Chiang Kai-shek looked at Tang Shengzhi, who was standing straight, and couldn't help but be surprised. Tang Shengzhi, who is a little weak, has a tigerish impression on Chiang Kai-shek at the moment. It seems that I have seen the majestic and invincible Tang Shengzhi during the battle between Jiang Feng and Jiang Gui again. This Tang Shengzhi, who has a relationship with himself, actually stood up, supported himself, and stood up to help himself when he needed someone to solve his difficulties the most. Chiang Kai-shek couldn't help but look at Tang Shengzhi with admiration. Chiang Kai-shek was secretly happy that someone finally came out to guard Nanjing. Chiang Kai-shek's tense heart for several days suddenly relaxed. In fact, Chiang Kai-shek admired Tang Shengzhi's talent. In that year, Chiang Kai-shek launched the "April 12 coup, the Northern Expedition was abandoned halfway, Chiang Kai-shek and Wang Jingwei Ninghan were separated, and the two families fought against each other. In the midst of the nation's condemnation of Chiang, Tang Shengzhi held a heavy army to fight against Chiang, forcing Lao Chiang to "go into the wilderness" by electricity. After the reunification of Ninghan, Tang Shengzhi went to Japan. Later, the outbreak of the Jiang Gui War, Chiang Kai-shek forced him to go out of the wilderness Tang Shengzhi invited out of the mountain, Tang Shengzhi in order to repay Chiang Kai-shek's kindness to live up to expectations, in the two major battles with Jiang Gui and Jiang Feng, he went to the front line in person, and made great contributions to Chiang Kai-shek's victory in the Central Plains.

However, Chiang Kai-shek unloaded the mill and killed the donkey, and after the war ended, he stepped forward to lose Tang Shengzhi's military power. Tang Shengzhi was furious and turned against Jiang again, but he was defeated. He was transferred to Guangdong to assist Chen Jitang and Li Zongren in jointly opposing Chiang.

It was not until the "918" incident that under the pressure of public opinion from all walks of life, Ningbo and Guangdong were reunited and united with the outside world. But this time Chiang Kai-shek did not dare to reuse Tang Shengzhi, and only gave him an idle position. Only served as the head of the Military Senate. With the development of the situation, especially the aggression of the Japanese invaders, the anti-Japanese voices of the whole country became louder and louder. Under the pressure of resistance against Japan, Chiang Kai-shek gave Tang Shengzhi a practical position as director of the executive department of the Military Commission. Let him be specially responsible for planning preparations for the resistance against Japan.

Chiang Kai-shek actually thought of Tang Shengzhi for a long time, but because of the indescribable estrangement between him and Tang Shengzhi, he always wanted to find an opportunity to talk to Tang Shengzhi. Unexpectedly, Tang Shengzhi recommended him today and solved his dilemma. Thinking back then, during the Northern Expedition, Tang Shengzhi was so beautiful. In the Northern Expedition, he served as the commander-in-chief of the former enemy of the Central Route Army, and led his caretaker troops, the 8th Army, plus the 4th Army, the 7th Army and Ye Ting's Independent Regiment, all the way to capture Wusheng Pass, bloody battle Ting Siqiao, drinking horses on the Yangtze River, and defeating Guan Peifu to lose his armor and abandon his armor. Tang Shengzhi's outstanding military exploits brought glory to Chiang Kai-shek, who was then the commander-in-chief of the Northern Expedition. Overnight, General Tang Shengzhi's wisdom and courage were so powerful that the whole country knew it. Chiang Kai-shek also praised Tang Shengzhi in public: "Meng Xiao has a military genius, and I can't do it." ”

Tang Shengzhi straightened his chest and made a generous statement: "Nanjing is the capital of our country, because of the international view, and it is also where Premier Sun's mausoleum is located. What do the people of the whole country think of us? Therefore, Nanjing cannot be lost, it must be defended! I am willing to live and die with Nanjing! ”

When Chiang Kai-shek heard this, the clouds on his face dissipated, and he smiled excitedly and said: "Meng Xiao said what I said in my heart, Nanjing is the ancient capital of the Six Dynasties, and there are 600,000 people living there, if we abandon the city and go away, we will be infamous through the ages!" I agree with Meng Xiao's opinion and live and die with Nanjing. Chiang Kai-shek hoped to take advantage of Tang Shengzhi's wisdom and courage to defend Nanjing for three months, and then transfer troops to keep Nanjing, and once again win back face for Chiang Kai-shek. If Nanjing can't be defended, it is also Tang Shengzhi's failure to defend the city, so let him be a scapegoat.

It was not until November 24, 1937, that Chiang Kai-shek held the third meeting of the Military Commission, at which Chiang Kai-shek announced: "I now announce the appointment of Tang Shengzhi as the commander of the Nanjing garrison. At the meeting, Chiang Kai-shek held Tang Shengzhi's hand tightly and said earnestly: "Meng Xiao, the national disaster is at the head, you have a heavy responsibility on your shoulders, and I entrust you with the guards of Nanjing!" ”

From this day on, Tang Shengzhi officially served as the commander of the Nanjing garrison.