The Seventh Chapter of Shangshu

  The commotion of the opening ceremony soon passed, and the Whampoa Military Academy officially started classes. Principal Chiang Kai-shek moved his family to Changzhou Battery and devoted himself fully to the work of the academy. To say that Chiang Kai-shek was not yet the man he would later become is an understatement in Zhuang Jihua's view, for at this time he differed greatly from the image presented in history books.

  Every morning, Chiang Kai-shek was the first to appear on the drill ground, often giving speeches to students, emphasizing military style, revolutionary principles, military hierarchy, and sacrificial spirit. He always mentioned the Soviet Union and was called the Red General by the press. He showed no mercy to anyone who broke discipline, even pulling instructors Guo Jingsheng and Liu Ye out of bed one morning for a severe reprimand and punishment in front of all students and teachers. His prestige among his classmates was exceptionally high; if not for knowing history, Zhuang Jiayu couldn't help but admire him.

  Zhuang Jihua did not know that he had always been in Chiang Kai-shek's eyes, and Deng Yanda's "care" for Zhuang Jihua was also known to Chiang Kai-shek.

  After the start of school, Chiang Kai-shek more frequently found students to talk to in his office, but he had not yet talked to Zhuang Jihua because he wanted to test Zhuang Jihua. There was another reason: he couldn't figure out Zhuang Jihua. According to his observations, Zhuang Jihua rarely intervened in matters between the two parties and didn't even want to discuss topics related to them. He wasn't as knowledgeable or eloquent as Jiang Xiyun, nor as calm and composed as Li Zhilong, nor as generous and passionate as He Zhenhan, but he was more popular among his classmates than the three of them. Students from both parties were willing to interact with him, and even after being punished several times, he almost got elected as a member of the military school's special district committee. This made Chiang Kai-shek very puzzled, so he wanted to meet Zhuang Jihua soon and talk to him. After all, he was still the one who recommended him, and more importantly, he was a talented individual.

  Whenever he thought of this, Chiang Kai-shek would get angry. The Whampoa Academy was a military academy founded by the Kuomintang to cultivate military talent for the party. However, among the members of the council, there were four Communist Party members, and only he himself was a member of the Kuomintang. According to the organizational principles, any decision that the council did not agree with would not take effect. Although it was just a party matter, if this continued, wouldn't the Kuomintang's military academy become the Communist Party's military academy? Thinking about this, he couldn't help but secretly blame Sun Yat-sen for agreeing to let Communist Party members join the Kuomintang. The Communist Party was clearly using the Kuomintang's power to develop its own organization, yet Mr. Sun didn't see it and even naively defended them, without thinking that Chen Jiongming had also been like this in the past, with a tongue as sweet as honey but a heart full of malice.

  I blame Sun Yat-sen, and I also blame Dai Jitao. For so many years, old friends like you won't even help me out. You just leave without a word, not giving me any face at all. If I had known it would be like this, I wouldn't have helped you with the Mei Zhi affair back then. Let your family's river flow east and west, but originally, when I was principal, you took charge of party affairs as director of the political department - that was only natural. But now that you've run off, brother, I'm left all alone, and my position is lowly with little to say. Although Mr. Chiang has handed over the military academy to me, he doesn't allow me to interfere in party affairs. Can it really be like this, watching our own party being gradually swallowed up by the Communist Party? No, it can't be like this. There are many talented people among these students, and having them under my wing is my future capital. What about the Executive Committee? Does Jiang (Chiang) need your approval to do things?

  Zhuang Jihua is now a party member, joining the party was simple, no ceremony just fill out the form. Specifically, before class, two forms were placed on his desk, one for voluntarily applying to join the Nationalist Party and the other for voluntarily applying to join the Communist Party. He looked at the two forms with a bitter smile in his heart, thinking he had to find an organization, but his face showed a thoughtful expression, somewhat like that famous statue. Li Zhilong encouraged him to fill out the Communist Party form, while He Zhenhan advised him to join the Nationalist Party and throw away the other form. Of course, he didn't dare fill out the Communist Party form, this idea had been decided long ago, although he grew up in America, he knew about the famous events of anti-counterrevolutionary movement, anti-rightist movement, Cultural Revolution etc. in party history, he didn't dare guarantee that after joining he could avoid these movements, he didn't dare take the risk, if he lost, the price would be his head.

