Volume 1 Chapter 17 Eradicating Evil (Middle)

  Qiao Anbang drove the truck into his own backyard, where his servants were already waiting to greet him. Qiao Anbang left Yali in charge of directing them to move these weapons and equipment, as well as the ocean, into the yard, while he himself walked straight towards the front hall.

  As soon as he entered the front yard, Qiao Anbang saw two rows of fully armed soldiers standing in the yard. Their uniforms were similar to those of the security team, except that each of them wore a steel helmet, which the security team did not have. Seeing this, Qiao Anbang suddenly remembered that he had forgotten to bring a batch of steel helmets, but this matter couldn't be rushed, anyway, there was plenty of time. For now, let's go see this Chu Tuanzhang, who is number one or two in the Yu State border area.

  I heard he still has a good relationship with his family, and it's worth getting along with him, maybe it will be beneficial to yourself in the future.

  After making up his mind, Qiao Anbang walked straight towards the main house. As soon as he arrived outside, he heard the cheerful laughter of Old Man Qiao Siyuan coming from inside.

  Qiao Anbang walked in with big strides and saw that his father was happily chatting with a middle-aged man of about thirty years old. The middle-aged man had thick arms, a sturdy build, a square face, thick eyebrows, and big eyes. From the looks of it, he didn't resemble the wine-bellied, rice-bag-like security team leader Qiao Anbang had imagined at all.

  Qiao Anbang called out: "Dad, I'm back."

  "Ah, An Bang, this is Chu Tuan Zhang from Yingzhou. He's been to our Jiao family before, but you weren't around at the time, so you haven't met him yet. Come quickly and meet Chu Tuan Zhang!" Qiao Si Yuan smiled and gestured with his hand.

  "Director Chu, I've long admired your great name. Today, I'm glad to finally meet you!" Qiao Anbang also smiled and bowed to Chu Jingming, as he had seen in later generations' TV dramas. Now that he had joined his brother's security team, it was only natural for him to show respect.

  Chu Jingming smiled with satisfaction, nodding his head and saying: "Hmm, not bad, Third Young Master is indeed a talented person! The battle at Quanshan was impressive, Old Man Qiao even told me about it, well done!"

  Then, smiling, he said to Qiao Si Yuan: "Old Master Qiao, the three sons of the Qiao family are all outstanding, and I, Chu, truly admire them. Congratulations on raising such excellent sons."

  "Director Chu is being too kind. I, an old man, have always educated my children that they don't need to achieve great things or gain fame, but as a person, especially as a Chinese, one must be loyal to their country and nation, and not bring shame to their parents and ancestors. Now that the enemy has invaded our four provinces outside the pass, it's clear that they want to destroy China. There will inevitably be war between China and Japan. I've already had An Bang join our security team, along with An Guo, to train troops and prepare for battle. If the country is at peace, then we'll just protect our region in peace. But if the nation faces difficulties or a crisis, I hope that in the future, they can contribute their strength to the country and the nation." Qiao Siyuan said in a deep, resonant voice.

  "Good! Old Master Qiao is right. As of today, the enemy has invaded and occupied a large amount of our country's land outside the pass, slaughtering our anti-Japanese military and civilians. As a soldier, I have always thought about going north to fight against Japan. I have repeatedly asked my superiors for permission to lead my troops north to fight against Japan, but I have yet to receive a response. If what Old Master Qiao said is true, that there will inevitably be a war between China and Japan in the future, then I, Chu, will lead the entire Henan Pacification and Security Regiment to go north, swear to die fighting against Japan, and fight for our country!" Chu Jingming was also a passionate person, with a heart full of patriotism and heroic spirit, but he had nowhere to express it. Today, Old Master Qiao's words suddenly stirred up the suppressed emotions in his heart.

  "Director Chu's patriotic heart is genuine, and Anbang admires him greatly. To show respect to Director Chu, the Qiao family is willing to donate 50,000 silver dollars to the Security Regiment, along with five German-made heavy machine guns and fifteen Czech-style light machine guns, for future use in resisting Japan."

  Qiao Anbang II observed Chu Jingming for a moment, considering his decent relationship with the Qiao family, and seeing that this person was also a patriotic hero, he decided on the spot to give him some money and equipment.

  "Is the Third Master's words true?" Chu Jingming was somewhat unbelievable, 50,000 taels of silver, he believed that the Qiao family could take out, but five German-made heavy machine guns, fifteen Czech-style light machine guns, his own security team had only ten light machine guns in total, and not even one heavy machine gun. In this era, even the Central Army didn't have such wealth, taking out twenty light and heavy machine guns at once!

