In addition to the Wanbaoshan incident, there is another more blatant incident, that is, the Nakamura Zhentaro incident.

Senior Lieutenant Nakamura Shintaro, an officer of the General Staff Headquarters, was ordered to engage in espionage work in the northeast under the false identity of an agricultural technician to collect military intelligence.

According to Nakamura's confession, senior staff officers of the Kwantung Army, Seishiro Itagaki and Ishihara Waner Daisa, led people to infiltrate various parts of the northeast on several occasions to carry out "staff trips" to spy on all kinds of intelligence on the northeast and draw up specific battle plans.

Because of the conclusive evidence, in order to keep the military secret, the four of Nakamura Zhentaro were secretly executed by Guan Yuheng, the commander of the 3rd Regiment of the Chinese Reclamation, after asking Zhang Xueliang for instructions.

After this incident was discovered by the Yue Army, the Yue Army ignored the fact that it had spied on military intelligence, but arrogantly demanded that Zang Shiyi and Rong Zhen, the governors of Northeast China, "apologize to the commander of the Kwantung Army in the most serious form"; "The amount of compensation for Nakamura and Jingshan 100442 yuan"; "Severe punishment shall be imposed on those responsible below Guan Yuheng, the commander of the Reclamation Corps"; "and pledge to lift the de facto blockade of the area where I am travelling to Taosuo."

The Kwantung Army also took this as a pretext and actively encouraged the political axe and the military to resort to force against the Northeast Army, and then annexed the Northeast in one fell swoop.

These things that originally happened in history, except for the slightly different time of occurrence, are almost the same in other situations, which means that the 918 incident is likely to happen as scheduled. This made Song Zhewu not only very worried, but also stepped up his active preparation for contingencies.

The day after learning of the Nakamura Shotaro incident, Song Zhewu instructed Li Wentian to adjust the deployment of various troops in Northern Mongolia: Gao Zongbao led the headquarters, Liang Fangjun, and Zhou Yaoming's army to garrison Kulun, and stepped up the construction of Kulen's defense facilities; The Mountain Division was stationed in the northwestern part of Northern Mongolia; Wang Bi's army was stationed in the northeast of Northern Mongolia; The rest of the units gathered in the southeastern region to actively train and prepare for war.

In the original history, it was precisely because Shi Yousan launched a rebellion that Zhang Xueliang had to mobilize elite troops from outside the customs to enter the customs again, which led to the exhaustion of the elite in the Northeast and made the Kwantung Army more emboldened.

If Zhang Xueliang mobilizes troops from outside the customs to enter the customs again, he does it himself and exterminates Shi Yousan in advance, will this prevent the Northeast Army from entering the customs again?

Song Zhewu was not sure about such a possibility. Moreover, he was also worried that the Jin Sui army would take advantage of his invasion of Hebei to invade Taiyuan. Taiyuan can now be said to be almost all of his hard work, and there must be no problems here.

Especially since he has already announced in a high-profile manner that he will not participate in the civil war again, if he participates in the extermination of Shi Yousan at this time, will he cause trouble for himself in the future? Song Zhewu really felt that this matter was really tricky.

Song Zhewu thought anxiously for a long time, and finally Song Zhewu decided that in order to prevent Zhang Xueliang from increasing his troops in Hebei again, he still had to send troops, but he needed to be restricted.

For example, he can help the Northeast Army defend Shijiazhuang, where Shi Yousan first has to attack, so that the Northeast Army can free up more troops to attack Shi Yousan, and Shi Yousan's troops will not have a chance to attack Shijiazhuang, and his troops and Shi Yousan's rebel forces will not have a chance to fight at all, so he will not break his promise.

Zhang Xueliang was infected with typhoid fever when he went to Nanjing to meet Chiang Kai-shek in May, and after returning he was hospitalized in Peking Union Hospital, although his condition has gradually improved, his body is still very weak, and he cannot get out of bed.

At this moment, in Zhang Xueliang's ward, in addition to Zhang Xueliang, who was pale and sick-looking, had a thick cushion on his back, half-lying on the hospital bed, and was taking medicine according to the nurse's instructions, there were seven people in the room.

The oldest of these seven people is Zhang Zuoxiang, chairman of Jilin Province's political axe, who holds the rank of general. After Zhang Xueliang entered the customs, he appointed Zhang Zuoxiang as the commander of the four northeastern provinces, responsible for presiding over all things in the rear.

In his forties, with the rank of lieutenant general, Rong Zhen, the current lieutenant general chief of staff of the Northeast Frontier Army Commander's Office, and another lieutenant general next to Rong Zhen, Qi Xingya, commander of the Northeast Military Police, came to report to Zhang Xueliang this time that Guan Yuheng secretly executed Nakamura Zhentaro in the Xing'an Mountains Sifangtai.

