Newborn 1927

Yang Jiefang sent a telegram to Liu Xijiu and Guan Xiangying, inquiring about the situation in Shaanxi. After receiving the telegram, the two discussed it and then Liu Xijiu was sent back to Jinan to report. Yang Jiefang was very concerned about the situation in Shaanxi and immediately met with Liu Xijiu in his office. At the same time, he also had Zhao Changgui summoned.

Liu Xijiu spoke first, saying, "Commander, we are currently laying the tracks from Xi'an to Baoji. The Baoji to Tianshui section is also under construction. At the current pace, the railway can be extended to Tianshui within six months. Here is a detailed work report!" He then handed a document to Yang Jiefang.

Yang Jiefang wasn't concerned with that, and changed the subject, asking, "How much grain do you have left?" Liu Xijiu replied, "Enough to last for half a month." Yang Jiefang then asked, "I heard there was a snowfall over there on the day of Lidong. Has the drought been alleviated?" Liu Xijiu replied, "It was just a light snowfall; it's not enough. We missed the winter planting season again this year. Even if there's enough rain next year, the grain shortage in the Guanzhong region won't be alleviated until after the autumn harvest."

Yang Jiefang turned to Zhao Changgui and said, "Brother Changgui, continue to increase the amount of grain transported. We must ensure that the road construction committee has more than three months' worth of grain in stock." Zhao Changgui replied, "The railway's transport capacity is also limited. If we increase the amount of grain transported, the supply of other materials will be affected."

Yang Jiefang said, "That's alright! One of our important purposes in building roads is for disaster relief. The road construction work can be slowed down, and we must prioritize ensuring that the people in the Guanzhong region don't go hungry." Zhao Changgui nodded and replied, "Yes, I understand."

Yang Jiefang then turned to Liu Xijiu and said, "If the drought eases next spring, let the laborers go home to farm. We can continue road repairs during the off-season!" Liu Xijiu replied, "We will handle it accordingly. Commander, more than three months' worth of grain reserves is not a small amount. What if it attracts the attention of those with ulterior motives? Not to mention others, there are still more than 200,000 Northwest Army troops who retreated to Guanzhong. Their composition is complex, and there are many who have broken military discipline. If any unit sets its sights on this grain, a single garrison regiment simply cannot protect it."

Yang Jiefang countered, "What are your thoughts?" Liu Xijiu replied, "My suggestion is to take this opportunity to send more troops into Shaanxi, ideally to completely control the Guanzhong region, just as we controlled northern Henan. This year, we helped millions of people in Guanzhong with road construction. They are very supportive of us; public opinion is a reliable indicator, Commander!"

Yang Jiefang asked again, "Is this your personal idea?" Liu Xijiu smiled and said, "Before returning to Shandong, I discussed it with Guan Xiangying, Ji Xingwen, and Wang Dali. They all felt that we should take advantage of the opportunity to take over the Guanzhong region. The Northwest Army is currently leaderless after its defeat, which is a good opportunity to take them over. Although their weapons and equipment are outdated, these Northwest men are hardworking, resilient, and have a strong fighting spirit, making them excellent sources of manpower."

Yang Jiefang shook his head and said, "The time is not ripe yet. We don't have complete control over the Longhai Railway. Once the railway transportation is cut off, the Guanzhong region will be an exclave for us. We can't control Guanzhong like we control northern Henan. You just need to focus on building roads and providing relief to disaster victims. We can talk about other things later."

Liu Xijiu pressed further, "Should we make some preparations in advance?" Yang Jiefang replied, "To better protect the granary, it's quite necessary to appropriately increase the number of armed personnel on the perimeter. Our troops are currently re-equipping, and a batch of the replaced weapons can be transported to Guanzhong." Liu Xijiu understood his implied meaning and immediately said, "Let's form several security teams to assist the railway garrison regiment in protecting the supplies." Yang Jiefang nodded, agreeing with this suggestion.

Zhao Changgui asked, "What size security team? How many guns do I need to prepare?" Yang Jiefang replied, "Let's select three thousand old and worn-out guns and transport them over first! These guns will only rust if left in the warehouse, so let's just make use of them!" By saying this, he meant that he had no intention of taking these guns back.

Liu Xijiu immediately wrote a note for Yang Jiefang to sign, then took Zhao Changgui to the warehouse to select weapons. When it came to actually choosing weapons, he wouldn't pick the old, worn-out ones. As long as the amount didn't exceed three thousand, Zhao Changgui didn't argue with him. Liu Xijiu selected enough weapons to equip twenty security brigades before returning to Shaanxi.

