On the eve of the fall of Liaodong, he led his troops in a remonstrance against the young marshal.

"Xue Ming"

"There is someone who might be able to help."

Zhang Xueliang thought of someone.

Zhang Xueming turned his head and looked at him.

"Who?"

Zhang Xueliang took a deep breath and slowly uttered three words.

Yu Xuezhong.

The moment the name was uttered, the atmosphere in the room subtly shifted.

Yu Xuezhong was a name known to everyone in the Northeast Army.

He was Zhang Xueliang's most trusted confidant and beloved general, having followed Zhang Xueliang since their time at the military academy, and inseparable throughout their more than ten years of military service.

Zhang Zuolin once said that Yu Xuezhong was "the shadow of Xiao Liuzi" (Zhang Xueliang's nickname). Wherever Zhang Xueliang was, Yu Xuezhong was also there, and the presence of Yu Xuezhong meant that Zhang Xueliang was not far away.

A glimmer of light returned to Zhang Xueliang's eyes, and he spoke faster, as if he wanted to pour out everything he had to say at once:

"Xueming, you should know who Yu Xuezhong is."

"He's been with me for over ten years, his loyalty is absolutely unquestionable."

"When I entered the pass this time, I brought him with me. All 190,000 elite Northeast Army troops were under his command."

"He has already received my transfer order and is currently crossing the border from Beiping. If he moves quickly enough by train, I believe he will arrive in Fengtian in less than two days!"

He spoke with such confidence, as if the moment Yu Xuezhong arrived, all those clowns in Fengtian City would vanish in the blink of an eye.

He looked up at Zhang Xueming, hoping to see approval in his younger brother's eyes.

But what he saw was the look of someone looking at someone with intellectual disabilities.

The smile on Zhang Xueliang's face froze.

"What do you mean?"

Zhang Xueliang's temper flared again, his face flushed red, and his voice involuntarily rose, "You think Yu Xuezhong is unreliable? He's been with me for over ten years! He..."

"Who says Yu Xuezhong is unreliable?"

Zhang Xueming interrupted him, "He's so reliable."

"I have no doubt that he is completely loyal to you."

Zhang Xueliang was speechless.

If Zhang Xueming doesn't doubt Yu Xuezhong's loyalty, then why does he show this kind of expression?

Zhang Xueming looked at him and suddenly sighed softly.

"Brother, let me ask you something."

Zhang Xueming countered, "Now that Zang Shiyi is rebelling, whose banner is he using?"

Zhang Xueliang was taken aback:

"It's my name, but what does that have to do with what you're saying...?"

"Yu Xuezhong is your man."

Zhang Xueming interrupted him before he could finish, his tone turning cold, "He obeys your orders, and he only obeys your orders."

"So here's the question: what will he see when he arrives in Fengtian with his 190,000 troops?"

Zhang Xueliang's mouth was agape, and he was momentarily speechless.

"He will see that your banner, General Zhang, is flying over Fengtian City."

Zhang Xueming continued for him, "He will see that the local officials in Northeast China, led by Zang Shiyi, the chairman of Liaoning Province, will unanimously declare that it was you, Zhang Xueliang, who authorized them to take over the military and political power of the three provinces."

What do you think he will do?

"Would he risk his life to attack a city that flies your name? Would he shoot and kill those officials who claim to be acting on your orders?"

"You expect a loyal, long-time subordinate to judge who is loyal and who is treacherous without knowing the full story?"

Zhang Xueliang's lips were trembling.

He wanted to say something, but he couldn't say anything.

After a long silence, he finally managed to stammer out, "So tell me, what should we do?"

Silence fell in the room once again.

Zhang Xueming was too lazy to waste any more words on him.

Zang Shiyi's rebellion came suddenly, but it was also a good thing.

It was like a sharp dagger, piercing through all the false calm and laying bare a question he had been avoiding since his transmigration.

The roots of Northeast China are rotten to the core.

He wasn't unaware of these issues after he traveled through time.

He knew how many traitors were hidden in the military and political system of Northeast China, and he knew which people would kneel before the Japanese and beg for mercy after the September 18 Incident.

But he never went all out to eliminate them because he didn't want to use force against the Chinese.

What does it mean that Zang Shiyi was able to instigate a rebellion in Fengtian City with just a letter and a hat that read "By Imperial Order of the Young Marshal"?

This shows that he didn't even cut off the dead branches on the tree when he killed the ringleaders.

