Chapter Eighty-Fifth: The Gu Residence

  The kidnapping of Gu Xiangyun was done by a small gang called "Caidao Gang" from Tianjin, who found an excuse in Gu Xu's refusal to pay them protection fees. On the second day after Gu Xiangyun was kidnapped, Gu Xu was thinking of using underworld figures to negotiate with Caidao Gang when Huang Jiazi came forward on his own initiative and offered to help resolve the matter.

  Huang Jiezi was also considered a reputable person in Tianjin, and Gu Xudong had interacted with him before cutting ties after he became a traitor. Although Gu looked down on Huang's character, when it came to his daughter's life or death, he took an attitude of "let's hear him out" and asked for Huang's help. As soon as Huang mentioned that he could get the Japanese to intervene, Gu understood the ulterior motive and thought about how many merchants had recently been coerced by the Japanese into joining the puppet Manchukuo nationality. He immediately rejected Huang with a stern expression. Huang didn't get angry, but instead said: "The Imperial Army has spoken - within three days, if Mr. Gu joins the Manchukuo or Japanese nationality, we guarantee that Qianjin will be fine; otherwise, anything can happen." Faced with this naked threat, Gu Xudong was furious and cursed loudly. Huang Jiezi smiled coldly and told him to think carefully before leaving with his men.

  Knowing that this was actually manipulated by the Japanese, Gu Xudong understood that things were not so simple. As expected, when he invited the masters of several major schools in Tianjin to discuss with the help of his friends, he learned that the little girl was now being detained at the Beiping Association of the Japanese Black Dragon Society, and had a sense of sacrifice - the Japanese, jackals, wanting to rescue their daughter from them was no different from plotting against a tiger.

  With one day left in the three-day mourning period set by the Japanese, Gu Xudong's family was still immersed in great sorrow and indignation. Huang Qizi chose this time to visit and naturally wouldn't get a good reception.

  Gu Xudong listened to Gu Er's report, stood at the entrance of the hall with his clothes tidy, and as soon as Huang Jiazi appeared, he pointed at him and scolded: "Huang He Xiang, you are also a descendant of Yan and Huang, but all day long you only know how to help Japanese bandits calculate their own compatriots. Are you not afraid of losing the face of your ancestors?!" Then with a wave of his hand, he shouted at Gu Er and others: "Get him out of here!"

  Gu Er and the others, including all the servants of the Gu family, deeply hated Huang Jiaozi and his men. One by one, they glared at them with evil eyes, and after hearing their master's orders, they picked up brooms, wooden sticks and other things and rushed forward.

  Huang Zizai had always been extremely particular about his appearance, and he thought that today Gu Xu Dong would definitely surrender, so he came to hear the news, and then go back to ask for credit from his master. He didn't expect that as soon as he entered the Gu residence, he was met with brooms and clubs waiting for him. Although he was still agile on his feet and didn't get hurt, he was made a mess of, only barely escaping with his life.

  Driven out of the Gu's house, Huang Qiu Zi jumped up and scolded loudly: "Gu Xudong, you old blind cripple! I came to help you with a true heart because of our past friendship, but you don't know what's good for you——Hmph, since you don't appreciate it, then just wait for your daughter's funeral!" Then he stormed off.

  The term "crippled and blind" was used to mock the fact that there were no male heirs in the family, a uniquely Chinese insult with particularly vicious connotations. Gu Xudong heard it and was so enraged that he trembled all over and almost fainted. Madame Gu heard it and thought of her own daughter, who might indeed be beyond saving, and let out two loud wails before fainting away. The sight shocked Gu Haisheng and the others into a frantic flurry of activity - the entire Gu estate was thrown into chaos.

  Wanping is on his way to Tianjin, Ouyang Yun is driving carefully, while Yang Xicheng and others are telling Chu Tiange about the story of "The Two Heroes Fighting Against Japan in Tianjin".

  Tianjin's concession killed two traitors, Chu Tian Ge didn't gain much from the battle, it was always a regret in his heart. When he was alone with Ouyang Yun, sometimes he couldn't help but vent about it, thinking that this "Double Hero" had watered down too much and would definitely make up for it when given the chance.

  Since Ou Yang Yun decided to cultivate him into the captain of Lang Ya, he naturally enjoyed seeing him like this. He took the opportunity to tell him some command skills and repeatedly emphasized that the training of Lang Ya warriors was not easy. Although being willing to sacrifice is a necessary condition, no matter what task is executed, saving one's own strength as much as possible while completing the task is always the first element - special forces do not fight meaningless battles without a grasp, refusing blind sacrifice. Therefore, enemy situation analysis and combat plan formulation before the war are extremely important. He said: "The little devils have only 70 million people, occupying only one-fortieth of our China's land, why dare they invade our China? Because they have undergone Meiji Restoration, their industry is more developed than ours, thinking that their comprehensive national strength has surpassed us. China's weakness is the result of accumulation, and its root can be traced back to the closed-door policy of the Ming Dynasty. It is true that China has a glorious history, during the Han and Tang Dynasties, all sides came to pay homage, calling our country the superior state; during the Yuan Dynasty, they even fought to the banks of the Lain River, and in the Westerners' dictionary, there is still the term "**" until now. But if we want to compare with the world as a single country, without using the power of the world, relying solely on our own development, how can we not be left behind by the world? The current world has already entered an industrial society, think about it, cars, airplanes, large warships, these products representing the most advanced technology in today's world, which one can we Chinese produce now? For China to become rich and strong, having its own industry, heavy industry, and scientific and technological system are all necessary! Gu Xiangdong, an elder comrade, has already taken the lead in this regard, for such patriotic entrepreneurs, we must do our best to protect them, let them develop their industries with peace of mind, and display their talents. Only then can the Chinese nation stand among the nations of the world!"

