Chapter 15: The Super Client!

Just as the Seventh Division’s recruitment was at its peak, across the street at a tea stand, Wang Lin—dressed in a dark long gown with a white round cap—sipped his tea and tasted a flaky bread, turning to the young man opposite him with a question.

“Er Gou, what do you think of Division Commander Jiang Bai’s grand gesture in recruiting today?”

“Father, I think he’s generous, but he reeks of a spendthrift,” replied Wang Er Gou, pushing his cap back and slouching in his chair, exhaustion written across his face.

Ever since he heard that his father had fallen victim to a trick by the enemy, Wang Er Gou had dropped all military duties and rushed home overnight from the interior. No sooner had he arrived than his father dragged him out for this conversation. Now, utterly spent, Wang Er Gou longed only to sink into a warm bed and rest, with no interest in analysis.

“You rascal! After years of leading troops, you haven’t gained a bit of sense. Without Guo the Ghost, you’re nothing but a layabout!” Wang Lin was furious at his son’s nonchalance, berating him loudly. “With your attitude, the Wang family’s legacy is bound to be ruined by you sooner or later!”

Unwilling to back down, Wang Er Gou retorted, “Then why don’t you just say it—what’s the secret behind all this?”

“The secret behind it…” Wang Lin started, but the words stuck in his throat, leaving him momentarily at a loss.

“Damn it, Yang Ting, come explain it to Er Gou,” he barked.

At the command, Yang Ting immediately stepped forward, raising three fingers.

“Jiang Bai’s recruitment isn’t just for show. There are at least three layers of meaning,” he began. “First, by offering food and clothing—albeit of average quality—he attracts the defeated soldiers and quickly fills the Seventh Division’s ranks.”

Wang Er Gou had never liked Yang Ting, particularly since his mentor, Guo the Ghost, had died at Yang Ting’s hands. His dislike deepened, but because Yang Ting was trusted by his father, Er Gou kept his resentment to himself.

“Numbers mean nothing if they’re just a mob,” he muttered, but Yang Ting simply smiled. “Don’t rush, there’s more.”

“Second, by promising high-quality weapons and equipment, he draws in seasoned veterans and junior officers. If a division is like a body, then the ordinary soldiers are its flesh, the veterans and officers are its bones. And if there’s a soul, the division has all the makings of an elite force.”

“That soul is Jiang Bai’s third promise,” Yang Ting continued.

Even with the tension between them, Wang Er Gou couldn’t help his curiosity. “You mean that line about ‘bringing the defeated soldiers home’?”

“Exactly,” Yang Ting affirmed. “Since the Russo-Japanese War, we’ve lost vast lands in Chengyun Province, leaving many soldiers displaced. For those without a home, ‘going home’ is an irresistible lure. For that dream, they’ll fight at any cost.”

The explanation struck Wang Er Gou deeply. He hadn’t imagined that such a simple recruitment drive could stir such waves.

He looked up, his expression now solemn. “Father, I want to meet this Jiang Bai.”

Wang Lin enthusiastically supported his son’s interest. But when he sent men to track Jiang Bai, he learned that Jiang Bai had already headed to the Weldon Embassy.

“What’s he doing at the Weldon Embassy at a time like this?” Wang Lin asked in surprise.

Chief of Staff Wang Xiao replied with a wry smile, “Honestly, I’m not entirely sure what Commander Jiang is planning. But from his tone, I suspect he’s going to procure weapons.”

“From Weldon? That’s a wise move,” Wang Lin said, a little surprised. He waved decisively, “Wang Xiao, take my seal and go to the Chengyun Finance Department. Approve whatever military funds Jiang Bai requests.”

But Wang Xiao shook his head, smiling bitterly. “Sir, there’s something I didn’t mention before. Commander Jiang said he didn’t need military funds; he has his own way to get weapons from Weldon.”

Wang Lin was startled. “He can get Weldon weapons without spending a penny?”

Wang Er Gou thought for a moment. “Father, why don’t we go see for ourselves?”

Meanwhile, outside the Weldon Embassy in Chengyun…

“Commander Jiang, the Weldon Embassy is just ahead,” his guard reported.

Jiang Bai calmly replied, “Go, deliver my visiting card.”

His purpose was clear: to secure a batch of weapons from the Weldon delegation. If successful, it would be crucial to his future plans. Without exaggeration, this visit marked the beginning of Jiang Bai’s grand enterprise.

Upon learning that the visitor was the newly promoted Major General, trusted by Wang Lin, Weldon’s ambassador to Chengyun, Fenn, hurried out to greet him in person.

Fenn, as ambassador, paid close attention to the shifting power dynamics in Chengyun. He was well aware of Jiang Bai’s recent rise—not only promoted to Major General, but also enjoying Wang Lin’s deep trust. In all of Chengyun, few could attain such a position at such a young age; even Wang Lin’s own son had not received such honors. To secure substantial benefits for the Weldon dynasty in Chengyun, it was essential to forge good relations with such influential figures.

Soon, thanks to Fenn’s arrangements, the two met in the flower hall.

As soon as they met, Jiang Bai greeted him in fluent Weldon: “Good afternoon, Mr. Ambassador. Please pardon my sudden visit.”

“What a pure Weldon accent,” Fenn’s blue eyes showed a hint of surprise. “Commander Jiang, did you study in my homeland?”

“Years ago, I spent a year at the Federal Weldon Command Academy, where I forged deep friendships with many of your compatriots,” Jiang Bai replied.

At these words, Fenn’s expression grew solemn. The Federal Weldon Command Academy was not only the empire’s premier institution for cultivating staff officers, but also one of its top military academies. As the core of Weldon’s officer training, it had produced many renowned military leaders. If the young commander spoke truly, it meant he possessed a vast and formidable network within Weldon military circles.

“May I ask, esteemed Commander Jiang, what urgent business brings you here?” As their conversation deepened, Fenn’s formality toward Jiang Bai increased.

Jiang Bai noticed the shift in Fenn’s attitude, a faint smile curling his lips. In truth, his earlier words were meant to impress the ambassador. He’d heard of the Federal Weldon Command Academy but had never set foot there. His fluent Berlin-accented Weldon was thanks to a Weldon girlfriend from his previous life. His aim was to ensure Fenn treated him with the utmost respect—and it seemed to be working perfectly.