The Heroic Age of the Late Qing Dynasty

For the Progressive Party and the People's Liberation Army to gain a firm foothold in a region, recruiting local comrades is essential. The best way to recruit comrades is the most common method in the liberated areas—conscription. By recruiting a portion of the local youth, eliminating these wealthy benefactors, not only will the local people's living standards improve immediately, but the families of these soldiers will also naturally support the Progressive Party and the People's Liberation Army. And if these soldiers return to the local area, the Progressive Party and the People's Liberation Army will have taken root there, becoming a complete, fusion of their flesh and blood, becoming indistinguishable from the local population.

This method has been proven to be effective, and has achieved remarkable results in ethnic minority areas on the Yunnan border, areas like Jiangxinpo that have just been brought under the management of the liberated areas, and xz areas.

Furthermore, Liu Gongbu knew that the purpose of liberating Mongolia was to fight a war. To ensure the Mongolian people's wholehearted support for the People's Liberation Army and the Forward Party, immediate land reform was necessary. As for the number of conscriptions, the more the better. Outer Mongolia only had 600,000 to 700,000 people. Excluding the elderly, the young, those with poor physical fitness, and those who were unable to serve, a combined 100,000 men and women would be considered the maximum, and Outer Mongolia would have no more.

The PLA now needs a large number of cavalry, and Mongolia has enough horses. The Mongols are also the best candidates for cavalry. Almost everyone can ride a horse. Even if they really can't ride a horse, they are better trained than those people in the mainland who have never seen a horse, right? What the PLA wants is the mobility and flexibility of the cavalry. In this era when heavy firepower is not yet dominant, with just a little training, these cavalry can go to the battlefield with sabers. After all, the people who know their own kind best are their own kind, and cannibalism is the easiest thing to learn.

Soon, the herdsmen of Youzuowei Banner arrived at the tent of Beile, the leader of the banner.

More and more herdsmen gathered, and they came from all over. Some rode horses, some rode donkeys, and those who had neither horses nor donkeys came on foot.

They didn't even have shoes, their feet were red from the cold, and bleeding from being cut by the spring grass and stones. When the PLA comrades took out a pair of their own shoes and handed them to them, these simple herdsmen were immediately moved to tears, and even kissed the shoes without any concern for the dirt.

Liu Gongbu had experienced more and seen more of everything. Especially after listening to Chairman Mao's lecture on "Born in Hardship, Die in Comfort," he had learned to judge people. He could tell from the herders' demeanor, facial expressions, clothing, and posture that they were all hard-working, hungry herders who had toiled for years. Many were emaciated, with dark skin, prominent sternums, and skin as dry as old bark. Their expressions were numb, as if they were on the verge of death.

Liu Gongbu, a native of Tibet, didn't mind this at all, because there were many people in Tibet who suffered even more than these people. The vast majority of people had lived this way for hundreds and thousands of years. Without comparison, there was no harm. They didn't know any other way to live, so they just kept going like this out of inertia. All they wanted was to fight to survive, to continue their lives and those of their descendants.

It's this group of people who, given a little hope, can instantly regenerate, unleashing energy they can't even imagine. This energy can directly destroy the old world and build a new one. Whenever Liu Gongbu thought of his previous, muddled days, and the future Chairman Zhang Yinghao had shown them, the hope he had ignited, it was as if he had been enlightened. He truly didn't understand why the Chairman could think of such things, nor could he imagine what was going on in his head, or where he was leading them. But Liu Gongbu knew that he simply had to follow the Chairman and the progressive Party.

When Liu Gongbu was distracted for a moment, he was in charge of explaining the policies of the Progressive Party.

Comrade Agula of Yulin Mongolian came to power. This time, all Mongolian comrades must join the military action.

The biggest problem is that learning a language is impossible to complete in a short time. However, this is after all within a country, and there is a lot of communication between Mongolian and Chinese. There are naturally quite a few people who know both Mongolian and Chinese. These comrades who know both Mongolian and Chinese have undergone special training from the Political Department. Now is the time when they are really put to use. I feel that these comrades are very lucky, because as long as they work well, they will soon

With rapid promotion, they must be the first batch of cadres in Mongolia, holding important positions in various regions. It can be said that they have reached the top in one step.

