Cheng Shen looked back when he heard the sound, and saw that the person calling him was Chai Degui, the commander of the Second Brigade of the Henan Army. Chai Degui walked up to him and whispered: "Brother, you are confused. Our Henan Army is neither an Anhui nor a straight one.
We are so weak on our own that the military governor had no time to curry favor with Wu Peifu, so how could he refuse Wu from entering Henan? You can just show your loyalty at the meeting, so why bother with this bad luck!"
Cheng Shen smiled bitterly. Chai Degui had a good personal relationship with him and did not shy away from some words. He sighed: "I am completely loyal, but the governor is prejudiced against me. He still hates me because of the Luohe incident."
Chai Degui was silent. He and Cheng Shen were not direct descendants of Zhao Ti. During the previous war between Anhui and Anhui, Cheng Shen's first brigade was ordered to march from the Luo River. At that time, there had just been a heavy rain in the upper reaches of the Luo River, and the river water surged. Several attempts to cross the river were difficult.
Without success, he could only stop moving forward, but Zhao Ti thought that Cheng Shen was disobeying orders, was passive and wasted the war effort, and the two had a estrangement. From then on, Zhao Ti made Cheng Shen look bad in public many times, and also
There were rumors that Cheng Shen was to be relieved of his military power, which made the relationship between the two extremely tense.
"I advise you to find a chance to admit your mistake to the governor, and ask someone to talk this matter out if necessary!" Chai Degui said worriedly.
Cheng Shen understood Chai Degui's hint. Among the military and political officials in Henan Province, the ones who could speak with weight in front of Zhao Ti were Hu Xiangshan, the chairman of the provincial council, and Zhao Jie, Zhao Ti's brother. But he just couldn't
He didn't want to deal with these two people, and he would not beg them anyway. Moreover, he also had resentment towards Zhao Ti in his heart, and he didn't want to admit his mistake in a lowly manner, so he kept silent.
Chai Degui sighed when he saw this, complaining in his heart that his old friend was too stubborn. After all, Zhao Ti was the governor of Henan and held a high position. If he hated him, sooner or later something would happen.
The two met and walked together, remaining silent on the road until they were a few miles away from the Governor's Office. Cheng Shen suddenly said: "What you just said is right. The Henan army is neither Anhui nor Zhizhi. Wu Peifu came to Henan here for fear that he was coming from an evil person.
, I think Governor Zhao’s good days are coming to an end.”
Chai Degui was startled. He looked up at Cheng Shen and was stunned: "Brother Cheng, you..."
Cheng Shen did not let Chai Degui say what he said, and said coldly: "As long as Governor Zhao doesn't push me too far, I will never do anything that betrays the Lord."
Chai Degui sighed and said, "In short, you have to think twice about everything."
"Thank you, Brother Chai, for your advice!" Cheng Shen cupped his hands and galloped wildly with the horse under its belly, saying loudly: "We'll say goodbye. Let me know when Brother Chai will come to Anyang, and I'll take care of you!"
Chai Degui looked at Cheng Shen's back and murmured: "Henan is going to be in chaos!"
…
Governor's Office.
After the meeting, Zhao Ti went to the back hall. Not long after, the adjutant led Zhang Xiyuan, commander of the First Division of the Henan Army, in. After entering, the adjutant quietly left.
"Commander!" Zhang Xiyuan gave Zhao Ti a military salute.
Zhao Ti bowed slightly on the Grand Master's chair, waved his hand and said with a smile: "Brother Gumin, there are no outsiders here, so don't be polite, please take a seat!"
"Thank you, Marshal!" Zhang Xiyuan sat down respectfully.
Zhao Ti invited Zhang Xiyuan to have tea and sighed: "I really hate to let you go. It's a pity that there is no suitable place for you to sit in Henan Province."
Zhang Xiyuan took a sip of tea and said: "I am not willing to leave the commander-in-chief, but the order from the Ministry of War has been issued. It is the duty of soldiers to obey orders, so I have no choice but to obey."
"That's right, you can't abandon public service for personal reasons!"
Zhao Ti said with a smile: "This time Brother Kuomin went to Shaanxi to take up the post of garrison envoy. It was a great event. I had nothing to send him, so I ordered the Gongxian Arsenal to expedite the production of a regiment of ordnance, and also asked the Director of Finance to
We have raised 200,000 silver dollars, and when Brother Kuomin takes office, take them with you!"
Zhang Xiyuan was overjoyed. The gift from Zhao Ti was really beyond his expectation. Taking this ordnance and silver coins to his post, he was naturally more confident. What's more important was this feeling. He stood up suddenly and said with tears of gratitude:
"The commander-in-chief has been so kind to me, and I really can't repay him in return."
"Sit down and talk!"
Zhao Ti asked Zhang Xiyuan to sit down and said with emotion: "I have been in charge of Yu Province for seven years. Brother Gumin, you have never questioned or slackened on my opinions on military orders. I have seen this. You and I have treated each other with sincerity. Thank you."
