Section 2, The Rise of Winds and Clouds (2)

As soon as he lifted his eyelids, Zhang Xueliang was immediately startled by the scene outside, breaking into a cold sweat. The foot he had stepped out with was abruptly pulled back. "Young Marshal, we have arrived," said Zhang Zuo Xiang, who was accompanying him, also taken aback by Zhang Xueliang's expression. He quickly reminded him, "Young Marshal, the Chairman and the others are all waiting for us!"

Chiang Kai-shek appeared quite approachable, speaking in a Zhejiang dialect: "Hanqing, your words are too formal. From now on, we are all people of the Party and the nation, working together for the Party and the nation, so we should be more familiar with each other. Come, come, let me introduce you. This is Director Chen, Minister He, Chief of Staff Bai, Minister Kong, General Feng..." Zhang Xueliang, with some reluctance, finally managed to greet each of these high-ranking officials who held power in the National Government under Chiang's guidance, shaking hands one by one. He tried to maintain a face of honest and sincere youthfulness, knowing that for the Northeast to develop smoothly in the future, he would need to interact with these individuals and must first make a good impression.

Please

The other five also hurriedly stood up to respond, "We shall be loyal to the Young Marshal!" "Only the Young Marshal shall we follow!"

In the following two days, everything proceeded relatively smoothly. There was indeed some resistance when arresting Yang Yuting, Tang Yulin, and their associates, but all were swiftly and decisively eliminated by Wang Shuchang and others, who adhered to Zhang Xueliang's principle of "rooting out the weeds." Within a few days, the internal troubles in Northeast China were largely resolved. At the same time, the "Tiger Hall" incident greatly shocked the unstable elements within the Fengtian Army. They realized that this General Zhang was not weak and easily bullied, but someone who would truly kill. In an instant, Zhang Xueliang's prestige and the stability within the Fengtian Army significantly increased.

Has the mastermind behind this assassination attempt been identified?

Zhang Xueliang sat alone at the table, nervously smoking a cigarette, staring at a standing pendulum clock in the hall, the time pointing to six o'clock. He glanced again at the back hall of the Tiger Hall, seeing nothing unusual, and couldn't help but exclaim: Tan Hai and Liu Duoquan really handle this matter with professionalism.

Zhang Xueliang did not look back, his voice slightly trembling: "Carry the body out and clean up!" After all, no one can remain calm after personally ordering a murder for the first time, especially when it occurs in their own home.

When Liu Duoquan arrived at the scene, the guard regiment had already taken control of several streets, and Zhang Xueliang had been sent to the hospital. Eleven corpses lay scattered across the scene, with four others severely injured but still breathing. Liu Duoquan noticed that although the assassins used Japanese firearms and swords, they were all dressed like common people from Northeast China. The guards searched the bodies inside and out, even stripping them of their clothes, but found no valuable clues. With nothing to show for his efforts, Liu Duoquan had no choice but to take the bodies and the captives back. After being harshly reprimanded by Zhang Zuoxiang, Liu Duoquan vented all his frustration on the remaining four survivors. After giving them a severe beating, he was surprised to find that they remained tight-lipped. Furious, Liu Duoquan resorted to both traditional and modern torture methods. He first ordered the guards to strike the four men violently in the chest with the rifle butts, then covered their faces with burlap and splashed water on them. When the four were on the verge of suffocation, he would tear off the wet cloth to let them breathe, only to repeat the process. As they were tortured to the brink of exhaustion, Liu Duoquan had them illuminated with high-powered lights to prevent them from sleeping. After a day and a night of this, one of the more severely injured men died from the torture, while another finally broke down and began to confess, but spoke entirely in Japanese. Liu Duoquan immediately summoned a staff officer who understood Japanese to translate on the spot, and through a halting and fragmented exchange, they finally grasped the background of this group of assassins.

Amidst thunderous applause from the audience, Zhang Qun, the special envoy from Nanjing, and others announced the appointment by the Nanjing Central Government, appointing Zhang Xueliang as the Governor-General of the four northeastern provinces and concurrently as the Commander-in-Chief of the Northeast Frontier Army of the National Revolutionary Army of China, granting him full authority over the military and political powers in the Northeast.

Lüshun, in a conference hall of the Kwantung Army Headquarters

As Maruyama, half elated at the prospect of success, suddenly discovered in anger that he and his subordinates were out of ammunition, he cursed the stingy Kwantung Army officers, shouting: "Bastards! These damned pigs! Success or failure hinges on this one move! Those who advance will be rewarded with thirty taels of gold, and those who kill Zhang Xueliang will receive one hundred taels of gold!"

At that moment, Maruyama, who was hiding to the side, witnessed the bundle of grenades blow away all of Zhang Xueliang's security team. Overcome with joy, he immediately led his team to fire fiercely at Zhang Xueliang's vehicle. Unexpectedly, Zhang Xueliang's two bodyguards reacted quickly and shot accurately, engaging in a fierce exchange of gunfire with Maruyama and his men. Moreover, they managed to injure several of Maruyama's subordinates. The precise and intense marksmanship of the two bodyguards momentarily prevented Maruyama and his significantly larger group from closing in.

Yang Yuting was taken aback, drenched in sweat, "Young Marshal, I..."

"Banshō-kun, I believe he should be eliminated just like his father! This aligns with the interests of the Empire in Manchuria!" Toihara said with a fierce glint in his eyes

Aisin Gioro Xiqia, are you still dreaming of your 'Great Qing Empire'? In your efforts to restore it, you have repeatedly colluded with the Japanese, even going to great lengths to bring Puyi, that last emperor of the Qing, back into the fray. Your ambitions are truly grand!

"Alright, Fang Du, I won't scold you anymore. I suppose you've already been reprimanded quite a bit by Old Zhang. Learn from this lesson and strengthen your defenses in the future. Don't let me suffer another assassination attempt; I only have one life." Zhang Xueliang said languidly, leaning against the headboard with irritation.

It was only from the documents of the Kwantung Army seized by the Northeast Army later that Zhang Xueliang learned that this assassination operation was entirely carried out by a small group of Japanese ruffians in Northeast China, with the guidance and support of a few officers from the Kwantung Army. Although the scale was not large, it still left General Zhang feeling alarmed and fearful.

In fact, Zhang Zuoxiang's concerns were somewhat excessive. Zhang Xueliang only sustained a minor gunshot wound, and after the bullet was removed, the wound was disinfected, bandaged, and there was nothing serious about it. The only significant issue was the poison that had been infused into the bullet, which partially permeated his bloodstream. However, since Zhang Xueliang was promptly sent to the hospital within twenty minutes of being poisoned, the situation was not very severe, and he only required a few days of treatment to recover. As for why Zhang Xueliang was in a "coma" for more than a day in the hospital, it was largely because he had been so busy that he rarely had a chance to rest properly, and thus he slept comfortably in the hospital bed and did not want to wake up.

