Newborn 1927

Yang Jiefang replied, "That's true, but not entirely. Even if you had a thousand or eight hundred policemen, you might not be able to maintain order. Don't be unconvinced! This isn't meant to belittle you. Think about it, what kind of people are you and the policemen you've chosen?" Chu Shiwu interjected, "I can guarantee they're all elites." Yang Jiefang laughed, "Even so! You bunch of Shandong people trying to manage over a million Shaanxi people. They'll naturally resist you. It won't be easy for you to manage them!" Chu Shiwu had to admit this and immediately asked, "Then what should I do?"

Yang Jiefang said, "During the meeting just now, Director Chu of the Civil Affairs Department suggested recruiting a group of people from among these disaster victims to join our army. I did not agree. I think it would be more appropriate to send these people to Baotou. Baotou is someone else's territory, and it is inconvenient for us to send troops there to garrison. We can select some people from among the disaster victims to serve as police officers and be responsible for maintaining public order. I don't think anyone would object, right?"

Chu Shiwu immediately understood Yang Jiefang's intention and said, "Little Commander, leave this to me! I guarantee I can train these people into police officers with excellent military skills."

Yang Jiefang nodded in satisfaction and said, "Go and make preparations! Select three hundred elite police officers from the Shandong police system and take them over."

Chu Shiwu asked expectantly, "Little Commander, how many people can I recruit from the disaster victims?" Yang Jiefang replied, "Recruit three to five thousand first! You might not be able to command more than that." Chu Shiwu pressed, "What if I can command more people?" Yang Jiefang said impatiently, "Be realistic, train three to five thousand people first. As long as you're capable enough, do you think I won't give you a higher rank?" Chu Shiwu immediately laughed, "That's not what I meant. I just want to know how much I've actually improved?"

Yang Jiefang warned, "That Fu Zuoyi in Suiyuan is no ordinary person. Be very careful! You come from an intelligence background; don't let yourself be infiltrated." Chu Shiwu replied seriously, "He's no ordinary person, but do you think I'm any different? Don't worry! Commander, I'll not only keep Baotou perfectly safe, but I'll also find ways to infiltrate the surrounding areas!" Yang Jiefang nodded in satisfaction and said, "Go and prepare well!"

After leaving on the fifteenth, Secretary Wenxiang came in to report: "Commander, Director He has arrived and is waiting in the reception room." Yang Jiefang casually said, "Let him in." Wenxiang agreed and soon led He Huan in.

He Huan had been a follower of Yang Jiefang for a long time, and although his official position wasn't very high, his status was considerable. To develop the livestock industry, Yang Jiefang ordered He Huan to establish a livestock and veterinary research institute. The institute primarily focused on disease prevention and control and breed improvement for livestock. The white pigs now widely raised were introduced from Southeast Asia by him.

Yang Jiefang gestured for He Huan to sit down and got straight to the point: "I've invited you here today because I have an important matter to entrust to you!" He Huan replied, "Okay." Yang Jiefang said, "I want you to go to Suiyuan to purchase horses from the herders and establish a horse farm in Baotou. We'll select a batch of the stallions we bought from Japan and transport them there. We can lend these stallions to the herders there for breeding, improving the local horse breeds."

He Huan replied, "Suiyuan is indeed a good place to develop animal husbandry! When do you need me to leave?" Yang Jiefang replied, "The sooner the better. We need to build the horse farm before the horses reach estrus. Li Boyan is already making preliminary plans and arrangements. You can contact him directly after you arrive." He Huan nodded and said, "I understand. Is there anything else you need to tell me?" Yang Jiefang continued, "On the Suiyuan grassland, besides horses, there are even more cattle and sheep. After you go, you need to promote the corresponding breeding techniques there. In particular, disease prevention and control techniques should be widely promoted. In the future, I plan to establish wool textile factories, beef canneries, and other factories there."

After settling He Huan in, Yang Jiefang summoned Gao Yao separately. He arranged for him to go to Baotou to establish a cooperative and expand its business to the grasslands.

Under Yang Jiefang's planning, all departments started operating at high speed. Every day, a large number of personnel and supplies were transported to Suiyuan.

Meanwhile, Yan Xishan's anti-Chiang Kai-shek alliance was formed. On February 23, Yan Xishan, Feng Yuxiang, Li Zongren, and 45 others jointly issued a telegram raising the issue of party unification, advocating that all party members vote to resolve the party-state dispute. Wang Jingwei immediately issued a telegram in support. Clearly, he had also joined the anti-Chiang Kai-shek alliance. Chiang Kai-shek was politically isolated.

Yang Yongtai came to Jinan again to meet with Yang Jiefang. Yang Jiefang received him as usual, saying, “Mr. Yang, everyone knows the current situation without me having to explain. I also understand your purpose in coming. Let me put it this way! Commander Yan has even ceded half of Suiyuan to win me over. If you come empty-handed, then don’t bother asking!”

