The Anti-Japanese War Begins with the Northeast Army

Chapter 442: Continue to expand the army
If this credit falls on him, to put it bluntly, it would be an unparalleled achievement!

"General Jiang... are you really going to do this?"

Suzuki Hiroshi's face was filled with excitement, and even his breathing became short.

Jiang Cheng lit another cigarette and looked back at him without comment.

"Since we are cooperating, I must give you, Mr. Suzuki, my utmost sincerity."

Jiang Cheng's smile was a bit evil, "Don't you think so?"

…………

At around 1:00 a.m. that day, Zhang Zuoxiang, who had been in critical condition for several days, woke up slowly under the treatment of two German doctors.

"It's true that monks from afar can chant sutras! My father-in-law was really awakened by them."

Jiang Cheng was overjoyed.

They were the two foreigners who had smuggled in on the July Brave as Zhang Xuecheng mentioned.

Under the attack of the British and French forces, Germany was completely occupied, and many people who had some means began to flee in large numbers.

After investigation, Zhang Xuecheng found out that there was a doctor here, so he immediately brought his uncle here to see him and actually cured him.

"Brother, I really have to give you a credit!"

Jiang Chengjue didn't want to sleep anymore. He got up, put on his coat and was about to go to his ward, but Feng Yong who came over stopped him: "Alright, alright, Chao Liu and I will go as representatives."

"Your body hasn't recovered yet, so stop tossing around."

These officers were also admitted to the hospital for treatment, including Feng Yong and Jiang Dengxuan - but their injuries were slightly lighter, almost no different from normal people.

Jiang Cheng did not insist. After thanking the two men, he instructed Ye Hai to inform Hai Rushong and report to the Marshal's Mansion as soon as possible.

The next morning, a letter arrived at the Marshal's Mansion: on the one hand, it expressed greetings to Jiang Cheng and others;
On the other hand, Jiang Cheng’s opinion on the construction of the railway line was approved.

The Marshal's Office decided to open up the line between Siping and Kuanchengzi and named it Changping Railway.

The Changping Railway has three stations: Siping, Gongzhuling and Changchun; its operation rights are controlled by the Fengtian Army.

The Japanese side originally did not agree with the Marshal's request, but when they learned that the railway would be fully funded by the Fengtian Army, they had nothing more to say.

After all, Japan's economy was stretched thin before and after World War I - especially since the northward march to Siberia had already been approved by the cabinet and their Taisho Emperor had also given the nod.

You can’t mobilize troops without money, but you won’t have money to build railways.

Moreover, these bastards thought that even if they relied on their own garrison and the help of the Fengtian Army, it would not be a problem for them to take Vladivostok.

But if we really want to hold on to that place, without this railway, it would be half the effort and twice the result.

So their cabinet discussed it over and over again, and finally decided on the matter.

However, Suzuki Hiroshi, who facilitated this event, became a hero and won a crucial victory for the military, which had been losing ground.

Fukushima Yasumasa also calmed down because of this. In addition to allowing him to continue to manage the Kuanchengzi Railway Protection Army, he also coordinated with the commander of the Japanese garrison in Hunchun, Takeuchi Nishiya, to coordinate the Fengtian Army's defense affairs.

After recuperating for another seven or eight days, Jiang Chengshi could no longer lie down. Moreover, all government affairs had to be transmitted from Jilin Prefecture to Siping. Not only did the back and forth delay things, but it also caused a lot of trouble for civil servants such as Sun Zhengnan, Yan Ziwen, and Yang Yucheng.

Especially Yan Ziwen, who had a poor physical condition, fell ill due to the hot weather.

First, accompanied by Hai Rushong, he and his subordinates inspected Siping's troops, power plant, clothing factory, gunpowder factory, etc.

Jiang Cheng drove Han Ming around the city for a few laps and found that Hai Rusong was not only good at raising horses and leading troops, but also good at managing local government affairs. Siping, which had fought several battles, had been renovated: schools, hospitals, shops, streets, etc. had all been restored to their highest level before the war.

The dirt roads on the main street have been renovated into new asphalt roads, and street lights have been installed - the scene is one of peace and prosperity everywhere.

"It would be great if this peaceful life could continue forever."

Seeing Jiang Cheng nodding and smiling, Hai Rusong said softly, "Feilan, you are really capable!"

Jiang Cheng retracted his absent-minded gaze and smiled: "What ability do I have? It's all because of everyone's ability. You just give me face!"

"There are many good farmlands near Siping. If we can guarantee a good harvest this year... I think we will lose a lot of beards."

"The recruitment work has been going on, right? Siping can definitely expand another brigade."

Hai Rusong shook his head gently: "I don't think it's necessary to maintain so many standing troops. We should follow the example of your father Rehe and maintain a certain number of standing troops... When there is a real war, we can urgently recruit able-bodied men."

Compared with the old warlords who like to maintain their own military strength, Jiang Lanxuan is a maverick.

Rehe’s standing army does not even have a division, but it is said that there is a mechanism for conscription in war.

It is similar to the modern militia system, but Jiang Lanxuan does it better.

He used the baojia system as the basis, set up a bao of 20 households, recruited all young and middle-aged people, and distributed land to each bao.

They usually farm, and are urgently drafted into the army when war breaks out.

"I know, it saves money."

Jiang Cheng flicked the dead skin near his nails and smiled, "Don't think about saving money. If I ask you to expand the army, then expand it for me. The more the better!"

"I will be of great use next. We are a family, Feilan will not hide it from you and Pingchuan."

He took a deep breath and said to his father-in-law, "The Japs in Hunchun are heading north - let's go and fight along with them!"

what?
Looking back at Jiang Cheng, Hai Rushong opened his mouth slightly, looking like he was struggling to understand.

"Think about the Deep Blue Iris before, and then think about the July Warrior later... Even though they are all foreign ships, if we don't have our own ports, the goods on them can be intercepted at will!"

Jiang Cheng took a deep breath and slapped his thigh heavily, "Dad, think about it carefully. If we get out of the Tumen River, it will be our own outlet to the sea——"

"Jilin's economy will be fully revitalized. By then, who can hold us back in terms of exports and imports?"

Hai Rusong was shocked.

He didn't expect that his son-in-law, who was not even 20 years old, had such vision and ambition.

"If it's really as you said, and we get access to the sea, then..."

Hai Rushong, who has always been straightforward, was speechless for a while.

But he immediately patted his chest and promised, "Okay! Since Feilan, you have such lofty ambitions, can we still be vague?"

"Expand, according to your words, continue to expand the army - I don't believe it, we really can't compete with the Japanese!"

Knowing that his father-in-law never lied, Jiang Cheng happily stretched out his hand and shook his shoulder.

"Dad, I'll leave the government affairs of Siping and the surrounding areas to you. Tomorrow morning, I and the others will set out for Jilin Prefecture to start negotiating with the Japanese about the withdrawal of troops from Hunchun."

"I have a feeling that if they fail to assassinate me this time, they will come up with something else to do."

(End of this chapter)