Those who were hiding in the shadows, watching from the sidelines, sitting on the fence, waiting to get a good price, are all still alive, all waiting for the opportunity to stab him in the back.

Being soft-hearted and lenient will inevitably sow the seeds of disaster.

Chopping the grass does not remove the roots, but the spring breeze blows and regenerates.

What's the point of talking about sentiment or legal principles with traitors and sellouts?

Do they deserve to listen?

Zhang Xueming's gaze slowly shifted to Zhang Xueliang.

The gaze lingered on Zhang Xueliang's neck for a moment.

In that instant, the hairs on Zhang Xueliang's body stood on end.

He suddenly felt that he was only one step away from death.

Zhang Xueliang swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.

He dared not move, not even look away.

He knew what Zhang Xueming was thinking; he was definitely considering whether or not to get rid of him now.

Zhang Xueliang's guess was correct; Zhang Xueming was indeed thinking about it.

Zhang Xueliang being alive would be a threat.

He was the nominal commander of the Northeast Army, Zhang Zuolin's eldest son, and the "Young Marshal".

Even if he has been sidelined by himself, even if his power has been stripped away bit by bit, as long as he is alive, as long as he is breathing, there will be people like Zang Shiyi who will use his name to make a fuss.

Today there is one Zang Shiyi, tomorrow there may be ten, or a hundred.

He is a living signboard, a flag that never fades, and anyone with ulterior motives can raise this flag.

Then he said, "I am acting on the orders of the young marshal."

Killing him is the simplest solution.

Killing Zhang Xueliang would bring down this banner.

From then on, there was only one commander-in-chief in Northeast China, surnamed Zhang. No one could use the title of "Young Marshal" for any further purposes. This eliminated any future troubles.

However... he still has some merit, at least he realized his mistake and returned to the right path.

Based on this alone, I cannot kill him.

Zhang Xueming shifted his gaze from Zhang Xueliang's neck.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the surging murderous intent within him.

Zhang Xueliang cannot be killed, at least not now.

If Zhang Xueliang is killed, Yu Xuezhong will never be able to get back his 190,000 elite Northeast Army troops. Those veteran Northeast Army generals who are still watching will all become time bombs.

He suppressed his murderous intent, raised his head, and his gaze became clear again.

He looked at Zhang Xueliang, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

"Send a telegram immediately."

Zhang Xueliang was taken aback:

"What telegram?"

"In your name, send a telegram to the entire nation."

Zhang Xueming's voice was strong and clear: "He denounced Zang Shiyi, expelled him from the Northeast Army, stripped him of his Chinese citizenship, and identified him as a first-class traitor."

"Those who betray their country for personal gain deserve to be punished by everyone."

"Those who conspired with him in the rebellion will all be regarded as traitors and collaborators, and will be punished the same as Zang Shiyi, without any leniency."

Zhang Xueliang opened his mouth as if to say something, but Zhang Xueming did not give him a chance to speak.

"At the same time, order Wang Yizhe."

Zhang Xueming continued, speaking rapidly and clearly, "Tell him to immediately lead his troops back to Fengtian and never come to Fengcheng again."

"His brigade can't keep up with the main force here. By the time they get to Fengcheng, it will be too late."

"Let them change course and head directly north to Fengtian to assist in suppressing the rebellion."

Zhang Xueliang nodded and wrote down every single word of the orders.

Just as he was about to turn around to do it, Zhang Xueming called him back.

"Wait a moment."

Zhang Xueliang turned around.

"Go and make preparations."

Zhang Xueming's voice was flat and devoid of any emotion. "Come with me on the plane later to return to Fengtian."

Zhang Xueliang's expression changed instantly.

"What? You're dragging me into this again?"

He instinctively took a step forward, his voice filled with urgent worry:

"Return to Fengtian? What about Fengcheng then? I think I'll stay in Fengcheng..."

"You don't need to worry about Fengcheng."

Zhang Xueming interrupted him, then turned around and looked at Chang Yuchun.

Chang Yuchun stood by the side the whole time, listening to Zhang Xueming give orders one by one. His expression changed from anger to solemnity, and then from solemnity to expectation.

The moment Zhang Xueming's gaze fell upon him, he instinctively straightened his back and leaned forward slightly, like a hunting dog that had smelled blood.

"Chang Yuchun." Zhang Xueming's voice suddenly rose by half an inch.

"arrive!"

Chang Yuchun snapped to attention, the heels of his military boots clicking together with a crisp sound.

"You are in full charge of the Battle of Phoenix City."

