Chapter 14 (Part 2)

  The map unfolded, the most prosperous place in Gansu Province was Tianshui in Longdong. "Go to Tianshui, go to Tianshui." Han Traveling General and Ga Commandant parted ways, going to Tianshui to become bandits. There were many bandits during the Republic of China era, not just me, Han Traveling General ordered the entire army: Plunder, plunder thoroughly, plunder those bastards, poor people and rich people together. The city of Tianshui turned into hell. A few years later, Shaanxi general Yang Hucheng sent troops on a western expedition, annihilating this group of fierce bandits, and the once prosperous land of Tianshui became as desolate as the moon, everyone thought they had arrived at the Xinjiang Gobi Desert.

  "Who else wants to be a bandit? Leave quickly, General Han's troops are not far away, I won't stop you." A few more people left the troop. The troop still had eight or nine thousand men. "Get out of here, those rotten people, I don't want them," said Ga Commander. He asked three times, but no one left. He thought the troop was now clean and he put his mind at ease.

  The team arrived at Xiahe. From a distance, they saw the mountains surrounding Labrang Temple, which is the center of Ando Tibetan area and the territory of Jiamuyang V and Huang family. The golden top of the temple was shining brightly, the river water flowed through the city, and the market was prosperous, like heaven. Gaisiling had said before that many greedy hearts were beating wildly, suppressing them, with dry mouths. From a distance, they saw several Hui elders walking over, who came to beg Gaisiling not to bring his troops into Xiahe County. The Chan Temple was destroyed in the war, and the people of Xiahe were worried. In 1916, Ma Qi's army looted Xiahe ancient city, five thousand monks were reciting scriptures inside the temple, a big fire rose to the sky, the monks did not move, some small Misa escaped, but were killed by Ma Qi's random shooting. The people of Xiahe still remembered the cruelty of Ma Qi's army. After Huang Zhengqing brothers took control of Xiahe government, they established Xiahe middle school and technical school, free education for children of all ethnic groups, treating Han, Hui, Zang and other ethnic groups equally. The harmonious coexistence of Han, Tibetan, and Hui people in Xiahe was indeed a haven in the chaotic world. The Hui elders begged Gaisiling again not to bring his troops into Xiahe County, "Huang Shuai is a Bodhisattva commander, he withdrew his troops to the back mountain, there are no defenses in the city, they have always been kind to our Hui people, Commander Gai, you must not lead your troops in." Gaisiling picked up his binoculars and looked into the city, surprisingly saw a mosque. "Jiamuyang Living Buddha is avoiding Ninghai Navy on Oula grassland, dare not return to Labrang Temple, we Hui people want to build a mosque, Huang Shuai did not stop it, but specially approved a piece of auspicious land, next to the river."

  The commander sent a regiment to guard the Labrang Temple. "Old Master's trouble, we'll make up for it, stand guard for a few days, let the Tibetans see that we're also human." The cavalry regiment marched in neatly, the lamas carrying water by the river were frightened and scattered, the soldiers surrounded the white wall in a circle, the war horses were put on the grassland by the river, the soldiers stood with their backs to the temple and faced the mountains. Only then did Xiahe people realize that these were guards, guarding the temple. Everyone let out a sigh of relief.

  A lone commander, no one accompanied him, not even a horse to ride, put down his sword, put down his gun, empty-handed, walked towards the back mountain. The back mountain rang out with several shots, one shot brushed past his ear, another flew under his arm like a bird, his clothes tightened for a moment, and another fell at his feet, like nailing an iron stake into the ground. Only these few shots rang out. From behind the mountain emerged a white horse, like a white cloud, whiter and brighter than silver, on its back a tall and majestic young man, full of spirit, Commander Gao couldn't help but blink. The young soldier jumped off the horse, which didn't follow him, only grazing on its own. Two young soldiers approached, removing their white gloves.

  Huang Zhengqing.

  Ma Zhongying

  "Lanzhou has an order, asking me to intercept the rebels. The city is not a place for fighting, if we must fight, let's do it in the wilderness, best to choose a barren land to fight. Look at this place, everywhere is grass and trees, can't hurt the grass and trees, how are we supposed to fight?"

  "Can't we just not fight?"

  "Let's just drink then."

  As they spoke, they walked to the back mountain slope, where ambushes were laid out across several mountains. It would be hard to say who would win or lose if a real fight broke out. From the expressions of those in hiding, it was clear what kind of person Huang Zhengqing was.

  "We're soldiers, let's drink in the wilderness."

