Chapter 16 Chapter Seventeen

The Han River crossed dangerously, and the shock was still undecided.Wu Peifu led his remnant soldiers and general Bo to the southwest in a hurry, and when they arrived in Nanzhang, it was already dusk, the birds were returning to their nests, and thousands of households were emitting wisps of cooking smoke.Living in this small county in Northwest Hubei, Wu Peifu looked at the sky and sighed deeply: "I, Wu Ziyu, was forced to cross the Han River this time, but it was like Cao Mengde's dangerous crossing of Huarong Road back then. If it weren't for the two generals Zhang and Wang Shi En, I'm afraid I might lose my life!" He felt great gratitude to Zhang Liansheng and Wang Zongquan.

At night, he only ate some food, then closed the door, lay down on the bed, and wanted to have a good sleep.He was so tired that his head was dizzy, his back was so tired, and his legs seemed to have lost their bones.When passing through Xiangyang City in the morning, he could hardly even get on the horse, and really wanted to lie on the ground and sleep for a while.But now, when his shock has subsided, his sleepiness has completely disappeared.It seemed that he had just had a nightmare, recalling the danger in the dream, and his heart was still beating violently.However, that dream is so vague and so far away! The only thing that is vividly visible is that his beloved general Zhang Qizheng, a radical assistant who advocated for Feng's conquest, died in the melee during the forced crossing of the Han River. Without even looking at the body, they left him in the wilderness.He felt so sorry for Zhang. He had followed him for many years and was very helpful to him. He wanted to reward him heavily. Before it was too late, he went, and he went at his most difficult time.Reflecting on the present and thinking about the past, Wu Peifu suddenly felt nostalgia and remorse. "Oh! How many good people can't depend on each other to the end. The war is too ruthless!" He suddenly thought of Jiang Shijie from the Second National Army, and Yue Weijun, the governor of Henan. "At the beginning, Jiang Shijie kept Xinyang, although it brought me great difficulties, but I admire him as a wise and brave general. If I had a Jiang Shijie under my command, I would not have lost so badly!"

Yue Weijun should be regarded as Wu Peifu's rival.When Wu Peifu returned to Luoyang, he intended to recruit him, but he was determined to reject Wu from Yu.When Wu left Luoyang to escape, some people said that Yue was killed by the Red Gun Society, and he felt sorry instead.Now, he still feels that this person should not die, this person is a rare general! Wu Peifu paced slowly on the spot, bowing his head and sighing. As night fell, candles were lit.Ask: "Marshal, how do you use your dinner?" "No need." He waved his hand. "It's ready." "No need."

"Have you dined with your wife?" "No, no! Don't you hear me?" "Yes, no," After the waiter left, he fell into deep thought again: "Tomorrow, where will I go tomorrow?" After thinking for a long time, he finally made a decision: "Henan is homeless; the two lakes are not places to live for a long time, only entering Sichuan, Maybe we can make a comeback--"Late at night, Wu Peifu found the only cronies around him, and discussed the plan to enter Sichuan Fourth, Wu Peifu has deep feelings for it; in times of adversity, he also has expectations and sustenance for it.Although the time is far away, it is clear and never forgotten: as early as 1916, Yuan Shikai ruled himself as an emperor and tried to conquer Sichuan in vain. Wu Peifu followed Cao Kun and led troops into Sichuan, and fought against the National Defense Army in the southeast of Sichuan.For Chuan, he can be regarded as "an old horse knows the way".When Wu Peifu was in Luoyang, he continued to use troops against Sichuan, supporting a large number of bandits, hooligans, warlords, and local snakes in Sichuan to expand their forces and occupy the territory.Forged a good friendship with Sichuan people.Wu Peifu secretly calculated: "Which one of the military and political power in Sichuan has not received my favor, and most of their official positions were appointed by me!" He bent his fingers and counted down one by one: Now he is also the supervisor of Sichuan-Kangzhou border defense; Yang Sen, the commander of the Second Army of the Sichuan Army, not only supervises the military affairs of Sichuan, but also the governor of Sichuan with great power; Liu Cunhou, the governor of Sichuan, is also the supervisor of Sichuan-Shanxi border defense; Qingxiang Supervisor; Tian Songyao, Office of Military Affairs, and Liu Wenhui, Office of Qingxiang: "Which one of them is not indebted to me! He thought of the generals who were invited by him to be honored. Tang Shizun, Wang Lingji, Wang Zuanxu, Zhou Daogang, Yin Changheng, Chen Guodong, etc. "Who among them can forget me?" Yes, when Wu Peifu is powerful, he will show that he is willing to raise his hand, and the people he admires will instantly thrive , who would dare not to obey his orders! He especially placed high hopes on Yang Sen: "My friends in Sichuan have turned their backs. As long as there is only one Yang Sen, he will take pity on me!" The melancholy in Wu Peifu's heart was swept away. Even the small town of Nanzhang was suddenly cleared of gloom and brightened. He hurriedly ordered people to prepare delicious food, and wanted to have a drink here with his colleagues.

