The Republic of China: From Storyteller to God

In a room in the backyard of Po Chi Lam, Wong Fei-hung sat at an eight-immortal table, drinking tea with a serious expression.

Across the octagonal table sat a middle-aged man in a suit, with a wide-brimmed hat beside him.

"Master Huang."

The middle-aged man spoke with a strong Hunan accent, his speech slow but remarkably firm: "I just returned from Hezhou in eastern Guizhou. There have been two cases of man-eating demons there since last month."

At the end of last year, the former magistrate of Suining County in Xiangxi turned into a zombie and killed 27 people in Hejia Village.

Such cases are not isolated incidents; they have been occurring repeatedly over the years.

The victims had nowhere to turn for help; I witnessed all of this with my own eyes. How could it be false?

After listening to his words, Huang Feihong remained silent for a moment before calmly speaking: "Since the beginning of this year, Taishan and Shajing have experienced successive disasters of oyster crop failure."

However, local oyster farmers reported the matter to the government, but received no response.

I suspect that the authorities concealed the extent of the disaster for fear of being blamed by the imperial court.

The cases in Guidong and Xiangxi that the Assistant Superintendent mentioned are probably similar...

"snort!"

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by the middle-aged man with a cold snort: "Master Huang, even now, do you still think that it is the so-called treacherous villains who are deceiving the court?"

Do you really think that young emperor knows nothing about these cases?

"Isn't that right?"

Huang Feihong spoke sincerely: "Nowadays, corrupt officials run rampant, deceiving their superiors and subordinates. His Majesty is still young and has been living in the inner palace for a long time, so he is naturally easily deceived by treacherous people."

"Haha! What a joke!"

The middle-aged man sneered: "Then why is it that we rebels are always spotted by those lackeys and henchmen as soon as we arrive in any place?"

That young emperor isn't as incompetent as you think.

"My Lord".

Huang Feihong cupped his hands in greeting: "I am merely a doctor, and I truly know nothing about matters of state."

"Master Huang is being modest."

The middle-aged man looked at him and said in a deep voice, "You are still the Black Flag Army instructor and the chief instructor of the militia. Now, the local militias in Guangzhou Prefecture all follow your lead."

"My Lord..."

Huang Feihong spoke again, but was interrupted by the middle-aged man waving his hand: "Don't call me sir, I'm not a corrupt official of the imperial court."

Just call me Huang Zhen. We're family, no need to stand on ceremony."

"Well... then I'll take the liberty of calling you Brother Huang!"

Huang Feihong cupped his hands in greeting before sighing, "Although I was once the instructor of the Black Flag Navy, that was all in the past."

Although I am still in charge of the militia, as you know, the brothers in the militia are mostly local vagrants and idlers.

Now I am just a doctor, and I am content as long as I can rely on Po Chi Lam to take care of these brothers.

Huang Zhen remained silent, but his gaze remained fixed on Huang Feihong.

He didn't know kung fu, but Huang Feihong felt immense pressure being stared at by him, so he cleared his throat and looked away.

"it is good."

Huang Zhen spoke again: "Since you are a doctor, let's talk about pathology."

Diseases can manifest in various ways: in the skin, in the intestines, or in the bone marrow.

"Master Huang, what do you think is wrong with this banner?"

Huang Feihong also fell silent.

Huang Zhen's question comes from the story of Bian Que meeting Duke Huan of Cai.

When Bian Que first met Duke Huan of Cai, he reminded the Duke that there was a minor ailment in the texture of his skin, which might become serious if left untreated.

Duke Huan of Cai did not believe it.

When Bian Que saw him for the second time, he reminded him again that his illness was in his muscles and would become more serious if not treated in time.

Duke Huan of Cai still ignored him.

Upon meeting Duke Huan of Cai again, Bian Que once more warned him that his illness was in his stomach and intestines, and that it would worsen if not treated promptly.

Duke Huan of Cai was very unhappy and still did not believe it.

When they met again, Bian Que saw Duke Huan of Cai and turned to leave.

Duke Huan of Cai was puzzled, so he sent someone to ask him.

Bian Que said that minor illnesses are located between the skin's texture lines, and the medicinal effects of hot compresses can reach them.

The disease is located in the muscles and skin, and can be cured with acupuncture.

The disease is in the stomach and intestines, and it can still be treated with fire-based decoctions.

But if the disease has penetrated to the bone marrow, then that is a matter for the God of Fate, and doctors cannot cure it.

Duke Huan of Cai's illness had penetrated to the bone marrow, and there was nothing he could do.

Five days later, Duke Huan of Cai indeed felt pain in his body and hurriedly sent someone to find Bian Que.

However, Bian Que had already fled to the Qin state, and Duke Huan of Cai died from his illness.

