Chapter Thirty-Six: Eliminate and Fight

  The commander lost his temper, and the scene fell silent, with an awkward atmosphere.

  Yang Wang Peng pulled Deng Gang and shouted: "Sit down, don't be rude!"

  As Deng Gang sat down, Yang Wangpeng said to Zhao Bei: "What the commander-in-chief just said makes some sense, but sending a telegram is a big deal. Not convening a meeting with comrades beforehand is really not justified."

  Zhao Bei's gaze shifted from Yang Wangpeng's face, glanced at Deng Gang, and said lightly: "If we hold a meeting and let you choose the future head of state of China, who would you choose? Deng Gang, speak your mind, who do you think is most qualified to be the head of this country?"

  Deng Gang tilted his head and hummed, saying proudly: "Need you ask? Of course it's Mr. Sun of the Tongmenghui! After the Sino-Japanese War, he has been advocating for revolution against the Qing dynasty, putting his words into action by organizing revolutionary forces, and returning to China multiple times to lead uprisings. Although our Guanzhi Xueshe is not a subsidiary of the Tongmenghui, we have always supported its principles. To be honest, if Mr. Sun could return to China in time, I, Deng Gang, would be the first to raise both hands in support for him as the head of state! Unfortunately, he is not currently in the country."

  "Very well, you're telling the truth." Zhao Bei nodded and turned to look at Yang Wangpeng, asking: "Zi Lun, who would you recommend as the head of state?"

  Yang Wangpeng glanced at Deng Gang and said, "I agree with Comrade Deng's opinion. No one is more qualified than Mr. Sun of the Tongmenghui to be the first president of the Republic of China."

  "It's all right, we revolutionaries should open our hearts to comrades. Having different opinions is normal and can be raised face-to-face, but we shouldn't slander each other!" Zhao Bei walked down from the podium, swept his eyes across the crowd, raised his right hand and said: "Now, let's do a survey. Those who agree that Mr. Sun should become the Grand President, please raise your hands."

  The officers looked at each other and then three or two raised their hands, with half of the people agreeing with Yang Wangpeng and Deng Gang's opinions.

  Zhao Bei sighed in his heart, this is what they call "people's expectation". In this regard, it's likely that no one can compete with Sun Wen. After all, he was the first to spread the idea of republican revolution and is still alive. Although he has been living in exile for a long time, he has become a spiritual leader in the hearts of revolutionaries. The uprisings launched by the Tongmenghui may not have succeeded once, but at least they expanded their reputation. Moreover, there are several masters of propaganda warfare within the Tongmenghui, and it is through their writing that "Mr. Sun of the Tongmenghui" has become famous throughout the country. Not to mention anything else, this "repeatedly defeated but still fighting" spirit alone is enough to make people admire him.

  "Everyone put your hands down." Zhao Bei walked back to the podium, organized his thoughts, and gave a serious explanation for his behavior.

  Everyone saw that more than half of the people present chose to elect Mr. Sun as the president, which means that if I had consulted with you all before issuing the telegram, then the telegram electing Yuan Shikai as president would not have been possible. To be honest with everyone, I also agreed that Mr. Sun should take office as the first president of the Republic of China, but due to the circumstances at the time, I could only reluctantly send out that telegram.

  Yuan Shikai is a remnant of the Qing dynasty, and has always been hostile to the revolution. It's quite absurd to think that he would switch sides just because of a telegram, but revolution is all about taking risks. As long as there's even a glimmer of hope, we revolutionaries must seize it tightly. If I were to convene a meeting and persuade everyone to pass that telegram, jointly "supporting" Yuan Shikai, then it would be equivalent to us all shouldering the burden of morality. Now, if I take sole responsibility and issue that telegram in my own name, even if someone were to hold me accountable for recklessly protecting the president in the future, Zhao [myself] alone will bear the blame, with no relation to any of you. Even if this leads to my dismissal, none of you will be implicated, and our revolutionary cause won't be affected. As for me, I'll just go apologize to Mr. Sun at that time. Do you all understand my good intentions now?

  Yang Wang Peng was shocked and asked: "Why did the commander-in-chief use the term 'all city military and civilians' in the telegram? Didn't that also represent us?"

  "Comrades, why are you so stubborn? Although the telegram says 'all citizens and soldiers of the city', only I am signing it! What if Yuan Shikai wants to be a loyal dog for the Qing dynasty? You can just push the responsibility onto me, can't you? After all, none of you have signed the telegram, and you don't actually support it either. There's only my name on the telegram, so once it's sent out, no matter what the outcome is, I'll be the one to take full responsibility!"