"Tomorrow we will leave for Sichuan, and have a good feast tonight." He walked into the inner room and said to his wife Zhang Peilan, "I have sent someone to invite the generals. Don't avoid it tonight, let's have a good time together." drink." Madam slowly blinked her slightly sunken eyes, and nodded rather stupidly.For many days, she was also tired.Zhang Peilan, who has reached the age of 50, began to swell her fat body, especially her big belly. She became a "round" person and a woman with very limited mobility.Zhang Peilan's state of mind has changed even more. In the past twenty years, she has been so beautiful that many women salivate and want to look up at her.What she can't calm down is "It's too turbulent! Why can't you live peacefully in one place and never move?" She is not used to the climate in Luoyang. She was born in Changchun Hao.Later, she lived in Luoyang for many years, but fell in love with Luoyang again.The deep house compound is almost separated from the wind and rain: someone plays a fan on a hot day, and on a cold day-she is most afraid of the cold weather in Luoyang.Although the cold weather in Luoyang is not as long as that in Changchun, nor is it so severe, but she is afraid.What's the reason? People in Luoyang don't have the habit of using kangs, and it's almost as cold indoors and outdoors; like Changchun, when it's cold, they burn kangs and stay warm without going out.For this reason, the inspector mansion specially added a heated kang to her bedroom, and she was satisfied.Later, Zhang Peilan became affectionate and affectionate to Luoyang. There was another reason, that is, whenever the wives of local officials and celebrities came to visit her together, they would describe her as a "well-known lady", "a hero among women" or " "Girls", respect her, envy, "ask" everything to her, she seems to be the tallest woman in this world.Therefore, Zhang Peilan fell in love with Luoyang, and she didn't want to leave Luoyang.Don't want to go, don't want to, a woman like Zhang Peilan is tied to a man's belt, and if the man is leaving, she has to follow.

Everyone who could come was present, exhausted and listless.When they saw that Zhang Peilan was also present, they all cheered up again: some were shocked because they thought that Wu Peifu was entertaining friends and subordinates in need with a family banquet, and there was an expression of "friendship"; Zhang Peilan's appearance at this time is a very ominous omen, fearing that there will be more bad luck in the future; some people's spirits are lifted, because they can't guess the intention of this banquet, and they are afraid that they are drinking "goodbye wine", farewell wine--God, the end of the world Already, where do we go to escape? 1

In Nanzhang in July, although the daytime is very hot, the wind is still cool and pleasant when the sun penetrates the vast mountains from the west of the Han River; I don't know where the army came from.Suddenly panicked, so panicked that even the door of the store was closed early, it almost became a dead city. Wu Peifu was uncharacteristically calm today. He smiled and nodded to everyone present, and sometimes stood up to signal for a seat. There was no warm atmosphere at the banquet, and there were few smiles on everyone's face, but it was frosty.The tragedies of the past have already connected hearts, and no one wants to touch this scar again.However, what should we do in the future? It was never expected in the past, and there was no condition for negotiation when we escaped hastily.Therefore, everyone is a mystery.

