September 1936. Chiang Kai-shek's presidential residence.

Shen Shaofan was standing straight in a relatively simple study waiting for the principal to come and see him. At this time, Shaofan was already the head of a regiment, but the difference was that his Youth Independent Regiment was just an empty shell, and there were less than 300 people up and down, no guns, no salary, no food, and even the 300 people's uniforms had just been replenished last month.

At this time, Chiang Kai-shek came to the study to look at Shaofan and said: "Shaofan! How's your troop going? ”

"Headmaster! It's difficult! No guns, no pay, no people. After two months, there were only 300 men, and there were no guns except for the 50 shell guns in the pistol platoon of our regiment. ”

"Fifty shell guns are good! I think we didn't even have a mortar gun when we were on the Northern Expedition! Chiang Kai-shek said: "You must know that it is not easy to form an army. ”

Shaofan said: "Principal! The student has a request. ”

"Speak up and listen." Chiang Kai-shek said.

"If the principal can't come up with guns, ammunition, and military pay, the students ask for a certain amount of freedom." Shao Fan Dao.

Chiang Kai-shek thought for a while and said, "Yes, as long as it does not affect the reputation of the party-state." ”

"Thank you, Headmaster!" Shaofan saluted and left.

In fact, it is not easy for Shaofan to recruit more than 300 people in two months, and his recruitment of the National Youth League has strict standards, and he must have a certain level of education, which means that the combat effectiveness of his more than 300 people is extraordinary, plus the fierce generals of the National Youth League are like clouds; SUN Zhiyu; ZHAO Meng; Bai Xiaolong; Zheng Xiaohu is in the National Youth League, and many of them have come from various units, and the basic cadre establishment of the National Youth League has begun to appear. Moreover, Shen Shaofan's Youth League is in Shanghai; There are already a lot of well-known young students around Ning who have come to sign up for the National Youth League, and now Shaofan is most worried about the issue of military salaries and equipment.

The full name of the National Youth League is the Central Youth Independent League of the National Revolutionary Army (hereinafter referred to as the National Youth League). At that time, after Shaofan returned to Nanjing, he made a lot of anti-Japanese words at the military meeting, which caused Chiang Kai-shek to be very dissatisfied, but he had no choice but to give Shaofan and others a vacant title from Whampoa, so that they could organize the National Youth League, but the embarrassing situation of no guns, no pay and no food made Shaofan and others difficult to cook. The 50 shell guns and more than 300 sets of quilts in the army were also transferred by Shaofan's father from the city defense headquarters. The National Youth League is stationed in the far suburbs of Nanjing, Mingjue is two days away from Nanjing, and it takes four to five hours by car to walk from Nanjing. Mingjue is close to the terrain of Ma'anshan in Anhui Province, which is surrounded by mountains on three sides and by water on one side, which is a good training place, Shaofan also understands that the principal sent them to a place far away from Nanjing City, that is, don't bother him, so as to save Shaofan the trouble of being controlled by Chiang Kai-shek, plus Chiang Kai-shek gave him a certain freedom, he already had a comprehensive plan in his heart.

After Shaofan's military vehicle drove into the barracks, he saw that the people in the camp who came to sign up for the army had formed a long line, and he was quite comforted in his heart, so he hurriedly summoned Zhiyu; Tianfang and others came to the regiment headquarters for a meeting.

Shaofan looked outside and said, "It seems that there are quite a lot of people who have signed up!" ”

"yes!" Zhiyu said: "Since last week, there have been nearly 2,000 people. But this equipment ......."

Shaofan said with a smile: "Don't count on the central government for equipment and military salaries." Shaofan took a sip and said: "Tonight, we will gather the pistol platoon and go to Gaochun County, we will learn to fight the local tyrants and inferior gentry." ”

Tianfang thought for a while and said, "Will this be troublesome?" ”

Shaofan said: "Don't worry! The principal has given me the greatest freedom, and the central government will have to figure out our own way regardless of what I eat, drink, and Lazar. ”

"Not bad! Gao Chunhang's family is a local tyrant who bullies men and women and does all kinds of evil. Zhao Meng said.

