Beijing's Iron Lion Hutong, which has become the political center of China thanks to Yuan Shikai's rise in status. It is precisely because of this identity that people who came and went here in the past were in an orderly manner, but today, there is a bit of panic here.

"Gong Bao, you should have read the information from Jiangxi..."Walking quickly into Yuan Shikai's study from outside, Yang Shiqi asked a little anxiously after saluting him.

"Ah..." Hearing Yang Shiqi's words, Yuan Shikai's expression was also difficult to see, his round face was even more wrinkled, and he said angrily. I've learned the details from Jianzhang, the gang of the Alliance is the same as that Sun Yat-sen, they are all car cannons, they only know that Lu Dao is empty-talked, and none of them can fight, it's only been a few days, and the main force was actually defeated by the kid surnamed Yan, can they still be of some use?! ”

It's no wonder that Yuan Shikai was so annoyed, originally according to his plan, after Yan Shao sent troops to Jiangxi and was dragged by Li Liejun in Jiangxi, he went south to clean up Yan Shao in the name of the central government.

Although Yan Shao's movements were a little beyond his imagination, as long as Li Liejun could hold on for a while longer, he could mobilize the troops in Shandong and Henan, and with Chen Jiongming from Guangdong and Xu Chongzhi from Fujian, as long as the reinforcements from these two provinces came up, Yan Shao would probably need a lot of time to take Jiangxi.

As for Li Yuanhong in Hubei and Zhu Rui in Zhejiang, Yuan Shikai's opinion is similar to Yan Shao—————— they are a group of wall grass.

At present, the Kuomintang in Anhui is called the second most powerful force in the country because it has nine divisions. In addition, Anhui is the first barrier to resist the southward movement of the Beiyang. Li Yuanhong and Zhu Rui basically would not take the initiative to take action against Yan Shao.

But as long as Yuan Shikai can win two battles in Anhui, Zhu Rui and they will pounce on them like wolves and eat Yan Shao clean—————— although they don't want Yan Shao to lose. But since they had already been defeated, they naturally hoped to be able to reap some benefits before Yan Shao failed. And as long as there are no two obstacles, the Kuomintang and the Kuomintang Socialist Party, Yuan Shikai can reach a more substantial reunification with China...

It can be said that everything Yuan Shikai has already planned, but he just didn't calculate that Li Liejun and his Gan army would be so useless, it's only been a few days? The main force under his command has already lost most of it. If this continues, I am afraid that before Yuan Shikai's troops are mobilized, Jiangxi will already be occupied by the National Socialist Party.

However, it is not surprising that history from July 23, 1913. Li Chun's offensive against Hukou began, and by August 18, it took only more than 20 days for the Beiyang Army to attack Nanchang, not even a month...

The Nationalist Army faced the Gan Army on this side. In addition to the advantages in training. The advantage in equipment is even greater than that of the Beiyang Army and the Jiangxi Army in history, so it is not surprising that such a victory will be obtained.

"Xingcheng, what do you say to do now? I'm dizzy and can't think of anything..."Covering his forehead, Yuan Shikai shook his head.

Even if the previous Hukou was counted, after learning that Jiujiang was also captured by the Guoshe Army, this news was like a bolt from the blue for Yuan Shikai.

Standing aside, Yang Shiqi was also embarrassed. "Before doing it this time, that Yan Shao had already stated that it was because he was not dealing with the Kuomintang. Therefore, it is useless to make other provinces worry that Yan Shao will attack them, and if they continue to let the Kuomintang develop like this. I'm afraid I'm really going to be helpless..."

In fact, Yang Shiqi still has something to say, that is, although several provinces in Zhejiang are a little afraid of Yan Shao, I am afraid that they are even more afraid of Yuan Shikai, worried that if Yuan Shikai's family is really allowed to dominate, their existing status and power will disappear completely—————— which can be seen from the fact that Cai Ye and Yin Changheng of Sichuan were later recruited into Beijing under house arrest, of course, this is only what happened in history.

