Newborn 1927

After Yan Donglai and Wang Canzhi became engaged, Yan Donglai did not stay in Jinan for the New Year, but resolutely headed north to Rehe. Taking advantage of the New Year holiday, the bandits lowered their guard, and Yan Donglai led 500 special forces soldiers to launch a surprise attack on Lao Beifeng's troops. Lao Beifeng's troops numbered more than 1,500, and none escaped. Except for the sentries who were killed in the attack, the rest were all captured alive.

Yan Donglai's goal was to persuade them to surrender, but bandits were no ordinary people; to subdue them, he had to first subdue them by beating them. After capturing Old Beifeng alive, the next step was persuasion. Yan Donglai didn't have Yang Jiefang's eloquence, so he pulled Old Beifeng aside and asked him directly, "Do you surrender? If you don't, I'll release you all and give you three days to prepare. I'll come back to attack the mountain in three days."

Old North Wind was greatly surprised and asked in confusion, "Which side are you on, friend?"

Yan Donglai replied, "Yan Donglai, the living Yama of Shandong."

Old Beifeng's real name was Zhang Haiqing. He thought about it carefully, shook his head, and said, "Forgive my ignorance, but I have never heard of such a person in Shandong!"

Yan Donglai pressed on, "Then whose name have you heard of?"

Old North Wind replied, "I've heard of the famous Little Boss in Shandong, but he's now a government soldier and is called Little Commander."

Yan Donglai then asked, "Do we look like government troops?"

Old North Wind glanced around at the special forces soldiers and said, "Where do the government troops have your fighting capabilities? Hmm—you wouldn't happen to be the young commander's men, would you?"

Yan Donglai laughed and said, "You guessed it. The young commander thinks we're all like-minded people, all forced into banditry. He specially sent me to recruit you. So, what do you say? Are you willing to join us?"

Old North Wind exclaimed happily, "Really? You should have said so earlier! The young commander's willingness to recruit us is an honor for me! How could I refuse? Brother Yan, let me put it this way! If we had known earlier that the young commander was willing to take us in, we would have gone to join him long ago. Why would you need to come knocking on our door? Since you've come, you could have just said a word. Why resort to violence? It's not like we're unwilling."

Yan Dong replied, "If I don't show you my skills beforehand, how can I convince you? Since you're willing to submit, let me explain beforehand. We're carrying out a secret mission for the junior commander, and we can't reveal our identities for now. This is something you can only know, not the brothers below."

Old North Wind didn't doubt Yan Donglai's words. In his opinion, given the strength of Yan Donglai's group, there was no need for them to impersonate the young commander's men. He immediately replied, "Understood! I know the rules of the underworld."

Yan Donglai nodded in satisfaction and said, "Tell everyone that from now on they should listen to me, the head of the household. If anyone is unwilling, don't make things difficult for them. Let them go down the mountain and leave as they please."

Without a word, Old North Wind persuaded all the bandits on the mountain to surrender. Not only that, he also took the initiative to help Yan Donglai recruit three bandit groups: Xiang Qingshan, Gai Zhonghua, and Su Baoshan. These four bandit groups together numbered more than four thousand.

Yan Donglai reported the news to Yang Jiefang separately, without going through the General Staff Headquarters.

After careful consideration, Yang Jiefang ordered that each of the four bandit groups be organized into an infantry regiment. Lao Beifeng, Xiang Qingshan, Gai Zhonghua, and Su Baoshan were appointed as regimental commanders. All subordinate military officers were selected from the special forces.

When our strength was weak, special forces played a crucial role. Now, with greater strength, their role has diminished. Future wars will be characterized by large-scale, multi-dimensional warfare, making it even harder for special forces to achieve anything. These soldiers are all elite troops; they should be given more opportunities for growth. Northeast China has many bandits, and Yang Jiefang's goal is to reorganize them into a full-fledged army-level unit by the time of the September 18th Incident (the start of the Anti-Japanese War). Special forces members will be an important source of officers.

