Chapter 37: A Strange Old Acquaintance
As the two were talking, they heard a commotion in the courtyard outside, as if Du Yunzhang was arguing with someone. Yin Chuan and Linlang pushed open the door and saw Du Yunzhang, Baohan, and several other Cao Gang members arguing fiercely with three strangers, almost coming to blows.
"Hey! What's going on? What's going on?" Yin Chuan stepped forward and asked.
"Old Yin, you've arrived just in time." Du Yunzhang breathed a sigh of relief. "These guys are so strange! They heard at the door that this is the territory of the Cao Gang, and then they barged in without saying anything, holding some strange machines in their hands."
Yin Chuan took a closer look and saw that one of the tall men was carrying a long tripod with a square box on top. Furthermore, two of them had unusual builds. The tall man carrying the machine was one-armed—missing his left arm. Next to him was a dwarf who was only waist-high. The leader of the three was a thin, middle-aged man wearing a beret and smoking a pipe.
"They seem to be filming a movie." Linlang pointed at the three people and whispered to Yin Chuan.
"Movie?"
"Yes, they record the images with the device that the tall man is carrying, and then play it for people to watch. That device is called a video recorder. The guy in the hat is probably the director, the person who directs how the film is shot."
Although Yin Chuan seemed to understand, he couldn't show his fear in front of outsiders. So he coughed twice and said to the three people, "What brings you to the Cao Gang?"
The beret leader looked at Yin Chuan for a few times and said, "We are from Shanghai Yeducheng Film Company. We are going to make an adventure movie. I am the director of this film, and we are here to shoot some location shots. I don't care whether you are from the Cao Gang, the Qing Gang, or the Salt Gang. Our filming cannot be delayed."
Du Yunzhang glared at him when he heard him being so arrogant and domineering. "What Shanghai Yeducheng Film Company? We have never heard of it. This is the territory of the Cao Gang. Even the government has to be wary of them. Who do you think you are?" As he said that, he was about to kick them out and tried to grab the camera in the tall man's hand.
"Don't move. Do you know how expensive our machines are? Can you country bumpkins afford to pay for them if they break?" The man who claimed to be the director stepped forward to stop them.
"Wait a minute," Yin Chuan hurriedly stepped in between them. "Old Du, don't get too excited. Mr.... Director, I want to ask you something. You can shoot anywhere else, but why did you have to come to the Cao Gang to make a movie?" Seeing that he was still hesitating and unwilling to explain, Yin Chuan spread his hands. "If you don't tell the truth, the Cao Gang brothers here are not bound by the law. If they smash your equipment and beat you up, you'll have no place to seek redress."
Yin Chuan's words were laced with thorns, and the director, seeing he was about to suffer a loss, had no choice but to confess, "Okay, I'll tell you. My last name is Fan Zheng, you can just call me Director Fan. These are two guys from our film crew," he pointed at the tall man carrying the camera, "He's called Yuan Lao Er, and the other one is called Tan Zhuozi. Actually, there was originally a popular actress who agreed to meet us here, so we... You should know that without this star, we can't make our movie."
A popular actress? Yin Chuan was a little surprised and turned to look at Linlang. Linlang quickly shook her head, meaning, "Don't let me get carried away. I have nothing to do with these people!"
"There aren't any popular actresses in our Cao Gang?" Bao Han shook his head. "They're all Cao Gang members. You must be mistaken."
"Impossible! That female celebrity is very famous. She was very sure that we should come here to find her. She would never say anything nonsense!"
"What's the name of that female star?" Yin Chuan asked.
"Her name is Yu Zhenzhu. She's acted in several films and was very popular in the Shanghai and Nanjing areas a few years ago. Later, she married a man named Lan. I don't think she was his wife, but rather his fourth or fifth concubine."
Mr. Lan? Yin Chuan's heart moved. Could it be the eunuch Lan who lived in seclusion in the south of Beijing?
"Mr. Lan? Did you know he also has a third concubine who's a tomb robber?" Du Yunzhang had guessed most of the information, but the question seemed a bit inappropriate. To Yin Chuan's surprise, the director's expression suddenly changed, as if Du Yunzhang's words had touched a sensitive nerve.
"We have no right to interfere in other people's family affairs. Anyway, we must meet up with her here. If you feel it's inappropriate, our company can give you some venue rental as compensation for your losses. How about that?"
When Yin Chuan heard about the money to be made, he naturally thought it was a good thing, so he discussed with Bao Han and made an exception, reluctantly keeping these film companies. Anyway, the canal business was out of business nowadays, so where could he find such a profitable business without much effort?
In this way, the three who claimed to be from the Yeducheng Film Company settled down in the Cao Gang. During this period, Yin Chuan persuaded Du Yunzhang to agree to Luo Mei's request to join him in tomb robbery. Du Yunzhang originally refused to do it, but after hearing that it might be related to that organization, he reluctantly agreed.
Two days later, the people the film company was waiting for finally arrived. Not only was there the female star Yu Zhenzhu, but also Mr. Lan and two other female relatives. Naturally, Du Yunzhang's old lover Luo Mei was also among them.
Watching the two groups of people exchanging warm greetings, Yin Chuan, who was observing from the side, tugged at Du Yunzhang and said, "I guess you think the same as I do. These people don't look like they're going to make a movie. I always feel..."
"They're teaming up to do something shameful, right? Seeing how happy Luo Mei is, I'm sure they're going to rob the tomb of Shen San together."
The two had barely exchanged a few words when Master Lan stepped forward to greet them. "My three wives told me that she has an old acquaintance in the martial arts world who is quite skilled. I wonder who he is?"
Yin Chuan and Du Yunzhang exchanged glances, surprised that he hadn't recognized him, having met him in Guojiaying a few years ago. Du Yunzhang hesitated for a moment before bowing and saying, "It's me."
Master Lan straightened the civilized stick in his left hand, raised his hand and patted Du Yunzhang on the shoulder, "Well... not bad, you are a capable martial artist. My third concubine used to be a gangster, and her vision is really sharp. Who are these two?" He looked at Yin Chuan and Linlang.
When Yin Chuan heard that it was him, he bowed and said, "Master Lan, my name is Yin Chuan. Does he look familiar to you?"
"Look familiar?" Master Lan frowned. "Have we met before?"
Yin Chuan wondered if it had been so long since the shattered golden Buddha incident that he had forgotten about him. It was also true that when he first met him face to face, he had appeared before him as a clerk from the Zhili Governor's Office, so he had probably forgotten about it long ago.
"No, no, I just think you look wealthy and I'm particularly kind to you." Yin Chuan quickly changed the subject.
"I heard from the Third Wife that it was your help that allowed us to invite Mr. Du. Regardless of whether we can find the secret treasure this time, we must thank Brother Yin for his help."
Secret treasure? Yin Chuan was puzzled. Didn't Luo Mei know that Shen Wansan's so-called cornucopia was just a myth? Why did this Master Lan believe in the legend of the secret treasure so firmly? Or did Luo Mei, the "Earth Flying Swallow," have other ulterior motives?
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