Chapter 19 Chapter Eighteen

Zhang Guangwen stopped laughing: "There is another good show to watch! Zhang Yunqing is a habitual bandit without humanity. Once this kind of person becomes an official, he is bound to be more vicious than when he was a bandit. Now he has just become the president. The captain squeezed away his partners Zhu Yunhan and Zhang Shuncai, his arrogance can be seen from this...we will contact Zhao Rong in secret and devise a plan for him to completely finish Zhang Yunqing!" Looking back, Zhang Guangwen thought that Wugang City had been occupied by Yi Hao. Who would have thought that Zhang Yunqing would be ahead of Yi Hao, occupy the county seat, and trick him into the city.Now people are swordsmen and I am fish. Zhang Guangwen realized that this time he was doomed.

Zhang Guangwen and his elder brother Zhang Guanghuo sat facing each other in the county government guest house.In order to keep his brother from being too sad, Zhang Guangwen kept silent about how Zhang Yunqing would deal with him, but the sadness on his face could not help showing it. "Brother, it is a good thing to be happy that we can meet today, why are you still frowning?" Zhang Guangwen smiled miserably and said, "Yes, my brother has come out. I'm very happy, but I caught a cold last night and suffered from toothache." Zhang Guanghuo didn't ask any more questions, and at this moment, Zhang Yunqing sent Zhong Xuehua to invite him to the banquet.

Zhang Guangwen had a premonition that this was a real Hongmen banquet, he looked at his brother, hesitant to speak. Zhang Guanghuo said: "Brother, do you have something to hide from me?" Zhang Guangwen shook his head. Seeing that some landlords and gentry were busy going home, he said to Zhang Guanghuo, "Brother, you can also rent a sedan chair to go back. There are many things waiting for you to go back home." Zhang Guanghuo shook his head: "Let's go, let's go together." Zhang Guangwen urged anxiously: "Brother, you can't wait for me, maybe the county magistrate Zhao and Zhang Yunqing have something to leave me in the city, and the family is anxiously waiting for you to go back!"

Zhong Xuehua urged him impatiently once, but Zhang Guanghuo saw that his younger brother refused to leave, so he had no choice but to say: "You go, I will find a sedan chair and go home." Zhang Guangwen urged his brother to leave the city quickly, because he didn't want both brothers to be killed by Zhang Yunqing.He came to the county government with Zhong Xuehua, and Zhao Rong led everyone to the auditorium to swear an oath at the portrait of Sun Yat-sen before entering the restaurant for the banquet.At the same table were Zhao Rong, Liu Yi, Zhang Yunqing, Zhu Yunhan, Zhang Shuncai, Yang Xiangwan and some representatives of local tyrants.

At the banquet, Zhang Yunqing asked about the current situation, and Zhang Guangwen talked eloquently, while paying attention to Zhang Yunqing's changes. Zhang Yunqing had no intention of doing harm, and publicly appointed him as the director of the Huangqiaopu Regiment Defense Bureau. After the banquet, Zhang Guangwen left in a hurry and returned to the guest house. Seeing that his brother hadn't left yet, he complained, "Brother, why don't you leave? Who are you waiting for?" "Wait for you! Brother, don't hide it from me. Is it because Zhang Yunqing is against you?"

"Brother, don't talk about this yet, it's important that we leave quickly!" Zhang Guangwen said, took his brother's hand and left. The two brothers came to the Dongmen sedan chair shop, and it happened that Mei Manniang, a local tycoon at the mountain gate, and Deng Jihua, the accountant who came to pick her up, were also renting a sedan chair to go home. Zhang Guangwen asked for two sedan chairs carried by four people exactly like Mei Manniang.Mei Manniang's master and servant are in front, and Zhang Guangwen's brother is behind. Not long after the departure, the four sedan chairs stopped at the Yingchun Inn outside the east gate.This is an unwritten rule of the Wugang sedan chair industry. The bearers have to eat a large bowl of noodles here, and the renter pays for it.

Zhang Guangwen was the last to get out of the sedan chair. Before getting out of the sedan chair, he uncovered a corner of the rear sedan chair, and found that someone was looking surreptitiously at this side.He recognized that person as Zhang Yunqing's spy, Zhang Zuanzi, and was startled, knowing that he had been targeted. The bearers devoured their noodles and buried their heads in eating noodles, while Mei Manniang's master and servant and the Zhang brothers were drinking tea, and Zhang Guangwen kept his eyes on Zhang Zuanzi over there from time to time. Zhang Zuanzi stared at it for a while, then turned around and walked away among the crowd entering the city.Zhang Guangwen understood that Zhang Zuanzi had memorized the shape and number of the sedan chair and reported it to Zhang Yunqing.

After a while, after the bearers finished eating noodles, Mei Manniang looked at Brother Zhang Guangwen: "Both of you, can we start the sedan chair now?" Zhang Guangwen stepped on his brother quietly, signaling him not to speak, and looked at the gate of the city calmly while replying, "I'm sorry, I have to wait for a friend, you go first." Deng Jihua, Mei Manniang's accountant, said impatiently: "Your sedan chair blocks our way out, how can we get there?" Zhang Guangwen smiled apologetically, and said to Mei Manniang, "Why don't we take two rides?"

Mei Manniang had no doubt about him, she nodded in agreement. Only then did Zhang Guangwen notice that Mei Manniang's eyes were red and swollen like peaches, and the precious jewelry that was often worn on the top of her head and earrings was gone. This was confiscated by the peasant association. After her master and servant left, Zhang Guanghuo asked his younger brother quietly: "Brother, who are you waiting for?" Zhang Guangwen said in a low voice, "Don't worry about it, I have my own reasons." Zhang Guanghuo knew that he couldn't ask about this matter, so he had to change the subject: "Do you know why Mei Manniang's eyes are red and swollen?"

Zhang Guangwen shook his head. "I heard that Zhang Yunqing had an affair with her before, but I still didn't believe it. Zhang Yunqing is handsome and would want an old woman at a young age? I came out of prison a few days ago, and Zhang Yunqing came to visit us. I saw Mei Manniang's eyebrows were affectionate. looked at Zhang Yunqing intently, and then took the initiative to chase after him to make out with him." "Is this really the case?" "Yes." Zhang Guanghuo said, "However, this time Zhang Yunqing ignored her, didn't even look back, and maybe said something unfeeling. Anyway, Mei Manniang went back to the room and cried for a long time under the quilt. field, get up early the next day, and the eyes are like that."

