The Republic of Heroes

Although Wu Xiaoliang deliberately suppressed the news of this private meeting-style negotiation, it still reached the ears of Jiang Zhongzheng in Luoyang.Henan was already under the control of Yan Xishan, but since Sun Chu and Yang Xiaoou's first and second armies defected successively, the morale of the army was shattered, and they were beaten to death by an independent brigade of the Shandong army. Li Youting incorporated the remnants of Yan's army while beating In just a few days, almost all along the Yellow River was restored, and Henan, Shandong, Anhui, and Jiangsu were connected together, thus laying the foundation for Chiang Kai-shek to announce the temporary relocation of the capital to Luoyang.

Jiang Zhongzheng was surprised, would this brave and resourceful Wu Weizhong also play political and diplomatic tricks?Then it suddenly dawned on him that Tiecheng was in Shanghai, so this must be his idea.But Jiang Zhongzheng immediately overturned this idea. How could Wu Weizhong, who is passionate and radical, listen to Wu Tiecheng's mature and prudent words?Puzzled, he became extremely interested in the reasons for the changes in the situation in Shanghai.

He said to He Yingqin beside him: "Jingzhi, tell me how the central government should deal with the changes in Shanghai?" Jiang Zhongzheng was asking He Yingqin whether he should continue fighting or stop the war.

Originally, He Yingqin did not want to break out of conflict with Japan, so as not to develop into a decisive battle between the two countries. Now it is good to be able to negotiate a truce, but with that radical Wu Xiaoliang, he does not believe that the truce negotiation can go on.

"The party's domestic and foreign troubles have to be resolved in order to resolve them. Ying Qin believes that we should uphold the principle of prioritizing internal affairs and foreign affairs. Therefore, it is better for Shanghai to negotiate peace first."

Jiang Zhongzheng narrowed his gaze, noncommittal, but expressed the hidden worry in his heart: "What are the Japanese aggressors talking about at this time, I am afraid it is a tactic to delay the army. Respect, after the Opium War, when did the big powers take action? The conflict has ended. To this day, don’t make unrealistic fantasies anymore, news has come from Japan that the Japanese army has increased its troops again, and the expansion of the war has become inevitable and inevitable.”

He Yingqin still didn't take this very seriously. The Japanese wanted some money and land when they went to war. As long as it wasn't too much, just give them.The domestic reactionary warlords are the number one enemy of the party-state, and a truce with the Japanese is also a top priority, and freeing up hands to completely eliminate Yan Feng is the top priority.But he didn't want to openly contradict Lao Jiang, so he agreed:

"According to the chairman's wishes, we have to continue fighting."

But Jiang Zhongzheng waved his hand and said: "Regardless of the difference, we still need to talk about it. The Japanese need to slow down the troops, and we also need to slow down the troops. Taking advantage of the opportunity of talking, let Wu Weizhong's army repair on the spot and recover as soon as possible. , It is said that his Second Army has already finished re-equipping in Nanjing. With his ability, I am not worried that the war in Shanghai will become unmanageable. However, we must also be prepared for the eventuality. Once Shanghai falls to Nanjing, we will bear the brunt , Zhang Wenbai's Fifth Army was transferred back to defend Nanjing in case of any eventuality."

"Focus on Shanghai to look at the overall situation, Chairman Ming Jian."

He Yingqin offered a flattery at the right time.But then he seemed to say to himself:

"Wu Weizhong is now a member of the Military Commission. The victory of the Songhu Anti-Japanese War is a coveted achievement, but he doesn't know how to reward him? Join the Central Executive Committee, or follow Zhang Hanqing's example?"

Jiang Zhongzheng's heart skipped a beat. He both loves and hates Zhang Hanqing in the Northeast. What he loves is that he can always stand by his side at critical moments, and what he hates is that before he stands by his side, he always has to get enough of himself. benefit.But that Wu Weizhong was decent, he never asked for anything, and the Japanese army raided Shanghai, he was the first and only one to lead an army to help, so as long as he was handled properly, he was definitely a horse that could travel thousands of miles every day.

He Yingqin saw that Jiang Zhongzheng's brows were gradually furrowed, and knew that what he said just now had an effect, but he heard Jiang Zhongzheng say:

"To send electricity to Weizhong, first, since the consuls of various countries have come forward to mediate, you must not attack arbitrarily. Second, strictly guard your position and be careful of accidents. Without the order of the military committee, you must not withdraw from the position without authorization. Third, you must be good to the overseas Chinese and foreign nationals. Army, to gain sympathy."

……

Wu Xiaoliang received a telegram from Luoyang, and said with a wry smile, "Chairman Chiang is very well-informed."

Shanghai Mayor Wu Tiecheng has lived and boarded at the Zhenru headquarters since the beginning of the negotiations, and all affairs of the city are handled in the military barracks. Now seeing Jiang Zhongzheng's telegram not to attack at will, he couldn't help but feel depressed.

"The chairman's telegram came at an inappropriate time."

Wu Xiaoliang put away his wry smile, and said solemnly: "So what? Send troops according to the original plan."

Li Zejun, the commander of the 57th Division, turned from frustration to joy when he heard the words, "Chairman is wise!"

Wu Tiecheng was quite worried. He knew very well that Chiang Kai-shek hated his subordinates' obedience and disobedience, and refused to implement it. If Wu Weizhong sent troops tonight, even if he succeeded, he would definitely not accept him.But if it fails, it will be an extra crime!

"Weizhong think twice, the Japanese army is heavily guarded, and there is a telegram from the chairman of the committee, I think it is better to suspend the action."

Wu Xiaoliang didn't know that Jiang Zhongzheng would be jealous of him if he did this. He understood that Wu Tiecheng had good intentions in persuading him, and he had been very happy to cooperate with him these days, so it was not good to take his face seriously, but the matter of sending troops Now that it has been decided, it is impossible to say that we have to offend Chiang Kai-shek.

"Brother Tiecheng, don't worry, I will take care of myself!"

The night is as deep as ink, and you can't see your fingers on the Wusong River. You can vaguely hear the sound of rhythmic splashes. If you look closely, you can see that the river is densely packed with all kinds of civilian boats, heading downstream to Sanchakou where it meets the Huangpu River. drive away.

The Japanese cruise ship terminal at Hongkou Port by the Huangpu River fell into silence, and the Japanese army headquarters was moved here by Lieutenant General Kenkichi Ueda from the Tiantongan intersection.The former, he thought, was too close to the Chinese defense line, at the boundary of the Chinese artillery range, and was in danger of being shelled, so he moved to the Huangpu River in the hinterland of the lease, and it was safer to have warships escorting the docks and ports.

Going down the Wusong River and passing the Broadway Building is the Waibaidu Bridge. The fleet docked here, and soldiers with live ammunition got out of the civilian boats and rushed ashore. None of the gunboats.This may also be the self-confidence that foreigners have cultivated for a hundred years. In their eyes, the Chinese would never dare to fight against them without declaring war.

However, they miscalculated this time. Li Zejun, the commander of the 57th Division, led his troops to the bank of the Waibaidu Bridge. He stood by the Waibaidu Bridge and shivered when the night wind blew. To the east is the Huangpu River, where the Japanese Army Command is located. .

There was silence inside and outside Hongkou Port, as did Lieutenant General Kenkichi Ueda's temporary headquarters. Only a few soldiers were guarding with guns, but the level of security was far less than that at the intersection of Tiantong'an.