Chapter 52: Transition Chapter.

General Lu Jianzhang, the "Butcher of Beiyang," is currently completely trapped in the rugged mountains of Hanzhong. He has received a telegram from the Northern Government's Army Department, which reads:

Order:

The entire Seventh Division of the Northern Army, under the command of Lu Jianzhang, must retreat to Xi'an for reorganization before December 30, 1914, without any mistakes. Please note that the above translation includes the @ symbols as requested.

Headquarters of the Republic of China Army.

December 13, 1914.

General Lu Jianzhang originally intended to swiftly eliminate this group of miscellaneous army under the pretense of suppressing bandits and then claim credit in order to request rewards from the Beijing authorities within a month. However, General Lu Jianzhang miscalculated completely this time.

In the six-month "bandit suppression" war, not only did he fail to wipe out this group of renegade armies, but instead allowed this makeshift army to grow stronger and stronger, while losing over a thousand troops himself.

After receiving such a military order, Lu Jianzhang knew that his military operation had completely failed. Among the Beiyang Army, Lu Jianzhang had completely lost face this time.

Of course, Zhang Ma Zi is also not having an easy time. Although he adopted the guerrilla tactics of his younger brother Zhang Er Ye, the majority of his troops are newly recruited peasants who have just put down their farming tools.

In terms of individual combat skills, they are miles behind the Beiyang Army. Moreover, Land Force Commander Lu Jianzhang's troops are equipped with five Krupp mountain cannons manufactured by the Hanyang Arsenal.

Zhang Mazi's disadvantage lies in these hillbillies. Fortunately, Zhang Mazi's team has a firepower output that is one level higher than the Beiyang Army armed with weapons made in Hanyang, making the two unequal teams surprisingly evenly matched in the battle. Translated content:

After half a year of actual combat rotations, Zhang Mazi's troops have lost over two thousand soldiers. Fortunately, Zhang Mazi's troops are not lacking in manpower, and the surviving soldiers have become experienced veterans who have seen blood on the battlefield.

Zhang Mazi once again adopted the advice of Er Ye and incorporated the excellent traditions of the previous revolutionary army into the new army. This included the "passing-on and assisting" model, where veteran soldiers mentor and guide new recruits. As a result, the newly established private army of Er Ye grew rapidly, expanding like the rapid division of cells.

There are large numbers of refugees flooding into Han Zhong from the Sichuan-Chongqing region every day. According to statistics available until December 1914, the total population of the refugee camps has already reached a terrifying 380,000 people.

And these local people who were exploited in their hometowns and unable to make a living, after entering the resettlement points for refugees, each person could receive winter coats and a fixed amount of food. Although it couldn't fill their stomachs, it could still help them survive.

And families who were lucky enough to be selected as soldiers earned a monthly military salary of five dabloons. Even if they sacrifice their lives, their families would become registered "military martyrs' dependents" and enjoy various preferential policies for military martyrs' dependents. Moreover, the military salary could be continuously received by family members for ten years. This is even more remarkable! The stimulating effect resulted in an unprecedented surge in the enthusiasm of the displaced people to join the army.

These preferential policies for military service are absolutely stunning and sensational in today's Republic of China, where "good men do not serve as soldiers" prevails!

Local powers and warlords in various regions never offer such policies. If they can even provide regular military pay, it would already be considered good enough.

So, there is no need for the Second Master to forcibly catch people for recruitment at the two resettlement sites for the homeless. Physically strong homeless people will actively sign up at the recruitment office set up at the resettlement sites, fearing that they might not meet the qualifications and won't be admitted. Translation: So, there is no need for the Second Master to forcibly catch people for recruitment at the two resettlement sites for the homeless. Physically strong homeless people will actively sign up at the recruitment office set up at the resettlement sites, fearing that they might not meet the qualifications and won't be admitted.

Therefore, Zhang Mazi's rotational army not only did not decrease in casualties, but the size of the army continued to grow. After experiencing bloody battles, there are already over 50,000 qualified soldiers, all of whom are precious veterans who have participated in actual combat!

