20 years of the Republic of China

Chapter 833 The Glory of Changdi
"Brother, tell me who did it!"

That very night, Zhao Zhengbei immediately set off to return to the provincial capital.

In fact, the letter from the Jiang family was very vague, and he didn't know what had happened at home. He only knew that there were four big characters written at the end of the letter: "We earnestly hope you will return soon." So he immediately put down his chopsticks and prepared to leave before the celebration banquet was over.

Seeing his serious expression, everyone assumed that something had happened at home, so they didn't stay any longer.

However, having served in the military for many years, he had a few close friends who had faced life and death together. He immediately stood up to see him off, saying, "Zhengbei, after the reorganization is completed, we will probably have to go back. If there is anything you need help with at home, just let me know."

Brothers in arms, what I say isn't just empty talk.

Zhao Zhengbei nodded his thanks, left the restaurant, and headed straight for the command post. He borrowed two military vehicles and rushed back under cover of night.

Although the rank of colonel has not yet been officially conferred, Bei Feng was originally a lieutenant colonel with real power in commanding troops, so he was naturally accompanied by a guard on his trip home for the funeral.

The commander's guard is not a fixed unit; the number varies, and they are all selected from the soldiers under his command, entirely based on his personal will.

Since they were handpicked by the regimental commander, they must have been tested in the hail of bullets and faced life and death. Putting aside everything else, their loyalty alone is beyond question.

Normally, Zhao Zhengbei only has four guards with him: one to relay orders, one to perform duties, and two to provide security.

I took leave from the team this time in a hurry, and I didn't know if my family needed help, so I simply brought two more brothers with me.

Despite the freezing weather, the journey of fifty or sixty kilometers took more than an hour by car before we finally arrived at the Jiang family mansion.

When Beifeng returned, the Jiang family had just finished their late-night snack.

It was Nanfeng's turn to keep vigil tonight. Everyone else was getting ready to sleep, but he stayed in the courtyard. Just as he was about to close the gate, he suddenly heard the roar of an engine coming from the alley.

Wang Zhengnan stood at the door and looked around. When he saw two military vehicles, his face lit up with joy. He quickly turned around and shouted, "Brother, sister-in-law, Xiao Bei is back!"

Upon hearing this, everyone walked out of the mansion. Before they could even cross the courtyard, they saw Zhao Zhengbei jump down from the military vehicle, wearing a woolen overcoat, followed by six guards.

"Fourth Uncle!"

Jiang Ya rushed forward first, but when she got close to Bei Feng, she suddenly stopped, seemingly hesitant for some reason.

She's grown up now; it's not appropriate to be as affectionate as before.

Zhao Zhengbei patted her head, noticing that his eldest niece had grown quite a bit taller, but he didn't have time for pleasantries. He just looked around the yard, and as soon as he saw the words on the wreaths and elegiac couplets, he immediately understood.

"Brother?" He looked up at the entrance of the mansion.

Jiang Lianheng walked over, waved his hand, and said, "Go and offer incense to the old lady!"

Zhao Zhengbei lowered his gaze, nodded, then took off his military cap and woolen overcoat, and asked, "Brother, where is my mourning shirt?"

Li Zhengxi immediately brought over a piece of white cloth, cut a slit in it, and helped him dress properly. He sighed and said, "Let's go offer incense first, and we'll talk about the rest back in the room."

Zhao Zhengbei didn't ask any more questions. He put on his mourning clothes and headed straight for the funeral hall.

Wang Zhengnan was busy entertaining the guards, inviting them into the courtyard and saying, "I didn't expect you to be back so quickly. Have the officers not eaten yet?"

Everyone quickly replied, "We've already eaten, no need to trouble yourself."

"Then let's have a cigarette, come on, take it!"

Wang Zhengnan busied himself with tasks and gave each of the guards a pack of cigarettes.

At this moment, Jiang Lianheng also came over and asked, "Officers, you've worked hard. My house has been crowded lately. How about I have Nanfeng take you to a nearby room later?"

