Hu Zongduo followed the direction of his solemn finger, raised the telescope and looked, a shining and dazzling white light appeared in the field of vision, and when he looked closely, he couldn't help but gasp, it was thousands of cavalry of the security army holding high sabers and rushing towards the breakthrough at high speed. The Gui army there was already a mess, some wanted to block it on the spot, and many more chose to flee.

Zheng Zheng's face turned pale and he muttered: "It's over, this brigade of mine is all over." ”

Hu Zongduo calmed down at this time, and since there was no hope of breaking through, he was completely relieved. Hu Zongduo secretly said in his heart: "Chief Li, Chief Bai, I, Hu Zongduo, have done my best. Then he said lightly to Zheng Zheng: "Division Commander Zheng, come to the military headquarters after arranging the defense." After speaking, he left the headquarters and ordered the adjutant who followed: "Inform the commanders of all divisions and divisions, go to the military headquarters, I have something to say." ”

Hu Zongduo did not go back to his military headquarters, but went to Li Sichi's division headquarters first, he was not worried about his old subordinate, once he was absorbed by the Central Army, Li Sichi would definitely be driven away.

In front of Li Sichi's division tent, Hu Zongduo was blocked by some hesitant guards as an exception, and Hu Zongduo ran into Li Sichi's division headquarters as if he saw a guard. Hu Zongduo was a little nervous, these guards were Li Sichi's henchmen, and they all knew his relationship with Li Sichi, and no one dared to stop him at all. Could it be that the troops mutinied and arrested Li Sichi? Hu Zongduo glanced at his guards, who had already put their hands on the open holsters.

Hu Zongduo was thinking about whether to go back immediately, Li Sichi trotted out of the tent all the way, waved away the guards, and pulled Hu Zongduo to the tent. Hu Zongduo stood still and asked in a low voice, "What's the matter with these guards?" ”

Li Sichi looked at his guards and didn't understand what Hu Zongduo meant, but when he saw Hu Zongduo's guards who were nervously guarded, he immediately understood Hu Zongduo's thoughts. He said to Hu Zongduo with a low smile: "Commander, before I have time to tell you, the people I sent to contact the Fourth Route Army met their large army more than thirty miles to the north, and it seems that they are preparing to attack us from the flank. ”

Li Sichi's words surprised Hu Zongduo. The reinforcements of the Fourth Route Army actually quietly moved the army to his flank! If Li Sichi hadn't been asked to contact them, once they launched an attack, his tens of thousands of men would immediately become chaotic and collapse, and it was difficult to say whether these troops would have had a chance to be reorganized, and it was likely that the number would have been cancelled, saving Chiang Kai-shek a lot of trouble.

Hu Zongduo and Li Sichi entered the tent, and the four people sitting in the tent stood up. Among these people were Yang Tenghui's chief of staff Wang Zhi, his chief of staff Tao Rong, and Hu Fei, chief of staff of the Third Regiment of the First Division of the Fourth Route Army, and a young officer wearing the uniform of the Fourth Route Army with the rank of colonel.

Hu Zongduo ignored Wang Zhi, who was a little embarrassed, but came straight to the young colonel, Li Sichi took a step forward and introduced: "Chief of Staff Shu, this is Commander Hu of our 19th Army. ”

The young colonel stood up and saluted, and took the initiative to report to his home and said: "Shu Cun, chief of staff of the Second Division of the Fourth Route Army. ”

Hu Zongduo glanced at Tao Rong and Li Sichi, and saw that there seemed to be unwillingness on their faces, and knew that they must have not negotiated yet, and it was likely that the other party's acceptance conditions were too harsh. But there is no time, he is about to send a telegram, as soon as the telegram is issued, the Central Army will soon send someone to collect it, and then Li Sichi and Tao Rong will definitely not be able to pull the troops away, and the light ones will be disarmed and dismissed; The heavyweights Li Sichi and Tao Rong will be killed. I blame Li Sichi and Tao Rong in my heart, they are already people who are not confused, how can they not know the truth that people are under the low eaves, how can they not bow their heads.

Hu Zongduo deliberately asked Li Sichi: "How is it?" Li Sichi and Tao Rong glanced at each other, hesitated for a moment and did not speak.