As long as it benefits the country and the people, Xue Liang will never be ambiguous

Thirty hours after the assassination attempt had passed, Zhang Xueliang finally opened his eyes comfortably while yawning.

Looking at the heavily armed soldiers and the more than ten dark muzzles, Yang Yuting, Chang Yinhui, and others knew that escape from death was impossible, leaving them speechless and despondent. Only the cunning Tang Yulin had not yet given up; he sensed something was amiss when he arrived today. Years of scheming had cultivated his shrewd character. Before coming, he had secretly strapped a special small pistol to his calf inside his pants, and when he was disarmed at the general's residence, he only handed over another sidearm from his waist. At this moment, he quietly gathered his strength, his hand slowly reaching down to his calf to draw out the small pistol. He knew that there was only one chance for survival, which was to hold Zhang Xueliang hostage. With this thought in mind, he gritted his teeth and, like lightning, swung the pistol towards Zhang Xueliang's back.

Baga! Seeing that his subordinates were unable to approach Zhang Xueliang's car, he realized that with every passing minute, the enemy's reinforcements would draw closer, increasing the likelihood of losing the five hundred taels of gold. In a moment of desperation, Maruyama ordered his men to shoot at the car's fuel tank

On the way back home, while still lamenting the rather desolate figure of Xiong Fei, Zhang Xueliang encountered the first assassination attempt against him.

"Not bad! Last time, I showed him the agreement for the development of Manchuria that was drafted by the Commander-in-Chief and others. He immediately discerned our intentions, and not only did he refuse to accept it, but he also claimed that these few sheets of paper were only fit for him to wipe his butt with, completely disregarding the Commander-in-Chief, the Kwantung Army, and even Japan itself. His attitude was extremely arrogant and overbearing!" Toihara gritted his teeth and said.

Chang Yinhui's face instantly turned ashen, and he collapsed into the chair

"Young Marshal! What shall we do? The Kwantung Army is being excessively oppressive!" Liu Duoquan exclaimed indignantly

Then you should be careful. The two expressed their concern uneasily and, feeling anxious, frequently looked back as they led the children to the back room

"Young Marshal, you were attacked; this is a serious dereliction of duty on my part. Please punish me, Young Marshal!" Liu Duoquan pleaded for forgiveness.

Zhang Xueliang looked disdainfully at the group of people sprawled on the ground before him, "I will definitely treat your families well, you can rest assured of that!" Turning his back, he waved his hand, and Liu Duoquan, Tan Haigao, and Ji Yi, who had received the order, rushed out with ten fully armed guards to surround the six individuals.

On the morning of October 10, at 9:00 AM, the Northeast Change of Flag Ceremony was officially held at the Northeast Military and Political Conference Hall in Shenyang. A special delegation led by Zhang Qun, Wu Tiecheng, Li Shizeng, and Fang Benren from Nanjing, along with senior military and political leaders from the four northeastern provinces, representatives from various social circles, and thousands of journalists from both domestic and foreign media, gathered to witness the event. Zhang Xueliang, dressed in a formal Zhongshan suit, ascended the platform, facing the portrait of Premier Sun Yat-sen, and solemnly took an oath under the supervision of Fang Benren and Liu Guang (broadcast live nationwide): "We shall uphold the late Marshal's aspirations, strive for unification, and implement peace. As of this day, we announce our adherence to the Three Principles of the People, obedience to the National Government, and the change of the flag. We earnestly pray that all gentlemen will not forget the distant past, and grant us enlightenment in due time. We fervently hope to strive unceasingly for the construction of a prosperous and strong China." Zhang Xueliang, dressed in a formal Zhongshan suit, ascended the platform, facing the portrait of Premier Sun Yat-sen, and solemnly took an oath under the supervision of Fang Benren and Liu Guang (broadcast live nationwide): "We shall uphold the late Marshal's aspirations, strive for unification, and implement peace. As of this day, we announce our adherence to the Three Principles of the People, obedience to the National Government, and the change of the flag. We earnestly pray that all gentlemen will not forget the distant past, and grant us enlightenment in due time. We fervently hope to strive unceasingly for the construction of a prosperous and strong China."

"Alright, now that everyone is here," Zhang Xueliang, who had remained silent, stood up, raised his glass, and addressed the six seated individuals, "Today, I invite you all primarily because each of you has been unwaveringly loyal under the leadership of the old marshal. You have dedicated yourselves tirelessly to the old marshal and contributed countless achievements to the foundation of the Northeast provinces, even saving the old marshal's life at times. These contributions will always be remembered by me. I would like to toast to all of you first!" With that, he drank it all in one go.

In addition to the two ladies, apart from the elderly Madame Lu and Madame Shou, who managed the household, several widows of Zhang Zuolin gradually arrived at the hospital to visit Zhang Xueliang. Zhang Xueliang's half-siblings from the vicinity of Shenyang also hurried to the hospital. Zhang Xueliang, in a "weak" state, instructed his siblings: "I am fine, do not let this affect your work and studies, everyone must take care of yourselves." Seeing Zhang Xueliang's "sickly appearance" and hearing their elder brother's concerned words, all the siblings felt a deep pang of sorrow and were reluctant to leave for a long time. Zhang Xueliang, in a "weak" state, instructed his siblings: "I am fine, do not let this affect your work and studies, everyone must take care of yourselves." Seeing Zhang Xueliang's "sickly appearance" and hearing their elder brother's concerned words, all the siblings felt a deep pang of sorrow and were reluctant to leave for a long time.

Come! Come! Come! Let us raise a glass to General Zhang Hanqing, who has made immortal contributions to national unity under the leadership of the Central Government! Under the high spirits of Chairman Jiang, everyone raised their glasses to Zhang Xueliang. At the banquet, Zhang Xueliang experienced for the first time the feeling of being the center of attention, standing out like a crane among chickens. Everyone rushed to shake hands with him, clink glasses, offering blessings, compliments, flowers, and fine wine, leaving Zhang Xueliang overwhelmed. Even the two ladies were surrounded by people who, unable to approach the Young Marshal, changed their targets. This social event caused Zhang Xueliang immense discomfort; wherever he went, he was surrounded by crowds, constantly toasting and drinking, unable to escape even to the restroom. Afterward, nearly forced to wet his pants, Zhang Xueliang gritted his teeth and vowed never to participate in such life-threatening social occasions again

On the evening of September 9, the Zhang family, both large and small, had already finished their dinner. However, they noticed that Zhang Xueliang had set up another banquet in the side hall, the Tiger Hall, and the number of guards in the house had suddenly increased significantly. This surprised several aunts as well as Yu Fengzhi and Gu Ruiyu. "Hanqing, is something about to happen? This..." Yu Fengzhi and Gu Ruiyu approached, feeling somewhat uneasy.

