Chapter 21: Pondering (Second Part)

  Zhao Pingzhou listened, he lowered his head and thought for a moment, then said: "Team leader, since that's the case, why not add fuel to both sides and let them start a fire first? At that time, we can reap the benefits of the fishermen!"

  Mao Feng looked at Zhao Pingzhou and said: "What you said makes sense, but aren't you being too modest? However, this means that the Huang family will have to find a way to deal with General Ding. The Huang family alone can't withstand it, and although the Ding family is currently keeping a low profile, it doesn't mean they can't handle the Huang family! Otherwise, the Huang family would have taken down the Ding family long ago, and things wouldn't be like this today!"

  "After some thought, Mao Feng continued: 'Don't rush into action for now, just observe and wait for the opportunity. You are still in charge of training, this aspect is handed over to you to take care of. Here is a training outline I have written, take a look and see if there's anything that needs to be added.'"

  Zhao Pingzhou took over the stack of documents handed to him by Mao Feng from the table, Zhao Pingzhou looked down and glanced at it for a few moments before he suddenly became spirited and was immediately engrossed in reading.

  When Zhao Pingzhou finished reading, he suddenly realized that this was not the time to read documents. He saw Mao Fengzhi smiling at him and his old face turned red. He said: "Please forgive me, Comrade!"

  Mao Feng laughed and said, "What's wrong with that? I think it's great! This shows that Old Zhao, you're wholeheartedly working for the team! There's no need to say these things, I should be praising you! If everyone were like you, why would the team worry about not being strong?"

  Zhao Pingzhou said confidently: "Team leader is right, although our team's weapons are still not good, but the brothers' combat effectiveness has improved a lot. As long as we have a few more real battles and add some heavy weapons, I am confident that we will not lose to General's other troops!"

  The other troops in his mouth must be referring to the First Division and the Second Division. Mao Feng said, "Is there anything else to add? Just say it!"

  Zhao Pingzhou said: "Commander, this outline doesn't have any major issues, many places are very innovative, but the food and construction of these obstacles, all require money! Relying solely on our current military funds is not enough! If we don't get it done in a few days, we'll all be out of luck!"

  Mao Feng let out a low sigh and said, "Yes, this training has gone up, and the food must also keep up. Otherwise, people will be exhausted! This money is really the biggest constraint for us! I think that for now, we can just make do with what we have. We can make our own obstacles and suspend shooting practice! Let's focus on improving the soldiers' physical training and bayonet fighting skills! Wait for an opportunity! As soon as the time comes, we'll take action!"

  "Yes, sir. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave!" Zhao Pingzhou said in a deep voice to Mao Fengzhi, who nodded and replied: "Alright then, go ahead!"

  After Zhao Pingzhou bowed and retreated, Mao Feng's eyes sent him off. After he left, the relaxed expression on his face was retracted, and he became much more solemn. He sat down, looked at the roof, and said: "Damn it, everything needs money, without money nothing can be done. Now I understand why so many people start thinking of ways to make money as soon as they have a gun in their hands! This is all for strengthening one's own power!"

  "What's the current situation with the Independent Regiment?" Lin Hu asked Luo Jian, who was sitting in a taishi chair beside him.

  "General, Mao Feng's independent regiment is still the same as before, constantly training. It has to be said that Mao Feng is really devoted to his troops. If everyone were like him, General's army could have launched a direct attack on Chen Jiongming long ago!"

  Listening to Luo Jian's words, Lin Hu shook his head and said: "You still look at things too simply! Training troops is a good thing, but this also means that expenses will increase! Moreover, can Chen Jiongming be dealt with so easily? The popularity and prestige of Chen Jiongming in the two Guangs are not so simple to solve!"

  After finishing, Lin Hu looked at Luo Jian with a piercing gaze and said: "Now Chen Jiongming and I are in the same boat, before solving Sun Dapao's rebellion group, it is impossible for me to fall out with Chen Jiongming, he is also so! So, my relationship with him is closely related, and we must also pay attention to Wu Peifu's direct system. If we are not careful now, everything will be lost! Can't help but be cautious!"

  Luo Jian lowered his head respectfully and said, "The commander is right!" He continued, "However, Commander, isn't the Beiyang government always keeping a close eye on Zhang Zuolin's Fengtian clique outside the pass? Moreover, Sun has already fled to Shanghai in defeat, and Guangdong basically has no more power to turn things around!"