Hu Zongduo turned his head to Shu Cun and said, "Chief of Staff Shu, we are all soldiers, and soldiers should go straight, let me ask two questions." ”

Shu Cun nodded and said, "Commander Hu, please speak." ”

Hu Zongduo looked at Shu Cun and said, "My first question is, are all the officers of your Fourth Route Army young?" ”

Shu Cun stood up and looked at Hu Zongduo and said, "Commander Hu, the oldest in our Fourth Route Army is our Chief of Staff Xiao Guodong, and he is only in his early thirties this year. None of the others, from Commander Song to ordinary fighters, were over thirty years old. However, if Division Commander Li and Chief of Staff Tao join our Fourth Route Army, they may be the oldest of the two. ”

Hu Zongduo thought to himself, listening to this Shu Cun's words, it seems that the Fourth Route Army really wants to incorporate the troops of Li Sichi and Tao Rong? However, at this time, he was not allowed to think too much, and continued to ask: "My second question is, what is your attitude when Li Sichi and Chief of Staff Tao want to lead the troops to accept the incorporation of the Fourth Route Army?" ”

Shu Cun said with a smile: "After our Senior Division Commander saw the people sent by Division Commander Li and Chief of Staff Tao, because this matter was very important and we couldn't be the master, we immediately telegraphed Commander Song. ”

Such a big matter is indeed not something that they can decide as subordinates, Hu Zongduo nodded in understanding and said, "Yes, Chief of Staff Shu, please speak." ”

Shu Cun continued: "Our Commander Song quickly replied to the telegram, and the content of the telegram mainly included the following points: Commander Song expressed his warm welcome to Division Commander Li Sichi and Chief of Staff Tao Rongtao to lead their troops to join the Fourth Route Army. As long as they are sincerely in the Fourth Route Army, Commander Song promised that all the officers and men recruited this time will be treated the same as our original personnel, and there will be no difference between geographical distance and proximity. ”

"This is what Commander Song said." Shu Cun added.

Hu Zongduo was very satisfied with Song Zhewu's attitude, but thinking of Li Sichi and Tao Rong's expressions, Hu Zongduo thought that there must be something to say, so he just looked at Shu Cun quietly.

Seeing that Hu Zongduo was silent, Shu Cun said again: "However, our Commander Song said that if you want to join our Fourth Route Army, you must meet his three conditions. If your ministry can agree to these conditions, everything else is easy to talk about; Otherwise, there will be no need to talk about everything, and the Central Army will soon be on the move, and you can accept the integration of the Central Army. ”

Hu Zongduo said in his heart that there was really something to say, it must be that these conditions were very harsh, so Li Sichi and Tao Rong did not agree immediately. Hu Zongduo motioned for Shu Cun to continue.

Shu Cun continued: "The conditions are: first, after Division Commander Li and Chief of Staff Tao join the Fourth Route Army, Division Commander Li will continue to serve as the division commander, but not in the original unit; Chief of Staff Tao can be the deputy chief of staff of our Fourth Route Army. Second, all the personnel recruited this time must be broken up and mixed with our troops. Third, all officers other than Division Commander Li and Chief of Staff Tao must enter our Fourth Route Army Teaching Brigade for short-term training. Regarding this third point, Commander Song specially asked us to explain it to your ministry in the telegram. It's not that the officers of your unit have bad tactical and campaign qualities, these officers are all rich in combat experience and do not need training; It's just that the troop establishment, operational guiding principles, and methods of our Fourth Route Army are somewhat different from those of your unit, so we need training. All officers participating in the training are still to be appointed to their original posts as long as they pass the examination. Commander Song also said that the officers of the 19th Army are all excellent officers, and your joining will make our Fourth Route Army even stronger. Since the officers participating in the training are only required to understand and master the characteristics of our Fourth Route Army, this training will not be very long, and it is estimated that it will not exceed one month. ”

Hu Zongduo now understood the reason for Li Sichi and Tao Rong's hesitation, and said to Li Sichi and Tao Rong with a smile: "Are you worried that the officers have gone to training, and the soldiers will be dispersed and will be lost, and then the officers under your command will have no soldiers to bring, and then they will kick you away." ”

The two smiled bitterly and nodded, in fact, they still had an unwillingness, that is, in this way, Hu Zongduo's old army would be completely gone, and once Hu Zongduo wanted to pull the team again, they would no longer be able to bring out the old commander Hu Zongduo who brought this army to them.

Hu Zongduo continued: "Actually, you can rest assured, it can be seen from these conditions that Song Zhewu really wants to recruit you. ”

Seeing that the two were a little puzzled, Hu Zongduo said: "If Song Zhewu harbors evil intentions, he doesn't need to talk about these conditions at all, just deceive you and the troops, and after disarming you at that time, he will mix the soldiers with his troops, and then send you away." Song Zhewu is now saying ugly things in front, which is clearly a villain first, and a gentleman later, which shows that he is a fair and upright person, I can rest assured that such a person is at ease. Don't hesitate, that's it. He also said to Shu Cun: "Chief of Staff Shu, I will take Division Commander Li and Chief of Staff Tao to call these conditions, and I will fully accept them." ”

Li Sichi and Tao Rong thought about it, Hu Zongduo's words were reasonable, and if Song Zhewu really wanted to do this, he really didn't have to do it like now. Li Sichi hesitated for a moment and said: "Military seat, but this unit ......"

