Republic of China: German-equipped divisions massacred as warlords guarded the nation's borders

Chapter 205 A Conversation Between Father and Son of Two Generations of Beiyang Warlords

Chen Zijun sat in the study of the Chen Mansion.

Outside the window, the night was deepening.

He had just seen Mo Huixin off, and his feelings were somewhat complicated.

Fifty million pounds.

This is a huge sum of money.

But what alarmed him even more was the collusion between Sassoon & Co., the Chang family, and the Japanese.

As people often say, if you see one cockroach in your home, it means there's a whole nest of cockroaches out there that you can't see.

Sassoon was forced into a corner and had no choice but to take a risk, which is why his identity was exposed.

What about those that weren't exposed?

For example, the French people who were unwilling to accept this.

For example, the British who coveted sulfonamides.

For example, the young marshal of the Fengtian clique who was always dissatisfied?

Marshal Wu Peifu, who had always wanted to unify the various old Beiyang forces?

"Young Marshal."

Shen Li's voice came from outside the door.

"Come in," Chen Zijun said.

Shen Li pushed open the door and entered, his expression somewhat solemn.

"Young Marshal, the old man is here," Shen Li said. "He says he has something important to discuss with you."

Chen Zijun was taken aback.

Old man?

What is he doing here?

Since his rebirth, Chen Yuhe has remained in Hangzhou, serving as the last line of defense and a stabilizing force in Zhejiang, rarely coming to Shanghai to see him.

He was a perfectly good military governor of Zhejiang Province and commander-in-chief of the Southeast Front Defense Force. I ask you, who in the world would dare to look down on him?

Instead of enjoying the good life, he came to Shanghai in such a hurry, looking shifty and sneaky. There's something important...

It's definitely not good news!

"Brother Li, what are you doing? Quickly invite the old man in."

Shen Li nodded and turned to leave.

A moment later, Chen Yuhe walked in.

Chen Yuhe was over fifty years old, with some gray hair, but he was still very energetic. He was wearing a dark long gown, and his face was somewhat solemn.

"Father," Chen Zijun stood up, "Why are you here so late?"

Chen Yuhe waved his hand, gesturing for Chen Zijun to sit down.

"Zijun, I have something to tell you," Chen Yuhe said, "about this crackdown."

Chen Zijun's heart stirred.

Crackdown?

He had just ordered a crackdown on criminal activities in the five southeastern provinces, and 120 smuggling dens were shut down overnight.

An operation of this scale is bound to attract the attention of many stakeholders, but to find his father so quickly, this person is quite formidable!

My father came late at night just for this?

"Father, what do you want to say?" Chen Zijun asked somewhat heavily, with a hint of probing.

Chen Yuhe remained silent for a moment, seemingly organizing his thoughts.

"Zijun, I've heard about the crackdown."

Chen Yuhe considered his words carefully before speaking slowly, "You've done a great job. Human trafficking, cultural relic smuggling, and drug trafficking are all harmful to the country and its people, and must be severely cracked down on. I support you."

"Thank you, Father."

Chen Zijun nodded and responded softly. This line was too familiar; he was just afraid there would be a twist at the end.

"However," Chen Yuhe changed the subject, "what worries me is that the impact of this crackdown is too far-reaching."

Chen Zijun looked at him.

"Father, what are you worried about?"

Chen Yuhe sighed.

"Zijun, think about it," Chen Yuhe said. "This crackdown has dismantled 120 smuggling dens. Behind each of these dens are powerful figures."

"I know, so what?" Chen Zijun asked.

"My son and I command three to four hundred thousand fully German-equipped army divisions, as well as a navy. Who dares to touch us in the Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Fujian, and Anhui regions?"

"Yes, that makes sense. But have you ever thought about...?"

Chen Yuhe said, "Many of these smuggling dens are run by local gentry and powerful figures. They use their influence to run rampant in the area, engaging in human trafficking, cultural relic smuggling, and drug smuggling. Without the cooperation of these local thugs, criminal gangs simply cannot recruit people or transport goods."

Chen Zijun nodded.

He knows that.

"and……"

Chen Yuhe continued, "These local gentry and powerful figures wield considerable influence in the region. They own vast tracts of land, control local armed forces, and even collude with the government. Your crackdown this time has impacted their interests, and they will certainly retaliate."

Chen Zijun sneered.

"Retaliation?" he said. "Then let them come."

Chen Yuhe shook his head.

"Zijun, you're too confident. These gentry and powerful figures, though individually insignificant, are a force to be reckoned with if they unite. Moreover, they have the support of foreign powers, compradors, capitalists, and tycoons. As the saying goes, even a fierce tiger fears a pack of wolves. If they really unite, even if we ultimately win, the losses will be immense..."

Chen Zijun fell silent.

Chen Yuhe was an older generation of Beiyang warlords who still respected rules and conventions. What he said made sense, but it was not adapted to development.

