20 years of the Republic of China

Chapter 561: The Three Musketeers

The host and the guest sat down and talked opposite each other.

After the tea, according to Dai Qiu Sheng himself, he had been educated and served in the army. He was an honest young man in his hometown. However, because he was addicted to gambling, he came to Shanghai by chance. He saw the changing times and the emergence of heroes. He was always worried about the national crisis, so he suddenly realized that he should not continue to live in a muddle-headed way. A real man should plan for a great career.

Obviously, this is a whitewashed statement that sounds too high-sounding.

In fact, after seeing the prosperity of the foreign world, he became wild and could no longer settle down. He only cared about taking shortcuts and making connections, hoping to soar to the sky one day.

As a result, he wandered around Shanghai for five or six years, still half-eyed. Although he made a few friends, he never saw the momentum of making great success.

To this day, I can say that my years have been wasted and nothing has been accomplished.

Jiang Lianheng seemed very disapproving after hearing this.

But it doesn’t matter, because Dai Qiu Sheng didn’t originally say this for Jiang Lianheng to hear. This young man’s target has always been Wang Laojiu.

The facts turned out to be just as he wished.

Wang Laojiu had participated in a revolution nine years ago and raised the banner of overthrowing the Qing Dynasty in his hometown in Anhui Province. Although he is now in decline and has joined the underworld and gangs, the affairs of the government are always on his mind.

After hearing these words, his eyes immediately lit up and he hurriedly asked, "So, brother, you also want to serve your country!"

Dai Qiusheng nodded quickly: "To be honest with you, Master Jiu, every time I worry about the national crisis, I feel like I can't sleep or eat well. I'm really ashamed."

"Alas, every man has his share of responsibility for the fate of his country."

Wang Laojiu was born a scholar. Although the books of sages have been regarded as dross nowadays, the sense of mission to shoulder the responsibility of family and country has long been ingrained in his bones.

Seeing that Jiu Ye liked to hear such words, Dai Qiu Sheng struck while the iron was hot and immediately followed up with a few more boasts and flattery, which made Wang Laojiu quite proud and nodded frequently.

Jiang Lianheng couldn't help but feel a little bored, so he cleared his throat and couldn't help but interrupt and ask: "Brother Dai has been in the foreign land for so many years, don't you have any intersection with the Green Gang? You should know that Jiu Ye is having some trouble with the Green Gang now, right?"

Hearing this, Dai Qiu Sheng quickly turned his body to the side, not in a hurry to answer, and asked first: "Oh, what a sin, I was so busy talking to Master Jiu just now that I accidentally forgot about Boss Zhou Quan. Please forgive my short-sightedness and short-sightedness, but may I ask who this person is..."

"Oh, this is Boss Lian Gongjiang, from Feng--"

Wang Laojiu was about to introduce him, but Jiang Lianheng quickly interrupted him and said, "I am Jiuye's friend. Like you, I am here to help Jiuye with his advice."

Dai Qiu Sheng lowered his eyebrows, then raised his head, tactfully stopped asking any more questions, and just answered Jiang Lianheng's previous questions truthfully.

"Boss Jiang, you have a keen eye. The Green Gang is so powerful. If I say that I have never dealt with their disciples in all these years in the foreign land, I am just being too smart. You won't believe me even if I tell you!"

"Since you know that the Qing Gang is powerful, why do you still help Master Jiu to fight against it?" Jiang Lianheng asked.

Dai Qiu Sheng chuckled, as if he had been prepared for this.

However, although he was answering Jiang Lianheng's question, his eyes kept looking at Wang Laojiu, and the relationship between the primary and the secondary was clear to him.

"Master Jiu, I want to follow the Axe Gang. Any other underworld gangs are secondary. The most important thing is that Master Jiu is not the same kind of person as those other gang tycoons. You are an ambitious person, and I am willing to follow you, regardless of gains and losses."

These words hit the nail on the head for Wang Laojiu, and he immediately valued Dai Qiu Sheng even more.

Seeing this, Jiang Lianheng decided not to make things difficult for them anymore and just gave up.

Soon, they chatted for a cup of tea.

Wang Laojiu suddenly asked, "Brother Dai, I heard that although you haven't made a fortune yet, you have a clear understanding of the Shanghai underworld. Is that true?"

"I can't say I know everything. It depends on what Master Jiu wants to ask." Dai Qiu Sheng is a humble and low-key person. He didn't make any rash promises.

Wang Laojiu nodded and said, "I have been to Shanghai several times before, but I was always coming and going and didn't stay long. I only have a vague understanding of some things. I won't ask you about the situation of the 'three tycoons' of the Green Gang. They are too famous. I know them even without you telling me. Tell me about the situation of the Yue Gang first."

Upon hearing this, Dai Qiu Sheng immediately sat up straight, put his hands on his knees, and acted as if he was reporting to his superior. He then briefly described the current situation of the Guangdong Gang.

