A week later, news from Shanghai confirmed Liu Bingxian's fears.

When Bao Jiqing and Wang Lingji saw the telegram about Chen Qimei's "corpse abandonment, the dean said that no one has restrained him", they shook their heads and sighed.

Even without communication, their thoughts are similar: the revolution has come to this point, which is too chilling.

In the final analysis, we still have to find the root cause from the Kuomintang, and if a party leader ends up like this, what have those people in the same path done? Aren't you worried that the outside world will see the contradictions and splits within the Kuomintang from this? Where are the party leaders who talk so much at this time?

Ordinary people know that death is great, and they desperately want to let the dead be buried in peace, why is the huge Kuomintang not as good as ordinary people?

Xiao Yimin's traditional concept is not so deep, so he will not understand the feelings of Bao Jiqing and Wang Lingji, let alone take the time to think about Chen Qimei's posthumous affairs.

From the information sent back one after another, it was learned that Liu Bingxian had gone to Shanghai and joined forces with Chiang Kai-shek, who was alone to collect Chen Qimei's body, to build a mourning hall.

The Beiyang military and political officials sitting in Shanghai received Feng Guozhang's notice and removed all the police detectives who were on surveillance with great dignity, and a large number of revolutionaries who were hiding in the shadows and watching could finally go to pay their respects.

It is enough to see these messages.

Xiao Yimin did not have the time to pay attention to the aftermath, so he found time to negotiate with Xie Kai, president of the American Shenchang & Co., who had been waiting for two days, and after three days of bargaining, he signed a large contract for 10 American trainer planes and 30 Dodge 1916 1916 ten-wheeled trucks.

After this, Xiao Yimin left Deputy Commander Wang Lingji and Director of Political Training Wan Lianfeng to assist Xie Mingyang in rectifying the Yucheng garrison, and rushed back to Chengdu with Chief of Staff Bao Jiqing to hold a secret meeting with Zhang Lan, Kuang Youmin and others.

In the big study room of the Xiao family's compound, Xiao Yimin finished reading several secret messages sent by Duan Qirui and Zhao Erxun from Yanjing, turned to everyone and asked for advice:

"Now it seems that President Yuan Da, who is seriously ill, may not have a few days to live, and when we get the news, others will also get the news through various channels. Sun Yat-sen secretly left the book at the beginning of the month and returned to Shanghai, which is why the official release of "Sanming Cooking Righteousness" was announced on May 8. It seems that the Kuomintang is already planning for what will happen after President Yuan Da. Let's talk about it, what should we do in Sichuan? ”

The crowd was grim and silent.

Xiao Yimin was not in a hurry, and picked up the teacup and tasted it slowly.

Bao Jiqing held a cigarette in his hand, swallowing clouds and spitting fog, seemingly leisurely and idle, but everyone's expressions and reactions couldn't escape his eyes.

Zeng Shouwu took the lead in speaking: "In my opinion, it is better to continue to wait and see, no matter how the clouds are surging outside, I will stand still, the top priority is to continue to build Sichuan, develop Sichuan, as long as I Sichuan is politically harmonious and the army and the people are united, I can be invincible." ”

"I agree with the opinion of Brother Zeng, the key is to look at the strength, now I Sichuan soldiers are strong, all of them are united, the administrative focus of the political axe has shifted to economic construction, and God bless, in the past two years, the wind and rain have been smooth, and the people's livelihood has developed rapidly, which can be called a strong army.

"To put it mildly, looking at the whole country, my Sichuan is ahead in all aspects, after two large-scale rectifications, today's political axes at all levels can be called the rule of the officials, and it has also won the support of the people of Sichuan, in this case, no matter who takes over as president, will not make a decision that is unfavorable to our Sichuan, but will try to appease us." Kuang Youmin also expressed his opinion.

Zhang Lan saw that no one said anything, coughed lightly, and smiled:

"What the two of you just said is very good, and I am the same opinion, but there is one key point, we must not be careless, we should consider two possibilities:

"First, it is in our best interest for the Beiyang faction to remain in power; According to the Kuomintang's development program and more than 10 years of habitual style, they will never allow us Sichuan to have a high degree of autonomy like the Beiyang faction, at least they will make a fuss about finance and taxation.

"Secondly, no matter which faction is in power, we need to make our political stance clear, so we should be prepared in advance, because if we continue to stand alone, we are likely to fall into a passive situation where we are attacked from all sides.

