Volume 2 King of the Northwest Chapter 53: The Southern Expedition
"I have received the Governor's previous order. Zhixiang should have immediately assembled his troops and marched south. However, the civil war in the western province has just ended, and there are still a few militias who have transformed into bandits and are wreaking havoc in various counties. If we suddenly march south, there may be signs of a resurgence of the war.
Moreover, the 14th Division was newly established and had no food or ammunition.
Moreover, the war in Western Province has not stopped since the 5th year of the Republic of China, and the treasury is short of money... I hope the Ministry of the Army will quickly allocate 5,000 quick-firing guns, 20 machine guns, and a number of quick-firing cannons from the Han Factory... I will gladly accept the order and live up to the expectations of the supervisor. "
Although Dai Jiliang complained bitterly in his telegram, the southern expedition was a concerted action of the northern soldiers, and the Shaanxi Army absolutely could not fail to participate.
Otherwise, if the central government issued an order to replace the military governor, would Dai Jiliang disobey the order or give up the territory?
Of course, as the saying goes, the crying child gets the milk, no matter what, you will still cry out when you are in pain.
He was too honest. Not to mention the bones, he wouldn't even drink a sip of the remaining soup.
That's why Dai Jiliang asked for a very high price in the telegram.
"That's what it is. Tell me, what shall we do now?"
The telegram was sent, but who should be sent to fight? Dai Jiliang himself was also undecided. You know, although the Shaanxi Army had more than 25,000 people on paper, in fact, the losses in the battle of northern Shaanxi had not yet been made up.
Duan Qirui also specifically requested that a brigade be dispatched from Shaanxi, and Dai Jiliang was really stretched to the limit.
"Marshal, I mean that our main force should not move."
Ma Kang was the first to speak.
“We are not unaware of what is happening in Shanxi, and Shang Zhen is considered a capable fighter.
So what? It was still Fu Liangzuo who tricked me.
What kind of general is going to the south with courage and bravery, with a sharp goose-feather sword on his waist?
Now it is clear that the general is bold and courageous in his southern expedition, and he surrendered his weapons without giving a receipt.
Even if we are of the same blood as the Beiyang faction, we can't just do the wedding dress for nothing."
"Brother Xiaoyou wants to form a new brigade, but where will the troops come from? Our existing troops are not even full, so where will we get the strength to form a new brigade?"
However, E Tao disagreed. As he was in charge of military and political affairs, he naturally knew how much effort it would take to form a new army.
"Besides, where's the money? There are more than 4,000 people in a brigade. Where do we get so much money?"
"I have a suggestion."
Song Cheng, who was sitting in the second row, stood up.
Although his rank was relatively low, he was in charge of military intelligence, so Dai Jiliang allowed him to attend the highest-level meetings.
"Although Shaanxi has a division, they definitely cannot afford to support a division . Before the ceasefire, they had a force of about 8,000 people, but now there are only more than 3,000 left, which means that nearly 5,000 people have been dismissed. We can think about this."
“What Section Chief Song said makes sense.
Although it is not advisable to use these swordsman militia to fill our own ranks, it is a good idea to form a new brigade and send them out of the province.
This is also a good way to cut off the Democratic Party’s support. It’s a good thing to kill two birds with one stone. I think it’s a good idea!”
As soon as He Oucai heard Song Cheng's idea, he immediately praised it highly.
"Even if we can solve the problem of recruiting soldiers, how can we find the weapons for a new brigade?"
Zhang Binnan's words were very direct. You have to know that although Chu Gan kept running between the three factories in Nanjing, Shanghai and Wuhan, he could only barely meet the needs of the expanded Shaanxi Army in terms of rifles. The four security corps still did not have a machine gun or a cannon.
What about the equipment of the Shaanxi Army when they leave the province? They can't go out empty-handed.
"Brother Park Chu, what do you think?"
Dai Jiliang looked at Zhang Zilii who said nothing and gave orders.
