Republic of China: Guandong Ginseng King

Chapter 349: Banquet for the Heroes
It is not easy to join a gang and become a bandit. It is even more difficult to become a gang leader, leave the gang, shed your beard and live a normal life.

If you are lucky enough to escape, your body will have some parts cut off and become a disabled person. If you are unlucky, you will be stabbed on the spot and die instantly.

Therefore, once they become a bandit, most of them will stick to this path until the end.

Eat and drink as you like, and enjoy yourself enough. One day you may die while destroying a kiln, or be wiped out by the government.

There are very few people who can be appreciated by officials and then recruited.

That is all very lucky, and the boss must be extremely capable to have that happen.

So when everyone heard Qu Shaoyang's words, even though they understood that these were probably just polite words, they still couldn't help but be moved.

Qu Shaoyang had already seen some clues from the subtle expressions of these people, but he did not continue.

For some things, you can't be too hasty. You have to take it slow and wait until people are in high spirits.

So, Qu Shaoyang didn't say anything important, and just chatted casually with Bai Shanhao and others.

After a while, someone came over and asked whether we should start the banquet, saying that the banquet was ready.

"Everyone, the food is ready. Let's not talk on an empty stomach. Let's set up the banquet so that everyone can eat and chat."

Qu Shaoyang signaled to the people beside him to start serving the dishes.

The Juyi Hall was originally the place where the bandits discussed important matters. Inside, there were large long tables made of logs and stools made of wooden blocks.

The gathering hall was very large, and could accommodate the core members of the seven gangs and the people around Qu Shaoyang.

Then, the people below started serving the dishes.

Qu Shaoyang did not fool these people. Two big fat pigs were slaughtered in the village this morning.

In addition, all the chickens, ducks and geese that were originally raised were killed.

This village is just a temporary residence. Qu Shaoyang and his companions will leave after the Whip-beating Ceremony is over.

Before leaving, you must eat everything you can to avoid the hassle of carrying it along on the road.

So, today's banquet is quite sumptuous.

Braised pork elbow, goose stewed with potatoes, chicken stewed with mushrooms, duck braised with chestnuts, sauerkraut, pork and blood sausage, platter of pig head, pig heart and pig liver, large meatballs, and pork with mashed garlic.

There are few vegetables in winter. Besides, if we invite these bearded men to dinner, the meal will definitely be mainly meat. Who would eat vegetarian food at this time?

When the fragrant, steaming dishes were served, the bearded men's eyes widened.

The conditions of these gangs are not as good as Zhan Dongshan. Apart from successfully destroying the kiln, they are lucky enough to eat pork stewed with vermicelli on normal days, let alone such a sumptuous dish in front of them?

I guess even during the Chinese New Year, people might not dare to eat like this.

"Come on, everyone. It's a rare opportunity for us to gather here today. I toast to you all."

Qu Shaoyang picked up the wine jar, poured a bowl of wine, then held the bowl above his chest, nodded to everyone, and then drank the whole bowl of wine.

Guandong Huzi has a generous temperament and loves drinking and eating meat.

Seeing Qu Shaoyang's actions, everyone couldn't help but feel excited, even though they still had concerns in their hearts.

"Mr. Qu is very courageous and has a good alcohol tolerance. Thank you very much for your kindness.

Brothers, pick up your bowls, let us also offer a bowl to Master Qu."

Qu Shaoyang brought out Hu Zi's heroic spirit. Bai Shanhao and others stood up with their wine in their hands and, like Qu Shaoyang, drank a bowl of wine in one gulp.

People say that alcohol makes cowards brave, and after a bowl of wine, those who were frightened just now suddenly felt that they were able to do it again.

Under the influence of alcohol, the atmosphere in the gathering hall changed from dull to lively.

Of course, no matter how lively it was, the necessary vigilance was not lacking. Several gangs arranged good people to stand by and be responsible for protection, and there were also several people standing next to Qu Shaoyang.

