The Heroic Age of the Late Qing Dynasty

Zhang Yinghao was a little nervous when he received the second telegram from Zhang Feng saying that Tongguan was attacked by Beiyang Army. However, he was not afraid. He knew whether the enemy was strong or not only after the battle, but he replied directly: If no one offends me, I will not offend anyone. If someone offends me, I will definitely offend him.

However, within two hours, he received Zhang Feng's third telegram: The enemy has withdrawn. Zhang Yinghao couldn't understand why the Beiyang troops withdrew and didn't even bother to reply.

Seeing this line, Zhang Yinghao finally understood something. He felt that if he were the Qing Dynasty, he would be unable to sleep at night if he put himself in their shoes. This railway was like a soul-binding chain, ready to hang the Qing Dynasty at any time.

Zhang Yinghao knew that the Northeast China region was like the Balkans in Europe. The conflict between Japan and Russia was the most prominent, and Germany, the United States, Britain, France, and even the Qing Dynasty were also involved. If the war hadn't taken place in such a remote area like the Northeast China region, and if it had only involved the core interests of the Qing, Japan, and Russia, it would have been a world war.

While Russia and Japan were the only two major powers involved in this battle, other major powers also participated. Britain and the United States, dissatisfied with Tsarist Russia's monopoly on Northeast China, sided with Japan and provided assistance. France and Germany, despite their feud, both chose to ally with Tsarist Russia and secretly support it. Therefore, it cannot be simply defined as a war between two countries; each of these countries had the support of other major powers, leading to the war being dubbed World War Zero.

Zhang Yinghao also knew the severity of the Russo-Japanese War. This was because it wasn't just Japan that coveted our territory. Tsarist Russia, the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty, had already seized the most Chinese territory of any major power. The European powers wanted markets and raw materials, Japan wanted land for survival, and Russia wanted land and ice-free ports.

Although the Japanese army captured the entire Liaodong Peninsula during the First Sino-Japanese War and stationed troops there, Russia had long coveted the excellent ice-free port of Port Arthur. Therefore, after the First Sino-Japanese War, Russia solicited intervention from Germany and France to return the Liaodong Peninsula. Under pressure from Russia, Japan was forced to withdraw its troops and abandon the territory.

The Qing Dynasty feared another invasion by Japan, so it began to woo Russia. After all, at the time, it seemed that Russia only wanted Port Arthur, while Japan was ready to swallow up half of China. Between the two evils, it was better to choose the lesser one.

In 1896, the Qing Dynasty and Russia signed the "Treaty of Mutual Assistance against Enemies," also known as the "Sino-Russian Secret Treaty." The treaty essentially leased Port Arthur to Russia, allowing it to build a railway from the country to Port Arthur. Along the railway line, Russia and the Qing Dynasty shared sovereignty. However, if Japan attacked the Qing Dynasty, Russia would send troops to resist, forming a military alliance between the two countries.

Russia thus secured a foothold in the Far East, constructing permanent fortifications and coastal artillery in Port Arthur. It also established a Pacific Fleet stationed at Port Arthur. From this vantage point, Tsarist Russia could continue to expand its sphere of influence.

Seeing this railway, Zhang Yinghao knew that the upcoming Russo-Japanese War was inevitable, but this was the best opportunity for Zhang Yinghao to get involved in the three northeastern provinces, and there was still time.

Zhang Yinghao was just about to take a closer look at the map when his secretary came in with a telegram.

"Chairman, urgent message."

Zhang Yinghao took the telegram and read it. After finishing it, he laughed. Could this be God's will? The content was simple: Shanghai was launching an anti-Russian movement. As for the detailed information, someone would send it to Zhang Yinghao later. Zhang Yinghao had no idea there was such an anti-Russian movement in history, but this was exactly what he was going to do next: to establish a presence in the three northeastern provinces.

张英豪是不知道,在1903年4月，上海开展拒俄运动。原因就是1902年4月满清朝廷与沙俄订约,规定在镇压义和团时强占东北的沙俄军队分期全部撒走。1903年俄军拒绝接纳撤退,竟还提出7项无理要求,激起了中国人民的愤慨。

On April 27 of the same year, the people of Shanghai held a rally to protest Tsarist Russia's aggression. Students in Beijing, Wuchang, and other places also held protest rallies. However, the Qing Dynasty, under the guise of "nominally resisting Russia but in reality pursuing revolution," colluded with imperialism to suppress the protests.

