Chapter 100: Middle East Incident I

Time quickly arrived at June 30, 1929 in Jinling, and the sweltering midsummer heat enveloped the President's Office. The Chairman paced back and forth in the office, holding a Ministry of Foreign Affairs report. Outside, cicadas screamed hoarsely, a stark contrast to the solemn atmosphere inside.

"Chairman, the slogan 'Revolutionary Diplomacy' has already sparked strong reactions nationwide," Foreign Minister Wang Zhengyan stood aside and cautiously reported, "The public's calls to abolish the Unequal treaties are growing louder."

The Chairman stopped, his gaze sharp: "How is the situation on the Middle East Road?"

"Although the Chinese Eastern Railway is nominally jointly administered by Huaxia and the Soviet Union, real control lies entirely with the Soviet side," Wang Zhengyan opened the folder, "Eighty percent of the railway's revenue goes to the Soviets, all key positions are held by Soviet personnel, and our staff suffer discrimination."

At that moment, an attendant reported that Li Yuxuan requested an audience. The Chairman gestured for him to come in.

"Jingxing, you arrive just in time," the Chairman handed the report to Li Yuxuan, "Take a look at this."

Li Yuxuan skimmed quickly, his brows knit: "Young Master, the Middle East Road issue does need solving, but a direct clash with the Soviet Union now seems ill‑timed. The Japanese in Kwantung are watching hungrily; we should avoid fighting on two fronts."

The Chairman shook his head dismissively: "You don't understand. Zhang Xueliang has just changed flags and submitted, and needs a chance to assert his authority. Moreover, the Soviet Union is riddled with internal problems; it's an ideal moment for us to reclaim the rights to the Middle East Road."

Li Yuxuan was about to speak, but the Chairman turned and ordered Wang Zhengyan: "Notify Zhang Xueliang that the Jinling Government supports his reclaiming of the Middle East Road rights. But remember, every action must be carried out in the name of the Northeast local authorities."

Meanwhile, in the Grand Marshal's Mansion in Shenyang, Zhang Xueliang was receiving a special guest—the Jinling Special Envoy Zhang Qun.

"Brother Hanqing, the Chairman fully supports your reclaiming of the Middle East Road rights," Zhang Qun handed over the Chairman's handwritten letter, "This is a good chance to establish authority and consolidate your position."

Zhang Xueliang read the letter carefully, excitement flashing across his young face. Since last year's Flag change, he had been hoping to achieve something, to prove he is not merely a 'young marshal' relying on his father's lingering influence.

"Mr. Yuejun, please inform Generalissimo Jiang that Xueliang will not disappoint the trust placed in him," Zhang Xueliang stood and walked to the map of the Chinese Eastern Railway on the wall, "This railway rightfully belongs to China; we must reclaim it!"

Zhang Qun reminded, "But you must pay special attention to the methods. It's best to first create an incident and find a pretext for action."

July 10, the opportunity arrived. The Northeast authorities received a report stating that the Soviet side had unilaterally transferred the railway's telegraph and telephone services to the Soviet Consulate in Harbin, violating the relevant agreement.

"What a providential opportunity!" Zhang Xueliang immediately summoned the Northeast military and political officials for a meeting.

At the meeting, Police Chief Gao Jiyi put forward a bold plan: "We can dispatch troops and police to search the Soviet Consulate in Harbin, arrest Soviet personnel, and then seize the rights to the Middle East Road in the process."

"Is this not too extreme?" some officials expressed concern, "The Soviet Union probably won't let it go peacefully."

Zhang Xueliang thought for a moment, then gave the final decision: "We'll do it that way! We will show the world that Huaxia people are capable of defending their own rights!"

On the morning of July 13, Harbin was still shrouded in mist. A detachment of Northeast army police suddenly surrounded the Soviet Consulate in Harbin, while other troops simultaneously seized the Chinese Eastern Railway Administration Building.

"What are you doing? This is Soviet territory!" a Soviet guard at the consulate's entrance tried to block them.

Gao Jiyi brandished the search warrant: "According to the Northeast local government order, we are to search the consulate!"

The army police forced their way into the consulate, seizing a large amount of documents. At the same time, in the Chinese Eastern Railway Administration, the Soviet deputy director Eismont was arrested on the spot, and other senior Soviet officials were also taken into custody.

When the news reached Shenyang, Zhang Xueliang was having breakfast. He set down his chopsticks and immediately issued the order: "Broadcast nationwide, announcing the reclamation of the Middle East Road rights!"

The sudden operation caused a sensation across the country. Major newspapers raced to report, praising Zhang Xueliang as a 'national hero.' In Jinling, the Chairman also issued a statement supporting the Northeast authorities' action.

However, in the Kwantung Army Headquarters of the Japanese in the Northeast, the officers were secretly smirking.

"The Chinese have finally started fighting the Russians," Kwantung Army Chief of Staff Miyake Mitsuharu said with a laugh, "This is exactly the opportunity we have long awaited."

Moscow's reaction was faster and harsher than expected. On July 17, the Soviet government notified the Nanjing National Government, demanding the immediate release of the detained personnel, restoration of the Middle East Road to its original state, or else they would sever diplomatic ties and take military action.

In the Grand Marshal's Mansion in Shenyang, Zhang Xueliang's complexion grew solemn when he received the Soviet Union's ultimatum.

"Young Marshal, the Soviets are massing troops on the border," Chief of Staff Rong Zhen reported, "It seems they really intend to resort to force."

Zhang Xueliang let out a cold snort: "Tell the Soviets we will never back down!"

On July 18, the Soviet Union announced the severance of diplomatic relations with the Nanjing National Government and withdrew all its diplomatic personnel from China. At the same time, the Soviet Special Far Eastern Army began massing at the Sino‑Soviet border.

On the Harbin front, Northeast Army troops stood ready in tight formation. The soldiers lay in the trenches, watching the Soviet forces mobilizing on the other side of the border, their feelings mixed.

"I heard the old Russian's tanks are formidable," a rookie whispered.

The veteran patted his shoulder: "What are you afraid of! Our young marshal said it, this time we must demonstrate the spirit of the Huaxia people!"

In Jinling, Li Yuxuan anxiously requested an audience with the Chairman.

"Young Master, the situation is spiraling out of control. The Soviet Union has mobilized three divisions, equipped with tanks and aircraft. The Northeast Army is likely no match, and our forces have no chance to intervene against the Japanese."

The Chairman was indifferent: "Let Zhang Xueliang have a taste of hardship. That way he'll rely on the central government even more."

"But what if the Soviets launch a massive invasion…"

"No need to worry," the Chairman interrupted, "The Soviets don't dare to truly go to war; they are also concerned about the Japanese reaction."

As the Chairman had anticipated, within the Soviet high command there were divisions over the China policy. Some leaders advocated immediate military action, while others feared it would give Japan an opening.

However, the situation developed beyond anyone's expectations. In August, Soviet troops began crossing the border frequently, engaging in small‑scale clashes with the Northeast Army. Huaxia villagers in the border region fled inland en masse.

"Young Marshal, Soviet aircraft are increasingly conducting cross‑border reconnaissance," Rong Zhen reported to Zhang Xueliang, his tone tinged with worry.

Zhang Xueliang stood before the map, silent for a long while. He began to realize that the stakes of this game might be far larger than he had imagined.