20 years of the Republic of China

Chapter 715 The frightened bird
It was just getting light in the sky, and several bodyguards were chatting in low voices in front of the Jiang family's residence.

After a while, the door slowly opened, and Yuan Xinfa led his men out to take over the shift. He asked the brothers outside the door, "Is everything okay?"

Several people shook their heads, lit a cigarette each, and said there was nothing unusual.

"Then let's go eat!" Yuan Xinfa pointed to the doorman behind him, "Go back to your room and take a nap, and come back to take over at noon!"

Everyone responded and were about to disperse when Yuan Xinfa suddenly turned sideways, squinted his eyes at the alley in the distance, and asked, "Who is that?"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound, and saw at the end of the alley, about a hundred meters away, there was a short and unfamiliar figure standing in the distance with a suspicious look, as if he didn't want to leave or come, and was standing on tiptoe to look towards the door.

"It seems that they are not our people."

Several bodyguards grumbled and then put their hands on their waists.

Yuan Xinfa hesitated for a moment, then took out his gun and whispered, "You guys, stay where you are, and the rest of you follow me."

After that, everyone took action.

Yuan Xinfa led a few brothers and walked slowly towards the alley entrance. When they were halfway through, before they got close, they began to loudly question: "Who are you? Don't hang around here for no reason!"

"I, I'm here to deliver something!"

The voice of the person coming was quite childish. When I got closer, I saw that he was wearing a beret and a cross-body bag. It turned out to be a newspaper boy hawking goods on the street.

The little newsboy was holding a green cloth package in his arms, looking a little uneasy, as if ready to run away at any time, but he seemed to be bewitched by something, standing still, waiting for Yuan Xinfa and his men to slowly approach.

"Someone told me to give this to Boss Jiang."

As he spoke, he handed over the green cloth bag in his arms.

Yuan Xinfa didn't answer it. He walked straight to the alley entrance, looked around, and asked coldly, "Who asked you to bring it here?"

"It's those two people——"

The little newsboy turned and pointed to the street corner, but suddenly froze. He scratched his head in confusion and muttered to himself, "Hey, he was just over there... why is he running away now?"

Yuan Xinfa pointed at the blue cloth bag and asked, "What's in it?"

"I don't know either. I just deliver things—"

"open to take a look."

"Should I open it?"

"Yes, you open it."

The little newsboy wanted to refuse, but seeing Yuan Xinfa's unquestionable expression, he didn't dare to speak. He had to put the blue cloth bag on the ground and squatted down to look through it carefully.

Unexpectedly, after opening the green cloth bag and revealing just a corner, before he could see clearly what was inside, Yuan Xinfa immediately reached out and snatched it away.

The little newsboy was startled, raised his head and asked, "Don't you need me to open it?"

Yuan Xinfa handed the blue cloth bag to the brother beside him, shook his head and said, "No need."

"Then can I go?"

"No."

Yuan Xinfa flatly refused, and then whispered to the brothers around him: "Go back and tell the boss that Sheng Mancang is dead. By the way, check the package to see if there are any letters inside... Also, ask if we should detain this child and ask him."

The man nodded, and when he turned around and was about to leave, he heard Lao Yuan reminding him from behind:

"Don't bring dirty things into the yard. Put them outside the door and have someone watch them!"

"understood!"

As the man spoke, he quickly returned to the Jiang family mansion.

Although the little newspaper boy didn't hear the conversation clearly, he couldn't help but feel uneasy. He said timidly: "I, I'm just here to deliver something... I still have to buy a newspaper!"

Yuan Xinfa didn't get angry, but patted the child on the shoulder and tried his best to comfort him: "Don't worry, wait a little longer, have you had breakfast this morning?"

"Eat, eat."

"What to eat?"

"Corn paste..."

"Walking around the streets all day, how can you be full with just this little food?"

"It's okay. I haven't sold today's newspapers yet. Once I sell them, I can have enough to eat."

The two chatted about this and that, and before long, they saw the brother who had just reported the news walking quickly back from the courtyard.

He came close to Yuan Xinfa, whispered a few words, and then handed him a silver dollar.

