In late November, a guard unit on the Leizhou Peninsula, whose vanguard unit was in danger, successfully crossed the Qiongzhou Strait and landed on Hainan Island. Hainan Island, which had been occupied by the British army for more than two years, was in shambles, and the people on the island were withered and miserable. The British army not only plundered the island, but also carried out large-scale looting before leaving, and in the past two years the people, including ethnic minorities, spontaneously resisted the invaders, and then were massacred, and in just two years, the population of the island, except for those who fled the island and those who were slaughtered, was sharply reduced by one-third.

Dai Hui led a detachment of 10 torpedo boats, two transport ships, and two sail gunboats to South Asia, Hainan Island. He was ordered to be stationed in South Asia on patrol duty, and at this time, Dai Hui stood on the transport ship, looking out at the dock that had been blown up by the British army. "Squadron leader, it's really hateful that the British didn't forget to blow up the dock when they ran away." The captain of the transport said in an air. Dai Hui was in a good mood and said: "You should think about it the other way, this was a fishing village at the beginning, and the British built the wharf. Although the British destroyed the dock when they evacuated, the foundation is still there, and the bones have not been moved, and we will soon restore the dock function. Probably the British did not expect that we would be able to return. ”

Dai Hui ordered the patrol boats to set sail for patrol, and the other ships broke down outside the wharf, and he wanted to lead all the officers and men to rush to repair the wharf first. The next day, the people of the Li nationality living in the vicinity of the area were shocked to hear that the Northern Expeditionary Army had returned and that Hainan Island had returned to the hands of the military government. Out of love for the Northern Expeditionary Army, they spontaneously came to the dock to participate in the work of repairing the dock. There are many people, and the Kung Fu Pier will be restored to function in a few days.

By the end of November, the Beibu Gulf, Hainan Island, and the coastal waters near Shantou were under China's control, and their shipping routes and offshore fishing were rapidly restored. Fishermen, including merchants, were overjoyed, and the sea began to boil again. At the headquarters in Guangzhou, Sheng Huaixuan came uninvited, "Commander-in-chief, what kind of magic do you use, a big victory over foreigners in a naval battle will be cowardly." "As the saying goes, a snake is beaten seven inches, and a foreigner is beaten on seven inches, do you think he can stand it?" Deng Zixuan deliberately bought.

The two of them teased a few words, and Deng Zixuan remembered something and said: "My eldest minister, you have nothing to do but go to the Three Treasures Palace, do you have anything to do with me?" Sheng Huaixuan said: "The two blast furnaces that were launched in Dongguan Iron and Steel Plant a few years ago have not been put into production due to iron ore. After recovering Hainan Island, I organized manpower to go to the island to mine ore, and found that the iron ore factory had hoarded a large amount of iron ore. After inquiry, it was learned that the British had forced the mining, and they were hoarding iron ore to sell to Japan. ”

Sheng Huaixuan continued: "Commander-in-chief, after the resumption of shipping, the current transport ships are very tight, once the two blast furnaces are put into operation, plus the original four blast furnaces, I need a special transport fleet to continuously transport iron ore to meet the needs." At present, the offshore blockade has been lifted, and ships are needed in all aspects, so I have no choice but to come to you. Deng Zixuan said with a smile: "Brother Sheng, I don't need you to say that I thought of it earlier, come here, go and find Lin Haisheng." ”

"Commander-in-chief, your subordinates obey orders!" Lin Haisheng was obviously a little blessed, with a big belly and a poopy jaw. "General Manager Lin, your transport fleet can travel, and you will assign one-third of the ships to Shanda to transport iron ore specially." "Yes! Subordinate Order! Sheng Huaixuan took Lin Haisheng away with satisfaction. At this time, the adjutant walked in and said, "Commander-in-chief, Lord Zhang invited you to go to the mansion with your wife tonight, I wonder if the commander has time tonight." ”

In the evening, Deng Zixuan's mansion. "Going to Zhang's Mansion as a guest? I also saw Mrs. Zhang at the Charity Association during the day, why didn't I hear her talk about it. In addition, this is not a year, why do you want to have a treat. "Your Excellency Prime Minister is busy every day, I am busy with military affairs every day, I haven't talked together for a long time, what's so strange about having a meal." Soon, Deng Zixuan and Wan'er came to Zhang Zhidong's mansion in a Western carriage.

Deng Zixuan found that not only Zhang Zhidong and his wife greeted him in front of the door, but Hu Xueyan and his fourth aunt also stood in front of the door to greet them. Deng Zixuan was a little surprised when he saw this scene, usually he and Hu Xueyan don't move around easily, but today is a little abnormal. Suddenly, Deng Zixuan realized that Zhang Zhidong had encountered a problem, otherwise it would be impossible to invite Hu Xueyan to accompany him, it seems that the drunkard's intention is not to drink. Wan'er saw that Mrs. Zhang and the fourth aunt were too naturally affectionate, and the three women played a scene, holding hands and taking the lead in entering the mansion.

"Commander-in-chief, the situation is very good, and it is a miracle that a small torpedo boat actually broke the blockade of the cannons of the giant ship. Now that the offshore transportation from Shantou to Beibu Gulf has resumed rapidly, our logistics costs have dropped greatly, which is really gratifying and impressive. I am happy today, so I invite the commander-in-chief to drink heartily and not vomit or be unhappy. Zhang Zhidong had some eyebrows fluttering. Deng Zixuan smiled and said: "It's rare that the Prime Minister has such a Yaxing, how can I be hypocritical." ”

Deng Zixuan glanced at Hu Xueyan meaningfully, not believing Zhang Zhidong's words. Hu Xueyan reluctantly smiled and said, "It's worth celebrating!" It's worth celebrating! "Walking into Zhang Zhidong's study, the table has already been set up, and the food and drinks have already been set." Commander-in-chief, Brother Hu, this is a Fenjiu sent from the west, it smells fragrant and refreshing, so please taste it. "It's Shanxi Fenjiu that's so good, I haven't drunk Shanxi Fenjiu for a long time." Hu Xueyan couldn't help but open the lid of the altar and smell.

