In Tai'an County, Shandong Province, there is a village called Xiaqiao in Licheng 10, and there is a family named Sun in the village. Although life is not affluent, food and clothing are still sufficient.The Sun family was passed down to the Yuzi generation, and there were only two brothers. The eldest, Sun Yudian, studied in private schools for several years when he was young.Originally, I also wanted to be famous on the gold list and shine in the family, but my parents died, my family was poor, and I didn't even have a scholar, so I set up a restaurant in my home to educate a few children for neighbors and relatives in the village.The second son, Sun Yuji, can't read a few big characters, and puts all his energy into growing crops, and his life is okay.Now the two brothers live in the same courtyard. Although the sisters-in-law have bumps and bumps, the elder Zhang Lianfang is a kind person, and he is modest in everything, and the small courtyard is still calm and quiet.

Unexpectedly, in the 18th year of Guangxu (1892), something happened to the Sun family—— Sun Yudian, who teaches, is an honest and upright person. Although he is not very knowledgeable, he is very rigorous in his studies and is very serious about the children's studies. "The relatives and neighbors handed over their children to me, and I have to nurture them to become talents. Misleading the children, shame on the folks!" One day, Uncle Yudian's son, his little cousin, sneaked out of the school and got into a fight with the wild children in the village, causing several neighbors to come into the school and make a big noise.Yu Dian made an apology, and finally calmed down the matter.Then, he called the little cousin in front of him, held a ruler in his hand, and shouted loudly: "Why don't you go out and make trouble outside when you have a good time? If this continues, can you still become a good person? Hold out your hand!"

The little cousin is a troublemaker, he insists on not reaching out, and runs away.In a fit of rage, Sun Yudian grabbed the little cousin's hand, and "slapped" it was 20 rulers, which made the little cousin's hand red and swollen immediately.Afterwards, Sun Yudian also regretted a little: "Children are always children, so it's okay to educate them. Why bother to be serious and beat the little hands like that!" He had already rushed over in a hurry, grabbed his braid without saying anything, and beat him angrily.As a result, a strand of the braid was torn off.

Sun Yudian can also be regarded as a person in the village with his face outward. Being beaten severely is already disgraced; his braided hair being pulled is even more humiliating.The more he thought about it, the more he felt ashamed, bored at home and bedridden, he was seriously ill, and it got worse day by day. When he was dying, he called his wife Zhang Lianfang to the bed and said with tears in his eyes, "Lianfang! I'm sorry. Two A big girl (country custom, her daughter is nameless, called big girl Erni according to her birth order) has a family after leaving home, but she still has Sanni and a son. "It will be difficult for you in the future. "

"Don't say that." The wife said: "Who can die if he is not sick? Take good care of him, and he will recover in a few days." Yudian shook his head, sighed and said, "Where's your son? Call him here, and I'll take a look." After a while, a 6 or 7-year-old boy came to the bed.He has a round face, big tiger eyes, a stout body, and a thick and short braid hanging from the back of his head.Standing in front of the bed, he called "Father!" in a buzzing voice. Yudian pulled his son to his side, stroked his little head, and said, "Father can't do it, you have to listen to your mother carefully in the future."

The boy nodded and said, "Understood." Then he said, "Father, you will be fine." Yudian sneered, and said to his wife: "Lianfang, the child is 7 years old and doesn't have his own name yet. According to the order of generation in the family tree, he has the word 'Wei'. I wanted to name him in the past. I'm not sure. I didn't expect that all the parenting responsibilities in the future will be passed on to you. I think, let's call him "Chuanfang". Firstly, I have entrusted you with great trust and passed on my son to Lianfang; secondly, I am also looking forward to the child. If you are promising, do more things that will last forever."

Lianfang pulled up her clothes and wiped her tears, and said: "You can name your child, why do you say those sad words?" Turning to her son, she said: "Daddy named you, thank you soon." Just now there was a child named Chuanfang who lowered his head deeply and said "Thank you dad!" ——It was this Sun Chuanfang who later became the commander-in-chief of the coalition of five provinces. During the era of warlords, the eastern half of China was in a state of restlessness for several years! A few days after the son had a name, Sun Yudian's illness turned into typhoid fever, what a pity!