In addition, there were Yu Xuezhong, commander of the First Army of the Northeast Army, who accompanied Zhang Xueliang into the customs, Wang Shuchang, commander of the Second Army and chairman of Hebei Province, and Hong Fian, deputy commander of the Army, Navy, and Air Force of Ge Guangting and Zhang Xueliang, director of the Confidential Office of the Army, Navy, and Air Force Secretariat.

Several people were obviously discussing things, and because Zhang Xueliang was sick, these people were all recruited here by Zhang Xueliang.

After seeing the beautiful nurse lady go out, Zhang Xueliang retracted his gaze and said to a few people with a melancholy expression: "You have all read the letter sent by Wen Ge, he is right, Shi Yousan is going to rebel this time, and the purpose is to drive our Northeast Army out of the pass." Zhang Yungui reported that Shi Yousan was aggressively expanding his troops in the area under his control and wanted to form nine armies. ”

Seeing that Zhang Zuoxiang, Rong Zhen, and Qi Xingya, who heard the news for the first time, were a little surprised, Zhang Xueliangqiang squeezed out a smile and said: "Don't worry, Shi Yousan's nine armies are all empty shelves, and his nine armies are only about 100,000 people, and the weapons are not enough, and if there are more people, they will have to take sticks." What's more, his temporary recruits have a short training time, and they are not very useful. ”

"Therefore, Wen Ge thinks that one Shi Yousan is not enough to fear, and suggests that I should not transfer troops from the northeast to enter the pass, once Shi Yousan openly rebels, only with the existing forces, the central army in Henan can be completely annihilated by the east and west."

"Although Wen Ge has already publicly stated that he will no longer participate in the civil war, and his main force has been transferred to Beimeng, he still said that he can send an army out of Niangzi Pass to Shijiazhuang to assist us in guarding. In addition, his air force can also help in the war. ”

Shi Yousan was co-opted by Zhang Xueliang to disagree with the public, and it has only been more than half a year, and Shi Yousan is going to rebel again, which undoubtedly shows that Zhang Xueliang has made a big stupid move, which makes several people not know what to say for a while.

Seeing that several people didn't speak, Zhang Xueliang understood everyone's thoughts, looked at Zhang Zuoxiang and said apologetically: "Uncle, Xueliang regrets that he didn't listen to his uncle's words at the beginning, if he listened to his uncle, didn't accept Shi Yousan's surrender, and joined the Central Army to disarm Shi Yousan, a capricious villain, where would there be such a situation today!" I, Zhang Xueliang, paid and provided for him for more than half a year, but I didn't expect this white-eyed wolf to turn his face and reflexively bite me. ”

The more Zhang Xueliang spoke, the more excited he became, a layer of blush surged on his originally pale face, and his breathing became a little short, so that he was a little out of breath.

Since Zhang Zuoxiang defected to Zhang Zuolin in 1901 and set up the insurance team, he has been doing his best to only look forward to Zhang Zuolin, and has won Zhang Zuolin's trust. After Zhang Zuolin was killed, Zhang Zuoxiang had no ambition at all, and fully supported Zhang Xueliang to govern the Northeast, so that Zhang Xueliang quickly stabilized the situation in the Northeast.

Zhang Xueliang therefore respects Zhang Zuoxiang very much, calling him an uncle and an assistant commander. In order to hold Zhang Zuoxiang, Zhang Xueliang asked his original wife Yu Fengzhi to be the goddaughter of Zhang Zuoxiang's second wife Hua Futian, and the relationship has always been close.

Despite this, Zhang Zuoxiang is well versed in the way of being a person, never arrogant, and has great respect for Zhang Xueliang in front of others.

Although Zhang Zuoxiang was the most resolute person who opposed Zhang Xueliang's co-optation of Shi Yousan, when he saw Zhang Xueliang say this, he hurriedly shook his hand and said: "Han Qing must not say that, you want to recover Shi Yousan, you don't want to strengthen the strength of our Northeast Army, these troops of Shi Yousan are all Feng Huanzhang's elite, if you really join our Northeast Army, then our Northeast Army will be like a tiger with wings." ”

Speaking of this, Zhang Zuoxiang shook his head helplessly, and said angrily: "it, Shi Yousan is a person who has a backbone in the back of his head, he rebelled against Feng Yuxiang three times, Lao Jiang twice, Yan Baichuan twice, and betrayed Han Qing you again this time, he is really a wolf cub who can never be fed." ”

Zhang Zuoxiang's facial expression changed very quickly, and he immediately said with some sighs: "In this regard, that Song Wenge has done a good job, whoever wants to submit to him must hand over the troops and break up and reorganize, otherwise he would rather not ......"

Seeing Zhang Zuoxiang getting farther and farther away, Chief of Staff Rong Zhen frowned slightly.

