Chapter 287: Zhiyou, we are own brothers

Over the next few days.

News about Philson was as numerous as ox hair.

Some said he fell into the sea and died.

Some said he returned to North America to report for duty.

The time gap Hong Zhiyou deliberately left also gave Lin Sufang the "courage" to continue resisting.

Kong Lingwei was stingy.

In order to find money, Lin Sufang's first blow was aimed at the bottom-level laborers of the Cao Gang.

The triple wages that had just been raised were dropped to the bottom.

It was 40% lower than the wages Mr. Ji had originally set.

For a time, the disciples of the Cao Gang were all dissatisfied.

While Lin Sufang was raising money, her brother Lin Bo also put the assassination plan on the agenda.

Jinmen Station.

Lu Qiaoshan leaned on the sofa, covering his face with both hands and letting out a long breath.

Just last night, Lin Sufang had finalized the plan to assassinate Hong Zhiyou.

He would be the one to lure Hong Zhiyou into the Hongyun Teahouse.

Lin Bo would personally wield the knife.

Over a hundred Cao Gang disciples, rushing in with wild knives—simple and brutal.

The reason they weren't using black guns but were killing openly.

The goal was simple: to intimidate the Jinmen circle and pave the way for Kong Lingwei to completely take over Hong Zhiyou's business.

This was also Kong Lingwei's intention.

Sigh!

Lu Qiaoshan got a headache just thinking about it.

It wasn't that his conscience had been awakened and he couldn't bear to kill Hong Zhiyou.

He felt that Lin Sufang and Kong Lingwei, these two lunatics, weren't very reliable.

One's funding seemed unable to keep up.

The other only took in and didn't put out, thinking of one thing one moment and another the next.

If they really killed Hong Zhiyou, he might lose his last retreat.

"Section Chief Lu, the Station Master is calling for you."

Just as he was pondering, Hong Zhiyou stood at the door with his arms crossed, looking lazy.

"Zhiyou, why not come in? I just got some new coffee beans, let's taste them together." Lu Qiaoshan hurriedly stood up to greet him.

"No need."

"I haven't been sleeping well lately, so I've quit coffee; Section Chief Lu, keep them and savor them slowly."

Hong Zhiyou's tone was tinged with coldness.

"Old Brother, you're not being interesting here."

"We're our own people, why use titles? Call me Brother Shan."

Lu Qiaoshan beamed with joy.

"Let's go."

Hong Zhiyou didn't take the bait, smiled slightly, and walked ahead.

Arriving at the Station Master's office.

Wu Jingzhong beckoned: "Qiaoshan, we just received a notice; Commander Ke Ke may bombard the Ludong area in the near future. As Jinmen is the rear base, the Garrison Headquarters and the Secrecy Bureau must send representatives to Qingdao for a meeting."

"I've spoken with Commander Chen on the phone; you and Zhiyou should go."

"Go to Qingdao? When?" Lu Qiaoshan asked.

"Right now." Wu Jingzhong said.

"Haven't you been asking me to help you inquire about news of Commander Philson?"

"Now that you're going to Qingdao, wouldn't it be great if you could inquire about the situation there, or even have the opportunity to ask Commander Ke Ke in person?"

After a pause, he smiled.

"Yes, yes."

"This subordinate will just follow the Station Master's orders." Lu Qiaoshan accepted the order.

"The plane has already been arranged; you two should set off." Wu Jingzhong ordered.

"Yes."

The two accepted the order.

On the plane.

Hong Zhiyou got on, crossed his arms, and went to sleep.

Lu Qiaoshan opened his mouth several times but couldn't bring himself to say anything.

He clearly felt Hong Zhiyou's estrangement.

Thinking about it, Hong must already know about him and Lin Sufang buying the Cherry brand labels.

Knowing is knowing.

Once Philson is still alive, Hong Zhiyou won't have many days left to jump around, so there's no need to curry favor with him.

If he's going to die.

It won't be too late to apologize properly later.

Thinking of this, Lu Qiaoshan clasped his hands together and pretended to doze off.

