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

December 24, 1925, morning.

Outside Fuzhou city, Chen Zijun's armored vehicles stood in neat rows.

A dozen armored vehicles, dozens of Mercedes-Benz military trucks, and thousands of German-equipped soldiers drove into the city along the main road leading to Fuzhou.

The people of Fuzhou stood on both sides of the street, looking at the well-equipped troops with shock in their eyes.

"Is this the Chen family army?"

"Armored vehicles...and trucks..."

"Where would Governor Zhou's troops have such equipment?"

The people whispered among themselves, not daring to make a sound.

Chen Zijun sat in the lead armored vehicle, looking out the window at the streets of Fuzhou.

Fuzhou is the capital of Fujian province.

Now, it has fallen into his hands.

"Young Marshal," Yang Yanzhao said, sitting down beside him, "representatives of the merchants and gentry of Fuzhou are waiting at the city gate, wishing to pay their respects to you."

"Let them in," Chen Zijun said.

The convoy stopped in the square in the center of Fuzhou.

More than a dozen representatives of Fuzhou merchants and gentry stepped forward and bowed to Chen Zijun.

"Young Marshal Chen," said the leading elderly man, "We, on behalf of the merchants and people of Fuzhou, welcome the Young Marshal to the city."

Chen Zijun stepped off the armored vehicle and looked at the merchants and gentry.

"Everyone," he said, "I know what you're worried about. The Chen family army has come, not to plunder, but to protect you."

The merchants and gentry breathed a sigh of relief.

"However," Chen Zijun changed the subject, "I also have a request. Starting today, Fuzhou City will be under military control. Merchants and residents can continue their normal lives, but they must cooperate with military control and maintain order. Anyone who takes advantage of the chaos to loot or spread rumors will be dealt with according to military law."

"Understood." The merchants nodded in unison. "We will definitely cooperate."

"Very good," Chen Zijun said. "Li Mingyuan."

Li Mingyuan stepped forward: "Young Marshal."

"From today onwards, you are the Vice Governor of Fujian Province and concurrently the Commander of the Fujian Provincial Security Forces," Chen Zijun said. "Your Second Division will be reorganized into the newly formed German-equipped division of the National Defense Forces. I'll give you the equipment, pay, and organization. All I want is for you to stay firmly rooted in Fujian, to protect our homeland, and to ensure the peace and tranquility of Fujian no matter who comes after us!"

Li Mingyuan was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes: "Thank you, Young Marshal!"

"Uncle Yang," Chen Zijun turned to Yang Yanzhao, "you will stay and serve as the governor of Fujian Province, assisting Li Mingyuan in governing Fuzhou. I will reorganize the newly formed First Division of the Zhejiang Army into the First Division of the National Defense Force, as well as the Fourth Division of the National Defense Force, all for you. Do you have the confidence to turn Fujian into a second Zhejiang?"

"Yes!" Yang Yanzhao nodded.

Chen Zijun looked at the soldiers around him: "Pass on my order, Fuzhou City is under military control. Anyone who violates the military control order will be dealt with according to military law."

"yes!"

……

A temporary command post has been set up in Fuzhou.

Order is gradually being restored.

Chen Zijun stood at the window of the temporary command post, looking out at the streets of Fuzhou.

Fuzhou is the capital of Fujian province.

Now, it has fallen into his hands.

Next up is Xiamen.

Once he takes Xiamen, the entire Fujian province will be under his control.

By then, his sphere of influence will extend from Jiangsu all the way to the Fujian coast, controlling the entire southeastern coastal area.

The true hegemon of Southeast China.

"Young Marshal," Mo Lanzhi said as she entered the command post, "a secret telegram has arrived from Shanghai."

"explain."

"The Japanese consul in Xiamen has agreed to Zhou Qinian's request and is preparing to dispatch a fleet to support Xiamen from the sea. At the same time, Chiang Kai-shek has also sent a special envoy to Xiamen to prepare for negotiations with Zhou Qinian."

Chen Zijun sneered: "I knew it."

Japan and Chiang Kai-shek.

Both of these forces were eyeing him covetously.

"Tell Yang Yanzhao," Chen Zijun said, "to speed up the pursuit. We must take Xiamen before the Japanese fleet arrives."

"yes!"