  "Really?"

  What was brought up turned out to be red wine, an imported good.

  "We set up a technical school, and the teachers were all hired from big cities in the mainland, including some who had studied abroad. I was thinking of setting up a winery in our great Northwest, just like Tonghua in Northeast China has one. We Northwesterners are too violent, drinking Xifengjiu is like eating explosives, sweet wine is soft and gentle, let's open a bottle."

  The general did not stay nodding his head, took a sip of wine and held it in his mouth, feeling like sucking on an ice cube sweet.

  "Muslems don't drink alcohol and smoke, are you okay?"

  "It's okay, red wine and white wine are different, I'd rather die than drink white wine."

  The lamb's meat is tender and refreshing, very much to the general's taste. The general eats with great elegance.

  "Huang Shang laughed and said, 'Your reputation is far greater than your actual self.'"

  "I am neither a tiger nor a wolf."

  "You're really different from Ma Jiajun."

  "Ma's army is Ma's army, I am me, how can we be the same?"

  "We're so close to Xiahe River, yet we don't even know each other."

  "Isn't it about time you recognized me!"

  "I've made a good friend, you should get to know him, he's a high-ranking officer of the Northwestern Army, and you're fighting against the Northwestern Army, don't mind me saying this, do you?"

  "I'm not a doll."

  "He is a member of the Nationalist Party*, called Xuan Xiaofu, who studied in Japan and Russia, and has done many good things for our Anduo Tibetan area."

  The commander had heard of it for the first time, and unexpectedly, there was such a strange person in the National Army.

  He said: "He is indeed a strange man, Ma Qi killed many of our people, and we went to Beijing to file a complaint, but it was useless. The National Army arrived in Lanzhou, and we thought we'd try our luck, tell Mr. Xuan about it, and Mr. Xuan didn't say much, took two guards to the Oula Grassland, stayed for over 50 days, comforted Jiamu Xiang Huofo, convened a tribal king's meeting, asked us Tibetans to be self-reliant, unite, establish education, organize armed forces, and not even 100 Ma Qi would dare to bully you. From ancient times to the present, which high-ranking official from the Central Government has come to my Anduo Grassland? The hundred chiefs on the south bank of the Yellow River gave Mr. Xuan silver, but he didn't accept it, the hundred chiefs on the north bank also gave him silver, and he still didn't accept it. It's our Tibetan custom that not accepting gifts is equivalent to looking down on us. Mr. Xuan had no choice but to accept some of the silver, after arriving in Lanzhou, organized a Tibetan Cultural Promotion Association, reported Ma Qi's crimes to the National Government, and let Yu Youren, the Minister, directly give orders to Xining Town. The Ma family army has been oppressing us for decades, and finally drove them away. When people mention the Western Army, the Ma family army, it's like talking about ghosts in the middle of the night, they tremble with fear. It is said that wherever the Western Army went, the villages along the way were deserted, and the land became a wasteland. You fought against the Northwestern Army, and Ma Qi and Ma Lin were delighted."

  "They're delusional."

  "I hope you can transform into a good team that serves the people in the battle, and it's not a solution to keep wandering around like this."

  "I want to get a piece of land and do good things for the people."

  Muslims are opposed to idolatry, and the general handed over his horse and sword to the guards and went to see the Grand Lama quietly. The general apologized for Han Jinlu's burning of the Chan Temple, and the Grand Lama said: "You beheaded his flag officer and parted ways with him, his sins should not be borne by you." The general said: "In the past, Xiang Yu, the king of Western Chu, set fire to Epang Palace when he entered Guanzhong, burning the country he had just obtained to ashes, what a pity!" The Grand Lama asked: "How old are you, General?" "Seventeen years old." "Indeed a young hero, Xiang Yu was 24 years old when he started his uprising, and you are much younger than him."

  The general said: "Liu Xiu is twelve years younger than me when he went to Nanyang." The Dalai Lama did not mention Liu Xiu, but only talked about Xiang Yu, "King Xiang would get up at night and drink in his tent, there was a beautiful woman named Yu, who often accompanied him, a fine horse named Jie, which he often rode. Then King Xiang sang a sad and heroic song, and wrote a poem: 'With strength I can move mountains, my spirit covers the world, but now is not the time, Jie will not gallop. Jie will not gallop, what can be done? Yu, oh Yu, what can you do?' The general's cheeks turned white, like an upright sword on the ground, with a blade shining with white light. The Dalai Lama looked at him but did not see, and ordered the little lama to send the brocade to the general.

