The Anti-Japanese War Begins with the Northeast Army

With this mentality, in addition to actively preparing for war, Wu also asked people to send telegrams everywhere, asking for forgiveness from the King of Northeast.

However, the Fengtian Army had already entered the pass like an arrow shot from a bow, and his delaying tactic was doomed to be useless.

On April 4, the Marshal issued a general mobilization order, and the Fengtian troops in Jinzhou and Chengde entered the pass in large numbers like thousands of arrows and assembled in the grain and grass city of Tianjin.

During this period, Wu Peifu kept receiving news that the Fengtian Army was entering the pass one after another... However, although the Fengtian Army was full of momentum, it was not successful strategically.

Because the forces that could have been deployed in advance, including Hai Pingchuan in Jinan Prefecture, Bai Haochen in Luanzhou, etc., were controlled and weakened in advance by Wu Peifu; especially in Jinan, the Hai Department, which had been weakened by continuous fierce fighting, was unable to organize a large-scale battle at all.

At this moment, Jiang Cheng, who was ordered to defend at home, was strolling in the newly expanded garden of the Governor's Mansion with his American friend Carter.

It was just after Qingming Festival and although the weather had warmed up slightly, the wind blowing in his face still made the red-haired young man from Pennsylvania sneeze twice.

"Haha, a whole winter has passed, Carter, you haven't adapted to the weather yet?"

Jiang Cheng was wearing thin clothes today. Being in his prime, he had a strong and robust body, and his pair of dark eyes were particularly bright.

"Ah, my friend! Although my hometown also has an ice age of nearly five months, the cold wind here in Jilin is really unbearable."

Carter's unique accent made Jiang Cheng laugh, but his next words made the powerful commander's face darken:
"Jiang, my family also has some politicians... They are very concerned about the upcoming war, and they are also worried--"

"They believe that China's war is a regression of civilization and has a serious impact on regional stability. My uncle said that if the war spreads to the Northeast, there will be an intention to cancel our cooperation."

Jiang Cheng already had a conclusion in his mind about what kind of fight Cao Saner and Wu Peifu would have with the Fengtian Army, but if it really affected the cooperation with the Americans, he would suffer huge losses.

As a newly developed country after World War I, the United States, like all capitalist countries, urgently needs a dumping ground for raw materials and products.

China has a vast market and equally fertile and vast land, which makes the Americans salivate.

But how easy is it to "meddle" in China? Britain, France and other countries have invaded for many years, and the little Japanese across the sea have been using various means to infiltrate...

As Jiang Cheng is the spokesperson for Jilin, they are of course willing to cooperate with him and open up "space" in both Jilin and Inner Mongolia.

But he also understood that capital disliked an unstable environment the most.

"As a friend, I want to tell you a famous saying that is unique to us Chinese people: The bigger the wind and waves, the more valuable the fish is."

As soon as Jiang Cheng finished speaking, Carter became very anxious: "Jiang, I understand what you mean...but my uncle doesn't think that China, which is in a chaotic political situation at the moment, is suitable for investment - especially if the mining group is to be built in Mongolia, he thinks it is too risky."

When you say taking risks, you mean worrying about losing all the money you invested, right?

Jiang Cheng glanced at him calmly, sighed and said, "Nothing in this world has a 100% chance of success."

"Even I am the same. You are considering the domestic war situation and the possible conflict between China and the Soviet Union. It will affect the business between you and me. In fact, it is nonsense in the short term."

Carter looked back at him and couldn't help asking, "Oh? I'd like to hear your opinion... After all, I heard that Zhili, Henan, and Shandong are all preparing for the upcoming war. How can you be sure that it won't affect them?"

"And I heard that Mongolia had conflicts with Hongsu because of the railway construction. These are not good signs." Jiang Cheng smiled and then took out two paper-wrapped candies from his pocket and handed them to him.

Carter didn't understand why, but he still tore open the white paper package as he was guided by his eyes: the crystal clear orange candy exuded the fragrance of fruit, and it tasted sour and sweet in his mouth and was very delicious.

"This is the first batch of foreign goods that have just been shipped back from Harbin. Haha... I call it foreign goods, but it is actually my personal investment."

Jiang Cheng described the matter calmly. It turned out that after he cooperated with Duke Wenlina, he had been investing in and building factories in the remote Vladivostok area. In addition to a large number of light industrial factories, there were at least seven or eight heavy industrial factories.

Among these, apart from steel mills, various arsenals are the most numerous.

"In addition to creating countless local jobs, the investment in these factories also adds value to the Russians and taxes. The cooperation between us is far deeper than your uncle thinks."

"As for Mongolia, I think... there's no need to worry too much about it."

The so-called "conflict" between him and the Russians was nothing more than an "illusion" of instability created by people like Xu Shuzheng and Alexei Alexander.

All this was done to prevent the Jilin army from being dragged into the losing First Zhi-Feng War.

"So, what about Guan Nei?"

Carter was skeptical, but finally he was willing to believe this handsome commander-in-chief.

"You can rest assured about this. After all, Shanhaiguan is dangerous and is a strong pass in the world. It would be too difficult to threaten the Northeast."

Jiang Cheng made a "please" gesture to him and continued to lead him forward. "Besides, our Jilin Army's tanks are no joke. If they really dare to come, they will never return."

"And I can guarantee that the Northeast will have at least ten years of peace... You must be clear about this."

Not to mention ten years, with another three to five years of investment, China will be able to reap the profits.

Carter felt itchy in his heart, and even his pupils shrank slightly.

Jiang Cheng took him into the study in the back garden, which had been converted into a school. His children were growing up and had reached the age for elementary education.

"Not bad. Jiang, are you planning on a Chinese and Western education?"

After getting a definite answer, Carter continued, "This time, the international community clearly supports the Zhili Army. After all, the Fengtian Army was the first to resort to force."

How can I not avoid this?

Jiang Cheng thought for a moment and said, "I understand what you mean. Whether it's public opinion, terrain, or the previous confrontation, our Fengtian Army is indeed not at an advantage... You are still worried that if we fail in the future, the Zhili Army will take advantage of the victory and break through Shanhaiguan in one fell swoop and fight to the Northeast, right?"

With the current Fengtian clique's old soldiers, it is a fantasy to enter the pass and win a victory; (End of this chapter)