Chapter 39: The Strange Congratulatory Visitor

  In the days leading up to the wedding, wealthy families, officials and merchants from surrounding counties gathered in Zhuanghe County. It was only then that Hu Zhiyong realized he had made a big mistake.

  On the main street, Manchu girls are setting up stalls near the bank, selling various embroidery and clothing to passing guests. There are also men wearing fur hats and leather gloves, selling chestnuts picked from trees.

  "Second uncle, third uncle, we must develop some cadres who are satisfied and also form a team that is satisfied!" He didn't notice the problem until the eve of the wedding.

  "Three minorities, each township has arrangements, we didn't interfere with the troops' affairs." Chen Xinwen smiled slightly, implying that he had already taken note of the minority issue.

  "Third Master, you've imported so many goods from Country M. Haven't you thought of exporting goods?" Shi Yinshi pointed to the goods displayed on both sides of the street: "Embroidery and chestnuts are good things, they will definitely be sold at a high price in Country M!"

  "Third Uncle, you don't understand the situation there." Hu Zhiyong sighed: "The global economic downturn, gold and silver and banknotes are all concentrated in the hands of a few people. Factories went bankrupt, farmers lost their jobs, many people can't even eat three meals a day. What's more miserable is that cars have no money for gas, and they're pulled by cows and horses on the road."

  Chen Xinwen and Shi Yingshi's faces changed color: "So miserable?"

  "Hey, the streets are filled with temporary shantytowns of starving people, many skilled workers have nothing to do, and there are numerous cases of bank failures leading to suicides!" Hu Zhiyong explained in detail the current situation in America, sighing as he said: "It will be okay soon, when Roosevelt took office last year, the economy recovered immediately."

  Government officials and wealthy families all have Chen Xinwen, Shi Yinsi to entertain. Among them, there are three batches of people who require direct contact with Hu Zhiyong. He is clear that these people are the envoys of the party, bringing their mission.

  Big Brother, Chen Xiuzhi represents the "Red Party" (to prevent harmony, the Communist Party's change), Miao Kexiu represents the Red Party of the S League. Second Brother is also Zhongtong, and the newly established Fuxing Society also joins in the fun.

  Big Brother and Second Brother have no reason not to meet, Miao Ke Xiu is also his own friend, as for others, Hu Zhi Yong simply has no intention of meeting them, because he doesn't want to get involved in the complicated factions.

  "Congratulations, Old Three!" Eldest brother was the first to be summoned and he hugged his younger brother as soon as he entered the room. The two brothers sat in the living room while Huo Feng hurriedly brought over coffee. With the door closed, Hu Zhigang asked about the wedding preparations and apologetically said that he didn't have a gift to give.

  "Big brother, I'm not a poor household that can't even open the pot, gifts are also a burden to me!" Hu Zhiyong humorously said: "Thanks for letting Silver Screen sister go to me!"

  "In your words, we're swapping wives!" Hu Zhigang chuckled, indicating that each had gotten what they loved.

  "Is there something else this time?" Hu Zhiyong asked tentatively.

  "Yes!" Hu Zhigang directly spoke out about the Shanghai matter and also talked about Jiang Gong's preparation to surround and annihilate, the Red Party's plan to organize workers' strikes and occupy surrounding villages.

  Hu Zhiyong was well-versed in history and knew all about the situation at that time. He sighed, tapping on the table and asked: "The more you stir up trouble, the more fiercely the Nationalist Party will suppress it. The Northeast is now a political blind spot; why not send out large numbers of cadres to develop this place?"

  "It's tough! We have no foundation and no economic power." Hu Zhigang hesitated for a moment, but finally said: "The purpose of my return is to try out the development path in Northeast China."

  "Xifeng County, 35 kilometers southeast of the city, is Bingzhan Mountain. The land here is fertile and the forests are dense. You can develop south from there, and slowly connect with Xinbin. Brother, don't be impatient to succeed, first stabilize the foundation, then you can seek greater development!"

