Chapter 1047
Fu Huabei: I'll send you away first! Mao Renfeng takes down Zhang Anping!
Fu Huabei was secretly negotiating with the People's Liberation Army—although there was no concrete evidence, after Zheng Yaoquan exposed it, these core generals of the Central Army in Beiping were indeed convinced of this.
But what is the progress of the peace talks?
Even after the fall of Tianjin, the generals of the Central Army generally believed that, given Fu Huabei's personality and the CCP's way of doing things, even after the New Year, the so-called peace talks would not amount to anything.
After all, they believed that Fu Huabei, as a warlord, would not be willing to give up his power to command troops, and the CCP could not tolerate the existence of warlords in its ranks. This was a fundamental contradiction.
With this contradiction, how can the two sides possibly reach a consensus?
They firmly believed this subjective view before the military conference began and even before Fu Huabei announced this important news!
But now...
Fu Huabei told them personally:
The peace talks between the two sides have ended!
Tomorrow at 10 a.m., a formal ceasefire will be declared, and the troops inside the city will leave Beiping to undergo reorganization!
This...this...
Just then, a series of thunderous footsteps sounded outside. Although no one broke down the conference room door, the thunderous footsteps clearly demonstrated the situation.
If the central army generals accept the order, this is a notification!
But if they don't accept their fate...
Fu Huabei's gaze swept over the generals of the Central Army one by one, lingering on Zhang Anping for a while. After seeing Zhang Anping's despairing expression, he felt somewhat reassured. In his view, the intelligence system was the most unstable factor. Fortunately, Zheng Yaoquan had provided a "divine assist" beforehand, giving him enough reason to temporarily detain Zhang Anping.
That's how we avoided any trouble!
His gaze then swept over Li and Shi, the two most important figures, and seeing their blank expressions, as if they couldn't accept this heavy news, Fu Huabei gestured to Secretary-General Wang beside him:
"Read the full text of the agreement."
Secretary-General Wang stood up and read out the peace agreement signed by both sides in a detached voice.
The core content of this agreement is as follows:
A ceasefire will begin at 10:00 AM on the 22nd;
The troops left the city in their original formation and were reorganized a month later.
The North China Suppression Headquarters was disbanded, and a closing office was established.
Protect cultural relics and maintain public order;
Those who wish to stay can be reorganized, and those who wish to leave can be politely escorted out of the country, but they cannot take their troops with them.
After reading out all the contents of the agreement, Secretary-General Wang put down the document and asked in a deep voice:
What are your opinions?
No one responded. Even Zhang Anping remained silent, though a mocking smile played on his lips. He wisely chose not to speak.
The scene appeared peaceful, but throughout my country's war history, similar incidents have occurred time and again. In which instance could the problem have been solved by simply "having opinions"?
Fu Huabei then turned his gaze to Li and Shi:
"Commanders, please speak first!"
Commander Li slowly raised his head, his eyes red-rimmed.
"I...I have nothing to say. I accept defeat and the fight to the death! But today...surrendering without a fight, handing over Beiping to others, how can I face the Principal? How can I face the Party and the country?"
After saying that, tears welled up in her eyes, and she buried her face in her arms on the table, sobbing uncontrollably.
All the Central Army generals present had red eyes, and Commander Shi stood up angrily:
"Commander-in-Chief Fu! Such a major matter, have you consulted Nanjing? Have you reported it to Chief of Staff Chiang?"
Faced with Commander Shi's questioning, a Sui Army general calmly replied:
"Now it is..."
"Li... Chief Attendant!"
Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly realized—yes, just this morning, the power structure of the Nationalist government underwent a dramatic change, and that man had stepped down again!
Silence fell again in the conference room, with only the Central Army generals sobbing softly, filled with resentment and despair.
After a moment of silence, Fu Huabei said:
"Gentlemen, I know you are in pain and resentful. You may call me a traitor or a surrenderer, that's all you have to do."
But look at reality:
Tianjin has fallen, and 13 soldiers have been wiped out; Beiping is besieged, with no food or supplies inside and no reinforcements outside, and 25 soldiers and 200 million civilians are trapped and dying in the isolated city!
War will surely lead to defeat; cities will surely be destroyed; cultural relics and historical sites will surely be destroyed; and the people will surely suffer terribly!
This is not an external war, therefore I, Fu, am willing to sacrifice my own name and my own destruction in exchange for the lives of 25 officers and soldiers, the peace of 200 million people, and the integrity of the ancient city of Beiping.
"If you want to fight, then fight; if you want to leave, I'll send you off. But the troops must stay!"