Chapter 258:

Zhang Yinghao passed the telegram to other comrades and once again looked at the location of the three northeastern provinces. The administrative divisions of the three northeastern provinces in this era were different from those in later generations. Heilongjiang was not shaped like a hat, and Jilin's border extended all the way to the northernmost tip along the Ussuri River.

Zhang Yinghao knew that neither Japan nor Russia had anticipated the devastation of the Russo-Japanese War.

After knowing that Japan had done this to Russia, it was quiet until the First World War when it captured Qingdao, and then it mobilized its troops again. After the Russo-Japanese War,

Japan was unable to even occupy Manchuria after conquering it, leaving the country impoverished and nearly collapsed. Two typical metaphors are: a nouveau riche who lives a life of luxury suddenly runs into debt and must stay in business for a while; and an energetic child who gets into a fight with an adult, bruised and exhausted, and must take a break.

If Zhang Yinghao were to face Japan or Russia head-on now, he would undoubtedly lose. However, this presented Zhang Yinghao with a golden opportunity. He knew Zhang Zuolin had made his fortune through the Russo-Japanese War. Therefore, Zhang Yinghao wouldn't miss this opportunity. Since he couldn't stop them, he decided to fight.

Zhang Yinghao immediately asked someone to show everyone the previously collected data on the three northeastern provinces, Japan, and Russia. In fact, after the data was classified, the contradictions in it became clear.

It was crystal clear, and Ding Hongchen had already predicted the Russo-Japanese War. Zhang Yinghao analyzed the irreconcilable contradictions, stating that they could only be resolved through war. He then said, "Comrades, the three northeastern provinces are now a powder keg. It's not enough for the comrades there to just go back and develop their teams. We must seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and send our best and brightest teams there to develop the situation. What do you think?"

"If war really breaks out, this is indeed a good opportunity to take advantage of the situation."

"Then how many people should we send?"

"Five hundred people is enough. Too many people will make us a bigger target."

"I think the five hundred men should be divided into ten teams. If these ten teams are divided among the White Mountains and Black Waters, there will definitely be a few teams that stand out.

The goal is still too big.”

"—A hundred people is still too many. A team of five or six people will suffice. Inactivation maneuver."

"I think it's okay. Although our strength will be reduced if we disperse, our targets will also be smaller."

"The names of instructors and political commissars should be changed, right? The 4th unit has these names. If you are familiar with them, you will know it as soon as you hear it.

Our team."

"Yes, if we want to change it, we can use the term 'Party Representative'. If that doesn't work, I think we should just use the term 'Representative'."

"Okay, let's use the title of representative."

"This matter must be kept secret for the time being and must not be spread outside."

In this way, through the discussion between you and me, the matter was decided. In fact, when it came to the most elite troops, the comrades present knew what they were, so there was no need to say anything more.

After the meeting, Zhang Yinghao immediately summoned Hu Songhui. After explaining the whole story, he said, "You will personally select the personnel. We need 540 people, divided into 90 groups of six. There must be a medical staff member and a counterintelligence officer. We need to select comrades who are smart and eager to learn. We will stay in the three northeastern provinces for at least a few years. This matter must be made clear, and no coercion is allowed. When you have selected the people, let me know. I will give them a simple training and then send them to the Northeast to develop a base."

"Chairman, how will we contact and command these comrades after they are released?" "We don't need to contact them in the short term. Wait until they have developed for a while and established a base, then we will send the radio over. It won't be long before our influence reaches that area. If they can gain a foothold there beforehand, they will know what to do. In the future, the cruelty and ruthlessness of war will teach our brave soldiers a lesson. You go and select the people."

Zhang Yinghao's division of the troops into so many groups was actually a matter of optimization and checks and balances. If the Russo-Japanese War broke out, those with stuttering skills would be able to recruit as many troops as needed. And while going to the three northeastern provinces was certainly dangerous, it also presented an opportunity to rise to prominence overnight, a golden opportunity to change the fate of these comrades. If these comrades developed well, they could expand their forces in a very short period of time, and their positions would rise rapidly.

