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

A day later, on October 28th, the 12th year of the Republic of China, Su Zhengyang was appointed by the central government as the commander-in-chief of the Northern Expedition Army. He was accompanied by the six northern frontier troops totaling 72,000 men, the First Army of the Northwest Revolutionary Army totaling 100,000 men, and the main force of the Duan faction, the First Army of Guanzhou with more than 100,000 men, plus 50,000 troops sent by the Feng and Yan factions respectively, and the Viking Division with 23,000 men summoned by Su Zhengyang, a total of 400,000 troops, marched northward in a mighty manner, preparing to launch a general attack on the Fuso army entrenched in the northern border of Linzhou after meeting up with the 100,000 troops dispatched by the Northeast Army in Fengtian City.

Major mainstream media newspapers in Northern Xinjiang, including Huashang Daily, Dahua Daily, Zhenxing Daily, Longcheng Evening News, Tianxia Daily, and Daily Times, all highly praised Northern Xinjiang's initiative to mobilize a large army and declare war on the Fuso invaders.

The China Business News even stated directly that this is the clarion call for the rise of China, and it is a cry of grief and indignation from the souls of 900 million people.

The whole of China was in an uproar. Even within the Southern Government, a large number of people were incited and openly marched in the streets with banners, requesting the Southern Government to send troops to join forces with the Northern Frontier to recover the country and strike hard at the Japanese pirates in Fuso.

The whole country was united in purpose and set off a patriotic storm that affected hundreds of millions of people. This sudden change caused Huang Guangtai, who had originally planned to take advantage of the big move by the Northern Xinjiang government to launch another Northern Expedition, to give up his plan.

Are you kidding? In this situation, not only did you, Huang Guangtai, not send troops to jointly resist the foreign enemy, but you brazenly launched a civil war. You will be despised by hundreds of millions of people and will also make the Southern Government completely lose the support of the people.

In early November, the Northern Expedition Corps arrived at Fengtian City. In the Northeast Army's general parade ground established in Fengtian City, the soldiers of the Northern Expedition Corps were arranged in neat squares in front of him, with their heads held high. Su Zhengyang, wearing a well-fitting military uniform, walked steadily to the podium. His eyes swept across the resolute faces of these Chinese soldiers, and his blood boiled.

After a few breaths, Su Zhengyang spoke into the microphone: "Hello, soldiers. I am the commander-in-chief of the Northern Expedition Corps, Su Zhengyang. This Northern Expedition is the first time since the establishment of our Northern Frontier Government that we have taken the initiative to attack with a tough attitude against the Fuso Kwantung Army that occupies the Northeast territory. In the past years, Fuso has wantonly bullied our people and plundered our resources on our land."

"But starting from today! The days of Fuso's tyranny on our Chinese land are coming to an end! We must make Fuso pay the price in blood for what it has done! No foreign forces will be allowed to wreak havoc on Chinese territory! Are you willing to follow me, Su Zhengyang, to recover our territory and wipe out the Fuso Kwantung Army? In this process, there will be bloodshed and sacrifice! But my Chinese passionate men, iron-blooded warriors, tell me, are you afraid of death?"

"Don't be afraid! Don't be afraid!"

"Drive out the Fuso invaders! Defeat the Fuso Kwantung Army!"

"Let them pay with blood!"

The deafening sound echoed throughout the entire parade ground. All the soldiers raised their right hands, hysterically expressing their anger towards Fuso.

After the voices died down, Su Zhengyang spoke again: "In the past, when China was mentioned, in the eyes of Fusang and Western powers, it was a poor, backward, and ignorant country, and the people here could be exploited and oppressed by them! But what I want to say is! We Chinese have never been weak! We are the sleeping Eastern dragon. As long as the Chinese people are united! The rise of our China will be unstoppable! Let us use our passion to serve our country to smash all those who dare to oppress China and create a bright future for China!"

"During this Northern Expedition, I, Su Zhengyang, will be on the front line of the battlefield and personally command the war! We will advance and retreat together with you. As long as we show our determination to win and defeat everything, the tiny Fuso will only be worthy of being our soul!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill all the Japs!"

At this moment, all the soldiers were extremely excited. For more than a hundred years, China had always been a weak country that was guilty of possessing a treasure, attracting the covetousness of many jackals and being nicknamed the Sick Man of East Asia. Every Chinese was holding his breath, hoping that one day, they could truly take back their own dignity as a great power.

The Northern Frontier Government's brazen declaration of war on the Fuso Kwantung Army undoubtedly gave them an outlet for their emotions. All the soldiers were ready to go to the battlefield immediately and make the Japanese pay with blood.

After the oath-taking ceremony, Su Zhengyang's passionate and aggressive speech left a deep impression on all the soldiers about this sharp commander-in-chief. After Su Zhengyang finished his speech, Jiang Dapao, the deputy commander-in-chief, also made some remarks.

Compared to Su Zhengyang's fierce words, Jiang Yanlin seemed much more restrained, but in fact, the Northeast Army's hatred for Fuso could not be fully expressed in words.

From the time when Fusang occupied the two northeastern provinces until today, countless crimes have been committed between these white mountains and black soil.

All the people in Northeast China dream of wiping out these invaders.

After the oath-taking ceremony, Su Zhengyang summoned all commanders above the division level in the Northern Expedition Corps to a large combat conference room to discuss combat strategies.

"In our first battle of the Northern Expedition, we must show our strength! We must defeat Fuso head-on, boost morale, and deal a double blow to Fuso both mentally and physically!"

"Zhu Tanyin!"

The commander of the Viking Division, Zhu Tanyin, stood up and saluted Su Zhengyang with a standard military salute.

"To!"

"Now the Fuso Kwantung Army has deployed six Class A divisions and four Class B divisions in Yuancheng and Hanbian City in the north of Linzhou, totaling 300,000 troops. They have built a large defensive position stretching 35 kilometers. I want you to lead the Viking Division as the spearhead of this battle. Within half a month, take down the western frontier position of the Fuso Kwantung Army and march to Yuancheng!"

"Yes, Commander, I will ensure that the mission is accomplished!"

"Yang Chengjun!"

"To!"

"I want you to lead the six towns in the northern border and follow the Viking Division closely. Provide firepower support to the Viking Division at any time and cooperate with them to capture the western frontier positions!"

"Yes!"

"On the Northeastern Army side, Governor Jiang, you will lead 100,000 Northeastern Army and 100,000 Guanzhou Army to exert tremendous pressure on the Guandong Army in Hanbian City on the eastern battlefield, making it impossible for them to send troops to support. Within half a month, I will capture Yuancheng City and completely drive the Fuso Guandong Army out of Linzhou!"

"As for the Huizhou Army and the Yunzhou Army, you will be responsible for logistics, battlefield cleanup, and treating the wounded. If the frontline troops suffer heavy losses, you will take over."

'"My fellow Northern Expedition Corps members, as long as we work together, the small Fuso Kwantung Army will surely be crushed by our attack! After the meeting, you will convey orders to the commanders of the lower-level units. Make preparations together. In two days, we will launch a general offensive!"