Chapter 19 of 100

Chapter 19

16 min read4,114 words

On September 15, General Zhang Dashi, the commander-in-chief of the Zhenwei Army, issued an ultimatum to President Cao, stating: "This year, natural disasters have ravaged the land, and famine has spread across the fields. I have repeatedly advised against the campaign against Zhejiang, and you have also responded with a commitment to peace. However, before the ink was even dry, the order to attack was issued. At the same time, troops were sent to Fengtian, trains were detained at Shanhaiguan, and transportation was cut off. What is the meaning of this? In recent years, you have been a puppet of Wu Peifu, causing public resentment. The impossibility of military conquest is evident from the continuous defeats of the Su Army. I had intended to send an envoy, but the train service has been cut off, preventing us from entering the capital. Therefore, I will send a message to you by air, and I will await your final response with my sword at the ready."

On the same day, General Zhang Dashi issued personnel orders for six armies, reorganizing the Feng Army into six armies to attack the Zhili Army. The commanders of the First Army were Jiang Dengxuan and Han Linchun, the commanders of the Second Army were Li Jinglin and Zhang Zongchang, the commanders of the Third Army were Zhang Xueliang and Guo Songling, the commanders of the Fourth Army were Zhang Zuoxiang and Ji Jinchun, the commanders of the Fifth Army were Wu Junsheng and Kan Chaoxi, and the commanders of the Sixth Army were Xu Lanzhou and Wu Guangxin, with Yang Yuting as the chief of staff. Among the Feng Army, Li Jinglin, Jiang Dengxuan, Han Linchun, Zhang Zongchang, and Guo Songling were known as the "Five Tigers."

The deployment was as follows: The First and Third Armies were to form the First and Third Combined Army to capture Shanhaiguan. After defeating the main force of the Zhili Army at Shanhaiguan, they would advance to the Beijing and Tianjin areas. The Second Army's main task was to attack the southern route of Rehe. Li Jinglin's First Division would gather in Yixian and then attack Chaoyang. Zhang Zongchang's Third Mixed Brigade would gather near Dayaogou and then attack Rehe, coordinating with Li Jinglin's forces to capture Chaoyang and then advance westward to occupy Jianping, Chengde, and Lingyuan. The Fourth Army would gather in Xingcheng and Suizhong as a reserve force. Another part of the force, about a regiment or a brigade, would gather near Jinzhou, awaiting orders. The main force of the Fifth Army would gather at a location convenient for transportation, awaiting deployment, with some troops remaining in key areas of Heilongjiang to secure the rear. The Sixth Army, with cavalry as the main force, would gather in Zhangwu and then advance to Chifeng via Fuxin and Jianping, and according to the situation, enter the Great Wall through Xifengkou or Gubeikou to threaten the flank of the Zhili Army.

To support the land forces, the Feng Army also dispatched three aviation battalions, two of which were under the command of the First and Third Combined Army, and the other was stationed near Yixian to receive orders from the Second Army. The aviation units were responsible for reconnaissance and bombing the Zhili Army's positions, and the navy was deployed for defense in Huludao and other areas.

In the capital, President Cao urgently summoned Yushuai to Beijing to deal with General Zhang Dashi's attack. In the presidential palace, President Cao and Yushuai were drinking tea and chatting. "I thought that after the last major battle, it would take the Feng Army at least 2-3 years to recover. After I had reorganized my troops, I would have gone to the northeast to subdue him. It seems that the Japanese have invested a lot in him," Yushuai, known for his military genius and invincibility, said with a hint of arrogance.

"Ziyu, I am not worried as long as you are here. However, the four provinces in the south failed to defeat Lu Yongxiang, and Duan Zhiquan has been very active recently. Also, the new upstart Gao Zihou has raided Ma Lianjia's base, forcing Qi Xieyuan to stop fighting. What do you think? Should we issue a telegram to incorporate him?" President Cao said.

"Hmph, what skills does this young upstart have to occupy Anhui? From the reports, his forces have reached their limit and have no further potential for advancement. After I subdue the Feng rebels, I will deal with these minor players," Yushuai said, never taking the domestic figures seriously.

At this moment, Gao Yang had just come out of the signal station in the capital and boarded a train to Tianjin.

At Duan's residence in Tianjin, Gao Yang bowed and said to Duan Dashi, "I am Smith, a messenger from Commander Gao, specially sent to meet with Duan Dashi."

"Hehe, please sit, please sit. I am in seclusion here, and I didn't expect anyone to remember me. I am very, very happy," Duan Dashi said with a smile.

"Dashi, you are the leader of the Anhui people. Commander Gao has specially sent me to report on the Anhui situation and to inform you that he is waiting for you to return to power," Gao Yang said, then took out a check and presented it with both hands, "This is a token of Commander Gao's respect. Please accept it."

Duan Dashi's smile faded as he glanced at the amount on the check. His eyelids twitched, but he did not take the check. He stared at Gao Yang and said, "The Zhili faction is at its peak, and the Feng Army is strong. Why would Gao Zihou want to join the Anhui faction?"

Gao Yang's purpose was to find a powerful ally. Having a patron was crucial when one's strength was insufficient. Knowing the historical trends, Gao Yang first ruled out the Zhili faction, as he had taken over their territory and they might not accept him. As for the Feng Army, after the war, they would dominate the country, and joining them would only add to their glory without much benefit. The Anhui faction, now in decline, was the best choice. By joining Duan Dashi, he would have a protector while he focused on developing Anhui and waiting for the right opportunity. Duan Dashi had no power to interfere in Anhui affairs, so it was just a nominal alliance. For the Anhui faction, this was a timely support.

