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

Zhang Hanqing's pupils suddenly contracted.

The guns at the Fengtian Arsenal were indeed frequently exploding, causing the soldiers on the front lines to curse loudly.

This matter is an absolute military secret, strictly ordered to be kept under wraps by the old marshal, and it is impossible for outsiders to know about it.

Lin Qi casually tossed the disassembled parts onto the snow and looked up, staring directly into Zhang Hanqing's eyes.

"General, forgive my bluntness. Your army suffered a crushing defeat in the Zhili-Fengtian War. Do you really think it was just a tactical mistake?"

Lin Qi mercilessly ripped open Zhang Hanqing's sore spot, his speech quickening and his logic sharp as a knife: "Unstable gunpowder primers lead to a high misfire rate, poorly smelted firearms cause barrel explosions, and logistics coordination is a complete mess. You're not fighting a modern war; it's more like a gang fight among bandits from the Qing Dynasty. Using these firearms that don't even meet basic standards, you're trying to take on Wu Xiaogui's properly trained elite Beiyang Army. It would be a miracle if you didn't lose!"

Every word was piercing, every cut drew blood.

Zhang Hanqing's face turned pale and then red.

He was a proud man and a young man eager to change the status quo of the Northeast Army.

Lin Qi's words contained not a single word of flattery; they were entirely raw industrial data and cold, hard logic of war.

This comprehensive technical perspective was a devastating blow to Zhang Hanqing, a second-generation warlord who was still figuring out modern military tactics.

He believed it, completely and utterly.

A bandit or a swindler could never accurately pinpoint a metallurgical defect just by holding a gun, let alone lecture a major general who commands a large army in such a condescending manner.

Zhang Hanqing dismounted, his heavy military boots crunching on the snow, and strode quickly to Lin Qi.

The gloom on his face vanished instantly, replaced by an extremely warm and ingratiating smile.

"Dr. Lin! It's a misunderstanding! It's an absolute misunderstanding!"

Zhang Hanqing grabbed Lin Qi's hands and shook them vigorously, his tone as sincere as a child seeing his own father.

"My men, these roughnecks, are blind and have disturbed our distinguished guests. I, Zhang Hanqing, apologize to you!"

The dignified young marshal bowed his head and apologized in public, leaving the surrounding guards so shocked that their jaws nearly dropped into the snow.

Lin Qi secretly breathed a sigh of relief. His back was completely soaked with cold sweat, and the wind was icy cold, but he still maintained the aloofness and indifference characteristic of a highly intelligent intellectual.

He gently pulled his hand away from Zhang Hanqing's, frowned, and patted the cuff of his windbreaker.

"General, you're too kind. Since it's a misunderstanding, it's good that it's been cleared up."

Lin Qi's tone was distant: "I originally planned to thoroughly investigate the investment environment in Fengtian. Now it seems that the Northeast is too chaotic, and its basic industries are too weak, making it unsuitable for developing real businesses. I'll buy a boat ticket to Shanghai tomorrow. Goodbye."

Having said that, he turned and left, his steps steady and decisive.

The ultimate tug-of-war between the top cunning old foxes has officially begun.

Lin Qitai understood Zhang Hanqing's stubborn nature; the more you put on airs, the more he would think you were a hermit.

The more you show that you want to leave, the more he will shamelessly cling to you and treat you like royalty.

as predicted.

Zhang Hanqing was so anxious that sweat was pouring down his forehead.

What is the Northeast region lacking most right now?

Money! Technology! Highly skilled personnel!

It's not easy for a double PhD from MIT to fall from the sky, and he even brings a huge amount of overseas funds. If he were to run south and aid the enemy, the old marshal would whip him to death.

"Hey! Dr. Lin! Please wait!"

Zhang Hanqing even changed his form of address, quickly stepping forward to block Lin Qi's path, clasping his hands in a gesture of respect: "I was truly an idiot just now! You've traveled across the ocean to save the country; I admire your unwavering dedication to the cause. The Northeast is in dire need of rebuilding, and it desperately needs a pillar of strength like you! What's the point of you going to Shanghai? Those Jiang-Zhe tycoons only know how to exploit and oppress. If you stay in Fengtian, I, Zhang Hanqing, guarantee you'll have no obstacles in your path. You'll get land if you want, and people if you want!"

At this moment, Zhang Hanqing completely shed his airs of a young marshal, his eyes filled with eager anticipation, just like a child afraid that an adult would confiscate his toys.

Lin Qi stopped and stared at him intently, his gaze deep and unfathomable. After a long while, he let out a long sigh.

"General, saving the nation through industry is not child's play. What I need is absolute trust and delegation of authority. Do you understand?"

"Absolute trust! Dr. Lin, if you say east, I will never go west!" Zhang Hanqing patted his chest loudly.

"Okay. I'll stay and observe for now."

Overjoyed, Zhang Hanqing immediately turned and yelled at the captain of the guard, "What are you all standing there for! Go back and bring my Ford! It's snowing so hard, please get Dr. Lin in the car!"

As the wind and snow subsided, a sliver of sunlight pierced through the leaden-gray clouds.

The black Ford sedan bounced violently on the bumpy dirt road, while a small brazier burned warmly inside.

Zhang Hanqing personally poured Lin Qi a cup of hot black tea, rubbing his hands together excitedly.

"Dr. Lin, please rest at the guesthouse tonight. Tomorrow morning, I'll take you to the Marshal's Mansion to see my father! If the old man knows you're here, he'll be so happy he'll throw a three-day feast. With his full support, your chemical plant can break ground next month!"

Lin Qi paused slightly in his teacup, and amidst the rising steam, a glint of extreme calm flashed deep within his lowered eyes.

Go to the Marshal's Mansion? To see Zhang Yuting?

The veteran general is not like Zhang Hanqing, a hot-blooded youth who hasn't experienced the harsh realities of society.

He was an old fox who had risen from the bloody battlefield of bandits, climbing over countless corpses.

The Marshal's Mansion was a mixed bag, with Japanese advisors and all sorts of cunning and scheming staff members. As an unregistered person without even a real household registration, once he was put under such a spotlight, his "MIT PhD" facade would be stripped away within three days, leaving him with nothing but his underwear.

The more fatal point is that once the old marshal forcibly branded him with the Fengtian clique's mark, he would become a puppet trapped in Northeast China.

His real grand plan, the place he truly wanted to go, was the South, the Whampoa Military Academy, which was about to become a hub for talent from all over the world.

We must refuse, and we must refuse in a reasonable way, so that Zhang Hanqing feels that going to the Marshal's Mansion was an incredibly stupid mistake.

Lin Qi slowly blew away the foam on the surface of the teacup. Various strategies and tactics were frantically clashing and intertwining in his mind.

Outside the car window, the vast snow-covered plains of western Liaoning rushed past.

The only remaining sound in the carriage was the occasional crackling of burning charcoal.

Seeing Lin Qi remain silent, Zhang Hanqing felt inexplicably uneasy and cautiously probed, "Dr. Lin, what's wrong? Do you feel that my arrangements are inappropriate?"

Lin Qi put down his teacup, his fingertips gently stroking the rim.

He raised his head and met Zhang Hanqing's gaze.

A subtle, yet calculating curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.

How can we outsmart this naive young marshal and completely conceal our own identity?

The game of chess has only just begun.