Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

Changzhi, North China Joint Command.

In a small meeting room, Chu Yunfei, Fang Ligong, and Cao Potian gathered together once again.

The atmosphere was more somber than at the last meeting.

"Brother Ligong, I've invited you here today because there's a very important matter I need to discuss with you."

Fang Ligong looked at Chu Yunfei with a serious expression: "Lord Yun, what happened?"

"Liu Zhi has disappeared."

Chu Yunfei gently placed the secret report from the mountain city on the table, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger: "The intelligence from the Inspectorate indicates that they simply vanished the night before we were about to close the net."

Upon hearing this, Fang Ligong's expression immediately darkened: "Didn't you say he was beaten by the Chairman and hospitalized?"

"The problem right now is that we can't find any clues. This situation is very unfavorable to our Inspectorate. It has been three months since the case was transferred from the Military Intelligence Bureau to the present and we have been fully investigating it. If there is no result, it will be a huge blow to the brothers in the Inspectorate."

"No doubt, it was the Chairman who helped Liu Zhi get out of trouble."

"Only his intervention could save Liu Zhi in the mountain city."

Anger and resentment appeared on Cao Potian's face.

Their inspection department went to great lengths to finally gather irrefutable evidence of Liu Zhi's corruption.

Just when it seemed that the biggest "fat pig" in the Nationalist army was about to be brought to justice, the Supreme Leader personally "intercepted" him at the last moment.

How could he accept this?

Does a leader have the right to disregard national and military laws?
What use is a leader like that!

Fairness! Justice!
Cao Potian looked at Chu Yunfei, who was pondering a solution, and a spark slowly ignited in his heart, illuminating his slightly confused mind.

Chu Yunfei wasn't surprised by Cao Potian's discomfiture.

At this very moment, he is also thinking of a solution.

Such shameless behavior made Chu Yunfei really wonder if the current battle situation was too smooth, causing Chang Ruiyuan to have some thoughts that he shouldn't have.

After all, in Chu Yunfei's view, Chang Ruiyuan liked to go with the flow.

A normal person only performs well in adversity or even desperate situations.

The key now is to figure out how to fight without breaking apart and achieve the goal.

After hesitating for a moment, Fang Ligong then raised his question: "But where will the Chairman send him?"

Chu Yunfei frowned: "It's hard to say. The world is vast, and one can go anywhere. It would be easy for the Chairman to 'protect' an individual."

Fang Ligong continued, "Lord Yun, I remember that Liu Zhi became sworn brothers with Deng Xihou, Pan Wenhua, and Liu Wenhui of the Sichuan Army in Sichuan. Otherwise, Li Gengu, a warlord from the Sichuan Army, would not have become the Chongqing Garrison Commander."

These Sichuan warlords, except for those who died.

Yang Sen, Sun Zhen, Wang Lingji, Wang Zuanxu, Tang Shizun, and others completely defected to Chiang Kai-shek, and many of the troops they led to fight against the Japanese in Sichuan have been reorganized or disbanded.

The small number of troops remaining in Sichuan were under the control of local power brokers such as Liu Wenhui, Deng Xihou, and Pan Wenhua.

Historically, during Chang Ruiyuan's years of external transfers and reorganizations...

The fact that Deng Xihou, Pan Wenhua, and Liu Wenhui were able to retain more than 30,000 men by the end of the War of Resistance against Japan shows just how cunning they were.

Pan Wenhua's subordinate, Li Gengu, even served as the commander of the newly formed 25th Division on the eve of the victory in the War of Resistance against Japan.

far away.

Fang Ligong was actually trying to remind Cao Potian and Chu Yunfei.

They wanted to take action against Liu Zhi in the mountain city.

Not only will they clash directly with the Chairman, but they will also clash with local power factions within the Sichuan Army.

After all, these local Sichuan military power holders and Liu Zhi had a real and tangible relationship of interest.

There is simply no further evidence pointing to them yet.

The breakthrough point wasn't with anyone else, but with Liu Zhi himself.

Although he heard Fang Ligong say that.

Cao Potian was still quite unwilling: "Commander Fang, don't we have any other options?"