Zhang Xueliang remained silent, and no one else dared to speak. For a moment, the atmosphere at the table was filled with an awkward silence.

The next morning, Zhang Xueliang, still feeling a bit dizzy from the previous night's drinking, was invited by the energetic Chiang Kai-shek to pay respects at the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. On the small path surrounded by beautiful mountains and waters, Zhang Xueliang and Chiang Kai-shek walked in front, while all the prominent figures of the National Government obediently followed behind. Chiang Kai-shek affectionately placed his hand on Zhang Xueliang's shoulder and, amidst the increasingly admiring gazes of the crowd towards Zhang Xueliang, emotionally declared: "We are brothers; from now on, we shall share both hardships and joys, without distinction. Starting today, my guard will be your guard." Zhang Xueliang wore a face of "gratitude," wishing he could shed a few tears to reassure Chiang Kai-shek further, but no tears would come, leaving him to walk along with a bitter expression.

Young Marshal! Everything has been resolved," Gao Jiyi stepped forward and reported in a deep voice

In a flurry, Zhang Xueliang hurriedly jogged through a narrow passageway cleared by numerous military and police personnel, accompanied by dozens of representatives from Northeast China. While frequently waving to the enthusiastic citizens of Nanjing on both sides, he "rushed" to the front of the highest authorities. Grasping the hand that held the highest power in all of China, Zhang Xueliang held on tightly, his face filled with sincere trepidation as he said: "I am truly anxious and unsettled to have the committee chair and esteemed officials personally welcome me!"

Subsequently, Zhang Zuoxiang arrived at the hospital, first ordering Wang Yizhe to mobilize an elite regiment to enter the city to protect the hospital and the General's residence. He then commanded the dispatch of the best doctors, medical equipment, and medications, emphasizing that no effort should be spared to save the Young General's life

Issue a command! Order Wang Yizhe to immediately take control of Zhang Haipeng's personal guard at Zhishan. Order Wang Shuchang and Xue Zhong's troops to immediately proceed to Rehe to disarm Tang Yulin's 12th Army and stabilize the situation in Rehe, arresting Tang Yulin's family members; order Su Bingwen and Ma Zhanshan's troops to take control of Yang Yuting and Chang Yinhua's armed forces and arrest Yang Chang's accomplices

The guards opened fire in unison, shooting down the remaining five individuals, and blood immediately splattered across the Tiger Hall. Tan Hai, fearing that some among them might survive by chance, went on to shoot each one in the heart again.

"Young Marshal, this is unjust!" Zhang Haipeng exclaimed

is not

This is not difficult to analyze; it is because the high-ranking officials of the Kwantung Army did not agree to assassinate me. This matter should have been planned by a faction of mid- to lower-ranking officers within the Kwantung Army. However, they were not in a position to act directly, so they resorted to heavily bribing a group of ronin to deal with me. The weapons and ammunition of the Kwantung Army are uniformly managed under a system, and without the approval of higher-ups, the weapons available for their assassination attempts would naturally be limited.

The three exchanged puzzled glances and sat down anxiously

Chiang Kai-shek smiled and said to Zhang Xueliang, who was sitting beside him and completely immersed in the grand atmosphere of the scene, "Hanqing, the enthusiasm of the Nanjing people welcoming you is truly comparable to a bright sunny day in June!"

Yes, yes, yes! I am very clear on this point; Chairman Tang indeed has no intention of rebellion, but your crimes are not insignificant! As the saying goes, when one person achieves success, even the chickens and dogs rise to prominence. Chairman Tang, because of your past loyalty to the old marshal, you have indeed earned some merit, and the old marshal granted you the governance of this land of Rehe. The provincial governor and the corps commander are both under your command. Over the years you have managed Rehe, the instances of embezzlement and bribery are numerous; not only that, but you have also arranged for your relatives and friends to occupy important positions. Your eldest son, Tang Zuo Rong, has become the director of the Provincial Anti-Smoking Bureau, ostensibly to combat smoking, but in reality, he is involved in drug trafficking and smuggling for profit; your second son, Tang Zuo Fu, is the director of the Provincial Finance Department; your third brother, Tang Yu Shan, serves as the commander of the 58th Corps; your fourth brother, Tang Yu Ge, is the commander of the artillery regiment; your fifth brother, Tang Yu Shu, is the commander of the cavalry regiment; your nephew, Tang Bao Fu, is the commander of the engineering battalion; and your brother-in-law, Xia Wei Shi, is the commander of the logistics battalion. These individuals, relying on your influence, collude with each other, engage in corrupt practices, and exploit the common people of Rehe. The people of Rehe are filled with grievances against your family, referring to you as 'Tiger Tang'!

Chairman Chang, you are becoming bolder! Colluding with Yang Yuting, you hold a high-ranking position yet repeatedly exploit your power for personal gain, embezzling public funds for railway construction, and cultivating personal influence in Heilongjiang. You have been extensively organizing a forest defense force of twenty battalions, receiving a large amount of weaponry and equipment from Yang Yuting, who oversees the factories in Shenyang. Chairman Chang, are you planning to turn Heilongjiang into your independent 'Chang Family Nation', or are you directly intending to rebel?

"Not at all!" Yang Yuting, filled with uncertainty, quickly stood up to respond, "The old general has shown us immense kindness, and we have all been promoted by him. As the saying goes, the gratitude for being recognized is hard to repay in a lifetime. Therefore, we must wholeheartedly serve the old general. Now that the old general is no longer with us, we naturally must continue to be loyal to the young general!"

"For the interests of the Greater Japanese Empire, I would not hesitate to shatter my bones!" Tohohara exclaimed loudly

As soon as the grenade exploded, Tan Hai, sitting next to Zhang Xueliang, reacted swiftly and immediately pressed Zhang Xueliang's head down (who was already stunned). At the same time, he drew his pistol, cocked it, and without waiting for the vehicle to come to a stop, opened the door and rolled out onto the ground. Another bodyguard, Long Yunfeng, the deputy commander of the guard regiment, also darted out of the car like a mouse, using the car door for cover. Together with Tan Hai, the two of them fired four pistols towards the direction of the assassin. The assassin who had thrown the grenade, lost in the joy of hitting his target, forgot to conceal himself in time and was the first to be hit and fell to the ground. Another bodyguard, Long Yunfeng, the deputy commander of the guard regiment, also darted out of the car like a mouse, using the car door for cover. Together with Tan Hai, the two of them fired four pistols towards the direction of the assassin. The assassin who had thrown the grenade, lost in the joy of hitting his target, forgot to conceal himself in time and was the first to be hit and fell to the ground.

