Republic of China Era: Entering the Dao through Divine Strike

Chapter 109 Shared Origins, Unfriendly Arrival

"Raising a ghost child?"

Distracted by these words, Cheng Feiyan almost forgot her worries.

She was born in the capital and was quite knowledgeable.

I've heard from many gossip enthusiasts that there are Yin-Yang Masters and similar practitioners in the Dongyi region, whose methods are strange and unpredictable.

It was also said that during the naval battle, the imperial generals were not necessarily defeated.

However, the leader of the army was cursed—

And then, a little devil infiltrated.

Therefore, they made one blunder after another, and what awaited them was a crushing defeat.

Of course, the truth can no longer be verified.

The normal explanation is that their cannon firepower was much weaker than the enemy's, and their ships were also significantly inferior in terms of defense and speed.

Lacking sufficient strength, their defeat was entirely predictable.

Whether it's true or false, all these rumors prove that the Japanese were indeed difficult to defeat.

Upon hearing this news, the entire capital city, from wealthy merchants and nobles to ordinary citizens, was abuzz with excitement.

Finally, I had the same feeling about the same thing.

That is fear.

This was not only a consequence of defeat.

It was also the psychological trauma caused by reparations and territorial concessions, and the immense anxiety about the future.

Yang Fan's expression was slightly strange, and he continued, "Actually, the most important news is not the fierce battle between the experts the night before."

Yesterday afternoon, members of the pro-independence camp were mobilized to surround the embassy district, ostensibly to apprehend the murderer, but in reality to conduct a thorough search of suspicious individuals.

And guess what? A group of Angusa people and Dongyi guards outside the city, just as they were about to enter, were all intercepted and driven dozens of miles away from the city.

This is something he brought upon himself.

After thinking for a moment, Li Xin understood what was going on between the two teams.

"They really can't accept defeat."

"Any activity from the newspaper offices in the south, west, and east of the city?"

"Young master is wise. Not only have more than ten newspapers been shut down, but their leaders have also been thrown into jail."

The [Beijing Times] building was completely destroyed by fire, killing more than thirty people.

Meanwhile, the university was forced to close, and its books were confiscated and burned. Mr. Tan and his group, whom Miss Feiyan cared about most, were nowhere to be found.

I heard that when Mr. Kang went to the palace to plead his case, he was beaten out with sticks. He was covered in dust and grime, and the officials avoided him like the plague.

"Furthermore, within a single day, some terrifying news spread throughout the capital."

It is said that thousands of children's skeletons were unearthed in the backyard of the Red Robe Church, and that the Ansar people were eating people.

As a result, many people who had joined the religion withdrew.

Furthermore, the government dispatched a large number of troops to arrest those who were close to foreigners or who believed in foreign religions. For a time, panic gripped the people.

"Besides this cannibalism rumor, there is another piece of news that is also sensational."

Some people overheard the conversation between the envoys from the Eastern Yi, saying that during this reform, the Eastern Yi people wanted to usurp power and replace their own people.

They replaced the current government with the Meiji era system of the Eastern Barbarians, and controlled the Ministry of Revenue, arbitrarily promoting officials.

"Indeed, pulling one hair affects the whole body. Presumably, the reformists now regard me as the vanguard of the conservative party—"

After my chaotic attack, Angsa and the Eastern Yi forces shrank, and their prestige greatly diminished.

With the decline of one thing and the rise of another, and hearing every day about the reduction of officials and the abolition of the imperial examination and the eight-legged essay, and even the comprehensive reform of the court and the opening up of channels for the people to sue officials, how can they still sit still?

The reformers have basically offended all the vested interests in the country.

They had no soldiers at their disposal.

Unfortunately, the soldiers were all foreigners, making them less than ideal to use.

then.

The conservative faction seized the opportunity and immediately launched a full-scale counterattack.

"If this continues, the reformist faction will soon have to take action as well."

The situation is changing rapidly.

Li Xin felt as if he had witnessed history.

Being caught in the torrent of the times.

He knew that this was actually the most crucial moment.

Complete Westernization is quite achievable.

However, in the end, it was the one who cultivated the Mingyuan Garden who was one step ahead and nipped all the resistance forces in the bud.

They raised their knives again to carry out a bloody crackdown.

This led to the tragedy of the burning of the Mingyuan Garden and the massacre of Beijing three years later.

Is it better to completely Westernize? Is it better to become a puppet state of the West? Or is it better to be blasted into the West by its fire-breathing warships?

A century later, there is still no definitive conclusion.

Li Xin, of course, couldn't see through it either.

However, he knew that it would be truly good if the people could be in charge of their own affairs in the future.

He doesn't want to help either side right now.

It doesn't make any sense.

In his heart, what truly matters is saving a few lives and raising a few more children.

However, he didn't want to move, but others didn't want to see him quiet down.

"Brother Ma, would you like to meet me at the restaurant?"

Li Xin received a visiting card from a servant in blue robes, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

The so-called Senior Brother Ma is, of course, a disciple of Grand Master Yin Changshou.

"Those who come here with ill intentions do not come with good intentions. In two days, the young master will be scouring the Wan Hua Lou to settle the matter of the Qing brand. Inviting us to meet at this time is probably not for good reason."

Zhuang Hongxiu frowned and said.

"Could this be a trap?"

Li Xin chuckled to himself.

This disciple of Master Yin Changshou is now in his early forties, in the prime of his life.

His reputation was not much different from that of his teacher.

He is considered an extremely skilled expert.

Known as "Iron Arm" and "Crab Horse" by the people of the capital, he once served as the martial arts instructor of the First Prince.

As you can tell from his nickname, this person is like a crab, able to roam freely in the capital.

Upon hearing this news, Cheng Feiyan frowned deeply: "Although my eldest uncle has repeatedly tried to invite my father to take up an official post, he is actually not close to my family."

Especially those older senior brothers, they were all arrogant and didn't really take our branch seriously.

She paused, then added, "In any case, this person will not act immediately."

I reckon he wanted to win over his junior brother.

Not going isn't really an option either; this person has an eccentric personality. If we don't clarify things clearly, there's likely to be more trouble.

"Then let's meet."

Li Xin sneered.

He had already heard the news.

This "Crab Horse" and Ma Gui, one of the three famous spearmen of Bajiquan, are both preparing to attack me in the battle at Wanhualou.

To eliminate hidden dangers for the conservative party.

Why did they have to meet again before the war?

He didn't believe they had no ulterior motives.

"Is it a protest? Or a gesture of appeasement?"

Thinking about the major moves made by the conservative faction in the past two days.

Li Xin had a general idea of ​​what was going on.

"I have long heard that Junior Brother Li is a hero among young men, but meeting him today has made me even more impressed than I have heard."

Come on, let's drink!

We brothers come from the same lineage, so we should share both good times and bad.

As long as my junior brother does his job well and makes contributions.

There is still hope that he can become a garrison commander in the future.

"Wouldn't it be better to have a high position and secure a good future for your wife and children than to live such a miserable life now, being looked down upon by others?"

Upon entering Ruyi Restaurant.

Then a short, stocky middle-aged man, barely over 1.5 meters tall, came to greet them.

He extended his hand very warmly in invitation.

Behind him stood seven or eight burly men, armed with swords and armor.

He's clearly a skilled soldier.

What a grand display.

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