Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Countermeasures

On March 7, 1936, Takara Matsumuro succeeded Doihara as the head of the North China Secret Service. Matsushiro is a theory of using China to rule China.After he arrived in North China, he learned the lesson of Doihara and began to adopt "anti-indirect tactics". With his arrival, the climax of "North China Autonomy" swept across.Its core is: to drive apart Jiang and Song, and to create a new division between North and South in China. Under Xiao Zhenying's insistence, Song Zheyuan has always been able to hold on to the issue of "anti-Chiang", especially from Itagaki, he also learned that this is actually a division strategy formulated by the Japanese side to make "North China independent".But knowing it is one thing, how to do it is another.

Soon, he had conflicts with the Nanjing government. After discovering this situation, Matsumuro immediately cheered up: The Chinese are about to fight among themselves again, so hurry up and add fuel to the fire. Jun Tada, the commander of the "Garrison Garrison" in North China, approached Song Zheyuan and said that he would help the 29th Army organize a mechanized division and send Japanese instructors and consultants to help train the army. All weapons and money will not be paid for by you, it will all be provided by us. Song Zheyuan's eyes were rounded, pie fell from the sky, and such a good thing.

After thinking about it, I quickly restrained my mind: Alas, why do I need so many people with guns, and I don’t want to fight. Tada Hayao cut him off: Why don't you fight, I give you weapons to let you fight.I have long seen that "Chairman Song" (Chairman of the Political Committee) has the talent of the Son of Heaven, so you must not waste it, and you should use force to unify China. If you are going to do this, we in Japan will not only provide weapons and coaches, but also directly send the "imperial army" to cooperate in combat. Song Zheyuan was moved. Since ancient times, princes and generals have always had kindness. How can being the boss of North China have the prestige of being the boss of the whole country?

Tada Jun's words were just a bait thrown by Matsushiro to test Song Zheyuan's movements, and when he found out that the other party was moving, he went out himself. The two sides held secret talks for three days. In the conversation, he mentioned Zhang Zuolin, a famous man in the past. Matsushiro said, you know the former Marshal Zhang, his situation in Northeast China at that time was similar to your situation in North China now. What did Dashuai Zhang rely on to prosper?Needless to say, it is to cooperate with us in Japan. What happened later, you also know that he fought to Beijing and unified China.

Now let us help you and realize such a dream for you, okay? Having said that, one can imagine the fierce struggle in Song Zheyuan's heart. Although he has changed on the surface, in essence, Song Zheyuan is still a warrior without much political wisdom and foresight.Gradually, his mind opened up. But it's not enough for him to be tempted by himself, all the brothers in "Juyi Pavilion" must agree. The most important person is the current second in command, military advisor Xiao Zhenying. Xiao Zhenying firmly opposed it. Now the general situation of the world is not what it used to be, it is the era of being a national hero, and it is unpopular to be king and hegemony in one's own family.This is just a trick used by the Japanese.

Song Zheyuan didn't take it seriously: You are from the Northeast. Didn't Zhang Zuolin also cooperate with the Japanese before entering the Central Plains? Xiao Zhenying became anxious when he heard this. This statement is absurd.In Xiao's view, did Zhang Zuolin ever sincerely cooperate with the Japanese? The Japanese tried to make a sudden move without warning, so he sent troops to surround the Japanese consulate; to force him to agree to build the railway, he worked overtime to build the railway, and several lines were parallel to the lines planned by Japan. In this way, the Japanese still have nothing to do with him. This is a heroic act.

Now Japan's "help me" just wants us to be Shi Jingtang and Wu Sangui.If we really listen to what they say, our fate will be no different from that of Shi and Wu. Speaking of this, Xiao Zhenying has already taken the matter to a serious level, which means, if you Song Zheyuan insists on this, then you are the Republic of China version of Shi Jingtang and Wu Sangui. Song Zheyuan's face became more and more ugly, and he couldn't help blurting out: These are all given by them voluntarily, and I didn't ask them. This is an attempt to divert the topic of both parties from the aspect of "traitors".

Xiao Zhenying was extremely persistent: Then tell me, these instructors and consultants, as well as the assistance of the Japanese army, what is going on? What will our 29th Army be then?A vassal of the Japanese army?cannon fodder? In the end, he did not hesitate to throw a blockbuster: If you insist on this, not only the whole country will oppose it, but the soldiers of the 29th Army will not agree. Song Zheyuan's expression changed upon hearing this. Because he was particularly concerned about the latter sentence. In fact, while Matsushiro was planning to "separate Jiang and Song", he also concealed another more vicious conspiracy-separate Xiao Song.

