Chapter 0009, Confidential Discussion (Part One)

More importantly, Chen Jingyun needs to establish a strong and powerful image in their hearts in order to gain leadership of the uprising

Certainly, in the end, whether it is the Thirty-Seven Standard or the Thirty-Eight Standard, they will ultimately embark on the path of revolutionary uprising. Once the situation in Hubei stabilizes and the influential figures in the southern provinces see no hope for the Qing court's victory, they will not need to be persuaded; they will prepare to rise in rebellion on their own. Historically, the southern provinces have followed a similar pattern. In the early days of the Xinhai Revolution, they were merely observing, and once they realized the Qing court was failing, the various influential figures immediately changed their banners and declared revolution.

After a great deal of unnecessary talk, Chen Jingyun was introduced by the seven people present and took an oath to join the Tongmenghui, completing a brief initiation ceremony. Zheng Zuyin remarked, "With Zihua joining us tonight, the day of the restoration of Fujian is within reach"

As soon as Liu Tong entered the door, he said to Chen Jingyun, "This is Chen Biaotong; I believe everyone is already familiar with him!" Indeed, the name Chen Jingyun is no stranger to the revolutionary figures in Fujian.

Chen Jingyun shook his head: "It's hard to say. If it were the First Battalion, given my friendship with the commander of the First Battalion, Zhuang Xianhe, it would not be difficult to stabilize them. However, I do not have much of a relationship with Li Jimin of the Third Battalion. Although I have placed some people within this year, it ultimately falls short and lacks the necessary maturity"

Unexpectedly, Chen Jingyun shook his head and said, "Impossible"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of those present flashed with excitement: "Indeed, if we initiate the uprising now, won't we have a greater advantage!"

After pondering for a moment, Chen Jingyun said, "I will come up with a solution; I kindly ask everyone to give me a few days' time"

God knows how many of them are true revolutionaries

Indeed, the new army in the south is rotten to the core. It is surprising that so many mid- to high-ranking officers in Fuzhou are revolutionaries. If we include Chen Jingyun, who is a pseudo-revolutionary, then the Tenth Brigade can be said to have become a military force of the revolutionaries. Among them, Lin Wenying, Xiao Qibin, and Huang Anyuan are revolutionaries, and Chen Jingyun does not find this strange; one can infer this from their usual remarks and behaviors. However, the fact that Lin Zhaomin is a revolutionary puzzles Chen Jingyun. In Chen Jingyun's memory, Lin Zhaomin should be like the former Chen Jingyun, deeply engrossed in military affairs and uninterested in politics. How could he suddenly become a revolutionary?

In this case, it is unrealistic to initiate an uprising in the coming days! During these days, I will also find a way to allocate some weapons! However, Mr. Wei's bullets are also needed, just in case!" After Chen Jingyun finished speaking, Lin Zhaomin replied, "How will you allocate them? The armory is currently under the control of the old military patrol camp, and not many of these old soldiers are inclined towards the revolution, so it might be difficult to maneuver!

Chen Jingyun agreed with the first part of Zheng Zuyin's statement, believing that uniting with the revolutionaries to take Fuzhou should not pose much of a problem. However, he disagreed with the latter part of Zheng's remarks. The 37th Brigade is indeed a core unit of Sun Daoren's faction, being one of the earliest formed troops of the 10th Division. The commander of the 37th Brigade, Qin Yunian, has a genuine background in the patrol battalion and has been with Sun Daoren for over a decade, making him one of Sun Daoren's most trusted confidants. This relationship is far more intimate than that between Chen Jingyun and Sun Daoren. If the revolutionaries could sway the 37th Brigade, they would have revolted long ago, rather than waiting until now. Not to mention the 37th Brigade, even the 38th Brigade under Chen Jingyun has seen little effect from the revolutionaries' infiltration despite their prolonged efforts. If it were not for Chen Jingyun's own inclination towards rebellion, the revolutionaries would find it as difficult to incite the Second Battalion as they would to incite Sun Daoren.

"Hu Jigao? Are you referring to the Hu Jigao who graduated from Zhenwu School?" At this moment, Wei Shengtian, who had rushed over from Shanghai, unexpectedly said, "If it is indeed this person, I can try to persuade him!"

At this moment, Lin Chengkun, who was behind Chen Jingyun, leaned down and quietly said in Chen Jingyun's ear: "It is rumored that Lin Zhaomin is the elder brother of Lin Yinmin! After Lin Yimin was killed in Guangzhou earlier this year, he decided to join the Tongmenghui."