……

Inside Fuzhou city, Li Mingyuan was reorganizing his Second Division.

"Brothers," he said to the soldiers, "from today onwards, we are members of the Chen family army. Equipment, pay, and organization—everything will be there for us. Following Young Marshal Chen, we no longer have to put up with Zhou Qinian's mistreatment!"

The soldiers cheered with joy.

Looking at these soldiers, Li Mingyuan was filled with mixed emotions.

Three years.

He tolerated Zhou Qinian for three years.

Now, I finally don't have to endure it anymore.

……

The study of the military governor's mansion in Hangzhou.

Chen Yuhe stood in front of the map, looking at the location of Fujian.

Fuzhou has been captured.

Next up is Xiamen.

Xiamen is an important port in Fujian and a gateway to the Taiwan Strait.

If Zhou Qinian were to hold Xiamen and receive support from Japan and Chiang Kai-shek, the war in Fujian would reach a stalemate.

"Shen Li," Chen Yuhe turned to Shen Li, who was stationed in Zhejiang, and slowly said, "You said that brat put the Wusongkou Fortress and the navy on high alert. If the Japanese fleet really dares to come, are you really planning to teach them a lesson?"

"Yes, Commander-in-Chief." Shen Li nodded. "In addition, the Young Commander has ordered the Jiangnan Shipyard to speed up the construction of destroyers. If the Japanese fleet comes, we will need sufficient naval power to deal with it."

"Okay," Chen Yuhe said. "Tell Brother Liu Zhenliang that no matter how much it costs, we must speed up the construction of destroyers. We need at least two new destroyers launched within a month to lead operations. Relying solely on a few submarines is not enough to keep up with the overall combat effectiveness. We need to utilize the high speed of these new destroyers to serve as communication and command ships, so that effective defensive coordination can be formed between the coastal fortresses and the submarines..."

"yes!"

Chen Yuhe looked at the map, a cold glint in his eyes.

Japan.

Chiang Kai-shek.

Do you want to stop me from annexing Fujian?

Let's give it a try.

……

The temporary command post inside Fuzhou city.

Yang Yanzhao is reporting the pursuit plan to Chen Zijun.

"Young Marshal," Yang Yanzhao said, "the Fourth Division and the armored battalion are ready to depart at any time. At the current speed, they can reach the outskirts of Xiamen within two days."

"Okay." Chen Zijun nodded. "Tell Li Mingyuan to cooperate with the Fourth Division's operation. He is most familiar with the situation in Xiamen and can provide us with intelligence support."

"Understood," Yang Yanzhao said. "In addition, I suggest that a military control commission be established in Fuzhou City, with Li Mingyuan serving as the deputy director of the commission, responsible for maintaining order in Fuzhou City."

"Okay," Chen Zijun said, "that's settled then."

Yang Yanzhao accepted the order and left.

Chen Zijun stood at the window of the command post, looking at the streets of Fuzhou.

"Young Marshal." An intelligence officer hurried in. "Intelligence has arrived from Xiamen."

"explain."

"The Japanese fleet has begun assembling for combat readiness in Taiwan and is expected to arrive off the coast of Xiamen within three days. Meanwhile, Chiang Kai-shek's special envoy has arrived in Xiamen and is negotiating with Zhou Qinian."

Chen Zijun sneered: "Three days."

We have three days.

"Tell Yang Yanzhao," Chen Zijun said, "full speed ahead. We must take Xiamen before the Japanese fleet arrives."

"yes!"

……

Outside Fuzhou, the Fourth Division and its armored battalion are ready to go.

Yang Yanzhao stood on the armored vehicle, looking at the soldiers.

"Brothers," he said, "our target is Xiamen. Zhou Qinian is there, along with the Japanese fleet and Chiang Kai-shek's special envoy. We must take Xiamen before them!"

The soldiers shouted, "Take Xiamen!"

Yang Yanzhao waved his hand dismissively: "Let's go!"

The armored convoy roared southward.

Inside Fuzhou, Chen Zijun stood at the window of the command post, watching the convoy drive away.

Three days.

In just three days, Xiamen will fall into his hands.

At that time, the entire Fujian province will be under his control.

Chiang Kai-shek and the Japanese Empire will completely withdraw from Fujian, restoring a bright and clear future to Fujian...