  Hu Zhiyong unfolded the map, pointing to Xifeng County and its surroundings, and said to his older brother. Hu Zhigang was astonished: "The Japanese army has a large number of troops stationed around here, once something happens, they will suffer a crazy counterattack!"

  "Big brother, the training must be hidden in the depths of the forest where no one can find it. The place for development should not reveal even a hint of its existence. You can even send people to work for the Wa country, and this way you will have good protection."

  Hu Zhigang was deep in thought for a long time before saying, "Alright, I'll go back and report to my superiors. It's not up to me to decide what to do specifically. Third Brother, prepare some weapons and ammunition with me. What can I do without any equipment?"

  Hú Zhìyǒng smiled slightly and held up two fingers. Hú Zhìgāng let out a disappointed sigh: "Two?"

  "Two battalions." Hu Zhiyong looked at his big brother's surprised expression and said with a smile: "I can assign an instructor to you, and guarantee that I will replenish your ammunition in the future. If the Japanese army surrounds you, I will also send troops to rescue you."

  "Good three brothers!" Hu Zhigang smiled, expressing his gratitude for Hu Zhiyong's brotherly love.

  "This is a batch of gold, not too much, enough for you to squander for a while." Hu Zhiyong shouted over to Huo Feng, asking her to take out twenty gold bars.

  "Third brother, it's too much!" Hu Zhigang didn't dare accept it, he was a bit at a loss.

  "Remember, don't give this batch of gold to your superior, it's for your future development!" Hu Zhiyong told him seriously, indicating that he could leave.

  Miao Kexiu, the purpose of coming is also for ammunition problems. Deng Tiemei's troops developed rapidly, and there were not so many weapons and ammunition for more than 10,000 people. Hu Zhiyong thought for a long time, worriedly said: "Should take the road of elite soldiers. If you blindly develop like this, you will soon be hit by the Japanese army! Alas, having a hot head is not a good thing!"

  Miao Ke Xiu was slightly displeased, his face twitching slightly as he asked: "We'll use silver and gold to buy it, the other things I'll consider."

  Hu Zhiyong fell silent, took over the gold and silver, and said: "You write down the quantity, I will send someone to deliver it to Tanggou Town and trade with you."

  Second Brother Hu Zhiqiang walked in, the two brothers exchanged greetings and started discussing his purpose for coming. Hu Zhiyong heard that he was being appointed as a guerrilla commander and burst out laughing: "Nowadays commanders are as common as cow hair, I'm not interested! To be honest, if you want me to start an uprising now, I won't do it! What is the National Army doing? Fighting with the Communist Party for territory? You're jumping into the fire pit yourself, and then coming to pull me in to die with you!"

  "Third brother, Shanghai is in a bloody battle, doesn't the national army have anti-Japanese resistance?" Hu Zhiqiang was anxious, and he became even more worried about San Di's unyielding attitude.

  "Shanghai? The 19th Route Army, led by General Cai Tingkai and Commander-in-Chief Jiang Guangnai, rose up in resistance. How many troops did you send over?"

  "We're just preparing to send troops over." Hu Zhiqiang equivocated.

  "The 87th and 88th Divisions of the Central Army, as well as the Taxation Police Corps and the Instructional Corps, are all under the command of the Fifth Army, led by Zhang Zhizhong, right? The Japanese army has 70,000 men, with troops including the Third Fleet, the Mixed 24th Brigade, and the 9th, 11th, and 14th Divisions. Second brother, you're preparing to move, aren't you? Hehe, who doesn't know that Old Chiang's trick is to 'pacify internally before resisting externally'?"

  Hu Zhiqiang was shocked, he felt intimidated by Hu Zhiyong's intelligence and analysis. Especially his analysis of the number of Shanghai National Army troops and the strength of the Japanese army made him feel that his third brother really had the talent to govern the country.

  The two brothers no longer spoke, sitting silently drinking tea and smoking. The door was pushed open, and Huo Feng came in saying: "Madam is asking for the second young master."

