Chapter 57: Bribing Han Fuju

  After the meeting, Zhang Yafei and Gao Zongbao rushed back to their troops to arrange for garrison and tomorrow's march, leaving first. Song Zhe Wu, Xiao Guotang, Wang Xinggang, Meng Xi and others on the car took advantage of the time to eat some dry food with canned meat and hot water. Just after eating a few mouthfuls, the staff brought over an telegram from Wang Xu, who was left in charge of the rear: Chiang Kai-shek, the chairman of Nanjing, had formally issued a general attack order, requiring all routes to launch a general attack on Wuhan immediately. Song Zhe Wu immediately gave orders: "Ordering the 1st and 2nd Divisions, Cavalry Brigade, Logistics Brigade, and Guard Brigade to depart at 3 am tomorrow morning and arrive at Wushengguan by 8 am."

  Xiao Guodong called out to Meng Xi, who was about to arrange the march plan, and said to Song Zhe Wu: "Is it necessary for a cavalry brigade to send a regiment tomorrow morning to advance ahead of schedule in the direction of Xiaogan to search forward and serve as a vanguard for the subsequent troops?" "Good! Let's do it according to the Chief of Staff's intention." The three of them hastily ate a few mouthfuls, then took a dozen or so trucks of food under the escort of the cavalry company of the Guard Brigade and headed towards Wushengguan.

  Wushengguan is over 40 kilometers away from Xinyang, an important pass at the border of Henan and Hubei provinces. The Dabie Mountains and Tongbai Mountains meet here, with hills and plains to the south and north of the pass. The ancient path through the pass was very dangerous, but it wasn't widened until modern times. When Song Zhe Wu arrived at Wushengguan, it was already dark, which made him feel a bit disappointed as he had been looking forward to seeing the ancient heroic pass. Over ten miles away from Wushengguan, many military camps appeared, with sentry posts standing like forests and strict controls on movement, presenting a desolate scene before a big battle.

  Ji Hongchang's 22nd Division was stationed outside the pass, and Xiao Guodong took a truck loaded with food cans to Ji Hongchang; Song Zhiwu and Wang Xinggang led the remaining four trucks into the pass to Han Fuqu's Third Route Army headquarters. The four vehicles were carrying two hundred submachine guns and two hundred pistols as well as ammunition for Han Fuqu.

  Arriving at Han Fuqu's command post, Song Zhe Wu dismounted his horse and saw a group of elite guards standing guard in front of the door with handguns tucked into their waistbands. He knew that these were Han Fuqu's only remaining armed forces - the handgun squad. Wang Xinggang stepped forward to negotiate with the guards, demanding that they immediately report to their superior.

  A tall, imposing figure with a lieutenant colonel's epaulets on his shoulders rushed out of the building and stood at attention in front of Song Zhiwu, introducing himself as Wu Huawen, commander of Han Fuqu's pistol team. Song Zhiwu was familiar with this Wu Huawen. This man had led his troops in a mutiny during the siege of Jinan by Xu Shiyou's forces, and his unit had been incorporated into the East China Field Army as the 35th Corps, which had participated in the liberation of Nanjing, with the 2nd Battalion of the 315th Regiment of the 104th Division occupying the Presidential Palace on April 24, 1949. But wasn't this man supposed to be the commander of Feng Yuxiang's pistol brigade? How did he end up here as the commander of Han Fuqu's pistol team? Song Zhiwu was still wondering if this Wu Huawen was indeed the same person, but the Wu Huawen in front of him didn't seem to notice his doubts. His attention was focused on the equipment worn by the guards and soldiers behind Song Zhiwu. Each guard had two pistols holstered at their waist, while the soldiers in the security company wore a pistol at their waist, with a row of leather bullet cases hanging from their chest, and held submachine guns at the ready. Seeing that Song Zhiwu was carefully observing him, Wu Huawen felt somewhat embarrassed and quickly led the way, ushering Song Zhiwu into the command center.

  Han Fu-chu had already arrived at the courtyard, and after Wu Hua-wen introduced him to Song Chee-woo, Song did not shake hands with Han but instead gave him a salute. Han's originally calm face immediately lit up with a smile as he grasped Song's hand, laughing loudly and saying: "Not allowed! Not allowed! I'm telling you, Wen-ko old brother, our military ranks are the same, we don't take orders from each other, we're both commanders of the First Route Army. This salute of yours, old Han can't accept it! You're not trying to shorten my lifespan, are you?" Although Han's words were polite, the smile on his face showed that he was very pleased. As they spoke, Han pulled Song's hand and walked towards the house.

  Song Zhe-wu smiled and said, "Chairman Han is too modest. In terms of age, he is older than me; in terms of seniority, he is also a predecessor in the military, a famous general in the northwest army, it's only right for me to show respect."

  Han Fuju has been scolded by Feng Yuxiang several times in recent days, and many high-ranking generals in the Northwest Army have also given him a cold shoulder, holding back their anger. In a fit of rage, Ji Hongchang asked him for grain, but Han Fuju refused to give him any. Afterwards, he regretted it, thinking that if the 22nd Division went hungry, Feng Yuxiang would not forgive him, and his own conscience would also be uneasy. However, he couldn't take back what he had said, and was filled with anxiety. Song Zheyu showed him great respect, which made Han Fuju very happy and improved his mood a lot.

  A few people entered the room, Han Fugui did not return to his seat, but instead pulled Song Zhe Wu together and sat on the sofa, while Wu Huawen and Wang Xinggang stood aside. Han Fugui smiled and said: "Weng Lao Di, you just got off the train, didn't rest well, and ran to my place, there must be some difficulties, need me to do something, just say it straight. I will definitely assist with all my might."