The group remained noncommittal, only saying that they would follow the leader's arrangements in everything, and that if they had nowhere to stay, they would make do with sleeping on the bus for a few nights.

After Zhao Zhengbei finished paying his respects, he stepped back and asked, "Brother, is there no room for the gatekeeper at home?"

"There is room for the gatekeeper, but the conditions in the dormitory are not good."

"That's alright, just let them stay at the gatehouse."

At his command, the North Wind Guard immediately obeyed. They first carried their personal belongings to the gatehouse, and then, according to etiquette, went to the coffin of the deceased, removed their hats, and observed a moment of silence to express their respect.

After the formalities between host and guest were completed, Jiang Lianheng patted Beifeng on the shoulder and said, "Xiao Bei, go inside and see your sister-in-law!"

Hu Xiaoyan had been peering out from the living room for quite some time.

Zhao Zhengbei dared not delay and quickly stepped into the mansion.

Unexpectedly, as soon as I entered the entrance hall, I immediately noticed something strange about the house—the once extremely luxurious furnishings in the mansion had now been completely removed!

All of Jiang's wives and relatives were present, including Nanfeng and his wife, Xifeng and his wife, and even Zhuang Shuning from the third branch of the family.

After greeting everyone, Zhao Zhengbei asked, "Where's Aunt Song?"

They looked at each other, sighed, and remained silent.

Only then did Zhao Zhengbei realize how serious the Jiang family's situation was. He hurriedly walked to the living room and asked, "Sister-in-law, are you alright?"

Hu Xiaoyan pushed the wheelchair over and said calmly, "I'm fine. The two months' allowance from the Governor's Office has been received by your family. I heard you were even promoted?"

"Sister-in-law, why are you still saying these things now!"

"Don't rush, sit down first, the children are all here!"

Zhao Zhengbei was taken aback. He turned around and saw Gu Yu holding the child, with Jiang Ya, Jiang Chengye, and Jiang Chengzhi also present. He had no choice but to suppress his temper and force a smile.

That said, this was Jiang Chengzhi's first time meeting his fourth uncle, but the boy wasn't shy at all, or rather, he didn't even notice his fourth uncle. His eyes were fixed on the Dagu-made mirror box at Beifeng's waist, and he seemed very curious. Then he looked at the wooden toy gun in his hand and suddenly felt a little disgusted.

"Dad, I want that one!"

Jiang Chengzhi pointed to Bei Feng's sidearm, but before he could even open his mouth, Zhuang Shuning pulled him back: "Don't be silly, that's for kids to play with!"

Jiang Lianheng frowned, gave Shu Ning a look, and said, "Alright, you all take the children upstairs to rest!"

After saying that, Sister Hua and the others consciously led the children back into the house.

Only Jiang and Hu, Zhao Guoyan, Hai Xinnian, Chuang Hu, and the four wind directions remained in the living room.

Jiang Lianheng thought for a moment and then said, "For the New Year, you should go upstairs with your Uncle Chuang!"

Although Hai Xinnian was a little surprised, he didn't say anything and quickly got up and left with Chuang Hu.

In this way, only the oldest of the Jiang family elders remained in the living room.

Zhao Zhengbei's face immediately darkened, and he asked in a low voice, "Brother, tell me who did it!"

Jiang Lianheng silently lit a cigarette, and no one else spoke. The Jiang family had suffered a calamity, and there were countless things to be done; how could it be explained in just a few words?

Zhao Zhengbei knew it would be a long story, so he got straight to the point: "Brother, I won't ask about the details. Just give me a name and tell me who did it." Everyone hesitated, not replying to him, but instead glancing at Hu Xiaoyan.

"Why isn't anyone saying anything?" Zhao Zhengbei looked around anxiously. "Surely they don't even know who did it?"

Jiang Lianheng cleared his throat and finally spoke: "Xiao Bei, it's like this, according to your sister-in-law, she still doesn't want you to get involved in family matters."

"But I'm already back!"

