Did he trick the young marshal into becoming sworn brothers and then go south to Huangpu Military Ac

Fourth Road, Huile Lane.

This is Shanghai's most extravagant den of iniquity.

On both sides were rows of Shikumen alleyways, with red gauze lanterns hanging, and the people coming and going were either warlords and politicians or compradors of foreign firms.

Lu Xiaojia booked the largest room in the Changsantang restaurant.

The private room was resplendent with gold and jade. The rosewood octagonal table was laden with delicacies from land and sea. A dozen or so beautiful courtesans dressed in cheongsams stood to the side, holding pipa and sanxian, ready to serve.

Lin Qi, dressed in a dark gray bespoke suit, walked into the private room, glanced at the group of women, and frowned slightly.

"Let them go out; their perfume is too strong and gives me a headache."

Lin Qi pulled out the chair to take the lead and sat down, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Lu Xiaojia was stunned for a moment. Coming to a place like this and not playing with women, but drinking vegetarian wine?

But he immediately waved his hand, and the madam quickly led the girls out, closing the door tightly behind them.

Only the two of them remained in the private room.

Lu Xiaojia poured the wine himself, raising the glass with both hands: "Brother Lin, this glass is for you. Cheers!"

This is an attempt to close the distance and test the limits.

Lin Qi picked up his cup and gently touched it to the glass, but didn't finish it, then casually placed it on the table.

"I've seen your Lu family's soldiers on the street too."

Lin Qi picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks and said without looking up, "The military appearance is passable. They're all carrying Hanyang rifles, mixed with a few Japanese Type 38 rifles. The light machine gun deployment rate is less than five per thousand. With this kind of firepower, it's enough to deal with thugs. If a real war breaks out, it won't last three days."

Lu Xiaojia's expression changed. This was a direct slap in the face. His father, Lu Yongxiang, was most proud of the fighting power of the Jiangzhe army.

"Brother Lin, you may not know this, but Jiangsu and Zhejiang are wealthy. The old man just bought a batch of Maxim rifles from the foreigners. Moreover, we also have the Shanghai Arsenal, so we have plenty of ammunition."

Lu Xiaojia couldn't help but offer a defense.

Lin Qi put down his chopsticks and chuckled softly, his laughter carrying a hint of pity for someone who looked down on a fool.

"Maxim? A water-cooled piece of junk discarded from World War I. Too heavy, with extremely poor mobility. In the south, where there are many waterways, after a few heavy rains, the gun carriages couldn't even be pushed out of the muddy puddles."

He picked up a napkin and wiped his mouth, his gaze sharp as he stared at Lu Xiaojia: "Buying guns is easy, but do you have the smokeless powder to make bullets? What level of sulfuric acid purification equipment does your Shanghai arsenal use? What is the pass rate for mercury fulminate in the primers? Have you tested the barrel explosion rate?"

A barrage of highly technical military terms left Lu Xiaojia completely bewildered; he had no idea what they were.

Normally, when purchasing weapons, he would just listen to the advice of his subordinates.

Lin Qi didn't stop, continuing to drop bombshells: "Under the restrictions of the Treaty of Versailles, Germany's regular arms factories ceased production. Most of the German goods circulating on the black market now are refurbished from small workshops. The Krupp mountain guns you're so proud of aren't even made with the original factory's special steel for their barrels; they'll deform after firing only a few dozen rounds. Without a basic heavy industry foundation, what you're buying are all disposable toys. Do you really think you can build a modern army just by throwing money at it?"

The private room was deathly silent.

Lu Xiaojia's hand, holding the wine glass, froze in mid-air.

Although he was a spoiled brat and didn't understand technology, he understood logic.

With just a few words, Lin Qi laid bare the true nature of the warlords of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, rendering them utterly worthless. What's most terrifying is that this data and analysis were so accurate that it was utterly disheartening.

Lu Xiaojia now finally understood why even a powerful warlord like Marshal Zhang and a playboy like Zhang Hanqing treated the person in front of him like an ancestor.

What's in his mind isn't Confucianism or Mencius's teachings at all, but rather a real industrial blueprint that can determine the outcome of war.

"Brother Lin... Brother Lin."

Lu Xiaojia swallowed hard, his voice trembling, not from fear, but from extreme fervor: "Since you've seen through all this, you must have a solution. If you're willing to offer some guidance, you can use any resources in Jiangsu and Zhejiang."

Looking at Lu Xiaojia's anxious appearance, Lin Qi's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile. Fooling a warlord's son was too easy.

