Chapter 25 Reactions from All Parties

  This time against Ma Bufang's troops, the overall combat thought is to face the enemy head-on and annihilate them. Thus achieving the strategic goal of "shaking the mountain and stunning the tiger".

  The troops set out, and Wu Yingqi, Huang Wenzhong and other local officials in Ganzhou organized a grand farewell ceremony for the troops to demonstrate their expedition.

  Li Ruofeng also didn't plan to hide anymore, except for some light and heavy weapons used as reserves, most of the artillery and heavy machine guns made their public appearance when the troops left the city.

  Ma Bufang received intelligence from his spies in Ganzhou and immediately ordered his troops to stop advancing at Fengxiangwan, near the border with Minle County, and encamp there.

  Simultaneously sent a telegram to Ma Anliang's cavalry division, warning him not to advance rashly.

  Intelligence shows that Ma Zhongying's troops have built defensive lines in Taizi Gou Town, south of Minle County, and also heavily deployed troops in Shandan.

  The number of troops was not what Ma Bufang took seriously, what he valued were the dozens of mountain guns, hundreds of mortars, nearly a hundred heavy machine guns and several hundred Browning light machine guns reported in the intelligence.

  Cavalry are not afraid of the number of infantrymen, but they fear the heavy firepower of the infantry.

  According to intelligence on firepower configuration, even if Ma Bufang had several more divisions, they would still be insufficient for the enemy's bombardment.

  So many heavy weapons, even if you add up all the artillery and machine guns in the entire province of Qinghai, there aren't as many.

  "Damn it, when did Ma Daren have such a big family? Did he get the support of Soviet Russia?"

  In the former enemy command hall of Fengxiang Bay Town Government, Ma Bufang furrowed his brow and paced back and forth, thinking about Ma Zhongying's recent redness and the Soviet Communist Party member Zhang Shaoya by his side. Ma Bufang began to somewhat believe in his own speculation.

  Ganzhou currently has nearly 30,000 troops stationed there, and with so many heavy firepower, he began to feel that this time he sent troops a bit too lightly.

  However, if Ma Zhongying is given more time and he really gains a foothold in the Hexi Corridor, with his understanding of Ma Zhongying's character, this kid will sooner or later kill his way into Qinghai to compete with him for control over Qinghai.

  Ma Bufang had just recently taken over Qinghai and his forces were far inferior to the nearly 80,000 men he had during the Red Army's Western Expedition. The total number of troops under his command was less than 30,000. He only had twenty-four old-fashioned domestic-made 75mm cannons, more than thirty heavy machine guns with mostly aged barrels that often jammed.

  I underestimated Ma Daren a bit, this battle is not easy to fight, if things go wrong, the little family property he has accumulated with great difficulty will be lost in one war.

  It seems that the situation must be reported to General Chiang in Nanjing immediately, and only with General Chiang's support is it possible to drive Ma Bufang out of the Hexi Corridor.

  Ma Bufang previously dared to move only three divisions and two regiments, with over 10,000 troops, to march north and attack the nearly 30,000-strong garrison in Gansu Province, because he was confident in the single-soldier combat capabilities of his own soldiers.

  His troops were mainly composed of Hui, Salar and Dongxiang ethnic groups from the Gansu-Qinghai border region who believed in Islam. The strong religious concept became a powerful cohesive force for the troops. Religious rituals were also introduced into the army.

  Religious concepts and their ritual forms have always been a means for rulers to control troops. The ruling class has used religious concepts to deceive and drive the lower classes, and due to historical ethnic divisions and vendettas, this has made their troops show strong cohesion and bravery in battles against foreign tribes and armies, as well as brutal behavior.

  This was fully demonstrated in the process of Ma Bufang leading his troops to conquer the Tibetan areas in southern Qinghai.

  According to military historical records, the Qinghai Ma Clique soldiers were ferocious and stubborn. Due to their relatively poor weapons, they dared to engage in close combat during battles. If the enemy's firepower was weak and their fortifications were not strong, it would be difficult to deal with the Qinghai Ma Clique. The Red Army's Western Route Army suffered losses precisely because of this: the Red Army had weak firepower and could not stop the swift and ferocious cavalry charges of the Qinghai Ma Clique, ultimately being worn down by the enemy in close combat.