  As soon as Zhao Bei finished speaking, the meeting room was in an uproar, with everyone whispering to each other and discussing heatedly.

  "Commander-in-Chief, let's also add the Ministry of War's name to the telegram!" Bai Wenchu excitedly stood up, saying as he waved his fist. "The Ministry of War advances and retreats with the Commander-in-Chief!"

  "It can also be signed with the name of the Ministry of Public Works." Zhang Jiyang, who had been silent all along, also stood up, followed closely by several Kuomintang officials.

  Under their lead, dozens of officers also stood up, shouting to add their names to the telegram, to show that they would advance and retreat with the commander-in-chief. As for the people from the Guanzhi Academy, most of them were speechless, but in any case, they could not have imagined that Zhao Bei had found such a dignified excuse.

  What a great opportunity to win people's hearts! How could Zhao Bei miss it?

  Zhao Bei smiled and shook his head, saying: "No, no. You are all passionate revolutionary youths with a bright future ahead of you, how can you take risks like this? The matter of sending the telegram has nothing to do with any of you, Zhao will take full responsibility for it, I'll bear it alone!"

  What a "burden on one's shoulders"! Without enough courage and confidence, who dares to say such words?

  Deng Gang looked up at Zhao Bei and shouted: "If Yuan Shikai is not moved, he will die for the Qing dynasty. The Qing dynasty will also be deceived, and it will still order Yuan Shikai to lead the army south to attack the revolutionary army. What can the commander-in-chief do?"

  The crowd suddenly fell silent, and they all cast their eyes on Zhao Bei. Some people even began to speculate when Zhao Bei would apply military law to Deng Gang.

  "Pointing to the pistol at his waist, he said: "If Yuan Shikai is not willing to rebel against the Qing dynasty and respond to the revolution, if he insists on being a running dog for the Manchu government, I can only hand over this pistol, exchange it for a rifle with a bayonet, take up the rifle, charge into the front line, wherever the artillery fire is most intense, I will lead the charge! If I die on the battlefield, then you should erect a monument at the place where I died, and write on it: 'You were wrong about Yuan Shikai, your dog's eyes are blind!' All of you present are witnesses. If Yuan Shikai really refuses to rebel against the Qing dynasty, you can repeat what I said today in front of me. If I go back on my word, you can deal with me according to military law!"

  These words were simply stunning, and everyone couldn't help but look sideways, even Deng Gang furrowed his brow, completely unable to understand where Zhao Bei's confidence came from.

  Was Yuan Shikai really a treacherous minister of the Qing dynasty? Everyone has a question mark in their mind.

  Seeing the crowd's stunned faces, Zhao Bei picked up his command knife and stamped on the ammunition box at his feet, saying: "This matter has been made clear, everyone doesn't need to discuss it anymore. Each of you should return to your posts, tidy up your troops, maintain your weapons, and be ready to set out at any time! The revolution has not yet succeeded, and it's not the time for us to discuss sharing the fruits of victory. No matter who becomes the head of the Republic of China in the future, our revolutionary beliefs will never waver, and my own revolutionary beliefs will never waver either. As for what I said here today, it is a military secret, and no one is allowed to leak it out. Those who violate this rule will be dealt with by military law! Additionally, Deng Gang's severe punishment will be temporarily recorded in the Command Center. If he performs well in the upcoming battles, it can be immediately revoked."

  Everyone stood up and paid their respects. The officers of the general staff immediately got to work, moving chairs aside and setting up two eight-immortal tables, beginning to tidy up and organize troop matters. The other officers lined up and left the conference room, walking out of the command center.

  A few people from Qunzhi Xueshe walked out of the headquarters together, turned left and entered a small alley.

  Deng Gang glanced back and whispered to the headquarters: "Arbitrary!"

  "Arrogant! But he does have some eloquence, it's a pity if he doesn't go into politics." Zhong Ji beside him also said in a low voice.

  "Shut up! Soldiers must obey orders. Besides, the commander-in-chief may not be entirely wrong. You're being so reckless and impulsive, it's almost like you're trying to show off your integrity. You're not allowed to speak out of turn. Initially, we suspected that he wanted to surrender to Yuan Shikai, but now that he's said this, it seems that this might actually be a 'reverse plot'. Yang Wangpeng walked over and patted the two men on the shoulder, giving them a meaningful look. "Hurry up! Go back and reorganize the troops. And Deng Gang, if you dare to openly defy your superiors again, I'll take care of you myself before anyone else has a chance to say anything!"