"In order to ensure a high degree of autonomy in Sichuan, so as to obtain a relaxed situation and continue our unfinished business, we must take precautions and take the initiative to attack is the best policy."

As soon as this remark came out, it immediately won the praise of everyone.

Xiao Yimin and Bao Jiqing glanced at each other, nodded with a smile, and both felt that Zhang Lan's opinions were old and pertinent, and compared with Zhang Lan, Zeng Shouwu and Kuang Youmin's aura and pattern were far inferior.

Zou Wenhan praised repeatedly, and then praised Kuang Youmin and Zeng Shou, who presided over transportation construction and agriculture, industry and commerce, and then turned to Xiao Yimin and asked with a smile:

"Mr. Commander-in-Chief, can you tell us any of your opinions?"

Xiao Yimin smiled slightly:

"I agree with everyone's opinions, and I very much agree with my cousin's idea of taking the initiative. Instead of waiting passively, it is better to boldly go out and show strength at the same time, it can also have a certain deterrent to all forces. I suggest that the provincial government send a commissioner to Yanjing to discuss with Duan Qirui and Mr. Zhao Erxun, establish contacts with all parties as much as possible, build friendships, and if necessary, pay some money to buy key personnel, and no one who comes to power will easily offend us, at least solicit our opinions, let our political axe continue to maintain the status quo, and our ten-year development program can be implemented. As for the army, you don't need to worry about it, no matter who comes to power, I believe that they will not dare to offend me. ”

As soon as everyone heard the excitement of the group, the gloom was swept away, and their thoughts became more active and keen, and one ingenious method after another was quickly formulated.

Zou Wenhan, who was old and strong, took the initiative to take over the task of envoying to Yanjing, he had the title of senior military and political staff member of Sichuan Province, and he was fully qualified to be an envoy, coupled with his own fame, he was much easier to use than others in Yanjing, and he was more flexible.

Xiao Yimin thought about it for a while, and decided to let his beloved wife take his eldest son Xiao Nanzheng to Yanjing together, and have a good time meeting Zhao Erxun, who is in love with his father and son, and let the son who has been asking where his grandfather is, go and kowtow to the kind Grandpa Zhao, this is Zhao Erxun's earnest advice when he parted, Xiao Yimin has not forgotten for a day, and he can also show a subtle attitude to all forces across the country through his beloved wife's northward journey.

Seeing that the meeting was almost over, Xiao Yimin began to complain:

"Ladies and gentlemen, at present, the construction funds of Xikang have been used up completely, the progress of the construction of houses in villages and towns along the way can only slow down, the second batch of 500 proletarian and unemployed families recruited from all over Sichuan have arrived in Kangding, the resettlement fee alone will cost 150,000 yuan, and there will be 15,000 poor people in the north to migrate to Xikang in the autumn, if the three towns in Batang are not built by then, more than 10,000 people will have to freeze to death, so the younger brother asks you to be merciful and invest an additional 3 million!"

Everyone gasped when they heard this, three million? You can say it, the original annual allocation of 3 million for the construction of Xikang roads and bridges has already been issued, and now you want 3 million for the lion's big mouth, and you can't let people live?

Zhang Lan shook his head again and again: "Too much, too much, although the bridge and paving need to be repaired in the early stage, and the relocation fee and resettlement fee are relatively high, but for five consecutive years, three million per year Xikang special fund has been set, Yiming, you are now asking for addition, I am afraid it will be difficult to get the approval of the parliament, if I promise you, I am afraid that political axes at all levels in eastern and northern Sichuan will pour into our office to play tricks, and we are not good people!" ”

Everyone echoed it, and it seemed that no one was willing to set this precedent.

Xiao Yimin said with a smile: "I don't want you to take money from the pocket of the political axe, but I want to borrow the prestige of the political axe, in the form of Xikang construction bonds, in the whole Sichuan to issue five million five-year interest-bearing public bonds, and next autumn to issue another five million, it is estimated that it is almost enough, then Xikang after two years of huge investment, should begin to enter the stage of tax growth."

"As for the interest on public bonds, it can be two percentage points higher than the interest on bank loans, if you can still trust me Xiao Yimin, please help me with this, if I can't pay it back in five years, I will fill in all my family business, and then cut myself off from the people!"

"This ......"