  During the Liberation War, Xianyang Battle, the PLA concentrated its superior firepower to repel Qing Ma. In the Lanzhou Campaign, the PLA's various armies only played a role when they concentrated their automatic firearms on one line.

  The Communist army has always believed that apart from equipment and weapons, the combat effectiveness of the Qinghai-Tibet Army is equal to that of the Japanese army.

  When fighting against the Tibetan army or the Tibetan civilian militia, the Qing soldiers' weapons also had an advantage, and the Qing soldiers performed even better. There was a case where a single battalion (300 people) of Qing soldiers repelled the siege of several thousand Tibetan soldiers and militiamen, causing them to abandon hundreds of corpses.

  In the struggle between the Qinghai and Tibetan people, the Tibetans were at an absolute disadvantage, their backwardness in firearms, tactics, and social organization made it impossible for them to compete with the Qinghai. Ma Bufang and Ma Hongkui are referred to as "Ma Ning Ma".

  At that time, Chiang Kai-shek, who was far away in Nanjing, had just finished the Central Plains War and immediately shifted his military focus to the plan to suppress the Communists.

  After receiving Ma Bufang's telegram, President Chiang would naturally not take it lightly.

  If the Soviet Red Army's influence infiltrates into the Hexi Corridor and expands to fully occupy Gansu and Qinghai, it will eventually connect with Jiangxi, which would be a great disaster for our party and country.

  Chiang Kai-shek immediately ordered the attendants to summon He Yingqin, Chen Cheng and Chen Lifu for a joint discussion on how to resolve the Red situation in the Hexi Corridor.

  At the same time, outside the Zhongtong Intelligence Analysis Room, Ye Pei was holding a piece of intelligence she had just received and was in a daze.

  This intelligence is a summary report sent back by the Central Union (Zhongtong) intelligence personnel who infiltrated into Ganzhou on the recent red situation in Ganzhou.

  This kind of intelligence would not have caught Ye Bei's attention, he was unintentionally saw the three words "Li Ruofeng" in the intelligence, and then caused attention.

  Zi Chen ordered a full-scale investigation into Li Ruofeng, and the Central Committee's various domestic branches all received this task notification.

  Director Chen personally asked about it, and no one in Zhongtong dared to be slow.

  The net was cast, but the sea of people was vast. China is so big, it's not easy to find someone to talk to. For this reason, Ye Bei received Chen Lifu's severe criticism many times. Because of this, Ye Daxin felt wronged and secretly shed tears several times behind people's backs.

  It wasn't until mid-June last year that news came from the Changchun Zhongtong branch, reporting that someone among them had personally seen Li Ruofeng and even had contact with him.

  Later, the Heihe branch of Zhongyi also sent a report that Li Ruofeng, who was being investigated by Zhongyi with all his might, was in Nenjiang and served as the regimental commander of the Nenjiang Defense Regiment, recommended by Ma Zanshan and appointed by Zhang Shao.

  Upon receiving this news, Ye Pei set out in person for Nenjiang.

  Who would have thought that after rushing to Nenjiang with great difficulty, they were met with a closed door. Li Ruofeng was not in Nenjiang at all.

  Ye Bei put up the Zhongtong sign, asking the Ningjiang Garrison Brigade to provide Li Ruofeng's specific whereabouts. The result was that the other party said it was a military secret and had nothing to report, not giving Zhongtong any face at all.

  At this time, Li Ruofeng had already quietly taken people to Ganzhou.

  After guarding Nenjiang for more than half a month, Ye Bei finally had no choice but to return without success.

  Back in Nanjing, after making a detailed report to Chen Lifu, Chen Lifu only said "continue investigating" and that was it.

  Poor Ye Dabao's beauty, in her heart, she had long been furious with Li Ruofeng, grinding her teeth.

  Now that she had finally found a clue, she wouldn't let it slip away easily. Even if it was just someone with the same name and surname, she would have to investigate until everything was clear.

  The report from Gansu only mentioned a young military officer named Li Ruofeng, who holds a high position in the garrison troops of Gansu. Even the highest military commander of the department is polite and courteous to him. Moreover, he seems to have a close relationship with Ma Zhongying, who claims to be the chairman of the Hexi Provincial Government. According to intelligence reports, Li Ruofeng once had a relatively intimate interaction with Ma Zhongying during an inspection of the Gansu garrison troops on the parade ground.

  Out of a woman's intuition, Ye Bei felt that this Li Ruofeng was exactly the hateful guy she had been searching for.

