Chapter 457

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Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

After Zhao Daiwen left, the representative of the Eighth Route Army who entered was Jiang Xiangyun.

Jiang Xiangyun and Lv Muzhi were Whampoa classmates and old acquaintances.

"Commander Lu, Headquarters asked me to convey their greetings to you."

Upon hearing the three words "Commander Lu," Lv Muzhi sized up the person before him: "Xiangyun, no need for such formality; calling me Commander Lu makes it seem as if there's a thick barrier between us."

After both were seated, Jiang Xiangyun said: "Ah, that's only proper. I recall your title includes the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Shanxi-Hebei-Shandong-Henan Border Region. You've rendered peerless meritorious service; you should remove the two words 'Border Region' from that title. What's wrong, didn't the Old Man give you a promotion and commendation?"

Lv Muzhi smiled. The man opposite was clearly asking though he already knew: "Promotion? Right now, driving the Little Devils out of North China is the greatest commendation for me. Why do I need the Old Man to promote me?"

After hearing this, Jiang Xiangyun also understood the awkward relationship between Lv Muzhi and the Central Government.

The Central Government was wary of and eager to weaken this uncontrollable wild horse, Lv Muzhi, while the latter did not yield.

Given that Lv Muzhi's faction was deeply rooted and involved too much, if Lv Muzhi yielded to the Old Man, the Old Man would only push further, and too many people would be implicated by then.

Lv Muzhi had offended the Kong-Song Families and suppressed others in the army. If he yielded, the Youth Corps and the Zhu Family, among many others, would face purging.

Therefore, Jiang Xiangyun calculated that the conflict between Lv Muzhi and the Central Government was difficult to reconcile, but from the perspective of the overall War of Resistance, some reconciliation was still needed, and they had to maintain appearances.

After thinking for a moment, he said: "Our Headquarters' opinion is that the Youth Army, as a powerful force resisting the Japanese Army, should be protected and avoid being dismantled by the Central Government."

Lv Muzhi asked: "I thought you were here to persuade me to join you?"

Jiang Xiangyun shook his head repeatedly: "No such meaning. Some things cannot be forced. We only want to maintain the United Front well, and the Youth Army should also stand on this front."

"Right now, the Japanese Army has stationed over four hundred thousand troops in Manchuria. According to our intelligence, the Japanese Mainland is mobilizing new recruits on a large scale to go to Manchuria. After you liberated Pingjin, two more divisions were mobilized to land at Qinhuangdao to guard Shanhaiguan."

"Not to mention Shanghai, Jinling, and Guangzhou. The Japanese Army's strength within the Pass is still around two hundred thousand, mainly entrenched in coastal and riverside areas. These are still Japanese spheres of influence."

"If we fight each other internally now, the Japanese Army in Manchuria, Jinling, Shanghai, and Guangzhou will take advantage of the vacancy and rush in."

"To avoid this situation, our Headquarters unanimously agrees that while maintaining the United Front, the Youth Army must absolutely not compromise with the Old Man, lest the Youth Army lose its combat effectiveness and give the Japanese Army an opportunity."

Jiang Xiangyun's words sounded more comfortable; they were not overstepping to win over Lv Muzhi.

Lv Muzhi asked: "Then in your view, how should we maintain this United Front?"

Seeing that Lv Muzhi was listening, Jiang Xiangyun laid out Headquarters' opinion fully: "First, for the stability of the overall situation, we all agree that the Old Man's Central Government, as the representative of Xia Guo, cannot have his platform directly dismantled. This must be observed."

"Second, on the premise of the first point, we must also be vigilant against any act that disrupts the United Front. Even if the Old Man wants to disrupt this front, we must stand up and resist."

"Third, on the path of maintaining the United Front, Shanxi and Shandong, Henan and Hebei should serve as the vanguard."

"The various forces on the land of these four provinces, such as the Youth Army, the Eighth Route Army, and of course the Jinsui Army, should unite, demarcate defense zones, and try to avoid conflict..."

The two conversed for not long, but the atmosphere was fairly harmonious.

After Jiang Xiangyun left, Bai Zhongxi, whom the Gui clique called "Little Zhuge," came directly to the door.