Chu Yunfei said slowly, "I know the Chairman."

"He always showed excessive leniency to those who were truly loyal to him."

"Liu Zhi was not good at fighting, but he was corrupt by nature."

"However, during the Northern Expedition, he was among the first group of veterans to follow the Chairman and made great contributions."

"This favor holds great weight in the Chairman's heart."

"The so-called 'lucky charm'."

Chu Yunfei's lips curled into a mocking smile: "It's not the good fortune he had while fighting, but the good fortune he had while his official career was going smoothly."

"Because he was loyal enough, the Chairman dared to use him even though he was not capable enough."

"on the contrary."

Chu Yunfei's voice turned cold, "Those people who are capable and have made great contributions, but who are not so 'obedient'."

"No matter how young or promising someone is, if the Chairman feels even the slightest threat, he will not hesitate to discard or even eliminate them."

"My current position is directly related to Commander Yan's protection and the changes in the situation."

Chu Yunfei realized that during the Huaihai Campaign of the Liberation War, the most suitable commander-in-chief for the Nationalist army was Bai Jiansheng.

But in the end, who did the chairman choose?
I chose Liu Zhi!

As a result, they suffered a crushing defeat, and the demise of the Republic of China became almost inevitable.

Even so, the Chairman did not really do anything to Liu Zhi.

"so."

Chu Yunfei turned around and looked at them. "If we want to bring down Liu Zhi and the deeply entrenched corrupt group behind him, as well as the remaining smuggling forces, we are essentially openly challenging the Chairman's authority."

"This matter changed after the Chairman openly intervened; it had far-reaching consequences."

"It might even involve some K-club veterans, who could very well affect all the new policies we are currently implementing in North China."

"This matter is very risky. What are your thoughts?"

Fang Ligong is known for his resourcefulness, cleverness, and audacity. Most importantly, his perspective on problems differs from Chu Yunfei's, and his ideas are more in line with the thinking of the vast majority of people in this era.

"Lord Yun".

Fang Ligong stood up and said, "No matter what, there is one thing we absolutely cannot waver on."

"That is, land reform!"

"Land to the tiller—this is a national policy established by the late Premier!"

"We are now implementing land reform in North China through peaceful redemption, which is fundamentally different from the violent, confiscation-style land reform!"

"This matter now reflects the will of the people, is an inevitable trend, is absolutely correct, and must be upheld!"

"This is also our bottom line!"

Clearly, Fang Ligong's viewpoint is clear and firm.

Cao Potian nodded and offered his own suggestion from another perspective.

"As for the resistance from the mountain city side."

A glint of ruthlessness, typical of a secret service chief, flashed in his eyes: "I think we might be able to leverage the power of public opinion."

"We can secretly leak some of the evidence of Liu Zhi's corruption to those fearless foreign journalists."

"Once the storm of international public opinion begins to blow."

"Therefore, in order to maintain the party-state's 'international image,' the chairman had no choice but to make a severance."

"At that time, if Liu Zhi is not killed, it will not appease public anger! If Liu Zhi is not killed, it will not quell the morale of the army!"

"We can even make the corrupt deeds of Liu Zhi and his group a key part of our internal propaganda and spread it among various military units!"

Let all officers and soldiers know who has embezzled their pay and their pensions!

After listening to their suggestions, Chu Yunfei slowly shook his head: "What you said makes sense."

"However, this matter must not be brought up to the international stage first."

His face showed deep concern: "After all, doing so would further escalate our conflict with the mountain city."

"Don't forget, our American aid supplies still need to enter the country from the southwest."

“If the Chairman is really pushed to the brink by us, he might try to strangle us in Yunnan.”

"That will have a very serious impact on our future war in North China and the upcoming 'divine punishment' holy war plan to deal with the Japanese invaders."

"With a formidable enemy at hand, for the sake of our brothers, comrades, and people in North China."

"We cannot completely break ties with the Chairman."

For a moment, the meeting room fell into an impasse again.

After pondering for a moment, Chu Yunfei slowly said, "Since this matter cannot be accomplished overnight, it should be handled like commanding a battle, proceeding step by step in stages."

