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

At present, the military reorganization has just begun, and there are many factions within the Fengtian Army, causing unrest among its members.

If the veterans are eliminated first, and then the old factions are purged, it will only make all the old generals feel insecure... It is very likely that factional conflicts will erupt before everything else, and the morale of the army will completely collapse.

The commander-in-chief would never personally sink this great ship that has established itself in the Northeast amidst the chaos of war, just for an internal strife instigated by foreign enemies.

Gu Cheng spoke softly, succinctly revealing the key point: "The Marshal is not protecting Tang Yulin, but the entire Fengtian Army."

Zhang Tingshu was taken aback: "But such leniency will have endless consequences! Tang Yulin's former subordinates are scattered throughout western Liaoning, and they already harbor resentment. If this matter is downplayed, the other old guard will only become more unscrupulous!"

"I know," Gu Cheng said softly, "but given the current situation, we can't afford internal chaos, nor can we give the Japanese any excuses. The commander-in-chief should handle things leniently to stabilize all the veteran troops, and he doesn't want to cut off his own arm when the Japanese are eyeing him covetously, thus causing internal strife and collapse."

Think about it. Tang Yulin is impulsive by nature, yet he helped the General conquer the land, and he still showed his loyalty after the incident, right? For both public and private reasons, the General won't touch him. Besides, even though those old guys are always bickering, such a big thing happened in Jinzhou, besides your father, did any of those old men step forward?"

Zhang Tingshu sighed dejectedly, "In the end, it's still because factions are deeply entrenched, and we're afraid to act rashly."

Gu Cheng nodded silently.

Appeasement is the best solution for maintaining stability at present, but it is also a ticking time bomb buried deep in the heart of Jinzhou.

Today's lenient punishment brought him temporary peace... He knew very well that the reorganization of the troops needed to be swift.

However, after this incident, Zhang Zuolin will surely be more determined to promote the new faction. If the Northeast is in the hands of these people, they will inevitably cause even bigger trouble sooner or later.

Gu Cheng composed himself and pressed on, "So, in order to stabilize the faction's foundation, the Commander-in-Chief even lightly overlooked the mistake of Tang Yulin's troops causing trouble. Then, Yang Yuting's secret interception of funds from Jinzhou, that matter must have been left unresolved as well, right?"

In his view, Zhang Zuolin had always been good at maintaining checks and balances, and Yang Yuting was a key figure by his side, who had been in charge of military equipment for many years and whose power was deeply entrenched.

Compared to Tang Yulin's actual subordinates' treason and rebellion, the interception of funds would only be vaguely mentioned by the commander-in-chief.

But to everyone's surprise, Zhang Tingxu burst into laughter upon hearing this: "Jingchuan, you've guessed wrong this time!"

Gu Cheng was surprised.

"This time, there was a huge commotion in Fengtian City." Zhang Tingshu put away his smile and solemnly explained the whole story. "When the military funds were inexplicably withheld, Uncle Sun was furious. He knew that this money and grain was the lifeline for the defense of Jinzhou, and he refused to give in the slightest bit."

Besides, this guy has poached talent more than once or twice. Right now, he teamed up with Fifth Uncle and dragged my father along, and the three of them went to meet the Marshal together. Think about it, before, he and his old classmate Xu Shuzheng embezzled military funds and went to the interior to recruit soldiers on a large scale... This time, he kept saying that he was buying equipment for the arsenal. How could the Marshal believe him?

First, he was severely reprimanded, then the commander-in-chief ordered him to make up for all the embezzled money within ten days; in addition, the commander-in-chief also dismissed him from his post as supervisor of the arsenal and placed my father and my sixth brother, Chao Liu, in charge of it.

Gu Cheng's heart skipped a beat.

This general truly understands the art of checks and balances.

Currently, with the military reorganization underway, the old and new factions of the Fengtian Army are already in a tense standoff.

