"What is the Sixth Commander's attitude toward disarmament?" Zhou Hexuan asked.
Feng Yong explained: "If the disarmament plan is fair and reasonable, the Six Sons are willing to cooperate with the disarmament. Of course, in order to guard against the Japanese ambitions, several elite units of the Northeast Army must be retained."
"Fair and reasonable?" Zhou Hexuan shook his head and smiled bitterly, "I'm afraid it's difficult."
Feng Yong sighed: "But the finances in the Northeast are even more difficult, and they can no longer support so many soldiers. Even if the central government does not dismantle the army, it is estimated that the Sixth Son himself will dismantle some of them."
Engaging in military affairs is like engaging in education. It is difficult to move forward without money.
Li Shi once engaged in education and everyone opposed it. The biggest reason was that he had no money. If the local warlords had no money, it would not be as simple as holding a parade. If they were not careful, mutiny would occur.
Zhang Zuolin entered the Guanzhong twice to fight for the world, not only beating North China to a pulp, but the Northeast's finances were also dragged down by the war. Especially during the Northern Expedition, Zhang Zuolin not only had to support the Northeast Army, but also provided support to the Zhilu Allied Forces and Sun Chuanfang's troops.
Military spending is in the hundreds of millions.
Zhang Xueliang inherited the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Northeastern Army at a young age, which may sound like a great success, but what he inherited was a mess.
Zhou Hexuan said: "The most important thing in Northeast China now is to do two things well. First, strictly guard against the Japanese; second, restore people's livelihood and finance."
Feng Yong sighed: "It would be great if Wang Yongjiang is still alive. With him here, everything in the Northeast can be done without worries."
Zhang Zuolin had the confidence to enter the border and compete for hegemony because Wang Yongjiang stood behind him.
When the Northeast was in chaos, and the bandits-turned-marshals were arrogant and domineering, it was Wang Yongjiang, the police chief, who successfully brought the chaos under control. The Northeast's finances collapsed, and it was Wang Yongjiang, the finance chief, who reversed the situation and not only paid off government debts, but also
It also achieved a fiscal surplus.
Wang Yongjiang established public bonds in Northeast China, established industry, and founded Northeastern University. In order to measure the land and increase land tax income, Wang Yongjiang killed 14 people in a row, and the atmosphere was wiped out.
It can be said that it was Wang Yongjiang's strong internal affairs ability that led to the financial surplus, stability and orderliness of the three northeastern provinces.
However……
Zhang Zuolin's ambition destroyed all of this. Wang Yongjiang's several years of hard work became Zhang Zuolin's capital for expanding his army. Then when Fengjun entered the pass for the first time, it was completely destroyed, and the Northeast's finances once again suffered a huge deficit.
Wang Yongjiang worked hard for another year, and the Northeast's finance once again turned a deficit into a profit. As a result, Zhang Zuolin refused to listen to the dissuasion and entered the customs for the second time, causing prices in the Northeast to skyrocket and the currency to depreciate.
Wang Yongjiang was so angry that he lost sight in his left eye and suffered a heart hemorrhage. He resigned in anger and died of illness in Jinzhou at the end of 1927.
The Northeast without Wang Yongjiang is like a strong man who cannot eat and is becoming increasingly malnourished.
When Feng Yong mentioned Wang Yongjiang, Zhou Hexuan couldn't help but sigh.
The old gentleman was one of the top internal affairs talents of the Republic of China era. He was an honest and honest official with no selfish motives. He was also decisive in killing and daring to offend powerful people. He was also able to advance and retreat in a measured manner. He was able to bend and stretch, and knew people well. He could be called a king's assistant.
When Zhang Zuolin promoted the autonomy of the Northeastern United Provinces, Wang Yongjiang took charge of the government affairs of the three provinces. Before he took office, he made a request that Zhang Zuolin should not interfere with the appointment of officials in the Northeast. As a result, Wang Yongjiang promoted a large number of hard-working officials. After Zhang Zuolin's death, the Northeast was not in chaos, which greatly
To a certain extent, this is due to Wang Yongjiang’s ability to select and appoint talents.
It's a pity, it's a pity that this man died too early. It can be said that he died of exhaustion and exhaustion from Zhang Zuolin's nonsense.
Zhou Hexuan thought of the September 18th Incident in the future and solemnly warned: "Fifth Brother, you have to tell the Sixth Commander that no matter what happens, you must not use troops to start a civil war."
Feng Yong said with a smile: "The Northeast has changed its banner, so of course it is impossible to fight another civil war."
"This reorganization meeting is a sign of civil war!" Zhou Hexuan said anxiously.
Feng Yong was stunned when he heard this, and said solemnly: "No way, does Chang Kaishen dare to go to war with all the local forces in China?"
"If he wants to reduce the vassal state, how do you think the provincial warlords will react?" Zhou Hexuan asked rhetorically.
"It won't be enough to reduce the vassal state. We can all sit down together and discuss the nationwide disarmament plan." Feng Yong said very optimistically.
Zhou Hexuan asked: "What if we can't reach an agreement?"
Feng Yong said: "Then let's maintain the status quo. Local military expenditures will no longer need to be funded by the central government."
Zhou Hexuan said: "Local standing armies naturally do not need funds from the central government. But what about the garrison troops in various places? If even the military pay of the garrison army does not go to the central government, then is the central government still called the central government? How is this different from the separatist rule of feudal towns?
For the sake of himself and the prestige of the Nanjing government, Chang Kaishen will never allow this phenomenon to exist. The central government wants to centralize power, and the local governments want to protect themselves. This is an irreconcilable contradiction."
"Everything can be discussed." Feng Yong said.
Well, Feng Yong's views are similar to Yan Xishan's. They both believe that we can sit down and discuss things without resorting to war.
