Newborn 1927

Zhao Changming is a person with his own opinions, a sense of responsibility, and a broad perspective. Once he has made a promise, he will not easily change his mind or give up. Yang Jiefang breathed a sigh of relief; things would be much easier from here on out. He said, “In Zhao Family Village, the Zhao Jinyuan family has held the position of village head for generations. Although the official rank isn't high, they've maximized their limited power. Tell me, who in our village hasn't been oppressed by them? Our next task is to unite as many villagers as possible who have suffered under their oppression. Changming, Changzhi, and Changgen, you three go back to Zhao Jinyuan's house immediately and organize the security team. Tell them three things: those willing to work with me will receive all three benefits I mentioned earlier; those unwilling to work with me, as long as they remain neutral, will not receive those benefits, but out of consideration for our fellow villagers, I won't cause them any trouble; however, anyone who opposes me or secretly informs Zhao Jinyuan will be buried with him!”

Zhao Changming nodded and said, "Leave this to me. I'm confident in those people. Apart from a few who are worried and afraid of trouble, most of them will work with us. As for those who oppose us, I will take precautions and make sure nothing goes wrong."

Yang Jiefang nodded and said, "Brother Changming, you two are also responsible for helping us enter the Zhao family compound and setting up security everywhere to prevent anyone from escaping. Brother Changgui, you contact people outside the security team. You can choose as many as you can, and don't force those who don't want to come. The important thing is to ensure that no word gets out." Zhao Changgui readily agreed.

Yang Jiefang continued, "Dali, Ergou, you're still young and probably won't be able to contact anyone, so come with me! Brother Yan, we need to be prepared too; we're the main characters tonight. We'll deal with those lackeys at Zhao Jinyuan's house. We'll move after dinner, so time's a bit tight. Everyone, hurry up and get ready! I'll wait for your news at Dali's house." Zhao Changgui, Zhao Changming, and the others agreed and got up to leave. Yan Donglai also stood up and said, "I'll go bring the brothers here!" and went out as well. Wang Dali and Chen Ergou were a little nervous and excited, looking at Yang Jiefang and asking, "What should we prepare now?" Yang Jiefang countered, "What weapons can you find?" The two exchanged glances, looked around, and Wang Dali grabbed a wood-chopping axe, while Chen Ergou found a wood-chopping knife. Yang Jiefang's task for them was to keep a close watch on the movements at the Zhao family compound.

Before long, Yan Donglai arrived with the Qinglong Village group. Hou Fei didn't come; he stayed in the woods to guard the horses. Hou Fei went to boil some water, and everyone ate the dry rations they had brought with them, along with the boiled water. This was both for safety and to avoid causing trouble for Wang Dali's family.

As night fell, Zhao Changgui arrived with five or six men, including his elder brother Zhao Changfu. Each carried weapons—broadswords, spears, and other cold weapons. They greeted each other and then waited together. It was clear they were a little nervous, yet also somewhat expectant.

Soon, Chen Ergou ran in and said, "Zhao Changming and the others probably can't get out. After dark, Zhao Jinyuan ordered the gates closed, strictly prohibiting anyone from entering or leaving. I heard some noise outside. Brother Changming wanted to come out, but Wang Sanlaizi stopped him. He's the squad leader, so Brother Changming has to listen to him." Yang Jiefang frowned, thought for a moment, and asked, "Did you hear Brother Changming trying to find an excuse to come out?" Chen Ergou replied, "Oh, he wanted to go to Brother Changgui's house for drinks, saying it was arranged this afternoon." Yang Jiefang smiled slightly and said, "Brother Changming is smart! Let's act now and go straight in through the Zhao family compound gate. Brother Changgui, you lead the way and you knock on the door. Just say... your family killed a chicken and planned to invite Brother Changming for drinks. Since you can't go now, you'll have to bring it over." Zhao Changgui immediately understood and started preparing. Find an empty wine jar at Wang Dali's house, fill it with some water, tie a rope to it and carry it; then find two large bowls, fill one with corn, place the other bowl upside down on top, wrap it with a square cloth and carry it as a roast chicken.

