Tan Renfeng and Song Jiaoren hurried to Wuchang, and it was already late August.

When I returned to Shanghai from Japan, I was already feeling the atmosphere of great change. The news is further confirmed, the Mengshan Army was launched at the same time on three routes, and Hunan, Shandong, and Guanwai were all in full swing. All kinds of rumors flew all over the sky, and the newspapers reported the news of the war one after another, but they were all rumors, and there was no definite battle situation, at least in Shandong, the Qing army had the absolute upper hand.

This is a great change that has never been experienced before, and no matter which of the two sides wins the most, it is an unprecedented opportunity for the Alliance. Tan and Song agreed that they would do nothing to stay in Shanghai unless they were willing to accept Tao Chengzhang's leadership. If you want to do something big, you must go to Wuchang as soon as possible!

They think that in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, the alliance can still make a difference!

The two took a Japanese river boat and rushed upstream to Wuchang. The ship passed through Jiangning and saw the Manchu navy flying the dragon flag transporting troops against the current, and the deck was full of troops, and even war horses.

Tan Renfeng said to Song Jiaoren, "It seems that the Ninth Town has been transferred to Wuchang." ”

Song Jiaoren nodded, his face grim. He now realizes that the revolution needs a gun. If we had realized this earlier, or if we had vigorously done the work of the Jiangnan New Army, or if we had made up our minds to build an army on our own, the current situation would have been much better. But where does it come from if you need money to build an army? Mr. Sun always said that there was a way, and in the past two years, he has been running around and getting less and less money......

How did Long Qian, who single-handedly set off a monstrous wave, accumulate such a large amount of strength? Looking at the turbid river, Song Jiaoren's heart fluctuated.

"Don't be discouraged at the beginning." Tan Renfeng whispered. "Whether it is the Literary Club or the Communist Association, it is all in the vein of our alliance. Liu Gong and Sun Wu have quite a foundation in the Wuchang New Army, if they can take the opportunity to start an incident and take the three towns, they may not have the capital to fight against Long Qian......"

"The Ninth Town has been transferred to ......the west," Song Jiaoren sighed, "Didn't you hear that the Eighth Town has gone south to Changsha?" In other words, Tan Renfeng's idea is afraid that it is impossible to realize.

"It's man-made. If we don't rise up now, there will be no room for us to speak in the future. ”

"It seems that you are still optimistic about Long Qian......"

"Shandong has been fighting for a long time, and every day it says that it is a big victory, but it doesn't say whether Texas has won it. If Yuan Shikai's soldiers can't even take Texas. What else is there to say! ”

"Mengshan Army. Mengshanjun ......" Thinking of the grievances with Mengshanjun in recent years, Song Jiaoren felt even more at a loss.

"If only we had a troop in our hands!" Song Jiaoren let out a long sigh.

They arrived in Wuchang on August 22, and when they went ashore, they heard a series of jaw-dropping news: the Mukden Incident, and the Mengshan Army occupied Mukden without blood. The Twentieth Town collapsed; Yin Chang committed suicide in defeat in Wuding, Shandong. Yuan Shikai's troops attacking Texas had begun to withdraw; The eighth town of Changsha revolted. Zaitao and Zhang Biao fled back to Wuchang, and the Mengshan army set fire to the city, killing and wounding more than 10,000 people......

In just a few days. The situation has changed so far!

Tan and Song looked at each other, and they couldn't hide their shock on each other's faces!

There is no doubt that the Manchu Qing is over! But what do we do? The two of them can understand each other's meaning.

"Find Liu Gong first." Tan Renfeng dragged Song Jiaoren and hurriedly left the crowded dock.

That night, Tan and Song found Liu Gong, the prime minister of the Communist Association, in the Russian concession. Soon, Liu Gong found Sun Wu, who was in charge of military work in the meeting.

