20 years of the Republic of China

Chapter 484: Gangs and YMCA
"Boss Jiang, the boss sent me to Fengtian to bring you good things. By the way, I want to ask you for help if I have anything to ask for."

Sun Xiangyang was wearing a brand new indigo short jacket. Although he looked unkempt and behaved carelessly, to outsiders, unless they knew him well, they would never guess that he was actually a bandit who lived in the mountains.

Since the fight at Slingshot Ridge in Qianshan, Jiang Lianheng and Li Zhengyi have not seen each other for five years and have not had any contact with each other.

However, people's names and trees' shadows are constantly spread in the world. Although the two people will never meet again, they can roughly understand each other's current situation.

According to online news, Li Zheng led his brothers north to Changbai Mountain, set up a gang and named himself "Yanwang Li". With the help of two Japanese mountain cannons, he smashed kilns, leveled mountaintops, burned, killed, and looted, and he was rampant.

Today, he has gathered more than 2,000 brothers on his mountain; and he himself has long been one of the most famous bandit leaders in Jilin Province, and his strength should not be underestimated.

Sun Xiangyang is Li Zheng's right-hand man.

This was the first time in five years that he came to Fengtian on behalf of the boss to seek help from Jiang Lianheng. It was easy to imagine that he must have encountered some pretty tough trouble on the mountain.

Although Jiang Lianheng had never been open with Li Zheng and was even a little wary of him, the two had known each other for many years. Seeing Sun Xiangyang coming all the way for help, he half-jokingly asked:

"Brother, you are too polite. Our two families have a good relationship. If there is anything you need me for, just tell me. You don't want me to help you make a connection with Zhao'an, do you?"

Everyone burst into laughter, and the atmosphere suddenly became a lot more relaxed.

Sun Xiangyang smiled and shook his head, but said: "Boss Jiang, don't you know what kind of temper my boss has? It's impossible to get him to accept the amnesty!"

"I think so." Jiang Lianheng asked, "Then why are you here? Arms? Or have you been targeted by soldiers recently and you want to find out what's going on?"

"Ammunition! Shotguns, grenades, harnesses, detonators, grenades. If Boss Jiang has a way to get the Type 31 rapid-fire mountain cannon shells, that would be even better."

Sun Xiangyang stated all his requirements directly, and at the end, he added: "Boss Jiang, money is not a problem."

Hearing this, Jiang Lianheng immediately frowned, thinking, "Are you going to be bandits or warlords? I'll just help you equip a mixed brigade!"
Thinking of this, several people looked at each other in secret.

Jiang Lianheng asked: "How much do you want?"

"The more the better." Sun Xiangyang replied indifferently.

"Hiss - Brothers, this is the first time you come to me for help in all these years. Logically, I shouldn't ask too many questions, but since you ask for things in such a set, I still have to find out. What exactly are you going to do?" Jiang Lianheng asked suspiciously.

Sun Xiangyang smiled and said, "Don't worry, Boss Jiang. The boss has no conflicts with the government right now. He needs a troll only because he has encountered some trouble on the mountain recently."

After careful inquiries, the whole story gradually became clear.

It turned out that Li Zheng's hilltop had recently encountered a group of tough enemies. The number of the opponents was not large, but their fighting power was extremely fierce. They were so fierce that several hilltops had to unite to fight them to a draw.

The reason is simple, because these powerful enemies are not ordinary bandits, but the defeated White Russian army that fled over from the north!

In the Northern Civil War, the White Russians were defeated and eventually lost all their bases. Most of the defeated soldiers laid down their arms and surrendered. The few remaining remnants took advantage of the remaining momentum, wandered around and became bandits.

The group of Russians that Li Zhengshan encountered had about 500 to 600 people. They came south from Vladivostok, were well-equipped, crossed the Tumen River, and fled to Jilin Province to commit crimes.

Although it is said that "how can a defeated general talk about courage", the bottom line is that these Russians were defeated by their own people. As long as they have enough ammunition, wouldn't it be easy to defeat the two gangs on the hills?

What's more, the civil war in the North had been going on for three or four years. Those who could crawl out from the pile of dead bodies, even if they were not brave and skilled in fighting, must be experienced veterans. How could the mountain bandits be their opponents?
But when the outlaws fight for food, it's either you die or I die. Naturally, the bandits could not just sit there and wait to die, so they had to fight back hard.

After a few attempts, I found that I couldn't beat him, I really couldn't beat him!
In terms of equipment, they are inferior to others; in terms of tactics, the Russians are drinking vodka in one hand. Even if the military discipline is very lax, the instincts of the veterans on the battlefield have long been ingrained in their bones. They can easily defeat the bandits and make them flee.

Gradually, as the various bandits saw that their assets were about to be wiped out, people's hearts began to waver. Some surrendered to the enemy, some broke up, and the so-called "foundation" of the bandits seemed to be about to be lost at any time.

Li Zheng's family background was still solid, and they were barely holding on, but no one was sure what would happen to them after this year, so he had no choice but to send people to Fengtian to try to ask the Jiang family for a batch of arms for emergency use.

When Jiang Lianheng heard that Li Zheng was going to fight the Russians, he was not only relieved, he was even quite happy.

But he couldn't show his happiness on his face. After learning the reason from Sun Xiangyang, he still asked with a gloomy face:

"Brother, we haven't seen each other for five years. Logically speaking, the batch of arms that was given to your boss should have been used up a long time ago. It's not the first day that the Jiang family has been doing this business. Why did you come to me just now?"

Sun Xiangyang had anticipated this question, and immediately smiled and said, "Boss Jiang, it's not that the brothers don't care about your business, but my family has a store in Changbai Mountain, which is too far away. If we get the spray gun from you, we're afraid something might go wrong along the way."

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Zhengxi suddenly interrupted and said, "Brother, if you say that, then you still look down on our boss! Since the Jiang family can provide arms, they can definitely deliver the arms to the right place. When your gang was prosperous, you didn't think about the Jiang family; now that you have no choice, you come to beg us, isn't it a bit rude?"

After many years, Xifeng finally developed a tacit understanding with Jiang Lianheng and knew what to say and when.

Seeing this, Sun Xiangyang quickly explained: "No, no, no, brother, I didn't mean that. I didn't come to see Boss Jiang just because the road is far and I'm afraid of delaying things——"

Jiang Lianheng smiled and raised his hand, but said: "Hey, brother, you don't need to explain. I have a hot temper and speak directly. I don't mean to blame you. Let's talk about business."

"Boss Jiang is awesome!"

Sun Xiangyang breathed a sigh of relief, then clasped his hands and said, "In short, I hope Boss Jiang can help us for the sake of our past friendship! Before we came, the boss repeatedly emphasized: money is not a problem, the most important thing is that the gun is durable, and it would be best if it is new! If there is a machine gun worth three or five hundred dollars, I will also take it at home!"

It can be seen that the "Far East Arms Embargo Regulations" not only affected the warlords in various places, but also made it difficult for the bandits to find arms supplies.

Sun Xiangyang went on to say, "Don't be afraid of being laughed at by Boss Jiang. This time my family asked me to come to Fengtian to find you mainly because of your connections and the Jiang family's reputation. Earlier this spring, my family found a smuggler in Kuanchengzi and paid a deposit, but the old man ran away and we haven't caught him yet! Occasionally, we come across gun sellers, but they are either second-hand or defective, and all of them are useless. Fortunately, the eldest boss knows how to maintain guns, otherwise my family would have to go into battle with swords this year."

This statement seems to be exposing one's own shortcomings and making others laugh, but in fact it also contains a certain degree of threat.

Li Zhengxi's face immediately turned cold, and he said stiffly: "If you are really worried, then pay the money first, and then transport the goods back by yourself after you have counted them. If there is any loss or shortage outside Fengtian City, don't blame the Jiang family."

"No, no!" Sun Xiangyang pretended to be dumbfounded and said, "My family has prepared 10,000 yuan and five large yellow croakers for this trip. The money and goods will be settled in Fengtian. As long as Boss Jiang can help us transport the spray gun to Kuanchengzi, the rest will be left to us."

"That's fine!" Jiang Lianheng nodded with a smile, "Then please stay in the city for a few more days, I'll help you find a way to get the goods together, and when the goods are almost ready, I'll let Nanfeng come to find you."

"Thank you, Boss Jiang. My brothers and I came to Fengtian this time and stayed at... Hehe, Boss Jiang must know where we live, so I won't bother you any more." "Wait!" Jiang Lianheng stopped Sun Xiangyang, "You can take the arms from me, but you have to tell me who the seller in Kuanchengzi is. Don't tell me in a hurry. Just tell him when Nanfeng comes to find you."

Sun Xiangyang hesitated for a moment. With no room for bargaining, he nodded helplessly.

"Thank you for your hard work, Boss Jiang. I wish you a great improvement in your energy. I'm leaving now, brother."

…………

After sending the gang away, Jiang Lianheng whispered a few words to Nanfeng, then looked up at Fangyan and asked, "This time, there is only one left, right?"

Fang Yan nodded and introduced as usual: "Boss, the last one is from the YMCA, his name is Gu Lemin. He wants to come and ask us for a donation. He said he wants to build a tennis court behind the YMCA building. Do you want to meet him?"

"See!"

Jiang Lianheng's answer seemed to be more straightforward than any previous one. When he saw Fang Yan walking towards the door, he even reminded her a few words, "Be polite to others and come in!"

Moreover, neither Wang Zhengnan nor Li Zhengxi were surprised by this.