Especially Meng Lanxin, who was dressed as a man, always kept her right hand on her waist.

Those peach blossom eyes, which were curved inward and outward, were filled with coldness as they looked around every corner of the Juyi Hall, not missing any unusual movement.

If any of the bearded men dared to do anything improper, Meng Lanxin would immediately pull out her gun and shoot him dead.

After all, these bearded men still have concerns, and no one dares to drink too much.

So the banquet did not last too long. It started at noon, and at the beginning of the evening, Bai Shanhao and others started shouting that they were drunk and wanted to go down the mountain.

Qu Shaoyang had to politely try to persuade them to stay, but they kept declining. Qu Shaoyang had no choice but to have someone give the gifts prepared in advance to the big bosses.

He followed them out of the Juyi Hall and came to the main gate of the stronghold. After saying goodbye to Bai Shanhao and others again and again, he watched the gang leave.

When those people walked away, Qu Shaoyang's face changed immediately.

"Brother, you and Lan Xin will guard the village. Chuanzhi and Xingye, take the people and follow me."

Mantianhong is dead and his men have been detained. It is estimated that by now, Chen Yunhan has also captured the men waiting at the foot of the mountain.

What Qu Shaoyang has to do now is to rush directly to the lair of the Mantianhong Gang before the news leaks out.

To cut the grass, you have to uproot it, otherwise there will be endless troubles. Qu Shaoyang has already made a mortal enemy with the Mantianhong gang, so he cannot let any of the gang go.

Chen Yunzhe had already arranged these things.

While Qu Shaoyang was drinking with Bai Shanhao and others, the two cannons and two heavy machine guns had been arranged and transported down the mountain through a small path and headed towards the sky full of red curls.

In addition, Chen Yunzhe also selected four hundred elite soldiers and prepared them at the foot of the mountain early on.

Just wait for Qu Shaoyang's order and set off immediately to the location of Mantianhongluanzi.

Qu Shaoyang did not delay at all. He led his men down the mountain through a shortcut, met up with the people who had been waiting at the foot of the mountain, and rode fast horses to catch up with the heavy weapons team in front.

Then he sent someone to contact Chen Yunhan, and asked Chen Yunhan to deal with those people and then immediately lead his troops to catch up.

The mountain stronghold of Mantianhongluanzi is located in the upper reaches of Songxiang River, in a place called Yantonglazihoushan, which is quite far away from Zhandongshanluanzi.

Qu Shaoyang and his companions rode at full speed, traveling day and night, and finally arrived near Yantonglazi after two and a half days.

Long before Qu Shaoyang sent people to deliver Hai Ye Zi, he had already arranged people to stay near each gang to inquire about the news.

So when Qu Shaoyang and his men arrived, the spies had already figured out the situation of Mantianhongluanzi.

There are about 300 people in the Mantianhong Group. This time they went to Jiguanalazi to participate in the whip-beating ceremony, bringing about 100 elite soldiers with them and leaving the rest to guard the village.

"Sir, the village has been very quiet these days, with no strangers coming in or out."

The spy met up with Qu Shaoyang and immediately reported to him the recent situation in the mountain stronghold.

Upon hearing this, Qu Shaoyang nodded and immediately gave orders to fence off the mountain behind Yantonglazi and block the main entrances and exits.

After the heavy weapons arrived from behind, they gradually advanced up from the foot of the mountain under the cover of everyone.

After choosing a suitable location, don’t worry about anything else and use the cannon to clear the area first.

Chen Yunzhe was prudent in his work. While purchasing two cannons, he also specially selected a dozen smart and capable people from the militia and had them learn from the instructors arranged by the other party for a long time.

Now, when it was time to test the results of their learning, those militiamen had been holding back their energy and were waiting to show their skills.

So the bombing targets were set, and with the waving of the flag, the cannons were fired.

(End of this chapter)