Beiyang reactionaries

Zhang Liancai comforted Chen Heng.

Zhang Liancai is the core of the "royalist" among Chen Heng's staff, just as Hu Egong who went to Duan Xun's place is the core of the "reversal of the emperor".Among Chen Heng's staff, there was a clear distinction between the "royalist faction" and the "reverse emperor faction", and the relationship between the two parties has not been good.Zhang Liancai doesn't like Duan Xun because Duan Xun always embarrasses Chen Heng.

But in terms of trust, Zhang Liancai trusts Duan Xun more.

Because Duan Xun is Duan Qirui's nephew and son-in-law.It is impossible for Duan Qirui to betray the Beiyang Army if anyone betrays the Beiyang Army.Even if Duan Qirui was dissatisfied with Yuan Shikai being emperor, he could not openly confront Yuan Shikai.As long as Duan Qirui is not like this, then Duan Xun will be like this too.Now Duan Xun is guarding Luzhou, an important place, so Duan Xun is more trustworthy.

In comparison, Zhang Liancai doesn't believe in Zhong Tidao.

"Yes, my lord."

Feng Zhongshu, the staff member of the "royalist" next to him, answered the conversation and said to Chen Heng: "My lord, it has long been reported that Zhong Tidao has frequent contacts with Zhang Lan and Luo Lun. Who is Zhang Lan? The guards in northern and eastern Sichuan The frequent activities of the national army have a lot to do with Zhong Tidao's connivance. If Zhong Tidao is really allowed to come to Chengdu, once he responds to the national defense army in Chengdu, what will we do then?"

"Yes, my lord. Zhong Ti said that this person cannot be recruited in Chengdu."

Chen Heng closed his eyes.

Chen Heng was very angry with Duan Xun, but he really looked down on Zhong Tidao and despised Zhong Tidao.Even if this kind of vacillating person can escape the catastrophe for a while, this kind of person will never become a climate.

It is beautiful to want to swing between the Beiyang Army and the National Defense Army.

If you are truly courageous, you will definitely enter Chengdu.After arriving in Chengdu, with the support of Chen Heng, whether it is supporting the Beiyang Army or defecting to the National Defense Army, great things can be accomplished.Maybe it will become an important and powerful faction in Sichuan in a short period of time.

It's a pity that he is just a short-sighted idiot.

In the future, regardless of whether it was the victory of the Beiyang Army or the National Defense Army, people like Zhong Tidao would be the first to be dealt with.

"It means to Duan Xun, the supplies he wants?"

Chen Heng couldn't swallow this breath.

Zhang Liancai comforted: "My lord, as long as the emperor survives this crisis, there will always be a chance to deal with Duan Xun. Now it is only because of the war that Duan Xun is so arrogant."

"Hey--"

Chen Heng sighed.

Since Duan Xun came to Sichuan, he has taken away a large number of weapons and ammunition from Chen Heng.I have these materials, but not unlimited.But being taken away by Duan Xun like this always makes me feel uncomfortable.

So he waved his hand and said, "Mr. Zhang is solely responsible for this matter."

…………

On February 1916, 2, Cai E's First Army of the National Defense Army, which was the main force of the National Defense Army in the National Defense War, came to Xu Pengxi, which was a short distance from Naxi.

"What does opposite mean?"

Cai E came to the front line to observe Naxi's defensive position.

Cai E is a high-achieving student in the Japanese Sergeant Academy, and it has been more than ten years since he returned to China.Starting from Jiangxi in Hunan, and later in Guangxi and Yunnan, he served as an instructor of a military academy, as a principal of a military academy, and as a commander of the new army.

Also fought many battles.

Being known as a famous general in the Southwest is not in vain.

After he observed Duan Xun's troops in the defensive position in Naxi, his expression was not good.Although he only took a rough look at the Naxi defensive position, Cai E has already seen a lot.

Look at that position, especially the trenches are very standard.Moreover, there are many obstacles in front of the position, which are far from what the Southwest Army could compare with before.Especially the layout of trenches and obstacles, even the Beiyang Army is not so formal.

Now that the Chinese army is laying out defense lines, the so-called trenches are dug casually, and they don't pay much attention to them at all.Cai E saw such a defensive position for the first time in more than ten years after returning to China.

So Cai E's face was not very good-looking.

