Chapter 94: Jiang-Gui War 2

When the conversation was drawing to a close, the Chairman suddenly asked, "Jingxing, what do you think is our greatest weakness?"

Li Yuxuan thought for a long time, then answered slowly, "Talent. We lack a complete talent cultivation system. The Gui faction's territory may be smaller than ours, but they have a mechanism for training cadres from the grassroots."

"Well said." The Chairman nodded with satisfaction, "So I have already decided to expand the scale of the Central Army Officer Academy. This matter will be entrusted to you."

Li Yuxuan was somewhat surprised, "But I am now responsible for military industry construction and Qilu…"

"Military industry and Qilu are certainly important, but talent is more important." The Chairman interrupted him, "We need to cultivate new-type officers loyal to the Party and State, which concerns long‑term stability."

He walked to Li Yuxuan's front, solemnly said, "I know you have always wanted to build a new national defense system. But without reliable talent, even the best weapons are in vain. This matter belongs to no one but you."

Li Yuxuan felt the weight of those words. It was not only trust, but also a heavy responsibility.

When leaving the President's Office, the lights were just turning on. Li Yuxuan walked the streets of Jinling, recalling the afternoon conversation. The Northern Expedition had succeeded, but the real challenge was only beginning. Beneath the façade of unity lay open and covert struggles among the various forces.

He recalled his senior's words as he left, "Li, your greatest enemy is not the Japanese, but internal strife among your own people."

At this moment, he understood that sentence more deeply. The road ahead was destined not to be smooth.

A week later, in the conference hall of the Central Army Officer Academy, a deployment conference that would decide the fate of the various forces was underway. The Chairman, dressed in military uniform, sat at the head seat, with Li Yuxuan, Li Zongren, Feng Yuxiang, and Yan Xisan of three factions seated on either side.

"Comrades," the Chairman got straight to the point, "Now that the Northern Expedition is complete, the urgent task is to reorganize the army and lessen the people's burden. I propose dividing the nation into six deployment zones, each group army must reduce its forces proportionally."

The venue fell silent at once. Li Zongren toyed with his tea cup, a faint smile at the corner of his mouth. Feng Yuxiang and Yan Xisan exchanged a meaningful glance.

"The Commander‑in‑Chief's words are reasonable," Li Zongren said slowly, "However, the bandit trouble in the Lianghu Region is not cleared, and the Yuzhang border is also uneasy. If we cut forces now, it may cause trouble."

The Chairman's expression unchanged, "Brother De Lin, you worry too much. Since the nation is unified, local security should naturally be handled centrally."

The meeting proceeded under a veneer of harmony, but Li Yuxuan could clearly feel the undercurrents among the parties. During the recess, he met Li Zongren in the corridor.

"Jinggong, how have you been lately?" Li Zongren greeted warmly, "I heard you are making great strides at the academy."

"You flatter me," Li Yuxuan replied modestly, "It's all for serving the Party and State."

Li Zongren smiled meaningfully, "Indeed, all for the Party and State. But sometimes, some people treat the Party and State as their own family business."

Those words startled Li Yuxuan. He understood that Li Zongren was hinting at the Chairman's dictatorial tendency.

After the deployment conference broke up unhappily, Li Zongren immediately returned to Wuhan. At the Gui faction headquarters in Wuchang, core figures such as Bai Chongxi and Huang Shaohong had been waiting for a long time.

"The Chairman is openly reducing fiefs," Bai Chongxi pounded the table, "Six deployment zones, he directly controls four; does he think we're all fools?"

Huang Shaohong remained relatively calm, "Brother Jiansheng, keep calm. The Chairman holds the central status, and there is also the Fifth Army; even if they are scattered, we should not directly confront."

Li Zongren removed his military cap, sat down slowly, "The Chairman's move is indeed clever. But we must let him know the Gui faction is not so easy to bully."

In February, Jiangcheng was chilled by early spring. In a private room of a tea house in Hankou, core members of the Gui faction were holding a secret meeting with Wang Zhaoming's representative Chen Gongbo.

"Mr. Wang's meaning is clear," Chen Gongbo lowered his voice, "As long as the Gui faction is willing to lead the opposition to Jiang, the Reorganizationist Faction will definitely give full support."

Bai Chongxi sneered, "Wang Zhaoming has made a good calculation. Let us take the vanguard and reap the profits."

"That can't be said like that," Li Zongren waved his hand, "Having one more friend is always better than one more enemy. However…" He paused, "We still need to wait for the right moment."

On February 21, a nationwide shocking news came from Xingcheng: the Jiangcheng Political Sub‑Council controlled by the Gui faction, citing "ineffective suppression of the Reds," arbitrarily dismissed Sanxiang Province Chairman Lu Diping and replaced him with Ren Yijian as Sanxiang Province Chairman.

When the news reached Jinling, the Chairman was presiding over a military meeting. An aide hurriedly handed over a telegram; after reading it, the Chairman's complexion changed abruptly, and he slammed the telegram onto the table.

"Lawless!" the Chairman fumed, "Is the Gui faction trying to rebel?"

The generals present looked at each other. He Jian cautiously spoke, "Commander‑in‑Chief, this matter requires careful handling. The Gui faction's action indeed violates regulations, but…"

"But what?" the Chairman coldly interrupted, "Prepare immediately; I will personally suppress these rebels!"

After the meeting, the Chairman left Li Yuxuan alone.

"Jingxing, what do you think?"

Li Yuxuan pondered briefly, "The Gui faction's move is indeed excessive, but resorting to force directly may not be the best strategy. Better to first issue a central order for a thorough investigation, while covertly moving troops, preparing both options."

The Chairman shook his head, "You don't understand Li Zongren. He appears modest outwardly, but is extremely arrogant inside. If we don't give him a lesson, other warlords will follow suit."