After three rounds of wine and five flavors of food, Zhang Zhidong was full of energy and talked eloquently. All the stories are good news, in short, the situation is very good and thriving. "Okay, my Prime Minister, don't kid yourself, let's be honest, isn't there a problem?" Deng Zixuan got straight to the point. Zhang Zhidong glanced at Hu Xueyan and put away his smile, his expression was a little embarrassed, and said: "Commander-in-chief, whether you can pinch it or are you like a divine help, nothing can escape your eyes." "Needless to say, this face is clearly written!" Hu Xueyan shrugged his shoulders in agreement.

Zhang Zhidong's face became grim and said: "As soon as Kuang Jiazhi arrived in Xi'an, he encountered a large number of refugees who fled south. He punched and kicked and finally solved the refugee problem. However, the roof leak happened to rain every day. This year, due to the severe drought in the Central Plains and the lack of grain harvest, a large number of refugees have appeared since the beginning of winter. Shandong, Henan, and Hebei are the most serious. The Manchu court not only did not care, but even drove the refugees to the west, and the Qing court was simply mad and threw the burden on us. ”

"In less than a month, the number of refugees reached 100,000 and counting. Kuang Jiazhi reported that the refugees could not be resettled in the cold days. He asked the junta to provide a large amount of food and military tents to alleviate the urgent need. Hu Xueyan was puzzled: "Commander-in-chief, this requires a large number of silver dollars to buy food, tents and other daily necessities. According to the current financial situation of the military government, it can temporarily meet the needs of 200,000 refugees for half a year, and if the number of refugees increases, we may not be able to do anything. ”

Deng Zixuan stood up and walked back and forth a few steps, this is indeed a tricky problem. It seems that the Qing court's expulsion of refugees to the west is a problem, and your Guangzhou military government does not advertise to work for the well-being of all living beings in the world, if a large number of refugees starve to death in the west, the Qing court, including Western countries, will make a big fuss. After a long time, Deng Zixuan seemed to have made up his mind: "Tell Kuang Jiazhi that all refugees from the Central Plains will be transferred to Yunnan." Yunnan has a mild climate, and at least there will be no freezing to death. ”

"Commander-in-chief, you want to resettle refugees in Yunnan, but Yunnan has scarce arable land and can't resettle at all!" Zhang Zhidong shook his head in denial. "My Prime Minister, I have no intention of resettling refugees in Yunnan at all, and you can rest assured that the refugees will not stay in Yunnan for half a year." "Where does the Commander-in-Chief want to place the refugees?" Zhang Zhidong was confused. Deng Zixuan said with a smile: "This involves military secrets, so I won't tell you for the time being." ”

Hu Xueyan said anxiously: "But I need a large amount of food in half a year, and this money is ・・・・・・." "Why are you confused, what is the charity going to eat?" Deng Zixuan reminded. "That's right! How did I forget about the charity association, Mrs. Zun is rich! Hu Xueyan was overjoyed when he heard this. Zhang Zhidong and Hu Xueyan suddenly relaxed, but Deng Zixuan's pressure increased.

Nanjing, in the headquarters of the East Route Corps, Deputy Commander Shang Hu and Chief of Staff Song Fei hurriedly walked in. "Commander, quickly summon us, did the headquarters order the battle?" Shang Hu looked surprised. Bai Sheng shook his head and said, "The headquarters has issued an order, but it is not a combat jihua." "Could it be that the troops are going to be transferred?" "You're half right, the headquarters ordered the two of you to rush to Guangzhou to receive new instructions." "Bai Sheng is as secretive as he is.

"What command?" Shang Hu was confused. "I'm sorry, I don't know anything, you will know when you arrive in Guangzhou." Bai Sheng couldn't do anything. Liu Yunlong, the master of this kung fu division, walked in. "Commander, subordinates listen to orders." Bai Sheng said solemnly: "The headquarters called, ordering your division to go to Lijiang, Yunnan to stand by. "Commander, is this weishenme?" "Don't ask weishenme, carry out the order. Your division is preparing to leave tomorrow today. Bai Sheng turned to Shang Hu and Seinfeld, "It just so happens that the two of you are going together along the way." All I know is that the Commander-in-Chief named you both to go. ”

Xiangfan, the headquarters of the Middle Route Corps, Chen Jintang, deputy commander-in-chief of the Northern Expeditionary Army, pondered with a telegram from the headquarters in his hand. "Report!" "Come in!" The tall Nie Shicheng pushed the door and walked in. "Report to the deputy commander-in-chief, come to report for duty, please ask the deputy commander-in-chief to instruct!" Chen Jintang stood up and stared at Nie Shicheng for a while and said, "The commander-in-chief personally issued an order to name your troops to go to Lijiang, Yunnan to stand by. ”

Nie Shicheng was a little dazed, and he didn't know what to say when he opened his mouth. Chen Jintang said: "The military order is like a mountain, you go back immediately to prepare, and set off tomorrow morning." "Yes! Subordinates obey orders! Nie Shicheng raised his hand and saluted, his eyes revealing a reluctant breath.