Chapter 40: The Sichuan Army Does Not Fight the Sichuan Army

  He immediately returned to the headquarters and presented a plan: "The First Division of the Eastern Expedition is the main force of the Sichuan Army, its combat effectiveness is not much different from our Model Division. Many low-level officers in this division are students of the Speed-Up Academy, the 1st and 2nd periods of the Army Primary School, and have a close relationship with many officers in our Model Division. Moreover, many people are members of the Tongmenghui, we can shout 'Sichuan Army does not fight Sichuan Army', let Zhu Sanmin and other people bring their classmates from the Army Primary School to shout slogans at the front line."

  Yang Xing was overjoyed, tightly grasping Wang Huan's hand: "Zhi Yi brother, this plan is excellent. In addition to shouting on the battlefield and disintegrating their morale, it is even more important to strengthen our frontline defense, preventing Zhou Jun from jumping out of desperation."

  Immediately afterwards, he ordered those students of the Speedy School and the Lu Xiao Students to shout slogans on the battlefield.

  Cheng Peng's face turned gloomy, and he suddenly said: Captain, now that we've had a falling out with Hu Jingyi and Wang Lingji, what should we do? Should we fight our way out or resolve it peacefully?

  Wang Xiu shook his head and said: He Erchuan, Wang Sima and others tied up Wang Lingji, causing both sides to tear their faces. For now, the best strategy is to peacefully resolve this internal conflict within the model regiment, the middle strategy is to unite with other departments and rise in opposition to Hu Jingyi, and the worst strategy is to kill out of the encirclement and develop into the mountainous area.

  It seems that they have made up their minds, looking at the two of them and saying: I think a peaceful resolution is still possible, as long as the First Division's military morale is not unstable and does not attack our regiment again. In that case, there is only one way out, which is to resolve it peacefully. Moreover, although Hu Jingyi and Wang Lingji want to disintegrate the Model Regiment, now that the North-South peace talks have been successful, they also dare not rashly order the elimination of this iron-blooded army that has fought bravely in the Western Expedition to Tibet, nor can they eliminate this meritorious army.

  Most people still agree with this, although after more than a year of operation, Hu Jingyi still faces many opponents in Sichuan due to his Republican identity. Many Tongmenghui members in the Sichuan Army opposed him, knowing that the 5th Division was a branch of the Sichuan Army formed by Tongmenghui members as its backbone.

  Even within the Beiyang system, Zhou Jun, who was a backbone of the Beiyang Army, often had the intention to compete with Hu Jingyi.

  What's more important is that if the Model Troop Incident was resolved by force, Yin Changheng, who was on his way to Beijing, would think otherwise. After all, the Model Troop had always been a loyal unit under Yin Changheng's command, so unless absolutely necessary, Hu Jingyi wouldn't dare order the First Division to attack.

  Thinking of this, I couldn't help but feel confident about resolving disputes peacefully.

  At this time, Zhu Sanmin, the battalion commander in charge of guarding the front line and shouting on the battlefield, came to report that Zhou Jun, the division commander of the First Division, wanted to see him.

  As the First Division closed in from all sides and surrounded the Model Regiment's barracks, Commander Zhou Jun rode his horse, with a group of staff officers standing beside him. He pointed at the front lines with his whip and exclaimed: "What is Yang Xing doing? How did he set up this formation? And how are these fortifications arranged? This is really strange! Even the Japanese Army Academy doesn't teach this way!"

  An aide stepped forward and said: Commander, some tea houses and storytelling theaters have been exaggerating about Yang Xing's bravery, saying that in Pianguo Liangzi, the model regiment defeated 8,000 bandits, and under the city of Kangding, three cannons took down Kangding. I think it's all fake. Do you want me to take a battalion there and eliminate them?

  Zhou Jun shook his head and said, "It can't be said that way. On that day at the Wubei Academy and the Japanese Army Officer School, Yin Dadi was quite formidable. His direct lineage troops were model troops, how could they possibly be as incompetent as you say?"

  "This staff officer smiled slyly and said: Commander, I don't think so. Although they look neat and tidy, they still give people the feeling of being embroidered pillowcases. Do you want me to lead a battalion to capture them and confiscate their weapons?"

  Zhou Jun thought to himself, after all, the model regiment was founded by Yin Zhangzi. Although Yin Zhangzi is currently under suspicion by President Yuan, who knows if he will turn things around?

  He smiled and said, "It's better not to resort to force, it's good to resolve it peacefully. You should know that Yin Changzi and I, as well as Hu Du, were all classmates, although our political views are different, but it can't change the friendship of being schoolmates."