After speaking, he paused, then announced again:
“I do not force anyone. Those who wish to stay and be reorganized are welcome, and the People’s Liberation Army will not hold them accountable; those who wish to return to Nanjing, I, Fu, will arrange for a plane to take them away from Dongdan Airport, without taking a single soldier with them.”
This was the third time that "politely escorting someone out of the country" had been mentioned, and it was also the second time that Fu Huabei had personally brought it up. Faced with Fu Huabei's renewed proposal of "politely escorting someone out of the country," the generals of the Central Army were clearly tempted, but no one took the lead in asking questions.
At this moment, Zhang Anping stood up:
"Commander Fu, is this true?"
Suddenly, even the sound of breathing stopped in the conference room.
Fu Huabei replied without hesitation, "Really!"
"Zhang is willing to leave!"
"can!"
Seeing that Fu Huabei had personally agreed, the other Central Army generals breathed a sigh of relief. The situation was already beyond saving, and for them, being able to leave was the greatest fortune.
“However,” Fu Huabei suddenly spoke, startling everyone, but fortunately, what he said next was still acceptable to them:
"Before you leave, you must stabilize the troops and designate a successor."
No sooner had Fu Huabei finished speaking than Zhang Anping decisively replied, "Okay! I'll go back and settle in right now!"
Fu Huabei gave Zhang Anping a deep look, then shook his head and said:
"Director Zhang, I'll send someone to take you to the airport first. The intelligence system will be taken over by Chief Yan Wu. Director Zhang can return to Nanjing first."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Anping sat down as if he had lost his soul, remaining silent for a long time.
"Gentlemen, I will have someone connect the telephone line to the conference room so that you can remotely determine the new successor—as for the list of those leaving, you can provide it to me later."
After Fu Huabei finished speaking, he immediately gave his subordinates a wink:
"Director Zhang, I'll send someone to escort you away now."
Like a walking corpse, Zhang Anping, after being "helped" to his feet, suddenly said:
"I want to take some people with me."
Fu Huabei replied magnanimously, "Sure."
Zhang Anping said nothing more, but shook off the Sui Army officer who was supporting him and walked slowly and heavily outside.
A group of Central Army generals watched Zhang Anping's departing figure silently, their gazes complex and indescribable.
Soon, telephone lines were brought into the conference room, but no military commander picked up the phone. Fu Huabei did not urge them, but waited patiently.
He understood these people's concerns.
About twenty minutes later, the phone rang.
Fu Huabei gestured for Commander Li to answer the phone.
Commander Li answered the phone, and his adjutant's voice came from the other end:
"Commander, Director Zhang and his entourage have already taken off."
It was clear that Fu Huabei was using Zhang Anping's departure to demonstrate his integrity to everyone—I will not deceive you.
Even someone like the deputy director of the Bureau of Secrecy, whom I didn't force to stay, what else do you all have to worry about?
Commander Li and his men naturally understood Fu Huabei's intentions. Seeing that Zhang Anping was indeed "politely escorted away," they no longer had any concerns and stepped forward to pick up the phone to make calls to their respective command posts.
surrender!
……
Beiping, Dongdan Airport.
Zhang Anping brought the same number of people with him when he arrived, and now that he's leaving, he's still with the same people.
The only difference was that when he arrived, he was greeted at Beiping Station, but now, he was escorted only by the dark muzzles of Sui Army guns.
Having walked up the steel escalator to the front of the airplane cabin, Zhang Anping suddenly stopped before going inside, then turned around and stared at the corner of Beiping City that was only visible in his field of vision.
Some Sui Army officers, fearing that Zhang Anping might cause trouble at this critical juncture, tried to step onto the escalator and force Zhang Anping into the plane, but the pent-up anger of the special operations team members unanimously blocked his way, their faces showing fierceness and threats.
Seeing this, the Sui army officer had no choice but to step back, but he subtly gestured for the troops to be summoned immediately to avoid any unforeseen complications.
Zhang Anping didn't care about this scene; he just stared blankly at a corner of Beiping.
He was truly reluctant to leave!
In less than nine months, a voice that future generations will never forget will resound in Beiping;
In less than nine months, a brand new, reborn from the ashes of war, China will be officially established with a solemn and dignified declaration.
Having come from a later generation and become accustomed to their pride, he was filled with longing for this unique moment etched in the long history of the Chinese nation.
Throughout five thousand years of history, only that voice, spoken nine months later, eternally etched the word "people" into the immortal history of the Chinese nation.
From that moment on, a brand new era began!
Unfortunately, he was unable to be there in person to witness it.
After letting out a deep sigh, Zhang Anping turned around with difficulty and walked heavily into the cabin.
far away.