  The great lama said: "Ride a horse across the bitter sea, wear brocade to ward off the cold wind, and be careful of many taboos."

  He walked a long way before Commander Zhang finally stopped muttering to himself: "Could it be that I will follow in Xiang Yu's footsteps?"

  His subordinate said: "Xiang Yu burned down Afang Palace, killed the surrendered soldiers, but Commander didn't burn Labuleng Temple, and the lama even sent him a horse with brocade."

  General Order: The entire army is forbidden to set fires or kill surrendered soldiers.

  He rode the yellow stallion sent by the Grand Lama, with a silk cushion on the saddle. The yellow stallion raised its hoof and seemed to take him into space. The horse stood upright for a long time, no other horse could stand like this for so long. This place was originally close to the sky, now the entire sky was like a gray-blue felt hat pressed onto his head. His heart skipped a beat, "War is indeed a sea of suffering as the Grand Lama said!"

  Lanzhou, the ancient city that had been yearned for a long time, flashed before his eyes, and a bold idea matured. Gao Shiliang issued an order on horseback: "Pursue Han Jinlu's troops towards Tianshui, make a show of attacking Shaanxi, feign east and strike west, let Han Jinlu be our vanguard, we'll make a false attack, take the grain and grass from Didao, advance to Lanzhou, capture Liu Yufen alive, and let Ji Hongchang cry under the city wall of Lanzhou!" Everyone was still in a daze, Gao Shiliang burst out laughing, "Han Jinlu this bandit, only knows how to rob Tianshui, Didao is also a rich place, but I tell you we are a righteous army, not bandits, we are going to Didao to requisition grain and grass, whoever steals things will be dealt with by me."

  Di Dao: Now in Lintan County, Gansu Province.

  Ji Hongchang's troops were led by the nose like a tailgating bug, turning around in the mountains. The government army has always been like this when suppressing bandits. The people of various ethnic groups in the Gannan mountainous area have seen how the White Wolf fought against the government army in those years, and they laughed at Ji Hongchang. Those with bigger guts even composed a ditty: "Ji Hongchang, Ji Hongchang, playing king in Hezhou City, playing hide-and-seek in the Gannan mountains."

  Ji Hongchang not only didn't get angry, but also shouted "Good! Good! Sing well!" The mountain people became even bolder and teased Ji Hongchang on purpose: "General, Ma Zhongying jumped off the cliff, what are you still chasing after? He didn't jump in this direction."

  "The White Wolf has been here, I'm looking for the White Wolf."

  "Bai Lang was defeated by Feng Yuxiang here."

  The mountain people all burst out laughing, the national army officers and soldiers were annoyed, their hands reached for the ghost head knife behind their necks. Ji Hongchang's cow eyes stared, everyone withdrew their hands, Ji Hongchang said loudly: "Being a soldier is about eating rations and doing one's duty."

  No one knows that this is the hero of the broken white wolf. The White Wolf dominated Gannan, fled into the Qinling Mountains in Shaanxi, and was about to enter Guanzhong to claim the throne when he was suddenly attacked by Ji Hongchang. The mountain people do not know these distant stories, they only believe what happens around them.

  Ji Hongchang stationed a division in Xiahe Zhuoni, repairing bridges and roads, resettling refugees, and paying special attention to the Hui people.

  As the war broke out, ethnic killings became unavoidable. Ji Hongchang's troops were doing settlement work from one place to another. The number of Hui people following General Zhang was decreasing, and the Hui people said that Feng Yuxiang had lost his sight, replacing Liu Yufen with Ji Hongchang, which would save the ordinary people from suffering.

  Ji Hongchang's main force hid during the day and emerged at night, quietly ambushing at the entrance of Dida Dao, leaving only local security troops in Dida County.

  The White Wolf Army once marched straight from here to Lanzhou. The government army thought the White Wolf was going to attack Lanzhou, so they all gathered in Lanzhou. But the White Wolf made a detour at Didao, turned around and headed east, and Shaanxi sounded the alarm. Xi'an was exposed right in front of the White Wolf, shocking the entire country. This time, the intentions of the commander were again seen through by Ji Hongchang. If Ma Zhongying could occupy Didao, he could replenish more troops and supplies, advance to attack Lanzhou, and if Lanzhou did not fall, he could bypass Lanzhou and march straight to Ningxia. Rich and fertile Ningxia was simply a paradise for Ma Zhongying. Ji Hongchang knew the strategic importance of Ningxia when he passed through there on his first trip to aid Gansu. The White Wolf was making a feint to the west and attacking in the east, while Ma Zhongying was making a feint to the east and attacking in the west.

