May in Xuanhua City (the fourth month of the lunar calendar), it is the best time of the year. Any tree is green and full of greenery. The burden of selling peony flowers is placed on the cross street every day. The acacia tree blooms its snow-white flowers, balls on top of the green leaves. streets, in people's courtyards, can be seen everywhere. Willow catkins flutter with snowflakes and fly on the calm street. The jujube trees also bloomed; On the white wall of the house, the fragrance of orchids is sent. Spring in Xuanhua was windy, but by May, the wind season had passed, and citizens began to put on jackets and walk in the unwarm sun.

In addition to this flowery spring color in the city, the inside and outside of Xuanhua City today are particularly lively, and there is an endless stream of officials, gentry, landlords, officers and soldiers from various counties in Koubei Province, which has caused the frightened people of Xuanhua to stop and watch one after another.

After more than 10 days of preparation, the Third Mixed Brigade of the Zhili Provincial Army was finally officially established, which is also a major event in Koubei Province this year. Originally, Tang Zhidao planned to deal with this matter in a low-key manner, summon the officers of the company to read out the military orders of the War Department, and everyone would have a meal together and it would be over. However, this time, the War Department, the Zhili Governor's Office, the Zhili Provincial Government, and the Chahar Prefecture all sent telegrams to participate, and the county governors of the counties in Koubei Province also expressed their willingness to participate.

"Zheng Daoyin, these two days have been hard for you." Looking at Zheng Daoyin, who was busy sweating profusely, Tang Zhidao said politely: "There are some things that you can leave to the people below to do, and the parents and officials of more than ten counties in Koubei will be handed over to you for entertainment." ”

"It should, it should!" Zheng Chenglong wiped the beads of sweat on his head and said diligently: "Then I'll go down first to prepare for the noon banquet." ”

When Brigade Commander Tang first entered Xuanhua, he was polite on the surface, but he didn't pay attention to it at all in his heart, just waiting for Zhu Sangongzi to take him away, so that he could monopolize the power of more than ten counties in North Dao. But this young brigade commander Tang arrested Zhu Sangongzi and hundreds of guards without saying a word, at that time, Zheng Chenglong came forward to make it clear, and his heart was happy, just waiting for Brigade Commander Tang to bear the wrath of Governor Zhu, the great god. But the ending was once again beyond his expectations, Brigade Commander Tang was not only unscathed, but also received the support of several feudal officials and successfully annexed the Fifth Road Patrol Battalion to become the land master of Koubei.

"Brigadier Commander, it's not too early, and it's time for your guests to arrive." After Zheng Chenglong left, Zhou Wenruo on the side reminded softly.

"Alright, let's go to the train station!" Tang Zhidao nodded and said, "How are the preparations for the noon school review?" ”

"It's almost, Chief of Staff Xu is worthy of being a top student of Lu University, but he will sort out everything in the staff office in two or three days." Zhou Wenruo sincerely admired: "The brigade commander must be familiar with him, otherwise he would have picked a big talent to come over." ”

"Haha, Xu Cichen's ability is not limited to these!" Tang Zhidao laughed and said, I have had an in-depth conversation with Xu Yongchang several times in the past two days, and I feel more and more that I have made a lot of money this time.

This first-class general of the National Revolutionary Army, the second-generation head of the Third Army of the National Army, the chief general of the Jinsui Army in the Central Plains War, one of the four giants of the Military Commission during the Anti-Japanese War, the chief representative of China who accepted the surrender of the Japanese government on behalf of the Chinese government on the USS Missouri, the president of Lu University and the minister of defense during the three-year Liberation War, can be called an outstanding representative of Chinese soldiers in this era in terms of talent, knowledge, character, and ethics.

In this regard, Zhou Wenruo was full of doubts. Although Brigade Commander Tang said that he was young, he could be regarded as a young man with great ambition and great power, not only in China, but also in Germany, the number one country in the army, was also well-known when he heard it, and he also pointed out the country on weekdays, and had the courage of heroes in the world, how could he have such a high opinion of a little-known graduate of Lu University and a major and editor of the training director department. …,

"What are you doing in a daze, you were in a panic just now." Looking at Zhou Wenruo's puzzled look, Tang Zhidao walked out of the office with a slight smile. Xu Yongchang is a great talent, but all talented people must have their own personality and ethics, so there is a long way to go if you want to really make this great talent for your own use!

In order to welcome visitors from all sides, especially representatives of several bigwigs, the inside and outside of the railway station were heavily guarded, with the soldiers of the first regiment and the first battalion guarding the periphery, and the soldiers of the guard platoon directly controlling the inside of the station.

"Dudu ......" With the constant sound of the whistle, a train from Zhangjiakou to Beijing stopped on the platform of Xuanhua Station, and Ding Youheng, who was dressed in military uniform, walked down from the train accompanied by some entourage.