The banquet started, and no one gave a speech. Wu Peifu only raised his hand to everyone, and each drank the first cup.After the second glass of wine was filled, it was Mrs. Zhang Peilan who stood up to speak first—this had never happened in the past. She never asked about military and political affairs, did not express her attitude, and did not even come to social occasions. "A woman's job is to take care of the house. There is no need for a woman to fight and quarrel." Everyone always regards her as the "Prime Minister of Internal Affairs".Many people who are close to Wu Peifu can't even tell the depth of this fat lady's city.She stood up, which was a bit strange in itself; everyone was quite shocked, and all eyes cast over her.

Zhang Peilan picked up the wine, put it in front of him without drinking it, and said slowly with a strong northeast accent: "I shouldn't be talking on this occasion. What can I say? I don't know how to fight, and I don't know how I can govern the country; I can’t remember the names of most of you present here today. I am such a woman who is not short or long. Now, our life is difficult, and it is so difficult that we run away from home. Difficult! Everyone thinks that I am This woman is not redundant, and she still wants to hear a few words from me, so I will invite everyone to drink this glass of wine first. After drinking, I will talk. If you think I shouldn't talk, don't drink this glass of wine, and I will leave immediately go out!"

This woman who never sees a smiling face usually surprised everyone with a few opening remarks, and everyone thought she was "carrying out women's diplomacy" and speaking on behalf of Marshal Wu.So, they stood up together, said: "I would like to listen to my wife's order" and drank the glasses in front of them one by one. Wu Peifu's expression changed a lot. At first, he was a little angry, and looked at his wife with reproachful eyes several times; gradually he sighed, and gradually closed his eyes.He is in a complicated mood! "Madam shouldn't be asking about politics, soldiers are fighting for power, where are women needed?" Wu Peifu has always opposed his wife's diplomacy and women's ruling, even if "Lafayette" Cixi, he never said a word about her good words.Now is a certain environment, Madam has always been with me for more than 20 years, through adversity, she has been influenced by what she has seen and heard, and it is dark to those who are close to ink, let alone she is always a bystander.The bystanders are often the most sober and sane. "Well, listen to what she has to say?"