"I think it can be solved."
Zhang Zilii spoke word by word.
"To equip a team like this, there's no need to have the same configuration. We have so many Sniper rifles, Mannlicher rifles, Mauser Type 98 rifles, and Gold Hook rifles in our warehouse that are enough to equip another division. Take out some of them. I think at least the rifles will be fine."
Dai Jiliang had been holding on to this batch of weapons, intending to exchange them for money in various provinces. However, as he had been withholding the taxes that were to be escorted to the central government, the Shaanxi Army was not short of military funds for the time being. Therefore, he only sold more than 1,000 guns in the worst condition. During this northern expedition, Dai Jiliang seized more than 1,100 guns, so he still had nearly 8,000 guns in stock in the warehouse.
"I agree with Park Chu-brother's suggestion."
Dai Jiliang nodded.
The team of swordsmen, coupled with their shabby and messy firearms, can at least make other Beiyang factions ignore the power of the Shaanxi Army.
“But the Shui Lianzhu and Mauser Type 98 are better than our current equipment, and I can’t bear to give them up.
Well, I'll approve it and order the Meiji 30-year-old rifles and some Mannlichers.
As for the machine guns."
Dai Jiliang thought about it.
"Forget it. We are short of guns ourselves. Let's not equip this brigade. Let's equip it with a battery of four 2-pounders and a battery of four 6-pounders."
"We have solved the problem of the source of guns and soldiers, but what about the military expenditure?"
E Tao still couldn't bear to do it. He wondered how much money it would cost to go on this expedition to the south.
"I have already telegraphed the central government, asking them to solve the military expenditure problem. If they don't give us the money."
Dai Jiliang smiled.
"I was planning to give some money to the treasury this year. If Beijing doesn't give us money, then we won't be polite. We'll just keep doing what we did before."
Of course, the above are all minor issues. The key is how the commander of the Third Regiment of the First Brigade makes arrangements, which is also what everyone present is concerned about.
"We can't fight with just soldiers. Each unit must also transfer some backbones to strengthen the company, platoon and squad levels of this new brigade. Wait, Director E will be responsible for coordinating this matter with the commanders of each unit."
Dai Jiliang glanced at the brigade commanders present, and sure enough, all of them had a look of pain on their faces.
Indeed, the establishment of the Security Corps requires the selection of key personnel, and the local security teams also require the selection of key personnel. Now more key personnel are required. If this continues, the Shaanxi Army will become an empty shell.
"All departments should step up their training. The deficit can be made up eventually. Everyone should look forward."
Dai Jiliang comforted the captains of each unit.
"How about this, we will organize this brigade into three regiments, with eight companies in each regiment. Now let's discuss the selection of the brigade commander."
Although it was a discussion, it was basically Dai Jiliang's one-man show, and everyone just listened nervously.
Although this brigade is a ragtag brigade and will be leaving the province, there are only four brigade commanders in the Shaanxi Army now, so everyone present is very concerned about anyone who may enter this highest authority.
"Brother Guangfu, are you willing to give up the positions of Provincial Police Chief and General Manager of the Anti-Smoking Bureau?"
Dai Jiliang looked at He Oucai with a smile.
Among these people, he has the most suitable qualifications, and he is also good at networking, so he is the most suitable person to go south.
However, the Chief of Police and the General Manager of the Anti-Smoking Bureau can earn tens of thousands of yuan a year. Considering that He Oucai is the highest-paid soldier in the Shaanxi Army after Dai Jiliang, everyone is somewhat skeptical as to whether he is willing to risk being shot by artillery shells.
"this?"
As expected, He Oucai became a little hesitant.
The Chief of Police and the General Manager of the Anti-Smoking Bureau are rich, but their future development may not be as good as the current Brigade Commander.
Although this brigade is a little lacking in all aspects, as long as it returns from the south, are we still afraid that Dai Jiliang will not adjust this unit to a regular organization?
