Chapter 49: No Army Without Wuchuan
The crowd was stirred with emotion.
Everyone’s eyes shone brightly.
Ye Yuan’s words deeply inspired both the audience present and those watching on television.
A certain phrase naturally surfaced in everyone’s minds:
“The world belongs to you, the world belongs to us, but ultimately, it belongs to you.”
Sun Ting’s eyes glistened with emotion, yet she did not forget her duties.
“Dear viewers, this episode is nearing its end,” she announced.
A sincere smile reappeared on her face. “However, after discussion with the production team, we’ve decided to add a new segment.”
“Since the show began airing, we’ve received a vast number of letters from viewers daily. Some contain program suggestions, others offer blessings or questions for Grandpa Ye.”
“So, at the end of each episode, Grandpa Ye will randomly select three letters and read their contents aloud.”
“Rest assured, none of the letters have been opened or read by the production team prior to this—that was Grandpa Ye’s suggestion. Therefore, there’s no need to worry about any fabrication during the show.”
“Without further ado, let’s bring out the letters and have Grandpa Ye begin the selection.”
Soon, two staff members carried out a large transparent glass box.
Inside were countless envelopes, all unopened as Sun Ting had said.
Sun Ting looked toward Ye Yuan with a respectful expression. “Grandpa Ye, please pick three letters from this box.”
To ensure fairness, the two staff members shook the glass box a few times, thoroughly mixing the letters inside.
Ye Yuan approached the box, slipped his hand through the circular opening at the top, and randomly drew out one envelope.
“This letter comes from a child in Sichuan,” Ye Yuan said with a gentle smile.
“A child?” The others paused briefly, then all smiled along.
Indeed.
Before Ye Yuan, calling anyone a child seemed fitting—after all, few reached such venerable age.
Ye Yuan opened the envelope and withdrew the letter inside.
“Dear Grandpa Ye, I would like to ask if you ever had any interactions with the Sichuan army? During the War of Resistance, the Sichuan troops bore great losses, yet many remain unaware of this. I hope to hear your thoughts on the Sichuan army.”
Ye Yuan read the letter aloud clearly.
After finishing, he fell silent.
No one knew what he would say next.
After a moment, Ye Yuan finally spoke slowly, uttering only five words: “No Sichuan, no army.”
Those simple five words spoke volumes.
“What…does that mean?” Sun Ting asked hesitantly.
“Sichuan was the great rear base during the War of Resistance,” Ye Yuan said softly. “Because of this, its responsibilities were heavier. Millions of brave sons marched out from Sichuan to join the fight. Among every five or six soldiers, one was from Sichuan. That’s why there’s the saying, ‘No Sichuan, no army.’”
“Millions…” Sun Ting stared at Ye Yuan in awe.
Ye Yuan nodded slightly but did not dwell on the matter. Instead, he reached back into the glass box and drew out the second letter.
“Dear Old Hero Ye, wishing you health and all the best.”
Ye Yuan read the brief message.
Hearing this, everyone felt both amused and exasperated.
This letter was full of warm blessings but squandered a precious opportunity to ask him a question.
Ye Yuan smiled gently and then pulled out the third letter.
“Grandpa Ye, I would like to know the unit and designation of the army you served in, and the deeds you accomplished. Your story deserves to be known by many.”
At this question, everyone’s anticipation surged.
Ye Yuan was a venerable old revolutionary, yet he had never revealed much.
If Ye Yuan answered this, it would resolve many lingering doubts.
“When I first enlisted, I served in the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army. As for the unit number, that’s inconvenient to disclose,” Ye Yuan said quietly. “Later, my unit was scattered. I moved to other battlefronts and formed an independent regiment.”
The crowd was less than satisfied with this reply.
Everyone knew Ye Yuan must have originated from the Anti-Japanese United Army; otherwise, he couldn’t have fought for fourteen years straight.
They wanted more details, but it seemed Ye Yuan was unwilling to elaborate.
In the chatroom, viewers grew restless and irritable.
“Old Hero Ye is so sly! He said nothing at all.”
“Exactly! How can he do that?”
“Let’s all write to the production team asking the same question—we’ll increase the chances of our questions being chosen!”
“Right! But we need to agree on what question to ask Old Hero Ye first.”
The chatroom quickly reached consensus and devised a plan.
...
After speaking, Ye Yuan turned to Sun Ting. “Shall we conclude this episode now?”
Sun Ting checked the time, then glanced at the director, who was signaling her.
She sighed softly.
Half an hour for an entire episode was simply too short!
She began considering whether to negotiate with the TV station to extend the airtime.
Then, smiling, she addressed the audience.
“Dear viewers, our show ‘Retracing the Red Road’ has come to an end for today. If you want to learn more about Grandpa Ye, please tune in next Thursday at 7:30 PM.”
“We’ll be waiting for you.”
The program ended.
The audience left in an orderly fashion.
Sun Ting helped Ye Yuan backstage.
Shortly after, Ye Yan’an and Cong Gui entered.
“Grandpa…” Ye Yan’an could no longer hold back and burst into tears, falling into Ye Yuan’s embrace.
Ye Yuan gently stroked the boy’s head, whispering words of comfort.
Cong Gui stepped forward and looked at Ye Yuan. “Old Hero, the person who smeared you on the show has been detained. He’s now held at the Public Security Bureau. If you’re well, shall we go see him now?”
Ye Yuan’s mind flashed to Peng Liang’s face.
He had suspected early on that Peng Liang was acting on others’ orders, deliberately setting traps for him.
“Let’s go have a look,” Ye Yuan nodded faintly.
“Let’s go!”
Cong Gui immediately led Ye Yuan, Ye Yan’an, and Sun Ting toward the police station.
...
Inside the Public Security Bureau.
Peng Liang sat in a chair, still struggling fiercely. “On what grounds are you arresting me? I’ve done nothing wrong!”
“Release me at once, or I’ll sue you!”