  A fierce glint flashed in Lin Hu's eyes as he spoke to Luo Jian, "Foolish! Sun Da Pao is indeed a man of great eloquence and has a clear understanding of gains and losses. He is skilled at calculating benefits and analyzing situations. Just look at the Yunnan-Guizhou region and the two Hubei provinces - it's all the same. Moreover, the Second Army has not been completely eliminated and still lurks in the Fujian-Jiangxi border area! Sun Da Pao has now become a force to be reckoned with, and his call to arms can still rally troops. Therefore, Sun Da Pao is the first person who must be eliminated. The Beijing government's Zhili clique knows this very well, and Zhang Zuolin's faction also understands that as long as the Zhili clique takes action against Sun Da Pao, Zhang Zuolin will not dare to attack the Beijing government's territory. This is an unspoken understanding."

  Luo Jian suddenly enlightened and uttered an "oh", then he said: "But, General, what should we do next? Are we going to stay in the Chao Mei area?"

  Lin Hu sighed and continued, "The current situation doesn't allow me to develop, I can only wait for an opportunity to act! However, I also wrote a letter to Li Zongren and the others. After all, Guangxi's sons are still trustworthy! But they probably won't surrender to me! The key is that there are too few talented people available now!"

  Luojian naturally knew that Li Zongren and others were Guangxi juniors, students and subordinates of the marshal. However, since Chen Jiongming launched a rebellion in Guangzhou and killed Chief of Staff Deng Ying, it also made Li Zongren and others disheartened with the marshal!

  Luo Jian said with shame: "I am ashamed that I, a low-ranking officer, cannot share the worries of the general!"

  Lin Hu waved his hand and said: "You don't have to be like this, you're already very good. Your ability is not reflected in leading a team, so there's no need for you to compare your weaknesses with others!"

  He paused and said, "Mao Feng is a man with a good grasp of commanding troops, and more importantly, he's still young. His future prospects are boundless, but because of his youth, he's full of variables that can't be ignored!" Luo Jian asked in puzzlement, "But General, why do you still want to promote him so much?"

  Lin Hu smiled and said: "Are you feeling very puzzled? Why be cautious again, but I promoted him in this way?"

  Luo Jian nodded, his doubts were just that. Lin Huo said with a hint of complacency: "If you don't give him a stage to perform on, how can you see through this person? Whether he is loyal to me will be known soon!"

  Lu Jian was taken aback, but slowly a look of realization appeared on his face. He said: "The general's intention is to let him reveal himself, to let him show his own will!"

  Luo Jian said with a look of admiration on his face: "The general is indeed extraordinary! I admire you!"

  Lin Hu nodded slightly and said, "Although it's easy to say, but in fact, it's quite difficult. If not handled properly, it will only make him more resentful! So regarding his matters, don't interfere, just report to me in time! Do you understand?"

  "Yes, sir! Understood!"

  "Hmm!" Lin Hu nodded, and said with a sigh: "Talents are scarce, and those who can be used by me are even fewer! Everything requires people to do it, and doing great things is even more so! It's not easy to get such a talented young man, so I must test him thoroughly. If he's really loyal to me, then what's wrong with letting him serve his elders?"

  Luojian heard that in his heart, he secretly licked his tongue. This Lin Dashi really attaches great importance to Maofengzi. If Maofengzi is truly loyal to the general, then this will be invaluable in the future!

  Admiration is admiration, but Luo Jian was very clear that this must be built on the foundation of loyalty to the great general.

  。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。

  Mao Feng has some feelings for Miss Ding Xiaoya of the Ding family, but his deeper purpose in dealing with the Ding family is to take them down and establish his own foundation. If the Ding family is eliminated, the Huang family's power will become even greater, which would not be good for Lin Hu. On the other hand, if the Ding family remains intact, it would also be unbearable for Lin Hu. Therefore, the best outcome would be for the Ding family to be severely weakened.

  Mao Fengzhi decided to set his sights on the Ding family for this reason, so that everything could be explained and there would be no trouble. Mao Fengzhi invited guests to Fu Yun Building in Chaozhou, and the object was Miss Ding Xiaoya of the Ding family.

  The invitation was placed in front of Ding Hua, the master of the Ding family. He looked at the invitation on the table and remained silent for a long time. He really couldn't understand what this so-called independent team leader Mao Feng meant. He was annoyed in his heart, how could the young lady from a prominent family attend a banquet casually?

  The Ding family is not like the Huang family, a merchant family that values profit but not in a mercenary way. Seeing such disrespect from a young squad leader made Ding Hua furious.

  But he was not only angry in his heart, but also worried. He thought of Lin Hu, the new parent official of Chao Mei area, who was also a high-ranking military officer! What did military power mean in this chaotic world? Everyone knew it in their hearts.

  Ding Hua looked at the current sky and found that it was already noon. Just as he was about to speak, a hurried footsteps sounded beside his ear.

  Soon, Fu Bo, the steward of the Ding family, appeared in sight. He came in with a slight bow and said to Ting Hua: "Master, I've made inquiries! Mao Fengzhi is indeed the new commander of the Independent Regiment, and he's also the one who helped Miss last time!"