Newborn 1927

Yang Jiefang summoned Huang Sheng in a great hurry, not just to trick him into pursuing Shi Jianqiao. He put his hand on Huang Sheng's shoulder and said, "Your future wife and future mother-in-law are here now, but your future brother-in-law is still eyeing us from Yantai. We'll all be family from now on, we can't let things get messy. Go to Yantai and arrange for your brother-in-law to come out, I want to meet him. We're all family, what can't we talk about? Right?" Huang Sheng understood now, this was the young master's real purpose. Everyone knows the routine of bandits kidnapping someone and needing ransom. Huang Sheng agreed without hesitation; with a hostage in hand, he wasn't afraid Shi Zhongcheng would turn against him. Yang Jiefang personally wrote a letter to Shi Zhongcheng and had Huang Sheng take it into the city.

The next day, Yang Jiefang first escorted Liu Yamei and Chu Gu down the mountain, then had them escorted to Haiyang County. After that, they would have to rely on themselves. Then came the preparations for his meeting with Shi Zhongcheng. The people on the mountain were very cautious, demanding increased security and even suggesting the deployment of an artillery and cavalry battalion. Yang Jiefang refused, saying, "It's not like we're attacking Yantai City; why bring so many people? This meeting is secret, and a large-scale operation would certainly compromise secrecy." In the end, Yang Jiefang only allowed Wang Dali and Wang Xuncai to escort them with a guard squad. To facilitate communication with all parties, Liu Fang was assigned to bring a radio. The people on the mountain remained uneasy and finally decided that Yan Donglai would lead a special operations team to infiltrate and ambush the meeting place beforehand.

The meeting place was outside Yantai city. Shi Zhongcheng accompanied Huang Sheng with only a few guards. Shi Zhongcheng was only thirty years old this year, in the prime of his life. His formal training gave him an air of military composure and competence. Shi Zhongcheng kept observing Yang Jiefang, unable to understand how this incredibly young leader could be so capable. Was it really possible that someone was born with such knowledge?

Yang Jiefang spoke first, smiling, "Commander Shi, it's a pleasure to meet you! I hope you'll take good care of me in the future on the East China Sea!" Shi Zhongcheng replied, "You're too kind. Truly, heroes emerge from among the young! With your abilities, young master, why would I need to help you?" Yang Jiefang said, "You can't say that. Even tigers have their moments of weakness, let alone humans. Survival in this chaotic world is not easy. If you help me today and I help you tomorrow, we can all help each other to survive in this turbulent world. What do you think, Commander Shi?"

Shi Zhongcheng agreed, saying, "That's true. A few days ago, my younger sister and I had a little argument. She's stubborn and actually ran away in a huff. I heard she's a guest at your place. Please forgive her for any inconvenience! She's always been like this. We've argued and made a scene, so her anger should have subsided by now. I want to bring her back. After all, no matter how good it is outside, it can't compare to the comfort of home."

Yang Jiefang said, "I was just about to tell you this. Your cousin is really stubborn! She's a weak woman, yet she dared to clamor to assassinate Sun Chuanfang! Who is Sun Chuanfang? How could he be killed so easily? If my brother hadn't stopped her, who knows what might have happened." He pointed to Huang Sheng beside him. Huang Sheng was speechless. These two were truly admirable at blatantly lying! Why couldn't he learn that?

Shi Zhongcheng looked at Huang Sheng and said, "In that case, I should thank this brother. I can understand my little sister wanting to avenge her father. But it's a bit puzzling that she brought my aunt along."

Yang Jiefang immediately replied, "There's a good reason for this. Your cousin has a discerning eye! She took a liking to my brother at first sight. Your aunt naturally had to come and give her her opinion. They're currently discussing the marriage in our Qinglong Village." Shi Zhongcheng stared at Huang Sheng and said in a deep voice, "Is that so?" After all, it was still far from certain, and Huang Sheng didn't know how to answer. Yang Jiefang quickly said, "How could that be false? Don't you know how old your cousin is? How could her mother not be anxious? Commander Shi, this is a great thing! From now on, we're family. Shouldn't we look after each other?"

Shi Zhongcheng countered, "How does the young master want me to take care of him?" Yang Jiefang replied directly, "On the Donghai Road, besides your garrison command and our Qinglong Village, there's another force not to be underestimated—the Black Bear of Rushan Village. Now that our two families are practically allied through marriage, shouldn't we join forces to deal with Cao Wei next?" Shi Zhongcheng coldly replied, "Coincidentally, that Black Bear is also contacting me, wanting to unite and wipe you out first. I think he's right; you are the strongest of the three forces." Yang Jiefang said, "So, Commander Shi, you plan to start with our Qinglong Village?" Shi Zhongcheng replied, "Not necessarily. Allying with the weak to attack the strong is standard practice. If we wipe out Rushan Village first, hehe, won't it be your turn to wipe me out next?"

