A lieutenant colonel staff officer came to the hotel and was ordered to take Tang Dao to see the supreme commander of the second theater.
However, it was not to go to the theater headquarters, but to a small courtyard where the man currently lived alone.
The courtyard is located in an alley in the south of Linfen City, which is slightly quiet.
However, the security was extremely strict. Even if the lieutenant colonel of the theater headquarters who was from the Shanxi-Sui Army led the way, and there was a guard squad following him, he was still strictly inspected at three checkpoints along the way, and was forced to wait at the entrance of the alley.
It took ten minutes until there was a call from inside, and the security personnel at the entrance of the alley moved away the roadblock and let Tang Dao enter.
When meeting the big boss, not to mention a small colonel like Tang Dao, even the general named Fu, who is the second most important figure in the Shanxi-Sui Army, all the entourage must stay outside the alley.
Of course, everyone can understand that safety precautions were taken during the war, but that person was by no means domineering. There was a teahouse outside the alley, which provided some tea and snacks for the entourage to rest. The only thing that made Tang Dao curl his lips was that in
All consumption in the teahouse must be paid for by yourself.
"You go there and wait for me. Don't be cautious. You should eat and drink. If everything goes well, someone will be responsible for paying the bill." Tang Dao glanced at the teahouse with simple decoration but definitely expensive prices, and said to Xia Dayu and
Peng Chong said.
I'm sorry, this kind of routine in the future is out of date in this era, and the old man from Jin Province really deserves his reputation.
However, Tang Dao is confident that his father, a financial backer with 20,000 taels of gold, will be able to lift himself to the sky. The small consumption of his subordinates is nothing!
Obviously, it is better to believe in books than to have no books at all. Tang Dao was obviously deceived by the history books.
For Jin Province, a remote and remote area with almost nothing but coal, to develop this old man into one of the top five provinces in China, it is not enough to have a black heart, he must also have a thick skin.
In that quiet courtyard, Tang Dao didn't receive special treatment. He just stayed in the small living room until 5 o'clock. Then a middle-aged woman walked in. She looked at Tang Dao who got up and looked up and down for a long time: "
Commander Tang is indeed worthy of being a strong soldier in the army, and is truly a talented person. No wonder my elder brother favors you so much that he specifically asked me to come and greet you."
"Fifth sister is ridiculous! Tang Dao is ashamed!" As soon as Tang Dao saw this woman claiming to be her eldest brother, he immediately knew his identity.
Anyone who lives in Jin Province knows that the Shanxi old man has four great kings: Fu, Yang, Shang, and Xu. They control the 300,000 Jinsui Army on behalf of the Shanxi old man. However, only one person can control the internal affairs of the family.
To help him take care of everything, even if you want to see the old man himself, you have to nod and agree. Although he doesn't have a single soldier, he is the old man's internal affairs manager, and his power is not inferior to that of any of the four kings, even as powerful as any of the four kings.
There has been.
This person may be the middle-aged woman who is not outstanding in appearance but can make people feel like spring breeze. The old man in Shanxi calls her the cousin of Fifth Sister.
Seeing Tang Dao reveal her identity in one word, the middle-aged woman was not surprised. She was no secret among the upper class of Jin Province. It would be incredible if she was qualified to see the old man but didn't know about her existence.
However, Tang Dao's "Fifth Sister" made her smile, and her impression of Tang Dao became even better.
For men, time is maturity, experience, and stories. Young men have nothing but the breath of hormones, but for women who cherish their appearance more, they are like a thief. Time has stolen away their most precious things.
thing.
Women will also have what time allows men to have. But if you say that you can exchange it with youth, men may still hesitate, but women will definitely choose to be willing in the first place.
After all, if you have a youthful and fit body and a face with plump muscles, and then taste the fleshy waist and the increasingly saggy face, it will definitely be a disastrous mood.
In addition to being called Wu Mei in front of the old man in Shanxi, Wu Mei, who is already approaching middle age, has long been accustomed to being respected as an official, or with honorific titles such as 'Five Aunts'. Young people of Tang Dao's age call her "Fifth Sister".
Sister, this is the first time in recent years.
Tang Dao was only in his early 20s, but the word "Fifth Sister" instantly made her a peer, and given Tang Dao's identity at this time, it was not out of the ordinary.
You must know that Tang Dao is a full-time colonel commander explicitly ordered by the Ministry of Military Affairs. As long as he becomes a major general, even an old Shanxi man in his fifties cannot ignore his existence.