The army never procrastinates in doing things. Although Zhang Yinghao said that going to the three northeastern provinces must be voluntary and it may take several years, the revolutionary army is not short of soldiers, and the party organization selected comrades in a very short time.

Zhang Yinghao also picked up the materials he had prepared and gave a brief training session to the comrades. Zhang Yinghao walked into the lecture hall and saw that almost all the leaders of the Military Commission were present. Zhang Yinghao thought to himself and realized that these comrades who had left would surely become important figures in the future, so they all came to get acquainted. Secondly, the opportunity to listen to Zhang Yinghao's lectures was becoming increasingly rare, especially when it came to military combat. Zhang Yinghao usually didn't give lectures anymore, but now that he had the chance, he naturally came to listen.

Zhang Yinghao then began to speak: "I think you all know the purpose of calling everyone here this time, so I won't elaborate on it. Let me first explain why each group consists of six people. We divided the comrades into ninety groups and sent them into the three northeastern provinces. Some comrades may think that hundreds of people together mean greater strength, and this is indeed true.

But what is Northeast China now? It's a place occupied by the Russians. If a few hundred people suddenly appeared in one place, the Qing Dynasty and the foreign powers would immediately unite to suppress us, just like Jing Tingbin and his rebellion in Hebei. To avoid attracting the attention of the Qing Dynasty and the foreign powers in the early stages, we need to develop secretly in the three northeastern provinces for a period of time. Once we have established roots, the Qing Dynasty and the foreign powers will no longer be able to drive us away.

Why are we grouped in groups of six? It's simple: our rule is that any place with more than five Party members must establish a Party committee. Six people are needed because the three northeastern provinces are in danger. I've reserved a list of names for comrades to sacrifice. This isn't meant to be unlucky, but rather to help you understand the brutality of the struggle in the three northeastern provinces. Now, I have a message for you: Preserve yourselves, destroy the enemy. This is a message you must always keep in mind.

Only by preserving our own strength can we defeat the enemy. Comrades, you will encounter many more horrific events in Northeast China, and see many civilians struggling on the brink of death, just as you have before. Comrades, be mentally prepared. Should you save these civilians? How can we help them while preserving ourselves and defeating the enemy? This is a question that every comrade must consider.

Comrades, you all know that we are conducting a people's revolution. Therefore, we are not content with simply capturing one or two cities. Our true goal is to awaken the people. Therefore, we must take the most arduous path, reaching out to the masses to mobilize and organize them. Our Forward Party and Revolutionary Army must be like seeds, taking root and sprouting wherever there are masses. Our Forward Party and Revolutionary Army are both combat teams and propaganda and work teams. This is the real reason why we have dispersed our comrades across the vast land of Northeast China.

We've also shared information about the three northeastern provinces with you. Tsarist Russia and Japan were bound to engage in a war over them. The outcome of that war is currently unknown. But let's compare these two countries to two gangs fighting each other. Each gang leader only has a thousand yuan. Each gang member killed must pay a hundred yuan in compensation.

Comrades, think about this: once the gang leader loses all his 1,000 yuan, will he be able to continue the fight? He certainly won't be able to keep fighting. Furthermore, before the 1,000 yuan runs out, he will desperately try to kill the enemy, forcing them to withdraw. Therefore, this war will undoubtedly be an extremely brutal one for comrades, and all comrades must be mentally prepared.

Next, let me tell you what comrades should do. How should you start when you arrive in the three northeastern provinces? I have said before that the most oppressed people in the countryside are the tenant farmers, the most oppressed people in the cities are the workers and coolies, and the most oppressed people in the mining areas are the miners. The miners in the three northeastern provinces work in the imperialist mines and are particularly oppressed.

So when you arrive in the three northeastern provinces, you can liberate different oppressed people according to your specific circumstances. Of course, I won't go into details about the base area's policies such as beating landlords and distributing land. Comrades should all know what to do.

