20 years of the Republic of China

Chapter 384: Tit for tat, unexpected breakup of appointment

"lost?"

Fengtian South Railway Annex, Red Mansion.

Suddenly there was an exclamation in the living room, and several old Zongshe Party members who "lived" here were dumbfounded when they heard the news brought back by Suo Cheng.

"Man, let's not joke!" Gray Braid put the tea bowl on the coffee table and lowered his body, "How can you just throw away such a large amount of arms?"

Suo held a cigarette in his mouth and said with a livid face: "If you lose it, you will lose it. It's such a big thing. If you lend us both courage, I don't dare to joke about it!"

The gray braid stood up and was anxious: "Without this batch of arms, what will happen to the 'King Qin's Army' on the Mongolian side?"

Na Min sat in the corner, looking up at the old man in the room with his eyes raised, and comforted in a low voice: "Don't worry, everyone, Rong Wuye is already thinking of ways to re-order arms. Moreover, the Mongolian troops have guns in their hands." ”

"If you have a gun, you have a gun, but how can those broken guns they have compare with the Japanese goods?" Gray Braid muttered to himself, "Why were they lost?"

With him taking the lead, the other old braids all became worried.

"Yes, why did you lose it? There is still a share of my money in there!"

"Did the news leak out somewhere?"

"Then you still have to ask? The guns and cannons were transported along the Anfeng Line from Korea and then headed north. How many people were handling them in the middle? Who is the big mouth who let it slip?"

Hearing everyone's complaints, Gray Braid hurriedly shouted: "This Rong Wuye is not good at doing things!" As he said, he glanced at Na Min again, "If you ask me, we should all go back to Lushun and think about it in the long term. Okay. What’s the point of keeping us locked up here?”

Everyone agreed, and their hearts moved.

Upon seeing this, Na Min and Suo Cheng immediately lowered their faces.

"Everyone, we have to be conscientious!" Na Min said, "If Master Rong hadn't been busy running around here and there, you wouldn't even have lost anything!"

At this time, the white-braided man sitting in the main seat suddenly groaned. He seemed to have something to say, but he refused to say it happily. He had to put on a posture that was used to watching the autumn moon and spring breeze, completely forgetting that he was in the izakaya that day. Inside, he was frightened by the gunshots and ran away in a panic.

He drooped his eyelids slightly, and under the gaze of everyone, he slowly picked up the tea bowl, took a sip from the edge, and after lingering for a long time, he finally spoke.

"In my opinion, this matter still needs to rely on the Japanese allies to come forward and negotiate with the authorities, so that it can be solved easily. After all, it is impossible for such a large amount of arms to disappear, and it can still make a sound when thrown into the water. Woolen cloth!"

After finishing speaking, the sound of the door opening and closing suddenly came from the entrance of the mansion.

"Master Baylor, stop holding it!"

Everyone bowed down, but saw Translator Tan striding into the living room, minding his own business and finding an empty seat to sit down.

It can be seen that he does not value these old people very much in his heart, and his association with the Clan Socialist Party is nothing more than the instruction of his master.

"Mr. Miyata from the Investigation Department, asked me to bring a message to the elders. The whereabouts of the batch of arms you lost have been found." Translator Tan poured himself a bowl of tea, "The goods were picked up by Wu Datongue. The cavalry brigade intercepted it."

Everyone secretly sighed: After all, it is Nantie’s intelligence system!
"Then please quickly ask our Japanese friends to help us get the arms back!" White Braid said anxiously.

"You want to come back?" Translator Tan snorted coldly, "You guys really don't know Zhang Laoge's behavior! What kind of humanity does that old boy have? If he doesn't take advantage, he will suffer a loss! He belongs to Pixiu, so he has to take care of himself. No matter what, if the arms are in his hands, do you still want them back?"

"Ask the Guandong Governor's Mansion to put pressure on you!" Bai Braid suggested, "Brigand Zhang doesn't dare to quarrel with the Japanese!"

"Master Beile, are you still a gangster here? He is now General Shengwu and Commander-in-Chief Fengtianxun! Dongyang is now re-evaluating whether to cooperate with you or with him, Lao Zhang."

As soon as this statement came out, everyone was shocked.

"Then, let's not stay here!" Gray Braid looked at Na Min, "Go back to Lushun quickly!"

"What are you thinking!" Translator Tan quickly interrupted, "You almost killed Jiang Lianheng, and you still want to leave Fengtian safely?"

His tone was light and casual, sounding like he was making sarcastic remarks.

Na Min was a little dissatisfied, turned his head, and asked: "Translator Tan, where are you from?"

