20 years of the Republic of China

Chapter 768: Taking Chestnuts from the Fire
Is Guo Guizi rebelling?

The crowd's reaction was not as panicked as expected. They just felt that the matter was still far away, or at least not an urgent matter.

Jiang Lianheng was able to keep his composure and asked, "Did he join Feng's army or Wu's army? He certainly wouldn't join Marshal Sun, right?"

Hu Xiaoyan followed up by saying, "It could also be that he was from the Guangdong Army. He used to be a member of the League. In the year of Xinhai, Marshal Zhang sent people to capture him."

At the beginning, the Jiang family presented Lao Zhang with a list of members of the anti-Qing society, and General Guo's name was on the list. She still remembered this.

However, Meng Duo shook his head and said, "Neither. He wants to replace me, so he is leading his troops to attack me."

"What did you say?"

Everyone was shocked and realized the seriousness of the problem.

It is a well-known fact that General Guo is petty and has a high opinion of himself.

He seemed a bit out of place in the Feng Zhang Group and couldn't get along well with anyone. If it weren't for the young marshal's preference for him, he would have been squeezed out by the top management long ago.

A new emperor appoints new ministers. If General Guo gains power, all officials in the provincial capital will be purged, and the network of contacts that Jiang Lianheng has painstakingly built will be wiped out.

It is conceivable that given General Guo's character, he would definitely look down on people like the Jiang family.

By that time, a tiger will be no match for a pack of wolves. Based on what the Jiang family has done over the years, I'm afraid there will be countless enemies coming to them.

"When did this happen?" Jiang Lianheng asked quickly.

"Yesterday," Meng Duo explained, "General Guo sent three consecutive telegrams in Luanzhou last night, officially launching an expedition to attack Fengtian."

There was no news in the provincial capital.

Hu Xiaoyan frowned and asked, "Did the telegraph office intercept the message?"

Meng Duo nodded and said, "Yes, the content of the telegram has not been released to the public yet. The Office only learned about the situation today and has been in meetings all afternoon. Various abnormal situations have occurred in the Commercial Port Bureau and the Jingfeng Line. Even if the news is blocked, everyone will notice it sooner or later."

"Do you know the specific details of the power supply?" Jiang Lianheng asked.

Meng Duo said helplessly: "I haven't seen the original document either, but it's being circulated in the office now, so the general information should be similar."

The content of the telegram meant the purpose of the military operation, and everyone hurriedly asked about it.

Meng Duo repeated the news he had heard to everyone.

General Guo’s first telegram demanded an immediate end to the civil war and that Marshal Zhang step down.

"Stop the civil war, but oppose Fengtian?" Jiang Lianheng snorted and laughed, "Interesting. It seems that it is wrong for the Fengtian Army to attack others, but it is right for others to attack the Fengtian Army?"

General Guo’s second telegram demanded the dismissal of Chief of Staff Yang, support for the young marshal to govern, and reforms in the three provinces of Guandong.

"Public revenge, clearing the emperor's side?" Jiang Lianheng immediately asked, "Does he have the young marshal in his hands?"

"Well, I haven't heard of that." Meng Duo didn't dare to speak nonsense.

This confused Jiang Lianheng.

Since they were pretending to support the Young Marshal, they should at least have the Young Marshal in their hands. Even storytellers know that "one can use the emperor to command the princes". By detaining the prince, no matter what they said in the future, with the Young Marshal as their backing, they could at least win over the hearts of the new generals of the Fengtian Army.

Being brave but not wise is just like the anger of a common man.

How can such knowledge and strategy survive in the gap between the Red and White Empires?

Jiang Lianheng shook his head and sighed, "What about the third power supply?"

"I heard from them that they seem to want to punish Staff Officer Yang." Meng Duo was a little uncertain, "After conquering Fengtian, we will prepare to protect the territory and the people and consolidate national defense."

"Staff Officer Yang is the leader of the NCO Faction. If he dares to kill Yang, none of the NCO Faction will be able to escape!"

After hearing the three telegrams, Jiang Lianheng decided that personal grudges outweighed justice in this matter, and snorted coldly, "What do you mean by stopping the civil war? The soldiers are in his hands, so he just won't fight. It's not like he hasn't disobeyed orders before! How is the war going now? Where has it reached?"

Meng Duo was helpless and said hurriedly: "Brother, I am just a civil servant. I heard all this news during the meeting this afternoon. I am afraid you still have to ask someone to find out the situation on the front line. Anyway, it will not be wrong to stock up more food recently."

The Jiang family lived in Feng Province and owned tens of thousands of acres of fertile land.

Moreover, it was just the beginning of winter, and although most of the harvest had been sold, the granaries were full over the years, and there was no shortage of grain for the family. It was just that the grain needed to be transported from the warehouse to the city as soon as possible.

However, in the military, swords and spears are merciless, so everything must be planned according to the worst-case scenario.

Hu Xiaoyan said hurriedly: "If this war breaks out, there's no telling how long it will last. We have to get to the city as soon as possible. If we delay too long, we might be requisitioned by the government."

