The arrangement to summon the Beiyang generals on the morning of the 8th was postponed due to the sharp turn of the war situation in the southeast. On the evening of October 7, Long Qian received urgent telegrams from Ye Yanbing and Feng Guozhu respectively, the Sixth Division had occupied Huai'an, Zhang Xun's troops were about to collapse at the first touch, Zhang Xun abandoned his troops and fled, and was being arrested. The 17th Brigade of the Sixth Division, the forward, has approached Zhenjiang and asked for instructions on the follow-up actions of the troops. The Fengguo Pillar Department fought fiercely to conquer Anqing, because the navy avoided the battle and went away, the People's Army Xu Chongzhi Department collapsed after two days of fierce fighting, and the remnants retreated to Jiangning. Feng Guozhu suggested that Ye Yanbing's Sixth Division should not enter Jiangning from the west, but should march to Shanghai, and Jiangning should be handed over to the First Division.

An hour and a half later, Long Qian received a telegram from Wuchang from Situ Jun, the opinion of the General Staff, that the main force of the Sixth Division was advancing towards the attack on Shanghai and joining forces with the Third Division in Zhejiang. Jiang Ning handed it over to Feng Guozhu to be cleared.

Long Qian immediately replied to the telegram and agreed, instructing Situ to order all departments to carry out the order in the name of the General Staff Department, and at the same time to reply to Ye and Feng, that the Southeast Military Region had already been established, and that the specific actions of the two departments should be under the unified command of Wang Mingyuan, commander of the Military Region, under the premise of implementing the strategy of the General Staff Headquarters.

On the morning of the 8th, he again communicated with the General Staff and front-line generals about the situation in the southeast. Long Qian still had illusions about the peaceful settlement of the KMT issue, and instructed Feng Guozhu to send a capable detachment to escort Qiu Jin to Shanghai or Hangzhou to meet Sun Wen and others. It is hoped that the KMT center will have a clear understanding of the situation, abandon unnecessary military confrontation, and adopt peace talks to resolve differences.

Among the three front-line generals, Wang Mingyuan agreed with the peace talks and suggested that the two divisions on the North Road, especially Ye Yanbing's division, should not be too pressed. However, Feng and Ye both believed that the peace talks were neither hopeful nor necessary. It is proposed to solve the South-Eastern problem with a decisive offensive. Long Qian crossed the General Staff and instructed the three generals of the front line that until Qiu Jin received the news that a peaceful solution was completely hopeless, the troops were not allowed to enter Shanghai, but they could occupy Jiangning. Long Qian also sent the "Rules for Entering the City" issued by the Northern Army to the three generals on the front line, urging them to make real preparations to take over Shanghai, Hangzhou, Jiangning, and other big cities, and never to take lightly the series of problems brought about by the occupation of big cities by the troops. The southeast is the country's most financially rich and economically developed region, and it is absolutely forbidden to destroy the local economy needlessly because of military problems.

On the afternoon of October 8, Long Qian met with Duan Qirui, Feng Guozhang, Cao Kun, Zhang Shaozeng, Cai Yi, Wu Peifu and other Beiyang generals at his residence.

Lu Shan, Ning Shijun and Fang Shengyuan accompanied.

Before the formal talks, Long Qian sent Lieutenant Ouyang to take Cai Ye upstairs.

"Matsupo! Three years have passed. I want to thank you! Long Qian stretched out his hand enthusiastically. Tightly held Cai Yi's hand, "Director Jiang Yun told me about your exploits, you are different from the few downstairs, you have long been a member of the Mengshan Army." If not for your protection. I'm about to lose a spy who has done a great job. ”

"Cai Ye didn't dare to take credit." Cai Ye was very excited.

