Eight

  Yang Ju brought the door and was about to go to Li Kun's clinic, when he looked up and saw Zhang Wu, a partner of Ting Yu Long, standing at the end of the corridor staring at him. Yang Ju subconsciously turned his head again, and Zhang Rong was also standing at the end of the corridor behind him, staring at him.

  Zhang Wu and Zhang Rong, two brothers, were both trusted subordinates of Ting Yu-long's second uncle. In their daily lives, Ting Yu-long's arms trade was almost entirely managed by these two brothers, who were also the second uncle's confidants. When Yang Ju saw the two men here, he knew that his cousin Qi Biao was safe and sound; otherwise, the second uncle would not have known that he was here.

  Yang Ju took a few steps forward, moving away from Han Dong-cheol's hospital room, and stretched out both arms to beckon the two men. Zhang Wu and Zhang Rong, the two brothers, seeing Yang Ju's intention for them to come forward, immediately walked over.

  Before Yang Jiu could ask a question, Zhang Wu spoke up as soon as the two of them approached.

  "Master, Second Master ordered my two brothers to stay here and keep an eye on you, in case of any unexpected situation. Zhao Jiancheng and Little Wu are guarding downstairs."

  Yang Jiu exclaimed, "Look, even those two have come!"

  In Taiyuan, it's not just the Tingyu Long family that does black market arms deals. Zhao Jiancheng used to be the chief shooter of "Jin De Hui Guan" in the provincial capital! He was known for his excellent marksmanship and never missed a shot within 100 paces! People called him "Long Gun Little Zhao". Jin De Hui Guan, like Tingyu Long, appears to be a legitimate business on the surface, but its main business is also black market arms. In the 14th year of the Republic of China, both Tingyu Long and Jin De Hui Guan set their sights on Feng Yuxiang's First Security Brigade of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army!

  Feng Yuxi is a straightforward and honest person, although he doesn't compromise on prices, but the goods he provides are always brand new and of high quality. Since Jin De Hui Guan joined forces with Feng Yuxi's First Security Team, Ting Yu Long also established a connection with this endless supply chain. This led to a situation where one mountain cannot accommodate two tigers. After several encounters between the two families in the underground world, they faced a problem of who would dominate the black market arms trade in Taiyuan.

  Yang Huan-yu discussed with his brother, Yang Huan-ting thought that talking about it again would be a waste of time! This is clearly a matter of life and death! In the past, they did their own things and didn't interfere with each other, but now saying one more word would be nonsense! So on this road to doing business, Yang Huan-ting, who was known for his ruthless style, didn't even leave time for Jin De Guild Hall to prepare. After discussing with his brother, he led a surprise attack on Jin De Guild Hall that night! From the master of the house, Wang Jin-de, down to the entire household of over thirty people, they were all killed in less than the time it takes to burn an incense stick!

  Afterwards, Yang Huanting only used three big gold bars to settle the long-standing feud with Taiyuan Police Chief Xu Gongmao!

  In the 16th year of the Republic, the National Government abolished the provincial police administration and its powers were taken over by the Civil Affairs Department of the Political Council. At that time, the newly appointed head of the Civil Affairs Department, Yao Quanliang, ordered a re-examination of the case! The result was just another unresolved case. Yang's family only spent three more gold bars on it! Afterwards, whenever Yang Huan-ting talked about this matter with his brother Yang Huanyu, he felt that it was a great value for money! Because after the Jin De Hui Guan was removed, almost all of the large-scale military arms trade in the entire Taiyuan area were controlled by the Yang family!

  That night when the Wang family was exterminated, the only survivor who didn't die was Zhao Jiancheng!

  Because of the importance of this matter, Yang Huan-yu led the team to take action that night. After the event, Zhang Wu and others reported to Yang Huan-yu outside the guild hall: "The job is done, we lost six brothers! They were all killed by Xiao Zhao, the leader of the Jin De Guild Hall!"

  Yang Huan-yu was shocked as soon as he heard the news, he didn't expect that a midnight raid with all his men would result in casualties! And six people died at once! He immediately asked Zhang Wu: "Where are they?"

