Chapter 320: Fire, Fire!

The main hall of the Canal Gang.

Long Er was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, pacing back and forth restlessly.

Lin Sufang, however, sat with her snow-white, beautiful legs crossed, elegantly sipping coffee as if everything outside had nothing to do with her.

"Sufang, the students have started charging the guard posts."

"What should we do?"

"What does that person say?"

Lin Bo walked in, not even sparing a glance for Long Er, and asked his younger sister directly.

"What's the rush?"

"The students are just spoiled by 'freedom' and 'democracy,' leaving the Director-General tied up and unable to act."

"But now they have offended the American military; can those two iron hats still protect them?"

Lin Sufang said, calm and composed.

"What does that person say?" Lin Bo asked again.

"Watch the show."

"The fiercer the fight, the more vigorous the chaos, the better." Lin Sufang raised her orchid-shaped fingers and took a slow, unhurried sip of coffee.

"Sufang."

"How about we go underground to hide for a while, and wait until the storm passes?"

"You are pregnant after all; if something happens to you, how could I go on living?"

Long Er stroked her belly and said with a worried face.

"Second Brother, it's fine."

"Lu Qiao is arriving soon; he is an expert and will think of a way."

"We still have two-thirds of the goods that haven't been moved."

"If we don't handle the students, this business will be ruined in our hands, so we can't hide from this."

Lin Sufang held his hand and said gently.

"Brother, go urge Director Lu." She turned her head and said to Lin Bo.

"Alright."

Just as Lin Bo was about to make a call, he saw Lu Qiao walking in, carrying a briefcase.

"Miss Lin, the students have plenty of tricks this time—kerosene bottles, torches, stones. I just don't know how this main hall compares to Cao Rulin's Zhao Family Mansion, and whether it can withstand the burning."

Lu Qiao sat down, leaned back, and crossed his legs, ignoring Long Er as usual, just like Lin Bo.

Long Er was nothing; just a small-time hoodlum from the docks.

The real person in charge of the Canal Gang nowadays was the woman before him.

"What does Director Lu mean?" Lin Sufang asked with a smile.

"The opium trade—I want a ten percent cut." Lu Qiao stopped pretending and demanded his benefit directly.

"Director Lu has quite an appetite."

"But are you qualified to negotiate terms with me?"

"Why would the Americans do business with you?"

"Money?"

"Do you have it?"

"Power?"

"Even Zheng Jiemin, who stands behind you, is merely a man with the heart of a thief but not the guts. Without me acting as the go-between, could the Americans sell you arms?"

"Who do you think you are?"

"Can't I just find any stray cat or dog? Must it be you?"

Lin Sufang put down her coffee cup, gave a disdainful smile, and unleashed a series of soul-searching questions.

The corner of Lu Qiao's mouth twitched, and his expression gradually turned cold.

"Don't look at me, look at it." She pointed to the table.

"What do you mean?" Lu Qiao asked with a frown.

"Those who decide the rules of the game have always been the people at the dining table."

"Philson and I are the ones at the table."

"You are just the fruit on this platter."

Lin Sufang waved her hand and swept the fruit platter onto the floor.

She beckoned.

A maid immediately stepped forward to replace it with a new one.

"I understand, I am just the menu."

"Miss Lin, aren't you being too confident?"

"Just because of that person behind you?"

Lu Qiao nodded his head slightly and asked with a smile.

"Have you ever thought that this might very well be a trap set by Hong Zhiyou?" he added.

"Isn't it?"

"Even if it is, so what? Looking across the entire land, who can stand against the person behind me?" Lin Sufang laughed proudly.

"Perhaps... perhaps so."

"Then let's wait and see. Since you feel I am not qualified to talk to you from a position of strength, then the road is wide, and we shall each go our own way."

"It's nothing more than earning a little less money."

"However, Miss Lin, don't forget: to eat, one must first have dishes to order!"

Lu Qiao pointed at her and walked out.

Lin Sufang smiled slightly and glanced at Long Er.

Long Er understood and quickly raised his hand to stop Lu Qiao: "Director Lu, what's the rush?"

"In business, there's nothing that can't be discussed."

"Isn't it just ten percent of the opium?"

"I can give it to you at any time."

"But you must settle today's matter."