Two men stared at Zhang Anping through binoculars until he had completely entered the cabin before they put down their binoculars.
"he's gone."
"Ah."
"He seems...to not want to leave?"
no answer.
Xu Zhongyi glanced at his junior brother:
"He doesn't want to leave!"
Jiang Si'an remained silent.
“I used to think I was really good, that my skill in walking on the edge of a knife was no worse than yours.”
Xu Zhongyi gazed at the distant plane:
"But I later realized that the reason I was able to dance on the edge of a knife was because someone had covered the edge of the knife with an invisible layer of glass."
Jiang Si'an remained silent, but her gaze softened considerably.
Yes, they can dance on the edge of a knife because someone has laid an invisible layer of glass on it.
"Next time, shall we pick him up and take him home together?"
This time, Jiang Si'an responded:
"Ah."
The two stopped talking and simply watched the plane in the distance gradually turn from still to moving. When the plane plunged into the sky and disappeared as a black dot, the two saluted in unison and did not lower their arms for a long time.
Before, Beiping was a stage teeming with dangerous threats. Yet their operation proceeded flawlessly from beginning to end—in Beiping, where tens of thousands of spies were stationed, they moved with ease!
It wasn't because of their exceptional abilities, but because someone had separated them from the spies with an invisible barrier.
It's like laying a layer of glass on the tip of a knife.
That person,
They are their...teacher!
……
Just as Zhang Anping was being politely escorted away, a telegram was sent to the Nanjing Security Bureau.
Nanjing, headquarters of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics.
The head of the telecommunications department rushed into Mao Renfeng's office in a panic:
"Chief, something's happened! Something really bad!"
Mao Renfeng disliked his subordinates' panic the most, but this time he did not reprimand the head of the telecommunications department. Instead, he numbly accepted the telegram.
Today's events have had a tremendous impact!
The chief aide has stepped down!
What will become of the sword of the Chief of Staff of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics?
Behind this concern, Mao Renfeng was also pondering something:
Can I break out of my current framework and switch allegiance to... Chief Attendant Li?
However, considering that the chief attendant has twice returned to power after stepping down, this decision is not easy to make!
It was in this state of mind that the director of the telecommunications department rushed in in a panic.
Mao Renfeng read the telegram blankly, but in an instant, a bone-chilling cold enveloped him.
All units of the Sui Army have entered a state of combat readiness.
The commanders of the Central Army above the rank of corps entered Jurentang for a meeting and never came out again.
Have the various units of the Central Army received the surrender orders?
Thinking of this, Mao Renfeng's breathing quickened, and two large words appeared in his mind:
mutiny!
If Fu Huabei were to stage a coup, that would be...
He surrendered?!
If he surrenders, the Communist army can take over the entire Beiping without a fight!
The last stronghold in North China is gone.
A suffocating feeling enveloped Mao Renfeng. He stared blankly at the telegram, unable to believe the devastating news.
Beiping was destined to fall, and even Mao Renfeng was mentally prepared for this.
But it's still too abrupt—he hadn't received any specific intelligence about Fu Huabei negotiating with the People's Liberation Army, and then he just received the result like this, it's too abrupt, too abrupt.
"Zhang Anping!"
Mao Renfeng couldn't help but roar angrily:
"Aren't you famous for your strategic planning? Why, when you were in Beiping, did you fail to find out anything about Fu Huabei's negotiations with the CCP?"
"You good-for-nothing! You're just a good-for-nothing!"
In the midst of his angry roar, Mao Renfeng suddenly paused, startled.
Huh?
Fu Huabei staged a mutiny and completely surrendered to the Communists. Since he surrendered to the Communists, then...
Wouldn't Zhang Anping become a prisoner of the CCP?!
Once the idea came to him, his anger vanished in an instant, like the receding tide, leaving only ecstatic joy.
Zhang Anping became a prisoner of the CCP, which means that no one in the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics can challenge Mao Renfeng anymore.
ecstasy!
At this moment, nothing else matters—no matter what changes have occurred in Beiping or the impending demise of the 25-strong army!
The important thing is that from now on, the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics will be Mao Renfeng's domain!
The important thing is that even though the retired chief of staff harbored resentment towards him, he still had to rely on Mao Renfeng!
If the director of the telecommunications department hadn't been there, Mao Renfeng would definitely have burst into laughter at that moment.
What a stroke of luck!
He was, after all, a man of deep composure, and did not show any joy in front of the head of the telecommunications department. Maintaining a somber and angry demeanor, he said in a low voice:
"Send telegrams to the Attendant's Office and Xikou, forwarding the telegram from Beiping!"