"Chief of Staff Ding, you're in for a great deal." Tang Zhidao, who was already waiting on the platform, walked up quickly and said.

"Originally, Tian Dutong was going to come in person, but he was busy with official business, so he had to let me congratulate you on his behalf." Ding Youheng warmly held Tang Daodao's hand and shook it vigorously and said, "Congratulations to Brother Ruoshui on being promoted to brigade commander, it's really gratifying!" ”

"It's all up to Tian Dutong and Chief of Staff Ding to cultivate!" Tang Zhidao said modestly: "Chief of Staff Ding is here, Xuanhua City is already full of luxury, where do you dare to work hard to control the fields!" ”

"Brother Ruoshui, how old am I to raise you, how do we compare brothers?" Ding Youheng proposed.

"You are a senior, where do I dare to trespass!" Tang Zhidao hurriedly shirked the road.

"What seniors are not predecessors, could it be that Ruoshui looks down on me?" Ding Youheng said with jealousy, thinking that he was only a chief of staff in his forties, although he was a major general, but it was not a star and a half worse than the powerful mixed brigade commander in front of him who had thousands of soldiers and horses.

"Then the little brother is offended, Brother Ding is tired from the journey, please go to the house to rest first." Tang Zhidao is no longer hypocritical, and with his current status and momentum, it is not too much to call Ding Youheng a brother.

"Don't you still have to wait? I'll wait with you! Ding Youheng smiled and waved his hand and said, "Squinted on the train for a while." ”

"This thing is a little bit of the heart of Tian Dutong and our Chahar colleagues, my brother must accept it." Without waiting for Brigade Commander Tang to be polite, Ding Youheng took out a Zhuang ticket from his jacket pocket and handed it over.

"Then I'll be disrespectful!" Tang Zhidao did not shirk and accepted it directly, this is also a matter of courtesy, the last time he divided Deng Sanfa's estate, Tian Dutong and Chief of Staff Ding did not take any benefits.

The two didn't wait long at the station, and soon a train from Jingshi to Zhangjiakou stopped again. Ye Kaijiang, director of the Military Affairs Department of the Ministry of the Army, Wu Peifu, commander of the 6th Brigade of the 3rd Division, a representative of the Zhili Supervisory Military Administration, and Yang Jiaji, a representative of the Zhili Provincial Government, and their entourage all took the same train.

"You have worked hard, you can come and add a lot of color to our Xuanhua City." Tang Zhidao stepped forward and shook hands one by one and said.

Among the people who came, Ye Kaijiang was Hu Bingtao's top boss, and Tang Zhidao knew him at most, he heard that Tang Zhidao was arrogant and stubborn, and it was very difficult to deal with, but now when they met, they felt the arrogance of their youth, but on the contrary, they revealed a steadiness that was not commensurate with their age, and Hu Bingtao's relationship suddenly gave birth to a good impression, and said enthusiastically, "Congratulations to Brother Ruoshui on becoming the brigade commander, Guangting was originally going to come with me, but I happened to run into something in the ministry." ”

"Director Ye is polite, and Duomeng is grateful." Tang Zhidao also said enthusiastically, and sighed in his heart, at most, in two or three months, these ministers, deputy ministers, and directors in the ministry will flee in all directions.

Unlike others who just came to express their congratulations, the purpose of Yang Jiaji's trip was not so simple, in addition to participating in the military ceremony in the afternoon, more importantly, to complete the deal he reached with Tang Zhidao and get back all the evidence from Tang Zhidao. …,

Brigade Commander Wu, the representative of the Military Supervision Bureau, only emerged in the military and political circles at this time, and his momentum may not be as good as that of the upright Brigade Commander Tang, and his position as the commander of the infantry brigade is not as high as that of Brigade Commander Tang, who has nearly 6,000 troops, but among everyone, Brigade Commander Tang values him the most. This time he came to Xuanhua City, he took the initiative to ask, he wanted to observe the newly rising forces in Zhili at close range.

"Sure enough, it's terrifying, I'm still messing around in Dengzhou City at your age." Looking at the ambitious Tang Zhidao, Wu Peifu sighed and said that he was far from the high-spirited spirit he had a few years later.

"Brigadier Wu is overrated, and Tang is just a little lucky." Tang Zhidao didn't dare to hold it up and said in a low-key manner: "Where is the official hat of Brigade Commander Shangwu who was killed from the sea of blood in the corpse mountain." ”

"Brother Tang is too modest, how can it be so simple to fight in Duolun. Babu Zab has been wreaking havoc outside Cyprus for many years, how can it be so easy to deal with. Everyone carried the sedan chair, and Wu Peifu listened to Tang Zhidao's words and was quite useful.