"Duan Xun's meaning is very simple. Let's go around and go to Qijiang."

Jiang Meiling forwarded Duan Xun's words to Cai E.

Cai E looked at Luo Peijin, then looked at the generals of the national defense army below, shook his head and said: "Now transfer to Qijiang, how much time will be wasted, and it will also affect the morale of our troops. Besides, compared Starting from Qijiang, Luzhou is the real strategic location, and Luzhou cannot be abandoned.”

Originally, the National Defense Army was very powerful, but after fighting for two months, the progress of the National Defense Army was not smooth.Now that Cai E has brought the main force to Luzhou, if he really switches to Qijiang, what will everyone say.

I will definitely say that I am afraid of Duan Xun, which will seriously affect the morale of the troops.The National Defense Army is inferior to the Beiyang Army in terms of weapons and equipment or combat effectiveness. The only thing worthy of praise is the morale of the National Defense Army.If morale is affected, how will the war to protect the country be fought.

And time does not allow.

Now transfer to Qijiang, another half a month and 20 days will be wasted on the road.The National Defense Movement needs to fight now, let everyone know that the National Defense Army is still fighting.What if there is no news for half a month or 20 days.The movement to defend the country is not entirely a military operation, it is a political movement.

And how can Qijiang compare with Luzhou.

Not to mention that Luzhou is the southern gate of Sichuan. Taking Luzhou can threaten Chongqing to the northwest, and to the northeast can threaten Chongqing.More importantly, the National Defense Army has no military salary now.Taking Luzhou can greatly alleviate the funding problem of the National Defense Army.

Therefore, Cai E will never give up Luzhou.

"Dinghe (Jiang Meiling), you should go see Duan Xun one last time. Tell him that our national defense army does not want to fight with him, and hopes that he can abandon the dark side and turn to the bright side. But our national defense army is not afraid of any difficulties. We must enter Luzhou .”

63 Beat Cai E down

"Cai E's ultimatum has arrived."

On February 1916, 2, Duan Xun met again with Jiang Meiling, the representative of the National Defense Army in Naxi, which was also the last negotiation between the two sides.However, the differences between the two sides are very serious, and no one will let the other.Luzhou Duan Xun will never let him out.Because it is impossible for Duan Xun to let Cai E's Yunnan army enter Sichuan.

Sichuan is Duan Xun's favorite territory.

And Luzhou is the cornucopia of Sichuan, why is Duan Xun so bullish now.It is because Duan Xun occupied Neijiang and Luzhou, and controlled Sichuan salt, the most valuable thing in Sichuan.Sichuan Salt makes more money in a year than the finances of Yunnan and Guizhou provinces.

How could Duan Xun give up such a place to the Yunnan Army.

And Cai E's attitude is also very clear.

Luzhou must go in.

To enter Sichuan, Luzhou must be in the hands of the National Defense Army.The fundamental interests of the two parties are not on the same line at all, and the negotiations have made no progress at all.Jiang Meiling finally left Luzhou with disappointment.

It also said that the last negotiation between Duan Xun and the National Defense Army completely broke down.

Duan Xun knew that he and Cai E were definitely going to fight.

Therefore, he immediately summoned the generals under his command.In fact, as early as Cai E's troops stationed in Xu Pengxi, Duan Xun's generals gathered in Naxi.Because everyone understands that a big war is about to begin.

"I didn't want to fight against the Dian army, and I didn't want to fight against Cai E. But the Dian army was aggressive, and Cai E asked me to give up Luzhou. This is unacceptable to me. Therefore, as long as Cai E dares to attack Naxi, I will prepare Fight him."

National Defense Army.

Many officers on Duan Xun's side are graduates of military academies, and many of them have been influenced by the Revolutionary Party, or they themselves are from the Revolutionary Party.Although after the Revolution of [-], the revolutionary party split into various factions, but fundamentally speaking, they all came from anti-Qing revolutionary parties.Human beings are actually very complicated, especially the human heart.You may dislike certain things intellectually, but feel close to them on the inside.It is understandable that Duan Xun's officers are close to the Revolutionary Party and the National Defense Army in their hearts.

So when Duan Xun expresses his position, he always says first, I don't want to fight against the National Defense Army.It can be regarded as comforting these officers and understanding the inner feelings of these officers.

"Master, Luzhou is our territory, how can we give it to the Yunnan Army."