20 years of the Republic of China

Chapter 844 Too Clever for One's Own Good

Qin Huai nodded, crouched down and walked over. When he got to the window, he half-squatted down, then stretched out two fingers and gently lifted the curtain a crack, peering downstairs.

Outside the window, heavy snow fell in Fengtian. A few passersby on the street were all hurrying along, and at first glance, they did not seem to be doing anything unusual.

However, the brother who had spoken earlier whispered a reminder: "Master Qin, did you see that guy wearing the dog-skin hat?"

"Saw."

“He has been wandering around this area three times. Including this trip, he has appeared four times. He changed his hat in the middle, but I can tell that it is definitely the same person.”

As he spoke, the young man pointed to a Western restaurant diagonally across the street. Seeing a cigarette vendor at the entrance, he continued, "And that cigarette vendor, he's probably a recruit of the Jiang family. He wasn't here before, he just came recently. He stays here all day long, and even if there's no business, he won't leave."

"Very good!" Qin Huai narrowed his eyes, and the corners of his mouth involuntarily curled up. "If the Jiang family doesn't send someone to keep an eye on me, how can they hold the funeral in peace?"

Upon hearing this, everyone chuckled.

The brothers had all been suppressed by the Jiang family to varying degrees, harboring resentment and long-standing grudges. They had long wanted to change the world and take their place.

While the Jiang family is indeed domineering, in all fairness, it would be unfair to say that they deliberately left no way out for outsiders, resulting in a lack of people and support due to their lack of moral support.

After all, Fengtian's territory is only so big.

As the head of the gang, Jiang Lianheng would always have people dissatisfied no matter how the distribution was done. He wasn't a gold bar, so naturally he couldn't be liked by everyone.

That's human nature; no one can change it.

Families, gangs, companies, organizations, and even nations will never find a perfect solution to this kind of problem.

Some people feel indignant. If they can tolerate it, they will. If they can't, they will overturn the table, start afresh, and reorganize the situation. The winner takes all, and the loser is condemned. The cycle repeats itself.

Jiang Lianheng thought this way back then; now, Qin Huaimeng thinks the same way.

At this point, Zhang Shuo also came over and couldn't help but ask, "Master Qin, speaking of which, who exactly killed that old lady of the Jiang family? Is there any information about it?"

Qin Huai shook his head and muttered, "I don't know. The city was in chaos that night. It wasn't just our people; the refugees were also looting everywhere. Maybe we were just unlucky to be there!"

The crowd didn't care at all, snorted twice, and said, "The Jiang family is usually too arrogant. There are plenty of people who can't stand them. That old lady deserved to die. It's a pity that Jiang Lianheng wasn't killed as well. Heaven is blind!"

Those close to him were heartbroken, while his enemies rejoiced. Everyone was gloating, except for Qin Huaimeng, who remained silent.

He wasn't showing respect for the dead or feeling awe towards them, but rather he worried that if the two sides fought, someone else would reap the benefits.

However, after pondering for a long time, he still couldn't think of any third force in Fengtian that could rival him, so he simply stopped investigating. After all, both sides had already set up their battle formations, and pondering these unfounded speculations would only lead to confusion.

Everyone chimed in with their own opinions, making up a few random remarks.

Zhang Shuo then asked, "Speaking of which, the Jiang family's funeral has been going on for almost half a month now. When exactly will the burial take place? It can't really be dragged on forty-nine days, can it?"

Qin Huaimeng did not answer. He stepped out of the attic, called someone over, and asked, "Any news?"

The man who came was in his forties, wearing round glasses, with a hooked nose and a goatee. He was none other than Mr. Shou, who performed fortune-telling on the leper.

Shou Yunzhang replied, "Master Qin, there's no such thing as keeping the body in state until the New Year. The Jiang family certainly won't drag it out for too long. I've inquired with my friends in the funeral industry, and they're currently preparing for the funeral. They've contacted all the coffin bearers, musicians, monks, nuns, and Taoist priests in the city, and the funeral and burial are expected to take place in the next few days."

Qin Huaimeng took two deep breaths, nodded, and said, "We can start preparing now."

After saying that, he immediately turned around and went downstairs.

Back in the living room, I picked up the phone and immediately dialed a number.

A short while later, a slightly hoarse voice came through the receiver: "Hello?"

"Old Ye, it's me!" Qin Huaimeng whispered, "Have the brothers gather together. No one is allowed to travel alone during this period. Wait for my news in everything."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, as if someone was trying to disperse the others, before the question was asked, "Mr. Qin, is the fight about to begin?"

"All is ready except for the opportunity."