"I have combined the thoughts and opinions of both of you."

"Perhaps we can first expose some of the 'small fish' whose crimes are less serious and whose involvement is not widespread, and then deal with them publicly."

"Let's see how the mountain city reacts."

Fang Ligong and Cao Potian reacted instantly.

"Lord Yun, isn't this exactly the 'salami slicing' tactic we use most often in battle?"

Chu Yunfei nodded: "That's right, it's the 'salami slicing' tactic."

"If the reaction from the mountain city authorities, or from the KFC executives involved, is not significant."

“Then let’s throw out a slightly bigger ‘fish’.”

"We repeated this process, testing the bottom line of the command little by little. As long as there was no explicit reprimand, we argued our case and continued to test the waters."

"Wait until we have thoroughly stirred up the storm of public opinion step by step."

"By then, with public opinion surging and the army's morale soaring, it will be difficult for Liu Zhi and his corrupt clique to escape with their lives!"

Cao Potian excitedly added, "In my opinion, we can mobilize officers at all levels to submit a joint petition!"

"This will also put greater pressure on the mountain city!"

"No!"

Fang Ligong immediately objected, saying, "If we do that, in the Chairman's eyes, it would be tantamount to a 'military remonstrance,' an open challenge to his supreme authority!"

"We absolutely cannot do that!"

Chu Yunfei nodded noncommittally: "Brother Ligong is right. We are eliminating treacherous officials for the country, not staging a military remonstrance."

It's inappropriate to do this at least at this point in time.

Subsequently.

The three then made meticulous arrangements and plans regarding the specific details of the operation.

……

After the meeting, Cao Potian accepted the order and left.

Fang Ligong, however, stayed.

Taking advantage of the fact that it was just the two of them, he leaned close to Chu Yunfei and whispered a suggestion that he had been holding back for a long time.

"Master Yun, there's something I'd like to say, but I'm not sure if I should."

Chu Yunfei knew what was going on: "Brother Ligong, is there anything between us that we can't talk about? Speak up."

"You see, our relationship with the mountain city is becoming more and more delicate now."

"Shouldn't you also consider bringing Madam and Xiao Guanghua back from the mountain city?"

"If you leave them in Changzhi, you can do your job with more peace of mind."

Upon hearing this, Chu Yunfei's heart stirred.

Hasn't he thought about this question too?

However, due to the busy war and the lack of a suitable opportunity, no one had been sent to handle this matter. Fang Ligong seemed to see through his thoughts, smiled slightly, and reminded him, "Lord Yun, have you forgotten?"

"Soon it will be the fifth anniversary of General Jiang Yuzhen's sacrifice."

“In previous years at this time, you would send someone to Yuanping Town to offer sacrifices on your behalf.”

"This year marks the fifth year."

“You can certainly use ‘personal worship’ as your reason.”

"Then, naturally, we brought Madam and Young Master Guanghua to Changzhi for a temporary stay."

"Chairman, even if you have some reservations in your heart."

"But logically and emotionally, he couldn't bring himself to say 'no'."

"After all, no one can stop Chu Chu from paying respects to her father."

Chu Yunfei nodded slowly, a genuine smile appearing on his face: "You truly deserve to be called the resourceful and meritorious Brother Ligong. I will immediately hand this matter over to Pengcheng to handle."
-

Mountain City, Chairman's official residence.

The fog of late autumn, like thick, indistinct ink, shrouded the mountain town in a damp, chilly atmosphere.

Inside Yunxiulou's office, it was so quiet that you could hear the rustling of sycamore leaves falling outside the window.

Chang Ruiyuan leaned back in the rocking chair, his eyes slightly closed, as if he were dozing.

The chief attendant, Zhu Peiji, arrived at the office with heavy, resounding footsteps.

A moment later, they knocked on the office and bedroom doors.

"Come in."

As Chang Ruiyuan's voice rang out, Zhu Peiji quickly produced a document and respectfully placed it in front of Chang Ruiyuan: "Chairman, an urgent telegram from North China."

