20 years of the Republic of China

Chapter 596: Swordsmen Crossing the River
There was no conversation all night and dawn broke.

Jiang Lianheng got up early and went out. When he went to the Marshal's Mansion again, he finally met Zhang Lauda as he wished.

He entered through the side door, handed the gift to the housekeeper, then followed the guards through the three courtyards, turned into the small door, followed the principles of heaven and human nature, and headed for the brothel.

Marshal Zhang's status became higher and higher, and the road one had to travel to see him seemed to become particularly long.

I arrived at the office door and knocked twice, and there was an immediate response from inside the room.

"Enter!"

When I pushed open the door, I saw Zhang Laogeda standing in front of the window with his back to the door. A young woman was tidying up his military uniform, and their behavior was very intimate.

"Marshal, Mr. Jiang is here." The guard stood at attention and announced.

Jiang Lianheng then entered the room, clasped his fists and bowed, saying in a low voice: "Hello, Marshal, hello, Madam Five."

Zhang Lao Geda turned his head slightly, smiled and asked, "Are you back?"

"Yes, I just came back the day before yesterday. Yesterday I heard that the Marshal was too busy and didn't have time, so I went back first." Jiang Lianheng stood respectfully with his hands hanging down.

Zhang Lao Geda sighed and said, "Ah, I am always busy. I am so busy that I am almost exhausted. I never have a moment's rest."

Before she finished speaking, Madam Wu leaned over, smiled at Jiang Lianheng, and said, "Mr. Jiang, please sit down and wait for a while. I'll be done soon, and then you two can chat again."

Jiang Lianheng nodded and said quickly, "No hurry, no hurry."

"Have you eaten?" Madam Wu asked again, "If you haven't eaten, how about having a bite here later?"

"Thank you, Madam Fifth. I came here to eat. No need to trouble you." Jiang Lianheng stood at the door, rubbed his hands, and thanked repeatedly.

It seemed that Zhang Laogeda had just finished breakfast. He was now dressed in formal attire with medals and shoulder straps. He probably had an important meeting to attend in person later, so he took advantage of this moment of leisure to summon Jiang Lianheng in for questioning.

The house is full of life, which can't help but give people the illusion that:
The man standing in front of the window is just a local rich man in the area of ​​Baishan and Heishui, and he is not a provincial governor who can influence the situation in the world.

Soon, Madam Wu handed the military cap to Lao Zhang, nodded to Jiang Lianheng, and then quickly left the office.

With a "click", the door closed and the room suddenly became three degrees darker.

Zhang Laogeda turned around, with his back to the light, a stern look on his face, and the breath of life just now disappeared.

After all, he is still the powerful "King of the Northeast" - Marshal Zhang.

Zhang Lao Geda looked up at Jiang Lianheng, and was suddenly stunned. He then walked to the table, leaned over and sat down, raised his hand, and asked, "What's wrong? Did you suffer a loss?"

Jiang Lianheng touched his right ear twice, looking ashamed, and said with a smile: "I'm sorry to have embarrassed you, Marshal."

"How did you do it?"

"This... If you go to other places to buy land and want to set up a cabinet, you can't avoid bumping into those local tyrants."

"It rang?"

“It made quite a commotion.”

"what's the result?"

"In the end... thanks to the Marshal's care, the result was not bad, and all the tasks that needed to be done were completed."

Zhang Lao Geda smiled when he heard this, nodded and said, "That's fine. It's good to be at home, but it's hard to go out. It's normal to suffer a little. As long as you are fine, it's good."

Jiang Lianheng smiled bitterly and said, "But this matter was not handled well. I feel a little ashamed of the Marshal's trust in me."

These words seemed to be an attempt to take the blame, but Zhang Laogeda just waved his hands and smiled nonchalantly.

"Well, what's the big deal?" he said, "As long as you get the job done, you'll be worthy of me. As for whether you're pretty or not, I don't care. As long as you can get it done, that's fine!"

Jiang Lianheng said, "That's true, but the reason this matter was accomplished was ultimately due to your power, Marshal. I dare not take all the credit for myself."

Zhang Lao Geda couldn't help but laugh and said, "That's right. If you go out to do something for me, who else can you rely on if not me? If you rely on others, I'll have to think about it!"

Jiang Lianheng was silent.

He didn't come here to seek credit; on the contrary, he even secretly expected Lao Zhang to blame him.

However, Zhang Laogeda has never been harsh towards his subordinates, and is even a little spoiled.

As long as his subordinates don't go too far, he tends to turn a blind eye, let things slide and never delve into the matter.

