Chapter 38 Childhood Friends

  The girl listened and grabbed Yang Xing's hand, anxiously asking: "Yang Xing, are you seriously injured? Are you okay now? Do you need to see a doctor?"

  Wang Mingzhang burst out laughing and said: "Miss, if Zheng Dong hasn't recovered yet, how can he suddenly rise to prominence in just one year?"

  The young woman's expression softened as soon as she heard this. "Zheng Dong, do you remember that my younger sister is Zheng Xiu, your classmate from Pengzhou Elementary School?"

  Zheng Xiu and Yang Xing thought for a long time before saying: "May I ask, Miss, if you live in the Zheng family village of He Shu, are you the eldest daughter of the Zheng family?"

  Zheng Xiuyi listened and actually pulled Yang Xing's hand, almost jumping up. ?? First release of Ai Kuan 38

  Yang Xing suddenly remembered, and immediately stopped in his tracks, nodding lightly.

  Zheng Xiu and Yang Xing still knew each other. It was rare for a woman to be classmates with Yang Xing at the end of the Qing dynasty, when it was advocated that women without talent were virtuous, and few women went to school.

  Zheng Xiuzhu was the eldest daughter of a wealthy family in Pengzhou, and had always been regarded as a precious gem by her parents. Her father often traveled abroad for business, having visited places like the Philippines and Hong Kong. Her mother was also a renowned talent, enthusiastic about new things. As soon as she heard that a new-style school had opened, she sent her beloved daughter to study there with a group of boys.

  At that time, girls attending new schools were fashionable things and also received a lot of discrimination. Therefore, in the class, although Zheng Xiu was a young lady, she was still quiet and reserved, focusing only on reading the books of saints and sages.

  Because Yang Xing grew up in a poor family, it was impossible for him to mock her like those rich kids did, making fun of a girl going to school and reading books, so the two people in the class didn't have any embarrassing moments.

  Also don't know what reason, in school at that time, Yang Xing took care of Zheng Xiuxiu many times, whenever there was a big cleanup, he would stand up and help.

  When Yang Xing's parents passed away, he was in a predicament. Before being persuaded by Teacher Zhu to join the new army, Zheng Miss had also suggested that young Yang Xing go out and make a name for himself, saying that his ancestors had probably become prosperous outside.

  Looking back now, if a girl said something like that to you at the end of the Qing dynasty, it means that her relationship with you is not simple, and she has some gratitude in her heart.

  Thinking of this, looking at the jade person in front of him, he was overjoyed and said: "It's actually Zheng Tongxue, sorry for not recognizing you earlier. It's been many years since we last met, and when I first saw you, I felt a bit familiar, but couldn't quite place where I had seen this young lady before. Now I know it's actually Zheng Tongxue, how have you been these past few years?"

  It turned out to be so, Zheng Xiu was overjoyed, and at that time introduced the woman next to him to everyone, it turned out that she was Zheng Xiu's elder sister-in-law, Zhang Cui Cui, a native of Xi Chong, and was of the same clan as Mr. Zhang Lan.

  I heard that Zhang Lan is hosting a dinner party in Chengdu to announce his candidacy for the National People's Congress, and he immediately brought his sister-in-law along.

  Unexpectedly ran into an old classmate on the road, I guess this is also a case of "no coincidence, no story".

  Zheng Xiu's life has been very monotonous in recent years, always studying, and is now a third-year high school student at Chengdu Girls' School.

  During this time, Yang Xing also introduced Li Jiayu and Wang Mingzhang to the two of them.

  "Look who's here, old friend!" Wang Mingzhang joked: "Zheng Dong, I said why your whole body is retreating backwards, turns out there's a beauty behind you, originally it was a childhood sweetheart ah?"

  As soon as she heard this, Zheng Xiu's face turned even redder, and she lowered her head, saying: "Brother Wang, don't tease a young woman."

