Zhang Jingyao's method of avoiding disaster

  Perhaps Huang Shiyeo sensed that he shouldn't lose his composure in front of his juniors, so he took a deep breath and sat heavily on the chair. Huang Yunzhi looked at her father with some concern and brought him a cup of fragrant tea.

  "I still think you should reconsider whether to go north," Huang Shiyao calmed down and took a sip of tea, saying to Yang Shaoming, "You also need to consider the reactions of those around you. After all, everyone has made a lot of effort, which is why you have this much business today. You are the mainstay of this town as the garrison commander. If nothing happens in the north, that's fine, but if something does happen, it will be too late to regret."

  "You young people are too impulsive," Mrs. Huang looked at her son and daughter, also chiming in, "Han, you're not alone now, don't get mixed up with these unmarried ones."

  "Yes, Han Zhen, I heard that Zhang Zhen in Nanchang is also ill and won't go. Can't Xu Zhongchang lead the troops instead?" Wu Jie also advised, "It's better for you to stay behind and keep things under control."

  "I understand the pros and cons." Yang Shuo Ming smiled and said, "It's just that this time is special, Xu Zong Chang is not familiar with the situation in the north after all. My purpose of accompanying him is to see the situation and act accordingly."

  "You want to be Yue Fei, but you have to know when," Huang Shiyao sighed and said, "Our China has been poor and weak for a long time. Once we fight with Japan, we will definitely suffer greatly. Why can't we swallow our pride for the time being and wait until our national strength grows before seeking revenge?"

  "These 'Twenty-One Demands' are a big conspiracy by the Japanese against us Chinese. If we really let them put a noose around our necks, it won't be just ten or twenty years before we can turn things around." Yang Shaoming said, "My purpose in coming north this time is not entirely to fight a war, but rather to mess up this whole business."

  It was probably the first time that Yang Shuo Ming had heard such an explanation, and Huang Shi Yao, Wu Jie, as well as Huang Yunzhi and Huang Shengyun, all looked stunned.

  "Tell me more about it," said Huang Shi-yao.

  "The terms of the 'Twenty-One Demands' are so harsh, and Japan has secretly proposed them to our country, they probably also understand that our government may not fully accept them. Their purpose in doing so is largely to confuse and deceive, because no matter how this negotiation turns out, as long as our government ultimately signs on the dotted line, it will be seen by outsiders as signing a 'sell-out contract'. Our citizens have always had the notion that 'negotiators are traitors', and once our government puts on this 'traitor' hat, it will be impossible to take it off. The Japanese have come up with these 'Twenty-One Demands', aside from what they have already taken in Shandong, no matter how many actual benefits they ultimately get, as long as our government compromises, their legitimacy in the eyes of our people will certainly be greatly reduced, and the national crisis that results from this will likely cause the country to fall into a state of division and chaos. For Japan, China is too big, once it enters a state of unity and order, they will find it hard to swallow, like a snake trying to swallow an elephant, whereas a divided and chaotic China would be just what they need, something they can gobble up one bite at a time."

  As a well-known historical figure in later generations, Yang Shuo's understanding of the conspiracy behind the "Twenty-One Demands" must be far beyond that of people in this era.

  In the history textbooks and some film and literary works of later generations, the government of the Republic of China during this period is often depicted as being completely useless. However, in reality, facing the aggressive Japanese, without any hope of foreign aid, the Yuan Shikai government fought to the very end. It was only when Japan issued its final ultimatum and forced China with military power that it was finally compelled to sign.

  Although the Yuan Shikai government managed to regain some sovereignty through four months of arduous negotiations, Yuan Shikai himself was labeled a "traitor" and could not shake off this reputation. His subsequent attempt to establish an imperial system, known as the "Hongxian Emperor", not only failed to restore his authority but was also seen as a step backward in history, ultimately leading to his downfall.

  After Yuan Shikai's death, China's political situation continued to be turbulent, with the country fragmented and divided. Although temporary nominal unity was later achieved, along with a period of development known as the "Golden Ten Years", an indisputable fact is that the gap between China and Japan grew even wider. By the time the Second Sino-Japanese War broke out in full force, China no longer had the strength to resist Japan alone, which is why it suffered such heavy losses in this decisive battle for the survival of the Chinese nation.

  "So we'd rather fight them than let the treaty be signed." Wu Jie understood and nodded repeatedly, "Even if China is destined to lose this battle."

  "What you said is right, this scoundrel's 'Twenty-One Demands', no matter what, cannot be signed." Huang Xingyao let out a deep sigh.

  "If we really fight, although it seems that our China's chances of winning are slim, but it's not entirely impossible to win. And if through this war, the Chinese people can end their scattered state, unite across all levels, and focus on construction, then in ten years' time, Japan will no longer dare to look down on us." Yang Shouming said, "This is also the significance of this resistance."

