The Heroic Age of the Late Qing Dynasty

After the PLA briefly secured control of Shanxi, various departments immediately gathered a vast supply of supplies, formed a massive caravan, and began their journey north. The money for these supplies naturally came from the local tycoons of Shanxi. Shanxi merchants virtually monopolized trade with Mongolia, and after centuries of accumulation, the wealth of the local tycoons in Shanxi can be imagined. During the PLA's liberation of Shanxi, various departments publicly tried many enemies of the people, reaping huge profits...

At the same time, Zhang Feng personally led a group of PLA soldiers and a large merchant group formed in Shaanxi to the north. After the two caravans met in Baotou, they followed the path that Shanxi merchants had used for hundreds of years and entered Outer Mongolia.

What's so valuable in Mongolia right now that it's worth organizing such a large caravan to trade? While Mongolia is rich in minerals, these resources remain largely undiscovered and untapped. So what else does Mongolia have? That's right, it's its well-developed animal husbandry. Livestock, wool, leather, and other essentials for life and industry.

The sky is vast, the wilderness is boundless, the wind blows the grass low, and the sight of cattle and sheep is palpable. Mongolia is vast and sparsely populated, with underdeveloped commerce. Prices for wool and other commodities are currently very low, and many herders simply discard their wool rather than sell it or use it to make textiles. Just like the scene in the play "Da Sheng Kui," when the sheep are moulting, the ground is littered with wool, and no one wants it. The protagonist seizes the opportunity to pick up the wool and makes a fortune...

Zhang Yinghao didn't know who else would make a fortune from Mongolian wool, but he knew that doing business with Mongolia would definitely make him rich. Trading a few pounds of salt for a camel's wool or a cowhide was a great bargain! Wool was of little use to the herders, so now someone was offering salt, ironware, cloth, and other supplies in exchange, and they were naturally very happy.

The technology for simply processing wool wasn't particularly advanced, but Zhang Feng and his team built several wool textile and processing plants in northern Shaanxi, as well as a canning factory. They sourced wool, hides, and other items cheaply from Mongolia, then simply processed them into industrial products for sale throughout the liberated areas. This round trip was profitable, and naturally, they made a killing.

As the People's Liberation Army passed through, they demolished all the toll checkpoints along the way, set up outposts and stationed troops in necessary places to maintain public order.

The military escorted the caravans, who then moved across the grasslands to conduct business. At the same time, the army also had to combat the elusive bandits of horse and Mongolian bandits. When encountering herders, they also had to publicize the caravan's presence and encourage them to trade with them.

Chapter 454:

Zhang Yinghao wasn't particularly concerned about any major mishaps during this invasion of Outer Mongolia. Few forces could influence Mongolia, and liberating a region still in a semi-feudal, semi-slave society, a theocratic state, would be a very easy task without external interference.

With Japan and Russia still locked in a fierce war in Northeast China, they had little energy to focus on Mongolia, let alone deploying any force there, creating an enemy out of nowhere. As for the Qing court, they were already struggling to take care of themselves. Even if they wanted to stop it, what other options were there besides asking the Mongolian nobles to resist? Furthermore, Zhang Yinghao didn't really care about the Qing's influence in Mongolia, especially Outer Mongolia.

In fact, during the Qing Dynasty, unlike Inner Mongolia, which remained loyal to the Central Plains, Outer Mongolia had always been somewhat disloyal. Furthermore, Outer Mongolia lacked cultural exchange with the Central Plains. However, Outer Mongolia had no intention of separating from China, so Zhang Yinghao was not worried that the Mongolian people would resolutely resist his liberation.

Of course, even though the Qing court's rule over Mongolia was weak, Outer Mongolia's ability to secede from China in the past was only possible after the Xinhai Revolution. Taking advantage of the internal turmoil within the Chinese central government and its inability to pay attention, a handful of traitorous princes and nobles within Outer Mongolia, under the coercion, inducements, and instigation of Tsarist Russia, declared independence, misleading the public and gradually separating from the motherland, turning Outer Mongolia into a disguised colony of Tsarist Russia. Following the signing of the Sino-Russian-Mongolian Treaty, Outer Mongolia implemented "autonomy" under Tsarist Russia's "protection," with China becoming its nominal suzerain.

This also proves once again that the loose power of the masses is powerless in the face of powerful forces. It is the actions of a few people that truly determine the direction of history, and the vast majority of people are forced to follow.

In fact, what is little known is that in the process of Outer Mongolia's independence, the so-called "Jin merchants" from Shanxi also played a role in fueling the flames. The Jin merchants went to the west and controlled the goods routes between the south and the north. The Jin merchants who made money lent money at high interest rates in Outer Mongolia. Dozens or even hundreds of Jin merchants actually owned debts that all Outer Mongolians could not repay for decades. And some of the princes and nobles in Outer Mongolia

They also owed a lot of high-interest loans, so they naturally hoped that by becoming "independent", they could take the opportunity to default on their debts and never have to pay back the money of these "foreigners" from Shanxi merchants...

