The Fourth Outstanding Person of Huangpu Military Academy

Liu Bocheng: "Yes. Even the 11th Division of the 4th Army can move north to the Pingyuan-Xunniao area."

After liberating Guangzhou, the Fourth Army moved eastward and captured Meizhou-Chaozhou-Shantou, and stationed there. From its original location, it could prevent the Fujian army from invading Guangdong, and it could also move north into Jiangxi to support the southern Jiangxi base.

The First Army is stationed along the Guangzhou-Shaoguan line, allowing it to enter southern Jiangxi via Nanxiong and prevent the Guangxi clique from invading Guangdong from Hunan. With the Fujian clique's ground forces showing no willingness to attack, and the Fujian naval brass even secretly showing goodwill to Guangzhou, the Fourth Army can focus more on supporting southern Jiangxi.

After making minor adjustments to the deployment of the Fourth Army, the General Staff of the Revolutionary Army in Guangzhou handed over all command of the battle to Zhu De's forward command.

Remote control of the battles in southern and central Jiangxi from Guangzhou was unrealistic; Zhu De's command was more up-to-date and accurate. The Second and Third Armies' regimental radios were unable to communicate directly with Guangzhou, though Guangzhou could occasionally receive the divisional radios in good weather. Zhu De's forward command was guaranteed to receive them.

"Commander, I have discovered that Chiang Kai-shek's troops have not made adequate preparations for the second phase of their campaign.

Chen Mingren pointed to the Nanjing government's controlled area on the map and said, "In the past few days, only the Third Army has landed in Jiujiang to join Chiang Kai-shek's army group on the Nanxun Line. The 11th Army landed in Wuhan but did not move south. This small mobilization is far from enough. Could it be that Chiang Kai-shek's anti-communist campaign this time was anticlimactic?

"It is indeed far from complete. But Chiang Kai-shek probably didn't want to start well but end badly," Chen Tianheng said, "It's just because... Chiang Kai-shek is going to marry Soong May-ling.

Shanghai, China. Dajihua Hotel.

The "public wedding" of Chiang Kai-shek and Soong May-ling was about to take place.

Chiang Kai-shek and Soong May-ling were married in two separate weddings. The first, held a few days earlier, was a Christian ceremony at the Soong family's residence in Molu, Shanghai. The second, not a Christian ceremony, attracted many more guests, filling the ballroom of the Grand Majestic Hotel with 1300 people. Celebrities from Shanghai, China, and abroad, as well as embassy and consulate staff, were all invited to the grand ballroom.

"The Communist Party stole our First Army and established the Red Army; they occupied Guangdong Province to challenge the central government. This is an act that goes against the tide of history and is unacceptable to the country and the nation. Suppressing the bandits and rebellion is something that must be done. Without quelling the threat of the Red Bandits in Guangdong Province, the country cannot be stable and unified, and the Three Principles of the People cannot be truly implemented."

At the wedding, Chiang Kai-shek wore a Zhongshan suit and Soong May-ling wore a silver cheongsam made of white satin. The two of them walked around the hall, chatting and socializing with the guests. Chiang Kai-shek did not forget to talk to the guests about his strategy to suppress the Communists.

The guests around Chiang Kai-shek at this moment were Zhang Jingjiang, Yu Qiaqing, Chen Guangfu, Li Fusun, Zhang Gongquan, Qian Xinzhi, Qin Runqing and other representatives of the Jiangsu and Zhejiang financial groups.

Yu Qiaqing: "Jie Shi, all sectors of the nation will certainly give their full support to this. However, the military expenditure for suppressing the Communists is not a small amount of money. Thirty million silver dollars can only support three months of war expenses.

Chiang Kai-shek: "Once the Guangdong bandits are pacified and the country is unified, I will arrange for the disarmament of the entire country and the entire army, reduce military spending, and use the fiscal revenue for the people's livelihood."

Chen Guangfu: "Mr. Yu, I heard that Guangdong also borrowed some money from a Western bank."

Yu Qiaqing: "Yes, ... yes. HSBC lent £200 million to the Communist Guangdong government."

