Chapter 66

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Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

After the National Army was established, Lv Muzhi's direct superior, Second Battalion Commander Liu Zhi, successfully took over the First Regiment as he had wished, becoming the Colonel Regimental Commander of the First Regiment, First Division, First Army of the National Army.

In the regimental commander's office, Lv Muzhi sat opposite Liu Zhi.

"Muzi Ah, this army establishment indeed proved your words right; I successfully took over Commandant He's position as regimental commander of the First Regiment, hahaha!" Liu Zhi leaned half-reclined in his chair, speaking in a leisurely tone.

"Where is it that your words proved true? It is entirely you, Regimental Commander, who fought for this yourself. From Danshui City to Cotton Lake to Liede, it was only after all that that you earned this position of colonel regimental commander."

"Muzi, you're right; thirty-three is exactly the time to strive. I think this regimental commander's position won't be held for too long, otherwise wouldn't I become someone who doesn't seek advancement?" Liu Zhi sat in his chair, spreading his hands, quite bearing an air of spring breeze pride.

Lv Muzhi merely smiled; the higher Liu Zhi climbed, the more it helped him.

Although the Principal had previously shown appreciation for him, his current position was too high; without particularly great military merit, he wouldn't casually speak up to promote those below him.

The Principal arranged for Lv Muzhi to be by Liu Zhi's side, also hoping that through Liu Zhi's promotion, he could drive Lv Muzhi under him upward in promotion.

Such treatment was not unique to Lv Muzhi; the students the Principal paid attention to were as numerous as the sea, such as Hu Gongnan.

During the Eastern Expedition, especially in the Battle of Cotton Lake, Hu Gongnan's Machine Gun Platoon faced ten times the enemy and played a huge role; without heavy machine guns, the Training Regiment would probably have been wiped out in the Battle of Cotton Lake, so for a time there arose the saying "Literature has He Zhonghan, martial has Hu Gongnan," and Hu Gongnan was also promoted to Deputy Battalion Commander of the rank of Major.

After Lv Muzhi participated in suppressing the Liu-Yang Rebellion, because he entered the city early to reconnoiter enemy conditions, he was similarly granted the position of Deputy Battalion Commander of the rank of Major.

"How is it? Mr. Major, following me, is your promotion speed satisfactory?" Liu Zhi teased.

Lv Muzhi thought about it, but refused the position of Deputy Battalion Commander.

"How strange, truly strange; in this world there is such a strange thing, someone actually refuses a promotion?" Liu Zhi asked in surprise.

Lv Muzhi explained: "Commandant Liu, it's not that I don't like promotion, but I was originally an Acting Company Commander, and before being confirmed, I'm promoted to Deputy Battalion Commander—isn't that a bit too fast?"

"What's wrong with that? Machine Gun Platoon Leader Hu Gongnan was directly promoted from Platoon Leader to Deputy Battalion Commander of Major rank! No, you kid definitely have other ideas in there; speak openly, there are only the two of us here."

"I do want the Major rank, Muzi indeed does, but this Deputy Battalion Commander position... I'd rather just be a Company Commander first; having a 'deputy' attached always lacks a bit of meaning;

When fighting, do you say everyone listens to the Battalion Commander, or will they listen to the Battalion Party Representative? My Deputy Battalion Commander is just putting on an appearance; I hold the Major rank and serve as a Company Commander, with over a hundred men under me—isn't that wonderful?"

After hearing this, Liu Zhi nodded in great approval: "Having the rank on your person is not as good as having real power on your shoulders; you kid see things clearly. Just like those staff officers at the division headquarters—staff officers without 'commander' attached, their farts don't even make a sound. In my opinion, it's better to go be a Company Commander and be happy; I approve it."

"Then let's confirm your Acting Company Commander position; the rank will follow what comes from above, still set at Major. Later, promotion to Battalion Commander will also be natural and logical, a single step into place."