However, even so, after the October Revolution in Russia, when the Tsarist Russia had no time to look east, Xu Shuzheng led about 5 people directly to the Outer Mongolian capital of Kulun. In a very short time, he executed two rebel leaders, stabilized the situation in Outer Mongolia, and recovered more than 180 million square meters of land, including Outer Mongolia and Tannu Uriankhai. This can be compared to Ban Chao of the Han Dynasty in the distant past, and Zuo Zongtang's recovery of Xinjiang in the recent past...

Unfortunately, just as the Soviet Civil War left Xu Shuzheng unable to reclaim Mongolia, China's Civil War similarly left them unable to focus on the north. Warlords had no interest in the "barren" Outer Mongolia, and soon, after the Soviet Union had recovered, it was invaded and occupied. Chiang Kai-shek's recognition of Outer Mongolia's sovereignty in 1945 further rendered the return of Outer Mongolia impossible. Only Taiwan's national map still marked Outer Mongolia as part of the Republic of China. Chiang Kai-shek, in addition to his diary-powerful powers, now also managed to dominate the map. Haha...

Zhang Yinghao knew that after Xu Shuzheng recovered Outer Mongolia, the fundamental reason why Outer Mongolia became independent so easily was that Xu Shuzheng used military suppression.

The methods used were still feudal. The lower-class nomads had not been liberated at all; they continued to live under brutal oppression and exploitation. Therefore, with Soviet support, Choibalsan and his colleagues easily mobilized the lower classes and overthrew the Mongolian regime in one fell swoop, achieving "liberation" for the people. From one perspective, the Mongolian revolution was legitimate. However, Choibalsan, adopting Stalin's approach of brutal struggle and ruthless repression, resorted to class and ethnic genocide. By exterminating the former Mongolian nobility, as well as ethnic Han Chinese, he reduced Outer Mongolia's population to only 300,000 or 400,000, achieving the goal of ethnic "purification." It was precisely this that completely eliminated the possibility of China regaining Mongolia. After the Mongolian people had stained their hands with blood and still believed they had "liberated" and regained everything they had lost, China would have difficulty gaining the support of the vast majority of the Mongolian people in its attempt to reclaim the territory. After all, silence is the majority, and the Mongolians are also worried about the problem of retribution later. Therefore, as long as there are a few Mongolians who firmly oppose it and foreign forces intervene, then China will not be able to take back Mongolia. Even if it is reluctantly taken back, Mongolia will never have peace...

Coming from a later era, Zhang Yinghao clearly saw the sharp contradictions between the enemy and himself, and he would not allow Mongolian independence to occur again. Therefore, while the PLA militarily occupied Mongolia, it was more important to establish economic ties with Mongolia and politically liberate its herders. Therefore, during this northern expedition to Mongolia, the Forward Party assembled a massive caravan. The caravan carried large quantities of salt, tea, ironware, cloth, and other daily necessities, all of which were in short supply in Mongolia, in exchange for livestock products.

Merchant corps and herders will not use cash transactions for the time being, because in the eyes of the Forward Party, although cash transactions are convenient, for Mongolian herders, firstly, they do not recognize the paper money and do not acknowledge the value symbol it represents; secondly, cash transactions cannot immediately improve the herders' living standards. Only barter trade can produce immediate results and allow the people to get visible benefits immediately.

Of course, the PLA wouldn't rip off herders like the Shanxi merchants did, taking advantage of their complete lack of knowledge of wool prices to arbitrarily set prices. Wool prices were strictly calculated and set only after costs were confirmed. While still very cheap, for the herders, who were essentially recycling waste, the prices were already sky-high. Pile upon pile of unused wool was exchanged for a vast supply of daily necessities, and the herders' dark faces lit up with smiles, revealing a mouthful of burnt-yellow teeth.

Of course, this wasn't a completely smooth journey. Due to the land reforms in Sichuan and Shaanxi, and the subsequent liberation of Tibet, Gansu, and Qinghai by the People's Liberation Army, the policies of the Kadima Party naturally reached interested individuals across the country. Consequently, the Kadima Party and the People's Liberation Army developed a negative reputation among Mongolian elites. The term "Red Devil" that became popular in Mongolia was coined by Jebtsundamba Khutuktu VIII.