Qian Xinzhi: "I know a little about this matter. HSBC didn't lend the money to the Communist government. Instead, it invested it in Guangdong. Only 30 pounds was given to the Communist government."

Chen Guangfu: "Two million pounds is 22 million silver dollars. Even if 300,000 pounds was given to the Communist government, that would still be 3.3 million yuan, which is not a small amount."

Qian Xinzhi: "Brother Guangfu, you may not know this yet, but what's even more incredible is that after the Communist government borrowed 30 pounds, they invested the money in municipal projects in Guangzhou, building bridges and roads!"

Chen Guangfu and Yu Qiaqing: "Ah?"

After sorting out his messy thoughts, Chen Guangfu said, "One thing is certain: the 200 million pounds invested by the British was used to make money, while our money was burned."

Yu Qiaqing: "The money was burned, but we can earn it back from our property in the future. Chiang Kai-shek took our money, so he has to give us something back. Brother Jingjiang, I heard that Chiang Kai-shek has promised you some money?"

Zhang Jingjiang: "I want the position of Chairman of Zhejiang Province and the position of Zhejiang Industrial Reform Commission."

Yu Qiaqing: "Brother Jingjiang, what kind of business do you plan to develop in Zhejiang?"

Zhang Jingjiang: "What industry? Aren't we making enough money? I'm planning to do some rural development in Zhejiang."

"Darling, you're asking too much money from these people. They must be complaining behind their backs that you're exploiting businessmen.

Chiang and Soong have already left the business circle, said Soong May-ling.

Chiang Kai-shek said: "Asking businessmen to raise funds is only a temporary solution. Ultimately, I need Ziwen to serve as Minister of Finance to sort out financial and fiscal affairs for me and increase treasury revenue.

Soong Mei-ling: "Darling, I talked with Zhang Xueliang a few days ago, and he said that the Communists in Guangdong are not easy to wipe out.

Chiang Kai-shek: "What? Did you and Han Qing talk about the Communist Party?

"Yes, Zhang Xueliang has great admiration for a man named Chen Tianheng, who is now leading troops in Guangdong. Zhang Xueliang said that this man has won every battle since his debut, including the one he defeated.

Jiang Jieshi's facial muscles twitched, and the veins in his temples jumped a few times. "Wo, why did you talk to Zhang Xueliang?"

"He and I both attended a reception for the industrial and commercial circles," Soong Mei-ling said calmly. "Oh, and why didn't Zhang Zuolin send some troops to join the attack on Guangdong?"

Chiang Kai-shek: "Zhang Zuolin was unwilling to send troops, but he did provide military support."

Soong Mei-ling: "Should we provide arms support or sell arms at the price?"

Chiang Kai-shek coughed and stopped talking.

“Commander-in-Chief.

He Yingqin came to the wedding scene. In the guest room at the back, He Yingqin met Chiang Kai-shek. He tried his best to suppress his anxiety and whispered to Chiang Kai-shek:

"Commander-in-Chief, our army has encountered some setbacks in the fight against the Communists in Jiangxi Province.

Chiang Kai-shek: "There were some setbacks? You told the whole truth.

He Yingqin: "The 26th and 32nd Armies, which were rushing from Nanchang to attack Ji'an, were attacked by the Communist army at multiple points and were split into three sections. Qian Dajun and Chen Chao were both sending telegrams saying that the situation was extremely critical and requesting reinforcements.

Chapter 136: Brother-in-law, You Need to Disarm

The Battle of Ji'an began with the proactive attack by Chiang Kai-shek's 26th Army.

The 26th Army was formed by the former Five Provinces Allied Forces, which defected and joined the Northern Expedition Army. Now that Sun Chuanfang's faction has completely disappeared, troops like the 26th Army have no other support and can only follow Chiang Kai-shek wholeheartedly. Therefore, the 26th Army is considered to be Chiang Kai-shek's direct line, but its combat effectiveness is a little lacking.

