People in the Republic of China era began to rise from industry.

Hearing Liu Jing's words, Fang Chang, who was as calm as a madman when he was an assassin, suddenly had several black lines appear on his forehead.

He's really putting in all his effort now to build this mercenary force into a top-notch force.

However, using an army like the Sichuan Army as a source of manpower offered absolutely no hope of success.

Looking at Lin Yi, he was actually chuckling as he listened. Fang Chang, who was almost turning from a madwoman into a resentful woman because of her mercenary career, had even more black lines on her forehead.

Lin Yi was not surprised at all.

The Sichuan Army is known for being cowardly in civil wars but fierce in foreign wars.

This can actually be seen from the fact that, over the past two decades, warlords from other provinces have never been able to successfully take over Sichuan Province.

After more than 20 years of internal fighting within the province, several factions of the Sichuan Army, from top to bottom, have long since developed their own set of rules.

Just like when Yang Zihui heard that a regiment on the front line surrendered to Luo Dingchen after only half an hour of fighting, he didn't even utter a curse.

In other provinces, such an incident would be investigated and brought to justice at all costs, with the perpetrators even facing execution as a warning to others.

He chuckled for a moment and said, "Judging from this situation, the 20th Army probably won't be able to hold out."

"Do you want to go?"

Fang Chang asked.

The reason he returned to the county town at this time was because he realized that the situation was completely unfavorable for the 20th Army.

They planned to protect Lin Yi as he left.

Hearing him say that, Lin Yi smiled and said, "No rush, let's see how things go."

Fang Chang narrowed his eyes. "What kind of trick are you up to now?"

"You'll know then."

Lin Yi kept everyone in suspense and turned back to his guest room.

The time is not yet ripe.

He will make his move when the time is right...

Yang Zihui returned to the military headquarters in the county town in the middle of the night.

Surrounded by several guards, they slipped through the moon gate and headed straight for Lin Yi's room.

The sound of his riding boots hitting the ground was crisp. He had just raised his hand to knock when the door opened first.

Lin Yi opened the door and asked directly, "Brother Yang, how is the battle going?"

Upon hearing this question, Yang Zihui's large face twitched, and she let out a heavy sigh.

"Brother Lin, I've been tricked by that bastard Luo Pangzi."

"I don't know when he bribed half of his regimental commanders."

"Damn it, defecting to the enemy in the middle of battle, this battle is impossible to fight!"

This is half true and half false.

He does indeed have four or five regimental commanders under his command, who were probably secretly bribed by Luo Dingchen beforehand.

His defection to another side at the last minute tore apart the two lines of defense he had erected.

However, he had taken precautions against this.

As long as he has the reserves at his disposal, and his elite 20th Army pistol regiment is deployed, stabilizing the situation shouldn't be too difficult.

Unfortunately, Luo Dingchen was well-prepared.

Just when his defenses were being disrupted, not only did they bring up a mountain artillery battalion, but they also offered a bounty on the front lines.

Every soldier in the 20th Army who surrenders on the battlefield will be rewarded with 20 yuan.

Platoon leader level directly received 100 yuan.

If the regimental commander surrenders with his troops, he will be rewarded with 5,000 yuan.

With such a generous reward, the 20th Army completely collapsed.

Having no money in his pocket, he was helpless in the face of this money-spending tactic that undermined morale.

He could only order the troops who hadn't yet heard the bid to retreat, while he led his guards and pistol regiment, rushing back to the county town.

They prepared to leave Qu County with their families and Lin Yi, their lucky charm.

"So, we lost?"

A faint smile appeared on Lin Yi's lips.

He originally thought that the time would not be right until tomorrow.

Unexpectedly, before midnight, the 20th Army completely collapsed.

"It's not a loss."

All Yang Zihui has left is stubbornness.

"We were just caught off guard. Once I reorganize my troops, I will definitely be able to take back Qu County in less than half a month."

"I also have some good news for you, brother. Deng Jinkang of the 28th Army has agreed to lend me his mountain artillery battalion."

"When that happens, if that fat Luo has cannons, I'll have cannons too. I'll blow that bastard to pieces."

Yang Zihui said fiercely.

Deng Jinkang was his old classmate in the accelerated program, and they had always had a good relationship.

In his early years when he was at the height of his fame, he took good care of her.

Now that we're in a crisis, borrowing his artillery battalion shouldn't be a problem.