  Zhang Wu replied: "I've been forced into a corner by my brothers and have no choice but to lay down my arms, now it's all up to you."

  "Wait for my fart! Get rid of them quickly!" Yang Huan-yu had just finished speaking and suddenly regretted it. One person, one gun, took down six people, and he himself was not injured! This is a good hand! Such talent should not be killed in vain! So he immediately called out to Zhang Wu: "Hold on, bring the man back for me!"

  Thus, Zhao Jiancheng, who had no family or home, surrendered to the Yangs in order to repay Yang Huan-yu for sparing his life and became a trusted assistant of Yang Huan-yu at Ting Yu Long.

  Xiao Wu is also known as "Short Gun Xiao Wu". He is also a reliable shooter of Ting Yu Long, holding two guns in his hands can shoot left and right! A pair of Mauser short guns are used with great skill! However, he said that he was an orphan since childhood, and has been wandering in the streets and rivers since he was a child. When his parents passed away at a young age, they didn't even give him a big name. For so many years, others have called him Xiao Wu!

  When Yang Huan-yu first received this person, he sent him to the outskirts of the city to trade military supplies with the great bandit "Duan Shan Hu" from Jin Nan. After the other party inspected the goods and saw that only Xiao Wu brought two people with him, the rest were just horse-drawn carriages and porters. So they temporarily decided to cheat and rob! Duan Shan Hu turned around, quietly giving orders to his subordinates to kill and rob! Just as he was about to give the order, Xiao Wu's two Mauser pistols fired simultaneously! After a burst of gunfire, Duan Shan Hu and his 15 companions were all killed in the wilderness! Each one was shot in the head, and amazingly, not a single bullet was wasted! When inspecting the bodies, it was found that even the quickest among Duan Shan Hu's men had only just drawn their guns, and not a single person could pull the trigger to fire a shot! From then on, in the underworld, Xiao Wu's reputation as "Short Gun" spread far and wide, and he was known by all! He and Zhao were known as the "Jin Yang Double Guns"!

  Zhang Wu and Zhang Rong, the two brothers, were the most trusted partners of Ting Yu Long. Jin Yang Shuang Qiang was the best partner in terms of martial arts skills. Sending all four together shows how much Yang Huan Yu cares for Yang Jia's eldest young master, Yang Ju.

  Yang Ju said to Zhang Wu, "You two wait here for a moment, I'll take care of something and then return with you both." After speaking, he went to the toilet at the stairs first.

  As soon as he came out of the toilet, Yang Ju directly pushed open the door and entered Li Kun's duty office.

  "What's the situation? Is it true that you're a patriot?" Li Kun asked hastily as soon as Yang Ju entered the door. In fact, by this time, things had already become clear, if this person was a Japanese collaborator, how would he have been able to escape until now!

  Yang Ju nodded at Li Kun and said: "Not bad. Brother Li, you and I haven't saved the wrong person!"

  "What's going on? Why don't you introduce me to this hero right now!" Li Kun said, getting excited and standing up.

  "Brother Li, listen to me," Yang said, blocking Li Kun's path. "This afternoon I had my nephew return to the store to find someone to deal with those two Japanese corpses in the forest outside the city. Now it has alarmed my second uncle! So for now, I must first go back to the store. Other matters can be discussed later."

  Li Kun said, "Alright, you go back home and inform your elders first. My brother and I will discuss with Zhi Shi in detail later. By the way...” Li Kun looked at his watch and continued, “I'm also off-duty now. Later, I'll go in to check on Zhi Shi's injury and instruct the nurse on duty to take good care of him. But I wonder if it's safe for us two to leave together?"

  Yang Ju stretched out his hand and said, "Brother Li doesn't have to worry too much. The safety of Taiyuan City is within the scope of my Yang family's power, and I will take responsibility for his safety! In a while, I will arrange for two people to come up and guard him in the corridor on the second floor. If these two people cannot keep Han Dong-phil safe in this hospital, then the assassins who come must be the Imperial Guard of the Japanese Emperor! It's just that before I introduce my brother, I hope Brother Li won't disturb him, let's talk about everything tomorrow."

  "In that case, there's nothing to worry about. Alright, as brother said, let's make plans for everything tomorrow." After finishing speaking, Li Kun took the diagnostic items from the table and Yang Ju left the door first.