Liu and Sun were both members of the League, and they were very happy with the arrival of Tan and Song, but then they became depressed, of course, because of the Eighth Town Huilongtang Uprising, which led to heavy "losses" for the Communist Association.

“…… Zhang Biao and his men have returned to Wuchang, and the army that has fled back is less than 5,000 people. Although Xu Shaozhen's troops have arrived in Wuchang, they are finished, and they can no longer hold Wuchang. Sun Wu concisely and clearly introduced the situation of the two lakes, and the words were very bleak.

"Don't be discouraged. Isn't there still a large number of our comrades in Li Yuanhong's troops? In the past, when Zhao Sheng was serving in the Ninth Town, he vigorously developed revolutionary comrades, and at least it is certain that the Ninth Town will not sell his life to the Tartar court! Song Jiaoren comforted Sun Wu.

"The problem is not Manchu anymore......" Sun Wu sighed.

It is clear that the main contradiction of the League at present is no longer with the Manchus! When the situation in the north changed dramatically, and the Beiyang Army was defeated in the two battlefields of Shandong and Guanwai, the enemy of the alliance had become the Mengshan army!

"Zhongwen (Liu Gongzi), I'll wait for my return this time, in order to seize the opportunity to do a big job!" Song Jiaoren said to Liu Gong, "Let's not talk about the Ninth Town, they are guest troops after all, can Li Songqing's troops pull them out?" If Li Yuanhong can revolt, plus the officers and soldiers who fled back to Wuchang in the Eighth Town, we will have a good force in our hands, take Wuchang City, and negotiate with Long Qian! ”

Song Jiaoren said his plan.

Liu Gong went to see Sun Wu, and Sun Wu thought for a while, "If you want to fight the idea of the 21st Association, then you must unite the people of the Literary Society." ”

"I heard that Li Yuanhong has the name of Li Bodhisattva, will he stand up?" Song Jiaoren asked.

"It's hard to say." Sun Wu shook his head, these people had no intersection with the top of the New Army at all, and their status was too far apart.

"Time is of the essence, we need to act quickly. Otherwise, the south will press over, and everything will be late. Tan Renfeng, who had a big beard, said, "Originally, there was any discord between your two factions, don't mention it now!" Everyone has worked hard for so many years, why? If we don't control the three towns of Wuhan, the one in the south won't pay attention to us! Although what he said to reporters in Guangzhou was quite good! I completely agree with the opinion of the first part, the Eighth Town was scattered in Changsha, and the 21st Association must have no fighting spirit and the generals are hesitating, which is a good opportunity to do things. In this way, we will divide the work, I will contact the Two Lakes Society, and I will contact the two of you to contact the New Army. Do you think that's okay? ”

Liu Gong asked, "You are from Japan, what does Mr. Sun mean?" ”

"Don't mention him! Huang Keqiang just blindly accommodated, and things were in their hands! Tan Renfeng said indignantly, "In my personal opinion, Zhongshan is also a special figure in China. It's a pity that although the conceit is large, the amount is really small. Although the determination is strong, the means are inferior. Looking at his plans, he has always been limited to a corner of Guangzhou, and has not tried to make the overall situation. Its employment is also only Hu Hanmin, Wang Jingwei, and Huang Keqiang. How can this work? On the 10th of this month, discussing the domestic situation in Japan, knowing that Guangdong was already owned by Long Qian, he still had the idea of seeking Guangdong, isn't it ridiculous? Needless to say, what Long Qian did before, now that his army has become the main force to overthrow the Manchu Qing, how can he still hold on to his old prejudices? After everyone couldn't make a decision, he actually wanted to form another party and start anew. The situation is moving so quickly. Where is the time to wait for him? We have already agreed to do it in the two lakes, and the people in the two lakes will do the things in the two lakes, and no one will look at their faces. "Finished. Tan Renfeng slapped the table hard. Looks excited.

Liu Gong and Sun Wu were stunned. They had apparently not heard of the breakup of the League. And Tan Renfeng's evaluation of Sun Wen is also a little excessive.