Sister Hua suggested: "Should we go to southern Liaoning to hide?"

"What are you thinking? If Fengtian can't be defended, other places will be even more undefendable. Besides, we are not only avoiding war disasters, but also man-made disasters."

As Hu Xiaoyan spoke, she picked up the phone on the coffee table and immediately told Nanfeng to take care of it.

Since Wang Zhengnan ran a grain and oil store, he naturally helped his family distribute the harvest from various farms on weekdays and was already very familiar with it.

Seeing that Hu Xiaoyan was busy with the phone, Jiang Lianheng stood up and walked towards the study, saying as he walked, "I'll make a few calls and ask about the situation."

Suddenly he turned around and ordered Meng Duo, "Go back first. If there are any transfer orders from the office recently, come back and let me know immediately. If this matter is handled well, you will definitely not suffer any loss in the future."

Meng Duo said, "Brother, don't say that. I am where I am today thanks to the support of the Jiang family. Now is the time when they need me. What else can you talk about? I will do my best!"

After saying that, he turned and left.

Jiang Lianheng went upstairs to make a phone call to inquire about the situation at the front line and did not come back for a long time.

Sister Hua and Guyu had sad faces. They were both people who had experienced turmoil and naturally knew the cruelty of war.

Let alone the Wangqi Righteous Army. Even if it was really for the purpose of saving the country and the people, it was still a war. People would die in war, but the ways of death were different.

Jiang Ya and Jiang Chengye, the two younger generations, have never really experienced the shock of political situation. The Sino-Japanese War, the Boxer Rebellion, the Russo-Japanese War, the Xinhai Revolution, these wars and chaos that had broken out outside the Great Wall were just a few lines in a book to them. They were not the pain they felt deeply, and they were inexplicably excited at the moment.

"Mom, is there going to be a war in Fengtian too?"

"Don't be such a pessimist. Why don't you hope for something good?"

Hu Xiaoyan scolded Jiang Ya harshly, but she was preparing for the worst in her heart.

Seeing that everyone was in panic, Jiang Chengye pursed his lips and said nothing.

About half an hour later, Jiang Lianheng came down from upstairs. Without stopping, he went straight to the entrance to change into his woolen coat, and said hurriedly, "I'm going out for a while. Don't wait for me to come back for dinner tonight."

Then, he suddenly came back, raised his chin towards his children, and said, "You two, don't go to school tomorrow, stay home!"

Every failure brings wisdom. Jiang Lianheng has said the ugly words in advance. The students can't help but fool around, and the news of General Guo's rebellion against Feng will leak out sooner or later. Who knows what trouble these young people will make by then?
……

Daxiguan, Deyi Building.

It was already completely dark, and the cold winter night wind made the window frames tremble slightly.

The vast majority of merchants and civilians in the provincial capital did not know about Guo Guizi's rebellion. Such important military and political events were always quietly circulated among the powerful and wealthy first.

Jiang Lianheng made an appointment with Officer Lu from the Quartermaster Department.

Prior to this, he had called acquaintances working in the Marshal's Mansion, the Municipal Government Office and the Security Command. Although he did hear a lot of rumors, most of them were not satisfactory and the news was well blocked.

Right now, the situation in Fengtian is tense, so Lao Zhang naturally has no time to deal with the local gentry. The guards at the Marshal's Mansion also have only a vague understanding of Guo's army's movements and are not detailed enough.

The Municipal Government is composed of civil servants and has limited information about military intelligence.

The Security Command remained tight-lipped and had been given strict orders. What was certain was that many generals were no longer in the provincial capital.

Finally, we found the Quartermaster Department.

Although the Quartermaster Department is only responsible for logistical support, as the saying goes, "food and fodder must be sent before troops move out." Sometimes, their understanding of the battle situation is even more sensitive than that of the generals on the front line.

After all, war costs money. If Marshal Zhang wants to confirm whether he can continue fighting, he has to listen to the opinions of the Quartermaster Department.

"Boss Jiang, the current situation is not optimistic. Very pessimistic..."

Commander Lu sat by the window, looking at the table full of delicacies, but he had no appetite. He just raised his glass and drank frequently, sighing three times: "If the current trend continues, the Lianshan defense line may not be able to hold. Yesterday, they were clamoring to send more supplies to Shanhaiguan, but today they changed it to Jinzhou."

Jiang Lianheng drank two liang of wine, but he didn't get drunk. He just felt that his toothache was not so severe, so he said, "I didn't expect that this Guo Guizi is quite good at fighting."

"I can fight. I really can fight!"

Commander Lu sighed in a low voice: "Boss Jiang, who knows, while we're drinking here, the entire Lianshan defense line may have collapsed."

"What preparations does the Marshal have?"

Commander Lu turned his head and glanced at the door of the private room, and whispered back, "Well, to be honest, when the old marshal first received the telegram, he almost announced his resignation on the spot. Fortunately, Staff Officer Yang persuaded him, and the old marshal managed to calm down."

