Chapter Eleven Who Are You?

  "You really dare to speak out... County Magistrate? Why don't you want a Municipal Mayor?"

  "If possible, I don't mind."

  "I mind—"

  Xu Yuan raised his eyes and stared at Qin Wei, suddenly finding the guy in front of him to be extremely annoying. Unfortunately, Qin Wei didn't care about his feelings at all, seeing that he was angry, he simply waved his hand lightly:

  "Just make a bet, what's the big deal? If you can't do it, you can change to another one, I didn't say you must be a county head or city head."

  "You just want me to not be able to do it either." Xu Yuan said in a bad tone. He could tell that Qin Wei was joking earlier, but he also knew that if he dared to agree to this condition, this guy would definitely take advantage of him... As a special agent, you absolutely cannot be impulsive. So, he decisively admitted that he couldn't do it.

  "If it really works, we can ask the superior to give you a military rank, at least lieutenant colonel, is that okay?" Zheng Jiemin asked on the side.

  "Major?" Qin Wei frowned, "Isn't that too petty? If it really succeeds, of course, it will definitely succeed... Then it's equivalent to giving your National Government a few artillery divisions for free. Can one major dismiss me? Do you have the nerve?"

  "A few artillery divisions? You're really boasting...” Xu Yuan was directly amused by Qin Wei, “Do you know what an artillery division is? Do you know that the largest organization of our entire National Revolutionary Army's artillery is only a brigade? Artillery division? Those are just a few crude cannons, can they compare to Germany-made 105 and 150 caliber howitzers, or even 75 mountain guns? I think even mortars are hundreds of times stronger than your toys."

  "Director Xu, calm down!" Qin Wei's face was stern. "I admit, our '土炮' indeed can't be compared to those genuine large cannons, but you must also admit that the simpler, cheaper, more durable and easier to operate a cannon is, the more it suits our national conditions... Even if I were to give you two battalions of 210mm caliber long-range artillery now, could you even find people to operate them?"

  "As long as you're here, we won't be short-handed." Zheng Jiemin said, cutting in before Xu Yuanju could speak.

  "Haha," Qin Wei couldn't help but laugh: "Director Zheng, even if you don't lack people, do you have such strong transportation capabilities? 210mm caliber and above artillery, without automotive traction, I'm afraid that once you use it, you'll be smashed to pieces by the Japanese army's cannon fire... At that time, even if you're not heartbroken, I will be."

  "In other words, you can't take it out?" Xu Yuan raised his voice coldly.

  "Yes, I couldn't get it out." Qin Wei nodded: "However, what I'm giving you this time is a 'big gun' that can reach 500mm caliber, and as long as you're willing, you can build several thousand immediately, and you won't be afraid of being blown up no matter how many, isn't this much better than just a little 200mm stuff?"

  "How can they be the same?"

  "What if it's different? Quantity changes quality, with more numbers, ants can kill an elephant, let alone a cannon?"

  Qin Wei gave him a cold glance.

  "That's also true. Alright, since Mr. Qin you insist, then... let's see how your 'heartless cannon' is so formidable to the point of being 'heartless', hoping it won't disappoint everyone." Zheng Jieming stood up and said seriously to Qin Wei.

  "As long as personnel and equipment are in place, I guarantee that the two of you will be amazed when the time comes, and you will be rewarded for your achievements." Qin Wei also stood up and smiled.

  "Director Zheng, do you think this kid can succeed?" On the way back to Luojiawan in the car, Xu Yuanju and Zheng Jiemin sat together in the back seat, but at first, neither of them said anything, each lost in their own thoughts... Until they were almost out of Shapingba, Xu Yuanju suddenly asked Zheng Jiemin. And in response to his question, Zheng Jiemin just smiled:

  "I don't think much of this 'heartless' guy, but from what the kid said, I think he might actually come up with something good."