On New Year's Day, 1930, Chiang Kai-shek published his New Year's address in the newspapers. Yang Jiefang could tell from his words that he was indeed going to take action against Yan Xishan. Yan Xishan was officially appointed as the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Chiang Kai-shek, citing the inappropriateness for central officials to concurrently hold local positions, demanded that Yan Xishan move south to assume his post. Yan Xishan was a shrewd man; he wanted the position of Deputy Commander-in-Chief, but he was unwilling to move south, so he published an article in the newspaper to decline the appointment.

Chiang Kai-shek, settling for second best, decided to convene a military conference in Zhengzhou. He requested that Yan Xishan hold his inauguration ceremony as deputy commander-in-chief in Zhengzhou and preside over the conference. The main topic of this military conference was the reorganization and garrisoning of troops in various parts of northern China. For Yan Xishan, this was a good opportunity to annex the Northwest Army, and he naturally gladly went.

Yang Jiefang was also notified to join the association, with the date set for January 15th. Unable to refuse and not daring to have high expectations of Jiang's character, Yang Jiefang prepared in advance once again. He ordered Gui Liqiu to lead a special forces team to infiltrate Zhengzhou city ahead of time. He also ordered Hou Fei to lead a fighter squadron and a ground attack aircraft battalion to transfer to the air force base in Xinxiang. Sun Zhiyong's First Brigade, stationed in Xinxiang, canceled leave and, under the guise of military exercises, put the entire brigade on combat readiness.

After arranging these things, they set off for Zhengzhou ahead of schedule. Wang Xuncai led a guard battalion, and Du Guoping, the communications director, led a communications team to accompany Yang Jiefang. Yang Jiefang chose a route to first take a train from Jining to Heze County; then walk across the Yellow River from Dongming County in southern Hebei to enter northern Henan. After taking control of northern Henan and southern Hebei, Yang Jiefang planned a railway connecting Heze and Xinxiang. Bridges were also being planned at the Yellow River crossing. Sun Zhiyong led his troops to meet him at the crossing.

With ample time to spare, Yang Jiefang wasn't in a hurry to head to Zhengzhou. Instead, he inspected the area along the way and arrived in Xinxiang on the 12th. Just as he entered the headquarters of the First Brigade, the brigade's chief of staff, Lu Ziqi, reported, "Commander, a guest has arrived from Zhengzhou!" Yang Jiefang asked, "What guest? What brings him here?" Lu Ziqi replied, "He wouldn't reveal his name, only saying that he was entrusted to deliver a message: Commander-in-Chief Chiang Kai-shek secretly ordered Han Fuqu to take action against a certain high-ranking official attending a meeting in Zhengzhou. As for who this official is, he said he doesn't know."

Yang Jiefang was not surprised by the news and asked, "Where is he?" Lu Ziqi replied, "I knew you would be in Xinxiang today, so I kept him here. Do you want to see him?" Yang Jiefang nodded and said, "Bring him in!" Lu Ziqi agreed and went out. Soon after, he brought in a young man wearing a long gown and a top hat.

Yang Jiefang sized him up and said, "My name is Yang Jiefang. You've come here to issue a warning, trying to get a message to me, haven't you?" The man looked Yang Jiefang up and down and said, "Little Commander! You really are here." Yang Jiefang smiled and said, "Is it strange that I'm here?" The man shook his head and said, "Not at all. Whether you're heading west along the Longhai Railway or south from Xinxiang, it's all normal." Yang Jiefang asked, "It seems your backers have sent people to wait for you on the Longhai Railway!"

The man didn't answer. Yang Jiefang continued, "He's so kind; I'll remember his kindness. Please tell him that whoever he is, if he ever encounters difficulties, he can come to me." With that, he picked up a pen and wrote the simplified character 'Yang' on a piece of white paper. Then, he handed the paper over, saying, "Someday, whoever comes to me with this paper asking for a favor, I'll consider it repayment for this kindness. Remember, I recognize words, not people." The man was overjoyed, quickly took the paper, folded it, and put it back in his pocket, saying, "Is there anything else, Commander? If not, I need to return to Zhengzhou to report." Yang Jiefang waved his hand and said, "Go ahead!" Turning to Lu Ziqi, he instructed, "Prepare some travel expenses for this brother." Lu Ziqi agreed and led the man out.

Yang Jiefang casually drafted another telegram, handed it to Wang Xuncai beside him, and said, "Have the communications department send it to Gui Liqiu." Wang Xuncai took the telegram, turned around, and went to send it.

