1928: The Rise of Giants

"Banning smoking is a good thing, but don't rush it. Sixth brother, you should be clear about the current situation in the north. The primary goal is to unite the local warlords to fight against Japan and save the country. As for the opium problem in the north, I will try my best to let the employees of Ye's Investment cooperate with you."

Ye Luo felt that it was a good thing for him to cheer up, but if he tried too hard, it might be worse for him to be depressed for a while like he is now.

Moreover, in the original history, as the Japanese invaders penetrated deeper into the north, Zhang Hanqing would be forced to step down and go abroad to Europe and the United States for inspection around the end of the year. When he returned, it was already 1934.

Therefore, even if he vigorously promotes the ban on smoking now, once he leaves, the North will be deserted and the birds and beasts will scatter.

"Okay, with your assistance, A'Luo, what can't be done?" At this time, Zhang Hanqing had already placed Ye Luo in a position higher than the principal.

During the Middle East Railway incident, everyone obeyed him. When he acted on his own will, only Ye Luo tried to persuade him, and the principal was actually adding fuel to the fire.

After the Japanese invasion, Ye Luo suggested more than once that he transfer the elite troops of the Northern Army back to Fengtian, but he always believed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Nanjing National Government could handle the matter, so he agreed to the principal's "non-resistance" policy.

Later, he fell into poverty and became a traitor hated by everyone. Only Ye Luo withstood the pressure and came all the way to see him and help him, helping him to quit smoking.

This is what a true good brother is!
"Sixth brother, what are your plans for the future?" Ye Luo asked tentatively, "Tianjin City is already filled with Japanese spies. These Japanese invaders have ulterior motives. You have to be careful."

"What can I plan? My reputation has plummeted, while the principal has become famous thanks to the Battle of Songhu. Now I can only guard my own piece of land and act according to circumstances."

Zhang Hanqing laughed miserably, no longer having the sharpness of the young marshal he once was.

Ye Luo sighed. It seemed that he had accepted his fate and gradually gave up the idea of ​​competing with Principal Nan Fang.

This is also good. I can be a warlord in the Anti-Japanese War and fight against the enemy together.

It seems that the incident in 36 that shocked the world was not groundless.

His thoughts are also changing step by step.

"There are many non-governmental organizations in the north that are fighting against the Japanese and saving the nation. Brother Six has the opportunity to secretly provide financial assistance to them. They are attacked from all sides, and it is not easy to fight the Japanese invaders and the puppet army at the same time."

Ye Luo said in a low voice.

Although these people are iron-clad heroes who fight against the Japanese aggression and save the nation, like the underground organizations, they are not recognized by the current orthodox Kuomintang and warlords.

In their eyes, they were just a group of bandits.

"Okay, since you said so, I will do my best." Zhang Hanqing now knew that every word and every action of Ye Luo had a deep meaning, and in short, he would not harm himself.

"Thank you, Sixth Brother. If you need any supplies or military funds, just ask Chen Youde. He has the right to make independent decisions on business below 1000 million dollars." Ye Luo said to him with a smile.

Zhang Hanqing was stunned for a moment, then looked at him seriously.

Who would have thought that in just four years, Ye Luo, who used to have to depend on many military and political figures for his work in a Shanghai dance hall, has now grown so big and powerful!
A business worth less than 1000 million dollars can be decided by just one of his subordinates!

"A Luo, when do you plan to return to Shanghai? I heard that your father is being targeted by the Secret Service." Zhang Hanqing asked again.

He kept thinking about what he could do to help Ye Luo, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't think of anything.

Most Chinese businessmen lack money and background, which Zhang Hanqing can provide, but Ye Luo lacks none of them.

And judging from the current situation, Ye Luo’s capital is already so strong that even he has to look up to him.