As for Lin Biaotong, with Xiao Guandai accompanying them, Chen Biaotong should also be familiar with him, so I suppose I need not introduce him!

At this moment, Lin Zhaomin also stood up: "Welcome Zihua to join the revolutionary ranks. Our China is currently in a time of crisis, and it is precisely the moment when upright soldiers like Zihua are needed to step forward and save our 400 million compatriots."

In the event of a rebellion, the main force would be Chen Jingyun and his subordinate Second Battalion. Although the revolutionaries could muster a few hundred people at that time, their combat effectiveness would be significantly inferior compared to the Second Battalion, a regular infantry battalion stationed in Fuzhou. It is precisely because the Second Battalion is so crucial that the revolutionaries have gone to great lengths to win over Chen Jingyun

However, Wei Shengtian shook his head: "It is likely very difficult to obtain 10,000 rounds; even if we can arrange for them, it would probably take at least half a month. If it were 3,000 to 5,000 rounds, we could manage to get them within three days"

Wei Shengtian nodded: "Back when I was at Zhenwu School, I shared a dormitory with him, and we had a decent friendship! I just didn't expect that after several years of not seeing each other, he would quietly come to Fujian and become an officer!"

Although Chen Jingyun was somewhat surprised, he had already mentally prepared for the appearance of revolutionaries in the Tenth Town. He immediately nodded and said: "We are all old acquaintances"

At this moment, Lin Zhaomin also introduced several other individuals: "This is Mr. Zheng Zuyin, the president of our Fujian branch of the Tongmenghui. This is Mr. Wei Shengtian, who came all the way from Shanghai to support our uprising; Mr. Wei previously served as an assistant to Mr. Sun. Finally, this is Mr. Peng Shousong, who is responsible for liaising with the party. If Mr. Xu Chongzhi were here today, then all our members in Fujian would be present."

Upon hearing these words, the crowd at https://wwwhetushu.com fell silent as well

Chen Jingyun continued, "On the day of the uprising, in addition to bullets, we also need military pay. I plan to ensure that all soldiers participating in the uprising receive double pay; before we set out, they should each receive a month's worth of silver. Additionally, it is necessary to offer military pay to win over and persuade other soldiers!"

After a while, Wei Shengtian suddenly stood up: "I can send a message to Shanghai, urging them to urgently transport a batch of bullets over!" However, as he spoke, he became somewhat discouraged: "But as far as I know, the colleagues over there in Shanghai also do not have many bullets on hand!"

Chairman Zheng's words are too heavy; Zihua's voice alone is weak and light. The great cause of revolution still requires everyone's joint effort

After the incident in Wuchang, Sun Daoren had already ordered the retrieval of the bullets from the soldiers. Moreover, the day before, Song Shou had commanded Sun Daoren to hand over the Pingshan arsenal to Cheng Jinkui of the patrol camp. How can one initiate a rebellion without bullets? Should the soldiers go into rebellion with empty guns? Chen Jingyun expressed his frustration, as the action of confiscating the bullets from the soldiers was his suggestion to Sun Daoren. At that time, Chen Jingyun was afraid that the revolution would start too early, and those revolutionaries would not hesitate to involve him in the uprising as well! As for the arsenal, it was due to the increasingly tense situation and Song Shou's growing concerns that, after confiscating the bullets from the new army soldiers, he further reclaimed the arsenal from their hands. The action of confiscating the bullets from the soldiers was indeed his suggestion to Sun Daoren, as Chen Jingyun was worried about the revolution starting too early, fearing that the revolutionaries would not hesitate to involve him in the uprising! Regarding the arsenal, it was due to the escalating tensions and Song Shou's increasing worries that he reclaimed the arsenal from the new army after confiscating the soldiers' bullets.

Chen Jingyun interjected: "No need for much, even if there are only tens of thousands of rounds, it is sufficient! During the uprising, even if we mobilize the Second Battalion, the Engineering Battalion, and the Supply Battalion, we still cannot gather a thousand rifles, because the Engineering and Supply Battalions are rarely equipped with firearms, primarily relying on the Second Battalion. Based on the calculation of at least ten rounds per rifle, having ten thousand rounds would allow us to execute the initial combat plan. Once we capture the armory, we will naturally have ample supplies of arms."

In the initial days, Chen Jingyun was solely focused on how to ensure his safety amidst the nationwide turmoil. However, after a few days, when he realized that the revolutionary forces were not as powerful as he had imagined, his mindset gradually shifted. He moved from initially joining the revolutionaries to desiring leadership of the uprising, in order to establish a foundation for the ensuing warlord conflicts.