  "Alright, I'll go take a look at mother." Hu Zhiqiang, feeling embarrassed, took this opportunity to slip away.

  Hu Zhiyong leaned back on the sofa, rubbing his forehead with his hand and sighing. Huo Feng poured a cup of hot tea and sat down, carefully asking: "Is it the second young master again advising you to start an uprising?"

  Hu Zhiyong didn't answer, and instead wrapped his arms around Huo Feng's slender waist, saying: "Second Brother is beyond salvation, but within ten years it won't be too difficult. I admire Big Brother, unfortunately..."

  Hu Zhiyong hesitated and didn't speak, so he had to tell him: "Miss Chen has also returned, I heard that she is already married to the young master."

  "Is that so?" Hu Zhiyong straightened up and pushed the gold and silver in front of him forward: "Give it to her, consider it our gift!"

  Huǒ Fèng went out, Chen Xīnwén walked in: "Third Master, Guī Tián has purchased the fresh vegetables according to your request and they have been delivered to the dock."

  "Huai's car brought them back." Hu Zhiyong handed a cigarette to his uncle and asked about the situation of the guests who had arrived.

  "You've got a good relationship with people, over a thousand guests have arrived! San Shao, the congratulatory gifts are overwhelming, enough to cover all the expenses of your cement factory!" Chen Xingwen said with a smile, picking up the phone in the living room and dialing the transportation company.

  "Master!" Hu Pengsheng walked in and said to Hu Zhiyong, "At present, many people have secretly entered Zhuanghe, I'm afraid it's not good for you!"

  "Don't worry!" Hu Zhiyong said with a carefree attitude: "These people are only allowed to enter, not leave. We must keep them all here! Anyone who dares to approach our secret place will be killed without exception. We absolutely cannot expose the cavalry, special forces, arsenal and training base!"

  "Yes! Young master, the guard battalion is deployed in the county town. Are you considering arranging a sniper from the special warfare team at the high point of the bank's courtyard?" Hu Pengsheng was still asking for war, he was a bit worried about the people under Su Xiqing.

  "No need!" Hu Zhiyong smiled: "The guard battalion is no longer what it used to be, they have improved a lot recently."

  "Alright, I'll go and take care of the unknown matters!" Hu Pengsheng walked out, and Chen Xinyu started talking about Chen Xiuzhi. Hu Zhiyong smiled and said: "Second Uncle, you don't have to worry. Faith will make a person strong, even crazy, she won't betray her faith for temporary happiness! My big brother and she share the same aspirations, this is also a matter of each having their own loves."

  "Are you going to see her?" Chen Xinwen asked on purpose.

  "Second uncle, isn't it strange? I have no grudge against her, nor have we ever quarreled. Maybe it's because Sister Xiuzhi is too excellent, and I'm motivated by jealousy. Hehe, he doesn't take a liking to me, so it's better if he doesn't show up." Hu Zhiyong said with a hint of eeriness, but Chen Xiuzhi's arrival didn't disrupt his composure.

  Two flower palanquins came in from the east gate, and the wedding ceremony would take place before noon. Third Young Master, now that you're getting married, you mustn't flirt with girls anymore! Chen Xingwen already knew about Beryl's situation, and he was worried that the young man would do something foolish again.

  "Second Uncle, am I so unworthy in your eyes?" Hu Zhiyong shook his head helplessly and saw him off out of the living room.

  "Master, we've caught someone at Buxia Mountain who claims to be from the Revival Society." Li Erzhu was summoned over to command all troops, and this was his report as he walked in.

  "Fuxing Society? The Thirteen Taibao's Dai Li's people?" Hu Zhiyong was taken aback: "What are they here for?"

  PS: Today's recommended fine work, 12 o'clock in the afternoon will be updated with one more chapter. If there are 10 red flowers, I will update one more chapter; three collections will also update one more chapter; of course, the rewarders will not disappoint you!