……

Just as Lin Qi was completely reshaping Lu Xiaojia's perception inside the private room, a row of black cars quietly stopped in the rainy night outside the alleyway of Huile Lane.

The car door opened, and Du Yisheng stepped out through the puddles. He had just gotten himself into a mess at the Longhua Garrison Command.

Fortunately, Du Yisheng had many informants in the French Concession. No sooner had Lu Xiaojia gone to the Astor House Hotel to pick up someone than the news reached his ears.

There is no one else in Shanghai who can command such respect from Lu Xiaojia.

He keenly sensed an opportunity and led his men directly to Fourth Road to investigate the background of this mysterious big shot.

The second-floor corridor of Changsantangzi was blocked by Lu Xiaojia's guards. Seven or eight soldiers in civilian clothes with bulging waists stood guard at the stairwell, led by Lu Xiaojia's adjutant.

Du Yisheng raised his hand, signaling his men to stay downstairs, while he climbed the wooden stairs alone, his steps extremely light.

"stop."

The adjutant recognized the Green Gang godfather at a glance, his hand immediately reaching for the gun handle, his eyes wary: "Boss Du, this place is booked by our young master tonight. If you know the rules, step back."

Du Yisheng stopped three steps away from the adjutant, a friendly smile on his face. He didn't force his way in; forcing his way in would only result in him being punished.

"Sir."

Du Yisheng, speaking in a soft, gentle Shanghainese accent, slowly pulled two small, golden croakers from his sleeve and casually stuffed them into his adjutant's suit pocket.

"We're not here to cause trouble. Boss Huang was ignorant and offended Young Master Lu. We're here to apologize. We just want to ask, who is that guy inside who made Young Master Lu treat us to a meal? Please give us some pointers. The Green Gang will remember this favor."

The adjutant touched the gold bars in his pocket, his expression softening somewhat.

In Shanghai, no one wants to truly offend the Green Gang, but he glanced at the closed door of the private room, a deep sense of apprehension flashing in his eyes.

"Mr. Du, take my advice and don't go looking for trouble tonight."

The adjutant lowered his voice and leaned closer: "The gentleman inside is the sworn brother of Marshal Zhang of Fengtian, a tycoon who returned from America. Even our warlord has to be careful around him. Before you went in, you gave a strict order that no one was allowed to go in and disturb him, no matter what. If you go in now and anger that gentleman, you won't be able to save Boss Huang; you'll be the one who gets killed inside."

Du Yisheng's heart clenched suddenly.

Having spent so many years in the underworld, he knew all too well what a strict hierarchy meant.

A tycoon who can make the young marshal of Northeast China sworn brothers and make Lu Xiaojia serve him like a grandson—this kind of person holds not only money, but also resources powerful enough to change the course of the world.

It's useless to talk to Lu Xiaojia about the rules of the underworld, because Lu Xiaojia only recognizes power.

As long as he could get in touch with that guy inside and get him to say a word, Lu Xiaojia wouldn't dare utter a single word and would obediently send his boss back.

Du Yisheng didn't press the matter further and nodded tactfully.

"Thank you for the guidance, sir. I understand."

Du Yisheng turned and walked down the stairs. Instead of leaving Huileli immediately, he went into a private room on the first floor of the brothel.

He beckoned, and the madam of the brothel quickly came over. The madam was under the protection of the Green Gang and was extremely respectful to Du Yisheng.

"Find out exactly what that gentleman upstairs likes and dislikes, and what he said during the meal. Tell me every single word."

Du Yisheng's voice was deep and resolute, conveying an unquestionable attitude.

Less than five minutes later, the madam came running back, covered in sweat, to report.

"Boss Du, it's unbelievable! All of the dozen or so of the most popular girls were kicked out by that guy, who said they were too effeminate. Young Master Lu is inside pouring tea and lighting cigarettes, and he doesn't even dare to sit properly. I heard from the waiter who was serving the dishes that that guy has been lecturing Young Master Lu, using all sorts of foreign terms like guns exploding. Young Master Lu's eyes are wide open, and he keeps calling him 'Big Brother,' acting as submissive as a young master."

Du Yisheng took a deep breath.

All the clues in his mind instantly connected. He was not lustful and his aura was extremely terrifying. Even Lu Xiaojia was completely subdued by him.

Money won't work on this kind of person; you have to demonstrate your own and the Green Gang's value.

More than an hour later, the door to the private room on the second floor was finally opened from the inside.

Lin Qi walked out wearing a woolen overcoat, his expression calm and indifferent. Lu Xiaojia followed half a step behind like a follower, her face full of smiles.