There are many organizations in the world that always like to put a layer of mystery on themselves, making outsiders full of deep curiosity about them from beginning to end.
Then, various legends about them will appear.
The legends of these organizations, groups, and families all have one thing in common, that is, they have huge wealth and power, are as rich as the enemy, and can turn clouds and rain all over the world.
In fact, no one can tell their true identity in Lushan.
Is it a real organization or just a legend? Ordinary people have no way of knowing.
For example, the Rothschild family, which is rumored to be magical, although it was prosperous for a time, its peak period was actually short-lived. There were also several major investment mistakes during the period. Later, it developed into just an ordinary financial group and had no influence on the world's finance. The impact on the industry has been minimal.
However, there is such an organization, or it can be said to be a "country", which is completely different.
It was founded roughly in the 11th century, which was around the Northern Song Dynasty in China. It has a history of more than 800 years now.
Moreover, Meng Shaoyuan also knew that this organization would continue to exist.
It can be said that it is a country because it has diplomatic relations with 87 countries.
This country has only one building on its territory, but it issues its own banknotes and stamps.
They have no armed forces, but in history, apart from Napoleon, he invaded them and forced them to surrender once for unknown reasons. Even Germany in World War II never thought of asking them to surrender again.
Even during Napoleon's time, it didn't take long for them to "restore the country" again.
They have only a few dozen official members, but they have tens of thousands of followers around the world.
Many celebrities have appeared among them, such as the finance ministers and ministers of the United States and the United Kingdom.
They manage huge amounts of wealth, because in addition to absorbing charitable donations from all over the world, they have continued to accept the wealth of other knights since the Middle Ages.
Yes, this is an order of knights.
It is also the oldest and longest-standing knighthood in history:
Shantang Knights! (Note: There are instructions later.)
What many people are familiar with is the "Knights Templar" who are also shrouded in mystery.
But the existence history of the Knights of Shantang far exceeds that of the Knights Templar.
Together with the Knights Templar and the Teutonic Knights, he is known as the three major knights.
The difference is that the latter two knights have died out.
More importantly, whether it was the Temple, the Teutonic Knights, or the smaller Holy Sword or Montesa Knights, they all did one thing in common before they were destroyed and disbanded:
Give their wealth to the Zentang Knights!
The Knights of Mercy, also known as the Knights Hospitaller and the Knights of John, during the Crusades, they changed from philanthropists to strategists and soldiers, and later established the "Knights of Malta".
After being destroyed by Napoleon, they restored the country and once again restored their original intention when they were founded:
Send aid supplies and dispatch rescue teams to places where wars, major geological disasters, and severe plagues occur.
Many international celebrities are proud to have received their "Knight of Good Hall" title which is actually worthless.
And their markup is also very simple:
Eight pointed corners plus a white cross in the middle.
They do not keep themselves mysterious like other organizations. On the contrary, they are open and willing to accept anyone who is willing to do charity to become their companions.
Meng Shaoyuan knew about the existence of this organization, but he didn't expect to see it with his own eyes in Shanghai.
A group of people worth studying because they have great wealth...not, good philanthropic hearts.
Meng Shaoyuan only knew that they were wealthy and truly as rich as any country, but how much wealth did they possess?
There are a large number of celebrities among their followers, and these celebrities are scattered in the political and business circles, but how powerful are they?
Why should we think about money and power again?
How nasty.
Admire their acts of charity.
Meng Shaoyuan walked towards the lady: "Hello, madam, I am Meng Shaoyuan. How can I help you?"
"Hello, I'm Kayla."
Ms. Kayla did not exchange too many greetings, and she was not surprised at all by the sudden help. She seemed to think it was a matter of course:
"Sir, there are still many wounded. We need help to carry them over."
"Tian Qi!"
"arrive!"
Meng Shaoyuan didn't even think about it: "Immediately organize a group of people to transport the wounded."
"ah?"
Why? I came down here to repair and replenish my body, not to be a rescue team.
Tian Qi was not convinced.
But in front of the unreasonable Master Meng, all dissatisfaction can only be kept in his stomach.
"Get out of the way! Get out of the way!"
At this moment, several soldiers came running over carrying a stretcher, shouting loudly.
On the stretcher, a bloody major lay.
"Doctor, save our regimental deputy, save our regimental deputy!" a captain begged.
"Quick, carry it inside, Mr. Rick, there is a seriously injured person." Ms. Kayla hurriedly asked the soldiers to carry the lieutenant colonel in, and then invited the soldiers out.
"You are injured too." Meng Shaoyuan noticed that the captain's arm was also bleeding.
"It's none of your business!" The captain roared loudly, obviously in a bad mood.
"Captain, I am Lieutenant Colonel Meng Shaoyuan, please salute!"
