Section 3, War Machines

The 103rd Infantry Division, He Zhuguo and Guan Yuheng; the 118th Infantry Division of Taonan, Feng Zhanhai and Xing Zhanqing; Jilin

In December 1928, the Northeast, which officially began the implementation of the First Five-Year Plan, slowly embarked on a path of steady development like a train that had just started its engine. The war machine of the Northeast was also set in motion under the plans of the chief designer Zhang Xueliang

The 107th Infantry Division Wang Yizhe, Dai Lianxi, the 121st Infantry Division of Shenyang Zhang Dianjiu, Zhao Weixiang, Zhalantun

The 105th Infantry Division, Huang Xiansheng and Tang Juwu, Shenyang

Every government, both domestic and foreign, has its own "tongue," which refers to the communication agencies responsible for government propaganda. Zhang Xueliang also incorporated this idea into the First Five-Year Plan. Subsequently, according to this plan, the "Northeast News Agency" was established on November 8, 1928, in Shenyang, becoming the official news agency of the Northeast government. At the same time, two official propaganda newspapers of the Northeast government were launched—"Northeast People's Daily" and "Northeast Military Daily"—to report significant domestic and international news and government statements to the people of Northeast China. At the inception of these newspapers, the directors specifically invited Zhang Xueliang to personally name them. Despite his reluctance and lack of confidence in his calligraphy, Zhang Xueliang, under pressure, reluctantly picked up the brush and wrote. His spontaneous "wild cursive" style unexpectedly garnered unanimous praise from both insiders and outsiders of the calligraphy community, leaving Zhang Xueliang both amused and embarrassed. Alongside the newspapers and publications, radio broadcasting was also introduced. It was essential for every household to have a radio and for every city street to be equipped with broadcasting facilities, so that the public could hear the government's voice, facilitating the government's propaganda efforts. Zhang Xueliang aimed for the entire Northeast to reach this level by the completion of the first "Five-Year Plan."

Stalin paused for a moment and said: "Comrade Molotov, your analysis is very reasonable. I hereby appoint you as the representative of the Soviet government, fully responsible for the negotiation and cooperation issues with the Northeast delegation"

"General Liang, you have traveled thousands of miles to visit Moscow, and it has been a long journey! Here, on behalf of the Soviet people and Comrade Stalin, I would like to extend a warm welcome to you!" Molotov said enthusiastically, raising his glass.

With the planning for economic development, social construction, and science and education completed, the next focus for Zhang Xueliang and the various Northeast Army leaders is the construction of the Northeast Army

The 102nd Infantry Division, Zhang Yanshu and Hu Xianmei; the 117th Infantry Division of Jinxian, Zhang Zhibang and Su Dechen; Tonghua

"Yes! Comrade Stalin!" Molotov said confidently, "The true ruler of the Northeast now is Zhang Xueliang. Although he is the son of Zhang Zuolin, he is at odds with his father in many ways of thinking. For instance, when his father established the Beijing government to oppose the Nationalist government of Chiang Kai-shek in Nanjing, Zhang Xueliang immediately aligned himself with the Nanjing government upon taking power, which indicates his lack of interest in the civil war. Zhang Zuolin was a staunch anti-communist, whereas Zhang Xueliang does not seem to be. After taking control of the Northeast, he was very friendly towards the Soviet personnel in the region, and the Soviet troops stationed along the banks of the Heilongjiang River were also withdrawn. He abolished many of the anti-communist policies established by Zhang Zuolin. Therefore, it can be preliminarily concluded that although Zhang Xueliang is not a supporter of communism, he is at least not an anti-communist. Thus, his attitude towards the Soviet government should be friendly rather than hostile or antagonistic."

In addition to the aforementioned aspects, social development also encompasses electricity, healthcare, and other areas. Regarding electricity, Zhang Xueliang plans to establish the Northeast Electric Power Company and the Northeast Electric Power Bureau to oversee the construction and management of electricity transportation and usage. The Northeast is rich in rivers, and in addition to building coal-fired power plants in various locations, water conservancy projects and hydropower stations are also being initiated simultaneously. As for healthcare, formal hospitals (including traditional Chinese medicine hospitals and Western medicine hospitals) are being established in cities, while "medical cooperatives" are being set up in rural areas. The issues surrounding medical fees and drug management are significant challenges. Zhang Xueliang has urged the Ministry of Justice to expedite the formulation of the "Northeast Medical Equipment and Drug-Related Laws" to ensure that everyone can receive timely medical treatment when ill, and that such treatment is affordable. Additionally, there is the issue of residents' drinking water. Currently, some cities in the Northeast use tap water, while some towns and vast rural areas still rely on well water and river water, which can easily lead to the infection and spread of diseases. In accordance with Zhang Xueliang's directives, the "Northeast Residents' Drinking Water Management Bureau" will promote the establishment of tap water plants across the Northeast in the coming years, ensuring that all urban residents have access to clean tap water, and subsequently extending this to rural areas. It is anticipated that this project will be completed by the end of the second five-year plan. At the same time, a complete public bus and tram network system will be established in each city in the Northeast.

