chsdbacks Chapter 203 The Strike Hard Campaign of 1925
Chapter 203 The Strike Hard Campaign of 1925
Chen Zijun stood by the window, looking at the distant firelight.
The firelight illuminated half the night sky, like a giant torch burning in the darkness.
That was the burning of a comprador trading company that had been shut down.
Flames shot into the air, billowing black smoke filled the air, and the smell of burning permeated the atmosphere.
But Chen Zijun didn't find it pungent; on the contrary, he thought the smell was refreshing.
Because this is the smell of sin being burned.
"Young Marshal." Shen Li walked in, his footsteps sounding particularly clear in the quiet night.
Chen Zijun turned around and saw Shen Li's face filled with undisguised excitement.
"Shen Li," Chen Zijun said, "how's the operation going?"
A hint of excitement flashed in Shen Li's eyes.
"Young Marshal," Shen Li said, "this operation went very smoothly. All 120 smuggling dens in the five southeastern provinces that we targeted were raided. Comprador firms were shut down, chambers of commerce were searched, and gang headquarters were destroyed."
Chen Zijun nodded, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
"Very good," Chen Zijun said. "How many people have you arrested?"
Shen Li said, "Young Marshal, we have arrested more than 1,300 traitors involved in human trafficking and cultural relic smuggling. These people are beasts who don't treat the Chinese people as human beings."
A cold glint flashed in Chen Zijun's eyes.
"More than 1,300?" Chen Zijun said.
"Yes," Shen Li said. "Moreover, we also confiscated a large amount of ill-gotten gains, including gold, silver, foreign currency, and cultural relics, with a total value exceeding 15 million pounds."
Chen Zijun sneered: "Fifteen million pounds? That's right. This money is all the blood and sweat they squeezed from the Chinese people. Now, it's time to return it to the Chinese people."
Shen Li asked, "Young Marshal, what are your plans to do with these traitors?"
Chen Zijun said, "Execute them all."
Shen Li was taken aback.
"Execute them all?" Shen Li asked.
"Yes," Chen Zijun said. "These people are involved in human trafficking and cultural relic smuggling; their hands are stained with the blood of our people. They deserve to die."
Shen Li nodded.
"Okay," Shen Li said.
"Wait," Chen Zijun said. "Before the execution, hold a public trial. Let everyone know what crimes they committed. I want the people of the country to see the fate of these traitors."
Shen Li said, "Understood."
Chen Zijun said, "Furthermore, this crackdown is just the beginning; it will last for three months. We accept reports from anyone, and there are rewards for them. I want everyone to know that this kind of crime is absolutely prohibited on my turf. No matter who it is, anyone who participates in a crime will pay the price."
Shen Li said, "Understood. I'll arrange it right away."
Shen Li turned and left, his footsteps hurried and forceful.
Chen Zijun looked out the window again.
The fire was still burning, as if mourning the lives that had been destroyed.
He knew this was just the beginning.
The real investigation is yet to come.
He wanted everyone to know that on his territory, the Chinese people were not to be bullied at will.
As long as he is alive, he will protect his countrymen.
The next morning.
Chen Mansion, Meeting Room.
Chen Zijun held a press conference.
Reporters from home and abroad gathered, filling the conference room to capacity. There were domestic journalists, foreign journalists, Western journalists, and Japanese journalists. They all wanted to hear what the young warlord had to say.
Flashbulbs went off constantly, and the beams of spotlights filled the conference room.
Chen Zijun walked to the front of the podium, his expression calm but his eyes firm.
"Dear reporters," Chen Zijun said, "today, I have an important decision to announce."
The audience fell silent, everyone holding their breath, waiting for Chen Zijun to speak.
"Starting today," Chen Zijun said, "the five southeastern provinces will launch a three-month crackdown on crime. We will strictly investigate human smuggling, cultural relic smuggling, drug smuggling, and all illegal and criminal activities involving organized crime and violence that are prohibited by law. Anyone involved, no matter who they are, will be severely punished."
A murmur arose from the audience.
A foreign journalist stood up.
"Young Marshal Chen," a foreign journalist said, "your crackdown was very decisive, but many foreign companies and trading firms, such as Sassoon & Co., have suffered losses. How do you plan to handle this?"
Chen Zijun sneered.
"Sassoon & Co.?" Chen Zijun said, a cold glint in his eyes. "If they were involved in a crime, I will make them pay the price. On my turf, whether they are Chinese or foreign, anyone who commits a crime will pay the price."
The foreign journalists were stunned, their faces showing disbelief.
Is that what he asked?
He meant that Chen Zijun should compensate these foreign companies and trading firms for their losses, not that they were guilty and should be severely punished!
Let's say, did Marshal Chen not understand?
So he decided to try again to save this local warlord of a declining feudal empire in the East!
"But," the foreign journalist said, a hint of dissatisfaction in his voice, "Sassoon & Co. is a British firm. Won't your treatment of a British firm cause displeasure from the British side?"