"Which one of you is actually in charge?" Lu Qiao's gaze shifted back and forth between the two.

"The Canal Gang is naturally run by my Second Brother," Lin Sufang said with a sweet smile.

Merchants, after all, naturally pursue the ultimate in profit.

She was deliberately provoking Lu Qiao.

Suppressing a protest was no simple matter; once public anger was ignited, Lu Qiao would be dismissed at best, or sent to a military tribunal at worst.

Even if he were lucky enough to avoid punishment,

she could always use Long Er as an excuse if she wanted to welch on that ten percent.

In any case, the opium smuggling was Philson's private business, and it had nothing to do with Long Er; they could just quibble when the time came.

Would Lu Qiao really dare to go and demand money from the Americans?

Of course, if Lu Qiao really suppressed this wave and came out unscathed, it would show that this guy truly had some capability, and there would be plenty of dirty, tiring work for him to do in the future.

Giving him ten percent wasn't impossible.

In short, one must make him do the work, but not let him have it easy.

Even if he took the money, it had to be hot enough to burn his hands, so he wouldn't open his mouth like a lion in the future.

"A contract." Lu Qiao wasn't stupid.

"Old brother, this is selling opium, not sweet potatoes. Black and white on paper can get people killed."

"What, is Long's reputation not even worth this much?"

"Besides, the Canal Gang is right here; it's not like it can fly away, can it?"

Long Er raised the corner of his mouth and sneered.

"Fine."

"I'll settle the matter for you, and we'll make money together." Lu Qiao agreed.

"It's up to you then." Long Er extended his hand.

Lu Qiao shook it and walked out quickly.

Outside, the students holding banners began to charge the guard posts, and the group summoned by Li Ya, holding homemade gasoline bottles, aimed specifically at the American soldiers.

Seeing this, the other students also swarmed forward.

Soon, the students and soldiers were locked in a chaotic scuffle.

"Director Lu, the situation doesn't look good; the students are acting quite fiercely this time," Peng Chengtao said.

"With Li Ya's people involved, how could they not be fierce?"

"He wants to blow this up, to make the Americans think that even though I hold two posts, I'm just a pushover."

"He's waiting to see me make a fool of myself."

Lu Qiao licked his lips and said with a faint smile.

"This is the list, and the photos."

"Pick and kill."

He casually handed the photos of the group under Li Ya to Peng Chengtao.

Peng Chengtao took them.

He walked out quickly, went to a nearby sentry box, picked up the phone, and dialed a number:

"Connect me to the office of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of National Defense.

"Still in a meeting?

"Alright, I understand."

Peng Chengtao hung up the phone, feeling extremely puzzled.

As soon as the trouble started this morning, he had called Zheng Jiemin to say he had an urgent matter to report.

The secretary's reply was that he was in a meeting.

What kind of meeting could it be, still going on after an entire morning?

Besides, even if there was a meeting, one could surely squeeze out a minute to return a call for something like this.

Something was wrong.

No, he had to play it safe.

Thinking of this, he called Lu Yuxi over:

"Xizi, Old Lu asked me to give this to you."

Peng Chengtao didn't touch it, just pointed at the file bag on the table.

Lu Yuxi didn't suspect anything, picked it up, opened it, and asked with a frown: "A list? What does Brother Shan mean?"

"What does he mean? You've been following Brother Shan for so long, do you still need me to tell you?

"Did our people or the American military suffer any injuries?"

Peng Chengtao pointed at Huang Shun and the others who were charging the post.

"Two were hit in the head by stones.

"One American soldier had his arm burned by a bottle, but it's not a big problem," Lu Yuxi answered truthfully.

"Soldiers are the barrier of the nation.

"They aren't protesting; they are challenging the dignity of the military.

"The Chairman has given clear instructions to ensure the safety of the American military in Jinmen.

"Department Head Lu has ordered to cancel the blanks and switch to live ammunition.

"The people on this list..."

Peng Chengtao made a gesture of pulling a trigger.

"Shoot the students?" Lu Yuxi swallowed hard.

"A soldier's duty is to obey orders.

"Department Head Lu's order, just carry it out.

"What, do you want to disobey?

"Don't forget how you got this position as a battalion commander; Old Lu can let you rise, and he can let you get lost.

