Chapter 32: The First Meeting with Zhang Biao

  Sichuan's various organizations held a grand welcoming ceremony to welcome the triumphant generals, although they were ultimately unable to occupy Lhasa. This battle after all severely struck at the rebels' arrogance, and was truly due to the weakness of the central government, not the fault of the frontline generals.

  The Model Brigade, as the only unit to return to Chengdu from this Western Expedition, defeated nearly 10,000 rebel troops with just one regiment at Pianguo Liangzi. Under the city of Kangding, it even blasted through the walls of Kangding City and killed the leader of the rebels, Dawa Sangdong, thoroughly crushing the rebels' will to resist.

  Yang Xing is now the deputy officer of the Grand General's Mansion, the deputy commander of the Model Division, and the acting commander. After a period of rest, replenishment, and training, his strength has been thoroughly restored.

  Through capture, although the artillery company's meat dumplings were beaten by dogs and went without return, through capture, the artillery company's strength did not decrease but increased. The artillery company is now equipped with 3 large cannons and 12 small steel cannons, with a force of over 200 people remaining.

  In addition, the Model Regiment has four infantry battalions under its jurisdiction, a regimental command teaching company, and a regimental command guard company, with a total strength of nearly 1,500 people, equivalent to one and a half regiments. ?? Patriotic warlord 32

  As for combat effectiveness, the model troops generally have soldiers who can read and write, all of whom have been to the battlefield and are well-trained. Their combat effectiveness is not far from that of ordinary troops.

  At the ceremony of entering the city, the model soldier walked in front of the team as the first echelon.

  Yang Xing accompanied Tao Zekun, walking at the very front of the team. The parents and relatives in Chengdu saw that among those walking at the front of the team was a young military officer who appeared to be over 20 years old. This officer stood about 1 meter 75 centimeters tall, with an impressive appearance, his entire body naturally exuding the unique pride and confidence of a soldier.

  It turned out that he was a great hero of Pi Gou Liangzi, who killed the tiger general Dasan Dong. At that time, Yang Xing also gained the reputation of Western Expedition Hero and Sichuan Army Brave General.

  The thank-you banquet afterwards was also hosted by Commander-in-Chief Yin Changheng and Acting Commander-in-Chief Hu Jingyi, who jointly entertained the heads of various government departments in Sichuan, celebrities and gentry.

  Before the banquet, General Yin Changheng introduced Yang Xing to Commander Hu Jingyi. It seemed that Hu Jingyi had complex feelings towards Yin Changheng and Yang Xing. When he heard that they were heroes from Pian Gou Liang Zi, Hu Jingyi only gave a faint nod of acknowledgement, casting a shadow over the years to come.

  Hu Jingyi, graduated from Sichuan Army Military Academy, studied at the Imperial Japanese Army Academy, returned to China and worked with the Constitutionalists, later served in the Sichuan Army.

  After Yin Changheng took the post of Sichuan Governor, Hu Jingyi became the Minister of Military and Political Affairs of Sichuan. After Yin Changheng's expedition to Zongbian, he became the Guardian General of Sichuan.

  During this time, Hu Jingyi gradually gained control over Sichuan Province and more importantly joined the China Progressive Party, a party favored by Yuan Shikai.

  He felt that Hu Jingyi's expression was strange, and he didn't dare to look at Yin Changheng or Yang Xing. What's going on? This made Yang Xing feel a little puzzled.

  However, doubts are still doubts, and Yang Xing was powerless to do anything. It should be known that Hu Jingyi is a classmate of Yin Changheng, and the two have been friends for ten years. It should also be known that Hu Jingyi is in charge of nursing the Grand Governor.

  After some small talk, the banquet officially began. Yang Xing also took this excellent opportunity to get acquainted with these big shots of Sichuan in the Republic of China.

  Zhang Lan, born in 1872, was a native of Shunqing, Sichuan Province. He is a renowned figure in later generations and served as one of the first Vice Chairmen of the People's Republic of China after its founding. He was also the founder of the Democratic Alliance and currently serves as the Pacification Commissioner for Northern Sichuan. In his previous life, Zhang Lan had repeatedly wanted to join the Democratic Alliance but found no way in, and at that time, the alliance was just a beautiful flower.

  Since I've traveled to the Republic of China era, being able to meet this leader of the Protect the Railway Movement is also a lifelong wish. As Commander Tao Zekun arrived at the banquet hall, I was thinking about how to get acquainted with this democratic fighter when a voice came over: "Zhen Dong, come here, I'll introduce you to an elder?"

