Newborn 1927

After lunch, Yang Jiefang was on his way back to his lodgings when he unexpectedly ran into Jiang Xiaojun and Aunt Chu. Judging from their demeanor, they had come specifically to see him, so Yang Jiefang went to greet them. Jiang Xiaojun said softly, "A letter arrived from home; I have to go back." She had exchanged letters with her family several times, each time having them secretly delivered to the Jiang family's trading company. Replies from the Jiang family were left at a pre-designated location, to be retrieved under cover of darkness. The Jiang family still couldn't pinpoint Jiang Xiaojun's exact location. Jiang Xiaojun had last written home because Yang Jiefang had proposed strengthening cooperation with the Jiang family. Now that Jiang Xiaojun said she needed to go back, she must have a compelling reason. Jiang Xiaojun was now practically a member of Qinglong Village; there was no need to worry about her leaking any secrets.

Yang Jiefang asked, "Did something happen at home?" Jiang Xiaojun shook her head and said, "No, nothing. It's just that my father is really angry. If I don't go back, he'll disown me." Yang Jiefang nodded and said, "When do you plan to leave? I'll see you off." Jiang Xiaojun replied, "I'll go down the mountain first thing tomorrow morning. The chief has agreed, and he'll even have Sister Chu Gu accompany me back. You should probably forget it. If you come back with me, my whereabouts during this time won't be a secret anymore. You've cooperated with my brother for so long and so many times, do you really think he still can't figure out your identity?" When Yang Jiefang last met Jiang Tingxuan, he suspected that Yang Jiefang had taken Jiang Xiaojun away, and probably already guessed that he was from Qinglong Village, but just didn't say it. After all, there was profit to be made in cooperating with each other.

Yang Jiefang said, "Actually, as you know, I want to talk to your father in person." Jiang Xiaojun said, "My father is a government official, and he is quite stubborn; his attitude is still unclear, and I can't figure out what he's thinking. Even if you come with me, he might not see you."

Yang Jiefang changed the subject, saying, "You haven't read the newspapers I brought up the mountain yet! Come to my place and take a look!" He then walked straight ahead. Jiang Xiaojun and Chu Gu, confused, followed him to Yang Jiefang's residence. Yang Jiefang laid out the newspapers one by one in front of them, the eye-catching headlines quickly catching their attention. After flipping through a few newspapers, they put them down, looking at Yang Jiefang with puzzled expressions.

"This isn't the first or second time foreign devils have arbitrarily killed Chinese people," said Aunt Chu. "What do you want to do?" Perhaps they were already used to such things, or perhaps they were so powerless that they had become numb, so they didn't think it was a big deal. Yang Jiefang, however, couldn't stand it and said, "Seeing these things reported in the newspapers makes me very angry. I wish I could fly over and sink those warships. Seeing your reactions makes me feel a deep sense of powerlessness. You think this is just a trivial matter, which is really heartbreaking! It's not your fault. Our country is too backward and has been bullied for too long. I want to change this situation, even if it costs me my life. I originally wanted to wait until the brothers in the mountain stronghold were trained before taking any action, but now I can't wait any longer. I want to do something, or at least prepare something in advance." Aunt Chu was stunned and turned to look at Jiang Xiaojun.

Jiang Xiaojun gritted her teeth slightly and said, "Today is the third day of the third lunar month. My father will definitely go back to his hometown in the countryside. If we go back tomorrow, we should be able to see him." She clearly agreed to let Yang Jiefang go home with her. Since they had already made their decision, the two of them didn't linger and picked up two newspapers to take with them.

Hou Fei and the others gathered around, all smiling, their intentions clear: they wanted to follow Yang Jiefang down the mountain. Yang Jiefang didn't have a specific purpose for this trip, so he wouldn't be using many men; however, it was necessary to bring a few close brothers along. He chose Hou Fei, Chen Ergou, and Wang Dali to accompany him. Ma Shangfei also wanted to go, but Yang Jiefang asked him to stay behind under the pretext of training the cavalry. Ma Shangfei immediately asked, "Little Boss, haven't you been emphasizing practical combat training? I want to take the brothers on a long-distance raid training exercise, is that alright?" Yang Jiefang understood that he just wanted to go down the mountain for a stroll, and wasn't too concerned about the specifics, so he smiled and said, "Since you're so eager to go, then stay at a distance of half an hour to an hour from us. Bring enough rations and prepare for camping." Ma Shangfei was overjoyed and agreed, quickly going to gather the men to prepare. Hou Fei followed to prepare the horses and supplies.

