Beiping, Shuaifu Garden, Union Hospital. Pen ~ fun ~ pavilion www.biquge.info

Zhang Zizhong was half-lying and half-sitting on the hospital bed, holding a copy of "Historical Records" in his hand, and looked at it listlessly, there were several cigarette butts in the ashtray in front of the hospital bed, all of which were extinguished after one or two puffs.

He stayed in the hospital for three days, claiming to be full and indigestion, and was hospitalized for treatment, but he knew in his heart that it was all a lie. The real reason is heart disease: half grievance, half remorse! Thinking about the situation in the past month, he really felt like he was having a nightmare!

The cause of the incident began in March this year, on March 14, Zhang Zizhong led a delegation composed of senior generals of the 38th Division, at the invitation of the Japanese side, to Dongdu RB this time, nominally for the two countries to play a football match -- the TJ Bac Ninh Railway Football Team and the RB four teams played a match.

The members of the TJ Bac Ninh Railway Football Team are composed of railway employees, students from Peiyang University (now TJ University) and Nankai University, although they are not professional players, but the level is very high, and the RB University Football Team, Keio University Football Team, Waseda University Team and the Western United team have played four games in a row, winning four consecutive games, and ending the trip to Dongying with a complete victory, which makes the little RB very faceless.

In addition to the football match, the Japanese side showed considerable enthusiasm for Zhang Zizhong's visit, and the standard of reception was also quite high; Ryosuke Isoya, then director of the Military Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of the Army, accompanied him throughout the whole process and acted as an interpreter for him; when talking about the topic of cooperation between the two armies (referring to the garrison army), he even waved his hand and gave the 38th Division artillery and other advanced weapons.

Soon after Zhang Zizhong returned to China, the Japanese side organized a huge economic delegation for a return visit, led by Kodama Kenji, chairman of the then RB Zhengjin Bank, with 20 members, all of whom were financial, industrial, and commercial giants. As soon as I got off the boat at TJ, I was smiling all over my face and shouting the slogan of 'Sino-Japanese friendship and economic cooperation' -- it was almost time to wave a small flag.

In retrospect, when the RB people made the invitation, they already had the idea of separating the top and bottom of the 29th Army. If you are a little clear-headed and choose to ignore it, the RB people's calculations will naturally not work, and everything will not happen in the future? He thought wildly, shook his head, and put aside the ridiculous and useless thought.

In the more than two months that followed, the relationship between the 38th Division and the RB garrison was simply a honeymoon period, until the third day of the outbreak of the 77 Incident, that is, the day before Song Zheyuan came from SD to TJ, Hashimoto Qun looked for him alone and told him straight to the point: "The imperial kingdom has completely lost patience with the actions of the Song army commander and rat. In the future, I will never use him as a negotiation opponent! ”

Zhang Zizhong didn't understand the meaning of the conversation at first, and asked hesitantly: "Chief of Staff, please forgive Zhang for being stupid, why don't you treat Commander Song as a negotiation opponent?" Are the two countries about to close the door to negotiations? This...... Your Excellency Chief of Staff, I'm afraid this is not an acceptable resolution for both of us and you, right? ”

"Of course not that's what I meant, Zhang Sang. Refusing to negotiate with Song Sang does not mean that he will not negotiate with the Chinese side...... Instead, he did not negotiate with Song Sang. The difference between this, please Zhang Sang pondered. ”

Zhang Zizhong immediately guessed that the RB people were going to kick Song Zheyuan away! "Then ,......," he asked, a little in the way, and as if expecting a little, "I don't know what you want?" ”

"Zhang Sang, don't you even understand this? In terms of popularity, talent, quality, and qualifications, can anyone in the 29th Army be stronger than you? ”

Zhang Zizhong felt a burst of joy in his heart, forced himself to calm down, and shook his head: "Thank you Chief of Staff for your kindness, but this matter is ......, please forgive Zizhong for not daring to obey." ”

Hashimoto Qun understood his thoughts very well, and he was not in a hurry, and continued to persuade: "General Zhang is unwilling to turn his back on his old master, and he is even more unwilling to bear the infamy of a rebellion. But this matter is not about Song Sang or General Zhang's own name, it is really for the sake of the well-being and well-being of 10,000 people in North China! General Zhang, please think about it, if there is a discord in the matter, you and our two countries will meet each other, and then the people of Li will suffer from the soldiers, and General Zhang loves the people like a son, how can he bear it? ”

Of course, Zhang Zizhong would not be impressed by his words, but he just shook his head, but refused to agree to Hashimoto's suggestion. The latter was not reluctant, and instead talked with him about the friendship between Japan and China, and the topic of wind and snow, until late at night, the guests and hosts parted happily.