  Taking a closer look, it was Luo Lin, the supervisor of the Sichuan Army Officer School, who had heard that he was preparing to elect members of parliament with Zhang Lan.

  Far away, Yang Xing let it pass, having no choice but to rush over immediately, shaking hands and saying: "Director, the student has arrived."

  It's been months since we last met, and I never thought that the young man from before would become a renowned hero of the Western Expedition and a fierce general of the Sichuan Army. He patted me on the shoulder and said, "It's been months since we last met, and you've become even more robust than before. As the ancients said, 'after three days apart, one looks at each other with new eyes.' Brother Biao, look how long it's been - that impetuous young man from the military academy actually annihilated the bandit leader Wang Dagna in just a few days and became a renowned hero of the Western Expedition and a fierce general of the Sichuan Army."

  It wasn't until then that I noticed a middle-aged man in his 40s standing next to Luo Yun, with a thin face and an air of worrying about the country and its people. This middle-aged man looked very dignified, and it was rare for someone to have such a long beard during the early Republic period. His beard was half a foot long, but it was extremely clean, and he seemed to be a person with strong self-control.

  He immediately bowed and said: "Director, who is this elder? Can you introduce him to the students?" ?? Patriotic warlord 32

  Lu Xun smiled and said: "Zheng Dong, you are also from Shunqing, this is our parent official."

  Upon hearing this, he was overjoyed and thought to himself that he had indeed gotten what he had sought. Right before his eyes stood Zhang Lan, the Pacification Commissioner of Northern Sichuan. He immediately paid his respects and said: "So it's actually Mr. Zhang. Your great name has long been on everyone's lips. I apologize for any disrespect shown earlier, and I hope you can forgive me."

  Zhang Lan jokingly said to Luo Yun beside him, "Brother Luo, it seems that Zhang Lan is old. This young man has already called me 'old master'. It seems that the later waves push the earlier waves, and this world belongs to these young people. I, Zhang Lan, might as well retire and return to my hometown."

  Luó Lín heard this and jokingly said: "Biao Fang, you have a full beard, which makes you look older than your actual age. I advise you to shave it off immediately, otherwise in the future some young whippersnappers might pop up and directly call you 'old grandpa'!"

  Zhang Lan stroked his whiskers with his hand and said, "Well, I still prefer it this way."

  Upon hearing this, Yang Xing's face turned bright red, and he apologized in a low voice: "Sir, I was wrong to speak like that. When I said 'old', I meant it as a sign of respect for your knowledge and participation in the revolutionary history, not referring to your age at all. Please forgive me for my rude words."

  Zhang Lan burst out laughing: "Zheng Dong, how can a famous general from Sichuan not withstand such teasing?"

  Luó Lín smiled and said: "Brother Biāo Fāng, you are the superior of Zhēng Dōng's parents. If you squeeze him like this, how can he not yield?"

  Zhang Lan smiled and said: "Luo brother, you were originally the deputy governor of Sichuan, and now you are also the supervisor of the Army Military Academy, directly in charge of this kid."

  Everyone burst out laughing and all the estrangements were resolved at once.

  Zhang Lan smiled and said: "Zheng Dong, I heard you are from Shunqing?"

  As soon as the elder asked, he had no choice but to tell Zhang Lan about his vague memories of his life. Zhang Lan was overjoyed and said: "You are indeed a good son from northern Sichuan! You should go back and take a look when you have time, although your parents passed away early, northern Sichuan will always be your home. It's true that a good son's ambition is in all directions."

  Yang Xing knew that Zhang Lan was an old member of the Tongmenghui, and immediately whispered in Zhang Lan's ear: "Mr. Zhang, I heard that the caretaker of the Grand Marshal is a Republican Party member, and has a very close relationship with the Beiyang government. If the Grand Marshal goes to Beijing, the caretaker will not be able to tolerate us old subordinates. I have no one to rely on, and when the time comes, I still hope that the Envoys of the Declaration will take me in."

  Zhang Lan was shocked at first, then puzzled and said: "Although the nursing commander-in-chief is a Republican Party member and has also joined the Alliance Society, he is an old revolutionary. The Eastern Expedition cannot be caused by party strife and discord among comrades."

