The Fourth Outstanding Person of Huangpu Military Academy

"If this develops to the point where colleagues become suspicious of one another, it will violate the school motto of 'love and sincerity,' and the spirit of the group will be weakened. Ultimately, the party and the country will be destroyed, leaving each of us without a home to return to in life and a place to be buried after death."

Chen Tianheng did not answer immediately, waiting for Chiang Kai-shek to finish speaking.

"I met with Jiang Xianyun yesterday to discuss reconciliation within the group. Jiang Xianyun expressed his willingness to work towards unity among the students. I'm speaking to you today for the future of the War Research Society."

"New members admitted to the War Research Society from the third term should not be allowed to join the Communist Party."

Chen Tianheng: "During the first and second phases, many members of the War Research Society were ultimately not accepted into the Communist Party by Yun Daiying."

"Then starting from the third phase, we'll make sure there's not even one left. Is that okay?"

Chen Tianheng smiled secretly in his heart and answered without hesitation: "Yes! Principal!"

Chapter 65

The Faith Center was a classroom on the Huangpu campus. On the door was a borrowed Blue Sky, White Sun emblem, and below it was a wooden plaque with a line of words written on it:

"Three Principles of the People Center"

Ye Jianying passed by the teaching building and was very interested to see the door of the empty classroom decorated like this. But when he was about to approach the Faith Center, two Whampoa members of the War Research Society stopped him.

"Director Ye," a member said, "The Faith Center will soon establish faith for a student. Please keep your distance."

Ye Jianying: "Establish? Belief? What does that mean?"

"It's about the president having a private conversation with the students. It helps them establish a firm belief in the Three Principles of the People."

Ye Jianying hissed and pondered for a moment what was going on. "Did the principal ask Chen Tianheng to do this?"

"Yes. According to the principal's instructions, the War Research Society is using private conversations to address doubts about the Three Principles of the People and help students who are hesitant about choosing between the Three Principles of the People and Communism make the right choice. Because these conversations involve students' personal privacy, they cannot be overheard by others."

……

Wang Yaowu, also known by his courtesy name Zuomin, was born into an ordinary peasant family in Tai'an County, Shandong Province. His family's financial situation declined as a teenager, forcing him to drop out of school and leave home to live with relatives in Tianjin. He first worked as a handyman at a tobacco company before becoming a pastry chef apprentice at the Bei'anli Restaurant for three years, eventually becoming a master.

He had done well on the entrance exam and also scored high on the test for joining the War Research Society. Furthermore, Wang Yaowu trained diligently and showed a high level of comprehension after entering the school, earning him a great appreciation from the captain of the third class, Yanzheng.

However, compared with the first and second classes, the biggest characteristic of the third batch of Whampoa students is their love of debate in school. With the death of Sun Yat-sen, the Three Principles of the People or Communism became a topic of frequent debate among the third batch of students. In addition to literary debates, students also often performed the "gentleman uses both mouths and hands" behavior.

Wang Yaowu doesn't often learn to do hands-on things with his classmates because he is not sure which side he is inclined to.

In his view, Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Three Principles of the People was undoubtedly a great program for saving the nation, which was also his original intention for applying to the Whampoa Military Academy. However, communist ideology also seemed to open the door to a new world for him.

Three Principles of the People or Communism? Wang Yaowu was now in a state of hesitation.

The War Research Society's illustrious reputation prompted Wang Yaowu to apply for membership soon after his enrollment, and fortunately, his application was accepted on the first try. However, before becoming a full member, Chen Tianheng asked him a series of questions, ranging from his worldview to his outlook on life and politics. Wang Yaowu honestly replied that he didn't understand much about politics.

In this case, let the Belief Center solve Wang Yaowu’s confusion.

After Wang Yaowu walked into the Faith Center, Ye Jianying stood outside the Faith Center and waited for an hour outside the "privacy distance line" set by the students. Finally, he saw Wang Yaowu walk out of the classroom.

"Director Ye, thank you for your patience. You are still here."

Ye Jianying: "Ahem... Wang Yaowu, let me see if you've changed since you came in."

"It's the mindset that changes, Director."

Compared to when he walked into the classroom an hour ago, Wang Yaowu's expression now was very calm, his eyes calm and firm.

"Oh, so you have now established a firm belief in the Three Principles of the People?"

"Yes, all my previous doubts have been answered. The Three Principles of the People are the creed of our party and the truth that must be followed to save and strengthen our nation."

Wang Yaowu saluted again and left.

Ye Jianying looked shocked.

Turning around, I saw Chen Tianheng also coming out of the classroom, holding a stack of books and a briefcase in his hands. He closed the classroom door and took down the wooden sign on the classroom.