Yang Jiefang instructed Bao Ziqiang to gather all the intelligence agents going to Shanghai: the Rat, Ox, White Tiger, Azure Dragon, and Yellow Dog, all codenamed after the twelve zodiac animals. The Ox, White Tiger, and Azure Dragon were all tall and imposing, but held subordinate positions. Bao Ziqiang would take the Ox to join Huang Jinrong's forces, the Rat and White Tiger would infiltrate Zhang Xiaolin's ranks, and the Yellow Dog and Azure Dragon would naturally join Du Yuesheng's. He assured them not to worry about the three not accepting them; the April 12th Incident was fast approaching, and the three major gangsters played crucial roles. They would only complain about having too few men and wouldn't refuse those who came seeking their services. Yang Jiefang had a general understanding of the situation in Shanghai at this time and what was likely to happen. His task was to explain everything he knew in as much detail as possible. This explanation lasted all afternoon, until dinner time, when Yang Jiefang finally stopped talking. The Money Rat exclaimed, "No wonder they say a scholar can know everything without leaving home. Little Master, you not only know everything under the sun, but you can even foresee five hundred years into the future!" Yang Jiefang laughed, "Foreseeing five hundred years into the future is impossible, but predicting a hundred years is still possible. Hehe, when you go to Shanghai, you must continue to study culture and knowledge, and read newspapers more often, then you too can know everything under the sun." As he spoke, he patted the newspaper on the table. Everyone stared at the newspaper in the room, truly believing that Yang Jiefang learned all his information from the newspapers.

The next morning, Yang Jiefang and his group of six rode down the mountain. Hou Fei led the way with Chen Ergou and Wang Dali, while Yang Jiefang accompanied Jiang Xiaojun and Chu Gu behind. Jiang Xiaojun looked delicate, but her riding skills were quite good, even better than Yang Jiefang's. In her own words, she had been riding horses since she was a child. It was like how Yang Jiefang had been riding a bicycle as a child.

The six men traveled light, riding horses at a considerable pace, and arrived at Jixian Village in the late afternoon after six or seven hours. It was early spring, March, and the wheat seedlings were green, the rapeseed flowers yellow—a scene that should have been vibrant with life. However, Yang Jiefang frowned as he looked at the sparse wheat seedlings in the fields on both sides of the road. It was no wonder; in this era of high grain production, the density of wheat seedlings spoke volumes.

Soon, following Jiang Xiaojun, they arrived at her house. Her house was easy to find; red bricks and green tiles, it stood out from the crowd. Two stone-carved doorposts, shaped like inkstones, flanked the vermilion gate, with two couplets above them, highlighting the family's status. However, a couplet on either side of the gate was rather intriguing: the first line read, "With such green hills and clear waters, one can live in peace," and the second line, "Why need grand mansions and tall buildings to be considered comfortable?" Jiang Xiaojun explained with a smile, "This wasn't the original couplet. A couple of years ago, when the house was renovated, my father changed it. He said that one day when he resigned from his official post, he would return to this rural hometown to retire." Yang Jiefang praised, "Your father has a very high level of thinking! It's just that the second line isn't quite appropriate. Given your residence, it should be written as 'There are also grand mansions and tall buildings that can be considered comfortable.'"

Just as Jiang Xiaojun was about to reply, a voice inside shouted, "Where did this brat come from, spouting nonsense?" Jiang Xiaojun's face changed drastically, and she cried out, "Father—" A middle-aged man emerged from behind the screen wall, staring at everyone with a frosty expression. Yang Jiefang knew that Jiang Xiaojun's father was an official at the Yantai Customs, but now, dressed in a long gown, he looked anything but elegant, more like a nouveau riche from the countryside. Yang Jiefang wanted to slap himself. So what if he was being hypocritical? Why did he have to be so talkative? And the worst part was that he'd been overheard. So he bowed and said, "Nephew Yang Jiefang greets Uncle Jiang. I was just joking with Xiaojun, please don't take offense!"

Jiang Qingfu replied, "Am I really getting senile? How come I don't remember having a nephew like you?" Jiang Xiaojun interjected, "Father—he's my friend. He came all this way to bring me home." Jiang Qingfu snorted coldly and shouted, "You still know how to come back? Do you have no regard for your parents? Do you have no regard for this family?" Jiang Xiaojun replied, "Yes, I know I was wrong. After I've entertained my friends, you can punish me however you like." Jiang Qingfu stood by the door without moving and said, "Since you know you were wrong, go back to your room and reflect on your mistakes! You are not allowed to leave without my permission! As for these friends you mentioned, hmph, although the threshold of my Jiang family is not high, not just anyone can enter." Jiang Xiaojun became anxious upon hearing this and cried out, "Father, what's going on? If you don't like your daughter, I'll leave now." Saying this, she turned to leave.

Jiang Qingfu shouted, "Stop! You think you can just leave and come back as you please? What do you take this house for?" Jiang Xiaojun, of course, didn't really want to leave. She immediately turned around, walked to Jiang Qingfu's side, took his left arm, and said coquettishly, "Father—you always say that all who come are guests, how can we turn guests away?" Jiang Qingfu said proudly, "If it's an honored guest, I will naturally sweep the bed and welcome them; if it's an unwelcome guest, hehe, I don't have the habit of opening the door to thieves." Sure enough, they had already guessed Yang Jiefang's identity, and now that they saw him bringing Jiang Xiaojun back, they naturally understood everything.

