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

Chen Tianze, who came from a warlord's service and had fought in wars for half his life, could tell the value of the ship at a glance.

The boat is small in size, agile, and inexpensive, making it perfect for an inland river port like Jiangcheng.

If we had ten or eight ships, things on the river could be sorted out immediately, and we could even fill the gap in military pay!

"Where...where did this design come from?" His voice was trembling.

"Commander Chen, don't worry about where you're from," Lin Ji said calmly, putting down his teacup. "Just tell me if you can do it."

"Damn it!" Chen Tianze slammed his hand on the table, making the teacup jump.

"We'll do as you say! I'll give you a 'Governor's Office Water Patrol Assistance' banner and a pass, which I'll send over tomorrow! Of the goods seized and the fines collected on the river, 70% will go to the government for military pay, and 30% will be kept for your expenses!"

He was overjoyed; it was like a windfall!

Without him contributing a single soldier or a single penny, he was able to plug the hole in the river and secure military pay.

"Someone! Prepare the wine! Today I want to..."

"No rush." ​​Lin Ji waved his hand, interrupting him, and looked at Li Shuwen beside him with a faint smile: "Commander Chen, don't be so happy yet. Take a look and see who this is."

Chen Tianze was taken aback, and his gaze returned to Li Shuwen.

I was so focused on the blueprints that I didn't get a good look at the person.

See now.

This man's physique, his aura, and that battle-hardened, iron-blooded spirit...

His heart skipped a beat; a name seemed to spring to mind, yet he couldn't quite believe it.

Iron Spear Li Shuwen?

impossible!

That was the most wanted criminal in the north, a legendary master of the Transcendent Realm. How could he have appeared in the study of the governor's mansion for no reason?

Li Shuwen met his gaze, said nothing, but simply raised his chin slightly.

That aura, honed through countless battles and bloodshed, was instantly revealed.

Chen Tianze jumped to his feet, involuntarily taking half a step back, his voice changing:

"You...you're Li Shuwen? Iron Spear?"

Li Shuwen gave a faint hum, neither admitting nor denying it.

But this reaction is tantamount to admitting it.

Chen Tianze's smile froze instantly, leaving him both amused and exasperated.

He pointed at the two of them, his hand trembling slightly:

"Me, the military governor of Jiangcheng, discussing military affairs with two wanted criminals in my study? What... what's going on here?!"

absurd.

It’s ridiculous.

He sent people to post wanted posters every day and shouted every day about catching the wanted criminal.

As a result, the two most wanted criminals sat right across from him and even talked to him about cooperation, helping him defend the city.

Lin Ji smiled, leaned forward slightly, and spoke in a low but clear voice:

"Commander Chen, you know better than anyone what Ziyi is doing in the Tongmenghui. This arrest warrant is for the foreigners and the provincial authorities. If we're talking about serving the country and the people, you, Chen Tianze, are not the kind of official who only cares about his official hat."

Chen Tianze's expression changed slightly, but he did not refute it.

He knew that his son, Chen Ziyi, was in the Tongmenghui (Revolutionary Alliance).

Turning a blind eye to some things ultimately stems from a sense of national responsibility.

"What's the use?" Chen Tianze laughed self-deprecatingly. "One order from above, and my official hat is gone in an instant."

"Now you have an opportunity; let's see if you can seize it." Lin Ji looked at him and said, word by word:

"You know the Xinghua Society in the north, right? We're planning to send a group of people south to settle in Jiangcheng and build up our maritime power."

Chen Tianze was startled, his eyes widening: "Xinghua Society?"

Of course he had heard of that name.

A secret organization in the north.

The authorities were furious, but they just couldn't catch him.

He never expected that Lin Ji would be connected with the Xinghua Society.

"What...what does this have to do with me?" Chen Tianze's voice was strained.

"The rise and fall of the nation is the responsibility of every citizen." Lin Ji stared intently at him.

"Commander Chen, can you bear to watch this country split in north and south, watch foreigners run rampant on our land, and watch our people be displaced?"

The study fell silent instantly.

Chen Tianze stood there, his face changing repeatedly, showing a variety of emotions: astonishment, hesitation, and struggle.

He didn't think about it.

But he was just a local military governor, with little influence. If he really got involved, it would be a crime punishable by the confiscation of his property and the extermination of his entire clan.

After a long while, he finally let out a heavy sigh and said in a hoarse voice, "Let me... think about it."

"Alright." Lin Ji didn't press him. He stood up and said, "We won't bother you anymore. Take your time to think it over. Once you've figured it out, just have someone pass a message to the Sea Dragon Gang."

After saying that, the three of them turned and left.

Chen Tianze stood there, watching the three people's backs. His lips moved, but in the end, he didn't call out to them.

……

As I left the governor's mansion and walked down the street, the sun was high in the sky.

Lin Ji put his hands behind his back and said in a deep voice, "It seems he's interested. We can notify the organization to prepare to head south."

"Mm." Li Shuwen nodded.

Shen Jinluan linked her arm with Lin Ji's, turned her head to look at him, her eyes full of curiosity:

"Old man, are you so sure he'll agree? I saw him hesitate a lot just now."

Lin Ji grinned, revealing a smile: "Just a guess."

But he knew it in his heart.

Just now, when Chen Tianze scanned the aura and sensed the situation, the white light representing his fortune above his head suddenly flickered and brightened a bit when he heard the words "Xinghua Society".

Chen Tianze will agree.

Just as they turned into the alley next to the Gu family mansion, they bumped into Du Qingyi and two assistants coming from the opposite direction.

"Mr. Lin, Chief Shen." Du Qingyi quickly cupped his hands in greeting, his gaze sweeping rapidly over Li Shuwen before settling back on Lin Ji's face. His smile was very ingratiating: "Where have you just returned from? It's getting late, would you like me to arrange a banquet to welcome you all back?"

He was being polite on the surface, but secretly he wanted to test the waters.

Lin Ji's informants had already reported to him about his meeting with Chen Tianze.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Chief Du, but let's do it another day." Lin Ji said casually, without revealing any further details. "I have some other matters to attend to, so I'll head back now."

Du Qingyi, being sensible, didn't ask any more questions. She stepped aside to let the three walk away, her eyes darting around as she secretly plotted in her mind.

Back at the villa, Jiang Yunhe was squatting on the steps smoking. Seeing someone enter, he flicked off his cigarette ash and stood up.

"How's it going? You guys didn't get arrested? Tell me what you said to this commander?"

"Haha, it's a secret that can't be revealed." Li Shuwen rarely joked, which showed that he was in a very good mood: "I estimate that the news will spread in less than two days."

Shen Jinluan smiled but didn't say anything more.

Lin Ji walked to the stone table and sat down, tapping the surface with his fingertips:

"Brother Jiang, send a message to the south tomorrow, telling them that Xinghua Society has agreed to their cooperation request."

"You agreed?" Jiang Yunhe lowered his eyebrows and asked in surprise.

He could tell that the three people in front of him were definitely hiding something from him, but since they were each serving their own masters, he stopped talking and didn't ask any more questions.

"Okay, I'll go and report it right away."