Section 005 I am Zhang Xueliang (5)

  Meng Xiang thought of this, and although his body was still soaking in the icy water, he couldn't help but feel a surge of heroic spirit rising to his head, with waves of heat burning in his chest.

  What should I do now? Must thoroughly grasp this treasure land of Northeast China, the Northeast is indeed a good place, with oil, coal, iron and steel, grain and everything, but this place is not too peaceful, Japan and Soviet Russia have been eyeing it for a long time, especially the Japanese with wolf-like ambitions, they have always fantasized about swallowing up China, and the Northeast is their first target. How should I deal with the Japanese? The Japanese have already annexed the Korean Peninsula and also have troops stationed in the Northeast. If the eight-year war of resistance starts from the Northeast, I will definitely not flee, but lead my Northeast Army to fight bloody battles and defend our home and country. But relying on the current Northeast Army, it's feared that it would be difficult to resist the Japanese Kwantung Army, Japan is now a world-class modern military power, while China is plagued by warlords, fragmented, and trapped in long-term internal strife. I must seize the time immediately, before the Kwantung Army launches the "September 18th Incident", to develop the Northeast and strengthen our military. The Heilongjiang River and Baishan Mountains of the Northeast are so rich and fertile, completely capable of achieving great things! But since I changed history, it's hard to say whether the "September 18th Incident" will still erupt on September 18th, 1931, as in history, there seems to be a "butterfly effect". Alas! What chaos! What frustration! But no matter what, I absolutely cannot become that historical "non-resistance general", absolutely not repeat the mistakes of Zhang Xueliang. I must grasp this opportunity firmly, and fight fiercely! Go all out! At least when Japan invades the Northeast, I will not flee like Zhang Xueliang, but rise up to resist! Even if I die on the front lines, I can still hold my head high as a Chinese person!

  Meng Xiang became more and more excited, his eyes gleaming like a sharp knife, his heart surging with emotion, and he even forgot about the opium addiction in his body and the coldness that pierced to the bone. He thought to himself: Since heaven has allowed me to travel through time and space and become Zhang Xueliang, I must not waste this rare opportunity! How can I be a useless coward and squander this heavenly gift? Zhang Xueliang, you are a useless good-for-nothing, now let me, Meng Xiang, take your place and create new history! From now on, I, Meng Xiang, am Zhang Xueliang!

  Tan Hai saw him suddenly standing up from the bathtub, his eyes gleaming with intense fervor like embers, and couldn't help but be startled, thinking he had gone mad. He tensed up and asked: "Commander Jun, what's wrong? Are you feeling better?"

  Zhang Xueliang (Mengxiang) smiled slightly: "I am Zhang Xueliang, destined to do great things, how can I be controlled by a small amount of opium? I'm fine now. Bring me towels and clothes. I cannot waste time, must seize the moment to do what is right."

  After wiping his body dry with a towel, Zhang Xueliang put on a crisp Beiyang Army lieutenant general uniform, and his whole demeanor was majestic and radiant. In June 1927, Zhang Zuolin established the Anguo Military Government in Beijing to counter the increasingly powerful National Revolutionary Army in the south and unite the northern warlords of the Beiyang clique. He unified the armies of the various Beiyang warlords into the Anguo Military, appointing himself as the Grand Marshal of the Anguo Military. The Anguo Military Government was also the last government of the Beiyang regime. At this time, Zhang Xueliang's public identity was that of a lieutenant general and commander of the Third Route Army of the Anguo Military. At this time, Zhang Xueliang was spiritually transformed from his previous self, with a strong sense of mission and responsibility making him spirited and radiant, full of energy and drive. After dressing up, Zhang Xueliang ordered Tan Hai: "Immediately invite General Zhang to come to the mansion."

  Tan Hai hastily took orders and left.

  While waiting for Zhang Zuoxiang, Zhang Xueliang curiously looked around his "home". The Zhang family's grand marshal mansion was a huge three-entry and four-joined courtyard house, with a majestic and imposing gate in the style of a royal palace. On either side of the gate were stone carvings of drum-holding stones and a pair of vividly lifelike stone lions, vermilion pillars, green stone paving on the steps, upturned eaves and carved beams and painted rafters on the roof, everywhere was luxurious and grandiose, with an air of opulence. Zhang Xueliang couldn't help but praise it, thinking to himself that this grand mansion must be at least several thousand square meters in size, if it were placed in a later era, he wouldn't be able to afford such a large house even after ten lifetimes. Thinking of this, he shook his head and sighed with a bitter smile.

