He Daqing, do you know how I've lived these past years?

"Master Jia, the brothers have discovered that many people in the City Lord's Mansion left before their shift ended."

Following Master Jia's orders, we followed in batches. Most of us went to the street to buy food, but a small number went to the homes of comprador industrialists.

A patrolman, his police hat askew, saluted and said with a smile.

Seeing Jia Gui's serious expression, he hesitated for a moment, glanced around discreetly, and then whispered in his ear:

"Master Jia, as far as I know, the biggest industrial companies all originated from the Huangjietan Concession, and I've heard that the rest also have businesses with foreigners."

Upon hearing this, Jia Gui's expression changed. General Yue was not in the city, and the city was full of new recruits. It was impossible for so many staff members to suddenly leave the city lord's mansion before the end of their shift. There must be something fishy going on.

So he said:

"Dunzi, have the brothers keep a close eye on those comprador businesses' courtyards, and then have a few brothers go to the police stations in each district to notify the chiefs and tell them to increase patrols."

After saying that, he hurriedly tried to start the motorcycle, but no matter how hard he tried, it wouldn't start. He checked the fuel tank, and in anger, jumped off the motorcycle, pushed a bicycle out of the government office, and cursed:

"Damn it, they're inhuman! Back then, I suggested building a few gas stations like in Huangjietan, but the people in the city lord's mansion built them inside, while everyone outside refused. So I had to use a hose to siphon fuel from the tanks. I was too tired last night to siphon, and now there's no fuel left! Damn it!"

After cursing, he slammed on the pedal, quickly mounted the bike, and rode towards the Yue Mansion.

Haha, whether I'm with the Japanese or with General Yue, I, Old Jia, will always be a carefree, adventurous young man.

The patrols that were sent out also discovered that foreign mercenaries and soldiers armed with guns and cannons were gradually gathering together.

He was so frightened that his hands and feet trembled, and he scrambled and rolled towards the government office.

Panting, Jia Gui rode his bicycle back to the government office. He took a sip of warm tea, trying to ease the heavy burden on his shoulders. He had learned from his report to General Yue that General Yue had won the battle, and that his troops were assembling at Dagu Port.

The general's wife handled the affairs of the city, and during this time, he was responsible for maintaining order and security.

Thinking of this, Jia Gui couldn't help but twitch his mustache.

He also started singing Huangmei Opera.

"Ah~"

"Yeah~"

Just then, a panicked shout came from outside the door:

"Master Jia, disaster has struck! Disaster is coming!"

Jia Gui leisurely picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said in a theatrical voice:

"Oh dear, who goes there..."

"Tell me slowly!"

The patrolman scrambled in, shouting:

"Brother Jia, today the brothers discovered a large number of foreign soldiers or regular soldiers gathered at the factory in the South District that was bombed by the Japanese before. There are at least a thousand of them, and they're armed with guns and cannons."

Upon hearing this, Jia Gui suddenly connected all his previous doubts, and was so startled that he dropped the teacup in his hand.

"Snapped"

The sound startled the flustered Jia Gui.

"Damn it, these bastards are plotting with Master Jia to secretly launch a feint attack."

"Dunzi, quickly gather all the brothers together, then send someone to the Le Mansion to find Madam Zhuang Jingxian and tell her the situation. Then inform the police chiefs and ask them for backup."

All the soldiers who were sent to guard the gate of the industrial factory were to be brought to the new recruits' camp.

I will personally lead the team to intercept them.

As Jia Gui roared, everyone inside the government office sprang into action.

He himself hurriedly rushed to the armory next door and grabbed a submachine gun and two grenades.

With trembling legs, he walked towards the open space outside the door.

A moment later, more than a hundred patrolmen carrying rifles assembled, and some veterans who had been transferred to clerical positions also ran over with their guns.

Jia Gui was so flustered that he couldn't speak, and in his panic, he slapped himself hard on the back of his nose.

"Brother...brother...brother..."

It made a few shuo-shuo sounds, then angrily slapped itself hard on the nose.

