The entertainment tycoon of the Republic of China

Mr. Jin Wenjun was close friends with Xie Yanyuan’s uncle Xiang Yanlin in Beijing. Later, because his only daughter was shot and killed in the New School Movement, he moved to Hankou to stay away from right and wrong. He did not associate with any old friends and devoted himself to improving his painting skills.

After Xiang Yanlin's accident in Beijing, no one suspected that he had left behind Jin Wenjun, but no matter how he tried, the old man seemed ignorant, and Mr. Jin had indeed left Beijing for several years. He also broke off contact with Xiang Yanlin, and the tempters from all sides couldn't attack for a long time, so they had to give up temporarily.

Xie Yan thought of Jin Wenjun, on the one hand, because he knew through Bai Luoqiu that the intersection between Jin Wenjun and Xiang Yanlin was deeper than what the outside world thought, and on the other hand, it was because of Mr. Jin's blatant hint on the opening day of the theater. up.

Originally, Xie Yan had no idea about the things Xiang Yan Lin left behind, he only wanted to protect them, and because of his busy schedule, he never visited the Jin Mansion; now that Wen Heng has an accident thousands of miles away, Xie Yan's mood has changed drastically. He will try all available avenues.

Even if the head is broken, it will not hesitate.

Guy Wen planned to escort Xie Yan to the exit away from Wen's compound through the secret passage, brought the carriage from Anzhuang, and rushed to Jinfu on the outskirts of the city.

Now the eyes of all forces are fixed on the Wen family, and this small car with an inconspicuous starting point and destination in the night did not attract anyone's attention.

Mr. Jin meant to hide from the world. The Jin Mansion was built beside a lake in the outskirts of Hankou, and there were no other people in a radius of hundreds of meters.Even so, in order to avoid revealing his whereabouts, Xie Yan still ordered the man to be careful, got out of the carriage ahead of time, and asked the man to climb over the wall from the backyard to pass the message without knocking the door.

Not long after, the lights were turned on in the Jin mansion, and the main entrance of the mansion opened. Mr. Jin stood inside the door with a paper lotus stick in his hand, angrily.

"I thought that Mr. Xie was a polite person, how could he let the villains break into my old man's bedroom at night!"

"..."

Xie Yan glanced at the guy who climbed over the wall, the guy scratched his head embarrassingly, not knowing how to explain.

Xie Yan's original intention was that he was afraid that Mr. Jin's house might have spies left by other forces, so he asked the skilled guy to climb over the wall and discuss with Mr. Jin directly. Law.

Although the method is impolite, it is expedient, simple and effective.

It's just that I didn't expect Mr. Jin to open the door so carelessly and come out.

"The younger generation has no intention of being disrespectful. I'm afraid that the old gentleman will have too many people here, and unnecessary troubles will arise." The only plan now is to explain.

Mr. Jin flicked the lotus stick a few times, and snorted again, "Young friend Xie underestimated the old man."

If Xie Yan realized something, Mr. Jin put on a smiling expression.

"It's cold and dew heavy at night, let's talk after we all come in."

Knowing that it was not wise to stand outside, Xie Yan could only bring his buddies into the Golden Mansion first.

A group of people walked around the screen wall before they reached the main hall, when several servants with big arms and round waists came carrying two people who were tightly bound and clothed, and the leader who led the way was actually a little book boy.

"Mister, everyone has been arrested."

Mr. Jin glanced at the two writhing and struggling people. They were all servants that his house had recruited in the past year.

The details of these people have been found out from the very beginning, and they have not been liquidated with the idea that revealing the truth would lead to even greater troubles. As for now——

"The surface of the lake is frozen in winter. The two of them wanted to dig into the ice to catch fish, but they fell into the ice hole and froze to death. You will find out tomorrow afternoon. Do you understand, Ocher?"

"Don't worry sir, I understand." The white and clean little book boy grinned, the contrast between what he had to do and his appearance was sharp.

"..."

