Chapter 73: Republic of China: Starting from Whampoa Phase 1 Chapter 73 Turmoil

·

·

·

Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

The students of the Whampoa Fourth Phase had already entered the school early to study; Lv Muzhi was reluctant to give up his instructor position, not for the instructor's allowance, but mainly to meet the talents inside—this was an important motive.

After all, if some people were not met this time, they might stand on the opposite side next time.

After one class, Lv Muzhi indeed saw a group of future fierce generals in the Fourth Phase; the most outstanding among them was student Hu Lian, who could ask many sharp questions in one class—if it were not for Lv Muzhi having prepared his lessons in advance, he might really have been stumped by him.

There was also Xie Jinyuan, the star general who defended the Sihang Warehouse, indeed deep as water.

Zhang Lingfu, who entered the history department of Beijing University and later joined the Whampoa Military Academy, could recite the Art of War by Sun Tzu off the top of his head, leaving Lv Muzhi dizzy and confused.

By contrast, that student Lin from the 10th Platoon, 1st Row, sat silently in the corner and seemed unremarkable, but Lv Muzhi knew this student would become many people's nightmare in the future.

Just as the class bell rang, Lv Muzhi was packing up his lecture notes and about to leave when the secretary from the Principal's office hurried over: "Lv Instructor, the Principal requests your presence."

Passing through the campus, he saw members of the Green Army Association and the Great Premierism Society still arguing fiercely.

He Zhonghan and Jiang Xiangyun each insisted on their own view, while Chen Geng and Hu Gongnan chimed in from the side, both sides arguing until their faces were red.

Lv Muzhi quickened his pace, detouring around this place of trouble.

Arriving at the Principal's office, he pushed the door open and saw the Principal sitting opposite a young man in a Western suit and leather shoes at the two sides of the desk; the scene was very quiet, as if the two had nothing to say.

Seeing Lv Muzhi enter, the Principal smiled and waved: "Muzi, come quickly and meet Minister Song."

The young man stood up and shook hands with Lv Muzhi politely.

The Principal introduced: "This is our Minister Song Zhiwen of the Ministry of Finance; Zhiwen, this is the Lv Muzhi I mentioned earlier."

If the Principal hadn't said it, Lv Muzhi would have known upon hearing Minister Song that this was the famous Minister Song Zhiwen of the Ministry of Finance, the God of Wealth for everyone.

Song Zhiwen's eyes were bright: "I really don't know how to address you... you are both a Battalion Commander and an Instructor, and one of the persons in charge of the Baoyue Association; I also heard you have some insights in finance, and your earlier suggestion to short sell Taikoo Shipping brought a million in military funds to the Revolutionary Army, truly admirable."

Lv Muzhi modestly said: "Minister Song overpraises me; it was just a matter of opening my mouth, and it is rare that the Principal and others are people of action."

The Principal was very happy, patted Lv Muzhi on the shoulder, and said to Song Zhiwen with a smile: "If Zhiwen takes a fancy to him, why not let him go to the Ministry of Finance to help out? Muzi is indeed a talent, versed in both civil and military affairs. By the way, where is your sister lately? I wrote her a letter but have not received a reply."

Song Zhiwen ignored the Principal and continued Lv Muzhi's words: "The Principal wants to hand you over to me, what do you say?"

Lv Muzhi saw at a glance that this Song Zhiwen completely disregarded the Principal, paying no attention to him, but the Principal did not mind, still wearing a smiling face.

However, Lv Muzhi knew the Principal was just being polite; casually jumping ship was a major taboo.

"The Principal's great kindness, but I am shallow in learning and fear I cannot shoulder this heavy responsibility. Moreover, Division Commander Liu is preparing a Supplementary Regiment and has ordered me to serve as acting Regimental Commander at that time; leaving now would be..."

The Principal then looked as if he had suddenly realized: "Aiya, how could I have forgotten this matter..."

After hearing this, Song Zhiwen had no special reaction; he had originally come to find the Principal to discuss Northern Expedition military funds, but the talk was unpleasant, and the Principal kept inquiring about his sister, making the scene somewhat awkward; only then did the Principal bring up unrelated topics, talking about short selling Taikoo Shipping, and calling Lv Muzhi to ease the atmosphere.