To facilitate Yan Donglai's expansion of his forces, Yang Jiefang sent him food supplies through the cooperative and also delivered weapons that had been replaced by Fu Zuoyi's troops in batches. This delivery of both food and guns delighted the bandits. Yan Donglai, of course, wouldn't let them sit idle; he replicated Yang Jiefang's model from Qinglongzhai. After reorganizing the troops, rigorous military training followed.

Time was tight, the task was heavy, and even with the harsh winter approaching, he dared not idle. Seeing that he still had over four hundred special forces soldiers available, he took the initiative to expand outwards and reorganize other bandit groups. If it were government troops suppressing bandits, even knowing there were bandits in the mountains, they might not be able to find their tracks deep in the forests. But if it were bandits searching for bandits, it was a different story. For example, Old North Wind and his three companions knew the locations of the surrounding bandits, and even had dealings with them. Finding them would be a piece of cake. Once found, there was no escape; what bandit group could be a match for the special forces?

As the troops, arriving during the harsh winter, rapidly expanded, another matter caused Yang Jiefang considerable headaches. After landing in Yantai and Qingdao, the Japanese 4th and 6th Divisions directly occupied the industrial zones there, home to numerous Japanese companies. Simultaneously, even more Japanese businessmen were investing in Yantai and Qingdao. This was not good news for Yang Jiefang. According to the operational plan formulated by the General Staff, annihilating these two divisions would inevitably reduce these two industrial zones to ruins.

Destruction is always easier than construction. Yang Jiefang wanted to preserve these two industrial zones intact. He discussed the matter multiple times with Chief of Staff Ye and Deputy Chief of Staff Lu Zhonglin, but unless the two divisions could be transferred, there was no other way. But would these two divisions be transferred so easily? Yang Jiefang couldn't think of a solution for the time being, so he had to put the matter aside for the time being.

After Gao Yao traveled south to Guangzhou, he received a warm welcome from Chen Jitang. After a conversation, Gao Yao understood Chen's true intentions. Chen Jitang wanted to purchase weapons, which was understandable, given that they couldn't produce their own. Chen Jitang's ideas were the same as Xiao Liuzi's: he wanted to establish a Shandong-equipped division and purchase airplanes and tanks. He even wanted to ask Kou Shiting to come south to help train Guangdong army officers. After all, Kou Shiting was from Guangdong.

Unable to make a decision on his own, Gao Yao immediately sent a telegram to Yang Jiefang to report the matter. After receiving the telegram, Yang Jiefang ordered the Military Intelligence Department to compile relevant intelligence from the south. Upon reviewing the information, he discovered that the situation was beyond his expectations.

During the Central Plains War, the Guangxi army suffered another defeat, and the Guangdong army seized the opportunity to enter Guangxi. Under the command of Li Zongren, the Guangxi army organized its defenses centered on Liuzhou, engaging the Guangdong army in a protracted standoff. The two sides remained in a stalemate.

At this time, the Guangdong army was withdrawing from Guangxi. Chen Jitang had already reached an agreement with Li Zongren, Bai Chongxi, and others that the Guangdong and Guangxi armies would unite to oppose Chiang Kai-shek. He originally thought that the Nanjing and Guangdong sides were just making political noise and that he could at most make a statement to deal with it, but he did not expect that a military conflict would break out.

In the history books familiar to Yang Jiefang, there was no record of a major war between Chiang Kai-shek and Guangdong after the Central Plains War. But Yang Jiefang knew that no warlord could possibly defeat Chiang Kai-shek. Even if the Guangxi and Guangdong armies joined forces, they had no chance of winning.

Should they intervene or not? Yang Jiefang hesitated and went to the General Staff Headquarters again to ask for their opinion.

