Volume 1 Teacher Chapter 34: Appointment and Wishing
"Staff Officer Qi, where is the Second Brigade now?"
Although the KMT was still integrating in Fuping and it was said that even a leader had not been elected, Lu Jianzhang was still extremely anxious. Although the Ziwu Valley ran through the vast Qinling Mountains and was sparsely populated, more than half a month had passed since the message was sent on March 20, and they should have climbed out of the mountain no matter how hard they tried. Up to now, there was no trace of the Second Brigade, and it was obvious that something had gone wrong.
"The Second Brigade's rear post in Hanzhong sent a message saying that Brigade Commander Dai had left Yangxian on the 25th of last month, and they didn't know where he was now."
The staff officer looked at Lu Jianzhang, whose hair was gray and veins were bulging, with a bitter face.
Yuan Shikai had already abdicated, so the title of Earl Lu was naturally an empty promise. Not only that, the title of the culprit of the imperial system had been forever attached to him. How could Lu the Butcher, who had temporarily lost his only son, not be exhausted? "The Second Brigade also reported that the morale of the army was unstable and prices were soaring. They hoped that the Marshal would allocate the necessary military funds again."
"asshole!"
Lu Jianzhang slammed his palm on the table, causing the bowls and plates to collide and make a noisy sound.
"You want money again. This is the fourth time. Dai Jiliang has withheld all the taxes for the first half of this year. He is still short of money. I won't give it to you. I'd rather give it to the Democratic Party than to this ungrateful bastard."
People are like this. They only remember the good things they have done to others, but never remember the bad things they have done to others.
"Where's the Second Regiment of the First Brigade? Where's that bastard Zhang Binnan? I can't mobilize him now, right? You all want to rebel, right?"
"Marshal, Marshal!"
Seeing Lu Jianzhang's bloodshot eyes, the staff officer knew something was wrong, so he immediately scattered. Fortunately, He Ou came in at this time, otherwise Lu Jianzhang would have been left alone.
"Just received a report that Chen Shufan has arrived in Fuping."
"You bastard!"
Lu Jianzhang overturned everything in front of him with one hand.
"They are all traitors, all traitors!"
"Marshal, please allocate funds to the Second Brigade!"
Dai Jiliang's allies made their suggestions cautiously.
"Ziwu Valley has been in disrepair for a long time, and it is indeed difficult to travel. Brigade Commander Dai may arrive in two days. Now even the Fourth Brigade has rebelled. If we don't pay, what if the Second Brigade finds out and retreats? Wouldn't we lose our last support?"
"Money, money! Our Beiyang is ruined by this money!"
Lu Jianzhang shrank down, with a dejected look on his face.
"I'll write you an official letter and tell those bastards that this 400,000 is the last payment. The provincial treasury doesn't have a penny left."
"Mitsuo understands!"
He said he understood, but in his heart he despised it. The provincial treasury was out of money, but your private treasury, General Lu and Governor Lu, was full of gold and silver.
Others may not know, but He Ou, as a trusted adjutant, would not know? You, Lu Jianzhang, are worth at least tens of millions. Tens of millions? A central division only costs one or two million a year, and you have enough to support more than a dozen divisions. You still cry poor, you are simply a miser.
"By the way, Commander-in-Chief, Captain Zhang is also asking for money for the expedition and supplies. How about we send him a batch of arms to appease him?"
Mr. He is risking everything, because you know that Dai Jiliang's envoy is sitting at home, and his future wealth and honor depend on this move.
"Here, this is the governor's seal and my personal signature. Let them do this."
Lu Jianzhang walked out without looking back, still cursing all the way. It was unclear whether he was cursing the greedy Dai Jiliang and Zhang Binnan or Chen Shufan who rebelled against him. Of course, it could also be Old Yuan from Beijing who had caused his current predicament.
"Marshal, Marshal!"
