Chapter 2: Stormy Weather at Huangpu Section 12: Hanging in the Balance

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  Li Zhi-long laboriously put the sandbags back in the corner of the wall. Although under the mediation of Yunnan Army leaders Fan Shisheng and Liao Xingyuan, the situation had eased somewhat, with martial law lifted, however the fortifications were still not dismantled but instead continuously reinforced, ostensibly for the purpose of military training exercises.

  Li Zhi Long wiped the sweat from his forehead, the September sun was still very harsh. Under such sunlight, after several hours of physical training, the gray military uniform was already soaked with sweat. Yu Jishi took over the sandbag at the corner of the wall and exerted himself to pile it on top of several other sandbags. He was also drenched in sweat, with a few streaks of dirt on his face.

  He spat out a mouthful of phlegm and panted, saying: "Alas, being a repair worker without a gun is useless. When the enemy comes, can I greet them with a wooden stick?"

  "Speak softly, the school gate is closed. The principal said that this is what the party has entrusted us to take care of, without the prime minister's order, we cannot move." Although he said so, Yu Jishi's face was also full of worry.

  "Alas, it seems that the Cultural Revolution was more comfortable for them. These past few days, they've been running to the principal's office all the time, each trip taking half a day, no need to move sandbags under such scorching sun."

  "I think you two are quite good too, and the principal also likes to see you." Gu Yongqing reminded him kindly.

  "I can't compare with Wenshan in the Cultural Revolution, since the beginning of the Cultural Revolution, Wenshan has gone to the principal's place at least once a week." Yu Jishi's tone was not without jealousy.

  "Oh, good canvas, sounds a bit sour." Li Zhilong chuckled and lifted up another sandbag.

  "Hehe," Yu Jiti felt a little out of place. Recently, Zhuang Jihua and Jiang Xiyun had been frequently summoned by Chiang Kai-shek, which had a great impact on him. Although he also thought they were talented beyond ordinary people, seeing the two being summoned by the principal so frequently made him feel inexplicably jealous.

  He did not know that Zhuang Jiguang was suffering greatly in Chiang Kai-shek's office.

  At the same time, Chiang Kai-shek also summoned He Zhenhan, Yang Qigang and instructor Wen Susong. The content was that Sun Yat-sen would launch a Northern Expedition, the headquarters would move to Shaoguan, and the military school decided to send a team of students as the Grand Marshal's guard team, with Wen Susong as the team leader, Zhuang Jihua, Jiang Xiyun, He Zhenhan and Yang Qigang as squad leaders. When giving orders, political commissar Liao Zhongkai was also present. After Chiang Kai-shek gave the order with a gloomy face, Liao Zhongkai supplemented and emphasized the importance of ensuring the Premier's safety, requiring them to guarantee the Premier's safety at all times and demonstrate the military school students' tenacious fighting spirit.

  Liao Zhongkai said something, but Zhuang Jihua basically didn't hear it, he was already stunned by the order.

  Isn't the Northern Expedition under Chiang Kai-shek's command? How did it change to Sun Yat-sen? And Chiang Kai-shek didn't even participate, and hadn't even eliminated Chen Jiongming in the Eastern Campaign yet. This isn't right! What on earth went wrong, could it be because of himself? Thinking this, a huge fear enveloped him, and his emotions were in turmoil, completely losing composure. Chiang Kai-shek immediately noticed his state, somewhat angry thinking he was afraid of going to the battlefield:

  "Zhuang Jihua, what's wrong with you? Are you scared?" Fortunately, he didn't utter that infamous three-word phrase, so as to save Zhuang Jihua some face.

  Zhuang Jihua was still lost in his own thoughts and hadn't heard. Chiang Kai-shek became even angrier, shouting: "Zhuang Jihua, what are you thinking about!"

  Jiang Xianyun hastily pulled Zhuang Jihua, who suddenly came to his senses, saw Chiang Kai-shek's angry look and everyone's puzzled expression, knew he had lost his composure, and quickly reported loudly: "I... I'm sorry Principal Comrade, the student was distracted, please Principal Comrade punish me."

  Liao Zhongkai found it strange that he had also talked to Zhuang Jihua several times, although in front of him, Zhuang Jihua maintained the respect of a student for his teacher. However, judging from the content of their conversations, Zhuang Jihua should have been fearless. So why did he suddenly become timid? Even if he was timid and afraid, it wouldn't be to this extent. He was certain that there must be a reason behind this, so he stopped Jiang Jieshi from getting further angry and instead asked gently: "Wen Ge, what are you thinking?"

  Zhuang Jihua did not dare to answer, but only loudly admitted his mistake. He knew that as long as he admitted his mistake, Chiang Kai-shek would scold him and then let it go. On the contrary, if he made excuses, any military superior would punish him. However, now it was Liao Zhongkai, so this trick of his was wrong. Because Liao Zhongkai had never been a soldier.

  Liao Zhongkai saw that he was unwilling to speak, and didn't get angry. He wasn't a military man originally, and his time at Whampoa wasn't long, so he wasn't interested in the usual military demeanor, instead being more amiable.