The so-called "Christian Youth Association" was originally a youth group established under the leadership of the church. Initially, it was just a night school for learning English. Later, it was expanded into a four-story building at the South Gate of the inner city. It was equipped with an entertainment room, classrooms, reading room, bathroom, etc. It had complete facilities and was one of the places for Fengtian youth to relax and have fun.

Although it has the name of "Christian", in fact, no matter whether you believe in religion or not, as long as you are willing to pay the membership fee, you can become a member of the YMCA and socialize and entertain in it.

However, since the eighth year of the Republic of China, the YMCA has gradually begun to change.

Every Wednesday night, more and more young people gathered there to discuss the current political situation and the national system. Their words were so fierce that it was simply creepy to listen to them.

As the provincial government's secret consultant, the Jiang family should have focused on "taking care of" the Youth Association.

But in fact, Jiang Lianheng not only never caused trouble for the YMCA, but also often sponsored various activities held by the YMCA.

how?
Ho! The prince of our three northeastern provinces is a member of the Youth Association. Who dares to touch him?

Not to mention that they talked nonsense about state affairs, even if they cursed Lao Zhang as a bastard behind his back, government officials at all levels always pretended not to hear.

Anyone who dares to organize a youth club would be openly offending the prince. Old Zhang didn't say anything, so how could others dare to find fault?

The prince's joining the YMCA also indirectly affected Marshal Zhang's attitude towards this group of radical young people.

Old Zhang had never considered the Broad-minded Faction to be a serious threat. He always thought that they were just scholars, young men who were naive and could be exploited. As long as there was no interference from external forces, they would not cause any trouble. Now that his son was among them, he felt even more relieved. So after checking the northern workers, he focused his attention on fighting for power with the major warlord factions.

Jiang Lianheng had heard about the YMCA's plan to build a tennis court, and was quite willing to sponsor it.

The reason is simple—the prince loves playing tennis!

Not long after, a young man in his early twenties walked into the office with brisk steps.

"Boss, this is Gu Lemin from the Youth Association, and also a primary school teacher in the city." Fang Yan introduced politely.

"Oh my! You're already a gentleman at such a young age?" Jiang Lianheng stood up and shook hands with the visitor, praising him generously, "Incredible, incredible, Mr. Gu has a bright future!"

"Mr. Jiang, thank you for the compliment!" Gu Lemin smiled brightly.

After a few pleasantries, both parties took their seats.

Jiang Lianheng certainly did not hesitate to sponsor the tennis court. He would respond to any request.

Moreover, after having more contact with this group of young people who are saving the country, he had already learned a set of high-sounding rhetoric, such as "strengthening the country and the race", "developing sports", "hoping that young people can get rid of their old age as soon as possible", etc., which he could come up with easily.

It is no exaggeration to say that if they really sit down and talk, Jiang Lianheng can talk more rationally than these young people.

Unexpectedly, a few words of truth would arouse Gu Lemin's interest in conversation, and he began to promote the youth association's recent discussion results to Jiang Lianheng.

"Boss Jiang, I have heard about your deeds. You set up a free school in the west of the city to provide education for the poor. You negotiated with foreign businessmen on behalf of the workers and fought for the rights of the people. On behalf of the Youth Association, I salute your good deeds!"

"No, no, those are just small things that I can do." Jiang Lianheng said half-jokingly, "There are always rumors outside that I am a bully!"

Gu Lemin was really simple-minded. He nodded immediately and said frankly: "I have actually heard about those rumors, but good deeds are judged by deeds rather than intentions. You have done a lot of good things for Fengtian!"

"Oh, please don't say that. I don't deserve it. I don't deserve it—"

"But, Boss Jiang, you can actually do more!"

Jiang Lianheng frowned, thought for a moment, and asked tentatively: "Mr. Gu... Is there anything else the Youth Association needs money for?"

Gu Lemin shook his head righteously and said, "Boss Jiang, I'm not talking about the Youth Association, I'm talking about the whole world!"

"Look, this is called pattern!" Jiang Lianheng looked around, glared at Nanfeng who was laughing secretly, and then said sanctimoniously, "I always tell you that you should not only focus on Fengtian, but also think more about our suffering compatriots all the time!"

Gu Lemin smiled slightly and immediately corrected him: "Boss Jiang, forgive me for being blunt, but you should also broaden your horizons. It's not just our compatriots who are suffering in this world!"

Jiang Lianheng knew what the other party was going to say.

He had seen a lot of related arguments in the newspapers before, and had no intention of arguing at the moment, so he nodded with a smile: "Mr. Gu, there is no need to say more, it is not good to say too much, but I understand what you mean, happiness is in the north!"

"Do you really understand?" Gu Lemin asked tentatively.

"Of course, Davarish!"

(End of this chapter)