After the Nanchang Uprising, Chiang Kai-shek's army also made changes. Chongxi issued a special training order, urging all units to train diligently (think of it like the First Army's First Division), strengthen their military prowess, and defeat the Communists on the battlefield. However, due to objective conditions and the commanders' limited knowledge, Chiang Kai-shek's units' training varied widely.

The Guangxi clique found Chen Tianheng's infantry tactics incredibly heroic. Because their own tactical style was already somewhat inclined towards this, mid-level and junior officers in the Guangxi clique easily understood this squad-based infantry tactic. It was all about sneaking around. I'd always been sneaky in battle before, and now I was doubly sneaky.

On Chiang Kai-shek's side, Liu Zhi believed that a pig-like attack would be enough. Hu Zongnan further proposed specific measures, emphasizing the need to instill revolutionary ideas and establish a courageous and fearless fighting spirit. Once all aspects of the work were completed, a pig-like attack would be enough.

However, Yu Jishi felt that the situation was more complex. He felt that Chen Tianheng's principles of military management were systematic and scientific. The revolutionary sword's powerful combat effectiveness was the result of his improvement of every aspect of the complex military system.

However, Yu Jishi was only the commander of the First Division (National), and his superior, the commander of the First Army, was Liu Zhi.

The other troops were even more lazy to study hard. For example, Chen Chao, commander of the 26th Army, thought there was no point in bothering. He just wanted to wait for Liu Zhi's First Army to copy the homework and then he could copy it.

The 26th Army had seen the entire First Army's sudden attack in Xinyu and Yichun.

Commander, Dadong Mountain is ahead. If we take Dadong Mountain and open up the road, we can enter Jishui. Behind Jishui is Ji'an.

Zhao Guantao, commander of the 62nd Division, reported their situation to Chen Chao. Chen Chao glanced ahead through his telescope and said, "There are three commanding heights on Dadong Mountain, right? Of your three regiments, one will charge Dongshan Temple, the second will charge Kuangshan, and the third will charge Nanmen Mountain. The mountain artillery battalion will focus on Dongshan Temple and concentrate its bombardment. When the situation is almost there, all three regiments will charge together."

Zhao Guantao: "Ah? Just one push and it's done?

Chen Zhuo: "Right? Didn't you see how Liu Zhi's First Army charged in Pingxiang Anyuan? That's it.

After hearing Chen Chao's words, Zhao Guantao gathered his troops and began to bombard the area. After firing hundreds of rounds, the three regiments of the 62nd Division simultaneously attacked the three commanding heights of Dadong Mountain.

...The fighting lasted from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the 62nd Division was completely destroyed.

"Commander? Who said we can just charge in one go? We've tried three times, but it still doesn't work!"

Zhao Guantao was in tears. Hearing Chen Chao's words, he had actually ordered a relentless charge, and three more. Now, all nine battalions from the three infantry regiments had been defeated at the front of the mountain. Excluding the dead, the wounded, and those captured by the enemy's tactical counterattacks on the mountain, less than half of the three regiments' combat-ready infantry remained.

Chen Chao: "Oh shit, could it be... the First Army guarding the mountain? The Fourth Army? But the intelligence clearly says that these two main Communist forces are still in Guangdong!"

Zhao Guantao: "Commander, what should we do?"

Chen Zhuo: "Send a telegram and ask Qian Dajun to come and help.

Pass 4

Qian Dajun received the telegram and scolded Chen Chao for being a loser. He also told him that many hostile troops had appeared around the 32nd Army and suggested that Chen Chao retreat.

The 32nd Army marched very cautiously. Qian Dajun had been deploying scouts around the garrison and marching routes. Although the scouts did not see any large Communist forces nearby, they encountered enemy scouts.

Chen Chao readily followed the advice and withdrew from the foot of Dadong Mountain to the camping town of Xiajiang County that day. The next day, he further withdrew from Xiajiang County to Jinchuan Town, Xingan County, where the 20th Division leading the 32nd Army was stationed.