Kou Shiting said, "Commander, I'm from Guangdong. If I agree to support the Guangdong army, it will inevitably be seen as using public office for private gain. Let's hear what Deputy Chief of Staff Lu has to say!" Although he said this, his attitude was already very clear. Kou Shiting's consistent stance was to go south and beat up President Chiang Kai-shek, but Yang Jiefang had always disagreed and kept delaying it.

Yang Jiefang laughed and said, "Brother Ye, how could I not trust your character? Whether you support or oppose, I am certain that you are considering the issue from our perspective." Having understood Kou Shiting's attitude, he did not press the matter further.

Lu Zhonglin said, “Commander, this is a great opportunity! We should support the Guangdong Army and let them tie down the main force of the Central Army in Hunan and Jiangxi. In this way, we can take the opportunity to go south and seize the Huaihe River region. This is an important salt-producing area, supplying the Nationalist government with nearly 70% of its salt tax. More importantly, from a military point of view, to defend the Yangtze River, we must defend the Huaihe River. Once we have the Huaihe River region, crossing the Yangtze River will not be difficult.”

Yang Jiefang seemed to have forgotten that Lu Zhonglin had participated in the anti-Chiang Kai-shek movement three times, and now that there was another opportunity to do so, how could he miss it? Yang Jiefang finally understood that there was no need to ask the opinions of these two; he should think it over carefully himself! What he had been worried about was: if he intervened, would it ignite a new round of civil war? Would it affect his grand plan for the War of Resistance against Japan?

As Yang Jiefang was pondering, Lu Zhonglin continued, "Commander, the General Staff just received a telegram. Sun Dianying, stationed in Bozhou, intends to lead his troops to surrender." With that, he handed a telegram to Yang Jiefang.

Before the Central Plains War, Sun Dianying was appointed Chairman of Anhui Province by Feng Yuxiang and Yan Xishan, tasked with leading his Fifth Route Army south to fight in northern Anhui. However, throughout the entire war, Sun Dianying remained holed up in Bozhou and did not move. Fighting was fierce on both the Longhai and Jinpu railways. The two sides were also repeatedly vying for control of the vicinity of Xuzhou. Bozhou was within reach, but no matter how much Feng Yuxiang urged him, Sun Dianying either falsified military reports or delayed again and again, refusing to participate in the battle. It is estimated that he was secretly colluding with the Central Army at the time. He didn't provoke others, and no one provoked him; he simply stood there watching the spectacle.

When the outcome of the Central Plains War became clear, Sun Dianying openly surrendered to Chiang Kai-shek and even launched a surprise attack, gaining some benefits. After the war, he also tried to retain his titles as Commander-in-Chief of the Fifth Route Army and Chairman of Anhui Province. However, it was clear that his demands were too high and he had not achieved anything, so Chiang Kai-shek did not agree and left him in Bozhou.

Unexpectedly, Sun Dianying has made contact with Lu Zhonglin. It's unclear who contacted whom. Yang Jiefang had just incorporated Han Fuqu's Third Route Army before the new year, seizing control of eastern Henan. If he were to also incorporate Sun Dianying's troops, it would mean further southward expansion, potentially encroaching on northern Anhui. This perfectly aligns with Lu Zhonglin's southward expansion plan.

Yang Jiefang picked up the telegram and read it through, his face darkening. Although Sun Dianying was willing to surrender, the conditions he proposed were unacceptable to Yang Jiefang. He nominally surrendered, but his troops would be independent and he didn't want Yang Jiefang to control them. Besides, he also wanted a legitimate chairmanship of Anhui Province. In fact, from Sun Dianying's perspective, his demands weren't unreasonable under the current circumstances. His nearly 30,000 troops were a considerable force.

Yang Jiefang sneered, "He's dreaming! It's a pity he chose the wrong person. If I want to incorporate troops, it will be a complete reorganization. How can I allow him to both command the army and govern the government?" He said this to Lu Zhonglin, expressing his attitude.

