Republic of China era: A hundred-year-old still practicing martial arts? Is that right?

Li Shuwen hesitated for a moment, then looked up at Jiang Yunhe pacing in the courtyard: "What about Jiang Yunhe?"

"Agree to his request first," Lin Ji said calmly.

Li Shuwen nodded: "Mm."

Lin Ji then said, "There's something else. Come with me to the Governor's Mansion today."

The moment these words were spoken, the courtyard fell silent, and even Jiang Yunhe turned his head to look over.

Jiang Yunhe paused in his act of smoking:

"Wow, the Governor's Mansion? That's a den of tigers and dragons for the government! You two are both wanted criminals. Aren't you afraid the Governor here will detain you and use it to reward you for your service if you barge in there?"

Li Shuwen's brows furrowed deeply:

"Chen Tianze is, after all, an official of the imperial court. Is it appropriate for us to offer ourselves up to him?"

"Don't worry, nothing will happen." Lin Ji shook his head, his tone confident: "Chen Tianze is a smart man, he knows what's important better than anyone else. If he really detains us, it won't do him any good. Besides, with you, this 'iron spear,' here, even if he wants to turn against us, he'll have to think twice."

Li Shuwen stared at him for a long time, then suddenly slung the gun over his shoulder and stood up:

"Fine! I'll go with you. I want to see if this Jiangcheng warlord is a spineless coward."

Lin Ji then turned to Jiang Yunhe and instructed, "If there's any commotion in the city, remember to look for Du Qingyi."

"Don't worry," Jiang Yunhe waved his hand, "Nothing will go wrong."

Lin Ji didn't linger any longer. He turned and left the courtyard, leading Li Shuwen towards the direction of the Sea Dragon Gang.

As soon as the sun rose, the alley was filled with the aroma of breakfast.

……

When Lin Ji returned to the residence, Shen Jinluan had already finished dressing and getting ready.

A red cheongsam hugged her shapely figure, her hair was neatly styled, and her earrings shimmered with tiny silver light, giving her a bright yet sophisticated look.

"You're back?" She greeted him, brushing the dust off Lin Ji's clothes.

"Hmm." Lin Ji took out the rolled-up blueprints from his pocket and stuffed them into her hand:

"This is the design of the river defense gunboat. When we get to the governor's mansion, show it to Chen Tianze and tell him that the brothers of the Haijiao Gang make a living on the water, and with this boat, they can cut off smuggling on the river."

Shen Jinluan held the blueprint between her fingers, understanding the meaning behind Lin Ji's words.

As the leader of the Haijiao Gang, having her say it would give the gang more confidence.

"Don't worry, I understand." She put the blueprints away, looked up at Li Shuwen standing at the gate of the courtyard, and nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Without further delay, the three turned and left the mansion, heading towards the governor's mansion in the city center along the streets and alleys.

……

In the study of the governor's mansion, Chen Tianze stood with his hands behind his back in front of a large map, his brows furrowed tightly.

On the map, a red arrow points straight down from the north, while three blue arrows point upwards from the south. Jiangcheng is stuck at the throat of the river mouth, like a piece of meat being attacked from both sides.

"Damn it..." he muttered under his breath.

The vanguard of the three divisions in the north has already reached the provincial capital, and the main army will be able to press into Jiangcheng territory in less than twenty days.

They said they were heading south to quell the rebellion, but who knows if they were actually quelling the rebellion or just taking Jiangcheng as an excuse?

The Southern Salvation Association was also instigating the warlords to move north, and it seemed that a war was about to break out in the Guanghua area.

Wars are fought over money, supplies, and weapons.

However, most of Jiangcheng's military budget was diverted by the provincial government to expand its military strength, leaving him with only 10,000 city defense troops, who were still carrying the old-fashioned rifles left over from the Qing Dynasty.

The navy is even worse off; all five of its ships and cannons are rusted, and it can't even control smuggling on the river. Money is flowing away right under our noses, and we're even struggling to raise enough funds for this year's military pay.

Beset by internal and external troubles, he was in a terrible predicament.

"Commander!" The adjutant rushed in: "Chief Shen of the Sea Dragon Gang has arrived with two men and says they want to see you."

"Shen Jinluan?" Chen Tianze was taken aback, his brows furrowing even more.

The thought from back then flashed through his mind subconsciously.

This woman was bright and capable; he had once harbored wicked thoughts about her.

But who could have imagined that Shen Jinluan would end up with Lin Ji?

Although Lin Ji was a decrepit old man, he had done real and substantial things for the people of Jiangcheng, and every single one of them was done with integrity.

Over time, he lost those feelings.

But what is she doing here at this critical juncture?

Chen Tianze hesitated for a moment, then waved his hand: "Let her in."

"Yes."

Shortly after, footsteps could be heard outside the door.

Chen Tianze turned around, his gaze sweeping across the doorway, and he froze.

Leading the group was Shen Jinluan, who looked radiant in a cheongsam.

But the old man in the gray shirt beside her, with sharp eyebrows and a calm expression, was none other than Lin Ji.

Standing next to Lin Ji was a tall, burly man with short, stubble hair, broad shoulders, and a thick back. He stood there like an iron tower, his eyes sharp as an eagle's. A single glance from him sent a chill down the spine of Lin Ji, the warlord.

"Lin Ji?" Chen Tianze blurted out, his voice trembling. "You...when did you get back?"

Lin Ji didn't respond to his words. His gaze swept over the map on the table, then he looked at the dark circles under Chen's eyes, and smiled faintly: "Commander Chen, how many nights have you been up? Judging from this, are you worried about the troops coming down from the north?"

Chen Tianze's lips twitched.

You were right.

He didn't hide anything, sighed, and waved for the three of them to sit down:

"Sit down. Now that things have come to this, I won't hold back anymore. The three divisions in the north will arrive at the provincial capital in twenty days, and the National Salvation Association in the south is also mobilizing troops. Jiangcheng is caught in the middle and will bear the brunt of the attack."

He pointed to the map and gave a wry smile:

"To be honest, I only have this many soldiers and this old equipment. If a real war breaks out, I won't be able to defend the city, let alone control the smuggling merchants and river bandits on the river. I'm almost out of money to pay the army. I, the military governor, am almost a commander without troops."

He's really annoying.

Dealing with foreigners is a hassle, dealing with the provincial authorities is a hassle, and being stuck in this city on the river is a lose-lose situation.

Lin Ji picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then slowly spoke:

"I do have a way to help you patch up the hole in the river and also earn military funds."

"What?" Chen Tianze looked up abruptly, his eyes lighting up. "Tell me!"

Lin Jichong and Shen Jinluan exchanged a wink.

Shen Jinluan stepped forward and stood beside the table, her voice clear and neither humble nor arrogant:

"Commander Chen, do you know why the Sea Dragon Gang is called the Sea Dragon Gang?"

Chen Tianze didn't say anything, but just glanced at her.

Shen Jinluan smiled and continued, "The brothers under the Haijiao Gang are all experts in making a living on the river. No one knows them better than us in swimming and boating, and we have this stuff in our hands."

As she spoke, she unrolled the paper she had rolled up and spread it out on the table with a "whoosh".

"This is the design of a new type of river defense gunboat. It has a pointed bottom and thin armor, a draft of only three feet, and can navigate shallow inland waterways. It has an iron-clad ram at the bow, and the deck can mount two machine guns. The hull is covered with thin iron armor that ordinary rifles cannot penetrate." She pointed to the blueprint with her finger: "With this boat, smuggling and pirates on the river will be no problem."

Chen Tianze bent over and stared intently at the blueprints, his eyes practically glued to the screen.