"so serious?"

Jiang Lianheng knew that this matter was quite tricky, but he did not expect that Marshal Zhang would be so frightened that he even thought of retiring.

Commander Lu said, "Boss Jiang, you don't know that we in the Quartermaster Department know the situation very well. The Third Army has more than 70,000 soldiers at most. That's the capital that the old commander spent more than ten years of hard work to save for his son. They are all elite soldiers! In the past few years, what good things have he not given to the Third Army? But our prince, he has become a hands-off boss, and even the military power is fucking - Oh, forget it, forget it, drink!"

Jiang Lianheng drank a glass with him and then asked, "Where is the young commander now?"

"I don't know either. I heard they are on their way back!" Commander Lu explained, "At first, the old marshal thought it was the young marshal's idea, but now we know the situation is clear, it was Guo the devil who wanted to seize power!"

"Why did everything go wrong all of a sudden?"

"In fact, it's not just Guo Guizi who rebelled. There's also Li Jianxian from the First Army, he's also on this pirate ship."

"It's too sudden. Is there no one behind this?"

"Hey, Boss Jiang, you are indeed an intelligence officer. Someone is behind this!"

Commander Lu whispered a few words in Jiang Lianheng's ear. Jiang Lianheng was not surprised. It turned out to be related to the forces behind the Youth Association.

The reason for the attack on Fengtian was that Marshal Zhang was a traitor and was preparing to secretly sign the Twenty-One Demands. This could be regarded as General Guo's call to arms. Marshal Zhang, of course, refused to admit it. Both sides held their own opinions, and the little Japanese did not make any statement, so the case became an unsolved mystery.

In short, the matter is done and now is not the time for a verbal battle.

Jiang Lianheng was only concerned about one question: "Commander Lu, how confident are we that we can defend Fengtian City?"

"It's hard to say. It depends on whether Jinzhou can be defended," Commander Lu shook his head repeatedly. "If Jinzhou falls, the enemy will be at the gates. At that time, it depends on whether Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces will send reinforcements, and whether the retreat of Guo's army can be cut off. Of course, the most important thing is the attitude of Xiao Dongyang."

Rough words are not rough.

Without the approval of Xiao Dongyang, General Guo's desire to become the King of Northeast China is basically wishful thinking.

Commander Lu continued, "Boss Jiang, if you want to ask me about the situation on the front line, I have no idea, but I can tell you that the Quartermaster Department is rushing to collect food, and the clothing factory and the ordnance factory are also working hard to produce. Even the defenders on the mountain defense line are definitely no match for the Third Army. Be prepared for the worst!"

As he said that, he suddenly came over and smiled pretentiously: "Boss Jiang, I just happen to have something to discuss with you!"

"Commander Lu, please speak!"

"I also have a grain collection quota in my hand. When the time comes, you will have to cooperate with me!"

There is no free lunch in the world, and the news cannot be revealed to the Jiang family for no reason.

Jiang Lianheng was prepared for this, and he immediately nodded and said, "If Commander Lu needs anything, I will definitely do my best to cooperate, but I also have many brothers at home waiting to eat grain, so you just need to raise your hand when the time comes."

"Hey, Boss Jiang, you don't treat me as a friend. How could I do such a thing? You are thinking wrong. I still want to help you make a fortune!"

"Get rich?"

"That's right. If Guo's army takes Jinzhou, the Beijing-Fengtian line will have to stop operating, and the connection between Liaoxi and this side will be cut off. When the enemy is at the gates of the city, and there are hundreds of thousands of people to feed, the food consumption will be huge, and the food price will definitely soar. I will help you bear the burden and collect less from you. Wouldn't you make a fortune?"

I understand, it's all about money after all.

Jiang Lianheng nodded and said, "Oh, so that's how it is. Don't worry, Commander Lu, you will definitely have your share when the time comes!"

Officer Lu was beaming with joy, and he immediately raised his glass to congratulate, "Oh, thank you so much, Boss Jiang. I wish you a prosperous business!"

"No way! This is the way to make money that you opened for me!"

Commander Lu collected 500 kilograms less grain from the Jiang family. These 500 kilograms of grain were his share of the money. The less he collected, the more he earned. If the grain collected was not enough, he would have to make up for it from other families. In the end, it was ill-gotten gains that harmed others and benefited himself.

That’s not all. If the fighting gets intense, the Quartermaster Department will have to collect more than just food.

All in all, all supplies are valuable under war.

Jiang Lianheng was not very interested in this, not because he had a change of heart, but because what he was considering now was no longer whether he could make money.

With chaos approaching, how to ensure that one's own power can continue is the top priority.

If you have money but no power, you are like a fish on the chopping board, and any effort you make will be in vain.

If it weren't for Commander Lu's face, Jiang Lianheng would never have thought of making money from the war. But he couldn't refuse. If he refused, others would cooperate, and the Jiang family would suffer greater losses.

Only by satisfying all the officials can the Jiang family see clearly in the chaos...

(End of this chapter)