Seeing that there was no movement around, Zhang Guangwen got up and said, "Don't worry about other people's affairs, let's set off." The two brothers got into the sedan chair, and Zhang Guangwen told the bearer, "Please go east." The bearer in front turned his head and said puzzledly, "Is Xiangdong the way to Fuchong?" Zhang Guangwen nodded: "I'm just going to Fuchong. You don't have to ask, I will give you the money anyway." Brothers Zhang Guangwen took a sedan chair and crossed Gaochuanling from Fuchong. To the east of Gaochuanling is the upper reaches of the Zijiang River, named Shiyang Bridge. After dismissing the bearers at Shiyang Bridge, I rented a fast boat and went down the river. It was evening now, and looking at the receding scenery on both sides of the strait, it was estimated that Zhang Yunqing's pursuers would never catch up again, so Zhang Guangwen heaved a sigh of relief and told Zhang Guanghuo: "Brother, we are resting at the Yingchun Inn this morning. See Zhang Zuanzi watching us nearby." Zhang Guanghuo suddenly realized: "No wonder you want to change sedan chairs with Mei Manniang." "Also, when I entered the city this time, I fell into Zhang Yunqing's trap. If I don't want to find a way to escape, I will be murdered by him." Zhang Guanghuo nodded: "I don't want to leave alone first, I just don't feel relieved." Zhang Guangwen sighed, "It was wrong for you not to leave first. If Zhang Yunqing tried to kill me, he would definitely not let you go." Zhang Guanghuo said: "If that's the case, I would be willing to die with you." Zhang Guangwen's eyes turned red, he wanted to say that he shouldn't let Zhang Yunqing go, and he was afraid of hurting his brother, he didn't want Zhang Guanghuo to say to himself: "If you want to blame, you can only blame me. If I didn't prevent my brother from killing him, why would I suffer today?" Zhang Guangwen shook his head: "This is fate. Today's crime seems to have been arranged by God long ago." Traveling downstream along the river, the speed was extremely fast, and it was only dawn the next day when we arrived at Shibei Zhang's house. When I got home, my relatives were overjoyed to see Brother Zhang Guanghuo returned safely, and the whole family congratulated them. Zhang Guangwen called the little dog who had been promoted to be a housekeeper to him and asked, "Has Deng Lianjia come back these days?" Xigou nodded: "I have come back many times, the first time I brought Yi Hao here, and the last time was yesterday. I was very worried when I learned that you went to the city, and said that I wanted to go to the city to find out your whereabouts." Zhang Guangwen sighed, and then ordered: "Go to the Huangqiaopu regiment defense station and tell the brothers that the sky has changed again, and I will come back soon to lead the brothers to kill the Communist Party. Killing is not obedient. poor devil." After Xigou left, Zhang Guangwen led several family members to take out a bamboo basket from the fish pond at the entrance, taking advantage of the fact that the villagers were sleepy and hadn't woken up early.Inside the basket were two machine guns wrapped in several layers of oiled paper, and more than 800 rounds of ammunition. In the evening of the next day, Xigou returned from Huangqiaopu and reported that he had connected with the brothers from the regiment defense bureau. They expressed that Zhang Guangwen was welcome to return to power at any time. Zhang Guangwen asked for his own horse from the home of the chairman of the local peasant association, and led several servants to Huangqiaopu overnight.In the regiment defense bureau, they killed the head of the peasant association, seized the military power, and sent Xigou to the city to represent Huangqiaopu to support Zhao Rong in restoring the county government. Zhang Guangwen took charge of the regiment defense bureau and began massacring Communist Party members and progressive farmers. A few days later, Deng Lianjia returned to Huangqiaopu from the county seat.Zhang Guangwen was overjoyed and asked, "How do you know I'm here?" Deng Lianjia said: "On the afternoon when I arrived in the city, I had dinner at the Yingchun Inn. I heard from the waiter there that you, Mr. Huo and Mei Manniang at the Shanmen went back in sedan chairs in the morning. Hearing this, I felt a heavy weight in my heart. I just fell down, so I ordered another jug ​​of wine. After three glasses, I saw a group of people rushing into the inn aggressively. I recognized that the leader was Zhang Yunqing's subordinate Xie Laogou. I hurriedly pulled off my hat , so as not to be recognized by him." "What is Xie Laogou doing in the store?" Zhang Guangwen asked. "As soon as he entered the store, he aggressively asked the boss about the whereabouts of you and Master Huo. The innkeeper said that you had eaten noodles and went north. After Xie Laogou left, I was worried and stayed at the inn overnight. It wasn't until the next afternoon that I found out that Old Dog Xie mistakenly killed Mei Manniang and Mr. Accountant for you and Mr. Huo in Gaosha in the middle of the night, cut off four ears, and pierced two earlobes. I Only then did I feel relieved, knowing that you must have returned to the Regiment Defense Bureau, so I came here directly." Zhang Guangwen asked again: "I sent a little dog into the city to congratulate the county government on restoring the old system. Haven't you seen him?" Deng Lianjia shook his head: "Maybe we went astray." Zhang Guangwen asked him some more about Yi Hao, and when he learned that Deng Lianjia had led Yi Hao to Yanziyan to search for the weapons, he nodded and said, "My thoughts are the same as