Yang Yongtai said, "Little Commander, you've been tricked! Baotou isn't connected to your defense zone. If something happens there, you won't be able to help. I think Yan Xishan is just using you to build it up; once it's done, he can reap the rewards. What can you do then?"

Yang Jiefang remained expressionless, silently watching Yang Yongtai. Yang Yongtai knew that this alone wouldn't sway Yang Jiefang, so he changed the subject, saying, "The Commander-in-Chief has agreed to your proposal to expand the army. He has permitted you to expand your forces into three divisions and nine brigades. Tax revenue from your defense zone will be prioritized for your troops."

Yang Jiefang said, "Even at a time like this, he's still being stingy. It seems he doesn't value me that much!"

Yang Yongtai said with a wry smile, "Others have only three or four thousand men in an infantry brigade, while yours has thirteen or fourteen thousand. How can they be compared? Your nine brigades are comparable to nine armies of the Jin army. Such strength is already on par with the Jin army."

Yang Jiefang replied, "That's true. I have strength that is no less than his, which is why he tries to win me over. That's how I can get more benefits from him. My strength is far inferior to that of the Commander-in-Chief, which is why he doesn't need to accommodate me."

Yang Yongtai said, "You've misunderstood again. What I told you last time, entrusting the Pingjin region to you, still stands. You can concurrently serve as the Pingjin Garrison Commander. The tax revenue from Pingjin and Shandong is enough to support your army."

Yang Jiefang pressed further, "What do you need me to do?"

Yang Yongtai replied, "Please make a public statement to express your position, firmly support the Central Committee, and oppose the divisive actions of Yan, Feng, Li, and others."

Yang Jiefang said, "This is a matter of great importance; allow me to consider it." "Consider it" implies disagreement.

Yang Yongtai pressed further, "If there's anything you're not satisfied with, please let me know! We can discuss it."

Yang Jiefang said, "I don't have any complaints. I'm just curious and want to ask: What is the current stance of Zhang Xueliang, the young marshal of Northeast China?"

Knowing he couldn't avoid the issue, Yang Yongtai bluntly stated, "The Commander-in-Chief has already telegraphed Marshal Zhang and dispatched Commissioner Wu Tiecheng to Shenyang. Marshal Zhang will not side with Yan Xishan."

Yang Jiefang nodded and said, "Then I'll wait and see what stance the Northeast Army takes." His refusal to publicly state his position left Yang Yongtai quite helpless. After failing to persuade him, he had no choice but to take his leave.

Yang Yongtai had just left when Xu Yongchang arrived in Jinan. According to the stationmaster of Jinan Railway Station, Xu Yongchang arrived by train. At first, they thought it was Yan Xishan himself, but only Xu Yongchang came.

Yang Jiefang received Xu Yongchang in the reception room. Yang Jiefang said with a smile, "Commander Yan really takes good care of Brother Xu! He even allowed you to travel in a royal carriage."

Xu Yongchang said, "Brother Yang, you've guessed wrong. This dragon carriage is a gift for you."

Yang Jiefang said in surprise, "How can this be? This is Commander Yan's special train. What kind of nonsense is it to give it to me?"

Xu Yongchang explained, “Brother Yang, you may not know this, but when the imperial carriage was built, three special-class carriages were constructed. One was built for Empress Dowager Cixi, one for Emperor Guangxu, and one for the Empress. Even the locomotive was prepared in three parts. This time, we have sent you the Emperor's carriage and the Empress's carriage from the three special-class carriages for you and your ladies to travel in. We have also prepared several cooks for you on the carriage, all of whom are eunuchs who came from the imperial kitchen during the Qing Dynasty and have been castrated.”

Yang Jiefang chuckled and quickly refused, "Absolutely not. Brother Xu, please thank Commander Yan for his kindness! I dare not accept this dragon carriage. Although I have a few quirks and have taken several wives, I have no intention of becoming emperor!"

Xu Yongchang said, "It's already the nineteenth year of the Republic of China, who would dare to call themselves emperor? Anyway, this dragon carriage is just sitting idle, so it's perfectly legitimate for you to ride in it." Seeing Yang Jiefang's puzzled look, Xu Yongchang explained, "This dragon carriage was funded and personally supervised by your father-in-law, Sheng Xuanhuai. Strictly speaking, it's also part of the Sheng family's property. You married Sheng Xuanhuai's favorite youngest daughter, so isn't it only natural for you to receive this dragon carriage?"

Having said that, Yang Jiefang stopped refusing and said, "Brother Xu, then I'll accept your offer. Besides delivering the car, is there anything else you need in Jinan?"

Xu Yongchang replied, "I would like to invite you to Taiyuan to attend an important military conference."

