Chapter 8: The Premier Heads North

  October 23, 1924, Feng Yuxiang and Hu Jingyi's two armies secretly returned to Beijing from Rehe, joined forces with Sun Yue, the deputy commander of the Beijing garrison, launched a coup in Beijing, and Cao Kun was detained. Zhang Zuolin marched into Tianjin, Duan Qirui entered Beijing to take charge of the government, and Zhang and Duan sent a telegram inviting Sun Yat-sen to come north and convene a national affairs conference. On October 30, President Sun Yat-sen returned from Shaoguan to Guangzhou, first sending Sun Ke and Xie Wuliang to the Northeast for consultations, and preparing to go north to attend the meeting.

  When Sun Xinghua learned of the situation, it was already November. Sun Xinghua also received a notice from the school headquarters that three days later, President Sun Zhongshan would go to Huangpu Island to inspect the newly established Huangpu Teaching Regiment and the formal drill training of the first batch of students at Huangpu.

  "Fu Guo, the drama club you mentioned can be established, but as for the president, I think it's better to give it to someone else. The drill in three days must be carefully prepared. The school principal has planned to go north, and before the principal goes north, the teaching group must give the principal a brand new look." Chiang Kai-shek sat on the chair, looking at Sun Xinghua in front of him.

  Since the success of the last performance, Li Zhi-long, Jiang Xian-yun and Chen Gang suggested to Sun Xing-hua that a drama club be established within the Whampoa Military Academy to take charge of publicity and performances.

  Sun Xinghua reported this proposal to Chiang Kai-shek and gained his support.

  "Principal, rest assured that the third battalion has been formed and after several days of training, the Whampoa Academy will not disappoint Director Sun. However, Principal, I have one word to say, I don't know if it's suitable to speak." Sun Xinghua looked at Chiang Kai-shek in front of him and replied seriously.

  He also knew that after Sun Chongshan went north this time, there would be no chance to come back, because not long after, Sun Zhongshan would pass away.

  Sun Xinghua thought of one thing, if Premier Sun did not go north, whether he could retain his life. If so, would the subsequent events change, and would China take another path?

  "Assistant, just say what you want to say." Chiang Kai-shek lowered his head and reviewed a document, then said something that seemed inappropriate, so he looked up at Sun Xinghua.

  "Fu Guo, I know your abilities are superior to his, but his seniority is above yours. However, I can assure you that once the troops expand, I will definitely arrange for you to take on an important position. The deputy commander of the Huangpu Instructional Corps is just a beginning." Chiang Kai-shek said with deep meaning.

  He believed that Sun Xinghua was dissatisfied with the position of deputy commander of the Huangpu Training Corps, so he said these words. Moreover, he also knew that Sun Xinghua graduated from Japan's Military Academy and studied at Germany's Military Academy, fluent in Japanese and German, and some military books in school were translated by Sun Xinghua.

  For a talent like this, it's not just the deputy group leader, I'm afraid that as long as Sun Xinghua is willing, the Beiyang side can completely offer a brigade commander position to welcome Sun Xinghua.

  "The principal is a matter of Premier Sun going north." Xinghua Sun knew that Chiang Kai-shek had misunderstood his meaning, and hastily said a sentence.

  Chiang Kai-shek's face broke into a smile as he looked at Sun Xinghua and said, "Xu Guo, I didn't expect you to have such thoughts. Premier Sun's trip north is not to negotiate with the Northern Warlords or yield to their military might. The purpose of Premier Sun's trip north is to tell the people all over the country that for China's fate, for the people's livelihood, we are willing to make any sacrifice. This time going north, the Premier has his own plan."

  "Principal, do you think they really want a republic? They are just opportunists, taking advantage of Premier Sun to cover up their coup. I think Premier Sun doesn't need to go north at all, on the contrary, staying in Guangzhou can boost morale and win over the people's hearts. We can also suppress the Yunnan-Guangxi warlords and Chen Jiongming in the east." Sun Xinghua said hastily.

  Chiang Kai-shek looked at Sun Xinghua, slowly stood up, walked to the window, and gazed out at the distant scenery. On the large drill ground not far away, the second batch of students who had enlisted began their training.

  Looking at these trained students, a smile appeared on Chiang Kai-shek's face. These are what he needs and the only sharp weapon for him to reach the peak of power. As long as there is an army, his own ideas will be realized as soon as possible.

  "Assisting the country, Premier Sun has his own plans. You may not understand Premier Sun, once he decides on something, it won't be easily changed. Your starting point is good, but as for Premier Sun going north, I'm afraid it won't be easily changed." Chiang Kai-shek turned around and said to Sun Xinghua.

  Before Sun Xinghua could respond, Chiang Kai-shek continued: "Now we have established the Whampoa Military Academy, but I can tell you that more than 2,000 new recruits have been gathered and will soon arrive in Guangzhou. We not only want to establish one military academy, but also a second, third, and even more."

  After saying this, Chiang Kai-shek slowly walked up to the map.

  "Assisting the nation, our vision should not be limited to Guangdong. Yang Ximin and Liu Zhenhuan are just a bunch of mice. Even Chen Jiongming from the east is just a clown. We need to build a strong army until we unify the whole country. This time, when Premier Sun went north, his purpose was also to let the northern people understand our revolutionary ideas." Chiang Kai-shek looked at the map of China, and his eyes shone with a light that was a craving for power.

  Sun Xinghua listened to Chiang Kai-shek's lengthy speech and didn't know what else to say, so he just nodded his head and stood up to bid farewell.

  As soon as Sun Xinghua returned to his office, he was stopped by Shen Jian.

  "Officer Sun, someone is looking for you." Shen Jian said with a smile, and there was some mystery in his smile.

  Sun Xinghua looked puzzled and walked out of the office.

  It is Shen Nan, wearing a long skirt, waiting in the distance, gazing at the distant scenery.

  "Vice Minister Shen, how did you come?" Sun Xinghua was somewhat unexpected at Shen Nan's appearance.

  "Deputy Commander Sun, I'm here representing the Women's Department to comfort the Whampoa students. By the way, I came to see you, and thank you sincerely for what happened last time. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't dare imagine what would happen in the future." Shen Nan looked at Sun Xinghua with a smile on her face.

  Sun Xinghua didn't mind at all, if Shen Nan hadn't come over, he would have almost forgotten that he had once saved such a person.

  "Have you heard? Premier Sun is going north." Shen Nan noticed Sun Xinghua's expression and said casually.

  Sun Xinghua nodded, looking at the second-phase students training in the distance, and let out a sigh of helplessness. As Chiang Kai-shek said, once Sun Yat-sen made up his mind, it would be difficult for anyone to change it, and this time Sun Yat-sen's trip north was unstoppable by anyone.

  But once Sun Yat-sen passed away, the seemingly harmonious Whampoa Military Academy would probably become restless. Even if given a few more years to Sun Yat-sen, things wouldn't have developed to that extent.

  But can history really be changed? Sun Xinghua is unclear, but he got a point from Chiang Kai-shek, wanting to change Sun Yat-sen's going north, it's really difficult.

  The two continued talking for a while, and Shen Nan left Huangpu Military School when the sky was getting dark.

  (Today (Sunday) updated three chapters, the last two chapters were updated together, but it will take a long time to review, I estimate that you can see them on Monday. In the future, everyone will look at the book review area more often, and if there is anything, I will leave a message there. Also, recommend votes...)

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