The characters are divided."
"Yes, yes!" Zhang Xiyuan echoed repeatedly.
Zhao Ti glanced at Zhang Xiyuan and then said, "Brother Gumin, you will be leaving Yu soon. If you have any thoughts on your posthumous affairs, you can give me some suggestions."
Zhang Xiyuan was stunned for a moment: "I don't have any suggestions."
Zhao Ti frowned slightly and reminded: "About the replacement candidates for the First Division."
Zhang Xiyuan suddenly realized that this great gift from Zhao Ti was waiting for him here. He thought about it in his mind and said: "The position of division commander is of great importance. I dare not lie. Everything is subject to the commander's orders.
"
This was obviously not what Zhao Ti wanted to hear. He frowned and said, "Brother Gu Min, stop talking about these lies. I want to hear your true thoughts!"
Zhang Xiyuan didn't think much and said: "Since the commander-in-chief asked me to speak my mind, I will say it directly. The best candidate to replace me is Cheng Shen."
Zhao Ti's face changed suddenly and he looked at Zhang Xiyuan expressionlessly: "Reason?"
Zhang Xiyuan did not notice the change in Zhao Ti's expression and said: "Cheng Shen has a reputation in the First Division and is good at running the army. He will take over the position of division commander and is a candidate acceptable to all brigades."
Zhao Ti roared in his heart, but Cheng Shen was not the only candidate I could accept. He suppressed his anger and said, "Are there any other candidates?"
Zhang Xiyuan said: "Chai Degui can do it, but he is too timid and cautious, which makes him inadequate as a teacher."
Zhao Ti couldn't help it anymore and said: "Brother Gu Min, can't we look for a suitable candidate from outside the First Division, for example, how about Zhao Jie?"
Zhao Jie was the third younger brother of Zhao Ti and was still the commander-in-chief of the Hongwei Army.
Zhang Xiyuan was startled and looked troubled: "Commander Zhao..."
Zhao Ti stared at Zhang Xiyuan closely: "Why, it's Zhao Jie. I like him to take over your position."
Zhang Xiyuan completely understood that Zhao Ti was not asking for his opinion. He was clearly asking him to express his opinion in recommending Zhao Jie to be the commander of the First Division. He was a little angry. Since there was already a candidate, why bother asking him so many times? He fell silent.
After a while, he said: "Commander, Commander Zhao can naturally take over as the commander of the First Division, but I am afraid that some people will not accept it."
Zhao Ti raised his voice and said, "I don't care what others think, as long as you recommend Zhao Jie to take over as the division commander."
Zhang Xiyuan took a deep breath and said: "I obey!"
The conversation between the two ended here, and Zhang Xiyuan left with a complicated expression. Not long after he went out, the door to the inner room was pushed open, and Zhao Jie came out with a sinister look and said: "Brother, you said I could take over as the first person?"
Teacher?"
Zhao Ti said in a determined tone: "With Zhang Xiyuan's recommendation, I will be sure to let you take over."
"Why do I think Zhang Xiyuan doesn't want me to take over? He won't secretly cause trouble." Zhao Jie frowned and said worriedly.
"shit!"
Zhao Ti glared at him and said: "I have already stated my position. Zhang Xiyuan will never dare to play tricks, but you should also establish a relationship with the people of the First Division and don't let others stand in the way."
"Don't worry, brother!" Zhao Jie said gruffly: "I have a good relationship with Chai Degui, but I don't have a good relationship with Cheng Shen."
"It's Cheng Shen again!" Zhao Ti's eyes turned cold and he said, "This kid has been cheating on me, I've long wanted to deal with him."
Zhao Jie was eager to try: "Brother, when I become a teacher, I will be the first to operate on him."
Zhao Ti suddenly turned coldly and said, "I think you are really not suitable to be this teacher!"
"What's wrong?" Zhao Jie was shocked.
Zhao Ti said in a cold voice: "Cheng Shen is a veteran of the Henan Army. I'm afraid of him. If you attack him, there's no need to bring the first division with you."
Zhao Jie now understood the seriousness and said angrily: "What should we do?"
Zhao Ti had a sullen face and said nothing. People often say that tigers are brothers, but Zhao Jie really made him uneasy. He didn't know whether it was a blessing or a curse to continue to support him in the army.
Zhao Jie saw that his elder brother was in a bad mood, rolled his eyes, and changed the subject: "Brother, have you really decided to support Wu Peifu's entry into Henan? I think he has come with bad intentions!"
Zhao Ti sighed: "Why didn't I know that Wu Peifu's coming was evil? But now we are too weak to offend him."
Zhao Jie said mysteriously: "Brother, I have long said that Wu Peifu has no good intentions. Do you still remember the company that Wu Peifu sent to Henan to suppress bandits?"