  Li Jiayu, who was never one to joke around, said seriously: "Zi Zhong, you're wrong. They fell in love at first sight. Look, Zhen Dong is normally very proper and reserved, and he doesn't even dare look girls straight in the eye. Today, how did he end up being so out of control? Not only did he crash into someone from that far away, but also..."

  Zhang Cuicui couldn't take it anymore. Zheng Xiu was after all her own bosom friend, her own younger sister-in-law. How could she let others speak of her like that? She immediately scolded: "You two, can you spit out ivory from a dog's mouth? A good relationship between schoolmates, how did you guys make it sound so different? You should know our family's old man is very stubborn. Xiu, don't bother with these soldiers anymore. It seems like calling them soldiers earlier was just right."

  Seeing Yang Xing and Zheng Xiou walking together, Zhang Cuicui repeatedly stopped him: "Zheng Dong, everyone is talking about it. During the Western Expedition to Sichuan Province, Zheng Dong was with Meng Yunxian, a famous figure in Sichuan Province. If that's true, don't mess with our family's Ah Xiou!"

  Wang Mingzhang immediately asked in a row: Oh, you kid are not simple, actually walking together with Meng Yuxian and Meng Banzhong, also a famous scholar.

  Zhang Cuicui cursed repeatedly: What a famous scholar, just a hooligan, and still a famous scholar?

  Yang Xing smiled and said: "Zhang Dasao, when I was in Kangding, I did meet Meng Banzhong a few times."

  Zheng Xiujian hastily stopped her, saying: "Sister-in-law, Zhen Dong has already said that they are fine, why do you have to ask him in person? It's not good."

  Yang Xing was about to say something, but seeing that they were about to arrive at Wangjiang Tower, he immediately stopped everyone from making a fuss, and the group followed Zhang's guidance to the party venue.

  Zhang Lan welcomed the guests at the door, and when he saw Yang Xing and his cousin's daughter and others arrive, he was shocked. After asking, it turned out to be such a thing, and he sighed that the whole Chengdu is so small. He also took this opportunity to explain why he wanted to run for National Congress, in order to raise everyone's attention to national affairs.

  At this time, Wang Xiu also arrived on the scene, and upon inquiry, it turned out that he was an old acquaintance of Zhang Lan.

  How could they not be old acquaintances? Given that Wang Xun and Zhang Lan were both from Shunqing, Sichuan, and Zhang Lan was a great Confucian scholar of northern Sichuan, while Wang Xun had passed the imperial examination at a young age, how could they not have known each other before?

  Looking at Wang Huixiu's back, Zhang Cuicui smiled and said: You this bumpkin, want to say that there are many famous scholars, but Wang Zhiyi is indeed a famous scholar. He is a real holder of the imperial examination, while you are just a student from Penglai Primary School.

  In the interval, Yang Xing and Wang Xunxu told Zhang Lan about the treatment they received after Yin Dajun left, also expressing their desire to lead the team back to their hometown to protect the border and bring peace to the people.

  Zhang Lan was overjoyed to hear that. In the early days of the Republic, society was in turmoil, and various forces intersected and intertwined in northern Sichuan, with several gangs of bandits roaming around, which had always been a major headache for the Pacification Commissioner of northern Sichuan.

  Although he organized several suppression campaigns during his tenure, the government troops were weak and the northern Sichuan was a hilly area, so they had no success for several months.

  Now there is such a powerful journey that actually takes the initiative to request to be stationed in northern Sichuan, and actively undertakes the heavy responsibility of sweeping away bandits. Zhang Lan immediately agreed, and planned to personally request from Governor Hu Jingyi.

  Hearing that Zhang Lan had agreed, Yang Xing was overjoyed and thus viewed this trip as worthwhile.

  Seeing everyone huddled together, Zhang Lan smiled and said: "Yang Tuanzhang, Wang Zhiyi, come on, let's go outside and take a look. Today, to add to the excitement, I've spent a lot of money and invited a theater troupe to perform, so let's all go out and watch."

