Chapter Twenty-One: Turning Over the Trump Card

  "Director Gu, Mr. Li doesn't have to ruin the harmony over a small matter. The two of you should restrain your younger brothers. If everyone isn't careful and accidentally fires their guns, it won't be pretty! I've specially invited some mediators, I think everyone will give them face!"

  Huang Baiwan stepped out to mediate at this time, but everyone was more concerned about who the friend he mentioned was. As they spoke, some of the brothers dispersed, and six people walked in - one Chinese person, and the other five were all wearing Japanese kimonos, carrying samurai swords. It turned out that they were five Japanese ronin. In this era, Chinese people had a natural fear of foreigners, and these little devils were notorious for their ruthlessness. As soon as they appeared, many merchants were terrified. It seemed that Huang Baiwan really did have a trick up his sleeve - not only had he invited the brothers from the gang, but also Japanese people. Was this commercial association going to fall into his hands?

  However, everyone was not reconciled. They were inclined to think that the Chao Yu people were in the majority after all, and they had several factories as models. They thought that Chao Yu's route seemed to be correct, but these foreigners could not afford to offend them either. If the foreigners also supported Huang Baiwan, then it would really make one think! Anyway, based on past experience, the power of the Chamber of Commerce president was not very great, so it didn't matter if they gave in to Huang Baiwan again.

  However, some businessmen with clearer minds do not see it that way. The implication of this business meeting is too significant, and it's a competition between two paths: either to independently start one's own business, fight for the right to profit, or to humble oneself and beg foreigners for a living. Some ambitious people yearn to make a name for themselves and naturally want to run their own factories. When Huang Baiwan invited out the foreigners, they couldn't help but feel unhappy. However, they also don't believe that Qiao Yu doesn't have any tricks up his sleeve, so they're patiently watching the development of the situation.

  The six of them soon arrived at the main hall, where the five Japanese ronin were extremely arrogant, leaning on their military swords, with several pairs of mouse-like eyes slanting upwards to gaze at the ceiling, and the corners of their mouths also twisted, as if no one was in their sight.

  The Chinese man, who appeared to be under forty years old, wore glasses and looked elegant. He rushed into the main hall and came before Li Yaoting, bowing his head in greeting.

  "Mr. Li, hello! Cangbai has gone to southern Sichuan, I'm here on his behalf to pay my respects to you!"

  It was a long time before the old man slowly opened his mouth: "Isn't this Li Wu? How can you also think of messing up my meeting? What do you take me for? First it was Gu Jinlong, then you Zhang Peijue, and these few Easterners, do you still have me, this old fool, in your eyes? This is my home!"

  As soon as Zhang Peijue appeared, Li Yaoting was so angry that he was at a loss for what to do. Qiao Yu, who was standing beside him, learned from Li Yaoting's words that the person in front of them was Zhang Peijue, also a big shot, who had conspired with Yang Shukan to make Chongqing independent and establish the Shu Military Government, and even became the governor. He could be considered the second-in-command of the Chongqing Revolutionary Party.

  There is also a kinship relationship between the Li family and the Tongmenghui, Yang Shoukan's son and Li Yaoting's granddaughter were engaged in childhood, from this relationship alone, Zhang Peijue did not dare to be presumptuous in front of the old man, but things were too urgent and he had no choice but to unite with Huang Baiwan to seize the Chongqing Chamber of Commerce, those five Japanese ronin were also invited by him to put on a show.

  "Mr. Li, you are my senior, how dare I be presumptuous in front of you? However, Mr. Huang is a hot-blooded and chivalrous person, we cannot bear to see the Chongqing Chamber of Commerce fall into the hands of an inferior person!"

  Zhang Peijue was furious as he waited for Qiao Yu, having already heard from Yang Shukan about his meeting with Qiao Yu. Not only did Qiao Yu not support the revolution, but he also played tricks on them and had even helped Niu Chuanzhen train police officers. In the eyes of Tongmenghui, this was a traitor who served the Qing government. Everyone in the Chongqing branch of Tongmenghui hated him deeply, and Yang Shukan secretly cursed Ye Peilun and others for their lack of discernment - why hadn't they eliminated this scourge while they were still in Japan? Now that his enemy was standing before him, how could Zhang Peijue not be enraged?!

  "What's gotten into you, Huang? Is it that anyone who agrees with you is a good person and anyone who opposes you is a scoundrel? I've spent my whole life believing in industry saving the nation. Even if I die, I won't be a slave to foreigners. This is my chamber of commerce, so listen to me...!" The old man seemed to have spoken too hastily, as he suddenly choked on his phlegm and couldn't make another sound. His face turned bright red in an instant, and he fell straight back into the chair. Li Heyang quickly supported the old man and rushed to summon his family members to take him to the backyard. Then, he bowed to the crowd...