Yuan Xinfa nodded, took the silver dollar, handed it to the newspaper boy, and asked, "Which newspapers do you sell?"

"Shenyang Times and Fengtian Gazette, and..."

"Okay, one of each."

The little newsboy stared at the shiny silver dollar and couldn't help but feel annoyed: "Sir, I can't break it open!"

Yuan Xinfa stuffed the silver dollar into the child's hand, waved his hand and said, "No need to change, the rest of the money is a reward from Boss Jiang, let's go!"

The little newsboy's eyes lit up, and he quickly bowed and said happily, "Thank you, Boss Jiang, thank you, Boss Jiang!"

After saying that, he handed over the newspaper, turned around, slapped his butt with his cross-body bag, and ran away happily.

Yuan Xinfa straightened his back, watched the newspaper boy leave, and then walked towards the Jiang family mansion.

In the courtyard, Zhang Zhengdong was refueling the Jiang family’s two cars.

Cars are expensive, and gas is even more expensive.

A small barrel of "kerosene" cost three or five silver dollars, and it was only sold by foreign companies. Whenever the price of oil fell, Zhang Zhengdong would habitually stock up a few more barrels.

The two greeted each other in the courtyard and then went about their business.

……

In the living room of the mansion, Jiang Lianheng was chatting with Hai Xinnian.

On the coffee table in front of the two people, there were several newspapers and a street map in the northwest direction of the provincial capital.

In the newspaper's supplement column, there are several tofu-block articles with titles that seem quite amusing:
"Chatting about the interdependent relationship between the Far East and the Peninsula", "The customs and experiences of the Fengtian West Tower", "A glimpse into the current living conditions of the overseas Chinese from the Peninsula in Fengtian", "The loss of a friendly country has caused the people to suffer, so we should take this as a lesson", "The overseas Chinese from the Peninsula are accomplices of the evil, and they have poisoned the people of Guandong with opium", "Exposing the evidence of the conspiracy of the unscrupulous merchants from the Peninsula in collusion with the Hongji Charity Hall"...

One look at the authors: Bed Under the Pot, Feng Ming Qishan, Xiao Kan Feng Chen, Zui Se Ren Jian, Little Petofi, Ke Mo You Wen, Ming Zi...

They are all the Jiang family’s usual mouthpieces and old faces.

All the comments about Sita, whether good or bad, sympathetic or hateful, all played into the Jiang family's hands.

Hai Xinnian cannot figure out what effect these public opinions have yet. He is more concerned about another issue.

"Godfather, how do you know that Sheng Mancang will definitely turn against us?"

"I don't know, but the mission I sent him on will not affect our plan, whether he rebels or not."

"But you didn't intend to believe him from the beginning, right?"

"Of course, I won't trust someone who has broken the rules, and I will certainly not trust someone who betrays his teacher and ancestors and does whatever it takes to establish his own sect."

Jiang Lianheng leaned on the sofa, almost guiding Hai Xinnian step by step, teaching him how to think, how to arrange, and how to make good use of the four key points online - Jingcai Sharp Wind!
Recalling the first time he met Sheng Mancang, he said, "That guy is too soft and not tough enough. It's not that you can't assign tasks to people like him, but you have to make sure that even if something goes wrong with the task assigned to him, it won't affect the overall situation. In fact, you assign some tasks to him because you know that he will have problems."

"But wouldn't it be better to just not use this kind of person?" Hai Xinnian was puzzled.

Jiang Lianheng shook his head and did not answer directly. Instead, he patted his adopted son on the shoulder and asked, "New Year, how many close friends can a person have in his life?"

"Uh... there shouldn't be many, right?"

"Isn't that okay?"

Jiang Lianheng sighed, "A single thread cannot make a line, a single tree cannot make a forest. If you want to make a name for yourself, how can you rely on yourself alone? If you don't use this person, and you don't use that person, you will end up with no one to use. The most important thing is to put the right person in the right position. Sometimes, traitors also have their uses. The key is how you use them."

"Then... Godfather, other than this situation, how else can a traitor be used?"

It has to be said that at the same age, Hai Xinnian's understanding is far worse than Jiang Lianheng's.