The next day, Chen Chao led the 26th Army in a retreat. On the road between Xiajiang County and Jinchuan Town, they were suddenly attacked. According to reports from various units, at least four enemy infantry regiments attacked the 26th Army's marching column from four directions. Chen Chao ordered his troops to hold their ground and then immediately dispatched a cavalry convoy to Jinchuan Town, requesting support from Chen Jicheng's 20th Division.

Chen Jicheng's 20th Division remained stationary, allowing Chen Chao to fight his way out and retreat to Jinchuan. In this way, the four divisions could form a group and it would not be so easy for the Communist army to defeat them.

But Chen Chao really couldn't break through. After resisting for a while, he led his troops back to Xiajiang County.

Behind Chen Jicheng were the 21st and 22nd Divisions and the headquarters of the 32nd Army, stationed in Zhangshu Town. Qian Dajun hurriedly dispatched troops to Jinchuan Town, but was also intercepted on the way.

The enemy forces attacking Qian Dajun came from an unexpected location on the left side of the Yangtze River—the west bank of the Gan River. The enemy had, at some point, constructed a pontoon bridge across the Gan River. Infantry crossed from the bridge to attack the 32nd Army's marching columns, while mountain artillery bombarded the riverside route taken by the 32nd Army from the west bank. Previously, the 32nd Army's scouts had focused their attention on the mountains to the right of the Yangtze River. They hadn't anticipated the presence of Communist troops on the left side of the Yangtze River, and the audacity to cross the river and attack.

"Our army is now divided into three parts: the 26th Army, the 20th Division of the 32nd Army, and the 21st and 22nd Divisions of the 32nd Army," He Yingqin said. "They are unable to support each other. The situation is critical. We must send reinforcements from Nanchang to rescue these three units."

Chiang Kai-shek: "Order our troops in Nanchang and Jiujiang to make all-out efforts to rescue them. Is Cheng Qian the commander-in-chief of this battle?"

"Yes. Do you want me to rush to Nanchang immediately to supervise the battle on the spot?"

Chiang Kai-shek: "I believe in Song Yundi. He will definitely be able to rescue the 26th and 32nd Armies. Earlier intelligence showed that the Communist troops in Jiangxi were not the main force.

He Yingqin: "But Chen Chao said in his telegram that they were defeated at Dadong Mountain by the First Division of the First Army. Qian Dajun's telegram said that the troops that attacked them were neither the First Division nor the Fourth Army. In short, the two reports contradict each other.

"Let them find out the situation before reporting!" Chiang Kai-shek said angrily. "They are not allowed to spread false information and shake the morale of the army. If they continue to talk nonsense, they will be dismissed and investigated!"

The wedding only lasted until the afternoon and there was a dance party in the evening, but this happened.

Chiang Kai-shek gritted his teeth and swallowed his anger, then left the lounge to continue meeting with guests.

"Minister Lampson, it is a great honor to have you here.

Chiang Kai-shek shook hands with Miles Lampson, the British ambassador to China. Lampson politely wished Chiang Kai-shek a happy wedding, and then discussed the weather in Shanghai for half an hour.

"Mr. Jiang, you must have some questions for me, right?"

Lampson couldn't help but speak first.

Chiang Kai-shek: "Oh, I guess it's the Sino-British negotiations on the return of Weihaiwei. At this time, our Ministry of Foreign Affairs will negotiate and discuss with your country. Our country's recovery of Weihaiwei and the British concession in China is the will of the people of the country. I hope your country will respect the will of our people in this regard.

"No, we've already discussed this," Lampson shook his head. "That's not it. Mr. Chiang, the British Empire will continue to maintain a consulate in Shamian, Guangzhou, to facilitate British citizens' travel and business in Guangdong and Guangxi in southern China, while also providing convenience for Chinese citizens traveling and studying in the UK.

"Oh. Ah. This, this..." Chiang Kai-shek understood what this meant.

My goodness, Britain intends to recognize both the Nanjing and Guangzhou governments?

"Mr. Minister, there is only one government in China, the Nanjing National Government. The one in Guangzhou is a rebellious Communist group.