  "Of course it's true. How dare Anbang deceive Director Chu?" Qiao Anbang smiled and gave a wink to his father, Qiao Siyuan.

  "All right, then I won't be polite. On behalf of all the brothers in our group, thank you, Third Master and thank you, Old Master Qiao." Chu Jingming stood up and bowed to both of them.

  "Commander Chu is being polite, but relying on Commander Chu's loyalty to the country, these equipment should be given to you, and only in your hands can they exert their greatest potential." Qiao Siyuan also stood up and said. Having done business for a lifetime, how could he not know what kind of calculations his son was making?

  "Alright, we can't just sit around. I've instructed the servants to prepare a banquet to welcome and entertain Colonel Chu." Qiao Siyuan said as he turned his head towards Qiao Anbang: "Anbang, go inform your elder brother and the rest of the An family to come back, we'll all gather together to welcome Colonel Chu."

  "All right, Commander Chu, you take your time, I'll go first." Qiao Anbang's expression was respectful, and he immediately turned around and left.

  As Qiao Anbang left, Chu Jingming's bright eyes showed a hint of approval, and he nodded unintentionally. Suddenly, a strange thought flashed in his mind, associating it with his own sister who was as lovely as a flower. This thought only lasted for an instant before he shook his head and turned to continue chatting with Qiao Siyuan.

  …………

  Qiao Anbang came out of the main house and went to the backyard, where he saw that Wang Gen and his men had returned. They were busy unloading weapons from the horse cart into the yard. When they saw Qiao Anbang, everyone hastily greeted him: "Third Master."

  "Uh-huh." Qiao Anbang nodded and said, "Gen Sheng, immediately select five heavy machine guns and 50,000 silver dollars, set them aside separately. I'll use them later. Also, give each of the brothers 1,000 silver dollars, including you. Additionally, send someone to inform Second Young Master to return home for dinner, just say that Commander Chu from Yingzhou has arrived."

  "Alright, young master, don't worry!" Wang Gen Sheng hastily nodded in response.

  After giving instructions, Qiao Anbang rode a fine horse out of the mansion and rushed to the garrison of the security team.

  The security team's base is located in the west of the city, less than two kilometers away from Qiao's home. Qiao Anbang rode his horse and arrived in no time. At this moment, Qiao Anguo was training soldiers.

  The battle at Quanshan exposed the security team's lack of training, insufficient physical strength and low combat effectiveness. Qiao Anbang has already reached an agreement with his brother through yesterday's conversation, unified their thinking, and proposed a suggestion to his brother: first train the security team well, then use the security team as the foundation for recruiting more soldiers; otherwise, it would be even more troublesome to recruit more ordinary people without combat experience, even if they were equipped with the best weapons.

  Advanced weapons and equipment are important, but the outcome of war is not entirely determined by equipment. To a large extent, it still depends on people, and human factors cannot be ignored. In the Korean War, the great Chinese Volunteer Army relied on millet plus rifles to defeat the heavily armed US-led coalition of 18 countries, forcing them to negotiate a peace treaty.

  Before the emergence of nuclear weapons such as atomic bombs, human beings were the most important factor in winning wars. Without excellent soldiers, even if they are equipped with the best equipment, it is useless.

  This motley crew, almost everyone has a submachine gun in hand. With such powerful firepower against a group of bandits, it's no problem at all. Bandits are just bandits and can't be compared to regular troops. If the opponent were well-trained devils, the outcome would probably be different.

  Everyone has a submachine gun, even the devils don't have it this good, right?

  Qiao Anbang dismounted his horse and a soldier who was standing guard ran over, took the reins of the horse and stood at attention, saying: "Deputy Captain, you've arrived."

  Qiao Anbang has now joined the security team, and although he became the deputy captain as soon as he entered the team, none of the officers and soldiers in the entire security team opposed it. Not to mention that Qiao Anbang is very generous to them, just because Quan Shan can fight bravely and rush to their rescue, Qiao Anbang's status in their hearts has already been equal to that of Qiao Anguo.

  Qiao Anbang was enjoying the feeling of being an official, although he was now just a small official as small as a sesame seed and a green bean. Under this military atmosphere, it felt great. After returning a salute to the soldiers, Qiao Anbang walked straight into the garrison.

  When he saw Qiao Anbang arrive, Qiao Anguo put down his training and came forward to greet him, asking: "Old Three, why have you come now? Is there something going on?"