"Chen Tianheng?"

Chen Tianheng: "Hello, Director Ye! Are you visiting here today?"

Ye Jianying: "The Three Principles of the People's core belief, wow, you really figured it out."

Chen Tianheng: "The president told me that in addition to studying military affairs, I should also pay attention to the thoughts and ideologies of the members of the War Research Society. After all, the War Research Society is a military academy within a military academy, where the elite of the Whampoa Military Academy gather."

Ye Jianying: "Are you only supporting Wang Yaowu today? I see you've taken down all the signs."

"There aren't many students who need ideological work to help them establish firm convictions. First, they must be excellent students, and second, they must be genuinely wavering between the Three Principles of the People and Communism. Only then is it necessary to open a Faith Center. Today, the only one who needs work is Wang Yaowu. Hey, Director Ye, how about we go to the classroom and talk?"

Chen Tianheng made a gesture as if to pull Ye Jianying's sleeve and drag him into the classroom. Ye Jianying quickly backed away: "Go away, go away, go away! I'm not going in!"

……

"Dududu-"

"First Battalion, assemble!"

On Changzhou Island, the training grounds of the First Battalion of the First Training Regiment. Less than a minute after the whistle blew, the officers and soldiers of the First Battalion, who had been training separately, quickly gathered in formation.

Chen Tianheng: "Today, we are going to Guangzhou to attend a meeting of all sectors of society in support of the Guangdong-Hong Kong general strike. Representative Jiang and I will speak on the stage. Brothers, just line up and appear at the venue. You don't need to do anything else. However, you must maintain a neat military appearance! From now on, you have half an hour to return to the dormitory immediately, take care of your personal hygiene, and adjust your uniforms. Dismissed!"

During the period when the third term of school started, the Guangdong-Hong Kong general strike was in full swing.

The Guangdong-Hong Kong General Strike, also known as the Canton-Hong Kong General Strike, began with the May 5th Massacre in May 1925. At the time, Shanghai workers were on strike, and university and high school students in Shanghai took to the streets in support of the workers' movement. British police in the concession opened fire, killing 13 people and injuring dozens.

After the May 30th Massacre, a wave of xenophobia, especially anti-British sentiment, swept across the country. Guangdong had the British Concession in Guangzhou and Hong Kong to the south, so the labor unrest was naturally the most intense.

In June, Deng Zhongxia convened a joint meeting of Hong Kong trade unions in the name of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions to establish the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions. On June 19, a strike was held throughout Hong Kong.

This strike was not a short one; it was a marathon. The Hong Kong government took a hard line, refusing to accede to the workers' demands and even borrowing £3 million from London to tide them over. Furthermore, Governor Stubbs criticized the Guangzhou government for funding riots and creating dissension, and even called on London to send a naval blockade of ports in southern China.

This is because the Guangdong-Hong Kong General Strike was actually supported by the Guangzhou Nationalist Government. For example, today's Guangzhou People's Solidarity Rally was organized by the Kuomintang, and Wang Jingwei was giving a support speech on the stage.

The British Navy was in no mood to send warships to blockade ports in South China, but after the arrival of the £3 million from Britain, the Hong Kong government did indeed enter ostrich-like holding-out mode. Meanwhile, the Guangzhou Nationalist Government also began a protracted war with the Hong Kong British government.

"Hey, Tianheng, I heard that the five major Chinese business communities in Hong Kong have also expressed their support for the workers' strike," Jiang Xianyun said. "These Chinese businesses have stated that they will continue to pay the workers' wages during the strike."

Chen Tianheng: "Yes, I've heard that too. The strike in Guangdong and Hong Kong has now become a united front, with everyone working together to confront the British Hong Kong government."

Du Yuming: "But what's interesting is that people used to think there were four major Chinese businessmen in Hong Kong, but recently there have been five. The fifth Chinese businessman is called Chen Ying, a wealthy investor, and she is said to be a wealthy woman."

Chen Tianheng: "You know all this?!"

Du Yuming: "I read a lot of Hong Kong newspapers recently."

Chen Tianheng was certainly aware that his cousin had become a rising star among the Chinese business community in Hong Kong. According to a recent statement from the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce, Chen Ying was not only already among the top five Chinese businesspeople, but her assets were also expected to top the list.

The previous United Reading Group and the trading company that Mao Runmin suggested to open in Shanghai did not make as much money as Chen Ying.

Whether it was United Reading or Mao Runmin's trading company, Chen Tianheng had to be logical when making suggestions, clearly explaining the reasons and logical reasoning. But Yingzhe Investment didn't have to do that. If Chen Ying asked why, he would always answer, "KMT insiders have information."

