Warlords: Rising from the Northwest Border and Sweeping Across the Powers

Yong'an City, the capital of Linzhou.

The Yan and Pang factions had been wrangling for nearly a month, and the two major warlord forces had experienced several small-scale local wars. Even though the Pang faction had obtained solid evidence, Yan Baoguo's attitude remained tough, and he stated that he would not return the military aid no matter what.

He also directly stated that this batch of military aid came from the Fuso Empire, and everyone knew about the Fuso Empire's wolfish ambitions. What the Yan family did was not to covet the value of this batch of military aid, but to stop the Fuso people's conspiracy in the northwest. As the governor of Yunzhou and a member of the Northern Frontier Government, it was natural for him to rob this batch of military aid out of patriotism.

Yan Baoguo's righteous response almost made Pang Jinghong so angry that his nose was crooked.

But the Pang warlords were helpless. They couldn't fight to the death with the Yan warlords just for this batch of military aid.

Yan Baoguo's attitude was extremely tough, and the people of Yunzhou were united in their support for the actions of the Yan warlords. They despised the Pang warlords for being willing to be the lackeys of the Fuso people.

In the back and forth, it seemed as if the Pang faction had done something that angered God and the people, but Yan Baoguo, who had hijacked the military aid, gained huge prestige.

In the eyes of the people, he became a patriotic general who dared to fight against the great powers.

Seeing that the issue of this batch of military aid had never been resolved, Guo Qicheng completely lost his patience.

Recently, Guo Qicheng once again received news that the Northwest Revolutionary Army received a large amount of military aid. As this was happening, Guo Qicheng became extremely anxious.

There were many blisters on his lips, and he looked as if he had aged by ten years.

In the Governor's Mansion, Guo Qicheng once again started a new round of negotiations with Ito Dengxiong, the president of the Ito Chamber of Commerce of the Fuso Empire.

"Mr. Ito, it seems that this batch of military aid is completely irreversible. The old fox Yan Baoguo will never spit out the fat meat in his mouth. You, the Fuso Empire, must give me an explanation. I can't wait endlessly."

Ito Masao's face was gloomy. After a moment's silence, he forced a smile and said, "Governor Guo, Kangxi is still stepping up negotiations with the Yan warlords, and our Fuso Empire is also continuing to put pressure on the Yan faction. Please believe that our military aid will definitely be returned to Yan Baoguo and delivered to Governor Guo."

Guo Qicheng waved his hand impatiently: "Mr. Ito, please stop deceiving yourself. Recently, the Northwest Revolutionary Army has raised another division of troops. The size of the troops has exceeded 8. If we delay any further, the consequences will be disastrous."

"What I mean is that you in the Fuso Empire should stop focusing on the military aid that has been taken away by the Yan faction. You must admit that your mistake in this matter has caused irreparable losses. The top priority at the moment is to find a way to provide our Guo faction with a new batch of military aid."

"Otherwise, all our previous cooperation agreements will be invalidated."

Ito Masao's face changed. At this time, Guo Qicheng was obviously on the verge of a complete explosion. If Guo Qicheng wanted to terminate the cooperation with the Fuso Empire before just to put pressure on them, then now if the Fuso Empire can no longer provide tangible benefits, Guo Qicheng is very likely to completely give up cooperation with the Fuso Empire.

Of course, unless it is absolutely necessary, Guo Qicheng will still regard the Fuso Empire as the only lifeline for the Guo faction warlords.

"Mr. Ito, I'll give you two days. If you can't give me a satisfactory answer, our cooperation relationship will end here."

After leaving the Governor-General's Office, Ito Masao immediately sent a telegram to Yamamoto Mu, the highest official of the Fuso Empire in China, in which he detailed the current situation and the attitude of the Guo warlords.

A day later, the two sides resumed negotiations in the Governor's Mansion.

"Governor Guo, as long as you agree to the next three conditions of our Fusang Empire, we will immediately prepare the second batch of military aid and increase the amount of aid to 2 million dollars."

"The amount of artillery and heavy firepower in this batch of military aid is at least twice that of the first batch of military aid."

Guo Qicheng's eyes lit up, and he slowly said, "Please tell me the conditions of your Fusang Empire."

"First of all, you must issue a statement in the name of the Governor-General's Office to support our Fuso Empire and establish an embassy in Yong'an City, and implement it immediately."

"Article 2. We must obtain the right to station troops in Linzhou in the northwest. If you agree to this condition, our Itagaki Division, Yamaguchi Division, and Suzuki Division, the combat troops of the three divisions, will be stationed in Linzhou and form an offensive and defensive alliance with the Guo faction warlords. We will even spare no effort to make your Guo faction the king of the northwest."

"Article 3. We, the Ito Chamber of Commerce, will develop a comprehensive arms and opium business in the northwest. You, the Guo warlords, must give us your absolute support. In addition, we must allocate an area in Yong'an City as our Fusang Concession, with a lease term of 99 years."

Generally speaking, these powers would only set up concessions in important port cities in China because these port cities were of great strategic significance. There had never been a precedent for setting up concessions in northwestern inland cities.

Seeing Guo Qicheng frowning and remaining silent, he might still be weighing the pros and cons in his mind.

Ito Masao spoke again: "Mr. Guo, it's just as you said. The development speed of the Northwest Revolutionary Army has far exceeded your imagination. Without the assistance of our Fuso Empire, I believe it won't take long for the Northwest Revolutionary Army to completely defeat your Guo warlords, and you will face resignation and even lose your life."

Guo Qichen thought to himself that judging from the battles between the Guo faction warlords and the Northwest Revolutionary Army on the front battlefield a few days ago, it was obvious that the Guo faction warlords could no longer suppress the Northwest Revolutionary Army.

The entire Guo warlord faction, along with himself, has reached a moment of life and death, and the Fuso Empire is now his only lifeline.

Masao Ito sat relaxed on the sofa, lighting a cigar for himself, with a smug look in his eyes as if he had won the victory.

The Guo faction of warlords had obviously reached the end of their rope, and the conditions offered by the Fuso Empire were something Guo Qicheng could not refuse in any way.

Of course, although Guo Qicheng was the nominal governor of Linzhou, he did not have the right to divide the concession for the Fuso Empire in Yong'an City. He needed the approval of the Northern Frontier Government. As long as he dared to agree to the conditions of the Fuso Empire, the title of traitor he carried would never be washed away in his lifetime, and he might even face accountability from the Northern Frontier Government.

After struggling for nearly an hour, Guo Qicheng finally made a decision.

"I can agree to your Fuso Empire's conditions. Now let's discuss the details of the cooperation."

Masao Ito put out his cigar excitedly and shook hands with Guo Qicheng.

"There is an old saying in China that a man who knows the times is a hero, and Governor Guo is obviously this so-called hero. I believe in the strength of our Fuso Empire. As long as we reach a long-term cooperation, the rise of the Guo family is just around the corner."