Chapter 23: A Silver Tongue

  "Hmm, they were originally White Russian soldiers. Now that the Red Soviet has taken power in Russia, many soldiers like them have fled to China. I heard that Dihua even has a unit of several hundred men composed of such soldiers, serving under the Dihua government." Li Ruofeng said nonchalantly.

  "Those Russians are different from you." Ma Zhongying said: "The people in Dihua are like bandits, while your men are real professional soldiers."

  "Haha, aren't they all Russians anyway! No difference, same behavior." Li Ruofeng obviously didn't want to discuss this issue with Ma Zhongying any further.

  Ma Zhongying shook his head repeatedly and muttered: "Not the same, not the same, they are all like unsheathed battle knives..."

  Li Ruofeng didn't say any more nonsense with Ma Zhongying, and walked directly into the gate of the Garrison Command.

  Ma Zhongying gazed at the hellfire, taking three steps back and forth, slowly following Li Ruofeng from behind.

  Commander's office in headquarters.

  Li Ruofeng and Ma Zhongying sat opposite each other on a European-style leather sofa, having a long conversation behind closed doors.

  Inside the house, apart from them two, there was no third person.

  Ma Zhongying sat down after entering and didn't make a sound, lightly closing his eyes, lost in thought.

  The atmosphere suddenly became very depressing, and the ticking sound of the grandfather clock in the corner made people feel even more uneasy.

  "Chairman Mao, actually, I think we have too many similarities between us, we should be able to become friends, confidants, or even brothers!" Li Ruofeng broke the silence between them.

  "Don't call me Chairman, I'm very clear that you don't take me seriously." Ma Zhongying waved his hand and opened his eyes, calmly saying: "Although I, Ma Zhongying, have a high self-esteem, but in front of you, I still have some self-awareness."

  "How can a great man belittle himself!" Li Ruofeng said with a cold smile: "In the northwest, who doesn't know that Qi Jiguang led seven armies to rise up in arms, and at a young age, he fought out a world of his own. He won three battles in Hexi and two battles in Ningxia, and even Chiang Kai-shek personally met with him. In my eyes, you are much stronger than Zhang Hanqing from the northeast!"

  "Hehe, three battles in Hexi and two battles in Ningxia, Ma was defeated every time..."

  "This is not a mistake of war!" Li Ruofeng interrupted Ma Zhongying's self-deprecation, "I'm referring to the blood nature of General Ka, that kind of aura that makes one fearless even in the face of millions of people!"

  "Is that really what you think?" Ma Zhongying gazed at Li Ruofeng and asked.

  "Every word comes from the heart!" Li Ruofeng's eyes gleamed as he firmly replied.

  "Who is Li Chengxiang to you?"

  "My fourth uncle."

  "What is the ultimate goal of your Li family?"

  Li Ruofeng looked at Ma Zhongying deeply and said slowly: "I haven't taken Hexi Corridor into consideration, I'm just passing by, my goal is Xinjiang!"

  "Xinjiang?!" Ma Zhongying was stunned.

  "That's right, it's Xinjiang!" Li Ruofeng leaned his body back against the sofa backrest, "Brother Zhongying, taking over Xinjiang is just a temporary move. To be honest, I'm not interested in Chinese people fighting Chinese people. My ultimate goal is to fight against the Japanese!"

  "Japanese?! Ma Zhongying asked in confusion: "If you want to deal with the Japanese, shouldn't you go to the Northeast? This Hexi Corridor, Xinjiang is too far from there!"

  Li Ruofeng leaned forward, looking straight at Ma Zhongying: "Brother Zhongying, in your opinion, if the Japanese were to invade the three northeastern provinces, with their national strength, perfect industrial system, advanced technology, and strong national cohesion, do you think the Northeastern Army can hold its ground? Does the National Government dare to go to war with Japan? What did the National Government do about the May 3rd Jinan massacre? Did they even send a single soldier?"

  "The Japanese are indeed too arrogant! The Jinan Incident is a shame for every Chinese soldier! Ma Zhongying's expedition to Hexi is precisely to build an anti-Japanese force!" Ma Zhongying said gritting his teeth, suddenly seeming to remember something, his eyes lit up and asked: "Do you want to turn Xinjiang into an anti-Japanese base?"

  "Yes! Gansu and Sichuan have too few resources, far inferior to Xinjiang." Li Ruofeng said: "Our family has sent people to conduct geological surveys in Xinjiang many times since long ago. Xinjiang has vast territory, suitable climate, complex and varied landforms and soil, not only beautiful scenery but also rich special products.

  Among the mountains and deserts, there are countless "granaries", "meat warehouses", "oil basins" and "coal seas". On this "treasure land", there are rich mineral resources such as coal, iron, gold, copper, tungsten, mercury, tin, lead, oil and so on. There are 3.31 million hectares of arable land and over 10 million hectares of wasteland that can be reclaimed. Xinjiang has long sunshine, abundant light and heat resources, large temperature difference between day and night, and relatively sufficient water resources. All these provide good conditions for the development of agriculture and animal husbandry. The famous Silk Road can also transport Xinjiang's products to the Middle East and Europe.