  "Hei Hu Xi Feng Jun" arrived at Di Dao, the city head was all equipped with very poor security teams, and there were no regular troops defending.

  The commander handed over the task of attacking the city to his deputy, "One security regiment, you go and deal with it, don't make a mess after breaking into the city."

  Colonel is tired, Colonel goes to sleep.

  The deputy commander led the troops to attack the city. The security team was tough, although they didn't have heavy weapons, just some broken rifles and a few machine guns, but their shooting was not tight, the brothers couldn't rush up because the shooting on the city wall was too accurate, one shot at a time, all were row guns, every shot would make a large group of people fall. The deputy commander was shot and became furious, took off his upper garment, swung a big sickle for cutting grass, led the dare-to-die team, and shouted "Ah" as they rushed up, the shooting on the city wall suddenly became intense, rifles and machine guns fired from different angles, weaving a web of firepower, knocking down the dare-to-die team at the foot of the city wall. The deputy commander was shot in the leg but didn't retreat, stood upright, another shot rang out from the city wall, the big sickle fell to the ground with a clang, and another shot, the deputy commander spat out a mouthful of blood and water, until he finished spitting out the blood, then "thud" fell to the ground. The morale of the army suddenly dropped several feet.

  The commander was furious, "Can't even use the useless gourds, crippled and limping, can't even climb the city wall, vomiting blood for several liters, and lost many men." The commander stood on the slope and gave orders, "There is a mound north of the city, it's higher than the city wall by a lot, retreat to the north of the city, set up camp and attack again. Brothers, get some rest, gather your strength, and we'll break through at noon, if we're going to fight, let's fight against Ji Hongchang, don't mess with the local security team." On the high slope north of the city, tens of thousands of people lay down, sleeping or resting, the commander really wanted to take on Ji Hongchang, both were part of the National Army, Liu Yufen was hiding in Lanzhou and wouldn't leave the city, Zhao Xipeng was showing off his power inside the city of Hezhou, Tong Lin Ge and Dai Jingyu had been defeated time and again, but then came Ji Hongchang, who could fight hard battles and win people's hearts. The commander got angrier as he thought about it, loudly asking his soldiers, "Who do you think is the Black Tiger Star?" The Hui people from Hezhou laughed and said, "You're both Black Tiger Stars, even the King of Hell would hide from you." The commander sat on a rock, gritting his teeth, "One of us will die, this time we meet, I won't show mercy." His brother Ma Zhongjie said, "Ma Bufang has bullied us for so many years, and you've never gotten angry?" "Ma Bufang is not worthy, I fight against heroes, not against turtle-like cowards, what is Ma Bufang anyway?" Ma Zhongjie then said, "Give me a troop, I'll go break the city." The commander smiled, "Brother, you're indeed the brother of the commander, one security team is nothing, let others deal with it, next time we meet a tough battle, I'll give you the opportunity."

  At dawn, the army set out, and Commander Ji looked at the majestic troops marching down the mountain. He felt a pang of sadness, "Going to fight against the security regiment? It's just a trivial matter." Commander Ji arrived at the foot of the city wall, reined in his horse, and shouted loudly: "Ji Hongchang! Ji Hongchang! Why didn't you come?"

  The city head burst into a loud laugh, and a Ji Hongchang really came out. The army below the city was shocked, only the commander was overjoyed, raised his whip high, turned around and shouted to everyone: "Ji Hongchang is here, charge and capture Ji Hongchang!" Ji Hongchang on the city head smiled slightly, raised his hand wearing a white glove, guns and cannons fired in unison, and both inside and outside the city opened fire, countless nets of flames were thrown out.

  The commander's spirit was lifted, and he immediately broke free from his depression. Since jumping off the cliff and fleeing in all directions, he had been so weak and listless. But with the stimulation of cannon fire, the commander became a hero again, charging left and right in the ambush circle, getting more and more excited. The ten-sided ambush was torn open, and they broke through the encirclement. The commander still remembered his promise to his younger brother, handing over the troops to his 12-year-old brother. This was the real deal, a young commander with a childish face, carrying a small rifle, riding a tall horse, "Brothers, follow me!" He charged forward on horseback, and the troops were whipped out like a lash by this teenager.

  "Brother, my good brother, with just one call of 'Old Master', I know you can handle it."

