Chapter 40: The Storm is Coming

  This living Bodhisattva, has he caught wind of something? But if he had, would he have transferred the engineering corps and logistics corps to his own command, effectively increasing his own military strength?

  Have you been keeping a low profile lately? You haven't gone to Baoding, nor have you raised the big flag. Not even writing about Wei Gongzi's left foot Qingming and right foot Chongyang. And yet, there is still this kind of talk?

  After leaving the command post, Yang Qiu kept thinking about what Li Yuanhong meant by his words just now. He didn't even hear the shouting behind him until he was pulled by Bingwen and found that Xiao Anguo and Ma Kui had caught up, and hurriedly asked: "Two big brothers, how did you end up here?"

  "It's not as lively as Nanhu yet." Xiao Anguo sighed, and Ma Kui beside him said: "Zhang Biao just got very angry for some reason, and withdrew the third artillery battalion. He also ordered each battalion to start collecting ammunition early tomorrow morning, except for the duty units and officers who can leave some bullets, all others will be handed over."

  "Brother, this is not good, although I'm in charge of Chu Wangtai, but now the wind is so tight... I'm afraid it's also impossible to get bullets out, have you asked about that side? When can Shen Shukai come back? Without bullets, my heart always feels empty, what if something happens..." Xiang Ankou probably felt he was talking too much, stopped his mouth and sighed again.

  As soon as he mentioned it, Yang Qiu also began to worry secretly and regretted letting Shen Shukai go alone to purchase. After all, it was a matter of hundreds of millions of dollars, and there were so many weapons. What if he had ulterior motives or leaked the news? Not having this batch of military supplies wouldn't affect the first step, but the second step would be too dangerous!

  Ma Kui didn't notice his expression, and coldly snorted: "These are really some foolish people, the more it is at this time, the more they should believe in the soldiers. But they actually gave orders to collect ammunition, which clearly shows that they don't trust everyone. Originally, because of the issue with their pay, everyone was already simmering with anger, and normally the officers would beat and scold them unpredictably. This time, it's likely that Tiger Brother's words will come true......"

  Xiao Anguo saw Yang Qiu not speaking, immediately rolled up his sleeves: "Too much talk is useless, whether it's the rioters or the soldiers making trouble, without bullets this gun is just a burnt stick. In my opinion, it's better to take a risk and steal a few dozen boxes from the warehouse."

  "Impossible!" Seeing Xiao Anguo getting anxious, Yang Qiu hastily stopped him and looked around to make sure no one was paying attention. He then quickly said: "Gentlemen, we'll meet at the baggage camp tonight."

  As soon as Yang Qiu wanted to return to the main camp for discussion, the two of them knew that they would definitely have to lay their cards on the table and make major arrangements! So they didn't say anything more, and with a dry smile, they each returned to their own camp.

  After bidding farewell to the two, Yang Qiu did not immediately return to the camp, but instead quietly took a small path with Bingwen to the house that Shen Shukai had given him. Dong Zhanggui, who was already here, was also very happy, and only Bingwen secretly curled his tongue, unexpectedly thinking that Yang Qiu would have his own mansion just one month after returning from Sichuan.

  "Mr. Dong, Miss Miao's injury..."

  "Don't worry, it's much better now. The doctor said the wound has started to scab and the damaged tendons are recovering well. I think it'll be fully healed in a few more days." Although he lost his job in Chengdu, he unexpectedly escaped disaster, and Yang Qiuxia had exchanged a few pieces of paper for over a hundred million plus a shipload of military supplies, which made him admire her to the point of prostration. He had given up all thoughts of leaving and was content to serve here, glancing upstairs with his eyes, and hurriedly smiled: "Miss Miao just fell asleep not long ago, do you want me to...?"

  "It's nothing," Yang Qiu waved his hand and said, "I didn't come here to see her today, I have something to discuss with you."

  "The little one doesn't dare, Manager Shen said before he left that if the adults need anything, just speak up." Dong Zhanggui saw Yang Qiu's face wasn't good and hastily dismissed the servants waiting on the side, saying: "Please instruct..."

  "Mr. Dong, has Manager Shen got any news?"

  Seeing his expression, Dong Zhuangui guessed a few points and was also secretly anxious. He hastily said: "Don't worry, Yang, Manager Shen has already set off."

  "Alright......" Upon hearing Dong's words, Yang Qiu was taken aback for a moment, and then he knew there was a problem. However, since He Shengyuan and Shen Shukai were important to him at the moment, he couldn't lose face too much, so he could only hold back his suspicions and said in a soft voice: "That's good... I won't hide it from you, something happened at the Nanhu Barracks earlier. Several soldiers seized guns and escaped from the barracks, and they even boasted that within half a month, the rebels would rise up in Wuchang!"

  Dong's face fell, the previous riot in Chengdu had caused tens of millions of losses for He Shengyuan, and several partners had died. If Wuchang, where a large army was stationed, were to rise up, it would be too terrifying.

  Seeing Dong's tense expression, Yang comforted him: "You don't have to be too nervous. Although I won't be able to hold Wuchang City, Hankou and Hanyang still have a few chances of being saved. The financial and personnel that can be withdrawn should be withdrawn immediately. Remind those below not to leak the news! Moreover, you cannot stay here any longer, you need to go to Hankou as soon as possible, or simply come to my place."

  "I'm not going to Hanyang......" Just as he was speaking, a cold hum came from the small building, Yang Qiu turned his head and saw Miao Luo wearing a loose Luo skirt, with long hair scattered on her shoulders, holding a crutch and staring at him coldly.

