Chinese martial arts: From being shot and killed by the armed police during a mountain search to bec

"Since when did it become your place, the Japanese, to run wild in Guangdong?"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound.

At the other end of the street, a group of soldiers in gray uniforms were marching in formation, their steps neat and orderly. The sound of their boots hitting the bluestone slabs was uniform, like a muffled drumbeat striking the hearts of everyone.

The leader was a military officer in his thirties, with a burly build, a square face, thick eyebrows, and slightly prominent cheekbones. He wore a gray-blue military uniform with a belt around his waist and a Mauser pistol tucked into his sleeve.

Behind him followed an adjutant in his early thirties, thin and with his head almost shaved short. He had delicate features, wore round-framed glasses, and his lips were tightly pressed together. His gaze swept over the muzzles of the Japanese soldiers' guns, and his brow furrowed slightly.

The Guangdong Army was Chen Jiongming's army.

Under the reed mat shed, Chen Sheng squinted and glanced at it, a smile appearing on his lips.

Li Su had already shouted, "It's Commander Hong!"

Hong Sheng Hall originated from the Heaven and Earth Society and produced many men and guns during the liberation of Guangzhou in 1911, having a very deep connection with the Guangdong Army.

Chen Sheng himself had a personal relationship with Chen Jiongming, and he immediately recognized the man as Hong Zhaolin, the division commander of the First Army under Chen Jiongming. In the Battle of Huizhou, he led 3,000 men to defeat the 8,000-strong Guangxi army defending the city, and forced Mo Rongxin's elite troops to abandon the city and flee. He was a well-known and skilled general in the Guangdong Army.

Hong Zhaolin strode up to the Japanese officer's horse, and the Cantonese soldiers behind him scattered in a crescent shape, surrounding the Japanese soldiers on the inside.

Although there were only thirty or forty people, their momentum was in no way inferior.

The Japanese officer looked down at the Chinese officer blocking his path, his face grim, and said in broken Chinese, "These rioters murdered citizens of the Japanese Empire. The murderers must be handed over, or the Great Japanese Empire will not let this go."

Hong Zhaolin, with his hands behind his back, looked up at the Japanese officer on horseback and said in a nonchalant tone: "Funakoshi Yoshichin delivered a challenge in Foshan. The two sides agreed to a duel in the ring. Fists and feet have no eyes, and the dead or wounded are the responsibility of the fighters."

The challenge letter bore his handwritten signature and the seal of the Japanese trading company; the words were clear and unambiguous. As for Funakoshi Yoshinobu—”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the corpse slumped beneath the stone lion. "In the arena, he fired a sneak attack from behind, breaking the rules. He deserves to die!"

The Japanese officer's expression changed; hundreds of eyes present had witnessed Yoshinobu Funakoshi's sniping.

If we really want to investigate, Japan is in the wrong first.

Hong Zhaolin didn't give him a chance to speak, and took a step forward, standing extremely close, his military boots almost touching the horse's hooves.

Black Horse snorted uneasily and took half a step back. He said coldly, "Guangzhou was captured by the main force of the Guangdong Army yesterday, and Mo Rongxin's remaining troops have all surrendered."

The Foshan garrison was placed entirely under the command of the Guangdong Army this morning, and the Japanese army has no right to interfere with the security of this area.

He raised his hand and straightened the collar of his military uniform: "Your Excellency led your troops to forcefully break through the city gates of Foshan and threatened the gentry and commoners with guns in front of the arena, which has insulted our national sovereignty."

Considering this is his first offense, he may be dismissed and no further action will be taken. However, not a single soldier is allowed inside the city gates of Foshan.

A hint of embarrassment flashed across the Japanese officer's face. He knew that the Japanese army was planning to expand northward, and the military strength in South China was extremely depleted.

The garrison stationed along the Guangdong coast was ostensibly there to "protect overseas Chinese," but in reality, it consisted of only a few hundred men and guns, and didn't even have a single mountain gun. They were no match for the Guangdong army.

He dismounted, sheathed his saber, gave Hong Zhaolin a deep look, and squeezed out two words through gritted teeth: "Dismissal."

The Japanese soldiers lowered their guns and retreated in formation.

The footsteps gradually faded away, eventually disappearing at the end of the alley.

The crowd fell silent for a moment, then cheers suddenly erupted, rolling across the open space in front of the ancestral temple like muffled thunder, making the gray tiles on the temple roof tremble.