It is also for this reason that it is almost impossible for them to take the initiative against Yan Shao, unless Yuan Shikai can beat Yan Shao first, and those people will come up and take the opportunity to take advantage of it.

But it really comes to that point, it would be a good thing for Yuan Shikai not to have these people to participate, after all, then Yuan Shikai would be able to monopolize all the benefits...

"Yes," Yuan Shikai sighed. Old man, I'm also worried about this matter, I didn't expect that the National Social Army was really capable of fighting, that Yan Shao had a place in Anhui that was already very tricky, if he really let him take Jiangxi...... Although Jiangxi is not rich, but Anhui is not a particularly rich place, but in the past few years, he has been called like this, so that the old man I have to admire, if he is given a few years, Jiangxi is also run like Anhui, I am afraid that this battle will not have to be fought..."

This is also what Yuan Shikai is most worried about, an Anhui has given him a headache, although Jiangxi is not a particularly rich province, but Anhui is actually similar. If Yan Shao is given a few years and Yan Shao becomes similar to Anhui, then he can only raise his hand and surrender.

"Hua Fu..." turned his head sideways, and Yuan Shikai looked at Feng Guozhang, who had been standing aside and had not made a sound. If it were for us to fight Jiangxi, would you think it would be as fast as the National Social Army? ”

"Of course you can..."Straighten your waist, Feng Guozhang said with a straight face.

"Hmm..."Nodding with satisfaction, Yuan Shikai said with a smile. I think that's the case, but how to deal with that Yan Shao now? Originally, we planned to let Li Liejun in Jiangxi drag Yan Shao, who would have thought that Li Liejun would be so useless, and before we mobilized here, he would have been beaten and lost his armor and collapsed..."

"Gong Bao, didn't you also say it just now, if you let that Yan Shao stay in Jiangxi for a while, and make Jiangxi and Anhui almost the same, I'm afraid that Yan Shao will be even more difficult to clean up..." If we do it now, we still have a few chances of winning, and if we delay any longer, I'm afraid we won't even have a chance of winning..."

According to the population statistics of the Republic of China in 1925, the population of Jiangxi was about 17.56 million. Naturally, considering the situation in the Republic of China at that time, this data will definitely be somewhat biased. It's either overcounted or undercounted—————— it should be undercounted.

On the other hand, since in the Republic of China, that is, from 1911 to 1949, there has been no major growth or change in the Chinese, so although this data is from 1925, there is basically no problem with misappropriation until 1913...

With a population of more than 17 million, this is a relatively large human resource. It is only more than 5 million less than the more than 20 million in Anhui. Moreover, although Jiangxi's resources are not particularly rich, they are definitely not small, as long as there is reasonable development. At least it is much better than the provinces that are still plagued by local bureaucrats and warlords.

In particular, Jiangxi is a component of the western Pacific metallogenic belt. The strata in the area are completely exposed, the magmatic activity is frequent, and the geological structure is complex. The metallogenic conditions are excellent. Mineral resources are abundant.

Among the more than 150 kinds of minerals currently known, more than 40 kinds of solid mineral resources have been discovered in Jiangxi, including 89 kinds of proven industrial reserves. There are more than 700 mineral deposits, including more than 80 large deposits and more than 100 medium-sized deposits.

Among the 89 kinds of proven mineral reserves, there are 33 kinds that rank among the top five in the country. Among them, copper, tungsten, tantalum, cesium, thallium, scandium, gold, silver, uranium, thorium, associated sulfur, solvent dolomite, etc., rare earth, selenium, tellurium, rubidium, lithium, etc., yttrium phosphate, bismuth, beryllium, rock salt, serpentine, etc., and molybdenum, niobium, fluorite, etc., ranked fourth. In fifth place are tin, zirconium, and dolomite for glass. In particular, copper, tungsten, uranium thorium, tantalum and niobium and rare earth are known as the "five golden flowers" of Jiangxi Province. In addition, there are many metal and non-metallic minerals that also occupy an important position in the country.

