Courtyard House: Initial Donation of 50 Million

Magistrate Zhao Guodong of Foshan County has been in a state of utter disarray these past few days. The conflict between the Shahe Gang and Jardine Matheson & Co. has escalated, the dispute over the docks and mudflats has yet to be resolved, and the relationship between foreigners and local residents is irreconcilable. Although he is an incompetent and mediocre official, he knows all too well that if the foreigners cause a major disturbance on his territory, his official rank and position will be in jeopardy. His advisor suggested that the county government should organize a "reconciliation feast," inviting foreign merchants such as Ji Shan, Jackson of Jardine Matheson & Co., and the respected local figure Huang Feihong, to watch a performance of "Mu Guiying Takes Command" by famous Cantonese opera actors at the newly built grand theater, hoping to ease the tense atmosphere with the peaceful atmosphere of the opera. This plan seemed prudent, and Zhao Guodong readily agreed.

Invitations were sent to both Po Chi Lam and the Foreign Merchants' Association. Wong Fei-hung initially didn't want to dine with such a madman as Ji Shan, but out of consideration for the county magistrate and hoping to use this opportunity to ease tensions and prevent further harm to the people, he ultimately decided to go with his aunt Thirteen, Wang Huanbo, and several disciples. Wang Huanbo knew that such a banquet was bound to be a bad one, and that the bloody tragedy depicted in the movie likely stemmed from this. He remained vigilant, carefully concealing two M1911A1 pistols and several magazines on his person (actually, storing them in his system space for future use), and instructed Porky Wing, Leung Foon, and others to be on high alert.

As night fell, the grand theater was brightly lit and bustling with activity. Magistrate Zhao Guodong sat in the main seat, flanked to his left by the arrogant Ji Shan, Jackson, and several British naval officers; to his right, the composed Huang Feihong, the slightly nervous Thirteenth Aunt, and the dignified Wang Huanbo. Even Zhao Tianba of the Shahe Gang was invited to sit at the very back, his eyes filled with malice. The first few rows were occupied by local gentry and merchants, while the back rows were filled with ordinary people who had bought tickets. On stage, the drums and gongs resounded, and the performance of "Mu Guiying Takes Command" reached its climax. Mu Guiying, spear in hand, killed the Peach Blossom Horse, displaying her prowess as a woman, drawing thunderous applause from the audience.

However, the dashing figures on stage contrasted sharply with the undercurrents of discontent offstage. Ji Shan and his group showed no interest in Cantonese opera, instead loudly proclaiming their opinions, drinking and making merry, and offering vulgar critiques of the performance. Jackson, in particular, treated Zhao Guodong with disrespect, bossing him around like a master. Zhao Guodong could only force a smile, inwardly groaning. Huang Feihong's face was grim, barely containing his anger. Thirteen Aunt frowned, indignant at the foreigners' rudeness. Wang Huanbo, meanwhile, observed coldly, noticing the Martini-Henry rifles carried by the British sailors leaning against their seats, their muzzles cold and menacing, as if ready to spit fire at any moment.

As the play reached its climax, Mu Guiying led her army to break through the enemy lines, her singing high-pitched and passionate. A drunken British sailor, perhaps provoked by the plot or simply looking for trouble, staggered to his feet, pointed at the actor playing the Liao general on stage, and began to hurl insults at him in English. He even tried to rush onto the stage to "teach this defeated Englishman a lesson" (he confused the plot with reality).

"Stop!" Wong Fei-hung, unable to bear it any longer, abruptly stood up and blocked the sailor's path. "Sir, you've had too much to drink. Please return to your seat!"

When Ji Shan saw Huang Feihong step forward, old and new grudges surged up in his heart. Seizing the opportunity, he slammed his hand on the table and stood up: "Huang Feihong! What do you want to do? Beat up British soldiers?" The sailors behind him also stood up, glaring angrily.

Taking advantage of the situation, Zhao Tianba fanned the flames: "Huang Feihong, the county magistrate and the foreign dignitary are here, how dare you be so insolent?"

Seeing that things were going badly, the audience below the stage began to stir.

"Mr. Jishan, Master Huang, let's talk this out, let's talk this out!" Zhao Guodong was so frightened that his face turned pale. He quickly got up to smooth things over, but his voice trembled and he had no authority at all.

In the chaos, one of the Shahe gang thugs threw a teacup, which smashed against a stage pillar with a particularly jarring sound!

"The mob has started!"

"Protect the adults!"

The Shahe gang seized the opportunity to shout! The scene instantly spiraled out of control! The crowd shoved and pushed in terror, and cries and curses filled the air!