Then they split into two groups. One group, led by Zhao Changfu and a few villagers who had been temporarily mobilized, guarded the back gate of the Zhao family compound. Considering they only had melee weapons, Yang Jiefang sent Hou Fei, Lu Ziqi, and Gui Liqiu in to reinforce them. The rest of the group, led by Zhao Changgui, headed straight for the main gate of the Zhao family compound.

In rural areas, few families light lamps at night; the faint starlight is barely enough to see the road. Dogs howled and chased after them along the way, quickly alerting the people in the Zhao family compound. Yang Jiefang had Zhao Changgui lead the way, with the others bringing up the rear. Zhao Changgui had just reached the gate of the Zhao family compound and hadn't even knocked when he heard someone inside call out, "Who's outside?" Zhao Changgui replied, "Is that Brother Wang San? It's me, Zhao Changgui." The person calling out was indeed Wang Sanlaizi, who continued, "What are you doing here? Haven't you had enough of a beating?" Zhao Changgui smiled obsequiously, "Isn't it because Brother Changming helped me today? I killed a chicken and wanted to invite him for a drink. But he didn't come, so I brought it over." He waved the chicken in his hand as he spoke. Then Zhao Changming's voice rang out: "Forget it, Changgui. I'm on night duty tonight and can't go out. Besides, the village head provides meals, and we've already eaten dinner. You can take it back and eat it yourself!" But then Wang Sanlaizi called out: "Wait! Since it's here, bring it in! It'll be a good treat for the brothers on night duty." Actually, he wanted to eat the chicken.

Soon, with a creak, the door opened a crack. Zhao Changgui leaned in, then quickly turned back, waved to his back, and forcefully pushed the door open to the side. Yang Jiefang and the others were very tense, watching intently; seeing this, they knew Zhao Changming had succeeded. Yan Donglai and Sun Zhiyong rushed forward, followed closely by Tiechui and Tiedan, and Yang Jiefang, Wang Dali, and Chen Ergou also quickly followed. Once inside the gate, they saw Zhao Changming holding a gun to Wang Sanlaizi's head, while another person choked Wang Sanlaizi from behind, covering his mouth with one hand. Whether terrified or truly unable to move, Wang Sanlaizi stared wide-eyed but remained silent. In the corner of the front yard, a large black dog barked incessantly.

Zhao Changming said urgently, "Zhao Jinyuan and his son, along with Captain Li, are discussing something in the front hall!" Zhao Changgui immediately pointed and said, "This way." He ran forward and kicked open the front hall door. Sun Zhiyong and Yan Donglai rushed in, guns raised. An oil lamp was lit inside, and four men were sitting at a table discussing something: Zhao Jinyuan, his brother Zhao Yinyuan, his eldest son Zhao Changren, and the security captain, Captain Li. Hearing that Captain Li had been a soldier, he reacted the fastest, standing up and swiftly drawing a pistol. He was fast, but Sun Zhiyong was even faster. A shot rang out, hitting Captain Li squarely in the chest. Blood splattered, and Captain Li fell backward. Zhao Changren reacted slightly slower, only then drawing his pistol, but seeing Captain Li already shot, he was momentarily at a loss. Sun Zhiyong, using a rifle, immediately pulled back the bolt after the first shot, preparing to fire again. Yan Donglai lunged forward and fired three shots at Zhao Changren. He used a pistol, which was extremely lethal at such close range. Poor Zhao Changren had only managed to draw his pistol before being shot and falling to the ground. Indeed, those with guns die quickly! The incident happened suddenly, and life and death were decided in an instant. The Zhao brothers, Jinyuan and Yinyuan, were completely terrified, their eyes wide open, their bodies trembling.