Although Hashimoto's words did not move Zhang Zizhong, they also planted a seed in his heart, from July 11, Qi Xieyuan, Chen Yansheng and others took turns to fight, using enough water grinding kung fu, the effect was never great, until the outbreak of the Langfang incident, Pan Yugui was entrusted by the Japanese side, came to lobby, Zhang Zizhong's position was finally loosened.

Pan Yugui is Song Zheyuan's first favorite minister, and his trust is far greater than that of the generals in the army, Zhang Zizhong never thought that he would betray his old friends and superiors.

When a few people were chatting, he asked vaguely, and Pan Yugui didn't hide it, and said one by one: "Mingxuan and I, with different surnames, are actually the same brothers." But because of this, how can I watch him make mistakes again and again? ”

"What do you mean by that?"

Pan Yugui sighed for a long time, but he really hated the virtue of iron but not steel: "Mingxuan is becoming less and less brave as he used to be." As you know, after the Langfang incident, there was the Guanganmen incident, and the Japanese side was furious, and deliberately completely disregarded the overall situation of Sino-Japanese friendship and forcibly entered Beiping; Even under such circumstances, Mingxuan still refused to agree to the Japanese side's conditions, and wholeheartedly made peace with the mud. The Japanese side ignored its demands and refused to deal with those who caused trouble. Hey, if it drags on like this, the state affairs will be erosive, and Yiyuhudi? ”

Zhang Zizhong's old face turned red. The Langfang incident was the first to be shot by his troops of the 38th Division, and he, as the direct commander, also had considerable responsibility. "So, what are the RB people up to?"

"Let me tell you the truth, before I came over this time, I had a big fight with Commander Xiangyue over Mingxuan's matter!"

"Oh, why?"

"Of course, it's for Mingxuan's future destination! The Japanese side wanted to severely punish the 29th Army as a family member, but I couldn't do anything about it! I told them that it would be best if you wanted to make peace. If we want to go to war, we Chinese are not afraid. But there is only one way, if you want to deal with Ming Xuan, from my Pan Yugui's point of view, it will never work! ”

Zhang Zizhong was completely coaxed by his performance, nodded again and again when he heard the words, and said: "Yes, what Brother Yan Sheng said is extremely true, no matter what step he takes, he will never allow the RB people to hurt the commander in the slightest." ”

"That's what I said. In the end, it was finally said that the Japanese side was moved, if General Zhang agreed to change the day, Mingxuan's side, I would divide it, and let him go into the field safely. ”

Qi Xieyuan and a man named Zhang Renle accompanied him. Zhang Renle's father is the famous Zhang Zhidong! Zhang Renle word Yanqing, after graduating from Qingdao Special High School, went to Japan to study in 1920, and after returning to China, he successively served under the warlord Li Jinglin and Chu Yupu, but he did not do it for long, and went to the Northeast in 1932, sold himself to the RB Kwantung Army, and served as the internal affairs officer of the puppet Manchukuo ruling government, until May 1937, because some people in the Concord failed to fight for power and profit, and returned to Guannai.

Zhang Renle is an official fan, he knows the truth of having the right to have money, seeing that the situation in Pingjin is getting tighter, he knows that his opportunity has come, so he first took refuge in Qi Xieyuan's door, and is ready to be a minister from Longzhong, and when the time comes, he will be promoted to become rich, and his hands will be captured.

Seeing that Zhang Zizhong was very moved, Qi Xieyuan and Zhang Renle agitated like a reed, and talked about the benefits and disadvantages, and finally dispelled most of Zhang Zizhong's concerns: "Then, can the RB people put forward any conditions?" ”

Hearing him ask such a question, Pan Yugui was a little happy: "The conditions are naturally there, but they are only contained in the "Xiangyue Rules". Well, there's only one ......"

"What is it?"