It turned out that when Shanghai was first opened as a port, business groups from all over the country flocked in, but only the "Guangdong Gang" prospered the earliest and had the greatest influence.

But it was precisely because they rose to prominence early, had great power, and had the foundation of the old Hongmen that, taking advantage of the trend of changing dynasties, many of them rose to prominence, either by entering the government or by already being wealthy and no longer caring about the old affairs of the underworld.

Although the gang members left today cannot be said to be rotten fish and shrimp, they are really dwarfed by the real "Guangdong Gang" tycoons of the past.

After Yin Baokun's death, the only ones who could compete for the top position were Cheng Maoling and Lai Chunbao.

However, after briefly introducing the two men's backgrounds, Dai Qiu Sheng suddenly changed the subject and said, "However, ever since Jiu Ye sent people to blow up the Sanyouhui Restaurant, I recently heard that the Yue Gang has invited back Wang Huaimeng from 'Havoc in Heaven'."

"Making Trouble in Heaven?" Jiang Lianheng frowned. "What a loud nickname. Where did it come from?"

Dai Qiu Sheng knew everything and introduced the leader of the "Cantonese Gang" on the spot.

In theory, this guy is a generation older than Wang Huaimeng, but when he talks about it, he seems to know everything and is very knowledgeable.

From him, we learned that the leader of the "Yue Gang", Wang Huai-meng, was about forty years old. The reason why he got the nickname "Noisy Heaven" was because when he was a child in the International Settlement, he helped the "Yue Gang" to conquer the Hongkou District. He was tough and invincible. Not only did he suppress other business gangs and guilds, he even killed two Chinese patrolmen and a red-headed Indian in the street.

Thinking back to the time, this incident caused quite a stir.

The act of killing foreigners in anger is something that can be boasted about for the rest of one's life.

However, it was precisely because this incident caused such a big commotion that it alarmed the foreign chief of the police station, so that the situation that had been gradually calming down for the "Guangdong Gang" almost turned from victory to defeat, and they were almost wiped out by the foreigners.

Fortunately, those "Guangdong Gang" seniors who had already entered the government remembered their fellow countrymen's friendship at the critical moment, mobilized their personal connections, and acted as a guarantor to avoid a wasted effort.

Therefore, the nickname "Noisy Heaven" not only refers to Wang Huaimeng's ability to fight and dare to fight, but also refers to the troubles caused by his daring to fight and dare to fight.

At this point, Jiang Lianheng and Wang Laojiu couldn't help feeling a little confused.

"According to what you said, this 'Trouble in Heaven' should be a big name. How come I have never heard of this person?"

Dai Qiu Sheng quickly explained with a smile: "The main reason is that this happened several years ago, and when Wang Huai Meng was fighting for the territory, he was too ruthless and merciless. The Guangdong Gang found someone to protect him, and other gangs found someone to harm him. In the end, the stalemate ended, and both sides compromised. Wang Huai Meng will never set foot in the foreign land again. At most, he can only make a living on the other side of Jiangdong, otherwise he will not be tolerated by the underworld."

Hearing this, Jiang Lianheng couldn't help but nodded silently.

The so-called Jianghu disputes sound thrilling, but in fact they are just fights within a few blocks, which is too small. When people are gone, those so-called revenges will be forgotten by ordinary people in a short time, because there will always be younger people rising up and stealing the limelight from the older ones.

"That means that now that this 'Trouble in Heaven' has returned, other gangs have also acquiesced?" Wang Laojiu asked.

"Master Jiu, the current situation is different from before." Dai Qiusheng took a sip of tea. "In today's foreign land, the Qing Gang has the final say on everything. As long as they nod, other gangs will of course not say anything."

Jiang Lianheng took over the conversation and asked, "After the 'Havoc in Heaven' comes back, should he be the leader of the 'Yue Gang'?"

"That may not be the case." Dai Qiu Sheng said, "Wang Huai Meng is a good fighter, and the brothers are willing to fight with him, but he doesn't know how to make money and has a stubborn temper. It's okay to rely on him for fighting, but if you really want to follow him, you'll have to tighten your belt to make a living. If we really want to make money, we still have to rely on Cheng Maoling, and at worst, we have to rely on Lai Chunbao."

After listening to this, Jiang Lianheng silently memorized the relationship between the three members of the "Guangdong Gang".

Dai Qiu Sheng put down his tea bowl and looked at Wang Laojiu again.

"Master Jiu, in short, this Wang Huai Meng is a ruthless man, but he also has his problems. He is like a barrel of explosives tied to a fuse. Once he is brought out, it is easy to get out of control. So I heard that there is a little controversy within the 'Yue Gang' about whether to invite him back."

Wang Laojiu nodded, and suddenly gestured to Chen Lixian who was standing behind him.

"I heard from Lixian that there seemed to be a fat man there when the Sanyouhui Restaurant was bombed that night. Hey, Lixian, tell him about what happened at that time."

Chen Lixian responded, and then briefly recounted what happened that night, emphasizing the fat man's voice and appearance.