  Zhang Zuoxiang quickly arrived at the Grand Marshal's Mansion, and upon seeing Zhang Xueliang's flushed face and confident demeanor, he was taken aback. Zhang Xueliang said: "Assistant Marshal, I am now unharmed. With Father gone, the Northeast is in turmoil, with internal and external troubles mounting; there must be many unresolved issues, like a multitude of cow hairs! Let us hasten to address these matters!" Zhang Zuoxiang rejoiced: "Han'ying, since you're unharmed, that's the best news possible." The two entered the inner hall, where Zhang Zuoxiang urgently said: "Han'ying, with the Grand Marshal gone and you not making an appearance, the frontline troops and local civilians are indeed in a state of panic! The National Revolutionary Army from the south has already occupied Beijing on June 8; on June 12, the Ru Army's Xu Yuanquan unit, which was guarding Tianjin under the Grand Marshal's orders, also surrendered to the National Revolutionary Army. The Ankuo Military Government is now all but defunct, and the Beiyang government has thoroughly collapsed. The National Government's occupation of the regions within the passes is an inevitable trend; we're left with only the three provinces in the Northeast and Rehe Province." He sighed anxiously, "The loss of Pingjin is a severe blow to us, and the morale of our frontline troops is extremely low. At this time, Han'ying, you must take on the responsibility, stem the tide, stabilize the situation, and calm the people's minds."

  "Marshal, what should I do now?" Zhang Xueliang asked seriously, nodding his head.

  "First, continue to suppress the news of the Grand Marshal's death. Once the news leaks out, the situation will become even more critical; second, you must immediately take up the post of Military Governor of Fengtian. The top priority is to grasp military power in your hands, and then tidy up other loose ends step by step. After the National Army occupies Beijing, they will surely be emboldened and try to invade outside the pass. Therefore, we must reorganize our troops, firmly defend Shanhai Pass, and not allow the National Army to enter the northeast; this is the second point. Thirdly, the Japanese have been secretly watching us, if they find out that the Grand Marshal is no longer with us, they will surely take advantage of the situation and stir up trouble, even overthrowing our regime in the Northeast; fourthly, Chief of Staff Yang Yuting and his cohorts have recently been plotting something, trying to investigate whether the Grand Marshal is still alive or not. If they find out that he is no longer with us, they will surely seize power. Han Ying, you must be careful!"

  Zhang Xueliang was lost in thought: "Yang Yuting?" He knew this person too, and he was also an important backbone figure of the Fengtian clique.

  Zhang Zuoxiang nodded: "Not bad, we old guys are the ones who followed the commander to fight and start a family, known as the 'old faction' in the outside world. Yang Yutong's group were all promoted by the commander in the middle and late periods, known as the 'new faction'. The 'new faction' is divided into 'military officer faction' (also called "洋派") and 'university faction' (also called "土派"). The military officer faction refers to those who graduated from Japanese military academies with Yang Yutong as the core. The university faction refers to the new Northeastern officers who graduated from the Northeast Military Academy, led by Guo Songling. But after Guo Songling rebelled against the commander three years ago and died in battle, the university faction was defeated and never recovered. Therefore, the 'new faction' is mainly the 'military officer faction' led by Yang Yutong. Yang Yutong's group indeed has real skills, their brains are more agile than ours, and their vision is longer than ours. But they are young and arrogant, self-willed, and ambitious. They are a double-edged sword for you, Han Ying. You need to reuse them, but you must also be on guard against them." Zhang Zuoxiang's words were sincere and heartfelt.

  Zhang Xueliang nodded in agreement: "Thank you, Generalissimo, for your guidance." He said sincerely, "In the future, I hope to receive more support and help from you, Generalissimo."