这些兵可都是“火种”一样的存在，只要时机成熟。二爷把这些老兵洒下基层，他们就会给二爷带出成千上万的能战、敢战的新兵。

However, it is also the increase in population that puts tremendous pressure on the logistics support of refugee camps. Feeding these people is not a problem for Er Ye, as he has plenty of food looted from the United States. The pressure lies in the transportation of logistics. Translation:

The collection point in Ulanqab is relatively straightforward, although the journey is difficult, it is at least feasible for trucks to pass through.

However, the collection point in Hanzhong is troublesome. Due to its location in the special mountainous area of Qinling and Daba Mountains, Zhang's transport caravans can only rely on traditional methods of transportation such as animal pulling and manual pushing. This puts the transport capacity of the caravans at risk of complete collapse.

It also forced Er Ye in Beijing to take measures to quickly end the war training plan he and Zhang Mazzi had planned.

Otherwise, if the logistics transportation of Han Zhong's collection point is cut off, it would have catastrophic consequences for the more than 300,000 displaced people gathered there.

Since the second son of the President took away the "political donations", the Second Lord has consciously accelerated the preparatory work for entering the territory. He knows that the day of entering the territory is not far away. Therefore, the Second Lord decided to end the war in Hanzhong, gather the army, and reorganize the army at the two stationed points.

After seeing off the American technicians at Tianjin Port, Er Ye returned to Beijing and immediately sent 2 million ocean dollars through intermediary Er Gongzi to the Army Department. He explained that the concentration point of refugees in Hanzhong was only meant for laborers for road construction, not the rebel army of Henan Bailang. Therefore, he requested the Army Department not to misunderstand the security militia at the refugee point. Translation: After bidding farewell to the American technicians at Tianjin Port, Er Ye returned to Beijing and promptly donated 2 million ocean dollars to the Army Department through intermediary Er Gongzi. He clarified that the refugee concentration point in Hanzhong was intended solely for laborers for road construction, and not the rebels of Henan Bailang. Hence, he urged the Army Department not to misunderstand the security militia at the refugee point.

其实大家都明白，你什么样的民团每人都发一杆连发快抢？政府的军队都做不到。只不过大家心照不宣，只是想看陆建章的笑话罢了。

In addition, with the intervention of the second son of the President, the army officials thought, "Great! The President's son is involved, so the withdrawal of troops should be even safer." Thus, an electronic order was sent to Lu Jianzhang. And so, the half-year-long anti-bandit war ended abruptly.

The Beiyang Army has withdrawn from Xi'an. At the same time, Zhang Mazi also received a telegram from the Second Lord, ordering him to summarize the experience and lessons, reorganize the troops, and intensify training. They are awaiting further instructions from the Second Lord. The relocation center for refugees in Ulanqab has also received a telegram from the Second Lord, instructing them to reorganize the army.

At this time, Er Ye's two subordinate private army already has a total of 80,000 personnel. We can't continue like this, as it is impossible to hide the training of such a large number of troops. We must obtain a legitimate license or else Er Ye will end up rebelling, one way or another.

Today, Second Master has made an appointment with the Second Son of the President, once again, for the legalization of private armies. They met in a elegant room at the Joyful Spring Tea House.

"Master Zhang! You don't have to be so impetuous! Didn't we agree on ten days? It's only been four days and you're already hurrying?"

“Second Master, oh no! You misunderstood me! I came to you today to discuss a different matter.”

Second Master, realizing that the Republican nobleman had misunderstood, quickly explained. He still had great trust in this person's competence and integrity.

At least the matter of ceasefire in Hanzhong was handled quite decisively by this person. Although Second Young Master also spent some money on it.

"Second Young Master! There are two matters I would like to discuss with you today, which of course, will be beneficial to you as well."

"Oh! Something that would benefit me? Well, go ahead and tell me, I'm all ears!"

He still had that annoying demeanor of a privileged second-generation official, which irritated Er Ye. Er Ye couldn't help but feel helpless, as he was currently in a position of needing help from others!

"Young Master Er! A wise person does not speak in riddles, you know that I am interested in Xinjiang.

