20 years of the Republic of China

Chapter 637: An Old Friend Comes Under the Moon

When Jiang Lianheng walked out of the blockhouse, the torches in the yard were burning brightly.

In the flickering firelight, the tenant villagers glanced sideways with cold eyes and calm expressions, appearing to have a clear conscience.

Based on the way the Jiang family members were dressed, they seemed to be able to infer that Jiang Lianheng was an important figure, but to them, how powerful the Jiang family was was still unknown.

Short-sighted, ignorant, unclear, unable to see through...

A narrow vision is bound to lead to limited imagination.

All they knew was that nearly two hundred bandits on horseback were currently besieging the gate of the villa, and they would not kill anyone who handed them over, nor would they engage in a gunfight.

Every wrong has its perpetrator, every debt has its creditor, so don’t blame the villagers for watching someone die without helping.

Haichaoshan walked down from the wall with a rifle in his hand.

When Zhao Guoyan saw him approaching, he immediately lowered his right hand and quickly walked forward. Unexpectedly, after taking a few steps, he was secretly stopped by Jiang Lianheng.

Jiang Lianheng knew what he was going to do - hold Hai Chaoshan hostage, force Lianzhuanghui to open its doors, let Liu Kuaitui and others in, hold the blockhouse, and fight to the end.

But the question is, what are the chances of success?
It was not that he doubted Zhao Guoyan's skills, but after witnessing the blind and determined gazes of the tenant villagers, he had already been convinced that the Shenjiadian Lianzhuang Association was not as solid as a rock.

The ferocity of a lion, the cowardice of a rabbit, the cunningness of a fox...

Jiang Lianheng firmly believed in his own judgment - relying on the Lianzhuang Association might not be a wise move.

At this time, Haichaoshan came over, his face shiny from the blazing fire.

"All right, stop looking!" He shouted at the tenants and villagers in a low voice, "Take your weapons and guard the gate!"

Dozens of strong men then turned around reluctantly, looking back every three steps, as if they were afraid that Jiang Lianheng would run away and did not dare to be careless at all.

Zhao Guoyan was not used to threatening people with harsh words, but seeing this scene, he couldn't help but whispered a threat: "Haichaoshan, if you dare to hand over my boss, I guarantee that you will regret it one day."

I thought Hai Chaoshan would refute, but unexpectedly he just nodded.

"It's not too late for you to regret now." Zhao Guoyan argued again.

Hai Chaoshan ignored him and turned to look at Jiang Lianheng, looking a little embarrassed. After thinking for a while, he said:

"Boss Jiang, the bandits outside have specifically asked for you, so I have no choice but to hand you over. If you survive tonight and want to seek revenge in the future, please put the blame on me alone and spare Mr. Shen's family and the villagers of Shenjia Store. I will have no complaints, and I will definitely bless the Jiang family to prosper in my grave."

"What do you mean by that?" Zhao Guoyan and the others were stunned and asked in confusion, "Since you said that, why do you have to hand us over?"

Hai Chaoshan refused to speak, but just looked at Jiang Lianheng quietly, waiting for the other party to express his opinion.

Jiang Lianheng did not promise anything. He looked over Haichaoshan's shoulder and glanced at the tenant villagers and armed team members of the Lianzhuang Association. After thinking for a moment, he suddenly understood.

The conversation was so quiet that others could hardly hear it clearly, and the villagers looked a little suspicious.

Seeing this, Jiang Lianheng couldn't help but smile jokingly and asked, "Is it worth it?"

Hai Chaoshan stuck the butt of his gun on the ground, looking towards his door, and muttered to himself: "I was entrusted by someone, so it's not worth it."

As he was speaking, the door suddenly opened.

The eldest son of the Hai family carried a cloth bag, walked quickly to his father, and handed it to him.

Jiang Lianheng certainly remembered this cloth bag. What was inside was the guns that the men brought with them.

Hai Chaoshan weighed it in his hand for a few times, hesitated for a moment, and finally did not hand it to Jiang Lianheng. Instead, he said: "Let's go, I'll take you out!"

Just as he finished speaking, several more members of the armed team came over from the backyard, leading the horses of Jiang Lianheng and others.

"Have you drunk water?" Hai Chaoshan leaned over and asked.

The armed team member responded, "It has drunk enough. We didn't dare to feed it more because we were afraid it wouldn't run fast enough."

Hai Chaoshan nodded, then looked up and shouted at the wall: "Xiaoqing, tell them to get out of here!"

"okay--"

Xiaoqing is not an ordinary woman. She is not afraid of the bandits at all and her voice is still clear.

Just as he was about to shout, Jiang Lianheng interrupted him: "Wait, before you leave, can you let me go to the top of the wall and take a look?"

Hai Chaoshan thought about it, and finally agreed. He turned to the armed team and ordered: "Let them go up!"

Although everyone was somewhat reluctant, they still stepped aside to make way for the rammed earth steps leading to the wall, but they looked very alert.