I thought it would be difficult to determine the other party's identity based on just these few words.

Unexpectedly, Dai Qiu Sheng really lived up to the nickname "Know-it-all". After listening to Chen Lixian's narration and combining it with rumors, he immediately came to his own conclusion.

"It should be Wan Youyuan, a member of the 'Chao Gang.'" Dai Qiusheng said, "They are the main customers of the Sanjin Company, specializing in the business of local products and private goods. Anyone who runs a tobacco shop knows their principles."

"Them?" Jiang Lianheng asked, "How many people are there in total?"

"There are eight tide gangs in total."

This time, the person who answered Jiang Lianheng was no longer Dai Qiu Sheng, but Chen Lixian and Zhang Luan.

It seems that these eight people are also famous people in Shanghai.

But if we want to discuss it in more detail, Chen Lixian and Zhang Luan are no longer effective, and we still have to look at Dai Qiu Sheng’s introduction.

These eight Chao Gangs are actually eight local product merchants, each with a name, namely - Wan, Ma, Tong, Cao, Zhong, Gui, Yi, and Hong.

Although they did not have many disciples, each of them was wealthy and had connections in the concessions, especially the French Concession, and in the Municipal Council.

It turned out that since the International Anti-Opium Conference, the International Settlement began to regulate private land, but the French Concession ignored it and only cared about making huge profits. As a result, major opium dens, local merchants, and private goods began to gradually move to the French Concession.

It was precisely because of this background that the "three big bosses" of the Green Gang entrenched in the French Concession had the opportunity to completely monopolize Shanghai's local products.

Many people in the "Chao Gang" joined the Qing Gang for this reason, worshipped the old man, and got a generation name, which was considered as buying a "talisman" in Shanghai.

"However, not all of these eight people are gang members. The last six, Tong, Cao, Zhong, Gui, Yi, and Hong, are ordinary businessmen." Dai Qiusheng quickly explained, "Their local products were often robbed in the past. Later, they turned to the 'Three Tycoons' and paid the insurance premiums, and then they settled down."

"What about the remaining two people?" Jiang Lianheng and Wang Laojiu asked.

"One is Wan Youyuan, the other is Ma Yanxia, ​​both of them are restless people."

As usual, Dai Qiu Sheng revealed all the business, staff, and background of these two people and explained it all to Wang Laojiu.

This went on for a long time.

Before I knew it, it was getting dark. I looked out the window and saw that the moon was at its zenith, indicating that it was almost the second half of the night.

There is no need to elaborate on Dai Qiu Sheng's abilities and experiences.

But as Jiang Lianheng listened, he felt more and more that the Shanghai underworld was complicated and far less simple and clear than that in Fengtian.

In addition to the concession factor, it is also because the Chinese area in Shanghai has changed hands several times, and it is far less stable than Fengtian, where Lao Zhang is in charge outside the Great Wall.

Seeing that Dai Qiusheng was indeed quite capable, Wang Laojiu also developed a love for talent and said on the spot: "Brother, I see that you are quite good at gathering intelligence, so you can stay with me from now on. I will assign you a few brothers, and you don't need to do anything else, just focus on gathering information in Shanghai."

Dai Qiu Sheng was overjoyed and kept thanking him.

"Thank you very much for your support, Master Jiu. Thank you very much for your support, Master Jiu."

"That's right!" Wang Laojiu suddenly pointed at Jiang Lianheng beside him, "This Boss Jiang is also my brother. If there is anything, don't hide it from him. Just tell him what needs to be said."

Dai Qiusheng nodded, quickly stood up and walked over, smiling and saying, "Boss Jiang, Brother Jiang, please give me your guidance."

Jiang Lianheng waved his hand nonchalantly, and his expression suddenly became serious.

"I can't say I can give you any advice. I've been around for so many years, and I'm just lucky. Don't flatter me too much, but I have to say something ugly first."

"Boss Jiang, please speak."

Jiang Lianheng pondered for a long while, and finally said, "I despise traitors the most in my life. If I have done you wrong, it's okay for you to stab me, but since you are willing to partner with us today, there is no turning back. If you betray us halfway, don't blame me..."

Before he finished speaking, Dai Qiu Sheng said, "Boss Jiang, I am absolutely loyal to you two, and I have no other intentions!"

"Right, right, right. Don't employ someone if you doubt him, and don't doubt someone if you employ him." Wang Laojiu also tried to smooth things over, saying with a smile, "Brother, don't worry about it anymore, or you'll scare this kid again."

It can be seen that he respects and trusts the young man in front of him.

But he naturally had no idea what the price was.

All that needed to be said had been said, so Jiang Lianheng stopped talking and shook hands with Dai Qiu Sheng.

At this point, the three of them finally formed an alliance.

One is a bandit who is hard to change, the other is a reckless man of the time, and now there is another good intelligence expert. With these three people working together, the peaceful days in this foreign concession are numbered.

(End of this chapter)