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

"As you know, our Lin family has some ancestral businesses in Southeast Asia and the United States."

"For this military expenditure, in order to complete the expansion of the army before the Fengtian Army marches south."

"A few days ago, I ordered my men to mortgage all of the Lin family's overseas properties to Citibank in the United States, in exchange for a sum of money sufficient to support the new army for a whole year."

Lin Qi spoke very casually, as if he were only talking about a trivial matter.

But to Chang, it was like a thunderclap in his ear.

He felt a sudden dizziness.

Mortgage all ancestral property?!

This is ruining your family to alleviate poverty?!

In this chaotic world where warlords plundered the land and lined their own pockets to seize territory, is it really possible that someone would be willing to gamble away their entire fortune, the savings of generations, for a vague revolutionary ideal and to support Chang's military ambitions?

Looking at Lin Qi's calm yet incredibly tall and imposing profile, Chang's guard was completely shattered at that moment.

A strong, unprecedented feeling of emotion and guilt welled up in my heart.

He had spent half his life scheming and plotting against countless people in his quest to climb the social ladder, but he had never seen such a pure and sincere revolutionary!

"Takuyuki..."

Chang's eyes reddened, and she gripped Lin Qi's hand tightly, her voice choked with emotion: "You...you've sacrificed so much for the greater good, how can I ever repay you! Rest assured, I will remember this kindness and this affection to the core! As long as I have a breath left, I will never let your efforts be in vain!"

Lin Qi withdrew his hand, smiled, patted Chang's hand, and replied calmly, "Brother Kaishen, I've staked my entire fortune on you. We only have one year. Within that year, we must make a breakthrough and the Northern Expedition must succeed. If we fail and our headquarters collapse, then I'll have no choice but to buy a third-class ticket to San Francisco, go back to America to wash dishes and slowly pay off this astronomical loan."

This self-deprecating remark, like a quenched steel needle, pierced Chang's mind.

Don't worry!

Chang gritted her teeth, her eyes flashing with a terrifying ferocity.

"Whoever stands in our way, I will kill! This world must belong to us brothers!"

At this moment, Chang was being completely honest and open, without any pretense.

No wonder, a sum of millions of dollars is an astronomical figure that can't be obtained just by talking.

Not to mention Lin Qi, even Zhang Jingjiang of the Four Symbols of Nanxun couldn't come up with this huge sum of money.

Given Chang's worldview, it's unimaginable how much Lin Qi and the Song family actually made in the US stock market.

Lin Qi wouldn't say anything, and the Song family certainly wouldn't. Moreover, the Song family only has two and a half members who know about this, not even the madam.

Seeing the unusually excited Chang Shi, Lin Qi nodded.

Having laid the groundwork, he opportunely shifted the topic, proposing the most crucial next step in the plan.

"Brother Chiang Kai-shek, expanding the army is urgent. But for the new army to be firmly established, it needs loyal core members to support it."

Lin Qi's expression turned serious: "I suggest we hold a graduation ceremony for the first batch of Whampoa Military Academy graduates immediately. These wolf cubs, who have seen blood on the Dongjiang battlefield, have already sharpened their edge. It's time to unleash them and use a ceremony to boost their morale and sense of responsibility!"

Without a second thought, Madam Chang readily agreed: "Alright! We'll do it your way! Start preparations immediately!"

……

Three days later, on Cheung Chau Island, at the Whampoa Military Academy's parade ground.

The river breeze still carried a chill, but the atmosphere on the playground was so oppressive and heavy that it was hard to breathe.

A few months ago, the old man who dedicated his life to the country and personally founded this military academy finally succumbed to his illness and passed away at Peking Union Medical College Hospital.

This was the darkest moment for the entire headquarters, and an eternal pain in the hearts of all Whampoa Military Academy graduates.

The rostrum in the center of the playground was not decorated with lanterns or colorful streamers.

A huge black cloth serves as the backdrop, upon which hangs a black-and-white portrait of the old man, his face resolute yet radiating endless sorrow.

Below the portrait, two huge wreaths were made of white paper.

On the couplets on both sides, the final words that stirred the blood of all revolutionaries were written in a flamboyant and elegant style.

The revolution has not yet succeeded; comrades must continue to strive.

On the parade ground, hundreds of first-term graduates of the Whampoa Military Academy, who had experienced the baptism of mud and the tempering of the East River War, stood in neat square formations, dressed in crisp gray military uniforms.

Their left arms were all wrapped in black gauze.

Each person stood like a steel nail driven into the ground.

No one spoke; even their breathing was deliberately suppressed. Only the river wind made the military flags flutter.

The air was thick with a sense of tragic grandeur and desolation.

Lin Qi and Chang walked side by side onto the stage.

The two men were wearing gray Zhongshan suits without rank insignia, and black armbands on their left arms.

Looking at the young and resolute faces below the stage, Chang cleared his throat and began his highly inflammatory speech.

He spoke of the old man's last wishes and the division of the country, of the victory in Dongjiang and the future Northern Expedition, his voice sometimes low and sorrowful, sometimes high and passionate.

Lin Qi, standing to the side, simply watched the group of young people quietly, his gaze not lingering on the Chang family's performance.

Although the students below were excited, most of their eyes were on Lin Qi.

In other words, Chang's strenuous performance yielded no results.

The reason is actually easy to understand. From the very beginning of its establishment, Huangpu Military Academy was led by Lin Qi, who guided the students forward at almost every step.

Moreover, every Whampoa Military Academy graduate knows that without Lin Qi, they would have no white rice or meat to eat now.

Not to mention the sophisticated weapons available today.

After the speech, the graduation certificate awarding ceremony began.

"Chen Chuanjin!"

"arrive!"

With a thunderous roar, the Hunan native who dared to challenge Lin Qi in the mud and charged ahead with a light machine gun on the Dongjiang battlefield strode onto the platform with perfect goose-stepping.

He stopped in front of Lin Qi, his feet tapping together with a "snap," giving an impeccable military salute.

However, those usually unruly eyes were now bloodshot.

Looking at the old man's portrait, she then looked at Lin Qi with a determined expression, her jaw clenched tightly.

Lin Qi picked up the thin graduation certificate from the table and handed it to Chen Chuanjin.

He didn't let go, but stared into Chen Chuanjin's eyes, his voice carrying a power that pierced the soul: "Chuanjin, once you have this certificate, you're no longer a student. The old man is watching you from heaven. Remember, I'm giving you a gun, not so you can become a warlord seeking promotion and wealth!"

Lin Qi slammed his wrist down, pushing the certificate into Chen Chuanjin's chest: "You're going to be the hammer! To be the hammer that smashes this cannibalistic old world inch by inch to pieces! Do you understand?!"

Chen Chuanjin's chest heaved violently as he accepted the certificate with both hands, tears welling in his eyes. He gritted his teeth and roared with all his might, "I understand! I will fight to the death to fulfill the principal's teachings!"