Chapter 865: American Doomsday A New Breed of Soldier Brought About by a Microwave Donkey

  Time went back three days ago, Di Hua Du Fu East Garden Conference Hall.

  Cao Mingli's hands trembled slightly as he handed the telegram back to Yang Zengxin, who sat in the master chair with an expression of calm and collectedness.

  Commander Yang, dressed in a deep-colored long gown and mandarin jacket, casually took the telegram and placed it on a nearby tea table, weighing it down with his teacup.

  "Cao Shifu, Iron Cavalry Alliance of Canglong Ridge, when will you join the Tang Family Fortress in Duanhun Gorge and become a part of the Tang Family Militia?" Yang Zengxin asked calmly, his expression unchanged.

  "It was two days ago." Cao Mingli's mind was racing, he forced himself to calm down and carefully replied: "It was the day when President Yuan ascended to the throne."

  "Oh?" A hint of unusual color flashed in Yang Zengxin's old eyes, "So to speak, the thousand-year curse of Duanhun Gorge was really broken by someone?"

  "Returning to the Grand Commander, yes." Cao Mingli slightly bowed and said calmly: "Listening to our Mu's lecture, the thousand-year evil curse of Duanhun Gorge was strongly suppressed by the majestic heavenly aura of His Majesty Emperor Hong Xian, who has received the blessings of heaven."

  When mentioning Emperor Hongxian, Cao Mingli still raised his hands and bowed slightly towards the east where the capital was located.

  Yang Zengxin was born into a scholarly family and was an official in the old era. He still identified with the idea of monarch-subject relationship, repaying kindness with loyalty.

  Cao Mingli's move undoubtedly brought the two people closer together in an instant.

  "The new emperor ascends to the throne, and all under heaven return to his heart, with all people surrendering to him." Yang Zengxin stroked his white goat-like beard and smiled: "It seems that you still support the current ruler very much."

  "The imperial ideology of the Chinese mainland for thousands of years, deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, can it be abandoned by those unsuccessful revolutionaries who clamor for so-called republicanism?" Cao Mingli said with great indignation and passion.

  Yang Zengxin let out a deep and sincere sigh, saying: "If there were more people like Master Cao who understand reason and know loyalty in the Central Plains, the world would be at peace. Unfortunately, several provinces' governors have already publicly telegrammed their opposition to the President's ascension to the throne, and war is now unavoidable. I don't know how many families will be destroyed, and how many people will become homeless. Alas! In the end, it is still the poor common people who suffer!"

  "Your Excellency, in my humble opinion, I'm afraid that once we return to our homeland, there will be many who will try to take advantage of the situation and cause trouble." Cao Mingli said seriously: "The Niu family of Xizhou is a typical example."

  "I still know a bit about Niu Baichu, the governor of Akasu." Yang Zengxin said indifferently: "The Niu family has had officials in Akasu for several generations, and it's been many years since the Republic was established. However, I've heard that the Niu family estate still implements the rules of the Qing dynasty. As for the Niu family colluding with the old remnants of the Qing to restore the Qing dynasty, I think this matter needs further investigation. Master Cao, according to what I know, the Mu family of Canglong Ridge and the Niu family have been sworn enemies for a hundred years."

  "The great commander is wise and discerning, but with the actual strength of the Mu family and the Iron Cavalry Alliance, it's impossible to deal with a centuries-old noble family like the Niu family." Cao Mingli said calmly: "The Niu family marched on Qinglong Ridge with three thousand troops. If they didn't have ulterior motives, why would they raise so many unruly soldiers?"

  "Duanhun Gorge Tang Family Fortress can annihilate more than 3,000 enemies, isn't its military strength even more powerful?" Yang Zengxin looked at Cao Mingli with a deep and calculating gaze, smiling slightly. "If we follow Master Cao's logic just now, what the Tang Family Fortress is after is even greater, isn't it?"

  Cao Mingli hesitated for a moment, gritted his teeth and made a decision. He said solemnly: "Generalissimo, according to what Mu Dachang said, Tangjia Fortress is the place of the current emperor."

  "Is this true?" Yang Zengxin's face changed greatly, and then he calmed down again, asking in a low voice: "Do you have any evidence for what you just said?"