In particular, copper ore and tungsten ore ore account for one-fifth of the country's total reserves. Industrial reserves account for one-third of the country's reserves. Dexing's porphyry copper mine is an important copper mine in the province, with proven reserves accounting for 67.7% of the province's total reserves, associated gold accounting for 98% of the province's total reserves, associated silver accounting for more than 50%, and associated sulfur reaching 20.677 million tons, accounting for 26.4% of the province's total reserves. It is the largest open-pit copper mine in Asia, the first in China and the second largest in Asia. It is second only to the Grasberg copper mine in Indonesia in Asia.

In addition, Jiangxi's tungsten ore reserves are also very high, wolframite reserves occupy the first place in the country, think about the Germans used submarines to transport tungsten ore in World War II, you can know how important this kind of thing is.

If Yan Shao is given another 5 years, there are two provinces, Jiangxi and Anhui, as long as a 5-year plan is drawn out, it will be a matter of no effort to sweep away Beiyang and other local warlords—————— it is difficult to say whether Yuan Shikai can live for 5 years.

Of course, first of all, he must be able to find these mineral resources, but since the Xiangshan Iron Mine and some surrounding minerals have been developed, Yan Shao already has a very professional exploration team under his hands. And in Yan Shao's memory, there is really no one in these provinces in China who has no resources at all, so if you occupy Jiangxi, I am afraid that the first thing is to conduct a comprehensive 'physical examination' of Jiangxi to see if there is anything that is useful to you and the most attractive to you...

It's just that I'm afraid Yuan Shikai can't think of it, he doesn't want to wait, and Yan Shao is also unwilling to wait...

"What do you mean?" Although Yuan Shikai had already understood what Yang Shiqi meant in his heart, he still hesitated, after all, such a determination was difficult to make. If before Yan Shao captured Hukou and Jiujiang, he still had some confidence that he could clean up Yan Shao, then now this confidence is probably about to be halved.

"Do it directly..."Now that he has spoken, Yang Shiqi said categorically. The longer it drags on, the better it will be for the National Socialist Party, and if we don't do it now, I'm afraid that even if we want to do it in the future, we won't have the strength to do it..."

Listening to Yang Shiqi's words, everyone else also nodded.

Although Yan Shao taught the Kuomintang a lesson, and the people in Beiyang also felt very happy, they knew one thing very well, that is, if the Anhui side was allowed to continue to develop, Beiyang might not be able to contain them in the future.

Therefore, the first strike is strong, and it is necessary to nip the opponent in the bud before it is full-fledged, which has also become a consensus of the top level of Beiyang, and it has been reached before the settlement of the Outer Mongolia incident.

It's just that before that, the people in Beiyang had been thinking about whether to deceive Yan Shao from Anhui, or find some other excuse to remove him from his position.

Now...

They already have the most plausible reasons ...

"Good!" looked at Yang Shiqi. After looking at Feng Guozhang and the others next to him, Yuan Shikai also paid attention. "Xingcheng is right, the first strike is stronger. If it drags on like this, Anhui will drag it out, and I can't afford to drag it out, old man..."

Speaking of this, Yuan Shikai stood up from his chair, and his face showed a little excitement. "Now that the Kuomintang has been hurt by that Yan Shao, as long as we solve Yan Shao, there will be no opponent in the country. The status of our Beiyang can be completely established, everyone, even for the future of our group. Work hard, too! ”

"It must be so!"

Hearing Yuan Shikai say this, everyone, including Feng Guozhang, saluted.

Today's Beiyang is dull even in the eyes of outsiders. However, after having a unified goal. The group has been revitalized again...... Even if it's just a little bit...

————————————————————

The news of Hukou and Jiujiang's victory soon spread throughout Anhui.

It was also because of the two extremely easy victories that the originally somewhat divided public opinion in Anhui was temporarily eased somewhat.

For many people, war is absolutely something to avoid as much as possible without need.

However, if you can win all the time, even the opponents will keep their mouths shut. Because even if you are an anti-war person, you will expect victory.

As long as they can win all the time, the people will naturally not oppose it.

corresponds to it. If it fails all the time, I'm afraid the common people won't be so easy to talk about.