As the highest ruler of the four northeastern provinces, Zhang Xueliang began to experience the overwhelming pressure of his responsibilities. Every day, piles of military and administrative documents awaited his review in his office at the headquarters. For those he approved, he had to affix his seal and signature, which became increasingly nauseating for him. Signing his name hundreds of times each day caused him considerable headache. A steady stream of military leaders, government officials, social elites, prominent entrepreneurs, and notable figures from both domestic and international spheres came to Liaoning to request meetings with him to discuss various development matters. After receiving these individuals daily, Zhang Xueliang felt as if his mouth had become stiff. His daily schedule, arranged by his secretary (Gu Ruiyu, who volunteered for the position but was declined by Zhang Xueliang on the grounds of "staying home to prepare for childbirth," while Yu Fengzhi participated in the construction of the Northeast Agricultural Bank and served as its vice president), was almost completely filled for 12 hours each day, alongside continuous social activities. On January 9, 1929, Zhang Xueliang was appointed as the chairman of the Northeast Political Affairs Committee (later renamed as chairman), and on January 13, he was appointed as the honorary supervisor of the Long-distance Railway Automobile Company. On January 15, he was invited to attend the ceremony for the excavation of the Daqing Oilfield. At the beginning of the month, he flew to Nanjing to serve as a member of the Finance Committee of the National Government. The month was not yet over, and invitations for the following month began to flood in, leaving Zhang Xueliang, overwhelmed and dizzy from the busyness, with only thoughts of collapsing into deep sleep each night, even with a beautiful woman by his side.

Liaoning Provincial Garrison Command: Deputy Commander Wang Yizhe: He Zhuguo

Commander of the Rehe Province Garrison: Deputy Commander Wang Shuchang: Zhang Zongchang

In addition to the regular troops, the Northeast Army also has reserve forces—militia battalions, which serve as the military reserve for the Northeast. These are primarily composed of troops reduced from demobilization along with local civilians. Besides necessary training, the militia battalions also form reclamation forces to assist local farmers in cultivating wasteland.

The 109th Infantry Division led by Zhang Zongchang, the 124th Infantry Division at Baihu Valley commanded by Wan Fulin and Han Guangdi, and Jiasimu

The driving force for the advancement of the nation lies in science and education. Science and education are also focal points for the development of Northeast China. Zhang Xueliang, along with Zhang Zuoxiang, Mo Dehui, and others, modeled the later educational system of New China (largely based on Zhang Xueliang's "creativity"), and formulated a comprehensive "Northeast Education Outline" tailored to the realities of Northeast China. The educational structure was established as follows: one year of preschool education, six years of primary education, three years of junior secondary education, three years of senior secondary education, and university education. The newly enacted "Northeast Education Law" stipulates that children aged 7 in Northeast China must attend school to receive formal education. Local governments are tasked with building schools, and the number of primary and secondary schools in each city (county) is regulated by relevant laws. The goal is to achieve a school enrollment rate of over 90% for all school-age children in Northeast China by the completion of the first Five-Year Plan. Additionally, to facilitate cultural exchange and the use of written language, the Northeast government and publishing houses promote simplified characters, primarily overseen by renowned linguist Li Jinxu and esteemed educator Wang Shijie. The Ministry of Education has published a comparative table of 3,000 commonly used Chinese characters in both simplified and traditional forms, along with a modern Chinese phonetic scheme (which is also the result of Zhang Xueliang's countless late-night efforts).

The 108th Infantry Division, Xu Zhong and Kang Hongkang, and the 123rd Infantry Division of Chengde, Yuan Chonggu and Wang Delin, Qiqihar

At the same time, Zhang Xueliang instructed the Northeast Army factories to design the later famous "Type 63 Rocket Launcher" according to his vision to equip the troops, as this device was indeed a remarkable piece of equipment. It could be towed by a single donkey, and with nine barrels firing simultaneously, it had a tremendous destructive power, making it a cost-effective tool for killing.

An important means of maintaining social order is the police force. Zhang Xueliang reestablished a new type of police force based on the old police force in Northeast China, with uniforms standardized to sky blue. At the same time, armed police forces and special police units were also established. Public security bureaus were set up in county and city areas, while police stations were established in townships, all under the jurisdiction of the Northeast Public Security Department

Gu Ruiyu did not expect that her strong and fearless husband, who was at the peak of his life, would secretly shed tears behind her back. It seemed that she had shown him too little concern and understood too little about him, filling her heart with guilt. She approached him softly and said, "I noticed you were working late, so I made you some hot coffee. Hanqing, why did you cry just now?" "Ah, this—" Zhang Xueliang quickly took the opportunity to wipe his eyes as he turned his head, "No, I was just thinking of my father and mother." This was indeed the truth; Chu Fei thought of his own parents, and Zhang Xueliang could think of his as well. Moreover, Zhang Xueliang's parents were indeed no longer alive at that time. Seeing Gu Ruiyu with her large belly (almost eight months along), Zhang Xueliang hurriedly stepped forward to support her.

The 101st Division within the regular army is an absolute "direct lineage among direct lineages" force, personally commanded and led by Zhang Xueliang, similar to Zhang Xueliang's personal guard regiment. It is uniformly equipped with the elite armaments of the Northeast Army, and new equipment is prioritized for distribution, making it undoubtedly a trump card within the Northeast Army. In fact, Zhang Xueliang established the 101st Division to ensure that in the event of his isolation, he would still have a loyal force to protect him and facilitate his escape for survival. The division is commanded by Zhang Xueliang himself, with Long Yunfeng as the deputy division commander and Chu Qiming as the chief of staff, both of whom are new-generation young leaders of the Northeast Army, untainted by any domestic or foreign influences, which gives Zhang Xueliang great peace of mind. The personal guard regiment of Zhang Xueliang, although named as a regiment, actually comprises 5,000 troops, and like the 101st Division, it is also an elite force, with Major General Liu Duoquan, who has always been loyal to Zhang Xueliang, serving as the regiment commander.