What's more, Jiang Lianheng had made a great contribution, so Lao Zhang was overjoyed and nodded with great satisfaction.

"Xiao Jiang, I knew that you were the right one to do the intelligence work. You are an old hand, and you have been working for me since the Xinhai Revolution. In the past ten years, you have never let me down. As for being at a disadvantage——"

Zhang Lao Geda paused, as if recalling the past, and couldn't help but sigh:
"Don't even mention you. Even I have suffered a lot over the years. When I was young, I fought with a bandit and got shot. Later, I was almost killed by the Japanese. Two years ago, when I went to the capital, I was almost killed by that bastard Xiao Xu... We all lived on the edge of a knife and made our way here. If we survive a disaster, we will surely have good fortune in the future!"

Jiang Lianheng echoed a few words.

Zhang Lao Geda then asked, "How many people did you run into during your visit to the foreign land?"

Old Zhang got excited and started talking in online jargon, having a brief conversation with Jiang Lianheng.

The so-called mixed friends are just casual friends who are not close friends, but when they meet, they can be polite and courteous to each other.

Jiang Lianheng knew that Lao Zhang was very busy, so he just mentioned a few names without explaining the whole story.

Zhang Lao Geda listened and nodded and said, "To get intelligence, you just need to make a few more friends. You don't have to hide anything when you go out in the future. If you really meet someone who needs help, just mention me."

This is true.

Nine out of ten intelligence works in this world are not stolen by climbing walls and climbing roofs, or having unpredictable abilities, but are mostly bought with money and sex.

If you want to participate in intelligence trading, you must first be a person in this circle.

There is no such thing as carrying two gold bars in your pocket and running around the streets buying information. That's nonsense.

But the price of making "friends" is too heavy for the Jiang family.

When Jiang Lianheng heard that he might have to go on business trips again in the future, his heart sank suddenly. He hesitated for a long while, but did not dare to say "no".

"This... Marshal, I'm not trying to refuse. I'm just worried that I'll miss out on important military and political matters. If I'm away from home, I might embarrass you again... and bring shame to Fengtian..."

Before he finished speaking, Zhang Lao Geda waved his hands and whispered to comfort him: "Don't worry, it's not your turn to lose Fengtian's face. If anyone has to lose it, it's me."

"Then..." Jiang Lianheng pondered for a moment and asked, "Where is the Marshal going to send me recently?"

However, Zhang Laogeda said, "Don't go anywhere during this period of time. Just stay in Fengtian." Hearing this, Jiang Lianheng finally breathed a sigh of relief.

As he spoke, Zhang Lao Geda waved his hand again and said, "Don't just stand there doing nothing. Find a place to sit down and talk to me about Shanghai."

Jiang Lianheng nodded, then found a chair and sat down.

What Lao Zhang wanted to hear was naturally not some disputes in the underworld.

The initial purpose of this trip to Shanghai was to do three things:
First, to recruit people from the arsenal in Shanghai; second, to summarize the business transactions in Shanghai; third, to establish an intelligence base for the future.

There is no need to elaborate on the first two tasks, but there was something wrong with the last one. The process of establishing this intelligence base caused too much noise online, and it is no longer a secret.

The advantage is that Jiang Lianheng also got to know many people from all walks of life and famous businessmen, so if there is any intelligence transaction in the future, he will be able to do it in a targeted manner.

Zhang Lao Geda was very satisfied, but after hearing about the business situation in Shanghai, he couldn't help but sigh and said, "Damn it, such a treasure pot fell into someone else's hands. The tax revenue for this year will be enough to pay for many military salaries."

Jiang Lianheng nodded, and after reporting, he asked, "Marshal, have you had any other errands recently?"

"Yes!" Zhang Lao Geda said, "If I send spies to their side, they will not send people to our side?"

"I see. Fengtian's affairs are easy to handle. I'll pay more attention to them when I go back."

"Yes, but I always feel that keeping you in Fengtian forever is a bit of a waste of your talent, isn't it?"

Hearing this, Jiang Lianheng's heart tightened immediately, and he hurriedly said: "Marshal, you think too highly of me. I am just a gangster in Fengtian. If I run further, I am really afraid of delaying things!"

Zhang Lao Geda suddenly smiled, as if he had read Jiang Lianheng's mind at a glance, and raised his finger and pointed, saying, "You are a homesick boy!"

"No, no, no, the main reason is that my ability is limited and I'm afraid of disappointing the Marshal's trust." Jiang Lianheng explained hurriedly.

Zhang Lao Geda waved his hand and said, "It's just intelligence. What's the point of disappointing someone? If we can get it, that's the best. Even if we can't, that's okay. Don't worry, Xiao Jiang. You work for me. Have I ever treated you unfairly?"

