HCB Chapter 150: Finally decided to send troops
Chapter 150: Finally decided to send troops
Tao Yunong sneered and said, "Deputy Minister Shen really has a good plan."
"Before I mentioned it, the Northern Government tried to win us over while bullying our Nanshan Province. Not only did they not uphold justice for our Nanshan Province, they also sent troops to attack us."
"Now that they have been defeated and ambushed by the new southern army, not only do they not admit their previous mistakes, but they are blaming us for the fault?"
"If Deputy Minister Shen has no sincerity in negotiating, you can just go back now. Our Nanshan Province doesn't mind sending troops to help the new southern army."
"Director Tao, did Governor Fang know when you said this?" Shen Congfu said with a grim expression after hearing what Tao Yunong said.
"The Northern Government is the orthodox government of the country, and the new Southern Army is nothing but rebellion. Your statement is bringing disaster to Governor Fang."
The two men had another verbal battle, but in the end there was no result, and the argument was still about who was right and who was wrong in the Battle of Changhuan City.
In the afternoon, He Jingyuan finally met Tao Yunong. After meeting him, he excitedly said, "Director Tao, Commander-in-Chief Jiang has agreed to cooperate with you."
Ever since we learned that the Northern government had sent an envoy, and there was an assassination attempt on the Northern envoy last night, although this seemed like a farce, it also showed the pressure on the Northern government.
In order to win over Francis Xavier, even the assassination of the southern envoy was done. Who knows what else the other party will do.
If the Northern government really wins over Fang Jian, the Nanshan Army can directly attack Lin Zongde's rear. Once Lin Zongde is defeated, Jiang Changkun's two armies will also be in great danger.
Although he didn't like Lin Zongde, Jiang Changkun was still able to see the situation very clearly.
"Officer He, if you had said this earlier, the talks between you and me would not have reached a stalemate." Tao Yunong said with a smile.
Facing Tao Yunong's ridicule, He Jingyuan smiled awkwardly. His views remained unchanged as before, and he looked down on Nanshan Province. But the commander-in-chief had given an order, and he had no choice but to execute it.
Afterwards, the two had detailed discussions on economic cooperation, such as transporting materials to the East China Sea and from the East China Sea to Nanshan.
The issue of talent transfer was also mentioned, with Nanshan Province recruiting teachers and scholars from various professions from within the southern forces.
Overall, the communication between the two sides was quite pleasant.
After discussing economic and talent issues, He Jingyuan said, "Director Tao, we will agree to the support you need, and we hope you can agree to our request."
"Staff Officer He, as you all know, we just fought a battle with the Northern Government and suffered heavy losses." Tao Yunong said with a smile.
"We are currently unable to send troops. If you need us to send troops to support you, I am afraid it will be difficult to do so in the short term."
He Jingyuan frowned and cursed in his heart, this is a typical case of taking advantage but not wanting to pay back?
"Director Tao, whether it's economics or talent, we are willing to provide you with convenience. Don't you plan to pay anything?"
Tao Yunong smiled and said, "At present, your army has achieved good results in the Northern Expedition. The advantage lies with you."
"Whether we join or not, it won't have much impact on you."
He Jingyuan agreed with Tao Yunong's statement, but Jiang Changkun still hoped that the Nanshan Army would be dispatched to help Lin Zongde capture Sanjiang Province.
Jiang Changkun thought that if the Nanshan Army helped, even if Sanjiang Province was captured, it would not be entirely Lin Zongde's credit, and some of the credit would be given to Fang Ji'an.
If Lin Zongde were allowed to take over Sanjiang Province alone, his prestige would surpass that of Jiang Changkun, which was something Jiang Changkun did not want to see.
Although He Jingyuan didn't know Jiang Changkun's plan, he would honestly implement his strategy. He said: "The commander-in-chief means that your army can send a division to assist Commander Lin."
"It would be best if we could take Sanjiang as soon as possible. If Lu Rongqing in the south makes any moves, please ask the Nanshan Army to help resist."
The proposal to help resist Lu Rongqing was He Jingyuan's own idea, not Jiang Changkun's request.
He Jingyuan felt that Lu Rongqing must be waiting for an opportunity. If Lin Zongde dared to withdraw reinforcements from Jiyang and Zhuyang, he would definitely attack one of the provinces.
Guannan and Xilin are both adjacent to Zhuyang, and only Guannan is connected to Jiyang. He Jingyuan guessed that Lu Rongqing would most likely attack Zhuyang.
Once Zhuyang is captured, Jiang Changkun's Jiangnan Province will also be threatened by Lu Rongqing's troops.
Tao Yunong negotiated with He Jingyuan for a while. Seeing that He Jingyuan was determined, Tao Yunong said, "Staff Officer He, I need to consult the commander on this matter. The commander needs to make the decision."
He Jingyuan nodded to show his understanding. It would be strange if such a strategic decision could be made by Tao Yunong alone.
Tao Yunong asked Yao Feng to send He Jingyuan back to the guesthouse, and found Fang Jianan, who was having dinner.
"Yunong, come, sit down and eat together." Fang Jian waved to Tao Yunong.
Tao Yunong wanted to decline, but Fang Jian invited him again and he sat down.
After dinner, Fang Jian asked, "Yu Nong, what happened? Did you gain anything from today's meeting?"
Tao Yunong introduced the northern government's requirements and conditions. He said angrily: "The northern government has completely ignored us. In their eyes, we are dispensable."
"If it weren't for the need to appease the warlords in various places, I'm afraid they wouldn't bother to pay attention to us."
Fang Jian nodded in agreement with Tao Yunong's words. If it weren't for the confrontation between the North and the South, the northern government would have been under great pressure and would not have won over the warlords from all over the country.
If the New Army in the South was gone, the first thing the Northern government would have to do was to eliminate the warlords in various places.
Fang Jian sighed. Judging from this, the Northern Government did not value him at all. Even if he joined reluctantly, he would only be used as cannon fodder.
In this case, it would be better to cooperate with the new army in the south. Of course, after cooperating with them, these warlords must be added to the target of attack.
If we don't strike these warlords at the same time, the Northern government will collapse, and we won't know whether the new Southern army will be the first to attack us.
After a moment's silence, Fang Jian said, "This is also an opportunity. Since the Northern Government doesn't want us, why don't we cooperate with the Southern New Army? By the way, what's the situation with Lu Rongqing in the South?"
Three months ago, the Intelligence Department sent intelligence personnel to various provinces, and Tao Yunong knew a little about Lu Rongqing.
"Their troops have been gathering in secret and have no plans to take action recently. Judging from their deployment, their target should be Zhuyang."
After coming to the map of the new country and observing it for a while, Fang Jian said, "Since the northern government has no sincerity, Yu Nong, tell He Jingyuan that I agree to send troops to Sanjiang Province."
"But all the old weapons seized in Sanjiang Province will belong to me, and the military expenses and supplies for our army's march will be borne by the northern government."
"We don't want the territory of Sanjiang Province, but the supplies and prisoners we seized will belong to our army."
Although Sanjiang Province borders Changhuan City, Fang Jian has no plans to occupy Sanjiang for the time being. Once he occupies Sanjiang, he will be the one to face the wrath of the northern government.
Sanjiang Province was left to the Southern New Army, and the Northern government’s first target of retaliation would only be the Southern New Army.
After Tao Yunong responded, Fang Jian instructed Wang Hu: "Wang Hu, send a message to the First Division and ask them to prepare for the march."
Although the 1st Division had just been reorganized, Francis Xavier still planned to use it.