Warlords: Rising from the Northwest Border and Sweeping Across the Powers

Chapter 365: Fierce resistance and emotional tearing

As Wang Jin took the initiative to express his willingness to hand over his military power, everyone present was slightly stunned, except Yan Baoguo, Feng Changan and others who had already reached an agreement with Su Zhengyang. These people were nominally provincial governors of the Northern Frontier, but in fact, they had long regarded their own territories as small kingdoms. In their hearts, on their own territories, they were the emperors.

As an emperor, what is the difference between handing over the military power to others and handing over the power of life and death to others?

Wang Jin was the oldest and most experienced of the elders in Northern Frontier. His efforts in the Hanzhou Army were no less than theirs. How could this old man be willing to hand over his military power? It was hard for them to believe.

However, Liang Jiaman and others reacted quickly. Liang Jiaman looked at Wang Jin with hatred. This old man was about to take his entire family to the United States. After they went there, they would basically lose control of Hanzhou. In addition, Wang Jin himself was old and had no intention of managing the affairs of Hanzhou. That was why he did a favor and became a tool in Su Zhengyang's hands to promote centralization.

"Humph! You, Wang Jin, are planning to leave your homeland and go to the United States, never to come back. But we are different! We have fought for the Northern Frontier for most of our lives. These troops are our wealth accumulated in this life, and we will never hand them over easily!"

"Governor Liang is right, Mr. Wang. You are so eager to set an example and hand over the military power of Hanzhou. I'm afraid you are deliberately trying to please someone and want to attack us."

Liang Jiaman and Li Yukun attacked one after another, pointing their spearheads at Wang Jin. Especially Li Yukun, his words and implications seemed to be reminding the people present that this was a sign that Su Zhengyang was preparing to eliminate dissidents.

At this time, Yan Baoguo said calmly, "I think what Mr. Wang said makes sense. The Southern Government is a very obvious example. Ever since Huang Guangtai took over the military power and centralized power, the entire Southern Government has been like a fist, hitting wherever he points. Huang Guangtai gave an order, and in less than half a month, the four armies of the Northern Expedition launched military operations one after another. As for our Northern Frontier Government, until the enemy hit us in the face, everyone was still thinking about not caring about other people's troubles and only cleaning up the snow in front of their own families."

"The Northern Frontier is like a pile of loose sand! Everyone has their own thoughts and only cares about their own interests. How can we accomplish anything? Not to mention letting China rise, if the Southern Government launches another northern expedition in the future, whether we can resist it is a problem!"

Liang Jiaman said sarcastically: "The Northwest Revolutionary Army under President Su is famous and invincible. Even the Fuso Kwantung Army is no match for them. How could they be afraid of a mere Southern Government?"

Yang Jianye glared at Liang Jiaman and said, "This time, it was thanks to the Northwest Revolutionary Army that we were able to turn the tide and finally get through the difficult period of internal and external troubles in Northern Xinjiang. Do we have to rely on the Northwest Revolutionary Army to fight bloody battles on the front lines every time to win a glimmer of hope for our Northern Xinjiang? If so, what's the point of having us governors!"

Lin Huaixun made his remarks even more swiftly and concisely.

"I support Mr. Wang's opinion, and I am also willing to set an example and hand over the military power of the Jianzhou Army. As long as it is for the entire Northern Frontier, I am willing to make any sacrifice!"

Su Zhengyang frowned and pondered for a moment before slowly expressing his opinion: "What Elder Wang said makes sense. Centralization is the transformation we must undergo. Only in this way can the entire Northern Frontier be full of cohesion and not be afraid of all enemies and resistance. I, Su Zhengyang, would like to express my opinion here. I hope that you will hand over the military power in your hands, not to exclude dissidents, but for the overall situation of the Northern Frontier. The positions of the governors of each province will not change in the short term."

Only at this moment did An Chengjie realize that what Ma Changfang said was not groundless. In order to promote reforms after taking office, Su Zhengyang had already prepared everything and even won over most of the governors including Yan Baoguo and Feng Changan in advance.

Jiangzhou Governor Lian Cheng said at this time: "President Su, it's not that I don't want to believe you. Military power is the foundation of our survival. The soldiers in our hands are also carefully cultivated step by step. The central government's words make us hand over the military power on which we depend for survival. Isn't this decision a bit too radical?"

An Chengjie also spoke slowly: "Governor Lian's words make sense. We all have a heart to serve our country and are willing to contribute to Northern Xinjiang. However, we, the old people of Northern Xinjiang, have worked hard for most of our lives to have the wealth we have today. President Su wants us to hand over military power with just one sentence. It is really disheartening."

The hot-tempered Jiang Yanlin stood up angrily at this moment, pointed at An Chengjie's nose and shouted: "Fuck you, when we started the army and were penniless, we would risk our lives for a word from Brother Yang. How come now that we have settled down and asked you to hand over the military power, you are all acting like shy girls and young wives, which is really a disgrace to the old people of Northern Frontier!"

"If you are not willing to make even this little sacrifice, how can we let the Northern Frontier rise and achieve the unification of the North and the South? Councillor Jiang is right. I, Feng Changan, am also willing to hand over my military power. As long as the North and the South are unified and China rises, it will be the fulfillment of my lifelong wish!"

An Chengjie forced himself to suppress the anger in his heart. He remembered his son-in-law Chen Tong's instructions to remain calm and never have a direct conflict with Su Zhengyang. An Chengjie clenched his fists tightly, took a deep breath, and fell silent.

Instead, Liang Jiaman's emotions completely exploded at this time, and he sneered at Jiang Yanlin and said, "Don't think I don't know that you people from the president's faction have already reached an agreement with President Su in private. Even your son, Jiang Yanlin, has now become the governor of Hongzhou. Of course, you are happy to speak to President Su."

"Whether you are willing to hand over the military power is your business! It has nothing to do with me, Liang Jiaman. I'm putting my words here! No matter what, I, Liang Jiaman, will never hand over the military power in my hands! Four of the six brothers of the old Liang family died in exchange for today's Houzhou Army! Even if there is no place for me, Liang Jiaman, in the Northern Frontier, I will never compromise easily!"

"Brother Li! Your father and elder brother both died in the Northern Frontier uprising against the Shuiqing regime. I don't know how much blood was shed and how many lives were sacrificed to bring about your current Kuanzhou Li Clan. Are you willing to hand over the military power in your hands?"

Li Yukun also stood up suddenly, looked at Su Zhengyang and said: "President Su, if this is the purpose of your meeting, I, Li Yukun, will not obey your order. You want my Kuanzhou Army to go to the battlefield to kill the devils and fight the Southern Government. I, Li Yukun, will never frown. But you want the military power in my hands and want to take away the one acre and three fen of land that my Li family has conquered. It is absolutely impossible!"

Su Zhengyang looked calmly at Liang Jiaman, who was full of resentment, and Li Yukun, who was determined. Qian Haodong anxiously nudged An Chengjie's arm, but the latter shook his head calmly.

Liang Jiaman and Li Yukun have now almost torn their relations with Su Zhengyang and Beijiang in public. Once the two sides are completely on opposite sides, the combined forces of more than 300,000 people in the two forces will be a huge trouble for the entire Beijiang government.