"You know his methods and his temper.

"Go, now!"

Peng Chengtao said with a straight, displeased face.

"Yes!"

Lu Yuxi bit the bullet and accepted the order.

Morning, 11: 7.

The students broke through the sentry post.

Following Lu Yuxi's order, the inspection team members wearing the Garrison Command uniforms fired the first shot.

The student charging at the very front fell into a pool of blood.

He never dreamed that the soldiers would fire live ammunition.

Rat-tat!

A soldier fired a machine gun into the air.

The ear-piercing sound instantly stunned the students present.

Seeing the situation was wrong, Huang Shun took the lead and ran for his life.

They had only come here to show their faces so they could infiltrate Guo Youliang's student branch and become "backbone members."

Who could have guessed that Lu Qiaoshan would actually open fire?

With disaster imminent, running away was naturally the priority.

In an instant, the scene turned into a mess.

"Beep-beep!"

Lu Yuxi waved his hand, and the inspection team members blew their whistles, chasing the students in the crowd according to the list.

Very quickly.

Huang Shun and the other five of Li Ya's secret agents were all captured.

"Department Head Lu, the people have been caught," Lu Yuxi walked quickly into the private room of the Cao Gang to report.

"Why is it you?

"Where is Peng Chengtao?" Lu Qiaoshan asked with a frown.

"Officer Peng had an upset stomach this morning and just went to relieve himself," Lu Yuxi replied.

"Did you order the shooting?" Lu Qiaoshan asked in a deep voice.

"He, he said it was your order, the documents are all here.

"Brother Shan, I, I haven't fallen into a trap, have I?"

Lu Yuxi's expression changed as he spoke.

"Fool.

"I let him order the shooting because he is one of Officer Zheng's men, so if something happens, we can share the responsibility.

"Why did you open fire without asking for instructions?"

Lu Qiaoshan tapped the table, annoyed.

"He, he said it was your order, and the time was urgent, telling me to act quickly, so..." Cold sweat seeped from Lu Yuxi's forehead.

He was cursing inwardly; if it weren't for you, you grandson, always acting hot-tempered and using all sorts of intimidation to scare the hell out of me, would I have done such a stupid thing?

Xizi is done for... Lu Qiaoshan sighed to himself.

Opening fire was a risky move to curry favor with the Americans.

It was a gamble that the Chairman's patience with the students had reached its limit.

It was also a gamble on the strength of Philson, seeking wealth through danger.

Furthermore, Zheng Jiemin had "accounts" hanging on him.

If he died, Zheng Jiemin's investment in arms and future "free meals" at the bar would all be off the table.

So Zheng Jiemin would also do his best to protect him for the sake of money.

Dragging Peng Chengtao into the water was just an extra layer of insurance.

But Lu Yuxi... a nobody!

Given the Chairman's habit of passing the buck.

Once public opinion intensified further, the Nationalist government would definitely need a scapegoat to appease public anger, and that would inevitably be Xizi.

What a fool!

"It's fine.

"The Chairman has long suffered from this group of students; killing them is fine.

"But since we've started killing, we can't be half-hearted; we must show the Chairman our determination to willingly bear the condemnation of thousands.

"Go, execute those you captured on the spot.

"Warn the students that if they dare to cause trouble again, their parents will be investigated, convicted, and executed by firing squad along with them.

"I made a great contribution last time I quelled a protest.

"This time will certainly be the same.

"When the time comes, I will claim credit for you."

Lu Qiaoshan patted Lu Yuxi on the shoulder and ordered with a smile.

"Yes." Upon hearing this, Lu Yuxi's tense heart relaxed slightly.

He had only walked two steps when Lu Qiaoshan suddenly called him back:

"Xizi, how old is your son?"

"He just turned a month old on the third of last month," Lu Yuxi said.

"The third of last month... I remember now, I went to Jingling at that time and missed my nephew's full-month celebration.

"Take this, consider it a small gesture from me."

Lu Qiaoshan fished a US banknote out of his pocket.

Just as he was about to give it, he glanced down and saw it was a hundred-dollar bill, so he stuffed it back. He swapped it several times, gathered five ten-dollar US bills, and handed them to Lu Yuxi:

"Brother, take this as a small token of my heart, buy the kid some supplements."