Although Jiang Lianheng was poor and tyrannical when he was young, he was quite smart, good at adapting to circumstances, and able to unravel things. He was very clever and able to think things through. He could learn from his mistakes. He also had important people to support him, so he was able to bend down, apologize, and be two-faced. As early as when he was sixteen years old, his mind was already quite mature.

On the other hand, Hai Xinnian is a bit rigid because he has been taken care of by his father, brothers and sisters since he was a child and has lacked street experience.

It's not that he is stupid, but that he is too upright, and he acts directly, not too roundabout, and doesn't know how to scheme against others. His words made Jiang Lianheng stunned, thinking that things change all the time, I can't exhaust all the situations and tell you everything clearly, right?

When I thought about it, a look of disappointment appeared on my face.

Hai Xinnian felt a little guilty and muttered, "Godfather, am I too stupid?"

"No, don't think too much, you're just not very smart."

Jiang Lianheng whispered a few words of comfort.

As soon as he finished speaking, Yuan Xinfa came over from the entrance: "Boss, newspaper."

Jiang Lianheng took it and opened it. The article in the newspaper about Xita Gaoli Street was still mixed with praise and criticism, with some sympathy and some criticism.

Yuan Xinfa then asked, "Boss, what should we do with the gourd that is full of food?"

"Send it to Daqiganzi first, so he can see what kind of disciples he has taught." Jiang Lianheng closed the newspaper and said, "Don't stop writing articles. Keep writing about Xita. Write about it half good and half bad. Also... just inform Mr. Jiang Er about the case of Sheng Mancang. Don't rush to investigate the case before it gets out of hand."

"I know, let's do it."

"Wait, send someone to call Xifeng over."

Yuan Xinfa responded and then bowed and left.

At noon, Li Zhengxi returned to the Jiang family mansion. As soon as he entered the living room, without waiting for Jiang Lianheng to ask questions, he immediately took the initiative to report the rumors and developments of the past few days.

"Brother, Qingqiu Society can no longer bear it."

"how to say?"

"I recently sent an informant to their store to smoke, and when he came back he said that their employees were listless, with dark circles under their eyes and falling asleep during the day. They have been working for four consecutive days, and even a god would not be able to stand it."

"Where's the Japanese patrolman?"

"The little guard I sent said that since yesterday, Xiao Dongyang's patrols have also been relaxed... I can't say it's been relaxed, but it's definitely not taking care of the West Tower area like before."

This situation is foreseeable.

After all, at the end of the day, Saito Rokuro is just a detective captain.

He was not qualified to mobilize police force for a long time, and was only on duty and patrol in the Xita area. The South Railway Concession was so large that he had to take other places into consideration. As long as he had enough time and could escape back to the Chinese area in time after Jiang Jiaxiangzi took action, he could rest assured.

At this point, Li Zhengxi couldn't help but suggest: "Brother, I think the time is about right, should we start?"

Avoid their vigor and attack them when they are tired.

This was originally the Jiang family's plan.

However, Jiang Lianheng shook his head and said, "The warehouse has been plundered."

Li Zhengxi was stunned: "A bit too rustic?"

Jiang Lianheng snorted coldly, but said: "You brought the ladle to me so early in the morning, aren't you trying to provoke me to do it? Hey, guess what, I won't!"

"So...what should we do now?"

"Tell Nanfeng to keep scaring them. I will definitely wipe out the arrogance of those Koreans!"

"Are you still scaring them?"

"Scare them! Why not? Damn it, in this land of Fengtian, can't I deal with them?"

Jiang Lianheng lit a cigarette and said slowly, "Also, go find Guo Yan. Tonight, the two of you continue to take people shopping in Xiaoxiguan!"

"Yes, I understand." Li Zhengxi received the order and then turned and left the mansion.

After a cup of tea, Zhang Zhengdong came in from the yard again and asked, "Have you packed your things for the New Year?"

Hai Xinnian patted the bag at his feet, stood up and said, "I've packed it a long time ago. Are we leaving now?"

Zhang Zhengdong nodded.

