Chapter 2: Stormy Weather at Huangpu Section 16: The Oath
After the defeat of the Merchant Corps, Chiang Kai-shek was busy but in a good mood. In the battle to defeat the Merchant Corps, the student army formed by students from the Whampoa Military Academy made its debut and captured the Western Gate headquarters of the Merchant Corps, making the first contribution to the complete defeat of the Merchant Corps and earning praise from all sides. No one dared to say that sending a company would make them surrender again. Now the second batch of students has entered the school, and the teaching regiment is being formed. Soldiers recruited from Jiangsu and Anhui are arriving in Guangzhou. Most importantly, Sun Yat-sen agreed to allocate a significant portion of the guns and funds provided by Soviet Russia to form the teaching regiment, which will be stationed at Whampoa. Chiang believed that it would not take long for him to build an elite army to conquer the battlefield.
Zhuang Jihua was finally able to confirm that history was still following its predetermined course, and he himself had returned to his original state. This, however, only made Jiang Xiyun and others even more certain that Zhuang's emotional fluctuations were due to his poor judgment during the Northern Expedition. Especially after Jiang Xiyun gained experience as Sun Yat-sen's temporary deputy officer, he looked at Zhuang Jihua with an even more discerning eye. Conversely, Zhuang Jihua also admired Jiang Xiyun greatly, and although they had some differing views, their private relationship became increasingly close.
On October 23, Feng Yuxiang sent a telegram to invite Sun Yat-sen to come north and take charge of the situation. On October 27, Sun Yat-sen issued a public telegram from Shaoguan in response.
The change in the northern situation naturally became the central topic of discussion among military students on Huangpu Island, with most holding a praising attitude towards Feng Yuxiang's revolutionary actions and a optimistic attitude towards Sun Zhongshan's northward journey. However, Zhuang Jihua held an opposite attitude in front of Chiang Kai-shek, while Jiang Xun was diametrically opposed.
"... Premier's trip to the north is not necessary at all. Feng Yuxiang invited the Premier to come north for two purposes: one, to unite with us against Zhang Zuolin and Duan Qirui; two, to cover up his own true reasons for launching a coup and gain public support. Being inspired by the revolution is only a secondary reason, from his announced plan for post-coup arrangements we can see that he has no political ideals."
"What do you think is the real reason for Feng Yuxiang's betrayal during the Cultural Revolution?" Chiang Kai-shek asked calmly. He was eager to hear Zhuang Jihua's judgment now. Half a year ago, Zhuang Jihua predicted that the Zhili-Fengtian War would end with the defeat of the Zhili clique, and although he was shocked at the time, he didn't really believe it, but unexpectedly, his prediction came true. Such a judgment, Chiang Kai-shek asked himself if he could have made it.
His contradictions with Wu Peifu were due to uneven distribution of interests. After the last Zhili-Fengtian War, Feng Yuxiang originally hoped to get Henan's territory, but Wu Peifu gave Henan to his own trusted followers. What was even more extreme was that before the war, Feng Yuxiang was the military governor of Shaanxi, and after the war, Wu Peifu didn't even give him the position of military governor of Shaanxi. Feng Yuxiang only ended up with the position of inspector-general. The contradictions accumulated from this led to a total explosion in this war. Wu Peifu monopolized the power of the Zhili clique, and no one except Cao Kun would listen to him. As a result, he successfully cultivated an opposition faction within the Zhili clique, which ultimately led to his own downfall. Zhuang Jihua read some materials in Shaoguan and enriched his historical knowledge.
"What's your view on the outcome of the Premier's trip north?" Chiang Kai-shek continued to ask.
"The students thought that nothing would be achieved. Zhang Zuolin and Duan Qirui would never allow the Premier to seize power and implement the Three Principles of the People. The current situation in Beijing depends on Feng Yuxiang, Zhang Zuolin, and Duan Qirui, any two of whom could join forces to overpower the remaining one. Politically, Zhang Zuolin and Duan Qirui are closer, and their masters are both Japanese, so it is more likely that these two will join forces. If Feng Yuxiang retreats, the Premier will lack real power in Beijing, making it impossible for him to achieve anything.