"Pine slope. The reason why I called you to talk about it first. Two things, the first is about what you did for the Mengshan Army, and I'm not going to tell them about it. lest Mr. Duan's face be unpleasant. But your credit, I have all recorded in the credit book of the Mengshan Army. ”

"That's exactly how it should be. This is exactly what Cai Yi wants to ask the marshal to do. ”

"The second thing is your use. I'll ask you for advice first. Today, I invite friends from Beiyang to talk about the use of everyone and the reorganization of the Beiyang troops. I have an idea, I want to invite you to Sichuan, the position is brigade commander, what do you think? ”

Cai Ye was a little stunned, and then said happily, "Thank you for your love." "He was only the chief of staff of the Military Command Department of the Ministry of War before, and his rank was not even as good as a standard, Long Qian gave him a brigade at once, which made him overjoyed when he was eager to lead the troops.

"At the beginning, you and Zhang Xiaozhun and Jiang Fangzhen studied in Japan Lushi, and you have the reputation of the three heroes of non-commissioned officers, which can be regarded as winning glory for my Chinese soldiers. Now Jiang Fangzhen is the chief of staff of the Northern Army, and this person has a deep attainment in military education, and he is a good hand at running a military academy, and I am ready to send him to the Shandong Military Academy as the principal. As for Zhang Xiaozhun, he studied as an engineer, and he also worked as an engineer in the Northern Army, so I still use his expertise. After the establishment of the National Defense Force, it will vigorously expand the construction of the engineering troops, and prepare to set up an engineering unit directly under the headquarters. You used to be a staff officer, and now you are a brigade commander, and your position is neither low nor high. In the southwest, the Second Division of the Mengshan Army is currently smoothly marching into the army, and this time one of the newly formed divisions will be transferred to the Southwest Military Region, and the specific direction is Sichuan. After the three provinces of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan are stabilized, they will choose the opportunity to march into Tibet. As for you, go over and familiarize yourself with the troops first, and when the situation is stable or national security is threatened, I will consider transferring you back to the headquarters. ”

"Thank you, Marshal," Cai Yi's face was full of excitement, "The British have always tried to plot against me in Tibet, and as a soldier, there is no more glorious thing to defend the border for the country." I am willing to lead a brigade of elite soldiers into Tibet. ”

"Tibet is definitely going to go! However, the road to Tibet is difficult, and the army needs to be properly funded. More on that later. Since you have no opinion, let's settle it like this! Let's go and meet our friends in Beiyang. ”

Long Qian took Cai Ye downstairs into the reception room, and the generals of the Beiyang Department who were talking with Lu Shan, Ning Shijun and Fang Shengyuan immediately stood up to welcome the arrival of the new master of the country.

"Ha Luha, please sit down, please sit down, Cai Songpo and I have an old relationship, chatted a few words, and snubbed everyone." Long Qian looked at the Beiyang generals one by one, "This must be General Duan, fortunately, fortunately." Long Qian nodded to Duan Qirui, then turned to Feng Guozhang and Cao Kun, "General Feng is also an old man, we fought side by side in the flood fight in Wuding. Acquaintance with General Cao was even earlier, when Long led the army north to Qinwang, passing through Yanzhou, General Cao regardless of previous suspicions, vigorously replenished salaries, grain, grass and ammunition for our department, Long was able to fight the victory of the Battle of Xigu, General Cao contributed a lot. Well, General Zhang Shaozeng, right? The Fengtian incident was frightened, if General Zhang had done it earlier, it would not have broken General Wu Luzhen, this is all a historical misunderstanding, fortunately, we are sitting together. The last one must be General Wu Ziyu," Long Qian looked at Wu Peifu with a smile, "General Ziyu fought fiercely in the Dezhou Campaign, which made a deep impression on Ye Yanbing. Is General Ziyu's injuries completely healed? ”

Long Qian's opening remarks relieved the Beiyang generals, and he did not mention the confrontation between the two sides. Instead, they picked up the things that cooperated with each other, especially Feng Guozhang and Cao Kun, and a feeling of emotion surged in their hearts. Without waiting for them to speak, Wu Peifu stood up and said loudly, "Back to the words of the big handsome." Wu's injuries are all healed. Hearing that the marshal was specifically asking about Wu's injury in the south, Wu was very grateful. "Wu Peifu has always been in a trance, he is just a standard, his status cannot be ranked with Duan, Feng, Zhang, Cao and others, and he is not like Cai Yi who has an old relationship with Long Qian, why is he so concerned about himself. I really can't figure it out.

