Black Flag Army

At seven o'clock in the morning, Wu Chunlei was sleeping soundly in bed with Chen Xianglian in his arms. Someone knocked on the door. It was the voice of a female guard: "Manager Chen! The time for the company's senior management meeting is almost up. Please ask Captain Wu to get up and take a shower, otherwise it will be too late."

Chen Xianglian quickly woke Wu Chunlei up and said, "Get up! The meeting is about to start. You are a company director and must attend the meeting. I used to hold meetings for you, but now that you are back, of course you have to go by yourself. And the two guards outside were originally assigned to you, but they were assigned to me because you were in Shaanxi."

Wu Chunlei sighed and said, "In the past, we had to get up early to do drills in the barracks. Now that we finally got a day off, we still couldn't sleep in. It was so painful. Who made this rule? We have to have a meeting so early."

Chen Xianglian said, "Don't be ungrateful for what you have. There are so many people who want to attend but are not qualified. I remember when I attended my first high-level meeting, the ladies at Lan Kee Hotel were extremely jealous of me. Xu Meixi even had a falling out with me over this. She thought I was not qualified to attend the meeting, but I was just lucky enough to be chosen by you."

Wu Chunlei laughed and said, "It turns out that attending the company's high-level meetings is so prestigious. Even you, who are attending the meeting on behalf of others, are envied. No wonder Xu Meixi keeps pestering Wu Chunfeng. It turns out that she also wants to have this prestige."

There were more than 20 participants in the Beihai Group's high-level meeting, including the company's board members, the general manager, deputy general manager, and department managers, as well as more than a dozen factory directors. Lin Yishui, as the president of the newspaper under the Beihai Group, also attended such a meeting.

Chairman Di Xiong spoke first. He said, "Recently, our company has added a newspaper and a bank. President Lin of the newspaper has already introduced us last time. Today, the president of Beihai Bank is announced. In fact, everyone knows her. She is Ms. Lan Jinping, a director of the company. Everyone welcomes President Lan to speak!"

After Di Xiong finished speaking, he was the first to applaud, followed by the others. When Lan Jinping stood up to speak, he did not take out his speech like Lin Yishui did. Instead, he casually said, "From the experience of foreign countries, banks are more advanced than money houses and silver shops, and will replace them sooner or later. When you get your salary in the future, you no longer have to queue up at the Finance Department, and then go to the Da Kui Sheng Money House to deposit the money. I will directly give everyone a passbook, and the money will be automatically deposited into your passbook every month. When you need money, you can go to the bank to withdraw it. When you don't need money, you don't have to go to the bank. The money in the passbook has a 2% current interest. When you have more money, you can go to the bank to transfer it to a fixed deposit. The fixed deposit interest is 5% for one year, 6% for two years, and 7% for three years."

Xian Yuji said, "Isn't this fixed interest rate too low? Many banks offer loan interest rates of 4% or 5%. Da Kuisheng Bank is known as a conscientious bank, and its interest rate is also 3%."

Xian Yujie is the manager of the newly established ranch management department of Beihai Company.

Lan Jinping said: "The interest rate is too high, which will scare away many customers who originally planned to borrow money. This is killing the chicken to get the eggs. Beihai Bank does not charge such a high interest rate. The annual interest rate for loans is only 1.8%. Other money houses cannot compete with us. Our loan interest rate is low, so of course the deposit interest rate is low."

Wu Zhong said: "Wouldn't that mean that Da Kui Sheng Bank would be destroyed as well?"

Lan Jinping smiled and said, "Da Kuisheng is our ally, so of course I won't do that. I have already talked to Zhang Wentang, the manager of Da Kuisheng Bank in Beitang City, and he agreed to reduce the loan interest rate to 1.8% per year. Let's make money together!"

Wu Zhong said: "With a bank, we can issue banknotes ourselves in the future. It is an inevitable trend that banknotes will replace gold, silver and copper coins in the future."

Zhu Zhaohuai, deputy director of the aircraft factory, said, "Yes! With our own bank, it won't be as difficult for our aircraft factory to apply for funds as before, right?"

Feng Ru did not attend the meeting because he was on his honeymoon, so Deputy Factory Director Zhu Zhaohuai attended the meeting on his behalf.

Di Xiong said: "Indeed, not only has the funding problem been alleviated, but a lot of talented people have recently arrived from Germany and the United States. We can also make great progress in aircraft technology. Now that Europe is caught up in a world war, there is a trend of large-scale recruitment of aircraft talents in various countries. We cannot lag behind them too much. The intelligence team that stayed in Baotou before found out that some of our aircraft wreckage left in Baotou was taken away by many foreigners for research. I am afraid that the time when their aluminum aircraft appeared will not be too late. Everyone must remember not to be complacent. After all, our sphere of influence is currently limited to this city."

