Chapter 31: A Single Slip-Up

  After the punishment of Jia Yicai, a wave of struggle to punish evil tyrants rose throughout Tibet. Those former Tibetan officials, aristocrats and lamas who had split from the people and cruelly oppressed them were punished.

  Of course, during this period, some close relatives of the mainland, kind-hearted former tusi and nobles were reconfirmed.

  Those who have reconfirmed their status as Tusi no longer hold the power of life and death over serfs as they did in the past. The military garrisons are responsible for matters of life and death among the people, and Han officials dispatched to Tibet are also responsible.

  At the same time, the two armies were victorious all the way, and after occupying Nagqu and Nyingchi, the governor's office was formulating a plan to take Lhasa when an order came from the Beiyang government in Beijing, requiring the Sichuan army to stop advancing and wait for further instructions.

  The original defeat of the rebel army in the Battle of Pinglei Liangzi made them fearful, and the subsequent attack on Kangding City completely eliminated the main force of the rebels, crushing their will to resist. Under the triumphant march of the Sichuan Army, the entire Lhasa Dalai Lama and Kalon were deeply terrified.

  At this time, news came from the front line that due to Yang Xing's demonstration effect on Gao Yi's trial, the frontline generals knew that when trying Gao Yi, not only did they collect a large amount of military expenses for the army to enter Tibet, but more importantly, they gained the support of serfs and some righteous scholars.

  Therefore, during the march, each garrison troops destroyed those Tusi, nobles and Lamas who supported the rebel forces, which undoubtedly made the morale of the divided factions even more disheartened.

  At this time, the British extended what they called friendship and saw that the Sichuan army would soon enter Lhasa, thoroughly undermining their plot to split Tibet. On August 17, 1912, in a memorandum submitted by British Minister to China, Jordan, to the Yuan Shikai government, four unreasonable demands were put forward:

  China is not allowed to interfere with Tibet's internal affairs;

  (2) Not to allow China to keep unlimited troops in Lhasa or Tibet;

  (3) To require the conclusion of an agreement based on each of the above points as a condition for recognizing the Republic of China;

  (4) Before signing the agreement, all means of communication between China and Tibet shall be closed.

  Yuan Shikai, in order to gain British support for his domestic reactionary policies, made concessions on the Tibet issue after diplomatic negotiations, taking into account the current situation of both sides.

  1. Cease immediately advancing on Lhasa.

  Abandon the area of Nangong.

  The Sichuan troops originally stationed in Lhasa withdrew separately to Changdu and Nyingchi areas.

  After Yuan Shikai took the treacherous action, the Sichuan Army lost the opportunity to thoroughly solve the Tibet problem.

  Because Yuan Shikai's dictatorial intentions had not yet appeared in the first year of the Republic, and the warlord situation had not yet taken shape, Duan Qirui and others only lamented that China was weak and had no diplomacy, and lamented the loss of the excellent opportunity to recover Tibet.

  Yang Xing is currently only a deputy officer of the Grand Governor, and only the deputy commander of the Model Division. Although his past life experience told him about the harm of Dailama, this political monk, but now that the overall environment has been set, before Yuan Shikai's ascension to the throne, central authority still exists, seeing this order is also helpless.

  Although so, it is still suggested that Yin Changheng, the Grand Governor, strengthen control over areas already under control, such as actively supporting anti-splitting forces, promoting the status of Danji Temple monks who supported the Resident Minister and Sichuan Army in battles, and thoroughly eliminating the influence of Dalai Lama and other splitting forces in occupied areas.

  Many other generals in the Qing invasion force believed that although this time they had lost the advantageous conditions for recapturing Lhasa, now that their troops had already reached Nyingchi and Qamdo, recapturing Lhasa was just a matter of reaching out and grabbing it, and they did not feel overly worried.

  Of course, everyone was more in favor of clearing the Dalai Lama's forces. At that time, it was decided to gather the original strongholds in various parts of Tibet that had not been broken through and re-establish forward strongholds in Shigatse, Nyingchi, and Qamdo. After a new regiment of Sichuan troops stationed in Tibet was formed, the main force was forced to withdraw from Tibet.

  Considering the long distance and difficult road conditions in Tibet, as well as the difficulties in supplying goods, the commander-in-chief decided to withdraw the main force from Tibet before October and return to Ya'an.

  To ensure the supply of military supplies, in addition to preparing for the establishment of a Tibetan medicine company, Yang Xing also planned to suggest the formation of a logging brigade, which would consolidate Han Chinese power in Tibet.

  But after some thought, he felt that people only knew how to cut down trees and did not know how to protect the environment. If it caused soil erosion, the impact would be even greater. He wanted to speak up several times but stopped himself in the end and didn't make the suggestion.

