The early spring sunshine shines on the ground, and the temperature suddenly rises. After the long winter torture, people happily usher in a warm season. At present, there are more people in the streets and alleys of Taiyuan City. After the next year, the provincial chairman Shang Zhen visited the Hetao area, and then went deep into various areas of Shanxi and began to drive his power in an innovative manner.

During this period, Shang Zhen replaced two county magistrates who had enough money in the western part of Shanxi, which then caused criticism in the political circles of Shanxi. It is logical that his approach was not a problem. Are the new official three-in-one fires? However, Shanxi is an old cave that Yan Xishan has been operating for many years, and its power is mixed, which will inevitably hurt Yan Xishan's foundation. Someone has reported this to Yan Xishan.

Speaking of Shang Zhen, no matter his qualifications or fame, his reputation is no longer inferior to Yan Xishan. However, his political wisdom is probably not at the same level as Yan Xishan. Shang Zhen was born in Dacheng County, Baoding in the early 1980s. When he was seventeen years old, he was admitted to the Beiyang Military Preparation School in Baoding, and later changed to the Army Progress School. Later, he stayed at the school as an instructor. During his time at school, Shang Zhen was deeply influenced by the democratic revolutionary ideas and actively participated in the Tongmenghui. Later, he was expelled by the school for anti-Qing activities and rushed to the northeast to continue to engage in anti-Qing activities.

On the eve of the Xinhai Revolution, he organized the civilian army outside the pass and served as the commander-in-chief of the civilian army. After the establishment of the Beiyang government, he served as a senior adviser to the Army Department. Later, he and Shaanxi Governor Lu Jianzhang went to Shaanxi to take office and served as the commander-in-chief of the bandit suppression in Shaanxi. Lu Jianzhang was expelled from Shaanxi because he was full of his personal pockets, and Shang Zhen could not gain a foothold in Shaanxi, so he led his troops to Yan Xishan.

During his time in Shanxi, Shang Zhen was incompatible with Yan Xishan. Especially when Shang Zhen was stationed in Baoding in 1928, he served as the chairman of Hebei Province. Shang Zhen used his power to establish Hebei Military and Political School, Training School, and Party Affairs Training Institute, and openly sang a stage drama with Yan Xishan. His purpose was to get rid of Yan Xishan's shackles and secretly defect to Chiang Kai-shek.

In addition, Shang Zhen also purchased weapons privately from German Shang in Peiping, but in fact it was purchased from Mu Yaping, and Shang Zhen himself was not aware of them. These measures touched Yan Xishan's bottom line, and he became more dissatisfied with Shang Zhen. After the end of the Central Plains War, the position of the chairman of Shanxi Province was recommended by Chiang Kai-shek to Zhang Xueliang. Therefore, before Yan Xishan left Shanxi, all political measures were to prevent Shang Zhen. Even in front of Mu Yaping, he did not shy away from preventing Shang Zhen.

Mu Yaping reported to Yan Xishan in all the truth about Shang Zhen's activities, but without commenting. Such things cannot be covered up. It should be said that the land of Shanxi is full of Yan Xishan's eyes and ears. Mu Yaping must not cause any mistakes in the suspicious Yan Xishan. However, Shang Zhen's power must promote it to form an alliance. Mu Yaping has done so much effort, and he believes that Shang Zhen admires him very much. Moreover, integrating the army is the best choice for Mu Yaping to dig the corners of Yan Xishan. In fact, he also relies on the Jin army.

At present, Fu Zuoyi is dissatisfied with Yan Xishan, let alone Shang Zhen. Xu Yongchang's troops can fight for it, and given his current status, he can change his mind. Yan Xishan's real direct line is Yang Yanyuan, and Mu Yaping must take advantage of this favorable period to further integrate the Jin army. When Yan Xishan returns to Shanxi in the future, he will completely weaken his right to command and mobilize the army.

Based on his understanding of Shang Zhen, Mu Yaping had a large number of Communists under his command, and he valued them all. It was obvious that Shang Zhen sympathized with the Communist Party. Mu Yaping was more confident in persuading Shang Zhen and forming an alliance. Therefore, the day after Shang Zhen returned from western Shanxi, Mu Yaping greeted Shang Zhen in a restaurant.

When they met, Shang Zhen said happily: "Brother Mu, I really didn't expect that your settlement and development in Wuyuan area was a huge deal that was unprecedented in ancient times. I really didn't expect that the Hetao area would change in just a few years. Shang believed that this kind of measure that benefited the country and the people was not allowed to be done. As the saying goes, I can't be content with my own government. I learned a lot in the Wuyuan area and strive to make Shanxi change the experience of Wuyuan area in a short period of time."

Before Mu Yaping interrupted, Shang Zhen said again: "Brother Mu, the military farm is well run! The soldiers assigned to the army have no worries. This will greatly improve the cohesion and combat effectiveness of the troops, which can be said to be a killing of multiple goals. Especially the agricultural science institute you run, it is amazing to have excellent grain varieties. Next, I will organize officials from all over the country to visit. In time, our Shanxi will become a major grain-producing province. Brother Mu, you are a rare talent. China is lucky and the nation is lucky!" Shang Zhen became more and more excited as he spoke, and his expression seemed to be distorted.

Mu Yaping said: "Chairman Shang has been too much, and my brothers are just a little successful. What's the point. I believe that under the leadership of Chairman Shang, Shanxi will soon become a new look." Shang Zhen smiled and said: "Brother Mu has always been modest. At present, the entire Shanxi officialdom has praised you. Shang will rely on Brother Mu's guidance in the future. I am an outsider in the economy!"

