Newborn 1927

Yan Laoxi pointed to the middle-aged man beside him and introduced him, "This is Xu Yongchang, now the Chairman of Hebei Province. You two are neighbors, you should get along well in the future!" Yang Jiefang quickly greeted him, "So it's Brother Xu, my apologies!" Xu Yongchang said, "Young Commander, thank you very much!" Yang Jiefang said, "The news hasn't been verified yet, it's too early to thank me now." Xu Yongchang said, "That's not what I meant. Young Commander, you've taken care of the people in southern Hebei for me! I've been wanting to come and thank you, I never expected to meet you here today." Xu Yongchang had always been Yan Laoxi's right-hand man. He was transferred from Chairman of Suiyuan Province to Chairman of Hebei Province in September. In early November, Yang Jiefang occupied southern Hebei and sent local officials to take over local administration. Now, the people of southern Hebei only recognized the Young Commander, and didn't know he was the Chairman of Hebei Province.

Yang Jiefang, unsure whether he was sincere or not, replied, "Brother Xu, please just call me Brother Yang! Please forgive me, Brother Xu! I saw that the people in southern Hebei were struggling to make a living, so I reduced some of their taxes. I'm truly sorry for not informing you beforehand!" Xu Yongchang waved his hand and said, "Actually, I also wanted to try my best to alleviate the burden on the people. But alas, I don't have Brother Yang's magic touch, and the finances are tight!" This was clearly a ploy to ask for money!

Yang Jiefang said, "I wonder how much financial loss my actions have caused to your provincial government? How about I make up for it for the people of southern Hebei?" Yang Yongtai waved his hand and said, "Brother Yang, you flatter me! As the saying goes, give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. How about you tell me a way that can both reduce the burden on the people and increase fiscal revenue?"

Yang Jiefang replied, "I wouldn't presume to offer guidance! I do have a small suggestion, please consider it, Chairman Xu!" Xu Yongchang said, "Please speak!" Yang Jiefang said, "If we want to reduce the burden on the people and increase tax revenue, we can only make the pie bigger, that is, increase their income. Currently, the people's main income comes from the grain output of the land. Southern and central Hebei are located on the North China Plain, which is a major wheat-producing area. If we can increase the wheat yield per mu, wouldn't that increase the people's income?" Xu Yongchang agreed, "I know that too, but how can we increase the grain yield per mu?"

Yang Jiefang replied, "My approach in Shandong involved three things: first, introducing higher-yield wheat seeds; second, using chemical fertilizers; and third, constructing water conservancy projects to prevent floods and droughts. Therefore, as long as the land is fertile, the wheat yield per mu can exceed 300 jin." Xu Yongchang and Yan Laoxi were deeply moved upon hearing this. The same land, the same people, and the same amount of time could yield double the grain output, which was truly inspiring.

Xu Yongchang praised, "No wonder Brother Yang has the resources to help the people of Shaanxi! Building water conservancy projects isn't difficult, but we lack high-yield wheat seeds and fertilizer. What can we do?" Yang Jiefang replied, "I have the seeds and fertilizer here. Actually, I've already started a trial program with farmers in central Hebei through the urban and rural supply and marketing cooperatives. Brother Xu, you can take a look! If next year, the wheat yields of these participating farmers increase, I hope Brother Xu will support the cooperative in promoting it throughout the province!"

Xu Yongchang replied, "Alright, I will personally follow up on this matter. I've heard that Shandong's industry is doing quite well! Your industrial products are of high quality and low price, and are more popular with the people than imported goods. Brother Yang, could you please give me some advice on how to develop industry?"

Yang Jiefang replied, “That’s a difficult problem! Every place has its own advantages and characteristics, and each place should develop industries that suit its own advantages. What works in Shandong may not work in other places. I’m not familiar with the situation in Hebei, so I’m afraid I can’t help you.”

Xu Yongchang glanced back at Yan Laoxi, who nodded. Xu Yongchang continued, "I've heard that Brother Yang likes to do business with others. I happen to have a project here, and I wonder if Commander Yang would be interested in cooperating?" Yang Jiefang asked, "What project?" Xu Yongchang smiled and said, "As you probably know, before becoming the Chairman of Hebei Province, I was the Chairman of Suiyuan Province. Just recently, a large iron ore area was discovered in the Bailingmiao area of ​​Baotou. With coal from Shanxi, iron ore from Baotou, and the Ping-Sui Railway for transportation, the conditions for establishing a steel plant are complete. Brother Yang, would you be interested in establishing a steel plant there?" As he spoke, he looked at Yang Jiefang with great anticipation.

Bailingmiao in Baotou is the site of the later Baiyunebo region, a veritable steel capital of the grasslands! It's unbelievable that the mining area has been discovered now. The current chairman of Suiyuan Province is Fu Zuoyi, commander of the 73rd Division, who is also a man of Yan Xishan. Xu Yongchang's proposal was clearly at Yan Xishan's behest.

