The envoys dispatched by Zhu Youjian immediately set off for Daizhou in search of Sun Chuanting.
The Ministry of Personnel had already prepared an official appointment for him. Their plan was to first assign Sun Chuanting as Vice Prefect of Shuntian—a position commonly used as a stepping stone for future governors. As long as he served steadily for a period without incident, promotion to Governor or even Governor-General would naturally follow.
However—
When the imperial envoy arrived in Daizhou and searched everywhere, Sun Chuanting was nowhere to be found.
They asked around.
No one knew where he had gone.
With no other choice, the envoy returned to the capital, crestfallen, and reported to the emperor:
"The man who enjoys writing those frontier memorials… has vanished without a trace."
By that point, Zhu Youjian had already forgotten why he had wanted to promote Sun Chuanting in the first place. Since the man had disappeared, then so be it—
Meanwhile, Gao Family Village's Military Academy had already been completed.
Its location was Puzhou.
This was because future development would undoubtedly shift eastward. The original Gao Family Village was simply too remote. Puzhou, by contrast, was ideally situated—its transportation networks were superior, its facilities more complete.
And most importantly—
Its population was much larger.
A large population meant a larger talent pool.
At this moment, Puzhou had once again become a veritable "center of the world." Its bustling prosperity was already showing faint signs of rivaling the original Gao Family Village.
When Sun Chuanting arrived at Puzhou, he immediately saw someone waiting at the city gates.
The man was clad head to toe in mountain-patterned armor, standing straight-backed and imposing, leading a large group assembled to welcome him.
Sun Chuanting fixed his gaze on the man and couldn't help but pause.
"Eh? You are… one of the militia's generals. Lao Nanfeng?"
Lao Nanfeng chuckled, leaned in closer, and whispered quietly,
"Actually… my real identity is Brigade General."
Sun Chuanting froze.
"Eh?"
An imperial military officer—a Brigade General—had actually removed his insignia, disguised himself as a militia soldier, and gone to the northern frontier to fight the Manchus.
This revelation filled Sun Chuanting with admiration.
He immediately cupped his hands in a formal salute.
"General, what noble conduct! But if word of this were to spread, you could very well be stripped of rank and imprisoned."
Lao Nanfeng laughed heartily.
"Then let them strip me! What's there to be afraid of?"
Sun Chuanting shook his head seriously.
"General, please don't say such things. A general of your caliber—if truly stripped of office—would be a great loss to the Great Ming."
Lao Nanfeng waved it off.
"Small matter, small matter. No need to dwell on it. Come—let me show you the military academy."
Sun Chuanting blinked.
"Eh? It's already prepared? I thought we'd have to start construction from scratch."
Lao Nanfeng laughed.
"It was prepared several years ago. But without a suitable person to manage it, it's been left vacant all this time."
Sun Chuanting sighed sincerely.
"Master Li is truly farsighted."
Lao Nanfeng chuckled.
"His foresight extends far beyond this. You'll understand more as time goes on."
He led Sun Chuanting north of the city, to the banks of the Sushui River.
There, atop a broad stretch of yellow riverbank, stood a massive academy complex.
Lao Nanfeng smiled.
"This place is known as Huangshuitan in Puzhou. Hence, the academy is called Yellow Pole Military Academy."
Sun Chuanting nodded slowly.
"I don't quite understand why… but the name sounds extremely formidable. Why is that?"
Lao Nanfeng replied calmly,
"Once you officially take charge, the academy will begin operating. I'll provide you with ample teaching materials—ancient military treatises, contemporary military texts, and… celestial military treatises."
"Celestial military treatises?"
Sun Chuanting was stunned.
Lao Nanfeng did not explain.
He would understand eventually.
He continued,
"Additionally, the weapons used by our militia differ greatly from traditional arms. Their manuals, operating guides, and tactical instructions will all be compiled into texts and delivered to you."
"Mister Sun, you needn't worry about supplies," Lao Nanfeng added. "I'll handle everything."
Sun Chuanting was overjoyed.
"Many thanks, General."
"As for students," Lao Nanfeng went on, "the first batch will consist of all militia officers holding the rank of centurion or above. The numbers will be small at first, so it won't be too burdensome."
"Once they complete their studies and can serve as assistant instructors, we'll expand enrollment—opening it to ordinary soldiers, and even recruiting from the general populace."
Sun Chuanting was taken aback.
"Eh? Even ordinary soldiers? Most of them are illiterate—how can they learn?"
Lao Nanfeng grinned.
"Many of our soldiers are literate, especially the younger ones. If they grasp some military theory, they can be promoted to non-commissioned officers."
Sun Chuanting was completely speechless.
"In short," Lao Nanfeng concluded, "Yellow Pole Military Academy is new. Everything will be a process of trial and error."
"Mister Sun, just do what you think is right. Heavenly—ahem—Master Li also said that things might be a bit chaotic at first, but after a few days, everything will fall into order."
Sun Chuanting nodded solemnly.
"This is something no one has ever attempted. Since we're starting from nothing, let's work hard."
"Let's eliminate the Manchu threat as soon as possible."
As he spoke, Lao Nanfeng suddenly remembered something.
He reached into his robe, pulled out a movie ticket, and pressed it into Sun Chuanting's hand.
"Mister Sun, there's a screening tonight at the Puzhou Grand Theater—The Young Soldier of the Daling River Border Army."
"You actually wrote the story for this movie. Since you're here, why not go take a look?"
Sun Chuanting stared.
"Eh?"
He held the ticket, looking left and right in confusion.
"What… exactly is a movie? Wasn't the story I wrote for Tie Niaofei meant to be a comic?"
That evening, after dinner—
Sun Chuanting clutched the ticket, asking for directions as he walked, until he finally arrived at the Puzhou Grand Theater.
At night, the theater was the liveliest place in all of Puzhou.
Every evening featured rotating performances—song and dance, stage plays, operas, or movie screenings.
It was a dazzling world of entertainment.
Seeing the bustling crowd, Sun Chuanting felt inexplicably nervous.
It's my first time seeing a movie… Are there any rules?
When I enter, should I step in with my left foot or my right?
How do I make it look like this isn't my first time?
Just then, he noticed a young scholar nearby—refined, elegant, clearly someone of learning.
Sun Chuanting thought, This fellow looks reliable. If I follow him, I won't embarrass myself.
He stepped forward and cupped his hands.
"Greetings, my friend. I am Sun Chuanting, from Daizhou in the north. Have you seen this movie before?"
The scholar quickly returned the salute.
"I am Gu Yanwu, from Jiangsu. To be honest… I've only just heard of this 'movie' thing myself. This is my first time too."
They stared at each other.
Wide-eyed.
So… we're both country bumpkins.
In that moment, a silent understanding was reached.
But with people, once you have a companion, fear diminishes greatly.
Thus, the two instantly formed the First-Time Moviegoers Alliance, silently agreeing:
As long as we're embarrassed together, it won't feel embarrassing at all.