20 years of the Republic of China

Chapter 586 Tea Lecture

Time flies and winter has arrived in the blink of an eye.

A cold rain gradually began to fall over Shanghai, fluttering down heavily. It looked like snow in the mid-air, but it could not stay on the ground and often melted before it hit the ground.

It was a rare free time, so Jiang Lianheng allowed his brothers to go out and play in groups, so that the trip was not in vain.

Among all the brothers, only Lao Jie and Yang Lazi were unhappy and never went out.

Jiang Lianheng saw it, but didn't say anything.

That evening, Wu Chong came to visit suddenly, knocked on the door, came in and chatted with Jiang Lianheng for a few words, which were nothing more than polite greetings like asking about his well-being.

Finally, he lit a cigarette and said, "Mr. Jiang, there will be a tea talk tomorrow in the French Concession. You have to send someone to attend."

"I don't have to go?" Jiang Lianheng was a little surprised.

Wu Chong blew out a smoke ring, waved his hand and said, "Tomorrow is just a formality. Don't worry about those small gangs and factions. Let's finalize the matter tonight and notify them tomorrow."

There will be a small meeting before the general meeting.

This routine is a bit like the current Congress.

Jiang Lianheng nodded, naturally without any objection, but said with a little embarrassment: "I really didn't know we were going to talk about tea today!"

"Didn't I tell you?" Wu Chong slapped his forehead. "It's my fault. I was so busy with military affairs that I forgot about it. But it doesn't matter. We're just talking about tea here. You don't have to prepare it. Just go downstairs."

Lao Qingyun Hotel provides complete accommodation and food, and there are private rooms on the second floor for meetings.

Jiang Lianheng said, "I don't care. The key is that I haven't told Brother Nine yet. I don't know if he can make it here."

"Well, don't worry." Wu Chong explained, "Wang Laojiu has taken a few people to Lin'an, and is not in Shanghai. I heard that it seems that Governor Lu wants to meet him. I guess you also know that Wang Laojiu has participated in the revolution and is an old member of the League. He is different from you. Governor Lu is in need of people now and wants to try him out."

"So sudden?"

"Yes, he also asked me to bring you a message, saying that after meeting with Governor Lu, he will come back as soon as possible to see you off."

"What about the Axe Gang? He doesn't care anymore?"

"I'm not sure about that. All I can say is that Wang Laojiu's mind may not be on this matter at all. It seems that the Axe Gang is now being managed by a guy named Chen."

The last name is Chen, so it must be Chen Lixian.

Jiang Lianheng was a little puzzled. Wasn't Wang Laojiu Kropotkin? Why was he willing to meet Governor Lu?
"So the Axe Gang will not be participating in this tea talk?"

"Mr. Jiang, Wang Laojiu has gone to see Governor Lu. Does it matter whether he comes to talk tea or not?"

As he spoke, Wu Chong put out his cigarette, suddenly stood up, glanced at the clock on the table, raised his hand and said, "The tea talk starts at 7 o'clock, there is still an hour and a half. Come on, I'll take you downstairs to meet someone."

Seeing this, Jiang Lianheng hurriedly got up and followed him out of the hotel room.

When he reached the door of the room, he disturbed Zhao Guoyan and Li Zhengxi who lived next door, and they seemed to want to follow him as well.

Jiang Lianheng looked at Wu Chong's face, then turned around and ordered, "You two stay at the stairs, don't follow him in."

Zhao Guoyan and Li Zhengxi knew they were not qualified, so they responded obediently.

Walking to the lobby on the second floor, Wu Chong led Jiang Lianheng to the door of a private room in the corner.

At this time, Jiang Lianheng had probably guessed who was in the private room.

After all, the number of people who are qualified to participate in this level of tea lecture can be counted on one’s fingers.

"Mr. Jiang, we can forget all grudges by smiling when we meet!"

Wu Chong pushed open the door and stepped aside with a smile.

Sure enough, when the door was opened, a middle-aged man in his early forties came into view.

Triangular eyes, high cheekbones, a crew cut, a long gown, and a slightly unwilling expression - who else could it be but Zhang Xiaolin?
Jiang Lianheng's brows tightened, his heart tightened, and his whole face suddenly became gloomy and dark.

Actually, this was the first time the two met, but they didn't need anyone to introduce them. As soon as their eyes met, they knew each other clearly in just a moment.

At this time, Zhang Xiaolin was the only one in the private room.

There were some scratches on his face and his arms were hung in front of his chest.

Hearing the door open, Zhang Xiaolin hurriedly stood up with his crutches and hurried to the door, smelling of disinfectant.

"Come on, let me introduce you to each other. This is Zhang Xiaolin, and this is of course Jiang Lianheng!"

Wu Chong laughed out loud, walked into the private room, and sat down at the main seat at the round table.

He came on behalf of the military envoy General He, so his words were naturally General He's words.

"Hurry up and sit down, stop tensing like that!"

Wu Chong said with a smile: "Whatever you have to say, just talk it out. Since we are all in the underworld, we will have some bumps and bruises. That's enough. Just let it go. Don't talk nonsense like a woman. No fight, no friendship!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Lianheng had no choice but to go into the house in silence.