"Don't worry, Sixth brother. Dai Li dare not touch my father." Ye Luo waved his hand and smiled, "The Kuomintang is very happy that Shirakawa Yoshinori was killed in the explosion, so how could they really vent their anger on me? The principal's move is just the old-fashioned way of killing a chicken to scare the monkey." "The principal is stubborn and suspicious. Don't you really want to consider coming to me?" Zhang Hanqing hesitated for a moment. The timing and confidence to recruit Ye Luo are far less than before, but he still asked.

"The mountains remain unchanged, the rivers flow forever. I will consider leaving Shanghai in a few years." Ye Luo shook his head and said, "Sixth brother, please stop trying to persuade me. Look, if I had put Ye's investment in the north a few years ago, wouldn't it have become a Japanese company?"

"Haha. That's true. I'm not as good as you in business. In military affairs, well, I'm not as good as you either." Zhang Hanqing smiled awkwardly. He vaguely remembered that when he advised Ye Luo, he said this sentence very confidently. He didn't expect that the fall of the North would slap him in the face.

Just because Ye Luo doesn't get involved in politics doesn't mean he has bad military and political vision!

"In a few days, after everything is settled here, I will take everyone away." Ye Luo said seriously, "After that, I probably won't come here for a long time."

"In that case. Today and tomorrow, I will ask your sister-in-law to cook for us, and we can eat, chat and have a few drinks at home, as a practice for you." Zhang Hanqing wanted to suggest going to a restaurant or brothel, but when he thought about his good health, he decided not to indulge himself.

"Okay, I've long wanted to try my sister-in-law's cooking." Ye Luo nodded.

"Aluo, is there really nothing I can do to help you?" Zhang Hanqing paused and couldn't help asking.

In short, he felt bad that Ye Luo was helping him while he was the one holding him back.

He no longer speaks with the same vigor and enthusiasm as before.

"Of course. If you are willing, please take care of my shipping company in Tianjin. You know, the shipping industry is controlled by foreigners. After I acquired the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company and opened the Ye Shipping Company, I could only grab about 18% of the domestic market. Tianjin is my lifeblood."

Ye Luo smiled and whispered,
"In addition, there are some retired officials in Tianjin City. Please help me keep an eye on them, Sixth Brother."

"Shipping company? That's no problem. My words carry some weight in Tianjin." Zhang Hanqing nodded and smiled, "Mr. Yugong? Do you have a grudge against those old men?"

"It's not me, it's Jianqiao." Ye Luo glanced at Shi Jianqiao who was outside teaching Zhang Hanqing's children how to wield swords and guns.

Her father died tragically at the hands of Sun Chuanfang, and this has always been despised by the warlords. After all, it is a consensus that when people are at war, the disaster should not affect the leaders.

After Shi Congbin was captured, Sun Chuanfang ridiculed and mocked him, and then ordered Shi Congbin to be tied up with wire and taken to Bengbu Railway Station, where he was beheaded with a slow knife and his body was hung up, with a red cloth banner with white letters "Head of the new governor-general Shi Congbin" hung on it.

Since ancient times, when two armies are at war, they are not allowed to torture and kill prisoners. However, Sun Chuanfang's move set a precedent for the torture and killing of captured enemy generals since the Republic of China, which was indeed extremely cruel.

The key point is that many members of the Shi family were revolutionary martyrs, and Shi Congbin was also an extremely upright general, not the kind of warlord who did evil.

The hatred for killing her father was irreconcilable, and Shi Jianqiao wanted to kill her enemy every day.

She has followed Ye Luo for many years because of the promise Ye Luo made back then.

"Sun Chuanfang, right? I understand." Since it involved the revenge for his father's murder, Zhang Hanqing didn't know what to say, so he nodded.

Shi Jianqiao outside felt something and looked inside quietly.

So many years have passed.

The hatred in my heart has actually faded a lot.

Sometimes she thought that if she were asked to choose between killing Sun Chuanfang and staying with Ye Luo, she suddenly felt at a loss.

She hated herself for being like this, but she could do nothing about it. (End of this chapter)