Chang Ruiyuan's eyelids twitched slightly, but he did not open them.

"read."

His voice carried a lingering weariness.

Zhu Peiji picked up the telegram and spoke in a calm, even tone: "Reporting to the Chairman, Chu Yunfei, Deputy Director-General of the Military Law Enforcement Department, hereby submits this report in order to uphold military discipline, rectify military law, and reassure the troops..."

Upon hearing the title "Deputy Director of the Military Law Enforcement Department".

Chang Ruiyuan's eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly.

Chu Yunfei is still Chu Yunfei after all, and he will not stop moving forward just because of obstacles.

The sword of the military law department will eventually have to be drawn.

The contents of the telegram were alarmingly detailed.

A long list, from the First War Zone to the Fifth War Zone, from divisional administrative areas to recruit training departments, involving nearly a hundred people.

Each name is accompanied by a detailed description of their identity, position, and the crimes they committed.

"Ma Hanwen, former commander of the Third Supplementary Regiment of the First War Zone New Recruit Training Office, a graduate of the seventh class of the Whampoa Military Academy, abused his power and colluded with local gentry to forcibly conscript men, accepting 6,700 yuan in national currency, resulting in the deaths of 23 new recruits from cold and starvation during transport."

"Zhou Liren, the station chief of the Fifth War Zone Logistics Transfer Station, a graduate of the Army General Officer Training Program, resold strategic materials such as military cotton cloth and medicine, accumulating profits exceeding 65,000 yuan."

Chang Ruiyuan's knuckles unconsciously tapped lightly on the mahogany table, making soft "knock, knock" sounds.

The list was mostly made up of miscellaneous military officers from local areas, as well as some local militia leaders.

these people.

In Chang Ruiyuan's view, death is death, and it's insignificant.

Killing even more people like that is still doing a good deed.

But those few names from the Whampoa Military Academy stood out like steel needles piercing his heart.

These people were his true students and the cornerstone of his position as chairman.

Those who hold important positions often cause the most damage.

At the end of the telegram, Chu Yunfei's wording was respectful yet extremely firm.

"The aforementioned individuals are guilty of irrefutable crimes, and their cases are irrefutable. In order to uphold the law, to comfort the people, and to honor the spirits of the hundreds of thousands of fallen soldiers, I earnestly request the Chairman's permission to execute them all on the spot in accordance with wartime military law, as a warning to others!"

After Zhu Peiji finished reading, he stood to the side with his hands at his sides, and the office fell into a suffocating silence once again.

Chang Ruiyuan finally opened his eyes. His eyes, which were sunken deep in their sockets, revealed no emotion, only a bottomless chaos.

He didn't understand.

What exactly is Chu Yunfei up to?

He himself had already taken action in Liu Zhi's case, using a method that was almost "protection".

Removing him from under the noses of the Military Intelligence Bureau and the Inspectorate was itself a silent statement.

He had thought that Chu Yunfei would give up or at least temporarily restrain his sharpness.

But he didn't.

He immediately presented this bloody list, using "military law," the sharpest knife, to once again put himself in a difficult position.

Is this a test?

Or is he truly satisfied with this?

Chang Ruiyuan's brain was working at lightning speed.

Perhaps Chu Yunfei was using this method to demonstrate his "fairness" and "bottom line" to himself?
Kill these small fry, even a few "direct descendants" from the Whampoa Military Academy, in order to quell the resentment in the military and among the people.

Then, Liu Zhi, the real big fish, could be "let go" in a perfectly logical way?

This sounds like a tacit political deal.

They sacrificed a hundred or so less important lives to achieve a temporary easing of tensions and preserve each other's dignity.

But Chang Ruiyuan felt that things were probably not that simple.

Based on his understanding of Chu Yunfei, although he was extremely loyal, he was also someone who couldn't stand being taken advantage of or tolerate any wrongdoing.

Just as Chen Cixiu had finished making excuses for Chu Yunfei, Lin Wei from the Civil Engineering Department was put in an extremely awkward position by Stilwell.

Would he let Liu Zhi go so easily?
A strong sense of uncertainty rose in Chang Ruiyuan's heart.