  "After all, I'm also a deputy captain, can't even come and take a look?" Qiao Anbang joked.

  "What are you talking about? Is this what you mean, big brother?" Qiao Anguo deliberately rolled his eyes.

  "Chu Tuan Zhang from Yingzhou has arrived, Father wants us to go back and entertain him. Let's go, everything is ready at home." Qiao Anbang said with a smile.

  "Director Chu has arrived," said Qiao Anguo, turning around and walking towards the playground.

  After finishing their shift, the two brothers walked out of the barracks together, and the two sentries at the gate immediately saluted.

  Just then, three young men came running towards them from afar, stumbling and staggering. Qiao Anbang and Qiao Anguo couldn't help but raise their vigilance, and the two guards also held up their guns in alert.

  "Halt! Who are you? This is a military restricted area, you can't enter without permission!" The two guards stepped forward, holding their rifles and questioning the three young people who looked flustered.

  "Boss, we are from Wulizhuang village. The bandits came to our village and killed all the villagers. My parents were also killed by them. Please avenge us." The leader of the group knelt down on the ground with a painful face, who was Li Yifeng.

  Behind them were Li Jupeng and Zhang Xudong. The three of them rushed along the way, entered Zheheji to ask about the location of the security team, and hurried over.

  "Yes, sir, please send troops as soon as possible, otherwise who knows how many villages will be affected!" This time it was Zhang Xudong speaking.

  Li Jupeng's eyes were already red and swollen, his lips were bitten to pieces, his throat was hoarse from crying, and he could hardly speak.

  Qiao Anbang and Qiao Anguo exchanged a glance, then stepped forward. Qiao Anguo asked: "Is what you said true? How many bandits are there? Where did they go now?"

  "Boss, it's absolutely true. In our village of 192 people, regardless of old or young, everyone was killed by them. They also raped many girls. Now they're heading towards Liu Jia Village, with about 40-50 people on horseback and armed. The leader has a scar on his face. I met them on my way home." Li Yifeng replied with a look of distress.

  "Big brother, it's probably Wei Dexi who escaped from Quanshan. This beast, this time we must cut them down to the root and avenge the more than 100 innocent civilians!" Qiao Anbang said heavily to Qiao Anguo.

  "Hmm, eliminate evil thoroughly. I should have known it would be like this. We should have caught them all at once in Quan Shan." Qiao Anguo was also very angry.

  "Big brother, you immediately gather the troops, and also send Ding Sheng to lead the brothers to our backyard to pick up new rifles and hand grenades, replenish ammunition. We will set out immediately, this time we will annihilate them all, get rid of this scourge." Qiao Anbang said to Qiao Anguo.

  "Alright!" Joanne responded with a single word, then swiftly turned around and left.

  Qiao Anbang looked at the three people in front of him and said, "You must all be tired. Rest here for now, we'll set off immediately to avenge your loved ones!"

  "Thank you, boss!" Li Yifeng and Zhang Xudong, as well as Li Jupeng, simultaneously gave Qiao Anbang a loud bow.

  "Hey, hey, it's not right, it's not right. Protecting the good and eliminating the evil is our security team's responsibility. This time, the tragic event in Wulizhuang, we also have the responsibility of failing to eliminate the bandits. Don't be like this, get up!" Qiao Anbang hurriedly reached out to support them, while two guards behind him with long eyes helped to lift the three people up one by one.

  "Boss, lend us a few guns, we want to take action with you and avenge our parents!"

  "Yes, we must take revenge!" The three of them exclaimed in unison.

  "Are you going to shoot?" Joe Anbang asked.

  "We won't." The three of them lowered their heads at the same time, and then immediately said: "But we are not afraid to die. We have fists, we have teeth. Even if we die, we must avenge our dead parents and fellow villagers!"

  "Alright, I'll give each of you a big knife and we'll set off together. Also, don't call me 'boss', our security team doesn't use that term, just call me 'officer'. My surname is Qiao, my name is Qiao Anbang." Qiao Anbang nodded in agreement as he saw the three men were eager for revenge.

  "Thank you, sir!" The three were extremely excited and filled with gratitude. If it wasn't for Qiao Anbang's timely support, they would have knelt down again.

  P.S. I was so into writing this chapter that time flew by, and I'm sweating... actually, the story wasn't complete, and Autumn Wind felt it affected the mood, so I continued writing, all the way until now, with 4,000 words... hope you guys enjoyed reading it, thanks a million!