"No.

"Brother Shan, this is too valuable." Lu Yu cursed inwardly, but his words were respectful and polite.

"Take it.

"We are brothers; if you follow me, I won't treat you unfairly.

"After this matter is over, I will help you make your position as acting captain permanent."

Lu Qiao had a gentle and extremely cordial smile.

"Brother Shan, re—really?" Lu Yu was overjoyed.

"Of course.

"When have I ever lied to you? First, make the captain position permanent, and later, I'll promote you to deputy section chief!

"As long as you serve me faithfully, wealth and glory will be yours."

Lu Qiao said with a serious expression.

"Many thanks, Brother Shan. Then, I'll be going." Lu Yu was delighted.

"Mm, go ahead." Lu Qiao waved his hand.

Sigh!

He sighed softly.

Bang!

Bang!

Bursts of execution gunfire came from outside.

"Li Ya, you still don't understand the Old Man. So what if they are Jiang Jianfeng's people? I'll kill them all the same!"

Lu Qiao gave a cold laugh and walked quickly into the main hall of the Cao Gang:

"Miss Lin, the students have retreated."

Lin Sufang puffed out her full chest, stood up, and smiled brightly: "Section Chief Lu, you truly have effective methods. I'll count you in for ten percent of the opium trade.

"I hope for your continued support in the future, Section Chief Lu."

"Thank you," Lu Qiao smiled.

"Sit. Let's talk about the liquor business. Is the money ready?" Lin Sufang said.

"Of course.

"When will I see Powell? I must be there in person," Lu Qiao said.

"Mm.

"I will meet with that person tonight to finalize this matter.

"You know that Hong Zhiyou has Song Ziliang backing him.

"If that person doesn't speak up, it's hard to get things done even with the Americans' endorsement."

Lin Sufang said.

"I know.

"I'll wait for your good news." Lu Qiao walked out.

Jinhai Station.

Operations Team office.

Bang bang!

Bursts of gunfire startled Li Ya into jumping up.

It was from the direction of the Cao Gang.

He put down the cookbook in his hand and rushed toward the station master's office.

Yu Zecheng and Hong Zhiyou were already waiting.

Both of them had grave expressions.

"Station Master, they've opened fire.

"It seems to be from the direction of the Cao Gang," Li Ya said.

"Section Chief Lu ordered them to open fire?

"That shouldn't be.

"Since the Americans proposed constitutional government, although the Chairman hasn't explicitly stated it, there have been very few armed suppressions of protests in various places.

"Especially now that the Reds are winning over the hearts of the people.

"It's even less likely they would fire shots and give people a pretext.

"It must be a warning shot,"

Yu Zecheng said.

"Hard to say.

"You have to look at the context; the source of this is the Americans.

"Even if they fired, wouldn't the Americans just applaud?

"That so-called freedom and democracy of theirs is just a lie to fool ghosts.

"If they really wanted democracy, they wouldn't have done those things in Qingdao that angered both gods and men."

Although Wu Jingzhong didn't deal much with the Americans, he had long seen through everything.

"Station Master, should I have my people pull back?

"Those are the future core forces of my Three People's Principles Youth League and the Cadre Preparatory Bureau."

The situation was urgent, and Li Ya couldn't care about anything else, so he asked directly.

"Mm, withdraw..."

Before Wu Jingzhong could finish, Xiao Guohua walked in, looking nervous:

"Station Master, Lu Qiao opened fire and executed seven students on the spot."

"What!

"He really... opened fire."

Wu Jingzhong and the others were all shocked.

"This Lu Qiao is going to poke a hole in the sky," Yu Zecheng said, swallowing hard.

"What is the situation with the students now?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"They were scared off.

"Lu Qiao is organizing people to check the household registration records of the troublemakers; he might be starting another round of investigations," Xiao Guohua said.

"Investigations, my foot.

"He's just using the pretext of suppressing protests and conducting investigations to line his own pockets."

Wu Jingzhong sneered with disdain.

Just as he was speaking, Gao Yuan arrived at the door, not daring to enter: "Captain Li."

Li Ya walked to the door, and Gao Yuan whispered:

"Captain Li, the seven people Lu Qiao shot and killed were all core members trained by the Political Academy."