At the beginning of February, the sounds of fireworks from the New Year were still intermittently ringing out. Zhang Xueliang dispatched a delegation led by Liang Zhongjia to Moscow. The main purpose of this visit was to strengthen trade activities between the two parties and to discuss military cooperation and arms sales with relevant Soviet departments.

Liang Zhongjia and his companions indeed endured a great deal of hardship. They took a train from Qiqihar Railway Station, traversing the vast Siberian wilderness before entering Eastern Europe and arriving in Moscow. They spent a full four days and five nights on the bumpy train, addressing all their needs for food, drink, and rest while on board, which was truly agonizing

The two parties walked and chatted with laughter as if they were long-lost friends, entering the reception hall of the city government together. The Russian side warmly welcomed Liang Zhongjia and others to take their seats, while beautiful Russian waitresses brought forth bottles of high-purity authentic vodka and exquisite Soviet bread with butter in a continuous stream.

Commander of the Northeast Army: Zhang Xueliang Deputy Commander of the Northeast Army: Liang Zhongjia, Wan Fulun Chief of Staff of the Northeast Army: Rong Zhen

"Sigh, seeing you so busy every day really makes my heart ache," Gu Ruiyu said with a concerned expression. "Madam, you must also take care of your health; after all, you are carrying our son!" Zhang Xueliang replied cheerfully, "I know you care about me, and you still want to be my personal secretary!" "At the same time, it also prevents your flirtatious tendencies from resurfacing; who knows, you might have your eye on that beautiful secretary again!" Gu Ruiyu's words struck Zhang Xueliang like a bolt, leaving him feeling distressed: no wonder she insisted on assigning me a male secretary; this was the reason. "I have been so disciplined for such a long time, yet I still carry the burden of my past reputation!" "I see you almost always stay up until midnight; I really worry about you, afraid that you will wear yourself out. In fact, many things can be entrusted to Supervisor Zhang and the others; why are you working so hard?" Gu Ruiyu chided.

Minister of Northeast Border Defense: Deputy Minister Zhang Xueliang: Yu Xuezhong

Comrade Molotov, what is your view on the intentions of the Northeast delegation arriving tomorrow?" Stalin, dressed in his marshal's uniform, with a pipe in his mouth, stood tall at the window of his office, gazing absentmindedly at the snowy scene of Moscow under the night sky as he asked.

The arrival of Liang Zhongjia and others initially surprised the Kremlin, as the Northeast government, under the leadership of Zhang Zuolin, had always maintained a hostile and suspicious attitude towards the Soviet Union. At that time, the Beiyang government, presided over by Zhang Zuolin, had collaborated with Western powers to marginalize the newly established Soviet regime. The Beiyang government consistently refused to recognize the Soviet government internationally and ignored the Soviet Union's overtures of friendship, even expelling Soviet officials. It was only under the pressure of the patriotic masses in Beijing that they were compelled to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union in 1923. However, in the subsequent five years, the relationship between the two sides was fraught with contradictions, as Zhang Zuolin frequently instigated conflicts, forcibly closing Soviet government institutions and commercial enterprises in the Northeast, and cooperating with the Kuomintang to arrest Communist Party members, reaching a state of near hostility. This was largely due to Zhang Zuolin and others viewing the "Communist Party" as a dire threat, fearing that China would also fall to communism. Now, with Zhang Zuolin's unexpected death and his son Zhang Xueliang ascending to power, the Soviet government finds it hard to imagine that Zhang Xueliang, deeply influenced by his father's "anti-communist" ideology, would suddenly change his stance and become friendly towards the Soviet Union.

The 114th Infantry Division, Chu Yuping, Shuangyang; the Independent 5th Cavalry Brigade, Wu Songlin and Liu Qiwen, Keshan and Baiquan

We, representing the Northeast government and General Zhang Xueliang, have come to convey our friendship towards your government and your people, and to express our hope to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in areas such as business trade and military collaboration. In the afternoon's bilateral seminar, Liang Zhongjia stated directly and straightforwardly.

Heilongjiang Garrison Commander: Deputy Commander Su Bingwen: Ma Zhanshan

The importance of intelligence agencies goes without saying, which is why Zhang Xueliang specifically established the "Northeast Security Department" based on the "Investigation Team" led by Leng Feng, incorporating the original intelligence organization of the Fengtian clique. This department oversees the establishment of agencies such as the Economic Intelligence Bureau and the Military Intelligence Bureau, tasked with collecting intelligence and conducting espionage activities against hostile forces. The head of the Military Intelligence Bureau is Major General Leng Feng, the head of the Economic Intelligence Bureau is Major General Gao Shen, and the position of Minister of Security is held by Major General Li Bohai

What is it to go to bed only at twelve o'clock every night! Back when I was in my senior year of high school, there were nights when I finished piles of materials and exam papers only by two or three o'clock! Zhang Xueliang, while lost in thought, solemnly stated: "The greater the ability, the greater the responsibility! Only by working tirelessly and with utmost dedication can I live up to the position and responsibility history has entrusted to me in realizing the great goal of the prosperity of Northeast China and the prosperity of the nation!" At that moment, Zhang Xueliang's image appeared so grand. Only by working tirelessly and with utmost dedication can I live up to the position and responsibility history has entrusted to me in realizing the great goal of the prosperity of Northeast China and the prosperity of the nation!" At that moment, Zhang Xueliang's image appeared so grand

Molotov continued to speak eloquently: "Although Zhang Xueliang is still quite young, he is not a simple-minded person. His swift takeover of power and execution of opponents following Zhang Zuolin's death demonstrates that he is an ambitious individual. It is also evident that he harbors animosity towards the Japanese and the Kwantung Army, which is beyond doubt. In order to free himself from Japanese control over Northeast China, he must develop, and for that, he needs an economic and military partner, with the Soviet Union being the most ideal choice. Therefore, I conclude that their arrival tomorrow is for the purpose of cooperation."