The assassin mastermind Maruyama Yoshimoto was a ronin who, while wandering in Tokyo, was taken in and sent to the Northeast to participate in the "Colonization Corps." Having grown accustomed to the life of a samurai, he naturally found this monotonous existence unbearable. Until the day before yesterday, a colonel from the Kwantung Army approached him, assigning him the task of "assassinating Zhang Xueliang" and promising a reward of five hundred taels of gold upon successful completion. Naturally, Maruyama was overjoyed at the prospect and, after receiving a deposit of one hundred taels of gold, he immediately gathered a dozen or so ronin to plan together. This assassination plan was merely a secret initiative among a few mid-level officers within the Kwantung Army. They privately believed that to maintain the interests of the Greater Japanese Empire in Manchuria, it was necessary to eliminate Zhang Xueliang just as they had Zhang Zuolin. However, due to military orders, they could not act directly and thus had to covertly "entrust" someone like Maruyama. Because this was an act of deception from above and below, the weapons provided to Maruyama were pitifully few, consisting only of a few grenades and several handguns.

After the appointment was completed, Zhang Xueliang delivered his inaugural speech, which was nothing more than some platitudes about loyalty to the country and serving the party and the people. Following the speech, a press conference was held where he answered questions from both domestic and foreign journalists regarding the Northeast change of allegiance incident. Everything went quite smoothly, except for a few Japanese reporters who repeatedly posed tricky and harsh questions, clearly intent on causing trouble. Zhang Xueliang felt extremely nauseated by these pesky Japanese reporters, and eventually chose to ignore them completely, allowing them to remain silent under the gaze of others who found them uninteresting and contemptible. Everything was generally smooth, but the only thing that disturbed Zhang Xueliang's mood was these few Japanese reporters who kept asking difficult questions, clearly just being troublesome. Looking at these pesky Japanese reporters made Zhang Xueliang feel very disgusted, and later he simply pretended not to see them, completely ignoring them, which left these Japanese reporters to maintain their silence in a self-conscious manner under the disdainful eyes of the crowd.

We currently have no means to demand an explanation from the Kwantung Army, as they have already prepared an escape route. There is not a single piece of evidence on the dead ronin that links them to the Kwantung Army. Moreover, if news of your severe interrogations gets out, the Kwantung Army might retaliate by accusing you of persecuting Japanese expatriates. For now, we must endure in silence; let us publicly attribute this incident to the remnants of Tang Yulin and his faction. As for the capture of those assassins, whether dead or alive, ensure that you handle it discreetly.

Soon, after the cautiously entering Xi Qia, who exuded the air of a decayed Confucian scholar from the Qing Dynasty, was also invited by Zhang Xueliang to take a seat

With the sound of a car horn, Yang Yuting's special vehicle finally arrived. "Ah, Young Marshal, why didn't you invite more people? It wouldn't be lively with so few guests," Chang Yinhua said, laughing loudly as if he were at home. "Oh, Zhang Zhenjie, Yu Zhenjie, Chairman Tang, and Vice Governor Xi are all here!" After entering the hall, Yang Yuting was pleasantly surprised to see Zhang Haipeng and others, and they all greeted each other.

Feng Zhi and Rui Yu, take good care of the aunts and children; there is no need to worry about anything else

The cunning Maruyama, upon hearing the gunfire, immediately abandoned his subordinate who was still struggling for life and prepared to make a hasty escape. He was an experienced hand and understood very well that if the opposing forces arrived in full force, this operation would be a complete failure. As a greedy samurai ronin, Maruyama did not possess the spirit of bushido that dictated "failure means seppuku"; he valued his own life more. However, fate seemed determined to seal his doom. In his panic, he inadvertently plunged into the blockade set up by Zhang Xueliang's guard regiment. Knowing that falling into the hands of the enemy would mean a fate worse than death (after all, he was attempting to assassinate their highest leader), Maruyama tried to "fight his way out". But as he raised his knife, he was immediately riddled with bullets.

These few words were no less than a few bullets whizzing past Zhang Xueliang's ears. He stared in astonishment as Gu Ruiyu, with a gentle smile full of infinite longing and lightly biting her red lips, left his hospital room like a beautiful peacock. One could infer that this was the result of the joy they once shared together in the office. Poor Zhang Xueliang had yet to recover from the shock of soon becoming a father (even though it was "not through his own body" that she became pregnant), when Liu Duoquan's distressed face appeared before him.

After I was injured and admitted to the hospital, the number of dignitaries coming to visit me was countless, like fish crossing a river. Of course, they were all blocked outside by Tan Hai, and many went directly to the General's residence to see Madam Shou. Let’s not discuss the internal matters of Northeast China for now; speaking of the far-off, this incident even stirred up Nanjing. Old Jiang immediately sent a telegram to express his condolences, and several bigwigs from the Central government, such as Chen Cheng, He Yingqin, Li Zongren, Yan Xishan, Han Fuqu, and so on, also sent their condolences (all to win me over). I am not interested in those pieces of paper, but the generous gifts they sent along with them truly excited me! In just these past three days, the total value of the gifts and consolation money I received has amounted to at least four to five million silver dollars, hahahaha, I have struck it rich!

"Are you certain that it was the mastermind behind the Kwantung Army?" Although this outcome was not unexpected for Zhang Xueliang, it is still necessary to confirm.

Thank you, General Xie! Liu Duoquan is truly a bit moved to the point of being utterly impressed.

As for Chairman Tang! Zhang Xueliang called out, and before Zhang Xueliang could speak, Tang Yulin immediately protested loudly: "Young Marshal, please see clearly! I have never had any intention of rebellion!"

The text provided does not contain any translatable content.

"Ah, Fangdu, don't look so glum. In fact, my injury from the assassination attempt isn't entirely a bad thing!" Zhang Xueliang suddenly said with a smile, which left Liu Duoquan utterly perplexed.

From this series of events, it is evident that Zhang Xueliang is not a young man lacking in intellect. On the contrary, judging by his decisive and ruthless style of action, this individual harbors a strong sense of revenge and is determined to inherit his father's legacy to continue the fight against the Kwantung Army. " Sakaguchi Seishiro said slowly

Inspired by this, Chang Yinhui, Zhang Haipeng, and others all rushed to the ground, pleading, "Young Marshal, have mercy! For the sake of the old marshal, please show mercy!"

