Black Flag Army

After hearing Han Fuju's words, everyone at the banquet suddenly became quiet, including Feng Jishan, and everyone looked at Di Xiong's reaction. Di Xiong understood at a glance that this was Feng Jishan's intention, but he just said it through Han Fuju's mouth.

Di Xiong calmly took a sip of tea and said with a smile, "I can accept these wounded soldiers, but there is a condition. I hope to formally become sworn brothers with Brother Feng."

Feng Jishan smiled when he heard it and said, "That's absolutely no problem. It's not a condition at all. Wang Jinming and I are sworn brothers. You are his brother-in-law, and you have helped us so much. I have already regarded you as a brother."

So after the meal, they set up an incense table in the tent and lit three incense sticks. The two men kowtowed and swore in the presence of Song Zheyuan and Li Mingzhong, and exchanged gold sworn brotherhood notes. At this time, Feng Jishan was 29 years old and Di Xiong was 21 years old, so Feng Jishan was the elder brother and Di Xiong was the younger brother. Feng Jishan took the matter of sworn brotherhood very seriously, and later Chiang Kai-shek took advantage of his weakness and tricked him. Di Xiong did not expect that his sworn brotherhood with Feng Jishan would last for a full 15 years. Until June 1927, when Feng Jishan and Chiang Kai-shek announced their joint anti-red movement, Di Xiong published an article in the newspaper and broke up with Feng Jishan.

Zhang Zhenyang was a burly man in his thirties with thick eyebrows. When he heard that Di Xiong not only agreed to take him in but also made him an instructor, he was very grateful. He was about to kneel down and kowtow with the help of his crutches, but Di Xiong quickly supported him.

Under the setting sun, two horse-drawn carriages carrying more than 30 disabled soldiers arrived at the intersection of Nankou Town. Zhang Zhenyang got off the carriage with a cane and looked at the security team guarding the crossing in surprise. There was a tall and solid brick bunker built at the crossing, and a Czech light machine gun was mounted on the firing port of the bunker. The security team members were wearing brand new military uniforms, with serious expressions and standing upright. It was obvious that they were trained soldiers, and they all carried brand new German-made Mauser rifles.

Among the more than 30 disabled soldiers under Feng Jishan, the highest-ranking one was a second lieutenant deputy platoon leader named Zhu Anbang. Zhang Zhenyang lost his left leg, and he lost his right leg. He said to Zhang Zhenyang: "The weapons of these security teams are much better than ours."

Zhang Zhenyang said: "This is the first time I have found such well-equipped security guards."

Di Xiong saw that Zhang Zhenyang looked strange, so he asked, "Instructor Zhang, did you find anything strange?"

Zhang Zhenyang said: "Your security team is so well-equipped that you even use Czech light machine guns and German Mauser rifles. You know, many Beiyang armies don't have these new weapons, only some old-fashioned rifles."

Di Xiong said: "There is nothing strange about this. Foreign companies have plenty of arms. As long as you have money, you can buy them."

Di Xiong instructed Leng Hanbing to make arrangements for Zhang Zhenyang and others. As soon as he returned to the office, he saw Li Fei and said, "Boss, our people in the textile factory have discovered that there are a few suspicious guys sometimes hanging around nearby. From the description of their dress by the guys, they might be gangsters."

Di Xiong said, "They are probably members of the local Beilang Gang. We have a lot of things to do today. We also need to invite Instructor Zhang and his team to visit our factory. We should arrange for the security team to patrol nearby. If there are any suspicious people, arrest them immediately. These are just a few minions. We won't act rashly."

Li Fei nodded and arranged for his brothers to go on patrol.

The next morning, Di Xiong invited Zhang Zhenyang, Zhu Anbang and other officers to visit the textile factory he set up in Nankou Town. In the factory, the sound of textile machines continued. More than a hundred female workers were working hard in each workshop, and dozens of female workers were already busy and sweating. They began to take turns to rest and drink water. As a soldier, Zhang Zhenyang knew very little about textile work, and responded to Di Xiong's introduction casually. Suddenly, he found a familiar face among the resting female workers, and felt a little confused, so he said to her: "Aren't you Ji Fang, a fellow villager from Jinan? Why are you working here? I remember you were working in the East Asia Textile Factory a few months ago."

The female worker was in her thirties and thin. She was also surprised and said, "Isn't this Platoon Leader Zhang? Are you here for inspection? East Asia Textile Factory? It's really not a place for people to stay. The wages are too low, the environment is too bad, and we have to work more than ten hours a day. When we female workers leave the factory gate after get off work, the supervisors touch us in the name of body search and theft prevention. Those with pretty looks are ruined. They are simply beasts. If you work slowly or produce defective products, you will be beaten in various ways..."

