Songhu: Never Give Up

“Master, it is necessary to sever ties with the Zhao family, but the Zhao family seems to be very involved with the Japanese. If they gain power one day, I’m afraid they will bear a grudge against the Wang family.
Should we be more tactful so as not to narrow the path?"

Butler Wang still expressed his doubts, saying that this time, Wang Jiazhi's behavior towards the Zhao family was not in line with his style.

Wang Jiazhi showed a fox-like smile on his face, and then said with a half-smile:
"That depends on whether the Zhao family can hold out until the Japanese come back. Judging from Yue's style of doing things, he should not tolerate what the Zhao family has done. Now that his second son has come into this situation, is there anyone more suitable than the Zhao family?"

Steward Wang took a deep breath and said:
"Master, do you mean that Commander Yue will use the Zhao family as an example to scare the monkeys?"

Wang Jiazhi put away his smile and said coldly:
"The Zhao family has only been around for a few years, and their foundation is too shallow. There are many things they simply don't understand.

The Zhao family has money, food and land, but the Yue family wants to train a militia, and what they lack most is money and food.

They are in the right place. If the Zhao family is sensible and cooperates with Yue to reduce rent and interest, the second kid of the Zhao family will only act on his own and will not bring disaster to the whole family.

If they continue to be ignorant of current affairs, the Zhao family will be charged with treason."

Steward Wang said in horror:

"Master, do you mean that Commander Yue will take action against the Zhao family and then use the Zhao family's money and food to train the militia?"

Wang Jiazhi sneered and said:
"Is there anything new in this world? When an official opens his mouth, those who obey him will be promoted, and those who disobey him will be killed;

In troubled times, the survival of the family is the most important thing. Let alone the Yue family, even if it were me, I would not be polite to the Zhao family. "

"Master, I understand. You are farsighted. The other day, Yue came with a gun to congratulate the Second Young Master. I think he was planning to use courtesy before force!"

Wang Jiazhi's eyes flashed coldly, then turned cloudy again, and he nodded slightly and said:
"Wenwu is too young after all. The Wang family still needs my old bones to support it for a few more years. You keep an eye on the second brother and don't let him cause any trouble."

Xuanwu Town, Zhao family, the father and son of the Zhao family were also discussing

Zhao Deren, the eldest son of the Zhao family, still tried to persuade his father Zhao Jinsheng:
"We, the Zhao family, cannot afford to offend the guerrilla detachment. Even though they only have a few dozen men and guns in Zhaojiabao, they have a company in the entire Xuanwu Town. We, the Zhao family, cannot fight against them.

It is better to resolve a feud than to create one. It is only 30% profitable. The Zhao family does not need to be the first to take action. "

Zhao Jinsheng seemed to be a little shaken, and the second brother Zhao Dehe said quickly:
"Dad, China is now ruled by the Japanese. The guerrilla detachment will not be able to stay in Xuanwu Town for many days.
The Taijun of Jinan has already said that the outcome of Wuhan will be decided within a month at the latest. By then, hundreds of thousands of troops will return to Lu, and all the guerrillas will be wiped out.

The Queen Mother has agreed to reorganize the Zhao family's farmhands into the Heze Garrison Regiment of the Imperial Army. You will be the regiment commander and I will be the deputy regiment commander. The Zhao family has the final say in the entire Heze!

If the Zhao family surrenders to the guerrillas, they will not be able to explain to the Queen Mother. Offending the Queen Mother would be a catastrophic disaster.

Fortune and wealth are achieved through risk, so don’t let your elder brother’s words sway you.”

Zhao Jinsheng thought about it and realized that this was indeed the case. His eyes became firm. Zhao Deren wanted to persuade him but he raised his hand to stop him. Then he said:
"Boss, what your second brother said makes sense. If we offend the guerrillas, they may not dare to act rashly, let alone attack Zhaojiabao.
The Japanese are different. They kill people without blinking an eye. Besides, we have already received 100 of their rifles. What can the guerrillas do to us?"

Seeing that he could not convince Zhao Jinsheng, Zhao Deren had to give up. Zhao Jinsheng was in the prime of his life and it was not yet his turn to make the decision.

The Zhao family's roots were not in the land. They started out by selling illegal salt and had an armed salt guard.
Southwestern Shandong is located at the junction of four provinces: Jiangsu, Shandong, Henan and Anhui. The profits earned from armed trafficking of private salt from the salt fields in northern Shandong to the Central Plains and northern Anhui are more than ten times.

Zhao Jinsheng had served in the Beiyang Army in his early years, with dozens of men and guns under his command. After the Beiyang Army was defeated by the Northern Expedition Army, he lost interest in fighting and killing.

He returned to his hometown with a dozen brothers and started private salt business. With the money he made, he recruited soldiers and bought weapons. He formed a private salt guard team of more than 200 people, all of whom were local strongmen.

Later, he used the money he earned from selling salt to buy a large amount of land and industry, and gradually transformed himself into a landlord. The money he made from exploiting the tenants exceeded that from selling private salt. After all, those were days of living on the edge of a knife, and it was common to encounter bandits along the way. How could it be as comfortable as just lying down and collecting rent?
Now the Zhao family's focus has shifted to land. Through laying martyrs and other tricks, the Zhao family has controlled more than 200% of the land in the town. In addition, they have a guard force of more than people, so even ordinary bandits will bypass Zhaojiabao when they see it.

With money, Zhao Jinsheng not only bribed the mayor of the town, but also made friends with the surrounding bandits and tyrants. He was a man who could get along with both the black and white parties.

Now the land is the foundation of the Zhao family. After the guerrilla detachment came, they implemented rent and interest reductions, asking him to reduce the rent from 80% to 50%. Naturally, the Zhao family was unwilling to do so.