  Ma Zhongjie rushed to the front of the pass, bullets raining down like a storm. On the slope stood a solitary green paulownia tree, tall and large like a pillar between heaven and earth. Ma Zhongjie scrambled up the tree, in the blink of an eye transforming into a small squirrel darting up to the treetop, where his rifle chattered away like a bird, firing nine shots that silenced the machine guns at the mountain pass. The troops below charged forward, soon reaching the final line of defense. The mountain was filled with the Nationalist Army's Big Sword Troops, all skilled martial artists from the Central Plains, their ghostly heads dancing with knives that whirred and whizzed through the air. The army could no longer advance.

  Ji Hongchang rode up on horseback, took down the Ghost Head Knife from his back, and said, "Ma Zhongying, take a good look! This is the great knife I used to behead White Wolf all those years ago. It's been over ten years since I last used it. You're quite lucky!" Colonel Ji's eyes shone brightly as he charged forward with enthusiasm, their knives clashing together, sparks flying everywhere. After more than a dozen rounds, neither of them could take the other's head.

  Can't take it?! Each return to their own camp, regroup and fight again!

  This time, Ma Zhongying was almost completely defeated, with only a few hundred men escaping into the mountains.

  Gao Zichang was determined to capture Ma Zhongying alive. A sharp and powerful knife squad bit down on Gao's commander and wouldn't let go, quickly pushing him to the brink of defeat. Behind him were the snow-capped mountains and the Tao River, with a few miles away being bitterly cold. Gao's commander rode a yellow horse given by Dalai Lama, oh yellow horse, is the icy river not a sea of suffering? Gao's commander urged his horse to jump, and together they plunged into the riverbed. The National Army and Tibetan people on both banks saw it, the majestic Gao commander jumped off the cliff into the vast river. The Tibetans involuntarily chanted scriptures to help the deceased soul. The vast icy river, not to mention humans, even ferocious beasts that fall in will be frozen to death. People soon found the yellow horse's corpse, which was blocked by a sandbank in a calm water flow area. Careful people discovered that the horse's neck had been bitten open, and its blood had been sucked dry. Horses are spiritual animals, Gao commander drank the horse's blood and ascended to heaven.

  The National Army did not believe in the Tibetan people's gods and stories. Ma Zhongying's troops were drowned, with thousands of people frozen to death after being submerged. The remnants of Ma Zhongying's forces fled from Dida to Yang County. Ji Hongchang pursued them relentlessly, and for hundreds of miles from Dida to Minxian, various ethnic groups killed each other, villages turned into ruins. Ji Hongchang strictly ordered his troops not to attack the Hui people, and even exempted half of the miscellaneous taxes allocated by Liu Yufen to each county. His subordinates advised Ji Hongchang, "We are at war, don't bother with these things, Commander Liu will get angry."

  "The common people are forced to rebel, you haven't noticed that there are both Hui and Han in Ma Zhongying's army, the Han people don't like to make trouble but follow along, the Hui people are fierce, as soon as they are oppressed, they will rebel. To subdue Ma Zhongying, we must appease the common people."

  In Xiahe County, Ji Hongchang met Huang Zhengqing. Within the borders of Xiahe, all was peaceful and calm, and Ma Zhongying's troops did not commit any offenses here. Ji Hongchang said to his subordinates: "It can be seen that Ma Zhongying is a reasonable person." Huang Zhengqing said: "I withdrew my troops, the county seat was not defended, and the Labrang Monastery was located here, so how could we fight? If Mr. Liu of Lanzhou treated the Hui people like Master Xuanxianfu treated us Tibetans, there would be no incident." Ji Hongchang knew Xuanxianfu, a military officer who commanded troops and a civil official who handled political work, but they did not have a deep relationship. Huang Zhengqing thought they were good friends, both from the Northwestern Army, and cared about the common people. Huang Zhengqing spoke freely, even mentioning that Xuanxianfu was... Ji Hongchang did not expect Xuanxianfu to be so popular in Tibet, and regretted not befriending him earlier. Later, when they met again, they had a long conversation throughout the night, and Xuanxianfu became Ji Hongchang's introducer to the Communist Party. Huang Zhengqing remained as the "Red King" of Xiahe County until 1949, when he joined forces with Peng Dehuai's army advancing into Northwestern China. This is a story for later.