"Well, the war is over now, and the old lady's body has been lying in state for quite some time. The family is thinking of getting her laid to rest before the end of the year, so we asked you to come back and take a look. By the time of the funeral, the whole family will be together."

"What does this mean?" Zhao Zhengbei turned to look at his sister-in-law. "Are you telling me to just stand by and watch?"

Hu Xiaoyan nodded and said, "Your career is more important."

Zhao Zhengbei said, "Sister-in-law, please stop pushing me away. I'm not trying to be a hero, but tell me, which military officer would swallow his anger if his family was bullied? Our family has gone through such a big incident, and if I don't even dare to say a word, the brothers in the army will look down on me when I get back!"

“You’re different from them. Our family isn’t entirely counting on you to get ahead. We’re not at our wits’ end yet. I can’t risk your career.”

"What do you mean? Does joining the army mean I'm no longer a member of the Jiang family?"

Zhao Zhengbei's feelings are understandable, but Hu Xiaoyan's will cannot be shaken.

She regarded Beifeng as the Jiang family's trump card and never intended to use it lightly unless absolutely necessary, for fear of ruining Beifeng's future.

Of course, if the Jiang family were in some obscure little place, with Bei Feng's power, they could have acted like tyrants on the streets. But Fengtian was the provincial capital, the headquarters of the Northeast Security Command, and the location of consulates of various countries. Not only did the Fengtian military officers not dare to be too ostentatious, but even foreigners were restrained due to international scrutiny.

For a colonel to participate in gang warfare in the provincial capital, although it may not be a major case, if someone uses it as an excuse, he will likely be punished.

Bei Feng is currently enjoying a successful career and is at the peak of his power; his sister-in-law is unwilling to drag him down.

But seeing the Jiang family suffer misfortune and bloodshed, how could the younger brother-in-law stand idly by?

Seeing this, Jiang Lianheng suddenly interjected and asked, "Xiao Bei, what's your rank now?"

"Colonel, but headquarters hasn't officially conferred my rank yet!"

"So that means you've reached the limit as a colonel, just one step away from becoming a general." Jiang Lianheng stubbed out his cigarette and said earnestly, "Xiao Bei, you work in the camp, so you should know better than any of us that a colonel and a general, though only one word apart, are completely different things. If you really become a division commander in the future, then you'll have the right to sit down and negotiate with Lao Zhang. Then you can stand up for your family, and you can do whatever you want, right? At this time, your sister-in-law doesn't want you to get involved in this mess, and it's for your own good!"

"Brother, I know you all mean well, but the problem is they've already come to my doorstep. I can't just stand here and watch, can I? It's like they're shitting on my head and I can't even fight back?"

Soldiers are known for their fiery tempers, and Zhao Zhengbei was no exception. He immediately turned to his men and asked, "Besides, who are these bastards? If you won't let me take action, at least let me know what's going on!"

Li Zhengxi couldn't help but casually ask, "Xiao Bei, do you remember Old Dou, the basket weaver in the south of the city?"

Before he could finish speaking, Wang Zhengnan got anxious and quickly nudged Xifeng twice, saying, "Tsk, why are you so quick to speak? Didn't your sister-in-law say that Xiao Bei shouldn't get involved?"

As he was talking, he couldn't help but glance at his sister-in-law.

Strangely, Hu Xiaoyan did not stop her, or perhaps she suddenly thought of something and was momentarily lost in thought.

"Old Dou, the basket weaver?" Zhao Zhengbei muttered to himself a few times. "Third Brother, is that the ragpicker?"

Li Zhengxi nodded and said, "He's just one of them. There's also Whistle Li and Sky Eagle, and the leader is Qin Huaimeng from the rickshaw company."

These names were unfamiliar to Bei Feng, but he didn't care and continued to ask, "Where are they now?"

“Nanjing Railway Annex Area”.

"Third Brother, do you know the place? Take me there now!"

