diymy Chapter 33 A Series of Secrets
Chapter 33 A Series of Secrets
As dusk fell, waiters lit candles on each table with candlesticks in hand. The orange flames flickered, casting long and short shadows of people in the restaurant.
Chen Feng pondered for a moment, unwilling to reveal his identity in front of the two Japanese soldiers, and immediately shook his head and laughed, "The pay offered by the Chinese Free Army is indeed tempting, but with my skills, wouldn't it be too much of a waste for me to be a common soldier?"
When one plan failed, Aoki Nobuyuki came up with another, lowering his voice: "Chen-san, you are absolutely right. It is a pity that you are a common soldier with such martial arts skills. I have connections in the Independent Army and can recommend you there."
Independence Army?
The Japanese devils were indeed stirring up trouble behind the scenes.
Chen Feng's heart skipped a beat, and he feigned curiosity, asking, "Mr. Aoki, which leader of the Independent Army do you know?"
"General Liu Hengfu, you must have heard of him during your time in Luzon these past few days." Aoki Nobuyuki smiled, looking confident.
Chen Feng feigned confusion: "I've heard of that name before. Rumor has it he was just a lieutenant colonel, when did he become a general?"
Aoki Nobuzumi chuckled lightly, "It's only a matter of time before he becomes a general. Did you know that when he came to Luzon, he was about the same age as you?"
Chen Feng shook his head and continued, "I haven't heard of that."
Seeing that he did not refuse outright, Aoki Nobuzumi became even more interested and slowly said, "He arrived in Manila in 1890, when he was only eighteen years old. He initially apprenticed at a relative's blacksmith shop. Who knew that the times would create heroes? In just eight years, he became a well-known figure in Luzon."
Chen Feng nodded to himself: This Liu Hengfu can be considered a hero in troubled times.
Aoki Nobuyuki added fuel to the fire: "He's not only a lieutenant colonel in the independence army, but also the leader of the Luzon Triads, and he's married to Aquinas's cousin. If you follow him, you're sure to achieve great things."
"Triads?"
Chen Feng muttered to himself, his voice full of disdain.
What future do these organized crime groups have?
And Aquinas seems to be in his early thirties, so his cousin must be even older.
The late 19th century was not the era of late marriage and late childbirth that would follow in later generations.
A woman in her early thirties might already have a child who's old enough to run errands.
Liu Hengfu was willing to marry an old woman for power; he truly used any means necessary.
Aoki Nobuyuki picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and his eyes gleamed as he pressed on, "Mr. Chen, I have a deep friendship with General Liu. If you go there, you can at least get a platoon leader position, instead of starting as a soldier."
Platoon leader?
I'm doing a good job as a company commander, why would I want to be a platoon leader?
To become a lackey of that treacherous and cunning Aquinas?
Chen Feng sneered inwardly, but maintained a smile on his face, waving his hand and saying, "Let's forget it! I do have some martial arts skills, but I'm not good with firearms. I'm afraid I'll delay Liu Hengbo's important business."
Hearing Chen Feng address Liu Hengfu by his full name without any respect, Aoki Nobuyuki realized that his plan to win him over had completely failed.
The tall, thin Japanese soldier standing nearby suddenly stood up, his eyes fierce, and he hissed, "You're asking for it!"
"How dare you be so rude!"
Aoki Nobuyuki suppressed his anger and raised his hand to stop his companion: "Since you have other plans, Mr. Chen, I will not force you. However... I plan to visit the Chinese Free Army in a few days, and if I have the opportunity, I will definitely visit you in Zhangjia Village."
Chen Feng glanced at the tall, thin Japanese man glaring at him, and nodded calmly: "You're welcome anytime."
After saying that, he got up, turned around, and walked straight to the stairs.
Aoki Nobuyuki stared at his back, his face gradually darkening, appearing extremely ruthless in the candlelight.
The tall, thin Japanese man said in a low voice in Japanese, "President, should I go and teach this guy a lesson?"
"Have you forgotten what I taught you before?"
Aoki Nobuyuki rebuked in a low voice, "When you're out and about, you shouldn't make enemies easily, lest you ruin important matters."
"Hi!"
The tall, thin Japanese man immediately bowed in response, not daring to say another word.
As soon as footsteps sounded on the stairs, the door to room 307 opened, and Qian Biao came out to greet him, saying in a low voice, "General, I'll go get you some water to wash your feet."
Go!
Chen Feng nodded slightly and stepped into the room.
This is a twin room of about 20 square meters. The decoration is a bit old, and there are faint mold spots on the walls. There is no private bathroom, and it doesn't look spacious.
Chen Feng took off his short jacket, walked to the window with his bare chest, his gaze unfocused, and fell into deep thought.
Based on what we know today, the city of Malolos is bound to be captured by the independence army.
The Chinese Free Army is still weak, and it will be extremely difficult for them to profit from the chaos.
The only chance was to take advantage of the chaos, seize a few villages and towns under the banner of the US military, and establish a solid base.
However, doing so would inevitably attract the attention of the independence army in advance, and they might abandon the Spanish first and turn their main force to wipe out us.
"This is a bit difficult!"
Chen Feng sighed inwardly and pondered Zheng Mingsong's request.
Last time I made an appointment with Connor to meet on the beach in ten days. He would bring a combat mission from the US military, and judging from the current situation, it is most likely related to the city of Malolos.
To gain the full support of the Zheng family as soon as possible, the only way is to take advantage of this meeting to bring Zheng Mingsong to George Dewey and help him improve his status in the family.
"This is such a headache!"
Chen Feng rubbed his forehead, thinking how wonderful it would be if he had a strategist or advisor to help him make decisions.
In Luzon, a desolate place with only a little over 200,000 Chinese people, finding a single talented individual would be harder than climbing to heaven.
Chen Feng didn't know how much time had passed until late at night when he finally came to his senses.
Upon seeing this, Qian Biao immediately picked up a basin of water from the side: "General, the water from before has cooled down. I'll go get another basin of hot water."
Go!
Chen Feng took a deep breath, shook his head, and cleared his mind of the jumbled thoughts.
Just then, several disordered footsteps came from the stairs, followed by a few hushed words of English conversation.
If Chen Feng hadn't had hearing far beyond that of ordinary people, he might not have been able to hear it clearly.
"Marilyn, does the treasure you're talking about really exist? You're not lying to me, are you?"
"I'm warning you again, don't mention the treasure outside."
"What's there to be afraid of? Of all these Chinese and indigenous people, how many can understand our language?"
"Fuck! This hotel is run by Spaniards."
The conversation abruptly stopped, presumably because the group had run into Qian Biao, who was on his way to fetch water.
Chen Feng raised an eyebrow, preoccupied with the treasure the others were talking about, completely unaware of a woman named Marilyn.
As the saying goes, a horse won't get fat without night grass, and a person won't get rich without unexpected wealth.
Now that the family is large and the business is thriving, the five thousand dollars sponsored by George Dewey can hardly withstand the expenditure. In just a few days, almost half of it has already been used up.
If we don't find a solution quickly, we might not be able to pay the soldiers' salaries in just a few months.
The treasure these people are talking about might just solve their coal shortage!
Thinking of this, Chen Feng immediately said to Qian Biao, who had returned with hot water, "I'm not washing my feet. You go to sleep first. I'm going out for a bit."
As soon as he finished speaking, he scrambled up the window, stepped through the cracks in the stone, and crawled towards the room where the door had just closed.