu Shixiong, your family's liquor is too good; why not not finish the rest? I want to keep half a bottle for Master to take away."

That filial remark made Commander Gao, who had just drunk halfway, freeze instantly.

He glanced at the crowd, realized everyone was watching him; he couldn't drink, nor could he refuse.

So he simply spat the unswallowed wine back into the cup.

"Then, I won't drink either; I'll give this half cup to Master to take back; Master shouldn't mind."

Lu Cheng's words made everyone feel embarrassed to keep drinking.

Look at that junior brother; even while away, he's constantly thinking of bringing something for Master.

Compared to him, us senior brothers have no reason to feel less ashamed.

Wu Jingxuan nodded: "In the end, it's Lu Cheng who has filial piety, but you all should keep drinking; my warehouse still has some."

Liang Lihua immediately took over: "Alright, Lu Cheng, when we later drive you, take all the liquor from the warehouse away."

"No need, no need, sister-in-law; if you have surplus, I'll just take two bottles…"

Liang Lihua laughed: "It's fine, once you take everything away, I was actually hoping not to let you, Wu Shixiong, drink; his health has clearly deteriorated over the past two years. If you take it all, and after it's finished, tell sister-in-law, and she'll arrange another batch for you."

"A batch?" Lu Cheng was somewhat shocked.

If you ask a seventy-year-old veteran worker, he'll say cheap baijiu is the best, smooth to drink all one's life.

But if you ask the rural Supply and Marketing Cooperative director, he'll say Mao Tai is the best; you can only get a few bottles a year.

Not to mention, once you start, you can get a whole batch.

Wu Jingxuan then spoke up: "Right, we'll follow your sister-in-law; we'll take everything away later."

Lu Cheng instantly felt a bit embarrassed.

"Am I being a bit thick‑skinned now?"

Liang Lihua laughed: "What are you saying, this is already your own family; if you want to come, feel free to visit Xiao Kun anytime."

Mentioning Wu Zhekun reminded Lu Cheng of Liang Lihua's purpose in arranging this family dinner.

"By the way, Wu Shixiong, I also wanted to ask you, the war on the southern border—can we say it's basically over now?"

Actually, Lu Cheng knew the previous life's trajectory and was clear in his mind: the large‑scale campaign against the White‑eyed Wolf has ended, though minor skirmishes will continue.

The reason for asking was merely to find a pretext, to lead into the task Liang Lihua would later assign him.

Although Wu Jingxuan didn't know future developments, being in the Military District, he could roughly analyze the current situation.

"Hmm, large‑scale wars probably won't happen, but border conflicts should persist for a while."

Since they're all soldiers, the topic drew others in quickly.

First, Colonel Fan said: "I can only say we haven't completely crippled them yet; in my view, we should keep pushing forward, destroy all their key facilities, rendering them unable to catch up for decades."

Gu Yun took over: "Senior Brother Fan is right, but how to fight, the Military Commission has its own resolutions, so you shouldn't complain."

Everyone knows this thirteenth‑ranked Colonel Fan has a quick temper, inevitably offending people; because of that, he remains a colonel instead of being promoted to commander.

Knowing Gu Yun meant well, Colonel Fan restrained himself and said: "I understand, we're all comrades after all."

The few of them were well acquainted; although it was their first time meeting Lu Cheng today, this junior brother certainly wouldn't speak recklessly.

Since military matters are sensitive, Lu Cheng could use this to wrap up the topic and shift to Wu Zhekun.

"Anyway, with no large‑scale war, Wu Zhekun should be able to be transferred back, right?"

Following the flow, Lu Cheng brought up the subject smoothly, earning Liang Lihua's approving nod.

Since the topic was raised, it was a good chance to close the earlier sensitive discussion.

Without Lu Cheng needing to say anything, Colonel Fan spoke first: "He'll definitely be transferred back. By the way, sister-in-law, Xiao Kun has earned Merit this time; Commander Gao and I will step in to get him a battalion commander title."

Commander Gao replied: "No problem, I know the commander of Xiao Kun's Military District; with his recent merit, granting a battalion commander rank is no big issue."

The son can be promoted to battalion commander, and with these two uncles providing protection, Liang Lihua was, of course, delighted.

But she couldn't accept, because her husband Wu Jingxuan hadn't spoken yet.

After a pause, Wu Jingxuan finally said: "Let's not talk about the battalion commander matter; actually, I wasn't planning to have him transferred back. The frontline hones people, and I intend to let him train there for a few more years."

Hearing her husband's words, Liang Lihua felt half her heart cool.

She truly couldn't understand why her husband's mind was so harsh; clearly there were conditions to give their son a better position.

Yet he insisted on sending their son to the frontline, starting from the lowest rank soldier.

Moreover, except for a few senior generals, no one knew Wu Zhekun was Wu Jingxuan's son.

Even so, the son ambitiously rose from soldier to squad leader, then earned Merit and became a Platoon Leader.

None of this was achieved with any help from Wu Jingxuan; it was all earned by the son's own ability, and he almost lost his life.

Liang Lihua feels proud of her son; as a mother she naturally does not want him to work so hard, but her husband is too strict.

She has already discussed the matter with her husband many times, yet he remains stubborn, insisting that the son must rely on his own effort.

Wu Zhekun's current achievements were never based on family connections; attaining what he has today is already rare.

If it were an ordinary person, it would already be a matter of bringing glory to the family.

But as a mother, Liang Lihua does not care how great her son's achievements are; she only worries about his safety. Since her husband refuses to transfer the son back from the Frontline, Liang Lihua can only place her hope in Lu Cheng.

Today is Lu Cheng's home stage; Liang Lihua hopes Lu Cheng can say a few more words to persuade the stubborn Senior Brother.

At present, only Lu Cheng, this little Disciple, can sway husband Wu Jingxuan.