20 years of the Republic of China

Chapter 710 Information Dealer
The next morning, I went to Bagua Street and heard the sounds of pine trees and bamboos.

The three-day birthday banquet at the Marshal's Mansion has come to an end. Except for a few close allies, representatives from various places have also left the border one after another, and Fengtian City has suddenly become much quieter.

As planned, Chen Guojin went to the provincial military governor's office early in the morning to report on his work.

Mr. Jiang was busy with official duties and couldn't get away.

In this way, Jiang Lianheng freed up half a day and made an appointment with Ye Jingtian to meet here alone.

The two of them checked into a private room. There was no wine, meat or food, and no girls to keep them company. The crimson curtains were tightly closed, and the room was so quiet that it was dizzying.

Ye Jingtian sipped his tea leisurely, turned his head to look at the decoration and furnishings in the private room, marveled from time to time, and said a few meaningless words.

Jiang Lianheng, however, turned a deaf ear to it and sat aside, holding a few sheets of beige striped paper in his hand, frowning and flipping through them carefully.

This is a secret intelligence document.

According to Ye Jingtian, the intelligence was leaked from the Cantonese Customs, which contained a list of aid provided by the Red Hairs to the Guangdong Army.

Guns, ammunition, mountain cannons, equipment, even many names of Russians, and hundreds of thousands of rubles in aid.

It is so detailed that it is suspicious.

Ye Jingtian was still explaining confidently: "This is only the first batch of aid supplies. There will be at least two more batches of aid of this level this year, no more, no less!"

Jiang Lianheng nodded and muttered softly, "It seems that Red Hair is ready to get serious this time!"

"Of course! At the beginning of last year, Sun Yue retired to Shanghai. When he met with the red-haired representatives, he had already finalized the aid plan. Didn't Boss Jiang know about it?"

"I only knew there was a joint statement, but I didn't expect the Russians to be so generous."

The year before last, there was internal strife among the Guangdong Army, and after Dr. Sun fled Guangzhou, he was almost at the end of his rope.

At that time, in order to consolidate the "Anti-Zhi Triangle Alliance", Marshal Zhang specially raised funds and lent a helping hand to Sun in times of crisis.

Jiang Lianheng was certainly aware of these circumstances, and Wen Tingge had also promptly reported the news about the joint statement from Shanghai.

However, the Red Hairs' specific plan to aid the Guangdong Army was always kept secret until the supplies arrived in Guangzhou, and relevant information was gradually leaked.

Ye Jingtian said with certainty: "The aid plan formulated last year will be fully implemented this year. Let's see how the Guangdong Army's Eastern Expedition progresses. If the Eastern Expedition is successful, it is estimated that the Red Hairs will continue to increase their aid."

Jiang Lianheng pulled out a piece of paper and asked, "What's the matter with this list?"

"The Russians are going to Guangzhou to help build a military academy. Once the academy is established, they will probably be used as instructors."

“Will there be a follow-up to this list?”

"There should be some, but I have to point out in advance that the information above should all be pseudonyms, not their real identities."

"So hidden?"

"How can we not keep it secret?" Ye Jingtian suddenly lowered his voice and said mysteriously, "I have reliable information now. The Red Hairs are planning to send a marshal to Guangzhou as a military advisor, but the specific time and identity are still uncertain."

"The Marshal is here?" Jiang Lianheng was a little skeptical.

"How can I say that the Guangdong Army should not be underestimated in the future!" Ye Jingtian said confidently, and then asked proudly: "Boss Jiang, what do you think? Is the information in my hand worth this amount?"

"Wow--"

Jiang Lianheng folded the document, put it back on the table, nodded and said, "It's worth it! But... is your information accurate?"

"Whether it's approved or not, we'll know in three months!" Ye Jingtian said with a smile, "If Boss Jiang is worried, you can wait until the Guangdong Army's military academy is built, and then you can ask someone to verify the authenticity, and then settle the bill with me!"

"Oh? You trust me so much, aren't you afraid that I might turn against you and deny my words?"

"Boss Jiang, you must be joking. You have such a huge business in Fengtian, can you really run away?"

"Hahaha, Mr. Ye is so quick-tempered, which makes Jiang look petty."

"No, no, in our business, we always emphasize the word 'caution'. No one's money comes from the wind, especially when doing business with strangers, so of course we have to be cautious first."

Jiang Lianheng smiled, then took out two gold bars from his arms, placed them on the tea table, slowly pushed them in front of Ye Jingtian, and said:
"Don't worry, I'm not that timid. Thank you Mr. Ye for your care!"

Unexpectedly, Ye Jingtian seemed indifferent. He smiled and remained silent for a moment. Suddenly, he stretched out two fingers, pressed on the gold bar, and pushed it back.

