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

"Hehe, what a coincidence. I originally planned to return to the Marshal and then hold a public trial for this bloody case to give the people of Jinzhou an explanation. I never expected this, I really never expected this."

Gu Cheng's eyes instantly turned cold. He turned to Han Chengzhu and said, "Lieutenant Han, tell me, the 11th Mixed Brigade's camp is full of makeshift tents, not even a decent tree. Where did Tang Zongxi hang himself? Could it be that he hanged himself from a tent pole?"

Han Chengzhu trembled, his eyes darting away, and he hurriedly explained, "It was...it was on the wooden beam in the barracks! When I found him, he was already dead, with a rope around his neck. It was definitely a suicide by hanging! I beg you two officers to investigate thoroughly!"

Gu Cheng frowned, about to expose his lie, when Han Chengzhu suddenly knelt down with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly until blood quickly appeared on his forehead: "This subordinate really wouldn't dare to lie! It was all Deputy Regiment Commander Tang's own foolishness, it has nothing to do with this subordinate, nor with the brigade commander! I beg you two gentlemen to spare my life!"

Seeing his stubborn refusal to budge, Gu Cheng clenched his fists.

Tang Yulin is truly ruthless. Sun Liechen was pleading for his illegitimate son, but Tang Yulin simply killed him to silence him.

However, having already silenced them, they must have already given Han Chengzhu a pre-arranged explanation. Even if we continue to interrogate them, we may not be able to get the truth out of them, and it will only waste time.

Sun Liechen, standing to the side, spoke with a tone as stern as a knife: "Fine, since the person is dead and there is no way to verify the facts, this bloody case must not be left unresolved!"

Tang Zongxi has committed numerous evil deeds, and Tang Yulin has condoned and protected him, even attempting to kill the offending soldier to cover it up. Every single one of these crimes is irrefutable. I will jointly report this to the Marshal's Office with Regiment Commander Gu. The Marshal will decide how to handle the matter!

Han Chengzhu collapsed to the ground, his face ashen, unable to utter a single word of defense.

Sun Liechen, too lazy to look at him any longer, sternly ordered his personal guards: "Detain Han Chengzhu and keep him under strict guard. After reporting to the Marshal's Office, deal with him together! Also, properly arrange Tang Zongxi's body and await instructions from the Marshal's Office!"

The guards responded and stepped forward, supporting the limp Han Chengzhu before hastily retreating.

Gu Cheng watched Han Chengzhu's retreating figure and whispered to Sun Liechen, "Sixth Uncle, there's no point in investigating further. Tang Yulin is meticulous and must have already coordinated his subordinates' statements. The most urgent task right now is to deal with Tang Yulin as soon as possible and stabilize the situation in Jinzhou."

Sun Liechen's expression was solemn: "You're right. I'll draft a telegram right away, and we'll jointly submit it to the Marshal, detailing Tang Yulin's crimes and requesting that the Marshal handle the matter impartially."

Less than half a day after the telegram was sent, the reply from the Fengtian Military Governor's Office arrived—

On Zhang Zuolin's orders, Tang Yulin indulged his cronies, disregarded the lives of the people, and even privately mobilized troops in an attempt to kill and silence witnesses. He violated the Fengtian Army's military reorganization order, was dismissed from his post as commander of the 11th Mixed Brigade, stripped of all military power, and was immediately driven from Jinzhou back to Fengtian to accept his punishment.

His trusted personal guards were all dismissed and expelled from the Fengtian military, and were no longer allowed to serve in the Northeast.

When the news reached the 11th Mixed Brigade's headquarters, Tang Yulin was trembling with rage upon learning of the approval, but there was nothing he could do—

Although he was unwilling, he dared not disobey Zhang Zuolin's orders. He could only pack a few simple belongings and leave Jinzhou in a sorry state under the watchful eye of Sun Liechen's personal guards, his former arrogance completely gone.