yours. Zhang Yunqing has only eighty men in total, and it is impossible for one of them to Carry five or six guns on your back and go to war, in my opinion, those weapons must be hidden in Yanziyan." "However, Yi Hao and I dug three feet into the ground, but we didn't find any clues." "Have you found that cave?" "Of course I did. There was nothing but two hundred horrible corpses." Zhang Guangwen thought for a while and said, "It's definitely still in Yanziyan. As for where it is, we still need to investigate. You must take this matter to heart. How is Yi Hao's situation?" Deng Lianjia said: "Now his team has grown, and the land is too narrow to support them. After leaving Yanziyan, he went to Qianyang and Huaihua to find a way to live. Before leaving, he asked me to tell you that he hopes you Take his place as soon as possible." Zhang Guangwen shook his head and sighed: "Now I can't openly oppose Zhang Yunqing. He has already entered the city and claims to be a righteous army. As long as I openly merge with Yi Hao, Zhang Yunqing can immediately send troops to crusade. I think I still It's best to appear as the Regiment Defense Bureau, at least, Zhang Yunqing doesn't dare to go against me blatantly." "However, I always feel that Zhang Yunqing is a great threat to us, especially now that he is in power, my feeling is even stronger." "Take your time." Zhang Guangwen said, "Mountains don't turn and water turns. If we keep the green hills, we don't have to worry about running out of firewood. As long as we wait patiently, opportunities will appear one day." A few days later, Xigou came back from the county seat and brought back a lot of news. He said: "Now Zhang Yunqing's power has expanded several times. He released all the death row prisoners in the prison and took them as his subordinates. Adding up the original team, there are a total of more than 300 people." "Then, how will he deal with these two forces, Zhu Yunhan and Zhang Shuncai?" Xigou said: "Now Zhang Yunqing is the leader of the Shoveling Corps of Volunteering, and Zhu and Zhang are the sub-captains. In the name of the leader, he ordered them to go to Beixiang to fight Liu Zhuo." Hearing this, Zhang Guangwen showed a relaxed smile on his face and applauded repeatedly.Deng Lianjia next to him was puzzled: "Brother Guangwen, what are you laughing at?" Zhang Guangwen stopped laughing: "There is another good show to watch! Zhang Yunqing is a habitual bandit without humanity. Once this kind of person becomes an official, he is bound to be more vicious than when he was a bandit. Now that he has just become the captain, Just squeezed away his partners Zhu Yunhan and Zhang Shuncai, which shows his arrogance. Next, it will be the turn of Zhao Rong and Liu Yi to complain! However, Zhao Rong and Liu Yi are not so easy to manipulate, they After all, he is a government official, the more arrogant Zhang Yunqing is, the more disgusted the two of them will be. When that day comes, we will secretly approach Zhao Rong and devise a plan for him to completely finish Zhang Yunqing!" "You mean mobilizing Zhao Rong to use Chen Guangzhong's influence to suppress Zhang Yunqing?" Deng Lianjia looked at Zhang Guangwen. Zhang Guangwen nodded. Xigou said: "I remembered another thing. In the past few nights, Zhang Yunqing's confidants led a group of people to ride out of the city, and they came back after dawn. I don't know what to do." Zhang Guangwen suddenly realized, and ordered Deng Lianjia: "Old Deng, you should sneak to Yanziyan immediately. Yin Dongbo is definitely transferring weapons these days!" Deng Lianjia hurried to the mountain gate. Two days later, Deng Lianjia came back and reported to Zhang Guangwen: "Brother Guangwen, I discovered the secret of Zhang Yunqing's hidden gun. It turned out to be on the cliff at the east foot of Yanziyan, and there is a cave there." Zhang Guangwen murmured: "So that's the case... It's a pity that we found out too late, and now he has moved?" "It hasn't been transferred yet. In the past few nights, Yin Dongbo has transported the good guns in the city to exchange for some worn-out guns. It seems that Zhang Yunqing also estimated that Chen Guangzhong might want to annex him, so he left a way out early." Zhang Guangwen: "Very well, as long as the weapons are not transferred, we have a solution. Lao Deng, you go to Qianyang immediately, call Yi Hao out, and take Zhang Yunqing's life!" Deng Lianjia shook his head again and again: "It's not that simple. Zhang Yunqing is old and cunning, and he left a squad of soldiers in that cave to guard. To enter the cave, you must tie a rope tens of feet long around your waist. Not to mention that there is a squad of guards." , even if only one person is in the cave, there will be no way for thousands of troops to enter." "What if the method of siege is used instead?" "No way." Deng Lianjia said, "Zhang Yunqing not only left guards at Yanziyan, but also sent spies in Shanmen Town. Once he finds that there is a large army entering the mountain, Zhang Yunqing will get a report soon. In my opinion, this matter is still in danger. We have to think long-term, don't startle the snake, and when the time is right, kill him in one fell swoop!" Zhang Guangwen thought about it and agreed to Deng Lianjia's suggestion. As Zhang Guangwen expected, after Zhang Yunqing became the captain, he did whatever he wanted in the city, levied and extorted, and the people complained.Zhu Yunhan and Zhang Shuncai were sent to Beixiang to fight against Liu Zhuo. Zhao Rong and Liu Yi in the city almost became Zhang Yunqing's puppets.Zhang Yunqing wanted money, goods, and migrant workers. As long as his wife drafted a