Chapter 143: Xi'an Incident 3

The last hope was completely shattered. That night, Zhang Xueliang secretly went to Yang Hucheng's residence. In a hidden basement of Yang's mansion, the two held a conversation that would decide Huaxia's future direction. The halo of the kerosene lamp enlarged their silhouettes on the wall, flickering unsteadily, just like their current state of mind.

"Brother Hu Cheng," Zhang Xueliang said wearily, leaning against the chair back, rubbing his throbbing temples hard, "It seems the principal is set in his mind, determined to suppress the bandits first. We... we have no way out now."

Yang Hucheng took a deep drag of his cigarette, then slowly exhaled a dense plume of smoke, sighed, his voice low and hoarse: "Deputy Commander-in-Chief, we have already done everything righteous, said everything that needed saying, done everything that needed doing. Bitter counsel, mournful counsel, even this final death counsel, all to no avail."

"Then... in your opinion, what should the current plan be?" Zhang Xueliang raised his head, his eyes streaked with blood.

Yang Hucheng leaned in closer, lowering his voice to a barely audible whisper, yet each word weighed as heavy as a thousand pounds: "For the present plan, for the survival of the nation and its people, to force the principal to resist the Japanese... the only way is through Military Advisor."

Zhang Xueliang jerked his head up, his pupils suddenly constricting: "You mean...?"

"Exactly." Yang Hucheng's gaze flickered in the dim light with a resolute, even somewhat tragic, brilliance, "Invite the principal to Xi'an City as a guest. By extraordinary means, provoke him to awaken and agree to resist the Japanese!"

Zhang Xueliang remained silent for a long time, the night outside the window dead and still. At last, he gave a heavy nod and forced a word from deep in his throat: "... Gan!"

On December 11, the atmosphere at Huaqing Pool grew especially tense, like a barrel full of gunpowder that could explode with a single spark. The principal repeatedly summoned generals from all sides, hurriedly orchestrating the final Bandit Suppression military operation, his tone growing more urgent each time.

"Jingxing, when can your troops be fully in place?" the principal stared at Li Yuxuan, his gaze scorching.

"The units are marching day and night, but even at the fastest, it will still take three days to complete deployment," Li Yuxuan replied cautiously, his mind deliberately seeking reasons to delay, fully aware of the huge risk of forcing troops.

"Too slow! We can't wait any longer!" the principal waved his hand in displeasure, his tone decisive, "Tomorrow! By tomorrow noon, the total offensive must begin! Whether your troops are in place or not, the front-line units must act on orders! Those who disobey will be dealt with under Military Law!"

In the afternoon, Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng, following protocol, came to Huaqing Pool for the final time to report military affairs. This time, they no longer offered any form of counsel, merely stating the troop movements and preparations expressionlessly, as if routine, while inside they were already coldly resolute.

The principal seemed to vaguely sense something amiss, yet could not pinpoint what. He specifically emphasized to Zhang Xueliang: "Han Qing, after the total offensive begins tomorrow, you will stay at Huaqing Pool, accompany me to supervise the battle, so as to coordinate command at any time."

Zhang Xueliang bowed his head in agreement, his demeanor deferential, but the instant his eyelids lowered, a flash of irrevocable resolve flickered in his eyes.

Night fell again, Huaqing Pool was heavily guarded, sentry posts everywhere. After handling the final Document, the principal seemed to think the overall situation was settled, and retired early, knowing almost nothing about the storm brewing within Xi'an City and its surroundings.

However, Li Yuxuan tossed and turned, unable to sleep. A strong ominous premonition coiled around his heart like a poisonous snake. He threw on his coat and paced back and forth in the chilling courtyard. In the distance, toward Xi'an City, only scattered lights flickered in the darkness; beneath that silence, he knew a tumultuous wave capable of changing Huaxia's fate was surging. He realized that the matter might occur tonight, or perhaps tomorrow night.

"Commander, it's so late, and you haven't rested?" the close Adjutant Huang Wei asked softly from behind him.

"Can't sleep," Li Yuxuan said, looking toward Xi'an City, sighing deeply, a persistent worry clouding his brows, "I always feel... something big is about to happen. The mountain rain is about to come, the wind fills the building..."

"You mean... Zhang and Yang, the two..." Huang Wei's voice lowered even further.

"Say nothing, ask nothing," Li Yuxuan snapped, his tone extremely severe, "Remember, remember it firmly! No matter what happens next, without my explicit order, every unit of the Fifth Army and the Eighteenth Army must not act on their own! Especially, under no circumstances may they fire on the Northeast Army or the Seventeenth Route Army! Those who disobey will be executed without mercy!"

"Yes! I understand, sir!" Huang Wei felt a chill, stood upright, and whispered his obedience.

On December 11, 1936, Xi'an's night was as thick as unbleachable ink, even the last few daring stars that tried to peer into the world hid completely within heavy clouds, unwilling to appear. The whole city lay dead silent, only the biting north wind tirelessly swept over the ancient city wall, emitting a wail like the lament of a wronged soul.

Inside the city, Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng stood side by side in the Operations Room of the Northeast Army headquarters. A massive Military Map hung on the wall, and the wick of the Standard Oil lamp on the table had been raised high, its flickering flame casting their tense, solemn faces in shifting light and shadow. The "Military Advisor" action plan on the desk, concerning the nation's destiny, had been scrutinized and revised repeatedly; its corners were frayed from frequent handling, and every route, every time point, every responsible person's name had been etched deeply into their minds, leaving no room for error.

The cold air outside seeped in through the imperfect door cracks, yet it could not cool the almost burning tension inside. Yang Hucheng held a half‑burned Hade Gate cigarette between his fingers, the long ash trembling as it hung, but he seemed oblivious, staring at the map on the wall with blood‑veined eyes, his voice hoarse and low, as if fearing to disturb the last calm before the storm: "Has every unit confirmed its position? Over at Huaqing Pool, especially around the Five Halls where the principal is staying, our operation must be swift and precise, no mistakes allowed, and we must ensure the principal's personal safety is absolutely guaranteed."

Zhang Xueliang pressed his lips together and gave a heavy nod; his knuckles were pale from gripping his fists for so long, a bluish‑white hue. "Everything is arranged; the brothers taking part in the operation are carefully selected reliable men, fully aware of the thousand‑pound weight of this act. Everyone... everyone is holding their breath, waiting for that signal in the latter half of the night." His voice carried a resolve of burning the boats.