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

The next morning.

The rain stopped completely, and the winter sun barely broke through the clouds, shining on the Huangpu River.

Lu Xiaojia's car stopped right on time in front of the Astor House Hotel.

This young master had specially changed into an extremely exquisite custom-made suit today, his hair was slicked back and polished, and he was carrying a briefcase as he hurried into the elevator.

Last night on Fourth Road, Lin Qi's overwhelmingly superior statement on military industry and firepower not only completely impressed Lu Xiaojia, but also prompted him to send a telegram to his father overnight to report the situation.

After hearing the report, Lu Yongxiang, the old man, was also shocked and broke out in a cold sweat.

Although Lu Yongxiang was an old warlord, he knew that the Maxim rifles and Hanyang rifles in his possession were of questionable quality.

After hearing his son recount Lin Qi's analysis of Krupp's special steel and smokeless gunpowder, he could no longer sit still. He sternly ordered his son to spare no expense in seeking a plan from this all-knowing Dr. Lin to enhance the firepower of the Jiangzhe army.

Inside the reception room.

Lin Qi had just seen Du Yisheng off and was wiping a fountain pen with a white cloth.

Lu Xiaojia greeted him respectfully as he entered.

"Brother Lin, I went back last night and immediately sent a telegram to my father. The old man was enlightened by your insightful opinion. He even scolded the technicians in his arsenal as a bunch of incompetent fools."

Lu Xiaojia rubbed his hands together, a broad smile on his face, and approached the coffee table: "The old man ordered me to come and ask you for advice today. How exactly should we reform our army in Jiangsu and Zhejiang to improve its firepower? As long as you are willing to point out the way, you can name any price for the military budget of Jiangsu and Zhejiang."

The warlords had a simple mindset: technology was money, and money could buy lives.

Lin Qi put the pen back in his shirt pocket, without pretending to be profound or putting on airs.

He turned and walked to the desk, opened the drawer, and took out a thick stack of bound documents.

The document cover has a title written in both English and Chinese: "Proposal for the Renovation of Primary Machine Tools and Deployment of Sulfur and Nitrate Purification Pipelines in Jiangsu and Zhejiang Ordnance Factories".

This was something he hand-drew during his free time these past few days, taking into account the existing industrial base of the Republic of China.

For science PhDs a century later, this is just basic industrial common sense, but in 1924, it was a priceless military secret.

Snapped.

Lin Qi threw the documents on the coffee table.

"Take it. The articles of association have already been written."

His tone was calm, without a hint of boasting: "It includes detailed steps on how to improve the temperature control of your existing open-hearth furnace, how to install desulfurization equipment, and the single-base gunpowder water washing process. Follow the blueprints, and within six months, your barrel explosion rate can be reduced to zero. Krupp cannon shell primers can also achieve partial self-sufficiency."

Lu Xiaojia was completely dumbfounded.

He originally thought that to obtain such core military secrets, he would have to bleed a lot of money, and was even prepared to give up some of the interests in Shanghai.

As a result, they didn't even mention money; they just handed it to me like a piece of waste paper.

"Brother Lin... this is too precious."

Lu Xiaojia held the stack of documents in both hands, feeling as if they weighed a ton.

"You and I are like brothers. Hanqing's friend is naturally also my friend, Lin."

Lin Qi leaned back on the sofa, picked up his coffee, took a sip, and said in an extremely amiable tone, "It's just a small favor, nothing to mention. With the defenses of Jiangsu and Zhejiang secured, Hanqing will have fewer worries in the north. We're all in the same boat."

Lu Xiaojia was so moved that her eyes welled up with tears.

He was used to seeing warlords arguing heatedly over a few broken guns, but he had never seen such a top leader who regarded core technology as dirt.

"I will never forget your kindness, elder brother!"

Lu Xiaojia suddenly stood up straight, patted his chest, and loudly guaranteed, "From now on, in this Jiangzhe region, you can walk sideways, brother! Anyone who dares to stop you will be shot dead by me! If you ever need my help, brother, I'll go through fire and water for you without batting an eye!"

That's exactly what I've been waiting for.

Lin Qi sneered inwardly, but his face remained calm and composed.

"Why fight and kill? I live overseas all year round, just wanting some peace and quiet."

He waved his hand, then suddenly frowned slightly, as if he had remembered something: "However, there is indeed a small matter that I need your help with, little brother."

"Big brother, please speak up!"

Lu Xiaojia, who was worried about how to repay the favor, immediately perked up his ears.

Lin Qi sighed, a perfectly balanced blend of reminiscence and helplessness in his eyes.

"It's a long-standing grievance. More than 20 years ago, my father's business ran into some trouble. At that time, an elder of the Green Gang in Shanghai helped him out. Our Lin family is in the business of manufacturing, and we believe in clear distinctions between gratitude and resentment. Before he passed away, my father instructed that we would repay this favor to the Green Gang sooner or later."

Lin Qi took out the silver dollar that Du Yuesheng had given him yesterday from his vest pocket and played with it between his fingers.

"Last night we were drinking on Fourth Road. Somehow, the Green Gang found out where I was and came to my door demanding a favor from back then. They said that one of their gang leaders, named Huang something, didn't know the rules and offended you, so you locked him up at the Longhua Garrison Command."

Lin Qi stopped what he was doing and looked at Lu Xiaojia.

"My Lin family owes them a favor that we can't leave unapologetic, brother. Could you please, for my sake and to give Hanqing some face, let this old dog go? Don't worry, I've already spoken to the Green Gang. They'll definitely not dare to provoke you in the slightest again."

He fabricated a flawless lie, perfectly blending his disregard for the Green Gang, his adherence to his family's integrity, and his peer-like relationship with Lu Xiaojia.

Lu Xiaojia didn't even think about it.

What is Huang Jinrong anyway?

He originally captured him to vent his anger, but now he can exchange the life of an old rogue for such a large military industrial plan from Lin Qi, and also repay Lin Qi with a huge favor.

Even a fool would know how to do this deal.

"I thought it was something incredibly important!"

Lu Xiaojia laughed loudly and waved his hand dismissively: "Brother, if you've given the order, don't even mention Huang Jinrong, even if it were the founder of the Green Gang, I'd release him immediately! That old bastard's being well taken care of in jail. I'll make a call right now and have someone personally escort him to the French Concession!"

"Brother, you're so righteous." Lin Qi smiled slightly.

Without bloodshed.

A basic industrial blueprint he casually drew, and a non-existent twenty-year-old favor, were exchanged for the lives of hundreds of thousands of members of the Green Gang.