"I really can't wait any longer. Let's do it first. Over the years, we have just said more and done less, what's the use of only shouting abroad? That's it! Song Jiaoren said firmly, "I can go and see Li Yuanhong." I didn't expect him to dare to do anything to me! ”

Liu Gongsun Wu was in favor of the matter, and now is indeed not the time to argue about the rights and wrongs of the party, and when the Mengshan army captured Wuchang, all opportunities were lost.

"Then, let's find Jiang Yiwu first and see what he does. Jiang Yiwu has some strength in the 21st Association. Sun Wudao.

"Alright, let's split up."

As a result, the Central General Assembly headed by Tan and Song took advantage of the successive victories of the Mengshan Army in several battlefields to quickly plan an armed uprising.

Changsha, August 21, General Headquarters of the Mengshan Army. Long Qianqiang, who suddenly fell ill, presided over a military meeting, which was attended by Situ Jun, Feng Guozhu, Jiang Yiliu, Cao Minzhong and others, and Ouyang Zhong, the newly appointed director of the Adjutant Division, was responsible for the record.

"Now that the overall situation is basically decided, in view of the fact that the intelligence of the ninth town's westward transfer to Wuchang has been confirmed, the southeast has been empty, and there is no need to send troops. Let's completely solve the last bit of the Qing court's problems in Wuchang. The 7th Brigade is moving south, and the strength is sufficient. But still be careful, be careful, don't go wrong at this time. I think you are a little underestimated by Guozhu, and this emotion is unacceptable. I heard that the 1st Division had a carnival all night, and several regiment commanders were drunk? This is not good, it must be dealt with seriously. Long Qian's face flushed, and his voice was hoarse.

His illness came suddenly, he was fine the day before yesterday, he started to have a fever last night, and he urgently called Qi Shangming, and the preliminary judgment was malaria, but the symptoms were not very consistent. For more than ten years, everyone has never seen Long Qian sick, so they can't help but be a little worried about the coach's health.

Situ Jun admired Long Qian's calmness very much, and felt that this was the mind and bearing that the commander of the First Army should have.

The news of Lin Jiaqiao and Jinzhou's victory once again excited the generals of the Southern Army, and now no one doubts that the Mengshan army will dominate the world! Therefore, when the news came, the Southern Army was jubilant, and the officers of the First Division stationed in Changsha drank heartily and carnivaled all night.

"Commander, can you just deal with me? Don't punish it now," Feng Guozhu looked at Long Qian's somewhat flushed face, and said with a smile, "Everyone is happy, after so many years, I finally look forward to today." In addition, the commander is not in good health, is this here today, there is nothing particularly important, so we should not disturb the commander's rest. After speaking, he took his eyes to see Situ Jun, the chief of the General Staff, and knew that this person was the only one who could persuade Long Qian.

"That's what Master Feng said. I think we can send an internal bulletin to educate the officers, and now is not the time for revelry. But if there are extenuating circumstances, don't you want to be punished? Situ Jun said softly.

Cao Minzhong, who has always been strict, even made it clear for Feng Guozhu, "Yes, everyone heard the great victory of the Shandong Army and the Northern Army, and it is understandable. I agree with the Chief of Staff. ”

"Failure comes from underestimating the enemy, and the last step is the most difficult. Moreover, you only see military victories......" Long Qian shook his head slightly, "Okay, the General Political Department issued a notice to reiterate military discipline and warn everyone not to be overly optimistic, there are many problems ahead." ”

Maybe it's because the victory of the Shandong Battle has put down Long Qian's heart that has been hanging, or maybe it's the scorching heat for days, Long Qian has felt unwell and very uncomfortable since last night.

Xu Si persuaded him to rest, but Long Qian still called the current military meeting despite his illness.