The two tied up were dragged away by the servant woman and the book boy, and it is estimated that they will "die in the ice cave" soon.Looking at the attitude of the Jin Mansion and considering the current situation, it is not difficult to deduce that these two are the spies who were placed in the Jin Mansion.

However, it was rumored that he was obsessed with calligraphy and painting, and that the well-known Chinese painters in the literary and art circles actually had such a side, which still made Xie Yan speechless.

After thinking about it, Jin Wenjun was an official in the Qing court, and he had a good relationship with Xiang Yanlin. In the troubled times, he can still hide from the world and live alone. How could it be so simple?

Seeing his decisive side, Xie Yan felt relieved, and was even more sure that Mr. Jin must have something left behind by Xiang Yanlin.

When Xie Yan was observing Mr. Jin, the other party was also observing him.

When Bai Luoqiu rescued Xie Yan the first time, the old Mr. Jin who was far away in Hankou got the letter, but because he heard that Xie Yan had suffered from soul-loss disease, he didn't know the future and the past, so he could only keep silent.

After Xie Yan came to Hankou, he gained some fame by virtue of his current works and his status as a theater owner, and Mr. Jin saw it all.

Finding that this child is more intelligent and prudent than when he met in Beijing a few years ago, Mr. Jin Wenjun remembered the entrustment of his old friend, and finally took advantage of the opening of the present theater to give hints without any trace.

But now, the other party took the initiative to come to the door, and everything has come.

Mr. Jin glanced at the sky with his hands behind his back. He is not a cruel person, but he is not a good old man who only knows kindness and softness.Decades of ups and downs in life have brought him a wealth of experience and decisive skills.

The death of his only daughter really made him disheartened; but the calamity of China and the entrustment of his old friend also made him unable to stay out of it.

After tonight, the idle days of the past few years are over.

Mr. Jin laughed, stroked his beard, and carried the lotus stick on his shoulder.

"Thank you little friend, please."

……

After a restless night, the daytime of Hankou City came as usual.

The hustle and bustle of the racecourse gradually dissipated in the cold wind, and it was discovered that there were already walkers and vendors on the street in front of the theater.

Newsboys carried cloth bags and peddled along the street, and the guys rushing to work and the students who got up early were still yawning.

"Tianfu, don't rush to work, have you heard? There was an accident on the pier yesterday afternoon."

"What happened to the pier?"

"That's not right! The brothers who were working on the dock at that time said that the Japanese killed the second young master, and even threatened the boss, asking who would be the next to send him to death!"

Two sturdy men dressed as coolies on the pier walked and talked in a low voice. The topic of conversation was the rumor that had been quietly spreading throughout Hankou since yesterday——

Wen Heng, the second son of the ship tycoon Wen's family, died at the hands of the Japanese, and the Wen family's mansion was about to collapse.

He Tianfu patted his head with his big hands. He took leave two days ago to go back to his hometown to visit his relatives, and he only came back last night. He didn't know anything about these things.

"I don't believe it, the second young master is capable, and the owner is a well-known figure in the Yangtze River shipping industry, and he has to patrol to see him, how dare the Japanese!"

"I heard that the Japanese intercepted the owner's ship in Sichuan, and the second young master went to work, but was murdered outside."

"..."

"I can't believe it, but the Second Young Master has indeed not seen anyone for a few days. After the news spread, no one from the Wen family came out to speak. It is said that the lights in the Wen family compound were on until midnight last night..."

He Tianfu wiped his face fiercely, "You little Japan, killing our own family members in our house, is there any reason!"

"This is not the first time. Is the Japanese man-made crime still rare? It's just that I didn't expect that even the second young master of the master..."

Both of them were born in the countryside near Hankou. In the early years, when Fang patrolling was not established, foreigners slaughtered villages for a bowl of rice and half a bowl of water. Among them, the Japanese with the same yellow skin and black hair were the worst. , not only killing people, but also cutting off their heads and taking pictures to show off.