Xikou?
The head of the telecommunications department was stunned. What kind of telegram should be sent there? Wasn't the chief of staff resigned?
"madness!"
Mao Renfeng saw the reason for the director of the telecommunications department's hesitation and reprimanded him:
"You really think he'll forget you once he's gone? Financial power, military power, personnel power, and so on, are all in that person's hands! Do you really think Attendant Li can turn the world upside down?"
The head of the telecommunications department then understood and hurriedly agreed.
……
The Attendant's Residence.
The newly appointed Chief Attendant Li felt utterly exhausted by the chaotic workload.
Although he forced out the former chief attendant, this hot potato ended up in his hands.
The future is definitely uncertain and turbulent.
At that moment, he was drafting a telegram, intending to appease the various military leaders. Zhuge Bai, holding a telegram, strode in with a solemn expression.
"problem occurs!"
"What's wrong?" Chief Attendant Li put down his pen. "Is someone causing a wage dispute?"
Zhuge Bai shook his head heavily:
"It's news from Beiping—Fu Huabei has almost certainly reached an agreement with them. Detailed information should arrive soon. Take a look at the telegram from the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics."
After taking the document and glancing at it, Li, the chief attendant, slumped back in his chair, and after a long while, said in a hoarse voice:
"This……"
"Wouldn't you consider this a great gift for me, the acting chief attendant?"
Zhuge Bai remained silent, while Attendant Li stared blankly out the window. He had just taken over this mess when this terrible news struck.
The Party-State is probably... beyond saving.
……
Xikou.
Upon receiving the telegram from the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, the chief attendant, who had barely settled into his chair, stood up in anger.
"Damn it!"
He was furious. Couldn't this news have been delayed by a few days?
I've just stepped down, and you're already using this kind of terrible news to "send me off"?
……
For the Nationalist government, the news from the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics was undoubtedly a disaster.
But for Mao Renfeng, who was spreading the news, the bad news didn't matter. What mattered was that he was now...
I'm so happy!
Locked himself in his office, others assumed he was furious about the current situation, but little did they know that Mao Renfeng was humming a tune, sipping hot tea, and happily nodding his head.
It's been three years!
It's been three years!
Do you know what kind of life Mao Renfeng has been living for the past three years?
Now, these hard times are finally over!
Zheng Yaoxian rebelled, Zhang Anping became a prisoner of the People's Liberation Army, and who in the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics could be his opponent?
A promise is a promise!
Mao Renfeng couldn't help but imagine the future, feeling an indescribable soreness all over his body.
Spring breeze, oh spring breeze, Mr. Mao will finally be able to live the life you once lived!
Dangdang
When the knocking sounded, Mao Renfeng quickly straightened up and put on a serious expression. After saying "Come in," she didn't see anyone enter and realized that she had locked the office door from the inside. So she went forward and opened the door.
The secretary appeared at the door.
The secretary's gaze involuntarily drifted past Mao Renfeng's slightly overweight body to the office. She saw no documents strewn about or anything in a mess, which puzzled her—wasn't the Director furious?
Why didn't you vent?
Mao Renfeng asked with a grim face, "What happened now?"
Suppressing her doubts, the secretary replied in a deep voice:
"News just came from the airport: Deputy Director Zhang's plane has landed!"
???
Mao Renfeng stared blankly at his secretary. "What did you say?"
what are you saying!
The secretary repeated:
"Deputy Director Zhang's plane flew back to Nanjing from Beiping and just landed."
Mao Renfeng's eyes widened.
I've been celebrating for so long, and now you're telling me that the damned bastard is back?
He's back?!
"You mean, he's back?"
The secretary nodded to confirm again.
Mao Renfeng felt ice-cold all over.
If Zhang Anping comes back, Xikou will probably hold him accountable for what happened!
hiss--
He gasped, his thoughts racing.
He had already made his decision:
Ignoring the newly appointed Attendant-in-Ordinary Li, he continued to serve the Attendant-in-Ordinary of Xikou wholeheartedly—he was now indispensable to the Attendant-in-Ordinary, and there was no need for political opportunism at this time.
But Zhang Anping is back!
He's back!!
With Zhang Anping around, will the person in Xikou still care about him?
How could he forget the news that Xikou had called him a fool for scheming against Zhang Anping?
In an instant, he made his decision:
Speculation!
Speculation is a must!
Without speculation, there is only one way out: death!
After making the decision, Mao Renfeng immediately gave the order:
"Send men to capture Zhang Anping!"
"Prepare the carriage! I need to go to the Attendant's residence!" (End of Chapter)