Chapter 92: Northeast 3

A few days later, in the conference hall, smoke curled and the sound of argument never ceased; the pro‑war generals led by Tang Yulin were fervent, most of them being the old subordinates who had first followed Zhang Zuolin and felt deep loyalty to the Beiyang Government.

Young commander! Tang Yulin slammed the table, his voice booming. The Grand Marshal's body is not yet cold—are we to betray the conviction he upheld all his life? The Beiyang Government is the Grand Marshal's lifelong heart's focus!

On the other side, Yang Yuting remained calmer; he adjusted his glasses and said slowly: "General Tang, times have changed. Now the Northern Expedition Army controls most of Huaxia; if we act unilaterally, we may repeat the disaster of the direct‑submission war."

"What are we afraid of?" Zhang snorted coldly. Our Northeast Army of three hundred thousand troops is well‑equipped, with the Fengtian Arms Factory as backing. Even if war breaks out, we might not lose!

Wan Fulin shook his head and sighed: "War is no child's play. Once hostilities begin, the Japanese will surely seize the opportunity. Then we will be beset on all sides—how can we respond?"

Zhang Xueliang sat quietly in the main seat, his gaze profound. He noted that among the arguing generals, the younger officers mostly remained silent, while the veterans split into two clearly distinct camps. This generational gap reflected an ideological shift within the Northeast Army.

"Young commander," the most senior Zhang Jinghui finally spoke, "I have followed the Grand Marshal for over twenty years and know his greatest wish is to preserve Northeast's legacy. The current situation outmatches any individual; please place the welfare of the thirty‑million Northeastern people above all."

At that moment, a secretary hurried in and whispered into Zhang Xueliang's ear: "Special Envoy Li Yuxuan from Jinling has arrived, bringing the Chairman's handwritten letter and a secret agreement."

Zhang Xueliang's eyes brightened slightly as he told the crowd: "We have just received word that Jinling's representative Li Yuxuan has arrived in Shenyang, bearing the Chairman's handwritten letter."

The venue fell silent instantly, all eyes focusing on Zhang Xueliang.

"Invite him in," Zhang Xueliang said.

When Li Yuxuan entered the conference hall, he could clearly feel the tense atmosphere permeating the air. He noted the pro‑war generals casting scrutinizing, even hostile, glances, while the pro‑peace faction wore expressions of anticipation.

"General Zhang," Li Yuxuan said calmly as he walked to Zhang Xueliang, handing over the letter, "this is the Chairman's handwritten letter for you."

Zhang Xueliang opened the letter and read it carefully. Inside, the Chairman not only pledged to maintain the Northeast's status quo, promised economic aid, and supported Zhang Xueliang's continued control over the Northeast military‑civil administration, but also specifically wrote: "Hanqing, the nation's unification is imminent; may you prioritize the great cause of the people. As for the matter concerning your late father, Zhongzheng will surely act as a filial son."

That final sentence gave Zhang Xueliang a jolt. He understood that the Chairman was assuring him that he would not be held accountable for Zhang Zuolin's past opposition to the Northern Expedition Army.

After reading the letter, Zhang Xueliang remained silent for a long while. He looked up, scanning every general present, seeing the varied expressions on their faces, and finally resolved: "Please convey to the Chairman that Zhang Xueliang thanks him for his goodwill. Three days later, on December 29, 1928, the Northeast will officially change its flag!"

When those words were spoken, the hall erupted in a roar. Tang Yulin sprang to his feet, about to speak, but under Zhang Xueliang's steadfast gaze, he slowly sat back down.

On the morning three days later, Shenyang was still shrouded in a thin mist, but the square before the Grand Marshal's Mansion was already teeming with people. Representatives from all walks of life of the three Northeastern provinces, foreign envoys, journalists, and spontaneously arriving citizens packed the square to the brim.

On the makeshift podium, Zhang Xueliang, dressed in military uniform, stood upright. Behind him, the Northeast military‑civil officials were lined up neatly; most wore solemn faces, yet their eyes revealed both anticipation and worry for the future. Li Yuxuan, as Jinling Government's Special Envoy, stood to Zhang Xueliang's right, his demeanor solemn.

At precisely ten o'clock in the morning, the military band sounded the prelude, and the entire audience stood at attention.