"How could I not know!" He Tianfu yelled in a low voice, "My cousin's little nephew, because a Japanese suffered from hay-and-willow disease, and he believed that smoking children's brains in folk remedies could cure the disease, so he chopped off his head and roasted it over the fire. Sucking brains! When the family found it, only the skull was left!"

He Tianfu closed his eyes, that little nephew who liked to pester him to buy sweets would never come back again.

Why he likes to listen to books, why he likes Guan Yunchang, Master Guan, and why he respects the Wen family so much. He just hopes that one day, such a great hero will appear in the land of Hankou.

"After Fang patrolled and guarded Huguang, foreigners have restrained themselves a lot. Over the past few years, the Wen family has suppressed them, so the previous tragedies have rarely happened, but now..."

It seems that something happened to Wen Heng, which hit more than one Wen family.

In Hankou and its surrounding areas, the Wen family and Fang Xunxu have become the guardian gods in the hearts of the Chinese people.Although the Chinese are still treated unfairly and oppressed heavily, it is much better than the early years when they were lying dead in the street.

The death of Wen Heng cast a thick layer of gloom on the hearts of all Hankou people.

"The Japanese even killed the Second Young Master without anyone noticing...you say we ordinary people..."

"Stop talking nonsense!" He Tianfu raised his fist and interrupted the workers, "It's still unclear whether something happened to the second young master, so don't let us curse first. Besides, there is Fang Xunxuan here, and it will definitely not make the Japanese look good. !"

"..."

Although he said so, He Tianfu still couldn't restrain his heart from beating.Similar conversations quickly spread throughout Hankou under the impetus of caring people.

Fang Qingming, whom He Tianfu placed high hopes on in Hankou Tourist Mansion, stayed up all night during the tour.

The morning clock struck six times, the hazy skylight outside the window gradually merged with the dim light of the desk lamp, and the desk in the huge study was full of documents.

The adjutant knocked on the door and got permission to come in.

"Inspection, both Sichuan and Gansu have sent telegrams back."

"How to say?"

"Huo Dingwang, the inspector in Sichuan, said he was ill and evaded it, and only said that he would send people to salvage and search for the sunken ship; Luo Longsheng in Gansu did not directly refuse, but only said that the place where the accident happened was at the junction of Gansu and Sichuan, and it was still the sphere of influence of the French. Think long term."

"Understood." Fang Qingming rubbed his brows, "It's the master who doesn't see the rabbit and doesn't cast the eagle."

Fang Qingming's expectation of the two's reactions.Sichuan is the sphere of influence of the French, and Huo Dingwang was able to hold his patrol position because of his prudence. Fang Qingming didn't have a deep relationship with him, so naturally he wouldn't get himself into trouble because of the Wen family's affairs.

As for Luo Longsheng, this one actually intends to join forces with Fang Qingming, and even entrusted Bai Luoqiu and his fifth son to send letters, but the matter of alliance has not yet been fully negotiated, and the place where Wen Heng's accident happened is on the border of Gansu , not in Luo Longsheng's main sphere of influence, it is reasonable for him to hesitate.

"Sichuan side, I didn't expect anything at first, I just made a show of informing, and I have to talk to Luo Longsheng again."

Fang Qingming rubbed his brows. If this incident happened in the Huguang area, he could directly send troops to suppress it, but it happened in other provinces, which were still in the territory of the French.

Wen Heng got his fancy. He also has two things in his hand, the pharmaceutical factory and the antidote to drugs. The Wen family is even the minister who helped him make a fortune. He was devastated.

Thinking of Wen Jiulou's gaffe last night, and the rare intersecting expression with Wen Rui, Fang Qingming felt very uncomfortable. He is also a father. Regardless of everything, Wen Heng is also the son of his old friend. He grew up watching him grow up. child.

Foreigners have always been dishonest, and have repeatedly attacked the wharf, and shipping is the top priority of the port cities along the Yangtze River. The reason why the Wen family is so eager to open new routes is to solve the difficulties in Hankou.

This time when Wen Heng went to Sichuan to handle errands, at first he and the Wen family thought it was just the French colluding with the local garrison to seize the ships, which was not a big deal, but they did not expect that it would lead to a disaster of killing people.

