Republic of China: My great warlord, many children, many blessings.

They are nominally under control, but they obey orders but not commands.

At this time, the total number of troops in the country was approximately 120 million.

According to the "Historical Materials of the Beiyang Army (1912-1916)," the country had about 30 divisions and 50 brigades, including local troops such as local patrol battalions, totaling about 120 million troops.

More than half of these were Yuan Shikai's Beiyang Army and troops affiliated with him (such as Zhang Xun's Braid Army and Zhang Zuolin's Fengtian Army), with their main bases in the Zhili, Anhui, and Shandong regions north of the Yangtze River.

Meanwhile, the revolutionary forces in the south also possessed an army of over 10 and control of seven or eight provinces.

Jiangxi Governor Li Liejun frowned deeply after reading the telegram.

"Shen Hao? The one who wiped out Cao Ying? Was he a thorn in Yuan Shikai's side in Guangdong Province?"

Hu Ningmin, the governor of Guangdong Province, also received the telegram.

With a furrowed brow, he was surprised that Yuan Datou had promoted Shen Hao to the position of division commander and also to the position of garrison commander.

Normally, without a garrison commander, the entire province's security forces were under the command of the governor, but that seems to be no longer the case.

Hu Ningmin now understood that Shen Hao was already a thorn in Yuan Shikai's side.

Now Shen Hao is also labeled as a member of the Beiyang clique.

The three northeastern provinces, Fengtian.

Zhang Zuolin summoned his seven sworn brothers.

Of the eight, Zhang Zuolin was the seventh.

When Zhang Zuolin started out, he had seven brothers by his side, who could be called the "Northeast Calabash Brothers".

These seven are: eldest brother Ma Longtan, second brother Wu Junsheng, third brother Sun Liechen, fourth brother Zhang Jinghui, fifth brother Feng Delin, sixth brother Tang Yulin, and eighth brother Zhang Zuoxiang.

"Come and take a look, everyone. This is the telegram that our President just sent out. This Shen Hao is a piece of shit. What is he? A brat in his early twenties who hasn't even grown up yet is already a division commander."

"Damn it, he's on the same level as me! Can you believe it?"

"That shows that Shen Hao is capable; he seems to have made a name for himself by eliminating Cao Kun's brother, Cao Ying."

Fifth Brother Feng Delin said with a hint of schadenfreude;

Feng Delin's dissatisfaction with Zhang Zuolin was common knowledge in Northeast China.

Because he started his career earlier than Zhang Zuolin, he was a true veteran of the outlaw world.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Zuolin is now on par with him, and their strengths are comparable, which makes him feel uncomfortable.

Seeing Shen Hao now, Feng Delin actually felt relieved.

Zhang Zuoxiang, the eighth brother, was Zhang Zuolin's best brother and his right-hand man.

"Yu Ting, I think Shen Hao is a spy planted by President Yuan in Guangdong Province, which is why he has such a high position."

Zhang Zuolin scratched his head and said disdainfully, "What the hell is his ability? So what if he married... married Yuan Shikai's daughter?"

Upon hearing this, the others sitting down suddenly realized what was going on.

I see.

145. She wanted to marry her daughter to Shen Hao.

No wonder he became the commander of the 18th Division of the Beiyang Army.

He's Yuan Shikai's son-in-law, isn't he?

This made everyone feel a little envious.

Zhang Zuolin had several sworn brothers, but most of them came from poor families.

Through wind and rain, through swords and shadows, I have achieved my current status.

Look at Shen Hao, damn it, he married a wife and easily became a division commander, a higher rank than them.

Of those seated, only Zhang Zuolin (the seventh brother) and Feng Delin (the fifth brother) were division commanders; the others were just deputies.

The next step for the two is to compete for the position of Governor of Fengtian.

Whoever can take this position will be the true King of Northeast China.

Zhang Zuolin and Feng Delin were secretly competing with each other.

Zhang Zuoxiang said, "Shen Hao is really lucky. I wonder if he can make a difference in the revolutionary army's territory."

Feng Delin laughed and said, "Whether it works or not, it's better if it's dead."

The third son, Sun Liechen, said, "This president is really biased. Damn it, he's praising his own son-in-law so highly, isn't he afraid of falling to his death?"