Moreover, Chen Ying himself is a person who likes high-risk investments. Short selling this, buying that, investing in this industry, and withdrawing investment from that industry are all decisions made instantly.

……

"Director Zhou, is this where the British and French soldiers opened fire last month? This isn't even within the British and French Concession territory."

After arriving in Guangzhou, Chen Tianheng and Zhou Enlai climbed to the roof of a three-story building near Shaqi and looked at the edge of the British and French Concessions in Guangzhou through telescopes.

This was not the first time the Whampoa Military Academy students had been involved in the Guangdong-Hong Kong strike. The last time they participated was with the Third Battalion of the First Training Regiment.

On June 23rd, Guangzhou protesters from all walks of life held a large-scale march in support of the Hong Kong workers' strike. As the marchers reached Shaji, across from the Shamian Concession, British and French soldiers from the other side suddenly opened fire. British warships stationed at Baietan also fired at the marchers. Sixty-one marchers, soldiers, and civilians were killed, 170 were seriously injured, and countless more were slightly wounded.

Among the 61 casualties were 27 officers and soldiers from the Third Battalion of the First Training Regiment. The Third Battalion had been reduced to only 110 men in the Mianhu Battle during the Eastern Expedition, and shortly after being fully replenished, it was attacked again here.

Zhou Enlai: "The guards in the British and French concessions thought they were under attack and opened fire. The Whampoa Military Academy suffered heavy casualties in the June 23rd Massacre. Alas! Over 300 officers and soldiers participated in the parade, but the Kuomintang Military Commission ordered them not to carry guns."

Chen Tianheng: "With guns, it would mean an armed seizure of the Shamian Concession; without guns... I think if you don't have guns, you shouldn't go at all. This parade was a major setback for the Third Battalion, and Cao Shiquan died in the parade."

Zhou Enlai: "The Kuomintang leaders still think the British and French are too civilized."

Chen Tianheng: "If we were to seize the Shamian Concession, no, Hong Kong, by force, how would we proceed and how would we organize the attack?"

"Chen Tianheng, have you started to think about this?" Zhou Enlai said with a smile. "That should have happened after the Northern Expedition was successful and the country was unified. China's military at that time would not have been what it is today. To capture Hong Kong would mean engaging in a battle with the British army and navy stationed there, but I believe the Chinese army at that time could definitely take Hong Kong. After all, Hong Kong is not a place that is easy to defend and difficult to attack, nor is it a large fortress."

Chen Tianheng: "Director Zhou, it is also possible that we are fighting with the Japanese garrison."

Chapter 66

"Shaki Blood"

"Whampoa Tide of Tears"

"Chiang Kai-shek's Topic"

Chiang Kai-shek's inscription was finished.

Chiang Kai-shek's inscription was to mourn the victims of the Sha-Kei Massacre. The Guangdong National Government would hold a state funeral for the 61 victims.

After the Sha-Kei Massacre, the Guangdong National Government immediately lodged a protest with the British and French Consulates General in Guangzhou in the name of Guangdong Governor Hu Hanmin, demanding an apology from Britain and France, compensation for the dead and injured with pensions, punishment of relevant military commanders, withdrawal of warships from various countries, and handing over the Shamian Concession to the Guangdong National Government. However, the protest was rejected by the British and French consuls.

The Guangdong Nationalist Government immediately increased its support for the Guangdong-Hong Kong General Strike and established an armed picket team of more than 2,000 workers to blockade Hong Kong and prohibit the export of grain and other agricultural products to Hong Kong.

The British Hong Kong government remained indifferent and provided 100 million Hong Kong dollars in support to Chen Jiongming who fled to Hong Kong.

So the two sides continued to glare at each other, and the National Government in Guangzhou was at loggerheads with Britain and France.

Even if the situation was antagonistic, the Nationalist government couldn't take Hong Kong. The army might be able to outnumber them, but the navy was completely helpless. At this very moment, the British aircraft carrier HMS Hermes, leading seven or eight warships, was conducting anti-piracy operations south of Hong Kong.

No matter from which perspective, the Northern Expedition and the unification of the country are the most urgent tasks of the Guangdong National Government. ...No, it is the unification of Guangdong.

The 100 million Hong Kong dollars in aid from Britain to Chen Jiongming took effect immediately. After receiving the money, Chen Jiongming returned to his hometown of Chaoshan.