As expected! Molotov thought to himself, maintaining a calm and serene smile on his face: "Oh, the Soviet government and the Soviet people are also quite eager to peacefully coexist with the Northeast government; that would be wonderful. Comrade Stalin is closely monitoring the situation in the Northeast, and I believe Comrade Stalin will be pleased with the friendly gestures from the Northeast government"

In order to cultivate high-quality officers and military personnel, Zhang Xueliang decided to establish a world-class military academy based on the "Northeast Military Academy" founded by Zhang Zuolin, allocating 10 million French francs for this purpose. The academy was named the "Northeast Great Wall Military Academy of China" (Zhang Xueliang intended to develop it into the "Whampoa Military Academy" of Northeast China and the "West Point" of China). The main campus was located in Shenyang, with branch campuses established in other parts of Northeast China, including infantry, artillery, engineering, naval, pilot, and armored divisions. At the same time, a non-commissioned officer school was established to allow Northeast soldiers to attend classes and enhance their knowledge and quality during their training, thereby increasing their political awareness and instilling the patriotic ideology of "loyalty to the leader and the nation." This also aimed to reduce incidents of rebellion and mutiny caused by low awareness among soldiers. To eliminate various bad habits of the old army, Zhang Xueliang also announced the "Three Major Disciplines and Eight Points for Attention" of the Northeast Army. The three major disciplines are: all actions must follow commands, do not take anything from the masses, and everything must be returned to the public. The eight points for attention are: speak politely, conduct fair trade, return borrowed items, compensate for damaged items, do not hit or insult others, do not damage crops, do not tease women, and do not mistreat prisoners. Additionally, military police and gendarmerie units were established to maintain military discipline.

It is Comrade Stalin

Before the establishment of the People's Republic of China, Northeast China was regarded by international geological experts as a region "impossible to produce oil." However, due to Zhang Xueliang's "foresight," several large oil fields in Northeast China, such as the Daqing Oilfield and Shengli Oilfield, were exploited decades ahead of schedule in early 1929. He publicly claimed that this was the result of inviting German geological and petroleum experts for exploration. Consequently, the "Northeast China Petroleum Group Company" was established, which became the largest oil group company in Asia directly controlled by the Northeast government, with Zhang Xueliang as the largest shareholder. The emergence of large oil fields like Daqing and Shengli not only addressed the energy needs of the military and civilians in Northeast China but also led to the rapid development of numerous chemical groups and processing plants in the vicinity. The development of ammonia plants, sulfuric acid plants, electrolytic alkali plants, ethylene plants, and plastic processing plants not only resolved the energy issues but also provided a significant number of job opportunities, promoting economic development in Northeast China. Additionally, this initiative helped cultivate local chemical talent, and the petroleum chemical products produced could enhance fiscal revenue through domestic and international sales, achieving multiple benefits. Zhang Xueliang was well aware of the importance of these oil fields and wells. To prevent sabotage by hostile forces, he planned to allocate military and armed police for their protection.

Commander of the Northeast Army: Zhang Xueliang, Deputy Commander: Yu Xuezhong

February 9, 1929, marked the traditional Chinese festival of Spring Festival, a day of celebration for Chinese people worldwide as they bid farewell to the old and welcome the new. In this challenging time, people from various regions, both domestically and abroad, celebrated in their unique local ways. Major cities were adorned with lanterns and decorations, the air filled with the sound of firecrackers and cannon fire, while theaters and stages were packed with audiences. The common folk calculated their harvests from the past year and made plans for the year ahead. Meanwhile, bureaucrats seized the opportunity to engage in clandestine transactions under the guise of "New Year congratulations" among various government offices. Zhang Xueliang, who held the position of Vice Commander-in-Chief of the National Army and was a sworn brother to the nation's highest president, thus amassed a significant fortune. Each night, after sending off guests at the General's residence, Zhang Xueliang joyfully counted his gains in his room. By the end of the Spring Festival, he had made a windfall. The income during these festive days could aptly be described as "earning gold by the day," with rough estimates totaling around seven to eight million silver dollars. Looking at the piles of invaluable gifts, Zhang Xueliang couldn't help but reflect: Why expend so much effort for the revitalization of Northeast China? As long as he celebrated a few more Spring Festivals and faced a few more assassination attempts, that would suffice.

A meal lasted for over an hour in a friendly atmosphere where Chinese and Russian languages intertwined. The Russians are just the Russians; vodka is merely high-purity alcohol diluted with water, and their food consists of bread spread with butter. They do not have the same level of sophistication as the Chinese, who boast eight major cuisines with numerous renowned dishes, as the representatives from Northeast China thought during the banquet.