Jiang Lianheng and his companions climbed up to the top of the wall and saw a cavalry of about 200 Hu bandits not far away, all of them holding fire to set fire to the sky. It would be a lie to say that they were not panicking. It was just that they had seen a lot and faced with a life-and-death crisis, they could still keep a calm face and were far from losing their nerves and judgment.

Suddenly, several figures appeared on the wall, and there was a commotion outside the gate of the Lianzhuang Association.

Liu Kuaitui raised his head and cried out in grievance: "Boss Jiang, Haichaoshan is such a scoundrel, come down quickly, we are here, at worst we can fight them later!"

As he spoke, he winked at the wall.

The meaning was very clear - taking advantage of the moment the door was opened, the soldiers rushed in, cooperated inside and outside, first killed the armed team, then seized the Lianzhuang Association, and occupied the blockhouse in order to protect themselves.

It was a nice thought, but I underestimated the knowledge and courage of the Hai family's children.

Xiao Qing immediately fired back, and yelled, "What are you doing there, winking at me? Am I blind, thinking I'm your aunt? Back off, get out of here!"

Just after the scolding, the bandit outside the door suddenly grinned and said, "Don't worry, sister. If this guy dares to cheat, we brothers will help you chase him away!"

After saying that, he looked up at the figure on the wall again and laughed again: "Alright, alright, Boss Jiang, stop wasting time and come down quickly. My boss is anxious to see you!"

Everyone looked serious, as if they were facing a powerful enemy.

Only Jiang Lianheng frowned, as if he was extremely confused by the bandit's words and actions.

Something was not right, but I couldn't tell why.

At this moment, Zhao Guoyan suddenly responded and asked, "What's the matter with your boss looking for me?"

Jiang Lianheng glanced at him secretly but did not stop him. The two brothers once again had a tacit understanding.

After hearing this, Liu Kuai Tui's eyes rolled, and he immediately came to Zhao Guoyan's feet, and took advantage of the situation and suggested in a pretentious manner: "Boss Jiang, why don't we ask for you first?"

Seeing this, Haichaoshan and Xiaoqing looked at each other but did not expose the truth.

Unexpectedly, the bandit smiled without saying anything. Finally, he suddenly raised his hand and pointed, saying, "Zhao Guoyan, when did you change your name to Jiang Lianheng? Did the eldest sister-in-law of the Jiang family agree?"

When these words were spoken, everyone in the Jiang family was extremely surprised.

The visitor knew the Jiang family's background very well and exposed Zhao Guoyan's cover on the spot.

The plan of passing off fake goods as genuine ones will not work.

Zhao Guoyan looked at Jiang Lianheng with a little embarrassment. He was at his wit's end and had no idea what to do for a moment.

Jiang Lianheng remained silent, but he had other plans in mind.

Normally, before the bandits smashed kilns, robbed roads, or tied up rice seedlings, they would first send out detectives to scout the area. Only when they were sure that the other party was a fire point or a kiln would they go down the mountain to take action.

The 200 or so bandits in the distance were not many, but they were a cavalry. They mobilized so many troops, they must have known for sure that Jiang Lianheng was at the Shenjiadian Lianzhuang Association, and they must have been at least 80% sure, so they came straight to kill him.

So, who leaked the news?
Is there a traitor in Shenjia store?

It doesn't seem like it. If there really was a spy, he wouldn't have called for help outside the door.

"Who is your boss?" Jiang Lianheng suddenly asked.

"Didn't I tell you that?" the bandit reiterated, "Old Mang, did you hear me clearly this time?"

"Listen clearly."

"Why don't you come down quickly?"

At this time, Hai Chaoshan suddenly came over and whispered, "Go out of the gate and run to the southwest. There is a small path over there. There are many of them, so they can only chase you in a long line."

Jiang Lianheng nodded calmly.

Xiaoqing immediately shouted outside the door: "You guys, quickly retreat!"

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"I can't retreat!" Liu Kuaitui didn't dare to abandon him at this critical moment. "I can't retreat until I see Boss Jiang come out. If you have the ability, just shoot. At worst, it will be a gunfight!"

"Legs——"

Jiang Lianheng suddenly shouted to the outside of the door: "Go forward a few steps and wait for me."

Liu Kuai Tui took a step forward and thought to himself: It was you who asked us to move forward, you can't blame me!

Zhao Guoyan and others hurriedly advised: "Boss, can you...consider this again?"

"Okay, if you think about it again you will be tied up."

Jiang Lianheng made the decision and walked down the rammed earth steps alone, and the rest of the people had to follow quickly.

Hai Chaoshan followed and stood inside the gate for a while. When he felt that the time was about right, he looked up and asked, "Xiao Qing?"

"Dad, they've gone too far and can't get in!" Xiaoqing replied from the watchtower.

