The night is like paint

Outside the city of Taiyuan, there is no sound at all, as if since ancient times, this place is an inaccessible wilderness.

The war has erased the traces of human prosperity. Originally, the surroundings of this city are the key points of the railway and highway traffic in Shanxi, the merchants of all walks of life have been coming and going for many years, and the town is one after another, with carriage and horse shops, grain stores, money village ticket numbers, north and south freight stores, and foreign goods stores one after another. Yan Xishan, the "Jin merchant warlord", was not good at fighting wars, but he managed one acre and three points of land impressively, which can be called a model province in the Republic of China era. But after a few months of fighting, the residents of the towns around Taiyuan have long since fled. In the past, even at night, it was brightly lit, and it was a prosperous place where people came and went, receiving and delivering goods all year round, but at this time it was already a dead silence, and even the lights were not visible.

At this point, hundreds of thousands of people in the Chinese and Jin armies were facing each other with loaded guns and ammunition.

The sky to the south flickered and darkened, and occasionally orange-red fireballs rose into the air, which was the blind fire of the two armies using mountain artillery and mortars at each other's positions. Since the Battle of Xugou on the Southern Front, the Central G has stopped siege operations at night, and only confronted each other. No one, how many days will the Taiyuan Siege be fought.

The overall situation has been understood, the sharpness of the Central G side has passed, and the inexplicable defeat of Xugou has caused heavy losses to the entire Southern Advance Corps. It was not in terms of personnel, but in terms of heavy weapons and baggage, and that morale was greatly hit, almost in half a day, 200,000 troops were defeated by 170,000 troops, and nearly 40,000 people of the 19th Route Army of the Kuomintang left faction were completely wiped out, and only a few high-ranking officers such as Li Jishen and Chen Shuming managed to escape under the desperate protection of the guards. The other four route armies abandoned all heavy weapons and baggage and ran wildly, and were contained by the main force of the Central G under Taiyuan City in the early morning of the next day...... Although it has retained its vital strength, Zhong G has no strength to continue attacking Taiyuan.

It's just that the nearly 250,000 troops under Taiyuan City are not willing to fight hard with the Kuomintang's Shanxi Front. What's more, the ownership of this Shanxi is still a big question mark. After the end of the war, most of the northern Jin Dynasty will still be owned by the Central G, but will the Jinzhong and Southern Jin become the territory of the Kuomintang? Or will it continue to be the status quo ante and let Yan Xishan continue to rule?

The battle has come to an end, but no one can say the final distribution of benefits

"Boss, the Fourth Route Army is handing over its position to the Twentieth Brigade...... Do not raise fire, people hold titles, horses pick bells, carry all heavy weapons and baggage ......"

Ye Ting, the commander-in-chief of the Fourth Route Army, still stood there in a straight military posture, with an expressionless face, and reported to Zhu D in a calm tone about the retreat of the Fourth Route Army. Compared with Feng Yuxiang and those armies of the Kuomintang left, the Fourth and Eighth Route Armies were the foundation of the Central G. As long as these two elites are preserved, the ** of the middle G will not fail. Therefore, the high-level leaders of the Fourth Route Army, including Ye Ting, did not take Xugou's somewhat wretched failure too seriously at this time, but felt a little unwilling and angry.

Zhu D looked at the map. It seems that he is also unwilling, but he sighed in a low voice that Feng Huanzhang was messed up by the good situation, so he could only retreat to the front line of Xinkou first......"

Ye Ting was followed by several staff officers, all of whom also had uneven expressions. In this battle, their Fourth Route Army fought all the way from the end of Taihang Mountain, it was simply invincible, invincible, and Taiyuan City was already just around the corner, if Feng Yuxiang's southward corps could block the Kuomintang army on the front line of Xugou for ten days and half a month, this Taiyuan Battle would definitely become the beginning of a comprehensive victory...... First, there was an inexplicable retreat order from the center, and then Feng Yuxiang's panicked retreat, which was almost like fleeing, and a victory that was about to arrive was cut off

Although Ye Ting is quiet on the surface, it does not mean that he is really calm in his heart, even if he is calm, he should express enough indignation in this sensitive period. Especially a general like Ye Ting, who abandoned the secret and turned to the light from the core camp of the Kuomintang, this is not only an indignation, but a position......

