Chapter 61: How Is This Axe of Mine?

Hong Zhiyou was not shooting at shadows.

At this time, the Double Tenth Negotiations had not yet begun.

Kawashima Yoshiko was arrested by Ma Kui during the negotiations.

This led to the later Dragon Spring Sword Case, which completely tore the mask off his relationship with Dai Li.

Now that Dai Li was dissatisfied with him, the first reason was the uneven distribution of spoils.

Furthermore, there was friction over Ma Kui's growing power.

The Ma Kui of this time was truly formidable.

He concurrently managed the Beiping-Tianjin Traitor Purge Committee and the Beiping Military and Police Inspection Office, and was also the director of the Juntong Beiping Office.

He was absolutely capable of covering the sky with one hand.

Even Fu Zuoyi had to be polite when he saw him.

Don't look at Wu Jingzhong acting all high and mighty, he didn't take Ma Kui seriously in his words.

If Ma Kui really came to Tianhai, he would have to obediently call him Director and give up the seat of honor at the station.

The key was that this "King Ma" was arrogant and domineering, and was the type to eat people without spitting out the bones.

Beiping, what a fat piece of land.

Ma Kui and his subordinates raked in money by the bucketload, while Dai Li didn't even get to eat a few pieces of meat.

Let alone using planes to haul "National Party property" like in Tianhai.

Many things that were specifically requested to be seized were tucked away by Ma Kui under various excuses.

Thus, the friction between the two grew greater.

Especially now, with Dai Li actively seeking the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, and the future leadership of Juntong uncertain, Ma Kui held him in even less regard.

All things in the world, in their hustle and bustle, are nothing more than fame and fortune.

Hong Zhiyou knew the reasons for this, so he could make use of them.

"Mr. Hong, as long as you can get the person out, money is not an issue."

"Uncle Liu, bring it up."

Rong Bin looked like someone who handled big affairs; with a wave of his hand, he was full of presence.

The old attendant beside him brought up a suitcase.

Inside was a suitcase full of US dollars.

New bills, hundred-dollar denominations.

"There are two hundred thousand US dollars in operating funds here; spend it however you like."

"As long as you can save the person."

"Whatever is left is yours."

Rong Bin raised his hand and smiled.

"Are you people from Xiangdao all this generous?" Hong Zhiyou's fingers brushed over the banknotes, feeling a bit envious.

"This bit of money doesn't count for much."

"You are a smart person; you should know that this is the most chaotic era, and also the best era."

"As long as you are at the dining table, there is more meat than you can ever finish eating."

Rong Bin picked up a stack of money, weighed it, and tossed it casually onto the suitcase.

"Easy enough."

"Keep the rest for now; I will handle the matter."

Hong Zhiyou knew this was a truly powerful backer; he picked out ten stacks of money to place on the stone table and walked away carrying the suitcase.

Rong Bin adjusted his glasses, watching Hong Zhiyou's figure fade into the distance.

"Second Brother, this little brother of yours is not simple." He sat down, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

"That batch of emergency arms and medicine that Yong Jianqiu transported to the border region was his handiwork."

"Can someone who dances on the tip of a knife be simple?"

Long Er's smile carried a hint of pride.

He was still very proud of this brother of his.

It was just that Hong Zhiyou's background was a bit lacking; if he had the capital of the Rong family, he would have already played all sorts of tricks at the "poker table."

"But I heard his character isn't very good," Rong Bin said.

"Character is something that depends on who you are dealing with."

"Secretary Hong understands human sentiment."

"To play with him, you cannot be fake."

"Being his friend is very simple; sincerity is enough."

"As for being his enemy, hehe..."

Long Er gave a dry laugh and didn't continue.

The faint smile on Rong Bin's face gradually froze.

His gaze also became solemn.

Fourth Master Zhang, the local emperor of Tianhai, how overbearing and majestic.

A powerful figure whom even Wu Jingzhong avoided, and whom he himself had to pay respects to every time he passed through Tianhai.

Just because of one Mu Wanqiu and Zhang Shaobai's foul mouth.

In less than a month, he was ruined by a little secretary from Hangcheng with no background.

Lu Qiaoshan, how shrewd was he?

He was played in the palm of Hong Zhiyou's hand and even had to be grateful.

To outsiders, these were just tea-time gossip in Tianhai.

But thinking about it carefully, it was terrifying.

What kind of means and strategy must this take?

Rong Bin secretly made a decision.

If Hong Zhiyou could really snatch someone from the hands of "King Ma."

He could consider bringing Hong Zhiyou to "the dining table."

