Quickly conquer the martial arts world, and let your fists dominate the heavens!

Chapter 235 Perhaps both of them died on the battlefield?

Early May.

That is, two days ago.

The "anti-Chiang Kai-shek alliance," with Feng Yuxiang, Yan Xishan, and Li Hongzhang at its core, officially began its war against the Nationalist government in the Central Plains.

The war affected Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Hunan, and other places.

Because Chen Jitang, the "King of the South," was nominally neutral at the time, the Guangzhou Daily provided a detailed and relatively objective account of the reasons.

The outbreak of the Central Plains War was essentially a struggle by the Nationalist government to reduce the military power of local warlords and seize national control through "reorganization and demobilization of the army".

The demand that all factions reduce their military strength and bring their armies under central command directly threatened the core interests of the Shanxi Clique, the Northwest Army, and the Guangxi Clique, thus becoming a prelude to war.

Ultimately, this escalated the conflict with powerful figures such as Yan Xishan, Feng Yuxiang, and Li Hongzhang, turning a localized conflict in 1929 into the full-blown melee we see today.

Chen Zhan read the newspaper, his gaze fixed on the distance. The time, place, and people remained exactly the same.

All indications suggest that he had no influence on any major events.

Whether it was the Japanese, the Northeast Army, or now the Central Plains War, they all arrived as scheduled.

I don't know if it's a global correction, or if his "butterfly" wasn't destructive enough.

But if that's the case.

What can he do if the Japanese start a war in Northeast China next year?

We have enough force now, but there are many things that cannot be solved by force.

On the Northeast Army side, even if he could storm the Marshal's Mansion, braving a hail of bullets to assassinate the emperor, even if he succeeded, could the next person in charge guarantee that he would do better?
Can you guarantee that if the Japanese start a war, the Northeast Army will not withdraw from Northeast China and will fight to the death?

With hundreds of thousands of troops in the Northeast Army, no matter how skilled Chen Zhan was in martial arts, he couldn't force them to go to war with the Japanese.

The current Central Plains War is similar. Despite facing a formidable enemy, with the Japanese eyeing them covetously, millions of Chinese are killing each other and engaging in endless internal strife.

When the Japanese boasted that they would "destroy China within three months," all the warlords took it as a joke.

How could a great nation with millions of square kilometers per year possibly perish in three months?

It wasn't until the Japanese were advancing with unstoppable momentum that they realized what was happening.

"Alliance Leader, you were right after all. This peace won't last long, alas," Li Guangpu sighed.

Chen Zhan came to his senses. Actually, he wasn't talking about the Central Plains War, but about the Japanese. But Li Guangpu had misunderstood, and it didn't matter.

"Has Chen Jitang made things clear? What's his reaction?"

More than ten days have passed since Chen Zhan made his decision in Jinlouzhong, and Li Guangpu has already begun to take action.

"Yes, I sent someone to deliver a message, subtly expressing that we will no longer cooperate. There has been no response yet, or perhaps they knew about the war in advance and are too busy to deal with us."

Li Guangpu naturally dared not go in person; in his rage, he might not even be able to leave.

He had been feeling uneasy these past few days. Jinlou made a lot of money every year, and the sudden suspension of payments was unpredictable. The worst-case scenario was that they would bring troops to cause trouble.

But there has been no movement, and given the sudden outbreak of war, there is certainly no time to deal with it.

Although this has only just been reported, Chen Jitang's military must have known about it long ago.

"That's true. This great war is very complex. Chen Jitang claims to be neutral, but that's impossible. This is a war that will change the landscape of China. How could the 'King of the South' be completely neutral?"

Chen Zhan shared the same idea as Li Guangpu: these warlords, used to their privileged lives, would not give up if they had any power and money.

“But wars always end. Staff Officer Zhao won’t give up, and there’s also Chen Jitang’s brother-in-law. Although his military rank isn’t high, he still has a battalion of soldiers.” Li Cunzhi had some objections to Chen Zhan’s decision, but he didn’t dare to say it outright.

Chen Zhan turned to look at him, and the two looked at each other. Li Cunzhi was somewhat afraid, but he also felt that he hadn't said anything wrong.

"It's alright. If they come looking for trouble, I'll handle it. I'll hold up the sky if it falls. What are you afraid of?"

Chen Zhan's tone was calm, and he wasn't angry. Merchants and commoners don't fight with officials; this has been an ironclad rule since ancient times. Martial artists also dare not easily provoke government soldiers unless they want to become outlaws.

Chen Zhan turned to leave, but after taking only two steps, he turned back and said:
"Don't worry too much, perhaps both of them died on the battlefield?"

"The firepower of guns is merciless; who can say for sure?"

After Chen Zhan left, Li Cunzhi also went to get busy; as the senior disciple, he had many things to do.

Li Guangpu was still stunned. Although Chen Zhan only said one sentence, considering Cai Xuepeng's sudden death a few days ago and Chen Zhan's past since his debut, Li Guangpu was stunned.

He was an assassin by trade.
The arrest warrant issued in the Japanese concession of Tianjin was entirely due to Chen Zhan's assassination of Itagaki Ichiro. Many people witnessed the assassination at the Jushilin (Buddhist Buddhist Association).

"Heroine" Shi Jianqiao avenges her father, while "Demon Star" Chen Zhan slaughters Itagaki Ichiro.

The entire incident was widely circulated and even written into a storybook.

Thinking about this, Li Guangpu began to understand.
The Central Plains War was a long one, lasting seven months in history.

July.

Two months have passed.

Chen Zhan's China Alliance has opened. Given his status, people from all over Foshan and even the southern region who could come attended in person, while those who couldn't sent gifts.