Arriving in Qingdao.

Upon entering the naval base.

Lu Qiaoshan was stunned.

Ke Ke was presiding over Philson's funeral.

Several US soldiers were carrying the coffin.

After firing shots into the sky, the priest prayed, and after a chaotic mess, Philson's coffin was buried.

After watching the funeral.

Ke Ke then invited the two into the villa.

"Zhiyou, this, this is really dead..." Lu Qiaoshan couldn't accept it for a moment; he was completely bewildered.

"What do you think?"

Hong Zhiyou sneered while biting on a cigarette.

"Brother, then, then who is the successor, do you know?" Lu Qiaoshan still harbored a last shred of luck.

"How about I go ask for you?"

Hong Zhiyou raised the corner of his mouth, walked lightly to the outside pool, and sat at a round table, chatting and laughing with Ke Ke and the others.

Lu Qiaoshan, through the glass, witnessed Ke Ke and Hong Zhiyou chatting happily.

The accompanying US military officer even diligently lit a cigarette for Hong Zhiyou.

Lu Qiaoshan felt his hair stand on end.

He suddenly realized that he had made a stupid mistake.

He had underestimated Hong Zhiyou's connections too much.

In front of Hong, Philson was just a fart, a pawn that could be replaced at any time.

Perhaps this accident...

Lu Qiaoshan suddenly woke up, regretting it so much his intestines turned green.

Just as he was in a daze, Hong Zhiyou led the US military officer over: "Section Chief Lu, this is Colonel Welsh; he is about to take over the Marine Corps."

"You two chat."

Hong Zhiyou greeted them and returned to the table.

"Hong, Philson had opium channels in his hands; you know this is very profitable, are you interested?" Ke Ke asked.

"General, opium cannot be touched." Hong Zhiyou decisively refused.

"Why? As far as I know, Long Er used to traffic it; don't tell me you don't know anything." Ke Ke frowned and asked.

"I know."

"Back then I was poor, and I only thought that if I lost my conscience, I could earn more."

"But now I have money, so there's no need to earn it."

"General, actually, after deducting shipping and costs, the profit from transporting opium to Jinmen is already not much."

"In our place, there's an old saying: 'A tall tree catches the wind'."

"This matter has already spread."

"You sell it, others want to sell it too; who doesn't want to get rich?"

"If you let those people at the Pentagon know, do you think you can sit firmly in this position?"

"On the contrary, if you pinch off the opium and cut off this path."

"With munitions and liquor business, I guarantee that when you retire, you'll have enough money that even your granddaughter's grandson won't be able to spend it all."

"If you want money, you must first sit firmly; you must have the life to rake it in."

"Opium is unlucky; those who smoke it don't have a good end, and those who sell it don't necessarily have a good end either."

"Touch it."

"Today I can throw money at you and drown Philson."

"Tomorrow someone will throw even more money and drown you in this pool."

"General, what do you say?"

Hong Zhiyou patted the armrest of his chair and asked with a smile.

Ke Ke's face changed drastically, and he pondered while biting on his cigar.

He knew that what Hong Zhiyou said made a lot of sense.

This time, Philson's successor had several people under MacArthur coming to grab it; if it weren't for his strong connections at the Pentagon, all the benefits in Jinmen would have flown away.

In the final analysis, the temptation of opium was too great.

Everyone, ghost or human, wanted to get a piece of the action.

"Hong, you are a true businessman."

"Regarding this opium incident, your Generalissimo has lodged a stern protest with our military; although it's acting, it's also a fact."

"Just right, I'll take advantage of the President's instructions to thoroughly investigate a batch of people."

"Completely cut off the opium trade."

Ke Ke thought for a moment, clearly persuaded by Hong Zhiyou.

"General."

"Thanks." Hong Zhiyou reached out and shook his hand.

If Ke Ke insisted on continuing to sell opium, he would have no power to stop him.

Of course.

It wouldn't be sold for two more years anyway.

Once the Red Flag comes, it will sweep away all kinds of crooked winds and evil spirits, and opium will all be reduced to ashes.