  "Alright." Huang Shiyao hesitated for a moment, nodded hard, "I hope it can be as you said, we Chinese people, can unite and rise from this crisis."

  After hearing Huang Shiye's words, Huang Shengyun's eyes were filled with joy. He was eager to express his opinion, but met his father's stern gaze. He smiled and quickly walked to his father's side, massaging his shoulders in a flattering manner. Huang Shiye's expression slightly improved, and he exchanged a helpless glance with Madame Huang, shaking his head slightly.

  Nanchang, Town Guardian's Office, Zhang Jingyao's Mansion.

  "He Duanzhi Quan has gone mad this time! He really wants to fight with the Japanese?" Nanjing Garrison Commander Zhang Jingyao held the urgent telegram from the Beijing Army Department, and for a moment he was covered in sweat. "I really can't understand what he's thinking!"

  Zhang Jingyao has just received a stern telegram from Duan Qirui, the Army Chief of Staff. Duan Qirui is extremely dissatisfied with Zhang's excuses for not going north and orders him to "set out immediately, do not delay again". After receiving the telegram, Zhang was shocked and felt that Duan had become truly angry this time, and further delays would be impossible.

  At this time, Zhang Jingyao's two younger brothers, Zhang Jingshun and Zhang Jingyu, looked at their anxious elder brother and didn't dare to make a sound.

  The two of them are also afraid now, and the brother has taken on the task of leading troops north.

  At this time, the three Zhang brothers were all wearing military uniforms, but they were actually far from being real soldiers. Among the three brothers, only Zhang Jingyao himself had attended the Beiyang New Army's attached school and Baoding Military Academy. For a military leader like the Zhang brothers, their ability to extort money from civilians was still passable, but asking them to defend the country against foreign invasion would be no easier than calling on a sow to climb a tree.

  "He and Li Chun aren't going, why should I go to send myself to death?" Zhang Jingyao suddenly shouted crazily.

  "That's Old Duan, the Chief of the Army, who can't control Li Chun." Zhang Jing-shun said on the side with a bad tone, "He knows that someone with the surname Li won't listen to him, so he's targeting us instead."

  "If we go, once the fight starts, it's a pointless death. But if we don't go, we'll lose Old Duan's face, and in the future, we won't be able to mix around." Zhang Jingyao's other brother, Zhang Jingyu said, "Comparing two evils, we still have to go."

  "Go? Damn it! Are you going or am I going?" Zhang Jingyao said in great anger, "Have you also lost your head?"

  "Big brother, calm down and listen to me finish speaking." Zhang Jingyu hastily said, "We don't want to go, isn't there someone who wants to go?"

  "Which fool is willing to go?" Zhang Jingyao asked.

  "In western Jiangxi, there's a Yang fellow who has been mobilizing his troops recently. It seems like he is preparing to head north under orders." Zhang Jingyu said.

  "That little guy is quite capable, and in just one year, he's turned that remote area of Ganxi into a treasure trove of wealth." Zhang Jingyao said with some doubt, "Will he be willing to let go?"

  "It seems that's the case, I heard a few days ago that he had already organized all the bandits and mountain thieves around him, and even got two battalions of soldiers out," Zhang Jing-shun also chimed in, "This kid not only knows how to make money, but also has a good way with leading troops in battle. If his men weren't so hard to deal with, I would have taken over his territory long ago."

  "This kid has some tricks up his sleeve, he's good at fighting, people like him are usually quite famous. I reckon he might be thinking of going to the capital to show off to Old Yuan, get a better official position, that's why he wants to go north." Zhang Jingyu said, "His 5th Mixed Brigade was originally under our 6th Division's control, my idea is to give him a small portion of troops again, and count it as us going north, Big Brother you can use illness as an excuse, so you don't have to go personally."

  "This is a good idea." After hearing his brother's suggestion, Zhang Jingyao's eyes lit up.

  "That's great!" Zhang Jing Shun clapped his hands and cheered, "He'd better take all his men and horses away, we can just take over his territory."

  "He's a good soldier, not only has money, but also quite generous to us, and has been very polite all along. He even helped us with supplies and equipment. It's better for us to keep a low profile and not provoke him." Zhang Jingyao said, "That little guy suddenly appeared out of nowhere, without any clear background or origin, but the Ministry of War somehow recognized him, which suggests that he might be someone with connections. We don't need to offend him over territory and resources, besides, given his shrewdness, I'm afraid he won't leave himself vulnerable."

  "Big brother is wise." Zhang Jing Shun said with a flattering smile.

  "Your idea is good," Zhang Jingyao looked at his younger brother Zhang Jingyu and let out a long sigh of relief, "Let's do it this way, give him 2,000 troops, and have him take them to Old Duan's place to settle the score."

  After hearing Zhang Jingyao's words, Zhang Jingsheng and Zhang Jingyu also breathed a sigh of relief, and Xingqing finally escaped disaster.