"Alright, let's get back to business. Let's talk about the deployment and actions of the whole army, Situ, you can talk about it. ”

"Okay, let's start with the Southern Army." Situ Jun put a map of the whole country beside Long Qian, "Guangxi has not been completely pacified. The second division of Lan Xinzhi passed through Guangxi and formed the sixth brigade, the first step was to occupy Liuzhou first, and at the same time annihilate or surrender Long Jiguang and other troops, and then go west out of Yunnan and choose an opportunity to go north out of Sichuan. There is no need to be in a hurry along the way, it is necessary to fight steadily and steadily, and it is enough to promote change through war, and politics is greater than military. Roughly calculated, there were still tens of thousands of Qing troops in the southwest, but they were not systematic. There will be no big problems militarily. Whether Lan Xinzhi is suitable for this position. Leave it to the commander's discretion. ”

"Well, the southwest will be handed over to Lan Xinzhi for the time being. But carefully consider a strategy for him. As for the candidate, didn't Lu Shan say that Cai Ye was already in his hands? Wait for the opportunity to transfer him to be Lan Xinzhi's deputy. ”

"Guangdong is not a problem anymore. As the national war situation became clearer, Guangdong's remaining opposition could only retract its head. Situ Jun smiled. After the transfer of the 7th Brigade. The Eighth Brigade in the hands of Deputy Commander-in-Chief Wang was not three regiments. Rather, there were four regiments, fully equipped, and all that was missing was training and real combat. I mean the reorganization of the 3rd Division on the basis of these four regiments. As the main force of our army's march into the southeast, this road can be aimed at Fujian, or it can enter Jiangxi first. But on the whole, it is still necessary to focus on recruitment. Under the current circumstances, it is better for Commander Wang to stay in Guangzhou. ”

What Situ Jun meant was that the Seventh Brigade would no longer be established. Don't look at the Mengshan Army's great victories in several ways, and good news is frequent, but as the chief of the general staff, he feels that the troops are insufficient. Situ Jun planned to build a new division based on the Seventh Brigade, but all this will have to wait until Wuchang is taken.

"Well, I'm relieved that Mingyuan will stay in Guangzhou. However, he should complain that I didn't give him a chance. Long Qian smiled.

"Commander Wang has the strongest view of the overall situation, and he will understand the commander's intentions." Situ Jun smiled, "After the Fourth Brigade was returned to the Second Division, the main force of the Southern Army's Northern Expedition had a total of five brigades, including the Ninth Brigade formed mainly by the Eighth Town Uprising Force, plus the directly subordinate troops, with a strength of more than 50,000 troops. The task of this road is to occupy Wuchang, annihilate the Ninth Town and the 21st Association, and then either go down the river to occupy Jiangning, settle in the southeast, or go north out of Wusheng Pass, and completely annihilate the remnants of Beiyang with the Shandong and Northern armies, and go straight to the Beijing Division. My opinion is that it is better to ignore the southeast for the first time and completely solve the Manchu court. ”

"That's right, the north is calm, the southeast is not worried, not to mention the road to Mingyuan." Long Qian nodded.

"There are two ways to solve the problem of Zhili, one is to wait for the main force of the Southern Army to go north before acting, and the other is not to wait, so the Northern Army will be the mainstay, and the Shandong Army will cooperate to solve the problem of Zhili. I am inclined to the second case, relying only on Lu Shan and Ning Shijun to solve the north. The Shandong army won two key battles, but they were afraid that they would not be able to go north for the time being. Although Yuan Shikai's three towns in Beiyang were bloodied in Dezhou, Zhili was his nest, and he would recover quickly, and he was still a strong enemy of our army. Therefore, after resting and replenishing, the Shandong army went out of Dezhou, went to Shimen and Baoding, threatened the Beijing division from the west road, and fought to join the Beijing division with Lushan. But the main attack relied on Lushan's Northern Army. ”

Long Qian stared at the map without saying a word.

