novelSusiti Chapter 72 The First Encounter of a Tycoon
Chapter 72 The First Encounter of a Tycoon
"Please rest assured, General! I will never let you down!" Wang Liang stood up and gave a solemn military salute.
Chen Feng watched his retreating figure, his mind churning with thoughts.
The window of opportunity for large-scale immigration was only before the US military suppressed the independence forces.
Once the independence army is defeated and the situation in Luzon stabilizes, the Americans will inevitably limit the size of the Chinese population. At that time, it will be extremely difficult to recruit immigrants on a large scale.
Once the Zheng family's trade routes are opened, their fleet will also need to be included in the immigrant transport.
Time passed slowly, and Chen Feng was extremely busy these past few days.
He implemented sweeping reforms to the military system, reorganizing the existing 900-plus troops of the Free Army into five battalions, with Tian Gang, Qian Biao, and three others serving as battalion commanders. He first established the command structure, and then gradually supplemented the ranks and strengthened training after the wave of immigrants arrived.
The intelligence department headed by Qian Biao gradually got on track, with informants all over the area around Manila.
Sure enough, the Independent Army's messenger had already ascertained the other party's identity before even arriving at the camp.
In the afternoon, the sound of horses' hooves broke the tranquility outside the camp.
Juan stood on his horse at the entrance of the camp, only to hear deafening training shouts coming from the valley. He wanted to peek into the camp, but his view was completely blocked by the hill in front of him. He could only see the towering watchtowers and patrolling soldiers, and he was secretly amazed.
Upon receiving the report, Chen Feng dismounted and greeted Hu with a faint smile, "Captain Hu, what brings you here?"
Juan stared at the person before him, feeling a moment of disorientation.
Just over a month ago, this man was merely a laborer under his command. Unexpectedly, in such a short time, he was able to raise a formidable army, becoming a prominent figure whom even Aquinado had to take seriously, and even personally capturing him.
Such an encounter is truly unbelievable.
Seeing that he was stunned and silent, Chen Feng chuckled again: "Captain Hu, we've known each other for a long time. Just say what you need to say, no need to be polite."
Juan snapped out of his daze, a barely perceptible hint of embarrassment flashing across his face. He quickly pulled out an exquisitely crafted parchment letter from his pocket and solemnly presented it with both hands: "General Chen, this is a personal letter from Commander-in-Chief Aguinaldo, who specifically ordered me to deliver it to you."
"Oh? You're inviting me to your Declaration of Independence launch event?"
Chen Feng took the envelope and glanced at the signature.
Addressed to General Chen Feng of the Luzon Chinese Free Army, below which is the seal of the Marolos Revolutionary Military Government.
A hint of surprise flashed in Juan's eyes: "General Chen is certainly well-informed."
"We, the Free Army, are not deaf."
Chen Feng gave a perfunctory reply and opened the letter.
The calligraphy inside is neat and powerful, written in classical Chinese, which obviously could not have come from the hand of Aquinas, the indigenous leader. The so-called "personal letter" is just a gimmick to deceive people.
The letter contained nothing but polite remarks: "I have long admired your great talent and strategic vision, and your strict military discipline. The Chinese Free Army has repeatedly defeated the Western barbarians and is a formidable force in Luzon. You are truly a role model for us all... I hereby announce that the Philippine Declaration of Independence will be launched in Malolos on June 12th. I invite dignitaries from all walks of life to join me in this grand event and to discuss national affairs... The Revolutionary Army has been ordered to provide proper protection along the way. I guarantee the safety of your entourage, General. I personally guarantee this with my honor... Respectfully, Emilio Aguinaldo, Commander-in-Chief of the Philippine Revolutionary Army."
The entire document makes no mention of past conflicts over the seizure of supply depots, and even subtly promises that Chinese people can enter parliament and enjoy equal rights, adopting an extremely humble stance.
Chen Feng put away the letter, a cold smile playing on his lips.
Aquinado only wanted to win him over because he saw that Aquinado had close ties with the United States. As for the Chinese people mentioned in the letter, that was obviously nonsense.
The trip to Malolos was pre-arranged, and there were no conditions left to negotiate; moreover, Juan, in front of him, had no say in the matter.
Chen Feng immediately nodded and said, "Report to Aquinado that I will arrive on time!"
Upon hearing this, Juan immediately breathed a sigh of relief and smiled: "My General Liu said that General Chen is mindful of the bigger picture and will certainly not refuse for the sake of the well-being of the Chinese people in Luzon."
"Captain Hu, I'm busy with affairs in my camp, so I won't invite you in to rest," Chen Feng said calmly.
