Chapter 74: Republic of China: Starting from Whampoa Phase 1, Chapter 74: Dad, Mom, I'm Back!

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Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

The river breeze blew, several naval warships faintly visible in the distance; Lv Muzhi found Li Zhilong at the Naval Bureau wharf.

He stood by the wharf, gazing out at the river in a daze, his brand-new lieutenant general's uniform especially striking in the morning sun.

"Zhilong, in high spirits, I see." Lv Muzhi stepped forward, suitcase in one hand, standing shoulder to shoulder with him.

Seeing it was Lv Muzhi, Li Zhilong smiled: "Muzi? I heard your promotion is imminent, and you're heading back home to visit family—how do you have time to come catch the breeze with me by the river?"

"Who got promoted more than you, Lieutenant General? Before departing, one must always come say hello to an old friend."

"I'm not like you lot—I'm a naval lieutenant general, luck of the draw, I suppose; who made me the only one in Whampoa Class 1 who studied naval affairs?"

Lv Muzhi also gazed at the river: "The navy's good—fewer people, faster promotions. Our army promotes slowly... but slowness has its advantages, and speed has its drawbacks."

"What are you talking about? You're about to take up a regimental command, and that's slow? Others might as well hang themselves then. No, wait—what are you getting at, kid?"

Lv Muzhi swallowed: "Look at this Pearl River—the surface looks calm, but the undercurrents never stop. Even a mighty warship, sailing too fast, can easily strike a submerged reef..."

Li Zhilong had wanted to scold Lv Muzhi for beating around the bush instead of speaking plainly, but after a moment he understood what Lv Muzhi meant, and also looked toward the middle of the river: "Rising water lifts the boat, riding the wind and breaking the waves—that is a soldier's duty. To fear undercurrents would be to run aground in the harbor, wouldn't it?"

"Running aground is regrettable, but better than capsizing." Lv Muzhi casually picked up a small stone, weighed it in his hand, then threw it far into the river, watching the ripples quickly swallowed by the current.

"We are all stones now—I, Lv Muzhi, am but a small stone, stirring no ripples. But you are different. Naval lieutenant general, stirring up clouds and rain at a gesture—if all of Whampoa Class 1 were a thousand sails racing on this Pearl River, you would be the largest, fastest ship on the river today, easily drawing others' envy..."

Li Zhilong rolled his eyes, pointing at the middle of the river: "What exactly are you trying to say? Do you see something on the river surface?"

Lv Muzhi looked over: white mist joined river to sky, nothing could be seen clearly: "The fog is too thick—I can't see."

"Exactly! What you just said is like the fog on this river—cloudy and misty. I don't quite understand what you mean. Perhaps you're advising me to be careful?... If so, then... thank you."

"Uh... as long as Zhilong understands. The tide has its ebb and flow; if you truly encounter some obstacle you can't get past, why not retire from the rapid current and await the right time..."

"Oh, I get it, scram, scram, scram... so motherly... What time's your ticket? Don't miss the ship." Li Zhilong waved his hand, urging Lv Muzhi to leave quickly.

Lv Muzhi saluted Li Zhilong, turned, and left the Naval Bureau, heading to Dasha Tou Wharf to take a ship home to visit family.

The ship left the wharf, heading east all the way, passing Changzhou Island, sailing past Humen—the same route taken during the Eastern Expedition, except this time he was going home.

The ship continued east, passing Hong Kong, then headed north all the way, drifting at sea for three days, finally returning to his old home in Fenghua.

Having been away nearly two years, the county seat seemed little changed, but Lv Muzhi's state of mind was vastly different—he was no longer the schoolteacher of old.

Carrying simple luggage, walking along the familiar blue stone path, his steps grew faster and faster, finally stopping before a small courtyard.

Pushing open the wooden gate of the small courtyard, inside, his mother was airing clothes, while his father sat in a rattan chair reading a book.

All the scheming, vigilance, and dust of travel from being away were temporarily cast behind him.

Apparently sensing someone outside the door, his mother suddenly turned around, the clothes in her hand falling back into the basin without her noticing, her eye rims immediately turning red.

His father also put down his book, adjusted his glasses, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, yet he nodded, feigning composure.

"Dad, Grandmother, I'm back!"