Zhang Xueliang, whose nerves were nearly short-circuited, came to his senses and hurriedly disembarked from the plane. Today, he finally understood what it meant to be amidst a sea of people. Surrounding the airport was an endless crowd of no less than 100,000 citizens from Nanjing, with the sounds of firecrackers and drums filling the air. The enthusiastic welcoming crowd held up countless banners that dazzled Zhang Xueliang's eyes, proclaiming "Warmly Welcoming General Zhang!" and "Welcome General Zhang to Nanjing!" Each banner was strikingly visible, accompanied by the thunderous cheers of the crowd. All of this left Zhang Xueliang both flattered and astonished. Most astonishing of all was that Chiang Kai-shek himself, along with a group of high-ranking officials from the National Government, was personally waiting at the airport entrance to greet him.

On the way, after the three met, they decided to share the same vehicle. Tang Yulin, feeling somewhat suspicious, asked Zhang Yu and the others, "Why did Xiao Liuzi suddenly invite us to a banquet out of the blue? I wonder what his intentions are?" Zhang Haipeng, with a face full of freckles, laughed heartily and said, "The old marshal is no longer around, and now Xiao Liuzi is up to something with his 'changing allegiance' to stabilize the hearts of the people in Northeast China. He still wants to maintain his position as the young marshal, so how could he not rely on us? Therefore, he certainly has to show us a good face to win us over, ha ha ha..."

Where is this? This is the support of the people for the central government's maintenance of unity

As the three men chatted and laughed, they arrived at the entrance of the General's residence, where a smiling guard came forward to greet them: "Welcome, Generals! Please come this way!" Just as the three stepped into the courtyard of the residence, the guard suddenly changed his demeanor and said: "It is not appropriate to carry firearms inside the residence, so I kindly ask the three Generals to surrender your sidearms. They will naturally be returned after the banquet concludes." Tang Yulin, Zhang Haipeng, and Zhi Shan were taken aback, but with no other options, they reluctantly handed over their sidearms. The guard suddenly changed his demeanor and said: "It is not appropriate to carry firearms inside the residence, so I kindly ask the three Generals to surrender your sidearms. They will naturally be returned after the banquet concludes." Tang Yulin, Zhang Haipeng, and Zhi Shan were taken aback, but with no other options, they reluctantly handed over their sidearms.

At this moment, Yang Yuting, realizing the situation, felt an overwhelming sense of regret. He finally understood that this banquet was nothing less than a genuine "Hongmen Banquet." The Zhang Shaoshuai before him was no longer the "Little Liuzi" he had once underestimated. Seeing Zhang Xueliang exuding a murderous aura, Yang Yuting felt a chill in his heart, and it seemed that tonight would be fraught with uncertainty regarding life and death. However, he was still unwilling to give up.

At this moment, Zhang Xueliang, who was obviously pacing back and forth in agitation, was filled with indignation in his heart. Those arrogant little Japanese! How detestable they are! Looking at Xiong Fei's aggrieved expression, Zhang Xueliang deeply felt the pent-up frustration shared by him and the other police officers. To be honest, Zhang Xueliang wished he could summon the 17th Division from outside the city to come in and "maintain order," and deal with the troublemaking Japanese directly with a gunshot. However, doing so would undoubtedly trigger the "September 18 Incident" prematurely, and the currently incomplete Fengtian Army would be unable to withstand the attack of the Japanese divisions. Sigh! We still have to endure! Zhang Xueliang sighed and said, "Tell the brothers to endure for a few more months. We should try to downplay the provocations from the Japanese as much as possible. If any brothers or civilians get injured, I will provide additional compensation as a remedy."

As for you two, General Zhang and General Zhang, " Zhang Xueliang said slowly, "you have not done any less in terms of using power for personal gain. These matters can be set aside, but what is most despicable is that as Chinese, you actually collude with the Japanese! Zhang Haipeng! You conspired with the Japanese to send your bandit nephew to rampage everywhere under the guise of the Northeast Reclamation Army, robbing civilians and undermining the unity of the Northeast military and civilian population. Furthermore, as instructed by the Japanese, you colluded with the Mongolian princes to hoard wasteland and refuse to sell it to the Reclamation Army. Am I not speaking the truth?" You conspired with the Japanese to send your bandit nephew to rampage everywhere under the guise of the Northeast Reclamation Army, robbing civilians and undermining the unity of the Northeast military and civilian population. Furthermore, as instructed by the Japanese, you colluded with the Mongolian princes to hoard wasteland and refuse to sell it to the Reclamation Army. Am I not speaking the truth?

Upon learning this news that night, Zhang Zuoxiang was greatly astonished. He quickly rushed to the Shenyang Military Affairs Supervisory Office, where he severely reprimanded Liu Duoquan. During the reprimand, he even smashed a teacup, leaving Liu Duoquan terrified and speechless. Aware of his dereliction of duty, Liu Duoquan, after enduring Zhang Zuoxiang's stormy outburst, hurriedly requested punishment. Zhang Zuoxiang snorted, "If anything were to happen to the Young Marshal, I would seek you out even if you didn't come to find me! Now, I am giving you an opportunity to redeem yourself. Go and thoroughly investigate the identities of those assassins!" Liu Duoquan, as if granted a pardon, quickly set off to carry out the task.

Sigh, Young Marshal, we are truly suffering from indignities! The Japanese are so arrogant; it is clear that they are deliberately provoking and bullying our common people. Yet, we, the police, can only watch helplessly and cannot take any action against them. The Japanese would love for us to retaliate, as it would give them an excuse to escalate the situation. We can only swallow our anger and bow low, even having to apologize to the Japanese. If we cannot protect the common people, how can we justify the responsibilities on our shoulders!" Xiong Fei sighed, "Young Marshal, what are we supposed to do?"

On October 15, after successfully completing his trip to Nanjing, Zhang Xueliang boarded a plane back to Northeast China, personally sent off by Chiang Kai-shek. Gazing at the vast blue sky he had seen once again, Zhang Xueliang was filled with ambition and enthusiasm—he could finally unleash his potential and work vigorously!