After Sun Yudian died of illness, Zhang Lianfang led Sanni and her son Chuanfang, who had not left her boudoir, and wanted to be diligent and thrifty in managing the family and living a difficult life, but her sister-in-law and sister-in-law were irresponsible people, and they developed a monopoly. The idea of ​​the family yard is always "the widow is long, and the widow is short" all day long.For a few days, they took Chuanfang to a secluded place and beat him several times. The child's head was bruised, his face was swollen, and his body was bruised.Zhang Lianfang felt distressed, hugged her son in her arms, and cried bitterly: "Chuanfang, we can't live in Qiaozhuang, if you stay here, you will die. Let's run away. Starve to death and freeze to death in the barren mountains I can't take this anger anymore!"

Where should I flee? A woman with a 13-year-old daughter and an 8-year-old son. Where is home? With no other choice, Zhang Lianfang had to take her daughter and her son to stay at the eldest daughter's house in Shanghe Town. At that time, the Boxer Rebellion was raging in Shandong.The Boxers killed corrupt officials and anti-foreigners, making a scene.The government first tried to appease the Boxers with softness, and in the appeasement there was suppression; later, the governor of the province was changed, and they simply implemented a policy of complete suppression, chasing, arresting, killing and beating all day long.Everyone in the Boxer Regiment went into hiding.At this time, some bad people also took advantage of the chaos to beat up houses and rob houses, causing troubles in every village and town.The eldest daughter's home in Shanghe Town could not survive, so Zhang Lianfang had to leave with her children and wandered to the provincial capital of Jinan.He also told his children, "From now on, no one is allowed to say that he is from Tai'an, only that he is from Licheng County."

Jinan, an ancient city, was established as a county in the Western Han Dynasty, changed to a country in the Eastern Han Dynasty, became a government office in the Song Dynasty, changed to a road in the Yuan Dynasty, and was still a government office in the Ming Dynasty. In the early Qing Dynasty, its jurisdiction was almost the northeastern half of Shandong Province. The so-called "spring water in every family, and poplars in every household".Although the situation in the four townships is in chaos.The ancient city of Jinan is still a place of debauchery, singing and dancing.However, for the three unaccompanied country folks, it was still cold. Zhang Lianfang led his children to find a dilapidated thatched house in a corner of a secluded street to live in. Taking an old cauldron, a tea stall was set up on Street H to sell tea for a living.The daughter Sanni is strong and loved martial arts since she was a child, so her mother asked someone to send her to the martial arts gym to practice martial arts; her son Chuanfang was young, so she let him pick up junk in the streets and alleys, and sometimes went to the outskirts of the city to collect firewood. Help my mother make tea.In this way, a family of three, with a meal of bran and vegetables, although life was difficult, finally had a way to survive.