"Haha! Captain Tang is really good at talking. For the sake of calling him 'Sister', I really hope I can stay with you for dinner today. Brother seems to be in a good mood today." The middle-aged woman smiled.
replied.
"Thank you Fifth Sister for your advice. I sincerely hope that after I report to Commander Yan, Commander Yan can maintain his good mood." Tang Dao picked up the suitcase in his hand and replied with a smile.
Walking in from the living room and passing through two small courtyards, Tang Dao finally met the famous boss who had been in Jin Province for 20 years.
As for the first impression of Tang Dao, the appearance of the big man in a military uniform and glasses is no longer important. It can only be said that from the first meeting, Tang Dao has been constantly revising his impression of this big man.
Cognition.
They say that seeing him is worth hearing a hundred times, and no matter what is written in the book, nothing can compare to meeting him face to face.
The man who personally stood at the door of the study to greet Tang Dao made it difficult for Tang Dao to have a bad feeling about him from the first moment they met.
It is said that the biggest advantage of this old man in being able to stand in Jin Province is that he knows people well and is good at appointing people. He also spared no effort to promote generals from other provinces while focusing on his own relatives and fellow villagers. Facts have proved that he is extremely accurate in employing people. No matter in that war, Jin
There are very few rebel generals in the Sui army. He has firmly held the military power and has been operating in Jin Province for more than 20 years, but he has some skills.
But when Tang Dao met him face to face, he realized that just saying that he knew people and was good at handling tasks would really underestimate this big shot of the Republic of China.
His emotional intelligence is extremely high, and his ability to deal with others is extremely strong. Even time-travelers like Tang Dao who know his life have the feeling that later generations will have a somewhat low evaluation of him. This is really good.
"Hello, Sir Yan!" Tang Dao put down his suitcase and first gave the fifty-year-old man a standard military salute.
This is a standard opening statement for subordinates to meet their superiors. Tang Dao is quite satisfactory, but it is also the most appropriate.
After all, the Four Elements Group is not this person's direct descendant, Tang Dao is also separated from this person by several floors, and he has not had any communication with him in the past. His deliberate enthusiasm makes people feel hypocritical, and it is better to be ordinary.
"Commander Tang, please, I've been waiting for you for a long time." A smile appeared on the originally serious face of the old Shanxi man. He raised his hand in return and invited Tang Dao to enter the room.
After the two sat down, Wu Mei personally brought tea, but the Shanxi old man's opening remarks were slightly unexpected to Tang Dao.
"Captain Tang! As soon as you came to Taihang Mountain, you gave the little devil a show of strength, but it added a lot of luster to my face, old man!"
The old Shanxi man seemed to have completely forgotten the scene that happened at the city gate in the morning. Instead, he directly praised Tang Dao and used this as a topic to talk about the Shanxi battlefield with Tang Dao.
After listening to Tang Dao personally report some details of the Shentou Ridge battle, this person did not take Tang Dao's downplay and said that the Four Lines Regiment was just carrying out a raid on the formation. Instead, he followed Tang Dao's words.
The 921st Division received a very high rating.
"The Eightyth Group Army has indeed contributed a lot to our war in Shanxi Province in the past six months. It is not like the Central Army who bullies the weak. Instead, it specializes in attacking hard problems. They fought hard at Parallel Pass half a year ago and at Shentou Ridge last month.
The majesty and morale of our Chinese soldiers.
A few days ago, I wanted to invite my old friend to come to Lafen to get together and ask them what the 80th Group Army needs. I will try my best to satisfy them if I can.
It's just a good time for you to come here this time. The defense area of your Fourth Army Regiment is relatively far away from them. We also have some contacts with the joint fight against the Japanese invaders. When you leave, help me bring some gifts to Commander Liu and Brigadier Cheng. Just say, old man
On behalf of the 13 million people in Shanxi Province, I thank them for their sacrifice and dedication.
Jin Province is a place like this! I have been here for more than 20 years and I know that the mountains and rivers are poor and the people are poor. However, it is geographically the gateway to northern China, so I cannot afford to lose it! I and the 13 million people of Jin Province will surely conquer this place.
Defend it to the death!"
When the old man said the last sentence, his eyes widened and his thick eyebrows were raised high. If this was the first time for someone to see him, he might be filled with passion.
Fortunately, although Tang Dao is still the hot-blooded young man, he has experienced both life and death and has lived in two lives, but he has a clearer understanding of the human heart and human nature.
The Shanxi old man didn't do this deliberately, he was sincere.
However, his protection was not limited to the Japanese.
