Chapter 76: White Wolf Bandits

The representatives of the great powers in China are now, namely the ministers and consuls and consuls of the general business consuls distributed from Beijing to every major trading port, as well as the commanders of the troops stationed in China, and even experts in the research of Eastern issues in the great powers. Everyone opened their eyes wide and watched Yuchen miraculously rise in the Far East. Although his achievements over the past year can be said to be legendary, most of them thought that this was just a young warlord on a whim, and although they knew how to use some nice nouns to decorate their bloody road to power. But since he was born in this backward country, his knowledge and what he could do in the end were nothing more than the results of those Eastern methods. Power, civil war, corruption, blood, and finally a new round of stories began.

In the brief rise of the new warlords, what they are most concerned about is how to ensure that their interests are not lost in the turmoil of the Eastern Kingdom. In the eyes of most Western countries, the eldest country of the Far East does not have much value at this stage. At this stage, their eyes are focused on Europe, where the situation is increasingly tense. Even the British Empire, which had always been the loudest voice to China, has gradually become negative recently. Only Minister Jurden is still exerting his personal influence. But overall, during the new round of North-South confrontation, they maintain a rare neutrality. They firmly believe that no matter who ultimately grasps the regime, they dare not challenge the authority of the great powers and interests in the Far East. They only need to look at the ups and downs of the Far East with majestic and compassionate eyes as the ups and downs of the Far East kill each other and make some mean comments.

There are also a few countries, who may have vaguely felt the changes that Yuchen's rise would bring to this country, and perhaps the profound changes in the political structure of the Far East. Some were purely ambitions for this country. At this moment of change, they increased their energy to this country, and even had a lot of conspiracies.

Yuchen walked into the formal reception room of his inspection office with a spring breeze on his face. He usually met guests in his small reception room. This open and spacious hall is really rare. His face was completely gone from the fatigue of not sleeping all night last night and working all night. He also walked very energetic. Only Tao Ding beside him could not know that his energy was squeezed out of his body with a hot towel. Their young commander was too busy and too hard.

There were more than a dozen foreigners sitting high and low in the reception hall, some dressed formally, some looked like reporters, wearing hunting clothes, and there were big and small bags of things around them. Seeing Yuchen come in, everyone stood up in a hurry. Everyone looked at this young soldier who was really famous in the Far East.

His simple military uniform, a kind and cheerful smile, and a demeanorless manner. He also has a neither humble nor arrogant expression. He is stiff and rigid in his manner, or deliberately holding his posture, or being servile and overly obedient. Yuchen's appearance almost won a lot of honor. Although these foreigners did not shout out, they all felt bright in front of them. The demeanor of this young warlord is indeed different from those of the Beiyang soldiers!

Cooper was resting there with his legs raised. He was a Scottish descendant. He was not a celebrity child in the State Council. He achieved his current position with his own efforts. Over the past year, with his good relationship with Yuchen, the capital and power of the United States have penetrated deeper and farther into the Yangtze River. Moreover, Yuchen's local autonomy policy and the open door policy within the Jiangbei area have also had a high reputation in the United States. The State Council naturally deserves this credit.

He believed that he had a great American influence on Yuchen, a young and powerful Far Easter. Instead of the minister Linde, who was far away in Beijing and could only hold tea parties, was full of British spirit. There are rumors that he would take over as the position of Chinese minister. In the future, he will officially recognize the Republic of China. The United States is also very interesting to upgrade its diplomatic hierarchy. Then he is the Chinese ambassador for granted. He was a farmer's son on the East Coast back then, and finally came to such a day!

Seeing Yuchen come in, he also stood up with a smile and performed an American military salute to Yuchen. Yuchen indeed left the others and smiled at him: "My friend, I can see you today. I really don't know how to describe my happy mood now..."

The two shook hands vigorously, and Cooper squeezed his eyes at Yuchen: "Only God can know what we don't know."

The two sat down with a smile, Yuchen stood upright, waiting for Cooper to introduce the foreigners who were visiting him. Cooper indeed pointed at them one by one to introduce Yuchen. Everyone Yuchen nodded and said hello. Most of these people were people from the Western newspaper industry. It turned out that most of them were stationed in Beijing and Shanghai. Except for the famous Times reporter Mo Lixun, who was acclaimed Yuan Shikai, who did not come. Other influential newspaper reporters in China, all came, and there were even two Japanese reporters from Shuntian Times.