Ye Ting stepped forward and said loudly, Commander-in-Chief, on behalf of all the commanders and fighters of the Fourth Route Army, I would like to ask you to fight and please transfer us to the front line of the fight against the Kuomintang reactionaries."

Zhu D snorted. Looking back, he looked at Ye Ting with a gratifying gaze, this former general of the Kuomintang lineage (there are four Cantonese Yankees in the five bigwigs, so the Cantonese line is the lineage) suffered a lot of grievances and twists and turns after defecting to Zhongg, but he is still loyal.

Zhu D smiled faintly, "Comrade Ye Ting, on behalf of the General Front Committee and the Central Revolutionary Military Commission, I accept your request. Immediately after the retreat, the Fourth Route Army marched to Beijing to prepare for the defense of the capital. ”

Ye Ting was slightly stunned by these words, and after a while, he whispered to the boss, are the Kuomintang reactionaries going to attack Beijing?"

Zhu D sighed and nodded lightly The military strength of the Kuomintang reactionaries is stronger than we imagined, and in the past two days, the underground party organizations in Henan and Shandong have ascertained the numbers of two lightly armed divisions, and in addition, two armored divisions that have been identified are also on the Yellow River. It is estimated that the Kuomintang army will move to the Zhili Plain after stabilizing the situation on the Taiyuan front, and the situation will be very grim at that time, and your Fourth Route Army must be prepared for the worst."

(Alas, intelligence work is very important, and the full name of the two lightly armed divisions is called the light armored division, and the expansion of the teaching corps of the Whampoa Military Academy is all the belongings of the armored units secretly formed by the Kuomintang.) The so-called armored division is completely empty, and there are no tanks and artillery for twenty trains, and this underground party worker master is also hearsay...... ）

"Worst preparation is ......"

Zhu D's swarthy face had sunk, and his thick eyebrows were tightly locked, and the central government was worried that Zhang Xueliang might be bribed by the Kuomintang reactionaries."

Contrary to the previous retreat organized by Feng Yuxiang that turned into a rout, this retreat was carried out quite covertly and very well organized. The Fourth and Eighth Route Armies of the Central G are currently the most well-trained infantry tactics in China. Moreover, due to economic difficulties and weak family foundations, they could not afford to purchase powerful artillery and air forces, so in the past two years, they had to especially strengthen the training of infantry for night marching and attacking. From company platoon to divisional scale. At this time, the level is reflected. Such a large-scale night movement was quietly completed under the nose of the enemy, and in just one night's effort, the 100,000 troops of the Fourth and Eighth Route Armies, as well as the remaining artillery and baggage troops of the Central G, were all withdrawn. Retreat to the area of Yangqu County, north of Taiyuan, and retreat to Xinkou in two days at most. As long as they arrived at Xinkou, relying on the dangerous terrain and fortifications there, the Kuomintang army would not be able to get into the G.

As for the 150,000 "riflemen" who withdrew with Feng Yuxiang, at this time, except for Song Zheyuan's Third Route Army, which was left at the end to serve as the palace army, the others had already retreated to the front line of Xinkou, and were reinforcing the fortifications day and night, preparing to defend them to the death.

Of course, the Chinese and G sides did not give up their efforts to peacefully resolve the civil war in Shanxi, and through various channels, olive branches were sent to the five bigwigs of the Kuomintang basket by basket. At the same time, the various forces involved in this game, which will determine the direction of East Asia in the next decade, have also begun their own activities and lobbying.

……

July in Beijing is the hottest time, and there is not even a breeze in the courtyard of the West Flower Hall. The branches and leaves of the trees in the yard only swayed occasionally from time to time.

In the living room, there was no air conditioning or anything like that at this time, not even an electric fan, only a big fat man wearing a formal suit and sweating like rain. Such a fat man is definitely a rare species in the current Beijing city, and at first glance, he is not fed by more than 20 catties of grain per month, and most of them are "democrats" with special supplies. At this moment, the clothes on the big fat man's body were already fished out of the water. But he was still holding his breath, smiling and sitting on a sofa, holding the freshly made tea in his hand.