Sun Zhiyong asked, "Commander, are you still planning to go to Zhengzhou?" Yang Jiefang countered, "Why wouldn't I go?" Sun Zhiyong advised, "It's obvious this meeting won't be a good one. Although Gui Liqiu is secretly protecting you, it's still someone else's territory. Commander, for your safety, it's best not to go! To be honest, what can they do to me if we ignore this military meeting? Why take the risk?" Yang Jiefang shook his head, "If I don't go, I'll inevitably give them something to say. Perhaps Chiang Kai-shek's target isn't me? Check for me! Is there any special train carrying Yan Xishan passing through here?" Sun Zhiyong agreed, picked up the phone, shook it a few times, and said after connecting, "Get me to the train station, find Station Master Zhang." The call connected quickly, and Sun Zhiyong said, "This is Sun Zhiyong. Check the train schedule, is there any special train carrying Commander Yan heading south?"

After waiting a while, Sun Zhiyong put down the phone and said, "Commander, Yan Xishan's special train will arrive here around nine o'clock tomorrow morning. He will be riding in the dragon carriage specially made for Empress Dowager Cixi." Yang Jiefang immediately became interested and said, "The dragon carriage used exclusively by the Empress Dowager! We should take a good look at it."

The next day, Yang Jiefang arrived at Xinxiang Railway Station ahead of schedule. Sun Zhiyong followed, and they set up a temporary command post at the station. Yan Xishan's special train was passing by, and there were no original plans to stop in Xinxiang. Yang Jiefang had the station contact the train staff in advance, and with Yan Xishan's consent, the train made a temporary stop at Xinxiang Railway Station for half an hour, giving Yang Jiefang an opportunity to visit.

This dragon-drawn carriage had many carriages, each with a clearly defined function. Not all carriages were brought along for this southward journey. There was one special-class carriage for Yan Xishan, two first-class carriages for his important staff, three second-class carriages for his accompanying guards, one administrative carriage, and three freight carriages. It is said that the average cost of each carriage on this dragon-drawn carriage was as high as 100,000 silver dollars, demonstrating its extraordinary luxury.

After the imperial carriage stopped, Yan Laoxi did not get out, but instead sent an adjutant to lead Yang Jiefang inside. Although Yang Jiefang was somewhat prepared, he was still shocked by the luxurious interior of the carriage. There were several people in the carriage, and Yang Jiefang immediately recognized Yan Laoxi in the main seat. He saluted and said, "Chairman of Shandong Province and Commander of Security, greetings, Commander Yan!"

Yan Laoxi, looking like an elder brother, smiled at Yang Jiefang and praised, "Indeed, a handsome young hero! Back in my day, I became a high-ranking official at the age of twenty-eight, which already made the whole world look at me with new eyes. Who would have thought that you, young commander, would reach the same heights at only eighteen? Truly, the younger generation is to be feared! We are old and should retire. Young commander, given time, this China will be yours sooner or later!"

Yang Jiefang laughed and said, "Mr. Sun Yat-sen said, 'The world is one of great harmony.' This world of great harmony does not belong to any one person. This China is yours, and it is also mine. When you and I grow old, it will be passed on to future generations. So, in the end, this China belongs to those bastards!" Yan Laoxi and the people in the carriage burst into laughter.

After laughing, Yan Laoxi said, "Young Commander, come, let's sit down and chat!" Yang Jiefang sat down opposite him. Yan Laoxi continued, "You've been waiting here, stopping my special train. Is there something you want to discuss?" Yang Jiefang replied, "I heard this is a royal carriage, something exclusively for the Qing Dynasty imperial family. I'm curious and want to see it. Commander Yan, you don't mind, do you?" Yan Laoxi generously said, "If you like it, I'll give it to you." Yang Jiefang quickly waved his hand and said, "Commander Yan, please don't joke! You are the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. It's only natural for you to travel in a royal carriage. How could I, a mere lieutenant general and security commander, dare to have such a presumptuous hope?"

Yan Laoxi was only being generous verbally; he had no intention of actually giving away the imperial carriage. He then added, "You'll be attending the military conference in Zhengzhou this time. If you're ready, you might as well come with me!" Yang Jiefang said, "Commander Yan, I've received intelligence: someone is planning to assassinate a high-ranking military or political official at the Zhengzhou train station. I've come specifically to warn you, Commander Yan, please be careful!"

Yan Laoxi and his men all changed their expressions, and the atmosphere in the carriage suddenly became tense. Yan Laoxi pressed, "Is your information reliable?" Yang Jiefang replied, "I think Commander Yan must have his own way of verifying it!" Yan Laoxi looked at the people around him. Yang Jiefang noticed that one of the middle-aged men nodded slightly; then, the adjutant who had led Yang Jiefang onto the train left.

Verifying the authenticity of the message would definitely take time. Yang Jiefang wasn't in a hurry and sat there quietly waiting. Yan Laoxi only thought for a moment before smiling and saying, "Brother Yang, I'm a few years older, so I presumptuously call myself your brother. From now on, how about we address each other as brothers and form a friendship that transcends age?" Yang Jiefang also smiled and said, "Brother Yan, that's exactly what I was thinking."