Yang Jiefang said, “How could that be? We’re in-laws now. Commander Shi might not know much about this Black Bear. This traitor came from the Chinese Army and made great contributions to the Eight-Nation Alliance’s attack on Beijing. In recent years, he’s been growing opium in Muping County and robbing merchants at sea. He’s done everything but good. Shouldn’t Commander Shi resolutely wipe out such a traitor? Besides, although my Qinglong Village is called a bandit, since I took over, the most we’ve done is kill a few corrupt officials and scum. Have we ever robbed innocent people?”

Shi Zhongcheng pondered for a moment and said, "Just as you said, you haven't done anything wrong. As long as your Qinglong Village accepts reorganization, I, the commander, will give you an official position. That's much better than being a bandit hiding in the mountains!" After beating around the bush for a while, he finally revealed his true thoughts. Yang Jiefang immediately agreed, "Great! We brothers dream of being officials. I wonder what kind of position the commander can give me?" Shi Zhongcheng said honestly, "I have a brigade-level unit here. I can give you the strength of a regiment. How about you be the regimental commander?"

Yang Jiefang shook his head and said, "My personal rank doesn't matter, but I have many brothers under me. A mere regiment's organization might not be enough to hold so many men. It needs at least a brigade's organization." Shi Zhongcheng frowned and said, "That's a bit difficult." Yang Jiefang continued, "How about this? I'll offer you a pledge of loyalty. How about your garrison command reorganizes into a Second Garrison Brigade?"

Shi Zhongcheng asked, "What kind of pledge of loyalty?" Yang Jiefang replied, "I'll help you wipe out Hei Xiazi of Rushan Village. You don't need to send a single soldier; just stay in the city and watch. All the credit will be yours. You can report it like this: Rushan Village has been wiped out, Qinglong Village has been incorporated, and there are no more bandits on the East Coast. Hehe, with such merit, I won't even mention a promotion, but you'll definitely be in a secure position as the garrison commander."

Shi Zhongcheng pressed further, "Are you really willing to wipe out Rushan Village?" Yang Jiefang replied, "As long as you remain inactive in Yantai City, I'll destroy Rushan Village for you." This was Yang Jiefang's true intention. He had long wanted to take action against Rushan Village, but he had delayed until now for fear of being stabbed in the back by Shi Zhongcheng.

Shi Zhongcheng thought for a moment and said, "Alright, I'll give you a month. I want to see your actual actions. If you really wipe out Rushan Village, I won't pursue the matter of you kidnapping my aunt and cousin. I'll even try to get you a position in the Second Garrison Brigade." Yang Jiefang chuckled and said, "What kidnapping? Why are you putting it so harshly? I've already said we're in-laws now. We can sit down and talk things out behind closed doors."

Now that everything had been settled, there was no need for the two to continue talking. Yang Jiefang called for everyone to leave. Shi Zhongcheng, however, shouted, "Wait! Leave this kid here!" He pointed at Huang Sheng. Yang Jiefang looked at him suspiciously. Shi Zhongcheng explained, "I'd like to see what this kid is capable of. Daring to make a move on my cousin and even managing to lure her to Qinglong Village." Huang Sheng wanted to shout, "This wasn't my idea!" but ultimately dared not utter a sound.

Yang Jiefang laughed, "Brother, this is your brother-in-law testing you. You'd better perform well! I have high hopes for you. If Miss Shi misses you, don't worry! I'll explain the situation to her." Huang Sheng looked helpless; it seemed he couldn't leave. So, Yang Jiefang led the guards back to Qinglong Village. Shi Zhongcheng took Huang Sheng back to Yantai City. As for whether Huang Sheng would suffer or enjoy happiness after returning to the city, that was hard to say.

Upon returning to Qinglongzhai, Yang Jiefang immediately summoned all the leaders for a meeting. The main topic was attacking Rushanzhai and eradicating this malignant tumor. Yang Jiefang already had a plan for attacking Rushanzhai; his gathering was merely a formality, with little to discuss. Yang Jiefang currently commanded a considerable armed force. Excluding the security companies in various townships, Haiyang County and Qixia County each had a security regiment of over 800 men, while Laiyang County's security regiment numbered over 1300. Qinglongzhai headquarters also had five infantry battalions of company size, an artillery battalion, a supply battalion, and a cavalry battalion. Hou Fei had a security force of over 100 men in Shuangshui Town, Fushan County, which had been reorganized into the Sixth Battalion. Originally intended as a backup plan for Shi Zhongcheng, it was now likely unnecessary. Each of these six infantry battalions was equipped with two 60mm mortars. The First Battalion also had two Maxim heavy machine guns. While the other battalions lacked heavy machine guns, each company was equipped with a light machine gun and a Japanese 50mm grenade launcher. This level of weaponry was considered luxurious, and after several months of rigorous training, Yang Jiefang was confident that his own troops alone were more than capable of easily defeating Rushan Village.