As soon as the Battle of Xugou ended, this Wu Fat Man began to brave the scorching heat to carry out activities in Beijing, visiting the Central G, various democratic parties, and leaders of the Kuomintang leftist faction. Today, I directly handed over the post to the West Flower Hall of Zhongnanhai to visit the central leader of the Central Committee of China G, and Zhou E came.

"Zhou, the assistant marshal wants me to bring you a message." Probably because the weather was too hot, it made people a little irritable, this Wu Chong didn't have the heart to greet Zhou E, and went directly to the theme Now that the main force of the Northeast Army has entered the customs, and there is emptiness outside the customs, it is the best time for your party to seize this foundation. If Zhou is interested, we can solve the main force of the Northeast Army that entered the customs on our behalf. ”

Zhou Elai was shocked when he heard this, he didn't expect that the Kuomintang would come to discuss this matter with him so straightforwardly. In fact, after the defeat in the Battle of Xugou, Mao ZD made remarks to him in private more than once, saying the same thing, and now it seems that it is unrealistic to defeat the Kuomintang Cao Cao, so it is natural to take out the foundation of Zhang Xueliang, a stupid Sun Quan, and discuss it.

Seeing that Zhou Elai did not react, Wu Chong continued to say eloquently, in fact, our party does not have the slightest intention of destroying your party, and after the battle of Xugou, it is clear that our party's Shanxi Front Army did not take advantage of the victory to chase after it. The leaders of the Presidium of our Party have always regarded your Party as an important and indispensable political force in China. Especially when it comes to the security and national defense of the North, your Party's armed forces are the most important of the utmost importance. If your party is willing to go out of the customs for development, and hand over the customs territory to our party to operate, how about the coexistence and common prosperity of the two parties in the future with Shanhaiguan as the boundary? ”

"Zhili, Chahar, Suiyuan, Northern Shaanxi, Northern Lu, Northern Jin, so many territories, do you want to get it without a fight. Zhou Elai's tone was a little cold, in the plan that Mao ZD discussed privately with him, he did not take the initiative to give up such a content as the Guanxi territory.

Wu Zhong shook his head, our party is very sincere in helping your party seize the northeast, and if your party can give up the territory outside the border, our party can also provide weapons, ammunition, and military funds for your party to go out of the customs to fight, so as to ensure that you can smoothly seize the four northeastern provinces. Zhou, the current situation is more complicated and dangerous than your party imagined, and for the northeast, not only does your party want to seize it, but the Japanese are also actively trying to plan the incident. If your party does not hurry up and get out of the customs, the consequences will be unimaginable."

A hint of ridicule flashed on Zhou Elai's face, Wu, don't use such a clumsy lie to deceive our party. After the Japanese were defeated in 1928 by the anti-Japanese struggle led by the two parties, their ambitions had been greatly curtailed. Moreover, during this period of time, their country is experiencing an economic crisis, and they have the spare strength to launch another war of aggression? ”

Wu Chong sneered Okay, since Zhou No, I won't say more. However, I would like to make one last reminder for Monday. If you really don't plan to get out of the country before the Japanese do it...... When the Japanese side comes to ask you to agree to extend the lease of the Kanto Prefecture and the Manchurian Railway, you had better not refuse. In that case, the Japanese may postpone the move for the time being. ”

With a snap, Zhou Elai slapped the table heavily and shouted loudly This is a trap Wu, we have always treated you as you, but you gave us this kind of trick, do you think we will be fooled? And you're clumsy."

Wu Chong glanced at Zhou Elai with a somewhat mocking look, and said with a light smile I have already said what should be said and what should not be said, believe it or not. Next, let's talk about the problem in Shanxi, how does your party plan to deal with the aftermath? Do you still want to fight this war? ”

Zhou Elai exhaled heavily, and only after calming down did he say that the cause of the Battle of Shanxi was completely Yan Xishan's disobedience to the central government, and our party had always left room for a peaceful solution. But...... This is a contradiction between my party and Yan Xishan, and it has nothing to do with your party, right? Without saying a word, our party hopes that your party's army can withdraw from Shanxi as soon as possible and return the people of Shanxi to a peaceful and tranquil situation."