"Well, what I told you is the truth. It has nothing to do with where I am from."

Suo Cheng nodded and said in a low voice: "He is right. There is indeed a problem in our neighborhood. I have seen someone taking pictures across the street before."

After hearing these words, several old braids felt like a light on their backs. They couldn't help but turn around and glance out the window, and then quietly moved to the side.

When Na Min and others saw this, they could only shake their heads helplessly.

Translator Tan looked even more disgusted.

In fact, if Miyata Ryuji had not supported the Zongshe Party, he would not have cared about the restoration of the Qing Dynasty at all.

Helplessly, he has already waded through this muddy water and offended the Jiang family, just like a swordsman crossing a river, making progress but never retreating.

Not only to please the Japanese people, but also to protect his own life, Translator Tan had no choice but to continue to make suggestions for this old braid who couldn't afford to help him.

"Senior elders, according to the information from the Southern Railway Investigation Department, the batch of arms you lost is probably related to the Jiang family."

"Jiang family? Nonsense!"

Several old braids looked disdainful and sneered: "This batch of arms was shipped from Goryeo and was not loaded in Fengtian. How could they know?"

Na Min and Suo Cheng, although they were also doubtful, they did not dare to take it lightly. They just asked in a low voice: "Is it possible that the Jiang family has spies in Anton?"

"Uh--"

Translator Tan was startled for a moment, then said: "I don't know how the Jiang family knew about this batch of arms, but the Southern Railway Investigation Department has many informants in the Fengtian military camp. According to them, the Jiang family was the first For a few days, I often visited various middle-level officers, including people from the Second Cavalry Brigade.”

Everyone was speechless.

The Southern Railway Garrison and the 27th Division are located in Fengtian, and it is not surprising that officials from both sides have occasional contacts.

In this way, the speculation that the Jiang family was causing trouble becomes particularly credible.

"Hey! Not only does this little bastard not cooperate with us, but he also opposes us in every possible way!" White Braid said indignantly, "If we had left the Qing Dynasty alone, this kid would have been cut into pieces and executed in Lingchi. No!"

"That's right!" Translator Tan slapped his thigh, "Master Baylor, you should have said that a long time ago. This is how powerful you are as a master!"

The gray braid said bitterly: "I really don't understand this kid. We promised to give him money, give him business, and even promised him to be an official. Why does he have to go against us and work as a dog for a bandit!" "

"You said this, I'm still wondering!" Translator Tan asked, "Why is Jiang Lianheng so important to you? Isn't he just a charlatan!"

Na Min snorted twice, but said: "Back then, it was this gang that brought trouble to our court!"

"A tooth for a tooth, an eye for an eye?"

"Rong Wuye originally wanted him to achieve great things and achieve great achievements. But now it seems that there is no return for meat buns and dogs."

Translator Tan wanted to ask more questions, but Na Min was unwilling to reveal too much to an outsider.

"Okay, okay, if you don't say it, don't say it!" Translator Tan said wisely, "But, the Zongshe Party's arms have been intercepted, you can't tolerate them anymore this time, right?"

Even so, everyone was hesitant.

Fengtian is not the territory of the Zongshe Party. The Jiang family has so many eyes and ears here that the government agencies sometimes have to rely on their information to solve cases.

If the assassination of Jiang Lianheng failed once, it would be difficult to do it a second time.

However, Translator Tan came prepared.

He chuckled, stood up from the chair, put his hands behind his back, took four steps, shook his head, and walked slowly to the window with confidence.

"In the final analysis, the Jiang family is nothing more than a gang of thieves! Bandits, gangsters, thieves, gamblers, prostitutes, beggars... just a rabble! Why should they be united? Jianghu morality?"

Translator Tan asked and answered himself: "How much money is morality worth? To put it bluntly, isn't it just Jiang Lianheng who has a backer? It's true that there are brothers, but most of them are people who follow the crowd! Mr. Zhang Liao Da only uses the Jiang family as a white glove, not as a real brother or sister! A broken hand cannot be regenerated, but if the glove is dirty, just throw it away, or replace it with another one at worst!"

Everyone naturally understood what he meant, but they didn't know how to implement it.

Translator Tan pursed his lips toward the window: "Have you seen those little beggars outside? They are the Jiang family's eyes and ears!"

"Really?" Several old braids quickly came to the window sill.

"You still don't believe it!" Translator Tan turned around, "I've heard people say that the four most trusted subordinates of Jiang Lianheng were from beggar backgrounds. One of them, the youngest, still hangs out with them even now!"

