German Red Prince

Page 9

“Sun Chuanfang invited Mr. Sun to jointly establish eight provinces back then. Now he openly betrayed him, massacred workers, and suppressed progressive forces. It is clear that the invitation back then was just an attempt to win people’s hearts by leveraging Mr. Sun’s prestige. Now that Mr. Sun has passed away, his wolfish ambitions are also exposed.”

"If we're going to fight, that's easy to say. But how do we fight?" Liao Zhongkai asked, extinguishing his lit cigarette.

"Comrades, what are we going to do to fight? According to reliable sources, Sun Chuanfang has already spent three million taels of silver to buy weapons from Germany and has ceded the rights and interests of the Yangtze River in exchange for their support. War is not something that can be decided on a whim."

"So we're just going to wait for them to attack? And let Mr. Sun's life's work go to waste?" Chiang Kai-shek couldn't help but slam his fist on the table again.

"If you won't fight, I will! I refuse to believe that 100,000 Whampoa Military Academy graduates are willing to watch Mr. Sun's efforts go to waste!"

"Do you think I want to?" Liao Zhongkai retorted angrily. "Do you think I want to watch Mr. Sun's legacy fail in my hands? Do you think I don't want to fight? But in this situation, it would only be a pointless sacrifice!"

"Is compromise the only option?"

The committee members present all lowered their heads, unable to bear seeing the revolutionary government they had painstakingly built disappear just like that, a government they had personally destroyed.

In the midst of the silence, the conference room door was suddenly opened.

"Great news! The French government is willing to support us! The special envoy is right outside!" the man who ran in shouted excitedly.

“Mr. General Secretary, I deeply regret the passing of Dr. Sun Yat-sen. It is a loss to the world revolution.” Claude first expressed his regret, and then said, “The French Commune supports the world revolution, and we welcome revolutionary comrades from any region to join us.”

He picked up the document in his pocket. "The Party Chairman is very concerned about the events in the East. Sun Chuanfang's betrayal is undoubtedly shameful, so France is willing to support the Guangdong Revolutionary Government."

"That's wonderful, Comrade Claude!" Liao Zhongkai excitedly shook his hand.

"The French government is willing to provide weapons, ammunition, and financial support to the revolutionary government. The Comintern brigade of the International Brigades will also arrive in Guangzhou soon. Comrades in China, I wish you success!"

"Now, raise your hands if you support fighting Sun Chuanfang. Twenty-five to zero. Notify all units to begin mobilization!"

Liao Zhongkai looked at the people around him and solemnly announced, "Comrades, let's launch the Northern Expedition!"

"The ultimate goal of the Chinese Revolutionary Party lies in the Three Principles of the People, and the Party's duty is to strive for the implementation of these principles. Therefore, we dare to solemnly declare to the people and our allies that after we overthrow the warlords, we will demand the realization of the current imperfect conditions, as a preliminary step in implementing the ultimate goal of the Three Principles of the People."

In this civil war, our party participated because of its opposition to warlords. Its primary responsibility, after victory, is to use the power of the revolutionary government to sweep away the evil forces of the counter-revolution, liberating the people and enabling them to achieve self-governance. Especially in foreign affairs, it must represent national interests, demanding a re-examination of all unequal treaties, abolishing all privileges stipulated in such treaties, and re-signing treaties based on equality and mutual respect for sovereignty, thereby eliminating imperialist power in China. This necessitates first removing China from its unequal international position.

All of this should create a solid economic foundation for national unification, the realization of a genuine system of civil rights, and the pursuit of happiness for the common people. Therefore, in this time of war, the people should especially rise up against the warlords and strive for the realization of this minimum political program, as the first step in implementing the Three Principles of the People.

On the 16th, the revolutionary government issued the "Declaration of the Northern Expedition of the Chinese Revolutionary Party." This marked the beginning of the largest revolution in China since the Xinhai Revolution.

"Chevrolet, have you ever been to China?" someone on the ship asked.

“No, I only know that it used to be a great country.” Schaefer shook his head and looked outside.

"China launched a second revolution, and I believe they will definitely be able to liberate all the people from the reactionary forces," the man said with a smile, lighting a cigarette.

“Yes, I believe it too.” Feeling the rise and fall of the cabin, Schevr began to hum a song.

"Our sharp edges pierce the darkness, our hearts turn towards the sun. Come, you too are children of workers and peasants! Come and raise the torch of battle with us! Fight for freedom! Fight for dignity! Marching towards a bright tomorrow, we will fight with our heads held high, with millions of people by our side!"

