lerbook Chapter 143 Taking Fuzhou
Chapter 143 Taking Fuzhou
January 23, 1925, early morning.
Military exercise field outside Fuzhou city.
Fujian Military Governor Zhou Qinian stood on the reviewing stand with a smug smile on his face.
"Gentlemen," his voice boomed through the loudspeakers, "today is a glorious moment for our Fujian Army! Three divisions, forty thousand elite troops, gathered here to demonstrate the strength of our Fujian Army!"
"We have always been serious about protecting our territory and ensuring the safety of our people. Back then, we drove out the two traitors, Zang and Yang, who rebelled against their superiors, and maintained the independence of Fujian. Now, with the Chen family rebels in the north facing a critical moment of survival, we must show the fearless heroism of the people of Fujian..."
Below the stage, troops from three divisions stood in neat rows, their military flags waving.
Zhou Qinian had no idea that what he called his "glorious moment" was about to become the darkest day of his life.
"The exercise begins!"
With a wave of his hand, Zhou Qinian ordered the three divisions to begin military exercises according to the pre-arranged plan.
Zhao Wenbin, commander of the First Division, was a close subordinate of Zhou Qinian. His troops were the best equipped, all with Japanese-style gear, and they performed the most diligently in the exercises. He Daniu, commander of the Third Division, came from a local, miscellaneous background. Although his equipment was inferior, he tried his best to keep up with the pace.
Only the Second Division behaved somewhat abnormally.
Li Mingyuan stood at the very front of the Second Division's formation, his gaze calmly fixed on Zhou Qinian on the reviewing stand.
"Commander..."
The adjutant beside him whispered, "Are we really going to make a move?"
"Make your move." Li Mingyuan's voice was soft but firm. "Zhou Qinian is inherently suspicious. He always uses us outsiders as generals and then discards us. If we don't rebel now, we'll have no chance left."
"Then...when should we make our move?"
"When the First and Third Divisions clash," Li Mingyuan said, "according to the exercise plan, the First and Third Divisions will conduct a confrontation exercise. At that time, the Second Division will suddenly turn its guns and attack the First Division."
"clear."
The exercise continues.
The First and Third Divisions began their planned combat exercise. The two sides exchanged fire on the exercise field, the air filled with the roar of artillery and billowing smoke.
Zhou Qinian watched the ceremony with great interest from the viewing platform, clapping and cheering from time to time.
Just then, Li Mingyuan suddenly raised his hand.
"Second Division, all units, listen to my command!" His voice boomed through the loudspeakers, "Target: First Division, fire!"
The entire room fell silent.
Everyone was stunned.
Zhou Qinian's smile froze: "Li Mingyuan, what are you doing?"
Li Mingyuan ignored Zhou Qinian and coldly said, "Second Division, open fire!"
Under the leadership of military-trained generals like Li Mingyuan, the well-trained soldiers of the Second Division turned their guns towards the First Division's positions and pulled the triggers.
Gunfire erupted.
The soldiers of the First Division were caught off guard and fell to the ground one after another. Zhao Wenbin panicked and shouted, "Li Mingyuan, are you fucking crazy! This is a drill! A drill!"
"What exercise?" Li Mingyuan sneered. "This is a rebellion!"
Seeing this, He Daniu, commander of the Third Division, also defected: "Third Division, all troops, listen to my command! Cooperate with the Second Division and attack the First Division!"
The soldiers of the 3rd Division also turned their guns on each other and joined the battle.
The First Division was instantly caught in a pincer attack and routed. Zhao Wenbin led his remaining troops in a hasty retreat, while Zhou Qinian watched in stunned silence from the reviewing stand.
"Li Mingyuan! He Daniu! You two traitors!" Zhou Qinian trembled with rage. "I'm going to kill you both!"
Li Mingyuan looked up at the reviewing stand, a cold smile playing on his lips: "General Zhou, times have changed. Fujian will henceforth belong to the Chen family."
"Surname Chen?" Zhou Qinian was stunned. "Which Chen?"
"Chen Zijun's Chen," Li Mingyuan said, "the young marshal of the Chen family army in Shanghai."
Zhou Qinian was struck dumb.
Chen Zijun.
Chen Zijun, who swept through Jiangsu and Zhejiang, sank the Izumo, and struck fear into the hearts of the Japanese.
"Impossible..." Zhou Qinian muttered to himself, "How could you possibly be colluding with Chen Zijun..."
