Chapter 2: Holding Hands! Part 2!

Stars twinkled, evoking memories.
Looking at those not-so-fine hands, Liu Yu was lost in thought.
Some things are etched deep in one’s heart; even if the soul changes, they still bring emotion.
Poor couples face countless hardships. Ever since he became sensible, he had followed Jiang Ningxue everywhere, never suffering much.
In his memory, his fiancée was skilled at everything—woodworking, masonry, farming—keeping the household in perfect order.
Once, after his father died in battle and his third uncle hadn’t returned yet, Liu Yu was on the verge of becoming an unwanted child.
Just when he thought he would go hungry, Jiang Ningxue took him home without her father’s consent.
While her father still hesitated about the marriage, seeing the empty rice jar as soon as he entered, Jiang Ningxue boldly said, “Ayu, eat your fill! Everything is ready for you!”
The Liu family was poor; no one had much, but Liu Yu saw Jiang Ningxue, then eleven years old, magically produce over a dozen sock pockets from under the bed, each filled with at least ten pounds of rice.
Even her father was stunned as Jiang Ningxue said, “Dad is so careless! Every time I cook, I save some rice for Ayu. This is now Ayu’s food!”
She was only eleven that year!
Whenever Liu Yu thought of this, his heart warmed, and he leaned into Jiang Ningxue’s arms, enjoying her gentle affection.
The young head of the family wandered in thought—what would have become of Liu Yu and Jiang Ningxue if he hadn’t traveled through time?
Perhaps happiness, but more likely tragedy…
After the Sino-French War, thousands of overseas workers like Liu Yu and Jiang Ningxue were driven out of Vietnam by French colonizers. Such tragedies repeated themselves during the War of Resistance and the Vietnam War, with millions of people driven from their homes due to hunger and hardship.
But my happiness should be in my own hands.
Holding hands, growing old together.
Jiang Ningxue’s hands weren’t particularly delicate, yet they held endless warmth.
Liu Yu tightened his grip on his fiancée’s hand.
Happiness took shape.
It was a pity that happiness in this world is fleeting. A loud voice broke the quiet intimacy between them.
“Are you from the Liu family? Yes or no?”
It was hard to see in the darkness, but the speaker’s voice sounded urgent. Then Jing Shi Yi replied, “We are from the Liu family. Who are you?”
Before he could finish speaking, the other person rushed over eagerly, “Where is Liu San? Where is Liu San?”
“What happened?” Everyone turned their attention to them. The three men were in their twenties. The leader was sharp and capable, dressed in blue combat gear with two rows of buttons, carrying a Western-made breechloader. He spoke boldly, “Have Liu San come out to see me! It’s urgent. Remember, I’m the famous Sima Tai throughout all of North Vietnam. Remember, Sima Tai!”

Upon hearing the name Sima Tai, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. This man was quite famous throughout Northern Vietnam—a man of chivalry and integrity, with a kind heart, often braving wind and rain to help others solve their problems. Thus, Liu Yu stepped forward immediately and bowed deeply to Sima Tai as he remembered him: “Are you the renowned hero Sima Tai? I am in charge here. What advice do you have for us, hero Sima?”
Sima Tai had originally looked down on this young man, but now it felt like drinking a bowl of honey to him: “Good! You’re in charge of the Liu Yu Camp? Trouble is coming your way—the Vietnamese authorities seem determined to cause you problems and send troops to suppress you. I’ve come here specifically to warn you!”
Sima Tai spoke in a steady tone, though his subtle sense of pride couldn’t be hidden. He was indeed someone who valued face greatly. Liu Yu immediately asked, “Is this true? If it weren’t for your chivalry and willingness to endure hardship to bring us this news at all costs, we would likely have lost our lives. We are utterly grateful for this life-saving kindness!”
Hearing this, Sima Tai’s face lit up with joy as he repeated, “I shouldn’t take credit! We’re all sons of China; helping each other is only natural!”
However, the news Sima Tai brought was indeed very urgent. Perhaps the Liu Yu Camp’s intervention had alarmed the foreigners. Sima Tai had just received word from a friend that troops might be sent to suppress them when he encountered a group of Vietnamese soldiers guarding supplies about ten miles away—clearly on their way to the Liu Yu Camp.
Among the various Chinese armed groups in Vietnam, although there were examples of fierce battles between the Black Flag Army led by Liu Yongfu and the Yellow Flag Army led by Huang Chongying, there was still a sense of kinship among them. Sima Tai was also a top-notch hero, though he had a flaw of valuing reputation too much. Since he had some connection with the Liu Yu Camp, he paid special attention.
That afternoon, he saw another group of Vietnamese soldiers carrying supplies heading toward the old camp of the Liu Yu Camp. Realizing their intentions were hostile, he quickly brought two companions to warn them, “Just the supplies require a whole group of soldiers. Our camp must number at least eight hundred, if not a thousand. You’d better retreat quickly!”
As soon as he spoke, Jing Shi Yi interjected, “Since there are only supplies, just take care of them!”
But Sima Tai replied bluntly, “Kids, stay out of this! Vietnamese soldiers are not something to mess with lightly!”
The elders of the Liu Yu Camp also whispered among themselves, “We really owe thanks to hero Sima!”
“The Vietnamese army may not be very strong, but we still can’t afford to provoke them!”
“They’re coming toward us; we’d better retreat first!”
Jing Shi Yi looked aggrieved. He had finally gotten a chance to show himself, but upon reflection, he also realized that the Vietnamese soldiers were not easy to deal with.
The Vietnamese army’s combat strength was indeed weak. Over the years, they had suffered hundreds of defeats.

The problem is that this is their home ground—they have a large number of troops and can keep replenishing them after suffering defeats. If things get too tough, they can even ask the Qing Dynasty to send troops to help suppress us. Think of those famous figures who once entered Vietnam, like Lu Yazhong and Huang Chongying… Now, aside from this convoy, they probably have deployed a large force as well. Even if we bring out the entire Liu Army, it’s likely to result in a lose-lose situation for both sides.
At these thoughts, Jing Shi Yi lowered his head, only to hear Liu Yu sighing, “It’s a pity Lu Zhiping isn’t in Haiyang. Otherwise, with his integrity and integrity, he would surely uphold justice for our Liu Army…”
Lu Zhiping was also a leader of a Chinese armed group that retreated to North Vietnam—a renowned tough guy whose reputation in North Vietnam was second only to Liu Yongfu of the Black Flag Army. For this reason, Sima Tai had already removed his Western-style rifle from his shoulder. “With me, Sima Tai, in Haiyang, that’s enough. Tell me, how can I help your Liu Army seek justice?”
“Great! With Lu Zhiping in Gaoping and Sima Tai in Haiyang, do you dare fight against me and the government troops?”