Republic of China: German-equipped divisions massacred as warlords guarded the nation's borders

On September 10, 1924, the thirteenth year of the Republic of China, the valiant and heroic Marshal Chen arrived in his loyal home of Shanghai.

Having left Shanghai for two months, this was Chen Zijun's first time stepping back onto his homeland since his rebirth.

His father was Chen Yuhe, the military governor of Zhejiang Province, and he was the commander-in-chief of the Shanghai Garrison Command.

Whether in Zhejiang or Shanghai, the Chen family were local tyrants, the kind of people most commonly seen in this era—warlords.

Of course, the Chen family's territory now also includes the Southern Jiangsu Administrative Office.

The month-long war between Jiangsu and Zhejiang ended abruptly with Zhejiang winning and occupying all of the southern Jiangsu administrative offices except for some areas around Jiangning, thanks to the butterfly effect of Chen Zijun. The Jiangsu Provincial Military Governor Qi Yingcai fled to Yangzhou in a sorry state.

Compared to the history of the previous life, the Jiangzhe War in this world broke out and ended earlier. Chen Yuhe, known as the "Mountain Marshal" who was best at defense in the Beiyang era, managed to stop Sun Yuanfeng, the future commander-in-chief of the Five Provinces Allied Army, after Chen Zijun sent out an internal spy with foresight!

Chen Zijun fought while waiting for changes in the overall situation in China, until—

On September 4, Mr. Sun of the Southern National Revolutionary Government swore an oath to launch the Northern Expedition and issued an "Order to Punish Cao Yu and Wu Peifu," calling on the people of the whole country to "rise up with vigor, lead the way for the people, eliminate the warlords, and realize democracy."

On the same day, Zhang, the commander of the Fengtian clique in the three northeastern provinces, declared war on the Zhili clique warlords under the pretext of "alliance," and issued a "Telegram to Punish Cao Yu," stating that "for the sake of the country and the people, we swear an oath of righteousness and have no choice but to lead our troops to eliminate the traitor."

And yesterday, September 9th, Duan Hedao, the former leader of the Anhui clique, issued a "telegram denouncing Cao Cao"...

So yesterday, Chen Zijun led his army in a final battle, attacking directly to a place only 100 li away from Jiangning City. This frightened Qi Yingcai, the military governor of Jiangsu Province, into fleeing to Jiangbei in a sorry state, thus completely occupying the Southern Jiangsu Administrative Office.

Furthermore, because Wang Pu, the garrison commander of southern Anhui Province, led the third and fifth mixed brigades to assist Qi Yingcai in launching an attack on Zhejiang, Chen Zijun even issued an order to advance into southern Anhui!

As for the final outcome, that's another story, but for now, the Jiangzhe War has come to a perfect end.

At this moment, Chen Zijun finally breathed a long sigh of relief.

Reborn as the son of Chen Yuhe, the military governor of Zhejiang Province, he was immediately caught up in the Jiangzhe War. He was bewildered and terrified. He knew that in his previous life, Zhejiang appeared to be strong on the surface, but in actual battles, it suffered setbacks everywhere and ultimately failed.

He eventually became a minor warlord, serving as the commander of an independent mixed brigade, until the January 28 Incident, when he nearly died defending Shanghai.

After the war, he was reorganized into Chiang Kai-shek's Central Army and became the commander of a German-equipped division. He eventually died in the Battle of Shanghai on August 13th. His spirit wandered in Shanghai for many years until the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai launched China's first 10,000-ton main warship!

In this life, he doesn't want to experience the bloody battle of that year again, so he must make various preparations in advance.

In this era, only warlords possessed this power!

Now that Zhejiang Province has won, the Chen family has become the only local tyrant controlling the Yangtze River Delta region of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai. In the coming era of warlordism, this will be the foundation for their survival.

Thinking about the second war between Zhili and Fengtian in the north, and Mr. Sun's Northern Expedition, Chen Zijun was overwhelmed with headaches.

chaos!

From 1924 to 1928, and even into 1937, China was about to fall into a warlord era that lasted for more than a decade. The richest and most fertile land in China, the Yangtze River Delta, could not accommodate two leaders.

If this land can produce a CEO like Wei Zuo, why can't it produce a Chen Zijun?

Damn it, this doesn't make sense!

"Creak..."

With a screech of brakes, the Stypunk luxury four-door limousine he was in came to a stop. Chen Zijun did not move until a moment later when the door opened and Lieutenant Moranzhi, his intelligence advisor, got in.