It's a pity that they thought Chang Kaishen was too weak.
That afternoon, Yan Xishan came as promised and happened to bump into Feng Yong.
"Han Qing (Feng Yong), you are Commander Zhang's representative. What does he think of disarmament?" Yan Xishan asked when they met.
Feng Yong said with a smile: "Like Minister Yan, Commander Zhang also supports disarmament."
Yan Xishan waved his hand and said: "Supporting disarmament is for the common people. We don't have to say such empty words."
Feng Yong said solemnly: "If the disarmament plan adheres to the public spirit, then our Commander Zhang will naturally serve the country wholeheartedly."
"I'm afraid that someone will show favoritism!" Yan Xishan patted his thigh and asked Zhou Hexuan, "Mr. Zhou knows things well, what tricks do you think Chang Kaishen will play this time?"
Zhou Hexuan said with a smile: "Minister Yan, why do you need to ask me? I'm afraid you and Commander-in-Chief Chang have already reached a secret agreement."
Yan Xishan's eyes widened: "You can guess this?"
"If he wasn't confident, would Minister Yan have the intention to attend my wedding?" Zhou Hexuan said with a smile.
Yan Xishan said frankly: "I had some cooperation with Chiang Kai-shek, but I felt something was wrong. I discussed it with my staff for several days and had no clue, so I decided to ask Mr. Zhou. Even Mr. Toynbee in the UK said that you
He is an expert on international issues and must have unique insights into China's issues."
Zhou Hexuan analyzed: "Chang Kaishen is not a fool. If he dares to propose disarmament, he will inevitably win over one faction and fight against another. The Chinese people pay attention to distant relations and close attacks, so they must win over Minister Yan and suppress Feng (Yuxiang), Li (Zongren), Bai (Bai Chongxi)
.Am I right?”
"All right!" Yan Xishan said in admiration.
Zhou Hexuan added: "Li and Bai's territory is closest to Chang Kaishen, and they are new warlords with a small territory and insufficient background. Therefore, Chang Kaishen must attack them first. After Li and Bai are dealt with,
, the next one will be Feng Yuxiang’s turn. As for the last one, who does Minister Yan think it will be?”
"Isn't it just me?" Yan Xishan said with a smile. He knew this truth, but he had his own plans.
This is because the authorities are obsessed with it, or they are lucky, always thinking that they will not be the ones injured.
Feng Yuxiang contributed a lot in the Northern Expedition and suffered the most losses, but he was deliberately suppressed by Chang Kaishen at the spoils-sharing meeting half a year ago, and the benefits he received in the end were not as good as those of Yan Xishan.
Even so, Feng Yuxiang still harbored illusions, hoping to gain the support of Chang Kaishen at the reorganization meeting and thereby gain a pivotal position in the central government.
Whether it is the previous Beiyang government or the current Nanjing government, they are all legitimate central governments, occupying the righteousness of Taoism. The warlords attach great importance to this, so both Feng Yuxiang and Yan Xishan want to obtain high positions and gain status in the central government.
After gaining influence, he united with other forces to force Chiang to step down through political suppression.
Zhou Hexuan didn't want to see the warlords fighting, so he suggested: "Minister Yan, you'd better stand up and oppose Chang Kaishen when he attacks Li and Bai, so as to avoid the situation from escalating."
"Well, let me think about it again. Haha." Yan Xishan said perfunctorily.
Zhou Hexuan's idea was a good one, and it was the only way to avoid a war in the Central Plains. As long as Chang Kaishen could not successfully convince Li and Bai, he would not dare to attack Feng Yuxiang easily.
But Yan Xishan was unwilling, because of the secret agreement with Chang Kaishen, he was the beneficiary of this disarmament.
Yan Xishan didn't want to let go of the fat on his lips. As for the life and death of Li and Bai, he didn't bother to care.
Everyone understands the truth behind the death of lips and teeth, but when it is really their turn, they always hold on to luck and illusions.
Yan Xishan felt that after Chang Kaishen had dealt with Li and Bai, and then attacked Feng Yuxiang, he would definitely cause outrage and resentment. When the time comes, he would stand up and raise his arms and unite all forces, and he would be able to easily force Chang Kaishen to resign.
He himself has the opportunity to become the supreme leader of China.
Zhou Hexuan reminded: "Minister Yan, Chang Kaishen will never abide by the agreement you made with him. Be careful of being used as a weapon."
Yan Xishan said: "What I want to ask is this, what tricks will Chang Kaishen play?"
"Be careful when crossing a river and burning a bridge." Zhou Hexuan said.
Yan Xishan wanted to ask again, but Zhou Hexuan kept silent because it was useless. It wasn't until Yan Xishan went to Nanjing for a meeting that he finally understood what it means to burn bridges across the river...
In the secret agreement between Yan and Jiang, Chang Kaishen and Yan Xishan each received ten divisions, Feng Yuxiang eight divisions, Li Zongren and Bai Chongxi combined eight divisions, and the remaining divisions were directly under the central government.
This plan was proposed by Yan Xishan, and then Chang Kaishen agreed, and they joined forces to suppress others.
But Yan Xishan never expected that Chang Kaishen suddenly changed his mind and inexplicably set the country into eight deployment areas, and Chang Kaishen himself controlled four. If this disarmament plan is strictly implemented, then the entire Chinese army will have
Half of the control is in the hands of Chang Kaishen.
Since Yan Xishan expressed his strong support for the central government on the first day of the meeting, in the end he was unable to oppose the plan and could only tearfully eat the bitter pill of his greed.
This deal is a huge loss!
After the meeting, Yan Xishan lamented to his entourage: "I have been tricked by Mr. Zhou again. I should not support Chiang Kai-shek and tie myself up!"