  "Ah, Han Ying, let this old man also show you some seniority for once! The commander is no longer here, and I'm afraid no one will dare to call your nickname 'Little Liu' again. Let me also call you 'Little Liu'!" He gazed at Zhang Xueliang with a warm and caring expression of an elder towards his younger generation, "Little Liu, don't worry and do it boldly! I am the first person who wholeheartedly supports you, and our group of old guys will all fully support you. In public, I am your subordinate, if I don't obey your orders, you can use national law and military discipline to deal with me; but in private, I had a deep friendship with Commander Zhang, and you are still my nephew. If you do something wrong, I will scold you as an uncle when no one is around." His words were full of sincerity and genuine emotion.

  Zhang Xueliang stood up solemnly and bowed deeply to the elder of the Fengtian clique: "I understand, Uncle."

  On June 20, Zhang Xueliang formally appeared and issued the "Fengtian Military Affairs Supervisor's Inaugural Telegram". The telegram was drafted by Zhang Zuoxiang, which first announced to the outside world: "... Half a month ago, the Grand Marshal returned from Beijing to Fengtian, and when he passed through the southeast of Huanggutun Railway, the bridge exploded, injuring several people. The Grand Marshal was also slightly injured, but his spirit is still good, and he is currently resting at the marshal's mansion. The city is also calm as usual. Since the Grand Marshal is ill and recuperating, he has no time to take care of all the military and political affairs in Fengtian, so he temporarily entrusts Zhang Xueliang to act on his behalf." Then, it announced that Zhang Xueliang would temporarily take over the military and political power of Fengtian Province: "Zhang Xueliang is humble and obedient, serving the country with sincerity. At this time when the situation is difficult and the responsibility is heavy, I sincerely express my true feelings to my fellow citizens." At the same time as issuing the inaugural telegram, Zhang Xueliang and Zhang Zuoxiang also announced a five-point policy outline: "1. Stop war and negotiate peace, oppose internal strife; 2. Harmonious foreign relations, friendly neighbors; 3. Streamline the military and government, encourage agriculture and industry; 4. Reduce expenses, lighten taxes; 5. Follow public opinion, make decisions based on public discussion." Finally, according to Zhang Zuoxiang's proposal, in order to let Zhang Zuolin gain a good reputation after his death, and for Zhang Xueliang to win people's hearts, laying the foundation for him to fully take over the Northeast, Zhang Xueliang also announced: "The Grand Marshal's property before his death was worth more than 10 million yuan, which will be donated to the government as public funds, used to promote education in the Northeast."

  As Zhang Xueliang took office in person and announced his appointment, while learning that Zhang Zuolin was not dead, the various units of the Fengtian Army on the front line began to stabilize their military morale, and the people in the rear also gradually calmed down. In fact, at this time, the situation in Northeast China was very turbulent. Inside the pass, after capturing Beijing and Tianjin, the soldiers of the National Revolutionary Army's Northern Expeditionary Army were greatly boosted in spirit and advanced rapidly towards Shanhai Pass; outside the pass, the Japanese Kwantung Army was eager to move. Just one day after the Huanggutun explosion, the Kwantung Army quietly destroyed the railway between Shanhai Pass and Jinzhou, intending to disrupt the Northern Expeditionary Army's entry into Northeast China, because the Kwantung Army regarded Northeast China as Japan's pocket territory and did not allow the National Government to take it away. In the following days, there were multiple explosions in Shenyang City, causing the whole city to be in a state of panic, and suspicious individuals carrying weapons appeared around the Zhang family's mansion, obviously assassins sent by the Kwantung Army, intending to kill "recovering" Zhang Zuolin and Zhang Xueliang. At this time, tens of thousands of Japanese troops gathered outside Shenyang under the name of "military exercises", even collectively singing songs with obvious meanings such as "Southern Manchuria is our hometown, we swear to defend Southern Manchuria". In addition, there were many signs showing that the Japanese tried to support the restoration of the Qing dynasty in Northeast China and establish a puppet regime. Many newspapers in Shenyang reported messages such as "On June 5th, the former Qing prince Puwei, who had been hiding in Dalian, suddenly came to Shenyang... The former Qing emperor Puyi, who had been hiding in Tianjin, also made subtle moves recently..." and so on.