On October 20, Zhang Xueliang, who had just returned to Shenyang, wasted no time in resting and immediately convened a meeting with all military and political leaders in Northeast China. This marked the beginning of his first step in governing and developing the Northeast, which was to formulate the region's first "Five-Year Development Plan"

Originally, there was much more to write below, such as the series of events in Northeast China from early 1929 to 1933, including the "Tieling Incident," the "Chinese Eastern Railway Incident," the "Wanbaoshan Incident," the "Zhongcun Spy Incident," the "Central Plains War," the "Shi Yousan Rebellion," as well as the various setbacks and difficulties encountered by Zhang Xueliang during the development of Northeast China, the anti-corruption and anti-spy efforts, and the multiple assassination attempts by the Japanese against Zhang Xueliang, among others. However, some friends are urging me to quickly write about fighting the Japanese devils, so I will temporarily skip these lengthy paragraphs and add them later.

122nd Infantry Division Xu Baozhen, Dou Lianfang, Mudanjiang City

While developing, there are still many issues that require attention, the foremost being the bureaucratic corruption and bribery problems that plague countless governments. In response, Zhang Xueliang decided to adopt the method of "high salaries to promote integrity," establishing salary standards for military and political officials at every level. For instance, Zhang Xueliang himself was assigned a monthly government salary of 230 dollars. This "official salary table personally formulated by the Young Marshal" was published in the fifth issue of the "Northeast Times," causing a sensation among the people of Northeast China. According to this table, each official's salary was sufficient to support a family of three comfortably without extravagance. Alongside this, the Northeast government also announced a rather strict "Regulations on Punishment for Corruption and Bribery," with the harshest penalty being immediate dismissal and execution for embezzlement exceeding 300 dollars. Citizens were encouraged to supervise and report any discovered corruption or bribery by officials directly to nearby prosecutorial agencies, with the government offering monetary rewards for such reports. Zhang Xueliang also called for the launch of the "Three Anti" campaign against "corruption and bribery," "wastefulness," and "bureaucratism" within government institutions and enterprises. In private enterprises, the "Five Anti" campaign was initiated against "bribery," "tax evasion," "substandard work," "theft of government property," and "theft of government economic intelligence." Zhang Xueliang increased the rewards for mutual supervision among officials, where reporting corruption or bribery would result in a promotion. These decisive measures were later proven effective in fostering a culture of integrity within the Northeast government institutions and enterprises.

Finally, there was one issue that troubled Zhang Xueliang the most: the problem of prostitution. After all, this was still during the Republic of China period. Although some ideas of "women's liberation" had begun to emerge in China, the traditional profession of "brothels" was still flourishing throughout the country (even in the 21st century, nightclubs and hair salons are ubiquitous across China). The Northeast was also a prosperous area for the "flower business." In Shenyang alone, Zhang Xueliang encountered no fewer than ten "legitimate and openly operating" establishments, not to mention the countless "small workshops and dens." The Nationalist government did not exert much effort to prohibit this issue, so they could only adapt to the trends of the times and allow such professions to exist. However, Zhang Xueliang still formulated several "brothel management regulations," stipulating that each brothel must register with the local government, the number of brothels in each area must be limited, and every brothel must use contraceptive measures when "receiving guests." Local police were required to regularly check the quantity and expiration dates of condoms in the brothels to ensure compliance with regulations, and it was prohibited to force respectable women into prostitution. Additionally, the women working in brothels were required to undergo regular health check-ups at hospitals. Simultaneously, the Northeast border government mandated that all women in the Northeast must not bind their feet, and those who had already done so were to be immediately unbound, in a concerted effort to eradicate this feudal social remnant that had harmed the physical and mental well-being of Chinese women.

Unit Number, Chief and Deputy Chief of the Division (Brigade Commander) stationed at the 115th Infantry Division Ding Chao, Wang Shaonan, Harbin

Zhang Xueliang, after reading the personnel selection lists from various government departments, also announced the establishment of the "Northeast Civil Assembly" (equivalent to the later system of representatives in the National People's Congress). He declared that it would convene once every six months, with participants being the people's representatives from various counties (cities) in Northeast China. These representatives would be elected by the local populace, and they would convey the demands and voices of the grassroots citizens to the Civil Assembly, thereby influencing the relevant policies of the highest government in Northeast China. This policy also indirectly facilitated the spread of democratic ideas in the region.

At this time, the navy of the Northeast Army, although it had taken shape during Zhang Zuolin's era under the preliminary development by Yang Yuting and Shen Honglie, was divided into the Heilongjiang River Defense Fleet and the Bohai Bay Coastal Defense Forces. However, the number of warships was limited, with a small displacement, comprising a total of 21 vessels with a displacement of 32,200 tons, and a fleet personnel of 3,300. The main ship, the "Haiqi," was the largest cruiser in China at that time, along with others such as "Haichen," "Zhenhai," "Weihai," "Tongan," "Yongxiang," "Chuyu," "Jiangli," and "Dinghai." Zhang Xueliang understood that developing a navy was a long-term project requiring substantial funding. However, the current strategy of the Northeast Army was still in a defensive phase, coupled with limited resources for military development. Therefore, Zhang Xueliang decided to suspend the development of the navy. Nevertheless, the naval forces were still ordered to expand, utilizing the existing small warships to train sailors and other naval personnel, preparing for a future where the Northeast Army's navy would possess a large number of vessels. Of course, another focus of naval development was the Marine Corps.

