On May 28, 1938, Meng Shaoyuan arrived near Yancheng.
Immediately, Han Deqin, acting chairman of the Jiangsu Provincial Government and commander of the 89th Army, quickly sent someone to contact Meng Shaoyuan. To ensure the safety of the observer, Han Deqin sent a platoon of troops to prepare to meet Meng Shaoyuan.
The first person to receive Meng Shaoyuan was Xiao Fugen, "the governor who crossed the river and destroyed the Japanese."
This reckless hero has thousands of Youth Gang disciples under his command. He has relatively complete weapons and belongs to the local powerful faction, but he refuses to accept the leadership of Han Deqin or any of the Fourth Route Army.
In Xiao Fugen's own words, he was free and at ease. If he wanted to fight the Japanese, he could fight them. If he wanted to be lazy for a few days, he could go to Dazong Lake and live happily for a while.
You don’t have to follow this order or that command.
"Xiao Fugen defeated the 30,000 disciples of the Su Beiqing Gang to welcome the young master!"
That style, that pomp, it was really a masterpiece.
This is just the beginning.
Then I saw Xiao Fugen step forward, clasping his hands into fists, kneeling on one knee, and said in a loud voice:
"Our gang is a big gang leader in the north of Jiangsu Province. We have a flag with a red border, a jade-colored streamer, and a red and black bright moon. On the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month, we fly the dragon and phoenix flag with a jade-colored streamer. When we enter the capital, we fly the dragon and phoenix flag with the five-color moon and the moon. When we leave the capital, we fly the dragon and phoenix flag. Apricot-yellow flag, cross the Yellow River, fight the red boy. Gold-raised amber sparrow pole, jade ribbon. Three-star bucket head, amber yin and yang, fifty-six boats. Fifty-one grain exchanges, six thousand six hundred and sixty-six hundred white grains. There are zero loads, and 13,200 loads of grain are transported. Three peace boats!"
Meng Shaoyuan was stunned when he heard this.
He couldn't understand a word of what these words meant.
"Please get up." This was the only thing Meng Shaoyuan could say.
"My young master's visit to Yancheng is really a blessing for me in Yancheng and Northern Jiangsu."
Xiao Fugen was slightly excited: "Little Master, please!"
As soon as he stretched out his hand, he saw two rows of Qinggang disciples facing each other in neat rows. They were all wearing black shorts with open skirts. On the wide belt was a hatchet on the left and a revolver on the right.
Why does it sound like singing?
The rules of the Green Gang have always been strong. In addition, Meng Shaoyuan has a very high status and is on an equal footing with Zhang Renkui, the old master of Jinghu. Wherever he goes, how can the local Youth Gang disciples not do their best to welcome him?
Xiao Fugen was really thinking hard about this.
His old man Xu Baoshan and Zhang Renkui were sworn friends back then. Coupled with Zhang Renkui's status, Meng Shaoyuan's coming to northern Jiangsu this time was regarded by him as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
His base camp was originally in Funing. After the Japanese army occupied Yancheng, Xiao Fugen quickly moved and established a base near Dazong Lake. Once the Japanese surrendered, he could immediately retreat to the lake.
As soon as they entered, drums and music were playing, and they saw hundreds of big men in black, shouting in unison:
"Welcome to the young master!"
Meng Shaoyuan was shocked.
Holy shit.
what is this?
Are you afraid that the Japanese will not know that you have arrived in Yancheng?
Xiao Fugen was very proud: "Young Master, the banquet is ready, please."
As the Romans do, Master Meng can only do as he pleases.
There were already two people waiting inside.
Xiao Fugen called himself the "Japanese-Destroying Commander", and the team he commanded was called the "Japanese-Destroying Army". One of those two people was Huang Liangde, the military counselor who "destroyed the Japanese army", and the other was Tong Changdao, the deputy governor of the "destroying Japanese army".
Meng Shaoyuan doubted whether he was in ancient times now.
What military commander is there to act out the Romance of the Three Kingdoms?
The banquet was prepared with twelve cold dishes and twenty-four hot dishes of the highest standard.
I guess the cook is not a serious cook, so he must have had a lot of trouble getting these dishes together.
There are five kinds of chicken alone, including hot and cold dishes.
"Little Master, please take a seat."
Meng Shaoyuan was not polite and took a seat at the top.
Xiao Fugen kept chattering a lot of words and greetings for almost ten minutes before the banquet officially started.
Gan Ning and Xu Zhu were already hungry.
"Little Master, please, please." Xiao Fugen kept urging the dishes diligently.
Meng Shaoyuan's mind was not on the food either: "Xiao Fugen."
"exist."
"How many guns do you have in total?"
"Reply to the young master." The one who answered was Military Advisor Huang Liangde: "We falsely claim that there are 12,000 people, but the actual number is 3,000. If you include the disciples who have not worshiped the mountain sect, there are about 5,000 or 6,000 people. This is The three thousand people are divided into two, the standing number for destroying the Japanese army is one thousand people, and there are two thousand people left. If something happens, we can call them all within two days."
A thousand people? It’s enough for a regiment.
"In terms of weapons, we have twelve machine guns of various types, two of which can't fire, one of which works sometimes and not working. One cannon."
"Cannon?" Meng Shaoyuan was startled: "You still have cannons?"
"It's really a lightning cannon."
Thunder cannon?
Oh, it's a mortar.