"So what?" Chen Zijun said, his voice filled with unwavering determination. "Does this mean that British trading companies can commit crimes? Do they think they can harm our people? Let me tell you, there is no lawless place on my turf. No matter who you are, if you commit a crime, you will pay the price. That's my rule."
A round of applause erupted from the audience, and many domestic reporters clapped excitedly.
Another reporter stood up.
"Young Marshal Chen," the reporter said, "how long will this crackdown last?"
Chen Zijun said, "Three months. But this is just the beginning. As long as crime exists, the crackdown will not stop."
A reporter asked, "Young Marshal Chen, will this crackdown affect your normal business activities?"
Chen Zijun said, "No. We are cracking down on crime, not normal business activities. As long as you don't participate in crime, we will protect normal business activities."
A reporter asked, "Young Marshal Chen, will this crackdown affect foreign investment in China?"
Chen Zijun said, "No. We welcome foreign investment, but the premise is that it must comply with Chinese law. If anyone uses investment as a guise to engage in criminal activities, we will not hesitate to take action."
Applause erupted again from the audience.
Chen Zijun continued, "I know some people will say I'm too ruthless. But I want to tell you, being merciful to criminals is being cruel to our own people. These human traffickers, antique dealers, and drug dealers have the blood of our people on their hands. They deserve to die. If I don't kill them, I'll be letting down the families they've destroyed, and the women and children they've trafficked."
The audience fell silent; everyone was stunned by Chen Zijun's words.
"I want everyone to know," Chen Zijun said, his voice filled with unwavering determination, "that on my turf, my fellow countrymen are not to be bullied. As long as I am here, I will protect my people. This is my responsibility, and this is my promise."
Thunderous applause erupted from the audience and lasted for a long time. Many reporters stood up and applauded excitedly, and even some foreign journalists were deeply moved by Chen Zijun's words.
After the press conference.
Chen Zijun returned to the Chen Mansion.
Su Guiying walked in.
"Young Marshal," Su Guiying said.
Chen Zijun raised his head.
"Sister Gui," Chen Zijun said, "how's it going with the Labor Movement Bureau?"
Su Guiying said, "Young Marshal, the Workers' Movement Bureau cooperated with the Military Intelligence Bureau in this crackdown. We destroyed many gang headquarters and arrested many traitors."
Chen Zijun nodded.
"Very good," Chen Zijun said. "The Green Gang deserves much credit for this crackdown."
Su Guiying said, "Young Marshal, I've also discovered something else. Many powerful local gentry and magnates are involved in human trafficking. They use their influence to abduct people in rural areas and sell them to foreign firms. These powerful local gentry and magnates appear respectable on the surface, but in reality, they are all beasts."
A cold glint flashed in Chen Zijun's eyes.
"Powerful figures, local gentry?" Chen Zijun said.
"Yes," Su Guiying said. "These powerful figures and gentry appear respectable on the surface, but in reality, they are all beasts. They traffic people, including women and children, and sell them to foreign companies for profit. They use their power to run rampant in the countryside, and no one dares to do anything about them."
Chen Zijun said, "These powerful local tyrants and gentry deserve to die too."
Su Guiying asked, "Young Marshal, what do you plan to do?"
Chen Zijun said, "Investigate. Investigate all these powerful figures and gentry. Anyone involved must be severely punished. No matter how much power they wield or how deep their connections are, if they participated in the crime, they must pay the price."
Su Guiying nodded.
"Understood," Su Guiying said.
Chen Zijun said, "Furthermore, this crackdown will last for three months. I want everyone to know that this kind of crime is absolutely prohibited on my turf."
Su Guiying said, "Understood."
Su Guiying turned and left.
Chen Zijun sat in the chair and closed his eyes.
He knew that this crackdown would affect the interests of many people.
But he doesn't care.
These people deserve to die.
At this moment, footsteps were heard outside the door.
Moranzhi walked in.
"Young Master," Mo Lanzhi said.
Chen Zijun opened his eyes.
"Sister Lanzhi," Chen Zijun said, "how's the intelligence going?"
Moran said, "Young master, we've intercepted some intelligence. The Sassoon Company suffered heavy losses in this crackdown, and they're plotting retaliation."
Chen Zijun sneered.
"Retaliation?" Chen Zijun said. "Let them come. I'll wait for them."
Moranzhi said, "Young Marshal, the Sassoon Company may be colluding with other forces, which would be detrimental to you."
Chen Zijun said, "No matter who they collude with, I'm not afraid. They can't cause any trouble on my turf."
Moranzhi nodded.
"Understood," Moranzhi said.
Chen Zijun said, "Continue to monitor Sassoon & Co. I need to know their every move."
Moranzhi said, "Yes."
Moranzhi turned and left.
Chen Zijun closed his eyes again.
He knew that this crackdown was just the beginning.
The real battle is yet to come.
But he will not back down.
Because this is his territory.
He sets the rules here.