Speaking of the lineup of the conference, it is really weak. In addition to the US Consul General Cooper himself, he also has the cultural counselor of the British and French Embassy. Their task is more to collect intelligence. The so-called "watching" is just a chat. Japan formally sent a secret. But it is not a person who can mention it. The attitude of the great powers towards this meeting in the south can be clearly seen from the attendees. In addition to the enthusiasm of the United States, the others are kept a distance, did not support, and care was limited. Jiangbei had no economic demands on the great powers, so they lacked the most powerful control weapon. They expressed a cold and wait-and-see attitude towards what happened in Jiangbei. They even had a sarcastic sense. What they were most concerned about in their minds was to start negotiations between the north and the south as soon as possible.

After the introduction round, I saw these characters looking at me eagerly. Yuchen pondered slightly and knew that what they were most concerned about this time was the results of the preparatory meeting. Perhaps some people had learned some from representatives of various provinces. But the overall situation was still not grasped. Their main tasks were to publish news and collect intelligence!

He nodded to everyone, regardless of whether they could understand Chinese or not, and said with a smile: "It's been a lot of hard work for everyone all the way. Xuzhou is a small place and there is nothing to entertain you. Everyone rushed here for a long time. Do you also support our South in the form of negotiation and resolving state affairs? In particular, some friends came here to watch the ceremony, and Yu was even more grateful!"

The voice was clear and straightforward, as if everything showed his confidence in the results of this Southern Conference: "Tomorrow is the meeting period of the official conference. At the meeting, a resolution will be made on several matters agreed in the preparatory meeting. Brothers are now reviewing this resolution. You can know the specific content tomorrow. Yu is not allowed to speak to others! But these news has not been announced to our country's reporters. If you reveal it to you, isn't Yu favoring one or the other? Yu has always treated everyone equally with journalists at home and abroad. Now there are many representatives in various provinces in Xuzhou City, so you can interview these representatives. Yu Jinwu can't help! Ask them about their impression of this conference. I can write a letter to you in advance, but there is no unified caliber! Yu is concerned about national affairs and is always the most welcome to different opinions!"

After listening to Yuchen's words, these reporters made a burst of deep laughter. The atmosphere became much looser. Many people took out small paper books to record the words of him. They also indicated their feelings in certain paragraphs. For example, "It turns out that he is a young general with the intention of nationalism"............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... When will he show his enlightened attitude, and the conversation shows that he is a general with the average level of knowledge and intelligence of the Western people."..................................................................

Yuchen looked at everyone and smiled and said, "I know it's really not easy for you to come with Mr. Cooper. This time I sincerely invite you to take a walk in Jiangbei and give us some suggestions on the policies we are currently trying to apply for. Don't worry, there is no one to accompany you, and there is no postal and telecommunications inspection center. I just hope you can get to know our Jiangbei. As soon as the meeting ends, friends who are willing to stay in Jiangbei, I will immediately issue official documents and letters of introduction to everyone, and it is very convenient to go wherever you go! Do you have any questions?"

Everyone hasn't asked a question yet. He is the only one who is singing a solo show there. Suddenly there was a reporter, probably a British reporter from the North China News Agency. He really regarded this place as a press conference and spoke fluent Chinese, which sounded more standard than Yuchen's official language with a southern accent in later generations. These reporters seemed to be elite soldiers and absolutely Chinese.

"General Yu, before I met you, I probably arrived the earliest. There is an old saying in China that birds eat insects when they get up early. I, the person who arrived early, also interviewed some representatives of various provinces... Especially the representatives from Zhejiang and Guangdong had great opinions on the preparatory discussion agenda before this meeting. They believed that Jiangbei was completely leading the meeting, and some proposals were completely imposed on the provinces. Some proposals they really care about were not included in the discussion agenda... The general's meaning seemed to use this meeting to hold all the provinces in the south. Do you have any opinions on such a big rebound in these provinces?"

Cooper and Tao Dingnan, who stood behind Yuchen, both changed his face. Yuchen came out this time just to meet everyone, and did not mean to turn this meeting into a press conference. Cooper then had something to talk to Yuchen alone. Who knew that these reporters did not have a good attendant, so they refused to let go of the opportunity.