  In the late autumn of 1928, Ji Hongchang defeated Ma Zhongying in southern Gansu and returned triumphantly to Lanzhou. His actions had already been reported to Liu Yufen, and many high-ranking generals in the Northwest Army were dissatisfied with Ji's behavior. Ji was completely unaware of this. This general still has a use, Liu Yufen advised everyone to be patient for a while. Soon, news came that a divine horse led Ma Zhongying's remnants to flee to Qinghai. Liu Yufen asked Ji Hongchang what happened. Ji Hongchang said: "Ma Zhongying is alive again."

  "Didn't he jump into the river? Even the horse drowned, how could he survive? Is the Tao River flowing backwards?"

  "This man is extraordinary, Commander Liu, quickly send orders to Qinghai, let each county organize and defend against bandits."

  "This is unprecedented! You're really bold and daring."

  "To be honest with you, Hezhou and Gannan used this method, why did Ma Zhongying specifically target Qinghai? He couldn't stand firm in Hezhou and Gannan."

  Liu Yu Fen no longer cared about Ji Hong Chang, and gave orders to Sun Lian Zhong, An Shu De and other old generals of the Northwestern Army: "Ma Chong Ying has become a spent force, we must thoroughly eliminate them in Qinghai."

  The general was washed downstream by the river and couldn't stand on his feet, so he gathered the remaining troops and drilled into the southern mountains. The magical big gray horse sensed something when its owner landed ashore, and it galloped wildly from Mengda Gorge in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, finally finding its owner after a day and night. In the valley of Mengda Gorge, thousands of people and horses gathered, and the general grabbed the horse's ear, stuffed a handful of peas into its mouth, "Horse, your troops are more numerous than mine, you can be the deputy commander!" The big gray horse was excited and kicked its hooves. The general said loudly: "I'm not joking, it has been deputy commander twice, you will listen to its command from now on."

  The army has been wandering in the mountains and forests, with everyone discussing it. Ma Hu Shan, the brother-in-law of Commander Ga, is a seasoned fighter, fighting like a leopard, those riders from the green forest background gave Ma Hu Shan fire, "If we go on like this, Commander Ga wants to be Tang Monk, we will follow him to eat vegetarian for a lifetime?" "What kind of magic did Huang Zhengqing use on him? He was bewildered." "We have to think of a way." Ma Hu Shan coughed, "I didn't hear what you said."

  Ma Hu Shan mounted his horse, kicking and urging it to move. "He won't tell on us, will he?" "He's also a greedy person, though he doesn't say anything, I can hear the sound of his heart beating in his chest like horseshoes. Xiahe County has so much gold and silver, what a pity." "Commander Ji will reform us sooner or later, let's reform him first."

  In the spring of 1929, the army arrived in Xuan Yuan, three thousand civilians died, and Xuan Yuan became a pile of rubble.

  The great army arrived at Yongdeng, three thousand civilians died in the disaster, and Yongdeng became a wasteland.

  The army arrived at Minqin, 4,000 civilians were killed, and Minqin was reduced to rubble.

  Akhsar Commander and his law enforcement team shot dozens of people, the army followed like a flood that couldn't be stopped, and they fought hard against the National Army, one fight and a large piece fell down, damn it, a group of bandits, Grandpa asked you to feed bullets. Akhsar Commander's eyes were red. Akhsar Commander ran into the Tar Temple, apologizing to the Great Living Buddha. The Great Living Buddha said that the earth would bleed, no one could help, I know why you came, only hatred without love is not true Islam.

  A big grey horse neighs outside the temple, and the war knife on the saddle makes a dull roar in its copper scabbard.

  The scout came to report, "Sun Lianzhong's troops of the National Army are approaching." The general bowed to the Living Buddha and said, "We're going to engage in a fierce battle on this sacred land of the Buddha. Does Your Holiness find it strange?" The Living Buddha replied, "The sea of suffering is boundless; go ahead and cross it."

  When Gala Commander went out, the cavalrymen connected with the National Army. In that battle, the cavalrymen solved a regiment of the National Army.

  Sun Lianzhong personally led a large army from Xining to attack, and the cavalry disappeared into the Badain Jaran Desert. Sun Lianzhong stared blankly at the rising yellow dust. The chief of staff said: "This kid is like a gust of wind, coming and going without a fixed position, spinning and falling."

  Sun Lianzhong said: "Order the troops to defend the city and not to enter the desert. The report says that Ma Zhongying died three times, can you believe he's dead if a person dies three times?" The chief of staff said: "Ma Bufang told me that as long as Ma Zhongying doesn't occupy territory, he won't become a figure, he'll be a lifelong bandit."