Na Min muttered and asked: "What do these little beggars have to do with the 'gloves' you mentioned?"

Translator Tan chuckled and said: "I'll give you an idea, but whether it can work or not depends on Master Suo's ability! Master Suo, Master Suo?"

I called several times, but no one answered.

Everyone was a little curious and looked in Suo Cheng's direction.

I saw Suo Cheng leaning on the chair, his eyes fixed on the chandelier on the ceiling. The cigarette held between his fingertips had burned out knuckle-long white soot because it had not been moved for a long time. "Master Suo! Master Suo!"

Translator Tan and Na Min shouted one after another.

Only then did Suo Cheng come to his senses. With a move of his finger, a long piece of cigarette ash immediately fell to the floor.

"What's wrong? What did you ask me to do?"

"You're still asking us! Everyone is here discussing things, what are you doing?"

Suo Cheng put out the cigarette butt in his hand, immediately lit another one, took two deep breaths, and said to himself: "Nothing, I was just thinking, how on earth did that kid Jiang Lianheng know that we have batch The arms are to be transported to Taonan."

"The deal is done, why do you still want to do this?" said a few old braids.

"I'm just worried whether the Jiang family will send someone to Dalian to find out about us."

Na Min nodded: "If that's the case, we have to send a message to Mr. Rong Wu to tell him to be careful."

……

……

At this moment, Dalian, southern Liaoning.

In the spring breeze and drizzle, on the street between Yamato Hotel and the Civil Affairs Bureau, a man wearing a black shorts and a top hat jumped over puddles and opened the door of a Russian-style cafe.

"Jingle Bell!"

As soon as the wind chime on the door frame rang, the waiter immediately came over with a menu and took the man to a seat by the window.

The brim of the man's hat was lowered very low. While brushing the rain off his shoulders, he casually ordered a cup of coffee. Then he took out a stack of newspapers from his arms and looked through them in a decent manner. It seemed that he just came here to avoid the rain. .

After a while, the waiter brought the coffee.

"Sir, could you help me hang up my hat?"

The man hesitated. The hat had been soaked by the rain, so it seemed strange to keep it on.

So he took off his hat, handed it over and said, "Thank you!"

The waiter left with a smile, but he thought the guest's eyebrows were a little strange.

Just as I turned around, another shout came from the table diagonally opposite: "Waiter, two more plain egg tarts, pure ones! I love eating pure egg tarts!"

There were three people sitting at this dining table. Su Tai, who was wearing a red mantle, was already a regular customer. Opposite him sat Cai Yunsheng and Xue Yingqing.

Su Tai turned around, smiled at the two of them, and said with some embarrassment: "Anyway, the situation is like this. Mr. Rong Wu may not be able to meet you two again. He asked me to bring a message, and also invited you two Haihan.”

Cai Yunsheng showed displeasure on his face: "We've been waiting for half a month. We obviously agreed, so why can't we stop coming if we can't?"

"Oh! Indeed, I am here to apologize to you two for Fifth Master Rong!"

Su Tai gave a wry smile and then said: "You two, please don't worry too much! Others don't know, but I feel like a mirror in my heart. Master Rong Wu has indeed run into some trouble recently, and he really doesn't know what to do. However, we The business between us should be done as it should be. Mr. Rong Wu has given me full authority. If you are in a hurry, come with me to pick up the goods from the smoking cessation department tomorrow! The only thing I have to say is that it must be real money. !”

Cai Yunsheng breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Business can make things happen, people -"

"People have to meet too!"

Xue Yingqing suddenly interrupted, surprising the two men.

Su Tai was stunned for a moment, but looking at the face with the sign opposite, he really couldn't get angry, so he smiled and said, "Miss He, we are doing business, paying with one hand and delivering the goods with the other. Don't you still believe me?" ?”

Xue Yingqing slowly stirred the coffee in the cup and murmured: "Of course I can trust your character, but if you don't even show your face for such a large amount of business, I think it's not very sincere."

As she spoke, she glanced at Cai Yunsheng beside her and asked softly: "Yunsheng, what do you think?"

"Yes, yes! Lizhen, you are right!" Cai Yunsheng nodded quickly in agreement.

It's not that he is stupid, but what Xue Yingqing said does make sense.

A deal worth more than 200,000 yuan was negotiated, but they were not even seen in person. Anyone who put it on would feel offended.

Su Tai immediately explained: "No, no, no, you two. Master Rong Wu has really been unable to escape recently, but I can get you the goods he promised to give you, as well as the retail license. Otherwise, why? I apologize, I will make the decision today and give you another box of red pills and a box of local goods!"