However, despite Jebtsundamba Khutuktu's immense influence in Mongolia, the vast territory of Outer Mongolia only had a mere 600,000 to 700,000 people. Even Inner Mongolia, with its better situation, still only held a few million people. It wasn't until the Western Expedition that the population began to recover. Furthermore, the foundations of feudal rule were ultimately weak. Imperial authority didn't extend down to the county level, leading to exploitation and oppression, and naturally, grassroots power was weak. Furthermore, communication technology was backward in that era. Even if Jebtsundamba Khutuktu cursed the "Red Devil" daily, few would have known. Even if they had, the dispersed forces wouldn't have posed much of a threat to the People's Liberation Army.

Furthermore, the PLA was well-prepared, with powerful firepower. The PLA's troops entering Mongolia were numerous and disciplined, far superior to the mere 5,000 soldiers Xu Shuzheng had brought back to recapture Mongolia. Therefore, the PLA easily entered Mongolia's heartland without much effort. As for the few bandits or Qing troops that harassed the PLA, they adopted an attitude of complete destruction.

Chapter 455:

Soldiers who have fought in the battlefield know that they face the constant threat of death in combat, so it's understandable that lower-level soldiers are not very belligerent. However, officers in this era are basically all belligerent, especially in a brand new army like the People's Liberation Army, where the system has not yet solidified and internalized. Most officers are promoted through exceptional promotions. Having tasted the sweetness of success, how can they quickly advance if they don't fight and expand the army? After all, every war is a great opportunity, a redistribution of interests...

At this time, the comrades who hoped to make great achievements marched into Outer Mongolia. The cavalry units were unstoppable. The comrades advanced triumphantly all the way and arrived at the city of Kulun in just six days. They even "incidentally" wiped out several Mongolian bandits who had been entrenched in Outer Mongolia for many years.

The PLA's mobility and combat effectiveness shocked the entire Mongolian region. Faced with the PLA's artillery and machine guns, the nobles of Outer Mongolia were completely panicked. After all, this was no longer the era of cold weapons. In the face of machine guns and artillery, cavalry was doomed to be eliminated. The descendants of Genghis Khan, the once invincible and world-conquering Mongols, had become a nation of song and dance.

However, the People's Liberation Army led by Zhang Feng was a formidable and civilized force. The liberation of Kulun could be achieved through war, but naturally, negotiation was also an option. After Zhang Feng led his troops to the city walls, he didn't march directly into the city. Instead, he camped outside and sent out a message to the current authorities in Kulun to come out for negotiations: Just like with the Communist Party, their religious status, personal safety, and property security must be guaranteed...

Then wait for the final attitude of Jebtsundamba Khutuktu.

At that time, Kulun was not as prosperous as a larger county town in the interior. It was in a state of disrepair. The People's Liberation Army could easily break through the low walls and enter the city with a single charge. As for modern defense facilities, there was not even a trace of them...

At that time, there were some princes and nobles living in the city, and a large number of Mongolians lived in yurts outside the city. However, these did not hinder the PLA from entering Kulun. Faced with the PLA's absolute dominance, the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu naturally had no way to deal with it.

Zhang Yinghao was extremely cautious in dealing with the issues of Mongolia and Tibet. The living environment in these areas has been harsh since ancient times, with the majority ethnic group not being Han Chinese and the degree of Sinicization being low. The Forward Party's mass base in these areas was currently very weak. Without a critical mass of local Party members and cadres, Zhang Yinghao had no intention of launching a large-scale mass movement. Without a mass base, unrest in these sparsely populated areas would be extremely difficult to clean up, requiring a significant amount of time and effort. Zhang Yinghao also needed a certain degree of stability in these areas to cope with the situation ahead. His bottom line was that you just had to obey him and not cause trouble for now; otherwise, the sword would surely be raised. Since war could be avoided, Zhang Yinghao decided to temporarily support these old elites. It wouldn't be a big deal. It would also serve as a good opportunity to see which ones were loyal to China and which were disloyal, and he could settle the accounts later.

Just like now, even though the British have invaded Tibet multiple times, inflicting heavy losses, there's evidence that some leading nobles, still ungrateful of their roots, have contacted the British for help, attempting to drive the Progressive Party and the People's Liberation Army out of Tibet. Riots have broken out in many parts of Tibet, supported by these ungrateful aristocratic elites. The People's Liberation Army and the Progressive Party are currently exercising restraint, hoping to let these clowns act a little longer, allowing the people to see their true colors and build public support for the upcoming "cleansing." After all, class contradictions in these areas are too acute, and the future bloodbaths will be brutal. Zhang Yinghao naturally hopes to retain those loyal to China, even those like the old aristocracy, like slave owners. As long as they remain loyal to China and can survive a mass movement like the Great Revolution, Zhang Yinghao will tolerate their continued existence. Therefore, their emergence now is actually a good thing.

