You were tasked with guarding the Sihang Warehouse, and you brought out a Tiger tank?

"fart."

Lin Feng interrupted him directly, his tone very harsh:

"Eight out of ten of those intellectuals who advocate 'Great Xia, Japan, and Peace' have been paid by the Japanese to coerce us. The Japanese have occupied the four northeastern provinces and are now reinforcing North China; their wolfish ambitions are blatantly obvious. A full-scale war of aggression is inevitable."

He paused, then looked at Zhao Yushu: "Remember this, the Western powers are unreliable. They only know how to make money selling arms; when it really comes down to it, they won't turn against the Japanese for the sake of Great Xia."

Zhao Yushu was a little confused by what he said, but seeing Lin Feng's serious expression, which didn't seem like he was joking, she quickly nodded: "I understand. Then... when do I leave?"

"First thing tomorrow morning."

Lin Feng pulled a small cloth bag from his pocket and threw it on the table, where it jingled.

"Here's a small yellow croaker and a lot of silver dollars for your journey. When you get to Fenghua, explain the situation to my father. If he doesn't believe you, tell him that this is definite information I received from the army, and the Japanese will make their move no later than the beginning of August."

He actually knew the exact date was July 7th, but being too precise would only arouse suspicion.

"in addition……"

Lin Feng added, "If your family can provide some more money, that would be even better. Just tell them I want to expand the security force, buy guns and cannons, and prepare to fight the Japanese."

Zhao Yushu picked up the cloth bag, weighed it in his hand, and found it to be quite heavy.

He asked cautiously, "Brother, do you really think... it will turn out like that?"

"It will only get worse."

Lin Feng sighed, "Forget about that for now. Just deliver the message, say what you need to say, and do your best. If my father doesn't listen, that's fate."

Having taken over the original owner's body and gone this far, that's already quite generous of them.

Zhao Yushu nodded and carefully put away the cloth bag and the letter.

Lin Feng continued:

"The second thing is, while you're at it, ask around about any long-standing bandits in the mountainous areas around Qing County. They don't need to be too big, just a few dozen people will do, and the closer they are, the better."

The money I'm giving you is just for lubrication. Use it for personal gain. This is intelligence work, so gather as much information as possible. If necessary, use our family's network of connections..."

Zhao Yushu's eyes widened: "My dear commander, are you addicted to bandit suppression? You just finished Erlong Mountain, and now you're looking for new ones?"

Lin Feng glared at him: "What business is it of yours how I plan? Just ask around, stop with the nonsense."

Of course, he couldn't say everything he was thinking.

Suppressing bandits serves two purposes: firstly, it provides training for troops, as the local militia clearly lacks combat experience, and there are also new recruits to be recruited. Time is of the essence, and this method of training through combat is perfect.

Secondly, it can acquire resources, such as gold, silver, treasures, food, and weapons, which are all things he urgently needs.

Seeing Lin Feng's unpleasant expression, Zhao Yushu quickly smiled apologetically, "I was just curious. Okay, I'll find out, I'll definitely find out."

"Um."

Lin Feng's expression softened slightly: "I'll assign you two guards, so you can keep an eye on things on the road. Remember, be discreet when you're asking around, don't make a big fuss."

"clear."

Zhao Yushu stood up, then suddenly remembered something: "Brother, what about the Wang family... what are your plans to do?"

Lin Feng sneered, "Let them run wild for a few days. Once I'm ready, I'll deal with them."

He now has troops and systems at his disposal; what he lacks is money and time.

"Alright, go and get ready. We'll leave first thing tomorrow morning."

"Yes."

Zhao Yushu saluted, turned and left.

Lin Feng watched his departing figure and shook his head.

There's no other way; we've just started our business, and we don't have enough people we can use.

Although Zhao Yushu is a bit slick, he is still a relative, and the blood ties mean he won't betray you easily.

Moreover, this kid is quick-witted, has a sharp tongue, and is good at running errands.

We can train other talents gradually as the military expands.

He turned his gaze back to the map.

The finger moved back and forth near Qingxian County.

My mind raced, quickly processing the next steps.

Mass produce troops, earn money, train troops, familiarize yourself with the terrain...

Time is running out.

-----

On the other side, in the back garden of the Wang family mansion.

Artificial hills and flowing water, pavilions and towers—it's even more impressive than the county government office.

Master Wang Fuhai lay on a sandalwood recliner with his eyes closed, his fingers gently tapping the armrest in time with the creaking sounds coming from the stage.

He recently took in a pair of beautiful sisters, about sixteen or seventeen years old, who were bought from Yangzhou.

At this moment, one of the two knelt beside the chair and gently massaged his legs, while the other carefully fed him a peeled lychee with her slender fingers.

This is truly a life of bliss.

But Mr. Wang wasn't so comfortable.

In the past few days, he has sent several groups of people to find out what the security team is up to, and now the news is coming back one after another.

The sound of footsteps was soft.

The man who arrived was none other than Wang Congwen, the head steward of the Wang family. He was an old servant who had served him for over thirty years and was also a relative.

The man quietly walked to the recliner, bent down and whispered, "Master, I've found out everything."

Master Wang didn't open his eyes, but his fingers paused for a moment: "Speak."

"First, after Lin Feng returned to the garrison, he ordered closed-door training. The militia members were not allowed to go out at will, and they drilled every day. The shouts of battle could be heard from afar. Our informants in the security regiment said that they were only practicing digging and live-fire shooting, and they did it in a very professional manner."

"kindness."

Wang Fu paused, his voice even lower: "In addition, the losses of the security regiment are real. The Chen family in the west of the city and the Liu widow's family in the south of the city both received notices of their deaths. The sons of both families were local militia members. In the past two days, four or five funerals have been held in the county town."

