Chapter 79: Second Northern Expedition 5

The lights of the Xu Prefecture Field Headquarters burned through the night without going out, Jiang stood before the map, his fingertip slowly moving north along the Jinpu Line, repeatedly pausing over the characters "Jinan." Outside, the wind hurled sand that battered the window lattice, sounding much like the faint cannon fire from a northern battlefield.

"Report!" the Adjutant's voice broke the silence.

"Come in." Jiang did not turn, his gaze still glued to the map.

"Chairman, Chairman Li is calling." the Adjutant held the telegram, his tone carrying a hint of hesitation.

A flash of expectation crossed Jiang's eyes, and his steps quickened as he turned: "But Jingxing has taken Jinan?" The news that the Northern Expedition Army's troops were approaching Jinan had arrived that morning, and he had assumed the telegram was a report of victory.

"Reply to the Chairman: No." the Adjutant lowered his eyes, handed over the telegram, "Chairman Li says the Japanese troops in Jinan city are slaughtering soldiers and civilians en masse, asking the Chairman how to decide."

"What?" Jiang's voice rose sharply, he snatched the telegram, his fingers crumpling the paper from the force. The Document was short, but each character burned like red‑hot branding iron, scorching his fingertips—"Japanese troops raze the city, diplomatic personnel killed, request strategy."

He stared at the telegram for a while, then suddenly slapped the paper onto the desk and said gravely, "Let me think. Go, summon Lin Wei, Zhang Qun, Yang Jie and others, immediately!"

"Yes, Chairman!"

An hour later, the conference room of the field headquarters was filled with military and political officials. Chief of General Staff Yang Jie wore a crisp uniform, his brows bearing a soldier's sharpness. Vice President of the Executive Yuan Zhang Qun was in a long robe, appearing even more composed. Director of the Aide Office Lin Wei sat at the far end, clutching a steel pen for record‑keeping, his expression solemn.

"Chairman, you summoned us." The three greeted in unison, their gazes simultaneously falling on the opened telegram on the desk.

Jiang pointed to the telegram, his tone heavy: "Jingxing just called, saying the Japanese troops are slaughtering soldiers and civilians in Jinan, even the officials of the negotiation office weren't spared. He asked me what to do; what do you think?"

The conference room fell silent instantly, only the wind outside growing clearer. Zhang Qun lifted her teacup but did not drink, merely flicking the foam with the lid. Lin Wei bowed his head, scribbling on the paper, his pen tip hovering in mid‑air for a long time. Yang Jie furrowed his brows, his fingers subconsciously tapping his knee.

After a moment, Yang Jie spoke first, his voice loud and firm: "Chairman, I suggest bypassing Jinan and continuing the Northern Expedition."

Jiang looked up at him: "Why?"

"First," Yang Jie stood, walked to the map, picked up a pointer and aimed at Huabei, "our army's core objective is to complete the Northern Expedition, overthrow the Beiyang Government, and unify the nation. The Japanese troops are now stirring trouble in Jinan, clearly aiming to obstruct Huaxia's unification. If we engage them in a prolonged battle in Jinan, we would hit the bull's‑eye of their plan, delaying the Northern Expedition and gaining nothing. Therefore, the Northern Expedition must take precedence and not be constrained by Jinan."

He paused, his tone growing more severe: "Second, the Japanese Sixth Division and other units have already fortified positions in Jinan and along the Jiaoji Railway, equipped with heavy artillery and Armored Vehicles, giving them superiority in firepower and equipment. Although the Northern Expedition Army has elite forces like the Fifth Army, its main body is still en route. If we clash hard with the Japanese in Jinan, we will expend massive troops and time, and the outcome is uncertain. Should we become stalemated, the remnants of Zhang Zuolin's and Wu Peifu's forces in the north might seize the chance to strike back, causing the entire Northern Expedition to falter…"

"Chief Yang makes a sound argument," Zhang Qun set her teacup down and said slowly, "From a diplomatic standpoint, the Japanese act is brutal but they have not formally declared war. If our army initiates hostilities, we would give them an excuse to expand the conflict. It would be better to first steady our position, continue the Northern Expedition on one hand, and on the other use diplomatic channels to appeal to the International Community, seeking sympathy and mediation from Britain, the United States and other nations."

Lin Wei also nodded in agreement: "Intelligence received by the Aide Office shows that within Japan there is already a proposal to reinforce Qilu, clearly intending to use the opportunity to expand their sphere of influence. At this moment, a direct clash is unwise; restraint should be paramount."

Jiang listened in silence, his fingers lightly tapping the desk. How could he not know that bypassing was the safest option? Yet could the blood debt of Jinan's soldiers and civilians simply be ignored? He could guess the words Jingxing left unsaid in the telegram— that the freshly formed Fifth Army, at this moment, was likely already unable to contain its fury.

"Chairman," Yang Jie saw his hesitation and raised his tone, "those who achieve great deeds do not fuss over minor details. Unifying the nation and ending the warlord chaos is the only way to truly consolidate national strength; only then can we settle accounts with the Japanese troops with confidence. Acting on impulse now will only cause years of hard‑won effort to go down the drain."

Jiang closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, the struggle in his eyes had been replaced by resolve: "Fine, you may go."

"Yes, Chairman." The three slipped away quietly, leaving the space to the leader who bore the decision alone.

The conference room was left with only Jiang, the lamp casting deep shadows across his face. He walked to the window and gazed at the pitch‑black plain outside Xuzhou city, where countless soldiers lay in wait to march north.

"Alas—" a long sigh pierced the silence, laden with endless fatigue and helplessness.

Qian Dajun had been waiting outside, and seeing his despondent expression, hurried forward and asked, "What's wrong, Chairman?"

Jiang turned, his tone bearing an unspeakable heaviness: "Never mind, the resolution of this Jinan Incident lies not in military means but in diplomacy." He waved his hand as if making a final decision, "We can only use diplomatic channels, unite Britain, the United States and other nations for international mediation. Send a telegram to Jingxing, tell them to bypass Jinan, continue the Northern Expedition, and avoid direct clashes with the Japanese troops."

"Yes, Chairman." Qian Dajun picked up pen and paper, swiftly recording the Document, the sound of the pen tip scratching the page echoing unusually clearly in the silent night.

Jiang looked again at the telegram from Jinan, his fingertip lightly brushing the words "slaughter soldiers and civilians," and suddenly felt his eyes burn. He knew that once this telegram was sent, Jingxing's side would erupt in chaos— that stubborn brother would certainly not be content to bypass.

Yet he had no other choice. In the great undertaking of unifying the nation, the humiliation of a single city or locale could only be endured temporarily.