The list of important military positions is as follows

The traditional branch of the army—cavalry, although gradually becoming obsolete in the era of firearms and the impending mechanized warfare, will continue to play a role in future Asian conflicts. Therefore, Zhang Xueliang reorganized the former Northeast Army cavalry units into five independent cavalry brigades, each consisting of approximately 8,000 personnel, allowing the Northeast Army to deploy a substantial cavalry force of 40,000 during wartime

In the blink of an eye, time flies, and it is already January 20, 1929. The northeast is gripped by a biting cold wind, and heavy snowflakes fill the sky, as if the entire region is covered by a thick layer of cotton. In just two days, the most significant traditional festival in China—Spring Festival—will arrive. On the night of the 21st, while stretching comfortably after a night of work, Zhang Xueliang inadvertently glanced at the calendar, and a myriad of thoughts suddenly flooded his mind. He had been in this time and space for over half a year, and fate had destined him to become one of the prominent figures in this world. Although he currently held a high position, how were his family members in his original time and space faring? After his 'disappearance,' how did his parents cope with the loneliness of losing their son? As these thoughts filled him with sorrow, tears began to flow uncontrollably from Zhang Xueliang's eyes. This scene startled Gu Ruiyu, who had quietly entered to deliver coffee, leaving her frozen in place. Just as Zhang Xueliang wiped away his tears, he caught a glimpse of Gu Ruiyu standing foolishly at the door, staring at him, which startled him greatly: "How did you get in?" Realizing that Gu Ruiyu had likely witnessed the rare sight of a man shedding tears, Zhang Xueliang felt an overwhelming sense of embarrassment.

Commander of the Northeast Army Navy: Zhang Xueliang, Deputy Commander: Shen Honglie

The 113th Infantry Division, He Lizhong and Fang Shuhong, from Dulun; the Independent 3rd Cavalry Brigade, Zhang Shusen and Bai Fengxiang, from Tongliao; the Independent 4th Cavalry Brigade, Chang Yaochen and Wang Pengju, from Nong'an

Mr. Molotov, greetings! Oh, General Liang, welcome, welcome! Happy New Year! Wishing you prosperity! On February 8 at 11 a.m., at the entrance of the Moscow government building, Liang Zhongjia and others were greeted by the Soviet welcoming delegation led by Molotov. Both parties wore sincere smiles on their faces. Molotov even used the Chinese gesture of "cupping hands" to convey his congratulations, along with the somewhat clumsy Mandarin phrases "Happy New Year, wishing you prosperity" to greet the representatives from Northeast China, clearly having practiced this on short notice.

The list of appointments for the above officers was personally determined by Zhang Xueliang, as these individuals are all "historically proven" loyal patriots. Some historically renowned figures, who were still in lower-ranking positions, were personally selected and promoted by Zhang Xueliang to senior military officers. Among them, the 101st to 107th divisions, totaling 7 divisions, were stationed in Liaoning; the 108th to 113th divisions, totaling 6 divisions, were stationed in Rehe; the 114th to 119th divisions, totaling 6 divisions, were stationed in Jilin; and the 120th to 125th divisions, totaling 6 divisions, were stationed in Heilongjiang. Among them, the 101st to 107th divisions, totaling 7 divisions, were stationed in Liaoning; the 108th to 113th divisions, totaling 6 divisions, were stationed in Rehe; the 114th to 119th divisions, totaling 6 divisions, were stationed in Jilin; and the 120th to 125th divisions, totaling 6 divisions, were stationed in Heilongjiang

Commander of the Northeast Army Air Force: Zhang Xueliang, Deputy Commander: Feng Yong

However, the fact is that after Zhang Xueliang took control of the military and political affairs in Northeast China, he frequently released peace overtures to test the Soviet government. Several elite infantry divisions stationed along the banks of the Heilong River were also redeployed southward (in fact, Zhang Xueliang's reason for moving the troops south was that he knew the Japanese would strike Northeast China first, rather than the Soviets. He thought, first deal with the Japanese, then it would be the turn of the Soviets). He also abolished many of the hostile policies towards the Soviet Union that had been established by Zhang Zuolin. To date, the Kremlin has not received any reports of Soviet government institutions and commercial enterprises in Northeast China being persecuted or suppressed. The hostility of the Northeast government towards them has also significantly decreased, and the Soviet government has felt this to varying degrees.

Molotov felt a stir in his heart; he keenly sensed the intentions of the Northeast delegation from Liang Zhongjia's speech. As expected, it was not about territorial disputes or similar issues. Zhang Xueliang had specifically come to express his friendliness and his stance of "not opposing the Communist Party." At least now, he could finally provide an explanation to Stalin.

Jilin Province Garrison Commander: Deputy Commander Li Du: Ding Chao

Infantry mortars will be equipped with 120 mm and 80 mm calibers to replace the previously less powerful Type 16 mortars. Hand grenades will be uniformly manufactured in the "melon" style, rather than the German long-handled grenades, as the handles of those grenades are made of wood, which wastes timber resources

The 104th Infantry Division, Chang Jingwu and Chang Enduo; the 119th Infantry Division from Zhengjiatun, Li Guilin and Zhang Zhuozhou; Baishan

Zhang Xueliang also ordered the militia to carry out large-scale land reclamation and cultivation movements, allowing vast areas of wasteland in Northeast China to be developed and utilized, which also increased the arable land area in Northeast China

The "First Five-Year Plan for Northeast Development" conference, which involved discussions on economic development, social construction, military restructuring, high-level personnel changes, education, technology, and transportation, lasted for five consecutive days. In fact, most of the time was spent with Zhang Xueliang eloquently announcing his plans and ideas. Of course, these were not mere empty talk; when formulating the initial concepts, he actively collaborated with various political and military talents from Northeast China, such as Zhang Zuoxiang, Liang Zhongjia, Mo Dehui, Yu Xuezhong, Wang Shuchang, and Wang Yizhe, making numerous revisions and additions. This resulted in a substantial development plan. During the conference, several high-ranking military and political officials from Northeast China raised objections, all of which were earnestly accepted and revised by Zhang Xueliang. When Zhang Xueliang passionately read out the various plans and blueprints for the construction of the Northeast military, it indeed excited the attending Northeast officers, and the beautiful visions for the future development of the Northeast filled everyone with anticipation. This development plan was unanimously approved by all attendees.