"The Japanese side demanded that in the future, the employment of personnel in the Pingjin area should be reported to the Japanese side first."

Zhang Zizhong's color changed suddenly, "What is this?" Did you take me Zhang Zizhong as Yin Yinong (referring to Yin Rugeng)? This is absolutely unacceptable! ”

Pan Yugui also thought that he would refuse, but fortunately, RB did not have a particularly rigid request for this, and hurriedly persuaded: "Xun Chen, Xun Chen, don't be impatient." I think the Japanese side also knows that this demand is absurd, and they will not insist too much, and as long as we try to meet other conditions, they may not be stubborn. ”

Zhang Zizhong nodded, sat down again, and asked, "What else?" ”

Pan Yugui didn't hide it, and said it simply. The conditions set by the RB people were quite uncomfortable: first of all, the 29th Army should be restrained and all anti-Japanese demonstrations, demonstrations and other actions should be put an end; The 29th Army fully withdrew from the west bank of the Yongding River; The 29th Army hired Japanese instructors; At this time******, Zhang Zizhong had already found out that he was on the thief ship, but he nodded and acquiesced out for a moment of greed - this matter was determined in the office of the TJ Garrison District Headquarters.

Until July 28th, Pan Yugui was executed, Zhang Zizhong waited for a step late, but successfully seized the authority of Song Zheyuan, Zhang Zizhong was complacent, although he felt a little sorry for the old army commander, but he protected millions of people in North China, which is indeed a great merit!

Unexpectedly, overnight, the situation changed! The unwilling 38th Division launched an operation in TJ, although the war was unfavorable, the hasty withdrawal from TJ also allowed the people and friendly troops to see the patriotic feelings of the lower-level soldiers; Immediately afterwards, Tong Linge led the rest of the 29th Army to evacuate Beiping, and fought a beautiful victory on the periphery of TJ, killing more than 10,000 enemies.

After the Japanese side got the battle report, they almost immediately turned against him. Kiyoji Kazuki scolded on the phone! Zhang Zizhong did not show weakness, the two of them faced the telephone microphone, foaming at the mouth, and made a mess!

After this trouble, both sides sobered up, and on the side of the RB people, they immediately made a suggestion to abandon Zhang Zizhong - choosing to replace Song Zheyuan with him, on the one hand, it is indeed because his qualifications are deep enough and his relationship with the Japanese side is good; On the other hand, it is believed that there is no second person other than him who can play the role of controlling (at least temporarily) the tens of thousands of officers and men of the 29th Army. But now that both of these goals have been futiled, what is he left to do? If it weren't for the sake of retaining a little good-looking, I'm afraid that he, the chairman of the political council, would have to eat the RB man's prison meal before he sat on the buttocks.

At the beginning of August, the battle on the periphery of TJ began, and after Kazuki Kiyoji and Suzuki Shigeyasu and others figured out the hole cards of the 29th Army, they dispatched troops to encircle and suppress the main force of the Chinese army, and at the same time personally led people to the surrounding area of TJ Beiping and handed over the matter to Kawagishi Bunzaburo, who ignored this chairman of the Rausch Committee and only went to Qi Xieyuan to talk to him if he had something. Qi Xieyuan is now replacing Pan Yugui's widow as the chief of affairs, and is the second person under Zhang Zizhong.

Zhang Zizhong woke up like a dream, his heart was full of remorse, and he was almost about to pull out a gun and commit suicide! It was the adjutant Zhang Zongheng and the guards who persuaded him: "Division commander, you can't kill yourself!" If you die, you'll be done...... Infamy! ”

"What...... Infamy? ”

Zhang Zongheng gritted his teeth and said ruthlessly: "What other infamy can there be, it is naturally the infamy of traitors!" ”

Zhang Zizhong was silent for a long time, tears streaming down his face: "This is really ...... One misstep, thousands of hatreds! ”

"Divisional Commander!" Zhang Zongheng howled and cried with him.

The two of them cried bitterly for a long time, but Zhang Zizhong wiped his tears first, "You're right, Yusheng, you're right." I, Zhang Zizhong, just die, can't just die in Beiping City without knowing it! Even if I go to Nanjing, it is better to punish me than to bear the name of a traitor and leave a reputation for eternity! ”

"Nanjing?"