Zhu Zhaohuai nodded in agreement. Xian Yuji then said, "Now Beitang City is indeed developing in a good direction in many aspects, but there are also many hidden problems. Food shortage is the most pressing problem now. The old prince who was originally in power in Beitang City is an old and incompetent man, which causes people in this place to starve to death every year. When even the nobles are starving, they will directly rob food from other tribes, so there are also many conflicts with other tribes. After I came to power, I tried to improve the relationship with other Mongolian princes and sent some gifts to nearby cities. Unfortunately, except for Prince Kulhan, the reactions of people from other tribes were quite cold, so we can only rely on ourselves for the problem of food. Although I have arranged people to carry out agricultural reclamation and sowing this year, it may take several months to harvest. During this period, Beitang City has recruited many people, and the population has increased sharply. There is obviously a problem of insufficient food supply. If there is no good countermeasure, it is inevitable that many people will starve to death this year."

Di Xiong said: "With the increase in population, food problems are bound to arise. I have thought of some solutions. Our animal husbandry is doing pretty well, so there should still be a lot of cattle and sheep. Of course, we can't kill them all for meat. Most of them should be used for breeding. We can weave some wool blankets, wool coats and wool sweaters and sell them to Suiyuan, Rehe and Chahar provinces for trade in exchange for food. Cotton cloth, medicines and farm tools can also be traded. The task of trading will be handed over to the Da Kuisheng caravan. This is also their old business. They have a special camel caravan. By the way, in addition to these, they can also sell some local specialties."

Lan Jinping said with some worry: "Sending Da Kuisheng to Suiyuan to do business is indeed an idea, but the conflicts planted by the old Prince Erdenet and others have not been resolved yet. The journey is so long, if we are attacked by cavalry from other tribes, the loss will be something we cannot afford."

Leng Hanbing said at this time: "Of course these issues will be handed over to Brigade Commander Zhang's Cavalry Regiment. With the example of the Ma family army, I believe they will be extra careful. As for the conflicts between tribes, we can find ways to stir up new conflicts within the hostile tribes and let them kill each other. This way, the probability of us encountering attacks will naturally be reduced."

Di Xiong said: "Brother Leng is right, the transportation problem can be left to the intelligence team and the army. Speaking of the population problem just now, I have one more thing to add. As the population of Beitang City continues to increase, the number of refugees coming here from the inland is also increasing. We need to establish supply stations along the way to provide them with assistance, otherwise they are likely to die of hunger and cold on the way."

Xian Yujie said: "Boss, don't worry about this. I have thought about this as well. The workers sent by our ranch management department have already set off, and they will also be assisting with the palace security team. I believe the supply station will be completed in no time."

Zhu Zhaohuai said: "After the supply station is built, we can send planes to airdrop food, cotton clothes and tents to the refugees, which can save a lot of manpower and time."

Zhu Zhaohuai was different from Feng Ru who was devoted to studying airplanes. He also cared about national affairs and admired and approved of Di Xiong's efforts to help refugees.

Afterwards, the meeting discussed various industrial issues in Bei Tang City one by one. After about an hour, the company's top management meeting ended, but there was still a meeting to be held within the Justice Party, so the Mohists and Juzi went to the new meeting room.

Wu Chunlei also attended the meeting as a Mohist. There were two new Mohists at the meeting, one was Brigade Commander Zhang Zhenyang, and the other was Regiment Commander Liu Zhendong. As the commander of the First Brigade of the Justice Army, it was inappropriate for Zhang Zhenyang to not attend the high-level meeting of the Justice Party. As for the "Northern Gun King" Liu Zhendong, he had made too many contributions to the Justice Party, and he was elected as a Mohist with unanimous votes.

This Justice Party meeting mainly discussed the issue of Wu Chunfeng's abandonment of Xu Meixi. After Xu Meixi was abandoned with a big belly, she was so anxious that she wanted to hang herself. After being rescued, someone advised her to go to Di Xiong to complain. After listening to Di Xiong's introduction, Leng Hanbing looked at Wu Chunfeng with a face full of laughter and said to him, "I didn't expect that this meeting was about such a trivial matter. Chief Wu has really fallen into depravity recently. He even did such a thing as getting someone pregnant and then abandoning her. Now that our development work is so difficult, you still have the leisure to seek pleasure. It's simply outrageous!"

Bai Xiuling said: "This is not a trivial matter. He does not treat us women as human beings. This is a very serious moral issue. Section Chief Leng has always said that Brother Di uses people improperly. I think this guy is a typical example. I don't deny that he has done a good job in intelligence work, but one thing is one thing. This time, after playing with Xu Meixi, he got involved with two female workers in the textile factory. He is playing with three women at the same time. What's the difference between him and those masters of the Beiyang government! He should quit his job as the intelligence section chief. First, put him in solitary confinement for ten days, and then write a letter of guarantee to break off all ties with the two female workers. Speaking of which, we were offended by Cha Jingfeng last time. I think it's a good time to send him to Tianjin as the deputy director of the intelligence station. If he can control Cha Jingfeng, Dong Xuechun and their group and make contributions, his position can be restored."

Wu Chunfeng had been keeping his head down in the conference room. When he heard that Bai Xiuling wanted him to go to Tianjin, he stood up and said, "I am willing to go to Tianjin to atone my sins."