From the moment Doihara left North China, Xiao Zhenying was already on the Japanese blacklist and became the most dangerous person in their eyes.Matsumuro knew very well that if he wanted to make "achievements" on the basis of Doihara, removing the big rock Xiao Zhenying was the first choice. When Tada Jun talked with Song Zheyuan, he attached a condition: Xiao Zhenying next to you is a spy, and he is Chiang Kai-shek's agent in the 29th Army.This person must get him out of North China. Matsushiro said it even more bluntly: Xiao Zhenying wants to fight for power with you, and I help you "fight for the hegemony in the world", which is related to your future.If you grow bigger and bigger, Xiao Zhenying will definitely feel threatened, so I'm sure he won't agree to this plan.

Song Zheyuan said on the surface, how is it possible, Xiao Zhenying is my brother, even closer than my own brother. But after listening to such words a lot, I couldn't help but mutter in my heart, but due to Xiao Zhenying's position in the 29th Army at this time, I knew that even if I wanted to drive Xiao away, it would not be so easy, so I kept saying "be patient and think long-term." . Now I heard Xiao Zhenying talk about "the soldiers of the 29th Army will not agree", what does this mean? Could it be that the 29th Army will go with your surname Xiao? Since then, Song Zheyuan has committed a heart disease, but although he is a warrior, he is not a rough person, not to mention that what Xiao Zhenying said is indeed reasonable, so he put the matter aside for the time being.