Agula, having achieved excellent results in his training, naturally understood that these herders were now almost completely closed off. Therefore, he had to first interact with them and make them happy; otherwise, his words would be ineffective. As the saying goes, the fingers connect the heart. To get the herders to open up, he had to get their hands moving, stimulate their hands, and stimulate their nerves. The method was simple: he had to teach these herders to clap. Once they learned to clap, they could interact better and communicate better.

After seeing Agula waving his hand to quiet the herdsmen below, he immediately said: "I see that you are all listless now. Is it because you are not grazing the herds properly for our prince?"

As soon as this threatening remark came out, all the herdsmen immediately perked up, straightened their bodies naturally, and stood up straighter immediately. They looked much taller, and everyone immediately became much more energetic.

"All of you, raise your hands like me. Yes, stand up like this, and then clap your hands. Yes, clap your hands like this... Whoever claps the loudest will get a sheep later. Come on, clap your hands loudly..."

When they heard that they could get a sheep as a reward for clapping, all the herdsmen below suddenly became excited and showed rare smiles on their faces. Finally, everyone started clapping hard.

Agula knew that by now, all the herders' attention was focused on him, and that they should be fully listening to what he was saying. Agula smiled slightly, waved his hand, and continued loudly: "Any herders who clapped hard just now will get a sheep when they leave."

Hearing this, all the herdsmen immediately clapped their hands. Finally, all the herdsmen learned the magical skill of clapping.

Naturally, this sheep was not provided by Agula. Instead, after the Beile's pasture was divided, his livestock had to be distributed to these herdsmen. Otherwise, where would these poor herdsmen get the money to buy livestock and feed them? Therefore, it was a completely beneficial thing to distribute a sheep in advance.

After completing the preparations, Agula continued in Mongolian: "My fellow poor Mongolian brothers, I used to be a herdsman herding cattle for the princes, just like you. I worked as hard as you, but I was not able to eat enough or wear warm clothes every day, and sometimes I was even beaten. Even if we peeled off a layer of skin, it would not be enough to buy tobacco and food for the palace. Our hard work for a year is not enough to light a lamp for the princes and the princes' wives. We work hard but cannot live a peaceful life because of these devils who eat human flesh and drink blood..."

Upon hearing these words, the herders below erupted in a commotion. Some looked bewildered, completely unaware of what was happening. Some looked uneasy, eager to leave this troubled area. Some looked terrified, as if they had a premonition of something bad happening. Some, however, looked excited, clearly well-informed and eager to try...

How could the herders not know what Agula was talking about? The herders were not fools. Everyone knew about the extravagance of their masters, but who would speak out? Seeing the truth but not speaking out, they closed their eyes and continued to live. But once they saw the reality clearly but had no power to change it, life became extremely painful and impossible.

Agula also knew the situation of the herders below. If it weren't for the armed PLA comrades standing nearby, many of them would have immediately left. This is human instinct to seek profit and avoid harm, to stay away from danger, and it is understandable. This is also the fundamental reason why these flag owners can rule large tracts of pasture with a small number of people. As long as the herders below cannot unite, the flag owners' tax collectors will have the power to bully these herders with ease.

Agula watched the commotion among the herders below and noted a few with shining eyes. After everyone quieted down again, Agula continued, "I, Agula, have come to tell you good news. The red sun that has saved us poor herders has finally risen. Chairman Zhang Yinghao, the great leader of our poor people, is even greater than the Eternal Heaven. He knew we were suffering, so he sent the People's Liberation Army to save us and liberate us from our misery. Chairman Zhang ordered the People's Liberation Army to distribute the pastures of the princes and nobles to the poor herders, and also to distribute the livestock raised by the princes and nobles to the poor herders. From now on, we poor herders will no longer be oppressed by those princes and nobles, nor will we have to pay heavy taxes. All the income from our labor will belong to us. We will finally be able to slowly live a good life. If we have any difficulties in the future, we can turn to the new government and no longer have to listen to the princes and nobles..."

Agula spoke slowly, using the opening phrase "poverty" to attract the herders' attention and then employing a wealth of religious terminology to deepen their understanding. Language is meant to convey meaning, and words must be useful to the other party in order to be easily accepted. These herders couldn't understand revolution; simply letting them know that someone was there to help them, telling them to divide up pastures and livestock, and that they could turn to the new government if they had any difficulties.

