Chapter 103: Republic of China: Starting from the First Class of Whampoa Chapter 103 Lv Muzhi's First Merit

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Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

After returning to Jinling, upon hearing that the persuasion of Zhang Shaoshuai to send troops was going smoothly, the Principal was overjoyed; as long as the three hundred thousand Northeast Army troops were mobilized, Yan Laoxi and Feng Yuxiang on the Central Plains Battlefield would have no chance of victory.

Especially upon hearing that Lv Muzhi had generously contributed funds, using one million US dollars to buy Zhang Shaoshuai's support without spending his own money, he was even more delighted.

"Wei Yue, sit down quickly, sit down quickly." Inside the Nanjing Presidential Palace, the Principal invited Lv Muzhi to sit.

"Although you did not go to the Central Plains Battlefield, you have added three hundred thousand fresh troops for me. If the Central Plains War is won, I believe this first merit certainly belongs to you, this Major General who has not fought in battle!"

Lv Muzhi was about to be modest when the Principal's personal secretary entered holding a telegram, and upon seeing Lv Muzhi, hesitated for a moment.

"It's fine, Wei Yue is one of our own; is it about the Central Plains War?"

"Yes!"

"Read it directly."

"Second Army Group Commander-in-Chief Liu Zhi calls: First Brigade Brigade Commander Hu Gongnan refuses to obey orders; Hu Gongnan claims that if he is not made Division Commander of the First Division, he will... quit."

"Damn it, he still has opinions. Liu Zhi has his own choice for the position of First Division Commander. Reply to Liu Zhi and tell him to handle it according to regulations!"

Sitting to the side, Lv Muzhi listened to the entire conversation. Hu Gongnan was now the Major General Brigade Commander of the First Brigade. After Liu Zhi was promoted to Second Army Group Commander-in-Chief, the position of First Division Commander became vacant. Hu Gongnan seized this opportunity to seek promotion.

"Wei Yue, your former leader Liu Zhi still has the position of First Division Commander vacant. A few days ago he wrote to me asking me to transfer you to the First Division to be Division Commander. That position is reserved for you. Forget about whatever Foundation or Arsenal; go take up the post in the First Division!" The Principal sat beside him, persuading him.

The Principal was bringing up the matter of money again. The Foundation was backed by Americans, concerning the fate of the Zhu Family clan and even the future preparations for the War of Resistance. The Principal had taken the money; how many German Helmet Divisions could he produce? Lv Muzhi was not reassured, and he was even less reassured about the Principal's Wife!

So he said: "I heard the war in the Central Plains is now tight?"

"Yes, the enemy is coming with great force!"

"Oh, although Zhang Shaoshuai has agreed to send troops, he surely wants to wait until the Central Army, the Jinsui Army, and the Northwest Army have fought to mutual exhaustion before sending troops. Zhang Shaoshuai is very proud. I have decided to ask the Principal to bring in another relief force."

"Oh? Who?"

"Liu Xiang of Sichuan Province."

After hearing this, the Principal frowned: "Why find such a warlord?"

Lv Muzhi smiled: "Warlords fighting warlords, isn't that reasonable? In March this year, Liu Xiang sent a telegram supporting the Central Government and remained neutral in the Central Plains War. Why not draw him into the game, have him send troops through Hubei, and lead his Sichuan Army north to attack the Jinsui Army and the Northwest Army?"

"Then Zhang Shaoshuai's Fengtian Army will send troops southward, and with a pincer attack from both sides, this Central Plains War will definitely be a victory for our army!"

The Principal stood up: "Oh my, calculated this way, it can indeed more quickly dismantle the offensives of the Jinsui Army and the Northwest Army! But who should we send to persuade him?"

Lv Muzhi stood up, spreading his hands: "I am willing to go! The Central Plains War has already begun. If I parachute in now, it wouldn't be good. But I can contact Zhang Shaoshuai's Northeast Army to the north and Liu Xiang's Sichuan Army to the south, which will be more beneficial to the success of the Central Plains War!"

The Principal grabbed Lv Muzhi's hand: "What loyalty and patriotism! This is true loyalty and patriotism! You have added hundreds of thousands of elite troops for me at once! Unlike Hu Gongnan, who is making a fuss over a Division Commander position. Ten Hu Gongnans cannot compare to you!"

Seeing the timing was right, Lv Muzhi said: "Principal, I previously proposed to revitalize industry in the Northeast. Actually, not just the Northeast; inland places such as Shanghai, Jinling, and Hankou should also simultaneously prepare. Besides, industrial economy should also be developed in Sichuan Province. The money of the Pacific Foundation should be used in these places."

"Sichuan Province? That place is probably not easy to handle. Transportation is inconvenient, and the situation in Sichuan Province is complex. Besides Liu Xiang, there are other small warlords. I am not reassured."

"Inconvenient transportation is secondary. For our country's industry, development can be divided into three lines: the Northeast and coastal provinces as the First Line, the provinces of Central China as the Second Line, and the Northwest and Southwest as the Third Line. I, though untalented, am willing to go to Sichuan Province in the Third Line to develop industry."

"As for the First Line and Second Line, let the Central Government implement them. I will not interfere."

"As for there being too many warlords within Sichuan Province, we can adopt the method of grasping the big head: buy over Liu Xiang, support him in annexing the other small warlords of Sichuan Province, complete the unification of Sichuan Province. While I develop industry in Sichuan Province, I can also help the Principal keep an eye on Liu Xiang!"

Upon hearing this, the Principal thought that if Lv Muzhi extended his influence into Sichuan Province first under the name of developing industry, it would align with his own wishes. Later, when the Central Army entered Sichuan, it would be even more convenient.

"Implementing Three-Line Construction is reasonable. The Wang Jingwei Regime's intent to destroy us has not died; I have sensed it somewhat. This is how it will be: the layout of Sichuan Province will be entirely under your deputy authority. I await your good news."

"If this matter succeeds, the first merit of the Central Plains War should indeed fall on you. At the same time, if Liu Xiang is won over, you will be stationed in Sichuan to help me watch those warlords. But rest assured, this is definitely not exile. When it comes to rewarding merit, I will absolutely not forget you."

Lv Muzhi put his mind at ease. This was his ultimate goal. He should have a territory to develop. Where would the territory come from? Naturally, by spending money to buy over Liu Xiang! But he also couldn't be without troops.

"Principal, when I enter Sichuan, I can go without bringing troops. But once I start investing in industry in Sichuan, I must have some armed forces in hand. Otherwise, my investment will easily go to waste."

"I can certainly give you troops. But how would Liu Xiang agree to let you bring troops into Sichuan Province?"

"That's not difficult. We can use the Police Establishment. After the matter is accomplished, they can enter Sichuan Province in batches to protect the industrial bases. I ask the Principal to train these police in advance. About next year, they can enter Sichuan in multiple batches."

"Police? That's indeed finding a loophole. You go talk to Liu Xiang first. By the way, how many police troops do you want to train?"

"Um... first train about ten thousand. If there are extras, they can be sent to other troops to fill the ranks. As for how many people I ultimately get, it all depends on the Principal."