However, Xinjiang is too far away from the Central Plains, and the transportation is very inconvenient. So, I plan to personally invest in building a railway to Xinjiang. I kindly ask for the assistance of Young Master Er in applying for the right to construct this railway! Sure, I will do my best to help with your application for the railway construction rights to Xinjiang.

Of course, once the railway is built, I will give the second young master ten percent of the profits. How about that? Are you interested, second young master?

Oh? A railway to Xinjiang? That would require a huge amount of money. Do you have the financial capability for it? This is something even the government cannot achieve!

The young Lord looked at Second Master suspiciously. Is the Zhang family really that wealthy?

"Rest assured! I have already negotiated loan arrangements with several foreign banks. As soon as I obtain the right of way, the funds will be readily available."

Er Ye has no choice but to lie, he doesn't want to expose his wealth. Otherwise, with the temperament of the Northern Government, they will come begging for money every day, and it will drive you crazy.

"Brother! You're not secretly trading with foreigners, are you? Have you sold off rights to the roads behind the scenes?"

Alright! This person is calling Second Master a traitor!

"Just by what you said, selling the right of way seems believable to foreigners! But I can't represent the Chinese government."

"That's true, as long as the government doesn't have to spend money on railway construction, everything else is negotiable. What about the other matter?"

During this sensitive period when many people are opposing the President's father, as long as it's not a scandal involving selling out the country, the Second Young Master doesn't really care about anything else.

"As you know, when constructing roads, I recruit a large number of workers along the way, and the Northwestern region is infested with bandits and horse thieves. In order to protect the progress of road construction, armed forces must be sent to protect the route. So, can the Second Young Master help with the battalion number? After all, if the road is built, it will benefit me, you, and your father!"

"What's the matter with my father?"

"Second Young Master! Are you confused? I'm willing to pay and put in the effort to build the road, without the government spending a single penny or contributing any labor. But you can go back and discuss with your father, tell him that I can undertake the construction of this railway in the name of the President."

As soon as this Young Master heard it, his eyes immediately lit up. He is not a political fool, and if this railway is really built in the name of his father, the President, it will be a solid political achievement!

"Second Lord Zhang really cares! I appreciate your kindness. If this thing really happens, I won't take the ten percent you promised me. Just tell me anything related to Xinjiang, and I'll handle it!"

The Second Young Master excitedly pledged, taking full advantage of the opportunity. He knew that his family had gained a significant advantage in this deal. He had no choice but to accept Second Lord Zhang's favor.

Second Lord thought to himself, you're only jumping around for these two years. After the grand president's restoration fails and he dies of illness, you will be nothing more than a fallen phoenix, inferior to a chicken.

by that time, I will also be a regional warlord and won't have any use for you. Taking advantage of the current grand president's need for various advantageous "resources," now is the best opportunity for Second Lord to secure his own "legitimate" status and position in Xinjiang.

So the two of them had a detailed negotiation regarding the application for road rights and the scale of the road protection team.

Finally, the young master gave a suggestion that the total number of the road protection team should not exceed 50,000 people with rifles, they should not possess heavy firepower such as cannons and heavy machine guns, and they should not be included in the regular government army forces (the government doesn't have to bear the military expenses). They can only obtain recognition from the Beiyang government under the name of the New Army advancing into Xinjiang. Under these conditions, the young master said that the President should agree.

Originally, Er Ye did not intend to imprint the influence of the Beiyang Army on his own army. However, upon hearing the suggestion of this young Second Master, he agreed with him and nodded eagerly.

As a result, a preliminary agreement was reached for this transaction under the pretext of the construction of the railway into Xinjiang, with both parties benefiting from it, and it now awaited the specific operations of this Second Master upon his return. This is something that Er Ye cannot interfere with.

As for the restrictions on the number of troops and firepower, Er Ye has never paid attention to them at all.

Once formal appointment is made, isn't it up to Er Ye himself to determine the number of troops?

Anyway, we don't need funding and supplies from the Beiyang Government. They can never hold back the General.

As for artillery and heavy machine guns, the General doesn't even care about these clumsy cannons and water-cooled heavy machine guns of this era. He recently acquired the "Hitler Chainsaw," which is enough for the General's army.