  Cao Mingli shook his head and said seriously: "There is no direct evidence of the old man, but the old man knows that in the current Duanhun Gorge, a large-scale castle has been built. No, to be precise, it is a military fortress. Our master said that there are not only several 203mm caliber fortress guns, but also dozens of 150mm caliber heavy mortars, hundreds of Maxim machine guns, and even airships that can carry people into the sky. On the day when President Yuan declared the imperial system, all the artillery positions in Tangjia Fortress fired 21 rounds of salute.

  Apart from that, I noticed in the telegram just now that apart from the Governor's Mansion, it also mentioned the Ministry of the Army. As far as I know, ordinary people would not be able to use this military wireless telegraph to send a telegram directly to the Governor's Mansion and the Ministry of the Army, and they are not even using plain code. This shows that the people in Tangjia Village must have grasped the secret codes of the Governor's Mansion and the Ministry of the Army. Great Governor, I ask you, with such great divine power, I cannot think of anyone else who has this ability except for His Majesty!

  "Hiss!" After Yang Zeng's words, he couldn't help but take a cold breath.

  It is said that one's own affairs are known to oneself. Yang Zengxin was a literary official who emphasized the importance of civil governance and was extremely dissatisfied with the current situation of warlords dividing up the country and military dictatorship.

  At present, the internal and external troubles in Xinjiang have basically subsided. Yang Zengxin has begun to implement a policy of weakening the military, merging the land army, new army and patrol battalion, with the aim of preventing soldiers from interfering in politics and maintaining stability in Xinjiang.

  The troops were downsized, and it was said that they should take the route of elite soldiers, but Yang Zengxin did the opposite. He didn't emphasize development and rectification of the army at all, and took a laissez-faire attitude towards some unhealthy phenomena in the Xinjiang garrison, resulting in the current Xinjiang troops being insufficient in number, with severe empty salaries, lax military discipline, and lack of training.

  The officer in charge of the troops smoked opium and embezzled military pay, but Yang Zengxin turned a blind eye.

  This resulted in most garrisons of the Xinjiang troops, where normally only 30% of officers and soldiers were present, while the other 70% either had their salaries embezzled by commanding officers or were sent outside to work as laborers for money.

  Yang Zengxin was also frugal when it came to equipping the military. This resulted in extremely poor equipment for the Xinjiang garrison, and their uniforms were very simple. Firearms were mostly single-shot muzzle-loaders, British-made breech-loaders, and old Russian guns, with few modern five-shot repeating rifles. Some units were even equipped with knives and guns from the Cold Arms era.

  According to Xinjiang's traffic conditions, Yang Zengxin had the ability and channels to train a fine army, but our Grand Governor simply refused to do so. The reason was that he didn't want to ask anyone for help! He would not go to ask the British, Russians and other foreigners for help either.

  With such military strength and such rubbish equipment, when Yang Dadao heard that the Tangjia Fort Militia in Duanyang Gorge had so many heavy artillery and machine guns, he didn't faint on the spot, which was already a testament to his strong mental quality.

  Based on Yang Zengxin's understanding of the current military system of the Republic of China, with so many heavy artillery and machine guns deployed, wouldn't there be at least 100,000 elite soldiers hidden in Duanhun Gorge?

  Let's not mention those heavy artillery pieces. With just over a hundred of those heavy machine guns, it would be enough to wipe out all the existing garrison troops in Xinjiang.

  Of course, this is a worry, it's confidential.

  Externally, Yang Zengxin still claimed to have more than 30,000 well-trained and well-equipped elite soldiers. Since taking office, he had been continuously victorious in battles against external enemies and had also successfully quelled internal unrest. As a result, Yang's undefeated military strength and iron-fisted tactics not only exerted immense intimidation over the entire Xinjiang region but also left the various warlords in inland China unclear about the true extent of the Xinjiang governor's military power.

  If these inland governors knew that the Xinjiang governor was actually a paper tiger, they would have long since sent their troops to Xinjiang and taken over this largest territory in China.

  Yang Zengxin now really feels a severe headache and also has some lingering fear.

  If Tangjia Fort is really related to President Yuan, does this mean that the future Emperor of China had already begun to lay out his plans for Xinjiang many years ago? Otherwise, why has the Governor's Office never received any intelligence about Tangjia Fort in Daxiongkou over the past few years?