note, he could force Zhao and Liu to announce to the whole county in the name of the county government.If anyone dared to disobey, Zhang Yunqing gave an order, and his 300 bandits came out in full force, causing chaos in the city and the countryside. Zhang Guangwen was very happy to get the news secretly, knowing that the opportunity had come. In mid-June of the lunar calendar in 1927, Zhang Guangwen gave Deng Lianjia an opportunity to sneak into the city and contact Zhao Rong and Liu Yi. Deng Lianjia sneaked into the city, first to the vicinity of Zhao Rong's residence, and then to Liu Yi's residence on Nanzheng Street, and found that the two places were heavily guarded, and the guards were all Zhang Yunqing's confidantes.It can be seen from this that Zhang Yunqing was also afraid of Zhao and Liu's contact with the outside world, and secretly sealed off. For several days, Deng Lianjia couldn't get close to any of the two, and he was very anxious; one day, he found that Zhao Rong treated beggars kindly, and dismissed all beggars who came to his door.Deng Lianjia had a plan and wrote a note; the note said: I am the spy of Commander Chen Guangzhong. Why is the residence of the county magistrate Zhao so heavily guarded?He pretended to be a beggar and held the note in his hand. In the evening, when Zhao Rong came back from the county government, he went up to him and bowed repeatedly.Zhao Rong asked the servant to give the money, and Deng Lianjia took the opportunity to hand over the note. Deng Lianjia bought two biscuits at a nearby snack bar with the change from Zhao Rong, and ate them while curling up under the eaves opposite Zhao's house, while paying attention to the movement at the opposite gate. After a while, the servant who had just given the money walked out of the gate, walked to the middle of the street, glanced at Deng Lianjia, and then walked south.With a vegetable basket in his hand, he walked towards the stewed vegetables market on Aoshan Street, coughing dryly from time to time. Deng Lianjia understood, got up and followed behind while biting a sesame seed cake.The servant of the Zhao family bought the stewed vegetables, but did not go back immediately, but pretended to be anxious, and flashed into the public toilet next to him. At this time, Deng Lianjia really wanted to urinate, and then followed him in, asking in a low voice, "Are you sent by County Magistrate Zhao?" The servant also asked in a low voice, "Are you really sent by Chen Guangzhong?" " Deng Lianjia nodded. Without further ado, the servant took off his clothes and melon skin hat, and stuffed them back: "Hurry up and put on, pretend to be me and go straight to the inner hall, County Magistrate Zhao is waiting for you. Don't talk to anyone, just care about it." Walking with your head down, there are eyes and ears set up by Zhang Yunqing everywhere." Deng Lianjia agreed while changing clothes.After a while, I finished my makeup, pretended to be a servant, carried a basket of vegetables, and walked straight to Zhao Rong's house with my head down. No one questioned him along the way, maybe because of the darkness, he couldn't see his face clearly, Deng Lianjia successfully entered the inner hall, and he saw Zhao Rong sitting in a corner.He coughed dryly and said, "County magistrate, we have bought some stewed vegetables for wine." Zhao Rong raised his eyes. At this moment, the servant outside the door closed the door behind him.Zhao Rong asked, "Are you really sent by Chen Guangzhong?" Deng Lianjia put the vegetable basket on the table, sat down calmly opposite Zhao Rong, and said, "It doesn't matter whether I was sent by Chen Guangzhong or not. The important thing is that the life of the county magistrate is not easy at the moment. Maybe, only me , can save you from fire and water." "Who the hell are you...?" "I am Zhang Guangwen's subordinate of the Huangqiaopu Regiment Defense Bureau." Zhao Rong sighed in disappointment: "What are you doing here?" "Didn't you make it very clear just now? I'm here to save you from the fire. County Magistrate Zhao, please don't ignore me. I will really change your situation." Zhao Rong looked at him and said nothing. Deng Lianjia said: "Now Zhang Yunqing controls the county government and does whatever he wants. The people in Wugang are complaining. They all say that he is more cruel than not recruiting An. The four townships of Wugang jointly wrote a letter and complained about the fish and meat people of the county government. The crime is up to you, and the benefit is up to you. Zhang Yunqing, is it true that County Magistrate Zhao is willing?" Hearing this, Zhao Rong lowered his head and sighed, "So what if you don't want to, I'm unarmed. It turns out that Chen Guangzhong said that he would come to Wugang, but he hasn't been seen yet. I discussed with Liu Yi and wanted to send Someone went to invite Chen Guangzhong, but Zhang Yunqing was on guard against this move and kept a very strict watch on us." Deng Lianjia said: "It is absolutely impossible to send your own people to deliver the letter. You should know Zhang Yunqing's shrewdness. Once the matter is exposed, it is second to scare the snake. The most important thing is that he feels that you are no longer useful as a puppet. He wants to come here again." Total settlement." He made a shooting gesture. Zhao Rong shuddered. "However, if I ask Chen Guangzhong to come over, no matter how shrewd Zhang Yunqing is, he will be hard to guard against." Zhao Rong looked at Deng Lianjia, not daring to believe it too much.Deng Lianjia had no choice but to patiently tell the grievances between Zhang Yunqing and Zhang Guangwen from beginning