When Zhang Zhenyang, a fellow villager, asked about the East Asia Textile Factory, Ji Fang couldn't help but pour out her bitterness, complaining about the abuse she suffered in the Japanese factory. Finally, she said, "I heard from my good sister Lu Cainiang that Boss Di's factory here pays well. Working more than ten hours a day in the Japanese factory only earned two or three hundred copper coins a month, but Boss Di only works eight hours a day and can get three or four hundred copper coins, and the most he can get is five hundred copper coins. He treats the workers with conscience, and the managers abide by the rules and don't bully the female workers. The canteen and dormitory conditions are also very good. There is meat for one of the three meals in the canteen, and there is hot water for bathing every night in the dormitory. So I came here with them last month."

Zhang Zhenyang said with emotion: "In such a dark period in the world, it is rare to see a kind person like Mr. Di!"

Soon, Di Xiong brought Zhang Zhenyang to the iron factory, where they saw a bustling workplace with bright red flames rising and falling in the furnace, as bright as blood-red flowers. The workers were sweating profusely. Some of them kept adding coal to the fire, some were checking the quality of the steel, and some were holding hammers, hammering on the unfinished weapons over and over again.

At this time, Di Xiong said, "Instructor Zhang, Platoon Leader Zhu! The sword and javelin that were given to Brother Feng a few days ago were all made here. This factory has only been reopened not long ago, and the workers' skills are not mature enough. If those weapons are defective, I hope Brother Feng will forgive me."

Zhu Anbang said, "Boss Di, what are you talking about? The life in the reserve camp is difficult, the military pay is short, and we are excluded by those bastards in other camps. Not to mention swords and spears, many people even have to rotate their weapons. Some people want to use the shoulder poles and kitchen knives of the kitchen squad. Captain Feng has asked his superiors for replenishment of weapons many times, but has never received a reply. The weapons you provided at that time were really a timely help. You are really a great benefactor to the reserve front camp."

Di Xiong quickly said: "No, no, I heard that Brother Feng is very caring towards Wu Chunlei, and now he has become a platoon leader. My help is not a big deal."

After the two of them praised each other for a while, Di Xiong continued, "Instructor Zhang, you can see that these small factories of mine have just started up. Although the investment cost is not high, I will never treat the workers unfairly in terms of wages. However, even for newly established factories, there are still many forces eyeing them, and they want to destroy my hard work in various ways. For example, the Beilang Gang, as a local snake, wanted to collect protection fees from me, but I refused. These people put their own interests first and will never give up. When I took you to visit the textile factory before, many female workers from the East Asia Textile Factory came to work here. The East Asia Factory was a tool used by the Japanese to make dirty money. If the workers leave, they will definitely take action here."

Zhang Zhenyang said: "Although I have a broken leg, if Boss Di needs my help, I will do my best."

Seeing Zhang Zhenyang's attitude, Di Xiong said, "I told Brother Feng before that I invited you here to be an instructor. I have only more than 150 security guards, and they are not enough to guard the company, three factories, and a restaurant to deal with powerful gangs. I can only count on the patrol battalion. Although there are more than 300 people in the patrol battalion, most of them are untrained recruits. The battalion commander Leng Hanbing also holds other positions and is too busy to handle it. So, I appoint you as the deputy battalion commander and chief instructor. You are actually in charge of this battalion. I hope you can help me train this army according to the requirements of the 20 regiments of the Beiyang Army to protect my factories and the people in the town. If those disabled brothers are interested, they can also come to help. I will not treat you unfairly in terms of military pay."

Zhang Zhenyang said: "Thank you for your trust, Boss Di. I will do my best." Zhu Anbang also expressed his gratitude.

July 17th was the anniversary of the death of Leng Hanbing's parents and grandparents. That morning, Leng Hanbing took out the incense, paper money and offerings he had bought in advance and placed them on the altar in front of the spirit tablet. He did not hire anyone, and the huge three-bedroom and one-living room house was empty and very quiet, although with his current income, he could afford to hire a dozen servants.

Leng Hanbing lit the incense and candles with a lighter, and then there was a knock on the door.

Leng Hanbing asked, "Who's outside?"

Bai Xiuling's voice came from outside: "It's me!"

Leng Hanbing felt warm in his heart. Bai Xiuling actually remembered the anniversary of his family's death. He had only told Bai Xiuling the date of this anniversary.

When I opened the door, I saw Bai Xiuling wearing white underwear and a black jacket, a plain dress, with a small white flower on her left breast. She was holding a bag of paper money and offerings in her hand. She was indeed here to pay homage.

Bai Xiuling first knelt down and kowtowed before burning paper money.

Leng Hanbing couldn't help but ask, "Are you still with Boss Di?"

Bai Xiuling nodded and said, "Yes, you are the head of the Supervision Section, how could you not know?"

Leng Hanbing asked, "Then why did Lan Jinchun, the younger sister of Lan Jie, become his fiancée? Isn't he getting tired of the old and falling for the new? Or is he two-timing?"

Bai Xiuling said, "That was something Mr. Di and Sister Lan discussed with me, and I agreed. In order to deal with the pursuit of several wealthy young men, Lan Jinchun had no choice but to pretend to be his fiancée."