"Everyone. First of all, I would like to inform you of the situation in the whole country, and the southeast has basically calmed down. Zhenjiang was occupied by the 6th Division. Jiangning will go down in a few days. The march to the southwest was also smooth. Except for Tibet, only Sichuan remains, but the problem is not big. ”

"Congratulations." Feng Guozhang arched his hand. Since Yuan Shikai sent out the power. The burden on his heart has been completely lifted.

"Second, I would like to talk about the reorganization of the Beiyang troops, which should be of concern to you. Yesterday, I convened a preparatory meeting to study the reorganization of the whole army and came up with a preliminary plan. The history of the Manchu Qing Dynasty is over, and a new country is about to be born, whether it is the Mengshan Army or the Beiyang Army, it is the National Defense Army. When Mr. Fang Shengyuan went to Zhangde to discuss with Mr. Yuan Weiting, he talked about the reorganization of the Beiyang Army. The plan studied yesterday is no different from what Fang Shengyuan promised to Mr. Yuan. Beiyang's troops in Zhili will be reorganized into two divisions, numbered the 12th and 13th Divisions respectively, the 12th Division is composed of the 4th and 2nd Towns of Beiyang, with two brigades and 6 regiments under its jurisdiction, and the 13th Division is composed of the 3rd Town and the original 6th Town, which is the same as the 12th Division. These two divisions want to invite General Hua Fu and General Zhong Shan to serve as division commanders respectively. I wonder if the two generals are willing? ”

Feng Guozhang and Cao Kun glanced at each other, and they both saw surprise in each other's eyes. To be honest, they didn't expect Long Qian to give them a division, and it was a pure old Beiyang department.

"General Huafu?" Long Qian asked softly.

"Oh, Mr. Long, I didn't expect ......" Feng Guozhang really didn't expect that Long Qian would give himself a division, and it was the old department of Beiyang, "Feng is willing to serve." ”

Cao Kun was also deeply surprised, and saw Long Qian looking at him, "Mr. Long trusts him so much, Cao Kun is deeply grateful." ”

"Well, that's it. As for the appointment of officers below, we will study it slowly. You two can come up with a charter first, and I will try to respect their opinions. As for General Shibazumi, I would like to keep you in the center, for specific positions, and the initial idea is to serve as the commander of the Artillery Command under the General Staff. The institution is still under construction. General Duan studied artillery, and I hope to play an important role in building a strong artillery force in the future national defense force. Oh, if General Zhiquan is not willing to work in the military system, the civil affairs system can also be arranged, and the position will not be lower than the two of them. Long Qian smiled and pointed at Feng and Cao, "What does General Zhiquan think?" ”

Duan thanked Mr. Long for not remembering the old evils. However, as a person who came from the old era, Duan was really unbearable. Duan wanted to ask Mr. Long to say a word, so let Duan go back to his hometown to retire. ”

Long Qian knew that Duan Qirui was a person with a strong desire for power, and returning to his hometown to retire was definitely not in his heart. Although this person's ethics are excellent, Long Qian is unwilling to give the Duan clan the actual troops, this thought, Long Qian did not mention it to anyone, "General Zhiquan, your matter, we will discuss it later." As for General Zhang," Long Qian looked at Zhang Shaozeng, who had been keeping his head down, "I hope you will take up a post in the General Staff or the soon-to-be-established Ministry of National Defense, and we will discuss the specific position." General Ziyu, I suggest you go back to the army and lead the troops! I'll give you a brigade, will you do it? The civil war will end soon, to be honest, as the descendants of Yan and Huang, it is not interesting to kill each other, and it will be better to be united with the outside world in the future. I hope that General Ziyu will go down and lead the troops and play your prestige Wu Ziyu on the battlefield of the national war. ”