However, since the matter has begun, it is impossible to end it. Soon, someone blows the wind from the side.This person is called Qi Xieyuan. When forming the political committee, Song Zheyuan and Xiao Zhenying imitated Huang Yu's political organization committee and took in a group of traitors and literati who were pro-Japanese, but this was mainly for dealing with the Japanese. The method is to give everyone a false job to prevent them from making trouble. The Japanese very much hoped that Qi Xieyuan could be inserted into the political committee, but Xiao Zhenying strongly opposed it. Xiao Zhenying repeatedly advised Song Zheyuan: The Japanese are most pleased with Qi Xieyuan joining the cabinet. This guy has always been a villain who talks about anti-Chiang all the time and wants to benefit himself. If we really call him in, it will be tantamount to opening the door. Yi Pirates. After all, Qi Xieyuan failed to become a member of the political committee.Of course he is jealous and hates Xiao Zhenying, and once the villain moves, his hands and feet are always not slow. He noticed that Song Zheyuan was suspicious of Xiao Zhenying, so he deliberately hinted to Song Zheyuan: Do you want to know whether Xiao Zhenying is loyal to you or Chiang Kai-shek? Song Zheyuan remained silent. Qi Xieyuan's voice became smaller and smaller: there is only one way, and that is to see whether he supports Chiang or defeats Chiang. The opportunity for this test is coming soon. Regarding the anti-Chiang, the Japanese outside encouraged it, and the Chinese people invited it inside.Li Zongren and Bai Chongxi from Guangxi kept sending lobbyists to North China, asking Song Zheyuan and Han Fuju from Shandong to join forces against Chiang Kai-shek. Seeing that anti-Jiang was about to become a trend, Song Zheyuan felt that he could not wait any longer, so he called Xiao Zhenying to Beiping to discuss. Before Xiao Zhenying's arrival, the top leaders of the 29th Army had basically reached a consensus that they should "reverse".Song Zheyuan also hoped to get a clear answer from the chief counselor and second in command: do it. But Xiao Zhenying is still the same sentence: "Why come here"-why do we have to oppose Chiang? Song Zheyuan held his temper. You said that the Japanese are not allowed to send consultants, and now they have promised not to send them, and they will only provide weapons, money and food. Is this not okay? Both Guangdong and Guangxi are preparing to challenge Chiang, and even Han Fuju next to us, as far as I know, is also preparing. Time does not wait, brother, now you are the only one who disagrees with anti-Chiang. Xiao Zhenying still insisted on the original statement: Supporting Chiang Kai-shek to resist Japan is the only way forward. If the 29th Army participates in the civil war, I will die in front of everyone! Song Zheyuan couldn't bear it anymore. Well, what Qi Xieyuan said is absolutely correct. It seems that you are still loyal to Chiang Kai-shek, and you will find out after a try. He said to Xiao Zhenying angrily: I am the commander of the 29th Army, except you who don't listen to me, who would dare not listen? No wonder, some people say that you don't listen to me, just listen to that Jiang. At this time, the generals of the 29th Army were present. As soon as Song Zheyuan finished speaking, everyone's eyes focused on Xiao Zhenying. Xiao Zhenying didn't expect Song Zheyuan to say this, and was horrified for a moment. Here and now, is there anything else that can help me justify myself? There is only one death, in the righteousness of all brothers. Xiao Zhenying pulled out his pistol and wanted to hit himself. Song Zheyuan didn't expect the other party to be serious, so he quickly stepped forward and snatched the pistol away. Xiao Zhenying didn't expect it to come to this point.He cried, it was the kind of crying that felt wronged and heartbroken, and it was also a kind of half-truth and half-false, crying out of necessity. Because he had been forced by Song Zheyuan to have no way out.Song Zheyuan's words were tantamount to accusing him of infidelity. For Song, only listening to Chiang Kai-shek and not the "lord" is naturally disloyal. For other brothers, betraying the group as a "traitor" and turning their elbows outward is even more outrageous. He, Xiao Zhenying, went in and out of the rivers and lakes, talking like a river, traveling north and south, didn't he rely on the word loyalty? So he must be able to show his ambition by death, and if he fails, he must cry, and he must cry loudly. He originally prepared this tear for Doihara and Matsushiro, but in the face of internal doubts and strife, is it okay not to shed it? Song Zheyuan felt a little regretful, and felt that his words were indeed too serious. After all, the other party had tried his best to support him. Without Xiao Zhenying, how could he have the status he is today. Well, continue to study tomorrow. The next day, Song Zheyuan changed his strategy and played the "patriotic card". Song Zheyuan said that now that foreign aggression is critical, if we don't follow the crowd to challenge Chiang, we will die and the country will be destroyed. Xiao Zhenying was the first to stand up to speak, but again he disagreed. You have already said that foreign aggression is in danger, how can you beat your own people? If this is the case, you may die and the country will be destroyed, so you will laugh for the world. There is only one way for us to save the country, and that is to embrace Chiang Kai-shek and resist Japan.Otherwise, you will be ashamed to see your ancestors in the ground. The more Xiao Zhenying talked, the more sad and aggrieved he became, tears fell again. Among the generals below, some were moved by Xiao Zhenying's words, while others sympathized with Xiao Zhenying from the point of view of brotherhood, and their opinions all tended to Xiao Zhenying's side at first.But they couldn't publicly refute Song Zheyuan's face, so they had to cry along with him. For a time, the huge meeting room almost turned into a kindergarten.The big men turned back to their old age one by one, crying and crying. I can't go on.Song Zheyuan's brows were furrowed: that's all, all right, don't cry, let's talk about this matter another day. In fact, he knew very well that the "anti-Jiang Zixiong" and "unification by force" would come to naught if he took the lead. Because of Xiao Zhenying, the climax of "North China Autonomy" has just started, and it has fallen by half. Matsushiro was terribly entangled in his heart. Seeing that the big plan was about to come true, he didn't expect that the surname Xiao would get in the way and ruin the good thing. It seems that this Xiao Zhenying is indeed the mortal enemy of the empire's interests in North China, and nothing can be done unless he is driven away.Fortunately, a crack has already formed between Xiao and Song, and all that remains is to add two more fires. Songshi will develop from alienating Xiao Song to using Song to drive Xiao away. Under his secret operation, rumors about Xiao Zhenying spread all over the place for a while. What Song Zheyuan heard was: Don't look at you as