to end, and finally said that Zhang Yunqing sent Xie Laogou to hunt down Zhang Guangwen's brothers, and finally killed Mei Manniang's master and servant, Zhao Rong completely believed it. But he still frowned and said, "Now the upper echelons are in turmoil, and our information here is not effective. I don't know where Chen Guangzhong is now?" "Naturally, County Magistrate Zhao does not need to worry about this issue. We will figure it out. The upper echelons are indeed in turmoil. From the current point of view, Tang Shengzhi's attitude is very clear. He recently sent a telegram to accuse Chiang Kai-shek of 'falsely eradicating the Communist Party'. , the practice of dictatorship'." "In this way, He Jian is Tang Shengzhi's subordinate. Wouldn't he also follow Tang Shengzhi to fight against Chiang Kai-shek?" Deng Lianjia shook his head: "He Jian is very cunning, he won't be so stupid. Now he has dispersed his troops to various places in the province, and he has no plans to fight Chiang Kai-shek. This shows that Tang Shengzhi will definitely lose. A few days ago We have already inquired about Chen Guangzhong, and another warlord named Liao Xiangyun, stationed in western Hunan, while recruiting soldiers and horses, while raising food, grass, and military pay." "Well, that's how it is." Zhao Rong pondered for a moment and asked, "Then, which county in western Hunan is Chen Guangzhong in?" "I just arrived in Suining two days ago." "What specific things do you want me to do?" "Please write a letter to Chen Guangzhong jointly with Liu Yi, complaining that Wugang has been ravaged by Zhang Yunqing. Water and fire. Then, hand over the letter to me, and I will send it to Chen Guangzhong safely." "It's good that it's so good, but in case the letter is lost...why can't it be relayed verbally?" "Chen Guangzhong won't believe the message. If you are worried, you can write it in rice soup, bring it to Chen Guangzhong, and use some potion to reveal it." According to Zhao Rong's words, he went to Liu's house under the pretext of playing mahjong with Liu Yi. The two discussed it in secret, wrote the letter and handed it to Deng Lianjia.The next day, Deng Lianjia still pretended to be a servant of the Zhao family, and swaggered out from the gate. Back at Huangqiaopu, Deng Lianjia recounted to Zhang Guangwen the process of negotiating with Zhao Rong, and then took out the secret letter and suggested: "Brother Guangwen, I suggest you go in person about the contact with Chen Guangzhong. After all, you are in the officialdom." I've been around, and I know how to deal with those people." Zhang Guangwen said: "In fact, all warlords value their own interests. As long as it is profitable, he will sharpen his head and drill in. It will be a matter of time before Chen Guangzhong enters Wugang. If he comes rashly, Zhang Yunqing will run away. Our wish cannot be fulfilled. Well, let’s set off immediately and go to Suining to pay a visit to Chen Guangzhong.” Deng Lianjia then rode to Suining with Zhang Guangwen.Along the way, he suddenly thought of a question and said, "The letter from Zhao Rong and Liu Yi made Zhang Yunqing useless. Once Chen Guangzhong is stationed in Wugang, will he attack him? If so, we will get rid of our serious worries." "Don't think about good things." Zhang Guangwen said with a sneer, "Chen Guangzhong was also a bandit himself, and he cherishes each other. He will never take Zhang Yunqing's bad deeds to heart. On the contrary, the worse Zhang Yunqing is, the more useful he will think." The two detoured for a day and a half before arriving at Suining County and heading straight to Chen Guangzhong's stronghold.As soon as the guards at the gate heard that they were sent by Wugang County, they immediately went in to report.After a while, two people who looked like adjutants led Zhang and Deng into the office of Suining County Government. Chen Guangzhong is about forty years old, with a medium build and a black face. His appearance belongs to a typical Baoqing man.He asked Zhang Guangwen and Deng Lianjia directly: "Are you sent by Zhao Rong and Liu Yi? Do you have any letters from them?" Zhang Guangwen hurriedly took it out of his arms and presented it.Chen Guangzhong said displeased: "This is a blank piece of paper!" Zhang Guangwen took a step forward and said, "Commander Chen, please calm down. This is indeed a letter from the two county magistrates, Liu and Zhao. Since Zhang Yunqing's blockade is very strict, if the letter falls into his hands, the entire family of Liu and Zhao will be killed by Zhang Yunqing." Harmful. So it is written in rice soup, and you can recognize it when you rub some iodine when reading." Chen Guangzhong impatiently asked the guards to fetch iodine, and when he wiped it, the words appeared. After reading the letter, Chen Guangzhong frowned and looked at Zhang Guangwen: "Is that Zhang Yunqing really that annoying?" "Yes, he knew that Commander Chen would come to Wugang sooner or later, so he seized the opportunity to act preemptively and seize all the money from Wugang." "It's so unreasonable!" Chen Guangzhong scolded, "He simply doesn't take me seriously by doing this. Isn't he afraid that I will be rude to him?" "He is very afraid of Commander Chen. However, he is already prepared—once he learns that you are going to enter Wugang City, he will immediately take his troops out of the city and go up the mountain." Chen Guangzhong spat on the ground and asked, "How many troops does Zhang Yunqing have?" "There are three hundred in total." Zhang Guangwen swallowed, "However, there are nearly five hundred guns, and they are all high-quality weapons." The legendary experience of the