Soviet Foreign Minister Molotov responded: "I believe they came to Moscow to convey a message of peace and to express hope for cooperation and trade with us in various areas"

The 101st Infantry Division Zhang Xueliang, Long Yunfeng, the 116th Infantry Division in Shenyang Li Du, Sun Hexi, Changchun

At this time, the Northeast region comprises the four provinces of Liaoning, Rehe, Jilin, and Heilongjiang (the territories previously occupied, such as Hebei, Chahar, and the cities of Beiping and Tianjin, were all lost during the Northern Expedition). The candidates for the provincial governors are: Zhang Zuoxiang as the governor of Liaoning Province, Zhai Wenxuan as the governor of Jilin Province, Mo Dehui as the governor of Heilongjiang Province, and Ji Jinchun as the governor of Rehe Province (all appointed by the Nanjing government upon the recommendation of Zhang Xueliang)

The 106th Infantry Division, Niu Yuanfeng and Lü Zhengcao; the 120th Infantry Division of Goubangzi, Su Bingwen and Wang Zhiyou; Hailar

Stalin remained silent, but the tobacco in his pipe flickered between dark and light

The 112th Infantry Division, Huo Shouyi and Huang Dexing, Qinhuangdao; the Independent 2nd Cavalry Brigade, Wang Nanping and Zheng Zesheng, Suihua

The formidable combat capability of the army stems from robust logistical support, as the logistics support troops are also an area that the Northeast Army needs to strengthen. In addition, Zhang Xueliang secretly established several special forces, sniper units, and reconnaissance troops, which, although small in scale, will serve as a decisive force in future wars

The 111th Infantry Division, Dong Yingbin and Liu Guiwu, Tangshan; the Independent 1st Cavalry Brigade, Ma Zhanshan and Han Shupeng, Heihe

The issue of organized crime in Northeast China is also extremely serious. Many large cities, during the day, are under government control, but at night they become the domain of gangs. Homicides, arson, kidnappings, and extortion occur, causing the common people to be afraid to go out at night. These activities, akin to those of bandits, fall within the scope of suppression by the regular Northeast Army mobilized by Zhang Xueliang and the newly established armed police forces.

In addition to strictly preventing corruption and bribery within government agencies and state-owned enterprises, Zhang Xueliang also emphasized the importance of social security in Northeast China. This includes strengthening efforts to combat banditry, crack down on organized crime, fight drug trafficking and abuse, strictly prohibit illegal gambling, and control prostitution. These measures aim to purify social customs and ensure the stability and tranquility of social order

In Northeast China, the Heishan and Baishui regions are characterized by high mountains and dense forests, with vast lands and sparse populations. For many years, it has been notorious nationwide for rampant banditry. Zhang Zuolin, a prominent warlord, also rose to power through banditry, a fact that many local bandits take pride in. Banditry is prevalent everywhere; the endless towering mountains, vast swamps, and meadows provide fertile ground for bandit proliferation. Many common people, driven to desperation by landlords and bureaucrats, have no choice but to turn to banditry. Over the years, many long-established bandits have gained a reputation that resonates both within and beyond the borders, such as Gong Changhai, Yao Bingqian, Li Zhongyi, Zhang Xiwu, Ma Mingchun, and Liu Wankui, who operated in Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces, as well as Xiang Qingshan, Zhang Haitian, and Xiao Bailong in Liaoning, among others. Historically, many bandits in Northeast China, who still had a sense of conscience, actively fought against the Japanese Kwantung Army after the September 18 Incident. These bandits established their rule over the mountains, engaged in robbery and extortion, and some even colluded with local authorities, posing a serious threat to social order in Northeast China. Zhang Xueliang decided to eradicate these malignant tumors in Northeast China once and for all. Therefore, he did not enlist the local police and security forces, which had intricate ties to the bandits, to suppress them. Instead, he directly deployed regular troops to systematically sweep through the bandit strongholds across the four provinces of Northeast China, aiming to completely resolve the banditry issue within a year.

In addition to the aforementioned economic construction and social development, there is another important project—transportation. Inadequate transportation significantly hinders both civilian life and military operations; transportation is the lifeblood of a nation, its importance is on par with military development. Transportation encompasses two aspects: logistics and postal services. Logistics includes five modes: road, air, water, rail, and pipeline; postal services consist of mail and telecommunications. The "First Five-Year Plan" also provided detailed planning for transportation construction, primarily focusing on the construction of railways and roads. The former is essential for civilian industries, while the latter serves as the main tool for military communication among troops. Zhang Xueliang ordered the establishment of "Post Offices" and "Telecommunication Bureaus" across Northeast China, creating a postal and telecommunications network covering the entire region. He trained the first batch of bicycle couriers to serve the public, while also stipulating that all couriers wear deep green uniforms. Telegraph stations were also established with increased efforts. The military also vigorously trained radio communication classes.