This crackdown has indeed affected the interests of too many people.

"And another thing," Chen Yuhe continued, "I'm worried, are you absolutely certain that no one in our family is involved in these shady dealings?"

"If, at a crucial moment, the opponents release this information, igniting public opinion and the masses, do you think ordinary people who only know how to follow the crowd will give you a chance to explain?"

"Or, will they even listen to your explanation? And if they do, will they continue to pelt you with rotten eggs, or will they believe your explanation?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Zijun gasped.

"There's really someone in the family who dares to..."

"I wouldn't dare say there isn't one; but it's impossible that there isn't!"

Chen Yuhe said, "The Chen family has been in Shanghai and Zhejiang for so many years, it's inevitable that some relatives and clansmen are involved in these businesses. I've heard that some distant relatives have dealings with smuggling gangs. Some clansmen have even invested in the opium business. Although I told them to withdraw when you first banned opium, who can say for sure whether they really withdrew, or whether they went back into cultural relic smuggling and human trafficking?"

Chen Zijun's face darkened.

Opium, human trafficking...

"I'm still investigating."

Chen Yuhe continued, "But the news is probably true. Some clansmen have indeed invested in shady businesses. They use the Chen family's name to act tyrannically in the area and make ill-gotten gains."

Chen Zijun clenched his fist.

"Father, who are these people?" he asked.

"Don't interfere, leave it to me..."

Faced with Chen Yuhe's fatherly love, Chen Zijun remained silent for a moment, because he knew that his father was doing it for his own good.

Then, he raised his head, his eyes resolute.

"No, Father, this must be dealt with publicly," Chen Zijun said. "No matter who it is, anyone involved in such a heinous act must be severely punished. Even family members are no exception."

Chen Yuhe looked at him, a hint of shock flashing in his eyes.

"Zijun, you did the right thing," Chen Yuhe said. "These people do need to be punished according to the law, but what about your reputation..."

Chen Zijun shook his head, completely unconcerned.

"Thank you, Father, for thinking of me..."

"I'm just worried that what you're doing might cause hostility towards you within the family..."

Chen Yuhe said with a worried expression.

Chen Zijun firmly stated, "If anyone in the family is involved in such a heinous act, then they are unworthy to be members of the Chen family. Dealing with them is to protect the reputation of the Chen family. I believe that the majority of the family supports me."

Chen Yuhe nodded.

"That's good," Chen Yuhe said. "Also, I wanted to ask you, how do you plan to deal with these local gentry and powerful figures?"

Chen Zijun thought for a moment.

"Father, I think this is a good opportunity to strengthen our control over the local area," Chen Zijun said. "These gentry and powerful figures own a lot of land. After a thorough investigation, I can nationalize the land and distribute it to the farmers. This way, we can both weaken their power and improve the lives of the farmers."

Chen Yuhe's eyes lit up.

"Land revolution?" he asked.

"Yes," Chen Zijun said. "Land revolution is necessary. Only by breaking the landlord class's monopoly on land can the people truly become prosperous and strong. The land belongs to the state; they only have the right to use it. They only need to pay a small amount of grain tax each year, and then they will protect us for the sake of the land..."

Chen Yuhe's eyes lit up, and he nodded.

"Zijun, your idea is good," Chen Yuhe said, "but the land revolution will affect the interests of too many people. Are you sure you want to do this?"

Chen Zijun nodded.

"I'm certain," Chen Zijun said. "The land revolution is necessary. Although it will affect the interests of many people, it's for the future of the country. I believe that as long as I persist, we will succeed. Besides, I'm not pushing it through all at once; it's just about taking down some criminal gentry and local bullies and confiscating their land arbitrarily. What's the big deal?"

Chen Yuhe looked at him, a hint of pride flashing in his eyes.

"You've finally grown up."

Chen Yuhe said, "You are more mature than I imagined. I support you."

Chen Zijun smiled.

"Thank you, Father," he said.

"You're welcome. There's one more thing I need to remind you of."

Chen Zijun looked at him.

"Father, you said..."

Chen Yuhe was silent for a moment, then said, "You must pay attention to your personal safety. You can only do things if you are alive. Once you die, it's all over."

Chen Zijun nodded.

"I know," Chen Zijun said. "Father, don't worry, I will be careful."

Chen Yuhe looked at him, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes.

"Then I won't bother you any longer. Get some rest. I have to secretly return to Hangzhou on the last train. Take care..."

"Yes, Father," Chen Zijun said.

Chen Yuhe turned and left.

Chen Zijun sat in the chair and closed his eyes.

Sassoon & Co., various warlords, compradors, capitalists, financial magnates...

These forces are indeed a problem.

But he wasn't afraid.

Because he has the ability.

With strength, one fears no enemy.

Outside the window, the night grew even deeper.

But Chen Zijun's heart was filled with determination.