gun is said again. After hearing this, Chen Guangzhong spat and scolded his mother again and again, threatening to take Zhang Yunqing with him. Seeing that the time was right, Zhang Guangwen intentionally provoked him, "Commander Chen wants to annex him. It's a good idea. However, Zhang Yunqing is not an idler. She is extremely vigilant, and at the slightest sign of trouble, she would have already disappeared without a trace." Chen Guangzhong was really enraged, and scolded: "You are blind, dare to look down on me, I will definitely tell Zhang Yunqing to be my subordinate obediently!" Zhang Guangwen apologized again and again, knowing that at this point, he was done, so he led Deng Lianjia to leave Suining. After returning to Zhang's house in Shibei, Deng Lianjia brought back good news from the city in a few days: Chen Guangzhong led his troops to move to Wugang quietly on the day after they left. Stationed in Wugang City in one fell swoop... Zhang Guangwen asked urgently: "Then, did Zhang Yunqing run away?" Deng Lianjia shook his head: "Chen Guangzhong descended from the sky like a magic soldier, how could Zhang Yunqing have a chance to escape." Zhang Guangwen was relieved, which made Deng Lianjia pay close attention to the situation in the city in the future. After Chen Guangzhong entered Wugang City, he raided the people of Wugang, compared with Zhang Yunqing, even worse, and the people couldn't live and work in peace.Afterwards, Chen Guangzhong fought with Liao Xiangyun, another warlord who entered the city, and killed a large number of innocent people indiscriminately. Time flies like an arrow, and in the blink of an eye, at the end of the year, although Zhang Yunqing was guarded by Chen Guangzhong in the city, his power has not weakened. Once he leaves Chen Guangzhong, he will still be a huge evil force.After much deliberation, Zhang Guangwen decided to take advantage of the Chinese New Year to have a private meeting with Chen Guangzhong, firstly to find out his tone, and secondly to see if there was any chance to kill Zhang Yunqing in one fell swoop. In 1928, when the Spring Festival was approaching and the weather in Wugang was freezing, Zhang Guangwen handed over the affairs of the regimental defense bureau to Deng Lianjia, disguised himself as a farmer who went to the city to do New Year's goods, and walked to the county among the crowd. Arrived at Dongmenwai Yingchun Inn in the evening of the next day, when the city gate was closed, Zhang Guangwen spent the night in the inn with friends he met on the way. Because of the hard walking all the way, he fell asleep as soon as he put his body on the bed, until he was awakened by the loud sound of firecrackers.When I woke up, it was the first day of the 17th year of the Republic of China.It is a custom in Wugang that when it comes to the first day of the new year, every household will set off firecrackers early in the morning to send off the kitchen god and worship the ancestors. Zhang Guangwen got up and asked the boss for water to wash his face. Before he had breakfast, he saw many people passing by the inn in a hurry and walking towards the city. outside.Zhang Guangwen was quite surprised, and asked the innkeeper: "Boss, many people come out of their homes today and wait to enter the city. Is this also a local custom?" The boss looked at Zhang Guangwen: "Hearing the accent, the guest officer can't be a stranger, right? You should know that there is no such custom in Wugang." Zhang Guangwen said: "Since there is no such custom, why are these people so eager to enter the city?" The boss said: "On the first day of the new year, you are a traveler, so don't inquire about these things." Zhang Guangwen insisted again and again, and then he said: "Actually, these people all went to the city to watch the excitement. Today, Chen Guangzhong recruited Zhang Yunqing, It is necessary to kill one person, one cow, and one pig in Huangchengping, and make an alliance with blood. Zhang Yunqing is a notorious gangster, and now he has been recruited by Chen Guangzhong. Once he leaves Wugang, the people in the whole territory will have a peaceful life. Therefore, They all felt that this was a great happy event, and they wanted to go to Huangchengping to take a seat early in the city, and take a look at the 'grand occasion' of their bloodshed." Zhang Guangwen understood, so he ate breakfast and followed the crowd into the city. Zhang Guangwen didn't see the details of Chen Guangzhong and Zhang Yunqing's bloodbath. There were so many people everywhere that he couldn't even squeeze into Huangchengping.It was not until the ceremony was over and the crowd gradually receded that Zhang Guangwen had the opportunity to come to Huangchengping.At this time, Chen Guangzhong and Zhang Yunqing had already returned to the county government. Fortunately, the current Wugang City is completely controlled by Chen Guangzhong.Zhang Guangwen came to the headquarters, claiming to meet with Commander Chen on important matters, and soon someone led him to a conference room.Chen Guangzhong saw Zhang Guangwen at a glance, and rushed to meet him, he laughed and said, "Why, do you have time to go to the city today?" Zhang Guangwen bowed his hands: "Today is the first day of the first lunar month in the 17th year of the Republic of China. Zhang Moute came from the countryside to wish the commander a happy new year. I wish the commander a happy new year and everything goes well." "Okay, okay, okay!" Chen Guangzhong pointed to the chair in front of him. Seeing that Zhang Guangwen refused to sit, he glanced at the open door from time to time, and said carelessly, "Don't worry, no one dares