Ever since the Xu Meixi incident became a big deal, Wu Chunfeng could no longer hold his head up in Beihai Company and the Intelligence Department. He wanted to move to another place to avoid the limelight. Although going to Tianjin was very dangerous, Wu Chunfeng, who came from the Flying Eagle Gang, was not afraid of death.

Wu Chunlei said at this time: "Sister Bai, your topic has deviated a bit. We are talking about Wu Chunfeng and Xu Meixi. Why did you bring up Tianjin? The key issue now is how to resolve the adverse impact caused by Xu Meixi's near suicide. And Sister Bai, aren't you talking too seriously? There is no need to demote Wu Chunfeng for such a thing, right?"

Tian Mengxue took a month's wedding leave and did not attend this meeting. Li Fei was still angry about the last incident with Dong Xuechun, so although he attended the meeting, he remained silent and seemed not interested in the matter. Zhang Zhenyang and Liu Zhendong attended such a meeting for the first time and did not speak easily.

But Wu Zhong was very concerned. He said at this time: "The punishment Chairman Bai mentioned is not severe at all. This incident has caused a very bad impact on the Justice Party and the Beihai Company. Not shooting him is a great honor to him. Although Wu Chunfeng and I were very familiar with each other before, we must not favor him in this matter. Wu Chunfeng is proud of his achievements, plays with women, and almost forces people to die. It is definitely not a trivial matter and he must be punished. As for whether to send him to Tianjin, let Di Juzi and the Supervision Department decide. As for how to appease Xu Meixi, I think it is best to ask her opinion after her emotions are stable. Wu Chunfeng must agree to all reasonable requests she makes."

Di Xiong said slowly: "The mistake made by Wu Chunfeng is of a very bad nature and the circumstances are very serious. Now give Wu Chunfeng a choice. Either he marries Xu Meixi now and is responsible for her, or he is dismissed from the position of chief of the intelligence department of the Justice Party. The directors and department managers of Beihai Company will also be dismissed, and the company's shares will be confiscated. Think about it carefully..."

Lan Jinping suddenly interrupted Di Xiong in a stern voice and said, "You can't indulge him too much! We don't know whether Xu Meixi still likes him or not. How can you make Wu Chunfeng marry her on your own initiative? Besides, even if Xu Meixi agrees to marry him, can his mistakes be written off? Can he continue to be a Mohist? He will never learn his lesson! Sooner or later, there will be a second Xu Meixi, and then it will be another tragedy."

Di Xiong asked, "Sister Lan, how do you want to punish him?"

Lan Jinping said: "Cut off his penis, so that he won't cause trouble to others."

Everyone laughed when they heard this. Wu Chunfeng said angrily, "Sister Lan, you are too cruel. Just shoot me. What's the point of living without my life?"

Di Xiong said, "Why don't Commander Zhang and Commander Liu say anything? Since you are attending the meeting, you should boldly express your opinions. In the Justice Party meeting, you will never be punished for speaking."

Zhang Zhenyang said: "This is my first time attending a meeting. If I say something inappropriate, please forgive me. I think Section Chief Wu just made a mistake that most men would make. Most men are actually lustful, but they don't have the power and status of Section Chief Wu, so they have to hold it in. As women, Lan Juzi and Chairman Bai empathize with each other and naturally stand on Xu Meixi's side, proposing severe punishment for Section Chief Wu. Xu Meixi's experience is indeed sympathetic, but think about it carefully. Doesn't Xu Meixi have any responsibility? She must know Section Chief Wu's reputation as a playboy, but she is still a playboy. She chose to live with Section Chief Wu before getting married, and regretted it only after she got pregnant and was abandoned. Even if Section Chief Wu was forced to marry her, would they be happy in the future? Chairman Bai's proposal that Section Chief Wu should cut off all ties with other women was also wrong. According to the laws of the Republic of China, men can take concubines. If the Justice Party forcibly prevents taking concubines, it will lead to a loss of talent. After all, who doesn't want to take concubines after a man has power and wealth? Who among the warlords in the country doesn't have dozens of wives and concubines? Some even have hundreds of wives and concubines. Of course, Di Juzi's sworn brother Feng Jishan is an exception. "

Liu Zhendong said, "I also think that what Lan Juzi and Chairman Bai said is inappropriate. Chairman Bai wants to punish Section Chief Wu because he abandoned her after having an affair with her, but if he cuts off contact with the two female workers, isn't that also abandoning them? As for Lan Juzi's suggestion of cutting off his penis, it can only be regarded as a joke. It is totally unrealistic. A heavy sentence will also damage the image of the Justice Party! Section Chief Wu has already admitted his mistakes and repented, so he should be given a chance to make a new start."

Liu Zhendong, who was born as a chivalrous knight, spoke very directly and did not give any face to Lan Jinping and Bai Xiuling.

The final result of the meeting was that Wu Chunfeng was demoted to deputy section chief, put in solitary confinement for ten days, and wrote a letter of guarantee that he would marry Xu Meixi with her consent and promise not to abuse her. He could only take a concubine five years after she gave birth to a child. Tian Mengxue was promoted to chief of the intelligence section.