"Young Master, Shanghai news media want to interview you. We'd like to know if you..."

Mo Lanzhi and her sister Mo Huixin were adopted daughters of the Chen family. In other words, they were women raised by Chen Zijun from childhood. They were adopted daughters, or in other words, personal maids or concubines. But since the Qing Dynasty was over, people were more concerned with being civilized. So, they claimed to be adopted daughters.

"Let's arrange it at our Longhua headquarters, but make sure to verify their identities carefully!"

There's no need to ask. As Chen Zijun's person, Mo Lanzhi probably cares about his safety more than anyone else, even more than Chen Zijun himself.

Chen Zijun might feel that dying on the battlefield wouldn't be so bad.

But Moranzi would tell him, no!

So, after sitting for only a short while, Mo Lanzhi rushed out.

The convoy continued its journey until it reached the Palace of Versailles, the capital of Shanghai—the headquarters of the Songhu Garrison Command located on Longhua Road.

After a short rest and tidying up his clothes, Chen Zijun, accompanied by his bodyguard and staff officer Ye Yingxue, strode into the main conference room. Inside, many reporters swarmed forward, their flashes constantly going off, capturing images of China's youngest general and his beautiful bodyguard in historical photographs.

"Commander Chen, Commander Chen, we haven't seen Chief of Staff Shen Li appear. We heard that you ordered him to attack Anhui. Is that true?"

"Commander Chen, is the Shanghai Special Administrative Region or Zhejiang Province planning to annex the southern Jiangsu region?"

"Young Marshal, Young Marshal, Qi Yingcai, the military governor of Jiangsu Province, has issued a telegram accusing you of launching a war without authorization and disrupting peace. What is your opinion?"

"General Chen, what is your stance on the war between Zhili and Fengtian?"

……

……

In an instant, countless questions were thrown at Chen Zijun by the reporters, raining down on him like a storm.

Chen Zijun did not sit down, but stood up, pressed his hands down, and spoke calmly and steadily.

"First of all, I want to state that the cause of the Jiangzhe War was not in Zhejiang, but was launched by Governor Qi Yingcai. Your newspapers even published Governor Qi's proclamation against Zhejiang and Shanghai!"

"Let's be honest, you can't say you're fighting for peace when you start a war, and then claim to love peace when you're defeated, even fleeing like a stray dog!"

"This guy's way of dealing with people is just too much like Commander Qi!"

"I can't comment on Commander Qi's character, but he's quite adept at turning the tables, though his military skills are rather amateurish!"

"Secondly, regarding the whereabouts of Major General Shen Li, Chief of Staff of the Songhu Garrison, as you have said, he is currently launching an offensive against the southern Anhui region. After all, a month ago, his 3rd and 5th mixed brigades from Anhui also attacked Jiading and Qingpu in Shanghai."

"It is impolite not to reciprocate. I, Chen Zijun, am not the kind of person who will not fight back after being hit."

"Therefore, I want to warn certain people that since they've chosen to attack me, I will definitely not let them get away with it!"

……

Before Chen Zijun could finish speaking, a loud voice came from below.

"But Commander Chen, wasn't the initial cause of the Jiangzhe War because Chen Yuhe, the military governor of the Zhejiang Provincial Government, privately accepted the guest troops of Zang Keping and Yang Yanzhao from Fujian?"

"According to the provisions of the peace treaty between Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, and Jiangxi provinces, it is forbidden to harbor or incorporate 'guest troops.' It was Zhejiang that first violated the peace treaty!"

……

Chen Zijun didn't speak, he just stared at the man.

The other reporters below also remained silent, all looking at the man in unison, silently giving him a thumbs up in their hearts. Dude, you're really brave!

After a long while, just when everyone thought Chen Zijun was about to turn hostile, Chen Zijun suddenly spoke slowly.

"Excuse me, reporter, where are the two works by Zang Keping and Yang Yanzhao that you mentioned?"

"Uh, in Shanghai, but what's the difference between Shanghai and Zhejiang? The military governor of Zhejiang is your father, and the garrison commander of Shanghai is you..."

Chen Zijun slammed his hand on the table, pointed at the man's nose, and said, "Since that's the case, may I ask what business is the peace treaty between the four provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, and Jiangxi of my Shanghai?"

"Besides, are they visiting troops?"

"no!"

"They are the tax police force of Shanghai!"

The man was speechless, choked by Chen Zijun's sophistry... uh, explanation, and could only mutter to himself in frustration.

"Whose good-natured tax police regiment has two brigades...?"