Thinking of this, He Ou stood up.
"I am willing to obey the Marshal's arrangements."
"very good!"
Dai Jiliang nodded and signaled He Oucai to sit down.
Then he looked at Zhao Xuetan, the Director of the Military Law Department.
"Brother Xueqin, Brother Guangfu has returned to the army. I'll have to trouble you to be the provincial police chief and the general manager of the anti-smoking bureau."
"Me? Yes, I will obey the Marshal's orders!"
Zhao Xueqin stood up excitedly. You know, with the establishment of Fujiwu's gendarmerie headquarters, he, the director of the military law department, has been somewhat marginalized. Now Dai Jiliang has emerged and entrusted him with such a lucrative position. Although it was because of the order to march south, it is obvious that Dai Jiliang has not forgotten him, a person who has made no contributions but has worked hard.
Everyone looked at Zhao Xueqin with complicated expressions. Obviously, they had thought of this as well, so they straightened their backs.
"Brother Guangfu, you can hand over the work to Brother Xueqin in a moment."
Dai Jiliang nodded and asked Zhao Xueqin to sit down.
"This brigade will be called the Shaanxi Army's New Third Brigade. Brother Guangfu will be promoted to the rank of colonel . Zhu Tang from the General Staff Office will be promoted to major. As for the regimental commander?"
Dai Jiliang pondered for a moment.
"To be honest, we are so short of manpower that we don't have anyone suitable. Forget it."
Dai Jiliang shook his head.
"Long Ziqiang, deputy commander of the 1st Regiment of the 27th Brigade, was transferred to be the commander of the 1st Regiment of the New 3rd Brigade and was promoted to lieutenant colonel. Wang Lujie, deputy commander of the 6th Regiment of the Shaanxi Army, was transferred to be the deputy commander of the 2nd Regiment of the New 3rd Brigade and was promoted to major. As for the commander of the 3rd Regiment?"
"I suggest using Le Zhiqing, deputy commander of the Second Regiment of the Shaanxi Army."
Seeing that Dai Jiliang looked troubled, Zhang Zilii made a suggestion.
"Okay, let's use him."
Dai Jiliang made the final decision.
"The three regiment commanders will immediately go to northern Shaanxi to recruit soldiers. Brother Guangfu and Zhu Tang will be responsible for setting up the headquarters in Xi'an. Brother Park Chu, you can also lend a hand. I know that the staff officers in the General Staff Office are your hard work, but you can't always keep them. Let them go to the front line to see what it's like. They will be of great use to me when they come back."
"Marshal, the New Year is coming soon, should we let them go after the New Year?"
E Tao suggested.
"The year is coming to an end and it's the best time to recruit soldiers."
Dai Jiliang did not accept E Tao 's opinion.
"By the way, Brother Zhi, please inform the North in the name of the Military and Political Department to prevent them from being suspicious."
Since he had already promised the other party not to station troops in the buffer zone, Dai Jiliang certainly did not want to tear up the agreement now.
Of course, there is no need to think about sending troops to the north, as the other side will probably not forget Guo Jian’s previous experience.
"Brother Guangfu, no matter what the recruitment situation is, we will train a company when a company is full, and train a regiment when a regiment is full. No matter what, swordsmanship is unacceptable."
Dai Jiliang was still a little worried about the army composed entirely of swordsmen.
"Well, I'll give you a bottom line. You have to leave Shaanxi at the end of March. Time is still quite tight. I'm sorry to trouble you."
"Don't worry, Marshal. I will strictly enforce military discipline."
He Oucai of course understood what Dai Jiliang was worried about, and he stood up and expressed his opinion.
"I will never embarrass you outside of Shaanxi."
"That's good!"
Dai Jiliang nodded.
"It's not shameful to lose a fight, but it's shameful to harm the common people. Our rules cannot be broken in your hands, Brother Guangfu. Don't blame me for not making this clear in advance."
"yes!"