If Mr. Wei Shengtian truly knows this person and can persuade him, not to mention instigating him to rebel, even if he can merely stabilize him, then Fuzhou City could be successfully captured! Chen Jingyun was speaking casually, as military matters are fraught with uncertainties, and any guarantees are rather unrealistic. However, before the uprising, Chen Jingyun would not seek to undermine their confidence for no reason.

"Good! With Mr. Chen's words, I, Wei, will never disappoint everyone's expectations!" Wei Shengtian, who is approximately thirty years old, wears gold-rimmed glasses, and through the lenses, one can still see the determination reflected in his eyes.

In order to secure the future of the Chinese people, Zihua is certainly unwilling to fall behind others!" Chen Jingyun said unabashedly.

What he said is quite accurate. Although there are thousands of troops stationed in Fuzhou city, the combat effectiveness of the soldiers in the engineering and logistics battalions is certainly not comparable to that of a regular infantry battalion like the Second Battalion

Chen Jingyun frowned and said, "If it were a few days ago, it would have been easier to manage, but now the 37th Second Battalion has also arrived outside Fuzhou City. My Third Battalion will arrive in Fuzhou tomorrow. If the arrangements are not made properly, the variables may become too significant"

Chen Jingyun stated this, and naturally, the others present could only nod in agreement

At this moment, Lin Zhaomin said: "Brother Chen, even if your Third Battalion below cannot bring them into the revolutionary ranks, it should not be difficult to stabilize them, right"

"Why?" Zheng Zuyin asked in confusion

Zheng Zuyin also showed a cheerful expression: "Now that we have the Second Battalion of Zihua, along with our comrades developed in the Engineering Battalion, Transport Battalion, Gendarmerie Battalion, and Cavalry, it will not be a problem to stir up a revolutionary storm in Fuzhou. If we can stabilize Li Jiming, even if the Second Battalion of the Thirty-Seventh Regiment resists to the end, it will not affect the overall situation. Moreover, the entire nation is currently resisting the despotic regime of the Manchu Qing court, and it is likely that many soldiers of the Thirty-Seventh Regiment are also inclined towards revolution. If we can stabilize Li Jiming, even if the Second Battalion of the Thirty-Seventh Regiment resists to the end, it will not affect the overall situation. Furthermore, the entire nation is currently resisting the despotic regime of the Manchu Qing court, and it is likely that many soldiers of the Thirty-Seventh Regiment are also inclined towards revolution. At that time, it will not be difficult to incite them!"

Lin Zhaomin shook his head and said: "There is no need for you to be modest, Zihua. Who in the entire Tenth Town does not know that the Second Battalion of the Thirty-Eighth Brigade is your direct command? With the Second Battalion, I cannot say for certain, but the city of Fuzhou will surely fall in the near future"

At this moment, Peng Shousong interjected, "Ladies and gentlemen, why don't we initiate the uprising ahead of schedule? If we launch the uprising suddenly now, it will be no problem to take control of Fuzhou City, and it will also prevent any possible reactions from the Third Battalion and the Second Battalion of the Thirty-Seventh Brigade"

The remaining three individuals, however, were unknown to Chen Jingyun

Once these words were spoken, the crowd below also frowned, as the development of the revolutionaries had primarily concentrated within the city of Fuzhou. There had been too little contact with other troops stationed outside, resulting in a lack of mobilization among members in those forces. Should a rebellion occur, the two battalions of troops temporarily dispatched would indeed introduce significant variables.

Oh? Chen Jingyun asked, "Does Mr. Wei know this person?"

Having said that, he looked at everyone present and declared, "This amount of money must not be reduced!"

Chen Jingyun looked at the people present and thought to himself: these should be the core leadership of the Tongmenghui in Fujian. However, the fact that these individuals could gather together tonight is largely due to Chen Jingyun's efforts. The Tongmenghui is rife with factions, and among the seven people before him, at least three factions exist: the Restoration Society, the Progress Society, and the Xingzhong Society. Although they usually don the guise of the Tongmenghui, in recent years, the Tongmenghui has long been a mere shell of its former self. The daily actions of these revolutionaries are simply unified under the name of the Tongmenghui, yet in practical matters, they remain divided. For instance, the recent uprising in Wuchang had nothing to do with the Restoration Society or the Xingzhong Society; it was solely orchestrated by the Progress Society. Similarly, in Fuzhou, had it not been for the variable of Chen Jingyun, the Restoration Society, the Progress Society, and even the relatively weak Xingzhong Society would have likely sidelined others and acted independently.