Zhuang Jihua was firmly opposed to Sun Zhongshan's northern expedition, because when he visited Sun's mausoleum, he knew that Sun had died in Beijing, so he spoke very strongly, hoping to persuade Chiang Kai-shek to oppose Sun's northern expedition."
"Principal, I think the judgment of the Cultural Revolution is reasonable, but I still believe that the Premier should go north." Jiang Xianyun interjected: "At present, Beijing is the center of China's political situation, and the eyes of the whole country are focused on Beijing. The people hope to see the Premier come to Beijing to handle the aftermath, even if nothing can be solved, as long as the Premier goes, he will not disappoint the people's hopes."
"But nothing can be achieved." Zhuang Jihua retorted.
"No, at least it can achieve the same result, that is to expose the essence of Zhang Zuolin and Duan Qirui's warlordism, let the people see through these guys, and thus sympathize with the revolution more and support the revolution." Jiang Xiangyun said confidently.
"It's better to devote our energy to conquering Guangdong and preparing for the eastern expedition against Chen Jiongming than to waste time on this." Zhuang Jihua shouted in discontent.
Chiang Kai-shek smiled slightly as he looked at Zhuang Jihua, actually agreeing with Jiang Xiyun's judgment on this point. However, he felt that he had grasped Zhuang Jihua somewhat. This person was clever and cunning, but very practical, only choosing the most beneficial outcome for himself. If so, then you can't escape my palm. He looked at the two of them, feeling extremely satisfied. These two were a perfect match. The Communist Party has Jiang Xiyun, I have Zhuang Jihua... no, I also want to pull Jiang Xiyun over.
"Cultural Revolution, don't get excited, on this point I support Wushan, Premier's going north is more beneficial than harmful."
"But Principal,...", Zhuang Jihua didn't know what to say, he couldn't possibly say that Sun Zhongshan had left and wouldn't be coming back.
"If Premier Chiang can achieve the best results this time, it would be even better if he can't; what Wu Shan said will still have a beneficial effect on the revolution." Chiang Kai-shek waved his hand to stop him from continuing.
"I came to you for another matter, this time our Huangpu (military academy) made a great achievement in the suppression of the rebellion, and the Premier is very pleased. Therefore, he proposed that our Huangpu Military Academy take the lead in uniting the young people from various military academies in Guangzhou. The Premier's idea is good, I want you two to make specific preparations, with Wencong as the main person in charge, and Wushan assisting."
Zhuang Jiehua still didn't give up and was thinking of ways to get Chiang Kai-shek involved, letting him block Sun Yat-sen's northern expedition. In fact, he overestimated Chiang Kai-shek, since Chen Jiongming's betrayal, Sun Yat-sen had been extremely vigilant about military personnel holding power, so he never allowed Chiang Kai-shek to interfere with party and government affairs, except for the Huangpu Military Academy Party Department, Chiang Kai-shek basically couldn't intervene in external affairs, his position within the party was equivalent to that of an alternate member.
"But, Principal, the Premier's health is poor. This time, the trip to Beijing has many complicated matters, I'm not sure if the Premier's body can hold up." Zhuang Jihua still wanted to make a last effort.
"The Cultural Revolution, let's not mention it. The Premier's health is not good, but the Premier has always put the country first, dedicating his body to the country. This reason cannot stop the Premier." Chiang Kai-shek seemed to understand Zhuang Jihua's thinking, but he did not expect that Sun Yat-sen would never come back this time.
"Cultural Revolution, I just said you're in charge, Wushan assists, what are your thoughts."
Zhuang Jihua secretly sighed in agreement with Chiang Kai-shek's words, and even if he had told Sun Yat-sen that this trip would be a one-way journey, Sun Yat-sen would still have insisted on going north.
He cleared his mind and then felt that something was not right, so he said: "Principal, I have never done such a joint association before. Wushan used to lead strikes and has experience in this aspect, so let me run errands for him."
Jiang Xianyun smiled and said, "Don't be modest about the Cultural Revolution. Strikes and joint associations are two different things. I think you're fully capable of it. Didn't you do a great job in the debate conference and the drama troupe last time?"
"What I did was low difficulty, but what you're doing is high difficulty. If it's not done well, it'll tarnish the reputation of Huangpu."