  Ma Zhongying was shocked: "Are you kidding me? You're talking about Xinjiang? That poor and broken place?"

  "A thousand truths! Brother Zhongying, Xinjiang is indeed a treasure land, it's just that many people don't know about it." Li Ruofeng smiled mysteriously: "Are you interested in going to Xinjiang with me? It's much stronger than where we are now. This information, except for you, I haven't told anyone else."

  "If you're not fooling me, such a big treasure land, only a fool wouldn't go!" Ma Zhongying's eyes shone brightly as he replied: "Brother Rong, you really aren't cheating me?"

  "Brother Zhongying, do you think I have a reason to deceive you?" Li Ruofeng asked solemnly.

  "Indeed! You really didn't need to deceive me. With your current strength, you can easily take down Xinjiang even without me." Ma Zhongying said, as if talking to himself.

  "Don't worry! Brother Zhongying, you can completely put your mind at ease." Li Ruofeng said with a smile.

  "You've been plotting against me once before, how can I trust you now?" Ma Zhongying said with a bitter face.

  "Alright, alright, let's not bring up past matters. Besides, you haven't suffered any losses now!" Li Ruofeng counted on his fingers: "You see, when you established an independent province, I supported it; when you became the provincial chairman, I agreed to it; when you wanted to implement new policies, I never opposed them. Now that Ma Bufang is invading, I'm the first one to stand up and help you share your worries. Tell me, who else in the world is as righteous as us?"

  "You didn't even break a sweat and yet you managed to get your hands on the Ganzhou that I had painstakingly built up, these are naturally things that you should return to me." Ma Zhongying said with a relaxed smile.

  "Zhong Ying, this matter must be clarified." Li Ruofeng's face turned fierce as he said: "Although I have controlled the military power of Ganzhou, have I interfered with local affairs? Have I collected a single penny in taxes or tributes over such a long time? I've contributed people, effort, and money to help you avoid danger, yet you dare say that I've taken advantage of Ganzhou? Brother Zhong Ying, we must speak with conscience!"

  Alright, Li Ruofeng is now sternly and righteously turning the tables on him.

  This was even more so for Ma Zhongying, who was left speechless and unable to refute.

  "Listening to you put it this way, it seems that I, Ma Mouren, still owe you!" Ma Zhongying muttered to himself.

  "That's natural, we have a reason to travel all over the world." Li Ruofeng replied unscrupulously: "However, Brother Zhongying, my brother still has some family property, so you don't need to worry about it. Ganzhou, if you want, I can withdraw the troops at any time."

  Poor Chairman Ma, from the moment he met Li Ruofeng, his heart was shaken, and as a result, he unknowingly followed Li Ruofeng's thoughts, ultimately leading him not only to be unable to hate Li Ruofeng but also to feel grateful to him.

  Being human, one really can't be too shameless!

  Ma Zhongying could only smile wryly at Li Ruofeng and say, "Brother Ruofeng, I've been played around by you in circles, yet I still have nothing to say. I admire you!"

  Li Ruofeng's expression turned solemn as he said, "Brother Zhongying, after I've dealt with Ma Buqi, I'll come back and specially treat you to a feast to make amends!"

  "Brother Feng, let's put it this way: in this battle, we'll either win together or lose together. I, Zhongying, will definitely follow you through thick and thin!" Ma Zhongying said solemnly.

  "Go, Brother Zhongying, take care of home and wait for my triumphant news!"

  "Brother Feng, Zhongying wishes you a victorious start!"

  "Admitting Zhongying's brotherly words, let us reunite another day and brew wine to discuss heroes. As brothers have military duties at hand, I dare not linger any longer, farewell for now!"

  Li Ruofeng stood up and extended his right hand to Ma Zhongying for the second time.

  Ma Zhongying grasped Li Ruofeng's right hand with both hands, squeezed it hard and said sincerely: "Brother, take care!"

  "Take care!" Li Ruofeng said, and then resolutely turned around, without looking back, walking towards the door.

  Ma Zhongying silently watched Li Ruofeng's back, his face calm, but his eyes were very complex.

  He really couldn't see through this young and talented man who was just like him.

  This time he came, he didn't have the intention of blaming or scolding, his strength was inferior to others, so he could only acknowledge reality.

  He originally thought Ganzhou was lost.

  But just now, after Li Ruofeng's explanation, I turned back and thought carefully again. It turns out that Sun Zhen's troops have not received a single penny of military pay from the Ganzhou government so far, and all the tax police are appointed by the Ganzhou government. Sun Zhen's troops have never set up any tax cards. Apart from reasonable grain collection, they have fully acted as a qualified and disciplined Ganzhou garrison force.

  It seems that Li Ruofeng is really not interested in the Hexi Corridor.

  Otherwise, with his strength, he could have taken Suizhou as well.

  It seems he is still quite sincere.

  Cooperation is no problem, but after cooperation, how to distribute benefits, who will be the highest decision-maker, how to divide military power, and who will control finance, etc. These series of problems will not be decided by Ma Zhongying alone.

  Ma Zhongying fell into deep thought once again.