  "My father is unwell, I'll take my leave first!" He turned around and left. After Li's family departed, only Jo Wenyi's side and Huang Baiwan's side were left on the scene. The crowd present fell silent, and it was about to come to a bloody fight. At this moment, Huang Baiwan's side had an overwhelming advantage. It was just unknown whether Jo Wenyi would have any trump cards up his sleeve; otherwise, he might as well admit defeat. Even if everyone wanted to elect Bai Kuan, they couldn't stop those gangsters, let alone the five Japanese ronin.

  A loud, abrupt slap echoed through the air, and a voice shouted: "Huang Yituo, Huang Laoban is indeed skilled! With one move, you've brought so many people to support you. However, this is the Chamber of Commerce, a place with rules and laws. These thugs and hoodlums are useless, and that rioter is even more useless. This is Chinese territory, and Japanese people have no say here either. Huang Yituo, you have already violated the Chamber's rules. Do you want to control the Chamber through violence? I suggest that all members of the Chongqing Chamber of Commerce expel Huang Yituo from membership and thoroughly drive him out!"

  Huang Baiwan's real name was Huang Yituo, but this name had not been directly called out for a long time. Everyone addressed him as "Old Master Huang", which made Huang Baiwan extremely angry in his heart. He looked up to see that the speaker was Qiao Yu. Gu Jinlong heard Qiao Yu say that he was a hoodlum and was also furious, taking big strides towards him, stretching out his palm to hit Qiao Yu. At this time, Wang Tianhe's figure flashed beside Qiao Yu, and with one punch, he struck Gu Jinlong's palm. All of a sudden, there was a loud crash, and both Wang Tianhe and Gu Jinlong took two steps back.

  "You were also a master, but you're still a bit tender. Let your family's Old Man Gu teach you a lesson!" Gu Jinlong took off his outer coat, struck a pose, and was about to engage in a trial of strength with Wang Tianhe.

  "Tianhe is just a dog, why waste time with him!"

  "Obey!" Gu Jinlong let out a loud roar, like a bear pouncing on its prey, and suddenly his body came to a halt. A box-shaped pistol was pressed against his chest, and no matter how great one's skills were, they couldn't withstand the smoking barrel. However, Gu Jinlong's face showed only disdain.

  "Qiao Yu, you think a gun can intimidate your family's Golden Dragon Grandfather? If you have the guts, go ahead and fire! I guarantee that as soon as you do, tens of thousands of brothers from the underworld will descend upon your household in a bloodbath! The Jianghu has its own rules, you've broken them, now you're asking for death!"

  "One gun can't scare you, what about a few more?" As he spoke, Qiao Yu also pulled out a box of guns from his bosom and fired a blank shot outside. Before the gunshot had even faded away, they heard a neat array of footsteps coming from outside, and soon hundreds of armed guards emerged from all directions, surrounding those thugs in the center once again.

  Today's events were indeed very interesting, the Li family was like a temple fair, bustling with excitement. Huang Baiwan and Qiao Yu each showed their trump cards, the scene was chaotic, and the merchants who came to the gathering also experienced wave after wave of stimulation. However, they all secretly praised it as wonderful, taking this opportunity to see who had more power, who was the true master of Chongqing's business world. In this not-so-peaceful world, it's not words that speak, but fists. Anyone with a bit of money would hire some bodyguards; if you don't have that kind of hatred, then just wait to be swallowed alive by others.

  Huang Baiwan originally thought that with Ge Lao's support, plus the Japanese and the Allied forces backing him up, he wouldn't be afraid of Qiao Yu not surrendering. Who would have thought that suddenly several hundred armed soldiers appeared out of nowhere, how could he not be terrified?

  Zhang Peijue was also a wave of heart palpitations, now the Tongmenghui is about to launch an uprising in Guangzhou, and the funds raised in Sichuan are still very insufficient. Yang Shukun has gone to southern Sichuan to raise money, and Zhang Peijue is in charge of the Chongqing matter. Coincidentally, at this time, Huang Baiwan found the Gelao Society and wanted them to help. After learning about it, Zhang Peijue immediately realized that this was an opportunity. After several rounds of negotiation, they reached an agreement with Huang Baiwan: they would help him become the president of the Chamber of Commerce, and in return, they would receive sufficient funding. They thought it would be a surprise attack, and it would be easy to make Qiao Yu surrender. However, Zhang Peijue didn't know that their Tongmenghui was too disorganized, and how could they hide from Qiao Yu? Now they have fallen into an unfavorable situation, which is also their own fault!

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