  "I also think that this kid might be hiding something, but if he really has something good, why would he need to mess with gasoline barrels? Even if it could be used as a cannon, what kind of power would it have? At this time, during the Battle of Wuhan, if he really had something good, wouldn't he get attention from above and achieve his goal more easily?" Xu Yuanji asked doubtfully.

  "What's his purpose?" Zheng Jiemin retorted.

  "This... I'm not sure." Xu Yuan shook his head.

  "This is it." Zheng Jiemin smiled, "Although we all know that this kid may have some purpose, but from his performance today, I think he doesn't want to do anything in the Wuhan conference, of course, I'm not denying such a possibility either."

  "What did you say?"

  "If this kid really has his heart set on the National Government, then the 210mm caliber heavy artillery he vaguely revealed today may not be just empty talk. But these things aren't cheap, I reckon he's afraid we'll waste them." Zheng Jiemin said with a wry smile.

  "I just think that kid is bragging. Two battalions? Not to mention 210mm caliber heavy artillery, even 100mm caliber mountain guns, which country in the world would easily sell so many? He's a mysterious little character, can he really get them?" Xu Yuan expressed his skepticism. Although he was an agent, he also had a military background and had some understanding of artillery, especially since the National Government originally didn't have many artillerymen, and most of the 75mm caliber or larger artillery were directly under the Central Government's control, which made them all the more precious. And before the official start of the war against Japan, the entire Central Government's artillery forces added up to only two brigades, while the entire National Revolutionary Army had only four brigades of artillery, with a total number of guns less than 500, and most were small caliber... As for 200mm caliber or larger artillery, in China that was just a myth, even Japan didn't have many.

  "Two divisions are definitely bluffing, but even if there's only one regiment, it's worth our try. Besides, don't you think that kid doesn't seem to know much about artillery?" Zheng Jiemin said again.

  "Does he still think that? If he really understood, even if it was just a little bit, he wouldn't compare gasoline barrels to artillery." Xu Yuan coldly snorted.

  "Hmm, he doesn't understand artillery, but he knows that there's a 210mm caliber... Why didn't he say 200mm? Most people would usually say a whole number, right? Was someone telling him, or does he just happen to know this particular one above 200mm? And considering his possible background, as well as the fact that he suddenly called us over again today, don't you think there's something fishy going on here? So, no matter how he compares, or whether he can compare at all, it doesn't matter, we won't lose anything anyway." Zheng Jiemin said with a smile.

  "I just don't like that kid's face... At first, he seemed quite honest, but how did he suddenly become a 'capable person' in just half a day? He even dares to blow smoke and stare at me... He really thinks that by being polite to him, he's someone with potential?" Xu Yuanheng snorted again.

  "No matter what he is, anyway this time I'm still satisfied. You remember to send someone over tomorrow and prepare everything... let's see what kind of flowers he can grow." Zheng Jiemin said.

  "Yes."

  "Has it gotten dark?"

  "Yes, it's dark."

  "Here with you..."

  "We don't have a place for you to stay here. Moreover, our school doesn't welcome you either... You can leave."

  Zheng Jiemin and Xu Yuanju's conversation naturally didn't spread to the major affairs office, but it couldn't change the influence they had on each other... Although this range wasn't big, limited to Shen Chongyu's office and its surrounding area of less than 50 meters, it was enough. At least, Qi Qi, who had always looked down on Qin Wei, started to dislike the person in front of her even more.

  "Qiqi, what's going on? Are all our students so rude?" Shen Zhongyu couldn't help but scold from the side. Although he was driven out earlier, he also knew the cause and effect of things... Qin Wei's family wanted to get some artillery for the National Government, although they found the wrong object, not the Ministry of National Defense, but the Military Bureau, which was also a good intention. Now it's late at night, and they want to stay here for one night, what's wrong with that? Chongqing University is so big, can't you find a place to stay? Actually driving people out, this is unreasonable."

