20 years of the Republic of China

Chapter 671 Old School Speech
In the living room of the mansion, Xue Yingqing, Wang Zhengnan and Li Zhengxi took their seats respectively. Zhang Zhengdong rested his butt on the windowsill, holding a pear in his hand. The pear was probably not fully ripe yet, and it was sour and astringent, so he couldn't help but grimace when he ate it.

Jiang Lianheng sat deeply in the armchair, while Hu Xiaoyan lay quietly beside him.

The servants stepped aside and the two children were taken upstairs by Sister Hua.

Except for Zhao Guoyan and Wen Tingge, everyone who should have come had arrived. There was no need to wait any longer and the meeting began.

Jiang Lianheng cleared his throat, lit a cigar, and then talked about the experiences he had in Shen's store.

Of course, what happened to the Shen family store was just an introduction. What was important was about Lao Mang, the current situation of the Jiang family, and Zhang Xiaokun's request for the Jiang family to help underwrite the opium.

After explaining the whole story, Jiang Lianheng leaned heavily on the sofa and said, "I called you here today for no other reason than to discuss these matters together. Everyone can speak freely and say whatever you want. Let's also practice democracy and set an example for the government."

Everyone laughed, but said nothing.

"Stop laughing and talk!" Jiang Lianheng said seriously without joking, "We are all in the same boat, and our lives are tied together. Now we have come to a fork in the road. I want to hear your opinions on how to go in the future."

The cigar smoke rose in curls, and the living room was quiet for a long time.

Finally, Wang Zhengnan leaned forward, picked up the ashtray, handed it over, and said with a smile: "Brother, we don't have much to say. When something big happens at home, you still have to make the decision. What result do you want and where do you want to go, we will listen to you. Now that we have a direction, we can work together and figure out how to get things done."

Everyone was silent and nodded, still without expressing their opinion.

"south wind--"

Jiang Lianheng flicked the ashes off his cigarette twice, but asked, "You usually have a lot of ideas, why are you trying to fool me with such nonsense today? What's wrong? Are you afraid of taking responsibility if you say something wrong?"

"No, no." Wang Zhengnan denied hurriedly.

"Then say whatever you want to say!" Jiang Lianheng reiterated, "You all have to express your opinions today. Don't worry about what I think. Just say your own opinions."

Seeing that everyone was at a loss and hesitant, he continued, "Don't worry, no matter what you say, I will still be the one who makes the final decision. Even if we take the wrong path and fall into a ditch in the future, it is my decision and you can't be blamed anyway. Don't worry, just say what you need to say."

Everyone looked at each other, seemingly hesitant to speak.

Gradually, they all turned their eyes to Xue Yingqing.

Shopkeeper Xue has the highest seniority and the most financial resources in the hall, so it stands to reason that she should be the first to speak.

"Alright, alright, stop playing dumb. I'll speak first!" She turned sideways and looked at Jiang Lianheng. "If you want me to express my opinion, I'll speak directly."

"That would be the best!" Jiang Lianheng nodded and raised his hand to signal, "If you want to say it, just say it directly. If you try to hide it, it's better not to say it. It won't sound pleasant!"

Xue Yingqing straightened her cheongsam and thought for a moment, as if she really had something profound to say, and it seemed that she had been holding it in for a long time and finally got the chance to say it.

"If you ask me, there are only two kinds of people in this world: Hezi and Kongzi; there are also only two kinds of places to go: Jianghu and the government."

This is typical old-school argument.

Jiang Lianheng was not surprised. Although Xue Yingqing was only one or two years older than him, he was a senior in the underworld with quite some experience.

In Lao He's eyes, the underworld and the government have never gotten along well. Although they cannot be said to be as hostile as water and fire, they always hold grudges against each other and look down on each other.

The reason why Lao Chai was able to be an exception and be accepted into the underworld was because he was a clerk, not an official.

Throughout the dynasties, the government has always suppressed the underworld.

It was simply a time of chaos, with the fall of the Qing dynasty, warlords fighting each other, government orders not being implemented, concessions rampant, and the Qinghong brothers taking advantage of the overthrow of the Qing dynasty. The bandits outside the Great Wall suddenly transformed themselves into "Kings of the Northeast", and the underworld forces were able to gain entry, turning from ruffians into powerful and famous people.

This is not the norm.

The truth is, the old gangsters' hostility towards the government has not disappeared, and the government's dislike for the old gangsters will always remain.

Xue Yingqing obviously tends to hold the old-fashioned view, and continued, "Of course, I'm not that rigid. The Jiang family can be what it is today with the tacit approval of the government, but everything should be done in moderation. The government tacitly approves that the Jiang family is powerful, but the Jiang family is not just sitting there doing nothing. Over the years, we have done what we should do, taken the lead, and cooperated as required by the government. We have to listen to Lao Zhang's orders, but who is Zhang Xiaokun? Why should we take risks for him?"

