EFB Chapter 12 The Eccentric Religion Riots in the Republic of China
Chapter 12 The Eccentric Religion Riots in the Republic of China
The first rays of dawn shone through the stained glass windows of the West.
Liu Yanru curtsied, the fragrance of magnolia blossoms refreshing and invigorating.
However, the atmosphere in the hall became oppressive the moment she entered.
Anger flashed across Xu Fangjing's face, but because this was the Fang residence, she quickly regained her composure.
"I have long admired your reputation, sir. Meeting you today, I can confirm that you are indeed extraordinary."
Liu Yanru glanced at Xu Fangjing, smiled, lifted the hem of her cheongsam, and plopped down in the seat of honor that belonged to Xu Fangjing.
"Speaking of which, my Black Dragon Society has quite a connection with you, sir."
"What do you mean?" Fang Qi picked up the silver dollar on the table, which was gradually spinning weakly, and asked casually.
Between the two women, Xu Fangjing was well-mannered, while this woman was more adept at getting close to people, like a social butterfly.
"My two most promising disciples in the Ming Jin realm of the Black Dragon Society are serving as bodyguards for you, sir. Isn't that fate?"
Whether by habit or intention, Liu Yanru crossed her left leg over her right, exposing the top of her leg directly to Fang Qi's view.
Her skin was delicate, smooth, and rounded; she was clearly an expert.
Fang Qi smiled but remained silent.
If placing two spies in his residence is considered fate, then does that mean placing a few spies in this woman's house is also considered fate?
"In addition, our Black Dragon Society also has dealings with you, sir..."
"Our Xingyi Quan school is planning to open a school in the new urban area. The site is almost ready, and we are just missing the supporting facilities."
Xu Fangjing couldn't stand Liu Yanru's behavior any longer, so she imitated Liu Yanru and suddenly interrupted.
"If you are willing to sponsor the New City Boxing Gym, all future profits will go to you. Furthermore, you don't need to worry about anything; I will handle the specific implementation."
Tianjin is divided into seven districts: the old city, the new city, the concession area, the special administration area, etc. Traditional martial arts schools, such as Xingyiquan, are mostly located in the old city, also known as Xingguo District.
Not content with just one area, the Xingyi Quan school wanted to expand into the new urban area.
Xu Fangjing is one of the people in charge of Xincheng Martial Arts School.
The terms of cooperation she offered were entirely in Fang Qi's favor.
Fang Qi didn't say anything, only looking at the silver dollar in his hand.
Seeing this, Liu Yanru crossed her legs and smiled charmingly:
"My Black Dragon Society has a pharmacy that has recently developed a new secret medicine."
This medicine combines traditional qi and blood remedies with Western alchemy, greatly simplifying the manufacturing process while achieving a higher level of efficacy than traditional medicines.
We are currently short of production funds. If you are interested, sir, I can guarantee that 50% of the profits from this batch of new drugs will go to you.
Both of them disclosed their investment projects and returns.
Fang Qi was not interested in opening a martial arts school, nor did he have any desire to explore the pharmaceutical process that combined traditional and Western alchemy.
But he needs martial arts and secret medicines.
Investing in a martial arts school is equivalent to moving into the school, which gives you access to martial arts techniques at the hidden strength and even the transformation strength stages.
Not to mention investing in new drugs, which would provide a source of the secret medicine.
"Did Miss Liu bring any new medicine?"
"Please take a look, sir." Liu Yanru was prepared and immediately stood up upon hearing this, her fragrance wafting as she handed over the new medicine.
This medicine is in the typical shape of a Western pill, only larger in size, consistent with early Western alchemy.
A touch of spiritual energy seeped into the pill, and it indeed contained immense medicinal power, even surpassing that of the Jade Marrow Ointment.
However, it also contains more toxicity and impurities than chalcedony ointment, which is a drawback of Western medicine.
In scientific terms, traditional medicines from the East are basically made from raw medicinal materials, while Western medicines are chemically synthesized.
Fang Qi didn't care about this.
With his cultivation techniques, he has a way to remove the alchemical poison while preserving the main medicinal components.
"This medicine is indeed novel," Fang Qi said, breaking the pill in half with a little force. "However, its efficacy still needs to be verified."
Liu Yanru was a seasoned socialite and could understand the meaning behind the words.
She immediately took out two more large pills and said with a smile, "If you think it's not enough, sir, I'll have someone send some more."
Fang Qi smiled and said, "Your projects are very good, and I am also very interested in them. However, investment is a big deal, and I need some time to think about it."
Xu Fangjing and Liu Yanru were both intelligent people, so they immediately stood up, smiled, and took their leave.
However, as the two stepped out the door, the tense atmosphere suddenly intensified.