"Exactly, the whole country is watching."

"I remember Guangdong Province is the territory of the Tongmenghui. I don't know what our President was thinking, daring to put his son-in-law there," said Tang Yulin, the sixth brother, with a puzzled look.

Feng Delin glanced at everyone and said, "Don't be unconvinced. Although Shen Hao is young, he is really capable."

When I was the county magistrate, I wiped out one of Guo Changshun's brigades. Can you do that?

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.

They really don't have that capability.

Although both survived through gunfire and torrential rain, they are actually far inferior in comparison.

Old Six, Tang Yulin, gave a thumbs up and said, "They're really amazing at this. If my son grows up to be this good, then my ancestors' graves will be emitting smoke (a Chinese idiom for good fortune)."

Zhang Zuolin laughed and said, "To hell with it! Let's play cards, play cards. If the sky falls, someone tall will hold it up; we don't need to worry."

"Yes, yes, yes, let's play cards!"

Then the group started playing cards while laughing and talking.

At that moment, a boy of about 12 years old walked in. His face was red from the cold, and he was shivering as he entered.

Seeing this, the fifth brother, Feng Delin, laughed and said, "Little Six is ​​here! Come on, your Uncle Feng is on a winning streak today, here are two silver dollars for you."

Zhang Xueliang took the silver dollar and looked at Zhang Zuolin.

Seeing this, Zhang Zuolin glared at Zhang Xueliang.

"Take what your Uncle Feng gave you and say thank you."

"Thank you, Uncle Feng."

"Good lad, you're so energetic and spirited, you'll definitely be better than your father in the future," Feng Delin said with a smile.

This displeased Zhang Zuolin.

However, he remained silent.

Instead, he glared at Zhang Xueliang and said, "Little Liu, what are you still doing here? You've taken the money, why aren't you getting out of here? Go out and have some fun!"

"Then I'm really leaving," Zhang Xueliang said slyly.

Get lost!

"Fine, I'm leaving now."

Zhang Zuolin angrily cursed, "That brat really deserves a beating!"

"Yuting, you're just a kid, you have to be a little mischievous," Feng Delin said, in a great mood.

After playing for a while, Zhang Zuolin lost more than five thousand silver dollars before the game finally ended.

Feng Delin, who had won money, couldn't stop smiling.

"Yuting, I'm having a lucky streak today, don't be angry!"

Zhang Zuolin said, "Fifth Brother, don't look down on me. Consider this money as a gift to buy you some wine to warm you up."

"Haha, Yuting, I knew you were a good person, hahaha," Feng Delin said before leaving.

The other brothers also took their leave.

Only Zhang Zuolin's eighth son, Zhang Zuoxiang, remained with him.

At this moment, Zhang Zuolin's expression turned serious, and he said, "Immediately send a telegram to Shen Hao to congratulate him on becoming the commander of the 18th Division."

Zhang Zuoxiang asked in confusion, "Yuting, didn't you look down on Shen Hao?"

Zhang Zuolin glared at Zhang Zuoxiang and said, "I was just putting on an act for Feng Delin. Not only do I congratulate Shen Hao, but I'm also planning to marry my daughter to him."

"Shoufang?"

“Yes, she’s 15 this year, it’s time for her to get married. I think Shen Hao is a good match,” Zhang Zuolin said with a grin.

Only then did Zhang Zuoxiang understand Zhang Zuolin's actions.

It turns out that her earlier outburst at Shen Hao in front of everyone was just for show; her real purpose was to marry her daughter to Shen Hao.

Clearly, this was in preparation for vying for the position of Governor of Fengtian.

Shen Hao is Yuan Shikai's son-in-law. Once Yuan Shikai marries Shen Hao, he will definitely be closer to Zhang Zuolin.

That was a brilliant move; he beat Feng Delin to it.

Moreover, Zhang Zuolin's hands were stained with the blood of revolutionaries, so of course he would not have any connection with the Tongmenghui.

Zhang Zuolin deliberately belittled Shen Hao just now in order to lull Feng Delin into a false sense of security, thereby currying favor with Yuan Shikai and seizing power in Northeast China.