  Thinking of the originally thought-to-be victorious Western Expedition, it ended so hastily. Yang Xing followed the General Headquarters back to Ya'an and was preparing to return to Chengdu when Commander-in-Chief Yin Changheng received a telegram from Yuan Shikai in Beiping with the following content: "Changheng, my brother, the western expedition to Tibet has achieved great merit, I hope you will come to Beiping immediately to discuss national affairs."

  Yin Changheng unfolded the order and handed it to several trusted advisors, including Yang Xing, who had been promoted by him from a military academy and had made great contributions on the battlefield in Western Expedition. In Kangding, he also came up with a clever plan to solve the army's logistical problems, and now he was already part of Yin's core advisory group.

  Upon seeing this telegram, an elderly gentleman with a long queue at the back of his head stepped forward and said: "Since ancient times, when emperors held power, they would first eliminate powerful ministers. The Grand Marshal's western expedition to Tibet has attracted worldwide attention, and his achievements are outstanding. Moreover, the Grand Marshal has now joined the Nationalist Party, making him an indelible shadow in Yuan Shikai's mind. He must eliminate the Grand Marshal's military power. If he goes, there is a possibility of falling into the tiger's mouth. If he doesn't go, it would be openly opposing the central government. Whether to go or not to go, it is difficult to make a decision."

  Yin Changheng smiled and said: "Changheng is having a hard time making a decision for the time being, so I'd like to ask everyone to consider it."

  The old gentleman replied, "Generalissimo, as the saying goes: if the ruler wants his subject to die, then he cannot but die. In ancient times, after a great general won a battle in a distant land, he would still need to report to the emperor on the consumption of military funds and ammunition. Now, although it is the Republican era, President Yuan summoning you, Generalissimo, after your triumphant return from the expedition, is reasonable and proper."

  The old gentleman took a deep breath and said, "Moreover, the Grand Marshal is a member of the Nationalist Party. The Nationalist Party has immense power in the south, with roots that run deep. President Yuan would not dare to harm the Grand Marshal because of this. Therefore, although this trip is fraught with danger, it can certainly be made safe. I still suggest that the Grand Marshal can go."

  Everyone who heard the old man's analysis felt that he was strategizing for the country, and they all nodded in agreement, saying that the Grand Commander should go.

  Thinking of the historical records after the Western Expedition, Yin Changheng was summoned by Yuan Shikai to Beiping. After repeated attempts at persuasion failed, he was falsely accused of embezzling military funds and sentenced to nine years in prison. Now that everyone is letting him enter the tiger's mouth, he immediately advised: "Great Commander, Yuan Shikai is a man who speaks but has no faith, you absolutely cannot trust him. Your trip this time will surely have more disasters than blessings?"

  The old man replied: "You are just a young boy, how can you speak such nonsense? You said that the Grand Commander's journey is fraught with danger and little auspiciousness. Can you tell me in detail so I can hear it?"

  After recalling historical knowledge and thinking for a long time, he said: "The Grand Marshal is a member of the Kuomintang, while Yuan Shikai is a military strongman. He must want to eliminate our revolutionary armed forces. If the Grand Marshal goes there, he will inevitably be detained by Yuan Shikai, which will lead to the disbandment of my revolutionary armed forces. Firstly, the Grand Marshal killed the original Sichuan governor Zhao Erxun's brother Zhao Erlong and his friends Xu Shuzheng etc., who must have been instigating Yuan Shikai to detain the Grand Marshal. Therefore, I think that the Grand Marshal should not go to Beiping."

  "This old fellow, upon hearing this, sneered and said: 'Yang's words are truly laughable. Everyone knows that the Grand Governor is a member of the Nationalist Party. Does Yuan Shikai think he can harm the Grand Governor and sacrifice the trust of all Nationalist Party members, creating divisions between the central government and local authorities? Firstly, although Zhao Erfeng was killed by the Grand Governor, and Zhao Erxun was familiar with Xu Shichang, this is a personal vendetta. In the era of great revolution, who has not killed those loyal to the Qing dynasty? Does Yuan Shikai dare to use this as an excuse to harm the Grand Governor, without fearing ridicule from the world?"

  Yang Xing hesitated, and after a long while said: "Old gentleman, the governor's behavior is impeccable, and I am certain that Yuan Shikai will not harm him. However, it is inevitable that he will face many difficulties, and in the end, he may be harmed by being falsely accused of a crime."

  Yin Changheng listened and Yang Xing also affirmed that this trip was not life-threatening. He burst out laughing, saying: "The intention of the Eastern Expedition is already known to the governor. A great man does things with a clear conscience. As revolutionaries, we have long been prepared for death, so why fear those sinister plots? My mind is made up, I will return to Chengdu to thank the people for their support of the Western Expeditionary Army, and then Changheng will immediately set off to meet the President in Beiping."

  Yang Xing wanted to say something more, but Yin Changheng stopped Yang Xing from speaking further.