Shaofan said: "Gao Chun has never had an army to garrison, and the Hang family has this to do, and there are hundreds of Ding Nursing Homes and nearly one regiment of weapons and equipment privately. That's the most important thing. ”

Zhiyu said: "You mean to drive the troops into Gaochun?" ”

"Yes!" Shaofan said: "I have already planned to do this!" Defeat the Hang family to expand our strength, this is one of them. Second, the border between Gaochun and Anhui has always been a place where there are no three things, surrounded by lakes and rivers, and there are many bandits in the mountains, and the local people have long suffered from it. ”

"Got it!" Tianfang said: "I'll go and prepare immediately." ”

Zheng Xiaohu pondered for a moment and said, "Slow! Chen Zeen, the commander of the 12th Division of the First Army, seems to be also Gao Chun, we beat the Hang family, and their Chen family will inevitably have losses, will Zeen intervene at that time? ”

"This time, we stationed troops in Gaochun Mingli for local security, not to mention that the principal gave me a certain amount of freedom. There is no way for this Master Chen to take us. Shaofan said with a smile.

Bai Xiaolong asked, "Do it tonight?" ”

Shaofan said: "No! The pistol platoon went to investigate first, and Gao Chun's armed forces were staggered, and if they were not careful, they would suffer a big loss. ”

Sun Zhiyu nodded knowingly and said, "It seems that we have to plan it in detail." ”

Shaofan said: "Little Dragon! ”

"Here!"

"Tonight's reconnaissance mission will be handed over to you, and you and the brothers in the pistol platoon must find out the perimeter and defense of Gaochun County." Shao Fan Dao.

"Yes"

"Little Tiger!"

"Yes!"

Shaofan said: "You pick some shrewd and capable people among the more than 300 people to sneak into Gaochun County during the day and find out the situation inside." ”

"Yes"

"I want to know everything about Gaochun County within six days." Shaofan gave every order strictly at the conference table, and in his eyes his comrades-in-arms saw a decisive and courageous regiment commander.

Shen Shaofan understood that his move would definitely cause a small shock in the central government, but he had to do it, because with his intuition, he had to pull out half of the National Youth League in his heart before the national war. He lit a cigarette and took a light puff, looking at the map of the whole country, his eyes fell on Beiping City.

"Report!"

"Come in!" Shaofan looked at the map and said, "What's the matter?" ”

A soldier saluted and said, "Report to the regiment!" There is a Mr. Chen Chen who wants to see you. ”

"Chen Chen? Achen! Shaofan was surprised and happy for a while, and hurriedly said, "Please!" "Yes," the soldier replied with a salute.

Shen Shaofan straightened his military uniform, stood upright and looked out of the door, and saw an extremely white young man walking in with a smile on his face, spreading his arms and saying, "Grand Master Shen, you are really busy!" When I returned home, I didn't come to see my old friend. ”

"Damn! Damn it! Shaofan also stretched out his arms to greet him, and the two hugged each other and patted each other on their backs. Shaofan smiled: "I wanted to be busy for a while to see you, but I didn't expect you to find it." As he spoke, he walked to the end of the conference table, took out an army-green porcelain cup, made a cup of tea, brought it to the young man, and said, "I'm sorry, if there are no good things, let's just do a little!" ”

The young man smiled: "Others are rich in the army, why are you so poor?" ”

Shaofan said: "I have an old saying here, "If you are promoted to get rich, please go elsewhere, you are greedy for life and afraid of death, Wu enters the Simen", can you make a fortune by making an army, can the army fight little devils? ”

"Haha......" the boy laughed, "You! It's still the same, no wonder my father called me to join you. My father must have admired you the most among my friends. ”

Shaofan waved his hand when he heard it and said, "What? You're coming to me? It doesn't matter to you! The only son of the chairman of the chairman of the North Fourth Walk came to my army to endure hardships, don't come to me. ”

"Hey! I'm here to shake you, I'm here to join the army. "The boy is a serious man.

