Black Flag Army

When Zhou Shaoxing and Guo Jinxiong wanted to visit the aircraft manufacturing plant, they were stopped by the security guard. The fully armed security guard told them that this was an important military area and that blue passes could not be used to enter. Only red passes could be issued by the chairman or general manager of Beihai Group.

Guo Jinxiong asked, "Mr. Zhou! Do you want to ask Mr. Di or Mr. Wu to open one?"

Zhou Shaoxing said, "No need. They have important responsibilities and are busy with work. Why bother them with such trivial matters? Besides, I am a layman in airplanes. Even if you let me in, I still can't understand it. From yesterday to today, I have seen enough things. I have gained a lot! It is enough to write a book "Travels in Beitang City."

At this time, Zhou Shaoxing saw that there were many people queuing in front of the Beihai Bank not far away. The queue even stretched outside the gate. Zhou Shaoxing asked: "Why is the bank business so good here? Are all these people here to deposit money? Why are there so many rich people in Beitang City?"

Guo Jinxiong said: "They are not here to deposit money, nor to withdraw money, but to exchange silver and copper for vouchers, which is what they are."

Guo Jinxiong took out a piece of red paper from his pocket. On it were the words "voucher" and "one yuan". There were exquisite patterns printed around the words. It looked more exquisite than the banknotes issued by the Beiyang government's Bank of Communications.

Zhou Shaoxing smiled and said, "This is quite strange. As far as I know, in Chinese history, the Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties all issued paper money, but they all became waste paper due to excessive issuance, and the common people suffered a lot from it. When the Bank of Communications founded by Yuan Shikai first issued banknotes, people from all walks of life also refused to accept them. Later, Yuan Shikai used force, sent police and detectives, arrested many merchants and hawkers who were unwilling to accept banknotes, and even publicly killed people, before forcibly promoting banknotes. However, on the black market, its value is still far less than the same value of the ocean. In Beitang City, the common people actually took the initiative to line up to exchange banknotes. I wonder what magic Mr. Di used?"

Guo Jinxiong said: "We have a place here called Zhengqing Trading Company, which is under the name of Beihai Company. It specializes in selling daily necessities, some of which include liquor, cigarettes, flour, salt, sugar, soybean oil, etc., which are all necessities of life. The price is 30% lower than the market price, but metal objects such as dollars or copper coins cannot be used to purchase them. Only vouchers can be used. Therefore, if they want to buy things at Zhengqing Trading Company, they can only take dollars and copper coins to the bank to exchange them."

Zhou Shaoxing said: "If other trading companies also lower the prices of similar products, then your plan will fail, right?"

Guo Jinxiong said: "This depends on the actual situation. Most of the things from other trading companies are transported from the inland by animals such as camels and horses, which is at least more than a thousand kilometers away from here. The cost is quite high. No matter how cheap the price is, there is a certain bottom line. Zhengqing Trading Company's things are completely self-produced and self-sold, and the cost must be lower than other trading companies. Therefore, we have an advantage in market competition. Ordinary people will definitely be willing to buy cheaper things, and we can naturally issue vouchers. Of course, this method is only limited to places like Mongolia. The environment in most areas here is quite harsh, transportation is quite inconvenient, and the local economic conditions are also quite bad. Most ordinary Mongolian businessmen can't even run a factory. Most of the companies in Mongolia are foreign companies, and they are making money for foreigners in vain. Due to their poor economic conditions, we can seize the opportunity, so Zhengqing Trading Company can achieve certain development."

Zhou Shaoxing said: "It seems that you have a certain understanding of the local economic conditions. No wonder this trading company can continue. However, I don't think this is a long-term plan after all. As the population of Beitang City continues to increase, it will be easy for supply to exceed demand, which will force you to raise prices. Besides, others are not fools. They will also find ways to set up factories locally and challenge you in the market."

Guo Jinxiong said: "These are not the issues I am considering. I am not the decision maker. The issues of the trading company should be left to the person in charge of Beihai Company to consider slowly. Let's not talk about this. Mr. Zhou, do you have any silver dollars with you? You can also try to exchange some vouchers to buy some things from the trading company. You still have to see with your own eyes to see whether the things here are good or not."

Zhou Shaoxing waved his hand and said: "No need, I don't have anything I want to buy at the moment, but it's okay to take a look. Can you please take me to visit this trading company?"