  "Miao Niang, how did you get out?"

  Yang Qiu hastily helped her down the stairs and then said: "Hanyang is my territory, I..."

  "No need to say more, I'm going to Hankou!" Miao Luo didn't give Yang Qiu a chance, interrupting him to say: "On August 15th, kill the Tartars! It's our great cause of restoring the Han dynasty, it's the opportunity won by Mr. Song and Mr. Sun leading thousands of heroes to shed blood and sacrifice! Yang Qiu! If you want to play tricks? I'll become a fierce ghost and won't let you off!"

  Yang Qiu's face changed slightly, she didn't expect this stubborn girl to be so biased towards the Party people. Now that she was already in a desperate situation, she still didn't forget to threaten herself. If she knew her true thoughts in the future, would she...

  Beside him, Dong Zhanggui feared a conflict and hastily made a joke to mediate: "Don't worry, sir. The Hansheng Branch has over a hundred people, we will definitely keep Miao Niang safe."

  Yang Qiu cast aside his distractions, and in a few days, it would be a matter of life and death. He didn't have the energy to argue about what was right or wrong anymore. Suddenly, he reached out and grabbed Miao Luo's right hand, leaving Bingwen, who was standing guard beside them, stunned and wondering what kind of relationship they had.

  Miao Luo didn't expect Yang Qiu to be so bold, daring to make light of her in broad daylight in front of others. Her face flushed with shame, but her hand was held tightly and she couldn't pull it back. Before she could even tend to her injured foot, she was ready to hit him with her crutch. But before she could take action, she felt something cold being slipped into her palm - it was her lost handgun.

  "Miao Niang, you're a sensible girl and the bravest one I've ever seen, but I still want to remind you not to do anything foolish again, and don't be misled by what you see. Sometimes your eyes can deceive you!" Yang Qiu said, then pulled out a pouch and handed it to her: "I'll be very busy for a while and might not be able to come over. Dong Zhanggui and the others are old and have many inconveniences. Take these 50 bullets and keep them safe, just in case something happens and you need to protect him."

  Dong didn't expect that at this critical moment, Yang Qiu would still be thinking of him. His old eyes suddenly turned red, but before he could speak, Yang Qiu had already handed over a few sheets of paper and said: "There are some things in here, take advantage of the fact that it's still relatively peaceful outside to help me prepare for now, and I'll send someone to pick them up in a few days. Tomorrow, I'll have someone deliver a few guns, you find a few reliable people to protect yourself well. Also...you try to contact Manager Shen, ask him where he is, I need it urgently here."

  "Don't worry, the goods are already in hand. However, to avoid suspicion, the ship needs to make a detour at sea before returning. He said it should arrive by Mid-Autumn Festival."

  "Mid-Autumn Festival, I hope it can arrive on time......" Even if he heard the guarantee, Yang Qiu was still a bit worried. Such a large batch of military supplies, what if they were checked? It wouldn't just be a matter of losing a few heads, and if they couldn't arrive before the Yangxia Great Battle, they would inevitably be blocked by Sa Zhenbing's naval forces on the Yangtze River.

  Next to him, Miao Luo heard Yang Qiu's increasingly nervous words and his heart also tightened up for some reason. He couldn't bring himself to ask questions, so he could only coldly snort: "Hmph, do you want me to talk to them? After the matter is settled, I won't let them kill you, this traitor!"

  "Miao Niang......" Yang Qiu smiled slightly, took a deep breath, and his face turned extremely resolute. He looked at her heavily and said: "In the past, there were many misunderstandings between us, today I don't want to explain anything. Yang Qiu only wants to tell you that I am not a running dog or a traitor, I am just a soldier. My responsibility is to protect this prosperous land, to protect the people here. Whoever dares to harm them, even if they are separated by ten thousand waters, I will surely punish them!"

  The forceful words made Miao Luo and Dong Zhanggui both startled, before the two could speak, Yang Qiu had already taken Bingwen out.

  Staring at the tall back disappearing into the tree shadows, Miao Luo's heart ached, tightly clenching the pistol in her palm. She thought about how Yang Qiu would come to visit her every now and then, chatting with her, telling her stories to make her laugh, and then she thought about that day when he tore open his pants to treat his wound, and about the "comrade" who had shot at her to survive. Her eyes suddenly turned red, tears gushing out as she buried her face in the small table and sobbed.

  Mr. Dong didn't know how to advise, and sighed: "Miss, don't mention the old man's nagging, my eyes have seen countless people in this life, but no one can compare to Mr. Yang, he must be going to do something big this time! So just now you... should have reminded him to be extremely careful."

  The old shopkeeper's words made Miao Luo even more at a loss, and he could only stomp his feet and return to the upstairs first.

  After walking out of the narrow alleys, a tense atmosphere had already begun to permeate the main streets, with checkpoints every three steps and sentries every five steps. Patrols of armed soldiers were inspecting everyone, and the breath of the impending storm was palpable.

  A few young students walked out a few steps after finishing their inspection and scolded the back of the patrol soldiers like bandits: "Running dogs!"

  Two simple words made his heart skip a beat, and as he gazed at the students leaving with eyes full of resentment, he suddenly couldn't understand whether what he was doing was right or wrong. For that glimmer of hope, he was willing to sacrifice his life, but what if... he still failed?

  The Beiyang, which is known as the first in the north, and the joint hands of Yuan Shikai and Feng Guozhang will be more suffocating than the anxiety that fills the city at this moment. The beautiful and rich Hanjiang Santown, can they keep them for themselves?