"Chairman, Comrade Zhang Feng sent good news. The People's Liberation Army has peacefully entered Kulun."

"Oh, did the old aristocrats like Jebtsundamba VIII give in so easily?" "Haha, Zhang Feng and his men are quite cunning. They took the group of people who came out to negotiate from Kulun to watch a simple actual combat exercise conducted by our comrades outside Kulun City. When the cannons sounded, the Mongolians negotiating with them were so frightened that their legs went weak and they trembled with fear. They didn't dare to make any demands and just accepted the PLA's entry into Kulun."

Zhang Yinghao nodded and said, "To conquer the enemy without fighting is the best of all virtues. What about the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu VIII?"

"Jebtsundamba Khutuktu VIII did not escape from his Bogd Khan Palace and was "protected" by our army."

Upon hearing that the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu VIII was being "protected" by the People's Liberation Army, Zhang Yinghao naturally understood what this meant. Zhang Yinghao knew the importance of the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu VIII to the Mongolian people at that time. He knew that keeping him under house arrest was not an option. He had to allow him to interact with the public for the time being, otherwise rumors would spread, and the PLA would be resisted by the Mongolian people, who were controlled by their religious beliefs. However, the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu VIII was a ticking time bomb, and Zhang Yinghao naturally did not want to allow him to remain in Mongolia at this time, as otherwise, the PLA's operations in Mongolia might be faced with countless difficulties.

So, Zhang Yinghao thought for a moment before turning to his secretary and saying, "Immediately send a telegram in my personal name to the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu VIII, inviting him to visit Chengdu. Then, send him a telegram in the name of the Central Committee, inviting him to discuss state affairs. Then, have the Dalai Lama Thubten Gyatso and the Panchen Lama Choekyi Nyima also send a telegram inviting him to Chengdu..."

Zhang Yinghao believed that after Zhang Feng read his telegram, he would naturally find a way to "send" the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu to Chengdu, just as the comrades who marched into Tibet had sent the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama to Chengdu. Backed by force, Zhang Yinghao had initially sent three invitations, ultimately forcing the Dalai Lama Thubten Gyatso and Panchen Lama Choekyi Nyima to Chengdu, Sichuan. Barring extraordinary circumstances, Zhang Yinghao had no intention of allowing them to leave anytime soon. Of course, if they wanted to return in two or three years, Zhang Yinghao would allow them to return. Perhaps that would be the time for the "decisive battle" between the Progressive Party and them for the masses...

Zhang Yinghao naturally wasn't simply trying to temporarily expel these religious leaders from their territories. He needed a long-term vision, hoping to fully integrate Xinjiang, Outer Mongolia, and other regions into the Chinese civilizational system, ensuring a seamless integration of all, sharing resources and eliminating any chance of secession. This required addressing multiple fronts, including economics, politics, and culture. So, Zhang Yinghao continued, "Our banks must immediately open in Kulun, Uliastai, and Tannu Uriankhai. Our caravans must also establish themselves there. We must begin promoting education in Mongolia, build railways, establish industries, and import vegetables from the interior..."

There were many things to do, but why did Zhang Yinghao mention banks first? It was because few people in China at that time understood economics, let alone political economy. Zhang Yinghao knew that as long as the Mongolian people accepted the paper money issued by the liberated areas, it would be equivalent to completely controlling the finances of Outer Mongolia. Through economics, a region could be controlled silently, and the relationship would be very strong. As for trade and the development of industry, this was a necessity. In this cruel era, all forces had to be concentrated to resist the great powers, compete and cooperate with them, and develop production. The new government had to control most of the trade and control the economic lifeline. This was also a necessity for a modern country...

Chapter 456:

It can be said that when the army arrived in Kulun, the military operation to liberate Mongolia was half successful; when the People's Liberation Army entered Kulun, the military operation was basically a complete success.

The PLA's entry into Kulun was legitimate. By then, many herders had arrived outside the Bogda Khan Palace, attempting to gain an audience with the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu VIII and ensure their safety. After receiving Zhang Yinghao's telegram, Zhang Feng immediately withdrew the PLA from inside and outside the Bogda Khan Palace.

Zhang Yinghao knew that in his previous life, Jebtsundamba Khutuktu VIII had betrayed China and divided the country, but none of those things had happened yet, so Zhang Yinghao naturally couldn't kill him. The PLA didn't want to do anything to the Living Buddha right now. They simply needed to stabilize the situation in Mongolia. As for future events, that would be dealt with later. The most important thing was that Mongolia was vast and sparsely populated. If a rebellion broke out, the cavalry would come and go without a trace. Quelling the rebellion would require a significant amount of manpower, resources, and time, so maintaining the status quo was the best option for the time being.