There's an old saying that goes, "Two women make a drama."
Fang Qi enjoys watching plays, especially those that are advantageous to him.
He had actually planned to invest in both projects, but in order to maximize his profits, he did not give a result on the spot.
Instead, it leaves some time for the two women to continue to develop their abilities.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Xu Fangjing and Liu Yan will likely increase their bets in the coming days.
With these initial bargaining chips, Fang Qi could return to the cultivation world to exchange them for spirit stones and gold leaves.
This is how they manage to get something for nothing.
The plan was good, but things didn't go as planned.
After the two women arrived, no one came to discuss cooperation for two consecutive days, and the two women did not make any moves.
Upon further inquiry, it was discovered that a riot had broken out at Dongjin Wharf, the largest wharf in Tianjin, affecting martial arts schools, businesses, and community defense organizations—almost the entire city of Tianjin.
The riot was not quelled until three days later.
"The riot was initially caused by several car rental companies, such as Shunfeng and Youbu, competing for customers, and was later instigated by the Huangtian Mi Sect..."
Jia Si and Jia Nian reported on the cause of the riot.
"The Yellow Heaven Esoteric School worships the Yellow Heaven God and uses healing talismans and water to win people's hearts..."
Fang Qi rubbed his temples.
The area around Tianjin is getting more and more chaotic, with heretical organizations like the Tantric sect emerging.
"Sir, Liu Yanru from the Green Flame Hall of the Black Dragon Society requests an audience."
While I was pondering, an announcement came from outside the hall.
finally come.
Fang Qi's eyes lit up, and he put aside the matter of the cult riot.
"Go to the reception room."
......
The Western-style clock on the main wall ticked away.
Liu Yanru, dressed in a light blue high-slit cheongsam, was eagerly waiting.
"Miss Liu, you've kept me waiting."
Fang Qi strolled leisurely into the hall.
"Yanru hasn't even warmed her seat yet, how can she be waiting so long? It is Yanru who has disturbed your meditation, sir."
Liu Yanru is as eloquent as ever, and still exudes charm.
"What brings you here today, young lady?"
Fang Qi took the main seat, ignoring Liu Yanru's charm, and went straight to the point.
Chaos was becoming increasingly apparent in Tianjin, so he had to speed things up.
Liu Yanru smiled sweetly and presented the new medicine, saying, "Yanru's last visit was rushed and I was not prepared properly, so I have come today to make up for it."
The implication was that only three new pills were given last time, which might not be enough to verify the efficacy, so another batch was sent today.
"This batch of new medicine from the young lady is a bit too much."
What Liu Yanru brought was not only new medicine, but also three hundred silver dollars as a token of her sincerity in cooperating.
"Not a bit more. I wanted to send it over a few days ago, but something happened that delayed your verification of the medicine's efficacy."
Fang Qi naturally did not refuse.
Three hundred silver dollars may be insignificant, but if this batch of new drugs is resold in the cultivation world, its value will be entirely different.
You could say that all the money for investing in the martial arts school and producing new drugs is now available.
"This medicine is indeed excellent. I can see that Miss Liu is sincere. Let's finalize the investment today. I wonder if Miss Yanru has brought the contract?"
"I brought it, I brought it!" Liu Yanru immediately smiled broadly.
She was well-prepared, with page after page of cooperation terms detailing all the cooperation matters.
Fang Qi glanced at it, found nothing suspicious, added the note "New medicine needs to be delivered to the Fang residence every month to confirm its efficacy," and then signed his name.
The collaboration on new drug production is practically a done deal.
Even if there were shady dealings involved, he wouldn't care.
What binding force can a few pieces of ordinary paper have?
"By the way," Fang Qi said after signing the document, changing the subject, "Miss Liu, the incident you mentioned earlier, was it the Yellow Heaven Secret Sect riot at Dongjin Wharf? Could you tell me about this riot?"
As a top-tier force in Tianjin, the Black Dragon Society possesses countless connections and resources, and must know the real inside story.
Liu Yanru did not answer Fang Qi's question, but instead asked him seriously, "Sir, have you ever heard of the Tongji Society?"
"The Tongji Society?" Fang Qi shook his head.
Judging from the name, you can probably guess what they do.
But he still wanted to hear what the woman had to say.
"As you know, sir, the East is now in disarray, with warlords fighting each other internally and Western ironclad ships invading from the outside. Tianjin may seem safe, but in reality, there are already undercurrents surging beneath the surface."
"The Huangtian Esoteric Sect uprising is a case in point."
Liu Yanru put away her previous allure, "If you have time, sir, I can introduce you to the Tongji Association. Perhaps there you can find out what you'd like to know."