Black Flag Army

Lan Jinping said, "I've already told you that my sister has gone to visit her grandmother in Suiyuan and won't be back for a while. I'll let you know when she comes back."

A bodyguard with triangular eyes said, "Stop talking nonsense. Who is our eldest son Yuan? What news can't you get? Your sisters and family members have all died long ago, so how can there be a grandmother? What's the point of hiding in Suiyuan? That Zhang Shaozeng can't protect her. With just one word from eldest son Yuan, he won't be able to become the general of Suiyuan. Be smart and quickly ask her to come back. I'm doing this for your own good."

Another yellow-faced bodyguard said, "Any woman that the eldest master has taken a fancy to has never run away. Don't worry, the eldest master won't kill her. At most, he will play with her for a few months, no more than three months, and then let her go. He will also give her a thousand dollars as compensation. This is the highest price he has ever given. In the past, when the eldest master played with women, he usually only gave them a few dozen dollars."

Lan Jinping listened to the bodyguards saying such shameless words but did not dare to refute.

Yuan Bozi said coldly: "I am also a reasonable person. Suiyuan is indeed a little far from Beijing. I will give you five days to bring her back within five days, otherwise you will bear the consequences yourself!"

After saying that, he walked away on crutches, supported by a group of bodyguards.

That night, the Justice Party Beijing branch held a meeting at the Lanji Hotel to discuss countermeasures. After the Justice Party headquarters moved to Suiyuan, a branch was set up in Beijing. The director was Lan Jinping, the deputy director was Hong Tianlie, and Du Yongzhong and Guan Qier were also members of the branch. Last month, Wu Chunlei went to Suiyuan to find Di Xiong to plead for Hong Tianlie. Di Xiong restored Hong Tianlie's status as a Mozhe, but he no longer served as the vice president of the Jiandao Society. The Flying Eagle Gang he formed in Beijing was considered the third peripheral organization of the Justice Party.

Lan Jinping sighed, "I finally understand why Di Xiong went to such a remote place like Suiyuan to start a new business. Beijing is a place full of tigers and wolves, and it is not a place for human beings to stay. Before leaving, Mr. Yuan even said that he was a reasonable person. Such a shameless person is actually the son of the president. I really don't know how the president taught him."

Hong Tianlie said, "My Flying Eagle Gang now has more than a hundred people, more than thirty long and short guns, and dozens of detachable spears. Yuan Bozi often goes to brothels and casinos to play, and he only has four or five personal bodyguards. We can find a chance to kill him."

As soon as he said this, Lan Jinping, Du Yongzhong and Guan Qier all opposed it.

Du Yongzhong, who had a plaster on his face, said, "Isn't the lesson of Nankou Town profound enough? Even Mr. Di almost lost his life. Killing the eldest son of the president is equivalent to killing the crown prince. The consequences are more serious than killing the Japanese."

Lan Jinping said: "Not only can the eldest son not be killed, the president has ten wives, twenty-three children, and countless goddaughters, none of whom can be touched. So it is too difficult for ordinary people to survive in a place like Beijing."

Guan Qier said: "Although Mr. Yuan acted very arrogant today, he has the qualifications to be arrogant. In Beijing, what he said really represents the law, because no law enforcement agency dares to touch him, otherwise it would be against the president."

Hong Tianlie sneered, "According to what you said, are you just going to give Lan Jinchun to Yuan Bozi to be ruined?"

Lan Jinping said, "Of course not. At worst, I can just run away to Suiyuan and give up this big hotel. Anyway, most of the money I earn every month goes to Lu Jianzhang's wives and concubines. I don't have any money left."

Before Lu Jianzhang left Beijing, he asked Lan Jinping to give his share of the 20,000 yuan per month from the hotel to his other six wives and concubines. The second and third concubines had a bad relationship with Lan Jinping. It was these two women who framed her and drove her out of the Lu Mansion. Lan Jinping was unwilling to let the money she had worked so hard for be squandered by these two women.

Hong Tianlie said: "You are the director of the Beijing branch. If you leave, what will happen to the other members of the branch?"

Lan Jinping smiled and said, "Of course I won't be the minister anymore. You should take over the position. You have more than a hundred loyal thugs under you. They are much stronger than me. My position as minister is just an empty title."

Guan Qier said, "You can't say that. Although the Flying Eagle Gang has a large number of people and looks very powerful, it is actually far inferior to the big gangs like the Flying Knife Gang and the Lightning Gang. It is easy to be wiped out. The Flying Eagle Gang doesn't have many ways to make money, but spends money like water. If it weren't for the support of the Lan Ji Hotel, it would have fallen apart long ago. And our Beijing Intelligence Station would not have been able to survive if Sister Lan hadn't provided an additional sum of money."