"Welsh is a smart person and also an upright soldier."

"With him guarding Jinmen, our cooperation will definitely be very pleasant."

Ke Ke smiled.

"Happy cooperation."

Hong Zhiyou stood up to say goodbye.

On the plane back.

Hong Zhiyou continued to doze off.

Lu Qiaoshan couldn't hold it in anymore, raised his hand and touched him: "Zhiyou, let's chat for a bit."

"Chat about what?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Old Brother, we are own brothers; you know I've always treated you as my own younger brother."

"Not to mention anything else, Brother Shan hasn't treated you thinly all these years, right?"

Lu Qiaoshan opened his mouth and played the emotional card.

"Not bad."

"However, this brother of yours has no ability and can't get business from the Americans anymore."

"It's better not to be brothers, so as not to hold Section Chief Lu back."

Hong Zhiyou closed his eyes and said slowly.

"Look at what you're saying."

"This is having resentment towards Brother Shan."

"Old Brother, you should also know about that business I have with the US military."

"I'll lay my cards on the table; that really wasn't my intention."

"You know that I was able to return because of Chief Zheng and Ke Shufen's intentions; they wanted me to rake in money... I was also forced and helpless." Lu Qiaoshan said with a look of grievance.

"So?" Hong Zhiyou opened his eyes and looked at him.

"I feel that money or whatever shouldn't affect our brotherly feelings."

"I've decided not to do this black-hearted business with old Zheng anymore."

"How many people can you meet in a lifetime who you can confide in?"

"Oh, for the sake of a little money, even abandoning a brother—is that still human?"

"Not to mention you saved me twice; I remember all of that."

Lu Qiaoshan pulled at the emotions with great feeling.

"So, you dug my wall with Lin Sufang and even bought a red wine brand, planning to put me to death?" Hong Zhiyou raised his eyebrows and looked at him.

"Heaven and earth are my witness."

"I really couldn't help myself."

"If I wanted to earn crooked money myself, I'd let the plane crash right now and let me die without a whole corpse, alright?"

Lu Qiaoshan raised his hand and swore a poisonous oath.

"Don't."

"If you crash to death, I'll have to be buried with you." Hong Zhiyou hurriedly raised his hand to stop him.

"Brother, believe me."

"I really treat you as my own younger brother; because of this, my conscience has been uneasy day by day, I've been so worried my hair has turned white, and I haven't slept a single good night."

"If... if you don't believe me, go ask your sister-in-law."

Lu Qiaoshan looked regretful and hateful, and lightly slapped himself twice.

"You found a good wife."

"Sister-in-law looked for Wanqiu."

"She told me about your helpless actions, which is also the reason why I'm willing to talk to you."

Hong Zhiyou's tone softened a bit, giving Lu Qiaoshan a way out.

Li Ya was there.

Zheng Jiemin was still there.

The Generalissimo was going to reuse this person again.

Eliminating Lu Qiaoshan now would bring no benefit other than venting anger.

Crucially, Hong Zhiyou needed this knife to carry out the execution, so as not to splash blood all over himself.

"The truth, it's all the truth."

"Look..."

Lu Qiaoshan leaned over and pulled at his hair.

"Alright."

"You haven't had it easy either, with Chief Zheng above and your son's future below; wanting to rake in more money is understandable."

"Brother Shan, since you treat me as a brother, it can't just be lip service."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"No, absolutely not."

"I have a major matter involving Old Brother's life and death to tell you right now."

Lu Qiaoshan laid out Lin Bo's assassination plan completely.

"Brother Shan."

"How do you say we should deal with this bunch of scum?" Hong Zhiyou asked with a smile.

"A bunch of reckless men."

"Don't worry about this; I'll have the people from the Inspection Team do it."

"I'll have them disguise themselves as plainclothes; no matter how many come when the guns go off, they'll all die."

Once talking about killing, Lu Qiaoshan's eyes shone as if he were eating meat.

"So many people dying, how will you explain it afterwards?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Kill them and that's it."