  After careful consideration, Ye Bei decided that she should report this situation to Director Chen.

  She went to find Li Lifu when Chen Lifu received a call from the Presidential Palace, preparing to meet President Chiang.

  "Director, just received the latest news about Li Ruofeng." Ye Bei gave a salute and intercepted Chen Lifu who was walking out of the director's office.

  "What's going on?" Chen Lifu asked while closing the door.

  "Just received intelligence, in Ganzhou, there is a young military officer closely related to Ma Zhongying, also named Li Ruofeng." Ye Bei reported cautiously: "However, this intelligence did not come with a photo, but according to the description of this person in the intelligence, I am 80% sure that this Li Ruofeng is indeed the same Li Ruofeng who went missing from Nenjiang!"

  Chen Lifu's interest was greatly increased as soon as he heard that it was related to Ma Zhongying of Gansu Province. Because the people from the Presidential Palace had just revealed that President Chiang's summons this time were related to the Red situation in Gansu Province.

  If that overseas student named Li Ruofeng got involved with Ma Zhongying, things would probably get a bit complicated.

  "Let's confirm this intelligence immediately with our men in Ganzhou!" Chen Lifu ordered at once.

  "Yes, Director. I'll send a telegram to Ganzhou immediately." Ye Pei replied with a salute and turned to leave.

  "Wait!" Chen Lifu pondered for a moment before saying: "Go get me all the information about Li Ruofeng. Now, I need it."

  "Yes, Director." Ye Pei replied.

  Before long, Ye Bei came running over with a file bag in her hand.

  Chen Lifu took it over, didn't look at it much, and casually stuffed it into his briefcase. He rushed off in a hurry, but stopped after just a few steps and instructed: "If there's any news, report to me immediately. I'm going to the Presidential Palace now, and later I'll instruct the attendants' office."

  "Yes, Director."

  As Chen Lifu's back disappeared from view, "Damn Li Ruofeng, this time you can hide in the ends of the earth, I'll still dig you out." Ye Bei kicked a stone in hatred and gritted her teeth as she walked quickly towards the newsroom.

  The efficiency of Ganzhou Zhongtong Branch is neither high nor low.

  The Zhongtong branch in Gan state had also received the task of finding Li Ruofeng, but this task was delayed for too long and almost all the staff had forgotten about it.

  But after receiving Ye Pei's stern telegram, they immediately pulled out the previous task file, checked it and quickly replied with a three-word telegram: "Same person!"

  "Now you can't escape!" Ye Bei grabbed the telegram and quickly left the Zhongtong office building, driving straight to the Presidential Palace.

  By the time she rushed to the Presidential Palace like a whirlwind, it was almost an hour since Chen Lifu left.

  At this time, inside the Presidential Palace

  In Chiang's study, He Yingqin, Chen Cheng, Chen Lifu and He Zhonghan stood in two rows in front of President Chiang's desk, respectfully listening to the president's instructions.

  "Your meaning is to let Ma Hongkui return to Ningxia, and cooperate with Ma Bufang to solve the Gansu rebellion?" Chiang Kai-shek asked slowly in his unique Fenghua accent.

  "Yes, Principal." Chen Cheng replied respectfully: "If Ma Bufang's telegram is not exaggerated, it can be confirmed that Ma Zhongying would not have had so many heavy weapons unless he accepted aid from the Soviet Union. With the poverty of Gansu and Shaanxi provinces, he could neither afford to buy them nor did he have the channels to do so. Judging from Ma Bufang's military strength, it is clear that he does not have the capability to independently attack Lanzhou, otherwise, given his relationship with Ma Zhongying, he would not have stopped after sending troops."

  "Ma Bufang's telegram did not explicitly state that it was a Soviet-made weapon, and this matter still needs to be investigated clearly before drawing conclusions." He Yingqin held a different opinion, "Matters involving diplomacy must be handled with caution."

  At this time, there came a light knock at the door from outside.

  "What's the matter?" Chiang Kai-shek asked calmly. He still understood the people in the attendants' room, and if it wasn't something important, they wouldn't come to disturb him at this time.

  The door was gently pushed open, and a lean guard in a black Zhongshan suit came in. He first saluted Chiang Kai-shek, then said calmly: "Principal, Mr. Chen's people say they have an important intelligence report."