What he said was truly exquisite and thought-provoking.
First of all, his words were of high emotional intelligence. They did not refute Tang Dao's reputation and say that he was telling lies in front of him, but they also pointed out without any trace that he was still the king of Jin Province, even though he had not been born.
Jin Province, but the eyes and ears are still all over Jin Province. As for the hidden tricks of the Fourth Army Group and the 921st Division, there is really no way to hide it from him.
In fact, regarding this, Brigadier Cheng and Tang Dao also talked about this. The battle in Jindong was so big that there were countless informants in Licheng and Lucheng who had been arranged by the big boss earlier, trying to hide it from the one at the top.
It's simple, but it's extremely difficult to completely cover the eyes of this big boss.
However, both Tang Dao and Brigadier Cheng came to the conclusion that this person did not know how close the relationship between the two armies was. Even if he knew, based on the relationship between this person and that principal, I am afraid that he was not just pretending to be blind and deaf.
, and still clapped and applauded from behind.
During the Central Plains War, if he had not been quick to adapt to the situation, he would have been wiped out by the principal. Although he was later given the power to continue to lead Jin Province, he never stopped infiltrating and infiltrating Jin Province.
collapse.
Even at such a tense moment of the war, do you really think that the hundreds of thousands of troops that entered Jin Province are just here to support the Jin Province's war of resistance? Then this same man will replace them with an order once his subordinates are weak, and the hundreds of thousands of troops will be replaced.
The capital of his confidants.
After losing his base camp, losing his army, and losing his reputation, the best outcome for this man is to live out his remaining days as a rich man.
Tang Dao knew it from the history books, and Brigadier Cheng knew it from his understanding of his teacher. Wouldn't a cunning old man like this old man know that? He is also always on guard against the principal's men. Compared with this,
The Eightyth Army, which also gave him pressure and threats, was much less harmful.
It was the lesser of two powers that harmed each other, and this extremely wise man chose this one.
The second intention contained in these words, and of course the most important one, is to tell Tang Dao his attitude: I don’t care how you and the 80th Army mess with the old man, as long as you don’t think about me like someone’s direct troops.
Just one-third of an acre in Jin Province is enough. This is the property that I worked so hard to build. If anyone dares to touch it, I will have to deal with him!
This is a real old fox!
During Tang Dao's time here, he had met many important figures. Apart from several commanders in the army and the commander of the first theater, the one who put the greatest pressure on Tang Dao was probably the general commander in Xuzhou.
That first-level general was also an outstanding person who led an army, but the feeling he gave Tang Dao was completely different from this one.
That person was more calm and assertive, giving people a feeling that everything was under control. When dealing with him, Tang Dao was more direct and straightforward, making communication less tiring.
As for this person, using Tang Dao's understanding, he is not so much a theater commander as he is a politician, and he is the kind of veteran politician who has been immersed in the political arena for decades.
On the surface, the words he said were indeed literal, reflecting the praise and care of a top commander in a war zone for his subordinate troops, and the determination of a Chinese soldier to defend his homeland.
But if you think about it carefully, it's not that at all.
No wonder this person said: I am not good at fighting, but I am good at managing people, as long as I have those who can fight under my command!
There are a few meanings hidden in this sentence. To say that he is just an economic boss is really to look down on him. Let him be the dean of the Government Affairs Council, which is definitely better than someone who is still in that position.
People are much stronger.
Tang Dao looked at the fifty-year-old man who seemed to be still immersed in emotions and knew that he was waiting for his answer.
If Tang Dao didn't answer his question or didn't understand what he meant at all, then today's conversation would basically end here.
A dignified old man from Shanxi will not waste his time with a fool who can't understand a word, nor will he compromise with a young colonel who understands but pretends not to understand, unless Tang Dao one day becomes a general commanding an army.
This is qualification. In this chaotic era, strength is qualification, not just ability.
Having been in power for decades, what kind of talent has I not seen before? Before he grows up, talent is limited to talent.
"Sir Yan's kindness, I would like to express my gratitude to Brigadier Cheng on behalf of Brigadier Cheng. Tang Dao hereby assures you that he will deliver Commander Yan's gift to Brigadier Cheng with no shortage of bullets!" Tang Dao stood up and saluted solemnly.
"Eh? How do you know that the gift I want to give must be arms?" The old Shanxi man came out of his rather excited mood, with a bit of amusement on his face.
"To be honest, when our group came to the Taihang Mountains, Brigadier Meng Cheng found a camp in the mountain and evacuated the original garrison of his 683rd Brigade. Personally, I have always admired Brigadier Cheng's character and magnanimity.