He Oucai held two things in his hands and looked at Lu Jianzhang's back and called out anxiously, but Lu Jianzhang never turned back.
In this case, He Oucai would take the lead. Since the provincial treasury can run horses anyway, then he should use the armory and material warehouse. Giving it to Dai Jiliang is better than giving it to Chen Shufan...
"Reporting to the Brigade Commander, Zhang Binnan, the commander of the Second Regiment of the First Mixed Brigade of Shaanxi, led the entire regiment and the First Mountain Artillery Company of the brigade to meet with Brigade Commander Dai."
Outside the city of Baoji, Zhang Binnan led a neatly-organized team to wait for the Second Brigade's Northward Detachment, which was marching in a hurry.
"The whole regiment should have 1,500 men, and the actual number is 1,500."
Don't blame Zhang Binnan for joining Dai Jiliang. Although he didn't leave the Independent Regiment immediately, it was just a transition. Once Lu Chengwu actually took control of the Independent Regiment, he, the troublesome deputy commander, had no place to use his talents. Although he was later awarded the position of commander of the second regiment because of their fellow villager, the military pay and weapons could not be compared with those of the core regiment. This comparison made it possible to distinguish between close and distant relatives.
Besides, Dai Jiliang now has a strong army and is definitely not something his Second Regiment can contend with. Rather than becoming the first target, it would be better to sell himself and negotiate a price.
"You're too polite, Brigade Commander Zhang."
Sure enough, Dai Jiliang gave her a sweet gift as soon as they met.
"Although the First Brigade was taken advantage of by villains in Fuping, I believe it will be able to regroup under the command of Brigade Commander Zhang."
However, having said that, Dai Jiliang was unwilling to let Zhang Binnan's Second Regiment become a thorn in his back, so the most appropriate approach was to eliminate him.
Dai Jiliang patted Zhang Binnan's hand.
"I will hand over Li Guo's Second Regiment to you, so that the two armies can exchange cadres and cooperate better when the battle breaks out."
Looking at Zhang Binnan's somewhat surprised face, Dai Jiliang explained in public.
"Brother Binnan, we are now fighting a desperate battle. If we fail to take Xi'an, we will be alone. I don't want someone to take advantage of us."
Having said that, Dai Jiliang held Zhang Binnan's hand tightly.
"I am very grateful that you responded to the Second Brigade today. I, Dai Zhixiang, will make this clear today. As long as I, Dai Zhixiang, am here, no one can take your place."
"Thank you, Brother Zhixiang!"
Now that things have come to this, Zhang Binnan couldn't help but be moved.
"Don't worry, with what you said, I'm sure I can win this battle."
"good!"
Dai Jiliang laughed and casually looked for the tall officer standing next to Zhang Binnan.
"Who are you?"
"Your humble servant, Sheng Chun, the commander of the second company of the first brigade's artillery battalion, greets Brigade Commander Dai!"
This man looked very capable, and Dai Jiliang took a liking to him at first sight.
"Let Deng Chaoqun run over here."
Dai Jiliang turned around and gave orders. Although the Second Brigade had an artillery battalion on paper, it was only a three-gun two-pound (37mm) gun company, a four-gun three-pound (47mm) gun company, and the most powerful six-pound (57mm) gun company only had three guns. Now a complete six-gun 75mm gun company was placed in front of him. How could he not be excited?
"Report!"
Deng Chaoqun's voice soon rang out. He was originally at the end of the army, and he was able to run all the way here thanks to Dai Jiliang's continuous training over the past year.
"let me introduce."
Dai Jiliang pointed at two people and introduced them to each other.
"This is Commander Deng of the Artillery Regiment."
Deng Chaoqun was stunned for a moment, then he heard Dai Jiliang continue, "This is your deputy, Deputy Headmaster Sheng."
The two were surprised again, and Dai Jiliang explained.
"We have a weak foundation, and we only have these few cannons. I hope you can help me take care of them."