Yang Jiefang rearranged the forces. A portion of the Laiyang County Security Regiment, led by Song Youde, continued operations in Pingdu and Jimo counties, expanding their territory. The main force, led by Zhao Changming, remained to guard Laiyang County. The Qixia County Security Regiment sent some personnel to assist in the defense of Qinglongzhai. Hou Fei's Sixth Brigade remained on standby in Shuangshui Town, monitoring the Yantai direction to prevent any raids. Yang Jiefang decided to deploy his own troops and the Haiyang County Security Regiment, totaling over two thousand men.

While it's true that Hei Xiazi (Black Bear) is from Muping County, and his territory is mainly concentrated in the Rushan River basin, mostly within Muping County, his stronghold is actually under the jurisdiction of Haiyang County, specifically Rushan Township. Bai Lang, the head of the Haiyang County Security Corps, led over eight hundred members on a massive attack on Rushan Stronghold under the pretext of suppressing bandits. They encountered resistance from Rushan Stronghold near Yuhuang Mountain. Knowing his mission was a feint, Bai Lang didn't rush in but instead constructed fortifications on the spot.

Meanwhile, Yang Jiefang led his troops from Guocheng into Muping County. Ma Shangfei led a cavalry contingent to scout ahead and successfully arrived at a place called Yuli Village. This was a three-way confluence of two rivers, more than thirty li from Rushan Village; once they crossed the Rushan River to the south, the road ahead would be smooth.

Upon arrival, Yang Jiefang immediately ordered his troops to halt and set up camp. They had covered at least seventy or eighty miles from Guocheng. Even with a little more effort, they could reach Rushan Village before nightfall, but they couldn't do that. This was a war, not a visit; they were being prepared with guns and ammunition, not food and drink. Yuli Village couldn't accommodate so many people. Yang Jiefang ordered each brigade to dig trenches and construct fortifications around the perimeter, setting up camp on the spot. Although the brigade leaders didn't quite understand Yang Jiefang's reasons, they obeyed the orders without hesitation.

Gao Huilan led a women's commando unit to participate in the operation. Their mission was to protect the medical team and the communications unit, and in the event of war, they would be responsible for evacuating the wounded. Jiang Xiaojun also came along and was assigned to the communications unit.

Yang Jiefang showed no sign of resting. He rode his horse, accompanied by Wang Dali and Wang Xuncai, to inspect the surroundings. The terrain was flat, the view expansive, and the land beneath their feet was fertile. However, large tracts of fields were not planted with grain, but with poppies. Yang Jiefang's face darkened. The label of "Sick Man of East Asia" couldn't be entirely blamed on foreigners; a portion of his own people, corrupt and self-serving, were also harming the country and its people. Yang Jiefang didn't order the destruction of the poppies. What he needed to do now was to eradicate this cancerous growth, preventing the opium trade from taking hold, so that the people would naturally switch to growing grain.

Yang Jiefang was looking around through his binoculars when a messenger rushed in to report that a boat had come aboard the Rushan River. A boat on the river wasn't unusual, but the cannon mounted on its bow was anything but. This was a gunboat belonging to Hei Xiazi, Yang Jiefang immediately concluded. Hei Xiazi had two sailing gunboats, wooden hulls covered with iron plates, each with a 75mm field gun mounted on its bow, serving as a naval gun. Nominally, these were two armed merchant ships, but in reality, they were Hei Xiazi's main gunboats for raiding. In this era, armed merchant ships were permitted by various countries, but there were regulations: armed merchant ships could not attack other merchant ships. However, this rule was clearly not followed by everyone.

Yang Jiefang immediately ordered all combat units to enter a state of combat readiness. Only then did they understand the significance of Yang Jiefang's orders to build trenches. Yang Jiefang arrived at the artillery position, where there were four field guns and four mountain guns. Chen Shanpao was setting up his artillery towards the river. Yang Jiefang said, "Only one gunboat has arrived. Only two mountain guns will fire; the rest will stand by." Chen Shanpao immediately agreed and shouted, "Mountain gun number one, mountain gun number two, take your positions! The rest of the artillery, stand by!" Yang Jiefang then emphasized, "Chen Shanpao, make sure you fire accurately. Don't let it be like last time, where the guns on the left veered to the right, and the guns on the right veered to the left." Chen Shanpao assured him, "I'm good with mountain guns; I guarantee it won't happen."

The sailboat was sailing against the current, moving at a slow pace. Before the crew could spot the artillery positions on the shore, Chen Shanpao opened fire. After two salvos, two shells, whistling sharply, arced through the air and landed precisely in the river, splashing up two jets of water several meters high. Sure enough, the shots weren't completely off target; the left-hand gun veered to the left, and the right-hand gun veered to the right, but neither hit the boat. Chen Shanpao shouted, "Quickly, adjust the angles! Gun number one, adjust it a little to the left; gun number two, adjust it a little to the right; and lower the muzzle a little!" No one knew what that "a little" meant. Yang Jiefang wasn't a professional artilleryman and was helpless; there was still a shortage of artillery personnel! Yang Jiefang remained silent, his face grim, observing the boat's reaction through his binoculars.