Chapter Thirty-Nine: Great Possibilities

  The Shanghai campaign went smoothly, and the 31st Regiment arrived just in time to see the newly formed anti-Yuan army destroyed. After merging with the Shanghai Army Corps, the 31st Regiment continued to mop up the remnants of the defeated army, assisted by the Shanghai Army Corps, while also targeting members of various gangs. In other words, Fang Zidao had planned to take advantage of this opportunity to launch a major crackdown on the Shanghai gang system when he dispatched the 31st Regiment. Of course, it was impossible to completely eliminate the gang elements and revolutionaries who were deeply entrenched in the KMT, but Fang Zidao could still get rid of some of the lower-ranking members and take out some of the big shots who had defected to the revolutionary party. As the saying goes, "where there are people, there is a gang," and gangs have existed throughout Chinese history, even if it means that decades later, black societies will still exist. The key is whose hands these forces are in, and who controls them - this is what Fang Zidao needs to achieve.

  The 31st Division took ruthless action, and on the same day it crushed the anti-Yuan army, it arrested thousands of gang members in the name of rebellion. Several big shots from the Green Gang were among them. The remaining gang members who were quick-witted and reacted fast either immediately changed their political stance, denounced the revolutionary party's rebellion, and declared support for the central government. Or they fled into the concession areas, hiding nervously with bated breath. For a time, the entire Shanghai was purged, and the ordinary people who had been frightened by the gunfire gradually calmed down. Later, they saw those thugs and gang members who used to extort and blackmail them being arrested one by one by the soldiers. They were shocked and delighted, cheering and shouting "Long live the central government!"

  Fang Zidao's move in Shanghai can be said to have been successful, but the regret is that Chen Qimei was not caught on the spot. Shanghai is different from other places, with concession areas everywhere, and after Chen Qimei and others escaped into the concession area, Tao Deyao could only send troops to guard outside the concession area and could not enter a step further.

  In response, Fang Zidao ordered from Nanjing that Tao De'ao first control the remaining areas outside of the concession and have the gang leaders who surrendered to the KMT cooperate in cleaning up and quickly restoring order to ensure Shanghai's stability. As for Chen Qimei and others, they would be strictly monitored for now.

  The smooth situation in Shanghai did not make Fang Zidao very excited, and the eighth division headquarters was now filled with worries, especially Fang Zidao. He had not closed his eyes for more than 20 hours and was now red-eyed and furious.

  After getting rid of Lin Hu, and controlling the 8th Division, Fang Zidao shifted his main attention to Shanghai, Anhui, and Zhejiang, completely ignoring the north. In his opinion, the 8th Division was now under his control, with Song Jiaoren stationed in Beijing, the 8th Division had become a direct unit of the Ministry of War, and the Beiyang Army had become friendly forces, making the north absolutely safe for his own people, only needing to guard against the revolutionary party in the south.

  It was at this time that Fang Zidao withdrew most of his troops from the 8th Division to Nanjing, on one hand to prepare for a potential move south and on the other hand to reorganize and adjust. Who would have thought that Zhang Xun's forces would suddenly enter Jiangsu, occupy Xuzhou City, and quickly head south towards Nanjing, taking on an attacking posture.

  After receiving the news, Fang Zidao was shocked. To know that at present, the garrison troops of the 8th Division north of Nanjing only have one and a half regiments, and these troops are scattered in various counties, it is not easy to gather them together in a short period of time. Moreover, Zhang Xun's sudden attack made Fang Zidao suspect that it was Yuan Shikai who secretly instructed him to take advantage of the 8th Division's attention being focused on the south and launch a large-scale southern campaign, thoroughly eliminating the 8th Division and gaining a dominant position in North China. However, after careful analysis, Fang Zidao rejected this suspicion. Although he had only met Yuan Shikai a few times and had only truly discussed the matter of the post-war loan with him, Fang Zidao felt that Yuan Shikai, who had always valued justice and reputation, would not make such a foolish move at this time. Moreover, Song Jiaoren had already been formally appointed as Premier, and the North China faction and the KMT faction had formed a political alliance in Beijing. It was impossible for Yuan Shikai to stab his ally in the back like this, he wasn't that stupid.

  After receiving the news of Zhang Xun's southward advance, Fang Zhiyi first confirmed the authenticity of the matter and then sent an urgent telegram to Beijing. One telegram was sent to Song Jiaoren, and the other was sent to the Ministry of War, asking for an explanation. In addition, Fang Zhiyi also dispatched a liaison officer to rush north and contact Zhang Xun's unit, demanding that Zhang Xun immediately stop his southward advance and act according to the orders of the Ministry of War. If he continued to push towards Nanjing, the Eighth Division would certainly counterattack.

  Song Jiaoren was also shocked upon receiving the telegram and hastily rushed to the Ministry of War, where he found Minister Duan Qirui to inquire about the matter.

  "What's going on?" Song Jiaoren slapped the telegram sent by Fang Zidao onto the desk, his expression extremely stern.

  "I also received this telegram, please take a look, Duan Qirui." With a bitter smile, he also pulled out the same telegram: "I understand that you have come to question me, but I must tell you, I've just learned of this matter too."

  Song Jiaoren looked at Duan Qirui with a suspicious and distrustful gaze, while Duan Qirui poured him a cup of water and explained: "Regardless of whether you believe it or not, I can guarantee that this matter is absolutely not an order from the Ministry of War, and the President is completely unaware. Before your arrival, I had already sent a telegram to Zhang Xun, ordering him to immediately turn west and enter Anhui, withdrawing from Jiangsu territory."