Having resolved internal issues, Zhang Xueliang began to address a multitude of matters. By the end of August, the Northeast Navy Command was established, with Zhang Xueliang appointed as the Commander of the Northeast Navy. On September 10, he concurrently took on the roles of Honorary President of Northeast University and Chairman of the Harbin Institute of Technology Council. On September 22, he assumed the position of Commander of the Northeast Air Force. Before he could catch his breath, the situation in Shenyang and the Northeast became increasingly urgent, primarily due to the arrogant Japanese. According to a report from Xiong Fei, the Director of the Shenyang Police Bureau, as of the 15th, there had been 37 significant incidents involving Japanese expatriates, Japanese rogues, and even soldiers from the Kwantung Army causing disturbances in Shenyang. Including reports from other areas, and accounting for minor skirmishes, it is estimated that there have been over a thousand incidents of Japanese provocations. Whenever the Japanese caused trouble, the Northeast police would rush to handle the situation, only to be met by the Japanese gendarmerie, who arrived swiftly like wolves, and then engaged in fierce clashes with the Northeast police. It was evident that this was tacitly approved or even instigated by the Kwantung Army headquarters.

Zhang Xueliang felt as if all his strength had been drained away after a jolt in his right arm, rendering him unable to move. At the same time, a sharp pain emanating from deep within his muscles nearly caused him to cry out, disregarding his status. Just at that critical moment, Tan Hai forcefully pulled Zhang Xueliang to a recessed corner of the wall, and together with Long Yunfeng, shielded him with their bodies. Both men had sustained gunshot wounds, some light and some severe, but fortunately, none had struck vital areas. However, this had significantly reduced their combat effectiveness.

In the sky, six Soviet-made I-15 fighter planes escorted a small passenger aircraft soaring through the clouds. Zhang Xueliang sat comfortably in his seat, feeling quite at ease despite the turbulence caused by the high-altitude air currents. As he gazed at the rare and beautiful scenery of clouds swirling outside the window, he felt in high spirits. The transition in Northeast China had been successfully completed, and now Chairman Chiang Kai-shek had personally invited him to take office in Nanjing, which surely meant he would not be detained without reason. With this thought, Zhang Xueliang couldn't help but hum a tune. Observing this scene, several accompanying secretaries and the two ladies, Yu Fengzhi and Gu Ruiyu, exchanged smiles.

Liu Duoquan fell silent and agreed with Zhang Xueliang's viewpoint

Is that so?" Zhang Xueliang suddenly sat down, neither warm nor cold, and said, "What a 'loyalty without second thoughts'! Hmph!" Suddenly, his tone became severe, "Originally, the situation was very favorable, and the country was about to unify, but why is it that some people dare to commit acts that harm the nation and its people? Yang Yuting! You really have some nerve, repeatedly attempting to sabotage the North-South negotiations. On August 18, you even tried to detain the envoy from Nanjing. And you actually dared to conspire behind my back for a rebellion. In August, you made two trips to Luanzhou to contact Bai Chongxi. Are you trying to collude with him to replace me?" You really have some nerve, repeatedly attempting to sabotage the North-South negotiations. On August 18, you even tried to detain the envoy from Nanjing. And you actually dared to conspire behind my back for a rebellion. In August, you made two trips to Luanzhou to contact Bai Chongxi. Are you trying to collude with him to replace me?"

Maruyama's tactic was quite ruthless, forcing Zhang Xueliang to leave the relatively safe confines of his car, thereby exposing him to his line of fire

"There is no need for excessive formalities, Generals! Please, make yourselves comfortable!" Zhang Xueliang greeted in a nonchalant manner

Maruyama was not particularly concerned about this; as a samurai, he still preferred to use his katana to end his target's life. However, based on their reconnaissance over several days wandering the streets of Shenyang, they had learned the time and route of Zhang Xueliang's return home each night. Besides a driver and two personal aides for protection, there was also a jeep filled with soldiers following his special car. In order to eliminate Zhang Xueliang's security detail in one fell swoop, Maruyama specifically chose a ronin with exceptional strength and skill in throwing to carry out the first step of the assassination. If the first step failed, Maruyama's operation would be in vain.

Vice Governor Xi Qia has arrived, the attendant reported

Yu Zhishan was at a loss for words, with only one thought in his mind: it's over, it's over

Your Excellency the Commander-in-Chief! Tofohara exclaimed in anger, "This Zhang Xueliang is truly audacious, having killed six high-ranking officials from Northeast China in one go. Among them, Zhang Haipeng and Yu Zhishan were individuals we had expended considerable effort to win over. They were originally time bombs buried within Zhang Xueliang's group, and now they have been eliminated by him all at once. Zhang Xueliang is becoming increasingly uncontrollable for the Kwantung Army."

Xiong Fei saluted with a solemn expression and walked out the door

Xi Qia was immediately drenched in sweat

After listening to the astute analysis of Honjo Shigeo, the bandits Haru Yoshinari and Sakaguchi Seijiro were both deeply impressed and said: "Haai! Commander Takami!"

Just after Feng Zhi reluctantly left with the children, Gu Ruiyu, who was also about to leave, suddenly had a blush appear on her face. After a moment of hesitation, she shyly leaned down and whispered softly in Zhang Xueliang's ear: "I am also pregnant, it's been two months already"

Liu Duoquan stared in astonishment at Zhang Xueliang, whose eyes sparkled with golden light and whose brows danced with excitement, exuding an air of "money over life" that made him look like a newly rich tycoon, leaving him momentarily speechless.

"Bandit Yuan, do not be impatient!" The speaker, who had remained as still as a meditating monk, slowly opened his eyes and said, listening to the discussions of his two capable young subordinates. "Aside from Zhang Zuolin, there is also Zhang Xueliang who continues to inherit his position to rule Manchuria. However, if we remove Zhang Xueliang, there will be no one within the Fengtian Army who can command the same respect to replace him. Those Fengtian generals holding significant military power will then compete for power, leading to internal strife. Although this would be beneficial for the Kwantung Army, outside of this region, Chiang Kai-shek's four army groups are also waiting for this moment. The National Revolutionary Army, which holds absolute military superiority, could take the opportunity to extend central authority into Manchuria. This would mean that Manchuria could fall under the rule of the Nanjing government, thereby achieving true unification of the north and south for the Nanjing National Government. All of this would be detrimental to Japan's interests in Manchuria. However, as long as Manchuria remains in opposition to the Nanjing government, we can exploit the contradictions between the two sides to expand the Empire's interests in Manchuria. This is the best course of action."

What is going on! Really!" Zhang Haipeng muttered quietly in complaint. The three entered the Tiger Hall, only to find Zhang Xueliang already waiting at the banquet, and they quickly saluted, saying: "Young Marshal!"