"There is another plan, that is, to solve the Central Plains first and then try to go straight." Situ Jun pointed to the map and said, "According to the report of the Shandong Army, the 7th Division suffered minor damage in the Battle of Linjiaqiao, and the 6th Division can be left in Shandong." Because of the victory outside the Guan, it is no longer possible for Beiyang to seek Shandong again. Ordered Wu Niantong's seventh division to march out of Caozhou and Guide to Wusheng Pass. There was a mixed 29th Association in Henan, forcing it to fight or surrender, and then cut off the Luhan Railway, threatening Wuchang from the back. and then join our Southern Army in Wuchang. Since ancient times, those who have won the Central Plains have won the world, and it is also good to do so. In addition, Zhang Xunbu hit a wall in Yizhou and has returned to Xuzhou, and Lunan is safe for the time being. ”

"Well, it's good." Long Qian nodded again and again, "In this way, the Shandong army will have to make a big move." Henan is Yuan Shikai's hometown, and the entry of the Seventh Division into Henan will cause a strong reaction from the Beiyang Army, which is already waiting? ”

"I don't think so. This brings us to the Northern Army. In order to ensure the victory of the Battle of Zhili, the Northern Army wanted the whole army to go south, leaving only Zhang Zuolin's 21st Division to guard Fengtian. Even if there is a little mess over there, as long as Lu Shan takes the Jingshi, it will not be a problem outside the gate. Now in a situation, the Japanese showed signs of interference, and Lu Shan continued to call the headquarters to ask for instructions, and the commander had to make a decision as soon as possible. ”

"There's nothing to think about, order Lushan to go south, if the Japanese dare to shoot, just shoot! Nothing remarkable! Long Qian slapped the map heavily.

"That's it, if little Japan dares to do it, let's beat him up for a shit day!" Feng Guozhu had long been holding his breath because of the Shanhaiguan incident.

"Is the commander looking for a way to contact the Japanese diplomatic service?" Situ Jun still attaches more importance to diplomatic issues.

"No need. The more careful you are, the more ghosts there are. Anyway, sooner or later, I'll have to settle accounts with little Japan, so let's do it. Long Qian made a decision without hesitation

"Good. In this way, the two divisions of the Northern Army pressed down on Zhili, and Beiyang was not enough to worry about. These are two divisions with experience in big battles, and with the cooperation of the Shandong Army, it should not be a problem. After the occupation of Wuchang, it seems that the Southern Army should expand another division, and this new division will not go to the southeast, but will enter Sichuan in the west, echoing the second division to completely solve the southwest problem. I think the significance of occupying Sichuan is greater than that of the southeast. The 1st Division moved north along the Luhan Railway, not only as a backup for the Zhili Campaign, but also aimed at advancing west into Shanxi and Shaanxi as appropriate, passing through the northwest. ”

"It's a majestic plan, but I'm afraid I won't need it. Oh, I mean everything changes except in the provinces we control! Even Yuan Shikai may not have other thoughts. Well, I basically agree with this plan, and at the moment we are focusing on two points, one is Wuchang, and the other is Zhili. The rest is a trivial. Long Qian nodded, and agreed with the military strategy of the General Staff Headquarters.

"The key is a political issue," Situ Jun put away the map, "the commander is afraid that he is going to establish a national provisional government." ”

"Yes, send a report to Shandong, with Ning Shijun as the director of the Shandong Military and Political Commission and the commander of the Shandong Army, and lead the military and political affairs of Shandong. Ye Yanbing and Chen Chao are deputy directors, and Ye Yanbing's military position remains unchanged, still as deputy commander and commander of the Sixth Division. Shandong was ordered to immediately prepare for the Seventh Division to leave Henan, and Fang Shengyuan followed the Seventh Division and chose the opportunity to come to Wuchang. "Long Qian issued the last important order of the day.

"Okay, I'll do it." Situ Jun knew that Long Qian was going to activate his civilian team. (To be continued......)