After hearing this, Hai Chaoshan winked at the members of the armed team, and the door of the Lianzhuang Association was half opened. Several tenant villagers immediately rushed forward and used their bodies to block the other door panel.

Jiang Lianheng and others each led a few horses and walked through the gate. The evening breeze in the valley seemed to suddenly become much colder.

Hai Chaoshan followed the few people alone. When his three sons were about to chase after them, the tenant villagers immediately closed the door impatiently.

"Why close the door? We have to follow them out!" the Hai family's children said anxiously.

The tenant villagers hurried forward to stop him, and said, "Don't go, don't go, it's too dangerous outside, your father will be fine, didn't we just agree on that?"

When the armed team members saw this, they were a little hesitant and ultimately did not step forward to help.

On the contrary, Xiaoqing, a girl, was more open-minded. She half-crouched in the sentry tower, holding a five-round rifle, aiming the crosshairs at the back of Jiang Lianheng's head, and reminded him loudly:
"Mr. Jiang, and that bastard, I'm watching you two—"

Outside the gate of the Lianzhuang Association, Jiang Lianheng turned around and waved to the girl.

At this time, the group had already walked up to the bandit, and Liu Kuaitui and others, under the coercion of the Lianzhuang Association and the request of Jiang Lianheng, also retreated to the fields.

When the two sides met, Zhao Guoyan and others were naturally on edge, and they were thinking in their minds whether to run away together, or find an opportunity to get close to the bandit leader, take him hostage, and let the boss run first.

Lianzhuanghui's back is against Laoye Mountain, and the road in front of it has long been surrounded by the Hu bandits' cavalry. No matter which road they choose, there will be an exchange of fire.

After thinking it over, he still couldn't make up his mind, so he looked back at his boss.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Lianheng looked indifferent at this moment.

Seeing this, the bandit couldn't help but smile and said, "Boss Jiang, come with me?"

Then he looked towards Haichao Mountain and asked in confusion, "Why are you still following me?"

"Go a little further!" Hai Chaoshan said coldly, "Stay away from Lianzhuang!"

The bandit Hu shrugged his shoulders with an indifferent attitude, then pulled the reins, turned the horse's head, turned his back to the crowd, and walked towards the bandit gang first.

Jiang Lianheng looked up at the bandit's back, his brows furrowed, his eyes became more confused, and his guess in his heart became more and more firm.

At this moment, Hai Chaoshan suddenly took the opportunity to stuff the cloth bag containing the gun into Jiang Lianheng's hand and whispered: "Boss Jiang, please forgive me!"

After saying this, he immediately turned around and faced the crowd with his back.

Jiang Lianheng and others immediately mounted their horses. Zhao Guoyan immediately drew his pistol, looked sideways, and waited for his boss to give the order.

The bandit in front turned slightly to the side and glanced at a few people, then said, "Hey, don't be so impulsive, bullets don't have eyes!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Kuaitui and others also rushed over from the fields, grabbing horses while shouting: "Boss Jiang, retreat quickly, we brothers will cover you——"

"no need!"

"Brothers, follow me..." Liu Kuai Tui's words were stuck in the middle, as if he couldn't believe his ears, "What the hell, no, no need?"

Jiang Lianheng nodded, then quickly waved his hand, signaling Zhao Guoyan and others not to act rashly.

The bandit in front looked sideways again, then suddenly shook his head, as if he was finally relieved.

Jiang Lianheng also smiled and raised his chin and asked, "Hey, brother, how is your boss doing recently?"

"Oh, it's not easy to mix!"

Hearing the bandit's loose tone, everyone looked at each other in confusion, not knowing what the other party meant, let alone what Jiang Lianheng's plan was. But the boss was the boss after all, and no one dared to start a fight without his say.

Just when he was puzzled, he saw Jiang Lianheng smiling at the bandit and said, "You are quite brave."

"No way, I lost!"

The bandit replied without any reason, and Zhao Guoyan and others became even more confused.

The cavalry moved forward slowly, and after half a cigarette's time, they finally arrived near the bandits.

The bandits had ferocious faces, and their eyes looked even more vicious under the light of the torches.

There was silence all around. The gang just looked at the few people quietly without anyone speaking.

Jiang Lianheng stopped his horse and looked around at everyone. He didn't see any familiar faces, so he took a deep breath and suddenly cursed, "Where's that bastard Sun Xiangyang? If he doesn't come out, don't blame me for holding a grudge against him in the future!"

The sound echoed in the valley for a moment.

Then, the cavalry suddenly loosened up, and the bandits in the front row moved to the sides to make way.

The sound of hooves came closer and closer, and then a vague figure gradually emerged from behind the horse team.

He had no torch in his hand, so it was not until he walked in front of the crowd that everyone could see his face and the broken, curled-brimmed Western hat on his head.

The man grinned, revealing his banditry. He even clasped his hands towards Jiang Lianheng and said with a chuckle:
"Old Jiang, how are you?"

(End of this chapter)