  He paused and said: Moreover, Yin's eldest son has been good to me. Later, he handed over the most elite Beiyang 18th town to me. Hasn't Yin's eldest son treated me well? How can I betray Yin's eldest son?

  It seemed as if he had made up his mind, and with a whip in hand, he pointed to the formation above and said: "Brothers, you tell me, how can we resolve this matter peacefully? Yang Xing Er is really troublesome, causing such a big deal, making it difficult for Laozi to make a decision at the moment.

  At once, a group of staff members rushed up and down, talking non-stop.

  At this moment, a uniform shout suddenly rose from the front lines: The Model Division was founded by General Yin, a meritorious unit of the Sichuan Army, capturing Zhao's butcher, avenging justice for the people of Sichuan, conquering the border of Sichuan, defending national sovereignty, and the Sichuan army should not fight against the people of Sichuan.

  His face changed greatly and he said gloomily: Yang Xing's little trick has actually brought about this situation. It seems that handling this matter will be difficult, won't it?

  An aide-de-camp beside him exclaimed in surprise: "Commander, where are these little brats making such a racket? What's the problem? If you give the order, I'll take a battalion up there and wipe out that model regiment immediately."

  Zhou Jun waved his hand and asked his advisors: "Brothers, what did you hear?"

  An aide replied fluently: Reporting to the commander, it seems to me that the sound is just a bit louder? Look over there, at most one company of soldiers, but the sound is as loud as two battalions.

  Zhou Jun nodded and looked at everyone: Is there anything else?

  Another staff officer pondered for a long time before answering: Commander, this shout is uniform and there is not a single discordant note. It seems that the model regiment has been well-trained in peacetime.

  Sitting on horseback, after a long while, he pointed forward with his whip and said: Not bad, it seems you listened carefully. Everyone, what else did you hear?

  A middle-aged man with a long beard, nodding his lips, said after a long time: Master, I heard a voice of hatred. Listen to this sound, it's basically hoarse and exhausted, it's something that someone would shout out in extreme grief and indignation. Yes, it's a voice of hatred, Master.

  Zhou Jun's face changed greatly, and suddenly, he saw several battalion commanders riding horses to report: Commander, something is wrong! Those turtle sons are unwilling to attack the model regiment, some people have even turned their guns around, and others have deserted.

  Zhou Jun shouted: "Malaba, give me a strict military order. For those who lead the trouble, severe punishment will be meted out without pardon."

  An aide consoled him: "General, look!"

  He took a deep breath, and Zhou Jun continued: Tell the brothers that unless absolutely necessary, I will not order an attack. Tell everyone, I'm going to Yang Xing's model team for a visit, let's see how that little brat Yang Xing can deal with me!

  Ignoring everyone's dissuasion, he rode his horse to the model regiment immediately.

  Yang Xing listened and felt that an opportunity had arrived. He nodded at Wang Huanxu and said, "It's easy to govern. Let's go and welcome General Zhou."

  He immediately went to the Ermen border with Wang Huixu, Cheng Peng and others, saw Zhou Jun riding a tall horse, accompanied by a guard, and rushed up to the door, running three steps and two steps, saying: Director Zhou, you've come, Director Zhou, the model regiment has more than 1,600 people, and I still hope that Director Zhou will save everyone.

  Seeing Yang Xing's dispirited appearance, Zhou Jun was shocked and hastily helped him up. After meeting with Wang Huanxu and Cheng Peng, they walked to the brigade headquarters together.

  Zhou Jun's voice was stern as he asked: Yang Deputy Commander, you are so bold. It has only been a few days since General Yin left, and yet you have turned the sky upside down on Phoenix Mountain. What do you think General Yin and General Hu will make of this?

  Yang Xing cried out with a sad face: "Commander Zhou, it's unjust! I was just giving a speech at the Chengdu Girls' High School today when someone reported that Wang Lingji, the battalion commander, had gotten into a conflict with everyone and started fighting. I rushed back hastily, only to find out that Wang Lingji had taken his troops out without orders, and Commander Zhou was furious, sending troops to surround the Model Regiment."

  Zhou Jun smiled and said, "Conquering the East, it's a misunderstanding, an absolute misunderstanding. Didn't we hear the report that there was infighting within the model regiment, and that Wang Lingji, the battalion commander, was wrongly detained? So, we sent troops to come and mediate."

  Yang Xing smiled and said, "Master Zhou, isn't this to avoid letting General Yin and General Hu worry, and prevent any trouble from arising? You say we dare to detain Colonel Wang unjustly, but don't you know that Colonel Wang is a veteran of the military?"

  Zhou Junyi heard this and felt quite pleased, leaning back in his chair: "Oh, Zheng Dong, since it was a misunderstanding, then there's no need for Wang Lingguan to be arrested. Call Wang Lingguan over, let everyone make amends."