Yang Jiefang replied, “Brother Xu came personally to invite me, so I shouldn’t refuse. But right now I’m organizing the relocation of over a million Shaanxi disaster victims to Suiyuan; and I also have to arrange related work for building a steel plant in Baotou. I really can’t spare the time! I won’t attend the military conference in Taiyuan. If we build the steel plant in Baotou well, that will be enough to demonstrate our cooperative attitude.”

Xu Yongchang advised, "This meeting is of utmost importance! It concerns Brother Yang's future, so it would be more appropriate for him to go in person! As for other work, it's alright to postpone it for now."

Yang Jiefang shook his head and said, "The resettlement of more than a million disaster victims! How can personal prospects compare? Brother Xu, to be honest, I am not a member of the Kuomintang. I will not get involved in the issue of party intelligence. No matter what your meeting resolution is, I have no objection."

Xu Yongchang exclaimed in surprise, "You've reached this level of status, how come you're not a member of the Kuomintang? Here's what we'll do, I'll introduce you to the party. From now on, you'll be a member of the Kuomintang, and you'll have a part in party affairs."

Yang Jiefang replied, "Let's not even mention the three-point agreement I made with the elders of Jiaodong when I was in Yantai, that I would never join the Kuomintang. Even without that agreement, I still wouldn't join the Kuomintang. It's not that I look down on the Kuomintang; I have my reasons. A party that becomes a party of one person is a misfortune for the party; a country that becomes a country of one party is a misfortune for the country. If the party and the country allow someone like me, a non-party member, to have a place in the army and in the government, that is the embodiment of democracy, and only such a country has hope. You should resolve your internal party differences. I only hope that you won't harm this country because of your internal differences!"

Xu Yongchang was slightly taken aback. Having said all that, further persuasion would be futile. In the end, Xu Yongchang naturally left empty-handed.

On February 28th, 34 representatives from various anti-Chiang Kai-shek factions convened a military conference in Taiyuan, known as the "Taiyuan Anti-Chiang Conference." The conference resolved eight decisions regarding a united front against Chiang Kai-shek. A military organization for the anti-Chiang alliance was established: Yan Xishan was nominated as Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with Feng Yuxiang and Li Keqiang as Deputy Commanders-in-Chief. Zhang Xueliang and Yang Jiechi, who were absent from the meeting, were also nominated as Deputy Commanders.

The anti-Chiang Kai-shek alliance reorganized into seven army groups: the Guangxi Army as the First Army Group, the Northwest Army as the Second Army Group, the Shanxi Army as the Third Army Group, the Shandong People's Liberation Army as the Fourth Army Group, the Northeast Army as the Fifth Army Group, Liu Wenhui's Sichuan Army as the Sixth Army Group, and He Jian's Hunan Army as the Seventh Army Group.

The anti-Chiang Kai-shek alliance also compiled statistics on the military strength of the major warlords in the country at that time:

The Central Army was the strongest, with a total strength of about 60 troops across the land, sea and air forces, 839 mountain and field artillery pieces, 1010 mortars, 2479 machine guns, and 143 aircraft.

The Guangxi Army had a total strength of less than 8 men, 12 mountain and field guns, 106 mortars, and 222 machine guns.

The Northwest Army had a total strength of 26 men, 300 mountain and field artillery pieces, 172 mortars, and 3300 machine guns.

晋军有10个步兵军、4个骑兵师、4个保安纵队（军级）、7个炮兵旅、10个工兵营、10个辎重营，总兵力达20万人马；拥有山、野炮384门，迫击炮近1000门，机枪1417挺，飞机22架。

The Northeast Army had a total strength of 36 troops, 586 mountain and field artillery pieces, 1032 mortars, 1338 machine guns, and 191 aircraft.

Yang Jiefang's People's Liberation Army had a total strength of 20 troops, 300 mountain, field, and howitzer artillery pieces, 800 mortars, 1500 rifle grenades and grenade launchers, 3000 machine guns, 300 combat aircraft, and 324 training aircraft and other non-combat aircraft.

Yang Jiefang didn't know how these data were compiled; although they weren't very precise, they were roughly accurate.

Neither the Guangxi Army nor the Northwest Army had their own arsenals; the Central Army had the Hanyang Arsenal, which could only manufacture guns but not artillery; the Shanxi Army's Taiyuan Arsenal and the Northeast Army's Shenyang Arsenal could manufacture guns and artillery, but not airplanes or tanks; Yang Jiefang's arsenals could manufacture guns, artillery, airplanes, and tanks, and the shipyard in Yantai was even building warships.

Therefore, Xu Yongchang strongly advocated for Zhang Xueliang and Yang Jiefang to join the anti-Chiang Kai-shek alliance. In comparison, he valued Yang Jiefang's war potential more.

On March 1st, Zhang Xueliang, the young marshal in Northeast China, issued a telegram maintaining neutrality. Even if Yang Jiefang was unfamiliar with history, he knew that the Northeast Army ultimately intervened and turned the tide of the battle. At this point, facing offers from both sides, the young marshal was clearly waiting for the best offer.