.
As far as I know, the 683 brigade is already short of guns and ammunition. It has fought two major battles in a row. Although some ordnance and supplies have been seized, with your wisdom, how can you not know that destruction is far easier than construction. This is useless.
You can get a lot more out than you can get back!
As soon as you open your mouth, Brigadier Cheng doesn't know how happy he would be if I sent him a telegram now!" Tang Dao replied.
"You boy, no wonder you give the Japanese such headaches, you are so clever!" The old Shanxi man smiled when he heard what Tang Dao said.
Tang Dao not only took over his fault, but also did it perfectly. He admitted with an almost candid attitude that he had a good relationship with Brigade 683. This alone cleared up his relationship with that person.
Who is the principal afraid of the most? There is no one else except the 80th Army Group. The old man from Shanxi is just his defeated general.
As long as Tang Dao said he was in agreement with Brigadier Cheng, he was destined to never become a member of his camp again.
And who is the person that the old Shanxi man fears the most? The Japanese are one of them, and they are also the ones who want his territory and his life. The next one is naturally the one who has the title of commander in chief of the country. As long as he is not one of his people, then the next one is
Everything will be fine once we get down.
Of course, Tang Dao also had certain reservations in his words. He only admitted that he had a good relationship with the 683rd Brigade, but he would never say that he had any contact with the 921st Division or even the senior officials of the 80th Group Army.
It is the most normal thing for military generals to develop friendships because they fight side by side on the battlefield, just like Tang Dao and the 67th Army or the 128th Division. People are all creatures with emotions. Even if the King of Heaven comes, he cannot stop the friendship between soldiers.
no?
What's more, he is an outstanding person like Brigadier Cheng who can get along with both sides. It is said that heroes cherish heroes. It would be strange if Tang Dao said that he looked down on him.
But if Tang Dao has contact with the senior figures of the 80th Army, it will completely change the situation. Even the old Shanxi man who wants to give the principal a blow will probably have to mutter that the 80th Army is already very powerful, so give them another one.
The strength of the Four Elements Group has increased greatly, right?
So, should we say that Tang Dao’s answer was almost perfect? The Four Lines Regiment did not fall in favor of that person, nor did they say that they were colluding with the 80th Group Army. They weakened their old rivals and did not increase new threats. I am still the boss in Jin Province.
This situation is what the old Shanxi man wants most.
"You are right. The 683 brigade has made outstanding achievements this time. How can we pay tens of thousands of dollars to do it? It would be too cold to the hearts of the soldiers in our army. I have prepared to build 500 7.9 mm caliber rifles."
, 100,000 rounds of bullets, please help bring them to the 683rd Brigade when you go back." The old Shanxi man nodded slightly.
He raised his head and looked at the sky outside the window, and suddenly asked: "It's getting late, how about having a simple meal here? I'll let the fifth sister cook her special oily pork, and let you, a Sichuan boy, have a taste of me.
Authentic Shanxi cuisine!”
Fifth sister, who was standing at the door and was about to come in to ask if she wanted to have dinner, looked at Tang Dao curiously. She wanted to know how this young man, who she liked so much, agreed to the invitation of the first person from Shanxi Province.
Are you going along with the flow and agreeing respectfully, or are you pretending to be evasive or...
"Please, sir, don't dare to resign!" Tang Dao replied in a formal tone.
"Haha! That's great. It's been a long time since I've heard anyone call me an elder. I like it!" The old man from Shanxi couldn't help laughing.
Tang Dao also laughed.
I have to say that both of them think the other is a wonderful person.
One dropped the bait and the other swallowed it without thinking. It was interesting.
Moreover, they also took the initiative to remove the subordinate relationship and turned it into a family dinner.
He's really brave.
What's more important is that this confrontation will continue.
The middle-aged woman's expression did not change, but she was a little surprised in her heart. Although her cousin looked modest on the outside, he was actually tough on the outside. Very few people dared to make any moves in front of him, but this young colonel acted like a man.
The flowing clouds and flowing water show no stagnation, which is also a sign of extreme confidence.
The first impression left by the Shanxi old man on Tang Dao was very deep. He was a player with great wisdom and knowledge, and he was a fox for at least a hundred years.
Tang Dao, on the other hand, left an equally deep impression on both of them, confident, cunning and difficult to deal with.
Even the old Shanxi man who was laughing out loud had no idea what Tang Dao would say at this 'private' banquet, but the man's intuition told him that it must be a big surprise.