  "Director, if he lives here, what about those people?" Qiqi was very indignant at Shen Zhongyu's criticism of herself, and pointed to the several men in black cheongsam suits next to Qin Wei, shouting.

  "Huh, so you're worried about them..." Qin Wei smiled. There were four black-clad men from the Military Intelligence Bureau's Sanduoping Sub-branch standing beside him, left behind by Xu Yuanju to "protect" him when he departed. However, he also knew that these four military intelligence agents must have had the additional task of monitoring him, and there might be more than just these four... But what did it matter? If Xu Yuanju wanted to monitor him, then he'd really found the wrong target.

  "I thought you were really going to drive me out, this girl doesn't even understand a little bit of things."

  "You don't understand anything!" Qiqi said angrily.

  "How could I not understand? I'm especially 'understanding'. And you, find me a place to live... As for them," Qin Wei pointed at the four black-clad bodyguards, "as my superiors' dispatched bodyguards to protect me, of course they'll be protecting me near my residence, so whether or not they have a place to stay doesn't matter."

  "Huh?" Qiqi sneered, sweeping her gaze over the four black-clad men in military uniforms. The four Military Affairs Bureau agents all changed color... Apparently, they all thought Qin Wei's words were not quite right. Unfortunately, Qin Wei didn't care about their feelings and continued to smile at Qiqi:

  "How's that? Is it okay now?"

  "Of course... no way." Qiqi shook her head decisively.

  "Why?"

  "Unwelcome, major! No matter what they're here for, they're not welcome! So, as their protected person, you'd best... scram!" Qi Qi raised her chin and snorted coldly.

  "Hey......" Qin Wei gritted his teeth and suddenly turned to Shen Zhongyu: "I'm saying, Director Shen, how do you teach your students? This is too rude!"

  "Yes, yes, yes……" Shen Chongyu was also embarrassed. Although he agreed to let Qin Wei stay, in his heart, he also agreed with Qi Qi. It's really not suitable for a special agent to stay... If the students find out tomorrow, how can it be explained? Can't say that there is a patriot here who sells cannons to the National Government through the Military Commission? Someone has to believe this. However, on second thought, although Qi Qi's words were reasonable, her particularly targeted speech against Qin Wei was still not suitable. So, after some consideration, Shen Chongyu decided to inconvenience his student for now:

  "Qiqi, haven't you apologized to Mr. Qin yet?"

  "What's the big idea?" Qi Qi stuck out her neck, looking dissatisfied.

  "Based on my contributions to this country, I'm greater than you!" Qin Wei said proudly with his chest out.

  "Haha, this is really interesting, can the size of one's contribution to the country really decide who is right or wrong between two people?"

  A slightly hoarse voice suddenly rang out, followed by a chaotic but clear footsteps from afar gradually came over, soon, two people appeared in everyone's line of sight.

  "Principal Ma!"

  Seeing the arrival, Qi Qi and Lu Xiao Jia rushed to welcome him. Shen Zhongyu also walked over quickly. Qin Wei saw him talking in a low voice with the two people for a while before bringing them over. One of them, a middle-aged man around fifty years old, first walked up to Qin Wei and extended his hand:

  "Mr. Qin, I presume? Your matter has already been discussed with Director Shen. I am Ye Yuanlong, nice to meet you!"

  "Nice to meet you, who are you?" Qin Wei shook hands with the other person and asked in a low voice.

  "This is our principal!" Qi Qi said loudly on one side.

  "Oh, it's Principal Ye, hello! I've long admired your name."

  "Hypocrisy!" Qiqi and others rolled their eyes on one side.

  "Haha, Ma Yin Chu, currently the Dean of our school's Business School!" One of the two men, an old man who looked like he should be sixty years old, smiled and stepped forward to introduce himself. But unexpectedly, as soon as he finished introducing himself, he saw Qin Wei's face change drastically:

  "Who did you say you were?"

  "Ma Yin-chu!"

  "You... you're Ma Yin-chu?"