Sanni is a scheming girl who practices martial arts very hard.In two years, he was proficient in everything with swords, guns and sticks, and became a little famous person in the martial arts hall.At this time, Wang Yingkai, the head of the Law Enforcement and Battalion Office of the Wuwei Army Headquarters, who lived in Jinan, found her and admired her very much. He must accept her as the second wife.Ask someone to make a deal, hold a big banquet, and soon it becomes this marriage. Wang Yingkai was a soldier with status. After marrying Sanni, he said to Zhang Lianfang: "Mother, we are a family now, and you don't have to sell tea and water on the street in the sun and rain anymore. I am already in Daming Hubei." I bought a house for you, you can take your younger brother to live there, and I will give you money every month, so that you have food and clothing." Zhang Lianfang said a lot of gratitude, and then said: "My uncle is so kind, I thank you."only……" "Mother, if you have anything to say, just say it." Wang Yingkai said carelessly, "If I can do it, I will do my best." "In that case, I don't see you anymore." Zhang Lianfang said: "My son Chuanfang is also a teenager, and he can't wander around all day long. I want him to learn some ways to eat, so that he can eat in the future. It’s good to feed yourself.” "It's easy." Wang Yingkai said, "There is a school in my house, and the students are all from our own family. Let Chuanfang study there." "That's great!" Zhang Lianfang finally breathed a sigh of relief. The days are stable, and the years seem to be in a hurry. Before I know it, 5 years have passed.Sun Chuanfang is 18 years old.One day, his mother called him to her face and said, "Chuanfang, you are studying in the academy. It's been a few years. I wonder if I can get some fame?" Sun Chuanfang said: "Mother, the imperial examination system seems to be useless. I don't want any fame." "What do you want to do?" Mother was very anxious. "Can't you spend your whole life at your brother-in-law's house?" "Mother, how can I have a lifetime of idle food," Sun Chuanfang said, "I've thought about it for a long time, I'm going to eat food and become a soldier." "Eating food to serve as a soldier?!" Mother was startled—although Zhang Lianfang was uneducated, she had been educated by a strict family since she was a child.At that time, decent people had a bad impression of eating food as a soldier. "Good people don't serve as soldiers, and good irons don't hammer nails." Niang frowned and said, "Being a soldier..." "Mother, what's wrong with being a soldier?" Sun Chuanfang said, "Look, isn't my third brother-in-law also a soldier? Isn't it great!" Mom thinks about it, too. "Isn't it all due to the third uncle all these years!" She looked at her son carefully again, and felt that his body and figure were grown up, and he was powerful enough to be a soldier; Can be a good soldier.So, he nodded and said, "Okay, you go to be a soldier. Tomorrow, I will talk to your third brother-in-law and ask him to find a place for you." The next day, Zhang Lianfang washed up, changed into clean clothes, and walked out of the house towards the yamen of the Law Enforcement Camp Office.After entering the courtyard, he met his daughter first, and then his son-in-law. "Uncle, I have something to discuss with you." "What's the matter, mother just talk about it." Wang Yingkai said while pouring tea for his mother-in-law. Zhang Lianfang said: "Chuanfang has grown up, and seeking fame and fame is not the material. He only wants to eat food to serve as a soldier. Look, my aunt, help him find a place to eat food, will it work?" Wang Yingkai frowned and thought for a while, then said: "That's okay, my brother is not young anymore, he should go outside to explore the world and increase his knowledge. However, he has still studied for a few years, so he is considered diligent and studious, and has learned a lot. , what should I do? Let me think about it." Two days later, Wang Yingkai asked Sanni to tell his mother that he had already agreed with his friends in the Beiyang Army Training Camp to let Chuanfang go there as a student soldier.And said: "Mother, please bring Chuanfang home. I'll treat them to dinner as a farewell. By the way, I'll tell Chuanfang a few words." Mrs. Zhang was very happy when she heard this. "Sanni, go back and tell my aunt that my mother thanked him, and our grandson family has thanked him for generations." Sanni smiled and said, "Mother, what are you talking about? A half son-in-law, although his surname is not Sun, is always the son-in-law of the Sun family, a member of our Sun family. It is not a matter of course to do something for the Sun family." Is it?" "That's what I said," Zhang Lianfang also laughed. "The son-in-law must be regarded as an outsider, someone from other people. In the past few years, if there is no uncle's care, we girls will still have to live in that shabby hut. I don’t know what it will be like? How can your brother go to the school to read and write?" .” Sanni asked her about some things in life, and finally threw down some money and said, "Mother, Chuanfang is going out to ask for help, and he is getting older, so you can buy the clothes and supplies that need to be added; Tell me what you need to say. No matter how old he is, he is still a child in front of you. When the child leaves home, mother has to tell him. " Mrs. Zhang was very happy, her daughter had finally seen a lot in the yamen in the past few years, she lived an official life, and talked about ostentation and reason.After hearing what my daughter said, she said, "Okay, mother can do these things." "Mother, come to my house tomorrow, please tell Chuanfang not to empty your hands, tea, cigarettes, and some snacks, you can buy some on the street, at least you have a heart." Sanni said: "Your son-in-law is facing Outsiders will not disregard etiquette, but pay attention to benevolence and righteousness. Let Chuanfang say a few words of gratitude." Niang smiled and said: "After all, Sanni is a well-informed person who