"Understood, then I'll bring my brothers and be ready at any time."

Qin Huaimeng was a little worried, and then said, "Old Ye, the brothers you have are the elite of the family. Don't let anything go wrong, especially don't let the news leak out. Success or failure depends on this. Tell those bastards to behave themselves recently. If anyone dares to break the rules and show up on the street, just tie them up and release them when things have calmed down."

Old Ye said in a low voice, "Of course, you can rest assured."

"In addition, Takeda Shin recently gave me a few guns, brand new ones, saying they are the new equipment of the Kwantung Army. Tomorrow morning, I will have Zhang Shuo deliver them to you. You leaders should put them on, don't hesitate."

"A new gun?"

Old Ye was a little surprised and quickly said, "Master Qin, I feel that the Meiji Type 26 rifle is quite useful, why did you change to a new one?"

“New is always better than old,” Qin Huaimeng said. “On the day of the funeral, Jiang Lianheng will definitely not travel by car. This is the best opportunity to assassinate him. There can be no mistakes. A new gun is always more reliable, so as not to fail at the critical moment.”

"okay, I get it."

"Tell the brothers not to linger in battle. Your target is Jiang Lianheng. Once you take down Jiang Lianheng, your mission will be complete. As for the others, we have plenty of time to deal with them."

"Master Qin, you'd better be extra careful."

"It's alright, I have a safe place. With Jiang Lianheng dead, the Jiang family will surely fall apart. Apart from their closest relatives, no one else will have any thoughts of revenge. I won't show my face for a while. We'll talk about everything after the Jiang family is wiped out..."

As they were talking, Qin Huaimeng suddenly fell silent.

"Hello?" Old Ye sounded somewhat bewildered on the other end of the phone. "Did the line drop? Hello, Master Qin? Can you hear me?"

Qin Huaimeng snapped out of his daze, nodded, and said, "I can hear you. I have no other instructions. Just go and do as I say."

The call ended, and then another call was made immediately.

"Hello? Hou Er, it's me!"

"Oh, Master Qin!" Hou Chuanyan's voice came through the receiver. "How is it? Did Meng Duo come to see you?" "He just left. Just like you said, that kid is a bit bookish and easily fooled."

"You see, I was his classmate for a few years after all!" Hou Chuanyan said with a smile. "That kid was an excellent student, but he never participated in student activities. Later I found out that he was poor and couldn't afford to make friends. After further inquiry, I found out that his tuition was paid for by the Jiang family. However, the Jiang family is like a second parent to him. It won't be easy for you to win him over!"

“I don’t need him to follow me, as long as he truly believes in the Japanese, that’s enough.”

"That's true!"

After the small talk, Hou Chuanyan asked again, "Master Qin, is there something you need me for?"

Qin Huaimeng said, "Take some time to inform Lao Dou and the others, and tell them not to cause trouble for the Jiang family recently, and not to cause any disturbances on the streets. Wait for my news."

"Have you figured out a way to deal with the Jiang family?"

Hou Chuanyan seemed unaware of the assassination plan against Jiang Lianheng. This made sense, as he had previously acted as bait. How could such a top-secret plan for beheading be easily revealed to a translator? If he failed and the Jiang family captured him, subjected him to torture, and tried to extract any information from him, all their efforts would be in vain.

Qin Huaimeng warned, "Hou Er, ask what you should ask, but don't inquire about what you shouldn't know. If Lao Dou and the others don't obey, just kick them out of the maintenance committee."

Hou Chuanyan realized he had spoken out of turn and quickly nodded in agreement: "Yes, yes, I understand."

"Also, could you please contact Officer Saito and ask him to deploy more officers to 207 Ping'an Road in a couple of days, to prevent the Jiang family from launching a sneak attack..."

As they were talking, Qin Huaimeng fell silent again.

Hou Chuanyan waited a moment and then asked, "Master Qin, is there anything else you need?"

"Oh, that's all!" Qin Huaimeng snapped out of his daze and emphasized again, "In short, wait for my news on everything, and tell Lao Dou and the others not to act on their own!"

The phone hangs up.

This time, he didn't dial any numbers. Instead, he called upstairs and said, "Xiang Baotian, come here for a moment."

Before long, a middle-aged man in his thirties walked over silently.

This man was dressed in a black long gown with a cotton jacket over it. He was of medium build and kept quiet. At first glance, he looked exactly like another Qin Huaimeng!

Of course, Qin Huaimeng had regular features and a dignified appearance. In terms of appearance, this person was far inferior and had no resemblance whatsoever. However, in terms of height and build, the two were so similar that they looked as if they had been cut from the same mold. If they turned their backs, even their own mothers would not be able to tell them apart.