"Bang!"

A sharp gunshot shattered the noise! ​​It was unclear which sailor had pulled the trigger in a panic! The bullet struck a lantern on the roof of the stage, and flames instantly erupted!

"Mob attack! Open fire!" A mad glint flashed in Ji Shan's eyes as he seized the opportunity to give the order! He had long wanted to find an opportunity to teach Huang Feihong and these "disobedient Chinese" a lesson!

"Bang bang bang—!"

The well-trained British sailors instinctively raised their Martini-Henry rifles and opened fire on the chaotic fleeing crowd! This rifle, with its long range, high accuracy, and immense lethality, caused terrifying casualties at close range!

"what!"

"My legs!"

"The child's father!"

Bullets pierced flesh, blood splattering everywhere! People fell like wheat being harvested! The theater had truly become a scene of carnage! Screams, wails, the sounds of tables and chairs collapsing, and the crackling of flames mingled together!

"You beasts! Stop!" Wong Fei-hung roared, his eyes bloodshot, and used his lightness skill to leap like a roc towards the sailors who had opened fire, trying to stop the massacre! Several sailors turned their guns on him!

"Master, be careful!" Wang Huanbo, who had been on high alert, immediately took out the M1911A1 (the one brought by the United States) from his system space. However, he did not shoot the sailors directly (to avoid triggering a diplomatic war), but instead aimed at the ground beneath the sailors' feet and the insignificant wooden pillars next to them!

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

A crisp gunshot rang out, bullets striking the bluestone slabs and sending sparks flying as they hit the pillars beside the sailors! This sudden, precise shot and unfamiliar gunshot startled the sailors, causing them to pause in their movements and buying Huang Feihong a precious moment!

Taking advantage of the situation, Wong Fei-hung burst into the group of sailors, his fists and feet moving like lightning, instantly taking down two men and seizing a rifle! But he immediately became the target of everyone's attacks! More sailors surrounded him!

In the chaos, Ji Shan saw an opportunity! He quietly drew his revolver, hid behind the crowd, a sinister smile on his face, and aimed the gun at Huang Feihong, who was fighting with several sailors, in the back! He was going to take advantage of the situation to strike!

"Master Huang! Watch out behind you!" A frantic voice rang out! The foreign priest (the relatively upright pastor in the movie) who had been sitting next to Ji Shan with a look of pity on his face discovered Ji Shan's plot. He rushed out without hesitation, trying to block the bullets with his body!

Ji Shan grinned maliciously and pulled the trigger!

At this critical moment! Wang Huanbo, who had been keeping a close eye on the treacherous Ji Shan out of the corner of his eye, made his move! The super-fast reaction speed brought by the [Super Soldier Serum] and the precise shooting ability of [Advanced Firearms Proficiency] erupted instantly! He barely needed to aim at his M1911A1; he simply raised his hand and fired based on instinct!

"Bang!"

The bullet didn't hit Jishan, but struck the hammer of his revolver with perfect accuracy!

With a sharp clang, Ji Shan felt a violent jolt in his wrist. The hammer of his revolver was twisted and deformed, and the entire bolt jammed instantly! He was terrified, and the pistol slipped from his hand and fell to the ground!

The foreign priest lunged at Huang Feihong from behind, but the expected bullets did not come. He turned around in shock and saw Jishan's pistol being shot down and Wang Huanbo standing there with a gun in his hand!

Huang Feihong also realized that the crisis behind him had been resolved. When he turned around and saw this scene, he was filled with gratitude for Wang Huanbo! At the same time, he was extremely angry at Jishan's despicable act!

"Wang Huanbo! You...you dare to attack an American citizen with a gun!" Ji Shan screamed, pointing at Wang Huanbo, both shocked and furious.

The sailors' guns instantly turned partially towards Wang Huanbo!

Wang Huanbo showed no fear, his gun lowered, but his eyes were as cold as knives. He shouted in fluent English, "Jishan! I fired the gun you intended to use to murder! If it weren't for the priest's intervention, Master Huang would have already fallen victim to your cruelty! Your indiscriminate killing of innocent people is the real atrocity!"

His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly overwhelmed the chaos, carrying an undeniable authority. The sailors looked hesitantly at Ji Shan and the still-shaken priest.

By this time, the fire in the theater was raging, causing heavy casualties and utter chaos. Magistrate Zhao Guodong had long since hidden under a table in fear. The Shahe Gang members took advantage of the chaos to slip away. Under the officers' orders, the British sailors began to close their ranks, warily watching Wang Huanbo with his gun and Huang Feihong and his men, who were glaring angrily.