Everyone walked out of the station together in a polite manner, and took the car prepared by Brigade Commander Tang and drove straight to Xuanhua Middle School, the venue of the army ceremony.

At one o'clock in the afternoon, the gongs and drums were noisy on the playground of Xuanhua Middle School, and various colored flags were displayed in the wind, and the formation ceremony of the Third Mixed Brigade of the Zhili Provincial Army was held in this place.

On the rostrum were Major General Ye Kaijiang, director of the Military Affairs Department of the Ministry of the Army, Major General Ding Youheng, chief of staff of the Chahar Metropolitan Government, Wu Peifu, commander of the Sixth Brigade of the Third Division directly under the Ministry of the Army, Yang Jiaji, senator of the Zhili Provincial Government, Yin Zheng Chenglong of Koubei Province, and Tang Zhidao, the new brigade commander.

More than 1,500 officers and men of the Third Brigade of the Zhili Provincial Army, dressed in brand-new uniforms and holding polished guns, formed a 15-square-lined formation and stood neatly on the playground opposite the chairman. On the temporary grandstand under the rostrum, county governors, chamber of commerce presidents, militia heads, and representatives from all walks of life from more than 10 counties in Koubei sat together in a disorderly manner, looking at the military force in front of them with responsible eyes.

"Brigadier Tang, it's almost time, can we start?" Zheng Chenglong glanced at his watch and whispered to Tang Zhidao beside him.

"Yes!" Brigadier Tang also glanced down at the watch, and the hands were pointing at the second.

"Everyone, everyone, be quiet, be quiet!" Zheng Chenglong shouted loudly with a loudspeaker, and the dragons who were originally noisy in the audience immediately quieted down.

"Next, I announce the official start of the ceremony of the Third Mixed Brigade of the Zhili Provincial Army!" Zheng Chenglong said enthusiastically: "The first item is to ask Major General Ye Kaijiang, Director of the Military Affairs Department of the War Department, to read out the order of the Ministry of the Army!" ”

"The Ministry of War orders that the Fifth Road Patrol Battalion of Zhili and the Second Mixed Regiment directly under the Ministry of War are hereby abolished, and the Third Mixed Brigade of the Army of Zhili Province is merged to establish it!"

"The appointment order of the Ministry of the War hereby appoints Tang Zhidao, the lieutenant colonel of the Second Mixed Regiment directly under the former Ministry of the Army, as the commander of the Third Mixed Brigade of the Zhili Provincial Army!"

Tang Zhidao walked quickly to Ye Kaijiang and saluted, and Ye Kaijiang also returned a military salute and handed over two copies of the War Department order to Brigade Commander Tang.

"The second item is awarded the military flag of the 3rd Mixed Brigade of the Zhili Provincial Army by Major General Wu Peifu, commander of the 6th Brigade of the 3rd Division of the Army, on behalf of the Zhili Supervision Military Administration!"

Wu Peifu walked from the chairman to the front and handed over the military flag made by the Zhili Supervisor to Tang Zhidao from his subordinates, and Tang Zhidao handed over the flag to the six flag guards of the guard platoon.

"The third item is to play the national anthem of the Republic of China and raise the flag of the Republic of China!"

…………

Accompanied by the majestic music, the military ceremony was carried out in a compact and orderly manner according to the predetermined process, and the novel form and solemn music made the people who came to the ceremony infected.

"Seventh, pay tribute to the officers and soldiers who died in battle!"

With the sudden change of mourning, several major generals and officers and Brigade Commander Tang walked up to the altar and began to pay tribute, and more than 1,000 officers and soldiers on the playground also sang in unison the farewell song "Sending Comrades-in-Arms" to Brigade Commander Tang......

"The eighth item, the military parade!"

"Report to the brigade commander, please instruct the parade team of the Third Mixed Brigade of the Zhili Provincial Army after the parade has been assembled!" Chief of Staff Xu Yongchang, who had just been in office for only two days, saluted a military salute and said in his deep voice.

Brigade Commander Tang returned a military salute, walked down the viewing platform quickly, rode a white horse, and began to inspect his team accompanied by Chief of Staff Xu Yongchang and Cavalry Battalion Commander Song Hualong.

"Stand upright!"

"Salute!"

Every time he passed through a phalanx, the commander of the phalanx issued a password, and Tang Zhidao returned a military salute and silently walked to the next phalanx......

"Item 9, Column!"

Accompanied by the Beiyang military song played by the military band, the 15 phalanxes passed through the viewing platform in an orderly manner to be inspected by the senior officers on the stage.

The whole army ceremony lasted for two hours, but when the ceremony was lonely, the people on and off the stage still refused to leave, all of which was too novel and shocking for them.