The mobilization meeting was a success. No one would refuse the free pastures and livestock; it was a waste. For these herders, their situation couldn't get any worse. They could continue grazing anyway. If the master returned, at most they would just have to return the pastures and livestock—no loss at all. However, when they received the documents stamped with the red seal, many of them wept with joy, their hearts shifting.

Liu Gongbu didn't care about the changes in the herders' mentality; he simply broke the old order and incorporated it into the new one. Regardless of whether the herders were willing or unwilling, as long as they joined, they would be the destroyers of the old order and the builders and maintainers of the new one. With the tide of change, even if the princes and nobles returned in the future, they would be unable to reverse this trend.

Soon, Liu Gongbu and his men rode on horseback and began distributing pastures to the herders. This kind of pasture distribution wasn't entirely fair, and it wasn't easy to scatter them here and there. Each family had their own grazing area, and that area was allocated directly to them. Those without pastures were taken to various pastures throughout Wangqi for distribution.

If an ultra-high-definition satellite image were available at this time, one would see that pastures were being distributed not just in Youzuomo Banner but also in major herder areas throughout Outer Mongolia. In situations like land reform, as soon as one area succeeds, the people will actively join in, and like a falling domino, the trend becomes unstoppable.

From the headquarters of the Tushetu Khanate, the Central Banner, the Central Second Banner, the Central Left Banner, the Central Left Wing Last Banner, the Central Right Banner, the Central Right Last Banner...a total of twenty banners, the land reform was successful without encountering any major obstacles.

However, the situation in each place is different, and the specific number of allocated pastures is also different. For example, the Sanyin Noyan tribe is also undergoing land reform. The Sanyin Noyan tribe was originally separated from the Tushetu Khanate, but there are fewer people here. Compared with other places, each household can get more pastures, but the number of livestock is much less.

Chapter 531: Second update!

After Liu Gongbu distributed the pastures, he presided over the distribution of part of the Beile's family's property and grain, and also distributed the cattle, sheep and horses, and then signed a simple purchase contract with these herdsmen.

It turned out that these herders were the ones who looked after the livestock. Liu Gongbu and his men had basically left them alone, only selecting some good horses to serve as military horses. They were able to look after these livestock before, which meant they had the ability to raise so many cattle and sheep. Absolute fairness does not exist.

Of course, the PLA also kept most of the gold, silver, and other valuables to take back to Kulun. When Liu Gongbu saw these gold, silver, jewelry, and horses, he knew that the military expenses of this invasion of Outer Mongolia were worth it. If you include the income from the merchants, it was really a huge profit, a bloody profit.

Without the main force of the Beile who opposed the land reform, the actual resistance to the reform was not particularly strong, and the land distribution went smoothly. Land distribution was just like that, no different from what happened in Sichuan, Guizhou, and other places. Once the land was distributed, the herders would support it, and the nobles would be powerless to cause any trouble. As for why the homes of these nobles were raided, it was to eliminate any chance of rebellion. No one understood better than the Forward Party, which had its origins in rebellion, that in this era, those with money would have guns. If these people were penniless and lacked mass appeal, their words would naturally become ineffective.

Finally, the comrades did one more thing, which was to record all the crimes of the local nobles. If these bastards behaved themselves in the future, perhaps it would be fine, after all, it was a systemic crime in the past. However, if they dared to make trouble again, there would be plenty of time to settle the score with them.

As the soldiers distributed pastures, livestock, and money, nearly all the herders expressed gratitude, as if they were living Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, their faces filled with smiles. But when the soldiers, having distributed the property, announced the next day's conscription, regardless of gender, the scene immediately quieted down.

If the PLA arrived and started conscription and then distributed pastures, they would be recruiting people whose families couldn't support them or desperate criminals. And those herders who didn't want their families to be soldiers would think that since all the land was allocated uniformly, they were entitled to the pastures.

If pastures were allocated first and then recruited, the herders, now that they had so much land, might not want to send their laborers to serve in the army. This sequential recruitment method had its pros and cons, and it all depended on the decision of the Military Commission.