Zhang Xiaolin immediately went over and closed the door, then pursed his lips and said sullenly: "Uh, Mr. Jiang, nice to meet you--"

Before he could finish his words, Jiang Lianheng had already passed by him, found an empty seat and sat down.

Zhang Xiaolin looked embarrassed and turned to look at Wu Chong for help.

"Tsk, what's the matter? Are you mute? Speak quickly!"

Wu Chong scolded him a few times with a cold face, and from the tone he spoke, it was clearly the way one scolds a child.

Then, he put on a warm face again, looked at Jiang Lianheng with a big smile, and said, "Mr. Jiang, I know there is a misunderstanding between you two. Can you please give me a favor today and stop arguing about it?"

Jiang Lianheng's face was gloomy, but he couldn't say no.

When Wu Chong saw this, he shouted towards the door again: "Zhang Xiaolin, why are you still standing there? Just apologize with your mouth, quickly!"

Zhang Xiaolin came to his senses, and although he was unwilling, he still limped over, took out a red envelope from his arms, handed it forward respectfully, and forced a smile.

"Mr. Jiang, I was blind before and offended you in many ways. This is a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it!"

Jiang Lianheng said nothing.

Zhang Xiaolin looked at Wu Chong and said, "Of course, I know that Mr. Jiang is not short of money. Human life is at stake, and money cannot represent everything, but it is still my little gift, and I hope Mr. Jiang will accept it."

Jiang Lianheng remained silent, seemingly in a trance, and no one knew what he was thinking about.

Wu Chong tried to smooth things over, smiling and scolding, "Boss Zhang, how can you give a gift like this? You just say it, but you hold it in your hand. Are you giving it sincerely?"

"Yes, yes, Commander Wu is right!"

Zhang Xiaolin stuffed the red envelope into Jiang Lianheng's hand, then poured a bowl of tea and said with a smile: "Come on, Mr. Jiang, if you are willing to show mercy and let Xiaolin go, you can take this cup of tea!"

According to the rules of the underworld, serving tea is not a trivial matter, as it implies becoming a disciple.

Zhang Xiaolin has already lowered himself and put himself in a very low position.

"Tsk, you have some sincerity!" Wu Chong scolded again.

Zhang Xiaolin quickly bent down and raised the tea bowl above his head.

However, after such silence for a moment, Jiang Lianheng still did not take the tea.

Zhang Xiaolin was extremely embarrassed and stammered, "Mr. Jiang... you won't force me to kneel down before you accept the tea, right?" Seeing this, Wu Chong's face finally darkened.

Obviously, Zhang Xiaolin had done exactly what General He ordered.

Apology, everything is necessary.

If Jiang Lianheng continues to be stubborn, it would not only be a disrespect to Zhang Xiaolin, but also a slap in the face of General He.

There is no doubt that Marshal Zhang would not fall out with the Anhui clique because of him.

Jiang Lianheng naturally noticed the change in Wu Chong's expression, so he could only stop while he was ahead.

In fact, he had no intention of making things difficult for Zhang Xiaolin, let alone embarrassing him in front of him.

That didn't give him anything like the pleasure of revenge.

On the contrary, it would only make him feel even more ridiculous.

Blood debt can only be repaid with blood!
Apart from this, any form of reward is nothing more than self-consolation for cowards.

A real man would rather face his failure than use such a childish way to declare his pathetic spiritual victory.

Jiang Lianheng was just a little absent-minded, with many images flashing through his mind.

That year, Liu Yansheng followed his master father and, under the introduction of Chuan Erhong, came to the house of Sea Owl and changed Jiang Xiaodao's name to Jiang Lianheng...

It turns out that they have known each other for so long, a full thirteen years...

However, Wu Chong's change in expression quickly brought Jiang Lianheng back to reality.

He turned his head and looked at Zhang Xiaolin, his tone suddenly sounding weak.

"Mr. Zhang, forget about the tea." Jiang Lianheng said, "You just said you would kneel down for me. Even if you really kneel down now, can my brother still survive? Can your brother survive? So don't use those nonsense anymore. It's useless."

Zhang Xiaolin was stunned, holding the tea bowl, at a loss as to what to do.

Jiang Lianheng continued, "As for your red envelope, I think you gave it to the wrong person. We can't be friends. I think the person who should be most thanked for the fact that you and I can live in peace in this room is Chief Wu."

Upon hearing this, Wu Chong's dark face suddenly became rosy and plump, his mouth curled up, his eyes narrowed, and he turned into a Maitreya Buddha.

"Who, me?"

Wu Chong hurriedly shook his head and wagged his tail, smiling and declining, "No, no, no, I'm just an errand boy, helping General He. Why are you thanking me?"

"Master Wu, you're welcome. You've been busy all the time. Who else can I thank if not you?" Jiang Lianheng asked. "Mr. Zhang, if you don't mind, then consider this money as hard work pay for Master Wu!"

He didn't want to accept the money at all, so he just borrowed the money to offer as a gift.