As for saying he wanted Lv Muzhi to go to the Ministry of Finance, it was even more of a joke; no one took it seriously.

Song Zhiwen was a bit impatient: "Principal, Li Zongren of the New Guangxi Clique has now turned to us and also asks me for military funds; a clever woman cannot cook without rice, why do you make things difficult for me?"

"Does that mean the Northern Expedition can only be postponed?" the Principal asked.

"It seems so." Song Zhiwen said, directly picking up a notebook on the Principal's desk, the cover reading 'Economic Notes', "You still read this?"

The Principal did not stop him; this Song Zhiwen could not be offended, so he could only smile and explain: "If I don't understand some economic matters, how can I know your difficulties? Since the Ministry of Finance really has no money, I can send troops to set out in batches; it doesn't matter!"

Song Zhiwen seemed to have discovered something strange; inside this notebook were the Principal's handwritten stock trading notes: "So this is a stock trading notebook; what does this image mean?"

Song Zhiwen pointed to the K-line chart on the notebook and asked.

The Principal was a bit dissatisfied, too lazy to answer, and let Lv Muzhi explain.

Lv Muzhi stepped forward to explain: "This is a candlestick chart, a tool used for stock market technical analysis..."

Song Zhiwen nodded frequently while listening.

It must be said that Song Zhiwen, as Minister of Finance, was much smarter than the Principal in this regard.

Last time Lv Muzhi had spoken to the Principal for two hours before making it clear, but Song Zhiwen spent only ten or so minutes and learned everything on the Principal's stock trading notebook.

"Principal, I will borrow this notebook first and return it another day." Song Zhiwen said, picking up the Principal's notebook and about to leave.

"You..." the Principal was very helpless.

"Oh right, my sister's reply letter should arrive in the near future; Principal, please watch for it; and you, Lv—Muzi? If you are not doing well in the Army, you can come find me at the Ministry of Finance." Song Zhiwen walked to the door of the Principal's office, paused for a moment, left his last words, and left.

Only the stunned Principal and Lv Muzhi were left.

Hearing the last words left by Minister Song Zhiwen, the Principal's gloom was obviously swept away.

"Muzi Ah, don't take what Minister Song said just now seriously; I will by no means shortchange you."

Lv Muzhi replied: "Just dedicating myself to the Revolution; there is no matter of being shortchanged or not."

The Principal nodded: "Suddenly I recall you have been away from home for nearly two years, haven't you? Since the Supplementary Regiment is not ready yet, why not take a family visit leave? Otherwise, who knows when it will be delayed until; once the Supplementary Regiment is ready, the Northern Expedition will not be far off..."

Hearing this, Lv Muzhi indeed had been away from home for a long time; the situation in the school was unstable, so it would be better to return to his hometown to relax.

"By the way, have you joined the Great Premierism Society?" the Principal asked suddenly.

"Student has not; student has too many duties..."

"Oh~ indeed so, then it is not forced; go to the Division Headquarters and draw your allowance in advance... after returning to your hometown, travel more; I cannot return myself......" After the Principal finished speaking, he sent Lv Muzhi out.

Obviously, he did not think there was anything wrong with Lv Muzhi not joining the Great Premierism Society.

Lv Muzhi, in order to go home, asked his superior for leave, drew his allowance, and Liu Zhi even kindly had someone book a ship ticket for him.

After Lv Muzhi got the ticket, he did not first go to take the ship; there were some things he could not do himself, but he still had an obligation to remind.

Lv Muzhi went to find Li Zhilong.

Li Zhilong was now a Lieutenant General of the Navy, concurrently serving as Director of the Naval Bureau and Captain of the Yongfeng Warship; he was the earliest person in Whampoa Class 1 to wear a General's Star, and his promotion speed was comparable to riding a rocket.

Li Zhilong's promotion was so fast mainly because Li Zhilong was the only one in the Whampoa Military Academy who had studied the Navy, plus the Old Hairies intended to support him.

Lv Muzhi looked at Li Zhilong's big face, and only eight words were in his heart: "The tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind."