20 years of the Republic of China

Chapter 539: Jiang Family Check-in
As soon as it got dark, Zhao Guoyan arrived at the Jiang family mansion on time.

The living room was quiet and a little dull.

He quickly climbed up to the second floor and vaguely heard Xu Ruqing playing with his two grandchildren in the next room. He turned around and hurried towards the study.

As soon as I reached the door, I saw a light on in the room.

Hu Xiaoyan sat at the desk as usual, buried in the account books, calm as still water, not looking anxious or panicked at all.

Her profile seemed a little hazy under the light, which made people feel inexplicably at ease.

"Sister-in-law." Zhao Guoyan called softly.

"Oh, Guoyan is here, come and sit down." Hu Xiaoyan didn't look up, but just pointed to the chair opposite the desk and asked, "Have you heard about it?"

Zhao Guoyan walked into the study, sat down slowly, looked a little dazed, shook his head and asked: "Sister-in-law, is there something wrong with the boss?"

Hu Xiaoyan didn't comment. She seemed to be busy with the work at hand and had no time to care about anything else. She simply put the telegram sent from Shanghai on the table, pushed it forward, and said lightly: "This is the news that Nanfeng just sent. Take a look first."

Seeing this, Zhao Guoyan suddenly felt a little uneasy for some reason.

He picked up the letter in confusion, first glanced at his sister-in-law's face, and then, with a heavy heart, he concentrated and read silently.

Unlike Nanfeng's panic, Zhao Guoyan's eyes became more and more determined as his gaze moved up and down the telegrams.

Time passed by minute by minute.

Finally, Zhao Guoyan put down the letter in his hand and raised his angular face. Apart from a few shadows, his face did not show any grief or anger. He just said in a cold and low voice:

"Sister-in-law, I will take some people to Shanghai to bring the boss back, and give Yan Sheng an explanation."

His words were concise, to the point, and powerful, without any hesitation or concern.

Hu Xiaoyan said "hmm" but still didn't look up: "No hurry, you can stay in Xifeng's room for the next two days."

Zhao Guoyan nodded silently, without any questioning or urging, just sitting in the chair quietly waiting for his sister-in-law to give him orders.

It was a quiet night and it soon became dark outside the window.

After about a cup of tea, Hu Xiaoyan finally finished the work at hand. She casually stacked the account books and placed them on the corner of the table. She then looked up at the Jiang family's artillery chief in front of her, thought for a moment, and opened her mouth, but brought up a seemingly unrelated topic.

"How are your arrangements for the Koreans who came to your house?"

Members of the "Yi Lie Tuan" of Goryeo had already arrived in Fengtian, and the Jiang family, as promised, gave these people proper care, and this task has recently been in charge of Zhao Guoyan.

"The identity has almost been processed. If we are in a hurry, we can arrange for them to go to Shanghai at the end of the month, but——"

Having said this, Zhao Guoyan suddenly paused.

"I've asked them, and quite a few of them don't want to leave. Only one guy named Cui is anxious to go to Shanghai, but... that Korean guy doesn't speak Chinese very well. For safety reasons, it's better to let him wait before leaving."

Hearing this, Hu Xiaoyan put away the paper and pen on the table and said in a secretive manner: "Guo Yan, the guest is a guest. Since there is a risk, don't rush to chase him away. Let him stay in Fengtian first and treat him well."

Zhao Guoyan was stunned for a moment, then he understood and said, "I understand."

"I just checked the accounts." Hu Xiaoyan continued, "My family's business is good this year, I plan to advance some money, and when you go to Shanghai, please help me pass it to Lian Heng. The family is poor but the road is rich. The foreign concessions are a place of luxury and extravagance. Money may be needed for everything. Just spend it when you need to. Don't feel bad."

The so-called grain station sister-in-law is the one who can quickly raise money, food, weapons, connections and other logistical support when the family is in danger.

Zhao Guoyan had been in the Jiang family for more than ten years and was well aware of the abilities of the eldest sister-in-law. Naturally, he did not hesitate at all and nodded and did as he was told.

Hu Xiaoyan followed the steps in an orderly manner and made several arrangements in succession.

"I'll light up some of the munitions stored at home tonight. Guoyan, you can't take the train to Shanghai this time. You have to take a boat. It's more convenient to carry weapons on the boat. In addition, tomorrow morning, you should greet Mr. Tong Sanye in Liaonan and ask him to help find a reliable boat--"

As she spoke, Hu Xiaoyan suddenly raised her eyes and her expression suddenly became serious.

"I don't want you to be detained at the dock as soon as you arrive in Shiliyangchang, so this ship must not go wrong. Tell Master Tong San to be firm."

"I understand." Zhao Guoyan nodded as usual.

Then, Hu Xiaoyan took out a list from the drawer and whispered, "Although Fengtian is not as prosperous as Shanghai, there are many guilds from various provinces and industries. Contact all the guilds that your family relies on to see if there are any that have a say in Shanghai. No matter how big or small their abilities are, as long as they are willing to help, the Jiang family will remember their favors."

Zhao Guoyan took the list, carefully put it in his arms, and asked: "Then... do I need to ask about the relationship between the military camp and the provincial government?"

At present, the Fengtian clique is no longer what it used to be. Many of its military and political leaders have extensive connections, and the great poet Zhang is one of them.

"Yes!" Hu Xiaoyan nodded immediately. "The foreign companies, journalists, missionaries in Nanfeng, as well as the guilds, online and government offices in Fengtian, I will use all the connections at home to ensure that Lian Heng and his men can return safely."

"Okay, sister-in-law, I'll do it now. I'll ask those guilds that are 'relying on help' first."