"Of course not. I am where I am today because of the Marshal."

"Don't keep flattering me with these nonsense. Xiao Jiang, don't be so modest. Tell me, why did I let you open a shop in Fengtian? Was it because I saw that you were good at flattering people?"

Jiang Lianheng was speechless. He felt as if he was being put on the fire. It was no longer up to him to decide whether to advance or retreat.

Zhang Lao Geda continued, "We are all family. I will not hide it from you. Sooner or later, I will have to fight with Wu Xiucai, so you have to join in the fight."

Jiang Lianheng's heart sank and he didn't know how to respond.

Zhang Lao Geda leaned back in his chair and said to himself, "That Wu Xiucai is the best at manipulating public opinion. He is always talking nonsense and scolding people without using any dirty words. Damn it, I am so frustrated!"

As he spoke, he looked at the clock on the wall and then stood up.

Jiang Lianheng immediately stood up as well.

Zhang Lao Geda said, "I guess when the war starts, he will stir up public opinion everywhere, including in Fengtian, to force me to resign. He's just talking nonsense. After the war starts, I have to go to Junliang City in person. Fengtian will be empty by then. You have to help me keep an eye on the signs and prevent chaos in the city."

Jiang Lianheng suddenly understood and said hurriedly: "I understand, but..."

"I will impose martial law at that time!" Zhang Lao Geda interrupted, "I will give you this power. All the spies in the provincial capital will be under your command. If you have any problems, please notify the police department. I have sent someone to tell them."

Jiang Lianheng's heart trembled. He knew he shouldn't ask too many questions, but when he thought of Zhao Zhengbei still in the barracks, he hesitated for a moment and asked:
"Marshal, if that's the case... this battle is about to begin?"

"It's the beginning of spring. It's too cold in winter to fight. We'll have to fight after the beginning of spring."

Zhang Lao Geda turned around, looked Jiang Lianheng up and down, and said earnestly: "Xiao Jiang, I trust you very much. Don't you run an insurance company? Remember, when the war really starts, can the goods shipped from the Beijing-Fengtian line outside the Great Wall be insured? You have to look at the war situation carefully!"

Inside information is money.

This sentence alone is enough to help the Jiang family avoid most business risks.

At the same time, how to make use of this windfall from war depends on Jiang Lianheng's own understanding.

Jiang Lianheng didn't have time to think about it, so he just thanked him first: "Thank you for the reminder, Marshal. Thank you for the reminder, Marshal."

"That's enough!" Zhang Lao Geda laughed, "Xiao Jiang, I still say the same thing. As long as you are worthy of me, I, Lao Zhang, will not treat you unfairly."

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a knock on the door.

"Boom boom boom!"

"Enter!"

At Zhang Lao Geda's command, the guard pushed the door open, saluted, and announced in a loud voice: "Marshal, General Yang and his men have arrived. The meeting can start anytime."

"Oh, I see. Wait here for a while. I'll be there soon."

Zhang Laogeda waved his hand, then picked up the military cap on the table and walked towards the door.

Seeing this, Jiang Lianheng naturally had no reason to stay any longer, so he followed closely and prepared to leave in a low voice.

Unexpectedly, just as he reached the door of the room, Zhang Lao Geda suddenly turned around, was silent for a moment, and then patted Jiang Lianheng on the shoulder, as if he was pleased, but also as a warning, and said: "Xiao Jiang, you are my old subordinate, and you have always performed well."

"Thank you for your cultivation, Marshal."

"But don't quit your job just because you're going to Shanghai!" Zhang Laogeda said with a smile.

Lao Zhang's words sounded particularly benevolent.

As the Inspector General of the Three Northeastern Provinces and a high-ranking official, his words were those of a good boss.

However, just this one sentence blocked all the Jiang family's escape routes, leaving them with no room for maneuver.

The sword soldiers crossed the river and never retreated.

Jiang Lianheng's heart sank to the bottom of the valley. He stood there blankly, opening his mouth to say something. But when he looked up again, he saw that Marshal Zhang had already left the office quickly. Only the guard at the door whispered to him:
"Mr. Jiang, come this way, I'll take you out."

Jiang Lianheng was a little stunned. He glanced at Marshal Zhang's back from afar along the corridor and couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

If you rise by this, you will surely fall by this.

"Mr. Jiang?" the guard called again.

Jiang Lianheng finally came to his senses, nodded blankly, and said, "Oh, okay, thank you for your help."

Afterwards, he left the Marshal's Mansion in a daze.

(End of this chapter)