However, Zhang Zuoxiang is a veteran of the Northeast Army, Zhang Xueliang respects him very much, and Rong Zhen is not easy to roll up Zhang Zuoxiang's face, so he has to cough lightly.

Zhang Zuoxiang also realized that he was a little off-topic at this time, his old face did not change color at all, he smiled, and then stopped talking.

Rong Zhen thought for a while and said: "Deputy Commander, Shi Yousan has expanded the army this time, since the number of troops can reach 100,000, our troops in Hebei are a little insufficient. We must not only deal with Shi Yousan, but also guard against Han Fuyu in Shandong. This Han Fuyu can't be guarded against, he and Shi Yousan are as good as wearing a pair of pants. ”

Rong Zhen hesitated for a moment and then said: "Even the Jin Sui Army and the Twenty-ninth Army in Shanxi, as well as Sun Dianying, must also be guarded against. ”

"In this way, our hundreds of thousands of people are not enough, since Song Zhewu promised to send troops to support us, is the deputy commander asking Song Zhewu to send more troops?"

Ge Guangting also nodded in agreement and said, "Young Marshal, I also agree with Chief of Staff Rong's suggestion. The young marshal and Wen Ge have a good personal relationship, and last time Wen Ge personally led an army of more than 100,000 troops to thousands of miles to rescue Manchuria, if the deputy commander has a request, I believe that Wen Ge will not refuse. Do you want a lot of handsome people to write a letter, and I will go to Taiyuan again? ”

Zhang Xueliang, who had calmed down, hesitated for a long time, and finally shook his head and said, "Forget it!" Judging from the few times I have been in contact with Wenge, he is sincere about his reluctance to fight a civil war, he has always believed in his words and deeds, and since he has clearly announced that he will no longer fight in civil war, it will not change easily. ”

"And I guess...... The purpose of his high-profile announcement that he would no longer participate in the civil war was to keep his light and maintain his obscurity, because he was afraid that the chairman of the committee would recruit his troops everywhere and take the opportunity to weaken his strength. He was able to make an exception this time and take the initiative to agree to send troops to help, and even send the air force to help in the war, which was already enough for me Zhang Xueliang to save face, and he was also taking risks. ”

Zhang Xueliang paused for a moment and then said: "Don't forget, he has robbed the territory of the Jin Sui army, if he is allowed to send more troops, even if Wen Ge has this heart, he does not have the courage, if he transfers most of the troops left in Shanxi, then he may not be able to return to Shanxi." You know, Jin Suijun has been waiting for the opportunity in silence? ”

Rong Zhen has been staying in Shenyang and doesn't know much about the situation outside the gate, so he nodded and said: "Since Song Zhewu can't send more troops, then there are Song Zheyuan and Xu Yongchang, and they can also send troops?" They are also subordinates, at least nominally, of the deputy commander? ”

Ge Guangting smiled bitterly and explained to Rong Zhen for Zhang Xueliang: "Chief of Staff Rong, Song Zheyuan's 29th Army and Jin Sui Army are now raising salaries on the spot, and the influence of the young marshal on them is very limited. Although they promised not to join the rebellion, they would never send troops to help us put it down. ”

"Especially Song Zheyuan and Shi Yousan were both from the Northwest Army, and Song Zheyuan and his 29th Army were unwilling to fight Shi Yousan. Besides, there is no guarantee that they will suddenly join forces against us. ”

"As for Xu Yongchang, although he will not participate in the rebellion, but he is not from Shanxi, although he is now the first in the Jin Sui army, but Sun Chu and other generals of the Jin Sui army, because of the arrangement, have always been dissatisfied with the young marshal, it would be good if they could not participate in the rebellion, it would be impossible for them to send troops."

Ge Guangting's words made Rong Zhen very discouraged, leaning on the sofa and making no sound.

Zhang Xueliang sighed secretly, glanced at the commander of the military police, Qi Xingya, and the director of the confidential department, Hong Fang, and said to the others: "You still don't know, right? Yan Xishan is likely to return to Shanxi. ”

"What? Yan Xishan wants to go back to Shanxi? ”

Zhang Xueliang's news, except for Qi Xingya and Hong Fang, who were able to maintain a calm demeanor, everyone else was shocked.

Qi Xingya, the commander of the military police, has a very important job, that is, he is responsible for secretly collecting intelligence for Zhang Xueliang, and Zhang Xueliang's information was sent to Zhang Xueliang by telegram before he came to Beiping yesterday. Hong Fang is Zhang Xueliang's confidential director, and all important telegrams have to pass through his hands, so these two people naturally know about this.