This greatly surprised Lv Muzhi. Bai Zhongxi, as the Second Figure of the Gui clique and Chief of Staff of the Xia State Army, came to see him directly—wouldn't he give the Old Man a harsh dose of eye drops?

"Wei Yue, you as 'Governor of Zhili' are acting so mighty!" After Bai Zhongxi sat down, he directly started joking.

Lv Muzhi was quite helpless. This made it sound as if he were a separatist force: "Commander-in-Chief Bai, please sit!"

Bai Zhongxi sat down and took a sip of tea: "Good tea! I came this time for two reasons: one to mourn for Wei Yue, and one to congratulate Wei Yue."

Lv Muzhi looked up at him and asked: "How do you mean that?"

Bai Zhongxi leaned back in his chair, shaking his head slightly: "The Youth Army recovered Pingjin, yet the Central Government gave not a single substantive commendation. According to convention, giving legal tender pensions to the fallen soldiers is not excessive, is it?"

"What was the result? Only a thin commendation telegram, and not a single cent of pension or bonus. How could one not feel chilled?"

"However, while the Central Government doesn't give pensions, the eyes of the various gentlemen are bright indeed."

"I've noticed that envoys from all sides have gathered in Beiping, truly coming in droves. Wei Yue, you have already seized the moral high ground—that is something I must congratulate you on."

Lv Muzhi nodded. It seemed there were still many discerning people!

Bai Zhongxi held a teacup in one hand and waved the lid of a gaiwan tea with the other: "After so many years, we've fought and made peace with the Central Government. Let me say one thing: today's situation is not your fault at all; it's entirely the Old Man reaping what he sowed."

Lv Muzhi looked at Bai Zhongxi's expression and understood in his heart. The Gui clique loved nothing more than seeing the Old Man suffer a setback.

Once he and the Central Government fell out, the Second Figure of the Gui clique came running at the scent, just to win him over and keep him opposing the Old Man.

Although the Gui clique's motives were not pure, what they said was not wrong.

Lv Muzhi had his own measure in his heart. If he didn't oppose the Old Man at critical moments, he himself would suffer a great loss.

Lv Muzhi didn't want to talk about matters concerning the Old Man anymore, and simply asked: "Is De Gong in good health recently?"

Bai Zhongxi put down his teacup: "Good, very good! De Lin has been in good spirits and good health recently. Since the War of Resistance began, I've never seen him in such good spirits!"

"Uh... of course, that's because of the recent victory..."

Lv Muzhi was somewhat speechless. He wasn't even acting anymore. It seemed that after this battle, apart from the Little Devils, the only one injured domestically was the Old Man alone.

Bai Zhongxi said: "I actually came here for nothing else, mainly to congratulate you on liberating North China, and incidentally..."

Bai Zhongxi said while ordering someone to bring a box. Upon opening it, inside was a check.

"This is a small token from me and De Lin. The Central Government doesn't spend money on pensions for the fallen Youth Army soldiers, so we've scraped together some money with our own strength. It's not much—two million yuan."

Lv Muzhi took the check, his face breaking into a smile: "Good. De Gong is indeed a straightforward man. I understand your intentions!"

Bai Zhongxi nodded: "De Lin said that if Wei Yue ever feels disheartened, come to Guilin for a walk. We'll all keep you company!"

At this time, within Chongqing City, the Old Man panicked upon hearing that representatives from all sides were rushing to see Lv Muzhi.

Especially since Bai Zhongxi of the Gui clique personally went to see Lv Muzhi, which made the Old Man feel like sitting on pins and needles.

"Good, good, good. The Jinsui Army and the Gui clique are all running to Beiping. Do they think I don't exist?"

Chen Cheng said: "You should take the initiative to contact Wei Yue. If you don't strive for him, others will rush to win over Wei Yue!"

"Especially the Gui clique. We can't let Wei Yue be pushed over to Li Zongren's side!"

The old man pointed at his own face: "I voluntarily contact him? He disobeyed orders and didn't come to apologize, and I'm supposed to voluntarily contact him? Am I supposed to throw away this old face of mine?"