  For a moment, Wang Lingji was brought over. Looking at the tightly bound Wang Lingji, Zhou Junwei slightly angrily said: "Yang Tuanzhang, didn't you just say that Wang Tuanzhang used to be a teacher at the Speed Learning Academy and also classmates with Yin Daidu? Binding him like this, what kind of dignity is this?"

  Yang Xing repeatedly apologized and said: "Director Zhou, isn't this just in case? Commander Wang is restricted from freedom and keeps thinking of killing himself. Aren't we trying to prevent him from taking his own life? Director Zhou, as you just said, Commander Wang was once our teacher. If something were to happen to him, how could I explain it to General Yin, General Hu, and you, sir?"

  Wang Lingji's face turned stern as he scowled and said: "You're the one who wants to die, I'm not afraid of death, even if you beat me to death, I won't back down?"

  Zhou Jun's face slightly wrinkled as he said, "Zheng Dong, you see that this is not a way out either. After Commander Yin leaves, your model regiment detained Wang Lingji today, and tomorrow you'll probably stir up another incident, always making people uneasy."

  Cheng Peng hastily replied: "Director Zhou, what you said is not right. When Commander Yin was in Sichuan, he had great trust in our model regiment. How could others lose trust just a few days after Commander Yin left?"

  Zhou Jun stood up and paced back and forth, saying: "Commander Cheng, you can't say that. Look, isn't General Yin gone and Wang Lingji detained? Can this make people feel at ease?"

  In the end, he was already pressing against Cheng Peng, his face full of anger.

  Cheng Peng said fearlessly: "Director Zhou, as long as you don't have any ill intentions towards General Yin, what is there to worry about?"

  Zhou Jun looked at Cheng Peng and couldn't make him surrender, so he turned to Yang Xing and said: "Yang Team Leader, what do you think?"

  Yang Xing shook his head and said, "Commander Zhou, our model regiment is stationed on Fenghuang Mountain, which is the order of General Yin. What's not to worry about? Is it that as soon as General Yin left, you want to disband our model regiment, this troop that has made great contributions in the Xinhai Revolution and the Western Tibet Expedition?"

  Zhou Junyi listened, and his tone suddenly became exceptionally soft. He chuckled and said: "Zheng Dong, you can't say that. You should know that due to the rebellion of Zhao Erfeng's remnants, bandits have emerged in various parts of Sichuan. I represent the Grand Governor's Office, ordering the Model Division's acting division commander and deputy division commander Yang Xing to lead the first and third regiments of the Model Division, along with an artillery company, to go to northern Sichuan to suppress the bandits. This order is to be executed immediately."

  Wang Xiu heard this and shook his head: "Director Zhou, it's easy to talk, you can't just transfer our model team like that, can you?"

  Zhou Jun sank into deep thought for a long time before saying: "Then what do you want to do? If we don't carry out the order, can we only be treated as rebels?"

  Cheng Peng slammed his hand on the table, glaring furiously at Zhou Jun: "Zhou Shizhang, if you think your First Division can swallow our Model Regiment, come and try. You should know that in Zangbian, 8,000 rebel troops didn't even make us bat an eyelid? Come and try, don't think that just because your First Division has over 10,000 men, if it really comes to a fight, who's afraid of whom? If it really comes to a fight, will the brothers in your First Division listen to you?"

  Zhou Junyi listened, his eyebrows furrowed tightly, and Yang Xing smiled: "Master Zhou, do you think this is okay? We'll discuss it internally and give you an answer later."

  In a moment, Yang Xing and Wang Huanxu, Cheng Peng and others came out one after another. When they heard that Yang Xing asked to see Hu Jingyi, Zhou Jun was delighted to do a favor, and immediately agreed.

  However, this undoubtedly caused a stir within the Model Troop, with many people strongly opposing Yang Xing's trip, believing that Hu Jingyi was a two-faced person who had curried favor with Yin Daju when he took office as the Grand Governor.

  When General Yin led the expedition to Tibet, he vigorously developed his own power in the rear. Grain, rations and ammunition were often not replenished in time. Fortunately, Yang Xing adopted another way of reforming the Tibetan region in Kangding, so the large army did not cause dissatisfaction among the various departments on the front line due to military shortages.

  After the Grand Governor left Sichuan Province, he surprisingly wanted to dismember the model team created by the Grand Governor.

  Yang Xing had no choice but to persuade Zhu Sanmin repeatedly, and finally let him lead a team to keep a close eye on Zhou Jun and Wang Lingji, only then did they stop.

  Bring four children and come to the Grand Governor's Mansion. You can search for "Ha Shi Ba" on Baidu.