Looking at everyone's shocked looks, Zhang Xueliang nodded and explained: "Yan Xishan has sold the property he bought in Dalian four days ago, and he has agreed with the buyer that he will move out within a week, and the time should be in these few days. This shows that Yan Xishan is unwilling to be lonely and is leaving Dalian. ”

Zhang Xueliang took a sip of water, changed his breath and said, "Where will he go if he leaves Dalian?" No need to ask, you can only go back to Shanxi. ”

"Can't he just go to Ben? Or is it Europe and the United States? Now the national political axe is looking for him? Zhang Zuoxiang asked suspiciously.

Wang Shuchang, who had been silent, pouted slightly and said: "What is the wanted of the national political axe, Li Zongren, Feng Yuxiang, and Tang Shengzhi have not been wanted by the national political axe, and that one has something to do again?" As long as Yan Xishan enters Shanxi, Chairman Jiang has no way to take him, and if he wants to arrest people, Jin Suijun will definitely not agree, Chairman Jiang can't force Jin Suijun to rebel again in order to catch a Yan Xishan, right? Especially at this time, Nanjing did not dare to do so. ”

Wang Shuchang graduated from the eighth phase of the Army Non-commissioned Officer School and was a classmate of Zhang Qun. Wang Shuchang served in the Fengjun and the Northeast Army for a long time, and became an important figure in the Northeast Military Group.

In 1925, he served as the general counselor of the office of General Zhenwei (Zhang Zuolin), and when Guo Songling rebelled, he had been sharing hardships with Zhang Zuolin, and was deeply appreciated by Zhang Zuolin. In 28, when he was the commander of the 10th Army of the 3rd Front Army of Zhang Xueliang's [***] Army, he participated in the war against the Northern Expeditionary Army. In the Henan Campaign, he led his troops to inflict heavy losses on Yan Xishan, and was rewarded by Zhang Xueliang's handwritten message.

After the Huanggutun Incident in June 1928, Zhang Xueliang was in charge of the Northeast. Wang Shuchang was appointed by Zhang Xueliang as a member of the Northeast Provisional Security Committee to assist Zhang Xueliang in handling complex official affairs. Since Zhang Xueliang was hospitalized, Wang Shuchang also handled the affairs of the deputy commander of the Beiping Army, Navy and Air Force camp, which shows Zhang Xueliang's trust in him.

Wang Shuchang's words were contemptuous, and Zhang Zuoxiang could naturally hear it, but he was old and sophisticated, and he knew his ability and weight, so he naturally wouldn't worry about Wang Shuchang, Zhang Xueliang's cronies, and leaned on the sofa as usual without making a sound, and he only didn't hear Wang Shuchang's contemptuous tone.

Seeing this, Zhang Xueliang hurriedly continued, in order to break the embarrassment: "If Yan Xishan returns to Shanxi, although he does not have any position now, his prestige in the Jin Sui army is incomparable, Xu Yongchang will no longer be able to control the Jin Sui army, Xu Yongchang will not rebel, but it does not mean that Yan Xishan will not." ”

If the Jin Sui army dares to rebel, Wen Ge will not mind completely driving the Jin Sui army out of Shanxi, you must know that Wen Ge has hundreds of thousands of troops in Northern Mongolia, and he will rush back in more than a month. Therefore, as long as Wen Ge stayed in Shanxi, the Jin Suijun would not dare to move. ”

Zhang Zuoxiang sat up, slapped his shiny head suddenly, and said loudly: "Yes, what Han Qing said is right." I saw this, called Song Wenge back, and told Song Wenge that his army should not go to Shijiazhuang, but should be stationed in Jingcheng, which can play a role in containing Shi Yousan. There is Song Wenge's army in Jingcheng, and Shi Yousan, who is a bastard, eats leopard gall and does not dare to attack Shijiazhuang. And once there is a change in Shanxi, Song Wenge's army will return to Taiyuan in time. ”

Zhang Zuoxiang's words made everyone very puzzled, not to mention that Jingcheng is not far from Taiyuan, that is, Shijiazhuang is not very far from Taiyuan, there is a Zhengtai railway connection, and it is very convenient to return to Taiyuan from Shijiazhuang.

The Zhengtai Railway has now been nationalized by the Ministry of Railways presided over by Gu Mengyu, and the Zhengtai Railway Administration is appointed by the central government and will definitely obey any orders of Song Zhewu. In particular, Song Zhewu's army is a real fight, with sufficient numbers and good equipment, with them in Shijiazhuang, then Shijiazhuang is foolproof, and the Northeast Army can also concentrate more troops to fight a decisive battle with Shi Yousan.

That is, in case there is a change in Shanxi, Song Zhewu's army can take the train along the Zhengtai Railway to rush back to Taiyuan in one day, and it is completely too late. Moreover, the place in Jingcheng is small, and it is not very easy to station a large army of tens of thousands of people, so it is much more convenient to be stationed in Shijiazhuang, a north-south transportation hub.

If you don't do it if it's convenient, is Zhang Zuoxiang old and confused?

(To be continued)