Soon, the two walked into Zhengqing Trading Company, which is a purple three-story building with a red gate and two white stone lions at the door. The company is filled with all kinds of daily necessities, at least hundreds of kinds, all of which are things that ordinary people may use in their food, clothing, housing and transportation. The prices are indeed very cheap, and salt and sugar are even cheaper than in Beijing. Zhou Shaoxing accidentally discovered that there are bicycles among the goods here. Although the number is not large, it is still quite surprising to see such things in this place full of deserts and grasslands. In addition to the regular daily necessities, there are also many rare antiques and jades on the shelves. Zhou Shaoxing observed carefully for a while and found that many of them are from Beijing, which surprised him very much. In fact, these antiques were snatched away from various gangs and Zhang Ade when Di Xiong was in Beijing. More than half of them were snatched away by the police when the Weili Company was raided. The rest were secretly transported to Baotou by some of Di Xiong's subordinates, and finally came here. When Di Xiong arrived in Beitang City, he sorted out everyone's belongings and felt that these antiques were of little use, and many of them were imitations, so he simply put them in Zhengqing Trading Company as commodities.

After a while, Zhou Shaoxing and Guo Jinxiong walked out of Zhengqing Trading Company. Zhou Shaoxing couldn't help but sigh: "Your boss Di is really capable. Many of the goods here may not be cheaper than yours in Beijing, or even not available in Beijing. I am very interested in your boss's purchasing channels, but this is a trade secret, and I guess he probably won't tell me."

Guo Jinxiong said: "Sir, you are right. Actually, my understanding of this trading company is quite general. Where many of the things in it came from is only known by those in the company's senior management."

Just as the two continued to move forward, Zhou Shaoxing suddenly heard the sound of some children reading not far away. Guo Jinxiong quickly pointed to the white building not far away and said, "That place is the Zhengqing School we went to yesterday. It's class time now, and most of those sounds are made by the children there."

Zhou Shaoxing suddenly thought of something and said, "I am also a teacher by profession, and I am quite interested in your school. I want to go in and sit in on a class to see what the level of your teachers is like."

Guo Jinxiong said: "Speaking of which, the director of studies Lan Jinchun is also a part-time teacher here, and one of the classes she teaches is for Mongolian children. She is quite hardworking. Ever since we made the plan to go to Beitang City, Director Lan has been studying Mongolian so that she can translate the Justice Daily into Mongolian and promote it. Boss Di noticed this and asked her to teach Mongolian children. At the end of last year, she finally made considerable progress in Mongolian and started teaching. Didn't Mr. Zhou think that she became the director because of Mr. Di's relationship? You might as well go and listen to her lectures to prove whether your idea is correct."

Zhou Shaoxing smiled and said, "If this lady is really teaching Mongolian children in Mongolian, then I don't need to listen any further. I have studied the languages ​​of several countries, but I am not good at Mongolian. If she is teaching Han people, I can listen."

Guo Jinxiong said: "Mr. Zhou, you are worrying too much. Not all Mongolian children speak Mongolian. The Mongolian children here also have Chinese classes. After all, there are more Han children here. Director Lan learns Mongolian just to communicate better with Mongolian students. Sir, please come with me to take a look. I still have some impression of the classes taught by Director Lan. It is up to you, Mr. Zhou, to decide whether you want to attend her class."

So the two of them walked into Zhengqing School and found Lan Jinchun's class. Lan Jinchun was indeed teaching at this time, but he was also teaching Han children. Seeing this, Guo Jinxiong was ready to let Lan Jinchun leave a seat for Zhou Shaoxing to listen in, but Zhou Shaoxing grabbed his hand and signaled Guo Jinxiong not to disturb Lan Jinchun, and he could just stand outside. But Guo Jinxiong felt a little sorry, so he found two chairs, and the two sat outside the classroom to listen to Lan Jinchun's class for eleven or twelve-year-old children. Lan Jinchun's lecture to the students was about the stories of Mohist chivalry in the Spring and Autumn Period. She remembered the stories of Mohist masters Mo Di, Qin Huali, and Meng Sheng by heart, and the plots she told were vivid, closely linked, and very exciting. The students were fascinated by it, and even Zhou Shaoxing and Guo Jinxiong were fascinated by it.

About forty minutes later, Lan Jinchun finished his lecture. It was evening and it was almost time for the students to go home. Jin Xiong and Zhou Shaoxing put away their chairs and prepared to leave the school. When they walked to the door, Jin Xiong asked, "Mr. Zhou, what do you think of Director Lan's class?"