  In a moment, they arrived at the hall and saw that a stage had already been set up. Zheng Xiu saw Yang Xing from afar and hastily rushed over to grab him, saying: "Zheng Dong, where did you run off to? You're really hard to find!"

  Xiao Dao: I just had a word with Mr. Biao, Zheng Tongxue, what's wrong?

  On the side, Zhang Cuicui interjected: "Commander Yang, I've been saying this for a few days now, and I saw it in you a few years ago - you're a heroic figure. Today, as soon as I saw you, you were chattering away nonstop, completely transformed into a different person."

  Zheng Xiuyi listened and scolded her sister-in-law: "Sister, don't talk nonsense, let Yang Team Leader laugh at you."

  However, Yang Xing didn't think much of it, picked up a stool, sat down on one side, sipped tea and chatted.

  Zheng Xiuxiu kept asking about the details of this time's Ping Cang affair, telling Yang Xing that this time's Pi Gou Liangzi ambush and the battle where Da Zhan Sangdong was killed had already become a beautiful topic on every street corner. Sanqing Association even compiled an opera, which was performed in Yue Li Lou, and the storytellers also added oil to the fire, commenting on it in various tea houses.

  Zheng Xiu kept asking about the details of the battle, especially about how Da Zhan was killed. However, when Yang Xing told him about it, he often felt that there was something hidden, why? Because what he said was different from what was said in the novel.

  Upon hearing this, Yang Xing couldn't help but sigh in admiration for the kindness of the people during the Republic of China era.

  By the time it was evening, the play officially started. What was unexpected was that among those who came on stage was Meng Yunxian, a famous dan of Sichuan Opera. Looking at this strange woman who had once despised him, Yang Xing felt a slight heartache.

  However, many people commented that the play was still good, but it didn't have the same magic as before, and seemed to be missing something.

  However, Zheng Xiuzhen was infatuated and spoke bluntly, saying that this singing is too good. Sometimes, she would hum a sentence next to him and ask: Zheng Dong, how do you think I sang?

  As for the opera, I had no impression in my previous life. In Yang Xing's memory, he only watched a few traveling troupes performing in the county town and didn't have any deep impressions. He burst out laughing: Ah Xiu, as Miss Zhang just said, this is something for refined scholars, I'm just an uncouth fellow, what could I possibly understand?

  Zheng Xiubai didn't react, but Wang Xiuju beside him thought to himself: Our team leader is so infatuated with girls. That Meng Yuxian on stage, wasn't she very close to Kangding? Why did an old classmate come today and also a childhood sweetheart?

  He smiled and said: "Zhēng Dōng, aren't you a bit familiar with Meng Yún Xiān and Meng Bān Zhǔ? Let's ask Meng Bān Zhǔ to evaluate later, won't that be settled?"

  Zheng Xiuyi listened and thought it was a good thing, so he immediately asked Yang Xing to invite Meng Banzhong over for a chat. If nothing else, he could also teach himself to sing a couple of songs.

  Yang Xing heard this and immediately made a face at Wang Xiu, who looked at him and laughed: "I was just joking, we only had a few encounters in Kangding back then."

  This undoubtedly increased Zheng Xiu's interest, and he repeatedly begged Yang Xing to go backstage. In the end, seeing that his begging was in vain, he actually pulled Zhang Cuicui to run backstage.

  Seeing the two leaving, Yang Xing immediately explained the situation to Wang Huanxu. Upon hearing this, everyone sighed and shook their heads in regret.

  Wang Mingzhang couldn't help but laugh and say, "Conquering the east, losing at Sangyu, gaining in Dongyuan. This Meng Banzhao may have a reputation, but he's still not as down-to-earth as Miss Zheng. Miss Zheng is so innocent and lovely, with a heart full of sincerity."

  Li Jiayu shook his head repeatedly and said, "Alas, Zheng Dong, if you abandon Meng Banzhao, it would be a bit ungrateful. But if that's the case, we can only lament for Meng Banzhao."