The Republic of China: A Letter of Appointment Creates the Most Powerful Warlord

"I'm very aware that everyone here has many objections to the recent war situation, especially regarding the command and personnel deployment caused by certain human factors. Some are even extremely dissatisfied!"

Cao Xin stood in front of everyone, his face as heavy as lead, his hoarse voice worn out and dull, and his voice faintly revealed a sense of unbearable fatigue.

At this moment, the quiet conference room was dead silent, with only Cao Xin's slightly low voice echoing in the air.

The generals silently looked at the old man in front of them, who was like a candle in the wind, without any of his former sharpness. The old Cao, who was once full of vigor and command with confidence, had now become so haggard.

"However, the war has progressed to this point, and we no longer have the time to review and analyze everything that has happened. At this moment, arguing about who is right and who is wrong is meaningless."

Cao Xin shook his head slowly, as if trying to get rid of those heartbreaking past events from his mind.

Looking around at his subordinates who had followed him for many years, their faces showed either anger or disappointment, but more of them was a deep helplessness.

The war was extremely brutal, and almost all of their territory was lost. Their brothers either died on the battlefield or fled in all directions, and many chose to surrender to the enemy.

Those who have been able to hold on until now are undoubtedly the backbone of Feng's army.

Thinking of this, the generals couldn't help but recall the hardships and setbacks they had experienced during this period.

The scenes of bloody battles are still vivid in our minds, and the figures of generals such as Wu Zhongwen and Sun Chuanfang who are still struggling on the front line are even more admirable.

At the same time, everyone looked at Cao Xin with a hint of pity in their eyes.

Perhaps, among all the Feng generals, the one who suffered the most pain and torment was Cao Xin who was standing in front of them at this moment!

"The loss of Zhili Province is a fact. Since brothers are unwilling to face the offensive fangs of the Independence Army again, then retreat."

At the conference table, Cao Xin's weathered eyes were filled with reluctance and unwillingness, but in the end, it was replaced by a flash of carefreeness.

"I will discuss this with Feng Yuxiang and ask him to set aside an area so that the brothers can temporarily have a place to stay."

"At the same time, I also hope that everyone can understand that I, Cao Xin, have not fallen, and the Feng faction has not fallen. As long as the Central Plains battlefield continues, the glory of the Feng faction will never end!"

"As for the question just now..."

Cao Xin, whose heart was filled with grief and indignation, swept his eyes over the faces of everyone present with complicated expressions and said in a deep voice.

"I can only say sorry. I can't influence the Duan family's decision, let alone people's hearts!"

……

That night, more than 30,000 remnant troops of Feng's faction in Zhili Province withdrew from their last remaining position in an orderly manner and headed towards Hedong Province for a temporary transition for a few days.

The defeat of the Feng faction did not cause any big stir. The outcome was anticipated from the beginning. The fact that they were able to fight the battle around Zhili Province for so long under the high pressure of the Independence Army was beyond the expectations of some people.

Late at night, Feng Yuxiang's official residence in Hedong Province.

As the governor of Hedong Province and an "ally" of the Feng faction for many years, Feng Yuxiang did not put any obstacles in the way at this critical moment, but chose to let his former big brother leave in a dignified manner, which was already quite good.

Inside the government office, the lights were bright and people were coming and going. In the huge garden, more than a dozen banquet tables were set up. Senior generals from the Feng faction and the Hedong army gathered together to start this special welcoming banquet.

At the main table, Feng Yuxiang even gave up the host seat to Cao Xin, and sat aside to keep him company. He took the initiative to pick up the wine glass and shouted politely to everyone.

"Everyone, don't overthink it, and don't worry too much. Once you arrive in Hedong, you'll be back home. I can't guarantee anything else, but I'm sure there will be no shortage of fine wine, delicious food, and beautiful women!"

"There's nothing else to do tonight, just eat, drink and have fun. Don't be reserved, brothers, have fun with open arms, and you'll definitely get plenty of it!"

"Hehe, thank you for your hospitality, Governor Feng. I'm sorry to have made a fool of myself with what happened today."

Cao Xin picked up the wine glass, stood up and clinked it with his, and there was even a hint of resentment in his words.

As a veteran who had been in the underworld for many years, Feng Yuxiang immediately heard the dissatisfaction in the words. He bowed slightly, looked respectful and humble, and spoke in public.

"Boss Cao, you're really embarrassing me. We're all brothers, close as heart and flesh. Why would I laugh at my own brothers?"

"And that damned warlord, warlord! No matter what day it is, I am still your brother, brother!"

"Okay, okay, brother, my good brother!"

Cao Xin narrowed his eyes. Although he was full of disdain in his heart, he was very polite and flattering.

Now that they have said this, there is an old saying that goes, "Don't hit someone who smiles at you." What's more, we are on their territory, so we should still give them the face they deserve.

"Come on, everyone, keep drinking!"

Seeing that the atmosphere was easing a little, Feng Yuxiang raised his wine glass, a bright smile on his face, and went back and forth to toast people at the table. He was so happy.

He was now extremely grateful that he had not taken the 50 million that Wu Zhongwen had given him. Otherwise, he would definitely be one of the people with sad faces at the banquet today.

Two hours later, after three rounds of wine and five kinds of dishes, the Feng generals who had been suppressed for a long time finally had a chance to vent. They followed the Hedong Army generals to set up a mahjong table and built the Great Wall in the yard.

Only Feng Yuxiang and Cao Xin were not idle. They sneaked back to the study, brewed a pot of tea, and prepared to chat.

"Brother, feel free to stay here. If you really can't make it, just stay at my house. We can share a bed and chat all night long for a few days!"

"Haha, that won't work. You Hedong Army also have your own affairs to attend to. We are just passing by here to rest and let our brothers catch their breath."

Cao Xin held the tea bowl, blew the tea foam on the edge, and chatted casually.

"I heard that the Hedong Army has developed quite well in recent years, with its personnel approaching 300,000?"

"Hey, that's not true. It's hard to even get enough food in this remote and poor village. How can we support hundreds of thousands of people?"

Feng Yuxiang waved his hand and spoke carelessly.

"The main problem is the lack of money. If we could recruit a few able-bodied men, we could quickly replenish the manpower, but we just don't have enough money. We're stuck here, and it's really uncomfortable to be stuck in this situation."

"It's easy to solve the problem of lacking money. How about I find a suitable buyer for you?"

Cao Xin lowered his head and chuckled nonchalantly.

In fact, he knew better than anyone who was behind Feng Yuxiang. This bastard was so ruthless that he pretended to be a good guy and a coward on the outside, but in fact, he had been secretly stockpiling troops and purchasing a lot of new equipment in recent years.

If they were not so cowardly and unwilling to part with the little money in their pockets, the Hedong Army's territory would have already spread to other provinces.

"Okay, I'm just short of money!"

Feng Yuxiang nodded happily and continued the conversation according to his wishes.

Neither of them is stupid. One is testing the bottom, and the other pretends to be confused. Anyway, they take turns playing Tai Chi to delay time.

He knew in his heart that Cao Xin and others could not stay for too long and would definitely have to go to the Central Plains.