Yang Jiefang laughed and said, "It's just a steel plant. You can easily build it yourselves. Brother Yan is willing to take his younger brothers along, which is a great favor to me. How could I refuse? How about this? Brother Yan doesn't need to pay for this steel plant; I'll fund it. We'll introduce German metallurgical technology and build it into a large ironworks with an annual output of over one million tons, how about that?"

Yan Laoxi and Xu Yongchang were overjoyed; this was exactly the result they wanted. Yan Laoxi immediately said, "As the saying goes, even close brothers should keep clear accounts. Brother Yang, what do you think is the best way for us to divide the shares?" Yang Jiefang replied, "That's your territory, Brother Yan! The iron ore and coal mines all have to be supplied by you, Brother Yan. You decide, so you decide how to divide them." Yan Laoxi laughed, "Then how about we split them 50/50?"

Yang Jiefang laughed and said, "No wonder you Shanxi people can build such big businesses! With Brother Yan's magnanimity, I have no choice but to admire you! I'll send a professional team to Baotou to conduct an on-site investigation first. Then, we'll jointly send people to form a management committee. They can discuss the specifics!" Yan Laoxi agreed, "I'll inform Yisheng in advance. When you get there, just go directly to Yisheng."

As they were talking, the liaison officer returned and said, "Commander, a train is about to arrive at the station. Should we move over and let them pass?" Yan Xishan replied, "Oh dear, we're blocking their way. That's not good; we should move over."

Yang Jiefang immediately stood up and said, "How can we let Brother Yan move? I'll go down and say hello to the station so that the following trains can stop on the opposite platform." Yan Laoxi said, "Then I'll trouble you, Brother Yang!"

Yang Jiefang got off the train but didn't go to the station dispatch office. Why would he need to personally arrange such a trivial matter? It was just an excuse to get off. He went to a room next to the dispatch office, where Sun Zhiyong and staff from the headquarters communications department were.

Yang Jiefang immediately ordered, "A train will be heading south soon. I reckon Yan Xishan will send men disguised to Zhengzhou. Send a few men to follow and check it out!" Sun Zhiyong agreed and personally made the arrangements. Yang Jiefang then drafted a telegram and gave it to Du Guoping, the communications director, to forward to Gui Liqiu. Yang Jiefang estimated that Han Fuqu wouldn't openly arrest or kill Yan Xishan; he would definitely have plainclothes officers lying in wait to carry out the attack secretly. He ordered Gui Liqiu to infiltrate Zhengzhou Railway Station beforehand. When the southbound train arrived, he was to find a way to expose the identities of the plainclothes officers lying in wait, or even impersonate Han Fuqu's men to make Yan Xishan's men feel threatened.

After a short wait, a train pulled into the station. It didn't stop long and quickly started moving south. Sun Zhiyong came in to report, "They did indeed send people south, and they even secretly hid a radio. I've already arranged for someone to go with them to Zhengzhou." Yang Jiefang said, "Write down the facial features of Yan Xishan's men and send them to Gui Liqiu." Sun Zhiyong agreed and sat down to draft the telegram. Trains at this time were slow; the journey from Xinxiang to Zhengzhou took at least three hours. That meant news wouldn't arrive for three hours, and all they could do was wait.

Yang Jiefang went out and reappeared on the platform. The adjutant from before came forward and said, "The Commander invites you!" Yang Jiefang nodded and followed him back onto the train. Yan Laoxi said with a smile, "Brother Yang, I don't plan to go south today. Come, come, please sit down! We hit it off immediately, sit down and have a good chat!" Yang Jiefang laughed and said, "That would be great! Let me do my duty as a host and arrange lunch first before we talk." Yan Laoxi immediately waved his hand and said, "No need. I have a cook on this train, a royal chef from the palace. Although the Qing Dynasty is long gone, the chef's skills haven't been lost. I'll have them make some dishes from the imperial kitchen for you to try!" Yang Jiefang said happily, "Brother Yan, I'm so lucky to have you here today, riding in the imperial carriage first and then tasting imperial food. Hehe, I'm enjoying emperor-like treatment."

Yan Laoxi laughed, "I heard that Brother Yang has several wives and concubines at home, and they get along very well. That's no less than the treatment of an emperor with three palaces and six courtyards!" Yang Jiefang replied, "Who doesn't know that I love beauty more than power? That's my only hobby; I ask for nothing more." Yan Laoxi said, "Brother Yang, you're a dragon among men; keeping the beauties around you isn't difficult for you. But for us, keeping the power we hold onto is not so easy!"

With this change of tone, Yang Jiefang knew that Yan Laoxi had gotten to the point, so he chimed in, "Since ancient times, it has been easier to conquer a country than to govern it. Brother Yan has been in charge of Shanxi for nearly twenty years, and his opponents have come and gone, but he has always remained standing. I wonder how Brother Yan has managed to do it? Please teach me! I also want to protect the foundation of Shandong."