A trickle of blood also flowed from the ear and the corner of the mouth.

Jia Gui took a deep breath and roared with all his might:

"Brothers, the city magistrate is rebelling. We must help General Yue defend this city."

General Yue won a victory at Haishenwei in the Yuan Kingdom, which enhanced the prestige of our Great Xia people. Now we cannot afford to back down.

We used to be dogs under the Japanese invaders, living a life worse than death. Now we're living like human beings under General Yue, with dignity and honor.

So even if I die today, I, Jia Gui, will still take care of his children and grandchildren. Your mother is my mother, and your son is my son.

Everyone, follow me to meet up with the newly stationed recruits. Let's show those foreigners what the men of Beijing are all about!

After saying that, he took the lead and ran out of the government office.

Nearly two hundred men, also armed, followed closely behind.

When the nearby residents saw the hundred or so people rushing about, they knew that something terrible had happened.

They scattered in a panic and ran home, closing the doors tightly and peeking through a crack in the second-floor window.

"What happened? Why did Jia Gui bring so many people out?"

"I don't know, something must have happened. I haven't seen Jia Gui's rat-like face twitch in all this time."

Amidst the murmurs of the people, several loud artillery explosions rang out in the distance.

"Quick, close the door tightly!"

"What a disaster! I wonder if some enemy has invaded or what?"

Inside the Le Mansion, just as Jingxian, having received the report, was about to order the patrol to investigate again, she also heard the deafening sound of artillery fire.

In a panic, he immediately ordered all the soldiers stationed in the mansion, including the cooks, to assemble, and asked the patrolman who came to report to find someone to notify the guards at the city gates to close the gates immediately and hold them at all costs!

Then he led the team to open the armory and pulled out mortars, grenade launchers, and rocket launchers that Leyou had hoarded.

He slung a submachine gun over his shoulder and stepped out the door. He saw Huang Ying waiting there, a submachine gun slung over her shoulder and a rifle on her back.

"Huang Ying, you stay here and watch over the children and Mulan. I'll take some men with me."

Huang Ying also shook her head and said:

"With my elder brother away, how could I possibly stay home and watch over things after such a major incident in the city?"

Jingxian looked at the child crawling around on the ground, hardened her heart, and slammed the door shut.

As for Nianmin, all he can do is pray that the fighting won't spread to the school.

Seeing the soldiers fully armed and assembled, Jingxian and Huangying led their team towards the bombed area.

The Lou family residence was also in chaos.

Yali hugged Xiao'e tightly, who was saying she was scared.

Lou Zhenhua was also chain-smoking on the side, while the returning housekeeper, Lou, stood silently at the door with his hands tucked into his sleeves and his head bowed.

"Master, is a war about to break out? There's not a sound at the city gates."

"Sigh, I should have known better. These people would definitely join forces with the city magistrate to rebel against Le Weiguo."

"Then let's stay home and defend it. If the soldiers inside the city are defeated and the rebel army rushes in, we can at least hold them off."

Lou Zhenhua shook his head, then said hoarsely to Butler Lou:

"Uncle Lou, gather all the guards together, then go to the backyard and distribute the guns. I'll personally lead the team over there."

Butler Lou bowed and left the room. Tan Yali stood up in a panic, grabbed Lou Zhenghua's arm, and cried:

"Zhenhua, this is too dangerous! Didn't you hear the explosion outside? What will we, mother and daughter, do if something happens to us?"

Lou Zhenhua also sighed and said:

"If the skin is gone, what will the hair cling to? I told you before that I'm already under Le Weiguo's control, otherwise those industrial compradors would have informed me. I only found out now, so I have no choice but to bite the bullet and take the gamble."

By the way, when Le Weiguo comes back, our Lou family can expand. If we lose, take all the croakers from the safe in the study, and take Xiao'e to find Auntie and the others. Those people won't come after you for my property."

He wiped away Tanya Li's tears with his hand and walked out of the room without looking back.

Zhenhua

"father"

……