An important source of fiscal revenue in Northeast China is oil

At the meeting, Zhang Xueliang's first statement was a decisive declaration to separate military and political powers in Northeast China, stating that military personnel were not to hold government positions, and local government officials were absolutely prohibited from entering military affairs. The powers of military and politics ultimately converged in the hands of Zhang Xueliang, the highest administrative and military commander in Northeast China. Following this implementation, the previous situation where a local military regiment commander also served as the town mayor or city mayor, often holding the rank of lieutenant colonel, ceased to exist. This significantly reduced the likelihood of entangled local powers arising from the intertwining of military and political authority, as rampant local forces were detrimental to the overall stability of Northeast China and to Zhang Xueliang's centralized rule. At that time, the various local warlords across the country emerged due to the central government's inability to restrain the distribution of their powers. Most provincial governors also held the ranks of major general or lieutenant general, simultaneously overseeing both the provincial government and military authority, effectively becoming "local emperors," which often led them to disregard the orders from the central government in Nanjing.

Regarding government institutions, Zhang Xueliang once again implemented sweeping reforms, abolishing the various government agencies established during Zhang Zuolin's era and reestablishing 16 departments, which are as follows: the Border Defense Ministry (overseeing the Northeast Border Defense Army, the highest military authority in Northeast China), the Security Ministry (the intelligence and espionage organization of Northeast China), the Public Security Ministry (responsible for public safety in Northeast China, as well as the construction of the Northeast police, armed police, and special armed police forces), the Justice Ministry (formulating local laws for Northeast China), the Prosecutor's Office (supervising the operation of government institutions and the integrity and corruption of officials), the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Industry (including the Light Industry Ministry and Heavy Industry Ministry), the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Propaganda, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Social Construction, and the Administrative Ministry. Except for the absence of a Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the rest are similar to national government institutions, with subordinate departments such as offices, bureaus, and divisions. The purpose of this reform is to streamline the previously bloated government institutions, eliminating many unnecessary departments and reducing substantial government expenditures, thereby enabling more efficient operations. The selection of ministers for each department is yet to be determined and announced.

"Peace?" Stalin furrowed his heavy brows

As for the Air Force, it is a military branch that urgently needs development. The Air Force plays a role as significant as that of the Navy, yet at a lower cost. Zhang Xueliang did not want the future Northeast Army to engage in combat without air superiority, vulnerable to relentless bombardment by enemy aircraft. Currently, the Northeast Air Force consists of only over 200 old aircraft imported from abroad, remnants from the era of Zhang Zuolin's rule, including 150 fighter planes. The aircraft of the Northeast Army were primarily purchased from France and Czechoslovakia, and there is also a shortage of pilots, with only 5 aviation regiments available. The Northeast munitions factory currently lacks the technology to manufacture aircraft; all planes are either purchased, gifted by foreign powers, or captured on the battlefield. Zhang Xueliang's first step is to utilize the existing old aircraft to hire foreign instructors to train the Northeast Army's air force pilots, while simultaneously spending money to purchase new aircraft from the Soviet Union to equip the troops. The 5 aviation regiments are also planned to be gradually expanded to 12. According to Zhang Xueliang's ambitious vision, the Northeast Army must possess at least 1,500 aircraft to meet future wartime needs. As for the ground forces of the Air Force—namely, the paratroopers—they are currently deemed unnecessary and lacking in funding, so Zhang Xueliang decided to abandon this initiative.

The military rank system of the army was something Zhang Xueliang was very keen on studying from the German military. It is well known that the products created by the meticulous and rigorous Germans are always the most practical. The ranks of the Northeast Army are divided into three tiers and six levels: Private, Third Class Soldier, Second Class Soldier, First Class Soldier, Corporal, Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel, Brigadier General, Major General, and General (further divided into: First Class General, Second Class General, and Special Class General). However, according to the explicit regulations of the National Military Affairs Department, the highest rank that Zhang Xueliang's Northeast Frontier Defense Military Affairs Office could promote the officers and soldiers of the Northeast Army to was Colonel, and any promotions beyond that had to be approved by the Military Affairs Department in Nanjing.

Thank you, Mr. Molotov and Comrade Stalin, for your hospitality. To the friendship between China and the Soviet Union, cheers! Liang Zhongjia also politely stood up to raise his glass, and the representatives from Northeast China followed suit, drinking it all in one go. As men from Northeast China, most of whom were soldiers stationed at the border, they certainly had this level of drinking capacity.

Commander of the Northeast Army Artillery: Wu Kerun, Deputy Commander: Zou Zuohua

The 110th Infantry Division Wang Shuchang, Zhu Hongxun, the 125th Infantry Division of Chifeng Liang Zhongjia, Wei Changlin, Manzhouli

After the most courteous exchanges, Liang Zhongjia, who came from a military background, showed no interest in the diplomatic games of wordplay and circumlocution. He straightforwardly and decisively laid out the various specific items of bilateral cooperation proposed by Zhang Xueliang. Molotov, who was initially focused and attentive, gradually shifted to a state of quiet astonishment, eventually becoming somewhat speechless, as the so-called "cooperation conditions" that flowed from Liang Zhongjia's mouth far exceeded what a foreign minister could respond to.

Haha, the peaceful coexistence between China and the Soviet Union is also a blessing for the people of both countries