In reality, the upper class of the Mongol region was now utterly terrified of the Kameidan and the People's Liberation Army. They all felt that if the PLA entered Mongolia, their good days would be over. As for why Jebtsundamba Khutuktu VIII did not flee Kulun, but remained in his palace, it was firstly because they had not yet fully colluded with Tsarist Russia, and secondly because the Living Buddhas of Xinjiang were still largely alive and well. Since the Living Buddhas of Xinjiang were all safe, he did not believe anything would happen to him.

As the PLA troops entered Kulun, countless Mongolians came to watch, and Han Chinese merchants in Kulun also came out. Countless monks gazed at the PLA's orderly formations, complex expressions in their eyes. The PLA troops did not stop in Kulun, but passed directly through the city, merely conducting an armed parade.

After the People's Liberation Army liberated Kulun, they naturally had countless tasks to complete. As for what to do next, Zhang Feng and his team were in no rush. They searched for land outside the city to build a camp and begin conducting business. After the camp was completed, they began to review all relevant records left here during the Qing Dynasty.

Mongolia wasn't like the difficult marches of the XZ region. Riding a horse or a carriage, they could come and go as freely as the wind. If they couldn't win, wouldn't they just run away? Zhang Feng didn't have to worry about being driven away. Furthermore, the Progressive Party relied on the masses, so Zhang Feng wouldn't rush to meet with the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu and other monks and nobles just yet. Once the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu and his men realized the reality, they would naturally compromise. Then it wouldn't be too late to invite him to Chengdu.

At this time, the Russo-Japanese War was in full swing, and Tsarist Russia's energy was still focused on fighting Japan and suppressing internal rebellions. Therefore, although Tsarist Russia had begun to divide and win over the Mongolian upper class, it was not as strong as after the Russo-Japanese War. After Zhang Feng occupied Kulun, he wasted no time and sent a cavalry regiment straight to Maimaicheng...

The army's goal was simple: to reach the border with Heilongjiang Province in the east and the border between Tannu Uriankhai Banner and Xinjiang in the west. The military operation was remarkably successful, and business naturally flourished. With constant trade along the way, they were already making a tidy profit. As the army began to move about, caravans followed suit, purchasing wool and other livestock products.

Thanks to the massive trade, news of the PLA's invasion of Mongolia spread quickly throughout the region. However, while the military operation into Mongolia generally went smoothly, there were also some areas where it wasn't going smoothly at all, and Zhang Yinghao still experienced a number of issues that worried him. This was especially true when the PLA stationed in Kulun began to divide its forces and advance on key cities like Maimaicheng, Kobdo, Uliastai, and Tannu Uriankhai. Although these cities were subsequently captured by the PLA, numerous herders blocked the way, preventing the PLA from continuing on their way to their destination.

The PLA responded directly and resolutely to any herders who attempted to block the road or resort to violence. For those unarmed herders, fellow Mongolians or those who spoke Mongolian would immediately intervene to persuade them. Of course, for the time being, this persuasion rarely involved revolutionary propaganda. After all, at any moment, the unleashing of the revolutionary weapon would inevitably lead to chaos in Mongolia, and the Forward Party and the PLA simply didn't have the time or energy to clean up the mess.

For example, a PLA company, while escorting a caravan into the Zasaktu Khanate, encountered Mongol cavalry. They numbered only about 500, and the PLA could tell at a glance that many of the cavalry were improvised. They had only about 180 rifles, many of which were muskets. However, their raised sabers were still eye-catching.

Two armies faced each other on the vast grassland. Both sides had fired warning shots. A man from the People's Liberation Army came out and shouted loudly, saying that the People's Liberation Army had no ill intentions and was just escorting a caravan to do business.

Naturally, no one believed such nonsense, so the Mongolian cavalry refused to allow the People's Liberation Army and the merchant caravan to enter the Zasaktu Khanate.

After a short stalemate, three riders suddenly emerged from the Mongolian army, a white horse in the center and two black horses flanking the rear. The riders on the white horses shouted, "You are soldiers from Kulun. We, the Zasaktu Khanate, do not welcome you. Leave!"

"We are just here to do business. Please let me pass. We can sell our goods outside the Zasaktu Khanate."

"We heard you were going to carry out land reform everywhere. You are bandits, you are red devils. You entered the Zasaktu Khanate with ill intentions. We do not welcome you here. This is the territory of the Zasaktu Prince. Everything here belongs to the Prince and the Living Buddha. If you are simply here to do business or to be guests, we have good wine and good food. If you are here to take our land, the Mongols also have scimitars and muskets..."

"Genghis Khan launched his Western Expedition, ultimately destroying countless nations, because Khwarezmian killed Mongol caravans and envoys. Are you going to stop us from trading too? Are you planning to kill our merchants?"