If one wants to grab a quick buck and leave, the best option is naturally to recruit soldiers first; this is quick and easy. However, if one wishes to establish permanent roots in Mongolia, it is naturally best to allocate land first before recruiting soldiers. To take, one must first give. Only by offering benefits first may the herders initially perceive it as a transaction, but over time, their hearts will soon become clearer, and they will understand what the new government and the PLA represent. Allocating land first before recruiting soldiers also facilitates political engagement and provides the PLA with a better pool of recruits.

So, regarding the sudden silence among the herders, Agula naturally knew what they were thinking. It was because they didn't understand the Forward Party and the People's Liberation Army. If they knew about them, these herders would surely have rushed to send their best children to the recruitment points. How could the liberated areas be short of soldiers? Every time a conscription was launched, it was always full, so the best children were chosen at will.

As the herders had previously suspected, almost all of them saw this as a business transaction, a bargain, the price of pasture. Everyone knew that military service meant fighting, and that fighting meant death. Even when Agula explained that it was necessary to take up arms to defend their allotted land, not every herder understood.

In reality, when these herders send their families to serve in the military, they never consider whether they can return home. This era is so cruel. Trading one life for a better life for the whole family is a choice any family can make, though it can be somewhat unpleasant.

After announcing the conscription, explaining the revolutionary principles, and setting up conscription points, Liu Gongbu let all the herders go. He wasn't worried at all that the herders wouldn't send their children to serve in the army. The Chinese are a nation that values ​​gratitude and karma. If they took so much land and didn't raise a child, the neighbors would point fingers. If the family didn't care, Liu Gongbu cared even less. The People's Liberation Army had no shortage of recruits, and being able to send their children to the PLA was a blessing for them; it gave them the opportunity to change their fate. Revolution never forces anyone to do anything.

As Liu Gongbu expected, the next morning, the conscription station was packed with people. At the front of the line were Liu Ren and his son, a surprising move. However, Liu Gongbu thought about it and realized that if the leader of the banner, Beile, returned in the future, he would have to resort to the law of justice. If the Forward Party and the Field Army gained power, his son could still protect him in the barracks. This was a double-edged sword, avoiding offending either side. This was the so-called "wisdom," wasn't it?

Liu Gongbu was too lazy to guess what Liu Ren was thinking. Liu Ren had no guilt, which was why he could survive until now. Judging from his deeds rather than his heart, he was naturally welcome if he was willing to get close to the Progressive Party and the People's Liberation Army.

Of course, not just anyone can join the People's Liberation Army.

They also had to go through a rigorous screening process. Both men and women had to strip naked for an inspection. Those with organ problems were immediately eliminated. Liu Gongbu took a quick look and saw that some of the people who came were only ten years old, while others were white-haired old men.

Most of the herders still didn't understand the principles of the revolution. They simply believed that if they took the land, their families had to send someone to serve in the army, or even to die. That was all. In essence, they were selling these people in exchange for pasture. So, without further ado, many herders sent the least capable person in the family. Of course, some felt that sending the least capable was unconscionable and chose the middle child. As for the best child, most families naturally kept it at home.

Liu Gongbu was well aware of this, and while he couldn't force it, it didn't matter. He would naturally accept younger people, and he could simply send them to school. The younger they were, the easier it was to train them. It didn't matter whether they were used in battle or not; they would be needed to build the country in the future.

As for why there are so many children, but the population is not growing, it is naturally because people have no common sense about reproduction. They give birth to children at night, and many children die. The children who cannot be raised are either given to the Eternal Heaven, that is, left in the wild to be eaten by wolves, or sent to temples. Naturally, the population cannot grow.

Liu Gongbu looked at the noisy crowd without getting in a hurry. He asked his comrades to have breakfast before coming out to register.

"What's your name?" "Batu."

"How old?"

"eighteen."

"Next! What's your name?" "Amuguleng!"

"How old?"

"Four, no, three, oh no, I'm twenty-five."

Agula slammed the table, stared at the white-haired old man, and said viciously: "I think you are fifty years old. How can you still be a soldier? Tell me, how old are you?"

"Well, I'm forty-eight, so I have no problem riding a horse." "You're too old, we don't want you to go back?"

Hearing this, the herdsman was stunned. He immediately knelt down and said, "Sir, please accept me, otherwise my family will have no way to survive."

