Did he trick the young marshal into becoming sworn brothers and then go south to Huangpu Military Ac

"madness!"

Lin Qi gave a cold shout without any politeness. The shout was like a blow to the head, making Zhang Hanqing's eardrums go numb.

"Hanqing, remember this: the most terrifying thing in this world isn't an enemy, but a capable ally who might stab you in the back at any moment!"

Lin Qi stood up and paced back and forth in the not-so-spacious private room, his voice filled with vicissitudes and coldness.

"You're right, leading troops into battle requires ability, but if forced to choose between ability and loyalty, one must unhesitatingly choose loyalty!"

Are you going to ask why?

Lin Qi turned around, his eyes sharp as an eagle's: "Because a mediocre but absolutely loyal officer might at most cause you to lose a local battle, but a subordinate with extraordinary abilities but ulterior motives, if he betrays you, could cost you Zhang Hanqing your life! It could lead to the annihilation of your entire Third Army Corps!"

"Think about the Zhili clique. Wasn't Feng Huanzhang, one of Cao Kun's subordinates, highly capable? But what was the result? Once Feng Huanzhang defected, the Zhili clique collapsed instantly! This is a bloody lesson that ability trumps loyalty!"

"The inability to be loyal is like a bullet shot into your back! You think the old warlords were stupid for nepotism? No, it's because in chaotic times, survival is the first rule! If you don't even have your life, what's the point of talking about making achievements? Remember, for junior officers, only loyalty matters!"

Zhang Hanqing sat blankly on the sofa, his mind seemingly filled with a thousand galloping horses.

Lin Qi's words completely overturned his understanding of military command and power structure.

The Western military theories learned in the military academy seemed pale and powerless in the face of Lin Qi's brutal analysis that directly exposed the essence of the chaotic world.

He vaguely sensed that if he really did as Lin Qi said, he, Zhang Hanqing, would transform from a young marshal with only a nominal title into a terrifying warlord who held the power of life and death.

"I understand, big brother..."

Zhang Hanqing took a deep breath, his eyes becoming more resolute than ever before: "I'll take action as soon as I get back. Even if the old man scolds me, I'll reshuffle the Third Army."

As the two were talking, the train's speed began to decrease noticeably.

Outside the window, rows of low-rise houses and crisscrossing railway tracks began to appear, while towering water towers and coal conveyor belts emerged in the distance.

We've arrived at Sujiatun.

"Ugh...!"

With a long whistle, the special train slowly came to a stop on the dedicated track at Sujiatun Station.

The moment of true parting has arrived.

Zhang Hanqing suddenly stood up, grabbed a woolen military overcoat from the side and put it on, saying urgently, "Brother, time is of the essence. I've already made arrangements. Have Lao Tan change into civilian clothes. He carries a gun and is good at martial arts. He'll escort you all the way to Dalian Port. With him around, even if you encounter a small group of bandits, he can protect you."

"Absolutely not."

Lin Qi refused without hesitation, his rejection was swift and decisive, leaving no room for negotiation.

Zhang Hanqing grew anxious: "Brother! It's too dangerous for you to travel alone! There's still a risk even in Dalian..."

"Old Tan can't come along."

Lin Qi's eyes were as calm as a block of ice: "Hanqing, think about it. Old Tan is your personal driver, almost always by your side. If Yang Yuting's informants discover that Old Tan has suddenly disappeared, what do you think he'll think?"

"He'll immediately realize we're playing a trick! Old Tan's disappearance is the biggest flaw in this empty city ruse!"

Zhang Hanqing opened his mouth, but was speechless.

He realized that in front of Lin Qi, he was like a complete novice who couldn't even do addition and subtraction. Lin Qi's control over details had reached an outrageous level.

"Then...what should we do? I can't let you go alone!"

Zhang Hanqing was extremely anxious.

Lin Qi didn't speak, but instead took off his signature gray Zhongshan suit jacket, which was custom-made from the finest British wool and was rarely seen in Fengtian City.

He handed the gray Zhongshan suit, still warm from his body, to Zhang Hanqing.

"Find a bodyguard who is about my height and build, and have him put this uniform on him. On the way to Changbai Mountain, at each major station where we need to refuel or refill water and coal, have him stand with his back to the window, or at least show his profile."

Lin Qi smiled knowingly.

"As long as Yang Yuting's men see this gray Zhongshan suit and see that I'm still in the car, they'll feel reassured and will hold back until they reach Changbai Mountain before making a move."

Zhang Hanqing held the Zhongshan suit, his hands trembling slightly. He was completely convinced. This was not just about thinking three steps ahead, it was about completely crushing Yang Yuting!

"And that good-for-nothing Lu Xiaojia."

As Lin Qi spoke, he quickly changed into a regular soldier's uniform, pulling his general's cap down to cover most of his forehead.

"If he comes to me after he's finished eating, just lock the door and tell him I'm in seclusion in the private room, drawing up blueprints for the latest heavy artillery for the Fengtian Arsenal. It's a top secret of the Fengtian Army, and anyone who dares to approach the room will be killed on sight!"

"With this excuse, that playboy will definitely not dare to bother me. Even if Yang Yuting finds out, he will only think that I am arrogant and will believe me even more."

Not a drop of water leaks, absolutely not a drop of water leaks.

Looking at his sworn brother, who had completely disguised himself as an ordinary soldier, Zhang Hanqing could only nod in agreement, despite having so much to say.

"Brother, take care. Once I have complete control of the Third Legion, let's see who in the world dares to bully us!"

Lin Qi patted him on the shoulder and didn't say another word.

Zhang Hanqing summoned a loyal and discreet bodyguard who had served him for many years and was also known for his strictness in keeping secrets. He instructed the bodyguard to change into ordinary military uniform and to protect Lin Qi.

A few minutes later.

The door of the special train compartment facing the dispatcher's direction was quietly opened a crack.

A strong smell of coal smoke drifted in from outside.

Lin Qi and his bodyguards, like two ghosts, silently jumped off the train. Dressed in Fengtian Army uniforms, they were perfectly at ease in Sujiatun, a place full of Fengtian Army soldiers on patrol, and did not attract anyone's attention at all.

Ten minutes later.

"Ugh...!"

The special train, filled with water and coal, slowly started moving, carrying that gray Zhongshan suit and Lu Xiaojia, who was still dreaming of fighting tigers in the dining car, and rumbled northward.

Not far from the platform, next to a row of open-air coal wagons.

"Mr. Lin, I'm sorry to have troubled you."

The guard lowered his voice and pointed to a emptied, open-top carriage.

Without the slightest hesitation, Lin Qi grabbed the iron railing with both hands, nimbly flipped over into the coal-dust-covered wagon, and found a sheltered corner to squat down.

"Walk."

A dozen minutes later, Lin Qi coldly uttered a single word.

"Clang... Clang..."

A coal-carrying train bound for Dalian Port has started its journey.

P.S.: Please leave a 5-star review. My rating is too low, and I'm about to run out of time to write more. Just click the three dots in the upper right corner; it won't take more than five seconds.