The two sides failed to reach an agreement, and the Mongols retreated, then without a word, charged forward, displaying true bravery and fearlessness. In the Middle Ages, a Mongol cavalry charge would have been considered the most terrifying thing in the world, bringing nothing short of conquest, massacre, and genocide. But now! Hehe! The situation is completely different.

The PLA had already begun deploying its forces while negotiating with the Mongols. Facing a numerically superior enemy, the PLA proved undeterred, with soldiers from both sides even slowly encircling them. On the vast grasslands, if these people escaped and engaged in guerrilla warfare, it would be a very troublesome situation. The PLA wanted a stable Mongolia; if these people escaped, there would be no peace. To ensure long-term stability in Mongolia, it would be best to completely eliminate these people. Now that these rebels had gathered together, the PLA would certainly not be polite, striving to wipe out these counter-revolutionaries once and for all...

The PLA soldiers were divided into three columns: prone, kneeling, and standing. Two heavy machine guns formed a crossfire on either side of the front. These Mongols' strategies and tactics were clearly outdated. They had no idea how to fight a modern war, relying solely on charging on horseback. Of course, the PLA gave them no chance to learn. As the Mongols charged, a company of soldiers unleashed a barrage of musketry, instantly crushing the Mongol cavalry. The PLA soldiers understood the principle of capturing the leader first, especially since the leader was riding a white horse. So, the one riding the white horse wasn't necessarily a prince, or even Tang Sanzang, but could be someone seeking death. Thus, the Prince on the White Horse collapsed dead in the first volley of fire. These Mongol cavalry were small in number to begin with, and their quality was poor. A motley crowd, frustrated by the death of their leader, naturally scattered like birds of prey.

Before the People's Liberation Army could let these people experience the power of modern steel, the frontal battle was almost over...

Seeing the Mongolian cavalry begin to flee, the PLA cavalry immediately gave chase, and the machine guns fired crazily at the backs of the Mongolian cavalry. In the end, under the pursuit of the PLA, except for a few who escaped, the others were either killed or surrendered.

Now that the armed forces of Zasaktu Banner had been eliminated, the next step was to get down to business. The process was surprisingly smooth, without any black guns or disruptions. The caravan successfully completed its trade mission, and the People's Liberation Army also settled here. In Kobdo, there was no major resistance, and the succession of power was successfully completed.

The Mongolian nobles finally couldn't wait any longer, but the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu VIII, still acting with all his might, sent a representative to meet Zhang Feng alongside them. After meeting with the representative and others, Zhang Feng directly proposed convening a meeting in Kulun, requesting the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu VIII summon the leaders of all tribes to Kulun for the meeting, and that only the leaders of all tribes should attend the meeting...

There is no distinction between Inner Mongolia and Outer Mongolia in Mongolia today. Mongolia is now divided into Kobdo, Tannu Uriankhai Banner, Zasaktu Khanate, Sayin Noyan Khanate, Tushetu Khanate, Chechen Khanate, and then divided into countless nobles, leaders, etc., and in Inner Mongolia there are Ulanqab League and Xilingol League, etc.

This was also a tactic of the Qing Dynasty's rule. The Qing Dynasty implemented a policy of prioritizing the interior of Mongolia over the exterior. The population of Mongolia was almost entirely concentrated in Inner Mongolia, and traded goods were transported from Zhangjiakou, Suiyuan, and other places to Kulun. Consequently, the economic lifeline of Mongolia was effectively completely controlled by the Central Plains dynasty. Without the development of railways, Outer Mongolia would have been forever dependent on the interior, and any hope of independence would have been a pipe dream.

Zhang Feng's proposal was obvious to everyone. He now felt a bit like Cao Cao, who controlled the emperor and the other vassals. If the tribal leaders all obeyed and came to the meeting, they could still be won over. However, if any tribe remained loyal to the Qing or defected to Tsarist Russia and refused to attend, the People's Liberation Army would naturally lead the charge to wipe out these tribes and their leaders. Those who couldn't see the situation clearly in this era deserved their death.

Whether they arrived late or at the earliest, although many leaders had not yet arrived, more tribal leaders had arrived in Kulun for the meeting...

Zhang Feng was not in a hurry. After leaving them alone for a few days, he had them taken to see the woolen textiles and canned goods brought by the PLA. He explained the costs and profits to them, and after having them wear comfortable woolen gloves and eat delicious canned goods, the nobles began to discuss the PLA's intentions and quickly guessed what they meant.

Zhang Feng didn't play games with them. With a Mongolian translator, he got straight to the point and said, "My name is Zhang Feng, and I'm the person in charge of the liberation of Mongolia. You should all be familiar with our Forward Party and the People's Liberation Army. I asked you to come here this time to discuss a profitable business with you, that is, to make money together with you. You have also seen these gloves and scarves. They are of good quality, right? They are comfortable and warm, right?"