"The Cao Gang was smuggling opium; the Generalissimo is already furious, let alone killing them—even if I wiped out the entire Cao Gang, it would be justified, right?" Lu Qiaoshan said.

"Brother Shan is now famous for killing; it really doesn't matter if there are a few more."

"I'm afraid the Generalissimo is dying for you to kill more, to make your name ring out, so that like Boss Dai, everyone in the world will fear you upon hearing your name."

"This matter is left to you."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"There's one more thing."

"Philson's death news certainly can't be hidden."

"Lin Sufang has raised several tens of thousands of US dollars again, intending to take down the new commander."

"Can Welsh hold out?"

Lu Qiaoshan asked with great trepidation.

"Americans are very greedy; of course he can't hold out." Hong Zhiyou nodded.

"Can't hold out?"

"Little Hong, you must think clearly; if he can't hold out, you'll be eaten clean in no time."

"A county magistrate is not as good as the one in charge."

"Ke Ke is in Qingdao, but the one in charge in Jinmen is still Welsh; if you don't handle him, how can you play?"

Lu Qiaoshan regretted being so quick to confide again.

"He can't hold out, and I'm not willing to spend money."

"Since he's a newcomer, he must have a little welcoming gift; just right, this money from the Cao Gang will serve as his welcoming gift."

Hong Zhiyou laughed.

"You, you mean take the money... and not do the work?" Lu Qiaoshan blinked his eyes a few times and quickly understood.

"Isn't that very American?" Hong Zhiyou raised his eyebrows and asked with a smile.

"Borrowing flowers to present to Buddha."

"Wonderful."

"Wonderful."

"In this way, the Cao Gang's foundation will really be hollowed out, and Lin Sufang and Long Er will probably be furious to death."

"Lin Sufang has the second young lady of the Kong family behind her; this one is not easy to handle."

"How will you deal with it?"

Lu Qiaoshan mentioned the key point.

"Do you know why I don't look for her, and she doesn't look for me?" Hong Zhiyou smiled inscrutably.

"Can't see through it." Lu Qiaoshan said.

"Because whoever looks first loses."

"Once I take the initiative to look for her, the Kong family will eat me clean; Song Ziliang can't save me, they are one body, and he would rather earn a little less than have my things fall into the Kong family's hands."

Hong Zhiyou laughed.

Song Ziliang had indeed been to Jinmen.

But he didn't even meet Hong Zhiyou before flying back to Shanghai.

Clearly, Madam Kong and the Kong family didn't call him to persuade the second young lady, but to tell him not to meddle in other people's business.

Therefore, Song Ziliang left.

"Will she come to look for you?" Lu Qiaoshan couldn't believe it.

"Yes."

"Because the Jinmen Military Aid Coordination Committee is about to be established."

"I am the liaison for the committee."

"This is just one of them."

"If my guess is correct, Kong Lingwei will visit Welsh for the first time; once she discovers that Welsh won't buy the Kong family's account, then she will have no significance in Jinmen."

"Given her character, she will inevitably take a risk, or rather, pretend to be crazy and repeat her old tricks, giving me a shot in person to prove that there is no one and no business she cannot eat."

"So, she will definitely come to see me on her own."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"This woman is crazy; Brother, you must be careful." Lu Qiaoshan said.

"Since she is coming to see me, it's my territory."

"I don't dare to kill her."

"But as long as she dares to make a move, there will be people who dare to kill her justifiably."

Hong Zhiyou said confidently.

"Fine."

"As long as you are sure, I'll handle Lin Bo and Lin Sufang's matter."

"Don't worry, I'll definitely arrange it for you properly."

Lu Qiaoshan patted his chest and guaranteed it.

"However..." Speaking of this, he laughed dryly.

"Don't worry, after Welsh takes office, I'll have him give you that batch of munitions in full."

"After Philson died, the money you paid has already been credited to the account."

"Since there is an account to check, not only does he owe you, but even the batch that Li Ya and the Security Brigade ate can be compensated to you." Hong Zhiyou knew what he meant and spoke very readily.