Gao Yang smiled and said, "President Cao's election was illegitimate, Yushuai is arrogant, and Governor Ma has been extorting and oppressing the people, even killing patriotic students. Commander Gao's actions to drive him out represent the will of the people." He placed the check next to Duan Dashi's hand and bowed slightly, "I hope Duan Dashi will take good care of us in the future."

The next day, Duan Dashi issued a telegram: "During Governor Ma's tenure in Anhui, he sold opium, withheld educational funds, killed patriotic students, and sold Anhui's mineral resources, causing widespread public resentment. Now, Gao Yang and Gao Zihou have led the people of Anhui to drive him out, which is a fortunate event. Gao Zihou should be a role model for Anhui." This telegram declared that Gao Yang was now part of the Anhui faction.

Lu Yongxiang quickly issued a telegram in support, stating that he would stand with the people of Anhui. Zhang Dashi also sent a telegram, recognizing Gao Yang as the representative of Anhui and the new governor.

At Lu Yongxiang's headquarters in Zhejiang, a messenger claiming to be from Gao Yang delivered a large batch of sulfonamide drugs, which greatly surprised Lu Yongxiang. Sulfonamide had become very popular worldwide for its effectiveness in treating bacterial infections on the battlefield. However, the company called SC Trade was charging $20 per unit, which was too expensive for Lu Yongxiang to buy in large quantities. This time, Gao Yang's generous gift of 100,000 units of sulfonamide surprised Lu Yongxiang. "What does Zihou want? Speak your mind," Lu Yongxiang said to Gao Yang, who was posing as the messenger. "Dashi, Commander Gao says that as fellow members of the Anhui faction, it is our duty to support each other. How can we talk about conditions?" Gao Yang smiled and continued, "Commander Gao has bought some machinery from the United States and Germany, which has now arrived in Shanghai. He requests that Dashi allow them to proceed to Anqing."

"Hehe, this is a small matter. I will order my navy to open the river and let the ships pass," Lu Yongxiang said, and he immediately called his naval commander to give the order. Lu Yongxiang's navy was his private force, and it was difficult to bribe them, so Gao Yang directly approached Lu Yongxiang.

The cars and gasoline from the United States, the ammunition production lines from Germany, and the mercenaries arrived safely in Anqing. The new equipment was unloaded, and Gao Yang called in Weixi to reorganize all the troops. The Security Brigade was re-equipped with the new supplies and reorganized into the Anhui Army's First Division.

The newly recruited soldiers and prisoners were mixed and reorganized into the Anhui Security Division, consisting of seven regiments stationed in various locations, freeing up the First Division as a mobile force. Each security regiment had a training team led by German instructors, who were also responsible for establishing military districts and new recruit training camps to recruit and train new soldiers as a reserve force.

At this time, the governor of southern Anhui was in crisis. Although he still had over 20,000 troops, they were under the command of various warlords, and he could only control a few. The 20,000 troops were a heavy burden on the local resources, and the morale of the troops was low, leading to widespread looting and a breakdown in discipline, causing public resentment.

The warlords under his command were constantly demanding money, but the governor had none left. His base had been raided, and the money was now in Gao Yang's hands. Although he still had significant deposits in foreign banks in Shanghai, he could not afford to give them to these ungrateful men. The warlords' misdeeds were blamed on the governor, and he was being criticized nationwide.

On the night of September 16, soldiers from the Second Mixed Brigade of Anhui looted a village in Yiqiao, Dangtu County. The Fourth Mixed Brigade, which was nearby, consisted mostly of Ma'anshan natives, many of whom were from Dangtu County. A battle broke out, and the fighting continued until dawn, with both brigades being scattered.

At this time, Gao Yang sent multiple envoys to contact the warlords and launched a silver bullet offensive. Most of the warlords agreed to join Gao Yang. Later, Yang Dong approached the governor with conditions: "Issue a telegram to resign, issue a telegram to oppose the Zhili faction, and issue a telegram to recommend Gao Yang as the new governor of Anhui. Go to Shanghai and live a good life with your family. Commander Gao is willing to offer 1 million yuan as a gift. Your subordinates are waiting outside."

The governor sat in his chair, silent for a long time. After a while, he sighed deeply and got up and left.

That night, Governor Ma Lianjia of Anhui issued telegrams to resign, oppose the Zhili faction, and recommend Gao Yang as the new governor. He then left with his close associates, carrying the 1 million yuan check given by Gao Yang, on a British company's riverboat to Shanghai.

Gao Yang ordered the troops in southern Anhui to remain in their positions and wait, as it was not yet time to deal with them.

Among the new mercenaries were several German military academy instructors, who had been forced to retire due to Germany's defeat and military cuts. The devaluation of the mark had left these soldiers with few skills, and they had to work to feed their families, leading them to board ships bound for Asia.

Gao Yang gathered these instructors in Anqing to establish a military training center, where he selected elite soldiers for intensive training. He also established an officer training program, where promising junior officers were selected for further education.

Unlike Gao Yang, each bio-soldier only needed 200 energy points to learn German, and Gao Yang had all the bio-soldiers trained in German. These soldiers, speaking with Berlin accents, surprised the mercenaries. When Weixi first arrived in Feng County, he was surprised that he had never seen these Asians in Berlin.

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