Shaofan smiled: "You kid is very clever, I can't be fooled by you." Your dad; Will your mother agree to you joining the army? ”

The young man said, "Hey! You think my parents are not enlightened! Now is the head of the national crisis, and it is a good thing for my son to join the army, and it will not only look at the money. ”

The young man's name is Chen Chen, the only son of the chairman of the North Fourth Bank of China, and Shaofan is a friend from childhood to adulthood, graduated from Nanjing University of Finance, and is quite good at business management, but his ambition is from Rong, and in 1929, he secretly applied for the Huangpu exam with Shaofan, but was found by his mother to be arrested at the train station and missed the military life.

Shaofan smiled and said: "I'm interested in money now, and the troops all need money for a day's food, drink, and Lazar." Lao Jiang Na doesn't have a point, I am now without guns, no pay and no food. ”

Chen Chen asked in confusion: "Doesn't your army have funds allocated by the government?" ”

"Humph!" Shaofan sneered: "Lao Jiang just doesn't want us to engage in this army, so he deliberately embarrasses us, plus Du within the party-state; Liao; Soup; Wildly; The five major corps of the White Central Committee have their own selfish intentions, and they don't want to see a central army that jumps out of their palms spinning under their noses, so they are also trying their best to obstruct it. It's hard! ”

Chen Chen put down the teacup in his hand and said with a smile: "There are two personal reasons why my father asked me to come to you to join the army this time. ”

"Oh!" Shaofan was confused by Chen Chen's words and asked, "What's the reason?" ”

"First, you and I have been friends for many years, and he is in your army, don't worry. The second is that the North Fourth Line is looking for a backer in the army. ”

"Backer?" Shaofan was even more puzzled: "The strength of the North Fourth Hang in China still needs to find a backer?" ”

Chen Chen took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, scattered them and gave them to Shaofan, and said: "The current situation in the country is quite chaotic, and a discerning person can understand at a glance that the war is imminent, but it is beautiful; Hero; The businessmen of the German and other powers also aimed at the good opportunity to pan for gold in the troubled times, and the banks, large and small, have squeezed the Puxi Bund out, each with its own backers, and they want to squeeze you out of the financial world. ”

Shaofan said: "China's golden city; Salt; Continent; The four major private banks in Central and South China are century-old brands with a good reputation and good credit, not to mention that now that the four of you have joined forces, it stands to reason that foreign banks should not praise you! ”

Chen Chen said with a smile: "The foreigner is not a threat, but the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, which is subordinate to the central bank. ”

"Chen Li!" Shaofan had a look of surprise on his face.

"Yes!" Chen Chen said: "It's Chen Li, he relies on the support of the central government to raise and lower the exchange rate and interest rate at will, not to mention, but also to monopolize some financial industries. Sixing really couldn't bear it and decided to find someone to rely on in the central military and political affairs. ”

"Me?" Shaofan is starting to have a little eyebrows now.

"Not bad! Your Shen family is a military and political family that speaks in the central government, and others are also afraid of your Shen family. ”

Shen Shaofan smiled and said, "Chen Chen! You didn't come to join the army this time, it seems that you are here for the survival of the Four Elements. But you don't know anything! Although my National Youth League is directly under the central government, it is not as good as the five major corps! That Industrial and Commercial Bank of China is Lao Jiang's money bag, and even people with a character like Hu Zongnan don't dare to mess with him Chen Li! Besides, he Chen family also has a senator Chen Yi from Jiangsu and Zhejiang, who dare to do it! ”

Chen Chen slowly stood up and said, "I also brought what you urgently need this time. As he spoke, he took out a check from his pocket and handed it to Shaofan.

Shaofan took it and couldn't help but be stunned and said, "Two million dollars? ”

"Hmm!" Chen Chen said: "This is the first anti-Japanese war fund donated by the four banks. Your troops need four rows! ”

Shaofan stuffed the check into Chen Chen's hand and said, "Let me think about it." ”

"Hey!" Chen Chen couldn't bear it a little and said: "Shaofan, your National Youth League has no role in relying on the central government, as long as you have the four elements as your financial support, you will soon be able to build your ideal team, the National Youth League has strength, the chairman will naturally not ignore you, and who dares to offend you in the military and politics." ”