the chairman of the committee, in fact, only Xiao is known outside, but Song is not.Be careful not to lose power. You must know that this man surnamed Xiao relies on having Chiang Kai-shek as his backer. His ambitions are very big, and he may not be able to control him in the future. An example that can be used as evidence is: Xiao Zhenying was in the 29th Army, not only sworn brothers with the division commander, but even the general brigade commander. In fact, Xiao Zhenying was already famous for his good dealings, which was also his strength. Song Zheyuan didn't care about it before, and even thought it was a way to help him strengthen the morale of the army. But now everything is different.From Song Zheyuan's point of view, Xiao Zhenying is undoubtedly trying to seize military power - if all the generals of the 29th Army are accepted as brothers by his surname Xiao, then this army will really follow him. Rumors can also kill people, just such a seemingly simple sentence has already pushed Xiao Zhenying to the edge of the cliff. anything else. Someone sent a private message to Song Zheyuan: Xiao Zhenying's birthday celebration for his old mother is higher than your old man's birthday celebration for your mother, and it is very grand.Does he still have the heart of a minister? What exactly does he want to do? Song Zheyuan's opinion and prejudice against Xiao Zhenying became deeper and deeper, and his mood to solve this "potential enemy" as soon as possible became more and more urgent. However, he has been unable to do so. Not only brotherhood, but also practicality. Among the eight brothers in the 29th Army, Xiao Zhenying actually has no military power. To put it bluntly, he relies on his mouth for food.There is another person who can really make Song Zheyuan feel threatened—the former "second head" Zhang Zizhong. Before the establishment of the 29th Army, Zhang Zizhong was stronger than Song Zheyuan. After that, the former also firmly controlled the army, and his division can be said to be the most powerful division in the 29th Army. People who started their careers with guns are most afraid of those with guns.It's not that Song Zheyuan didn't think of a way, the way he thought of was to pull Liu Ruming. However, Liu Ruming's seniority in the old Northwest Army was almost equal to that of Song Zheyuan, and like Qin Dechun, he was not originally one of the "Eight Brothers". In the 29th Army, Liu Ruming started with a little tail between his legs, and later became a division commander. After he became famous in the Luowenyu battle on the Great Wall, he obviously relied on the old to sell the old.Although Song Zheyuan usually consciously favors and wins over him, Liu Ruming still disobeys his orders from time to time, and it is impossible for you to rely on him to stop Zhang Zizhong's dominance. Although Zhang Zizhong did not explicitly say "follow the crowd against Chiang" in the two discussions, his "crying" with Xiao Zhenying was undoubtedly a kind of declaration.This is also an important reason why Song Zheyuan could only choose to give up in the end. The key still depends on Zhang Zizhong's attitude. Zhang Zizhong was originally on Xiao Zhenying's side, but one incident made him change his mind, and he finally stood on the opposite side of Xiao Zhenying. Of course it's for profit. As early as during the military training in Eastern Jin, in order not to cause disputes among the generals under the command, Xiao Zhenying obtained the consent of Song Zheyuan and had an agreement on how the four generals would "divide the fruit and fruit". "Seats" in order. From now on, no matter who they are, and no matter how much their contribution is, they will be in order according to "Zhang, Feng, Zhao and Liu", from the oldest to the youngest, and no one is allowed to jump in line. At first, because the overall family background is not strong, even if it is more, it will not be much more, and the four of them have no objection to this.But it's different after arriving in Peiping. If you want to say more, it's not just a little bit more, which will immediately cause a big gap in strength between each other, so no one will give in. Zhang Zizhong wanted "more" every time, more establishments, and more soldiers. "Feng Zhaoliu" was naturally very unhappy. They themselves do not want to be this villain.Thinking about it, Xiao Zhenying was the one who set up the rules of "distributing fruit and fruit" back then, so he should be allowed to speak. So Liu Ruming approached Xiao Zhenying and said that Zhang Zizhong did too much, and we all have ideas.You are a military adviser, you should help us bring it up to Song Zheyuan. Xiao Zhenying put forward the idea that the four divisions should be organized in the same way at the teacher-teacher meeting called by Song Zheyuan. Song Zheyuan didn't want to see Zhang Zizhong sit up because of this, so he naturally nodded in agreement. Zhang Zizhong was disappointed and very angry. Nu Song is also angry Xiao, and even more angry Xiao Xiao. At the beginning, it was you who asked me to be the "second boss", and you were the one who made the rules of "splitting fruit and fruit". In the end, it turned out that you were just making fun of me. Since then, besides Song, there has been one more Zhang on the list of expelling Xiao. As smart as Xiao Zhenying, it is impossible to be completely unaware of this.But for this kind of calculation from sworn brothers, what can he do except feel extremely distressed. To put it bluntly, in China, a country of brothers, "we can only share adversity, not prosperity" has become an iron rule in most cases.The so-called brothers, no matter how much they vowed to each other, their love is more naive, and they will probably walk this path in the end. Matsushiro couldn't be happier with the internal strife in the 29th Army.He gave it a wink, and the traitors blew up a section of railway near Tianjin. Matsushiro came to the door and proposed that Xiao Zhenying, the mayor of Tianjin at the time, should be responsible for the destruction of the railway and had to leave North China. Song Zheyuan held an internal meeting to discuss what to do. What else can be done, Xiao Zhenying can see from the eyes and expressions of the participants that he has been ruthlessly abandoned. This group no longer needs him, his strategy, his eloquence, or his popularity. Well, I resign. As usual, formalism still needs to be passed. After typing out the resignation report, Chiang Kai-shek was taken aback. For the sake of the 29th Army, Xiao Zhenying once "strengthened himself with the sun" and even "supported the Song Dynasty's main hope". He saw Xiao Zhenying's overall view and irreplaceability. After Huang Yu, it was precisely because of this person that he was able to spend less time in North China. Chiang Kai-shek refused to approve Xiao Zhenying's resignation report, but this was no longer what he could say. On the contrary, the more this happened, the more suspicious Song Zheyuan became. The Nanjing government sent representatives to Beiping. As a result of the discussion, Xiao Zhenying resigned and temporarily moved to Xiangshan, Beiping.