181: Feng Hanqing

Faced with this question once again, Lu Fan fell into silence.

After finishing a cigarette, he took a deep breath and said, "The Japs are here; there's no reason to back down."

"Brother Fan~ After a fierce battle, casualties are not small. Why not return to New Port to rest and reorganize for a while?"

The shrewd Tang Jifeng saw the worry in Lu Fan's heart and tentatively offered a suggestion.

"No need. Besides, coming and going makes it easy to be exposed. Your good buddy, Boss Dai, is no pushover!"

Lu Fan flatly refused; in critical times, it was better to stay put than to move.

He changed the subject, his expression troubled: "It's just that... after the battle a few days ago, the number of combat-ready men in the Security Team has been halved. We need reinforcements.

Fourth Young Master has wide connections in Shanghai. Do you know of any other reliable, brave, and trustworthy units?"

Tang Jifeng's eyes lit up, and he immediately said, "Hey! Brother Fan~~ You've really asked the right person for that question.

I have a good friend, Feng Hanqing. This brother of mine is an extraordinary man, famous even throughout China..."

"Feng the Second? Who doesn't know him? He's just like you." Sheng Aiyi glanced at him and quickly urged, "Get to the point~~"

Tang Jifeng gave an embarrassed smile and said, "A few days ago, I just incorporated his pilot class.

As for him, he brought a group of students from that 'university' he runs, insisting on coming to Shanghai to join the war.

Though he's a playboy, he's deeply patriotic. Seventh Miss, don't be fooled by his lack of fame; he's a real pro at fighting.

The equipment of those student soldiers might be average, but their quality and determination are absolutely beyond reproach.

Do you want to meet him?"

Upon hearing the name Feng Hanqing, Lu Fan immediately thought of that famous playboy from history who named a university after himself.

This was indeed a lead worth pursuing.

"Good!" Lu Fan made an immediate decision. "Fourth Young Master, go ahead and arrange it. I'll treat this Brother Feng to a casual meal. We can discuss the specifics when we meet."

"No problem. There's no time like the present; I'll call to make an appointment right now." Tang Jifeng agreed readily.

At ten o'clock that evening, inside an elegant private room in the Peace Hotel.

The crystal chandelier cast a soft glow, forming a subtle contrast with the war-torn Shanghai outside where the fighting had momentarily ceased.

The door was pushed open by a waiter, and a tall man with a handsome face and sharp eyes strode in.

He wore a well-fitted suit, and despite his languid manner, he still exuded the crispness of a soldier.

"Brother Hanqing! You've finally arrived!" Tang Jifeng immediately stood up with a smile to welcome him, familiarly patting the other man's arm.

"Come, come, let me introduce you. This is the one I often mention to you, Lu Fan, Boss Lu, a returnee from Britain.

Brother Fan, this is Feng Hanqing, Big Brother Feng."

Lu Fan stood up and extended his hand with a smile: "Mr. Feng, I have long heard of your great name."

Feng Hanqing sized Lu Fan up, an imperceptible trace of scrutiny flashing in his eyes.

He still reached out to shake hands: "Boss Lu, a pleasure~~"

His tone was polite but carried a hint of aloofness.

With Tang Jifeng, a socially adept middleman, present, the atmosphere soon became lively.

After a few drinks, through casual conversation, Lu Fan learned that the student unit Feng Hanqing brought numbered about two hundred.

Most were exiled students from the Northeast and patriotic youths who had received decent military training.

While they couldn't compare to the strictly selected, one-in-a-thousand members of the Security Team, they were much better than average local militias.

Furthermore, these people had clean backgrounds. Although there would definitely be a gap in combat power if they were added to the Security Team,

at least the quality of the personnel met the standard.

During the conversation, Feng Hanqing made no secret of his dissatisfaction with the Jinling authorities: "...Old Man's troop deployments are hesitant and over-cautious, repeatedly missing good opportunities.

I brought my students here this time with no intention of working with them.

We'll raise our own unit and fight the Japs ourselves!"

At this point, Tang Jifeng took the opportunity to steer the conversation toward Lu Fan's purpose: "Brother Hanqing, Brother Fan is also working on his own.

His unit is excellent and contributed greatly in this major battle. You see..."

Hearing this, Feng Hanqing's brow furrowed slightly. He set down his wine glass and looked at Tang Jifeng.

"Little Four, are you asking me to join his... his private armed group?"

He gave a soft sneer, his tone carrying a bit of arrogance and doubt: "Mr. Lu, if I may be blunt, fighting Japs isn't child's play.

My students, while not regular army, are not inferior to regular troops in terms of combat power.

They aren't willing to join just any private unit of unknown origin."

With a smile on his lips, he intentionally or unintentionally showed a mocking air: "If you, Mr. Lu, were that mysterious Security Team,

it wouldn't be impossible for us to join. But if you're not, on what basis do you expect us to join?

Could it be that you've killed a few Japs in the chaos and think you're the same as that mysterious Security Team that achieved such legendary feats?"

Faced with Feng Hanqing's almost rude mockery, there was no sign of anger on Lu Fan's face. Instead, a meaningful smile appeared.

Without haste, he took a small, old-looking metal badge from an inner pocket.

He placed it gently on the table and pushed it toward Feng Hanqing.

The badge was uniquely shaped, engraved with three crossed arrows and three small letters: Z, F, Z.

The moment he saw this badge, the arrogance on Feng Hanqing's face instantly froze.

It was replaced by immense shock and excitement.

He stood up abruptly, almost unable to believe his eyes as he picked up the badge and carefully felt it to identify it.

Seeing the three letters ZTS on the back, his voice trembled: "This... this is... Tingshu's badge.

How do you have his token? Who are you? Where is he? How is he doing now?"

This badge was a unique token of the Three Young Masters of the Northeast. It was impossible for outsiders to possess it, let alone forge it.

Lu Fan looked at him calmly and said, "Mr. Feng, please calm down. He is perfectly well. At this moment, he should already be in Yanan."

"Yanan?" Feng Hanqing was shocked once again.

Then, as if understanding something, his gaze suddenly refocused on Lu Fan, his expression becoming incredibly complex.

"You... you are the one mentioned in the Third Brother's letter... in Beijing? Then... that Security Team... could it be..."

"Exactly," Lu Fan admitted frankly. "I am the Security Team you spoke of.

In yesterday's operation, losses were quite high, and we urgently need reliable soldiers to replenish our ranks. That is why I took the liberty of inviting you."

Everything suddenly became clear!

The doubt and arrogance on Feng Hanqing's face vanished in an instant, replaced by respect and excitement.

He sat heavily back into his chair, taking several deep breaths to compose himself.

"So that's how it is... so that's how it is!" he murmured. When he looked at Lu Fan again, his gaze was completely different.

"Boss Lu, I've offended you earlier. This Feng has eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai!

To be able to join your unit, fight the war together, and avenge the thirty million elders of my Northeast is something I could only hope for."

He agreed cleanly and decisively, but a deep sense of regret flashed in his eyes.

Lu Fan saw this clearly, his heart as bright as a mirror.

With a single look, Tang Jifeng understood and asked, "Brother, if there's anything on your mind, just say it."