Jiang Xianyun couldn't help but smile, and Chiang Kai-shek also smiled slightly. Both of them were used to Zhuang Jihua's way of speaking.
Chiang Kai-shek didn't care anymore and started being unreasonable: "Whoever is in charge is fine, you two just get this thing done, don't disappoint me, and especially don't disappoint the Premier."
Zhuang Jihua thought for a moment and felt that it would be better to bring in a few more people, so he suggested: "Principal, why not just catch a few more sturdy guys, like Li Zhilong, He Zhenhan, and Zeng Kuoxin? Three cobblers are equal to one Zhuge Liang, and if we bring in a few more, they'll be equivalent to several Zhuge Liangs."
Chiang Kai-shek finally couldn't help but laugh, he knew that Zhuang Jihua would do this, always thinking of ways to hide himself and then find the most beneficial outcome for himself, and what he said was true for both the Nationalists and the Communists, which also reassured him.
"You guys discuss and handle it." He didn't actually care about this union either, but Sun Yat-sen's orders couldn't be ignored, at least he had to pretend.
Zhuang Jihua was helpless, he still didn't know what would happen with this union, but he had a bad feeling.
Jiang Xianyun was very excited. He had long wanted to establish such an organization, but since entering the school, he had never had time to prepare for it, and now everything was in order.
On October 28, Sun Yat-sen convened a military and political meeting in Guangzhou to discuss the policy direction for responding to changes in the northern situation.
November 3, Sun Yat-sen issued the Grand Marshal Order, ordering the General Headquarters' Hu Hanmin to guard Guangzhou and act as the Grand Marshal, while Tan Yanqing, Commander-in-Chief of the National Army, guarded Shaoguan. To coordinate with Sun's trip north, the KMT Central Committee sent a secret notice to the entire party, stating that "the Premier's trip north this time is in response to the requests of comrades from all over the North, and aims to develop party affairs in the North, rather than lightly seeking compromise with various factions." It called on "all our comrades to make efforts to publicize and organize at the right time, so as to solidify the organization and increase its strength every day."
November 10, Sun Yat-sen issued the "Northern Expedition Manifesto", in which he fully elaborated on his purpose and stance for going north. He proposed that "the purpose of the national revolution is to create an independent and free country, to protect the interests of the state and the people." Externally, it is necessary to "abolish all unequal treaties and privileges; change the nature of foreign debts, so that powerful countries cannot use these foreign debts to make China sit in a semi-colonial position". Internally, it is necessary to implement "the Three Principles of the People as the basis, and list relief methods according to the situation, as the minimum political program". He advocated for "convening a national congress to discuss China's unification and construction".
On November 12, Sun Yat-sen attended the farewell meeting of various circles in Guangzhou and delivered a speech. Encouraging everyone to build Guangdong well, making it a source of revolution. This speech is quite different from Zhuang Jihua's previous speech, with the biggest difference being the Eastern Expedition against Chen, rather than the Northern Expedition. In this speech, Sun Yat-sen warned the whole party that the Eastern Expedition against Chen was a necessary move to consolidate Guangdong as the fundamental base, and required comrades in Guangdong to actively strive for this goal.
On the 13th, Zhuang Jihua helplessly watched as Sun Yat-sen boarded the Yongfeng warship to head north. For the first time, he felt powerless and couldn't find a way to stop him.
The Yongfeng warship passed through Huangpu, and all the students and teachers of the Huangpu Academy lined up on the shore. Chiang Kai-shek boarded the ship and asked Sun Yat-sen to disembark and bid farewell to the students and teachers of the Huangpu Academy. Sun Yat-sen set foot in Huangpu for the fifth and last time. Accompanied by Hu Hanmin, Wang Jingwei and others, Sun Yat-sen took a motorboat ashore. As if he knew that it would be difficult for him to return to this campus where he had placed his greatest hopes, he inspected the students' dormitories, classrooms, canteens one by one, and watched the students' tactical exercises.
Sun Yat-sen then delivered a brief but passionate speech to all the students.
"Today I am going to Beijing, because a coup has occurred in Beijing and Cao Kun and Wu Peifu have been overthrown. This is the result of the influence of our party's northern comrades' movement. But has the revolution succeeded as a result? I say no. Feng Yuxiang and Hu Jingyi issued a telegram saying they would not ask about politics, which is very dangerous. What is a revolution? A revolution is politics, it is a matter that concerns the entire nation. Now Feng Yuxiang and others have launched a movement without asking about politics, letting things develop on their own. Therefore, this Beijing revolution has no hope of success.
