allendalepharm Chapter 244 The Status of the Five Southeast Provinces
Chapter 244 The Status of the Five Southeast Provinces
You have to choose between life and dignity!
Zhou Qiheng didn't care about his life. If he could make a due contribution to the National Revolutionary Government, he would never hesitate to give his life if it was needed.
He didn't care about dignity. If he could say that it would bring great benefits to the Northern Expeditionary Army's passage through the area, he would not hesitate to do so even if it meant losing face.
But the problem has never been related to him, Zhou Qiheng.
The hall was quiet for a few moments, then a gust of wind suddenly came from outside, making the paper windows on the corridor rustle.
Zhou Qiheng slowly raised his head, his voice somewhat hoarse.
"Young Marshal Chen, I admit it. Last time, the people I brought were... not quite appropriate."
"But the banner of the Northern Expedition can't just float in the air like this! When Premier Sun Yat-sen went north, he left his last words in Shanghai: 'Down with imperialism, unify the country.' This banner was earned by the Premier with his life, not to cover up shame. And you are the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Southeastern Army appointed by him. Are you just going to stand by and watch the people of the North continue to live in misery under the old warlord rule?"
Well, if you're talking about warlords, aside from the banner of the Southeast Front Army of the National Revolutionary Government, I am actually a warlord too.
Moreover, he was a major warlord.
I get the feeling that Representative Zhou is pointing at a monk and cursing a bald monk!
Chen Zijun glanced at him and finally nodded.
"Representative Zhou's words are more sensible than those of your Northern Expeditionary Army Commander-in-Chief. I didn't say we shouldn't carry the banner of the Northern Expedition. What I'm saying is that some people are using this banner to cover up their own dirty deeds."
He leaned back, his tone becoming calmer.
"So these six points are not aimed at the Northern Expedition, but at the corrupt officials."
"If you can hold out, then you may leave."
"If you can't hold it, don't blame me for closing the gates. Besides, I haven't blocked the route for the Northern Expedition; you can easily head north from Jiangxi, pass through Anhui, and it'll be the same!"
This time, Zhou Qiheng did not refute it.
It is the same?
Both were northern expeditions; going north was the only way.
Is it possible that they are the same?
What kind of road is Jiangxi? What kind of road is Anhui? And what kind of roads are Zhejiang and Jiangsu?
With your Chen family's excellent infrastructure, the railway you built allows you to travel from Zhejiang to Xuzhou and then north to Shandong, encircling Henan. And what about Jiangxi and Anhui? They could take you all the way to Henan in one go. Can you compare them?
He simply tugged the charter slightly toward himself; the gesture was small, but the meaning was clear.
On the other side, Wangping Street in Shanghai.
Mo Lanzhi sat in the tea room on the second floor, with two manuscripts spread out on the table.
One document is a summary of the old bank case, and the other is a publicly released draft of the articles of association with details on coastal defense and military industry removed.
The two newspaper owners across from each other looked at each other, neither of them reaching out first.
Mo Lanzhi lowered her head, adjusting the teacup lid, and slowly began to speak.
"Gentlemen, you can write about the exciting events. You can also write about how difficult the young marshal is to serve. After all, sometimes even we subordinates complain about how troublesome he is, so it's nothing."
"Don't portray spies as patriotic students, or petty scheming as public-spirited loyalty. If you go astray, I don't care if readers can understand it or not. But if the Military Intelligence Bureau can understand it, it won't be as simple as just having a chat."
A fat boss swallowed hard and forced a smile.
"Director Mo, you're being too harsh. We're all people who make a living with our pens; how dare we defend the dirty hands of the Japanese and Chang the Bald?"
Mo Lanzhi looked up and smiled.
"That's good."
"By the way, write it more clearly. So that some people won't feel guilty and try to pretend to be wronged."
In Fuzhou, there was a sudden knock on the door of the reception room.
A telegraph operator rushed in, his face tense.
"Young Marshal, urgent telegram from Guangzhou."
Shen Li took it, glanced at it, and immediately frowned.
"Quite the boast."
He handed the telegram to Chen Zijun.
Chen Zijun glanced at it, smirked, and threw the paper in front of Zhou Qiheng.
"Take a look."
Zhou Qiheng looked down and his expression immediately turned grim.
The telegram was strongly worded.
There is only one central idea.
The regulations that local warlords set up checkpoints for themselves must not be accepted, and the prestige of the Northern Expeditionary Army of the National Revolutionary Government must not be damaged.
The prestige of the Northern Expeditionary Army?
These words were written in a grand and imposing style, like a gleaming plaque.
But when Zhou Qiheng looked at it, what popped into his mind was Lu Shaoting's ashen face, the radio from the old bank, and the phrase "Move immediately upon receiving the map, and the grain price will be released simultaneously."
His fingers pressed against the edge of the telegram, turning slightly white from gripping it.
No one in the hall urged him, but the less people urged him, the more it seemed like everyone was watching to see what he would choose.
Should we continue performing this play for them, or should we come here and move ourselves away from the pit first?
After a long while, Zhou Qiheng slowly folded up the telegram.
It wasn't read aloud, nor was it placed on the table.
He simply tucked it into his sleeve and whispered something to the clerk beside him.
I won't reply to this call yet.
This statement is not very significant.
But when placed inside the house, it is by no means light.
Shen Li's eyes flickered, but he remained silent.
Chen Zijun looked at Zhou Qiheng, and after a moment, suddenly smiled.
"OK."
"Mr. Zhou, you've finally stood up for yourself today."
Zhou Qiheng gave a wry smile.
"Young Marshal Chen, I just suddenly realized something."
"If the Northern Expedition truly intends to go far, it cannot shout about saving the country while treating the areas along the way as its own granaries."
Chen Zijun nodded.
"You should send this message back to Guangzhou and let our Northern Expeditionary Army Commander-in-Chief hear it!"
Outside, the wind picked up again.
Footsteps echoed in the corridor, and the telegraph key in the telegraph room kept ringing.
The manuscripts from Shanghai are being sent to the printing plant, the security records for the Xiamen offshore area are still being issued, and the special account of the Southeast Central Bank is also increasing day by day.
The threads at sea, on land, and in the newspaper office were all intertwined.
Chen Zijun stood up, walked to the window, and looked outside.
It was already completely light.
He had his hands behind his back and spoke softly.
"The regulations are posted on the wall."
"Now, let's see who dares to tear it apart in front of the whole world."
No sooner had he finished speaking than hurried footsteps approached from behind.
A new telegram was delivered to the door.
Shen Li took a look and his eyelids twitched suddenly.
"Young Marshal."
"They didn't just call back from Guangzhou. They added another sentence."
Chen Zijun turned around.
"read."
Shen Li unfolded the paper and lowered his voice.
"If Southeast insists on adhering to the charter, the next step will be to discuss its legitimacy."
The air in the reception room seemed to suddenly tighten.
Zhou Qiheng also suddenly raised his head.
status.
These two words were finally put on the table.
Chen Zijun looked at the telegram and suddenly chuckled, a soft laugh. But there was no warmth in that laugh.
"it is good."
"They just finished talking about passing through, and now they're talking about hats."
"Then next time, let's talk about this hat: who gave it to you, what it was for, how to wear it, and what you can do with it after you put it on..."
He slammed the telegram down on the table.
A crisp sound.
Like a chess piece, it has finally landed in the center of the chessboard.