Chapter 17: The Reality of Emptiness

  At this time, Tang Wan Yue's parents returned one after another from outside. As soon as they walked into the house, they saw all kinds of betrothal gifts placed in the living room. Seeing his son and daughter-in-law returning, Old Man Tang smiled and said: "Hao Han, Meng Jie, today Zhang Bo brought his grandson to propose marriage, so I called you yesterday to come back from Shanghai!" Hearing Old Man Tang's words, Tang Wan Yue's father looked at Zhang Lieyang curiously and asked: "Zhang Bo, don't you only have a granddaughter? When did my brother Qi Hua and Qi Chao give birth to your grandson?"

  Old Zhang smiled and replied: "Lie Yang is your brother Qi Yue's son. He just returned from Southeast Asia!"

  "What? He's the son of my sworn brother Qiye?" Tang Haohan said in surprise.

  "Yes! Absolutely guaranteed!" Old Master Zhang said with a smile. Upon hearing Old Master Zhang's words, Tang Haohan looked at Zhang Lieyang and asked: "What did you study in Nanyang?" Zhang Lieyang respectfully replied: "Your humble nephew is not talented, my father sent me to the United States to study. Originally he hoped I would study business, but later I attended West Point Military Academy in the US! Now Grandfather has already arranged for me to attend Zhejiang University to study architecture."

  Tang Haohan nodded and looked at his delighted daughter, saying: "I agree to marry my daughter Yuanyue to Lieyang!" Upon hearing Tang Haohan's words, Zhang Lieyang smiled and said: "Thank you, Uncle Tang, for your blessing!"

  Just as everyone was talking happily, the butler came in and said to Zhang Lao Tai Ye: "Lao Tai Ye, Wu's family has also come to propose a marriage!" Upon hearing the butler's words, Tang Lao Tai Ye looked at Zhang Lao Tai Ye and said: "Please invite them in!"

  After a while, Wu Hanming walked in with his son and said to Old Man Tang: "Old Man Tang, I brought my son Wu Tianming today to propose to your granddaughter Miss Tang Wanyue!" As he spoke, Wu Hanming looked at Old Man Zhang and Zhang Lieyang. Hearing Wu Hanming's words, Old Man Tang smiled and said: "Mr. Wu, you're a step too late! My granddaughter has already been betrothed to the Zhang family!"

  At this time, the person standing behind Wu Hanming said in Japanese: "Don't you give Tang's family any face?" When they heard the Japanese man's words, the Tang family didn't know what to do and looked at Wu Hanming. Just as everyone was at a loss for what to do, Zhang Lieyang smiled and replied in Japanese: "You think the Wu family is your kept dog, so you can speak on their behalf? I advise you to think thrice before acting!"

  "What's that?!" The Japanese man stared at Zhang Lieyang with wide eyes, disbelieving. "If you don't want to learn about Yamamoto Kazuki's special operations in Munich, Germany, I advise you to take this dog of yours and leave quietly! And never come back to bother the Zhangs and Tangs again! If you don't know who Yamamoto Kazuki is, it's best to send a telegram to your Kwantung Army headquarters and let them investigate and tell you!" Zhang Lieyang added.

  When the Japanese heard Zhang Lieyang's words, they bowed to Zhang Lieyang and said in Chinese: "I have learned from you!" Then he said to Wu Hanming: "Open the way! (go)" and led the way. Seeing that Wu Hanming had no backing, he could only leave with his son. After they left, Old Man Tang looked at Zhang Lieyang curiously and asked: "Lieyang, what did you just say to the Japanese? Why did they leave so quickly?"

  Zhang Lieyang smiled and said, "Tang Grandfather, I know a British arms dealer named Smith. He has a good relationship with an instructor at the German military academy! He told me that Japan sent someone named Yamamoto Kazuki to study special operations in Germany. Just now, I used Yamamoto's name to threaten him, letting him know better!"

  "Good boy! You've studied military tactics well, using the false to conceal the true, and the true to conceal the false!" Tang Haohan praised. Tang Wanyue, who had been quietly standing by, looked at Zhang Lieyang as if she had discovered a new continent, "How do you know Japanese?" When she heard Tang Wanyue's question, Zhang Lieyang smiled and replied, "In addition to Japanese, I also speak English, French, German, Korean, and Russian!"

  "Perfect, Lai Yang, you'll accompany me to Shanghai tomorrow. I have some business to discuss with a German and you can be my translator!" Tang Haohan said excitedly. Upon hearing this, Zhang Lieyang looked at Old Master Zhang, who smiled and said: "Lieyang, since your future father-in-law is asking you to go, then go ahead!"