The First Eastern Expedition did not allow the Nationalist government to completely control eastern Guangdong. Instead, it stationed a brigade of Guangdong troops in Chaozhou. In May, the Yunnan Army under the command of Yang Ximin, commander-in-chief of the Nationalist Yunnan Army, and the Guangxi Army under Liu Zhenhuan rebelled. After suppressing the rebellion, the Nationalist government dismantled and completely reorganized the two armies, and the Chaozhou brigade was recalled to Guangzhou to maintain order. Meanwhile, Lin Hu had quietly returned to the Chaoshan region with his gathered troops.

The second Eastern Expedition is inevitable.

Before the Second Eastern Expedition, the National Revolutionary Army had to be reorganized and expanded.

"Chen, um, Captain Chen, congratulations."

Chen Geng, who was discharged from the hospital after recovering from his injury, bowed to Chen Tianheng to congratulate him.

On July 26, the headquarters of the 1st Army of the National Revolutionary Army was officially established.

Chiang Kai-shek appointed himself commander of the army.

由黄埔教导1、2、3团组成第1军第1师，原教导一团团长何应钦任第1师师长。

Chen Tianheng, former commander of the first battalion of the first teaching regiment, was appointed commander of the first regiment of the first division.

第2师现在架子也搭起来了，目前下辖新成立的黄埔教导4团、教导5团。教导6团还在筹建中。第1军第3师是现成的，由许崇智的建国粤军调出一个师转隶第一军。

By the way, Liu Zhi, the former second battalion commander of the First Training Regiment, was promoted to the commander of the Fourth Training Regiment because of his outstanding military achievements in the Eastern Expedition.

Hearing Chen Geng's congratulations, Chen Tianheng also bowed to Chen Geng and said, "Congratulations to you, Second Battalion Commander."

……

The First Battalion was now commanded by Xu Xiangqian, while Chen Geng led Liu Zhi's Second Battalion, and the Third Battalion was led by Du Yuming.

The Third Battalion suffered heavy losses in the battle of Mianhu, but its commander, Hui Dongsheng, survived. However, after the Eastern Expedition ended, he was transferred to the newly formed Third Training Regiment. His successor was Cao Shiquan, a Communist Party member.

However, during the Sha-Ki Massacre, Cao Shiquan led the entire Third Battalion to participate in the parade. When the British and French troops opened fire, Cao Shiquan was unfortunately shot and killed.

Therefore, the current status of the Third Battalion is not so normal.

"Those of you who participated in the Eastern Expedition, please raise your hands."

The company commander, deputy company commander, and platoon officers of the Third Battalion were all present. After Chen Tianheng finished speaking, 20 out of 24 people raised their hands.

Chen Tianheng: "Okay, put it down. Over a month ago, you all participated in the June 6.23rd Sha-Ji march. You held your current position then, not a replacement later. Please raise your hands."

21 out of 24 people raised their hands.

"Including Captain Cao, four officers from the company, platoon, and battalion suffered casualties. Including the soldiers, the entire battalion suffered 27 casualties and 51 injuries on June 23rd. However, this is not the heaviest casualties in the Third Battalion's history. In the Battle of Mianhu in March, only 112 combat-capable men remained in your Third Battalion, a loss of nearly three-quarters of your personnel."

"Is there any difference in the Third Battalion's mental state after the two battles? Of course there is, and it's a big one. After the Battle of Mianhu, the entire training regiment, including your Third Battalion, cheered and then fell into a deep sleep. It was a very long sleep. What was our mental state like after waking? Besides joy, there was also calmness and confidence."

"After the Shaqi tragedy? What was your biggest emotion? Anger."

"Just seeing anger isn't the true nature of the situation. Peel back the anger and you'll find the underlying emotion is hysteria. Your anger isn't caused by the deaths of your comrades, nor by the perverse actions of the military and police in the concessions, but by failure."

"If we cannot get over this emotion, all the commanders and revolutionary comrades in the Third Battalion will be negatively impacted by our inability to face reality correctly, affecting our training and future battles."

"So, I brought you here today. I know that many of you may not want to come here again, but this is a hurdle you must overcome."

Shaki Street.

Chen Tianheng and Du Yuming brought all the junior officers from the Third Battalion here. The group retraced the parade route from over a month ago.

"Commander, I'm not sure if I should say something. ... The orders from the higher-ups regarding the Shaqi parade are not without their problems."

Tan Luming, company commander of the second company of the third battalion (the fifth company in the entire regiment), expressed his thoughts.

"On that day, our entire battalion was ordered to march in the middle of the parade, without weapons or ammunition, just like the rest of the workers and peasants, holding placards. And the bigger problem was that, although we didn't carry weapons, we were all wearing military uniforms..."