Chapter 48: The Wind Rises in Ji Nan (11)

  Lu Zuo said with a smile: "Please speak, Mr. Fang, as long as it's not too excessive, I think the Chairman will definitely agree."

  Han Fuju said solemnly: "First, the Hebei Security Forces immediately release the captured people and guns, and guarantee not to enter the Henan border. Second, quickly transfer Shi Jingting away from the 20th Division, he is now purging the 20th Division of those loyal to me, if time permits, I cannot guarantee control of the 20th Division. Third, unless the old brothers of the Northwestern Army come to fight me, otherwise I will not fight with them. Henan and Shaanxi provinces are adjacent, once the situation changes, Henan will inevitably become a battlefield for both armies. I request to be transferred away from Henan to another province as provincial chairman, Hebei, Shandong, Anhui are all acceptable. As long as the Chairman of the Committee agrees to these three conditions, I will absolutely obey his command and never have two hearts again." Han Fuju spoke resolutely, while forcefully waving his arm once.

  Lu Zu thought to himself after hearing Han Fuqu's conditions: "These three conditions are not excessive, and the one about being a provincial chairman somewhere else is something that even if Han Fuqu didn't mention it, I would have arranged for him to register everything with Wen Ge and turn them over to the state. Moreover, you want me to give you a copy of the roster, and also tell those below that Chiang Kai-shek is keeping an eye on these national treasures; whoever dares to defy heaven and earth will not be spared by me, Chiang."

  Yang Yongtai secretly let out a sigh of relief with the chairman's words, these cultural relics were safe. Yang Yongtai was a man of letters and had a special affection for these ancient books, rare editions, famous paintings and calligraphy, and he also knew that their true value could not be measured by money. So when Song Zhiwu did not embezzle them but instead handed them over, he was deeply grateful to him. From then on, Yang Yongtai quietly helped Song Zhiwu in every way possible.

  At this time, the attendant brought another telegram. Chiang Kai-shek read it without any expression and handed it to Yang Yongtai, who walked back and forth on the ground with his hands behind his back.

  Yang Yongtai finished reading the telegram and handed it to Lin Wei, who then bowed his head in contemplation. Lin Wei read it thoughtfully and said: "Chairman Han Fuju's asking price is too high. First of all, Wen Guo wants one million, we offer one million, it's better to help him form a 7,000-man division directly. The next two conditions are even more difficult, we agree, but also need Feng Yuxiang to nod."

  Chiang Kai-shek merely nodded at Lin's words without expressing any opinion.

  Yang Yongtai saw Chiang Kai-shek's gaze sweep over him, knowing that this was asking for his opinion. He had a mind to help Song Zhe Wu, but felt it wasn't very good to say so, and thus spoke vaguely: "These three things, apart from Wen Ge's one million, the other two are difficult to say whether they're easy or hard." "Oh," Chiang Kai-shek and Lin Wei said almost simultaneously, both somewhat surprised.

  Seeing the two of them, Yang Yongtai was somewhat excited. After all, even the chairman did not think that he would be a bit complacent and said: "The second condition and the third condition are actually one condition. To make Shi Jingting leave the 20th division, we must give him a better position. With his identity, no provincial chairman will agree to it. Han Fuqu wants to change places as provincial chairman, but those three places already have people, so it's a bit difficult to handle. However, I think that moving out one place is enough. We can first give Shi Jingting a provincial chairman position and then use him to replace Shi Jingting after Han Fuqu arrives. As for Wen Ge, what should we do? Please decide, Chairman."

  In fact, Chiang Kai-shek felt that the last two conditions were still the most difficult to handle. Since Yang Yongtai had made a very good suggestion, he thought the matter was already settled.

  Chiang Kai-shek stopped in his tracks and said calmly, "Zhang's opinion is very good. I think we should remove Chen Diaoyuan from his position as Chairman of Shandong Province due to his poor health, and have Shi Jingting temporarily take over the position. As for Han Fuqu, whenever he raises the flag of the Central Committee, he will be transferred to a new position. When the time comes, let him go to Shandong. As for Wen Ge's one million, give him 300,000. No need to explain why."

  Yang Yongtai and Lin Wei both thought that Shi Jingting and Han Fuying's decision was good, but Chiang Kai-shek had some doubts about Song Zhiwu's handling of the one million yuan. Chiang Kai-shek saw that the two men did not understand, so he smiled and said: "The meaning of Wen Ge's telegram is very clear, that is to say, it is the most sinister. He did not explicitly state that he was considering the difficulties of the central government, this Sun Dianying..." At this point, Yang Yongtai and Lin Wei both felt Chiang Kai-shek's heavy tone. Chiang Kai-shek continued: "This Sun Dianying, we can't do anything about him for now, he still has more than 20,000 men under his command. In this chaotic autumn, we can only put it aside for now." Chiang Kai-shek sighed and said: "As for Wen Ge's one million yuan, let's not mention it. He won't care about it. Since it is Sun Dianying's spoils of war, there must be gold, silver, and jewels in addition to the ancient books and paintings. His telegram only mentioned ancient books and paintings, but not other things, which means he won't hand them over. However, that he can hand over these ancient books and paintings shows his patriotic heart, which is rare. Moreover, I quite like people like Wen Ge, who speak clearly and hide no tricks. If he didn't mention this matter, we wouldn't have known about it. Wei, you send a telegram to Wen Ge, saying it's my intention, and let him release Dianying immediately. According to the previous meaning, you reply to Lu Zuoyi and agree to Han Fuying."

  The two nodded and stood up. Lin Wei hesitated and said, "I'm a bit worried?" "Worried about what?" Yang Yongtai asked Lin Wei in confusion. Lin Wei hesitated and said, "I'm worried that Wen Ge won't let go of both the gun and the person."

  Chiang Kai-shek nodded: "It's not that I'm worried, it's just certain. Whoever it is will definitely hold back some of the weapons and personnel. Han Fuju did the same thing with the 'Bao Troops' back then, consider it his retribution."

  After the second Northern Expedition, the foreign envoys in Beijing requested Zhang Zuolin and obtained the consent of the Nanjing government. The Northeastern Army's Bao Yulun brigade was left to garrison Beijing during the retreat of the Northeastern Army. After the Jin army entered the city to take over its defense, the Bao brigade took the Tongzhou road back to Shenyang, but unexpectedly found that Tongzhou had been occupied by Feng Zhi'an's division. They had no choice but to return to Beijing and were surrounded and disarmed by Han Yuwen's troops in Nanyuan. Except for Bao himself, more than a thousand people from the brigade were taken captive. This incident attracted international attention. The diplomatic corps of various countries blamed the Nanjing government for its untrustworthiness and pushed the British, American, French, and Japanese envoys to negotiate with Han as representatives. Han Fuquang received the four envoys in a simple room, bare-chested, citing the lack of instructions from the government as an excuse, refusing to negotiate with them, and saying that the disarmament of the Northeastern Army was purely China's internal affairs, and foreigners had no right to interfere. The four envoys were speechless and returned in dismay. Upon learning of this incident, the Nanjing government immediately telegraphed Feng Yuxiang to order Han to return the arms of Bao's brigade. Feng promptly replied, explaining the rights and wrongs of the "Bao Brigade Incident", and tactfully defended Han. He then telegraphed Han, ordering him to release the prisoners and return their weapons. Han made a concession and released only 780 people from Northeast China.

  Sorry everyone, I didn't update yesterday, I overslept!