Zhang Peilan was very happy to see that everyone still respected her very much.After everyone drank the wine, she also drank the glass in front of her, and then spoke. "I'm not speaking for the old man, I'm speaking from my heart. According to the saying of a family living in the sun and the moon, our family is broken up. When natural disasters and man-made disasters happen, the family collapses and loses the property. Everyone suffers accordingly. I feel sad. Didn’t I leave Henan and come to Hubei now? Hubei is not our home either. The old man said let’s go to Sichuan. Is Sichuan our home? I also followed suit. Today, we are a family in need, and I will not tell lies. I still have a little private house around me. I want to show it to everyone. I want to take it out, regardless of whether it is an official or a soldier in the past. One copy is given away. Those who want to go home to farm can buy a few acres of Susukida in addition to the travel expenses; those who want to do business can also open a small shop; After leaving, Ziyu and I will lead the child back to Penglai." Before Zhang Peilan finished speaking, everyone stood together and said together: "Ma'am, what are you talking about? Do you want us to break up with the handsome?" "What if we don't break up?" Zhang Peilan said, "Do you want everyone and my family to go to a desperate situation?" "Even if there are mountains of swords and seas of fire ahead, we will go for it together with the commander-in-chief and his wife!" After saying that, everyone raised their glasses and drank them all, and they all smashed the wine glasses to pieces. "In the future, if there is a slight difference in heart, it will be like this cup!" After Wu Peifu heard what his wife said, he was so angry that he really wanted to pull out his gun and kill her. "In such a difficult situation, how can you drive my brothers away and tear me down? It's my business whether to scatter the board or not, what are you in charge of?" Later, he thought slowly, feeling that "madam, if you do this, It seems to make sense. The future is uncertain. If the tree falls down and the monkeys are scattered in the future, it is better to reveal the story today. What to do is a decision." Thinking this way, he felt that his wife "has a vision"! So the cloud on his face disappeared. , He straightened his chest, stood up, raised his glass, and said: "Madam is short-sighted and said something that shouldn't be said. In fact, I know best in my heart: the officers and soldiers under my Wu Ziyu are my friends first." , brother, the second is my subordinates. I believe that my brothers and subordinates are all of one mind with me. This is true on the flat road, and it is still the same on the bumpy trail. I will never treat anyone badly! Now, We have been forced into a dangerous road, and this is just a dangerous road, not a dead end! Do you know why I must go to Sichuan?" Having said this, he stopped talking and turned his eyes towards the wine table. Look at the face. No one answered.The banquet looked serious and sad -- how to answer? Yes, everyone should understand "Why do we go to Sichuan?" However, everyone can't answer "Why do we have to go to Sichuan?" A little bit, most of them feel that they are "being driven to the fourth place." However, who can say that? Therefore, only Wu Peifu has the answer to the questions posed by Wu Peifu. "Let me tell you the truth, what are we going to do in Sichuan? To do big things! To do big things that we have never done before! "China is in a mess, it's a mess! Who can clean up this mess? Those who can't do it can't do it, even our old man can't do it. Therefore, I don't agree with him coming out to take on big responsibilities. Let me tell you the current situation: China's In the north, Zhang Zuolin is about to become king, and his army is called the Anguo Army, and he proclaims himself the Generalissimo. He will use the north as his base, and go on to secure the country and rule the world. In the south of China, Chiang Kai-shek is not the same as when Sun Yat-sen was alive. He also wants to be the president of China, so that the world will be one. I don't think it will be easy for him! These are the two major forces in China, the North and the South, and they stand against each other. "Zhang and Jiang are not capable of unifying the world. Even their current territory is not the territory of the whole of China. Please think about it: it is not the surname Zhang, nor the surname Jiang; what about Yunnan, Guizhou, and southern Hunan , Shaanxi? Neither Zhang nor Jiang! We have to call them Wu!" Having said this, Wu Peifu raised his wine glass. "I'm not talking wildly after drinking, I'm an oath, a declaration! I want to use Sichuan as a base to form a Southwest and Northwest alliance, and set up a general headquarters of the five provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Hunan and Shaanxi. Who should I ask? Feng Yuxiang and Chiang Kai-shek are all included in my crusade!" Everyone was very excited and applauded warmly together. Wu Peifu calmed down, breathed a sigh of relief, and said: "I think, on the day of the founding of the army, we not only announced the establishment of the General Command of the Allied Forces, but also