After the Mongolian comrade finished translating in Mongolian, Zhang Feng saw everyone nodding before continuing, "Our Forward Party never hides its true intentions. We invited you all here this time, first and foremost, to build factories and make money. Wool is practically free here now. With a little processing, it's a fine commodity, and selling it anywhere will make you a fortune. Our People's Liberation Army plans to build several factories in Kulun. You leaders can get a stake and profit together. That's the first thing. The second thing is, as you all know, wherever our People's Liberation Army goes, we must carry out land reform. Everyone has been asking, how can we accomplish land reform in Mongolia?"

Chapter 457:

Zhang Yinghao didn't understand the actual situation in Mongolia. He genuinely didn't understand why the comrades who had marched into Mongolia were so eager for land reform, even beginning preparations before they had even established a firm foothold. Perhaps it was precisely because they hadn't yet established a firm foothold that they urgently needed land reform to create a new situation in Mongolia. In fact, Zhang Feng and his comrades' desire for land reform was inspired by the land reform in Shaanxi. Because Outer Mongolia was vast and sparsely populated, the comrades, after a meeting and discussion, unanimously agreed that resistance to land reform would be minimal, hence the decision to proceed immediately.

Zhang Yinghao himself didn't know how land reform should be implemented in grassland areas, only that he knew not to arably destroy grasslands and convert them into farmland. Now he could only be pragmatic and take things one step at a time. However, if Zhang Feng and his team decided on land reform after the meeting, according to the principles of democratic centralism, Zhang Yinghao would simply support their actions and address any problems as they arose. That was all.

While everyone in the world knew that the PLA was carrying out land reform wherever it went, the Mongolian princes and nobles were still deeply shocked when they heard this. However, these tribal leaders were not ordinary people who could rise to power. They had also heard about the PLA's series of military operations and knew that when someone else held the sword, they could not twist the other side's arm. Therefore, when Jebtsundamba Khutuktu VIII sent someone to invite them, they came obediently.

Facing the powerful PLA and the Forward Party, they all either looked uneasy, or simply put on a stern face, or sang "Amitabha". Generally speaking, there was nothing out of place...

Zhang Feng continued with a friendly expression, "You don't actually have much income now, and you're also victims of the Qing Dynasty's policies in Mongolia. The huge sums of money you owe to Shanxi merchants are proof of this. That's why our People's Liberation Army is giving you this opportunity. Otherwise, go and ask around. Where hasn't our army swept through the land and wiped out all the evil spirits and monsters there?"

You are all tribal leaders. Our land charter stipulates that all land is nationalized, and all pastures are distributed among the herders. Of course, our new government can guarantee that as long as you follow the new government, your lives will only be better than before. So, I invite you here to ask you: what kind of land reform can you achieve in a way that you will be happy with?..."

These words made these people wonder how Zhang Feng could be so shameless. They had never seen such a shameless person before. He clearly wanted to divide their property, but now he wanted them to take it out and hand it over with both hands. Is this even reasonable in this world?

"Master Zhang, we don't want land reform. How can we give our pastures to those untouchables?"

"Yes, these lands were bestowed upon our ancestors by His Majesty the Great Qing Emperor. They have been passed down from generation to generation. How could we allow them to be lost?"

Although it was unpleasant to listen to such nonsense, Zhang Feng still listened patiently. Sometimes, Zhang Feng thought that perhaps a few battles would improve the situation, or even better, a complete annihilation by the army. However, Outer Mongolia's vast territory and sparse population meant that the liberation of Mongolia would inevitably be dominated by political and economic forces rather than military ones. Military power was truly a last resort...

After listening to the nonsense of these princes and nobles, and waiting until the scene gradually quieted down, Zhang Feng sighed and said: "Alas, you all know that this is a reward from the Emperor of the Great Qing Dynasty? What we are going to build now is a new world where everyone is equal and no one can bully anyone else. The Qing court exploits and oppresses the people. We want to overthrow the Qing court, and the emperor of the Great Qing Dynasty is naturally among them. If the emperor is overthrown, you will definitely lose this ranch.

Also, we don't call each other "sir" here. You can call me Comrade Zhang. What I want to discuss is how to implement land reform so that you can accept it. We are not discussing whether to implement land reform or not, but only how to complete it better and faster. I can tell you very clearly that land reform must be implemented. There is no room for negotiation..."

