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

"General, I've arrived!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the wooden door was pushed open, and a strong smell of alcohol rushed into the room.

A burly man, over 1.9 meters tall, with broad shoulders, a thick back, and a face full of scars, strode in with earth-shaking steps.

The visitor was Zhang Zongchang, who had just returned from Shanghai by special train.

As soon as Zhang Zongchang entered, he disregarded all military etiquette and burst into loud laughter, "General! You summoned me here, is there another battle to be fought?! My White Russian soldiers haven't had any meat for days, their knives are practically rusting!"

Upon seeing Zhang Zongchang, Zhang Zuolin's tense face relaxed, and he burst into laughter.

"Xiaokun! Sit down quickly!"

Zhang Zongchang strode over, gave a hasty salute, then turned to Yang Yuting, grinned, revealing a set of yellow teeth: "Chief of Staff Yang, you're here too. You, a mere scholar, aren't you going to the front lines as well? Don't worry, with me, Old Zhang, here, you won't be scared!"

Disgust flashed in Yang Yuting's eyes. He snorted coldly and ignored him.

Zhang Zuolin's smile vanished, his expression turning cold and dignified.

He stared at Yang Yuting.

"Lingge, go back immediately! Make plans for what happens after we cross the river!"

Zhang Zuolin slammed his finger heavily on the map: "First we'll beat up that little devil Wu, then we'll take down Sun Chuanfang, and this world will be ours!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Yuting's eyes lit up instantly, and he prepared to wash away his shame and settle accounts with Lin Qi.

Upon hearing that they were going to cross the Yangtze River, Zhang Zongchang rubbed his hands together excitedly, his eyes shining: "General, just you wait and see! I, Old Zhang, will lead my Russian soldiers and help you crush all those cowards in the south..."

……

The next morning.

Zhongnanhai, the highest military conference of the Fengtian Army.

The spacious conference hall was filled with distinguished guests.

All officers of the Fengtian Army at the rank of army commander and above were present.

The air was thick with the fervor of conquering new territories and even unifying the world.

Zhang Zuolin sat upright in the main seat, surveying the entire room. Today, he was radiant and full of vigor.

"Brothers, we've entered the pass and conquered this wonderful world. Those who achieve merit will be rewarded—that's the rule of our Fengtian Army!"

Zhang Zuolin's booming voice echoed throughout the hall: "I have already prepared a list and am ready to recommend candidates for the new governors of each province to Duan Hefei."

While it was called a suggestion, given the current situation where the Beiyang clique held absolute power, it was no different from a direct appointment.

"Zhang Zongchang!"

"arrive!"

Zhang Zongchang suddenly stood up, his eyes almost popping out of their sockets.

A new warlord?

Could it be that I was involved too?

"You've made a significant contribution by leading the charge south this time. The position of Military Governor of Shandong is now yours!"

Zhang Zongchang grinned widely, utterly delighted: "Thank you, Marshal! I, Old Zhang, will definitely make sure Shandong is well-managed for you!"

"Yang Yuting!"

"Your subordinate is here."

Yang Yuting stood up, his expression calm, but he couldn't hide the smile in his eyes.

"The Jiangsu Military Governor is yours."

"Thank you, Commander Xie."

"Jiang Dengxuan! The Military Governor of Anhui is yours!"

As Zhang Zuolin uttered the names of one powerful regional official after another, the entire conference room erupted in cheers.

The generals who received the rewards were overjoyed, laughing and talking loudly, and even making arrangements on the spot to hold a celebratory banquet in the Eight Great Hutongs that night.

However, Zhang Hanqing, sitting among the reveling generals, was deathly pale.

He stared at his father, trembling with anger.

The list has been read.

No.

Guo Songling's name is not mentioned.

In the recently concluded Zhili-Fengtian War, who made the greatest contribution?

Who withstood the relentless bombardment of Wu Peifu's "Number One Army in the World" at the Nine Gates of Shanhaiguan?

It's the Third Army!

Without the Third Army Corps' relentless fighting, the Fengtian Army would have been driven back to the Northeast by Wu Peifu long ago.

Although Zhang Hanqing was the nominal corps commander, it was Guo Songling who actually fought the battles.

But now, at the reward distribution meeting, those who had never even been on the front lines got lucrative positions, while Guo Songling, who had made great contributions, didn't even get a scrap!

Zhang Hanqing felt a surge of blood rushing to his head.

If he doesn't receive a reward for his merits, how will he face his brothers in the Third Legion who have shed blood and fought so hard when he returns?!

What prestige will he have left in the military?!

Zhang Hanqing gritted his teeth, stood up, and prepared to argue with his father.

Zhang Zuolin didn't give him a chance to speak at all.

"Little Six".

Zhang Zuolin suddenly turned his gaze to his son, his eyes icy: "There's something I need to know. Hasn't Guo Maochen always been eager to go to Japan to study their army manuals?"

Zhang Hanqing's heart skipped a beat.

"I made the connection for him. Effective immediately, Guo Maochen will be relieved of his military duties and go to Japan to observe and learn military drills."

Lay down your military duties!

Heading to Japan!

Upon hearing those eight words, Zhang Hanqing felt as if he had been struck by lightning.

This is hardly a place to learn.

This was clearly a way to prevent the brothers of the Third Army Corps from being dissatisfied, so they sent Guo Songling away.

"General!"

Zhang Hanqing was furious, his voice rising eight octaves: "Maochen is at Shanhaiguan..."

"What's wrong?"

Zhang Zuolin's face darkened abruptly, and he interrupted him, his voice carrying the imposing authority of the King of Northeast China: "Little Six, do you have something to say?"

Before Zhang Hanqing could speak, Zhang Zuolin stood up and coldly said, "Come inside with me!"

Having said that, without even glancing at the now silent generals, he walked with his hands behind his back to the lounge at the back of the conference room.

Zhang Hanqing, panting heavily, his eyes bloodshot, gritted his teeth and strode inside.

As soon as the two left, the conference room erupted in laughter.

Tang Yulin curled his lip and said, "That Guo devil always puts on airs and looks down on us old brothers. He's got his comeuppance now, hasn't he?"

Yang Yuting slowly sat down, picked up his teacup, and a malicious gleam flashed behind his glasses: "Guo Maochen thinks he can dictate the Fengtian Army's strategy just because he's read a few foreign books. Soldiers are duty-bound to obey orders. Since he likes reading, let him go to Japan and read to his heart's content."

"Exactly! We risked our lives to build this empire. He's just a schoolteacher, and he wants a piece of the pie? Dream on!"

Surprisingly, the new and old factions within the Fengtian Army reached a consensus because Guo Songling was not treated fairly.

It is evident that the Fengtian clique was plagued by internal discord among its generals and factions, which was the biggest reason why Lin Qi believed that defeat was inevitable.

The door to the lounge had just closed.

Zhang Hanqing could no longer contain himself and burst out: "Father! What are you doing?! Maochen fought a bloody battle at Shanhaiguan. Without him, the Third Army would have been defeated! The entire Fengtian Army would have been defeated! Now you not only don't reward him, but you want to send him to Japan?! What are the soldiers of the Third Army supposed to think?! Isn't this chilling the hearts of meritorious officials?!"

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