I have another point to emphasize here. When you arrive in the three northeastern provinces,

You can fight the Japanese, the Manchus, or the Russians, but the most important thing is to organize the masses and develop our comrades. If the Japanese try to win you over, you can superficially side with the Japanese. If the Qing try to win you over, you can also superficially side with the Japanese. If the Chinese try to win you over, you can still superficially side with the Russians.

What? It is to strengthen our power through them.

This Russo-Japanese War is not only a battle between the Japanese and Russians, but also a training ground for comrades. Comrades who defect to the Japanese, you will be like the Russians.

Fight well, and after joining the Russians, you can fight the Japanese well. At the same time, observe and learn how Japan and Tsarist Russia fought. You must use this opportunity to train a group of capable and combat-ready troops, waiting for the call of the Party and the people.

Another point is that in Northeast China, you must be cautious when recruiting new members. You must investigate at least three generations of their family. Those with unknown origins must not be admitted. Many Japanese have lived in Northeast China for two or three generations, making it impossible to distinguish whether they are Japanese or Chinese. Therefore, we must always be vigilant against the threat of espionage. Comrades traveling to the three northeastern provinces must not mention anything about Sichuan after their arrival. We must present ourselves as authentic Northeasterners, be prepared to stay away from home for years, or even die fighting in the three northeastern provinces. Therefore, we must not reveal our identity as a progressive party member. This is one of the reasons we have assigned a counterintelligence agent to our comrades.

Finally, comrades, you know that modern warfare has a fatal weakness. As long as we can seize this enemy weakness and attack it, victory is inevitable. What is this weakness? It is logistics. The fatal weakness of modern armies is logistics. As long as comrades find ways to destroy the enemy's logistics, the enemy will be a toothless tiger. A rifle without bullets is no more useful than a firewood stick. Comrades, you must remember this. Do you have any questions?

"Chairman, when will the Russo-Japanese War break out?"

"According to Teacher Ding Hongchen's prediction, the outbreak should occur within two years. Therefore, all comrades must go there in secret, without revealing their identities. Even after the war ends, they must remain in the region. Those comrades who find love in Northeast China can settle down there with the organization's approval, and there will be no problem getting married and having children."

"Chairman, who will win this war?"

"The two gangs will inevitably suffer heavy losses and be unable to fight again. From this perspective, there will be no winners. If the comrades in Northeast China use the war to unite and organize the people and grow stronger, then we will be the winners."

"Chairman, what kind of superior-subordinate relationship do we have?"

"What's this about superior-subordinate relationships? You little idiots, remember this: under the premise that the Party commands the gun, our Forward Party and the Revolutionary Army have never been dissatisfied with having more soldiers and more generals. How far we can develop depends on whether you have the ability to do so. Just don't cry when you're outdone."

Hearing Zhang Yinghao's words, the comrades who understood what he meant were in a commotion. This was a complete delegation of power to them. Hu Songhui finally understood the meaning. This meant that these comrades were to be given free rein to carry out their work in the three northeastern provinces. Hu Songhui himself was even a little envious. If they seized this opportunity, many of these comrades would surely become leading cadres in the future.

"Chairman, do you mean that if you recruit a regiment, you will become the commander of the regiment, and if you recruit a division, you will become the commander of the division?"

"If you bring out a bunch of idiots, you'll be treated like bear paws."

When the comrades heard Zhang Yinghao say this, they all laughed. Although Zhang Yinghao's words did not express affirmation or denial, his meaning was obvious.

"Chairman, how do we deal with weapons and ammunition?"

Chapter 259:

"If we don't have guns or cannons, the enemy will make them for us. Comrades, Northeast China has many gold, silver, coal, and iron mines. Once we mine the gold and silver, we can buy weapons and ammunition from the great powers. Comrades, remember that Tsarist Russia, like the Qing Dynasty, is corrupt. As long as the money is in place, machine guns and cannons can still be purchased. You can also go to Lushun and buy them from Germany and other great powers. The Japanese are trying to win you over, so if you are willing to pretend to surrender, they will definitely give you a lot of support. If you can establish a base, you can then produce steel and iron, manufacture your own weapons, and purchase machinery and equipment from the great powers. By then, Sichuan should also be able to provide you with some support."