Of course, the hill cannon was secondary.

The most important thing is to borrow some money to pay rewards and keep the morale of the troops stable.

Otherwise, this battle simply cannot be fought.

"That's it."

Lin Yi nodded: "Brother Yang, since Luo Dingchen can bribe your people, can't you also bribe his people?"

Yang Zihui was stunned, and then scratched the ground with her toes in embarrassment.

He does.

However, the 20,000 yuan that Lin Yi had given him as a favor fee had already been distributed as a reward when he arrived at the front line.

At this point, he was penniless.

"Brother, most of Luo Pangzi's troops were recruited by him with money, so bribing them shouldn't be a problem."

"However, these guys have big appetites. If they want to throw money at the problem and turn the tide, it will take at least 300,000."

As he spoke, Yang Zihui said in a seemingly serious tone, "This is no small amount. This matter is urgent, and I, your brother, cannot raise that much money in a short time."

Three hundred thousand is a realistic number.

This is also the market price in Sichuan Province.

Soldiers are worthless; weapons are what truly matter.

A brand new Zhongzheng golf club, priced at 120 yuan.

The Sichuan Army mostly used old-fashioned rifle sleeves that were ten or twenty years old, which cost only thirty yuan on the black market.

In recent years, the Sichuan Army's pay has been squeezed down to less than five yuan, yet many people are still willing to carry guns and eat rations, all for the money of switching sides while carrying guns.

Especially those seasoned veterans.

It's almost become sentient.

There is a clear pricing system.

In this case, the weaker party can invest in the stronger party, and the price can be slightly lower.

However, if it's a case of strong betting against weak, then it has to be done at the black market price.

Now that the 11th Division has a complete advantage, if he wants to turn the tide, he will have to bribe at least two brigades of the enemy, eight or nine thousand men.

And that includes the officers' additional rewards.

Three hundred thousand is barely enough.

For Yang Zihui now, this number is nothing short of astronomical.

Even if this wasn't an emergency, he would still shamelessly ask to borrow money.

However, this number was incredibly cheap for Lin Yi.

If things continue like this, I feel that with my financial resources, I might be able to replace Liu Yuanfu and dominate Sichuan Province.

After thinking for a moment, Lin Yi turned to Ah Sheng and said, "Take the box out."

Ah Sheng turned and went into the house, quickly pulling out a large box with great effort.

It was placed at Lin Yi's feet with a thud.

Lin Yi kicked it and laughed, "It's legal tender issued by the National Government, hard currency."

"It's one million in total."

"Of that, 500,000 is a loan to you, Brother Yang."

"As for the remaining 500,000, I want the mining rights in Qu County for ten years. Brother Yang, you can't mind, can you?"

Yang Zihui didn't speak, her eyes fixed on the large leather suitcase.

too suddenly.

Especially the number one million.

The shock left him completely blank.

After a moment, Yang Zihui gradually came to her senses, her lips twitched twice, and she burst into laughter.

Extremely enjoyable

Then, he slapped Lin Yi hard on the shoulder: "Good brother, don't even mention ten years, as long as Qu County is still my territory, I'll give you twenty years!"

"A gentleman's word is his bond?"

Yang Zihui waved her hand dismissively: "Of course, it's as good as gold!"

Lin Yi chuckled.

They knew that investing in warlords was a sure-fire way to make money.

Once the money was in place, Yang Zihui stopped running away.

He scolded several of his concubines who, upon hearing of his return, were already prepared to flee with their entire families, and then hurriedly left the military headquarters with the money.

They were all from the Sichuan Army, and he knew the 11th Independent Division very well.

Especially rising stars like Luo Dingchen, who developed step by step by seizing every opportunity.

Few of his troops were truly loyal to him; he was won over entirely with money.

Now that I have a huge sum of money, taking them down will be a piece of cake!

...The night passed...

The situation on the battlefield can change in an instant.

As several regiments of the 11th Independent Division defected one after another, the 20th Army, having regrouped, had already broken out of Qu County by the time dawn broke.

They marched straight towards Guangnan City.

Around noon, Luo Dingchen, who had been sitting pacing back and forth, finally figured out what was going on.

Yang Zihui, that bastard, somehow found the money.

To bribe a regimental commander, one could spend 30,000 yuan in one go.

Even the soldiers, who were paid per head, were given forty dollars each.

Such a grand gesture will attract countless followers!

This left Luo Dingchen completely numb...