"Didn't we just distribute land and cattle and horses? Why can't we survive?" "Ah, aren't these things taken back if no one joins the army?"

"We won't take it back. Don't worry, just go home and graze your cattle. We can sell the cattle and horses to the new government when the time comes."

"Oh? Okay, okay, I'll work hard at herding. I'll work hard at herding!" Agula helped Amuguleng up and then shouted, "Next!"

After conscription, the more complex elections began. These banners in Mongolia were essentially county-level or even city-level administrative units. The Forward Party was severely short on cadres and had little idea how to govern these parts of Mongolia. They had yet to develop sufficient experience, so they had to collaborate with local leaders who understood the realities of the region.

The stewards of the princes and nobles on the grasslands were the most suitable personnel, so the People's Liberation Army took good care of them. As long as these stewards did not find obvious evidence of evil, they would not be liquidated. Because everyone knew that although the Mongolian princes and nobles were the leaders of the banners, these stewards actually understood the local situation better than the princes and nobles themselves. Because the princes and nobles basically did not manage specific affairs, it was these stewards who actually managed the herdsmen and had some real management skills.

For those stewards who have done no evil and still support them, they are also suitable for cooperation. The Forward Party and the People's Liberation Army also reciprocated by allowing these stewards to participate in the election. I heard that participating in the election can directly become the flag owner. How can there be a steward who is not active? As for the original flag owners, who cares if they die?

As for the passion for becoming an official, it's actually the same across all nations and countries. It's not just the Chinese who love being an official or taking the civil service exam; in fact, every country in the world has its share of people who want to be officials.

Allowing the former stewards to elect themselves led to local elections in Mongolia. Where former stewards participated in elections, these stewards held local prestige and widespread connections, and the position of banner chief was generally chosen from among them. The Forward Party didn't seem too concerned about this. Ethnic autonomous regions had already been established in places like Yunnan, so allowing these stewards to become banner chiefs was naturally a minor matter. It was sufficient for the Party to maintain control over departments such as the Women's Federation, finance, education, and propaganda.

……

After resolving the issue of Youzuo Moqi, Liu Gongbu pulled his cart and prepared to return to Kulun with the newly recruited soldiers to report.

Catching sight of Kulun from afar, Liu Gongbu saw it had completely transformed into a massive construction site, with military restricted zone signs everywhere, almost making him think he'd arrived in the wrong place. Just as he entered the barracks, he heard that the People's Liberation Army had begun operations, collaborating with local herders to suppress bandits. Entering Kulun along the main road, he found it incredibly prosperous, the sounds of buying and selling unceasing. The PLA had brought so many people with them into Inner Mongolia, and subsequent businesspeople had followed suit. The crowds grew, and shops of all sizes were open for business, with people coming and going, a truly prosperous scene.

Chapter 532: First update!

Liu Zebu had just finished handing over the new recruits and supplies he had brought with him to the various department heads and was in the middle of handling some matters related to the boot camp when he received a notice from Zhang Feng asking him to come to his office. Without delay, Liu Gongbu immediately put on his military cap, adjusted the brim of his cap and collar, and headed straight for Zhang Feng's office.

Before Liu Gongbu even approached Zhang Feng's office, he heard a distant, accented roar coming from inside. As he approached, he recognized the Russian speaker as the Russian Consul General in Kulun, Shishmalev. Listening to the old Russian's roar and seeing his exasperated expression and flushed face, Liu Gongbu wanted to laugh.

"These foreigners are just good at making threats, intimidating, and bribing people."

After listening to Chairman Zhang Yinghao's lectures and reading Chairman Zhang Yinghao's books, Liu Gongbu

Now we can see the true face of these imperialists. They are just a group of people who bully the weak and fear the strong. They bully others by relying on the difference in weapons. If we really fight with real swords and guns, we really don’t know who is afraid of whom. Moreover, the People’s Liberation Army has been constantly

Stop fighting and threaten the PLA? Isn't that a joke? War is a continuation of politics. If we are not afraid of war as a last resort, what threats should we be afraid of?

Liu Gongbu could well imagine Zhang Feng, his ears tilted, sitting as steady as an old dog, tapping his fingers on the armrests, watching the old Russian roar like a show. As for what the old Russian was roaring about, Liu Gongbu knew that Zhang Feng didn't care at all.