"It wasn't collusion," Li Mingyuan said. "It was surrender. Marshal Chen promised that as long as I defected, he would give me the position of vice governor and concurrently serve as the commander of the Fujian Provincial Security Forces. My Second Division would be reorganized into the newly formed German-equipped division of the National Defense Army, with all the equipment, pay, and organization provided."
Zhou Qinian's face turned deathly pale.
Just then, a roaring sound came from afar.
More than a dozen half-track armored vehicles drove in from the north, their bodies painted with the insignia of Chen Jiajun.
The Fourth Division and armored battalion led by Yang Yanzhao have arrived.
Li Mingyuan ordered: "Open the north gate of Fuzhou! Welcome the Chen family army into the city!"
The north gate of Fuzhou slowly opened.
The armored vehicles drove straight in, crushed through the city gates, and entered Fuzhou City.
Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Zhou Qinian hurriedly jumped off the viewing platform and fled to the dock with his personal guards, preparing to take a boat to Xiamen.
……
Inside Fuzhou city, Chen Zijun's temporary command post has been set up.
Yang Yanzhao reported to Chen Zijun: "Young Marshal, Fuzhou City is now completely under our control. Zhou Qinian has fled to Xiamen in panic, and we are in pursuit."
Chen Zijun nodded: "Where's Li Mingyuan?"
"We've arrived," Yang Yanzhao said. "We're waiting outside for the young marshal to summon us."
"Let him in."
Li Mingyuan entered the command post and saluted Chen Zijun: "Young Marshal!"
Chen Zijun stood up and patted Li Mingyuan on the shoulder: "Commander Li, well done."
"Thank you for your guidance, Young Marshal," Li Mingyuan said. "I am willing to serve you with utmost loyalty."
"No need to be polite," Chen Zijun said. "I, Chen Zijun, keep my word. From today onwards, you are the Vice Governor of Fujian Province and concurrently the Commander of the Fujian Provincial Security Forces. Your Second Division will be reorganized into the newly formed German-equipped Fifth Division of the National Defense Army, with all equipment, pay, and organizational structure intact."
Li Mingyuan was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes: "Thank you, Young Marshal!"
"However," Chen Zijun changed the subject, "what you need to do now is to appease the people of Fuzhou. Tell the merchants and residents that the Chen family army has come, not to plunder, but to protect them."
"Understood!" Li Mingyuan said. "I'll take care of it right away."
Li Mingyuan accepted the order and left.
Chen Zijun turned to Yang Yanzhao: "Uncle Yang, Zhou Qinian has fled to Xiamen, and he won't let this go easily. He might seek support from external forces."
"Young Marshal, are you referring to Japan?" Yang Yanzhao asked.
"And Chiang Kai-shek, from Japan," Chen Zijun said. "Zhou Qinian is desperate and might turn to anyone. We need to be prepared."
"Understood," Yang Yanzhao said. "I immediately ordered the Fourth Division and the armored battalion to continue south to pursue the remnants of Zhou Qinian's forces. At the same time, I ordered the Mawei Shipyard, the Wusongkou Fortress, and the Navy to enter a state of high alert to guard against Japanese support for Xiamen from the sea."
"Okay." Chen Zijun nodded. "Also, have Mo Lanzhi closely monitor the situation in Xiamen. If Zhou Qinian really contacts the Japanese or the Chang faction, we need to prepare in advance."
"yes!"
……
Order is gradually being restored in Fuzhou.
Chen Zijun stood at the window of the temporary command post, looking out at the streets of Fuzhou.
Fuzhou is the capital of Fujian province.
Now, it has fallen into his hands.
Next up is Xiamen.
Once he takes Xiamen, the entire Fujian province will be under his control.
By then, his sphere of influence will extend from Jiangsu all the way to the Fujian coast, controlling the entire southeastern coastal area.
"Young Marshal." An intelligence officer hurried in. "Intelligence has arrived from Xiamen."
"explain."
"After Zhou Qinian fled to Xiamen, he secretly contacted the Japanese consul in Xiamen and requested Japanese military support. At the same time, Chiang Kai-shek also sent a special envoy to Xiamen to prepare for negotiations with Zhou Qinian."
Chen Zijun sneered: "I knew it."
Japan and Chiang Kai-shek.
Both of these forces were eyeing him covetously.
"Tell Yang Yanzhao," Chen Zijun said, "to speed up the pursuit. We must take Xiamen before the Japanese fleet arrives."
"yes!"