Wu Fatzi smiled slightly, what about the power of your party? If your party's army and local government can withdraw from Shanxi, then our party's army can also withdraw, and Shanxi will continue to be led by General Yan Xishan, and at the same time, our two parties will jointly guarantee peace in Shanxi. This way, Zhou thinks it's acceptable, don't skip words.

Zhou Elai frowned, if he followed this method, wouldn't all the years of hard work in Shanxi be in vain? Not only did the northern part of Jin, which had been fought down with great difficulty, have to spit it out, even if it was the northwest of Shanxi, it had to be returned to Yan Xishan, and Yan Xishan was able to preserve the territory with the help of the Kuomintang

"Zhou, there is another choice for your party." Wu Chong stared at Zhou Elai, and said with a smile Taking the Xinkou line as the dividing line, the north belongs to your party, and the south belongs to our party, so your party's efforts over the years have not been in vain. ”

Zhou Elai thought about it for a while, and then immediately asked General Yan Xishan and the Jin army, do you plan to arrange? ”

Wu Chong smiled indifferently, that is my party's business, and it has nothing to do with your party. ”

Zhou Elai sighed lightly, and nervously calculated in his heart, according to the method proposed by Wu Chong, one-third of Shanxi belonged to Zhong G, and two-thirds belonged to the Kuomintang, so that the power of the Kuomintang would expand even more. But if China G does not agree, what can be done in the current situation? Did he order the troops to have another decisive battle with the Kuomintang Shanxi Front?

After being silent for a long time, Zhou Elai squeezed out a little smile and nodded Wu, I will convey what you said to the Party Central Committee, and as for the final reply, it will not be made until the Central Committee meets and discusses. Finally, please convey our party's greetings to Marshal Luo on my behalf, and at the same time convey my personal blessings to Ms. Qu Ying. ”

Wu Chong also got up slowly, arched his hand at Zhou Elai, and then said goodbye and left.

……

"The Empire of Japan is willing to support Your Excellency in leading Manchuria, and in the future the Empire and Manchuria can support each other economically and form an alliance militarily."

It is a Japanese major general who looks a little thin, with a pinch of Oriental-style small lips and hair, which is known as the first brain of the Japanese army. At this time, he was looking at Zhang Xueliang, and after the defeat of the Zhongg on the battlefield in Shanxi, the Kuomintang must soon attack the Zhili Plain, and then it would be Manchuria Without the help of the empire, Your Excellency and the Northeast Army have no way to maintain the situation. Now is the time for the Empire and the Northeast Army to abandon their past suspicions and work together, and if you hesitate any longer, the foundation of Manchuria will be lost......"

He stopped his words, stretched out his hand, and a Japanese soldier Shaozuo standing behind him hurriedly took out a document from the briefcase he was carrying with him and handed it over, Nagata took it in his hand and paused slightly, and sent it directly to Zhang Xueliang.

"This Japan-Manchurian Cooperation Agreement does not make rude demands, but only demands that the South Manchurian Railway and the Kanto Prefecture Concession be extended for another 50 years, in addition to the Japanese-Manchurian Agreement tariffs. As long as Your Excellency agrees to these two conditions, the empire will not let the Kuomintang army step through the Shanhai Pass in the future."

Zhang Xueliang smiled, if the Japanese demand was placed before the Middle East Road War, it might be acceptable, but at the moment it is absolutely impossible After the Battle of the Middle East Road and Shandong, coupled with the accession of the Southern Nationalist Government to the "Treaty on the Limitation of Naval Armaments," the status of a great power was established. At present, domestic public opinion and the common people have gradually begun to regard China as a strong country, and if they sign this kind of "Japan-Manchurian Cooperation Agreement" that betrays sovereignty, he Zhang Xueliang is a traitor and traitor who everyone will be punished, but this Japanese Kuomintang can offend, but he can't afford to offend, so it's better to fool him.

He changed the topic with a smile and changed the topic Nagata-kun, your worries about the Kuomintang army going out of the customs are really too much, as far as I know, the Kuomintang is now negotiating peace with Zhong G. They don't even come to Beijing and Zhili, so will they go to the Northeast? ”

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