Zhang Xueliang strode to the microphone, inhaled deeply. His gaze swept over the sea of dark‑cloaked crowd below, spotting many familiar faces—old subordinates who had followed his father for years, gentry elders who had always supported the Zhang family, and energetic student representatives.

"Fellow countrymen!" Zhang Xueliang's voice rang through the loudspeakers across the square, "After careful consideration and with the consent of Northeastern stakeholders, I announce today that the three Northeastern provinces will, from now on, submit to the National Government and change their flag!"

As soon as the words fell, the military band played the Republic of China's national anthem. Amid the solemn music, the Beiyang Government's five‑color flag was slowly lowered, and the Blue Sky White Sun Red Earth Flag rose gradually, fluttering in the winter sun.

At that moment, thunderous applause erupted across the square, and many were moved to tears. Some elders wiped the corners of their eyes, having witnessed the transition from the Qing dynasty to the Republic and now, feeling a flood of emotions.

In the foreign envoy viewing area, the Kwantung Army representative Kenji Tohihara of Japan wore a grim expression; he whispered to the adjutant beside him: "This day has finally arrived. Yet, the Northeast's affairs are not over yet."

British Consul John said to the French Consul: "Huaxia has managed to reunite again; although the road ahead remains arduous, this truly is a historic moment."

After the ceremony, Zhang Xueliang and Li Yuxuan walked side by side through the Grand Marshal's Mansion garden. The winter sun filtered through the bare branches, casting dappled shadows on the snow.

"Special Envoy Li, I hope the Jinling side can keep its promise," Zhang Xueliang said, his tone carrying a barely perceptible worry.

Li Yuxuan nodded: "General Zhang, rest assured, the Chairman always keeps his word. However…" He paused, looking toward the melting snow in the distance, "the current domestic unification is only the first step; the real challenge lies ahead."

"You mean the Japanese?" Zhang Xueliang asked knowingly.

"Not only the Japanese." Li Yuxuan's gaze grew distant, "Domestic construction and the people's welfare are challenges we must confront. General Zhang, the Northeast possesses the most advanced industrial base, which is vital to the nation's development."

Zhang Xueliang halted, looking earnestly at Li Yuxuan: "I understand your point. Since the Northeast has changed its flag, it will naturally support national construction fully. However…" He hesitated, "Jinling must also grasp the Northeast's special circumstances. The Japanese have troops stationed along the South Manchuria Railway, and the Kwantung Army watches hungrily; these are real threats."

"The Chairman is well aware of that," Li Yuxuan nodded, "which is why he promised to maintain the Northeast's status quo. However, General Zhang, I must remind you, the Japanese will never settle peacefully. Having operated in the Northeast for years, they will certainly devise ways to stir trouble."

Zhang Xueliang gave a wry smile: "I know that better than anyone. My father often said, the Japanese are our greatest hidden danger."

The two continued strolling, eventually arriving unknowingly at the plum garden that Zhang Zuolin had loved in life. Though it was mid‑winter, a few wax‑plum trees bloomed against the cold, emitting a faint fragrance.

"If the late Grand Marshal were to see today's situation, I wonder what he would think," Li Yuxuan said softly.

Zhang Xueliang stared at the plum blossoms on the branches, and after a long pause said, "My father's greatest wish in life was to preserve the Northeast's legacy. I believe, if his spirit watches from heaven, he would understand my choice."

That evening, Li Yuxuan sent a telegram from his hotel to the Young Master: "The Northeast has changed its flag; the Republic is unified. Yet the road ahead is long, the Kwantung Army's movements are suspicious, early preparations are advisable."

On the train back to Jinling, Li Yuxuan gazed at the fields rushing by outside the window, his heart full of emotion. The nation's unification had finally been achieved, but he knew this unification was fleeting. Through the carriage window he saw the Northeastern lands blanketed in pristine white snow, beneath the calm a hidden current was stirring.

When the train passed Jinzhou, Li Yuxuan noticed Japanese troops conducting drills along the railway. The sight reinforced his belief that the Northeast's peace was merely superficial. He took out his diary and wrote: "Unification is achieved, yet danger still lurks everywhere."

The train continued southward, the scenery outside gradually shifting from snowfields to farmland. Li Yuxuan closed his eyes, and Zhang Xueliang's visage from the flag‑changing ceremony floated in his mind.

He knew that after returning to Jinling, many matters still awaited.