"Hmm?" Jiang Lianheng raised his eyebrows. "Mr. Ye, what does this mean?"

Ye Jingtian smiled and shook his head, but said: "Boss Jiang, I'm not the kind of person who likes to do a one-time deal. If that's the case, I will sell this news to Chen Guojin."

"Oh, do you have any other information?" Jiang Lianheng pretended to be stupid.

Ye Jingtian smiled bitterly and said, "Boss Jiang, you are not sincere at all."

"Then what do you want to do?"

"I heard from Chen Guojin that Boss Jiang is not an ordinary businessman. Not only can you enter and leave the Marshal's Mansion freely, you can even meet Marshal Zhang directly. What a privilege this is!"

Jiang Lianheng did not deny it, nor could he deny it. He just asked calmly, "Well, so what?"

"So... I'm not going to discuss money with Boss Jiang today. Just treat this information as a gift from me for free. How about we be friends?"

"Hey, free things are not easy to get. Are you flattering me a little too much, Mr. Ye?" Jiang Lianheng asked.

Ye Jingtian waved his hand quickly and said, "Well, it's business. You have needs and I have requests. It's good for us to exchange with each other and seek long-term cooperation, isn't it?"

"You want to exchange information with me?"

"Yes, what do you think, Boss Jiang?"

"Okay!" Jiang Lianheng agreed readily, but then he said, "Okay, but the problem is, I don't have any valuable information!"

"Don't worry, you will have it soon." Ye Jingtian whispered, "The Red Hairs want to support the Guangdong Army. There are only two routes. One is to go by sea from Vladivostok, and the other is to go by land from the North Manchuria Line. I heard that in the second half of this year, the Red Hairs will send representatives to Fengtian to meet with Marshal Zhang first, and then go south to support the Guangdong Army."

Although Jiang Lianheng was in Fengtian, it was the first time he heard the news.

Presumably, this was just the Red Hair's unilateral plan and had not yet been informed to the Fengtian authorities.

Jiang Lianheng couldn't help but feel a little ashamed, so he said, "Mr. Ye, look, I don't know anything about this, but you already know it. So why are you asking me?"

"I only heard that the Red Hair had such an arrangement, but I don't know what Marshal Zhang's attitude will be!" Ye Jingtian said, "At the beginning of last year, when the Red Hair representatives were negotiating with Sun Yue, they discussed the issue of the North Manchuria Railway. Sun Yue thought that this matter depended on Marshal Zhang's opinion. The Red Hair also approached Wu Xiucai, but was rejected by Wu Xiucai. Now all places are waiting to see Marshal Zhang's attitude, especially the direct line. If Boss Jiang can give me the news as soon as possible, I will give you the amount. How about it?"

After saying that, Ye Jingtian looked at Jiang Lianheng expectantly.

However, there was no response for a long time.

Ye Jingtian frowned and asked tentatively: "Boss Jiang, if it's a question of price, I can make concessions at any time."

Jiang Lianheng shook his head and asked, "So, Mr. Ye is working for the Zhi army?" Ye Jingtian was stunned, then shook his head and smiled, "I am a businessman, and I am in this business. How can I let myself hang on a tree?"

"Oh, that means Mr. Ye only cares about money!"

"Hey, Boss Jiang, don't say such harsh words! In this world, what else can I recognize if not money? Do I recognize ideology?"

“Only caring about money is also an ideology.”

“Then I am a money-oriented person!”

Ye Jingtian spoke confidently, without any sense of guilt. Instead, he had an attitude of "everyone is drunk but I am sober", saying: "It can't be helped. Who made us reincarnate into such a world? In troubled times, what can we look at? Only real gold and silver. Everything else is fake! In the Republic of China, how many presidents have been replaced over the years? Who can tell what will happen in the future?"

"Just tell me whether you are working for the Zhi army or not!" Jiang Lianheng continued to ask.

"I admit that I did cooperate with the adjutant of the direct line commander Wang, but I have cooperated with too many people. I don't work for them exclusively. No one can expect me to work for them!"

"Aren't you afraid of encountering any accidents when walking at night?"

"I'm afraid, but there's nothing I can do!" Ye Jingtian said, "I have to make money while I'm young and strong. When I save enough, I'll find a foreign concession in Tianjin or Shanghai, buy a few properties, close the door, and be my landlord. The flood outside has nothing to do with me. When the world is peaceful, I guess I'll be almost old enough."

Jiang Lianheng smiled and said, "You have quite a plan."

"Yeah, we can't just take one step at a time and wait and see, right?" Ye Jingtian hurriedly brought back the topic, "In the past two years, Marshal Zhang has closed the border and governed himself, hiding outside the border to recuperate, so the information about the Fengtian Army is not that valuable, but Marshal Zhang can't stay in a corner. When he enters the border to compete for supremacy one day, the information about the Fengtian Army will definitely be the most sought-after. If Boss Jiang can cooperate with me..."