announced that our army is called the Baoguo Army. I am the Generalissimo of the Baoguo Army! We want to establish a government in the Southwest. Under the current circumstances, what’s wrong with setting up a tripartite confrontation in China? If it happens, who will do anything to me!” Wu Peifu finally said all that he said. Although his subordinates felt that his words were scary, Exaggerated, but still thunderous applause, warm support. Wu Peifu never thinks that he is blindly optimistic; he is not pessimistic even after a complete defeat. Although sometimes it is mostly fantasy, he will definitely think a few steps forward, lest the car really has no way to go before the mountain.Fourth, although he had no choice but to retreat, he felt that there was a big way out. He dared to imagine the establishment of a third government based on his "feeling".From the first day of defeat, although he felt that the team he led was almost wiped out, the Beiyang faction was not.When Zhang Zuolin entered the customs and expanded his power, the revolutionary army would not be able to unify China; as long as the North and the South confronted each other, Wu Peifu would have room to make a comeback.The best way at present is to go west to Kuimen, find a quiet place, get a chance to breathe, and regain strength.It is also a beauty made in heaven. The area around Dongkuimen and Wanxian is Yang Sen's 20th Army. "At the beginning, Yang Sen was defeated by Sichuan and fled to the west of Hubei. It was I who gave him a bullet, and he returned to Sichuan without being overwhelmed. I don't believe that if I lose today, he will forget all the past?" Thinking of Yang Sen, Wu Peifu was full of energy What's more, it seems that as soon as he arrives in the east, Yang Sen will lead his troops back, and when he calls again, all directions will respond, "I can use the upper reaches of Bashu to build a high-rise building, and then I can go out of Kuiwu in the east, return to Luoyang, and then go to Beitu." In fact, Wu Peifu also thought about his relationship with Liu Cunhou, Deng Xihou, and Tian Songyao. He felt that he and these people were close friends of Paoze. If there is a deer in the Central Plains, you can use them to enter Qinguan and occupy the western half of the world." To be honest, Wu Peifu uttered the truth after drinking that he wanted to establish a third government in the southwest, but he had no choice but to think about it. The third step of the "tips in the bag" is the "bad policy" of the top, middle and bottom three strategies! Nanzhang didn't dare to stay for a long time, so after a little reorganization, Wu Peifu led the remnants to Baokang, Xingshan and Zigui, and went to Badong.As we all know, the mountains in western Hubei are composed of a series of mountain ranges such as Wudang, Jingshan, Dabashan, and Wushan. It is the eastern edge of China's famous second step.The road that Wu Bing passed through is characterized by deep mountain streams and valleys, alternate valleys and basins. Shennongjia, the main peak in the eastern section of Daba, is the highest peak in central China with an altitude of more than 3,000 meters.It is a primeval forest area; Wushan Mountain stretches continuously, and the Yangtze River cuts Wushan Mountain to form the Three Gorges. The valleys are deep and the peaks are dangerous. In many places, even animals are rarely left, let alone human beings! While advancing on the dangerous road, he was helped by a ground snake~ Among the mountains and mountains adjacent to Sichuan and Hubei, there was a bandit team, the leader was Liao Kaixiao, who was once under the command of Fan Shaozeng of the Sichuan Army, and later wandered in the deep mountains and old forests, and gathered a group of bandits to flee for their lives He is a gangster, who makes a living by blocking the river and robbing. He runs amok and does all kinds of evil.Hearing that Wu Peifu was defeated in the Sichuan border, that Liao Kaixiao actually had the heart to help the poor and help the crisis, and led his troops to meet Wu Peifu. Liao Kaixiao is a black-faced man with big arms, thick waist, and beards. He has two 20-gun short guns, one real and one fake, and a straw rope tied around his military uniform. He has a bare head and hairy chest. , Attire are all out-and-out gangsters.He blocked Wu Peifu in a valley.Wu's remnant soldiers spread out their formations and wanted to fight him in a decisive battle.But Liao Kaixiao threw the pistol to the brother behind him, and walked over alone with figure eight steps.Seeing this situation, Wu Peifu ordered "no shooting" and sent a representative to take him over. Liao Kaixiao stood firm in front of Wu, arched his hands, and said carelessly, "Which one is Marshal Wu, Wu Ziyu?" When Wu Peifu saw him like this, he was very disgusted in his heart. He didn't even look at the corner of his eyes, and said, "What's the matter? I'm already a poor and defeated soldier. If I want money, I don't have any; if I want guns, I only have broken ones; I only have a few. Fate is complete. What are you going to do? It's up to you." "Do you think I don't dare?" Liao Kaixiao said, "Fight, I may not be able to beat you; however, I have a group of people who are more monkeys than monkeys, and