Although this incident cannot achieve the effect of a central revolution, I still want to go. This is because only by going can I demonstrate our party's attitude and influence the people in the north, so that future revolutions will make progress... It has been thirteen years since the establishment of the Republic of China, but the country is still chaotic, warlords are rampant, and the flames of war have not subsided. Among them, some comrades within the party have lost their resolve, busy pursuing fame and fortune. In the eyes of these comrades, revolution is just starting a company, joining the revolution is investing in stocks, waiting for future dividends. But I say that revolution is not starting a company, joining the revolution is not investing in stocks, it's not about getting dividends. Joining the revolution is to save China, to save the people. Therefore, only by having the determination to sacrifice everything can the revolution have hope of success."
…
"Today, the students of Huangpu, who can endure hardship and labor, strive so hard, will surely inherit the revolutionary cause, continue my life, and implement my ideology. Everyone will die eventually, as long as one dies for a good reason... If I had died two or three years ago, it would have been in vain; now with all of you students here, I can complete my unfinished work, and then I can die!"
Sun Yat-sen's heartfelt words brought tears to the eyes of all the teachers and students present, and their blood was boiling. Chiang Kai-shek and Liao Zhongkai then delivered speeches, reminding all the cadets to remember the Premier's teachings and strive hard for the revolution.
Zhuang Jihua stepped onto the stage on behalf of all students to accept the flag of the National Revolutionary Army's Training Corps presented by Sun Yat-sen.
Jiang Xianyun stepped up onto the stage with big strides, stood at attention, raised his right hand, clenched his fist, turned around and faced Sun Yat-sen.
Nearly a thousand people in the audience raised their right fists simultaneously, and one by one, they shouted from their chests: "We pledge to the Premier, we remember the Premier's teachings."
"We pledge to the Premier, remembering the Premier's teachings"
"Resolutely struggle against warlordism and imperialism to the end"
"Resolutely struggle against warlordism and imperialism to the end"
"Willing to shed the last drop of blood for national independence and liberation"
"Willing to shed the last drop of blood for national independence and liberation"
"We swear."
"We swear."
A thousand young throats shouting out in unison, loud and passionate.
"We pledge..."
A thousand young faces, solemn and excited.
"We pledge..."
A thousand resolute gazes, flashing with fervor.
"We pledge..."
Thousands of straight bodies stand upright under the fluttering military flags, fearless and undaunted in the face of raging winds and soaring flames.
"We pledge..."
……
…….
They received higher education in this era, when the country was in danger and the nation was in crisis. They did not choose to escape or seek a secluded harbor, but instead threw themselves into the Huangpu River without complaint or regret. In the more than twenty years that followed, their blood would be spilled all over China's land. Most of them did not live to see the arrival of peace, but at this moment they had only one thought: save China.
"Independently issuing a new order, thousands of troops respond with one call; General Chiang, you have brought good soldiers!" Sun Yat-sen exclaimed loudly. However, the attendants around him had different thoughts: Liu Zhenhuan and Yang Ximin looked displeased, Hu Hanmin's eyes gleamed, while Wang Jingwei's gaze flickered, and Chiang Kai-shek was filled with joy and satisfaction.
The Yongfeng ship slowly sailed away, taking with it the greatest figure of modern China. Sun Yat-sen arrived in Beijing on December 31 and passed away on March 12, 1925. His coffin was temporarily placed in a stone tower within the Biyun Temple in Western Hills, Beijing until May 1929 when the Nationalist government buried him at the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in Nanjing.
This is the person who currently has the most admiration from Zhuang Jihua, countless failures have not weakened his courage, and every time he stands up again with a hundred times more courage, leading his supporters to launch another attack. His personality charm conquered him, and he was even willing to dedicate all his "wisdom" to him, willing to fight for him. After finally confirming that he had no other choice, Zhuang Jihua suggested to Chiang Kai-shek to hold such a ceremony, hoping to bring some comfort to this respectable elder and pioneer of national liberation.
