Chapter 101: Republic of China: Starting from the First Class of Whampoa Chapter 101: First Arrival in Fengtian

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Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

In April, when the Central Plains War was raging, Lv Muzhi and his wife traveled together with Wu Tiecheng and his wife via the Jingfeng Railway, taking a train to Fengtian to visit Zhang Shaoshuai.

Upon reaching the vicinity of Fengtian, the train passed Fengtian Station without stopping; the station interior was full of Japanese devils, and Lv Muzhi stared at the devils on the platform for a long time—these were his true enemies!

Wu Tiecheng noticed Lv Muzhi's oddness: "We've already entered the South Manchuria Railway section; the station we just passed was Fengtian Station, built by the Japanese. We need to get off at Fengtian General Station; there are no Japanese there."

Wu Tiecheng's wife smiled: "Muzi, this is your first time coming to the Northeast. This Fengtian General Station was built when Zhang the Great Marshal was alive; it's more magnificent and grand than what the Japanese built, meant to outdo them."

Wu Tiecheng nodded: "Speaking of that Zhang the Great Marshal, he was also a remarkable man; the construction funds for Fengtian General Station were borrowed from the Japanese, and they still haven't been repaid to this day. Apparently, because he always refused to pay back the money, the Japanese blew him up!"

"Now this Young Marshal is in charge of the Northeast. Ever since he killed his subordinates Yang and Chang, his temperament has become much deeper; I can't read him anymore. I don't know if persuading him to send troops this time will succeed."

Lv Muzhi just listened: "Whether the Young Marshal sends troops depends on Governor Wu and Lady Wu. You've both been here before; during the Northeast Flag Change, it was Governor Wu who brokered the deal."

"I was indeed here during the Northeast Flag Change. I think this is the most successful thing I've ever done. No matter what, rest assured—your matter of inspecting Northeast industry will absolutely have no problems. The Principal instructed this."

The train arrived at Fengtian General Station, but Zhang Hanqing did not come; instead, he sent his personal attendant and the Fengtian Province Governor to receive them, which matched the identity of Governor Wu of Guangdong Province.

Lv Muzhi could feel that Zhang Hanqing was not very enthusiastic about sending troops to assist the Principal, but that was not something Lv Muzhi needed to worry about.

"Governor Wu, truly sorry. My Young Marshal is swamped with official business today; I'm afraid he won't be able to see several of you. Let the Fengtian Province Governor lead you on a tour instead?" said the Young Marshal's personal attendant.

Wu Tiecheng didn't mind at all: "No problem. Whenever the Young Marshal finishes his busy work, I'll visit again. However long the Young Marshal is busy, I'll wait in the Northeast that long!"

"Oh, let me introduce: this is Major General Lv Muzhi, appointed by the Principal to inspect Northeast industry. Since we can't see the Young Marshal, take us to tour the factories?"

Lv Muzhi slightly raised his hand and returned a salute.

Seeing that Wu Tiecheng didn't make things difficult for himself, the Young Marshal's attendant was also very happy. He said a few words beside the Fengtian Province Governor, then took his leave and departed, leaving the Governor to lead Wu Tiecheng and his wife and Lv Muzhi and his wife to inspect the factories.

"Governor Wu, I see Zhang the Young Marshal's side isn't very enthusiastic?"

"Naturally. If it were you, and you were asked to send troops to fight a completely unrelated battle, would you be willing?"

Lv Muzhi smiled: "Forget it. I'll just properly inspect the industrial achievements of the Northeast. I believe Governor Wu has plenty of methods and means to persuade Zhang the Young Marshal to send troops."

Accompanied by the Fengtian Province Governor, Lv Muzhi's party first visited the Fengtian Arsenal. The towering factory buildings, roaring machine tools, and busy assembly lines indeed left Lv Muzhi and Wu Tiecheng shocked.

Indeed, it was the eldest son of the future Republic!

"Gentlemen, please look. This is our Liao Type 13 Rifle, imitating the Japanese Type 38 Rifle. Stable performance, top quality, performance close to the Japanese Type 38 Rifle," the Arsenal Director introduced proudly.

On the assembly line, one brand-new rifle after another was being assembled.

Lv Muzhi picked up a finished rifle, skillfully pulled the bolt, checked the rifling, and nodded: "The craftsmanship is indeed good, and the steel quality is finer than the Hanyang 88. The Northeast's industrial foundation lives up to its reputation."

Looking at this enormous factory, Lv Muzhi felt a mix of joy and worry. The Northeast had a large number of skilled workers; if they could be recruited to the Inland, it would be far better than retraining from scratch. Only a pity that this place was too close to Japan, the domestic warlord melee had not yet ended, and the Mukden Incident a year later would obviously change nothing.

Afterwards, they also visited the Steel Mill and Machinery Factory near Shenyang. The huge blast furnaces belched smoke clouds, and the rolling mills pressed red-hot steel billets into shape, showing the formidable strength of Northeast heavy industry.

The Fengtian Province Governor introduced the construction achievements of the Northeast nonstop beside them, clearly very proud. At that time in Xia Guo, who could not be proud of such industrial achievements?

As the visit neared its end, Wu Tiecheng stopped and looked at the Fengtian Province Governor and the accompanying Arsenal Director: "The Northeast's military-industrial strength is indeed impressive. Now that the Central Plains War is raging and rebels are causing trouble, the nation is in urgent need of talent and even more needs fine weapons to arm the armies loyal to the Central Government;"

"I represent the Principal and now place an order with your esteemed factory: purchase 350,000 Liao Type 13 Rifles to equip the various units of the Central Army."

As soon as these words were spoken, even the well-informed Fengtian Province Governor was stunned, and the Arsenal Director widened his eyes, almost unable to believe his ears. 350,000 rifles! That was several years of output for the arsenal.

The Fengtian Province Governor confirmed: "The unit price of the rifles we imitate is fifty yuan each. I think you all should know that buying genuine Japanese Type 38 Rifles from the Japanese is actually cheaper—less than thirty yuan for one..."

"Hey, why say that? The Central Government spends this money to support the industrial development of the Northeast. Your Young Marshal wouldn't be unwilling to do business, would he? For Zhang the Young Marshal, the Principal has always been generous with money."

Lv Muzhi was stunned for a moment at first, but immediately understood Wu Tiecheng's intention.

Zhu Sanxiang followed behind Lv Muzhi, bumped his arm, and said softly: "If I were Zhang Hanqing, I'd buy original rifles directly from the Japanese and then resell them to the Principal, making a clean twenty yuan profit per rifle."

"You—how have you become just like your father, really thinking buying is better than making?"

"I understand the logic; I was just joking. Governor Wu representing the Principal to win people's hearts—I can see that too..."

Lv Muzhi looked at the relatively 'modernized' factory. Although it couldn't compare to the United States, in Lv Muzhi's view, the equipment in these factories absolutely could not be left to the Japanese. Even at a high price, they had to be bought!

Lv Muzhi's idea was simple: he was powerless to stop the September 18th Incident himself.

If full-scale war broke out in September of Year 31, it would be an agricultural nation riddled with holes by warlords fighting an industrial nation—no chance of victory.

But in the original timeline, full-scale war broke out in Year 37, and at least the nation had a period of rest and recuperation.

Now with the Pacific Fund, what Lv Muzhi had to do was, before the September 18th Incident of Year 31, transfer as many Northeast workers and machines as possible, and before Year 37, establish a considerable industry and a powerful armed force!