to come in without my order, no matter what the importance is." You just tell me about your secrets!" Zhang Guangwen felt relieved and coughed dryly: "Actually, it's nothing serious. Apart from specially paying New Year's greetings to Commander, the other is congratulations to Commander Zhang Yunqing who successfully recruited him." Chen Guangzhong laughed again, and then looked at Zhang Guangwen proudly: "Do you remember the last time we bet in Suining?" Zhang Guangwen nodded again and again: "Commander Chen is indeed wise and great." Chen Guangzhong said seriously: "You are wise and great, but you dare not say it, but you are quite sure about dealing with Zhang Yunqing. Then again, this matter is thanks to your information. If you act rashly, Zhang Yunqing will definitely slip away. It's all right now, Whether it is me or you, especially the people of Wugang, they all think this is a great thing! Zhang Yunqing has harassed Wugang for many years, and the government and army have conquered and suppressed it several times, but nothing has been achieved. I boast that no one can do this. He followed me, and I will train him, correct his banditry, and transform him into a useful person! Mr. Zhang, tell me, can I do it? " Zhang Guangwen nodded: "I believe the commander can do it. But—" "But what?" "But while the people were happy, they also expressed some worrying words. They were worried that Zhang Yunqing would take the opportunity to slip away after going out with the commander." "He dares!" Chen Guangzhong's eyeballs popped out, "I don't even think he has the guts!" "I think so too. However, as the saying goes, it is necessary to be defensive. Besides, Zhang Yunqing himself is not willing to follow the commander. If he has selfish intentions..." "Yes or not can only be one of them, there is no if in my dictionary." Chen Guangzhong said displeased, "You said he was unwilling to follow me, is there any proof?" Zhang Guangwen shook his head: "I don't know the relationship between you, so I don't dare to make a judgment. However, I can provide some clues to the commander. Through these clues, we can verify whether Zhang Yunqing really follows you. For example, although Zhang Yunqing only has three hundred He has 500 guns under his command, most of which are good and fast guns are still hidden in the mountains, I wonder if he has explained to the commander?" Chen Guangzhong was shocked: "No!" Then, Zhang Guangwen recounted Zhang Yunqing's legendary experience as a bandit for several years with some exaggeration.In the end, Chen Guangzhong had no choice but to drop his condescending airs, and calmly asked Zhang Guangwen: "You are Zhang Yunqing's old opponent and know him best. Tell me, how can I completely subdue Zhang Yunqing?" "It's rare that Commander Chen thinks highly of me." Zhang Guangwen was flattered, "Although Zhang Yunqing is cunning, even a big warlord like Shen Hongying fell under his command, but Commander Chen's mighty might is enough to subdue him. Since Zhang Yunqing hid his good gun, It means that he will escape one day. For this point, you can go straight to the point - use heavy troops to force him to take back all the good guns from Yanziyan! What kind of tricks will you play in front of the commander?" Chen Guangzhong nodded: "This plan is good, but if he goes outside to mutiny, I still can't stop him, this is the crux of the problem." "According to Zhang Yunqing's personality, he will definitely play this trick. This is indeed a big trouble for the commander. Why don't the commander do this-once the troops leave, you divide all his troops and put them in your team. "Zhang Guangwen attached to his ear, whispering so and so. Chen Guangzhong was overjoyed, and patted Zhang Guangwen on the shoulder twice: "I really have you, as expected of Zhang Yunqing's old opponent! Alright, I'll go and force him to take out Yanziyan's treasure!" The book continues from the previous chapter, but it says that according to Zhong Banxian's prophecy, Zhang Yunqing is the reincarnation of the yellow snake spirit, and sheds her skin every three years before she can achieve great things.The day of peeling is the time of catastrophe.This is like the fox fairy in Pu Songling's writings, three hundred years a catastrophe, when the catastrophe comes, the sky thunders and lightning flashes, dark clouds roll, the ground rains heavily, and sand and stones fly away.Swords danced chaotically between the sky and the earth, and killing sounds were everywhere.Ordinary foxes, nine out of ten will die in the catastrophe.Those who can live must practice hard, and after three hundred years, they will experience the same catastrophe. If they can survive three catastrophes in a row without dying, they will become immortals. "Jump out of the three realms, not in the five elements", this is the highest level of successful cultivation of demons and ghosts. The first day of the first month of the 17th year of the Republic of China happened to be the day of Zhang Yunqing's catastrophe.On this day, not only was he recruited by Chen Guangzhong, but even his old base—the 400 good guns he had hidden on the Yanziyan cliff—were all searched by Chen Guangzhong. It has been exactly seven years since he joined the green forest in 1921. Today, Chen Guangzhong has caught all the life and death and painstaking efforts of these seven years. It was already the night of the second day of the first lunar month when I came back from Yanziyan.满载而归的陈光中陪着张云卿走至皇城坪，然后对他说：“我知道你很难过，我就不送你回去了，回去后好好哭一场吧，这样心情会好一些。至于我为何要这样做，等你情绪稳定下来，会向你解释的。” 张云卿回到自己房里，真个就伤心地哭了起来。他的妻妾想劝几句，因话不得体，被他借故殴打泄气，谁也劝不了。 哭了很久，他感觉到已经哭够了，才抹去泪，望着窗外黑漆漆的夜空发呆。 尹东波、谢老狗、钟雪华、张钻子早就站在门口，但都不敢吭声，更不敢进来。 