  Immediately negotiated with the entourage personnel, Tao Zekun, the captain of the model team, served as the head of the guard and led a group of soldiers to enter Beijing with Yin Changheng.

  Yang Xing, due to his outstanding performance in the Western Expedition, coupled with his secret membership in the Tongmenghui and being politically reliable, as well as being a student of the Sichuan Army Officer School, was immediately promoted to lieutenant colonel. He would act as deputy commander when Tao Zechen left. (Don't think that he is too young to be looked down upon; in the early years of the Republic, many revolutionary army leaders were very young - Chiang Kai-shek became a regimental commander at 24 after the Shanghai independence, Yin Changheng became a military governor at 28, and Cai E became a military governor of Yunnan at 29.)

  Due to the previous elimination of the leader of the Yanshan stronghold, Wang Dagna, and then obtaining the victory in the ambush battle at Piankou Liangzi, assisting the Third Division in capturing Kangding City, and killing the military leader of the rebel army, Dasandong, this somewhat sudden promotion did not raise any opposing voices.

  This was also the case when the Republic of China was first established, and various things were just beginning to happen. The phenomenon of officials being transferred three times a day often occurred, and arbitrariness was relatively large. Take this Yin Dajun as an example, he was already the governor of Sichuan at the age of 28.

  Yang Xing was deeply moved by the exceptional promotion by General Yin, and after finishing his report on that day, he once again advised General Yin not to go to Beiping.

  Yin Changheng smiled and said: "Zhēng Dōng, being cautious is not wrong, but according to your analysis, the most that will happen on this trip is that we'll encounter some petty slander?"

  Yang Xing bitterly advised: "Great Commander, it is inevitable to be slandered by petty people, but what I fear is that you will be framed with a false crime and suffer the disaster of imprisonment. If that happens, Great Commander..."

  Yin Changheng smiled and said, "Zhen Dong, isn't that an exaggeration? Now it's the Republic era, not the early Southern Song Dynasty when the emperor held absolute power. How dare you fabricate a crime to punish me? If so, can all Nationalist Party members tolerate this?"

  He handed a letter to Yang Xingdao: "Zhen Dong, this is a letter from Mr. Dun Chu to the governor, inviting me to go to Beiping to discuss national affairs. You know that next year's general election is coming soon, and according to current trends, our party will surely win a big victory. Mr. Dun Chu wants me to go to Beiping to help him gain momentum."

  Yang Xing carefully read the letter drafted by Song Jiaoren, and after a long silence, he said to Yin Changheng: "General, the problem lies in this election. I ask you, who would be willing to give up the power that is already in their hands? After the Nationalist Party wins the election, will Yuan Shikai give up his power and allow the Nationalist Party to form a cabinet? You should know that Yuan Shikai is an old-fashioned official, and he is only half a revolutionary."

  Yin Changheng smiled and said, "Zhēng Dōng ah, although Yuan Shikai is unwilling, how dare he block the will of the people? Our party's situation is bright and clear, but also contains hidden dangers. Therefore, I should go to Beijing even more, so as not to hinder the affairs of the party and state. Although Beiping City is a den of dragons and tigers, this time I, Yin Changzi, have made up my mind. You all stabilize things from behind, I have tens of thousands of brave warriors in Sichuan, I don't believe Yuan Xiangcheng dares to do anything to me, Yin Changzi."

  Finally, when it comes to this trip later, the model group needs to pay attention to the following matters. Yin Changheng said with great satisfaction: "Conquering the East, after the governor leaves, if there is anything, you can directly ask Hu Jingyi, the deputy governor, for instructions. Don't be slow with General Hu, Governor Hu is a very honest and upright person, and he has been friends with the governor for nearly ten years, so don't let things happen that are not respectful of orders."

  Talking about military life, the training of the model regiment, finally handed a notebook to Yang Xingdao: "Zhen Dong, this is a note I made while studying in Japan at the Japanese Military Academy. It seems that now things are busy and I don't have time to study it again. Take it away and study it well. The education method of Sichuan Army Officer School is quite different from that of Japanese military schools after all."

  Holding this thick notebook, Yang Xing's eyes became moist again. This should be the Bo Le, the kindred spirit. He didn't expect that when he fell into crisis, he was powerless to help himself.

  He would never tell this generous officer that he was a traverser, nor would he tell him that Song Jiaoren would be assassinated next year, and the seemingly powerful Southern Revolutionary Party would collapse instantly under Yuan Shikai's carrot-and-stick approach.

  In early October, the main army returned to Chengdu. Due to Hu Jingyi's repeated obstruction in the name of Yuan Shikai, the Western Expedition Army was only allowed to withdraw after Yin Changheng left Sichuan, except for the Model Division that followed. This undoubtedly cast a shadow over the Western Expedition Army.

  However, Yoon Chang-hyeon's mood was not affected by this, and he continued to chat and laugh along the way, without taking it seriously.