Yang Jiefang wasn't angry. He smiled and said, "Nephew, you've come uninvited, which is indeed unwelcome. I heard Uncle Jiang works at the Yantai Customs, and you must deal with foreigners quite a bit! I wonder what your opinion of them is?" Although Jiang Qingfu didn't understand what he meant, he didn't avoid the question and said, "They're not exactly good people either, and I don't welcome them." Yang Jiefang laughed and said, "Nephew's opinion is the same as yours, Uncle. I just wonder what Uncle Jiang has been doing all these years? As an official, besides guarding your own doorstep, shouldn't you also guard the nation's borders to be considered competent?" Jiang Qingfu was taken aback by the question and actually misspoke.

Yang Jiefang continued, "Although I hold no official position, I still want to do my part to drive these unwelcome foreigners out of the country." Jiang Qingfu quickly recovered and retorted, "How arrogant! You think you can put on airs in front of me? You're still too green. Humph, I'd like to hear what you've actually done." Yang Jiefang said, "Uncle, are you sure you want me to say this here? I don't mind, but I'm afraid the neighbors might see us and cause unnecessary misunderstandings." Jiang Xiaojun immediately said, "Dad, it's hard to explain in just a few words. Let's go to the living room and talk about it slowly!" Jiang Qingfu, who had been putting on airs, hesitated for a moment, unable to swallow his pride.

Just then, two men, one young and one strong, emerged from behind the screen wall. The stronger man said, "Oh, niece's back? Why aren't you coming in? What are you doing standing at the gate?" Jiang Xiaojun immediately turned around and called out, "Second Uncle, Second Brother." The men who came out were her uncle, Jiang Xingfu, and her cousin, Jiang Tingqi. Jiang Tingqi responded and said, "Xiaojun, are these all your friends? You're so inconsiderate! They're already at the door, why don't you invite them in? If outsiders see this, they'll laugh at our family for having no manners!" Jiang Xiaojun smiled and said, "I was just about to go in." Turning back, she added, "Father, you said your legs aren't good. Come, let me help you in!" With a gentle pull, she led Jiang Xingfu inside. As they walked, Jiang Xiaojun didn't forget to turn back and smile.

Jiang Tingqi walked straight up to Yang Jiefang and said, "Friends, please come in and have a cup of tea! The horses can be tied up at the door." Yang Jiefang went in first, followed closely by Chu Gu. There were hitching posts at the door, and Hou Fei and the others tied up their horses before following them inside.

Jiang Xiaojun helped Jiang Qingfu to the main seat in the living room, and Jiang Xingfu sat down in the next seat. Jiang Tingqi led Yang Jiefang and the others to the guest seats. Only Yang Jiefang and Chu Gu sat down; Hou Fei stood behind Yang Jiefang quite consciously. Chen Ergou and Wang Dali, like country bumpkins, were already overwhelmed by the luxury of the room and felt very uncomfortable. They didn't dare to sit down and followed Hou Fei to stand behind the chairs. Jiang Xiaojun smiled and said, "Please sit down first, I'll go make some tea." Then she went out.

After Jiang Xiaojun's figure disappeared, Jiang Qingfu, as the host, finally spoke, "Mr. Yang, I know what kind of person you are. What brings you to my Jiang family today?" Jiang Xingfu and Jiang Tingqi both tensed up, staring at Yang Jiefang. Yang Jiefang knew from Jiang Xiaojun that Jiang Qingfu was a somewhat hypocritical old-fashioned scholar, so he didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked, "Uncle Jiang, you must already know about the March 24th massacre in Nanjing. What are your thoughts on it?" Jiang Qingfu replied, "It was reported in the newspapers, so of course I saw it. Although there were reasons for it, those foreigners went too far. Wuhan has already lodged a protest, and I believe there will be a proper resolution. Don't go so far afield; let's talk about the present!" He was a shrewd old man and wasn't led by the nose by Yang Jiefang.

Yang Jiefang replied, "Everyone is familiar with the Boxers of yesteryear. Although their members were a mixed bag, there were many loyal and righteous individuals. They shouted the slogan 'Support the Qing, Destroy the Foreigners,' and although they failed, their willingness to die for their country is commendable. Such people deserve to be called righteous men, don't they? Our Qinglong Village was founded by such righteous men. Therefore, please don't regard us as bandits, Uncle! The father of the woman beside me was one of these righteous men; he was by no means a villain. During the time Miss Jiang was invited up the mountain, this woman protected her safety and took care of her. Therefore, although Miss Jiang stayed in the village for more than two months, she was not harmed in any way." It's said that you shouldn't stay overnight with your girlfriend, but Jiang Qingfu really doesn't know what he thinks of Jiang Xiaojun after she stayed on the mountain for more than two months.

Jiang Qingfu snorted coldly and said, "That's good!" But secretly he breathed a sigh of relief. As the saying goes, "a stick trying to fight a wolf will frighten both sides." Yang Jiefang worried that Jiang Qingfu would protect the so-called family reputation and harm Jiang Xiaojun; Jiang Qingfu was also worried that Yang Jiefang would blurt out, "Your daughter is pregnant with my child," which would make him want to vomit blood on the spot. He had sensed something unusual in Jiang Xiaojun's last letter, which was why he had strictly ordered her to return home.