On the other hand. After the defeat from Jiujiang, Li Liejun led more than 1,000 remnants of the defeated army all the way south and fled to Nanchang.

Ouyang Wu, Lin Hu and others fled with him, but after looking back at the remaining troops, both Li Liejun and Lin Hu had a sudden feeling, as if they couldn't believe that they had been defeated so quickly?

That's right, when they learned that the number of enemies who came was three times that of their own side, and they were stronger than themselves in all aspects, Li Liejun and the others had already thought that they would definitely fail, but they couldn't believe that they would lose so quickly.

In just one day, Jiujiang actually fell into the hands of the enemy.

"If Jiujiang can't bear it, then Nanchang is probably also..."

"Don't say it, be careful..."

In the only remaining Jiangxi army, whispers can be seen everywhere.

And the officers in the team, perhaps because they have just experienced a failed relationship, are not even interested in caring about the whispers in the team.

Now they are thinking more about their own way back, although Li Liejun has said before that the Guangdong side is mobilizing and will soon go north to support, and Xu Chongzhi of Fujian is also the most loyal comrade of the Kuomintang.

The question is, when will they be able to come? Even if they come, will they be the opponents of the National Social Army?

In the first battle of Jiujiang, the Jiangxi army was already frightened by the overwhelming artillery fire, and they didn't think that Chen Jiongming and Xu Chongzhi were the opponents of the National Social Army.

And the most important thing for them at the moment is the problem of Nanchang, if Nanchang can't hold it, everything is nonsense. The problem is that in their current state, unless the National Social Army does not fight Nanchang, no matter how you look at Nanchang, it will definitely not be able to hold Nanchang.

The decadence of the troops, Li Liejun and they also saw it in their eyes, but they didn't have any thoughts about this situation. What's more, the most important thing for them at the moment is the problem of Nanchang.

“…… At present, there is only the Ninth Regiment that we left behind in Nanchang, and several regiments of the other Second Division stationed nearby are urgently approaching Nanchang, but the mountains are high and the road is far away, and it is really difficult to say when we can arrive, and whether we can arrive before the National Social Army..."

There are more than 5,000 horses in the Jiujiang Jiangxi army, although the second brigade has been beaten a little frightened, but the first brigade is definitely the elite of the Jiangxi army, so many men and horses have not lasted for two days, and the strength of the Nanchang regiment alone will not have any effect.

This was not only thought of by Ouyang Wu, but also by others.

However, gritting his teeth, Li Liejun still said. "In any case, Nanchang is the provincial capital of Jiangxi and must not be discarded, immediately send someone to contact the second division and ask them to rush to Nanchang as soon as possible, if we can hold out in Nanchang for as long as we can..."

"And how about Guangdong and Fujian?"

Hearing Li Liejun's inquiry, Ouyang Wu immediately replied. "The Guangdong side is already mobilizing, but according to them, it will take a little time, and the Fujian side is afraid that there is some trouble, although Xu Chongzhi has begun to prepare, but Sun Daoren has always been in the way, until now Xu Chongzhi's division has not been able to gather the military funds needed to send troops..."

"Sun Daoren...", silently reciting the name in his heart, Li Liejun shook his head. Forget it, the most important thing now is the matter of Nanchang, as long as you can keep Nanchang, everything is easy to say..."

Hold Nanchang...

Hearing this, Ouyang Wu and even Lin Hu smiled bitterly.

Because the biggest problem at the moment is how to defend Nanchang...

Can Nanchang hold on?

That is, when Li Liejun and the others went to Nanchang, in Jiujiang City, in the city that had almost become ruins, the National Social Army was also carrying out a series of rests.

Although the Nationalist Army easily defeated the Jiangxi Army with its superiority in equipment and training, it was only a one-year army after all. After a day of fighting, the establishment is inevitably a little chaotic. And tens of thousands of shells were smashed in Nanchang, Xiao Yongyan and Gu Chengzhou also needed to wait for the logistics in the rear... (To be continued......)