Gong Ruomei, who had settled in Jinling long ago, came in person.

Du Xinwu, the great master of martial arts from both the North and South, did not come, but sent his personally trained disciple Wan Laisheng to deliver a congratulatory gift. Wan Laisheng was younger than Chen Zhan, but he had already achieved great success, having won the "Martial Arts Champion" title in the Nanjing National Martial Arts Examination two years ago.

Lin Shirong, a master of Hung Kuen, also sent his disciples from Hong Kong to deliver congratulatory gifts.

Wang Ziping came from Jinling with many followers to bolster Chen Zhan's reputation.

Wang Xiangzhai and Li Chunran were unable to arrive. They were supposed to be there, but things changed suddenly. The Central Plains War was raging, and the entire north and central regions were at war, almost cutting off north-south transportation.

All the leaders of the various martial arts schools in Foshan personally attended the event.

“Pah pah pah pah!~”

“Pah pah pah pah!~”

Amidst the continuous crackling of firecrackers, witnessed by a group of martial arts masters and sect leaders, Chen Zhan and Ye Ningzhen unveiled the plaque, revealing the words "Chinese Alliance."

Ordinary martial arts practitioners can only watch from afar, just like ordinary people, and cannot get close at all.

"What's the background of this Chinese Alliance? They've gathered together such a large group, bringing together the three Wing Chun masters who have never spoken to each other before."

“What is Wing Chun? Look at that big bearded man, he’s the head of the Shaolin School of the Central Martial Arts Academy, he came in person.”

"Zhu Yuzhai has also come; he is Master Lin's first disciple."

“Lin Shirong is old, otherwise he would probably come in person. This is the leader of the martial arts alliance.”

"The leader of the martial arts world? Is he the universally acknowledged one?"

"Whether or not I know, the arrival of these people is probably not just a simple celebration."

Indeed, the gathering of martial arts practitioners from the south was not merely to celebrate the opening of Chen Zhanhua's alliance, but more so to test the waters.

Because Chen Zhan invited numerous martial arts sects, not to attend the ceremony, but to request that they join the Chinese Alliance, just like Li Cunyi did decades ago.

The Chinese Martial Arts Association demanded that all martial arts sects in the north merge into the association.

It's not about demanding the dissolution of one's own sect, but about standing together with the Chinese Martial Arts Association to strengthen the nation and the race, and drive out foreign enemies.

Chen Zhan's business wasn't just a martial arts school, or rather, it was more like a gang, forming an alliance.

Moreover, the news had already been released that the Cheng School of Bagua had joined the Chinese Alliance and would be under the command of Chen Zhan, the leader of the alliance.

There are many schools of martial arts in the north, such as Wang Xiangzhai's Wang-style Xingyi and Li Chunran's Taiji School.

Xiong Hanshan's Xingyi School even disbanded its own sect, with all its members joining it.

Release all the information, join the Chinese Alliance, and stand together through thick and thin.

All the major and minor sects in the southern martial arts world have received invitations, but whether they will come or dare to come is another matter.

There are only two kinds of things that come,

One option is that they have already formed a united front and will advance or retreat together with Chen Zhan.

Another type is those who are arrogant because of their superior martial arts skills and powerful background, thinking, "Let's see what tricks Chen Zhan is up to. What can he do if I don't join you?"

But these people all have status and position, and most of them are sensible.

Even if they disagree, they wouldn't cause trouble when someone else is unveiling their business.

But while some people are sensible, others are arrogant.

As soon as the firecrackers stopped, Chen Zhan unveiled the plaque, and everyone offered their congratulations.

"Congratulations, Alliance Leader! The Chinese Alliance is now established, and the unification of the martial arts world in the North and South is imminent. In the future, we will be invincible in our fight against foreign enemies!"

"That's right. With Mr. Chen leading the way, the martial arts world is no longer leaderless."

"That's right, that's exactly how it should be!"

These words were spoken by Ma Yingtu, who was standing next to Wang Ziping. He was one of the few who had witnessed Chen Zhan's true strength. Wang Ziping nodded in agreement.

"How did you unify the martial arts world of the North and South? Who do you think you are? The North has nothing to do with me, but you call the shots in the Southern martial arts world?"

"Even Master Du and Master Lin wouldn't dare claim to unify the martial arts world of the South. You, a mere brat, call yourself the leader of the alliance. You really think you're something special?"

These two sentences came from the crowd.

The faces of Chen Zhan's companions immediately darkened. It was normal for some to oppose or be unwilling to become the leader of the martial arts alliance, but no one expected that someone would dare to make trouble at this critical juncture.

Right now, they're outside the door, and countless people are watching—newspaper reporters, ordinary citizens, martial arts practitioners—all are watching this unveiling ceremony.

To publicly challenge someone is to tear off the mask of civility, leaving no room for maneuver.
-
P.S.: I've read some of the comments. Many people say that I shouldn't get involved in politics, which is true. I was also very nervous while writing this, but this timeline has to be covered. I'll speed up the pace a bit and quickly transition to the outbreak of the War of Resistance against Japan.

However, it is impossible to completely ignore the political aspect, because the logic would collapse, since the martial arts practitioners of this era are inherently closely tied to politics and war.

People like Li Jinglin were both warlords and highly skilled martial artists.

Ma Yingtu and Ma Fengtu were both military generals.

In this era, the fight against Japan cannot rely solely on martial arts. If I write that one person can defeat a million soldiers, is that still considered traditional Chinese martial arts?
Traditional Chinese martial arts are for resisting Japanese aggression and saving the nation, not for cutting grass.

(End of this chapter)