  As soon as he heard the critical tone in Yang's words, Zhang Lan waved his hand and smiled: "Yang Zhengdong, actually, we also need elite troops to be stationed in northern Sichuan to avoid being harmed by bandits. At that time, when I heard about the elimination of the bandit king Wang Dagna, I wanted you to return to northern Sichuan to eliminate bandits. But who knew that during the Western Expedition against the Tibetan rebellion, you would shine even brighter. As for your troops returning to northern Sichuan to eliminate bandits, I am fully in favor of it. Zhengdong, as you know, northern Sichuan is a vast region, and after the founding of the Republic of China, some Qing dynasty soldiers turned into bandits, causing trouble everywhere. If you are willing to go to northern Sichuan to eliminate bandits and maintain local peace, I, Zhang Lan, will fully support it. You don't know that currently in northern Sichuan, there is only one guard battalion and various county security teams with extremely low combat effectiveness. If your model regiment, a powerful and elite force, is willing to be stationed in northern Sichuan, it would surely bring blessings to the people of northern Sichuan."

  Upon hearing Zhang Lan's promise, Yang Xing was overjoyed and immediately expressed his gratitude.

  Then discussing the Sichuan-Tibet war, discussing this time Yuan Shikai's concession to the British, makes people feel hot-blooded and fervent. Zhang Lan, although an old intellectual, has a strong sense of worry for his country and people, and with a global perspective, is angry at China's backwardness, as clear as paper.

  At the banquet, I met Zhang Lan, a democratic fighter, and also got to know General Cheng Kejiu, nicknamed "Rebel General", who is now the commander of the 5th Division of the Sichuan Army.

  Xiong Kewu (1885-1970), also known as Jin Fan, was born in Yanjingwan, Renshou County, Sichuan Province. He once served as the commander-in-chief of the Sichuan Pacification Army and concurrently held the positions of military and civil governor of Sichuan Province.

  Xiong Kewu was known as the rebel general, after studying in Japan and joining the Tongmenghui, Xiong Kewu successively launched uprisings in Chongqing, Chengdu, Luzhou, Jiajing and Guang'an in Sichuan Province, but each time failed due to exposure of the plot, betrayal by traitors, and being outnumbered.

  On April 27, 1911 (March 29 of the lunar calendar), Xiong Kewu participated in the Guangzhou Uprising led by Huang Xing. He led a small team of 16 people including Yu Peilun, Dan Maixin, Qin Bing and Rao Guoliang to blow up the back wall of the Governor's Mansion of Guangdong and Guangxi provinces, and rushed into the mansion to capture Governor Zhang Mingqi, but Zhang had already fled in advance. The Guangzhou Uprising failed, and Yu Peilun, Qin Bing, Rao Guoliang and others became one of the 72 martyrs of Huanghuagang.

  The Wuchang Uprising broke out, and the Sichuan Party in Shanghai publicly promoted Xiong Kewu to organize the Shu Army to march north. The Nanjing Provisional Government appointed Xiong as the commander-in-chief of the Shu Army's Northern Expedition. Soon after, the North-South peace talks were successful, and Sun Yat-sen ordered Xiong Kewu to lead his troops back to Sichuan. The Shu Army government appointed Xiong as the commander of the First Division of the Shu Army, stationed in Chongqing. Later, Yin Changheng reorganized his division into the 5th Division of the Sichuan Army and served as its commander.

  General Xiong specially came from Chongqing to Chengdu, attending the celebration ceremony of Zangbian's great victory and Yin Changheng's grand governor Qian's wine party. When General Xiong entered the meeting room, he instantly became the focus of the entire wine party.

  General Bear is very talkative and generous, he is like a fire that deeply attracts the people around him.

  Yang Xing was also attracted to it, and when he came, he stood up to express his gratitude.

  Perhaps someone had informed him earlier, General Xiong grasped Yang Xing's hand and said: "Yang Xing, hero of the Western Expedition, fierce general of the Sichuan Army, number one contributor to the great victory at Pian Gou Liang Zi, conqueror of Kangding City, slayer of the rebel leader Da Zhan Sang Dong. You are indeed a rising star in the Sichuan Army, it's an honor to meet you."

  Yang Xing hastily stretched out his hand and shook hands with the famous rebel general: "General Xiong, for resisting the Qing dynasty's rule, you fired the first shot of our Sichuan army. I'm deeply sorry that I couldn't attend the grand meeting."

  After one sentence, both sides talked freely and became bosom friends in no time.

  At the end of the time, Xiong Kewu grasped Yang Xing's hand and said: "After the Grand Commander leaves, if there is anything, inform my 5th Division!"