Just as Liu Gongbu had expected, Zhang Feng wasn't just indifferent; he was actually quite impatient. Zhang Feng was a man with a multitude of affairs to attend to. Although Outer Mongolia was now under military control, as the general manager, he had to deal with an overwhelming amount of things every day, with documents piling up like mountains. He was incredibly busy. Fortunately, the liberated areas had a relatively mature administrative system that could be transplanted. Each department was responsible for its own duties, building roads, opening banks, publishing newspapers, establishing schools, and promoting high-yield crops and vegetable cultivation. Otherwise, even if Zhang Feng had three heads and six arms, he wouldn't be able to handle it all. How could he possibly have the free time to listen to this old Russian's rant?

When the PLA advanced into Mongolia, its cavalry reached Kulun at breakneck speed. Tsarist Russia had originally deployed troops to Kulun in 1900, taking advantage of its military deployment to Northeast China. However, with the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War, all Russian troops stationed in Kulun had been withdrawn to join the conflict. With both Japan and Russia still engaged in a fierce battle, Tsarist Russia was completely unable to interfere with the PLA's advance into Outer Mongolia, nor was it able to prevent the PLA from entering Kulun.

However, because Kulun was liberated peacefully and there was no falling out with Tsarist Russia, the Tsarist Russian Consulate General in Kulun, as well as the consulates in Kobdo and Uliastai, are still retained and maintain their status quo.

Zhang Feng knew his mission of marching into Outer Mongolia this time, and he read almost all the information about Mongolia and Tsarist Russia. His greed and disgust for Tsarist Russia had reached an unprecedented level. He also completely understood what Chairman Zhang Yinghao meant when he said that Tsarist Russia was China's biggest enemy on land.

The Sino-Russian border with Outer Mongolia was originally demarcated by the Treaty of Kyakhta in 1728, but Tsarist Russia always viewed Outer Mongolia as a strategically important region in the Far East. Subsequently, Russia forced the Qing government to sign unequal treaties, including the Sino-Russian Treaties of Aihui, Tianjin, Beijing, Yining, the Land Trade Regulations, and the Revised Treaty of Ili. Russia seized over 150 million square kilometers of territory in Northeast and Northwest China, placing Outer Mongolia under Russian pressure. At the same time, Russia secured privileges such as a joint postal service from Kyakhta to Beijing through Mongolia, trade within Mongolia, complete duty-free trade in Outer Mongolia, and the establishment of consulates in Kulun, Khobdo, and Uliastai.

After Tsarist Russia opened several trade routes from Kobdo via Guihua City to Beijing, Tongzhou, and Tianjin; and from Ili and Tarbagatai through Mongolia into the Chinese interior, a large number of Russian caravans entered the Mongolian region, leading to the rapid development of Russian-Mongolian trade.

According to incomplete statistics Zhang Feng had obtained at that time, the total value of "Russo-Mongolian trade" in 1861 was less than 220,000 rubles, but it soared to 17 million rubles in 1900. Between 1891 and 1904, the total value of goods exported from Tsarist Russia to Mongolia increased by only 20%, while the total value of goods imported from Mongolia to Russia increased by 69%. Especially after the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War in 1904, the Russo-Mongolian trade deficit reached an unprecedented 80 million rubles, equivalent to a loss of 0.6 rubles per Russian citizen. This was still an era of hard currencies like gold and silver, not the era of printed credit notes. Such a massive trade deficit compelled Russia to seek every possible means to control Mongolia, extract profits from it, and plunder its resources to alleviate financial pressure.

Although Zhang Feng didn't fully understand the consequences of a trade deficit at this point, he had listened to the Chairman's lectures and understood the situation. He knew the Russians would be unable to withstand such a large trade deficit between Russia and Mongolia. Furthermore, Mongolia's rich mineral and livestock resources were also coveted by Russia, who profited greatly from them.

Therefore, along with the caravans came the so-called Russian "expeditions", "investigation teams", "travel groups" and "archaeological teams". In fact, these people were Russian spies who spied on the terrain of China's Mongolian region, drew maps, collected intelligence, and engaged in political and military conspiracies.