Lan Jinping said, "You can apply for the funding for the intelligence station from the Suiyuan headquarters, or I can ask Di Xiong to reimburse you. It doesn't matter. But Tianlie, your life as the gang leader will be difficult. After I leave, you can only survive on your own."

Hong Tianlie said very firmly: "Sister Lan, don't worry. As the leader of a gang, if I can't let my brothers live a good life, then what qualifications do I have to be the leader? The gang has just been established in the past few months and there are many difficulties. Sister Lan's support has really helped a lot. In the future, we will make money on our own. In Beijing, where there are rich people everywhere, if we can't make money, won't others laugh at us."

Du Yongzhong said, "Sister Lan, are you really going to leave? Why don't you send a telegram to ask Mr. Di first? Maybe he has a solution."

Du Yongzhong knew that once Lan Jinping left, he would no longer be able to continue as a manager. He had been a manager here for more than a year and was reluctant to give up. The thought of going to Suiyuan, a place covered with yellow sand, gave him a headache.

Lan Jinping said, "This is also an option. If he can't do anything, I can only leave. Before I leave, I have to do two things. First, make Fengyuelou's proprietress my wife. She tortured me so badly back then. Second, kidnap Lu Jianzhang's second and third concubines. I want to kill these two bitches with my own hands."

Hong Tianlie said: "Let the Flying Eagle Gang handle these two matters. It can be regarded as a way to repay Sister Lan. As for Di Xiong, there is no way he can do it. If he has a way, why would he go to Suiyuan?"

Hong Tianlie, who was always known as one of the dumbest leaders under Di Xiong, actually guessed correctly this time. Di Xiong called back quickly, but with only three words: "Go to Suiyuan."

After Di Xiong sent the telegram, he returned to the company office and saw Zhang Shaozeng's adviser Wang Fangting visiting. He quickly invited him to sit down and asked his secretary Ai Yun to serve tea. After Bai Xiuling arrived in Suiyuan, she continued to serve as the president of the Zhengqing Association. Because she was busy with the affairs of the Zhengqing School, she could no longer serve as his secretary. Tian Mengxue recommended Ai Yun to Di Xiong. Ai Yun was a clerk at Tian Mengxue's flower shop. Before Tian Mengxue arrived in Suiyuan, she transferred the flower shop. Three clerks followed Tian Mengxue to Suiyuan. Shi Lan and Shi Zhu both had jobs, but Ai Yun did not have a suitable job for the time being. She was very anxious and asked Tian Mengxue for help many times. Tian Mengxue shamelessly recommended Ai Yun to Di Xiong as a secretary. Unexpectedly, Di Xiong agreed. Ai Yun was naturally overjoyed and worked very seriously.

Wang Fangting took the teacup from Ai Yun and said, "After Wang Jinmao escaped, the position of Suiyuan Garrison Commander became vacant. Several of General Zhang's subordinates wanted to take over this position. General Zhang considered it for a long time and decided to give this position to you. I brought the letter of appointment today."

Di Xiong said: "Zhang Zhijiang and Shi Jingting under General Zhang are both famous generals who fought against the Mongols. They can definitely take over as the garrison commander. My military ability is far inferior to theirs. How can I take this position?"

Wang Fangting said: "General Zhang said that the conflict between us and the Shanxi Army will inevitably attract the attention of the Beiyang government, especially the battle of Guisui, which exposed our strength. Given Yuan Shikai's character, he must be wary of General Zhang and will not let him stay in Suiyuan for too long. If General Zhang is transferred, the next Suiyuan general will most likely be Yuan's confidant, such as the commander of the 20th Division, Pan Juying. Neither Zhang Zhijiang nor Shi Jingting can confront Commander Pan. Only Mr. Di can do it. Mr. Di not only has a strong air force, but also the financial support of the Beihai Company. The shortcoming is that the troops are too few. Let Mr. Di be the commander of the garrison, so that he can recruit new soldiers openly. When Pan Juying takes office, Mr. Di will already have a strong army and horses, enough to fight Pan Juying, at least half and half."

Di Xiong sighed and said, "General Zhang has been so thoughtful for me. I don't know how to thank him."

Wang Fangting said, "Before the battle of Guisui, I advised General Zhang not to fight this battle, because once the war with the Jin army started, the Beiyang government would definitely be wary of General Zhang. But General Zhang said that people should be grateful and repay favors. Mr. Di has helped us several times in times of need, and a large number of weapons, ammunition and money saved the patrol regiment. Now Mr. Di is in trouble, we must go out, so I ordered this battle. General Zhang also said that since the opening of the Beihai Company, the lives of local people have been much better, and Suiyuan cannot do without Mr. Di and the Beihai Company."