"Chairman, will we still need to settle and cultivate the Northeast?"

"What will you eat if you don't cultivate the land? Comrades, do you know what the Northeast is like? It has black soil, and you can even squeeze a handful of that soil to produce oil. And the Northeast is now

The population is sparse in Guangdong. In Sichuan, land is divided into mu, while in Northeast China, land is divided into ke. One mu of land is set at ten mu. So after comrades arrive in Northeast China, if they settle down there, everyone will

They are all landlords.”

"Chairman, there's so much land in Northeast China, why don't the people there cultivate it?"

"This comrade asked a good question. You said that the mountains in Sichuan belong to the landlords, and the people are not allowed to go up the mountains to collect firewood. Will they be allowed to open up wasteland and cultivate land? How much land have we reclaimed since we overthrew the landlords? So it's the same everywhere. When you go to the Northeast, you will know that the landlords there are the real landlords. Looking around, the mountains are all owned by landlords. As for the people reclaiming wasteland? Reclaiming wasteland requires tools. Where can the people get farm tools now? Moreover, without a peaceful environment, people will come to grab the land that is reclaimed. If there is no guarantee, who will be willing to spend the effort to reclaim wasteland?"

Zhang Yinghao was teaching his comrades how to carry out revolution in Northeast China. He was the only one missing. If they still couldn't do it well, Zhang Yinghao would be at his wit's end. In fact, even if Zhang Yinghao had led his troops to Northeast China himself, they might not have been able to do it as well as his comrades. If someone from this era had Sichuan and Shaanxi provinces, they would have continued to expand, because in their view, overthrowing the Qing Dynasty was the top priority. However, Zhang Yinghao didn't continue to expand, and continued to cultivate his inner strength, because in Zhang Yinghao's view, cultivating inner strength was the top priority. There's no saying which method is better; only history can provide the final answer.

Comrades, this mission is both glorious and arduous. I hope you can complete the task entrusted to you by the Party and the people!"

"Make sure to complete the mission."

All the soldiers immediately stood up and answered in unison.

Zhang Yinghao opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end, he just said, "Okay, I wish you all a successful start and immediate success. I'll commend you for your achievements in the future. Comrade Hu Songhui will stay for a while, and each team will take him back."

"Yes."

Zhang Yinghao was standing near the door. When the first team came over, the team leader shouted, "Salute!"

Zhang Yinghao raised his hand to return the greeting, and then did not put it down. After watching the first team leave, he turned to look at the second team.

"salute."

The soldiers from each team saluted Zhang Yinghao in turn, and Zhang Yinghao finished the salute only after all the teams had left.

At this time, Hu Songhui came over, and Zhang Yinghao asked: "How do you plan to get to the Northeast?"

"Chairman, I plan to have them take the Shaanxi route. After crossing the Great Wall, they'll reach the vast grasslands and then turn to the three northeastern provinces."

"Okay. When you leave, let me know in advance. I'll go see you off."

"Yes."

After saying this, he saluted Zhang Yinghao. Zhang Yinghao returned the salute and said, "Go and make the arrangements. Get to the Northeast as soon as possible so that the comrades have more time to adapt."

Watching Hu Songhui's departing figure, Zhang Yinghao suddenly felt inexplicably sad. While sending these comrades out could greatly enhance their abilities, that was only possible if they were still alive. These people were truly putting their heads on the line this time. Fortune and wealth were sought through risk; whether they could achieve it depended entirely on themselves.

Zhang Yinghao saw this as both an opportunity to make meritorious service and a chance to send them to the front lines, to the most dangerous places, perhaps even to hell. However, Zhang Yinghao had to participate in the Russo-Japanese War. Besides the need to liberate Northeast China, it was also a training exercise. He had to use this opportunity to broaden his comrades' horizons and cultivate a truly battle-hardened field army.

This group of soldiers had relatively high ideological awareness. They were either Party members or active Party applicants, and Zhang Yinghao felt relatively confident in them. He made special arrangements for these comrades, approving all of them to join the Party. Many comrades were moved to tears when Zhang Yinghao personally read the Party oath to them.