After dealing with Tang Yulin, Sun Liechen issued another order from the Marshal's Office: the 11th Mixed Brigade would be temporarily under the command of Gu Cheng, who would be responsible for rectifying military discipline, eliminating unqualified soldiers, and reorganizing it into a directly subordinate unit of the 105th Garrison Regiment of Jinzhou.

Gu Cheng was appointed as the garrison commander of Jinzhou, with full authority over the city's defense, military affairs, and local security, and to coordinate all the troops stationed in Jinzhou.

When the news spread, the people of Jinzhou spread the word and cheered with joy.

Upon assuming command of the Jinzhou garrison, Gu Cheng's first act was to issue an order to bring all 16 troublemakers under Tang Zongxi's command, along with Zhao Quancai and others who attempted to silence them, to the Jinzhou city gate square for a public trial.

He wanted to fulfill his promise and give the people of Jinzhou a clear explanation, and also take the opportunity to enforce military discipline and deter all stationed troops.

When the news spread, the people of Jinzhou flocked to the square again, crowding it three or four deep, with everyone looking on with anticipation, waiting to see these wicked people brought to justice.

Gu Cheng, dressed in a crisp military uniform, stood on the makeshift courtroom, his gaze sweeping over the people and prisoners below, exuding an unassailable majesty.

Zhang Tingshu, Gao Tianqi, and others stood on either side, while their personal guards, armed with guns, maintained order at the scene.

"Bring the prisoners up!" Mu Haisheng shouted, his voice echoing throughout the square.

First, 16 thugs who had caused the trouble were brought up. They were all ashen-faced, their hands tied behind their backs, and they kept their heads down, not daring to look directly at the people below the stage.

These people were the core members who followed Tang Zongxi in robbing merchants and abducting women; their hands were stained with the blood of innocent people.

Immediately afterwards, Zhao Quancai was brought up. He was chained up, but he was still unwilling to give up. His eyes were sinister as he looked around, trying to find a way to survive.

Gao Tianqi picked up the interrogation transcript from the table, his booming voice echoing throughout every corner of the square: "Fellow citizens, today's public trial is solely to settle scores with Tang Zongxi and his cronies, to deliver justice to the victims, and to uphold the discipline of the Fengtian Army!"

He first read out the crimes of the 16 rogue soldiers: "These 16 men, following Tang Zongxi, robbed merchants in Jinzhou City, murdered three innocent civilians, kidnapped five women, and stole countless valuables. Every single one of these crimes is corroborated by witness testimonies and physical evidence, and their crimes are irrefutable!"

The crowd below the stage erupted in cheers, pointing at the soldiers and cursing them. The shouts of condemnation rose and fell.

The 16 thugs trembled with fear, some even collapsing to the ground, repeatedly kowtowing and begging for mercy: "Commander Gu, spare our lives! We were forced by Deputy Regiment Commander Tang, we'll never dare to do it again!"

Gu Cheng remained unmoved and coldly ordered: "Military orders are absolute, and the people's grievances are hard to quell! Soldiers are supposed to defend the land and protect the borders, but you have instead harmed the people and forcibly taken women, violating the Fengtian Army's reorganization order! According to the Army Reorganization Department's detailed regulations, all 16 men shall be executed on the spot!"

"Yes!" The guards responded in unison, their voices strong and clear. They immediately stepped forward, grabbed the soldiers who were still begging for mercy, dragged them to the open space on the east side of the square, forced them to kneel on the ground, and pointed the dark muzzles of their guns at their backs.

Gu Cheng raised his chin and said coldly, "Execute!"

"Bang! Bang! Bang—!"

More than ten gunshots rang out in succession, sharp and piercing, echoing throughout the city gate square and making people's eardrums vibrate.

Sixteen thugs fell to the ground with a thud, their bodies twitching a few times before going still. Blood instantly stained the ground beneath their feet—the retribution they deserved.

The crowd below the stage fell silent for a moment, then erupted in thunderous cheers and applause.

"Well done!"

Shouts of "Commander Gu is brilliant!" rose and fell, as the pent-up resentment of many days was finally released, and everyone exuded relief and exhilaration.