Zhang Xiaolin naturally had no objection and nodded, "Yes, yes!"

Jiang Lianheng picked up the red envelope and stuffed it into Wu Chong's hand.

Wu Chong just waved his hands repeatedly.

“Stop making trouble, stop making trouble… Hey, stop arguing, it’s boring, take it away quickly… Tsk, no, no, I absolutely cannot take this money… Oh, if you continue like this I’m leaving… Yes, yes, yes, the pocket is here, take it out quickly, don’t stuff it in…”

The three of them argued for a long time.

Wu Chong was very unhappy, his mouth was a little droopy, and he said seriously: "This is just the first time, don't do it again. If this gets out, it will be terrible!"

Jiang Lianheng and Zhang Xiaolin ignored it.

The two of them had heard similar nonsense countless times.

Seeing that the time was getting closer, Jiang Lianheng asked, "Commander Wu, who else will be coming later?"

"Huang Ma Pi, Du Yong, come on!" Wu Chong took a sip of tea. "In addition, there are Kou Sanniang from the Jiangbei Gang, Cao Da Ge from the Lu Gang, and Li Sanye from the Ning Gang. They should also be here..."

He named many names one after another.

Among them, except for the three tycoons of the Green Gang, most of them are figures from local business gangs, hometown associations, guilds, and societies.

When the world was in turmoil and there was no stability, the railways enabled the Chinese to migrate relatively freely for the first time in history. When they were away from home, they always gathered together for warmth. All groups, to a greater or lesser extent, had a gang atmosphere.

Jiang Lianheng listened halfway and suddenly asked, "Did the Guangdong Gang send anyone over as well?"

Wu Chong nodded and said, "Come on, Mr. Jiang may not know this yet..." He glanced at Zhang Xiaolin, and hesitated to speak, "In short, Fengtian and Guangdong Province have had close exchanges recently. Mr. Jiang, do you understand what I mean?"

"So, the Guangdong Gang has also received the news and is ready to stop?"

"Don't worry, the overall situation is the most important thing, the overall situation is the most important thing!"

"I understand that, but is it necessary to invite so many people over?" Jiang Lianheng asked.

"I'm afraid you might have concerns!" Wu Chong explained, "I heard that something went wrong last time when you were talking about tea. This time, just call all the important people here and let's reach a consensus. I wonder who will dare to cause trouble!"

Zhang Xiaolin tensed up and apologized with a smile: "Yes, yes, yes, it was my fault last time. If anyone dares to go back on their word this time, I, Zhang Xiaolin, will be the first to disagree! Moreover, when a new gang is established, according to the rules, it should be notified to all places so that everyone can meet and get to know each other. Mr. Jiang, isn't that what Nong Fengtian does?"

Jiang Lianheng said nothing.

Doing things in Fengtian is much simpler than in Shanghai.

If any business group or guild wants to set up a counter, they just need to go to Zongheng Insurance Company and call the boss, and Jiang Lianheng will nod. There is no need to talk about tea at all.

So the three of them waited in the private room, trying to make small talk with each other, and the atmosphere was somewhat awkward.

Fortunately, although the tea talk was scheduled to start at seven o'clock, leaders of various gangs and guilds had already arrived just after six o'clock.

The deserted atmosphere finally gradually became lively.

Jiang Lianheng had already met many of the people who came, and these people had heard of Jiang Lianheng's name, so they could finally have a target to target, and it was naturally much easier for them to find out more.

What surprised him was that the Axe Gang also sent a representative to talk about tea, and it was Chen Lixian.

Jiang Lianheng chatted with him for a few words, and found that this man seemed to have forgotten the tragic death of his brothers. Now he was sitting at the same table with many famous people in Shanghai, chatting and laughing, and he was able to be very calm, even a little excited.

Chen Lixian seems to have got what he wanted.

He stepped on the bones of his enemies, drank the blood of his brothers, and finally entered the so-called upper class as he wished.

He is like this, and isn't it the same for everyone here?
Jiang Lianheng understood, but did not admire.

Around half past six, Huang Mapi and Du Yong arrived one after another, and everyone was present.

The private room suddenly became quiet.

Seeing everyone sitting down, Wu Chong cleared his throat and laughed loudly: "Everyone, today we asked everyone to come here just to get together and let everyone get to know each other. Taking advantage of the matter between the Green Gang and the Axe Gang, we can also mediate the differences between others and mark out the territory to avoid misunderstandings in the future!"

Everyone nodded.

Wu Chong then raised his hand, held up his glass, and said, "Also, mainly to introduce to you, this is Mr. Jiang Lianheng, and the person next to him is the representative of the Axe Gang, Mr. Chen Lixian."

Jiang Lianheng and Chen Lixian stood up and clasped their hands together: "Everyone, thank you for your hard work!"

After saying this, Huang Ma Pi suddenly frowned.

The voice was too familiar, and when he thought of what had happened before, he felt a mixture of annoyance and fear in his heart.

Looking at Jiang Lianheng, he was already certain in his heart that the man in front of him was the leader of the kidnappers from a few days ago!
(End of this chapter)