  Zhao Jiancheng and Xiao Wu, who were waiting downstairs, saw Yang Ju and others walking down from upstairs, so they went forward to meet them.

  Yang Ju saw the two men and first made a bow to them, saying: "I've troubled you two brothers to wait here again."

  "Not waiting for the two to finish their pleasantries, he continued: 'In room 205 on the second floor, there is an important person who has been injured. This person, among other things, is my sworn brother Yang Jiu! I'm afraid it's still a bit of trouble for you two to go upstairs and continue to protect this person for me. Don't let anyone outside the hospital come into contact with him! Also, try not to disturb him, if his whereabouts are exposed, just say he's my brother Yang Jiu."

  Zhao Jiancheng was a man of few words, and with a slight bow, he led the way, carrying his package wrapped in cloth, with his trusty Mosin-Nagant M1891/30 rifle slung over his shoulder. Little Wu said, "Don't worry, young master, we'll take good care of your friend." With that, he followed Zhao Jiancheng upstairs.

  Tingyulong Business Firm stands on the street, and the house is very deep with a front shop and a backyard. Yang Huanyu's wife and concubine are all in the old family mansion in Yuhua Town, but for the convenience of managing the provincial city business, they usually live in Tingyulong. And Yang Huanyu's two sons "Qianyi" and "Qianfu" have set up their families in Tingyulong.

  Yang Jiu entered the back hall and saw his second uncle pacing back and forth in the hall, looking somewhat uneasy. It was clear that he was waiting for news about Yang Jiu. Meanwhile, He Fa, the manager of Ting Yu Long, stood by his side accompanying him.

  As soon as Yang Huan-yu saw Yang Ju enter, the expression on his face immediately relaxed. He turned around and slowly walked towards the chair to sit down. He Fai, who was beside him, came forward to greet him, saying: "Young Master, you're back! This time, Second Master had a good wait!"

  Yang Ju nodded at He Fa and walked towards Er Shu who was already seated, saying: "Uncle, I'm back. How are you?"

  "Hmm, not good!" Yang Ju heard his Second Uncle say this and could tell he was unhappy. He thought about going forward to explain things to him. But then he heard his Second Uncle speak again: "I'm telling you, Four Treasures, you're getting more and more capable! When you were young, it was just stealing my snuff bottle and smashing my antiques! Now that you've grown up, it's nothing but causing trouble, and I have to clean up after you and pay for your mistakes! But now you've really outdone yourself, actually killing someone and robbing them! And it's still me, your Second Uncle, who has to come and deal with the aftermath! Ah, Four Treasures, which one of us is the real Second Uncle?"

  "Second Uncle, you scold me as soon as you enter the door without even asking if I'm injured! This morning I was alone against two people, and they were special agents from the Japanese Kwantung Army! At that time, I was in real danger...” Yang Hui had been very close to this second uncle since he was a child. Every time he got into trouble and angered his father, he would run to his aunt's room as soon as possible. If he made a big mistake, he would definitely go to the city to find this second uncle for help!

  Yang Jiu was twenty years old that year, listening to the tune in the original "Hengyuan Teahouse" on Beiyue Temple Alley in the provincial capital, when he met a young man teasing someone's daughter. Yang Jiu didn't like it and went up to fight without saying a word! But unexpectedly, his opponent seemed weak and depraved, but when he started fighting, he wasn't polite either! It turned out that he had been practicing since childhood! After a fierce battle, Yang Jiu was covered in bruises, his clothes were torn, and he finally subdued his opponent! However, the other person couldn't take it anymore, lying on the ground with only outgoing breath and no incoming breath, and he almost died! In the end, the man was rescued, but his injuries were too severe and he became an idiot! The doctor said that he had injured his brain and been beaten stupid!