  It is worth noting that since Yang Zengxin took power in Xinjiang, the management of people and goods entering and leaving Xinjiang has been extremely strict. All entries and exits have detailed records on file, and the classification of contraband items is almost meticulous.

  In addition, Yang Zengxin had countless eyes and ears serving as secret agents throughout Xinjiang, knowing everything that happened to officials in each county, big or small. The legend of Duanhun Gorge was often heard, but strangely, no one ever mentioned Tangjiabao!

  But why did Tangjiabao want to hang a militia's name? With such great strength, they could have been given an army corps by the Ministry of the Army!

  There must be some hidden reason behind this, or is it a certain affirmation by Emperor Yuan of my support for his ascension to the throne?

  Obviously, Emperor Yuan had long been far-sighted and attached great importance to Xinjiang's strategic position.

  If Xinjiang also followed the other governors in opposing the imperial system, it's possible that the large army hidden in Tangjiabao would have already arrived at the gates of Dihua City. With the current military strength and equipment in Dihua, it would be simply impossible to resist them!

  Yang Zengxin had his first doubts about his policy of weakening the troops.

  Now the Tang family is flying the flag of the people's group, perhaps hinting that they do not want to oppose me and will not interfere with Xinjiang's government affairs. This may be a gesture to show their stance.

  The wise Emperor Yuan knew that there were many unstable factors in Xinjiang, so he secretly hid a contingent of troops in the Duanhun Gorge, which was considered a haunted and deadly place by the people of various ethnic groups in Huijiang. Only Emperor Yuan had such great ability and vision. It is possible that the Duanhun Gorge was already built as a secret military fortress for hiding troops before the Xinhai Revolution.

  Having thought through all the possible links, Yang Zengxin couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

  "Mr. Cao, I was thinking of finding a time to set up a banquet at the Governor's Mansion and invite the masters of Tangjia Fortress to come to Dihua together to discuss the great plan for Xinjiang's livelihood, in order to fulfill the duties of the landlord. Would Mr. Cao be able to convey this message for me?" Yang Zengxin became increasingly polite towards Cao Mingli.

  Cao Mingli immediately felt a sense of being favored, and he quickly stood up with half of his buttocks still on the seat, making a bow and clasping his hands together. "General, this is an honor for me, I am willing to serve you."

  "Then I'll have to trouble Mr. Cao with that, I'll wait quietly for good news." Yang Zengxin nodded with a hint of a smile and picked up the cup of tea on the tea table that had almost gone cold.

  Cao Mingli, who was well-versed in human relationships and worldly affairs, knew that Yang Daidu was in a hurry to hear back from the messenger while serving tea and seeing off guests. Therefore, Cao Mingli did not dare to linger and immediately asked to take his leave and withdraw.

  After leaving the Governor's Mansion, Cao Mingli was a bit confused all the way. He couldn't figure out how Mu Dahan had made such a big fuss in just two days after leaving Canglong Ridge.

  The Governor of Xinjiang, in the past, was a high-ranking official that Cao Mingli could only look up to, but not approach.

  When did Cao Mingli ever think that he would have a day to have an in-depth conversation with the Grand Governor at the Governor's Mansion, and the Grand Governor would be so courteous to him. Not even in his dreams had he imagined it.

  Cao Mingli's mind was clear, this wasn't the old Cao family ancestral tomb emitting a wisp of smoke, but rather because of that mysterious Tang family fortress in Duanhun Gorge which he hadn't even had time to glance at!

  From what Commander Yang said before he left, it seems that he also believed that the Tang family village and the current emperor of China, the Hongxian Emperor of the Chinese Empire, had an unmentionable secret relationship.

  Who would have thought that at the end of my life, I, Cao, would still have the opportunity to become a high-ranking official in the imperial court! As soon as he came back to his senses, Cao felt invigorated and extraordinary, with an excitement he hadn't felt in years.

  Thus, Cao Shiye, who suddenly felt ten or more years younger, hummed a little tune as he strolled past the most famous Yichun Building on the main street of Dihua City.

  The second watch has arrived

  Each book only has one chance to go up Sanjiang, so I'm asking everyone to take out the Sanjiang ticket in your hand and help a new person out.