"Alright, alright!" Wang Zhengnan hurriedly said, "Why are you two so impatient? Your elder brother and sister-in-law haven't even said anything yet, and you two are already making a decision!"

"Second brother, why are you so cowardly?" Zhao Zhengbei said with slight dissatisfaction.

Wang Zhengnan argued, "It's not that I'm a coward, but we have to sit down and talk things over first. What kind of talk is it if we only consider the immediate problem and not the long-term consequences?"

Zhang Zhengdong suddenly stood up and walked over, patted him on the shoulder, and said in a deep voice, "Nanfeng, say less."

Then, he pursed his lips in the direction of his elder brother and sister-in-law.

Only then did everyone realize that Jiang and Hu were both silent, seemingly plotting something.

Hu Xiaoyan muttered "fight back" several times before finally asking, "Xiao Bei, how many days off did you take this time?"

“Ten days.” Zhao Zhengbei thought for a moment and then added, “However, Guo’s devils have just been defeated recently, and the front line is busy with reorganization and reorganization. I guess the commander-in-chief will also hold a big celebration banquet. If necessary, it should be fine to extend it for a few more days. After all, it is a funeral, and the higher-ups are very understanding.”

Hu Xiaoyan then turned to Jiang Lianheng and asked in a low voice, "Do you think Qin Huaimeng and the others will still make a move during this period?"

Jiang Lianheng shook his head and said, "I actually hope he can send someone over. That way, I'll save myself the trouble of having to come up with another explanation for the yamen."

"Can't we try to lure them out?"

"It's unlikely. Qin Huaimeng is a shrewd guy; he's not someone you can easily fall for. Otherwise, we wouldn't still be searching for him."

The couple talked back and forth, leaving onlookers completely bewildered and unable to discern anything from the conversation.

Finally, Hu Xiaoyan suddenly asked, "Xiao Bei, are your guards reliable?"

Zhao Zhengbei was taken aback, not expecting his sister-in-law to ask about this. He quickly nodded and said, "Of course, I personally picked them all. They went through thick and thin with me on the battlefield, and two of them even took a bullet for me. They're like brothers to me, there's nothing more to say."

"Alright, you stay home quietly for now, don't see anyone, and don't do anything."

"Sister-in-law, I want to do something for the family!"

"Then you should obediently follow my and your brother's arrangements and not make decisions on your own." Hu Xiaoyan then asked, "Also, do all your guards really listen to you?"

"Absolutely, otherwise what kind of guards would we be?" Zhao Zhengbei was not exaggerating; guards were supposed to be absolutely obedient to their superiors.

Hu Xiaoyan nodded and said, "That's good. You can move, but it must be a passive retaliation. The rest will be handled by the brothers in the family."

Everyone hurriedly asked, "Brother, sister-in-law, do you two have a plan?"

Jiang Lianheng replied, "We need to observe first. If Meng Duo wasn't lying last time, Qin Huaimeng should appear at the Japan-China Friendship Meeting tomorrow. We'll make other arrangements then. But if that kid is lying—"

As she spoke, she suddenly turned to look at Nanfeng: "He's someone you mentored. If something goes wrong, you know what to do."

Wang Zhengnan trembled and stammered, "I know... If he really has ulterior motives, then I... I will take action myself."

Nanfeng has never killed anyone, but rules are rules. If Mengduo betrays the Jiang family, he will also be implicated.

Hu Xiaoyan stared at Nanfeng for a while, then glanced at everyone, coughed twice, and continued, "Qin Huaimeng is different from the others. He has the Japanese backing him. If we're going to deal with him, we have to do it cleanly and decisively, leaving no future trouble. The Jiang family is full of people lately, so everyone has to contribute. Dongfeng is in charge of assassinations, Nanfeng is in charge of handling relationships, Xifeng is in charge of intelligence, Guoyan is in charge of the infighting... As for Xiaobei, unless Qin Huaimeng sends someone to smash the kiln again, we'll hold our positions. As for the rest, we'll wait for Qin Huaimeng to show up before we talk about anything else..."

(End of this chapter)