"Yes, Nanjing. I will go to Nanjing and ask Minister He and Chairman Chiang for guilt. When the time comes, put me in court, and I, Zhang Zizhong, will make amends to the people of the country in person! At that time, whether it is closed or killed, Zhang will be willing. ”

"But, can the RB people let you go?"

Zhang Zizhong also knew that it would not be so easy, and the two of them discussed for a long time, and decided to avoid the limelight first--on the pretext of recuperation, they hid in the Union Hospital, which was a large hospital funded by the Americans, which was second to none in North China, and the RB people did not dare to go to the hospital to arrest people--and then find an opportunity to escape from Beiping, and the specific next step was to go to Nanjing or something else, and then think of countermeasures.

***********************************************

After staying in the hospital for three days, Zhang Zizhong sat in the city of sorrow, he was not sick, but in the days when he was hiding in the hospital, he really wanted to hold him out of his illness.

Fortunately, Zhang Zongheng brought him good news: "Commander, I met with the chief of affairs, Qi Xieyuan, and he asked me to come to visit you, and I also want to convey the greetings of Kazuki Kiyoji, by the way, let me ...... I tell you that two days later will be the ceremony to welcome the Japanese army into the city, and I hope you will ...... Attend. ”

Zhang Zongheng spoke in a hurry, Zhang Zizhong knew that this must have been processed by him, he could imagine how arrogant Qi Xieyuan's attitude was and how arrogant his tone was! A fair-skinned handsome face turned crimson with anger, gritting his teeth and scolding Qi Xieyuan! "You...... How is it said? ”

"I didn't reply to him, I just said that I would go and see the chairman first, and then make a decision according to your physical condition."

"That's a good answer." Zhang Zizhong made a mistake, hated Qi Xieyuan's shamelessness, and hated himself for being blind, why did he make such a wrong move? It's really a taste of lard that blinds my heart, and I have lost my name for more than 40 years, and at this point, it's too late to regret it!

"Commander, I think this is a good opportunity."

"What?"

"When the Japanese army entered the city, the city of Beiping was in chaos, the RB people had to be careful everywhere, and they needed manpower everywhere, and on the side of the hospital, even if someone was watching, there must be omissions - it was when the division commander took the opportunity to get out - otherwise, when the RB people settled down, I was afraid that they would be able to free their hands...... At that time, you won't be able to leave even if you want to, Commander. ”

Zhang Zizhong was confused and said, "Well, you're right, then, how do we go?" ”

"As far as I know, tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock in the morning, the Japanese army will begin to enter the city, let's take this time, disguise and leave, go straight to the station, take Pinghan Road, and go straight to Wuhan. As long as we get on the train, it's too late for the RB people to chase after us. ”

Zhang Zizhong pondered for a while, and finally nodded: "Cheng, I'll listen to you." You wait a while to go out, arrange for someone to buy a ticket, don't buy the same carriage, and don't buy me a first-class carriage, second-class or third-class is fine. Now the situation is different, and there is no need to be so particular. ”

"Yes!"

Zhang Zongheng went down to arrange it, but did not mention it. The next day, August 8, the Japanese troops marched into Beiping. The leader was the 40th Brigade Yamashita's Fengwen Division, and the Japanese soldiers carrying rifles entered the city from Desheng Gate with great courage and high spirits, and there were people from the Restoration Society on both sides who were responsible for mobilizing the masses, "Hey, hurry up, don't seep!" Don't want the ocean anymore? ”

The people waved the sun flag in their hands and shouted to death: "Welcome the imperial army into the city, welcome the imperial army into the city." ”

After the infantry wing, there were artillery, engineers, baggage soldiers, cavalry and other wings, and the Japanese commander rode on his horse, looking left and right, his expression was arrogant, and that look, in Zhang Zizhong's eyes, was almost on fire! "Division commander, division commander, if you can't bear it, you will make a big plan! Let's hurry up, it's almost time to drive. ”

Zhang Zizhong gasped deeply and forced himself to compose. He pulled the brim of his hat as low as he could, and prayed silently in his heart: "Beiping, Beiping, one day, I, Zhang Zizhong, will come back - even if I die in military law, or die in battle, my soul will linger, waiting for the day when this ancient city will return to the hands of our Chinese!" ”