He couldn't see through it, nor could he be sure of it.

This feeling of handing over the initiative to someone else made him extremely irritated.

He picked up the telegram and read it again.

The evidence above details the whereabouts of every penny of the embezzled funds and the signatures of every witness.

Watertight.

He couldn't find any reason to refute it.

agree?

If he kills these people today, will he present an even more significant list tomorrow?

disagree?
Then he, as the supreme leader, would become a criminal who shields corruption and abuses his power for personal gain.

If this telegram were to be leaked, it would be enough to cause the reputation of the entire Nationalist government to plummet.

After a long silence, Chang Ruiyuan slammed the telegram heavily on the table.

"Niang Xipi!"

He cursed under his breath.

In the end, he chose to compromise.

Or rather, it means choosing to take another step.

"Call back."

His voice was cold and resolute: "Uphold the laws of the country and the military, and appease the hearts of the soldiers and the people!"

"Yes."

……

The telegram was sent back to North China as quickly as possible.

When Zhao Pengcheng handed the reply telegram with the words "Uphold national and military law, and comfort the hearts of the army and the people!" to Chu Yunfei.

Chu Yunfei showed no surprise whatsoever; clearly, everything was under control.

Even with his reservations, the suspicious and anxious Chang Ruiyuan would choose to wait.

When Chu Yunfei finally revealed his true intentions, he used his own unique methods to handle the situation.

But these.

Chu Yunfei wouldn't have any reservations.

Now, as long as he is in Changzhi, no one can touch him!
"Pass the order."

His voice was calm and undisturbed.

"Tomorrow morning, as originally planned, public trials will be held simultaneously in Changzhi, Longcheng, Luoyang, and Zhengxian."

"All those involved in the case shall be identified, publicly tried, and executed on the spot!"

"Yes!"

Zhao Pengcheng accepted the order and left.

The Inspectorate had already made arrangements in advance, and the military law departments of each war zone had also been notified.

Those who had previously tried to use their connections to plead with Chu Yunfei were basically thoroughly investigated by the Inspectorate.

All those with problems were followed up, and even those without problems were given a warning.

For a time, everyone in North China felt insecure.

Everyone was afraid that Cao Potian, this rough and tough guy, would doubt them.
The next day, noon.

Three crisp gunshots rang out simultaneously over four different cities, as if by prior arrangement.

Nearly one hundred former Kuomintang officers who used to bully and oppress others.

He turned into a cold corpse in front of thousands of people.

The crowd was initially deathly silent, then erupted into thunderous cheers.

And just three days after Chang Ruiyuan approved the execution.

In a small corner of the social section of several newspapers, including the North China edition of the Central Daily News, the Changzhi Weekly, and the Longcheng Evening News, a brief news item was published simultaneously.

[The North China Joint Command's Inspection Department, in conjunction with the military law departments of various theater commands, launched a swift and decisive crackdown to severely punish corrupt elements within the military!]

This is the headline of the North China edition of the Central Daily News.

The message was written with extreme restraint, without excessive embellishment or commentary.

It simply stated the facts of the public trial and execution objectively, and attached a list of some of the most heinous criminals and their charges.

United under the leadership's will, we have once again achieved a new victory!

This is the Longcheng Evening News, a typical newspaper that promotes the idea of ​​winning.

Shocking! So many "traitors" are lurking among us!

This is a gimmick created by a local tabloid to boost sales.

The news in these newspapers was like a pebble thrown into a lake.

Although it didn't make the front page headlines.

However, it stirred up far more intense ripples in the military and political circles of North China than anyone had imagined.

Some people believe that the Inspectorate has been investigating for more than three months, and it is impossible for it to just stop like that, so they are becoming more cautious in their actions and words.

Some people think that the work of the Inspectorate is already encountering resistance and that they will never continue to investigate, otherwise everyone will be in danger and how can the team be led?
Only those who have dealt with Chu Yunfei know the truth.

The military law department and the inspectorate, having already drawn blood, will not stop so easily.

This list of hundreds of corrupt officials is just the beginning! (End of Chapter)