“Hey, Shevchenko. Look!” The surrounding soldiers all stood up.

Shevl also looked outside.

Guangzhou City.

Chapter Twelve: The Nineteenth Route Army

"Halt! What kind of army are you?" Soldiers at the city gate stopped the advancing troops.

"The 19th Route Army, led by Jiang Guangnai, is heading south to quell the rebellion."

The general at the head of the column, riding a warhorse, looked down at the soldier and answered.

"Is there an order? The commander said that no unit may move without orders." The soldier swallowed hard.

"An order?" The general on horseback sneered, pulling out an envelope and slapping it across the man's face. "Look carefully, it was your provincial government chief who sent me! Do you think I wanted to come?" With that, he spurred his horse and rode into the city.

The soldier wanted to stop them, but seeing such a long line, he knew he would be at a disadvantage if he went up to stop them, and he was so anxious that he started to jump up and down.

"What does this say? I can't read. Can someone tell me? Did the provincial governor send them?"

A curious onlooker picked up the letter and read it aloud: "To Brother Jingran, I...request your assistance in my southward campaign to quell the bandits. —Cai Tingkai"

"Oh, it really is our provincial governor who invited you. Well, that's alright then, brothers, I'll treat you to a night of drinking and carousing!" the soldier said gratefully, and then began to tell vulgar and lewd jokes.

Upon hearing the news, Cai Yankai and a group of people waited at the entrance of the provincial government early in the morning. When they saw Jiang Guangnai's team coming, they hurriedly went forward to greet them.

"Brother Jingran, it's been a long time!"

"Yeah, it's been a long time. You only remember me now?" Jiang Guangnai snorted.

“Come on, call over the brothers of the 19th Route Army. Brother Jingran, let’s go inside and talk.” Cai Yankai extended his hand and invited them in.

Upon entering the room, Cai Yankai instructed his men to keep watch and not disturb the peace, then closed the door.

"Brother Jingran, has Ren Chao arrived yet?"

"We've arrived. When do we move out?" Jiang Guangnai asked in a low voice.

Cai Yankai peeked out the window and, seeing no one eavesdropping nearby, whispered close to his face, "Tonight."

"Tonight? So soon?" Jiang Guangnai was somewhat surprised.

"There's nothing we can do about it. I'm already being suspected. A few people from Sun Chuanfang's side are starting to keep an eye on me. He called and asked me to go to Nanjing for a report. We have to act quickly."

Cai Tingkai paced back and forth in the room. "You and Ji Shen discuss the operation tonight. I'll go and hold off those traitor's lackeys."

"No problem, but be careful," Jiang Guangnai said worriedly.

"Revolution is not afraid of sacrifice. As Mr. Sun said before his death, 'The revolution has not yet succeeded, comrades must continue to work hard.' I, Cai Tingkai, am not afraid of death!" Cai Tingye said loudly.

"Okay, I understand. The revolution will prevail!"

............

As night falls and the city lights begin to twinkle, a scene of prosperity unfolds.

The streets were bustling with traffic and crowds, creating a lively scene.

However, this situation hides a crisis, and a major battle is about to break out.

Cai Yankai was hosting a banquet for various generals in Fuzhou when Jiang Guangnai pretended to be unable to hold his liquor and left early, leaving Cai Yankai to continue dealing with them.

Stepping out the door and turning towards the side intersection, the previously tipsy Jiang Guangnai now nimbly turned into the alley, gave the code signal, and entered the house.

Inside the room sat Li Jishen, the main general of this uprising, and Zhou Enlai, the special envoy of the revolutionary government.

"Everything is going smoothly. We will begin the operation in thirty minutes. Three gunshots will serve as the signal!"

Cai Tingkai was still dealing with the generals of eight provinces when a personal guard suddenly ran over and whispered something to him. Cai Tingkai was shocked, but he remained calm and urged those around him to drink, saying that he had official business to attend to and would have to excuse himself.

The generals were already quite drunk and didn't pay much attention to what they heard.

After leaving the house, Tsai Ting-kai hurried to the meeting place.

"By acting ahead of time, Sun Chuanfang has indeed begun to suspect me."

A little earlier.

"The 19th Route Army has gone to Fuzhou?"

"Yes, Commander," the soldier beside him replied.

Sitting in his chair, Sun Chuanfang stroked his chin. "How many people do we have around Fuzhou?"

"Reporting to the commander, General Shangguan Yunxiang's troops are near Fuzhou, numbering approximately six thousand."

