The Anti-Japanese War Begins with the Northeast Army

After settling Xu Shuzheng, Wang Junshan sent a telegram to Jiang Cheng who was still on the road.

He was originally scheduled to set off three days ago, but he was tripped up by Zhang Hanqing.

After executing several officers who had led the desertion, he had a small gathering in a restaurant with some old friends.

After his father suffered such a great defeat, Zhang Hanqing was no longer as high-spirited and energetic as before, even a little arrogant.

He was also much more tactful when speaking to a few friends... Especially when facing Jiang Cheng, his temper was completely restrained.

The two talked a lot about the construction of the army, with a sincere and humble attitude, and almost unanimously asked Jiang Cheng for advice.

Of course, Jiang Cheng has always been open about military construction.

Moreover, he knew very well that after the "baptism" of the First Zhili-Fengtian War, the Fengtian Army would usher in a major reform from top to bottom.

This reform will surely greatly enhance the combat effectiveness of this green forest army, making it the most powerful warlord in the entire Beiyang system.

"Han Qing, since we are brothers, I will speak directly to you... In fact, the most important thing about this military reorganization is to unify the military power and establish a centralized military power headed by your father."

After Jiang Cheng finished saying this, the other party fell into long thought.

In fact, if the three armies had cooperated well, even if the situation of the battle had not been reversed in the end... they would not have been completely defeated in less than ten days.

At this time, Jiang Cheng was in a military vehicle heading north, staring out the window at the rapidly receding greenery and lost in thought:
I wonder how much his words will affect Zhang Hanqing; the successor of the Northeast Army, in the future...

"What are you thinking about, Feilan? I've been calling you for a long time but you didn't respond."

Feeling someone gently touching his arm a few times, Jiang Cheng quickly gathered his thoughts and looked over, only to see Zhang Xuecheng sitting next to him with a cup of hot tea.

"Isn't it just a matter of strengthening the army? Master Shuai is really... He actually asked me to take Chao Liu and Feng Yong away in one go."

Glancing at Zhang Xuecheng, Jiang Cheng understood why he was looking for him at this moment - Jiang Dengxuan and Feng Yong were both "seconded" to the Military Reorganization Office, and the positions of Harbin's garrison commander and Jilin Air Force commander were vacant.

"That's what I'm talking about! You said my uncle has a lot of talented people under him, why did he have to recruit someone from Jilin?"

This was exactly what Zhang Xuecheng wanted. He immediately took over and continued, "The Air Force has just been set up, and Harbin is an important strategic point in Jilin. I think Feilan, you have to find two suitable people to replace them!"

So?

Jiang Cheng just didn't reveal this "window paper" and waited for him to recommend himself.

But Zhang Xuecheng also knew in his heart that because of some unpleasantness they had previously had, his good brother might not really be willing to trust him again.

"Brother, we have known each other for many years. You know exactly what kind of person I am, Jiang Cheng, right?"

Jiang Cheng leaned back, then took out a cigarette from his inner pocket, threw it to him and lit it, "You always feel that having a piece of territory, or having some soldiers under your command, is more important than anything else--"

"But the development of the Military Academy is equally important to us in Jilin. Think about it... If we don't have a large number of outstanding officers assigned to various armies, can we win battles and protect our territory?"

At this point, he patted Zhang Xuecheng on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry, brother. You will have the opportunity to achieve great things in the future." Zhang Xuecheng is not bad in ability, but there is a saying in modern times that a little sunshine will make a person shine... This is referring to people like him.

It would be better to give him enough benefits and not let him cause trouble in his territory - his temper really needs to be tempered.

Upon hearing that Jiang Cheng had no interest in him at all, Zhang Xuecheng was completely discouraged.

The topic quickly turned to other topics and no more meaningful words were raised.

After arriving in Changchun, Jiang Cheng asked Zhang Tinglan to settle his wife, and then took the railway to Zhengjiatun. The journey was peaceful.

When Jiang Cheng and his companions arrived at their destination, Xu Shuzheng had been waiting there anxiously for four days.

As soon as he arrived, Jiang Cheng didn't care about the fatigue of the journey and hurriedly called Xu Shuzheng to meet him.

The railway connecting Kulun and Udinsk has been completed, but the Russians have put forward new conditions.

"Regarding the issue of tariffs, the Russians intend to ask for the most favorable treatment, which means convenient exchange... zero tariffs."

Xu Shuzheng spread the documents he brought in front of Jiang Cheng and continued, "Besides that, technical cooperation is possible, but the expert group over there will charge a lot of money!"

Jiang Cheng glanced at the price offered by the so-called "expert group" and sneered: "Well, they are taking advantage of me!"

Thinking about the industrial development of Hongsu later, he wanted to get more technology from there so that they could take off together——

But when he saw the Russians' short-term cooperative attitude, he immediately became unhappy.

"Forget about the expert group. There are already quite a few German experts in the country... The heavy industrial equipment over there is a good condition for development. These are the most important things."

"As for the so-called most-favored terms, it is not up to me, Jiang Cheng, to decide. You can tell the Russians that the Northeast has declared federal autonomy. You have to talk to the Marshal about tariffs."

Xu Shuzheng was a little embarrassed: "Master Jiang, the Russians are pushing for this very quickly... They say it's to connect the railway, and their losses are really too great. If we don't have the sincerity to cooperate, they won't allow the Manchuria section to be opened!"

There was a spark in Jiang Cheng's eyes.

Originally, it was planned that the imported goods from Vladivostok would be transported to Mongolia, that is, they would go through Suifenhe to Manchuria for exit, and then detour to Kyakhta for entry...

If the Russians play rogue and block Manzhouli, they will have to take a long detour to transport imported goods to Mongolia in the future, and both the time and freight will have to be doubled!
"I think they know how important this lifeline is to us, so they are playing rogue at this critical moment, right?"

Jiang Cheng slammed the table and was furious. "I think I just gave them too much face!"

"Take Ivan and Alexei with you to negotiate again, and tell them that the conditions remain the same as before. If they don't want to use the railway as a public place, I, Jiang Cheng, have a way to make it 'privately used'!"

This is made clear enough. I am giving you face now and am willing to cooperate with you. If you want to overturn the contract and ask for more from me, I will turn against you and beat you up. When the time comes, I will take the railway back and use it alone. Don't think I am bullying you.

Seeing Jiang Cheng getting angry, Xu Shuzheng silently responded, "That's right. Things that are taken back with fists are truly yours."

"We have been fighting for so many years, how can we still be afraid of the Russians?" (End of this chapter)