After Lv Muzhi thanked him, he also mentioned the situation in the Dongjiang Region.

During the First Eastern Expedition, the Whampoa Cadet Army had already pacified the Dongjiang Region together with the Yue Army; unexpectedly, Yang and Liu staged a rebellion, forcing the Principal to bring troops back to suppress the rebellion.

Because of this, the Dongjiang Region that had originally been occupied was seen as an opportunity by Chen Jiongming, who had fled to Hong Kong. Chen Jiongming took advantage of the Yang-Liu Rebellion, plus the Grand Marshal's passing, and gathered a batch of rebel troops, reoccupying the Dongjiang Region.

"Oh~ you say that traitor Chen Jiongming—times are different now. The National Government is established, and my National Army has five armies; would we still fear that clown Chen Jiongming?" Liu Zhi obviously did not take Chen Jiongming's comeback seriously.

Indeed, during the First Eastern Expedition, the Whampoa Cadet Army's scale was still small, with only two Training Regiments, plus there were Yunnan Army's Yang Ximin and Guangxi Army's Liu Zhenhuan, those fellows who obey orders but not proclamations, so the fighting was done cautiously.

But now the National Government's First Army, as the Principal's Whampoa Direct Lineage, commands three divisions, plus the help of four other armies; retaking the Dongjiang Region is merely a matter of time.

"Commandant Liu, I think the Second Eastern Expedition plan will be in these few days; another batch of people will be able to gain promotion from this war!"

Lv Muzhi reminded Liu Zhi, but in fact was urging his direct superior to strive hard, and incidentally bring him along.

Liu Zhi laughed heartily: "No need for Muzi to remind me; I will definitely work hard!"

After Liu Zhi said these words, he always felt something was strange somewhere, but couldn't pinpoint what was wrong, and asked Lv Muzhi: "When do you think the Second Eastern Expedition will be launched?"

Lv Muzhi casually replied: "Early October; it should start in less than a week."

Liu Zhi was startled: "So fast?! Then why hasn't the Principal urged the logistics and supplies yet? By the way, how do you know this?"

Lv Muzhi gave an embarrassed smile, thinking he couldn't say he knew this because he had crossed over, so he could only say: "I guessed it. What we need to do is prepare in advance. Anyway, the Principal and the high-ups definitely won't just watch Chen Jiongming make a comeback and grow strong again with their eyes wide open."

After hearing this, Liu Zhi immediately made up his mind: "Muzi, I appoint you as the Special Service Company Commander of the First Regiment, directly under the Regimental Headquarters' command, responsible for the Regimental Headquarters' security, and continue to follow by my side! In the Second Eastern Expedition, we two will go into battle together again!"

Things indeed turned out as Lv Muzhi said; the next day the Principal urged all units to hurry up and supervise the logistics and supplies, preparing for war.

One week later, on October 1st, the Second Eastern Expedition Oath-taking Assembly was officially held.

The Principal stood on the Chairman's platform, full of high spirits:

"Nine months ago, we set out from Changzhou Island and began the First Eastern Expedition. Wherever the academy army went, the people welcomed them sincerely. Truly, they seized the advantage of time and place, took Pinghu, broke Danshui, pacified Chaoshan, fought bloody battles at Cotton Lake, and drove out the traitors Yang and Liu. That vibrant vitality, the scene of all things competing to flourish, is still before our eyes...

Today, my army once again sets out on the journey and begins the Second Eastern Expedition. This time, we must thoroughly expel the rebels and pacify Guangdong Province!"

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!!!

Thank you all for your support, moved!,, Ծ^Ծ,,

The Second Eastern Expedition will be written quickly; three chapters tomorrow to finish it, then the pace will speed up, directly to the Northern Expedition.

Struggle will be written as little as possible; it's somewhat dangerous.

Preview: Tomorrow the Second Eastern Expedition will feature the protagonist being hit by a Zhongzheng Rifle...