  Song Zhe Wu bowed slightly and smiled, saying: "Chairman Han." Han Fu shook his hand to stop Song Zhe Wu's words, smiling and said: "Wen Ge, I am a few years older than you, if you want to show respect for old Han, don't call those empty titles again. Just call me Xiang Fang brother, and I'll call you Wen Ge, how about that?" Seeing Han Fu's sincere face, Song Zhe Wu also smiled and replied: "Alright, I'll call you Xiang Fang brother." Han Fu nodded repeatedly: "That's right, Wen Ge, what do you need help with? Brother will definitely assist you."

  "I really have a few things to say to Big Brother." Song Zhe Wu took out three checks, first taking one out and putting it on the coffee table in front of the sofa, saying: "The first thing is to apologize to Brother Xiang Fang. Last time I swindled many people from the 55th Division out of their guns. This 100,000 yuan is for Big Brother to make up for those losses. I hope Big Brother will forgive me and not hold it against me!"

  Han Fuqu looked at the check again, then looked at Song Zhe Wu and suddenly burst out laughing. He said with a smile: "Wen Ge, if you hadn't mentioned this matter, I would have forgotten about it. This matter is not your fault at all, brother. If you return the money as promised, I'd scold you for being foolish! Think back to when I was in Beiping and surrendered Bao's troops' arms. In the end, Old General Feng spoke up and I returned 780 guns to him - that was an entire division! You're far inferior to me, brother. This check? I'll take it. Unlike you, my younger brother, I have money when I need it, and guns when I need them. Now, I don't have soldiers or money, so this money will come in handy for the division that was crippled by your defeat."

  Song Zhe-wu took out the second check and said: "General Xiang Fang is now commanding troops outside, it's not possible to have no money on hand. This 200,000 yuan will be kept for emergency use." Han Fu-chu smiled self-deprecatingly and said: "Wen-ge, I'm currently at Wushengguan Pass, with only a team of about 200 people armed with pistols. Apart from that, there are no other troops. These troops all belong to Old General Feng, and their expenses are also taken care of by Old General Feng, so I don't need to spend a single penny. I really can't accept this money."

  Song Zhe-wu looked at Han Fu-quan with a profound meaning and said: "Although the expenses in the army are allocated by Director Feng, the amount will not be too much. The 20th Division is a team brought out by Fang's brother, and the war is imminent. We can't lose these old subordinates and let them feel disappointed!"

  Han Fuqu understood Song Zhe's meaning, which was to let him take control of the 20th Division and seize military power. Han had long wanted to use this opportunity to take back his 20th Division, and now with Song Zhe's strong support, he felt more confident of success. He nodded solemnly and said: "Alright, I'll accept this money. From now on, Wen Ge will have to put in more effort for Brother's affairs. As the ancient saying goes, 'Brothers who share a common goal can cut through metal.' In today's uncertain domestic situation, we two brothers must help each other."

  Song Zhe Wu pushed another check: "I have long admired Brother Xiang's great name, today I recognize you as a big brother, and as a younger brother, I have nothing to offer but respect. This 100,000 yuan is given to Sister-in-law to buy some jewelry, just a small token of my appreciation."

  Han Fuqu thought to himself: "He and Song Zhiwu had no prior relationship, and could even be said to have a small grudge between them. Yet, upon meeting, he was given 300,000 yuan, clearly an attempt to curry favor with him. This Song Zhiwu commands a large army, has immense financial resources, and seems to have good relations with Nanjing. He wants to befriend me? This man's ambitions are far from ordinary, he is no simple character. If I were to truly befriend him, it would bring me nothing but benefits. Thinking this, Han Fuqu slapped his thigh excitedly and loudly exclaimed: "Good! Wen Ge, you're a generous man, I, Han Fuqu, will definitely consider you a good brother!"

  Song Zhe Wu smiled and said, "Big brother, I still have a little gift for your pistol team." "Oh? There's still a gift, this is really making Wen Ge break out in a cold sweat." Han Fu Jue was somewhat puzzled, having already given thirty million, what else could he be giving him?

  "Big brother says what, as a younger brother, I should help big brother, this is the way of heaven and earth." As soon as Song Zhe Wu finished speaking, Han Fu Chen laughed and said: "Right, right, well said, but big brother is being too polite."

  "I saw the guards outside the door, all of whom were only equipped with pistols. These people's skills are not bad, they are all elite soldiers. However, the firepower of the pistol is too weak, and once something happens, I'm afraid it won't be easy to protect Brother fully. I gave Brother a team of 200 German-made P18 submachine guns, plus bullet belts and ammunition; there are also 200 Browning pistols. These things are on the car outside, Xing Gang, you take Wu Team Leader to get them.

  This time Han Fugui was really moved, Song Zhe Wu sent money and guns, and even took care of his own guard team. But Old Feng didn't even leave his only capable general, and the matter of the pistol team was not mentioned again. However, Wu Huawen insisted on leaving to take command of the Pistol Brigade at Headquarters, which made it difficult for him to say anything.

  Wu Huawen doesn't know yet, but this person needs to be taken care of, he might have a big use in the future."

  This gift, not only was Han Fuqu delighted, but also Wu Huawen was very excited. Those equipment he had seen outside were truly impressive. If he himself, with over 200 men, were equipped with submachine guns, he wouldn't be afraid of a group of people coming at him. However, excitement aside, Han Fuqu didn't say a word and just kept staring at Wu Huawen. Han Fuqu burst out laughing and said: "Shao Zhou, look at your anxious face, go quickly!" With some embarrassment, Wu Huawen gave a salute to Han Fuqu and Song Zhewu before following Wang Xinggang out to get the guns.

  After the two went out, Song Zhe Wu's face was serious and said: "Big brother, little brother still has something to say to big brother."