Zhou Shaoxing said: "I don't know if this lady can be a principal, but she is qualified to be a teacher. After listening to her class, I feel that her basic preparation for class and the content of her lectures are still very good. Although her teaching method is sometimes awkward and difficult to understand, it is already quite remarkable for her age. I intend to take back the accusation that she is nepotism. It seems that this Miss Lan does have some ability."

At this time, there was a sudden shout from behind them. Zhou Shaoxing looked back and found Lan Jinchun jogging towards them. She ran to them excitedly and said to Zhou Shaoxing: "Excuse me, are you Mr. Zhou Yushan? My name is Lan Jinchun. I used to be a student of Peking University and I have attended your classes. Unfortunately, I went to school for a short time and was forced to drop out after only half a year. I didn't attend many of your classes. Just now a teacher said that you came here to visit, and I am looking for you for something."

Zhou Shaoxing said, "I'm sorry, Miss Lan, I really can't remember teaching you. Maybe I taught too many students. I have other places to go, and you still have school affairs to deal with, right? Mr. Guo and I will not waste your time." After saying that, he turned around and left.

Lan Jinchun was stunned and said unhappily, "Our chairman wants to treat you to a meal, and you won't even give him face?"

Zhou Shaoxing said: "Mr. Di is the supreme ruler of Beitang City. How could I not give him face when he invited me to dinner? I just happen to have something to ask Mr. Di!"

When Lan Jinchun heard this, he quickly said, "It's settled then. We'll meet at Lan's Hotel at 7pm tonight. Jinxiong knows where it is."

Zhou Shaoxing nodded in agreement.

At this time, Di Xiong had just received the intelligence sent by the Intelligence Department. The assassination of Hioki Yoshi was successful, but the price paid was also heavy. Three people died and seven were injured. After Liu Zhendong and Leng Hanbing opened fire, the Japanese guards immediately got off the car and rushed to the hotel and teahouse. A fierce gun battle broke out between the two sides. Hioki Yoshi took the opportunity to get off the car and escape, holding his injured abdomen. He was shot dead by Li Fei three times. Wang Hanchao, who was lying on the ground, shot and attacked Li Fei. A member of the action team sacrificed himself to block the bullet and died heroically. Li Fei did not hesitate and shot and killed Wang Hanchao. The former friends finally reached the point of drawing their guns against each other. The Japanese garrison troops and the Black Dragon Society came in large numbers at a very fast speed. When the action team retreated, due to the pursuit of too close soldiers, two more members were sacrificed and seven people were injured. Liu Zhendong, Leng Hanbing and Li Fei were all injured. There were a total of twelve people in the action team. Except for the dead, almost everyone was injured.

Di Xiong personally called the Black Hawk Squadron Leader Gu Yuan and ordered: "Send a transport plane and twelve fighters to escort, at all costs, to Baotou to pick up Liu Zhendong's action team. Keep in touch with the Baotou Intelligence Station at any time. If intercepted by enemy aircraft, shoot them down immediately."

He also sent a telegram to the Tianjin Intelligence Station, asking them to send the action team, including the wounded, to Baotou urgently.

At this time, Lan Jinchun walked into the office and said to Di Xiong: "Brother! I have made an appointment for you with Mr. Zhou Yushan to have dinner at Lanji Hotel at 7 o'clock in the evening. Now the time is almost up, let's go!"

The business of Lanji Hotel was particularly good at night! The lobby was packed with guests, and even the boss, Lan Jinping, had to help in the kitchen. When Lan Jinchun arrived at the hotel, before he could even sit down, he was grabbed by Lan Jinping and dragged to the kitchen to help.

After Zhou Shaoxing and Guo Jinxiong entered the restaurant, a hotel supervisor led them to a private room on the second floor. Di Xiong and Wu Zhong were already waiting there. Guo Jinxiong quickly introduced the two parties.

Zhou Shaoxing immediately clasped his fists and bowed, saying, "I am a poor scholar, but I actually let the chairman and general manager of Beihai Group wait for me here. I am really sorry!"

Di Xiong said, "I have always respected Peking University and once dreamed of studying there, but unfortunately I was not qualified. Mr. Zhou is a teacher at Peking University, so he certainly deserves our respect! Waiting a moment is nothing."