"Wait! Guoyan, when you go to Shanghai this time, you can't just bring our 'Xiangzi' with you, you have to bring a few 'Lianqi' with you."

Zhao Guoyan was surprised and asked, "Sister-in-law, do you want to... invite a few more bearded men?"

Hu Xiaoyan nodded slightly, and suddenly said seriously: "Over the years, many 'bosses' outside the Great Wall have received a lot of benefits from our family. Usually, we always say that we will see what happens when the time comes. Now that the matter has come, we should contribute our efforts and not just think about taking advantage. Of course, the important tasks must be handed over to our family members."

Now that the Zongshe Party has been wiped out, the situation in Fengtian is as stable as a rock, and the Jiang family has official support, so naturally they have nothing to worry about.

However, although suing the outlaws may seem like the Jiang family's leader's behavior, Hu Xiaoyan actually has three reasons.

It is impossible for her to transfer all the "big shots" of the Jiang family to Shanghai. That is unrealistic. After all, it is not a military transport. Moreover, that will inevitably drain the family's wealth. There may not even be enough thugs to watch over the place. The so-called strong dragon cannot defeat the local snake, this is the truth.

Because the main base is not in Fengtian, Hu Xiaoyan's requirement for thugs is to seek quality rather than quantity. "Guo Yan, when the time comes, you have to help me check, and don't let the scumbags join in the fun. I only want those who can stand on their own and are willing to help. I don't need to send many people, one or two will be enough."

"I understand, but this will take some time--"

"Three days." Hu Xiaoyan said, "At most, they can wait for three days. I don't blame them for not being able to catch up if the road is too far."

Zhao Guoyan pondered and said, "Then we need to send more people to inform them!"

Hu Xiaoyan responded calmly: "Don't worry, I have asked Dongfeng to find Xiangzi at home."

……

……

At the same time, there was a row of small courtyards of civilian houses in the northeast of Fengtian Outer City.

Under the crescent moon, some child was playing mischievously, earning a scolding from his parents. The barking of dogs then spread slowly through the streets.

In late autumn, every household has its own worries and warmth.

The match made a crackling sound and with a faint light, the matchstick slowly approached the oil lamp. Gradually, the tiny candlelight fluttered a few times, reflecting two slightly gloomy faces.

The man who lit the lamp had a rough face and a broad and thick body. His thick black shadow was cast on the wall, like a ferocious beast in the forest.

Zhang Zhengdong looked up at the light bulb hanging from the beam, then his eyes fell on the other person's face, and asked with a little confusion: "Lao Niu, isn't there electricity in your house?"

"It's broken. It sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. It has to stop every three to five days. They say there's not enough electricity." Lao Niu replied in a muffled voice.

"Let's move to another place, to the inner city, where we can live more easily."

“House prices in the inner city are too expensive and hard to buy.”

"You've made a lot of money over the years, and you sent it all back to your hometown in the countryside?" Zhang Zhengdong asked casually, "I heard that you recently found someone to partner with you in some business?"

Lao Niu smiled innocently and just stared at the flickering candlelight without saying anything more.

Zhang Zhengdong, who rarely chatted with others, nodded and said to himself, "I heard that he sells condiments?"

Lao Niu still didn't say anything.

Zhang Zhengdong waved his hand and said soothingly, "Don't worry, your family won't care about your small business, so there's nothing wrong with buying some property. My sister-in-law also said that if Lao Chai comes to make things difficult for you in business, you should tell your family, we are all family!"

"Thank you for your concern, sister-in-law." Lao Niu said, "It's just a small business, not profitable, Lao Chai doesn't think much of it."

"You haven't had any difficulties lately, have you? You're still well off?"

"Enough."

"I heard that two new tile houses were built in your hometown!"

"Yes, my third brother is getting married."

"That's what's going on!" Zhang Zhengdong took out a few tickets from his pocket, put them on the table, and said, "Then let me give you my contribution! Has your family found a sedan chair? That's good. If you want to find a troupe to liven things up, just tell me and my family will help you arrange it. Your life is getting better and better now."

Lao Niu did not refuse. He took the bill and looked down. The amount was frighteningly large, but he could not be happy no matter what. He just said sullenly, "Master, I know that only when the boss lives well can we live well."

He is much older than Dongfeng, but he is extremely cautious in his words and deeds.

Moreover, there is no exaggeration in this statement.

Over the years, Lao Niu has done countless dirty and tiring jobs for the Jiang family, and his foundation has long been damp.

In short, his personal safety has long been tied to the Jiang family.

Once the Jiang family falls, none of the "noisy ones" in the family will be able to escape. They will either be hunted down by their enemies or brought to justice by the government.

Therefore, although these words may sound like flattery, they are absolutely from the heart.

Zhang Zhengdong nodded contentedly and praised casually: "Lao Niu, I knew you were a kind person. My sister-in-law was right about you."

As he spoke, the subject suddenly changed.

"Did you know that the boss is not in Fengtian recently?"

Lao Niu shook his head and said he didn't know even if he knew it, otherwise all these years would have been in vain.

Seeing that he was silent, Zhang Zhengdong sat down on the kang with him and stared out the dark window in silence for a while. After a while, he suddenly said, "Lao Niu, you will have to go on a business trip in two days. Don't worry about anything."

"understood."

Lao Niu responded in a sullen voice, with no change in expression on his face.

Once you enter the world of martial arts, you are bound to have no choice. He is also an old hand in the world of martial arts, so naturally he has no intention of complaining.

The oil lamp on the kang table suddenly jumped twice.

Zhang Zhengdong suddenly stood up, patted Lao Niu's thick shoulders twice, and instructed: "Go and call Lao Jie and Yang Lazi later, and ask them to come home at six o'clock tomorrow morning."

(End of this chapter)