Lu Zhonglin clearly wanted to facilitate the matter, and said, "Sun Dianying is now a wandering ghost. If we don't take him in, where can he go? He's asking for an exorbitant price, just waiting for us to haggle over it. Let's talk it over first! Whether we succeed or not, it won't cost us anything."

Yang Jiefang replied, "Then you can go and talk to him! You understand my stance. If we really can't reach an agreement, then let the Third Army go south and wipe them out. An armed force that is not under the command of the government, isn't that just a bandit? President Chiang Kai-shek keeps clamoring to wipe out bandits, so let's wipe out bandits too." There was one more point he didn't say: even if they didn't incorporate Sun Dianying's troops, they couldn't let them side with the Central Army.

If Henan Province were a sea, then Bozhou would be situated on a peninsula. Surrounded by areas under Yang Jiefang's actual control, Sun Dianying had little room for negotiation.

Sun Dianying's matter was handed over to Lu Zhonglin, but Chen Jitang's matter still needed Yang Jiefang's decision. Yang Jiefang understood that at this time, only he would keep his sights on the Northeast. Lu Zhonglin and his generals were eager to take advantage of the standoff between Nanjing and Guangdong to march south.

After careful consideration, Yang Jiefang telegraphed Gao Yao, instructing him to relay the message to Chen Jitang. Purchasing weapons was no problem, cash on delivery, no credit. However, the ten rifles could not be sent south; he needed to stay and deal with the Japanese.

Yang Jiefang knew that if he didn't sell weapons to Chen Jitang, Chen would definitely buy them from foreigners. He figured it was better to make the money himself than let foreigners profit from it. These foreigners were insatiable and often used such crucial moments to create obstacles and gain political advantage. Yang Jiefang was no exception. He made a request: he wanted Hainan Island. If Chen Jitang was willing to relinquish Hainan Island, Yang Jiefang would not only sell him weapons at a low price but also provide him with political support.

At this time, Hainan Island was not yet a province, with a population of just over two million, and was under the jurisdiction of Guangdong Province. Yang Jiefang wanted to acquire Hainan Island, and his goal was simple: to establish a new naval port at its southern tip. Gao Ming had already arrived in Southeast Asia and was working on forming a Chinese armed self-defense force. To help them, Yang Jiefang intended to have the naval fleet patrol the South China Sea. A patrol fleet would certainly need a supply port, and Hainan Island was undoubtedly an excellent location.

Another objective was to build a new dry dock there for constructing German U-boats. Although Rizhao could also be used to build a new dry dock, it was already a chemical industrial zone with many ships coming and going daily, which would compromise secrecy and made it less than ideal.

Two days after the telegram was sent, Gao Yao replied—Chen Jitang had agreed. Chen Jitang was good at making choices; he proposed establishing the Qiongya Special District, nominally still under the jurisdiction of Guangdong Province, but actually managed by a commissioner appointed by Yang Jiefang.

Regarding weaponry, Chen Jitang wanted the equipment for three infantry divisions and sixty combat aircraft. Based on Yang Jiefang's request, Gao Yao quoted the same price as he had paid to Xiao Liuzi.

In his telegram, Gao Yao also mentioned something else: the Guangxi Army also wanted weapons and equipment, but the Guangxi clique currently had no money. Gao Yao immediately refused, saying, "It's cash on delivery, not IOUs! No way!" Undeterred, the Guangxi clique sent Li Zongren north to Shandong to meet with Yang Jiefang.

Yang Jiefang set aside matters concerning the Guangxi clique for the time being and began to arrange affairs for the Qiongya Special District. After careful consideration, he decided to appoint Jiang Xiaojun's second uncle, Jiang Xingfu, as the commissioner. For Yang Jiefang, whether he could govern Hainan Island well was not his concern; what mattered was the successful development of the Sanya naval port. Jiang Xingfu had experience in building the Yantai industrial zone and shipyard, and was a pragmatic and capable individual, making him worthy of this important responsibility.