Mu Yaping pointed the topic to the premeditated field and said: "Chairman Shang, it is not difficult to engage in the economy and livelihood, but it is rare to be a human factor. The country is full of holes and is in trouble. However, the country's wars are everywhere, and there is a ferocious beast on the bed, which is still eyeing us and is rushing towards us at any time." Shang Zhen asked: "You mean the Japanese?"

Mu Yaping said: "The ambition of Japanese people is generally alert for those who are clear-headed. But what I am really worried about is internal instability and intrigue with each other. It is precisely because of our use of this that the Japanese dare to be fearless. I wonder if Chairman Shang agrees with me?" Shang Zhen looked at Mu Yaping, as if he was touched.

Mu Yaping continued to dig deeper and said, "Chairman Shang, frankly speaking, this land in Shanxi is not a pure land. Although you are the provincial chairman now, how much real power is there? I, Mu Yaping, say that I am valued by someone, and I have reached the point where I am today. But only I understand the sweetness and sorrow of it. I consider myself a gentleman and sneer at power techniques, but sitting in this position is inevitable. How many people in the world can escape that?"

Shang Zhen was surprised and thought to himself that this celebrity under Yan Xishan had something to say about his master. He couldn't help but feel happy and tentatively said: "Brother Mu, let me tell you, I, the provincial chairman, have a very glorious appearance on the surface, but in fact I can't issue many government orders. I think Brother Mu should understand the strangeness. In fact, I am a puppet."

Mu Yaping had no choice but to lie and said, "Thank you, Chairman Shang for being honest, I won't hide it from you. Not long ago, I intercepted the telegram from Yan Xishan to Yang Yanyuan. The content of the telegram was to let Yang Yanyuan report my every move. Obviously, what I did gave Yan Xishan an idea. It seems that if you want to do something, even if you are selfless, it will be even more difficult."

Shang Zhen pondered for a moment and said, "Brother Mu, I want to know what you think of this phenomenon?" Mu Yaping said, "General Yan has the kindness of knowing me, and I cannot be an unfaithful person. In the future, General Yan returns to Shanxi and I will still serve under his tent. However, one thing must be improved and his military power must be weakened. Commanding wars and government affairs must be separated. This is a measure that benefits the country and the people. I wonder what Chairman Shang wants to do?"

Shang Zhen shook his head and said, "This move is difficult to achieve in Shanxi. You don't know that Yan Xishan has a deep roots in Shanxi, and has a very good reputation in the eyes of the people. Almost all the officials in the Shanxi officialdom were selected by him. It would be easier to give up his military power," Shang Zhen's face showed a helpless expression.

Mu Yaping smiled and said, "Chairman Shang, I believe that things are caused by humans. It is the time to weaken Chief Yan's rights in the army. We can support Commander Xu, and his troops must be welcomed. Now Commander Fu has no problems. The only difficult thing is Yang Yanyuan's troops. As long as we disintegrate the old forces of the Jin army in the unit, will all problems be solved?"

When Shang Zhen heard this, he suddenly realized that Mu Yaping's real intention was to undermine Yan Xishan and said: "Brother Mu, maybe Yan Xishan will be in charge of Shanxi soon. Based on my understanding of Chiang Kai-shek, the importance of Shanxi is related to the stability of the northwest. The Northwest Army has fallen apart, but the power of the Jin army is still strong, and Chiang Kai-shek will still use him."

Mu Yaping said: "Chairman Shang, you are very accurate. It is a matter of time before Chiang Kai-shek can launch Yan Xishan. In the future, Chief Yan will be in charge of government affairs when he returns to Shanxi? What's wrong with this? Chief Yan's talent is not as good as in government affairs. Chief Yan's achievements in developing Shanxi's economy are also a matter of great merit."

Shang Zhen's eyes lit up and said, "Brother Mu, I didn't expect that your vision is so unique. Shang feels worse than that! Your remarks and what you did just now are basically out of public aspirations. You are not an ambitious man. With your current power, you can completely replace it, but you don't want to do this, which shows how great your mind is. To be honest, I really hope that you, director Shanxi."

Mu Yaping smiled and said, "Chairman Shang, as the saying goes: One fence has three stakes, one hero has three helpers. After all, my ability is limited, and I need the strong support of my ancestors. No matter how much you say, it is nonsense, and how to do it down-to-earth is the way to be a human being. I will sincerely assist you and create a new situation."

Shang Zhen was obviously a little excited, and Mu Yaping's words seemed to have gone to his heart. He stood up and personally gave Mu Yaping a glass of wine and said, "Brother Mu, come here to do this glass of wine, and you and I will be loyal to each other. Shang is clear today and has the same intention as Brother Mu, and achieve great achievements on this land in Shanxi."

After drinking, Mu Yaping said with a red face: "Chairman Shang, the current situation in Shanxi and even the country is very complicated, and we must be careful. A few days ago, you replaced two county magistrates in the western region, which has caused shock in Shanxi's political arena. It is estimated that many people have complained to Yan Xishan. You know that Yan Xishan's political methods are very clever, and we cannot beat him in this regard. Therefore, the current officials must maintain the status quo. If you find greedy officials, you can use roundabout tactics."

Shang Zhen agreed and said, "It's a bit too hasty. When I returned to Taiyuan, I have already smelled the wind, but what is the roundabout tactic you are talking about?" Mu Yaping said slyly: "Using newspapers and radio stations to create momentum and constantly expose their bad deeds, the effect is better. Doing this will not hurt your muscles or bones, nor will it reveal your marks, nor will it give others a sarcasm. This is the best strategy."

Shang Zhen was overjoyed and unknowingly formed an alliance. Mu Yaping then said that the top priority at present is to develop education and economic development issues. Mu Yaping took the opportunity to propose to recommend a candidate for the Director of Education, and then he suggested that all officers above the Jin army of troops would go to Taiyuan to participate in training. Shang Zhen had no objection and expressed his full support.
Chapter completed!