  Yang Xucheng said: "Traveling, I understand now, this is the significance of our action this time!"

  Ouyang Yun nodded and said, "The Japanese forced the merchants of Tianjin to join the puppet Manchuria or even become Japanese nationals. The next step would be to make them move their property, factories, and industries away. At that time, without start-up capital, our idea of starting an industry would become a castle in the air, and we wouldn't be able to do anything."

  "The little devil is too vicious!"

  "Boss, we absolutely can't let their sinister plot succeed!"

  "Brothers, China can't rely on just one person to become powerful, let's work together!" Ou Yang Yun said, and suddenly stepped on the accelerator, the Ford car let out a loud roar and sped away.

  Around five o'clock in the afternoon, Tianjin Gu's study, Gu Xudong and Hou Debang, Feng Hengcheng were sitting at a desk discussing Gu Xiangyun's affairs. Gu Er knocked on the door outside and said: "Master, there is a young man named Ouyang Yun who wants to see you, what do you think?"

  Hou Debang is Gu Xudong's old partner and is now the chief engineer of Dalishi Alkali Plant, while Feng Hengcheng is the deputy director of Jingyuan Salt Plant and a disciple of Tianjin Baguamen. Their bosses are all friends with Gu Xudong, so when something big happened in his family, they couldn't stay out of it. Feng Hengcheng came forward and asked for help from several friends in their respective schools, and now he has come to see Gu Xudong to discuss the arrangements after the rescue action. The kidnapping of Gu Xiangyun is now confirmed to be masterminded by the Japanese - Tianjin is nominally under the jurisdiction of the 29th Army's Zhang Zizhong Brigade, but due to Song Zheyuan's ambiguous relationship with the Japanese and the presence of over two thousand Japanese troops stationed in the concession area, directly or indirectly controlling many Han traitors and hooligans. Gu Xudong and Feng Hengcheng think that if they want to ask for help, they should first arrange a way out for their helpers. If there is a big sacrifice, it will not only be a matter of his family but may also implicate the entire Tianjin martial arts world - which is a burden he cannot bear.

  "Ouyang Yun!" As soon as he heard this name, Hou Debang immediately asked: "Is it the one who discovered penicillin?"

  Feng Hengcheng said: "The 'anti-Japanese hero' who assassinated two Hanjian social leaders in the Japanese concession? If it's really his words, then that's good."

  Gu Xudong had a habit of reading newspapers and knew Ou Yang Yun's affairs very well. He quickly got up, opened the door and said to Gu Er: "Quickly, please come in."

  Ouyang Yun and his entourage arrived in Tianjin, where he had Chu Tiange lead the others to find an inn to stay at, while he went alone to meet Gu Xudong. Originally, he wanted Feng Yuanchu to be their guide, but considering that he would have important tasks for him later on, his identity must be kept secret, so he decided to go directly to the Gu residence, believing that Gu Xudong should know where his daughter was being held. Under the leadership of Gu Er, he walked into the main hall of the Gu residence, where Gu Xudong and two others had already come out of the study.

  It is said that Ouyang Yun was a young man, and he looked quite handsome. Otherwise, the story of "Shang Lang's daughter-in-law" would not have happened - after the matter of "Shang Lang's daughter-in-law" was reported in the newspaper by a curious reporter, it has now become known throughout the Pingjin area. As soon as Gu Xudong saw him, he hastily asked: "May I ask if you are Mr. Ouyang Yun who returned from the United States?"

  Ouyang Yun nodded and listened to Gu Er's introduction: "Mr. Ouyang, this is my father." He took a step forward and extended his right hand.

  Gu Xu Dong was taken aback, then quickly grasped it, excitedly asking: "Mr. Ouyang, aren't you in Beiping? How did you end up in Tianjin?"

  "Mr. Ouyang, hello!" "Professor Ouyang, I've long admired you." Feng Hengcheng and Hou Debang stepped forward to shake hands with him, while Gu Xudong was too excited in comparison. The two of them looked at this young man with many inquiring eyes - Hou Debang had some doubts about how he could discover penicillin and complete a series of studies at such a young age. As someone who also did scientific research, he deeply understood the importance of knowledge accumulation for invention and creation. Ouyang Yun's ability to complete creative tasks at such a young age was somewhat inconceivable to him. Feng Hengcheng was a martial artist, but he doubted Ouyang Yun's real abilities. Currently, in Tianjin, there were rumors circulating about how Ouyang Yun and Chu Tiange had single-handedly entered the Japanese concession as if it were uninhabited, beheading hundreds of Japanese people - some exaggerated claims even said that Ouyang Yun's horizontal connection kung fu had reached the point where "knives and guns couldn't penetrate", referring not to traditional knives and red-tasseled guns, but to firearms and bullets. Was Ouyang Yun really that formidable?