"I obey your command!"
After all this trouble, they got promoted. After figuring out this fact, the two of them saluted Dai Jiliang at the same time. They thought that there was really a future in following this superior, as they got promoted without even firing a shot.
"Report, urgent news from Xi'an, Adjutant He has sent a huge amount of weapons and other supplies. Brigade Commander, please send someone to receive them immediately."
A huge number. In one sentence, the eyes of Dai Jiliang, Zhang Binnan and others suddenly lit up.
"Great! Now we will be more confident in attacking Xi'an and the Kuomintang."
Ma Kang blurted out the words carelessly, and Zhang Binnan's face suddenly froze.
"Attack Xi'an? What's going on, Brigade Commander Dai? Aren't you going to rescue the governor?"
"Brother Binnan, please be patient!"
Dai Jiliang patted Zhang Binnan on the shoulder.
"Do you still think Lu Jianzhang can defend Xi'an?"
Dai Jiliang stared into Zhang Binnan's eyes.
"The old guys will have to step down eventually. We can't let them stand in our way forever. Don't worry, I won't harm the governor, and neither will the Democratic Party."
"Now we invite General Chen Shufan, the commander-in-chief of the Shaanxi Law Enforcement Army, to give a speech."
The battle for the leader in Fuping has been settled. With the support of Hu Jingyi, Guo Jian and others, Chen Shufan finally won the final victory with his qualifications and strength.
"I won't say any more nonsense."
Chen Shufan stood proudly on the reviewing stand with flags waving below. Although his momentum could not be compared with the old Beiyang's elite troops who had experienced many battles, this was a great asset for him to establish his own regime.
"I declare Shaanxi independent. Let's fight our way to Xi'an and capture Lu Jianzhang alive!"
In an instant, gongs and drums sounded, firecrackers blasted, and cheers resounded, as if everything had been accomplished.
"Brother Liseng, I'm troubling you to be the captain of the left wing."
Back in the small conference room, Chen Shufan began to make wishes for Hu Jingyi and Guo Jian, who supported him, to be given official positions.
"Your men are advancing toward the area east of Xi'an.
Brother Fang Gang , you will be the captain of the right wing detachment. Advance to the area west of Xi'an, cut off the retreat route of the Beiyang Army on the Baoji front, and surround Xi'an from behind.
The rest of you will follow me and gather near Xi'an, we will surround Xi'an..."
"Why, you're upset that you didn't get any official position?"
After seeing off Hu Jingyi and Guo Jian, Commander-in-Chief Chen held a cup of tea and looked at his confidant Cui Shiqing, who was looking depressed, with a smile on his face.
“Confused!”
A loud shout suddenly woke up Cui, who was in a daze.
"Are you better at fighting than Hu Liseng, or are you more popular with the KMT than Guo Fanggang? Forget about it, the first rafter to stick out will rot first!"
"What do you mean, Commander-in-Chief?"
Cui Shiqing's eyes lit up. Chen Shufan's statement was so meaningful that it made him think more.
"Do you think that after dealing with Lu Chengwu, Lu Jianzhang will have no more cards in his hand? Do you think that Yuan Shikai will really let the KMT dominate Shaanxi just because he is so worried?"
A series of questions immediately stunned Cui Shiqing's superficial brain.
"This is a secret letter I wrote. Please go to Xi'an."
"Xi'an?"
Isn't it still in Lu Jianzhang's hands? Cui Shiqing was a little confused.
"We still have a big bargaining chip, how could we forget it?"
Chen Shufan said this with a smile.
"Let them fight to the death. We have entered Xi'an without bloodshed. If I become the governor of Shaanxi, will you get less benefits?"
"Thank you for your support, Governor!"
Cui Shiqing narrowed his eyes.
"I'll do it right away."
"Go and come back soon, I'm waiting for your good news."
Chen Shufan waved his hand, and a conspiracy was already in countdown.