Before he could finish his words, Jiang Lianheng interrupted him and said, "No!"

Ye Jingtian did not give up, and hurriedly said: "Boss Jiang, please think about it again, and be more open-minded. Even if you don't sell out the Fengjun intelligence, someone else will..."

"I know that Chen Guojin has told you a lot about the situation of the three northeastern provinces' arsenals, right?"

Ye Jingtian was stunned: "You... figured it out?"

"If I still can't see it, then I'd be a fool." Jiang Lianheng waved his hand, "But don't worry, I won't interfere with your business. Others can sell it out however they want, but I have my own difficulties, so--"

As he spoke, he pushed two more gold bars to Ye Jingtian.

"Mr. Ye, you should take the money! If you have important information, I can pay a high price for it. Forget about cooperation and exchange. I'm not as free as you!"

"Boss Jiang, how about this..."

Ye Jingtian wanted to change his proposal, but Jiang Lianheng had already made up his mind. He accepted the information and gave the gold bars. There was no need to talk further.

In the blink of an eye, it was time for lunch.

The place with the sound of pine wind and bamboo gradually became lively.

Not long after, Chen Guojin and Jiang Erye finished their respective official duties and came to keep the appointment one after another.

Jiang Lianheng ordered the shop assistants to prepare a table of fine wine and asked Kang Zheng to carefully select several Chinese and foreign girls to accompany Chen Guojin and others to drink and have fun. When they were drunk, he distributed chips to the three of them and accompanied them to the gambling den to play a few rounds.

We were filled with laughter and joy, and before we knew it the sun was setting.

Seeing that it was getting dark outside the window and the time was almost up, Jiang Lianheng made an excuse that he had something to do and stopped staying.

Chen Guojin and others tried to persuade him to stay, but to no avail, so they had no choice but to let him go.

…………

After leaving Songfengzhuyun, Jiang Lianheng immediately drove back to his mansion in the north of the city.

There was no conversation along the way. When the car drove into the Jiang family's residence, Dongfeng was seen holding an oil barrel and refueling another car.

The lights flashed in the courtyard, and seeing Jiang Lianheng coming back, Zhang Zhengdong immediately put down the oil drum, walked over quickly, opened the car door and said, "Brother, you're back for the New Year."

It has been two years since Hai Xinnian became a disciple of the Jiang family.

This was the first time Jiang Lianheng gave him a holiday. Long before the end of the year, he had let him take a train back to Shenjiadian to visit his relatives.

It is now mid-March, and Hai Xinnian’s return is neither too early nor too late, just the right time.

"Really?" Jiang Lianheng asked casually, "You came back in the afternoon?"

"It's evening. I just came back not long ago and am talking to my sister-in-law on the second floor!"

"You went to pick him up?" Jiang Lianheng asked again, "You didn't go anywhere else on the way, right?"

Zhang Zhengdong frowned and replied, "No, I just picked him up from the station and I haven't eaten yet!"

Jiang Lianheng nodded and was about to step into the mansion, but Dongfeng came over to stop him, then tilted his head towards the gatehouse.

"Brother, the little disciple from the big flagpole is here too, and is waiting for you in that room!"

"When did he come?"

"He just arrived too. Not long after I came back, Lao Yuan said he was coming."

Jiang Lianheng was very satisfied. He immediately took out a few folded sheets of beige striped paper from his arms, handed them to Dongfeng and said, "I'm going to go talk to that guy. You take this upstairs to your sister-in-law!"

"Brother, this is..."

"Indulgences!"

"What?" Zhang Zhengdong didn't react for a moment and felt a little confused.

Jiang Lianheng was too lazy to explain, he waved his hand impatiently and said, "Don't ask so many questions, just go upstairs and give it to your sister-in-law!"

After saying that, he quickly turned around and walked straight towards the lower gatehouse on the west side of the house.

Yuan Xinfa was still standing at the door. When he saw Jiang Lianheng approaching, he pushed the door open and whispered in the boss's ear, "I've searched him. He doesn't have any weapons."

Jiang Lianheng nodded and walked into the house.

Sheng Mancang was still sitting on the edge of the kang, just like when we met last night. He looked a little nervous and behaved a little timidly.

The only difference is that the light that broke last time has now been repaired. The room is brightly lit, illuminating everything clearly.

"My boss..."

"Oh, Xiao Sheng, I've been waiting for you to come back!"

Jiang Lianheng walked quickly to Sheng Mancang and patted him on the shoulder heavily, as if he was welcoming his most respected brother, and asked hurriedly: "How is it going? Is everything going well?"

(End of this chapter)