General Honjo Shigeru sat upright, slightly squinting his eyes. In front of him were two individuals, namely the senior staff officers of the Japanese Kwantung Army, Tojo Kenji and Sakagaki Seishiro, who were among the principal instigators of the "September 18 Incident" in history

The situation is as follows: At 6 PM, just as night fell, Zhang Xueliang's Citroën official vehicle arrived at the intersection of Changbai Street and Maluwan Street. Suddenly, a bundle of cluster grenades flew out from around the corner and was accurately thrown into the jeep occupied by Zhang Xueliang's guards. Instantly, the eight guards inside the vehicle were caught off guard, and the explosion resulted in a gruesome scene. Almost simultaneously, a series of distinctive pinging sounds from Japanese-made "Meiji 26 Type" pistols erupted, and a barrage of bullets swept in like a whirlwind, striking the vehicle and sending sparks flying, while also penetrating the left front tire of the car.

is not

A gunshot rang out, and a bullet was fired from Liu Duoquan's pistol, piercing through Tang Yulin's corpulent head. Tang Yulin fell slowly, his eyes wide open in death.

The driver suddenly jerked the steering wheel and slammed on the brakes, relying on the car's inertia and exceptional driving skills to bring the seemingly toppling vehicle to a halt

It is truly a blessing for the party and the nation that Han Qing possesses such intentions

Tang Hai and Long Yunfeng, who had just breathed a sigh of relief, turned around to see Zhang Xueliang collapsed on the ground, his face pale and a faint drool trickling from the corner of his mouth. Both were taken aback, realizing that the bullets had been poisoned. The arriving guards, upon seeing that the Young Marshal had been shot and poisoned, dared not delay any longer. They hurriedly lifted him onto a vehicle, which sped towards the nearest hospital.

Indeed, it was only under the anxious shouts of Tan Hai and Long Yunfeng that Zhang Xueliang regained his senses from the shock (he had just been thinking: this assassination incident is not recorded in history). In a flurry of activity, he managed to scramble out of the car just before it exploded. The waiting Maruyama and others fired repeatedly at Zhang Xueliang as he emerged from the vehicle. Despite the full protection provided by Tan Hai and Long Yunfeng, a bullet still whizzed past and exploded in a conspicuous spray of blood on Zhang Xueliang's arm

The aircraft swiftly arrived at Nanjing Airport. "Hanqing, we have arrived," Yu Fengzhi reminded, as Zhang Xueliang, already drowsy and disoriented from the bumpy ride, instinctively responded and unsteadily got up to exit the cabin.

Southern Jiangsu, with a clear blue sky, gentle winds, and bright sunshine

Overall, Zhang Xueliang's three-day trip to Nanjing went smoothly. Aside from the fact that Chairman Chiang was rather "unapproachable," several major factions within the Kuomintang extended olive branches to Zhang Xueliang, including the Guangxi Clique led by Li Zongren, the Shanxi Clique led by Yan Xishan, and the Shandong Clique led by Han Fuqu. Even the two major factions within the central government—Chen Cheng's civil engineering faction and He Yingqin's faction—were not shy about showing their interest in Zhang Xueliang's group. It was well known that whichever camp the powerful Northeast Army aligned with would dominate the factional struggles within the Kuomintang. In just two or three days, Zhang Xueliang and his associates received no fewer than a hundred letters and invitations, and even their two wives received a large number of valuable gifts. Meanwhile, a number of politically astute dignitaries in Nanjing were eager to visit the hotel where Zhang Xueliang was staying, significantly elevating his status. A dazzling array of titles adorned him, and associating with him meant a promising future in officialdom. Of course, the threshold for entry to Zhang Xueliang's hotel was quite high; civil officials below the rank of provincial governor or central committee member, and military officials below the rank of major general were not allowed in. Gifts were handled by his aide, Long Yunfeng. Zhang Xueliang graciously accepted all the gifts worth millions of dollars, as the Northeast's development required funding. Under the guidance of the experienced Zhang Zuoxiang, he maintained a friendly demeanor and skillfully engaged with the faction leaders, leaving them puzzled about his political inclinations, each one left in a state of confusion.

At the formal appointment meeting the next day, apart from necessary remarks, most of the formalities were handled by Zhang Zuoxiang on behalf of Zhang Xueliang. As the meeting was about to conclude, Chiang Kai-shek surprised everyone by unexpectedly becoming sworn brothers with Zhang Xueliang, leaving Zhang Xueliang bewildered. Not only that, but when Zhang Xueliang learned another piece of news, his jaw dropped again. The two ladies, Yu Fengzhi and Gu Ruiyu, who had just met and conversed with Chiang Kai-shek's wife, Soong Meiling, also became goddaughters of Soong Meiling's mother, Soong Laotai, thus becoming the female siblings of China's First Lady. This was, of course, facilitated by Chiang Kai-shek's strong advocacy. Observing the openly jealous and envious gazes of the officials from the Nanjing government, Zhang Xueliang suddenly transformed from a local military leader into a "royal relative," controlling half of the northern territory of the nation. He truly embodied the phrase "one person beneath, four hundred fifty million above," wielding immense power. Zhang Xueliang couldn't help but admire in his heart: Chiang Kai-shek's ability to reach the position of Chairman is a testament to his astute political acumen, and his methods of winning people's hearts are indeed unique and unparalleled. The leader of the Northwest Army, Feng Yuxiang, had already been recognized as his sworn brother, and now he, as the head of the Northeast Army, was also acknowledged as a sworn brother. Although he had mentally prepared himself, he was almost genuinely moved by Chiang Kai-shek's "sincerity." No wonder in history, after Zhang Xueliang executed Chiang Kai-shek's order of "non-resistance," he was so devoted to taking the blame for Chiang Kai-shek.

"Young Marshal! I have followed the Old Marshal for twenty years. Considering the years I have spent with him through wind and rain, I have also shed blood for this northeastern foundation. Please show me some leniency! I was just momentarily confused, and in the future, I will definitely remain loyal to you, Young Marshal!" Yang Yuting fell to the ground, crying out loudly.

Zhang Xueliang's words were indeed polite, yet they carried an unusual undertone. The six individuals were filled with uncertainty, especially Yang Yuting. Although he was a key figure, he was extremely superstitious, often keeping a diviner at home and consulting them for guidance in times of trouble. Before coming today, he had consulted the diviner and received the oracle: "Disorderly and chaotic, depart with your strengths." The diviner deemed the oracle ominous and advised him to be cautious. He, however, did not heed the warning. Now, reflecting on it, he couldn't help but break into a cold sweat. Could the phrase "depart with your strengths" refer to himself, Yang Yuting, and the person beside him, Chang Yinhai?