Lampson: "Perhaps. But you don't have to worry too much. As I said just now, the British Empire established a consulate in Guangzhou, not an embassy. There is only one minister in China, and that is me.

Soong Mei-ling: "Minister Lampson, I wonder if you could explain why HSBC made the decision some time ago to invest in Guangzhou? And a considerable portion of those investments were paid to the Guangzhou rebel government.

Lampson: "Finally, you've touched on the key point, Ms. Song. In reality, British banks, investment funds, companies, and individuals all have the final say on whether to invest in Guangzhou. They have the right to choose the investment project with the highest rate of return. I hope you and your husband won't make unwarranted accusations against this in the future."

Soong Mei-ling: "If it were just an investment, that would be fine. However, is HSBC's business in Guangzhou just an investment for business purposes?

Lampson: “I can tell you that on that point as well, yes, ma’am.

Chiang Kai-shek squeezed Soong May-ling's arm, and then Soong May-ling translated the conversation between him and Lampson to Chiang Kai-shek.

"Minister," Chiang Kai-shek said, "the Guangzhou puppet government is a separatist government. I strongly disapprove of your country's decision to deal with a separatist government. Moreover, the Guangzhou puppet government is a communist regime."

Lampson: "The Chinese in the separatist government's jurisdiction are also Chinese, aren't they? Since they are Chinese, then of course it is necessary for the UK to treat them in the separatist government's jurisdiction according to the standards for Chinese people and grant them basic diplomatic qualifications and rights.

Soong Mei-ling translated it again.

Chiang Kai-shek: "Darling, let's go somewhere else.

"Third sister. Commander-in-Chief Jiang.

Soong Mei-ling: "Ziwen, can't you just call him brother-in-law?"

T.V. Soong: "I'm just under too much pressure at work. I'm used to it. Brother-in-law... Commander-in-Chief, the national finances are completely unable to support the army. The Northern Expedition now has 47 armies, 1.5 million people. The cost of supporting the army exceeds the total fiscal revenue. Even in Japan today, supporting the army only accounts for half of its fiscal revenue. If this continues, we will be penniless before the end of the year, and it will be impossible to borrow money."

Chiang Kai-shek: "Ziwen, the country has temporary financial difficulties, but I believe we can overcome them.

Why did Chiang Kai-shek marry Soong May-ling? It is generally recognized that there was an element of political marriage, which means that the Soong family accepted Chiang Kai-shek.

Yes, it was the Soong family that accepted Chiang Kai-shek, not the other way around. Chiang Kai-shek, a member of the Green Gang, had a lower education than Soong May-ling. If he hadn't married Soong May-ling, the Soong family and other families of similar stature wouldn't have trusted Chiang Kai-shek.

In fact, from the time Song Ziwen joined the Guangzhou National Government in 1924 until two months ago, he had never been very fond of Chiang Kai-shek, but was closer to Wang Jingwei.

However, despite Wang Jingwei's high status, eloquence, and good looks, he was unexpectedly deposed by Chiang Kai-shek. Song Ziwen and his family had no other choice but to suddenly win over a powerful local warlord and put him on the throne.

T.V. Soong: "Commander-in-Chief, you said earlier that after the Communist regime in Guangdong was overthrown, we would begin nationwide disarmament and rescue the finances from the debt crisis, right?"

Chiang Kai-shek: “Yes.

T.V. Soong: "I think that after this war, whether we win or lose, we should disarm. If we win, all is well; if we lose, we should immediately negotiate a ceasefire with the Communist government in Guangzhou, and disarm. If we don't disarm, I won't be holding the position of Minister of Finance anymore."

Chiang Kai-shek left Song Ziwen's table and went to the next table.

T.V. Soong's attitude was quite resolute. Of course, he was the Minister of Finance, and it was understandable that he was anxious because his finances were strained.

But... even if we lose, we still ask for peace? Then we disarm and live our lives?

Chiang Kai-shek shook his head. When he turned his head to the right, he saw He Yingqin again.

"Jingzhi, are you still not leaving?

He Yingqin: "No, President, I just went back to the base camp and then rushed here.

Chiang Kai-shek: