Under One Person: I am the Master of Maoshan

In the 28th year of the Republic of China, at the beginning of

"Happy New Year, Uncle and Auntie"

"Hey, put it down quickly. It's New Year's Day and I'm bothering you to fetch water. Have you eaten? Old man, bring two eggs."

Xiao Zhang, a soldier from the New 1st Regiment, quickly put down the bucket on his shoulder to stop them: "No, Auntie, we in the Eighth Route Army cannot accept things from fellow villagers."

But the landlady insisted that he take it with him. This kind of thing was common in the New 1st Regiment’s base.

The garrison was still filled with joy over the arrival of the New Year, but in the headquarters of the New 1st Regiment, Shen Yan and Li Yunlong were staring at each other in worry.

The two of them were drinking together on the kang. Shen Yan, who didn't drink much originally, was annoyed by the Japanese recently, so he also drank with Li Yunlong.

"Xiao Shen, what do you think that bastard Shinozuka Yoshio is planning? He's just not going to send out any troops, and he's just going to let these devils stay in the city without even moving out."

Shen Yan peeled the fried peanuts and shook his head: "I don't know, anyway, I didn't hold my fart well. There is no useful information from Manager Mu recently. The New Fourth Army in southern and northern Jiangsu are hiding in the mountains, and there are no major losses. Now it depends on how the old devil Xiao Zuka will make a move."

"Hehe, if an enemy comes, we will fight him with our own army; if a flood comes, we will use our own earth to build a grate. I am just afraid that the Japanese will stay in the city and won't come out. Let's drink!"

Li Yunlong picked up the wine bowl and clinked it with Shen Yan. Just as Shen Yan put the bowl to his mouth, Tianming hurriedly ran into the regiment headquarters.

"Captain, Master Shen from Baicaotang and your senior brother Zhang Gui are here."

"Huh? My dad is here?"

"Just as we arrived at the village entrance, Young Master Lu was leading his uncle inside."

Shen Yan quickly put on his shoes and went outside to greet Shen Zhongde. Li Yunlong called Hu Zi over and asked him to take two people to clean up the regiment headquarters. Then he also walked out of the regiment headquarters and greeted Shen Yan together.

"Dad, why are you here, brothers?"

Shen Zhongde rolled his eyes and looked at him: "Captain Shen is busy with military affairs, can't I come to see my son?"

Shen Yan laughed awkwardly twice, and when he saw Li Yunlong coming from behind, he quickly changed the subject: "Dad, let me introduce you, this is our regiment leader Li Yunlong."

Shen Zhongde bowed and said, "Hello, Captain Li. I, Shen Zhongde, have long heard of your great name. I have heard that my son has been very successful since he joined the army thanks to your care."

Li Yunlong was flattered and waved his hands hurriedly: "Uncle, you can't do that. You are embarrassing me. Please come in."

Everyone welcomed Shen Zhongde and Zhang Gui into the regiment headquarters, and Hu Zi took a bowl of water and poured them some brewed tea.

Li Yunlong looked apologetic: "Uncle, we don't have any good tea in our group, so you have to make do with it."

"Captain Li is too polite. A bowl of water is enough."

Shen Yan sat down next to him and said with a playful smile: "Dad, is there something you need this time?"

"It's nothing serious. Your senior brother and I are sending a few disciples and some funds and medicines to your headquarters. We also came to see you and arrange your marriage with Miss Gong."

When Shen Yan heard about the engagement, his face suddenly turned red, and everyone else smiled secretly with their heads down.

Shen Zhongde looked around and asked, "Isn't Miss Ruomei in the group?"

"Uncle, Miss Gong is at the back of the base. I'll ask someone to call her. Xiao Shen, please chat with uncle for a while."

After that, Li Yunlong winked at Lü Ren and the others, and they left the regiment along with Zhang Gui. Only Shen Zhongde and his son were left in the room.

"How do you get along with Miss Gong?"

"good"

"Your grandfather is very satisfied with this marriage. It will be of great benefit to our Shen family to be able to marry into the Huawu Association. Moreover, President Gong attaches great importance to this marriage and specially invited the old head of Jishitang and your uncle Bai to accompany us to Chang'an."

"Yeah"

"I'm talking to you! You..."

Shen Yan sat there with his head down, answering Shen Zhongde's words absentmindedly. Shen Zhongde was furious at his appearance and was about to explode when Gong Er walked into the regiment headquarters.

"Gong Ruomei meets Uncle Shen and wishes him peace and happiness in the new year."

Shen Zhongde secretly glared at Shen Yan, then smiled at Gong Erxi: "Okay, sit down quickly."

After Gong Er sat down, Shen Zhongde pushed Shen Yan and scolded him, "Why don't you pour water for your sister Gong? I think you have become stupid from practicing Taoism in the mountains!"

Shen Yan had no choice but to pick up the teapot from the table and pour a bowl for Gong Er.

"Niece, your father and some elders in the circle went to Chang'an Baicaotang some time ago and arranged a marriage for you and Xiaoyan. Did you know about this?"

Gong Er lowered her head and blushed: "We already know. We visited the Wang family before. Uncle Wang has already told us."

Shen Zhongde twirled his beard and laughed, "Hahaha, Old Wang is really quick to speak. How about we get married in the next two years? Your father said that now is the time for marriage in the new era, so we should respect you two."

"What?! Two years? Dad, are you kidding me? It's too late to think about getting married now."

Shen Zhongde glared: "This is not up to you. Although it is a national crisis now, it will not affect marriage. The head of your headquarters also said that certain regulations can be relaxed for you..."

Before he could finish, Shen Yan stood up and said, "Dad, I make my own decisions. When the war is won, I will consider marriage. And I haven't reported it to my master yet, so let's talk about it later!"

"Snapped!"

Shen Zhongde slammed the table and said, "How dare you! Have I spoiled you? People call you Little Mountain Master and you really think you are the successor of Maoshan! We'll talk about it later? Why do you plan to become a monk again in the future?"

"Dad, if you force me like this, I might really continue to become a monk after the war. It would be so nice to be the head of Maoshan and live a carefree life."

"You...you..." Shen Zhongde pointed at him and was about to hit him, but Shen Yan stood there motionless without dodging.

Seeing this, Gong Er hurried forward to stop him and said, "Uncle, calm down, calm down, listen to me."

Seeing this, Shen Zhongde had no choice but to sit down, but he was still angry and glared at Shen Yan fiercely. Shen Yan didn't care and tilted his head to look at the ground.

"Uncle, please don't blame Brother Shen. It's me who doesn't want to get married now. The Japanese are eyeing us covetously. He has a heavy burden on his shoulders, and I don't want to distract him because of this. So we have an agreement. We will get married when he reaches the age required by the Eighth Route Army or when we drive away the Japanese."

Gong Er's words took all the responsibility on herself. Shen Zhongde looked at her and sighed.

"Niece, I know my son's character best. He has the most righteous ideas and always does what he wants. At the beginning, the old mountain master stopped them from leaving the mountain and set a five-year deadline, but when the time was up, he ran down the mountain to join the army without even a day's wait. You don't have to cover up for him, this was his idea, right?"

Shen Yan stiffened his neck and said, "It was my idea, Dad. If you insist on forcing me, I can do nothing. At worst, I will return to Mount Mao and serve the Three Mao Masters from now on and never leave Mount Mao again."

"You...hum!"

Shen Zhongde snorted as he looked at him, knowing that nothing he said would change Shen Yan's mind.

After a long while, he sighed, "Oh, whatever. I can't control you now that you've grown up, but you remember this. If you let Ruomei down, I'll break your dog legs!"

Seeing that his father had changed his mind, Shen Yan smiled and promised, "Dad, don't worry. I promise not to let Ruomei down, and I will get married naturally when the time comes."

Although the date for the wedding could not be set, Shen Yan at least accepted the engagement.

Before coming, Shen Shuren and he were afraid that Shen Yan would have objections to this marriage. He was already prepared to go to the old mountain master Shi Jian if Shen Yan did not agree.

If there is anyone in this world who can persuade Shen Yan, it may only be the old master of Maoshan who brought him up.