Shaofan himself understands that the four elements are the best economic pillars of the National Youth League, as long as there is Huitong; Traffic; Salt; With the great help of these four banks, the National Youth League will soon be able to pull it up, but he also knows that once he is tied to the four banks, he and Hu Zongnan; LIAO Yaoxiang; Du Yuming; Bai Chongxi; Tang Enbo's five corps were the same: the army became the capital of politics, and politics controlled the army. Shaofan's ideal is to build an army that only fights for the country and the people, not a yellow card and bargaining chip for someone's political position. When Shen Shaofan was very young, he heard his second uncle say that the country's army was formed for the people and an ideal, and the National Revolutionary Army was to overthrow the Manchu Qing Dynasty, to realize the republican ideal, and to realize the Three People's Principles. He has not forgotten the oath he took when he first entered Huangpu, he swore an oath for the country and the oath of the Three People's Principles. He formed the National Youth League for the sake of the country, to fight the Japanese, not for his own political status, the political status of the Shen family. The Shen family is a military family, and his father has fought countless battles since he participated in the National Revolution, but his father did not want to occupy a place in the military and politics.

Shen Shaofan wandered on the edge of the quiet lake, looking at the reflection of the moonlight in the lake, his heart could not be calm, the slight wind blew on his face, he sighed, the pebble in his hand was thrown far away, and said to himself: "Is this helpless?" Is it true that there are things in the world that are predestined? ”

"There are some things that we can't control, but there are some things we can control." Sun Zhiyu walked over slowly and said, "I just met your friend, and I also know about the four elements. I think your friend is indeed sincere in joining the army, and it is not like he came only for the interests of the four elements. ”

Shaofan said: "I don't doubt him at all, this kid has wanted to be a soldier since he was a child." I am now conflicted, it is good that the four elements are willing to support us, but in this way our army will become their capital in the business world. ”

Zhiyu nodded and said, "Yes! However, if we can successfully form the National Youth League, then we will not be able to accomplish more ideals in our hearts. As he spoke, he patted Shaofan on the shoulder and left without saying a word.

Three days later, the Youth League headquarters. Shaofan has been the most concerned in Gaochun County in addition to the four elements in the past few days, according to their investigation in the past few days, they found that Gaochun County is not easy to take as they imagined, there are nearly 1,000 people in the county's security corps plus the four villages of the big family Ding Nursing Home; There are two less to say about the township soldiers' militia; 3,000 people have guns, not to mention many heavy machine guns; The Czech-made firepower is not comparable to that of a Mauser shell gun with fifty barge guns. In addition, Gaochun County is surrounded by mountains on both sides and relies on water on the other side, and the only dry road has built a city tower, which can be described as easy to defend and difficult to attack, but Gaochun's experience in leading troops to fight is a fatal weakness, and Shaofan took advantage of their weakness to formulate a plan for a quick solution. A pistol platoon mixed into Gaochun, ambushed in the arsenal of the county government and the security regiment, occupied these two places as quickly as possible, and then summoned the people arranged in Gaochun County to seize the guns and ammunition, and then broke through their gate from the inside, and then the troops quickly entered Fengshan; and Feng; Dan Lake; Caotang and Brick Wall were five important places to intercept the township soldiers and militias who came to reinforce them, and they were caught off guard, and another army was sent to storm Hangjia and disrupt their positions. Once the county government was defeated, it immediately incorporated the members of the security corps and the militia group, established the county party office, and then took full control of Gaochun County. The time of the attack was set for noon two days later, and two days later it would be the temple fair in Gaochun County, where the flow of people was complicated, and the security corps and the militia would never have thought that the county seat would be attacked at noon. Everything was arranged properly, just waiting for the troops to be deployed, but it was an unexpected thing that put Shen Shaofan's regiment in a predicament again, and it was also one thing that Shaofan made up his mind to agree to the requirements of the four elements.

The morning sun was still hiding from the clouds, and the faint white light was trying to penetrate the thick clouds. The shouts of officers and soldiers training had already been heard on the training ground, and the military hats on the whole head of Shaofan's camp tent walked towards the training ground.

Shaofan has only been in the National Youth League for three months, many of them are recruits, even if it is his pistol platoon, the recruits account for half, so the daily * practice is what he is most concerned about, he came to the * field to see that every soldier is working hard to practice the basic military skills, and his face is also a little relieved.