Yan Laoxi sighed, "Alas, times have changed! Before, everyone was evenly matched, and we kept each other in check, unable to defeat the others, each guarding our own territory. But now, the Chiang family is all-powerful and is eliminating dissidents one by one, no longer allowing us to carve out our own territory. Feng and Li have already been defeated, and this military conference in Zhengzhou is clearly aimed at me. Once I am defeated, it's hard to say who will be dealt with next. Brother Yang, it will be difficult to hold onto your Shandong base!"

Yang Jiefang said, "Brother Yan is a shrewd strategist; he must have a plan!" Yan Laoxi said, "Unless we can unite and advance or retreat together, we will sooner or later follow in the footsteps of Feng and Li." Yang Jiefang frowned and said, "Even Feng and Li, with their formidable strength, were defeated. Can our alliance be effective?"

Xu Yongchang said, "If we unite with Young Marshal Zhang in the Northeast, we can resist Chiang Kai-shek." Yang Jiefang pressed, "Will Young Marshal Zhang agree?" Xu Yongchang was unsure and hesitated. Yan Xishan, however, said, "To protect himself, he must unite with us." Yang Jiefang knew that Young Marshal Zhang would not unite with Yan Xishan against Chiang Kai-shek, so he said, "If Brother Yan can unite with Young Marshal Zhang, I am willing to follow your orders." Yan Xishan laughed heartily, "I'm relieved to hear that!"

Although everyone expressed a willingness to cooperate, no further details were discussed. Yan Laoxi was still waiting for news from Zhengzhou. Once it was confirmed that Chiang Kai-shek was indeed preparing to take action against him, he would have no choice but to oppose Chiang to protect himself. It wouldn't be too late to discuss the specifics then. The following conversation was rather pointless. At noon, Yang Jiefang, Yan Laoxi, and Xu Yongchang shared a sumptuous lunch. After the meal, Yan Laoxi said, "Brother Yang, I'm getting old and my energy is waning. Please make yourself at home! I'll rest for a bit!" Yang Jiefang replied, "Perfect timing, I also have some personal matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave!"

After getting off the train, Yang Jiefang asked Wang Xuncai to prepare a room for him and took a nap. When he woke up, Wang Xuncai came in to report, "There's news from Zhengzhou; the telegram is at the communications office." Yang Jiefang got up and immediately went to the communications office. Sun Zhiyong and Du Guoping, the head of the communications office, were already waiting there. Du Guoping handed over two telegrams, saying, "They were sent by Captain Gui from Zhengzhou."

Yang Jiefang took the telegrams and read them. The first one stated that Gui Liqiu had uncovered the mastermind behind the warning sent from Zhengzhou to Xinxiang—it was Wu Huawen, the brigade commander of Han Fuqu's pistol brigade. The second one stated that the soldiers lying in ambush at Zhengzhou Railway Station were also from the pistol brigade, all dressed in civilian clothes with Mauser pistols concealed on their waists. Gui Liqiu hadn't even made a move, yet they had already given themselves away. Yang Jiefang couldn't help but smile; they really did have the potential to defect, knowing how to pave the way in advance. After Yang Jiefang finished reading the telegrams, Sun Zhiyong added, "Yan Xishan's side has also received news from Zhengzhou. That adjutant came to see you, wanting to invite you to the imperial carriage."

Yang Jiefang shook his head and said, "There's no need to go. It's Yan Laoxi who's in a hurry now. We can just wait and watch the show." Sun Zhiyong asked, "How should we deal with him?" Yang Jiefang replied, "Just say I have important things to take care of and can't leave for the time being."

Sun Zhiyong didn't personally appear; instead, he immediately sent a staff officer from the brigade headquarters to deliver the message. When the staff officer returned, he brought back a letter from Yan Xishan. Yang Jiefang took the letter and opened it. The content was very brief: "Your foolish brother will return to Shanxi to make preparations first. My dear brother, do not forget our agreement." The handwriting was messy, and it was written in a great hurry.

Just then, a train whistle sounded outside. Yang Jiefang casually turned to look out the window and saw the train slowly starting up and heading north. It was clear that Yan Xishan had already ordered the train to change direction. Yang Jiefang muttered to himself, "The main character has left early; the military conference in Zhengzhou won't be able to take place." Sun Zhiyong chimed in, "That's fine; you won't have to risk going to Zhengzhou." Yang Jiefang turned back and said, "The military conference in Zhengzhou won't be able to take place, but I want to hold one in Xinxiang. Send me a message to the Second Brigade, the Northern Henan Security Brigade, and the Cavalry Brigade, ordering all military commanders above the regimental level to come to Xinxiang for the meeting. Also, tell the Air Force to have Hou Fei attend." Du Guoping agreed, immediately drafted a telegram, gave it to Yang Jiefang for review and signature, and then sent it out.