Yuchen smiled, signaled Tao Dingnan to sit down, leaned his body toward the British reporter, and smiled and said, "I was not going to answer any question today because the schedule was too full. But now that's the case, I can also answer a question with an exception. This Southern Conference was held because of the congenital deficiencies of the Northern Provisional Government, and now it is almost a government that can only represent the interests of the provinces north of the Yangtze River. They have never exercised their effective rule over the South. Just because of the misunderstanding between the north and the south, several unfortunate civil wars occurred. What's even more heartbreaking is that the southern provinces are not completely peaceful."

He took a breath. It seemed that these words had been thought about in his mind for a long time, and now he said them very fluently. But his tone became more and more sincere.

"The war between the north and the south has just ended, and the aftermath has not yet been caught off guard. The domestic political situation is in chaos. The northern provisional government can no longer effectively exercise its governance. The future prospects of the Republic of China, all knowledgeable people are worried, believing that the situation of division between the north and the south is right in front of them. At this time, Yu cannot shirk his responsibilities. This meeting is held to coordinate and unify the will and voices of the south. For the time being, the current situation of almost anarchy in the south is maintained. Tell the people that our southern provinces still firmly support the election at the end of the year, and Niannian makes plans to establish a formal Republic of China government!"

The reception room was quiet, with only the sound of the fountain pen sliding on the paperboard.

Yuchen sat upright with satisfaction, leaned back a little arrogantly, as if very satisfied with what he said: "As long as everyone understands the purpose of this meeting, many problems will be solved! Our meeting is just a maintenance agency for the formal election and the establishment of a formal government! Don't let the south fall into a real anarchy at this time, just like our country's current Sichuan Province, the civil war is a disaster! In such a short time, Yu can only raise the most important military and financial issues in the southern provinces now.

A number of questions are raised to ask everyone to discuss. We will form a resolution based on the opinions of each province, so that everyone can follow the rules in this short time. Because this time is short, many issues have not been considered in detail, and each province has special circumstances. Yu cannot consider them all. This is my fault and I am willing to admit it to everyone! But after this meeting, a temporary Southern Federation of Provincial Senate will be born at the same time. During the transition period, what opinions do each province have? Can you raise them in this Senate? Yu must be the only one who listens!"

He was very powerful in his control. After saying that, he put his hands on his knees and looked at the foreign journalists who were lowering his head to record. The cultural counselors and secretaries were not idle either. They were all recording Yuchen, which was considered to set the tone for this conference and answered reporters' questions. He was still constantly admiring. He had long heard that Yuchen was first-class in China's eloquence, and now a short answer to reporters' questions came out for him. He was really much better than the old man in the north who was in front of the president and still talked to them, such as foreign journalists, who were always in the standard official accent left by the Qing Dynasty.

Tao Dingnan stood up and walked to Yuchen, and smiled at the reporters who had just come back to their senses and waited to continue asking questions, "The commander's question has been answered. Commander Yu's schedule is very full. After the official meeting tomorrow, we will specially arrange the time to meet all the reporters. Sorry!" He nodded to Cooper again. Yuchen had turned around and went to the small reception room to meet these diplomatic representatives who came to watch the ceremony. Only these foreign journalists sighed with dissatisfaction. Interviewing General Yu is indeed much more interesting than interviewing the politicians in the north.

When the Guangai gathered in Xuzhou and bargained for political matters and made a difference, in a small county called Biyang in southern Henan, Chen Baiyuan, deputy battalion commander of the Second Battalion of the Third Regiment of the First Division of the Anhui Army of Jiangbei Army, was worried about their own destiny.

On the north of the Bishui River, the northernmost outpost in southern Henan controlled by the Jiangbei Army. They were stationed in such a small county town with their backs. The 6th Division of the Beiyang Army, which was originally in contact with them, has now become the world of the White Wolf Army. Song Laoxiang and Liang Ganglu, two famous and ferocious White Wolf Bandit Army brigades facing them.

The defenders were just a machine gun platoon of the infantry company and battalion. The children of Jiangdong had been stationed in Henan for several months. They were not used to it from life and to psychology. The difficulties of the people's lives were quite scary compared to those of Jiangbei. He was born in the teaching system and was a typical child of a well-off farmer family.