The captain was startled, stood up straight quickly, and saluted a military salute:
"Lieutenant Colonel, I'm sorry. I'm Bao Ruijin. I'm from the 18th Army Brigade. The injured is our regiment deputy Yan Lichang. Our regiment was ordered to attack the Japanese position. We charged four times and finally regained the position. But our regiment deputy Yan Lichang but……"
"I got it." Meng Shaoyuan nodded silently: "There are too many injured people and there is no time to treat them. If there is a foreign doctor here to help him, you, Deputy Yan, should be able to handle it."
"Morphine, there's no more morphine, I need morphine!"
Mr. Rick's furious roar came from the ambulance shed.
Morphine, morphine again.
During the war, morphine was a miracle drug for the wounded.
"Ms. Keira."
Meng Shaoyuan immediately said to Kayla: "Please tell Mr. Rick that I have morphine. I will send someone to get it immediately."
"Ah, that's great, thank you, thank you."
Meng Shaoyuan always carried medicines with him, and soon a pack of medicines was delivered.
Since the beginning of the Songhu War, Meng Shaoyuan's previously stored medicines have been consumed in large quantities, and Meng Shaoyuan has begun to feel powerless.
Everyone knows that Meng Shaoyuan has always been a money fan.
But he has never been stingy when it comes to medicines and frontline support.
Many businessmen, including some National Government officials, hoarded goods and made a fortune from the national crisis.
Meng Shaoyuan had started stocking up on medicines a long time ago. If he really wanted to, he would not be able to fill his pockets anymore.
But he didn't.
Meng Shaoyuan can make any kind of money, but he will not touch only the national treasure.
To be a human being, one must have principles.
But if the war continues, Meng Shaoyuan alone will not be able to support it.
There must be another way.
Maybe, these people from the Shantang Knights, maybe I can make use of them?
Meng Shaoyuan's mind started spinning rapidly.
"The wounded man has been temporarily stabilized. Morphine is very effective and has reduced his pain." When Rick came out of the rescue shed, his face was full of exhaustion: "Who is providing the medicine?"
"This is this gentleman, Mr. Meng Shaoyuan." Rick shook hands with him: "The patient is seriously injured. The conditions here are too simple. He needs to be sent to the hospital in the International Chapel. The conditions and facilities there are complete. However, the hospital In the public concession.”
The public concession has long been heavily guarded, and wounded soldiers from the national army will not be allowed to enter.
"Every car entering or exiting will be strictly inspected, even if it is a foreigner." Rick looked helpless: "The Ministry of Industry and Commerce Bureau is very afraid that soldiers will enter the public concession and cause protests from the Japanese. Mr. Meng, you If you can find such precious medicines, do you have a way to send the wounded in? This is the only way to save him."
"Leave it to me." Meng Shaoyuan said without even thinking, "Mr. Rick, you are responsible for the preparations, and I will find a way to send the wounded in."
He left in a hurry, picked up the phone and called the office directly: "Assistant Wu, we are preparing to pick up a wounded person in the public concession. The public concession is blocked today. Where can I take people in?"
"Director Meng, I heard that you have a good relationship with Mr. Sinclair Joe Saltras, the police chief of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce Bureau? He happened to be leading the inspection in person today."
"knew."
Meng Shaoyuan hung up the phone, a smile flashed across his lips.
Deputy leader Yan Lichang has been helped into Meng Shaoyuan's car, and a volunteer is taking care of him. Deputy Yan Tuan lost a lot of blood and looked pale. He had reached a very critical moment.
"Zhu Yanni, bring your weapons and follow me!"
Meng Shaoyuan personally sat in the driver's seat...
Sinclair Joe Saltras sat in a chair.
There are people everywhere inside and outside the concession.
Such a short distance divides Shanghai into two completely different worlds.
Outside the concession, artillery fire continued and smoke filled the air.
In the concession, everything was as before, and everything was peaceful with singing and dancing.
Who can believe this is in the same city?
He received an order from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce Bureau. He was completely free to leave the current public concession, but he had to undergo the strictest inspection recently.
In particular, Chinese soldiers must be prevented from entering.
The "neutrality" of the public concession must be maintained and the Japanese must not be angered.
Sinclair Joe Saltras firmly believed that he was a man who abided by his duties and would never disobey the instructions given to him by the Ministry of Industry.
"Mr. Police Commissioner, there is someone who wants to see you immediately."
"Who?" Sinclair was very dissatisfied. He was the dignified police chief. Who was so rude that he wanted to see him by name?
"He said his name was Meng Shaoyuan!"
Upon hearing the name, Sinclair suddenly felt a headache.
(Note: I don’t know if anyone has written about the Shantang Knights. Spider’s information comes from the "General History of the World", "The Rise and Fall of the European Knights" and other materials. If there are any errors, please correct me.)