Li Ya's brows locked tight as he heard this, his eyes flashing with murderous intent.

He waved his hand, signaling Gao Yuan to step back.

"Station Master, the seven people killed were all core members of the Political Academy that I personally selected," Li Ya reported expressionlessly.

"No?

"Captain Li, are you saying Old Lu killed your people?" Hong Zhiyou asked with a bewildered look.

"That's right.

"They were all progressive students I cultivated at Beiyang and Nankai.

"They just secretly finished their studies at the Central Political Academy last month; I originally wanted to use this protest to let them perform well and infiltrate the core layer of the Red student branch.

"Now, it's all ruined; that man surnamed Lu wiped them all out in one go.

"This is clearly aimed at me."

Li Ya gritted his teeth and said with hatred.

"Captain Li.

"Lu Qiao used the Inspection Section to handle this; Chen Zhangjie is likely unaware and wouldn't dare to intervene, so it will ultimately have to be negotiated with the Second Department.

"Seven human lives.

"And they were core members of the Political Academy.

"This is no small matter; I suggest you immediately ask Comrade Jiang Jianfeng for instructions,"

Wu Jingzhong pointed at Li Ya and said.

"Yes, Teacher.

"I will go ask for instructions right now." Li Ya lowered his head and walked out.

"Zecheng, you go handle the aftermath; once Jiang Jianfeng's instructions come down, see if these student files need to be transferred," Wu Jingzhong ordered again.

"Yes, Teacher, I'll go immediately." Yu Zecheng walked out quickly.

Once the two of them left, Wu Jingzhong shook his hands with a sense of relief and sat down: "Zhiyou, it's lunchtime; do you have any good restaurants to recommend?"

Ever since the mother and daughter left, they even took the Cantonese chef with them.

With no one to deliver meals now, Wu Jingzhong had to go to a restaurant for lunch.

"There's a decent beef noodle shop two streets over; shall we settle for that?" Hong Zhiyou asked with a smile.

"Noodles are fine.

"I'm not fond of Cantonese cuisine; as a northerner, I prefer these noodles and steamed buns.

"Let's have noodles."

Wu Jingzhong was very satisfied with this arrangement.

"This play today is interesting.

"The Americans colluding with the Boatmen Gang to smuggle opium.

"With such a major incident, and even executions by gunfire, Director Mao and Zheng Jiemin still haven't sent any instructions.

"Don't you find it strange?"

After a pause, Wu Jingzhong asked with a smile.

"Kirk has made his move, and the Chairman has to catch it," Hong Zhiyou said, hitting the nail on the head.

"Indeed.

"Assisting in the internal reshuffling of the U. . military is one thing.

"The key is that the Chairman has long been hoping for someone to fire on the students; what Mao Sen didn't dare to do, he let Lu Qiaoshan do.

"The students nowadays take to the streets over every trivial matter; they call it a protest, but in reality, it's a slap in the Chairman's face.

"Lu Qiaoshan understood this thoroughly, which is why he dared to open fire.

"To find life in death—this fellow still has some courage and guts."

Wu Jingzhong said with a sigh.

"But he killed the reserve forces of Jiang Jianfeng's Three People's Principles Youth League and the Cadre Preparatory Bureau; can Jiang Jianfeng let this go?" Hong Zhiyou expressed his doubt.

"It is precisely Jiang Jianfeng's people that he killed.

"Otherwise, it wouldn't demonstrate determination and will.

"With the domestic war situation suffering consecutive defeats and the Whampoa generals collectively failing, the Chairman needs such a thunderclap, a sudden gust of wind to hold the ground.

"Don't forget, he personally orchestrated many massacres in the past; stopping chaos through killing has always been the old man's favorite method.

"Why were Kang Ze and Dai Li favored?

"Wasn't it because they acted as executioners, trading their future for a body splattered with blood?

"Lu Qiaoshan didn't spend his time in Jingling in vain; he has already grasped the old man's intentions.

"This is the posture of someone looking to perform a great service and become the second Boss Dai.

"A good tactic.

"A good tactic!"

Wu Jingzhong said.

"Master, then why didn't you let the Secret Service participate in this job back then?" Hong Zhiyou asked, puzzled.

"Two years ago, I would have had to handle this job personally.

