Warlords: Rising from the Northwest Border and Sweeping Across the Powers

At nine o'clock the next morning, at the Northern Frontier Congress Center, all the governors of Northern Frontier Province, including Wang Jin, Ma Changfang, Liang Jiaman, An Chengjie, and others, arrived on time at the empty congress meeting room. Among them, quite a few were entering the congress center for the first time.

The previous Northern Frontier government had a clear stipulation that non-members of Congress were not eligible to attend Congress meetings. Even if you were a local emperor or a provincial governor, there were only fourteen seats for members of Congress.

Now, with the successive demise of Zhang Chengxiang's party, the original situation in Northern Xinjiang has undergone a major reshuffle, leaving a total of four vacancies for members of Congress. Houzhou Liang Jiaman, Kuanzhou Li Jinliang, Quzhou An Chengjie and others all have great ambitions for the vacant seats and want to take them into their pockets.

After everyone arrived, no matter what their own thoughts were, they all appeared to be in harmony on the surface, greeting each other and chatting, creating a very harmonious atmosphere.

Facing Ma Changfang's meaningful gaze, Hanzhou Governor Wang Jin's eyes were vague and he was obviously feeling guilty.

Yang Jiakai took in the subtle changes in the expressions of everyone present, walked up to the podium, and slowly said, "In the past six months, our Northern Xinjiang government has faced extremely severe tests. In the south, there are the Northern Expedition Army of the Southern Government invading, and in the north, there are the Fuso Kwantung Army intending to move south. Internally, there are despicable traitors and rebels like Zhang Chengxiang who intend to launch a mutiny and overthrow the Northern Xinjiang regime."

"But fortunately, with the concerted efforts of our colleagues in the northern border, we have emerged from the quagmire and shadow of war, wiped out the rebels, repelled the Northern Expedition Army, and destroyed Fusang's wolfish ambitions in one fell swoop."

"Here, I want to commend one person! He is the Governor of Linzhou, Su Zhengyang! In this war that spread across the northern border of China, the Northwest Revolutionary Army under Governor Su Zhengyang played a huge role. They first wiped out the Yongzhou Han faction and the Ganzhou Zhao faction, who were allied with Zhang Chengxiang's rebels..."

As Yang Jiakai recounted Su Zhengyang's great achievements one by one, thunderous applause broke out at the scene.

"Next, we would like to invite Governor Su Zhengyang to come to the stage and express his gratitude for single-handedly suppressing the rebellion in the northern border."

Su Zhengyang stood up, straightened his military uniform, and walked up to the podium with an imposing manner. His eyes were sharp but steady. He slowly said, "The chaos in Northern Xinjiang this time was caused by Zhang Chengxiang and others who wanted to rely on Fusang's power to overthrow the Northern Xinjiang regime out of their own selfish desires. Everyone says that it was me, Su Zhengyang, who single-handedly turned the tide and saved the country from collapse."

"But what I, Su Zhengyang, want to say is that the victory of this battle! The quelling of the rebellion is not the work of me, Su Zhengyang, alone! It was the Northeast Army who fearlessly fought bravely, and used the flesh and blood of Chinese men to block the Fuso army! It was the countless Chinese people who had never been on the battlefield, but who went to the front without hesitation, determined to die, and fought to the death on the battlefield in the Northeast! It was the thousands of iron-blooded soldiers under the command of the entire Northern Frontier Government, who exchanged their blood and sacrifice for our final victory!"

"I, Su Zhengyang, would like to pay my highest respects to all the soldiers, civilians, and Chinese people who sacrificed their lives in the war! We Chinese have proved with our own actions! The descendants of Yan and Huang, who have national cohesion and the passion to serve the country, are not afraid of any challenge! They will never be defeated!"

Su Zhengyang's voice was sonorous and powerful. He took off his military cap, looked out the window, and saluted in a very standard military manner.

The high-ranking officials of Northern Xinjiang present were involuntarily infected by Su Zhengyang's emotions. They subconsciously took off their hats like Su Zhengyang did and paid tribute to the sacrificed heroes.

After a moment, Su Zhengyang changed the subject: "The tragedy and war that occurred this time, in essence, are due to the growing ambitions of Zhang Chengxiang and others, and Fusang's spying on the entire China. As far as I know, the original intention of the establishment of the Northern Frontier Government was to develop a regime that would unify the north and the south, allow China to develop rapidly, and stand at the top of the world. As time goes by, many old people in Northern Frontier have forgotten their original intentions, and only have their own selfish interests in their eyes! What I want to say is that people like Zhang Chengxiang, who betrayed the party, did not hesitate to collude with the enemy and provoke civil war for their own interests. This behavior is despised and disgusting! I, Su Zhengyang, will make it clear here today. Whoever dares to provoke a civil war again for his own interests like Zhang Chengxiang is my enemy, Su Zhengyang, and the enemy of the entire Northern Frontier Government! As for the enemy, I, Su Zhengyang, will never be merciful. The only thing I can do is to send him to hell!"

Su Zhengyang was full of vigor at this time, and his whole body exuded an astonishing murderous aura from the inside out. His eyes swept across the faces of the governors present like knives, making An Chengjie, Qu Guowei, Ma Changfang and other people who had guilty consciences feel a piercing chill, as if they had fallen into an ice cave.

"My speech is over. Next, please invite Premier Duan to come to the stage to give a summary of the civil unrest. Thank you for the applause from all colleagues present."

Su Zhengyang ended his speech in a neither humble nor arrogant tone. After bowing to the people in the audience, he left the podium with steady steps.

Led by Yang Jiakai, Duan Jinshu and others, thunderous applause once again filled the entire venue.

Su Zhengyang returned to his seat next to the Northeast Governor Jiang Yanlin. Jiang Yanlin was very excited and showed a hint of appreciation. He gave a thumbs up and said, "Good boy, well said! It makes us old guys excited! The future of Northern Frontier seems to depend on you young people."

Su Zhengyang said a few polite words in a humble manner. At this time, Duan Jinshu walked up to the podium and gave a series of specific loss data caused by the civil war, which made everyone present look solemn. Finally, Duan Jinshu spoke directly to the point.

"During this civil strife, members of Congress Zhang Chengxiang, Yuan Gongwang, Ding Yibang and others have been executed by the central government. Four positions among the fourteen members of Congress are vacant. We will once again select four new members of Congress from the governors of each province. After the decision of the Northern Frontier Central Government, the list of the four new members of Congress is as follows!"

Duan Jinshu's words made the governors of various provinces present sit up straight and look at him intently.

Entering Congress and becoming a new member of Congress also means entering the core of power of the Northern Xinjiang government. After all, all members of Congress are qualified to participate in the issuance of decrees and more important decision-making by the Northern Xinjiang government. It is not an exaggeration to describe them as extremely powerful.

Among the governors-general present, especially those who have never served as members of Congress, who does not want to become one of the four new members of Congress?