It has been a year since Jiangbei exempted agricultural taxes. People have been farming all day long. If they have not encountered any natural disasters, there is no problem of having enough food and clothing. The Department of Agriculture and Forestry of the Jiangbei Inspection Commission has also initially built rural credit cooperatives and agricultural technology stations in various places, and also serves farmers at extremely low prices. During the slack season, he went to the water conservancy construction site to work, and he was also a little hopeful for a year of pocket money. Life was from narrow to wide. But this place in Henan made him know what it means to live in a poor life. He also knew why there were many bandits here and he couldn't survive anymore! Under the three oppression of the grain management and military officials and bandits, the people in Henan almost turned into humans. All this made him believe in the justice of his Jiangbei military cause and the sacred feeling of fulfilling his responsibilities as a soldier and a member of the Qing Army Association.

But the situation he faced really made him feel attentive all day long. This young deputy battalion commander, who was almost the same age as Yuchen, frowned for a day. According to the information, the Northern Army had already established a defense line in Shahe and Ruhe. After the White Wolf Army was in a hurry to go north, and then he wandered around in Henan. These extremely destructive brigades of bandits had absolutely no intention of building a place as a basis. Walking one place was to eat and drink, and let go of it. The fragile agricultural economy of the counties was quickly destroyed by them. After eating, the locusts were not able to work in northern Henan for a while, and weren't they going to submerge towards southern Henan soon?

Although Bai Lang, as the leader, was irreconcilable with Yuan Shikai, I heard that he had sent a letter to the Jiangbei Army, saying that he would join forces with the Jiangbei Army to jointly create a rebellion of Lao Yuan. But now there are so many messy poles under his hands, which is far beyond his control. These wolves have no plans to target, and they eat and drink, rape and plunder every day. He was worried that more than 2,000 bandits who ate all Song Laoxiang and Liang Ganglu of Henan rushed towards his small outpost. Why did the commander just ask about the situation in southern Henan and send us some reinforcements? He never thought that this was Yuchen's misdeeds in arrangement, but simply believed that as long as Yuchen noticed the situation in southern Henan, Commander Yu, who was victorious in all battles, would definitely smash these bandits in Henan!

Chen Baiyuan walked on the city wall to patrol the defense. Although it was late at night, he just couldn't sleep. He looked at the simple soldiers under his hands wrapped in yellow military coats and did not dare to sleep, so he squeezed together to stamp his feet to keep warm. Several tall firewood piles were well prepared, and the foreign oil and fire were all under special care, and they were always ready to ignite the fire of news. He smiled with satisfaction. When the soldiers saw him coming to patrol, they saluted him. Some soldiers were more courageous and complained to this young deputy battalion commander who loved soldiers very much: "Battleman Chen, when will we go back to Anhui? The millet here is full of sand, and the appetite is lost. If they could go back to Anhui to eat a bowl of rice and a fish, they would be willing to die on the battlefield."

Chen Baiyuan smiled and said, "As a soldier, he is two and a half feet away. Our fourth regiment was transferred out to participate in the An Meng army to fight in Outer Mongolia. How can we live? Now we are not far from home, so we want a wife? In the future, our Jiangbei army will fight all over the world! We are all more energetic! These bandits are right in front of us, more fierce and cunning than the Beiyang army. We are here, and as long as there is one person, we cannot let them slim water!"

Listening to their Deputy Battalion Commander Chen's advice, the soldiers who were already holding their energy in their hearts silently returned to their combat positions, and the machine gun shooter was checking the machine parts again. The sound of the bolts sounded far away in this quiet Henan winter night.

It was late at night. Chen Baiyuan, who was just dozing on the city wall with his clothes for a while, was suddenly awakened by his soldiers. When he opened his eyes, he heard the voice of a company commander: "Deputy Battalion Commander, the bandit brigade is coming up!" Chen Baiyuan woke up suddenly, jumped up, and rushed to the battle position in a few steps. Looking down, in the distance of the desolate winter fields in front of him, under the reflection of the lights of the city wall, the bandits of the brigade were scattered towards Biyang. Chen Baiyuan shouted: "Call the troops to Magutian camp! Light up the beacon fires and shoot to warn them not to move forward!" He wiped the hot sweat from his forehead: "All personnel enter the position! The mates organized the people to carry ammunition and prepare for war!"
Chapter completed!