There was simply no point in talking, and the two sides had little in common. Fortunately, these princes and nobles knew that they no longer had any hope for the proposal of not dividing the pastures, and they were just trying it out. These people managed such a large piece of land, and they were basically no idlers. The Forward Party revolution had been going on for several years, and they were naturally aware of its policies. They knew that they could not stop the People's Liberation Army, so they came to Kulun for the meeting. If their own fists were strong enough, they would have risen up in resistance long ago. And how could the Mongolian consciousness of obeying the strong, which was engraved in their bones, be so easily eliminated?

At this time, the representative sent by Jebtsundamba Khutuktu VIII spoke.

"Comrade Zhang, if you need money and food, we will do our best to help." "Yes, Comrade Zhang, I can give you 3,000 sheep."

"Yes, yes, I can also provide 2,000 sheep."

"I can also offer 2,500 sheep."

………….

Zhang Feng listened to these people's words, his heart sneered. It was truly impossible to change one's bad habits. They were still trying to maintain their rule by using these tactics. Zhang Feng had personally experienced so many land reforms. He knew that once the land reforms were completed, these "birdmen" before him would instantly turn into phoenixes. Perhaps they could continue to dominate with their influence for a while, but when the cornerstone of power had changed, those who couldn't keep up were destined to be quickly eliminated by the times.

Humph, if it weren't for the greater good, all of you would be lying in the ground...

Cai Zhonghe didn't wait for these nobles to finish speaking, and said directly: "What do you think we are the People's Liberation Army? Humph, you are all wrong. We, the People's Liberation Army, don't want your food, and we don't want your money. We just want land reform. If you don't accept land reform, we, the People's Liberation Army, will start to "reform" everyone's life. Now I propose that we all build a factory together to make money to give you an opportunity. If you still don't want to, I promise here that even if you go back and gather all the people in your tribe, the land reform can still be carried out..."

"So, we don't divide the pastures among ourselves?"

"You can also divide the ranch, but if you do, then you won't have a share in the factory we build. I can guarantee that in twenty years, your income will only increase, not decrease."

"You mean to ask us to do business, but we don't understand it?"

"It's not about doing business, but about developing production. Of course, if you're willing to be idle, then our factory will give you the money when it makes money, and you can spend it however you want. If you want to do something for us, or want to do something for the people of Mongolia, then you can join our new department, the Political Consultative Conference. Of course, the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu VIII will also join the CPPCC, and then we can discuss national affairs together."

"So, you're definitely going to take this land away?" "Indeed, you're definitely going to take it away."

"So, what about the money we owe?"

"This is a case of specific analysis. If it's from Shanxi, then you basically don't have to repay it. Loans made before the revolution will not be repaid unless they are determined to be valid loans. As for whether they are deemed to be non-repayable, and how they are repaid, it depends on the agreement you signed with them..."

"Why do you have to take our land?"

"Haha, we have no past or present grudges against you. Why would we want your land? Our policy is nationalization of land. Our political philosophy is that the nation's land must feed the nation's population. Land cannot be bought or sold. Our Progressive Party wants to build a new country where everyone can live and work in peace and contentment, a paradise on earth where they have ample food and clothing. Therefore, we must resolve the land issue.

We absolutely will not allow or accept the old order based on land exploitation. In our new system, land is cultivated by the working people, providing food for all Chinese people. This is not your problem, nor is it anyone else's problem. This is about ensuring that the people of our entire country have enough food to eat, clothes to wear, and meat to eat. Anyone who stands in our way will be crushed to pieces..."

"But there's not enough land for us to share."

"Therefore, wherever our People's Liberation Army goes, land reform must be carried out. There is no room for negotiation. The same applies here, it's just a matter of whether it happens sooner or later. There is no question of whether to carry out land reform or not. As long as our million-strong People's Liberation Army remains and has not been completely wiped out, then land reform will definitely be carried out, no matter what the cost..."

When Cai Zhonghe mentioned a million-strong army, many nobles turned pale. "Damn! The combined population of Outer Mongolia is less than that of the People's Liberation Army. How can they resist? Isn't this bullying?" Moreover, China has a sufficient population; replacing a region with a new one is a simple matter. Just like the Qing Dynasty massacred all the people in Sichuan, they could just fill it with people from Huguang. Why would they be afraid of a shortage of people?

In fact, from this perspective, the "Yellow Peril Theory" proposed by European countries is not without reason. This is because as long as China occupies a place, it will have enough population to change the local population structure, and it will be easy to completely integrate the occupied area into China instead of turning it into a colony. No powerful country in the world can do this. Even when Tsarist Russia annexed the sparsely populated Siberia, it almost massacred all the local indigenous people, exiled criminals to Siberia, and encouraged immigration. Only then were these places slowly digested by Tsarist Russia.

Faced with such a huge population, which country or region with national consciousness would not be afraid? After all, if the Chinese were to rule China wherever they went, how could other countries play?

…West…"