If we continue to suppress the old guard, these former subordinates who rose to power will lose heart and will inevitably band together to oppose the new policies, causing the Liaoxi defense line to fall into disarray.

However, if the new faction led by Yang Yuting is allowed to monopolize the power of military equipment and finance, the new faction will become too powerful and will eventually turn against the main faction, becoming too big to be controlled.

Therefore, the commander deliberately made a choice—Tang Yulin was provoked by foreign enemies, which was a personal grudge and an internal problem, so he was naturally dealt with leniently to appease all the old guard and stabilize the foundation of the Fengtian Army;

Yang Yuting's misappropriation of funds from Jinzhou not only undermined the Fengtian Army's foundation but also stemmed from a past mistake. Furthermore, it was using the very foundation of the Fengtian Army to nurture his own power.

The worst part is that Xu Shuzheng is one of Lao Duan's men, and Yang Yuting's association with him is tantamount to betraying his own people... This time, the commander-in-chief is also using the excuse of the old faction's collective complaint to suppress the new faction.

In this way, the old faction would be silenced, the new faction would be put in a bad light, and a firm rule would be established: factional grudges could be tolerated, but military and national funds and the undermining of the Fengtian Army's foundation were absolutely forbidden.

Gu Cheng nodded and said, "Ting Shu, I'm sure you and the Assistant Commander understand the Marshal's intentions, right? If we don't pull off some tricks next, we might not have a foothold in the Fengtian Army."

Zhang Tingshu also said seriously, "Yes, that's what my father said too... The Marshal is very determined this time. The reorganization department is flourishing in Fengtian Province, and many old and weak soldiers have been laid off; the officers have realized that the higher-ups are serious, and everyone is in danger. My father repeatedly warned us to be very careful."

Gu Cheng looked back at him and nodded solemnly: "The Assistant Commander is right. Jinzhou is a strategic location, and everyone is watching it closely right now."

He got up and walked to the window, looking at the pomegranate tree in the courtyard rustling in the night wind. "But the more it's like this, the less we can back down. If we're afraid of trouble, our old subordinates will feel they have an opportunity to take advantage... and the Japanese will become even more unscrupulous."

Zhang Tingshu walked to his side and followed his gaze out. The night was dark, and nothing could be seen clearly.

"So you're determined to cause some trouble?"

"It's not about making trouble." Gu Cheng turned around, his gaze clear and determined. "It's about doing what needs to be done faster and more thoroughly. The main camp cannot stop, the army reorganization cannot be delayed, and the city's defenses cannot be relaxed—if we hold these three things firmly in our hands, no one can shake our foundation!"

Zhang Tingshu grinned and punched him on the shoulder: "Fine, I've been waiting for you to say that! Wherever Gu Jingchuan points, I, Zhang Tingshu, will go, without hesitation!"

Gu Cheng was amused by his boldness and was about to speak when a series of light footsteps came from outside the door.

Yang Song leaned in halfway and announced in a low voice, "Master Gu, Miss Jiang has arrived. She says that Lord Min has something to say."

Jiang Yingrong changed into a navy blue dress tonight, her long hair tied back. Her capable appearance still carried the weariness of days of travel. She went straight to the point as soon as she entered the room: "Jingchuan, Lord Min asked me to pass on a message to you - that you should take some time to go to the official residence. He has something important to tell you in person."

Gu Cheng's brow twitched slightly: "Is Lord Min feeling any better?"

"I'm much better now, I can get out of bed and walk around." Jiang Yingrong waved her hand and found a chair to sit down. "But you know him, he can't stand resting. Today, as soon as he heard about the lumber and cement at the construction site, his face darkened immediately, and he insisted on seeing you."

Zhang Tingshu leaned closer, his face full of curiosity: "What wood and cement? Has something happened again at the main camp?"

Jiang Yingrong then briefly explained the strange things she had discovered at the construction site—the wood cracked easily when broken, and the cement was mixed with sand.