Hai Xinnian immediately turned around and said respectfully, "Godfather, I'll be leaving first."

"Well, follow your uncle Dong's arrangements and don't mess around."

Jiang Lianheng gave a few instructions in a deep voice, then waved his hand and bid farewell to Zhang Zhengdong and Hai Xinnian.

The black car slowly drove out of the house, its tires flat, rolling over the gravel on the road, making waves of fine noises...

……

That night, several Jiang family "bangers" knocked on the door of the big flagpole, carrying a warehouse full of heads, and walked into the inner room to explain the situation.

"Old Qi, take a good look, this is the precious disciple you taught!"

Daqiganzi and the others were startled, their legs went weak, and they immediately collapsed to the ground, stammering, "No... this, this... Brothers, what's going on? Although this guy broke the rules, the jade carving has been recovered. It's not worth killing him, right?"

"Stop fucking talking nonsense!"

Everyone shouted, "This is not what the boss meant. The boss gave him a chance, but this kid didn't know how to appreciate it. I don't know what benefit Xiao Dongyang gave him, but he dared to turn against the Jiang family. In the end, he shot himself in the foot and was stabbed by the people of Qingqiu Society."

When the big flagpole heard this, he immediately argued hurriedly: "Brothers... Sheng Mancang is no longer my disciple. He turned against me... This has nothing to do with me, right?"

"Who said it has anything to do with you?"

"Then what are you..."

"The boss just wants us to tell you that when you teach and learn in the future, you should open your eyes before accepting apprentices, so as to avoid bringing disaster to the Jiang family. Do you understand?"

"I understand, I understand. I will not accept any more disciples in the future... Hey, go and take the ladle!"

"Hey!" Several Xiangzi immediately stopped the man, "This ladle is just for you to see, I didn't say I'm going to give it to you, I just want you to know, this is the fate of a traitor - you can't please both sides, and in the end you will just be played to death, do you hear me?"

The big flagpole trembled all over and nodded frantically like a chicken pecking at rice.

Seeing that he was as silent as a mouse, the few "Xiangzi" didn't say anything more. Suddenly, they turned around and walked away with a "boom".

"boom!"

As soon as the door was closed, the master and his disciples shuddered.

After a long pause, the eldest brother asked tremblingly: "Master, Master... This time, there shouldn't be any problems for us, right?"

"Master, please say something!" The other disciples also asked, "Master, you are an old hand, according to the rules, will we be okay?"

Everyone was talking at once, one question after another, and the more they asked, the more nervous they became.

However, the big flagpole seemed to be in meditation. No matter how the disciples asked questions or shook it, there was no movement for a long time.

Time passed by, and after a moment of steady contemplation, the big flagpole suddenly opened his eyes and screamed, "Oh no! Run!"

"Run?" The disciples were confused. "It's so late, where are we going?"

"It doesn't matter where you go, just get out of Fengtian as soon as possible!"

"What? Leaving Fengtian?"

The eldest disciple saw his master's panic-stricken look, so he quickly stood up and said, "Then...then I'll go pack my luggage!"

"Why are you still packing? Put on two thick clothes, take the money, and leave now!"

"What about our house?"

"Idiot!" Big Flagpole tightened his belt and cursed, "Do you want a house or your head? Get out of here!"

The atmosphere of panic spread quickly.

When everyone heard this, although they didn't understand what it meant, they stopped asking questions and immediately hurriedly picked up their cotton pants, put on their cotton robes, and followed the master to the door.

"Squeak-"

Pushing open the door, the big flagpole poked his head out, looked around suspiciously, then turned around and whispered to several disciples: "Go, go!"

The faces of all the disciples turned pale, and they seemed to be rooted to the ground, standing there in a daze, not able to move.

"What the hell are you standing there for, you idiot? Go!"

The big flagpole shouted a few more times, and when he saw that his disciples did not respond, he gradually realized something was wrong. He suddenly felt a hair on the back of his neck, and turned his head as if he had been electrocuted, only to see Lao Jie and the others leaning against the door, folding their arms, and smiling at him in a kind tone:

"Lao Qi, it's so late, where are you going for a stroll?"

(End of this chapter)