From this point of view, there was a problem with the information they received at the earliest time. This was simply a bureau specially set up for them!

... A part of the information seems to be from the Hong family and the Wen family when they proposed marriage?

Fang Qingming narrowed his eyes. No wonder Wen Jiulou asked for the right to temporarily obtain information from his intelligence system after talking to him last night.

His brother, known as a reckless man, is actually bold and careful, and with the addition of Yan Shuangxia, Mrs. Wen, he is even more experienced in strategizing.If he is ruthless, he should be able to quickly find out where the information is wrong.

As for the Japanese...

Fang Qingming's eyes showed coldness. The foreigner forces in Hankou were complex, and Japan was nothing to be afraid of. But if they act rashly, Western countries such as Britain, the United States, France and Germany will definitely intervene in order to suppress the Chinese forces.

The forces of these countries control most of Hankou's industrial industries and have garrisons. It is really urgent. Even if they win, it will not last long, and it will cause a major blow to the livelihood of Hankou and surrounding cities.

After all, foreigners don't care about the life and death of Chinese people.

Fang Qingming's eyes darkened. If this is a conspiracy planned by foreigners, then Wen Heng's accident is just the beginning, and there must be other goals in the future, so he must be careful.

But now the Wen family has been paralyzed because of Wen Heng's incident, and has lost its previous combat power. In Hankou City, the forces he can rely on are stretched short for a while.

At this time, Fang Qingming inevitably thought of Xiang Yanlin, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Qing Court who had met him a few times.

In terms of resourcefulness, employing people, and strategizing, no one Fang Qingming knew could surpass him.

It's a pity that there are no holidays, and in the end, he missed a step and suffered a catastrophe, causing Huaxia to lose his talent to save the world.

If Xiang Yanlin is still here...even the intelligence system he left behind can still be used...

Fang Qingming shook his head with a wry smile, telling himself not to think wildly, but to think about something practical.After Xiang Yanlin's death, the legendary list of intelligence forces under Xiang Yanlin was recorded in detail, but all parties tried their best to rummage through the sky, but they couldn't find it. He was probably burned by Xiang Yanlin long ago.

It's just a pity that such a large amount of power...

Fang Qingming sighed and took a sip of the overnight herbal tea, and was about to draft a new telegram to Gansu when there was another knock on the study door.

The person who came in was the old housekeeper of the patrol mansion.

"Inspection, a little gentleman named Xie Yan is asking to see you."

"Thank you Yan?"

Fang Qingming frowned slightly, and soon remembered who it was.Speaking of which, Xie Yan is already considered a half-celebrity in Fang Qingming's place. He has him in the modern theater that deals with the racetrack, he has him in the new school, he has him in the secret development of new drugs by foreigners, and he has a deep friendship with the Wen family, especially Wen Heng. With him, there is also Xiang Yanlin's matter...

Fang Qingming and the Wen family have a very close friendship, and he also knows something about Wen Heng and Xie Yan's affairs. He even prepared the wedding ceremony. Now that Wen Heng has an accident in Sichuan, Xie Yan will definitely run around anxiously.

But based on Fang Qingming's impression of Xie Yan, this young man taught by Yan Lin is not impatient, he has a mind far beyond his age, even if he is anxious, he will not do meaningless chores.

He must have a reason for visiting alone in the early morning.

Thinking of Xie Yan's life experience, Xiang Yan Lin's heart moved slightly, could it be...

"Uncle Zheng, invite Mr. Xie to come in. Let the people below pay attention, don't have a 'tail'."

……

Touring the outside of the mansion, the morning sun has already risen from the sky, looking at the gate of the mansion bathed in sunlight, Xie Yan let out a soft breath, the last time I came here, I was with Wen Heng...

"Mr. Xie, please do your inspection tour."

Pressing down on the tiredness of staying up all night, Xie Yan's gaze was as firm as a sword, and followed the butler who sent the message to the door in front of him again.

This time, alone.