As soon as these words came out, Xue Yingqing immediately felt something strange.

The Republic of China inherited the Qing government's smoking ban. Although it was never completely eradicated, it was quite successful, causing the price of illegal cigarettes to skyrocket.

The smoking cessation department of Hongji Shantang sells red pills and local products, and people seeking to see them flock to it. Mr. Rong Wu has always been aloof.

In the past, Master Rong probably wouldn't have bothered to explain his failure to make an appointment this time. But today, for some unknown reason, he suddenly lowered his attitude.

Although Xue Yingqing didn't understand the reason, Su Tai's show of weakness immediately gave her confidence.

"Master Su, what you say is as if we are greedy for your little advantage. Although the Cai family is not as good as the fifth master Rong, they are still a respectable family in Anton. They came all the way and were rejected. , Why don’t you make people laugh when you go back?”

As she spoke, she held Master Cai's arm: "Yunsheng, the business is small, don't bring shame on the family. I think we should go back and think about it again!"

"Bao'er, I listen to you."

"Hey! Miss He, why are you doing this!" Su Tai quickly persuaded him to stay, "This is the end of the deal, let's not give up halfway!"

"I don't want to give up halfway, but you have to be sincere!" Xue Yingqing, of course, did not get up, "We didn't ask Mr. Rong Wu to treat us as a host for a two hundred thousand yuan deal, and we refused even once we met. It's really not us Pick a reason.”

"Oops! You two calm down, Mr. Rong Wu really doesn't mean this!"

Su Tai hurriedly comforted him with a few words.

Today's situation is different from the past.

He had just learned this morning that the arms transported by the Zongshe Party to the north of Fengtian had been intercepted, and he was in urgent need of additional supplies. The sale of more than 100,000 yuan must not be lost in his hands. After thinking about it, he had to relax.

"Let me tell you the truth!" Su Tai sighed, "Rong Wuye will come back tomorrow, but not in Dalian, but in Lushun. He really can't leave, so he has to stay there to help... Sigh ! Don’t worry about who you are helping! In short, if you must see him, it’s best to go to Lushun, I can help you contact him.”

"Shua-"

The man sitting diagonally opposite flipped through the newspaper in his hand.

Su Tai glanced back and realized that he was too excited just now and spoke a little too loudly.

Xue Yingqing smiled sweetly - he looked like a fish, but there might be something to it!

"Oh! That's ok, we are not being unreasonable, what we want is sincerity. In this case, please help me, Mr. Su, to set up another line and talk it through. We will visit you in person when the time comes. , give him the deposit in person."

"Okay! Okay!" Su Tai's shoulders sank, and he felt relieved, "Don't forget, you want real money!"

Xue Yingqing elbowed Mr. Cai next to him, raised his eyebrows, and asked with a charming smile: "Yunsheng, do you remember? I want real money!"

"No problem! Lizhen, I've already said hello to the bank. How about we go to withdraw money later?"

"Shh! Keep your voice down, don't show off your voice when you go out, be careful not to let the bad guys hear you! Don't worry, we can go there again tomorrow!" Xue Yingqing said with a smile.

"Hey! Okay, I'll listen to you, I'll listen to you."

Cai Yunsheng's eyes were full of doting. Where could he find such a gentle and considerate wife? She looked so nice!
Su Tai felt disgusted, so he quickly stood up and said goodbye: "After I have discussed it with Master Rong Wu, I will go to the Yamato Hotel to see you. Say goodbye, say goodbye!"

"Master Su, I won't see you off! Lizhen and I will sit for a while longer!"

Cai Yunsheng bowed slightly and immediately sat back, holding Xue Yingqing in his arms and looking at the drizzle outside the window.

"Bao'er, look, this rain is so romantic!"

Cai Yunsheng shook his head and tail, and sang happily: "The romantic rain, the romantic you, I thought it was rain, but it was actually you!"

"Ah! Poetry! It's poetry!"

Xue Yingqing covered his mouth in surprise, and looked at him with admiration in a very sensible way: "Yunsheng, you are really talented!"

Jiang Lianheng listened in his ears from a distance and felt as sick as if he had eaten two kilograms of flies, so he quickly put away the newspaper, picked up his hat, and followed Su Tai out of the coffee shop, passing by Cai Yunsheng's table and reluctantly He kept mumbling curses.

"You're so fucked up, there are toads lying on your feet. If you don't bite people, you'll just kill them!"

As if on purpose, Xue Yingqing responded by giving Cai Yunsheng another sweet sip on his face.

(End of this chapter)