The Anti-Japanese War Begins with the Northeast Army

"I've been wanting to talk to you all day long - but there are so many people on the flagship, so I never had the chance."

Listening to Zhang Hanqing's words, Jiang Cheng put his cigarette box back into his pocket, turned around and put one hand on the fence: "Hanqing, we studied together when we were young, and later studied in the Military Academy... Later we fought side by side and fought against the enemy together;"

"Given the relationship between us, why should we do this? If you have anything to say, just say it. If there is anything that you don't like, neither you nor I will take it to heart."

Jiang Cheng's words were polite, but Zhang Hanqing knew in his heart that he had been a provincial governor for many years - not to mention the Jiang family, his own strength was already comparable to that of his father.

Apart from anything else, with such an ocean-going fleet, there is probably no other one like it in the entire Beiyang.

No wonder Yang Yuting became more and more wary of him. Zhang Hanqing also began to have doubts in his heart. He had a wild temper since childhood, but he became nervous under the enemy's strong ships and powerful guns.

"Feilan, I just want to ask you something straightforward. You have developed so many forces. What are you planning to do?"

After the other party said this, Jiang Cheng smiled.

In the eyes of this Northeast heir, his army was not only strong, but his air force and navy had also developed to a level that was difficult to catch up with.

When he asked this question, his fear reached its peak.

"Hanqing, you and I are brothers, so I will tell you a few honest words... I am developing not to dominate the country, but to resist foreign enemies."

Seeing the sudden surprise on the other person's face, he continued calmly, "I think you are also very clear, which country has invaded China in the past few decades?"

"Let's not talk about the distant past, let's just look at the little Japanese in front of us - are they helping your father out of kindness? In fact, to put it bluntly, isn't it because Japan is poor and covets our vast territory and abundant resources in the Northeast?"

"Think about it, if Mr. Wu, me, your father, and the leaders of our Fengtian Army had no means at all, would they still be able to negotiate cooperation with us in a friendly manner?"

Zhang Hanqing looked back at him and finally nodded calmly: "Indeed, if what you said is true, and the strength of Northeast China is assumed to be similar to that of North Korea, then... they will definitely try every possible means to annex us."

Seeing him follow his own train of thought, Jiang Cheng continued: "So, everything I do now is just to protect myself--"

"Think about it, it's not just the Japanese who are eyeing Northeast China and China."

If Jiang Cheng said these words, I'm afraid no one else would believe it... But he had followed Guo Songling for many years. He had seen China being bullied during the Russo-Japanese War, and he was full of passion to resist foreign enemies, be granted a title and become a general, etc.

So, having been influenced by what he saw and heard, he was willing to trust what Jiang Cheng said.

Seeing that his eyes had eased a little, Jiang Cheng smiled and said, "The sea breeze is cool. Let's go back to the cabin."

As they talked side by side about the situation in the Northeast, they went back to rest.

The fleet sailed southward from Yingkou, and its majestic posture and huge naval guns quickly shocked various countries.

As soon as various radio messages came in, asking about the fleet's affiliation and organization, Jiang Cheng ordered the communications team to turn on the broadcast and inform the entire sea area:

They belong to the Fengtian Army outside the Great Wall and are only carrying out normal patrols and formation training in their own waters in accordance with orders from their superiors. They will not affect the passage of merchant ships.

However, all countries' ships are requested to pay attention to the nearby areas. After all, this time they are following the orders of Marshal Zhang to come to the nearby area for live-fire exercises. Please inform the ships passing by of your intentions, otherwise they will be attacked in the name of trespassing into the training area.

The entire West was in an uproar now... However, based on Jiang Cheng's understanding of these countries, they would definitely adopt a "policy of appeasement" just like they did with European politics.

In other words, these European countries will not "meddle in other people's business" unless there is too much infringement on their substantive interests.

And Shanghai was not Japan's sphere of influence. Although the Jilin army's fleet looked extremely ferocious, they were relieved to have left the area around Vladivostok.

As for what they were doing in Shanghai, the Japanese had no interest in interfering; they just casually asked the Marshal about the situation and then ignored the question.

But unlike these foreign forces, the Beiyang government under the control of the Zhili clique was greatly shocked:
Such a large fleet, whose strength was close to that of a ferocious one, actually took the attitude of heading south when Wu Peifu mobilized troops against Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

What do these bandits outside the pass want to do? It goes without saying!

Almost on the same day, Cao Kun, in the name of the commander-in-chief, questioned the Marshal what he was going to do... Although the entire telegram was written in brilliant style, the anger brewing in it was obvious.

1923 10 Month 10 Day.

Thick layers of autumn fog floated over from the sea outside the Huangpu River...The weather got cold early this year, and there was a hint of late autumn chill just after the Mid-Autumn Festival.

On that day, all the large and small ports, docks, shanty towns near the water, fishing boats, etc. on the Bund received an order from Shanghai Boss Huang: no one was allowed to go out after dark, and anyone who disobeyed the order would be taken away by the Green Gang to "plant lotus".

After dinner, nearby residents, merchants, fishermen, dock workers, and even the women in the secret door all closed their doors and complained.

It is said that the market has been quite good these days, and I don’t know what Boss Huang is doing, which has delayed everyone’s livelihood... Life is getting harder and harder.

However, soon, the sound of ships sailing on the river was heard, and then the sound became louder and closer.

Everyone kept silent and listened attentively, as if countless ships were docking at the port - followed by countless gangplanks being put up on the pier, and the dense sound of footsteps and low shouts lasted for more than four hours.

As the footsteps faded away, some brave fishermen secretly peeked out from the boat shed:
But it didn't matter. I was almost scared to death by the huge ship anchored in the port.

I have never seen such a huge ironclad ship. The turret seems to be towering into the clouds, and the muzzle is so big that a person can lie down directly in it.

Some fishermen with good eyesight, with the help of the bright lights of the port, saw several cloaked figures slowly walking down the gangway, and the surrounding soldiers saluted in unison with a very solemn attitude.

"Boss Huang... you've made such a big scene to welcome the young commander, but it's a bit disturbing to the people!"

Seeing Huang Jinrong coming to greet him personally with his men, Jiang Cheng, who was standing beside Zhang Hanqing, smiled proudly, "My Marshal doesn't like this kind of thing the most."

Hearing that this handsome young man was actually Zhang Yuting's son, he immediately showed his flattering face: "No way!"

"Huang made his fortune here, and he knows the environment here best. He is really - hehe, he is afraid that the rusticity of the countryside will be unsightly, and it would be bad if it disturbs the nobles!" (End of this chapter)