20 years of the Republic of China

Chapter 567: A War Without Kindness and Justice (Part )
Huang Ma Pi was hit hard under the ear and had no time to stagger. Instead, he tilted sideways and fell to the ground.

The surrounding tables and chairs overturned with a clanging sound. The remaining people in the theater had already retreated behind the scenes and slipped away through a small door.

The hall became deserted in the blink of an eye.

The attacker stepped forward and looked down at the Shanghai tycoon in front of him.

Huang Ma Pi's whole body was stiff, and although he did not faint immediately, his eyes were empty and lifeless.

After all, he was over fifty years old, and old people are not as strong as their muscles. Moreover, twenty years of debauchery, wine, sex, money and anger had already drained his body. With just this one blow, he had no strength to fight back and could only be slaughtered.

At this moment, the theater door suddenly burst open with a bang, and five or six brothers rushed in, looking around hurriedly.

"What about people?"

"At this!"

Lao Niu turned around and called out, and the Jiang brothers immediately rushed over.

As they had never met each other before, Huang Ma Pi was so panicked that he had no time to identify them one by one. He just instinctively raised his hands and cried for help.

"Don't do it, don't do it, let's talk it over. I'll pay you whatever you want!"

However, no matter how he cried for help, the Jiang brothers ignored him.

Lao Niu said nothing, just squatted down and grabbed Huang Jute's collar. Lao Jie and Yang Lazi rushed over and immediately took out a black cloth bag from their arms, covered Lao Dengzhao's head with it and tied the bag tightly.

Then, everyone worked together to grab Huang Ma Pi's arms and quickly escorted him out of the theater.

"Hurry, hurry, hurry! Hurry up!"

At the gate of the new stage, Zhao Guoyan urged everyone through the broken car window.

Lao Niu ignored Huang Ma Pi's struggles and grabbed the back of his neck, pushing him into the back seat of the car. Lao Jie and Yang Lazi also hurriedly got into the car from the other side.

The four of them got into the car one after another, and Zhao Guoyan immediately leaned over and shouted, "Disperse, stay at home and wait for news!"

After saying that, he stepped on the accelerator hard, the engine started to roar, the tires made a sharp roar, and the car body disappeared into the distance, leaving a cloud of dust.

Upon seeing this, the bandits immediately put away their guns, divided into groups of two, and dispersed towards the French Concession.

This series of kidnappings happened so quickly that it sounded exciting, but in fact, it only took about five or six minutes. Before the Green Gang reinforcements could arrive, the Jiang brothers had already broken up and disappeared without a trace.

After all, they are professionals doing professional things. They are quick and agile, and their attack was unexpected, making it even more difficult to resist.

Now everything is going smoothly and the gang is doing well, but the Jiang family's plans don't stop there...

…………

At this moment, north of the old city.

Guanghelou is located at the intersection of the Old Town and the French Concession. It is a famous Huaiyang restaurant in Shanghai. The old wooden building looks quaint and has a Jiangnan elegance. Every night, it is always crowded with guests.

There are scattered tables in the lobby, and there are street performers walking around, playing string instruments and performing Chinese opera to add to the entertainment.

Not far from the door, two Qing Gang disciples were smoking and keeping watch.

Although they were in a downtown area, the two men did not dare to let their guard down. They always looked around vigilantly at what was happening on the street. If there was any sign of trouble, they would immediately go upstairs to report it.

However, the streets were calm, but the restaurants were bustling with activity.

Apart from the few merchants and artists entering and leaving Guanghe Building, no matter how you look at it, it doesn't look like anything unusual will happen tonight.

After all, even though Lou Jingyuan was having dinner upstairs with his brothers, they couldn't clear the place by force and stop the store from doing business with other people.

Time passes silently.

The two brothers yawned, and their eyes turned to the entrance of Guanghe Building, following the figures of a man and a woman, two street performers, and then they smiled at each other in tacit understanding.

This girl is pretty enough, at least she should cost two dollars a night.

The two of them made a few dirty jokes to add some fun to the boring work.

Just at this moment, Lou Jingyuan's unbridled laughter suddenly came from the window above my head.

"Hahaha, the Axe Gang, just hearing the name sounds like a bunch of lowly bastards who can't even show up on the stage!"

The huge round table was already littered with cups and plates, leaving only jars of good wine waiting to be drunk.

Lou Jingyuan's face flushed and he looked a little drunk. He looked around at the seven or eight brothers at the table and talked excitedly.

"What era is it now? What's the point of being able to fight? Nowadays, being in a gang depends on your background. Do you know what background means?"