Zhang Xueming stared into his eyes and explained slowly and deliberately, "I will leave you five hundred tanks. After Yuan Lang's eight thousand elite soldiers arrive, they will all be under your command, along with the eight thousand men of the First Brigade."

"The total troop strength is nearly 20,000, with 500 tanks."

A light shone in Chang Yuchun's eyes.

"I want you to wipe out the rest of the 19th and 20th Divisions."

Zhang Xueming's voice turned serious. "Neither of the two divisions is to be allowed to escape."

"Especially Itagaki Seishiro, could he be brought back alive?"

Chang Yuchun took a deep breath, his chest expanding.

"Rest assured, Commander!"

His voice boomed like thunder, "If Chang Yuchun lets even one Japanese soldier escape, he'll bring his head to me!"

"it is good."

Zhang Xueming nodded, then glanced at Li Wenzhong beside him.

"You will be the deputy general."

Li Wenzhong was standing half a step behind Chang Yuchun. When he saw Zhang Xueming's gaze shift over, he subconsciously took a step forward.

"commander,"

He hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice and asked, "What if there are still prisoners on the battlefield...?"

Zhang Xueming's lips curved slightly.

"Besides Itagaki, the others..."

"You can decide for yourselves. I need to leave behind a mound of Jing (a type of ancient Chinese statue) in Fengcheng!"

Li Wenzhong snapped to attention, gave a crisp military salute, and spoke with fervor:

"clear!"

Zhang Xueming did not waste any more time.

He turned around and said to Wolf Warrior:

"Prepare the plane for immediate takeoff."

Wolf Warrior nodded and turned to walk out.

Zhang Xueming strode towards the door, the hem of his military overcoat billowing behind him.

After taking two steps, he stopped and looked back at Zhang Xueliang, who was still leaning against the wall.

Zhang Xueliang's expression was still very unpleasant. His lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he swallowed his words and silently followed.

It was already dawn when the two men walked out of the headquarters.

The morning light spilled over from the eastern mountain ridge, bathing the entire city of Fengcheng in a pale gold hue.

On the distant parade ground, soldiers were assembling, and commands echoed throughout the air.

The airport is located in the northern suburbs of Fengcheng. It is a temporary dirt runway that has been leveled, with a row of canvas tents set up next to it as a temporary waiting room.

A transport plane was parked on the runway, its paint reflecting a dim light in the morning light.

The propellers had already started spinning, emitting a buzzing roar, and the swirling air currents caused the withered grass on both sides of the runway to be blown flat on the ground.

Wolf Warrior was already waiting at the cabin door.

Zhang Xueming glanced back as he stepped onto the gangway.

The city walls of Fengcheng stood tall in the morning light, and the Northeast Army flag on the city wall fluttered in the morning breeze.

Below the city wall were densely packed tents and fortifications, with smoke rising from the chimneys, and the entire military camp was awakening.

This was the burial ground he had chosen for two Japanese divisions, hoping that the Japanese would not betray his good intentions.

He looked away and bent down to crawl into the cabin.

Zhang Xueliang followed him onto the plane.

He found a window seat, fastened his seatbelt, and silently looked out the window.

His expression was complex, showing worry, resentment, grievance, and an inexplicable sense of bewilderment.

He was always the first to appear at the most dangerous places.

The plane began to taxi on the runway, which was very bumpy, and the fuselage made a creaking sound.

Then the nose of the plane suddenly lifted, and the ground quickly receded into the distance, with the entire city of Fengcheng becoming smaller and smaller in the porthole.

On the city wall of Fengcheng, there was still one person who had not left.

Chen Cheng stood beside the battlements, his hands resting on the cold bricks, watching the transport plane fly further and further away until it became a small black dot on the horizon.

The cold morning wind blew against his military overcoat; his face was ashen, and he gritted his teeth in anger.

He didn't want to stay in Fengcheng, much less in the Northeast. He just wanted to go back to Nanjing, back to his warm bed.

But he couldn't go anywhere, because when Zhang Xueming left, he gave him specific instructions in front of Chang Yuchun and Li Wenzhong.

"Chen Cheng, you stay on the front line. In the next battle, you will lead from the front."

Chen Cheng was stunned and thought he had misheard.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but he was a civil official, a staff officer, there to mediate, not to charge into battle.

But Zhang Xueming didn't give him any chance to refute. After saying that, he turned around and left, leaving him with only his back view.

Standing on the city wall, Chen Cheng felt the cold wind blowing from the north and suddenly shivered.

"Nanjing, can I ever go back?"