  Chen Lifu heard the voice and politely greeted Chiang Kai-shek before quickly walking out of the door.

  Two minutes later, he walked in with a light step and picked up the black leather briefcase he had brought with him on the sofa on one side, taking out a file bag from it.

  "I have some new intelligence about Gansu," he said, opening the file bag and handing over the documents on Li Ruifeng to Chiang Kai-shek with both hands.

  Chiang Kai-shek took the documents and examined them carefully, his expression growing increasingly solemn. Finally, he looked up at Chen Lifu with a stern face and asked, "Why didn't you report this person's situation to me earlier?"

  "Principal, because we couldn't grasp his whereabouts all along, we also didn't have a chance to contact him. Before finding him, reporting to you would only add to your troubles. Moreover, at that time you were busy with the Central Plains war and it was really inconvenient to divert your attention." Chen Lifu replied calmly.

  "You all take a look, such a person is actually related to Ma Zhongying. This Ma Zhongying has made me very disappointed, extremely disappointed." Chiang Kai-shek handed the document to He Yingqin with a wave of his hand.

  He Yingqin finished reading and then handed it over to Chen Cheng and He Zhonghao. After the three of them finished reading, they all had the same expression: solemn.

  "Speak your minds," Chiang Kai-shek said expressionlessly.

  Four people looked at each other, no one took the lead.

  "Let's hear what you have to say first." Chiang Kai-shek saw that these guys were all playing dumb, and frowned in annoyance.

  "This Li Ruofeng must be taken seriously immediately." Chen Lifu sorted out his thoughts and said, "His experience was just seen by all of you, the key is that he is Ma Zhan Shan's man from the Northeast Army, why did he conceal his whereabouts and run to the Northwest with Ma Zhongying? According to our investigation, Li Ruofeng not only has a relatively glorious experience in Japan, but also, his family is not simple.

  Si Tong Shang She, you may not have heard of it, but if Minister Kong were here, he would definitely know about this newly emerged large business group. This business group has branches in major cities across the country and does a huge amount of business with great financial resources. Moreover, they have business dealings with many foreign firms. The entire garrison in Nenjiang was made up of his father-in-law Lin Shouren's subordinates, which means that this garrison is completely their family's private army.

  Through this relationship, we finally understand that behind the four Tong Shang Shui, it is actually the Li family of Panlong Ridge in Guanwai. Almost all bandits in Kwantung know about the Li family of Panlong Ridge, which has a history of over 200 years as a bandit family. It is said that even Russians and Japanese in Northeast China do not dare to offend this family easily. Therefore, my conclusion is that the hidden strength of Li Ruofeng is still unknown and needs further investigation. But based on what he has revealed so far, it cannot be underestimated. If he really has a connection with Ma Zhongying and intends to divide the Hexi Corridor, I estimate that Northwest China may produce another big warlord like Zhang Zuolin.

  "Your meaning is that Li Ruofeng supported Ma Zhongying in establishing the Hexi Provincial Government behind his back?" He Yingqin asked sensitively.

  "It can't be ruled out." Chen Lifu nodded and said.

  "His family roots are all in Northeast China, why would he give up what's near and seek what's far, running to Northwest?" Chen Cheng raised a question.

  "I guess Li Ruofeng already knows that Japan is going to make a move on the Northeast." He Yucan's words were astonishing, and he said solemnly: "With his experience in Japan, he must have a very deep understanding of Japan. From his actions after returning home, it can be seen that he wants to move the foundation of his family to the northwest."

  Chen Lifu was told: "According to investigation, the Japanese are also paying great attention to this person."

  "There will be a war between China and Japan sooner or later, I am very clear about this." Chiang Kai-shek spoke slowly, "This Li Ruofeng, he seems to be telling us that the time for China and Japan to go to war is not far off. What makes me feel better about this person is that there isn't a single word in the entire report showing that he has any connection with the Communist Party. Lifu, I hope you can personally go to Gansu Province and have a good talk with Li Ruofeng. If he's willing to surrender to the National Government, we can consider letting him replace Ma Zhongying."

  "Principal Gao is brilliant." He Yingqin immediately understood Chiang Kai-shek's idea and flattered him.

  Divide and conquer by granting official titles and making promises was a tactic often used by Chiang Kai-shek.

  Chiang Kai-shek's decisive blow, Ma Bufang's plea for help was temporarily set aside.