Huang Liangde then continued: "As for other weapons, including long and short guns, these one thousand people can actually use one gun in each hand, and they are still slightly wealthy. We just need to arm the other two thousand people, and actually To be honest, you have more ambition than strength. Some of these weapons were accumulated in daily life, and some were bought from the retreating Japanese soldiers when the Japanese retreated. This family wealth is in the eyes of the regular army. Of course it’s nothing, but you can still protect yourself.”
This man's catchphrase is "real things" when he speaks.
At this level, it's really good.
Meng Shaoyuan asked: "How are your living conditions?"
"It's peaceful." This time it was Xiao Fugen who spoke: "After the Japanese occupied Yancheng, they couldn't take care of us for the time being. They actually sent someone to contact me and said that as long as I surrender, I will be given a commander of the teaching brigade. Do it. Although I, Xiao Fugen, am not a good person, if you want me to be a traitor, don’t even think about it.
The Fourth Route Army also sent someone to talk to me. He was also the commander, the commander of the guerrilla column. I saw that many units in the Fourth Route Army did not have as many troops as I did, and they also sent some kind of political commissar to look after me, so I just Declined. Han Deqin sent me a letter of appointment, the head of the security regiment, a colonel. I am still hesitating now. "
Meng Shaoyuan understood what he was thinking.
The Japanese will not go there. As for the Fourth Route Army, commander is actually just a title.
Han Deqin is the chairman of the Jiangsu Provincial Government appointed by the serious National Government. The leader he appointed is actually justified.
The reason why Xiao Fugen hesitates to accept the appointment is simply because he is used to a comfortable life and is unwilling to take orders from others.
"Xiao Fugen." Meng Shaoyuan pondered for a while: "You are worshiping Uncle Xu, the King of Northern Jiangsu, Xu Baoshan, and you have the final say in the boundaries of Northern Jiangsu. But things are different now. Wherever there is another King of Northern Jiangsu, they all belong to you. Under the jurisdiction of the National Government. At present, the Japanese have occupied so many places in northern Jiangsu, but the National Government is still organizing forces to resist.
You are also fighting against Japan, I know, but you have no status. To put it bluntly, in the eyes of others, you are just a bandit. Why don't the Japanese make great efforts to deal with you? One can't spare the energy, and the other thinks that weapons like yours won't pose much of a threat to them. Don’t take it to heart if what I say is unpleasant. "
"Don't dare, don't dare, I am willing to listen to the little master's teachings."
"That's good."
Meng Shaoyuan nodded and said: "Only when the name is correct can the words be correct. Han Deqin was fighting against the Japanese during the Xuzhou Battle. Han Deqin fought on the southern front, which indirectly contributed to the victory in the Battle of Taierzhuang. The Fourth Route Army was also fighting against the Japanese. Guerrilla harassment of the Japanese army also contributed a lot. Speaking of which, behind closed doors, everyone is a family.
However, the conditions in the Fourth Route Army are difficult and there are many rules and regulations. Xiao Fugen and his brothers may not be able to adapt if they vote, and there may be some unpleasantness. I think it's good for you to get rid of the title of bandit and accept the appointment of Han Deqin. He is from Yanghe, Subei, and you are fellow villagers. When fellow fellows see fellow fellows, tears well up in their eyes.
Han Deqin is commanding operations in the Suining and Suqian areas. Although most of Yancheng, Funing, Huai'an, and Baoying have fallen, he still has many base areas under his control. You are in Yancheng, echoing Han Deqin's department to consolidate it. Base area, how could he not appreciate you and put you in high regard? I think you can be promoted to brigade commander or even division commander in less than two years. "
Xiao Fugen became a little excited.
Although he claimed to be the "Captain of Japanese Extermination", he was granted the title by himself and was not the same as the one officially appointed by the Nationalist Government.
It's not like no one has said these words to him before, but he still hesitates most of the time. Now that these words came from the young master's mouth, the weight was naturally different.
"Han Deqin is the highest military and political officer in Jiangsu, and every move he makes represents the government." Meng Shaoyuan said sternly: "This man has all kinds of problems, but one thing is that he is determined to fight with Japan. People will do what they do to the end. Based on this alone, I don’t think there is any shame in you being his subordinate.”
"Now that the young master has spoken, Xiao Fugen dare not disobey." Xiao Fugen has made up his mind: "This time the young master is going to see Han Deqin. Please give him a few more kind words in front of Chairman Han."
"This is natural." Meng Shaoyuan smiled slightly: "Let me add insurance to you. Xiao Fugen, I appoint you as the captain of the Yancheng detachment of the Military Command Shanghai Special Office."
Xiao Fugen was overjoyed.
Although the captain of the Yancheng detachment of the military command was not as majestic as a regimental commander, brigade commander or division commander, he had the backing of the military command.
If he ever falls out with Han Deqin in the future, he will naturally have the young master and the military commander there to help him.
Gan Ning kept eating there without saying a word.
But his heart was clear. Director Meng took this opportunity to quietly recruit Xiao Fugen.
In this way, the special office is equivalent to adding another military force in northern Jiangsu.
Being a young master really helps a lot.
"Xiao Fugen, you have to remember." Meng Shaoyuan reminded him in particular: "Don't get involved in any partisan disputes. Just focus on fighting the Japanese."
"Don't worry, young master." Xiao Fugen patted his chest and agreed, "I, Xiao Fugen, am a big boss. I don't understand those things. I just know one thing. Wherever the Japanese are, my people will be there!"
"That way, I feel relieved!"