  Originally, beating up a person was just a small matter for the Yang family! However, Yang Jiu had bad luck that time and the bastard he beat up was actually the eldest son of Niu Zhaotai, the director of Shanxi's government office! That afternoon, the police came to Tingyulong with long guns to take people away! At the time, Second Uncle thought it was because the head of the police station was short on money and wanted to make a fortune by taking advantage of the situation! He refused to let the police take people away, saying he would talk to the head of the police station later! The team leader who came to take people away, Qian Dama, told Yang Huan that the situation was quite troublesome. Yang Huan understood that beating up the director's son was not something that could be solved with money! So, he had no choice but to resort to violence and gave an order for Tingyulong's staff to show their weapons, revealing over a dozen long and short objects! Qian Dama was so scared that he kept saying it was a misunderstanding! A misunderstanding!

  Yang Huan-yu pulled out a stack of silver coins from his body and stuffed them into Qian Dama's hand, saying: "What misunderstanding? Please give Captain Qian some time to catch his breath, let me tidy up. You absolutely can't take him away today! We're old friends for many years, I hope you can make an exception!"

  After Yang Ju was arrested, Yang Huan-yu felt deeply troubled. Dealing with a provincial official like Niu Zuo-tai, going through the normal channels would not be something they could handle! So on one hand he sent someone to immediately return to the mansion and inform his older brother Yang Huan-ting of the news, while on the other hand he immediately prepared gifts and set off for the military department of Fu Zu-yi, commander of the 10th Infantry Division of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army!

  It turns out that this Jin army Fu Zuoyi and Yang Huan Ting are also old friends. In addition to the business dealings over the years, the two are also very compatible and respectful of each other! So at this time, Yang Huan Yu thought it over and decided that finding a bunch of miscellaneous small fish and shrimp would only make things worse! It's better to contact Fu Zuoyi directly, which is the right way!

  Fu Zuoyi, considering Yang Huan's face, immediately came out to meet Yang Huanyu after receiving the message. After listening to Yang Huanyu finish speaking, he appeared relaxed and said: "The fight has already happened, what else can be done? I will personally go see Niu Zhaotai now and see how to wrap things up! You tell Brother Guanhai (Yang Huan's courtesy name) not to worry, everything will wait until my reply. Also, let my deputy officer Su Yi follow you back to the mansion, and before receiving my reply, he must ensure that the police dare not arrest anyone!"

  Yang Huan-yu was overjoyed when he heard this and left ten large gold bars behind, repeatedly thanking Su's deputy officer before returning to the mansion.

  He had just returned home when he saw a Lincoln car from the United States parked outside the mansion. The servant told him that someone had been waiting inside for quite some time.

  A man claiming to be the confidential secretary of Provincial Education Department Director Yu Mingxin came, saying he was sent by Director Yu to express gratitude to Young Master Yang Jue for his rescue. He also said that Director Yu had personally gone to the provincial capital to meet with Chairman Yan and would take full responsibility for everything. He assured the Yang family not to worry and offered to let Yang Jue temporarily seek refuge at the Yu residence to ensure his safety.

  It turned out that the person Yang Ju saved in the tea house was not an ordinary person, but the only beloved daughter of Yu Mingxin, the director of the Provincial Education Department! When Yu Mingxin heard about his daughter's encounter, he became furious! He felt that Niu Zhaotai's adopted son was uneducated and considered him a thief! The deception was too much! In his indignation, he immediately sent someone to investigate the situation. Upon hearing that the hero who saved his daughter was the son of Yang, a wealthy merchant in the provincial capital, and was currently involved in an official case, he quickly dispatched someone to express gratitude at Tingyulou and bring the person back to the mansion with a well-planned strategy! As for himself, he first went to the provincial government to file a complaint against Yan Xishan.

  Yang Huan-yu listened and then had someone call out Yang Ju to thank Yu Ting-zhong for his concern for his nephew. Later, he told Yu Ting-zhong's secretary: "Seeing injustice on the road and drawing a knife to help is what our kind of people should do! As for my young nephew's safety, please don't worry about it, Yu Ting-zhong. I only hope that in official circles, you will actively vouch for him and protect him with strategy, so as to clear his name!" After finishing speaking, he had someone bring out two small gold bars to thank Yu Ting-zhong's secretary, so that he could transmit the message and actively help.