Hu Zongduo understood what Li Sichi meant, waved his hand, stopped his words, and solemnly said to Li Sichi and Tao Rong: "I, Hu Zongduo, am sorry for the kindness and cultivation of the two chiefs, Li and Bai. From now on, Hu will never bring a soldier again. I hope that the two of you will sincerely work under Song Zhewu from now on, and from his words, you can feel that he is a person who can be trusted. ”

After a pause, Hu Zongduo said solemnly: "This is also my last order to the two of you. ”

Li Sichi and Tao Rong gave Hu Zongduo a solemn military salute, and before he could put his hands down, Li Sichi had already burst into tears. Hu Zongduo understood the mood of his old subordinate very well, but he didn't dare to comfort him, he was afraid that in that case, he would not be able to control his emotions.

Hu Zongduo said to Shu Cun: "Please ask Chief of Staff Shu to tell Commander Song Zhewu of your department, saying that I, Hu Zongduo, will no longer lead troops, and please treat these brothers of mine kindly." ”

Shu Cun was also moved by Hu Zongduo and others, and nodded again and again and said, "Please rest assured, Commander Hu, I will definitely tell you, I will tell you." ”

Hu Zongduo asked Shu Cun with a smile again: "I heard that your Fourth Route Army's military salary is very high, is it true?" ”

Shu Cun was very happy when he saw that his task was completed, and replied with a smile: "It's true, the average soldier of our Fourth Route Army is paid 5 oceans per month. ”

"5 pieces?" Hu Zongduo, including Wang Zhi, was a little surprised! Li Sichi couldn't help but ask: "Are these 5 pieces sent to the soldiers, or do they also include other expenses?" ”

At this time, the domestic army wanted to raise a soldier, including food, clothing and other expenses, which generally required 10 yuan, but after layers of deductions, it was only one or two yuan in the hands of the soldiers, which was still good. For example, the Central Army and Chen Jitang's troops in Guangdong have 11 or 2 oceans, and those with poor conditions, such as the Northwest Army, would be good to have 5 oceans. The Northwest Army even dug ancient tombs in Shanxi to raise military expenses.

Shu Cun felt that his words had misunderstood them, and explained with a smile: "These 5 oceans are sent to the soldiers, and other expenses such as food and clothing are calculated separately. None of our officers at all levels of the Fourth Route Army dared to withhold their salaries, nor did they owe them. Moreover, our senior division commander said: 'The food of our Fourth Route Army is the best in the country, not only is there enough rice and white noodles, but also meat is available. Shu Cun's words made everyone smack.

Hu Zongduo was a little curious, and pointed to Li Sichi and Tao Jun and said, "Like the two of them, how much can you get paid in your Fourth Route Army?" ”

Shu Cun said: "Division Commander Li will have a monthly salary of 1,200 oceans, and Chief of Staff Tao will be the deputy chief of staff of our Fourth Route Army, which should be higher." ”

Shu Cun's words made Wang Zhi envious, Hu Zongduo, Li Sichi, and Tao Rong did not speak, this number was 4 times that of the best-paid officers of the same level in the Central Army, and 5 times that of the Gui family. Enough to raise a company of soldiers.

Hu Zongduo's curiosity was completely hooked by Shu Cun, and he asked Shu Cun again: "How much military salary do you Commander Song Zhewu get?" ”

Shu Cun thought for a while and said, "I've never heard that Commander Song gets a military salary. ”

Wang Zhi asked curiously, "Doesn't he take a salary?" Wang Zhi's words are exactly what everyone wants to ask.

Shu Cun said with a smile: "Because, our military salary and all expenses are almost his own money. At this moment, Hu Zongduo, Li Sichi, Tao Rong, and Wang Zhidu were completely speechless.

Hu Zongduo couldn't help asking: "He is so rich, why did he still vote for Shang Zhen's men?" Why do you still listen to Chiang Kai-shek's orders so much? ”

Seeing that Shu Cun didn't answer, Hu Zongduo knew that he was a little speechless, so he hurriedly concealed his smile and said to everyone: "Everyone go to the military headquarters with me, Yin Chenggang, Zheng Zheng and several of their division commanders should arrive, I will immediately electrify and go to the field." Division Commander Li and Chief of Staff Tao, you immediately arrange for people to sort out the troops, bring all the materials that can be taken away, don't be cheap Chiang Kai-shek, after the power is turned on, you will immediately go with Chief of Staff Shu. It must be fast, the Central Army will come up soon. ”

Hu Zongduo took two steps, then stopped and asked Tao Rong: "I asked you to go to the quartermaster department to withdraw the money, how about it?" ”

Tao Rong said: "According to the orders of the military seat, they have all been taken out, a total of 1,467,600 oceans. "All this money is the money that Li Zongren left to Wuhan.

Hu Zongduo said to Tao Rong and Li Sichi: "The Fourth Route Army has such a high salary, don't give this money to the brothers, you can give it to Song Zhewu as a meeting gift." ”

Stretch out your loving hand and pull the navy! Crying blood for votes!

(To be continued)