Huang Zhen used this allusion to compare the Great Qi Dynasty, hoping that Huang Zhen would make an assessment of the current situation.

He knew why Huang Zhen had come to see him.

He didn't want to get involved in this mess.

But Huang Zhen's question brought back all the pent-up frustration he had felt in the past.

Seeing that he remained silent, Huang Zhen slowly got up, went to the window, and said in a deep voice: "Since the Sino-Japanese War, Japanese pirates and foreigners have repeatedly invaded. The court has been defeated in every battle and has repeatedly ceded territory and paid indemnities."

More than two million square kilometers of Liaodong were ceded, and the area south of Xin'an in Guangdong, including the Kowloon Peninsula, was also ceded to foreigners.

In the northern and southern concessions, foreigners acted arrogantly and domineeringly, while the Chinese were treated worse than pigs and dogs.

At a time of internal and external troubles, officials of all ranks in the court and local authorities are still levying exorbitant taxes, engaging in corruption, and oppressing the people!

This regime is rotten to the core! It's terminally ill! Incurable!

Huang Zhen became more and more excited as he spoke, and suddenly turned around, saying in a firm voice: "When maggots infest the mouth, only by removing the rotten flesh can a new life be created!"

"There is no other way to save the country now! Only through revolution!"

At this point, he quickly returned to his seat, leaned forward to look at Wong Fei-hung, and said sincerely, "Master Wong, I know you are not a coward who fears death."

You are kind-hearted and have a good reputation in the local area.

The militia brothers can't afford to eat, so they come to Po Chi Lam to get a pair of chopsticks.

The villagers were short of money and couldn't afford the medicine, so you often gave them away for free.

But you alone cannot save Daqi Chao from sinking ship by doing good deeds.

I have heard that starting next month, taxes in Guangdong and Guangxi will be increased by another 30%.

Even if you tear down the entire roof of Po Chi Lam, how many more chopsticks will you get?

"What?"

Wong Fei-hung suddenly stood up, astonished, and asked, "Another 30% increase? Are you disregarding the lives of ordinary people?"

What do you think?

Huang Zhen slammed his hand on the table: "Since those foreign tribes seized the country, have they ever treated us common people as human beings?"

Only by smashing this corrupt dynasty and creating a new era can the people have a glimmer of hope!

Huang Feihong's mind was in turmoil, and his expression was still one of struggle.

Seeing this, Huang Zhen stood up and grabbed his arm: "Feihong, if the tax collection is implemented, there will definitely be disasters in Guangdong and Guangxi this autumn!"

When the dead are starving and their bodies are everywhere, can you bear to stand idly by?

We rose up not for wealth and glory, but so that all the common people of this world could live with dignity!

"Brother Huang, you don't need to say anything."

Wong Fei-hung took a deep breath and gripped his hand tightly: "I, Wong Fei-hung, was born and raised here, and I will never stand idly by and watch my hometown become a place of starvation! I am willing to join!"

"Very good!"

Huang Zhen was overjoyed and grasped his hands tightly: "Our revolutionary cause needs virtuous men like you, my brother, to accomplish great things together!"

"Brother, you flatter me too much. I'm just doing my part for my fellow villagers."

Huang Feihong sighed with emotion, feeling somewhat uneasy.

Huang Zhenzhi's accomplices are all rebels. Getting entangled with them could lead to serious trouble if the court finds out.

Huang Zhen could see his worry and comforted him in a deep voice: "Brother, don't worry. We will not act rashly. We will plan every action carefully and think twice before we act."

Now that you are also a brother in my group, remember to keep it a secret, act cautiously, and never reveal your identity.

The imperial court's henchmen have a keen sense of smell. Lately, remember to be wary of unfamiliar faces, especially those from the north; they might be spies sent by the court.

Huang Feihong nodded, and was about to speak when he heard someone knock on the door.

Boom boom boom!

Huang Zhen and Huang Feihong suddenly fell silent, exchanged a glance, and their eyes were both somewhat solemn.

"Who?"

Huang Feihong spoke first.

"Master...Master, it's me."

The sound of tooth-chattering Sue came from outside the door.

Wong Fei-hung breathed a slight sigh of relief and explained in a low voice, "He's my disciple."

After saying that, he finally asked, "What is it?"

"There's a guest from Shandong who wants to see you. He says he has a friend from Tianjin who brought you a message."

Upon hearing this, Huang Feihong's heart sank, and he looked at Huang Zhen.

Huang Zhen's expression also turned serious.

Is it really true that what you fear most is what happens?

Are the imperial court's henchmen so well-informed? How did they find this place so quickly?

Seeing this, Huang Feihong thought for a moment, then raised his hand to Huang Zhen, signaling him to calm down: "I'll go out and take a look."

He dusted off his long gown and pushed open the door to leave the room.