The night was deep.

Hong Zhiyou got out of the car on the back street of Huaishan Road.

"Little Master Hong, do you want me to take you back to the station?" Old Zhou tilted his head and lit a cigarette, the short axe at his waist gleaming white and bright.

"I can't afford that title; just call me Little Hong," Hong Zhiyou said, feeling flustered.

This was one of Wang Yaqiao's old subordinates.

A big shot who had followed Old Wang to hack at the Generalissimo and Song Ziwen.

He really didn't dare to be called "Master."

"When you're out on the streets, you have to follow the rules."

"Now the Caobang is led by Second Brother, and you are his sworn brother."

"If Second Brother acknowledges you, you are worthy of this title of Little Master Hong."

Zhou Yan said indifferently.

"I don't think your axe can protect me," Hong Zhiyou reminded him.

"It can't?"

Zhou Yan leaped up and kicked the lantern hanging high in the courtyard next door, sending it flying.

Then, his hand moved.

Before Hong Zhiyou could see clearly, the axe at his waist "whooshed" and flew toward the gate.

It pierced through the copper ring and buried itself deep into the handle.

"Who is it? Do you want to die in the middle of the night..."

The servant of that house opened the door in annoyance, cursing as he walked out.

Just as he was about to continue scolding.

Old Zhou, as if performing a magic trick, flicked his hands, and two Mauser pistols spun and aimed at the servant's head:

"Had a few too many drinks, is there a problem?"

"No, no problem!" The man hurriedly raised his hands and retreated back into the courtyard.

Old Zhou put away his guns.

He casually pulled out the axe.

"Is it okay now?" Zhou Yan asked with cold light flashing in his eyes.

"F-fucking awesome!" Hong Zhiyou watched, dumbfounded.

He considered his own marksmanship to be quite good.

But compared to Zhou Yan's draw speed, it was a world of difference.

He didn't even know where the guns had appeared from.

If he were his enemy, he would have likely met the King of Hell by now.

And that axe.

Too fast, too sharp.

Damn it, if anyone says traditional martial arts are no good from now on, I'll fight them to the death.

"Cow cup?" Zhou Yan didn't understand.

"It just means extremely impressive," Hong Zhiyou said hurriedly.

"Of course, I studied under Li Xuwen."

"There are no cowards under Mr. Wang's command either."

Zhou Yan coldly blew the wood shavings off his axe and tucked it into his waistband.

Li Xuwen!

A grandmaster-level badass from the late Qing and early Republican era; no wonder he's so strong.

"Master Li is known as the Divine Spear; is your marksmanship also very strong?" Hong Zhiyou asked, swallowing his saliva.

"Not strong. I didn't join at a good time, so I didn't receive the Master's personal instruction."

"I learned from Senior Brother Shi."

"Later on, I found that the axe taught by Gang Leader Wang was more effective and easier to handle."

Zhou Yan shook his head and said.

"Forgive this junior for being presumptuous."

"Sun Fengming was also a trusted aide of Mr. Wang; why couldn't he kill Wang Jingwei after firing three shots at close range?"

Hong Zhiyou asked, puzzled.

He was still very interested in these legends.

It was rare to encounter a "living fossil," and if he didn't get it cleared up, he would feel stifled.

"We all called him Fenghai. He was always low-key and said he wasn't used to 'shouting' in front of his own people."

"Fenghai was in charge of funding and accounting in the gang; he knew a bit about assassination, but he wasn't an expert."

"At the time, the original target for the assassination was Jiang."

"The only one who could be arranged to enter the venue was Fenghai, because his public identity was easy to package."

"Moreover, he never intended to come back."

"He swallowed opium before going. When an unprofessional person does an unprofessional job, that's the result."

"If it had been me, I would have sliced that dog-thief's head off with one axe!"

Mentioning his old friend, the dormant fire of slaughter in Zhou Yan's eyes burned fiercely once more.

"Mr. Fenghai is magnificent!"

Hong Zhiyou bowed ninety degrees in tribute.

Zhou Yan was very satisfied with his attitude:

"If you need me in the future, just let Gang Leader Long know."

He turned around and was about to get into the car.

"Old Zhou, can you teach me martial arts?"

"I want to live a little longer."

Hong Zhiyou called out to stop him.

Whether he learned the axe or not didn't matter.

Learning to draw a gun was a must; being a split second faster meant having a better chance of winning in a gunfight or a duel.

"If you don't mind the trouble, you can come find me at the gang." Zhou Yan was silent for a few seconds before agreeing.

……

Typos will be corrected after the update.

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(End of chapter)