Chapter 37: An Unexpected Meeting

Soon, Li Yunlong finished his handover with Ding Wei in a straightforward manner. "Old Ding! I’m handing the New First Regiment over to you now; you’d better take good care of it!"

Ding Wei gave his word, "Old Li, don't you trust me? With me, Old Ding, here, this New First Regiment won't fall apart!"

Finally, accompanied by the spontaneous farewell of the soldiers lining the path, Li Yunlong left Xingjia Village with Huzi, leading his horse as Ding Wei walked him to the edge of the village.

"Alright, Old Ding, even the longest journey must come to an end. Let’s stop here!"

At the end of the small path outside the village, Li Yunlong and Ding Wei exchanged their final goodbyes.

Ding Wei sighed with regret, "Old Li, we haven't seen each other for years, and now that we've finally met, we have to part ways so soon. We haven't even had time to reminisce properly!"

Li Yunlong chuckled, "Since when did you become so sentimental? We’ll meet again, and when that time comes, you’d better treat me to a proper feast!"

"Very well, until we meet again!"

"Until we meet again!"

Li Yunlong and Huzi swung onto their horses. After exchanging salutes with Ding Wei, they whipped their mounts and set off on their new journey.

While Li Yunlong headed to divisional headquarters to report, Xu Gaoxiang, who had been worried about Li Yunlong's arrangements, unexpectedly made contact with Chu Yunfei.

It happened like this: just as Xu Gaoxiang returned to his residence after delivering weapons and pork to Li Yunlong, Lin Jiadu, the third proprietor of the Hexing Residence, came knocking at his door.

Upon meeting, Lin Jiadu warmly asked after him, "Brother Xu, how are you finding your stay here? If you need anything, be sure to tell me. The North is not like your Nanyang—it’s cold this time of year!"

Xu Gaoxiang replied with polite pleasantries, "The Third Proprietor has arranged everything so well; I feel right at home!"

"Oh? What is this..." Xu Gaoxiang looked toward the attendant standing by Lin Jiadu's side, who was holding a fur coat.

Lin Jiadu took the opportunity to explain with a smile, "Just a small token of my appreciation. Why don't you try it on and see if it fits?"

Xu Gaoxiang took the coat. The soft, smooth texture instantly signaled its immense value. Although he hadn't encountered such luxury goods before, he had his platform!

Xu Gaoxiang was genuinely delighted, "Proprietor Lin is too generous—what high-quality purple sable fur!"

Lin Jiadu praised him, "Brother Xu is indeed well-informed. This is top-grade purple sable from the Three Eastern Provinces, without a single speck of impure color!"

This item was not cheap. The man had no reason to try to get close so quickly; business is best built over time. Unless, of course, the other party had a request. Xu Gaoxiang tested the waters, "I cannot accept such a gift without merit; it is too valuable! If Proprietor Lin has something on his mind, just tell me. As long as it is within my power, I will not refuse!"

Seeing that Xu Gaoxiang had stated his position, Lin Jiadu finally revealed his intent. "It’s like this: your white sugar has caught the attention of the local Shanxi-Suiyuan Army commander. He approached our Hexing Residence, wanting to meet with you!"

"I don't mind admitting it, but our main supply routes at Hexing Residence all pass through his controlled territory."

"Therefore, we hope that after you meet with the commander, you might put in a good word for us to help build a rapport!"

Hearing this, Xu Gaoxiang felt a twinge of hesitation. He didn't trust certain people at all; he feared he might inevitably be blackmailed or extorted.

Lin Jiadu noticed Xu Gaoxiang frowning and quickly reassured him, "If it doesn't work out, it doesn't matter. We will never make things difficult for you, and our business will continue as usual!"

Xu Gaoxiang didn't want to flatly refuse Lin Jiadu. If he wasn't even willing to help build a bridge, it would be awkward to talk later.

"By the way, may I ask which Shanxi-Suiyuan commander wants to see me?"

Lin Jiadu apologized profusely, "Look at me, it’s my fault for forgetting to introduce him!"

"It is Colonel Chu Yunfei, commander of the 358th Regiment of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army!"

"Chu Yunfei?!" Xu Gaoxiang was taken aback. He hadn't realized he was in Chu Yunfei's territory. But since it was Chu Yunfei, that was a different story!

After a moment of thought, Xu Gaoxiang guessed that Chu Yunfei must have taken a liking to his sugar. He was a wealthy man, well-regarded not only by Yan Xishan but also by Chiang Kai-shek himself!

The 358th Regiment was a top-tier unit in the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army; a single regiment was equivalent to an entire Eighth Route Army brigade, even possessing its own artillery battalion!

What was even better, Chu Yunfei was a man of integrity with a strong military bearing. He believed he wouldn't be bullied by him!

Thinking of this, Xu Gaoxiang felt relieved and readily agreed to Lin Jiadu's request. "Fine, I will make the trip to meet this commander. Don't worry, Proprietor Lin, I won't let you down!"

Lin Jiadu laughed enthusiastically, "Hahaha! Brother Xu is truly generous. Come, let’s go to Qingfu Restaurant. I hear they have a new chef who used to work in the Imperial Kitchen and makes excellent Shandong cuisine. Let's go have a taste!"

Two days later, at the appointed time, Xu Gaoxiang brought Jushi and Arnold to the headquarters of the 358th Regiment.

In front of the grand compound, after Xu Gaoxiang communicated with the guards, a second lieutenant soon emerged.

"Hello, you must be Mr. Xu! I am Sun Ming, the commander of Colonel Chu's guard platoon. The Colonel has been expecting you for quite some time!"

Xu Gaoxiang humbly expressed his apologies, "It is my fault for keeping Colonel Chu waiting!"

"Please wait in the side hall. Mr. Xu, please come with me." Following Lieutenant Sun Ming's arrangements, Jushi and Arnold followed the guards to the side hall at a nod from Xu Gaoxiang.

Xu Gaoxiang followed Lieutenant Sun Ming through the courtyard to the rear hall. He knocked on the antique door and finally met Chu Yunfei face-to-face.

Dressed in a neat, crisp uniform, standing tall and looking very capable, Chu Yunfei greeted him with great energy.

"Hello, I am Chu Yunfei, the commander of the 358th Regiment of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army. You must be Mr. Xu Gaoxiang! Truly a man of talent!"

Xu Gaoxiang, having practiced his own set of pleasantries, smiled and shook his head, "Colonel Chu is too kind; compared to you, it is you who are truly impressive!"

"Please, Mr. Xu, take a seat!" Chu Yunfei gestured, and Xu Gaoxiang sat down calmly, the two men sitting on opposite sides.

Lieutenant Sun Ming brought in two cups of tea at the right moment, then retreated and closed the door.

"Please, have some tea." As they sipped their tea, Xu Gaoxiang and Chu Yunfei exchanged polite conversation, chatting about various things. After the tea was refilled twice, they finally got to the point.

"Mr. Xu is indeed well-informed. I won't beat around the bush—I hear that you primarily deal in white sugar? You have channels to ship it here? I wonder if there is any stock available?"

"To be honest, my 358th Regiment has many men. Relying solely on the supplies allocated by headquarters is like trying to put out a fire with a cup of water. I am very interested in purchasing some directly from you!"

Xu Gaoxiang understood; he really did want to buy his sugar. "I have always admired soldiers like Colonel Chu. Since you have a request, I will certainly do my best to assist!"

"How does one ton of white sugar sound?"