Hong Zhaolin, however, did not join in the cheering.

He turned around, strode to the reed mat shed, and cupped his hands in thanks to Chen Sheng: "Master Chen, your Hongsheng Hall disciples made great contributions in the Huizhou campaign, and our master asked me to convey his gratitude."

Chen Sheng returned the greeting with clasped hands. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Hong Zhaolin turned to Huang Feihong and bowed, saying, "Master Huang, please accept my condolences."

Huang Feihong leaned on the back of his chair to stand up, clasped his hands in return, and said in a hoarse voice, "Thank you for your concern, Commander Hong."

Hong Zhaolin nodded, then turned around, his gaze sweeping over the crowd and landing on Chen Hongwu.

He strode up to Chen Hongwu, looked him up and down, then suddenly grinned, revealing a set of white teeth: "This must be Master Chen Hongwu, right? I've heard so much about you since Huizhou. You truly are a young hero. I've long admired you."

Chen Hongwu returned the greeting with clasped hands: "Commander Hong, you're too kind."

"This is no politeness." Hong Zhaolin waved his hand. "With Mo Laohu dead, the Guangxi clique in Guangdong lost its backbone, and the Guangdong army took advantage of the situation to launch a counterattack, advancing with unstoppable momentum."

The telegram from above said that the division commander had issued the order for a general offensive, and the main force of the Guangdong Army was attacking the Guangxi clique's stronghold. Commander-in-Chief Chen was prepared to personally lead his troops into Guangxi, determined to strike while the enemy was weakened and capture Lu Rongting in one fell swoop.

"This battle went so smoothly, Master Chen, you deserve the greatest credit! Hahahaha!"

Chen Sheng emerged from the reed mat shed, his booming voice drowning out the noise of the room: "Commander Hong, Staff Officer Jiang, it's a rare occasion to meet today. Why don't you come to Hongsheng Restaurant and have a cup of hot tea?"

Hong Zhaolin nodded and replied with a smile, "Of course I would be impolite to refuse Master Chen's invitation. However, besides guarding against the Japanese causing trouble, I also have some official business I would like to discuss with Master Chen today. I'd like to take advantage of this space at Hongsheng Hall to discuss it together."

Chen Sheng waved his hand dismissively: "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"

The crowd gradually dispersed.

The onlookers dispersed in small groups, the sugarcane vendor picked up his load again, and a few teenagers squatted by the ring picking up bullet casings before being dragged away by their parents.

One by one, the armchairs under the reed mat shed were emptied. Martial arts masters walked out of the shed in twos and threes, some still excitedly gesturing the famous Bengquan punch that Chen Hongwu had used to kill Funakoshi Yoshitsugu earlier.

Chen Hongwu walked to the edge of the arena, and Chen Huaijin, Chen Hongwen, and Chen Hongxiu squeezed over from the side of the reed mat shed.

Chen Huaijin strode forward, took Chen Hongwu's hand, and looked him up and down for a long time.

Seeing that he only had a small tear in his clothes on his shoulder from the bullet, and that his skin underneath was completely unharmed without even a red mark, he finally breathed a heavy sigh of relief.

Chen Huaijin patted his shoulder and said, "It's good that you're alright, it's good that you're alright."

Chen Hongwen nodded vigorously, his eyes slightly red.

Chen Hongxiu grabbed Chen Hongwu's arm, looked up at him, her eyes sparkling: "Big brother, that punch you threw just now was amazing! When that Japanese guy flew out, I almost thought he was made of paper!"

Chen Hongwu patted her head: "Go back with your second brother first. I'm going to sit at Hongsheng Restaurant for a while and will be home later."

Before Chen Hongxiu could say anything more, Chen Hongwen grabbed her by the back of her collar and pulled her off Chen Hongwu's arm.

Chen Hongxiu turned around and glared at him. Chen Hongwen, with a stern face, mimicked Chen Huaijin's tone perfectly: "Big brother has important business to attend to, don't cause trouble."

Chen Hongxiu pouted, but didn't make a fuss anymore. She followed her father and second brother out of the crowd, and after a few steps, she turned back and called out, "Big brother, come back soon!"

Chen Hongwu turned around and followed Hong Zhaolin and Chen Sheng, passing through the cobblestone street in front of the ancestral temple and turning into Fuxian Lane. The black lacquered gate of Hongsheng Hall was already open.