Juan did not turn away. Instead, he stepped forward and said in a low voice, "General Chen, to be honest, my General Liu is in the ravine not far behind. He came here specifically to meet you in person."
Chen Feng was stunned when he heard this.
It seems the intelligence department needs to step up its efforts; they haven't even detected Liu Heng's arrival.
However, this guy used to be a notorious gangster in Manila, and now he is a core general of the independence army and a local warlord. Why is he acting so cautiously? Seeing that I am still waiting in the distance, is he afraid that I will just order him to be shot dead?
Am I that kind of person?
Chen Feng's face showed disdain as he looked in the direction Juan was pointing.
At the edge of the mountain valley, a strong middle-aged man was riding a warhorse, wearing the blue and white striped uniform of the Independent Army, with a command sword at his waist. He had a mature face, neat short hair, and deep eyes, exuding a calm aura of someone who had been through many battles.
"Please, General Chen, come and meet me." Juan bowed again, his attitude becoming increasingly respectful.
Chen Feng mounted his horse and casually asked, "General Liu's rank must have been promoted by now, right? The Independent Army is gaining momentum, and General Liu has made great contributions. He can't be a lieutenant colonel anymore, can he?"
"Reporting to General Chen, the Commander-in-Chief has ordered that General Liu be officially promoted to Brigadier General on June 12, the day the Declaration of Independence is issued," Juan replied respectfully.
Chen Feng shook his head slightly, urging his warhorse forward slowly, his tone tinged with mockery: "Aquinado is rather stingy, only giving him a brigadier general?"
Juan was at a loss for words and could only shake his head and chuckle awkwardly.
Chen Feng glanced at him and then laughed, "Why don't you persuade your general to switch allegiance to my Free Army and make me your commander-in-chief? I can give him a brigadier general position, or even a lieutenant general position, and he can wield real power, governing all the Chinese-populated areas south of Manila. Isn't that better than suffering injustice in the Independence Army?"
"You...you should say this to the general yourself!"
Juan broke out in a cold sweat, inwardly cursing, "This guy is such a braggart! His troops are even weaker than my general's, yet he's been promoted to general and given command of the area south of Manila."
As Chen Feng urged his horse to slow down, he carefully observed Liu Hengfu, who was approaching.
In June 1896, this man led 3000 Chinese to join the Independent Army and also founded the Independent Army's first arsenal in Imus.
In November 1896, during the Battle of Cavite, the then Spanish Governor-General Brango personally led the colonial army to encircle and suppress the enemy. He commanded his soldiers to calmly fight back and stabilize the southern defense line of the independence army.
In March 1897, during the Battle of Imus, he annihilated nearly three thousand Spanish colonial troops, demonstrating the might of the Chinese.
Most importantly, this independent military government was about to be established, but it had no money. Liu Hengfu actually raised a huge sum of 60.6 pesos from Chinese people in various places.
Despite such achievements, he only received the rank of brigadier general, which reveals the extent of Aquinado's suspicion.
Those large Chinese families who donated money must be kicking themselves when they hear the news.
"General Chen, I've long admired your name!"
When they were still more than ten feet apart, Liu Hengfu dismounted, cupped his hands in greeting, and spoke in a deep and powerful voice.
Chen Feng dismounted and returned the salute with clasped hands: "I have long heard of General Liu's illustrious reputation. His defense of the southern front, establishment of the arsenal, and fundraising for the army are all great achievements, and I admire them greatly."
"General Chen, you flatter me. I was merely doing my small part for the survival of the Chinese in Luzon."
Liu Hengfu spoke humbly, but his gaze swept quickly over Chen Feng with a scrutinizing look. "The Commander-in-Chief had a few words he ordered me to pass on to General Chen personally."
Chen Feng then changed the subject and said with a smile, "General Liu, we are both Chinese. Wouldn't it make our Free Army seem unhospitable to talk about business on horseback in this desolate wilderness? I have already ordered people to prepare wine and meat. Why don't you come into the camp with me and we can drink and talk? That way, I can show you some hospitality."
Liu Hengfu glanced at the Free Army's camp, a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes, then chuckled and shook his head: "Thank you for your kindness, General Chen, but I have important matters to attend to and cannot stay long. When we arrive in Malolos another day, I will definitely host a banquet at the Revolutionary Army Government, where we can drink to our hearts' content with General Chen."
"What's wrong?"
Chen Feng deliberately wore a mocking expression. "Does General Liu think that my Free Army would do what bandits and brigands do, kidnap you and demand ransom from Aquinas? Or do you think I, Chen Feng, am narrow-minded and would ambush axemen in the camp, smashing a cup as a signal to take your life?"