"Brother Zhang is now considered a local leader," Jiang Lianheng said.

"So what?" Xue Yingqing snorted, "The Jiang family is in Fengtian, not Suining. Can Zhang Xiaokun still bring down Marshal Zhang?"

Everyone shook their heads. They really couldn't see such a possibility, not at all.

Jiang Lianheng held up two fingers and said, "In just two months, the number of people under his command has increased from two hundred to several thousand... I didn't say he can defeat Lao Zhang, but he will definitely be a big deal in the future."

"I understand what you mean, betting!" Xue Yingqing crossed his arms, his opinion still unchanged, "But this is not cost-effective, the risk is too great, and there is no need for us to bet now!"

As she was talking, she suddenly frowned, looking a little confused, and asked, "Hey, it's just this point, you can't not understand it, why are you still asking? Is there anything else that I don't know?"

Wang Zhengnan continued, "Manager Xue, this General Zhang...he has helped us before."

"When?"

"It should be ten years, right?" Li Zhengxi glanced upstairs. "Almost. At least during the Xinhai Revolution, he brought a few Russians to help us and killed a little Japanese named Miura Kumasuke."

"It wasn't just that time." Jiang Lianheng sighed, "Twenty years ago, he saved my life. Even though he just happened to be there, he did save me once."

"No wonder, it turns out I owe you a favor!"

Xue Yingqing leaned back on the sofa, took out a cigarette from the silver box, took two puffs with the slender filter, and said calmly, "I wonder why you always let him eat and drink for free at your place!"

Jiang Lianheng didn't say anything. After a moment of silence, Xue Yingqing shook his head and said, "You shouldn't help him. This is too big a matter. It's not the time to talk about loyalty. If you don't do it well, you may lose your head. You are kind enough to repay him, but he doesn't think so much. He is just pushing you into the fire pit. It's better not to be friends with such a brother."

Hu Xiaoyan remained calm and listened to everyone's speeches silently.

Wang Zhengnan thought about it and asked, "Brother, is General Zhang's appeal really that great?"

"Big, very big!" Jiang Lianheng said truthfully, "I saw it with my own eyes in Ning'an!"

"That's difficult to deal with. If things go wrong, the favor may turn into hatred. When he climbs to a high position in the future, he will definitely hold a grudge against us." Wang Zhengnan shook his head repeatedly.

"It's easy. Just don't let him climb up, isn't it?" Xue Yingqing said coldly through the smokescreen, "Go and report him now, saying that he secretly grows opium and recruits soldiers privately. The Jiang family is originally a spy for Lao Zhang, and they are all people who can enter the Marshal's Mansion. Tell Lao Zhang about this directly. I don't believe he won't be suspicious."

This sounds exaggerated, but as a spy for the provincial government, Jiang Lianheng can indeed influence Lao Zhang's judgment to a certain extent, especially for collateral relatives like Zhang Xiaokun, his accusations are almost always correct.

What's more, there were a lot of Fengtian clique high-ranking officials who looked down on Zhang Xiaokun, so it was not difficult to fan the flames.

Jiang Lianheng did not make any statement.

However, upon hearing this, Li Zhengxi immediately retorted, "How can that be possible? General Zhang has done the Jiang family a favor after all. Now he comes to us for help. It would be fine if we don't help him, but we turn around and tell on him. What kind of people are we then?"

"One should not serve two masters at the same time!" Xue Yingqing said calmly, "Your brother was originally Lao Zhang's spy. Now that he knows the truth but does not report it, it is already a crime."

Li Zhengxi was speechless. He pondered for a long time, but still couldn't find a way out. He just muttered quietly: "Think about it again. Anyway, I don't agree with informing. Think about it again. There must be a way to have the best of both worlds..."

"There is no such thing as having the best of both worlds in this world. It's nothing more than one side giving in and compromising." Xue Yingqing said, "Since the Jiang family has waded into this muddy water, there is no such thing as having the best of both worlds. Knowing the truth but not reporting it, they can still get away with it. Helping to sell opium and letting Zhang Xiaokun recruit soldiers privately means they have entered the game and can't get out."

Wang Zhengnan nodded: "Manager Xue is right. The best the Jiang family can do is to stay out of it. Any other option will do more harm than good."

"Brother Dong, what do you think?" Li Zhengxi looked towards the living room windowsill.

Zhang Zhengdong shrugged and said indifferently, "I'm fine with anything."

"You can call me whatever you want. Our brother just said that everyone has to express their stance."

"Well...then stay out of it."