  While explaining, he took out a draft telegram from the drawer. Song Jiaoren glanced at it and nodded slightly.

  "This is getting out of hand, as you know the situation in Zhejiang is chaotic now, the rebellion hasn't been put down yet and our own people are already fighting each other, this is utter nonsense! Zhang Xun's audacity is really too much, who gave him the order? This must be thoroughly investigated!"

  "Strict investigation is a must, but...". Duan Qirui echoed with a sentence and shook his head: "Tuan Zhongtang, in my analysis, Zhang Xun's going south didn't have anyone giving him orders, it was completely his own decision. I estimate that when Zhang Xun was the governor of Jiangsu and was defeated by you KMT people, he still had a grudge and wanted to take back Jiangsu with this opportunity."

  "It is like this, this person must be dismissed, the Ministry of War should immediately dismiss and investigate Zhang Xun."

  "Brother Duan Qirui, what's going on with Zhang Xun's troops? Don't you know? The Ministry of the Army's dismissal and investigation, do you think it's useful?" Duan Qirui asked back with a bitter smile.

  Song Jiaoren also showed a difficult expression. Zhang Xun's troops and the Beiyang Army were not in the same system to begin with, and just looking at his current queue, it was not just the Ministry of War that would not work, even if he, as the Premier, ordered him to be removed from office. Zhang Xun's soldiers could be said to be completely his private soldiers, only listening to Zhang Xun's orders, and even Yuan Shikai, the President, had limited control over Zhang Xun at best.

  After some thought, Song Jiaoren said: "In any case, the occurrence of this situation must be stopped, and my central government must also make a decisive decision! Otherwise, even if this rebellion is extinguished, it will be difficult to guarantee that no one will take up arms again in the future. Let's do this, you continue to contact Zhang Xun's department, let him withdraw from Jiangsu immediately, and as for the Xu State affair, we can not pursue responsibility. If he still acts arbitrarily, he will be dismissed and investigated, absolutely no tolerance!"

  "Alright! I'll do it according to your plan, Brother!" Duan Qirui agreed immediately. Seeing this, Song Jiaoren also put his mind at ease and after discussing the rebellion with him again, he returned to the Premier's residence.

  After making arrangements for Zhang Xun to take over again, Duan Qirui left the Ministry of War and went directly to the Presidential Palace.

  "The Grand President, Zhang Xun is a lawless and arrogant man who refused to listen to the orders of the Ministry of Army and arbitrarily entered Jiangsu Province, occupying Xuzhou, and threatening Nanjing. Song had already strictly ordered me to reprimand Zhang Xun and tell him to withdraw from Jiangsu."

  "Oh, really? How did you manage that, Zhi Quan?" Yuan Shikai asked with narrowed eyes.

  "Sung Tuan first appeared as the Premier, he ordered me to obey as a subordinate, I can only follow orders, let alone Zhang Xun is too bold. This matter must be strictly prohibited." As he spoke, Duan Qirui glanced at Yuan Shikai sitting on the other side with an air of calmness and asked hesitantly: "I wonder what the President thinks... Is it right for me to do so?"

  "What's wrong? You're doing great!" Yuan Shikai smiled warmly and nodded encouragingly, "Song Tonghe and I are both supporters of constitutionalism. Since we want constitutionalism, your Ministry of War is naturally under his jurisdiction. As the Premier, he has given orders, and as a subordinate, you must execute them. What's more, this is a big deal! Zhang Xun disobeyed orders and attacked friendly forces, which is typical warlord behavior. Your Ministry of War must severely punish him!"

  Yuan Shikai made such a statement, and Duan Qirui was completely relieved. He continued to report to Yuan Shikai on Song Jiaoren's attitude and reaction to Zhang Xun's affair, and suggested that Yuan Shikai send a telegram to Zhang Xun in the name of the President. As Zhang Xun had always respected Yuan Shikai, perhaps with a telegram from President Yuan, Zhang would listen to him more.

  "That's not necessary." Who would have thought that Yuan Shikai waved his hand and refused, saying: "Now the constitution is in place, these things are within Premier Song's authority, I'd better not interfere. If I do this, sensible people will know that I, Yuan, am doing it for the country, but outsiders will think I want to be a dictator, haha, so let's have Zhiquan and Dunchu discuss and handle it instead. Of course, if the National Assembly passes such a request, I, Yuan, will certainly support it."

  Duan Qirui knew Yuan Shikai well. After a slight pause, he burst out laughing and nodded repeatedly in agreement.

  "How are the advances of the First and Second Armies?" Yuan Shikai saw that Duan Qirui understood his meaning, and he also smiled slightly, turning to ask about this matter.

  "Except for Zhang Xun's unit, all other units are proceeding according to plan."

  "Good! That's it, Zhi Quan. The matter of pacifying the rebels should be done sooner rather than later. Let them hurry up, time waits for no man!"

  "I understand, Your Excellency, please be at ease."

  After some thought, Yuan Shikai asked: "I heard that the 8th Division of Jiangsu has suppressed Shanghai? Chen Qimei's rebel army has been pacified? Is this true?"

  "This is true, news from Shanghai says Chen Qimei's troops were defeated and he spat blood, and has already escaped into the concession area."

  Nodding, Yuan Shikai patted his palm in praise: "The Eighth Division is indeed a strong army, and unexpectedly, that Fang Zidao of the KMT is both civil and martially talented. Haha, now the Eighth Division directly belongs to your Ministry of War, Zhiquan, you must make good use of this sharp blade. If used well, there will be great prospects!"