  So he finally chose the Nationalist Party for the reason that he only joined one party, based on the fact that he was following Dr. Sun Yat-sen to enter Huangpu, and since he followed Dr. Sun Yat-sen, joining the Nationalist Party was a natural choice. He was very suspicious that Xu Xiangqian, a classmate of Marshal Xu Xiangqian, did not choose the Communist Party, and when he saw this, he immediately threw all his associations with Marshal Xu into the sea. Looking at Li Zhi-long's resentful expression, he felt a little guilty and didn't dare say a word. However, this action made Jiang Xiuyun think that he simply agreed with the Three Principles of the People, so he magnanimously said that there was nothing wrong, and they were still good friends. Later, he gave him a copy of "The Communist Manifesto" and a copy of "The State and Revolution". Holding these two books, he couldn't help but smile bitterly.

  It's already very hot in Guangzhou in July, the Huangpu Island has a strong Shanghai wind, but it's still cool at night. Zhuang Jihua is also gradually getting used to these days without air conditioning, he likes to take a walk under the night sky, on the one hand enjoying the quiet of the night, on the other hand also avoiding the topics in the dormitory, those topics are quite dangerous in his opinion.

  Under the moonlight, he saw two people talking somewhere and recognized them as Jiang Xianyun and Xuande Fu from the third squad. Like him, Xuande Fu was also a returnee from Japan, and they were both from Zhejiang Province. He admired Xuande Fu for joining the army, knowing that this generation of returnees was different from those in later generations. In later times, returnees were like fish crossing the river, and there was even a joke among Beijing people: if a tile fell on the street and knocked down three people, two would be returnees and one would be an aspiring returnee (someone preparing to go abroad). Of course, there were also those like Fang Hongjian who graduated from the University of Chicago, but most returned for educational or patriotic purposes. However, few chose to join the military after returning home, mainly because this generation had too few intellectuals, and they could easily find well-paying jobs in industry or local government. Those who chose to enter the army were rare. But Zhuang Jihua believed that Xuande Fu also had another identity - a Communist Party member. Therefore, seeing Xuande Fu and Jiang Xianyun together, he instinctively thought they were discussing internal party matters and decided to avoid them.

  "Ji Hua." Jiang Xianyun also saw him and beckoned him over. Zhuang Ji Hua walked over, and Jiang Xianyun said in a low voice: "Jianhun wants to petition the principal, opposing the principal's direct appointment of the party group leader and the party group leader's weekly reports to him."

  Zhuang Jihua looked at Xuan Xiafu, who nodded in response. He fell silent for a moment before asking, "Why?"

  "The Premier has said that the party should govern the country and the party should govern the army, not the other way around. The principal's actions will set a precedent for soldiers governing the party, violating the Premier's original intention of building the military, which is wrong. That's why I want to write a letter in opposition." Xuan Xiaofu's father said seriously.

  Zhuang Jihua did not speak out, he was also appointed as the head of the party small group. He secretly praised Xuanxiao's father for his keen insight, but he didn't think that Chiang Kai-shek simply interfered with party affairs. He believed this was part of Chiang Kai-shek's plan to control the Whampoa students and also a measure taken by Chiang Kai-shek to guard against the Communist Party.

  "Wushan, what's your view?" Zhuang Jihua still didn't answer directly, he was still thinking about how to phrase it.

  "Jianhun said something reasonable, I think it's okay to go through the proper channels, but don't make the problem sound so serious." Jiang Xianyun added: "The principal is also a member of the committee, since he is a member, he has the right to manage party affairs and can directly petition." Zhuang Jihua thought for a moment before speaking straightforwardly.

  "I agree with Jianhun's view, but oppose the memorial to the throne."

  "Why?" Jiang Xianyun and Xuan Xiaofu were somewhat surprised. Since they agreed with Xuan Xiaofu's point of view, why did they oppose the memorial?

  "Because the petition will not have any result, it may even bring about a negative effect." Zhuang Jihua further explained: "The principal repeatedly emphasized obedience and hierarchy in various contexts. The Huangpu Military Academy had just been established, and his authority was not yet fully established. At this time, submitting a petition to express dissenting opinions would be seen by the principal as a challenge to his authority. Therefore, he will not only not withdraw his order but may also punish Jianhun."