understands Dali, so she should do this. Mother will go to the street to do it later." After Sanni left, Mother really ran to the street, carefully prepared presents, and when she got home, she called her son Chuanfang to her face again, and explained it in a long-winded manner, and then said, "Hurry up and wash in the street." Take a bath, change clothes, and take you to your third sister's house tomorrow." In 1902, Renyin, Spring. A few gusts of east wind melted the city of Jinan, which had been frozen for the whole winter.The Qingxi, which is connected to thousands of households, rang again with the sound of jingling local spring water; the withered willow branches gradually spit out golden yellow leaf buds, and the grass also drilled out of the ground; Baotu Spring became more prosperous, Daming Lake Boats started to sail on the water; people who took off their robes walked out of their houses and walked to parks and shopping malls with spring breeze on their faces. Quancheng is another recovery period. After breakfast, Zhang Lianfang led her son out of the family yard by Daming Lake, and walked slowly towards the official office of her son-in-law Wang Yingkai. A 55-year-old woman should not be old, but Zhang Lianfang is different. Life is too harsh on her. From the countryside to the city, 10 years of ups and downs make people old.Originally, her body and face were somewhat slender, and her two big eyes were quite lively. When she married Xia Qiaozhuang, she was praised by many people! But now, her back looks hunched, and her eyes have disappeared. Sunken, dense wrinkles lock the entire face, only the elegant dress and clever movements, and a little bit of the shadow of the prosperous age.She led her son along the trail by the lake, and confessed again as she walked: "Chuanfang, do you remember what my mother told you?" "I remember." Sun Chuanfang said: "I remember everything." "Just remember." Zhang Lianfang said again: "From now on, I will live in the military camp. No one will remind you. It's all up to me. The most important thing is that I am smart and winky. Your third brother-in-law has spent many years in the military camp. What? I understand everything. Letting you go today is to explain to you carefully, and you must listen carefully, remember?" Sun Chuanfang nodded. Mother said again: "Your father left early, so there was no time to educate you; Mother has lived a life of wandering, and these years are all thanks to your third brother-in-law. But you can't always rely on others. The facade of the Sun family depends entirely on you." Now, you are good and you are bad. You have to fight for I--1!" "Mother, don't say any more." Sun Chuanfang took his mother's words into his heart, and he didn't want to listen to her endless nagging. "I will remember every word you said, and I will never forget it. From now on, I must behave according to my mother's instructions, and I must do things that make my mother feel at ease and happy!" Zhang Lianfang stopped talking, but pulled up Gown to rub his eyes. 18-year-old Sun Chuanfang, who was originally a big skeleton, has lived comfortably in the home of the third sister in the camp affairs office for the past few years. Fang Fang's face, high nose bridge, and big eyes; after several years of reading, he has cultivated a docile temperament, and his demeanor is exactly like his father who died ten years ago, only more powerful than his father.Seems like a good guy doing something.In the early years, although Sun Chuanfang lived a wandering life for several years, it also made him appreciate the hardships of life prematurely and understand the harshness of society; when he entered the school at the third sister's house, he studied hard, determined to be a person who can stand out . In the past five years, he has not only thoroughly read the books of Xueguan Mengtong, but also thoroughly read "Mencius" and "Mencius". He is the child with the best academic performance in the library and the teacher's favorite.The teacher often said: "He will definitely be on the list in the future!" In the past two years, he fell in love with the art of war again, and secretly studied hard and pondered from time to time.The third brother-in-law wanted to introduce him to the official training camp, and he couldn't help but feel that he would do well. Mrs. Zhang led her son to her son-in-law's house, met her daughter first, and then went to see her son-in-law accompanied by her daughter.Mrs. Zhang put the refreshment gift she brought in front of her son-in-law, and said with a smile, "Young master, don't laugh at me. This little thing is nothing. It's all done by your brother Chuanfang." Chuanfang said, "The third brother-in-law After a few years at home, I have taken care of them like relatives, and there is no way to repay them. Before I leave, I just want to show my heart. I thought, I have never seen the items at my uncle’s house. What kind of gift is this? It’s really embarrassing to take it out. .Uncle. You can stay." Wang Yingkai touched the boxes of gifts without being tempted. He was really happy to hear what his mother-in-law said. "Mother, let's see where you said your words, dear family, how can you repay? Brother Chuanfang thinks so, you should stop him as a mother. But, again, at a young age, you can understand It makes people feel happy to be favored. With this kind of heart, giving a sugar egg is also precious. I accept this gift." He walked up to Chuanfang again and said to him: "Chuanfang, you are sensible Good, promising!" Wang Yingkai turned his face to his wife, and said, "You can take your mother to rest in the house. Tell the stove to cook a few dishes at noon. Let's treat my mother to dinner, which is considered to be Chuanfang's farewell. .” Zhang Lianfang went out with Sanni, only Wang Yingkai and Sun Chuanfang were left in the small house.They sat down facing each other - this was the first time that their Uncle Lang had a heart-to-heart talk face to face.In the past, Wang Yingkai only regarded Sun Chuanfang as a child, and felt that he had