"If you just stay out of it, then I can accept that." Li Zhengxi gave in a little, but still insisted on his bottom line, "You can't tell on me. That's too despicable."

Wang Zhengnan shook his head and said, "That's not the main issue. The key is that if we tell on him, we'll be enemies forever. General Zhang is an official, so it's better not to offend him if possible. Besides, it's not easy to stay out of this. If we don't help, General Zhang will probably feel uncomfortable, and we won't be as close to him in the future."

"He can get close to us or not, so why does he have to force the Jiang family to be on his boat?"

Xue Yingqing suddenly got a little angry, turned to look at Jiang Lianheng, and said angrily: "Lianheng, I still say the same thing, Zhang Xiaokun wants you to help underwrite the opium, but when you say this, he doesn't treat you as a brother. Why do you still care about this kind of person!"

Jiang Lianheng's reaction was very calm. He nodded and said, "Go on, I'm listening!"

It seems that he really intends to seriously consider the opinions of various halls today.

"If I go on, I'm afraid you won't be happy." Xue Yingqing did not take any risks.

Jiang Lianheng had no choice but to reiterate: "Don't worry, you can say whatever you want today, I will consider it. What happened to Lao Mang was probably not accidental. Maybe the family should make some adjustments, just say it."

Upon seeing this, Xue Yingqing, relying on his family's seniority and his previous contribution in the assassination of Master Rong Wu, finally started talking.

"Okay, then I'll just tell you."

She straightened her thoughts and said earnestly, "Lian Heng, don't think I'm being mean, but to be honest, the Jiang family is too greedy now, their hands are too long, gambling dens, opium, brothels, docks, arms, insurance, labor, they either monopolize or take commissions, people in the underworld don't say anything, but that doesn't mean they don't have complaints in their hearts, if this goes on, there will definitely be problems. Heng, Ge, Lan and Rong are one family, this old order is not said in vain, we have to give in when we should."

Hearing this, Wang Zhengnan nodded continuously but did not interrupt.

Xue Yingqing continued, "Old Zhang is not young anymore. Who can see clearly what will happen in the future? Forget about other things. Just look at how many presidents have been replaced since the founding of the Republic of China in just ten years? Look at Old Zhang's dry appearance. How many years can he last? Even if the young marshal takes over smoothly, it's still 'a new emperor, new ministers'. Haven't we been educated and listened to books?"

"Wait a minute!" Li Zhengxi leaned forward and said, "Manager Xue, if that's the case, shouldn't we place our bets in advance?"

"Stupid, what are you betting on?" Xue Yingqing said, "I receive a lot of officers every day in my place, and I have heard a lot of rumors. Tell me, besides Marshal Zhang, who else can convince the people in the three northeastern provinces? There are so many factions, including the old and young of the Qing Dynasty, the non-commissioned officers who studied abroad in Japan, the princelings, and the elders. Can you tell who will gain power in the future? I can't tell anyway!"

No one can see clearly.

The old marshal’s position in the three northeastern provinces is irreplaceable, not even by the young marshal.

"In the current situation, we should find a way to get out of this as soon as possible, instead of stirring up trouble." Xue Yingqing made no secret of his rejection of the government. "You can say I'm an old-fashioned person, it doesn't matter, but my experience is that harmony is harmony, and the world is the destination. There are only a few Marshal Zhangs in the world, so don't be wishful thinking, and don't think that we will become government officials just because we work for the government. Those officials look down on us from the bottom of their hearts, they just think we are useful and use us temporarily."

Jiang Lianheng nodded: "Go on."

"Lead us by the example of the past!" Xue Yingqing waved his hand and said, "Look, Sun Dapao used up the Hongmen, but before he succeeded, he began to look down on those gangsters who were not presentable. I dare say that if Zhang ever conquers the Central Plains and unifies the world, he will also think that we have disgraced him."

"I agree with that, but Old Zhang...is actually quite sentimental. When his second and fourth brothers rebelled, he didn't pursue the matter."

"Okay, even if Old Zhang is nostalgic, what about Little Zhang?"

Xue Yingqing asked: "Throughout the dynasties, there have been many cases of killing meritorious officials. Of course, the Jiang family is a top family, so they are not worth killing! But the problem is, if we insist on getting involved in those party disputes, the result will be different. Besides, even if Xiao Zhang is kind-hearted, can he still protect the Jiang family like Lao Zhang? He is a young master, and he looks down on people like us from the bottom of his heart. When the time comes, he can just remove the umbrella over the Jiang family's head..."

At this point, she paused and finally came to a conclusion:

"Based on what the Jiang family has done online over the years, those who are dissatisfied with the family will naturally come looking for them. The result will probably be another chaos!
"Lian Heng, I have to remind you - the debt of the underworld is the debt of children!"

(End of this chapter)