L.F-Hist.Novelist Chapter 73 A-Kui Sends His Sister Off
Chapter 73 A-Kui Sends His Sister Off
Liu Hengfu's rise from a blacksmith to become a powerful warlord on Luzon Island was not due to cowardice, but rather to his consistently cautious approach.
He was about to explain when Chen Feng gave him no chance, turning his horse around and scoffing, "I thought General Liu was a towering hero, but I didn't expect him to be so cowardly and suspicious. It seems we have nothing more to discuss."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Liu Hengfu's urgent voice came from behind: "General Chen, you are mistaken!"
Chen Feng reined in the horses and slowly turned around.
Liu Hengfu mounted his horse and followed closely behind, proclaiming loudly, "I, Liu Hengfu, rose from humble beginnings as a blacksmith, leading three thousand Chinese men to resist the Western barbarians and defend our territory. In the defense of Cavite, we annihilated over a thousand enemies; in the bloody battle atop Imus, we killed three thousand five thousand. Having endured countless trials and tribulations, have I ever feared the clash of swords?"
His voice grew louder and louder, as if deliberately trying to make it echo through the valley: "I'm not staying in the camp because I'm afraid of your ambush, Chen Feng, but because I don't want to disturb your military affairs, and I'm even more afraid of being misunderstood as someone who's here to spy on the army! But you say I'm a coward today, then I'll definitely venture into your den of dragons and tigers, and show you just how tough the bones of us Fujianese men really are! Whether we can compare to the heroes from your Yan and Zhao lands!"
Upon hearing this, Juan's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly whispered a dissuasion: "General, this is, after all, the camp of the Chinese Free Army. What if..."
"It's alright!"
Liu Hengfu raised his hand to interrupt, raising his voice again as if addressing all the Free Army soldiers, "General Chen is a Chinese hero, I don't believe he would harm his compatriots! If he doesn't even have this much magnanimity, he doesn't deserve to lead so many Chinese youths!"
Having said that, he looked intently at Chen Feng and said with a defiant smile, "What? General Chen just invited me into the camp, was it just a formality? Are you really afraid I'll discover some military intelligence?"
"General Liu, what are you saying? I, Chen Feng, have always been upright and honest, and am by no means a hypocrite!"
Chen Feng laughed heartily, dismounted, and gestured for him to proceed. "But the military camp only has boiled meat in salt water; there are no delicacies. Please don't think I'm being negligent."
"Hahaha... This is how you eat and drink to your heart's content!" Liu Hengfu laughed loudly, immediately dismounted, and strode towards the camp gate.
But as soon as he stepped into the camp gate, the smile on his face suddenly froze.
All the soldiers in the camp were dressed in neat gray training uniforms, their postures as upright as pine trees, and their steps were synchronized during drills, making a resounding sound.
Even when they saw the group enter, the soldiers kept their eyes straight ahead, not even lifting their eyelids when a mosquito flew past them.
This level of military discipline is several times stricter than that of the elite troops of the Independent Army!
He couldn't help but admire in his heart: What a fierce and powerful army! This Chen Feng is so young, yet he has such ability to lead troops. He is truly a remarkable hero!
On the other hand, Chen Feng's impression of him also completely changed.
This man is neither a petty opportunist who curries favor with the powerful, nor a gangster who marries an old woman to make a living!
He is cautious yet courageous, and quick to adapt to changing circumstances. He is a figure who will leave a significant mark on the history of the Chinese community in Luzon and is worthy of our friendship!
Chen Feng snapped out of his thoughts and smiled as he led him into the camp: "General Liu, the arsenal you founded in Imus can produce three to five hundred rifles and tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition every month. It's practically the lifeline of the Independent Army's supplies. Without your arsenal, the Independent Army probably wouldn't even be able to muster enough guns, would it?"
Liu Hengfu paused, withdrew his gaze, and said calmly, "This is all for the sake of enabling Chinese people to establish themselves in Luzon; it's nothing to mention."
"How can it be so insignificant?"