Zhang Lan didn't expect Xiao Yimin to propose this workaround, and he admired Xiao Yimin who gave up his family for the country, and he was moved and embarrassed, and he didn't know what to say.

"Since the Baolu Movement, our political axe has never issued public bonds, in recent years, the people's livelihood is good, the prestige of the political axe has increased year by year, the people are trustworthy political axe, and it is interest-bearing public bonds, the interest is higher than the bank, it should not be a problem, I think it can be issued, it is best to follow the next month's Ministry of Finance banknotes to issue, I myself take the lead in buying 500,000 no problem."

Zeng Shouwu is very good at seizing the opportunity, not only buying Xiao Yimin's face, making Xiao Yimin owe an adult, but also winning the opportunity to open the Xikang market through this move, which is completely a good thing to kill two birds with one stone.

Kuang Youmin, who was like an old scalper, immediately reacted and supported Xiao Yimin's method, believing that it was beneficial to both public and private interests, and it was completely feasible.

Zhang Lan completely put down his burden, and said that after returning home, he would mobilize the wealthy businessmen in the province as soon as possible, and strive to sell 5 million Xikang construction bonds for Xiao Yimin within half a month.

The matter of money was resolved, Xiao Yimin stood up with a spring breeze on his face and thanked everyone, and then raised the issue of the army again:

"After repeated discussions, our general headquarters believes that the current operation to recover Chayu should be accelerated, and after the Chayu is laid, it is necessary to immediately send an engineering corps to build roads and city defenses, so as to thoroughly bring Chayu, a strategic and important town leading to southern Tibet, under the control of our army. This is also the biggest reason why we urgently need money, and it is money that fights wars. ”

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement, this is also a military strategy formulated last year, and it is also the unanimous wish of all military and political circles to completely quell the Kang-Tibet rebellion, so there is a five-year appropriation resolution to assist the construction of Xikang.

Xiao Yimin further explained:

"One thing I need to tell you is that this war will inevitably arouse strong dissatisfaction among the British, but they will not dare to openly threaten us, and can only sanction us politically, diplomatically, and trade, but please rest assured that the British have been dragged away by the European theater and the North African colonies, and they will not have the ability and energy to fight us until the world war is over.

"Therefore, the next two years are very crucial, related to the country's territorial sovereignty and national dignity, we strive to move forward step by step in two years, step by step, to completely control the situation in Tibetan Province, and then push the front to southern Tibet! Here, on behalf of all the officers and men of the army, I implore you to continue to support us. ”

Everyone knew that Xiao Yimin's trick was coming again, and they looked at Xiao Yimin with a smile but didn't answer, and in the end, Kuang Youmin, who was still in a hurry, couldn't help but shout:

"Yiming, don't sell it, don't you say all your requirements? But let's say it first, if you want money, you don't have to ask for money, but you have a life. ”

Everyone laughed, Xiao Yimin shook his head helplessly, and informed everyone of the latest decision of the headquarters:

"That's right, based on the needs of the Kang-Tibet front, we have carefully selected the 35,000 officers and men who have been dismissed, and left behind 15,000 brothers in a completely voluntary way, most of whom have participated in one or two wars, and are determined veterans who have endured hardships and endured hardships, and are going to Kangding in phases and batches.

"They will have two months of adaptation training in Mangkang, and then part of them will follow General Zhong Ying to fight in Tibet, and part of them will follow General Qiluo to the south of Chayu and enter southern Tibet, so we need a political axe to help solve 15,000 sets of new military coats, which are the kind of fur-lined military cotton jackets that we designed and shaped last year, and I hope you will support you a lot, only this once, not as an example."

Everyone laughed again, this time they laughed a little helplessly, facing Xiao Yimin, who could put down his face at any time, Zhang Lan and the others really had no choice.

Fifteen thousand military padded jackets are not too much, but they are a lot less, and I really don't know how to refuse Xiao Yimin, he is not for himself, but for the country and the nation, who dares to say a word at this time?

What's more, this guy finally came to the sentence "Only this once, not as an example", and no matter how much he has an opinion, he can only agree to it, otherwise Xiao Yimin may have to talk about the "military and civilian joint construction, supporting the government and loving the people" that has spread throughout the province.

This novel slogan, under the continuous advocacy of the political axe, has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and we can't lift a stone to shoot ourselves in the foot, right?

(To be continued)