I am familiar with the ditches here. Depending on how many people you have, come in." Don’t want to go out now. Now, I’m here alone, do you think I want to rob you?” It was once famous that Marshal Wu was a dignified Confucian general with a lot of national integrity; today he has difficulty getting in, and I want to help him .Sure enough, he judges people by their appearance and regards me, Liao Kaixiao, as a bandit or a robber, so I have misjudged the person and misjudged the matter.Farewell!" Upon hearing this, Wu Peifu felt that this person was rather chivalrous.He hurried forward and arched his hands. "I am Wu Ziyu. We meet in a hurry and don't know each other, so we must take precautions; besides, I am in the midst of uncertainties. I misunderstood the hero, and Ziyu gave me a gift!" Liao Kaixiao also arched his hands and said, "So, I blame you too. Please don't care about the villain, Commander. I am willing to lead all my brothers under the command of the Commander." Wu Peifu was very happy, he took Liao's hand quickly, asked him to understand, and immediately sealed him and said: "Now, I will be appointed as the brigade commander of the Baoguo Army, and I will enter Sichuan with me." Liao Kaixiao said: "What is the intention of the commander-in-chief in Sichuan?" Knowing how to fight for power and profit, they can't rely on them.I think, handsome, you have to be determined to eat them!" "Friends make friends, help each other, Ziyu enters Sichuan, don't dare to dream. " "Well, let's rely on him first." Under the protection of Liao Kaixiao, Wu Peifu took the defeated soldiers and remnants up the river and lived in Baidi City. Wu Peifu stationed troops in Baidi City, on the one hand, he wanted to rest and rectify, waiting for the return of the tribes lost in Henan and Hubei, and on the other hand, he wanted to test the attitude of the Sichuan army and wait and see the situation in the northeast and south.He didn't dare to act rashly anymore, if he couldn't enter the river, his life would be lost! He was very cautious, and even Liao Kaixiao seriously confessed that "strict precautions should be taken", he was afraid that Liao was sent by some kind of force to spy and celebrate traitors. Yang Sen, who was stationed in Dongwan County, Sichuan Province, received the news that Wu Peifu had arrived in Sichuan. First, he quickly sent people to bring supplies to help him, and sent people to repair his residence and set up a hotel.Afterwards, Yang Sen came to Baidi City to express his deep relief.This was an unsatisfactory consolation. Yang didn't talk about anything other than consolation, so he left in a hurry. Wu obviously felt his avoidance and even resignation; Jiuen really hasn't figured out all the psychology behind his entry into Sichuan.Therefore, everyone has their own ghosts, see each other in a hurry, and say goodbye in a hurry.After Yang, all parties in the military and political circles in Chuanzhong and Wuyou successively sent gifts to show the friendship of the host.At this time, Wu's disabled generals followed those who came to Sichuan, and they had accommodated more than 2,000 people. The two commanders of the Ministry, Peng Shouxin and Wang Weicheng, also came dressed as businessmen; Jin Yunpeng's 30,000 elite soldiers have been led to Zhang Zongchang, waiting for Wu's future orders.Wu Peifu felt that there was an opportunity to do things in the world again, and he still wanted to use Beiyang as a big tree and re-establish the banner.Therefore, he sent Sun Wu and Xu Zhen as his representatives to meet with Zhang Zuolin and Zhang Zongchang respectively with personal letters and opinions on the current situation, explaining that after he arrived, the old department would support Chuanzhong Paoze to help each other sincerely, and Jin Yunpeng's department would also rest and rectify. Together with Fenglu to attack Feng Yuxiang; and told Tang Shengzhi that he also hated Feng, and was willing to do his best to help Jin.etc.Soon, he received letters from Zhang Zuoxiang and Zhang Jinghui representing all parties in the Northeast, wishing to fight hand in hand with Wu in the spirit of cooperation.The letter said: I have been thinking about it since I came to Sichuan.Received the letter, Zhigong is quite old in Sichuan I am very pleased to support you.Now the great enemy of our generation is Feng Yuxiang alone, if you don't plan it quickly, you will end up with future troubles.Fortunately, Jianqing (that is, Jin Yun'e) attacked inside, and Xiangtang attacked outside. Our generation will attack from top to bottom, and their fall can be waited for.The public can lead the Sichuan army, and if they go out as soon as possible, they will win. Holding the letter from the Northeast, Wu Peifu fell into confusion; the Northeast is so firm and would like to destroy Feng together first, but why did he say: "Jin Gong is inside, Tang Gong is outside"? So, what will Feng do? Especially let him What is disturbing is that he is asked to "supervise and lead the Sichuan army to go to war" as soon as possible. In hallucination.He thought of the south and the north, and the many "governments" and "marshals" in China. He felt that the future was still full of thorns.There is bitterness in the excitement.