"Brother, you, you really are a living Bodhisattva of great mercy."

"Brother thanks you."

Lu Qiaoshan was incredibly grateful and clasped his hands together in worship.

"It's just the liquor I invested, 80,000 US dollars..."

"Bankrupt, and even the money of relatives and friends is all in there; can Brother think of a way to maneuver it?"

He asked again.

"This is probably difficult."

"The one who ate this money is the French, and the contract signed is open and aboveboard; there's no reason for them to refund the money."

"However, if you can help me take down this brand."

"If it can really be done, I can give you 10% according to your and Lin Sufang's original plan."

Hong Zhiyou certainly wouldn't indulge him in everything.

This 10%, like the 10% in Yuezhou from Zheng Jiemin, was purely a pie in the sky.

If he was in a good mood, 10% might be ten thousand US dollars.

If he was in a bad mood, it would be one silver dollar.

In short, Lu Qiaoshan shouldn't even think about getting his 80,000 US dollars back in this lifetime.

"Fine, anyway, following you, Brother, won't lead to a loss; I'll listen to you." Lu Qiaoshan said with great joy.

Evening.

Eight o'clock.

Lu Qiaoshan tucked his briefcase under his arm and hurried to the Cao Gang headquarters.

"Are the people ready?" Upon entering, he asked.

"Ready."

"Thirty people, every one of them is a good hand."

Lin Bo said proudly.

"No, you really decided to use knives?" Lu Qiaoshan asked.

"Although Hong Zhiyou learned a bit from Mrs. Yu, he's not Sun Lutang after all; thirty people are enough." Long Er nodded and said.

"Fine, you decide." Lu Qiaoshan nodded and said.

"Philson is dead."

"The new commander is named Wilson; this guy is even greedier than Philson, which might be an opportunity." Lu Qiaoshan said.

"Greedy is good; I'd be afraid if he didn't love money."

"As long as we take him down, opium and liquor can get on the right track, and we'll have a steady stream of money."

"Section Chief Lu, Hong Zhiyou is left to you and Eldest Brother."

"Second Brother, let's go meet this new commander."

Lin Sufang had regained her usual confidence.

"Miss Lin, I wish you success." Lu Qiaoshan smiled.

"I wish you success too." Lin Sufang nodded beautifully.

"Set up a big table, put on a celebration banquet, and wait for Madam and Section Chief Lu to return in triumph."

Long Er heroically ordered his subordinates on the side.

8:30 PM.

Hongyun Teahouse.

As usual, the male and female diners were already filling the seats.

Lu Qiaoshan got out of the car and came to the second-floor private room.

"Brother Shan, sit."

Hong Zhiyou gestured, then poured the liquor.

"How about it, see if it's enough; if not, I'll order more." He smiled.

"You still have the heart to eat."

"You said thirty."

"I saw quite a few cars when I came; I estimate there must be over a hundred people."

"Maybe Lin Tian even equipped them with guns."

"Can't be careless."

Lu Qiaoshan said urgently.

He was truly afraid that Hong Zhiyou would kick the bucket now, as that would really ruin the munitions and liquor business.

"Heaven is big, earth is big, eating is the biggest."

"Let's eat our fill first."

Hong Zhiyou smiled and began to feast heartily.

Halfway through the meal, dense footsteps sounded on the street, and from time to time, women's screams came from downstairs.

"Cao Gang is on business, bystanders move aside quickly."

"Get out, move aside."

"Zhiyou, they've killed their way up." Lu Qiaoshan stood up and looked out the window; the street was densely packed.

He had still underestimated it.

This wasn't a hundred; it was two hundred, three hundred.

No wonder Lin Bo was so confident.

Damn it, it's a good thing I made full preparations, otherwise it would have all been ruined today.

"Brother Shan, I'm counting on you." Hong Zhiyou laughed calmly.

"Don't worry!"

Lu Qiaoshan bit his lip, stood by the window, and waved his hand.

Swish, swish!

The windows along the street opened simultaneously.

Machine guns poked out.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 288 =====