  Chiang Kai-shek immediately understood that Chiang Ching-kuo's words made sense, as he had repeatedly emphasized the concept of hierarchy in various contexts, even incorporating it into the regulations of the Whampoa Military Academy. Therefore, it was likely that Chiang Ching-kuo's description would become a reality. Chiang Kai-shek reluctantly said: "So let the principal destroy the Premier's military building principles, and Director Liao will not intervene?"

  "Jianhun, I reckon no one will intervene, at least not within the Nationalist Party, and some might even secretly support the principal's actions." Zhuang Jihua said in a low voice.

  "Why?"

  "Think about it, how many Communist Party members are there in the Executive Committee, and how many Kuomintang members are there? The principal can say that this move is to maintain the interests of the Kuomintang. As long as the principal puts forward this reason, the Kuomintang will not interfere, and even the Premier and the Political Committee will support him."

  Jiang Xianyun thoroughly understood and also gained a new understanding of Zhuang Jihua's abilities. He admitted that he himself had not noticed these situations, what democracy and authority were just appearances, the deep reason was still the relationship between the KMT and the CPC. He immediately said: "Jianshen, Jihua is right, let's be more cautious."

  Xuan Xia's father thought for a moment, then resolutely said: "No, I still want to petition. I admit that Ji Hua has some reason, but that's why I should petition even more. This is related to the principle of cooperation between the KMT and the Communist Party, and we cannot make any concessions. Thank you, Wushan Ji Hua." After finishing speaking, he turned around and left.

  Zhuang Jihua and Jiang Xianyun exchanged a bitter smile, then Jiang Xianyun thought for a moment before saying to Zhuang Jihua: "Why don't we also write something, at least we can support Jianhun."

  Zhuang Jihua said in his heart, don't drag me down: "If it's like this, there will be no room for recovery. Think about it, if we both submit our letters at the same time, it will create a situation where everyone opposes the principal, and we might all get expelled. If we are not dealt with, the principal might resign. Wushan, now our problem is how to control the outcome of this matter within an acceptable range. You can't write even more, you two are both Communist Party members, what if someone with ulterior motives uses it, and the situation develops into the Communist Party launching an attack on the Nationalist Party, attempting to seize leadership of the military school, and spreading rumors, that would really affect the relationship between the two parties."

  Zhuang Jihua's words made Jiang Xianyun feel chilled to the bone, and the crime of damaging the relationship between the two parties was too great. A cold sweat trickled down his spine, it seemed that he had still underestimated the problem. This Zhuang Jihua was not simple at all, and he could see so far in such a short time, many problems he hadn't even thought of himself. This once again made him determined to win Zhuang Jihua over.

  "Wushan, go and persuade Jianhun again; if you really must write, it's best to only talk about democratic issues, don't discuss anything else, and be sure to follow the organizational procedures."

  "Alright, I'll go." Jiang Xianyun understood that Zhuang Jihua wanted to bring the situation under control. He naturally agreed with this approach, after all, Xuan's father was a fellow party member, and it was only right that he should be the one to persuade him.

  The next day, Xuan Xu's father submitted his report to the Special Party Department. Chiang Kai-shek was furious after reading it and immediately summoned Xuan Xu's father.

  Jiang Xianyun and Li Zhilong anxiously watched as Xuan Xiafu went to the principal's office. Apart from Zhuang Jihua, only the two of them knew about Xuan Xiafu's petition. They discussed the outcome in hushed tones. Jiang Xianyun had actually given up all hope, completely trusting Zhuang Jihua's judgment. Li Zhilong also knew about Zhuang Jihua's judgment, as Jiang Xianyun had told him, but he still held onto a glimmer of hope. Two hours later, Xuan Xiafu returned, and Jiang Xianyun and Li Zhilong hastily went to greet him. Li Zhilong was impatient and asked directly: "How was it? What did the principal say?"

  Xuan Xia's father smiled and said, "Nothing."

  "You're going to drive me crazy, speak quickly." Li Zhilong grabbed Xuan Xiaofu's shoulder.

  "Zhen was indeed framed by Ji Hua, the principal said that someone had instructed him to do so, and also said that I was young and didn't understand things, asking me to write a letter of apology, otherwise I would be expelled."

  Jiang Xianyun and Li Zhilong were stunned, they didn't expect Chiang Kai-shek's reaction to be so intense. After calming down, Jiang Xianyun hastily told Li Zhilong to find Zhuang Jihua, while he himself took Xuanxian's father to the seaside to wait.