"Send a telegram to him to go to Fuzhou, but don't let the news leak out."

Sun Chuanfang looked into the distance, gripped his teacup tightly, and gritted his teeth in resentment.

"Cai Yankai, you're something else!"

"We can't wait any longer, we must act immediately!" Zhou Enlai reacted swiftly. Sun Chuanfang's troops would arrive in a while, and they couldn't afford to delay.

"Act immediately!"

Li Jishen also spoke at the same time, "Everyone, go back and mobilize the soldiers, react quickly! Occupy all the arsenals and government offices within one hour, and take Fuzhou City swiftly!"

Deng Zhiying was in the military camp with his soldiers, silently cleaning their guns and waiting for news.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!" Three shots to signal the start!

Deng Zhiying pulled the bolt, immediately stood up, and walked towards the gate.

"Brothers, take the armory within an hour!"

"Yes!"

The soldiers in the camp all pulled back their rifle bolts and followed behind him.

"What are you doing? Are you rebelling?" shouted the soldiers on night duty.

"Go, disarm him," Deng Zhiying ordered.

A group of soldiers wearing red collars stepped forward and grabbed him, while Deng Zhiying walked towards him.

"This is not a rebellion, it is a revolution!"

"put!"

The artillery stationed nearby also heard the order and began firing at the designated area.

Hearing the booming cannon fire, the officers, who were completely drunk, came to their senses and hurriedly went back to command their troops.

At this moment, Cai Tingkai led his soldiers in and rushed in, their dark gun barrels pointed at them.

"Don't you all plan to have a few more drinks?"

"This is treason!" an officer shouted.

"Rebellion?" Cai Yankai walked towards him. "Sun Chuanfang betrayed the revolution! He massacred his compatriots! He openly broke his oath from back then. Who is rebelling? We are following Mr. Sun's last wishes to punish the traitors and eliminate the rebels!"

After saying that, he waved his hand and said, "Lock them up!"

At this time, gunfire roared throughout Fuzhou, and the revolutionary army moved through the city, occupying various important locations.

Without command, most of the troops in the United Provinces either fled or surrendered, and the revolutionary army made rapid progress.

"Brother, what's going on?"

The morning, the gatekeeper was drinking with women when he suddenly heard the roar of gunfire. He mustered his courage and questioned a soldier who was planting a red flag.

"Fellow villager, the revolution has begun." The soldier didn't say much more, planted the red flag, patted him on the shoulder, and continued running forward.

"Revolution? What is revolution?"

"Liu Qiang, you damn well missed!" Deng Zhiying was being pressed down by the machine gun upstairs, her face covered in dust and dirt.

"Rat-a-tat-tat, rat-a-tat-tat." The machine guns on the city wall roared incessantly, spitting out flames.

"Don't stop! Keep firing! None of us are getting in until this machine gun is taken down. Does this bastard think bullets are free?"

"Company commander, we're out of ammunition!" Liu Qiang shouted, looking at the empty ammunition boxes.

"Couldn't you have been a little more careful? You finished it all off in one go! We're not exactly rolling in money!" Deng Zhiying yelled, looking behind him. "Does anyone here have a good shot? Hurry up and take him down!"

“Report, I can give it a try,” a soldier behind me shouted. “But it’s too far from here, I need to go a little further ahead.”

"Alright, what's your name? I'll personally cover you. If you take down this machine gun, you'll be the first to drink the celebratory wine when we get back!"

"Reporting, sir, my name is Zheng Weiguo!"

"Alright, Zheng Weiguo, it's up to you now! Brothers, cover him." Deng Zhiying and the other soldiers fired at the city wall to draw fire, and Zheng Weiguo ran forward with his body low to the ground.

"One hundred steps, two hundred steps." Zheng Weiguo leaned against the cover when he reached the distance and took a deep breath.

"Calm down, calm down." He aimed at the machine gunner who was firing wildly.

"Oh!"

The continuous machine gun fire stopped abruptly, and Zheng Weiguo continued to pull the bolt rapidly.

"Oh!"

Another shot was fired, and the assistant next to the machine gunner fell down as well.

"Great! Grandma's is so beautiful!" Deng Zhiying couldn't help but praise, and he turned around and waved to her.

"Blow the bugle! Charge!"

"kill!"

A group of soldiers rushed out of the trenches and fought the enemy. The battle lasted all night.

By dawn, the revolutionary army had successfully occupied Fuzhou, eliminating approximately four regiments of reactionary troops, and seizing over 6000 guns, over 800,000 rounds of ammunition, and eight cannons.