"But things are different now.

"We have Lele, so we should do as little killing as possible.

"Furthermore, that bunch of trash under Hu Zongnan fights too poorly.

"At a time like this, to defy the world and go hug the old man's thigh is not worth it."

Wu Jingzhong shook his head and said.

"Moreover, given Jiang Jianfeng's temperament, he will retaliate sooner or later.

"As long as Lu Qiaoshan is still working for the Jiang family.

"The old man is getting old, after all; Jiang Jianfeng will eventually pull Lu Qiaoshan out by the roots.

"How did Boss Dai die back then?

"Without his nod, could you... phew! Could Ma Hansan have succeeded?"

He took the coat handed over by Hong Zhiyou, held it in his hand, and walked out.

"Yes, it still has to be Director Ma," Hong Zhiyou said with a grateful smile.

"Have you made arrangements with the newspapers?

"Especially the foreign media, including North America and Britain; the money must be spent effectively, and we must make the foreigners promote this matter vigorously.

"Otherwise, if Kirk can't replace the person, we should pack up and get out."

While walking, Wu Jingzhong instructed.

"Yes, it's already arranged, the money has been delivered, and I also had Mr. Situ in North America bribe a few congressmen; in two or three days of fermentation, Philson will have to go see God," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Good.

"The key is that person; if you don't feed him, he won't leave.

"This will require cutting off a piece of meat."

Wu Jingzhong frowned and said.

"No matter.

"Didn't Long Er and the others buy the Cherry brand?

"When the person dies, I will be the only one who can run this brand; I can give him shares and pull him in to work together," Hong Zhiyou replied.

"Can that work?" Wu Jingzhong raised an eyebrow and asked.

"It can.

"Everyone has a price; if I can take down Song Ziliang, I can take down anyone," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Good, good.

"As long as you are confident."

Wu Jingzhong was very satisfied with his confidence.

"Master, I might have to fly to Jingling this afternoon, otherwise I can't keep that person in check.

"Please keep an eye on my sister for me.

"I'm afraid of Lu Qiaoshan's next wave of indiscriminate killing."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"You're overthinking it; the first shot in Jinhai was no joke.

"The students' souls have likely been scared away.

"They won't be able to stir up trouble for a while.

"As for your sister, I will have someone 'invite' her to the station to sit for a while.

"You have to admit, Lu Qiaoshan really has a way with students; I underestimated him before.

"If this person were a bit more deep-seated and a bit more lenient with people, he would have the qualifications to wrestle with Mao Sen and hold down a region."

As they spoke, the two drove away, and seeing the empty streets, Wu Jingzhong couldn't help but laugh and sigh.

At noon, Hong Zhiyou immediately rushed to Jingling.

Three o'clock in the afternoon.

Residence No. 1.

Jiang Jianfeng arrived at the hall with a gloomy face.

"I didn't sleep well last night, and I've been in meetings all morning; I just returned from the Ministry of National Defense. Let's talk about business after dark," Chen Bulei blocked him outside.

"Mr. Yanji, I... I have an urgent matter to report; please, I must ask you to inform my father," Jiang Jianfeng said.

"It's about the students from the Jinhai Political School, isn't it?" Chen Bulei asked.

"Yes!

"That man surnamed Lu killed seven of my excellent reserve cadres in one go; if it weren't for Zheng Jiemin backing him, where would he get the guts? I must find a way to settle this," Jiang Jianfeng said, his resentment unabated.

"You're overthinking it.

"From beginning to end, the Chairman never let Zheng Jiemin and Mao Renfeng intervene.

"They didn't send any instructions to Jinhai.

"Do you understand?"

Chen Bulei adjusted his glasses and said indifferently.

"You mean my fath..." Jiang Jianfeng didn't dare to continue.

"The situation is worrying; we don't have many cards left to play.

"The trump card of the U. . military must absolutely not be lost.

"Therefore, you should ask who gave you the plan to let those seven people charge into battle.

"Failing to see the big picture and going to rebel against the Americans.

"It's not stupidity; it's an attempt to trap you.

"If you suspect a person, don't use them; if you use a person, don't suspect them.

"In the future, it's better to 'suspect less and use less.'

"These are the Chairman's own words.

"Go back."

(End of chapter)