张云卿慢慢清醒过来，回头望见他的手下，第一句话就说：“现在我已经一无所有了，还来找我干什么？” 尹东波鼓起勇气：“满老爷，你还有我们呀，难道你不想管弟兄们了？” 张云卿鼻子一酸，泪水不自觉地流了出来，难过地说：“我……对不起弟兄们，都是我的错，那一次我不该轻敌，放走张光文。” “你是说，我们的秘密是张光文告诉陈光中的？”谢老狗第一个挤进屋里来。 张云卿点头：“只有他才如此精明。杨相晚说得对，风水轮流转，这回又轮到张光文、易豪得势了。” “既然如此，你更应该顶住，等渡过这一难关，日后又是我们的天下。”尹东波紧随谢老狗进来，坐在张云卿对面。 张云卿叹道：“我心里是这样想的。我哭、我伤心，并不是悲观失望，而是要把愁绪、难过全部发泄出去，然后，才能够重新充实力量，以图东山再起。” 众人望着张云卿，仿佛也看到了失败背后的成功。张云卿扫视一眼，改变口气道：“弟兄们，我们的聚会就到此为止。今后，若没有重大的事情，我不会找你们。现在我们要做的，就是沉下心来，听从陈光中摆布，耐心地等待机会。明白了没有？” “明白了。”众匪异口同声。 张云卿脸上又掠过一丝惨然的笑。 1928年湘省的时局，年初是以桂军白崇禧与唐生智混战为主流，很快以白崇禧获胜告终。至此，何键的态度更为明朗，表示愿意接受南京政府（蒋介石）的收编。 3月24日，两湖善后会议在长沙开幕，何键向会议提交了《一面出师北伐，一面厉行清乡铲共》的提案。 3月26日，长沙绅商向两湖善后会议提议，《请委任何键为全省清乡督办，负责铲共》。 4月27日，省清乡督办署成立，程潜兼督办，何键任会办，将全省划为十一个区，每区兵力约一师。各县设清乡委员会，以县长为委员长，委员由县长指派豪绅担任。 5月上旬，陈光中接何键的命令，具体负责湘西8县的清乡工作，指挥部设于武冈城。 张云卿原以为过完年就要跟着陈光中赴江西剿共，想不到时局骤变，仍得留在武冈呆一段时间。 张云卿为了稳住陈光中，在清乡运动开始时，表现十分积极。经过顺藤摸瓜，他知道了武冈主要共产党领导人、毛泽东的亲密战友和同学欧阳东、邓中字仍在长沙武冈同乡会馆一带活动，并及时告密，致使欧阳东、邓中宇被反动派逮捕杀害。 稍后，张云卿的心腹探子得知武冈另一位共产党领导人邓成云回到武冈发展组织。 陈光中闻报，立即派人包围邓宅，将邓成云抓获，并亲自坐堂审问。陈光中先是以官禄诱降，此计未成，改用酷刑逼他交出共产党员名单。邓成云毫无惧色，对陈光中说：“共产党员有千千万万，要问在此地做工作的只有我一个！你打死我也只有这句大实话！” 陈光中见捞不到油水，决定枪毙他。恰好前些时候，武冈发生了一桩奸夫淫妇合谋杀死亲夫案。陈光中为了侮辱共产党，竟有意把邓成云与这两人同判死刑。 次日一早，天阴沉沉、灰暗暗，就在县城市民吃早饭的时问，一支杀气腾腾的行刑队，挥舞马刀，推着三个五花大绑的人，冲出县衙门，走正南街，转西直街，朝水西门外不远处的易家祠刑场走。（易家祠即枪杀易顺满及其八十余名匪部之地。自那以后，此处成了武冈杀人的专用场地。）处决囚犯本是市民们司空见惯的事，这年头官府杀人简直是太随便了。但这天发生的情况与往常不同。犯人中有一人一路高呼口号：“打倒列强军阀！”“打倒土豪劣绅！”“打倒蒋介石！”“中国共产党万岁！” 喊口号的就是邓成云，他一跛一跛艰难地移动着受刑后的双腿，一路喊出了水西门。刚到刑场入口，他停下不走了，指着奸夫淫妇斩钉截铁地对刽子手说：“我跟他俩不同道，你们先杀我，就在这地方！” 刽子手无奈，只好依了邓成云。 邓成云的故事在县城传开后，上到陈光中，下到一般匪兵，都被共产党员视死如归的精神所震撼。他们感到，共产党现在的失败，仅仅是因为年轻的缘故，若经过长期的锻炼，将是一股任何力量都无法抵挡的势力。 由于武冈全县一片白色恐怖，一直在外乡坚持斗争的刘卓，也被朱云汉、张顺彩打散了，只身逃亡到了桂林。 6月1日，新省府委员宣誓就职，省主席鲁涤平在典礼中表示，本着“军事受政治支配，政治受党指挥之原则建设以党为核心的湖南”。 同日，鲁涤平、何键致电李济深，称近日将会剿井冈山朱、毛部红军，望驻湘粤边军队严密防堵，以免其逃窜。 6月中旬，据武冈的陈光中部接何键电，即日起向湘东平江方向开拔，与诸路军会剿朱、毛红军。 至此，张云卿总算松了口气，一旦离开县境，就有逃跑的机会。 出发前，张云卿暗中与心腹密商，决定在抵达平江时，趁与红军作战之机，集体哗变，然后一路返回武冈。 6月23日，陈光中集合本部及张云卿部在皇城坪训话，向士兵讲述剿灭朱、毛红军的重要性。然后来到张云卿的补充营队伍前，背起手道：“弟兄们，我们就要出发了！从即日起，你们就是堂堂正正的革命军人！虽然在经验上，你们算老兵，但参加革命还是头一回。干革命和当土匪从本质上完全不一样，前者是以革命大局为重的、为老百姓打仗的，后者则是为个人的私欲损害他人。虽然是头一回参加革命，我仍然相信弟兄们很快能够适应。万一适应不过来，本司令也想了一个办法，把补充营的弟兄安插到其他分队去，如此以老带新，绝对不会出问题。弟兄们，这样好不好呀？” “好！”陈光中的部队齐声呐喊。 张云卿却全身凉了半截，他感到连最后一线希望都破灭了。他的手下没有跟着叫好，齐刷刷把目光投向他……他的喉咙里仿佛塞了一团乱麻，吞咽不下去，吐也吐不出。 陈光中走近，拍着张云卿的肩：“张营长，我曾经说过，什么时候好好地向你解释为啥要收编你。这段时间一直很忙，一直没有时间。今日如果再不向你解释，就说不过去了。也许，我这样做，你内心并不情愿，甚至还会反感。这很正常，你苦心经营数载，并为此付出过惨重代价，如今一下子连人带枪，全部归并到我的下面，这事不论是谁，都是想不通的。不过，我可以告诉你，我这样做，完全是出于一片好心，终有一天，你会从内心感激我。有史以来，大凡啸聚山林者，摆在前面的路只有两条：一条是招安；一条是死路。以你在武冈的所作所为，处死是足够条件的，而且，我若想这样做，处死你易如反掌。但我不这样干，你道是为什么？因为我也是绿林出身，知道投身此路，都是迫不得已而为之，这也许是所谓的惺惺相惜吧。另外，你确实是一个难得的军事天才，一旦修成正果，将来定能为国家做出一番事情。基于这两个原因，我不但不杀你，还特别给你机会，张营长，你可要珍惜啊！” 张云卿不知为什么，泪水不自觉地流了出来，此时，他的心情太复杂了，但在陈光中面前他必须装出一副感激涕零、受宠若惊的样子——他流出的泪恰到好处地派上了用场。 “司令……谢谢你对我的关心与爱护，这大恩大德没齿难忘……”张云卿嗫嚅着说。 陈光中又在他的肩上拍了几下，满意地说：“嗯，不错，你容易开窍，不是那些笨头笨脑的。另外，我决定任命你为警卫营营长，时时刻刻与我在一起，有很多军事上的具体事务，我想随时问计于你。” 张云卿暗中又是一惊，明白陈光中这样做的目的，就是要完全把他看管起来。但此时，他已经没有了任何反抗的能力，惟有听任摆布。 1928年6月15日，省清乡督办决定，自本日起，至9月15日止，为“清乡”期间。20日，参加清乡各军开始全面地、大规模地向各革命根据地进攻，进攻重点：湘东为平江、浏阳、醴陵；湘西为石门的大浮山和贺龙部；湘南为靠近井冈山之茶陵、攸县、耒阳各县。 陈光中部负责向湘东之平江进剿。 这是张云卿第一次离开家乡在他人的挟制下与人作战。他虽然被任命为警卫营长，但这职务徒有虚名而已。因为这支部队是陈光中的御林军，平常由他直接指挥士兵，由副营长管辖，张云卿反倒成了一种摆设。但此时，他也乐得清闲，不去管其他事。 7月20日，湘军独立第五师第一团团长彭德怀、滕代远在平江起义，占据了平江县城，与黄公略等人会师后，成立红五军。 月底，陈光中部奉何键之命与红五军激战一昼夜，双方伤亡惨重。彭德怀不敌，主动撤离县城，向平江、修水边界转移，陈光中进人平江县城。 8月初，陈光中接鲁涤平、何键电令，负责“追剿”彭德怀、黄公略部红军。 8月底，彭德怀、滕代远率红军主力由黄金洞出发，到浏阳、万载边境活动，行至万载大桥时，遭陈光中部伏击，伤亡严重，折回平江、修水一带，发动群众打土豪、分田地，建立区、乡苏维埃政府，势力不断发展壮大，致使国民党军队“清乡”举步维艰，收效甚微。 9月，何键电蒋介石、李宗仁检讨湘省清剿成绩甚微原因：一是给养困难，影响各区队如期集中；二是事变纷杂，未能按计划积极进行；三是湘南、湘东山势险峻；四是红军骁勇。 9月21日，省清乡督办署原宣布全省清乡限三个月完成，现已满三个月，各部红军依然存在，鲁涤平、何键电令湘省清乡期限延长七十天，至11月底止。 张云卿在陈光中部转眼过了半年时间，这半年来，几经辗转、作战，几乎没有喘息的机会。他的心腹骨干经常通过张钻子带口信给他，希望早日带他们脱离陈光中，恢复从前逍遥快乐的日子。有些人甚至怨恨张云卿满足现状，根本不体谅弟兄们的苦衷。 事实上，张云卿没有一刻不在思考脱离陈光中，无奈陈光中盯得紧，加之战事不断，一直没有脱逃的好机会，甚至连召集骨干碰头会的机会都难找。 转眼到了1928年底，何键经过三次对红军的围剿后，各部又处在短暂的休整缩编阶段。 张云卿费尽周折，总算把尹东波、谢老狗、钟雪华、张钻子召集到一起。 骨干们向张云卿传达了各部匪兵盼望早日返回武冈的意愿。张云卿望着各位道：“回去转告弟兄们，我张云卿的心情，比大家更焦急。但是，现在的环境，我们急也没有用，弟兄们被分割在各个连队，出门又不能携带枪支，万一脱逃失败，岂不要遭受更惨重的损失？” 骨干们垂下头，神情黯然。 “把头抬起来！”张云卿提高声音说，“已经过去了这么久，弟兄们仍然记挂着脱离别人的管辖，这本身就是一种希望、一股巨大的力量！虽然太阳还没有出来，但天空的乌云不会永远笼罩在我们头顶上！越是绝望之际，机会往往离我们越近！从现在开始下面的情况由你们自己掌握，上层的时局由我盯紧。前些天我随陈光中参加了一个由何键主持的围剿军事会议。何键无意中透露出蒋介石与桂系的矛盾。本来第三次围剿的总指挥蒋介石委任了鲁涤平，但鲁涤平担心一旦离开省城，其统治地位就会动摇，只好把总指挥的职位给了何键。从这件事，我已看出一点端倪，蒋介石与桂系的矛盾终将爆发。那时，才是我们脱逃的最佳时机。今日召集各位，为的就是转告这条信息。回去后，仍得与旧部多多联络，向他们转述我的问候！” 张云卿召集部下碰头后，经常以警卫营长的身份，随同陈光中与何键接触，向何的警卫人员打听近期时局的变化。 1929年春节刚过，陈光中接到命令，令其火速由平江赴萍乡召开紧急会议。 会议仍由何键主持，警卫人员都不得进人会场。会后，何键匆匆离开会场，马不停蹄返回。 一路上，陈光中不待张云卿等随从问起，便连连摇头说：“真是天变一日，人变一时，昨天我们的枪口对准红军，转眼前面又有了新的敌人！” 张云卿勒了勒缰绳，催动他的“小白龙”，与陈光中并辔同行，问道：“上头又与什么人交恶了？” 陈光中摇头笑道：“不是与人交恶，而是何键又找到了新的发迹机会。” 这下，张云卿及所有的随从都感到如坠云雾之中。 陈光中扫视手下，得意地说：“这个中的奇巧，我不说，你们想破脑袋也猜不出来。好吧，那我告诉你们。”他向一旁啐了一口痰，“原来我们的何司令早就有做湘省主席的志向，以前通过各种手段把唐生智弄了下去，没想到蒋介石又派来了一个鲁涤平。为了挤走鲁涤平，他做好了长期的准备，时刻留意对方的破绽。一个偶尔的机会，何键发现桂系想与蒋介石较量，于是前些天与桂系首领叶琪密商驱逐鲁涤平的军事问题。双方达成了很好的合作协议。” 张云卿脱口问道：“何键今天召集你们开会，是商议驱逐鲁涤平？” 陈光中摇头，说：“驱逐鲁涤平之事，由桂系出面足够了。他召集我们开会，主要是部署下一步与桂系打仗的事情。” 众人更加不解了，特别是陈光中的副官几乎是叫了起来：“司令，你有没有搞错，何键既然要与桂系合伙驱逐鲁涤平，为何又部署我们与桂系打仗？” 陈光中认真道：“这正是何键的高明之处。他利用桂系赶走鲁涤平，旋即，桂系势必成了他的心腹之患，反过来，他又得依靠蒋介石来驱逐桂系——最后达到他当上湖南王之目的。” 众人恍然大悟，特别是张云卿，从何键这种翻手为云，覆手为雨的政治手腕中，深深地感受到了政治斗争的诡秘，很值得鉴赏和学习。 陈光中、张云卿从萍乡回到平江的第二天，即1929年2月22日，桂系的武汉政治分会发出决议，撤销鲁涤平的湖南省政府主席兼十八师师长职务。同时派叶琪的第九师、夏威的第七军向长沙进兵。鲁涤平措手不及，慌忙乘外轮逃往南京。桂系控制了湖南，至此，桂系占据了两湖，接通了广西，势成能攻能守、可进可退要与蒋介石一争高低的局面。这就是史书所称的“湘案”。 “湘案”发生后，何键身价大增，成为桂系和蒋介石争夺的对象，都任命其为湘省主席兼督办。 3月2日，湖南新省府及清乡督办公署同时成立，何键就任省长兼清乡督办。 3月24日，国民政府令：一、何键为湖南部队编遣特派员，现驻湖南各师暂归何键全权节制指挥；二、师长叶琪、夏威免职查办，叶琪部第五十二师交何键就地编遣。 同日，蒋介石完成讨桂准备，任命何键为讨桂军第四军军长。 3月27日，蒋桂战争正式爆发。 蒋桂战争的爆发，让张云卿看到了脱离陈光中的最佳时机。 4月初，何键决定在长沙召集军政联席会议，宣布就任“讨桂军”第四军军长。陈光中得到电令，准备赴长沙开会。临行，张云卿忽患痈症，大腿间浓血四溢，不宜远行。 陈光中走后，尹东波、谢老狗、钟雪华以同乡情谊前来看望。张云卿令张亚口在门外望风，用武冈土话在营房里商量脱逃具体事宜。 众人认为，趁讨桂之际，在半途逃脱不是很难，问题是逃脱之后，可能会引起陈光中恼怒，到时出兵入武冈报复。 针对此种情况，尹东波想出一计，决定通过策动其他士兵哗变，使陈光中不疑有他。稍后，他又望着张云卿：“这样虽然好，只是满老爷如果一同离开，陈光中照样怀疑。” 张云卿想了想，说道：“只要弟兄