Di Xiong said: "General Zhang has always worked for the country and the people without caring about his own interests. I feel so ashamed of General Zhang!"

Di Xiong knew that in another time and space, after Zhang Shaozeng stepped down from the position of Prime Minister, he lived in the Tianjin Concession. When Feng Jishen was fighting with Zhang Zuolin, he paid out of his own pocket to help Feng Jishen buy intelligence to deal with Zhang Zuolin. He was assassinated by assassins sent by Zhang Zuolin and died when he was less than fifty years old.

In the evening, Ma Hong, under the guidance of the waiter, walked into the private room of Lanji Hotel and asked the waiter, "Who is looking for me?"

Xu Lu, who was sitting at the table, said, "Director Ma! I'm looking for you!"

When Ma Hong saw Xu Lu, he immediately smiled and said, "So you are the housekeeper Xu from the Xu Mansion. Nice to meet you!"

Xu Lu was a little surprised: "You actually know me?"

Ma Hong smiled and said, "Look at what you said. If I didn't have this kind of vision, I wouldn't be able to be the director."

Xu Lu smiled and said, "It's good that we know each other. We can save our words. My master ordered me to ask you something."

Ma Hong said: "Brother, you must tell me everything you know."

Xu Lu waited for the waiter to close the door and leave before he said, "I heard that Di Xiong from Weili Company was a detective under you when he first started working at the West City Police Station. You two are uncle and nephew. Our master wants to learn more about Di Xiong's background."

Ma Hong said: "Hasn't Di Xiong already..."

Xu Lu said, "You are not an outsider. I tell you the truth. Di Xiong is not dead. Our master saved him. The one who died was fake. He really ran to Suiyuan. He promised not to return to Beijing."

Ma Hong said, "No wonder there are constant news in Suiyuan every day. The guys who followed Di Xiong in the past have all been promoted and made a fortune. Wu Zhong, who used to be a restaurant owner, became the mayor of Baotou. Li Fei, the rickshaw driver, actually became the Baotou police chief. When Li Fei's wife heard that she was going to Baotou to be the wife of the police chief, she showed off in front of the neighbors. Di Xiong is a very active guy. He is never idle no matter where he goes."

Xu Lu asked, "Was he so capable of causing trouble under your command before?"

Ma Hong said, "That's not the case. He used to be timid, but he had a serious illness once. After that, he seemed to suddenly become wise and smart. He helped me solve several major cases. He also became braver and dared to fight with gangsters. I was able to move from a detective to a deputy director thanks to him. Unfortunately, he later offended the former director Huang and was fired. He then opened a restaurant, and his business grew bigger and bigger until he offended the Japanese..."

Xu Lu waved his hand and said, "I know everything that happened afterwards. Our master saved him, but I don't know whether this was right or wrong."

Ma Hong said: "This kid is very loyal and would never say anything nonsense."

Xu Lu said, "Don't worry about that. Our master heard that he actually built an airplane in Baotou. This is a high-end thing that only foreigners can make. Our master also wants to build one and wants to ask him to send a few engineers to give us guidance. We can also hire them. Can you find someone you know to talk to him?"

Ma Hong said: "Of course there is no problem with this, but when he was arrested by the police department, I didn't help him and even gave up my shares. He may resent me. I will send someone to talk to him. If he doesn't agree, there is nothing I can do."

Xu Lu said: "Then I'll leave it to you!"

Ma Hong returned to the police station and found the patrol captain Wang Hanchao and said to him, "I will give you five days off. Go to Suiyuan and ask Di Xiong for a few aircraft engineers. Mr. Xu wants to build an airplane."

Wang Hanchao said, "It's fine for me to go, but we watched them die without helping them and cut off their support. Will they care about us now? I'm worried that this trip will be in vain."

Ma Hong said: "He can refuse to give us face, but he should give face to Lord Xu, right? Lord Xu saved his life in the past, he should be grateful and repay the favor."

Wang Hanchao said: "Then I will go and give it a try!"

Three days later, Wang Hanchao appeared in Baotou City. He had been to Baotou before and found that Baotou was different from before. The dirt roads on the streets had become concrete roads, and they were very clean. There were people with red armbands patrolling, and anyone who spit or littered would be fined. That was not too bad, but what was even more strange was that there was not a single beggar in the streets, which was something that even the city of Beijing under the control of the Beiyang government could not do.

Wang Hanchao thought: "The beggar was probably arrested and imprisoned somewhere else or killed directly. This shopkeeper Wu was really cruel."