"Uh... maybe it means that there must be a master and a tradition?" Everyone asked tentatively, "The Axe Gang built a tall building on flat ground, which is doomed to not last long. Brother Yuan, is what Ala said right?"

"Wrong, absolutely wrong!"

Lou Jingyuan slammed the table, pretending to be enlightened, and said confidently: "I have seen through it in the past few years. What is the foundation? Anti-Qing is the foundation. The foundation is anti-Qing. As long as you have contributed to the overthrow of the Qing, you are a hero. The past will be forgiven!"

"Oh, I see!" Everyone seemed to understand, but they just flattered him desperately, "Brother Yuan is still the one who knows how to deal with things. Come on, come on, let's drink!"

Lou Jingyuan finished his cup and said proudly, "Of course. Look at those officials in Shanghai. How many of them dare to say that they have no relationship with the Qing and Hong families?"

Everyone couldn't think of anything for a moment, so they nodded repeatedly.

Lou Jingyuan went on to say, "This is a good time for us. If it were in the past, we wouldn't have had such an opportunity. Wang Laojiu also started a revolution, but he missed the chance and didn't climb up. Now it's too late for him to go home. Just wait and see. After tonight, the Axe Gang will almost be gone."

"Brother Yuan, do we have any action tonight?" someone asked hurriedly, "Why didn't you tell us in advance? If you tell us now, we won't be prepared!"

"Well, there's no need for any preparation. I heard from Cheng Maoling that the Guangdong Gang will take action tonight, and they have already informed the police station and Old City. With the cooperation of both sides, we can capture Wang Laojiu alive tonight, and the world will be at peace tomorrow morning!" Lou Jingyuan said with confidence.

Upon hearing this, everyone hurriedly followed suit to flatter him and congratulate him in advance for regaining Shiliupu and pacifying the Axe Gang.

However, Lou Jingyuan was a little disdainful, and waved his hand and said:
"Well, actually, Shiliupu is not that important to me. My master has arranged a job for me at Sanjin Company. I can earn more than working at the dock. But people fight for their dignity, and Buddhas fight for incense. I can give up the business of Shiliupu Dock, but the Axe Gang cannot come and steal it!"

"Brother Yuan is so domineering. I finally followed the right person!"

Several people immediately gave him a thumbs up, flattered him, raised their glasses to toast him, and drank like that for a while.

Just when everyone was getting a little tipsy, the door of the private room suddenly creaked.

"Who?"

The two people next to Lou Jingyuan immediately stood up straight, put their right hands on their waists, and looked outside the door with full vigilance.

"Boss, would you like to order some music to liven up the atmosphere?"

When people came, they saw a young girl who was not yet twenty years old. She was wearing a blue cheongsam with a high collar and wide sleeves. Her long black hair was tied up in a bun. She looked dignified. She held a white paper fan in her hand and walked slowly into the private room with a smile in her eyes.

"Hey, these stinking street performers, you keep disturbing me all day long, you have no sense of propriety at all, go away!" The two people at the window immediately raised their hands to drive them away. The girl was unwilling to give up, she took a step forward, looked at the main seat, and then begged in a tender voice.

"The boss looks like a big businessman. It's not easy in this world. Can you order one? It might help you get drunk."

"Go away, you don't understand, right?" the two people at the door shouted, "Do you know who I am? If you keep nagging, you won't be able to do business with me anymore!"

He is so unromantic that he almost made the girl cry.

"Boss, please help me and light one!"

Seeing this, Lou Jingyuan waved his hands impatiently and said, "Okay, okay, if you want to sing, just sing. When you're done, leave quickly and don't talk too much here."

The girl smiled brightly and quickly unfolded the white paper fan in her hand, only to see densely packed tiny calligraphy written on the fan.

Immediately, she walked to the table, stretched out her arm, and handed the white paper fan to Lou Jingyuan.

"Boss, please take a look at the tunes and pick one."

The girl leaned forward, and her pretty face was immediately reflected in the light.

At this moment, someone at the table suddenly hissed, frowned, and said, "Hey, Nong, Nong, aren't you Cui Yingying from the Big World? Why did you change your profession? You're dressed so plainly, I almost didn't recognize you."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone looked at each other with confusion in their eyes.

I have only heard of people who sell their art changing to selling their bodies, but I have never heard of people who sell their bodies changing to selling their art.

Cui Yingzhen was calm and collected, as if nothing had happened, and asked, "Boss, you must have recognized the wrong person. Who is Cui Yingying?"

The man firmly believed that he had not made a mistake.

Just as he was about to speak, Cui Yingzhen turned around and walked to the door, calling softly, "Brother, you can come in."