At this time, housekeeper Zhao Si came over to report:
"Sir, the guerrilla detachment's platoon leader Lu Zhengmin wants to see you."

Zhao Jinsheng frowned, and before he could say anything, the second brother Zhao Dehe snorted coldly:
"A small platoon leader really thinks he is a big shot. This time Mr. Lu must be here for the rent.

This is really giving them face. I think I should take my brothers to kill them all and hand them over to the Grand Lord. It will definitely be a great achievement and I will definitely get a reward. "Zhao Jinsheng immediately said with a serious face:

"Second brother, what nonsense are you talking about! Does my Zhao family need that little reward from Xiao Dongyang?

The visitor is a guest, let's listen to what he says first."

After he finished speaking, he turned to the butler and said:
Zhao Si——Please welcome Platoon Leader Lu!"

After a while, Zhao Si brought Lu Zhengmin over. They came alone and did not take the Zhao family, which was known as a dangerous place, seriously at all.

After a few polite words between the two sides, Zhao Jinsheng got straight to the point:
"Commander Lu came to my humble abode today. I wonder why?"

Seeing that Zhao Jinsheng had gotten straight to the point, Platoon Leader Lu stopped beating around the bush and directly stated his purpose. It turned out that he came to ask for rent and interest reduction. "

Zhao Jinsheng was just about to laugh it off when Zhao Dehe, who was standing next to him, said in a sarcastic tone:
"Captain Lu, since ancient times, the government has not been involved in the collection of rent by gentry. As far as I know, the government has no such law. Whose order are you following? Do you have any documents from the government?"

Seeing that the other party was still unmoved and was even asking him for documents, Platoon Leader Lu said in a neither humble nor arrogant manner:

"I am following the orders of the Luxi Anti-Japanese Autonomous Government. The country is in crisis and the people can't even get enough food. How can they have the energy to fight the Japanese?
The National Government calls on all of us, regardless of north or south, young or old, to defend our land and fight the war.

The Zhao family is the largest family in Xuanwu Town with the most land. Giving up 30% of the profits is nothing to them.
But it will be of great help to the war of resistance, so please support me, Mr. Zhao."

Zhao Dehe said with a cold face:
"What if my Zhao family doesn't want to? Is this considered a final ultimatum?"

Zhao Jinsheng did not stop Zhao Dehe's rudeness, he also wanted to see the bottom line of the guerrilla detachment.

When Platoon Leader Lu arrived, he had guessed this result. It would be like courting death if he could only rely on his mouth to get the Zhao family to accept rent and interest reduction.
This time he came here with courtesy before force. Seeing that Zhao Dehe had made everything clear, he no longer held out hope. When it comes to interests, it is never as simple as treating someone to a meal.

If the Zhao family was clean, he would have no choice but to think of another way. Unfortunately, he had already figured out the details of the Zhao family, so he said in a tough tone:
"Master Zhao, does your son's words represent the Zhao family's final attitude?"

Zhao Jinsheng nodded as a sign of agreement, and Platoon Leader Lu stood up to say goodbye. The Zhao family's attitude was already very clear, and there was no point in saying more.

Zhao Dehe started to make trouble again, snorted coldly and said:
"Mr. Lu, do you think you can come and go as you please in the Zhao family?"

As soon as Zhao Dehe finished speaking, more than a dozen fierce-looking men rushed in from the periphery, each holding a brand new "Type 38" rifle in his hand.

As soon as Platoon Leader Lu saw the Zhao family's posture, he knew they were serious about it, and shouted:

"Master Zhao, I didn't plan to go back alive when I came here. Think carefully. I am a member of the National Army. Killing a member of the National Army is tantamount to rebellion. Don't blame the national law for being ruthless when the time comes!"

Zhao Jinsheng hesitated. He didn't want to push the relationship between the two sides to the edge of the cliff. Just as he was about to speak out to stop them, the gun in Zhao Dehe's hand went off.
The bullet hit Platoon Leader Lu's left chest. Before Zhao Jinsheng could react, Zhao Dehe shot Platoon Leader Lu a few more times. It was too late for Zhao Jinsheng to stop him...

One day later, Changling Town, Shitang Village
The militia training in Shitang Village was in full swing. The evil news from Xuanwu Town made Yue Wanli furious. Someone actually dared to shoot at the guerrilla detachment!
"Cheng Han, one row will stay here, and the rest of you will follow me to Xuanwu Town.
Also, send someone to notify the Third Company and the Artillery Company and have them rush to Zhaojiabao to join me immediately."

When Yue Wanli led a company of main forces to leave Shitang Village, the well-informed butler Wang came to the inner house and reported to Wang Jiazhi:
"Master, Commander Yue left Shitang Village with dozens of men full of murderous intent. They should be heading to Zhaojiabao."

Wang Jiazhi showed a playful smile. Wang Wenhu, who was also present, interrupted and said:
"Dad, does Yue think he can attack Zhaojiabao with just a few dozen men?
The Zhao family is not as easy to bully as the Wang family. They have more than 200 strong guards and have deep friendships with those heroes in the underworld. It is common for them to ask for help.

Besides, the Zhao family father and son have already built Zhaojiabao into an iron wall over the years, and the Yue family will be in trouble now."

Wang Jiazhi's good mood was instantly ruined by the "silly and innocent" second boy, but he had to teach this boy;

It's time to let him know the evil in the world:
"Wenhu, those dozens of people with the surname Yue are the real army. Although I don't understand military affairs, the soldiers led by your eldest brother are nothing more than a mob in front of them!

Zhao Jinsheng rose too quickly, his foundation was not solid, and he could not see the situation clearly. From today onwards, there will no longer be a Zhao family in Xuanwu Town."

(End of this chapter)