If Zhang Feng could still tolerate these things, then Tsarist Russia's plotting of Outer Mongolia's "independence" was completely intolerable. Stealing a few eggs from a chicken coop is fine, and even taking one or two chickens is bearable. But, they're even moving the chicken coop. Who the hell could tolerate that?

Zhang Feng has also found out that an important means used by Tsarist Russia to infiltrate and split Mongolia was to use various opportunities to win over and bribe Mongolian princes and nobles, as well as maliciously provoke relations between the upper echelons of Mongolian princes and nobles and the Qing court. The most hateful thing is that Tsarist Russia tried its best to incite ethnic separatist sentiments and cultivate pro-Russian forces.

For example, the Living Buddha of Kulun, Jebtsundamba Khutuktu, was the supreme political and religious leader of Outer Mongolia. He became the eighth Living Buddha at the age of four, having arrived in Kulun from Ximong in 1882. At the age of 12, he began to be influenced by the invading Russian forces. At that time, Shishmalev, taking advantage of the Living Buddha's youth, presented him with European-style toys, paintings, and dozens of rare animals. In 1900, when the Russians stationed troops in Kulun, Shishmalev, on behalf of the Russian government, presented Jebtsundamba Khutuktu with precious gifts such as a golden chair and an elephant to garner support. That same year, the Russian, Kold, seized gold mining rights near Kulun, sparking opposition from the Mongol nobles of the Tushetu Khanate. To appease the discontent of the Mongol nobles, Shishmalev offered them a bribe of 10 rubles, ostensibly as "compensation." He also openly spread rumors at a meeting of Mongol nobles that the Han Chinese wanted to economically and politically destroy Mongolia. The next step was to give money, guns, and women, and completely start to win over and divide the upper class of Mongolian nobles, and eventually split China...

The roaring sound that reached his ears was truly disgusting. Zhang Feng looked at this old Russian who was wholeheartedly serving Russian interests. Although he admired him in his heart, his patience had reached its limit. However, facing this old Russian in a rage was useless, so Zhang Feng still grinned at the roaring Shishmalefu, his face flushed and his neck thick, revealing a mouthful of white teeth. He let out two "hehe" laughs, intending to end the conversation.

Chapter 533: Second update!

Seeing Zhang Feng's disdainful smile, Shishmalefu froze for a moment, cursing inwardly. Damn it! He'd been the Consul in Kulun for twenty or thirty years, and he'd never been so ignored. A self-proclaimed China expert, he'd always believed he saw through the Chinese and understood them intimately.

Because the Chinese had always impressed him as timid. In his memory, the Chinese were extremely cowardly, never daring to act arrogantly or presumptuously in front of foreigners, fearing they might offend them. Faced with criticism from foreigners, the Chinese could only grovel and smile cautiously, occasionally erupting when their temper ran out. At best, they would offer a little money to buy them off, and then get more from other sources. Outbursts were completely pointless. Whenever the great powers encountered a slight diplomatic setback or suffered losses, they would simply roar with fury, and they would almost certainly get the result they wanted.

However, the troops that marched into Mongolia this time were completely different. They were strictly disciplined and followed the rules, as if they were not Chinese. From the time these troops arrived in Kulun, he began to make contact with the enemy. He also knew that Russia could not spare any troops to show off its power in Kulun. Their power in Mongolia had dropped to a freezing point.

So, he initially tried to persuade Jebtsundamba VIII and the nobles of Kulun to oppose the troops' entry into Kulun, even at the cost of armed resistance. Naturally, their opposition proved ineffective, and they obediently opened the city in the face of the PLA's overwhelming force. He then personally visited Zhang Feng, explaining that the PLA's advance into Outer Mongolia and its large-scale trade activities severely jeopardized the interests of the Russian Empire, and urged the PLA to withdraw immediately from Kulun and Outer Mongolia. However, no matter how he threatened or intimidated, no matter how much he boasted about the Russian Empire's military might, his demands were blatantly ignored.