Master Wang opened his eyes, his gaze turning cold: "It seems that not all the bandits of Erlong Mountain are useless."

"Yes. Moreover, Lin Feng has posted notices in the city these past few days, publicly recruiting soldiers to restore the security regiment to its full strength of 800 men. Judging from his actions, he has learned his lesson and is determined to train a proper army."

Mr. Wang sat up and waved for the sisters to leave.

The two girls lowered their heads and quickly left the pavilion.

The actors on the stage wisely stopped singing, and the garden instantly fell silent.

"Learned a lesson after a painful experience?" Master Wang sneered. "Do I not know what kind of person Lin Feng used to be? He was an expert at everything – frequenting brothels, gambling, and embezzling salaries. He changed his ways after just one bandit raid?"

Unaware that the head of the security team opposite had been replaced by a different soul, Mr. Wang subconsciously looked down on Lin Feng.

Wang Fu didn't reply, he just stood there with his hands at his sides.

Mr. Wang stood up, put his hands behind his back, and paced around the pavilion for a few steps.

The bluestone slabs made a clattering sound as he stepped on them.

"We can't let him recover."

He suddenly stopped, turned around and stared at Wang Fu: "Once he gets the troops up and running, and then uses the credit for suppressing bandits to climb the ranks... will the Wang family still have any say in Qing County?"

More importantly, there were his correspondence with the bandits of Erlong Mountain.

Did that old bastard One-Eyed Burn the Letter after reading it, or did he hide it?

What if those letters fall into Lin Feng's hands...?

Mr. Wang broke out in a cold sweat.

He was accused of colluding with bandits to frame the security regiment commander, and may even have been involved in collusion with the Japanese. His contact with that special envoy Komatsu was mentioned in the letter.

Any one of these charges would be enough to give the Wang family a hard time.

"We have to take action," Old Master Wang said fiercely. "Within the next few days."

Wang Fu looked up: "Sir, although the security force has suffered heavy losses, there are still quite a few men left, and they're staying in their posts. If we force our way in, I'm afraid..."

"Who said we were going to force it?"

Master Wang sat down again, a sinister smile appearing on his face: "If open methods don't work, we'll try covert ones."

He waved to Wang Fu.

Wang Fu leaned closer.

"You, take the train to the provincial capital first thing tomorrow morning," Old Master Wang said in a low voice. "Go to the Mitsui Company and find Mr. Ono. Tell him that I agreed to the conditions he proposed last time."

Wang Fu's pupils contracted: "Master, you mean... those weapons and ronin?"

"right."

Master Wang nodded: "Hasn't Xiao Ye always wanted to open a mine in Qing County? I'll agree to do him a favor. In exchange, I'll have him get me a batch of rifles and send a few skilled men over."

He paused, then added, "Remember, be quick. Tell Ono that after it's done, he can open mines wherever he wants in Qing County, and I'll take care of the taxes for him."

Wang Fu swallowed hard: "Master, this... is like inviting a wolf into the house."

"Wolf?"

Mr. Wang sneered:

"The Japanese devils are wolves, but isn't Lin Feng a wolf too? At least the Japanese devils give me money and guns, and they can help me get rid of these eyesores."

"Once Lin Feng is dead and the security force collapses, Qing County will still be under the control of my Wang family. Then, what if the Japanese want to mine? Hmph, I'm in charge of the county. Let them drag it out for three or five years, what can they do to me?"

This is typical businessman thinking: issue empty promises first, and deal with them later when it's time to cash them.

Wang Fu dared not say anything more and nodded: "Yes, I will go first thing tomorrow morning."

"besides."

Master Wang thought for a moment and said, "Send someone to inform all the gentry that our Wang family, out of compassion for the security regiments' arduous work and heavy casualties in suppressing bandits, has decided to take the lead in donating money to comfort them. The date is set for... July 5th. Let them all contribute something to make a good impression."

Wang Fu asked in confusion, "Sir, this donation..."

"It's just for show."

Master Wang waved his hand: "Firstly, to lull Lin Feng into a false sense of security, making him think we've backed down and lower his guard. Secondly, to reassure everyone that the Wang family is still in charge and that Lin Feng can't cause any trouble."

He picked up the covered teacup on the coffee table, took a sip, and his eyes were deep and unfathomable.

"Once Ono's guns and men arrive, we'll make our move. We'll pretend to be remnants of the Erlong Mountain bandits seeking revenge, and launch a night raid on the security regiment's outpost. In the dark, who can tell what's going on?"

"Once Lin Feng dies, the security regiment will be leaderless. Won't those newly recruited soldiers scatter in disarray?"

"At that time, I'll have my son Wenbo step forward as a returned officer cadet to clean up the mess and reorganize the security regiment. It'll all fall into place naturally."

Wang Fu was terrified, but dared not refute, and could only nod repeatedly: "Master is wise."

"clever?"

Mr. Wang put down his teacup and sighed.

He stood up, walked to the pavilion, and looked at the koi in the pond.

The fish are plump and swim leisurely among the lotus leaves.

Just like this Qing County, which should have been the pond belonging to the Wang family.

Lin Feng?

It was just a wild fish that had wandered in.

It needs to be cleaned up.

"Go."

He waved his hand: "Get things done. Remember, you must see Ono himself in the provincial capital. Among those ronin, pick the ruthless ones, the ones who have seen blood."

"Yes."

Wang Fu bowed and withdrew.

On the stage, once the master had finished his business, the actors resumed their singing.

Mr. Wang lay back down in the chair and closed his eyes.

Her fingers began to tap lightly in time with the singing.

It was as if everything was under control.

There are still a few days left.

almost.