Leng Hanbing said, "Fake? I see Lan Jinchun has been visiting Boss Di quite often recently, and it seems that she has been bewitched by him. If something is fake, it will become true."

Bai Xiuling said: "Even if it becomes true, I won't blame him. You know my past. How can a dirty woman like me be the wife of the chairman of Weili Company? I am satisfied to be his mistress."

Leng Hanbing sighed and said, "I didn't expect that you would rather be his mistress than marry me. Am I so bad?"

Bai Xiuling said, "You are also an excellent man. Among our five young masters of the Flying Eagles, Mr. Di values ​​you the most. He made you a Mozi and the head of the Supervision Section in the Justice Party, a director and the manager of the Supervision Department in Weili Company, and also the commander of the Patrol Battalion. Who can say that you are not good? It is precisely because you are too outstanding that a woman like me with a bad reputation cannot marry you and bring trouble to your reputation."

Leng Hanbing suddenly rushed up and hugged her, saying: "But I don't care about your past."

Bai Xiuling did not move, letting him hold her tightly. She said calmly: "Mr. Di doesn't care either, but you never imagined that after you get married, the powerful public opinion will drown you like the sea, and then you will regret it terribly."

At this time, footsteps were heard outside the door. Bai Xiuling said, "I'm sorry! I also notified Mr. Di and the others, and they are all here to pay their respects."

Leng Hanbing had no choice but to let her go and opened the door. Four people came in: Di Xiong, Hong Tianlie, Wu Chunfeng and Wu Chunlei. They were all dressed in plain clothes and carrying sacrificial items. Leng Hanbing didn't expect Wu Chunlei to come as well.

Di Xiong said in a heavy tone, "Brother Leng! Today is the anniversary of your family's death. Why didn't you tell us? We are brothers, and your parents are our parents! How can we let you worship alone? I asked Wu Chunlei to take leave and come back."

Leng Hanbing was originally dissatisfied with Di Xiong, thinking that he was two-timing. After Bai Xiuling's explanation, she realized that she had misunderstood him. Now, hearing him say these words again, her eyes became hot and tears almost fell.

He said to Di Xiong: "Brother! Thank you for coming to pay your respects!"

This was the first time he called Di Xiong "Big Brother". Before that, the other members of the Flying Eagle Five called him "Big Brother" or "Brother Xiong", but Leng Hanbing was the only one who called him "Boss".

After everyone paid their respects, Di Xiong said to Hong Tianlie and the others, "When I taught you history before, I only mentioned the Hailanpao Massacre in passing, but didn't go into detail because there were so many rumors and we didn't know which were true or false. Today, let the eyewitnesses of the tragedy tell you about it."

Leng Hanbing was stunned and didn't say anything. Bai Xiuling said, "Hanbing! Tell me, you have been holding this matter in your heart for twelve years. You can only feel relieved if you tell it out. Everyone here is your brother. What can't you say?"

So Leng Hanbing spoke of the Hailanpao Massacre in a calm tone. He was only five years old that year. The village where his family lived was one of the dozens of villages under the jurisdiction of Hailanpao. The village had a population of more than 200. When thousands of Tsarist Russian troops attacked, the villagers also resisted, but a small number of hunting rifles and bows and arrows could not stop the opponent's muskets and cannons. Most of the villagers were killed in the village, including Leng Hanbing's grandparents. The rest were driven to the north bank of the Heilongjiang River by the Russian army on three sides. Along the way, people were shot and killed or stabbed to death by bayonets. When they retreated to the river, there were less than 50 people left, and together with the villagers from other villages, there were thousands of people. The Tsarist Russian army set up cannons and machine guns to bombard and fire. The villagers were forced to jump into the river. Leng Hanbing's father picked up an abandoned old wooden basin by the river, put Leng Hanbing in the old wooden basin and pushed him to swim. The Tsarist Russian army machine guns fired at them, and Leng Hanbing's parents blocked bullets for him and were shot and killed one after another. The surface of the Heilongjiang River was filled with corpses and the water was dyed red with blood. Of the more than 6,000 Chinese people in Hailanpao, only 84 swam to the south bank alive. Leng Hanbing was the youngest among them.

Di Xiong said: "Many people know about the Hailar Massacre because many people witnessed it on the south bank at the time, including local officials of the Qing court, who later reported the incident to the Qing court. What many people don't know is that the same massacre took place in many places in Outer Northeast, including Khabarovsk, Miaojie, and Vladivostok. About 200,000 Chinese were massacred in the entire Outer Northeast. The purpose of the Tsarist Russians doing this was to plunder the Chinese wealth, housing and land, and completely erase the traces that Outer Northeast once belonged to China. Therefore, it is the historical mission of our Justice Party to demand blood debts from the Tsarist Russians and recover Outer Northeast, including Hailar."

Bai Xiuling raised her right hand with tears in her eyes and clenched her fist, saying loudly: "Eliminate the Russian bandits and recapture Outer Northeast!"

Others also followed suit and shouted: "Eliminate the Tsarist Russian bandits and recover Outer Manchuria!"