When Yang Jiefang entered the main room, the situation was already under control. Captain Li and Zhao Changren inside were also dying from blood loss, their cries of agony filling the air. Yan Donglai first kicked aside the two pistols, then thoroughly searched the remaining two men, the Zhao brothers, Zhao Jinyuan and Zhao Yinyuan, placing all their belongings on the table. The two men had no weapons, only ordinary items. A pocket watch was found on Zhao Jinyuan, which greatly interested Yang Jiefang. He always had a strong sense of time, but since transmigrating, his perception of time had become blurred, making him quite uncomfortable; seeing a pocket watch, he naturally took it without hesitation. This pocket watch alone was worth over a hundred silver dollars, demonstrating the Zhao family's considerable wealth!

The dog in the yard barked incessantly, driving everyone crazy. Wang Dali and Chen Ergou exchanged a glance, one grabbing an axe and the other a wood-chopping knife, and charged at the big black dog simultaneously. The big black dog, emboldened by its owners, had often frightened the village children and bitten people multiple times. Now tied to the corner, it knew danger was approaching but couldn't escape, only howling frantically. But soon, the howling turned into screams of agony, and it died amidst its agonizing cries.

Zhao Changgui, holding a large knife to Wang Sanlaizi's neck, forced his way in. Wang Sanlaizi, now completely devoid of his usual arrogance, trembled with fear. Zhao Changgui said, "Changming said most of the security team are willing to work with us, and he's gone to the backyard to gather men." Sun Zhiyong and Yan Donglai quickly followed, while the Tiechui and Tiedan brothers stood guard like iron towers, guns at the ready.

Yang Jiefang picked up the two pistols that Yan Donglai had kicked aside and approached Zhao Jinyuan, saying, "Zhao Jinyuan, didn't expect this, did you? We've met so soon." Zhao Jinyuan trembled and roared, "Yang Jiefang, you...you actually brought thugs into my house to commit murder, you...you...you..." Yang Jiefang laughed, "Even at a time like this, you're still showing off. Don't you know what death means?" He then pointed the gun at Zhao Jinyuan's forehead. Zhao Jinyuan was so frightened that his head snapped back, and he slumped into a chair. Zhao Yinyuan, thin and wearing a long robe, was so terrified that he wet his pants.

Yang Jiefang didn't say anything more, but sat there waiting. He didn't have to wait long before Hou Fei ran in excitedly, saying, "That Zhao Changming is really something; he's got the security team under his control now. Anyone who disobeyed has been tied up. Brother Yang, we're rich! The granary in the backyard is overflowing with grain!" Yang Jiefang was completely relieved and said, "That's good. Brother Monkey, tell everyone to keep a close watch on the Zhao family and be on guard! Don't touch anything in the house yet. You can't read, so don't break anything useful. I need to have a good talk with the village head! Oh, and see if there's any flour; if so, try to get everyone a good meal." Hou Fei smiled and agreed, then went out.

Yang Jiefang leisurely placed the guns side by side in front of him and said, "Zhao Jinyuan, Zhao Yinyuan, I still don't quite understand how our family ended up in this state. Can you explain it to me? What's the reason?" Zhao Jinyuan snorted but didn't say anything. Zhao Yinyuan glanced at his older brother and lowered his head. Yang Jiefang frowned and said, "What? You won't talk? You think you can get away with it by not talking?" Zhao Jinyuan roared, "You're already like this, just kill me if you want, why are you asking so many questions?" Yang Jiefang replied, "I just want to know the reason. Since you won't talk, then forget it. I'll ask someone else tomorrow. There must be someone else in your family who knows." Wang Sanlaizi's eyes darted around and he said, "I know, I know the whole story." Yang Jiefang said happily, "That's great, tell me first!" Wang Sanlaizi laughed, "If I tell you, can you let me go?" Yang Jiefang's expression changed, he pointed his gun forward and said, "Don't try to negotiate with me! You have no right to negotiate with me now." Wang Sanlaizi immediately backed down and shouted, "Okay, okay, I'll talk. Take the gun away first, be careful it doesn't go off!"

Yang Jiefang smiled slightly, put down his gun, and said, "Go ahead and speak! I'm listening."