Republic of China, 1922: Rise from the Post-Zhili-Fengtian War

Gu Cheng knew that he had turned into a mad dog, and it would be useless to say anything now.

"Lord Min, with a major battle imminent, the city's defenses are far too dangerous. Guns and cannons are indiscriminate... I will arrange for the brothers to evacuate you and Mr. Liu Chen to a safe area immediately!"

He immediately turned around and ordered Yang Song and others to arrange for capable guards to escort Wang Yongjiang and the others back to their official residence in Jinzhou as soon as possible;

By this time, Mo Dehui was already deathly pale with fright, but Wang Yongjiang refused, saying that he would live and die with Jinzhou.

Zhang Tingshu grew anxious and was about to persuade him to leave, but Gu Cheng raised his hand to stop him.

"Lord Min, there's no point in saying more now! The battle for the city's defenses is about to break out. Guns have no eyes; if you and Mr. Liu Chen stay here, you could easily find yourselves in grave danger!"

Before Wang Yongjiang could respond, he turned abruptly and sternly ordered Yang Song and the others, "Take ten elite guards and escort Duke Min and Mr. Liu Chen back to their official residence in Jinzhou, no matter what. Protect them strictly throughout the journey. If anything goes wrong, you'll be beheaded!"

"Yes, Commander!" Yang Song immediately led his men forward to help Wang Yongjiang up.

Mo Dehui, standing to the side, was deathly pale, clutching Wang Yongjiang's sleeve tightly.

But Wang Yongjiang's expression was resolute: "Today, I, Wang Yongjiang, will live and die with Jinzhou!"

"Min Gong!" Zhang Tingshu's eyes turned red with anxiety. He stepped forward to persuade him again, but Gu Cheng suddenly raised his hand and pressed down on his arm, slowly shaking his head.

Before it could even speak, a sharp whistling sound ripped through the sky, accompanied by a piercing whooshing sound, and instantly approached the city wall!

"No! Cannonballs!" Yang Song roared, shoving Mo Dehui to the ground beside him. Gu Cheng reacted quickly, reaching out to protect Wang Yongjiang behind him. Zhang Tingshu immediately pulled the soldiers beside him and pressed them tightly against the inside of the city wall crenellations.

"boom--"

A deafening roar erupted as cannonballs slammed into the outer wall of the city, sending debris flying and dust billowing into the air, making it difficult to breathe.

The soldiers on the city wall were shaken and retreated repeatedly, many with blood trickling from the corners of their mouths, but no one dared to flinch. They immediately gripped their guns tightly again and watched the outside of the city warily.

"Tang Yulin! How dare you fire!" Zhang Tingshu was so angry that his eyes were about to burst. He leaned out to roar, but Gu Cheng pulled him back.

"Why waste words with him!" Gu Cheng wiped the dust off his face and roared at the surroundings, "Brothers, it's time to show these cowards what the 105th Regiment is all about! Point your weapons outwards—anyone who dares to come near our home will have their blood spilled on the spot!"

"Yes!" The soldiers on the city wall responded in unison, their determination to die for their cause evident as they raised their weapons and locked their guns firmly against the 11th Mixed Brigade outside the city.

While the city of Jinzhou was united in its defenses against the enemy, Tang Yulin was starting to panic.

He thought that with his superior numbers and weapons, a few shells would be enough to make Gu Cheng and his men back down.

But to his utter surprise, these so-called juniors not only did not back down in the slightest, but were all fearless and even brought out their weapons, showing a determination to fight him to the death.

Tang Yulin knew very well that with the small number of people in the 105th Regiment and their dilapidated belongings, it would not be difficult for him to take Jinzhou... But if he forcibly took Jinzhou, the Marshal would not let him off for this bloody incident.

And then there's this reckless Wang Yongjiang. Putting everything else aside, he's also the top leader of Fengtian. Standing on the city wall, he's getting in the way. If he gets hurt in a battle, the commander-in-chief would skin him alive!

But the situation had already put him in a difficult position. If he backed down now, not only would he lose face among the old guard of the Fengtian Army, but he would also be unable to hold his head up in front of these younger generation.

Thinking of this, Tang Yulin's eyes reddened again. He pulled out his saber from his waist, pointed it at the walls of Jinzhou, and roared earth-shatteringly, "Brothers, follow me and blow Jinzhou to smithereens! Let's wipe out these bastards—"

Before he could finish shouting his command, several crisp gunshots rang out from the rear of the ranks, abruptly interrupting the commotion at the front.

Immediately afterwards, dust billowed up from the distant road as a troop of cavalry galloped in, their hooves thundering across the ground. A majestic and awe-inspiring roar pierced the air, making everyone's eardrums vibrate:

"Tang Yulin! What are you trying to do?!"

Upon hearing that extremely familiar voice, Tang Erhu trembled instantly, his fierce expression freezing on his face.

How could this be?

He looked back in disbelief, and when he saw the approaching group of people, he felt as if he had been punched hard in the chest!

The one leading the charge was none other than Sun Liechen.

Why is he here?

Just as Tang Yulin's mind went blank, Sun Liechen led his cavalry in a charge, kicking up clouds of dust.

Seeing his arrogant expression, Tang Yulin panicked completely: "Sixth Brother... cough cough, you, what brings you here? Has the Zhili army in Luanzhou retreated?"

Sun Liechen rode closer, his cold expression suggesting he was about to draw his sword at any moment: "Ha, Master Tang, you're joking! If I hadn't come, were you planning to raze Jinzhou to the ground?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Yulin felt a surge of resentment: Damn it! It must have been those two bastards who did this!

Either Wang Yongjiang secretly sent a message to Fengtian, or that kid Gu Cheng had planned it all along and reported it beforehand. Otherwise, how could Sun Liechen have arrived so conveniently, just when I was about to order the attack on the city!

Sun Liechen looked at him, understanding that he was genuinely dissatisfied, but he quickly offered a way out: "Fourth Brother, it's not that I'm criticizing you, but we're both getting on in years. If we get into a fight with Xiao Beimen, even if we're right, we'll lose face."

Moreover, Commander Yu has now ordered the army to reorganize and strengthen its military, and yet you've come to Jinzhou and started a major conflict. How could Commander Yu tolerate you if he found out?

Speechless after being cornered by Sun Liechen, his face turned pale and then red, and the saber in his hand fell limply to the ground.

He was filled with panic and resentment, but he dared not show the slightest arrogance in front of Sun Liechen. In terms of seniority, Sun Liechen was no less experienced than him;

In terms of military power and status, he was far above him and was the most trusted person of the commander-in-chief at present. He dared not openly contradict him.

After a brief standoff, Tang Yulin could only grit his teeth and reluctantly raise his hand to order, "Put down your weapons! Form ranks where you are, and don't move!"

The soldiers of the 11th Mixed Brigade were already uneasy. Upon hearing the order, they felt as if they had been granted a pardon. They put away their rifles, retreated from their gun positions, and haphazardly regrouped, their earlier arrogance completely gone.

Sun Liechen coldly swept his gaze over the chaotic ranks, his tone hard: "You immediately lead your men back to the camp and reorganize the troops. Everyone is under house arrest. No one is allowed to leave the camp without permission, nor are they allowed to collude or make any secret moves—"

"If anything else goes wrong, believe me, Yu Shuai will skin you alive!"

Tang Yulin was a hundred times unwilling, but upon hearing "Commander Yu is skinning people alive," he could only grit his teeth and agree, "I—understand!"