The special forces were very fast and efficient, and they organized the troops in a short time. Zhang Yinghao immediately held a final mobilization meeting and swore in the troops to go to the battle: "Comrades, this mission is different from the past. You will fight independently without logistical support or support. You may face a situation where you are surrounded by enemies, or face a forest with no human habitation in sight. The situation may even be worse than I described.

You are all the warriors we trained, but you are only newly trained. The cruelty of war is not as simple as fighting against the weaklings like the Qing Dynasty.

You may face machine guns and artillery, bloody battles, and truly brutal slaughter. When you arrive in the three northeastern provinces, you may face a clash of steel and will between two nations.

You will be the first to experience it, you will participate in it, develop yourselves, and destroy the enemy. The battle will be extremely brutal, and many of you will die between the white mountains and black waters.

What I want to say is that no matter how great the price, no matter how great the sacrifice, this is a price we must bear. Because we are soldiers, we shoulder the mission and responsibility of defending our homeland and resisting the enemy.

Once the war breaks out, both the Russians and the Japanese will desperately need the help of the people of Northeast China. Kill Russians or Japanese, it's up to you. And if you're unfortunately captured and tortured, you must hold out, even if it means death. Because soon we will liberate Northeast China, and we won't abandon any of our comrades.

If they want you to work for them, then you can agree to it and take advantage of the opportunity to use the power of imperialism to develop ourselves. This time we will not treat you as traitors or spies. When you arrive in the three northeastern provinces, you will be divided into 90 groups and act independently. You can keep in touch with each other, help each other, and cooperate with each other.

Comrades, when you arrive in the three northeastern provinces, what you need to do is develop yourselves, establish a stable base, and then eliminate the enemy.

Comrades, if war truly breaks out in the three northeastern provinces, you will witness countless human tragedies. This presents a crisis for you—both danger and opportunity. Whether you are a dragon or a worm depends on whether you can seize this opportunity. Whether you soar to the sky or remain buried in a foreign land depends on your ability.

Finally, I want to say one more thing to my comrades: Even if the enemy outnumbers us, even if the disparity in strength is immense, the brave prevail when two meet on a narrow road. Be brave, be fierce, and show your might and majesty.

After saying this, Zhang Yinghao immediately saluted, put his hands down, picked up the bowl of wine beside him and said: "Comrades, come, drink this bowl of wine in your hand."

Zhang Yinghao finished his drink in one gulp. Then, he gently placed his bowl on the ground. After finishing his drink, the other comrades also placed their bowls on the ground. As for the scene of violently smashing bowls as shown on TV, that would never happen in the revolutionary army. These were the people's property, and the revolutionary army naturally had no right to destroy them. And smashing bowls now would be pointless. They were going to the Northeast to establish a base, not to express a desire to die in glory rather than live in disgrace. Smashing bowls would be justifiable if the comrades were being urged to immediately launch a desperate charge.

After drinking, a captain waved the military flag left and right. The fluttering red flag attracted the attention of all the comrades, and then he shouted: "Let's go."

At this time, the cultural and art soldiers who were seeing them off outside suddenly sang a loud song. This was a song that the comrades had just learned in the past two days: "The Soul of the Revolutionary Army". The comrades were moved and sang along loudly.

If our motherland is invaded, righteous men must forge ahead. Drink this bowl of homeland wine, and the brave warriors will never return. The rolling Yellow River, the surging Yangtze River. Give me life, give me strength. Let your blood dye the most beautiful flowers red, and sprinkle them on my chest. Red flags flutter, bugles sound. Swords are unsheathed, thunder and lightning flash. It has always been the case that when two meet on a narrow road, the brave prevails.

Onward, onward. Onward, onward. Onward, the spirit of the revolutionary army

After singing this song, the art soldiers continued to sing another song, "Song of Comrades":

Yesterday we bore the wind, today we bear the rain. In the days when we fought side by side, our heroic spirit soared to the sky.

We share the pain and happiness together. Together we will build a wall of steel.

Comrade~Comrade, comrade~my dear brother.

The years in the military camp forge friendships. Never fear the vicissitudes of life, never fear the blood and sweat.

Eat from the same pot, sleep in the same bed. A man with ambitions is always willing to defend his country.