Wu Peifu paused for a moment, then got up and said loudly, "Peifu is willing to devote himself to the national war, as long as he fights for the country, where the marshal points and where he kills in his humble position, he will definitely live up to his mission." "The old commander Cao Kun has accepted Long Qian's appointment, he naturally has no worries, he has a small standard, people don't remember the old evils, and give a brigade all at once, what else to say?

"Okay, then do it. Cai Songpo's position has been decided, and he is also the brigade commander. Now we're a family. I hope that you will completely forget the identity of the past, Beiyang no longer exists, the Mengshan Army has also completed its historical mission, and there will be only one army in the country in the future, that is, the national defense force to defend national security and territorial integrity! I hope you will turn this corner as soon as possible. The Beiyang Army has the advantages of the Beiyang Army, and the Mengshan Army has the advantages of the Mengshan Army. You should retain your own strong points and conscientiously study and adapt to the military regulations of the Mengshan Army. Hurry up and complete the reorganization. The General Staff will send personnel to supervise the reorganization of the troops. Long Qian paused, "For the next step for the use of the twelfth and thirteenth divisions, the headquarters already has a preliminary idea, you may not know yet, Outer Mongolia is making an independent move!" Lu Shan has already been appointed commander of the newly established Northern Military Region, and the 12 th Division will be incorporated into the Northern Military Region, and its task is to move its troops north and completely eliminate all the forces that split China. Of course, it is not necessary to go to the 12th Division to march into Outer Mongolia, and the 9th Division of the Mengshan Army must act as the main force. As for the 13th Division, it will be transferred to the Southwest Military Region and complete the occupation of the southwestern provinces, including Tibet! Where is national sovereignty manifested? It's in the army. The British have been using tactics in Tibet, and the troops of the Southwest Military Region will march into Tibet at an opportune time after completing their occupation and control of Sichuan, Guizhou, and Yunnan! I hope that Senior Commander Cao will make meritorious contributions in the great march to complete the true reunification of the motherland. ”

"Wu is willing to march into Tibet." Without waiting for Cao Kun to express his position, Wu Peifu said loudly.

"Ha Luha, courage is commendable. Senior Commander Cao, if you want, Ziyu and Songpo will return to you as brigade commanders. The road to Tibet is difficult, and this must be considered in the long run. ”

"Songpo Ziyu is a good player, come to the 13th Division as a brigade commander, of course Cao welcomes it." Cao Kun didn't expect that Long Qian would let his old subordinate Wu Peifu come back as a brigade commander. This open-mindedness is really admirable.

"Well, that's it. Today, Long set up a casual banquet for everyone to welcome the wind and celebrate that we have become a family. Everyone should have a drink. ”

At the banquet, Long Qian deliberately asked Duan Qirui to sit beside him and talked with Duan Qirui for a long time, Duan Qirui finally agreed to go out of the mountain, but he was unwilling to be an artillery commander, nor did he want to serve in the military, and would rather go back to his hometown Anhui to govern the place. Long Qian immediately agreed, "It's okay, but this will have to wait a little longer." After the government affairs system was formed, Mr. Duan was invited to return to Anhui to take charge. ”

Duan Qirui said, "If the name is not right, it is not good, Mr. Long is better to be in place as soon as possible." When the center is established, the situation in the world is decided. ”

"Yes, yes, but the framework of this regime is very important, and to be honest, Long has not yet achieved it." Long Qian smiled and said, "Regarding the formation of the government, if you have any suggestions, you can always tell me." The conversation went well, and Long Qian's mood was naturally very happy. (To be continued......)