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

Almost on the same day, Mu Haisheng secretly led his men to arrest Lu Qingshan, and quickly got the whole story out of him.

The Japanese female spy's name was Harukami Hiromi. In fact, she came to his door with a large sum of money the day after the public trial.

Since the reorganization of the army, the power of his former subordinates has been reduced, and he has been resentful and often feels grateful for the kindness of his former master, which makes him resistant to the new military discipline regulations.

This woman easily aroused his desire to band together, and promised him a huge sum of money, and even lied that as long as he disrupted the defense of the Jinzhou military camp, she could help Tang's old subordinates regain control of the army.

At the same time, she deliberately brought up the matter of Tang Zongxi's murder to stir up Lu Qingshan's resentment and make him believe that his current situation was due to injustice.

Driven by emotions and self-interest, Lu Qingshan chose to cooperate with the Japanese.

Following Haruka Hiromi's overall plan, the various groups each performed their duties, arranging a series of sneak attacks:

They bribed local thugs to launch a surprise attack on the camp, drawing Gu Cheng's elite troops away. Meanwhile, Lu Qingshan used his authority to guard the construction site to deliberately leave a defensive loophole. He then secretly led a group of his former subordinates who had been recruited to meet Gao Wu's bandits in their arson and sabotage.

Tang Zongxi's remaining troops were ordered to ambush at the Xiaoling River fork, specifically to intercept and kill the messengers and cut off communication between the military camps.

Throughout the entire process, Haruka Hiromi remained behind the scenes, rarely showing herself, and relied solely on intermediaries to issue orders layer by layer, watching as the Fengtian Army fell into disarray.

It wasn't until now that Gu Cheng realized how terrifying the Japanese were.

Harukami Hiromi alone could not possibly have devised such a meticulously planned sneak attack.

The Japanese army's infiltration of Northeast China was like a fine spider web spreading everywhere... The vast Northeast region had been infiltrated like a sieve riddled with holes.

At the slightest sign of trouble, the other side can immediately detect the movement and accurately grasp the weaknesses of everyone's hearts.

Furthermore, the inherent flaws of the Fengtian Army provided an opportunity for foreign enemies to exploit.

The military was rife with factions and cliques, with clear distinctions between the old guard and the loyalists. Tang Yulin's men, grateful for past favors, were resistant to the reorganization and restructuring.

The newly promoted soldiers strictly adhered to the new regulations and were focused on rectifying military affairs, while various factions harbored their own agendas and were deeply estranged from one another.

Although the Fengtian Army appeared to be numerous and powerful, it was completely unable to unite as one, and its defenses were naturally vulnerable to breaches everywhere.

"Using internal conflicts to kill someone with a borrowed knife, and then reaping the benefits afterward," Gu Cheng said in a deep voice. "The Japanese have played this game in a truly insidious and far-reaching way."

Just as he was lost in thought, Mu Haisheng suddenly stepped forward, took the pistol from his waist, and respectfully handed it to Gu Cheng: "Master Gu, I am guilty and request to resign from all military posts. I am willing to accept punishment."

Gu Cheng snapped out of his daze and looked up at him: "What crime have you committed?"

Mu Haisheng lowered his head even further, saying regretfully, "Lu Qingshan is from my hometown. I introduced him to you... We were drinking together earlier, and he mentioned that he still missed his former master and owed a lot of money. I..."

At this point, he sighed again, "Now he has been bought off by Japanese spies, causing a great disaster—it was my mistake in not recognizing people properly that gave the enemy an opportunity."

Standing to the side, Yang Song glanced nervously at Mu Haisheng, hesitated for a moment, and then mustered his courage to say, "Master Gu, this... this matter... this can't be blamed on Old Mu!"

Gu Cheng raised his hand to stop him from continuing, then pushed the pistol he was holding back: "What did you do wrong? Ever since I came to Jinzhou, you have been loyal to me. Besides, you are a person of loyalty and affection, which is why you feel bad."

Mu Haisheng looked up abruptly, his eyes wide with astonishment: "Master Gu, but Lu Qingshan is me..."

Gu Cheng interrupted him: "I, Gu Jingchuan, am fair in rewarding and punishing, and I will not implicate innocent people. Lu Qingshan's treason was due to his own greed and inability to let go of personal grudges... From beginning to end, it has nothing to do with you."

If misjudging people is a crime, then who in the entire Fengtian Army can guarantee they've never misjudged anyone? The real mistake is knowingly covering up or condoning wrongdoing, or complicity for personal gain—you haven't done that.

After saying this, he stood up abruptly, patted Mu Haisheng on the shoulder, and said, "Alright, now is not the time to wallow in self-blame. If you really can't get over it, the best way to make amends is to diligently perform your duties."

Mu Haisheng was even more moved upon hearing this, and quickly straightened his posture: "Yes!"

Gu Cheng smiled faintly and said, "Take Haozi and sort out the cause and effect of the attack, as well as Lu Qingshan's confession, and compile them into a complete military intelligence report."

Two copies are required. Please verify and proofread them as soon as possible, and send them urgently to the Fengtian Marshal's Office and the General Staff Headquarters!

Mu Haisheng was startled.

His superior's tolerance and broad-mindedness transformed his guilt into a heavy sense of responsibility.

He immediately saluted: "Your subordinate obeys!"

The report is being compiled here. The Jinzhou official residence has received the second payment from the Marshal's Mansion, totaling 200,000 silver dollars.

However, Zhang Zuolin added a condition: Wang Yongjiang must personally oversee the process and ensure that every dollar is used for the Jinzhou Camp and the resettlement of the 11th Mixed Brigade.

Just then, Wang Yuyou entered the room and saw her father sitting at the desk with an outer robe on, busy with Mo Dehui again. She couldn't help but step forward and scolded him, "Dad! What are you doing? You've only just gotten a little better."

You promised Yu'er that you'd take good care of yourself for a month or two, and that you'd hand over all official business, no matter where it was, to Uncle Liu Chen!

Mo Dehui quickly chimed in, "Yes, Lord Min, you should rest well. The money has all been deposited into your account... I think that no matter who it is this time, even if they have the greatest audacity, they won't dare to intercept another single silver dollar."

Wang Yongjiang shook his head and smiled, looking back at his daughter who was full of concern: "I'm much better now, and I know some things better than anyone else... Liu Chen, once the funds arrive, you should transfer grain and fodder from the surrounding areas as soon as possible."

Jingchuan had previously reported the exact number of personnel in the 11th Mixed Brigade. Behind those numbers are countless mouths to feed—he had just taken office, and if he couldn't even provide them with enough to eat, his position wouldn't be secure.

Upon hearing this, Wang Yuyou gritted her teeth and recounted to her father everything she had heard at Gao Tianqi's bedside that day.

Wang Yongjiang's expression grew increasingly grim as he listened: "Liu Chen, look, my worries are not unfounded. These officers, who rose from humble beginnings, are indeed loyal and righteous, and are willing to risk their lives for their comrades in times of crisis."

However, once this sentimentality deviates from the law, it becomes the source of chaos. Those who only remember their former master's personal kindness, neglecting military discipline and the greater good, are most vulnerable to being manipulated and exploited.

Mo Dehui nodded slightly: "Min Gong's words hit the nail on the head. Most of our Fengtian Army soldiers came from humble backgrounds and still retain old habits in their bones. They trust the old superior-subordinate relationship more than the rules and orders of the army."

Those old subordinates, simply because their power was diminished after the reorganization, were easily lured and turned by Japanese spies, causing such a huge disturbance. This clearly demonstrates the unit's deep-seated problem of demoralization.