The agitated ronin, provoked by the attack, rushed forward with their katanas, shouting loudly. Tan Hai and Long Yunfeng fired repeatedly, shooting down five or six of the advancing ronin. Just as their ammunition was about to run out and they prepared to engage in hand-to-hand combat, a barrage of gunfire erupted behind Maruyama and the others. The report had reached Zhang Xueliang's guard regiment, which finally arrived at the critical moment when the Japanese ronin's katana was about to strike Zhang Xueliang. The unprepared ronin assassins behind them were hit and fell to the ground.

Tang Yulin was left speechless, as if splashed with a pot of hot soup.

Gazing at the resplendent banquet hall adorned with luxurious decorations, exquisite silver tableware, and an array of expensive delicacies, with a band playing music in the side room, Zhang Xueliang was left dumbfounded. He couldn't help but exclaim inwardly: the Kuomintang is indeed the Kuomintang, the central government is overflowing with wealth. This banquet is likely to consume over ten thousand yuan, enough for the villagers in the mountainous areas to live their entire lives. With this thought, Zhang Xueliang felt a stir in his heart, recalling the newly established Red Army of the Communist Party, which was struggling to survive in the mountain valleys. Who would have thought that those so-called 'Zhu Mao bandits,' who were once fleeing and looked down upon by the central army, would, twenty years later, contend with the National Government for dominance in the Central Plains and ultimately replace it?

This Zhang Xueliang is not simple; given time, he will undoubtedly become the greatest obstacle to our great Japan's expansion of interests in Manchuria

Upon opening her eyes, she saw two tearful faces resting by the bedside: the elegant and dignified Yu Fengzhi, and the charming and lovely Gu Ruiyu. Upon learning the dreadful news of Zhang Xueliang's assassination attempt, they nearly fainted on the spot. They then hurried to the hospital under the protection of an enhanced company of troops dispatched by Liu Duoquan. Zhang Xueliang's assassination attempt was already a serious dereliction of duty on his part; if the assassin were to target the young marshal's family, even if they succeeded in assassinating a maid from the marshal's residence, his own life would certainly be in jeopardy. Liu Duoquan, who had just incurred the wrath of the 'Northeast Regent' Zhang Zuoxiang, was acutely aware of this. Especially Gu Ruiyu, who cried all the way, as she did not wish to be separated from Zhang Xueliang right after they had reconciled. Yu Fengzhi was also in deep distress, her heart aching until they saw the sweetly sleeping Zhang Xueliang in the hospital's intensive care unit, at which point the heavy burden in their hearts was finally lifted.

"Commander, the investigation results, evidence, on-site photographs, and interrogation records have all been collected and organized here. Please take a look, Commander." As he spoke, Liu Duoquan presented the report of his tireless investigation over the past few days.

Zhang Xueliang did not respond to him, his eyes fixed intently on the pale-faced Yu Zhishan: "General Yu, on the 19th of last month, Japanese Kwantung Army staff officer Ishihara Kan'ei visited your garrison, and the next day he presented you with 300 Type 38 rifles along with a batch of grenade launchers and mortars. Could you please explain the origin of this batch of Japanese-made weapons, General Yu? Huh?" Huh?"

"Tōfuhara-kun! Are you not afraid of ending up like Kawamoto and the others by acting recklessly?" Sakagaki advised

The convoy barely arrived at the Central Party Headquarters of the Nationalist Government in Nanjing from 11 AM until just after 1 PM. The group from the Northeast was immediately accommodated in the VIP room by the reception staff of the government. Exhausted, Zhang Xueliang collapsed onto the bed and fell asleep until 6 PM, when he finally got up to attend the welcome banquet personally hosted by Chiang Kai-shek

As the highest authorities took their seats in the vehicle, the convoy moved slowly, almost at a crawling pace, towards the presidential residence on Nanjing's streets. While enjoying the imposing spectacle of police cars clearing the way and the following vehicles, Zhang Xueliang, who had just grasped the meaning of a sea of people, once again experienced what it meant for thousands to fill the streets. Due to the Nanjing government's extensive propaganda and the major newspapers' lengthy reports on the touching story of "General Zhang and the Japanese engaging in a battle of wits in the Northeast," Zhang Xueliang's image in the hearts of the people nationwide swelled immensely. Today, as Zhang Xueliang arrived in Nanjing, the entire city of Jinling almost came to a standstill, with millions of Nanjing citizens eagerly crowding the streets to catch a glimpse of the young general's charisma. Along both sides of the major streets in Nanjing, colorful flags fluttered, balloons soared, and the sea of people surged like a tide. On the streets and on the balconies of buildings, crowds gathered, with patriotic citizens and passionate students raising banners that read "Welcome General Zhang Xueliang, who supports the central government and consolidates unity" and "Welcome General Zhang Xueliang, who maintains peace and is loyal to the party and country." The slogans "Long live unity!" "Long live the Chinese nation!" and "Long live China!" echoed loudly, stirring the hearts of all.

Although there is no direct evidence, it cannot be wrong. According to the captured prisoners, they were originally a group of ronin sent by the Japanese government to Northeast China to participate in some "colonization group," but they were organized by a Japanese warrior named Maruyama Yoshiyuki, who was also among the assassins and has already been killed. Liu Duoquan said, "However, I find it strange that since it was instigated by the Kwantung Army, why was the quantity of weapons provided to them so small?" According to the captured prisoners, they were originally a group of ronin sent by the Japanese government to Northeast China to participate in some "colonization group," but they were organized by a Japanese warrior named Maruyama Yoshiyuki, who was also among the assassins and has already been killed. Liu Duoquan said, "However, I find it strange that since it was instigated by the Kwantung Army, why was the quantity of weapons provided to them so small?"

Yes, yes, yes, I am truly overwhelmed, Xue Liang!

The three individuals, Tang Yulin, Zhang Haipeng, and Yu Zhishan, all of military background, arrived at the General's residence at 6 o'clock sharp by military vehicle. Originally, they were accompanied by no less than two companies of guards; however, upon entering the city, all were "properly accommodated" by Wang Yizhe. Consequently, the three could only bring a few personal bodyguards and a driver to the banquet

In the solemn national anthem, everyone stood up as the five-colored flag symbolizing the Beiyang Government slowly descended from the center of the venue, while the blue sky, white sun, and red earth flag of the National Government gradually rose. At that same moment, all the Beiyang five-colored flags flying in Liaoning (formerly known as Fengtian Province, which had been renamed), Jilin, and Heilongjiang provinces slowly descended and were replaced by the blue sky and white sun flag. The rule of the Beiyang warlords was officially declared over, marking the end of the Fengtian Army's history, which was renamed the Northeast Frontier Army of the Chinese National Revolutionary Army. The National Government had finally achieved nominal unification of all of China.