As soon as he finished speaking, a musician in a long gown and carrying a long box walked into the private room. The brim of his grey hat was pulled down so low that his face could not be seen clearly.

The musician came into the room, said nothing, placed the long box against the wall, then squatted with his back turned to work on the instrument.

No one paid much attention to it, as their attention was all attracted by what the man had just said, and their eyes naturally turned to Cui Yingzhen.

"You are obviously Cui Yingying. I have called you several times. How could I have made a mistake?"

The man took advantage of his drunkenness to compete with Cui Yingzhen, which attracted the laughter of several brothers around him.

"Ah Si, I think you are the one who is not tactful. The girl has already changed her profession, but you still want her to admit that she is a dancer. Who would agree to that?"

"Yeah, since you've changed your career, can't you just go back and wash yourself and start a new life?"

"Hahaha, Ah Fu, I've seen it a long time ago. You are the most wicked person!"

With everyone teasing him, Lou Jingyuan naturally no longer had the leisure to check the song list. He immediately looked up at Cui Yingzhen, but when he glanced at her, his eyes unconsciously stayed on the pianist in the corner for a moment.

The figure looked familiar, but unfortunately, his back was facing away from him and he couldn't see it clearly for a moment.

Although a chill instinctively rose in his heart, as if some fear engraved in his bones was awakened again, Lou Jingyuan did not panic.

Anyway, there are only a man and a woman, why should you be afraid of him?

"Hey, the one playing the sanxian, turn around and let me see you."

Lou Jingyuan raised his finger and gave a commanding tone.

The musician squatted on the floor with his back to the dining table. Without even turning his head, he just said dully, "Wait a moment. It will be ready soon."

"hiss--"

This voice...sounds a little familiar!

Lou Jingyuan stood up unconsciously, winked at the two brothers on his left and right, and ordered: "Go, pull him over and let me see him!"

As soon as he finished speaking, two crisp "click" sounds were heard.

Everyone's heart tightened immediately, and they all stood up and stretched their necks to look around. However, before they could see clearly what was in the box, they heard the musician suddenly shout in a muffled voice:

"Get down!"

Cui Yingzhen was naturally prepared. When she heard the command, she squatted under the table without hesitation.

At the same time, the musician stood up from the ground, holding a machine gun in both hands. He turned around and pulled the trigger.

"Da da da!"

The gun flames rose up, like a sharp flint, and swung towards everyone in the private room.

The broken pieces of cups and plates on the table suddenly jumped up happily like beans being sifted!
Although Lou Jingyuan had already had a vague premonition, he could never have guessed that the other party had a weapon of this rank in his hands!

Everyone screamed and drew their guns, but no matter how fast they were, how could they be faster than the bullets from a submachine gun?
"Bang, bang, bang" - more than a dozen gunshots happened in just a moment!

Lou Jingyuan was shot three times in the chest, and with two "clangs" he collapsed to the ground.

The chair behind him tilted and happened to get stuck on the balcony without falling down.

The recoil of the machine gun was quite strong, and the musician swept the gun from left to right. Before he had gone halfway, the muzzle of the gun jumped up, and the bullet flew to the upper right side of the private room, shattering the glass immediately. The people on the right side of the table luckily avoided the first burst of gunfire.

But it didn't matter. The roar of the machine gun had already frightened those people out of their wits. They no longer wanted to fight back and could only run away in panic.

The musician immediately released his grip on the trigger, lowered the muzzle, and switched to bursts of fire.

In the blink of an eye, several people died on the spot!
Outside the private room, Guanghe Building suddenly became bustling with activity.

At this moment, it was a split second, but the musician was still worried. He changed the magazine with two "clicks" and fired a burst of bullets to the left and right, but stopped in front of Lou Jingyuan.

He was seen holding a machine gun in his left hand and picking up a machete from the box with his right hand. He immediately jumped over the dead body on the ground and rushed to Lou Jingyuan. He kicked him in the chest, held the machete horizontally against his throat, and shouted:

"Little bastard, do you still recognize me?"

Lou Jingyuan spurted out blood with a "wow" sound. At the critical moment, he did not back down and retorted, "Little bastard... don't even think about leaving Shanghai alive..."

"Fuck you!"

Li Zhengxi was furious and cursed loudly. Then he swung his arm and swung the knife, chopping it down horizontally - beheading!
He heard a "puff" sound and blood splattered, immediately staining half of his face red. He completely ignored Lou Jingyuan's last threats.

The west wind is strong!

I will never give up until I have avenged myself. To avenge myself, I can give up everything.

It is true: Today I will drink the blood of my enemies, and Your Majesty Yama will not bow his head!

(End of this chapter)