  Yu Ting's secretary resolutely refused to accept the gold bars and, on behalf of Yu Ting, bowed deeply to Yang: "I have followed Yu Ting for many years and am not an ordinary gatekeeper official. Therefore, I will absolutely not accept the gold! Yu Ting has entrusted me with this matter, and after it is settled, he will personally bring gifts to your doorstep to express his gratitude for your kindness in saving his daughter. As for the official case, please be assured that Yu Ting said: 'I will work with Cow Zhongtai to the end, even if we have to take the case all the way to Nanjing, I will ensure Yang's safety!'"

  The situation after the event was indeed as complicated and thorny as Yang Huan-ting brothers had expected! Although Fu Zuoyi and Yu Mingxin were actively mediating, Yu Mingxin even bit his tongue to force Cow Zhaotai's son to apologize. However, Cow Zhaotai watched his beloved son, now half-dead and stupid, and evil arose in his heart! He blamed Yang Ju for being too ruthless and not leaving any room for maneuver. In front of Yan Xishan, he refused to give up for a long time! For the last time, in front of Fu Zuoyi and Yu Mingxin, in Yan Xishan's face, he angrily said: "If Chairman and Brother Yisheng (Fu Zuoyi's courtesy name) insist on not letting me take charge of justice for my son, then don't blame me for taking revenge for my son privately!"

  Yan Xishan, who was already extremely annoyed by this matter, immediately responded to Niu Zhaotai's words: "Good! It's settled then!" He then turned to Yu Mingxin and Fu Zuoyi and said: "I think since you both have some misgivings about this matter, why not just follow Song Ruo's (Niu Zhaotai's courtesy name) suggestion and let the two families settle it privately?"

  Yu Mingxin's face changed as soon as Yan Xishan slammed his fist on the table. Just as he was about to argue, Fu Zuoyi stopped him. Fu Zuoyi said: "Brother Hanshui (Yu Mingxin's courtesy name), since Brother Songzi cannot let go of this matter and has troubled Chairman for a long time, I think it's better to follow Chairman's idea and let the two families settle it privately according to Jianghu rules! Regardless of the outcome, within three months, three months later, regardless of the outcome, both parties are not allowed to make trouble again. Otherwise, they will be punished according to their crimes!"

  "Alright! It's settled then! Within three months, as long as you don't burn down Taiyuan City for me, do whatever you want! After three months, all of you just stay put quietly!" Yan Xishan struck the final blow!

  For Yang Jia, who understood Fu Zuoyi, he naturally hoped that things would end with this result. He knew that Niu Zhaotai was forced to desperation this time and ended up forcing himself into a dead end!

  That day, after returning from Yan Xishan's place, Niu Zhaotai immediately spread the word and recruited gunmen with heavy rewards! He hoped to recruit a mastermind to get rid of Yang Ju! To relieve his deep hatred! However, as time passed day by day, Niu Zhaotai realized that he had been fooled that day, and in his anxious and confused state, he was deceived by Yan Xishan and Fu Zuoyi!

  The wind has long been released, and it's all blown to the distant areas! But just can't see anyone who can bring back a real killer for him! It's not that the reward of gold and silver is too little, nor is it difficult to find strong bandits in the peaceful world! It's just that the Yang family's defeat of the notorious bandit Yuan Thirteen in the fourth year of the Republic was too sensational! Now, the bandits and thieves within a few hundred miles around, upon hearing the name "Yang Family of Yuhua Town", get goosebumps! Let alone taking on the task of killing for reward, even if someone had the guts to step into the Yang Family's mansion, they'd have to go up the mountain to borrow from the Tiger King! There are naturally many wandering swordsmen and gunmen on the rivers and lakes, but upon hearing about it, they all feel that it's difficult to take on this task alone! Because at the same time Cow Zhongtai is recruiting killers, the Yang Family is also spreading the word on the rivers and lakes: This is a private grudge between the two families of Cow and Yang, any friend from the rivers and lakes who wants to intervene will be rewarded with ten gold bars by the Yang Family! They must buy the head of this killer!

  It wasn't until 1926, when Niu Zhaotai was transferred to Zhejiang for work, that he still didn't avenge his son's death. Perhaps due to the long-standing anger from this unresolved matter, in the autumn of 1929, Niu Zhaotai died of illness in Zhejiang at the age of 44!