  "Cultural Revolution, your performance in Huangpu has always been good, and you were also among the top in military technical assessment. The beach training method you created was also considered very good by the principal after inspection, and it was planned to be promoted throughout the school. We have also chatted about this before, at that time you spoke freely, but now when we are really going to go to war, why don't you dare to speak? If you have any thoughts, just say them out loud."

  A gentle person, once provoked, is harder to deal with than a strong-willed one. Zhuang Jihua gritted his teeth and went all out.

  "Report: The student was lost in thought thinking about Chen Kuoming's problem and wishes to accept school punishment, guaranteeing not to commit the offense again."

  When they heard Chen Jiongming's words, Liao Zhongkai and Chiang Kai-shek exchanged a glance, and Chiang's expression immediately turned in the right direction.

  "Uh, Wen Ge, you're indeed quick-witted, but Chen Jiongming's problem isn't something you should be concerned about. What you need to do is complete the tasks assigned to you." Liao Zhongkai said in a serious tone, then turned to Chiang Kai-shek and said: "Jieshi, I'll make an exception this time. Wen Ge has already acknowledged his mistake, so let's just punish him and be done with it."

  Liao Zhongkai's face, Chiang Kai-shek could not refuse to give, besides, he was also unwilling to punish Zhuang Jihua, so he went along with the situation and said: "Since the political commissar has spoken up for him, I won't make an example of it this time. However," his tone turned severe: "The safety of the Premier is a matter of utmost importance, there can be no slightest mistake. You must remember that the Premier's safety is the top priority. Did you hear me clearly!!!"

  After the students left, seeing that there was no outsider in the office, Chiang Kai-shek stood up and said anxiously: "Zhongkai, I don't know what Mr. is thinking, Chen Jiongming is sleeping on his side, but he wants to take the main force to attack the north, what if Chen Jiongming fights back?"

  "Don't worry, Mr. has already decided to make peace with Chen Jiongming." Liao Zhongkai knew that Chiang Kai-shek opposed the Northern Expedition at this time and had expressed his opinions to Sun Yat-sen several times in person. Although Liao Zhongkai advised Chiang Kai-shek not to worry, he was also worried about the consequences of the Northern Expedition at this time. However, since Sun Yat-sen had already made up his mind, he unconditionally supported it.

  "Negotiate a peace!" Chiang Kai-shek was somewhat shocked: "Make peace with the rebels! Absolutely not, whoever suggested this to you, execute that person as an apology to the nation."

  Liao Zhongkai sighed and said, "It was Borodin's suggestion that Guangdong be handed over to Chen Jiongming in exchange for his support for the Northern Expedition. The advisory group also formulated a battle plan."

  "Nonsense, what a ridiculous idea Borodin has come up with! Giving up Guangdong without even considering whether Yang Ximin and the others will agree. Russians are always up to no good, are they here to support us or cause trouble?" Chiang Kai-shek thundered in anger.

  "Mediator, Mr. so agreed to me feel that there is still some disappointment among the current Guangdong stagnant situation, wanting to put it in a desperate situation and then reborn, forcing Yunnan and Guizhou troops to jointly march north with us." Liao Zhongkai said with a heavy heart.

  "Abandon Guangzhou!" The information revealed by Liao Zhongkai was too shocking, Chiang Kai-shek was almost completely stunned, and it took a while to recover.

  "No, I want to see Mr. Bao, we can't give up Guangzhou, I want to ask him in person what his intentions are, and also ask Galen, as a military man, how he could engage in such warfare! Niuzi Pi." Chiang Kai-shek quickly stormed off, his position within the party was not high, he didn't have the qualifications to participate in such major decision-making.

  "Jie Shi, calm down. Galen does not agree with the Northern Expedition at this time, he has explicitly told me so. However, Mr. went to an agreement with Duan Qirui and Zhang Zuolin last year, jointly opposing Wu Peifu of the Zhili clique. Mr. believes that with Zhang Zuolin and Lu Yongxiang's restraint, this Northern Expedition has a chance of success."

  Under Liao Zhongkai's persuasion, Chiang Kai-shek gradually calmed down: "Zhongkai, what do you think?"

  "I also think that the timing of the Northern Expedition is not ripe, but since the master has decided, we can only execute."

  "No, Zhongkai, I think we should still try to persuade him. Even if the gentleman insists, we must find a way to preserve some of our strength. Hmph, these advisors..." Chiang Kai-shek's heart was filled with resentment towards Borodin. As a military leader, he believed that the conditions for the Northern Expedition were not yet ripe, but he did not dare to openly blame Sun Yat-sen, so he shifted his resentment to Borodin. However, he was not wronging Borodin either. The Russian advisor had strongly advocated for a military solution to the merchant corps, but Hu Hanmin and Xu Chongzhi, among others, opposed it. Sun Yat-sen was in a difficult position. In order to win over Sun Yat-sen, when he proposed the Northern Expedition, Borodin gave his full support and even suggested and facilitated a reconciliation with Chen Jiongming.

  On September 10, Sun Yat-sen issued the "Letter to the People of Guangdong", and then the headquarters was moved to Shaoguan to prepare for the Northern Expedition. A team of students from the Whampoa Military Academy served as the bodyguard of the Generalissimo Sun Yat-sen and came to Shaoguan, where they conducted a mountain defense tactical exercise on a hill next to Shaoguan Railway Station.