Xiang Baotian had slanted eyebrows, a bitter face, and a sallow complexion. His hands were covered with thick calluses, making him look like someone who did manual labor. In reality, he was all show and no substance. Let alone carrying heavy loads, he would even be panting after walking a few steps. He was like a candle in the wind, his life hanging by a thread.

"Mr. Qin, you were looking for me?"

Xiang Baotian stood far away, and after saying only two words, he started coughing, which startled Zhang Shuo and the others, who quickly moved away.

"Where's your hat?" Qin Huaimeng asked him.

"He's inside!" Xiang Baotian turned around and pointed to a door. "I figured the curtains were drawn, and no one could see him, so I—"

"What did I tell you?" Qin Huaimeng suddenly interrupted, his expression unusually serious.

Xiang Baotian immediately understood. Without further explanation, he went back into the house to get a top hat and put it on his head before coming out to apologize, saying, "Master Qin, I was wrong. You said before that this hat would be on my head from now on, and if you don't let me take it off, I'll have to wear it all the time."

"You know that much!" Qin Huaimeng said coldly. "I'll remind you again, your family could never save up enough for a single large yellow croaker in their lifetime. I've already paid for it. If you continue to treat this so casually, you might as well pack your bags and get out of here!"

Upon hearing this, Xiang Baotian hurriedly waved his hands and said, "No, no, no... Master Qin, there definitely won't be a next time, cough cough cough, I swear on my life."

"You talk as if you only have a few years left to live!"

"Yeah, that's what I meant."

"Okay, okay, I'll let it go this time. Just be more careful next time!"

Qin Huaimeng was just trying to scare him; after all, finding a replacement in this kind of difficult situation wouldn't be easy.

But Xiang Baotian didn't think so. As a farmer, he had only one life left. He was already halfway to the gates of death. If he could exchange his life for a big yellow croaker to supplement his family's income, it was already a rare and wonderful opportunity. How could he dare to offend his master?
"From today onwards, you'll live here. You don't need to move anymore." Qin Huaimeng lit a cigarette and instructed him from a distance, "Do whatever Zhang Shuo and the others tell you to do, go wherever they tell you to go. Get in and out of the car, and don't ask any questions. All you have to do is get on and off the car. Do you understand?"

Xiang Baotian nodded vigorously, saying hurriedly, "Understood, understood!"

"Go back inside and change into a cotton robe to wear outside. Come with me later and we'll change back in."

"Okay, I'll go right away."

Xiang Baotian immediately turned around and walked back, coughing twice along the way, which startled everyone and made way for him. He hurriedly explained, "Don't worry, don't worry, the doctor said my illness isn't that serious. You don't eat from the same bowl as me, so it's not that easy to catch it."

Zhang Shuo cursed, "You'd be better off shutting your mouth than anything else!"

Xiang Baotian said nothing more, then turned and went back to his room to change his clothes.

Zhang Shuo walked along the wall to Qin Huaimeng and whispered, "Master Qin, will this work?"

Qin Huaimeng said, "This can't go on forever, but if it's only for three to five days, it shouldn't be a big problem. Even if the Jiang family finds out, we won't suffer any losses, as long as I can weather this storm..."

Everyone listened quietly, but after waiting for a long time, there was no further explanation.

It's really strange. For some reason, Master Qin is spacing out and getting distracted all the time today, which is making everyone a little uneasy.

Shou Yunzhang stood aside, silently watching the cigarette smoke rise shakily, knowing that Qin Huaimeng was nervous.

How can I not be nervous?
Qin Huaimeng's challenge to Jiang Lianheng, despite having the support of the Japanese, is still a case of the small taking the big one. He has staked his most elite brothers on the assassination of Jiang Lianheng. Success would change the world, while failure would mean total defeat. The best-case scenario is a desperate escape, while the worst-case scenario is instant death.

Anyone would be a little nervous in this situation.

Qin Huaimeng turned his head slightly and suddenly asked, "Mr. Shou, can you help me think of anything I've overlooked?"

Shou Yunzhang thought it over and over, then shook his head and said, "It should be over. We've figured out all the key members of the Jiang family. The assassination plan is proceeding step by step. We've already exposed the flaws that needed to be exposed and targeted the traps that needed to be targeted. We also have the help of Takeda Shin and Inspector Saito. There's no reason for anything else to go wrong!"

Qin Huaimeng didn't speak, quietly finished his cigarette, and then ordered, "Get me some clothes and pack them in the box. Whether this works or not depends on this."

(End of this chapter)