Shishmarefu was now completely restless. The army before him had already completely damaged the interests of the Russian Empire. The caravans accompanying them had plundered vast quantities of raw materials, causing heavy losses for Russian merchants. Now, not only were the Mongol nobles, whom they had painstakingly won over, effectively placed under house arrest, but they were also plundering vast quantities of gold and silver. Most importantly, these troops were initiating a land reform revolution among the lower classes of Mongolia, confiscating all mining factories and factories, signing purchase agreements with herders who had been allocated pastures, conducting grassroots elections, building roads to connect with the interior, and establishing banks. Under the guise of suppressing banditry, the army was also rounding up Russians. Many had mysteriously vanished. As for where they had gone, Shishmarefu knew they had likely gone to see God.

If these armies succeed in doing all of this, Russia's special interests in Mongolia will all be lost. In that case, how can they reap huge profits from Mongolia? Without this colony-like Mongolia, the financial pressure on the Russian Empire will be even greater.

The Russian Empire now has too many interests in Mongolia, and Russia cannot give them up. The domestic situation also puts a lot of pressure on him. Shishmalev has to be anxious and angry at this time.

What was even more intolerable was that Kulun had become a massive construction site, with military restricted areas everywhere. He could easily figure out that the army before him was planning to transform Kulun into a massive war fortress. They were preparing for a defensive operation here, but who was they defending against? Was there no other country besides the Russian Empire?

How could Shishmaelfu sit still in the face of such a hostile force that hated the empire and was preparing for war? He could only come to protest every day for the benefit of Russia. However, he could never see the young man in front of him normally, and now that he finally saw him, there was no reason not to vent his anger.

Seeing that Shishmalefu had finally stopped talking, Zhang Feng said slowly, "Mr. Consul, we already know what you said. We will hold a meeting to study it as soon as possible and try to give you a reply as soon as possible."

"The procrastination strategy, the procrastination strategy again, this damn yellow monkey always says that."

Shishmalev gritted his teeth as he thought, but he said, "Your Excellency, Mongolia holds great interests in the Russian Empire. What you are doing now has seriously harmed the interests of the Russian Empire. You must immediately stop your erroneous actions and stop digging fortifications in Kulun. You must also release the imprisoned Mongolian princes and return the confiscated factories and mines of the Russian Empire to the merchants of the Russian Empire. Stop arresting lost Russians, and even if you catch any, you should hand them over to our consulate. Moreover, your army must withdraw from Mongolia and restore peace in Mongolia. Otherwise, the Russian Empire will reserve the right to take further action, and you will be fully responsible for the consequences."

"Hehe, Mr. Consul, which Russians are missing? Please provide their entry or personal information, and we will help you find them. As for your country's legitimate businessmen, we will not offend them at all. Also, as for what you said about withdrawing from Mongolia, there is no need to mention it. This is our Chinese territory, and our army can go wherever it wants. We will never withdraw. As for the mining issue you mentioned, it is all illegal mining. There is no documentation, and without the consent of our new government, it is naturally not allowed to be mined..."

"We in the Russian Empire have consular jurisdiction. Even if you capture some lost Russians, they should be handed over to us. As for the mining of our minerals, it was also approved by the Mongolian government. My God, these are all legitimate businessmen, and they all abide by the law. If you treat them like this, God will punish you, and the Russian Empire will never let it go."

Zhang Feng listened and said with a smile: "Your Excellency, Consul, we are determined to overthrow the Qing government and the old Mongolian government, so their documents are no longer valid. Moreover, I have killed so many people and am waiting for God to punish me. I think it is best for you to stay away from me, especially the city of Kulun. Never look back, and don't let yourself be affected by God's punishment. Moreover, you must not look back when God punishes you, otherwise you will turn into a pillar of salt."

"Damn you pagans, damn you blasphemers..."

When Shishmalef heard Zhang Feng making fun of God like that, he couldn't help but curse Zhang Feng in his heart. He hated these yellow-skinned monkey pagans more and more, and he was extremely annoyed with Zhang Feng.

However, when he heard Zhang Feng use the allusion of the pillar of salt, he was immediately stunned. He had no idea that the person in front of him had read the Bible and understood the stories in it. Shishmaelfu was speechless and could only say harshly: "You will regret it. Sooner or later, you will regret the decision you made today."

"Sir Shishmaelfu, please go to God and tell him to punish me and spare my life! If I am punished, I will definitely turn over a new leaf and sincerely believe in God Jehovah and his beloved Son Jesus."