nothing to say alone.It is different now, Chuanfang is an adult, and he is going to make a living in the society. As a close relative, as a recommender, and as a person who has gone a long way in the officialdom, Wang Yingkai feels that it is necessary to "point out" him something.Pointing to what? Wang Yingkai frowned again.After thinking for a long time, I said: "Chuanfang, you have to go to work, and you should go out according to your age and education. I think you should have planned a long time ago. In this way, I want to ask you a few things , let’s see what you think and plan? I also have an idea in my heart, knowing that you have gone outside, do you have the ability to mess around?” "Brother-in-law, you can ask." Sun Chuanfang was very modest.He respects the third brother-in-law.His daughter is today, all thanks to the third brother-in-law.Now the third brother-in-law has found an errand for him and a place to eat. I am grateful that he still can't find the opportunity, why can't I just ask a few words! "The place you're going to is the army's training camp. It's a place where officers are trained. What are you going to do?" Wang Yingkai asked solemnly. "Work hard, train hard, don't be lazy, don't be playful...and..." What else? Sun Chuanfang hasn't practiced yet, he doesn't know what else to do. "Third brother-in-law, don't worry, when I come to the training camp, I will be honest, not afraid of tiredness, not afraid of hardship, I will do the work that others don't do; I will definitely get good grades in the training items, and I will not embarrass my brother-in-law." Wang Yingkai didn't nod, but frowned tightly, and walked on the spot. Sun Chuanfang was in a hurry.I thought to myself: "Isn't it okay for me to do things so honestly? Doesn't the training camp like honest people?" He asked a little confused: "Third brother-in-law, is it not good for me to do this?" Wang Yingkai turned his face and said without a smile: "Of course it's good to do that. But, have you thought about it? What is the result of your doing that? Well, what is it?" Without waiting for Zhang Chuanfang's reply, Wang Yingkai said again: "That way At best, he is a good soldier, a good servant, and a worthless wretch who has no future in his life! He can only be someone else's bodyguard, entourage, horse abandoner..." Wang Yingkai got a little angry when he spoke. Sun Chuanfang was even more confused: "Why is that? Why did the third brother-in-law say this? Before I arrived at the barracks, he concluded that I was worthless." the general office. Wang Yingkai picked up the teacup, drank it by himself for a while, and then explained the reason for his anger—he put down the teacup, sat on the chair that had been vacant for a long time, beckoned Sun Chuanfang to approach him, and said, "Don't you just go out? Want to be a good soldier? Not promising! If you want to be promising and go out to serve as a soldier, you have to want to be a standard commander, a commander, a warlord, a general, or even a marshal! What kind of life would you do if you don’t become a marshal?” "Being a marshal?!" Sun Chuanfang was surprised: "Third brother-in-law, can I be a marshal?" "It depends on your ability." , "Where do I have such ability!" "You're useless!" Wang Yingkai said, "I don't even dare to think about it, how can I be a fool?" Sun Chuanfang smiled wryly and lowered his head. "Listen, do what I say, you can do it!" Wang Yingkai sighed and said, "It's a pity that I realized it too late. At the beginning, I was just like you, I just wanted to do a good job, and now I got such a small official. The future is only looking forward to you." "Third brother-in-law, tell me, I will listen carefully, and I will definitely follow through on it." "Chuanfang, do you know what officialdom is? Officialdom is a casino!" Wang Yingkai said: "It's a big casino! Good people don't enter officialdom, and those who can enjoy officialdom are all big hooligans and ambitious people! First of all, you have to be ambitious. Defeat all opponents, no matter what you do, you have to climb on top of them, you can't look up at others, you have to be looked up at you! You must have this ambition!" Wang Yingkai was excited, and he took a sip of tea , and said: "But remember, when you fight, you have to be careful, you have to have wrists, and you have to be able to stretch and shrink! Now he is your immediate boss, you have to flatter him and beg him to please him." , Let him promote you. As for your opponent, you must do everything possible to eliminate it and eat it. As long as you can eat your opponent, don’t be afraid of bad methods. Which entrepreneurial emperor is a righteous gentleman? Say two? As for your subordinates, as long as they don’t have ambitions to overthrow you, they have to be considerate, love, and love them, so that they can work hard for you! If you do these things, you will have a future. Can you remember?” Sun Chuanfang was dazed when he heard it, his thoughts fluttered and his heart beat, but he still said: "I heard it, remember it." "That depends on whether you will do it yourself in the future?" Wang Yingkai said: "The commander of the training camp is one of my subordinates. I have already explained to him that he will not treat you badly. I will not send you off tomorrow." , here is a letter, you just take it to him." Sun Chuanfang received the letter, bid farewell to the third brother-in-law, and returned to her small courtyard with her mother. Sun Chuanfang is a careful person, and he took the words of the third brother-in-law to heart like an "imperial decree".After dinner, he went back to his small house and thought over what the third brother-in-law had said from beginning to end, dividing it into sections, thinking about each item, savoring each sentence.It seems to understand, but hazy. "So that's what the barracks and the officialdom are like?! It's not enough for a person to have skills, but also means?!" It wasn't until late at night that he vaguely made up his mind: "Listen to the third brother-in-law and go to a wide world!"