Chen Feng changed the subject, his tone tinged with regret, "Such achievements only earned him the rank of brigadier general, not even enough to enter the core decision-making circle of the Independent Army. It's such a waste."
Liu Hengfu's face darkened slightly, and he did not reply, but a huge wave of emotions surged in his heart.
He was a strong-willed man who fought for the Chinese and devoted himself to the independence movement. He even put aside his pride and married Aquinas's widow in order to gain a foothold in the movement. In the end, however, he was always ostracized by the core circle of the independence movement and was controlled at every turn.
He had never spoken of his frustration and resentment to anyone, yet Chen Feng had revealed it all in a single sentence!
The two walked into the camp side by side. Liu Hengfu's eyes swept over the camp layout: the tents were arranged neatly, and the logistics area, training area, armory area, medical shed, and new recruit barracks were clearly divided. Even the toilets had designated areas. Everything was well-organized, and the person who arranged it was definitely a veteran general who was well-versed in military affairs.
Looking at the soldiers' meals, although simple, they were filling, with two pieces of fatty meat in each bowl, which was much better than the Independent Army soldiers' meals of mixed grains and sand.
"An army that can maintain strict discipline and ample supplies must have an exceptionally capable commander."
Liu Hengfu thought to himself, and couldn't help but sincerely praise, "General Chen is a skilled military leader who cares for his subordinates. I admire him."
"It's just to ensure that the brothers who follow me have enough to eat and a way to survive."
As they spoke, Chen Feng led him into the central stone house and shouted, "Men! Bring wine! Bring meat! Today, General Liu and I will not leave until we are drunk!"
As soon as Liu Hengfu sat down, his gaze was immediately drawn to the full map of Luzon hanging on the wall, and his pupils contracted again!
The map clearly shows key cities such as Manila, Batangas, and Cavite marked with red circles. The US landing points on the Bataan Peninsula are also highlighted. The blank spaces on the map are filled with troop deployments, supply routes, and even the strongholds of the remnants of the Western Army!
With such vision and strategic planning, he is no ordinary commoner general, but a powerful lord with a grand vision and ambitions!
"General Liu, let's drink."
Chen Feng pushed the wine bowl in front of him and said casually, "I heard that you raised more than 600,000 pesos for the independence army, relieving their urgent needs. I really admire your ability."
Liu Hengfu picked up the wine bowl and drank it all in one gulp. The strong liquor went down his throat, but it couldn't suppress the melancholy and frustration in his heart.
The 600,000 pesos was hard-earned money he had begged from door to door, but he was just a figurehead brigadier general who didn't even get a shred of real military power.
"General Chen is joking."
Suppressing his frustration, Liu Hengfu changed the subject, his expression becoming solemn. "Besides conveying the Commander-in-Chief's invitation, I have another matter to report on behalf of the Commander-in-Chief."
Chen Feng looked curious and said, "General Liu, please speak freely."
"The Commander-in-Chief greatly admires General Chen's talent and values the strength of the Chinese Free Army. He wishes to form a marriage alliance with the General."
Liu Hengfu stared intently at Chen Feng and slowly said, "The Commander-in-Chief's cousin, Ms. Eva, is virtuous, intelligent, and still unmarried. The Commander-in-Chief intends to marry Ms. Eva to General Chen, so that our two armies can form an alliance to fight against the Western barbarians and build a new nation together."
Chen Feng's smile froze instantly, and he cursed inwardly: "Fuck him!"
Judging solely by her character, without even mentioning her appearance, it's obvious what kind of person this woman is!
Aquinado is in his early thirties, and his cousin is still unmarried. She is either old and faded or ugly, and is probably an old woman no one wants!
This guy really has a good plan. He only wants to use one woman to tie himself and the Free Army to his war machine!
Liu Hengfu took in Chen Feng's changing expression and assumed he was waiting for a better offer. He pressed on, adding, "The Commander-in-Chief also said that if General Chen agrees, in addition to the rank of Brigadier General, the number of Chinese seats in Parliament can be increased to three."